For fans of The Night Angel Trilogy and fantasy author Brent Weeks
Questions about Brent's Career
Was the rapid release of all three books your idea?
When I was writing the trilogy, after I finished writing the first book, I still didn't have a book contract. So I figured the smart thing to do would be to write a completely different story next--that way, if The Way of Shadows didn't sell, my other new book could be making the rounds. You know, I'd have TWO sellable products making the rounds, doubling my chances, right?
Except the story I was really passionate to tell was Shadow's Edge.
So my wife told me to write Shadow's Edge, and to heck with being smart.
I was deep into Shadow's Edge when we got very close to signing a book deal with an editor. I think it was his idea to publish the books rapidly. Well, he was right about to buy my books when... he got downsized. Yeah, sucked for me, I'm sure it sucked more for him. I finished Shadow's Edge, and at that point, figured what the heck, I'm already this deep into a bad decision (having one product to sell, rather than three) so I'll just keep going.
I was about halfway done with Beyond the Shadows when Editor X got a job elsewhere, and wanted to buy the trilogy. Suddenly, a third group was interested, and then Orbit swept in a bought the trilogy pre-emptively. Orbit was (and kinda is) very new in the US , so they were looking to establish presence in the US quickly, so they were very interested in publishing rapidly. I don't know if they already had the idea, or if they just thought it was awesome. So I don't know exactly who to credit.
So in the end, my stupid idea of writing two books that would do me no good at all if the first one didn't sell turned out not to be so stupid after all.
The good news is it's working out pretty well for the people trying it, so I think we all as readers will see this happen more often.
How did you get published? How long did it take?
I wrote the book in a year, spent six months adapting it into a screenplay, rewrote for several months with what I’d learned from that cross-training exercise, went to a conference to pitch my ‘finished’ novel and met Don Maass. He asked one magical question that made me realize I needed to go back and change everything. I did, submitted it, and then started on the next book. Getting signed with Don took another nine months. I finished the next book and started on the last. We collected rejection letters for a while, then at the end, there was interest from all over—and Orbit threw down a preemptive bid for the trilogy with the plan for a rapid release.
I’m not going to lie: writing almost the entire trilogy without a contract was excruciating, but finishing the third book before the first was published allowed me to go back and tweak things in a way most authors aren’t lucky enough to do.
How long did it take you to write the Night Angel Trilogy?
It took me about five years to write all three books--though I was trying to get an agent and wrote a screenplay during that time. Then it took about six-eight months of editing.
Are you going to write more about Kylar, Durzo, etc.?
Orbit has offered–and I have accepted–another three book deal! I’m not a one hit wonder! (Err, three hit wonder? Err, three pretty-well-performing midlister?) Regardless, I’m going to be writing a new trilogy (I think) set in a completely new world, new magic, with great conflict and impossible dilemmas, and characters that will keep surprising you (I hope). I do plan to return to Midcyru after this series. I just decided that I’m not ready as a writer to pull off the ambitious project I envision there. So if your favorite character is still alive by the end of Beyond the Shadows (muhahah), you MIGHT get to see them again…
When is your next book coming out?
November 2010 and the series is called Black Prism. After that release it will be one book a year.
Will you be visiting my city/continent for a book signing?
I go to the Surrey International Writers' Conference every October, so I do get up to Canada at least least once a year. I'm sure next year there will be a chance for me to sign some books. Of course, October is a long way away...
Is the Night Angel Trilogy going to be made into a movie? UNDER CONSTRUCTION
When I was writing the trilogy, after I finished writing the first book, I still didn't have a book contract. So I figured the smart thing to do would be to write a completely different story next--that way, if The Way of Shadows didn't sell, my other new book could be making the rounds. You know, I'd have TWO sellable products making the rounds, doubling my chances, right?
Except the story I was really passionate to tell was Shadow's Edge.
So my wife told me to write Shadow's Edge, and to heck with being smart.
I was deep into Shadow's Edge when we got very close to signing a book deal with an editor. I think it was his idea to publish the books rapidly. Well, he was right about to buy my books when... he got downsized. Yeah, sucked for me, I'm sure it sucked more for him. I finished Shadow's Edge, and at that point, figured what the heck, I'm already this deep into a bad decision (having one product to sell, rather than three) so I'll just keep going.
I was about halfway done with Beyond the Shadows when Editor X got a job elsewhere, and wanted to buy the trilogy. Suddenly, a third group was interested, and then Orbit swept in a bought the trilogy pre-emptively. Orbit was (and kinda is) very new in the US , so they were looking to establish presence in the US quickly, so they were very interested in publishing rapidly. I don't know if they already had the idea, or if they just thought it was awesome. So I don't know exactly who to credit.
So in the end, my stupid idea of writing two books that would do me no good at all if the first one didn't sell turned out not to be so stupid after all.
The good news is it's working out pretty well for the people trying it, so I think we all as readers will see this happen more often.
How did you get published? How long did it take?
I wrote the book in a year, spent six months adapting it into a screenplay, rewrote for several months with what I’d learned from that cross-training exercise, went to a conference to pitch my ‘finished’ novel and met Don Maass. He asked one magical question that made me realize I needed to go back and change everything. I did, submitted it, and then started on the next book. Getting signed with Don took another nine months. I finished the next book and started on the last. We collected rejection letters for a while, then at the end, there was interest from all over—and Orbit threw down a preemptive bid for the trilogy with the plan for a rapid release.
I’m not going to lie: writing almost the entire trilogy without a contract was excruciating, but finishing the third book before the first was published allowed me to go back and tweak things in a way most authors aren’t lucky enough to do.
How long did it take you to write the Night Angel Trilogy?
It took me about five years to write all three books--though I was trying to get an agent and wrote a screenplay during that time. Then it took about six-eight months of editing.
Are you going to write more about Kylar, Durzo, etc.?
Orbit has offered–and I have accepted–another three book deal! I’m not a one hit wonder! (Err, three hit wonder? Err, three pretty-well-performing midlister?) Regardless, I’m going to be writing a new trilogy (I think) set in a completely new world, new magic, with great conflict and impossible dilemmas, and characters that will keep surprising you (I hope). I do plan to return to Midcyru after this series. I just decided that I’m not ready as a writer to pull off the ambitious project I envision there. So if your favorite character is still alive by the end of Beyond the Shadows (muhahah), you MIGHT get to see them again…
When is your next book coming out?
November 2010 and the series is called Black Prism. After that release it will be one book a year.
Will you be visiting my city/continent for a book signing?
I go to the Surrey International Writers' Conference every October, so I do get up to Canada at least least once a year. I'm sure next year there will be a chance for me to sign some books. Of course, October is a long way away...
Is the Night Angel Trilogy going to be made into a movie? UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cory Montgomery on -
Heh, Its funny how no one mentioned how vi realised that the twin in jenines womb "may" or "may not" be kylars, as she wasnt 100% sure, but that little crazy smile from Dorian kinda confirmed it, lol. Thats something im interested in.
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Permalink Reply by Edward Segura on
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Mr. Brent Weeks, is there anyway that would be available to pre-order the new books that will be released (such as Black Prism series) or something to that extent?
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Permalink Reply by Adam Bailey on
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Is this new book going to be a continuation of the Night Angel trilogy?
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Permalink Reply by Kristi on -
Nope. Check out the thread "Update on what I (Brent) am doing". I think it is featured under discussions.
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