originally posted by nathan
I used to double space my essays at college just to make it look like I had done more work! Glad to see that this old trick is still in use :')
Janny, would it be realistic to expect a final manuscript to be in the region of 1000 pages? I've had a quick look through archived discussions on this site but haven't yet found any reference to what the TK page count was before it was turned in.
OK I'll let y'all off the hook!
Manuscript count is way higher than actual printed page book's count…not to save space, but to save editorial eyes, and to allow for US AUTHORS to pencil stuff in, too! And once upon a time, the copyeditor wrote in between the lines, also - manuscripts had about four colors of pencil marks when they finished production! Now, it's still a tradition.
To give you a Rough Idea of former sizes:
Mistwraith was about 1000 pages manuscript.
Traitor's Knot ran into the 900s, then ran higher when glossary and appendix were added.
To Ride Hell's Chasm ran 850.
NO, this book will not split. I feel, at the 500 page mark, that I ought to be at the brink of the final sequence of action. As the "kick" incident that knocks things into unwind occurs, there should be a clear view of the windup action, with no more "stages" to build footing. This is the case.
My aim: to bring in this book at 850 - 900, before glossary. This has left me some "wiggle room" in case (like the battle with the iyats in TK) one "incident" rides the course of several chapters.
I know the windup incident MUST ride the course of several chapters…but - what lies between here and then is very known ground.
I "expect" in the neighborhood of 14 chapter sets. and when I hit set 12-13, I'd better BE in the windup action.
Hit page 800, I need to be into the final sequence, no question.
So that gives you a map of sorts.
I DO know when tentative dates are spoken for, with this next book. I do not want to post them! yet – because each time that "tentative" dates get shifted, alot of times due to circumstances that are NOT of my making, but part of a team effort (between the publisher and me) these dates CAN change, and when people get angry, bitter, disappointed and choose to write me tart notes - that hurts! Distracts from my efforts to create, put bluntly. Not everyone is inconsiderate…just the few spoke very loudly, due to the intensity of their feelings (they WANTED the book that badly, they didn't think past their own fury, in the moment of intense disappointment). But that fury took the form of a detrimental impact, on me.
So out of caring - tentative dates are not promises, let's stick to promises! Once the manuscript is finished, turned in, and into production - then it's the publisher's place to "announce" their intentions. The turn in date I've agreed for this manuscript, by contract, is JUNE 06, and to meet that, I am on schedule.
originally posted by nathan
Janny, you are amazing. Thank you for such a thorough explanation. I'm sure I speak on behalf of many of your fans when I thank you once again for your caring and consideration, outstanding as always.
As for those fans whose limited patients can upset your kilter from time to time, I can only apologise and hope that they can learn to hold their tongues and contemplate the full ramifications of a harsh word.
(Feeling very defensive of my favourite author)
originally posted by Juliana
Thank you Janny-
I only recently started perusing this chat area.
I was not aware that you received hurtful postings (although nothing surprises me anymore) otherwise I would have been more sensitive when asking about publication dates.
originally posted by Blue
Good idea not to post those tentative dates… some folks see the dates and miss the part that reads "tentative". I remember some of those posts, and I also remember wanting to coat them in mutton gravy and whistle me up a Gryphon.
Things that happen that are beyond your control… Hmmm, like living in the hurricane capital of the US? 
Hey, power outages, getting sick or dealing with a sick friend or family member, or even an unavoidable annoyance that makes us all grateful for the good aspects of life? Unfortunately, Janny's no more immune to these things than the rest of us.
Fortunately, however, Janny's got a terrific attitude toward life to get her through, and a nice husband to lend a hand if necessary.
originally posted by Hunter
It's probably also worth noting, FWIW, that release dates one might see in various online catalogs may not be correct… e.g. if Amazon or Borders says date x and HC website says date y, I would follow the HC website's date…
originally posted by Trys
I agree with Hunter to the extent that a publisher's website has a greater likelihood of accuracy over what a catalog may say. It always amazes me to see a book being listed on Amazon with a release date and number of pages when I know the author is still writing the book. It's flawed data from start.
Now as to a publisher's website, they will be only as accurate as the information flow to and workload of the website staff of that publisher. If a date shifts for some reason it is possible that the publisher website may not reflect that in 'timely' manner.
So I'd suggest that for Janny's books you rely on the information posted here. 
Trys
originally posted by Arend
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Janny. Glad to know I have plenty of time to reread the current arc before I read its final volume 
Happy New Year, by the way!
It's funny how music can affect us. It took me years to be able to listen to certain Clannad songs again, so associated were they with my national service in the army. Or certain songs that pull me straight back into the stress of finishing my dissertation. **shudders**
At the same time, Bach or Arvo Paert is always a good bet to get me in a focused space where I get a lot of work done…
Arend - you are welcome. It's already a Happy New Year. Last night - the "sattelite muse download" hit and I was up, in the dark, cold quiet of the wee hours, taking notes at a fierce pace, I was so charged. Bang! and all the various threads ordered just so, meshed just so, matched to some pretty explosive action.
Know what you mean about music. I am really "sound crabby" sometimes. The wrong music, the wrong sorts of noise steer my moods, can even ride me like a spurred horse until I want to yell Quit Already!!!
During the "wait" for Stormed Fortress - you will have two opportunities to connect with the Atheran universe. One, in Fantasy Masters paperback release, edited by Bill Fawcett, from Baen Books (this month!) if you haven't seen Child of Prophecy, it unveils links all over the place. Not necessary to understanding of the story, but adds more depth and sheds lots of illumination on pertinent areas…the other, date not finally set, but that could be next year - Jana Paniccia and Julie Czerneda's Under Cover of Darkness anthology from DAW will feature (among many talented authors' stories) The Sundering Star, which is Athera-related, and I'll leave the rest as a surprise. This one will raise some eyebrows and blow not a few smug theories to threads and bits! (very big grin)
I am still amazed - at what readers can miss, if they focus too strongly on their own vantage…on another post, elsewhere, here, regarding "was this line in Peril's Gate an "editorial mistake" - nope. Nothing is perfect, my goofs and small editorial mistakes can happen, sometimes. And have. Othertimes, the thingie is deliberate. If something is not understandable, you Can always ask which. Intent or Typo.
And off I go to materialize the next scenes as they presented - you're gonna LOVE this!!! I do wish you didn't have to wait Either, it makes me burst, sometimes, with anticipation. Hard to hold my own secrets! before press time.
Hotdog!
Ch 8 main topped out.
Page count (manuscript) as of NOW, 510, and hopping…
originally posted by Hunter
Did you mean this year (2006) for Under Cover of Darkness… as opposed to last year (2005) or next year (2007)?
Your response above did amuse me greatly:
quote:"If something is not understandable, you Can always ask which. Intent or Typo. "
A newbie might think this is you indicating that you'll explain the non-understandable bit… whereas you've committed only to indicating that something is really an "Intent" or a "Typo" - and dear reader, you'll need to keep frying your brain to work out why…
I meant possibly 2006, as stated. Tax time, I'm with it, on the numbers.
And I will explain the not understandable bits, if they are truly not spoilers, and if I am asked by Name, if the puzzlement is genuine in course of a re-read and not asked for refresher, as in, "I didn't read the book for eight years, can you remind me?"
Reminder questions get answered, too - if I am asked by name - but usually those get a "Your clues on the matter lie in this volume, chapter and verse."
That way, I won't spoil somebody else's experience if they are on genuine schedule for getting a dynamite stick in the presumptions…
Hey, cool (laugh!) - I can hiccup out smilies too - !
originally posted by Konran
Janny, if I saw someone hiccuping out emoticons, I think I would run. XD
"The Sundering Star"… from the title, I may have a few guesses what that might be about… *adds another item to her "must read" list*…
originally posted by Hunter
LOL!
originally posted by Benjamin Findlater
Oh i cannot wait. I have struggled to find anyone in my age group or location (17 and Australia) who has heard of Janny's work let alone is an enthusiast.
Ahh well i have finally found some people who understand what it is to say "Damn you to Sithaer for your stupid ways"
And to see an author take such a personal interest in their fanbase is amazing. In Australia there aren't many authors of good works, with the exception of possibly Sara Douglass' Axis stories, so to find out that the author of my favourite books is also a great person is a really uplifting experience. No offense intended of course but i did expect this to be an entirely fan based effort with yourself held aloof. But thank you from the bottom of my heart Janny, for Arithon, for Dakar and for taking the time and effort to respond to fans
Ben
originally posted by Trys
Welcome to the board Ben.
Trys
originally posted by Hunter
Ben,
I think you might be selling short many fine Australian authors. There are many good authors in Australia in a wide variety of genres and styles within the realms of fantasy and sci fi. The Aurealis awards recognize the best works annually. If you're looking for suggestions of Australian authors, this is a good place to start.
The term "good works" is also rather subjective term. Sara Douglass is one of the leading Australian fantasy authors in terms of books sold, that's true. Whether they are "good works" is also a person's opinion.
Hunter
Konran, I rather thought they'd look a bit like the soap bubbles, hicc'ed by Mickey Mouse, in Fantasia…
Welcome to the board Ben! Always great to see another new face at the party.
(Quick entry, before diving back into the first subchapter, to eight, which was writing itself in my open-eye sleep)
originally posted by Sandtiger
Under Cover of Darkness should be out later this year. The final manuscript should be in shortly, so I should know the month of release not to long after that.
And as one of the editors, I am more than happy to gloat and say that Janny's story is terrific. It blew me out of the water.
Jana (Taking a *very* quick break from working a neckbreak pace election campaign)
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Ben,
An Aussie author that I read recently and very much enjoyed is Truddi Canavan. Her Black Magician Trilogy was written from 2001 thru 2003. The books were very well written with lots of intrigue and some very neat surprises, particularly at the end. Characters were well developed and plots, subplots were good. The length of each book is typical for today: the 1st has 365 pages, the 2nd has 460 and the 3rd has 526.
I have read several other fantasies since reading the BMT and yet I still remember the main plot and the characters. Typically this only happens for me for well written books and very good books. Of course I purchased all three at the same time and was able to read the trilogy straight thru.
Eventually I'll have all of the books from WoLaS and will be able to read them straight thru. What a treat!!
Frank