Just about snuck this one into August! Deary me what a month this has been, and I’m quite pleased it’s nearly over to be honest. Some great things happened in August, but it’s been a real challenge personally.
I’ll bore you as most people skip this bit anyway. August has been our first summer holidays with kids of school age, and with very little support it’s been a juggling act between my wife and I to keep the little cherub’s occupied by taking time off (which is rewarding but leaves little time for much else). It’s been a struggle to stay on top of everything, even with a new assistant! I also contracted a pretty gnarly chest infection 2 weeks ago which I’ve just come off anti-biotics for and still feeling like hood’s scrotum. Yeah I know, poor me, poor me… So, sorry if I’ve not been as responsive the last 5 weeks, I’m nearly out the funk, I think.
Self-pity aside we can focus on the positives now! So, Legend has nearly finished shipping which is a HUGE monkey off my back. Both Standard and Deluxe have all been shipped with the Lettered to follow w/c 8th September latest. So that’s cool! Owners seem to be pleased with how this one turned out, so again, pleased with that.
Got a real mountain to climb to finish the year strong but as the fog is starting to clear on the last few weeks, I’m starting to get really excited about what’s coming up! Plans are also materialising for Dragonsteel Nexus 2025 in December, which I’m seriously looking forward to now.
Legend
As mentioned, it’s nearly completely shipped! We just have the Lettered Editions to go out and any tiers ordered by Lettered owners. I’ve made some tweaks to the final book design of this one, as I often do following the prototypes, so hopefully these are well received.
The only thing left after this will be the print release, which I expect at the end of this year of the dustjacket art. It’s a really cool piece by Justin Sweet and hopefully it sells well!
The Fall of Hyperion
Well underway at the bindery now! Nearly finished folding ready for the finishing of the bookblocks. I’ve had an advance copy sent by Nomad Letterpress of the interiors and it looks brilliant – great work from Nomad as per usual and follows on nicely from Hyperion.
I’ve probably mentioned the art is all in from Jaime Jones and I proofed the colours for printing just last week, so these will be hitting the bindery to tip in later this week. The bindery will have everything and I’m hoping for a swift turnaround on this one as it’s Deluxe and Lettered only.
I don’t have any rough dates yet for shipping from the bindery and I’m reticent to forecast as I am often lambasted by collectors if these dates are not hit. I’d be surprised if these weren’t in people’s hands by November though… Shit, I’ve done it again.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Nearly on the press now! We’ve had some unexpected delays on this one trying to ensure we get the colour work right on the paintings by Gary Gianni. It is not an exact science; that’s for darn sure. However, I think we’re there now and the colour process can start next week at Gomer Press. This should be take a week and then be with Hand & Eye Press for overprinting two colours of letterpress.
When will this be done? Good question. I’d say the pages should be with the bindery in October as long as no reprints are required (we had two with Legend, mind). The binding is scheduled for Q4 with the bindery but to be cautious I’d suggest a Q1 shipping on this one… We’ll know more as the months tick down!
Last Argument of Kings
The printing of this should be done in the next couple of weeks (Omnia sheets already collected) and will be at the bindery shortly after it has had the second colour printed. We’re ahead of schedule on this one and of course in a perfect world the bindery would just crack on and get this one out the door. However, they do not have unlimited trained binders, so this one may bind/ship Q1 2026. It may also jump the queue should any delays hit Hitchhiker’s. I’ll be monitoring this closely with the bindery as we agreed 5 books a year through them and we’re not hitting that currently.
Good news is the art coming in from Greg Manchess is really freaking cool, the guy is a legend for a reason! Also, it’s all oils as well which is amazing. Love traditional mediums! Joe’s happy with his work too, which is always a bonus too.
The Martian
Currently being proofed as we speak for printing. The interiors are looking really good and this is scheduled to print with Hand & Eye Press later this year with binding early 2026. We’ve also had the limitation pages signed by both Yuxing Zhang and Andy Weir and are with the bindery along with the interior art! Just a bit of patience for printing/binding and we’re good to go on this one!
Assassin's Apprentice
Just booking the slot in with Nomad Letterpress on this one as it’s been proofed and all ready for platemaking. I’m hoping we can get this one printed this year but won’t know for a few weeks roughly when this one is scheduled to hit the press.
Art was completed sometime ago and we’re starting artwork on Royal Assassin soon too, which is exciting. Should be a H1 2026 shipping window for this, best I can estimate currently!
The Obelisk Gate
Up next officially! We’ll be taking our pre-orders for the second instalment of The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, illustrated by John Anthony Di Giovanni in September. The exact date has yet to be determined, but most likely mid-September judging by prototype progress.
We’ll be revealing the Standard, Deluxe and Lettered prototypes as well as the exclusive Dustjacket art for the Standard by John Anthony di Giovanni. For those not aware, this release will be called the “Sapphire Edition” following on from our “Amethyst Edition” release of The Fifth Season.
I’m very excited to finally carry this series on as we shipped The Fifth Season in August last year. As mentioned previously we opted to stick with John Anthony for all three books in the series and as such has meant a larger gap between releases than normal due to his scheduling. Good things come to those who wait. (I learned that from a Guiness advert, of course).
Endymion
My god, does it have its own section now? Yes. Does that mean it’s being released this year? Also yes. Is that good news? Fuck yes! But when? Probably end of November for the reveal and pre-order depending on TFOH shipping. I’ve been advised there will be no chance of crossover…
I’ve been really keen to get Endymion released this year to keep pace with the first two books and I’m pleased to confirm this will be the 5th release of 2025. As many will already be aware Thomas Elliot is the artist selected on the final two books of the Cantos and the work I’ve seen from him so far is brilliant and a worthy successor to Jaime Jones.
I know there’s speculation about the design/concept for Endymion and The Rise of Endymion. Without wanting to give it away ahead of time, I’ll say this. It follows on from the first two books for sure, but they aren’t blue.
That’s all on Endymion for now!
Future Titles
Hmmmm. Lots on, not much I want to really say at this stage for most upcoming projects. More than one of these projects has nearly had all the art completed already! Of course, there are sequels to the numerous series I’m working on underway too.
One particular book has had some movement recently which I think I can mention, Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie… Obviously a very anticipated title for us due to the success of The First Law. Well, I’m really pleased to announce that Tyler Jacobson is the artist in question on this book! Tyler is INCREDIBLE and such a great fit for Best Served Cold. The three of us had a great Art Direction meeting last week which has gotten me really excited for this release. No idea when we’ll pre-order for sure, but it will be in 2026 at the very least.
