Currently taking a break from Inheritance of Magic #5 to work on the edits for Inheritance of Magic #4. I’m actually enjoying it; edits are hard work (significantly harder than a first draft) but they also make an enormous difference. Even relatively small editorial changes (maybe changing 5% or less of the book’s total wordcount) can hugely improve the final result.
For instance, one very common thing to find in first drafts is beginnings of plot threads that don’t go anywhere. Usually this is something that happens organically – while you’re writing the first draft, you include something as a potential plotline that you’re thinking of developing in some way. Then things change – either the story goes in a different direction to the one you were expecting, or you end up replacing that development with something else, or you just realise that the plotline isn’t really working out that well and decide to drop it. In all cases this means that the starting bits of the plotline become redundant and don’t go anywhere. One of the major things you do while editing is to snip out bits like this. So instead of a map with one main path and lots of little offshoots that fade out into a blur, you end up with a map with fewer offshoots, but all of which are fully drawn in. It makes the book much clearer and more satisfying to read.
The result of all this is that editing, while it can be a bit frustrating from time to time, is also quite rewarding. You can very much see the book getting better as you work.
At the moment I’m averaging about one chapter a day, and IoM #4 is about twenty chapters long. So with a bit of luck I should be finished by around the middle of the month. Once that’s done, it’ll be back to work on book #5!
Interesting to know 🙂
I have been obsessing over the books in the series lately, and am so excited for the release of the next one.
I have even made up a list of questions for the next reddit ama.
Ahhh, I am so excited. It makes me so happy to know that you are making a fast progress.
Do you know when the cover and title release will be out? Last year it was around May (US ver.), I think.. But.. I assume it might take a longer time this time around as the edits are not finished, so… my guess is… june/july?
The cover will probably be a bit delayed this time due to the slowness of the edits. Title should be relatively soon.
Thank you very much for the update on Book#4. I’m assuming that there will be further world-building, perhaps when the edits are complete, these expand our knowledge of Stephen’s world and add to our enjoyment of the whole IoM series. However, I can see why they wouldn’t fit within the Novels themselves but are an amazing bonus for fans to peruse while waiting for the next book in the series. They are also, so far, factual (I think?) so missing out on speculation on the ‘grey areas’ of the world such as the mysterious powerful groups in the background, influencing a lot of the world’s major events.
I can understand that you don’t want to include spoilers with the world-builders, but think (perhaps?) that your readers would be justified in knowing as much as Stephen does at this stage in the series? I’m thinking Primal and Dimensional Drucraft and how these can be used. We haven’t heard in the books that he has tried these but even if he hasn’t found wells and tried/failed to fashion Sigls he must has seen some indications on what range of sigls be structured from the what’s offered in the Exchange Catalogue?
Stephen has also met “the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen” and has been thrown into close proximity to her with his Personal Security work. While I am not expecting the series to morph into a Romance Novel, although I would guess that his post-teenage hormones mush be firing at each encounter? I was hoping that interactions between the two of them would figure in his narrative of events, rather than they suddenly emerge as a couple (as Alex and Ann did in the previous series).
Love the books, but I have to absolutely agree with you on the last point, especially.
This story is great in so many aspects, but as of now I struggle to see how romance can naturally fit in it. I get that Stephen’s young, but he has sooo much going on now!
Too much going on? He literally only has one paying job and that’s to watch over her…
In life in general; His involvement with winged, well raiding commitments, studying to get stronger (sometimes involving help from Father Hawke), his promises to Ivy and Colin in terms of drucraft “mentoring”, classes with Magnus and “lessons” with Charles. I imagine as a liaison he will be even more busy. Not all of his commitments are paid, and not everyone may agree to “He has a lot going on”, but it seems a lot to me 🙂
Fair comment, just surpised that the thread from book#1 hasn’t developed…
Given the timing of the book 4 edits, curious what you think this will do to the release dates of the rest of the books (particularly for books 4 and 5), if that’s something you can share?
It shouldn’t delay things. Book 4 is still on track to release this November, and Book 5 is currently on track to release a year after that.
That is great news – looking forward to Book#4!
That’s wonderful news! A retailer’s website listed march 27th as the publishing date for book 4 so that had me a little worried for a moment.
2027
First I’ve heard of that! According to my publishers they’re still aiming for November 2026.
I just finished the first two books and started the third. It’s really fun, and the extra material on the blog will hopefully help keep me entertained while I wait for the next books.
The statement about clients and money saving tips made me laugh out loud and replay the audio for my partner. “Too real,” he said.
I am also with Jorgen, and the bodyguard’s bodyguard-romance-baby son having a bodyguard romance is not on my wishlist. Seems not to fit the socioeconomic statements and awareness throughout the first two books. It would weirdly make it the third series in the past month that I have read with a bodyguard romance. Guess I will find out as I continue reading.
Agree with you about the drip feed of background during the year! Keeps me going during the long wait for the next book.
I dont think of Stephen as bodyguard, more reluctant part of house Ashford and hero on waiting? Im rather hoping that he gets afew happy interludes as the story progresses…
His family dont seem to be that great (expect Brigette?) suportive rather than caring/loving