Thursday, November 1, 2012

Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: We Have A Final Draft!

My editor and I still have editing work to do, but yesterday, I completed the final draft of Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: Framework.

That means the story in this novel is complete, and all the necessary scenes are written. The ending of the book caps off the series in a way I find satisfying, in some ways, most of the book is made up of mini-endings that pop up throughout.

A lot of what you'll find between the covers will be unexpected, and I'm fairly proud of that. After two and a half years, scrapping one draft entirely, and re-writing, I'm happier than I can say that I have something I can call complete and final.

Here's some extra info on the book:
181,388 Words (Almost as long as The Fellowship Of The Ring).
56 Chapters
Will be available in print, then in eBook form.
Editing is expected to take two weeks, and it began months ago while writing was under way.
This book brings the series to a total word count of over 1,069,500 words.

I'm afraid there won't be a preview of Spinward Fringe Broadcast 8 at the end of Broadcast 7, because I'm developing Spinward Fringe Broadcasts 8, 9, and 10 together. They will be smaller books, that's all I can say about that for now.

Once we're almost finished editing, I'll submit to my eBook formatting partners for a work date to find out when they can format the book. After I have that date, I'll be able to announce a release date, and I'm really looking forward to it!

The major work is done, and I'm very happy with the story and characters. I hope to have this in front of you soon, so you can enjoy this conclusion of Spinward Fringe season one. For some of you, this will be the conclusion of the series. I hope it's very satisfying.

RL

[Addendum: For other readers who aren't looking for a conclusive end to the entire series, Broadcast 7 is only the end of the first section of the series. The second section, or 'season' will begin with Broadcast 8, which exists in notes at the moment.]

31 comments:

2bresolute said...

Wow. So it's hooked us in ebook form, but now the ebook is only available AFTER the printed book comes out?

Randolph Lalonde said...

I know where you're coming from 2bresolute, but it's a result of timing.

The eBook formatting company that will be handling this book will take weeks to get around to working on the book, then there are a couple days added for the proofing process, then the final files are done, requiring another day or two.

The physical book will be formatted in-house, since I know how to do it myself, and I can get proofs in a couple days. At worst, the whole thing will take a week, then it'll be available on Amazon.com, as well as Amazon.co.uk (depending on Amazon, but their provisioning has been pretty good).

So, it's a difference of one process taking less time because I'm good at it, and the other process taking a little longer because I'm not willing to put out an eBook with half-assed formatting. I want both versions done right.

There's no intentional, preferential treatment with regards to formatting.

Thanks for your comment!

RL

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for the ebook release!! I should have paced myself when reading the previous books so there wouldn't have been such a long gap before Broadcast 7. It's just hard to put the book down once I get started reading. Thank you for such a great series.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Randy! Can't wait to read it.

Curtis McCully said...

I can't for this book as well. I would really prefer the eBook version since I have the book reader app read to me while I'm doing other things. But, I know I won't be able to wait so I'll end up with good old fashioned paper.

It's just as well. It doesn't seam fair to have Randolph work for 2 1/2 years on this book and then I blow through it in a week. Going paper will give you another week or two Randolph to come out with Broadcast 8.

Unknown said...

Great news, though I will wait for the ebook . As far as I am concerned, I will never buy a paper book again. If '7' never makes it to an ebook format, then I guess I'll never read it!

Randolph Lalonde said...

Hey Greg!

"If '7' never makes it to an ebook format, then I guess I'll never read it!"

Oh, it'll be in eBook Format, that's for sure. I'm spending a good pile of money on a professional formatter so it arrives in good shape too. No worries.

RL

Lee B said...

Sweet! I've needed to catch up on my Dan Simmons - Hyperion series while waiting for this! :-)

j.Hawk said...

I started this series in August, and I find myself caught up to the writing! Very anxious to continue, and keep up the fantastic work.

Anonymous said...

My old tired eyes won't let me read print! The eBook formatting company takes weeks! Oh the ignomy...why are they so, so testudineos?

Unknown said...

I have been waiting 2 years for this release. I am happy it is in site. Will the novella be released at the same time?

Mae Ling Mak said...

Oh, thank you! I am having such horrible withdrawal!

Giger said...

Will Broadcast 7 be available on pre-order? Maybe even signed copies?

I previously read that you planned on releasing more signed copies of Origins. Is that accurate? Do you happen to have a time frame?

Randolph Lalonde said...

Giger said...
"Will Broadcast 7 be available on pre-order? Maybe even signed copies?"

Amazon doesn't have a system for me to set up pre-orders, and there won't be enough time between now and release to really justify one.

Signed copies of Broadcast 7 and more will be available on the print version release day through the link at the bottom of this comment.

"I previously read that you planned on releasing more signed copies of Origins. Is that accurate? Do you happen to have a time frame?"

Signed copies of Origins are available right now through the Home Store, but I suggest you wait until Broadcast 7 is out to order, so you can save cash on shipping.

The release date for Broadcast 7 in print and EBook formats is coming soon, and you shouldn't have too long to wait after the announcement.

Here's the link to the Home Store, you can also find it on the right hand side of this blog. Thanks for the questions!

http://randolphlalonde.blogspot.ca/2011/07/spacerwares-local-temporary-store.html

Ivan said...

Even after 2 years of waiting I definitelly will not buy a paper copy, especially from Amazon. Having all previous Broadcasts in ebook format makes buying paper copy of the last book nonsence. And Amazon with all the behavior of monopolist is a least favorable place to look for a book. what happened with all the indy publishing business?

Randolph Lalonde said...

Ivan said...
"Even after 2 years of waiting I definitelly will not buy a paper copy,"

No worries. I'm not pushing anyone in that direction. The paper copy simply won't take as long to produce as the EBook because i don't need the assistance of coding professionals. It's my hope that the eBook version won't be far behind the paper version.

On the other hand, there are about a hundred readers who only read Spinward Fringe in print, and they're pretty happy right now.

RL

Randolph Lalonde said...

Ivan also said...

"what happened with all the indy publishing business?"

This is still an indie production, I didn't sell out to Amazon, they just have the best print platform and distribution right now.

As for the EBook side of indie, I'm paying for assistance with the EBook coding because it'll benefit you and all the other readers in the end. I'm crap at EBook formatting, so getting professional help is the best option.

Overall, if I were more indie, I'd be drawing on cave walls.

Thanks for the questions!

RL

Rehan said...

Hi

I for one cannot be any happier to know that we are actually much closer to reading the book. Honestly speaking, I don't mind waiting a bit more for the ebook, so, thank you Mr Lalonde for this update...

Darren said...

This is fantastic news, I've been waiting so long to hear this! Just got to say I respect you so much more for scrapping your first draft, most writers would just put it out anyway and I would hate to be disappointed with F7 after such a brilliant series, can I just ask if you have been approached by a publisher? You are a superb writer and deserve to be selling millions of copys of your works. The best thing for me is I wasn't into science fiction before reading this series you have opened my eyes to many other great authors out there.

khenigit said...

I'm incredibly excited! I've been eating for this book and am very much looking forward to reading it! And thank you so much for the update in print. I haven't started with podcasts because I find them time consuming. woo hoo framework!

Ivan said...

This really nice analitical post about today's publishing options makes the picture a bit clearer: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/news/publishing-news/on-ebooks-realistic-expectations

Randolph Lalonde said...

Hello Ivan!

The article you posted is pretty good. There are some real differences between their situation and mine though, and I can clarify here without taking too much time.

Unlike the authors in the article, I've had experience doing unconventional publicity for clients before i started publishing the Spinward Fringe series in 2008, and I've had extensive experience with owning my own business.

The royalty amounts are more generous when you're self publishing as well. My trade paperback books sell for less than the equivalent from big publishers, but I make four times as much as traditionally published writers when they sell. I don't focus on print, however, I see them as specialty items instead of the focus. EBooks are my focus.

In the article they say that libraries, international distribution and other deals aren't available to self published writers.

That isn't true. Smashwords is engaged in a project that offers books to libraries, and they have many, many participating locations.

I've had three international deals offered. One was turned down because they offered what I like to call "funny money." This term refers to publishers who aren't making a fair advance offer by far, are asking for too many rights, and expect me to make sweeping changes to the existing series. The other two captured my interest because they were interested in translating the entire series and publishing it in their corners of the world. I'm willing but one publishing company went bankrupt before the deal closed, the other has decided to wait until the series is more complete. They're not offering tons of money, nowhere near, but they could get Spinward Fringe into another language, which is worth a lot to me. After a certain number of years, the rights to that translated version would revert to me.

To answer another previous question, I've had a few offers from small publishers for the English rights to the series, but they were always offering Funny Money numbers.

The article is right on the amount of work that goes into a book, but they do seem a little off on some important self publishing information, which isn't surprising since they're not really self-pub veterans. J.A. Konrath, the king of self-pub, would be a better source.

RL

Cyberpym said...

Hi R.L! I've been gobbling up Science Fiction since before I went to Secondary school (which, believe me, is a long time ago). I've read a lot of good Sci-Fi and forgotten a lot of 'not so good' stuff but, I can honestly say that I can never remember a series that grabbed me and held me so strongly. I like reading, on my Kindle, before I go to sleep and normally have about an hour before I start getting tired. Since I started the Spinward Fringe series, I have begun going to bed earlier and reading until later. I used to go to bed at midnight and read until 1.00am. One night, I went to bed at !!.00pm and when I next noticed the time, it was 5.30am and I could barely see the print! Now I am going to bed at 9.00pm and still reading until 2-3 am! I am on Broadcast 4 and checked here to make sure there was going to be a Broadcast 7 because I am so badly addicted. Your characters have made me laugh and cry in equal amounts. I feel like I'm in love with Jacob Valance and was definately with Jonas Valent. Please just carry on with what you're doing. You're making this lady's life very happy.

Ruth Holt.

Ivan said...

Hi Randolph, thank you for very detailed reply. I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t want you to see only critical thoughts - on a contrary I am keep coming to your page looking for the book. I know you had some complains about spelling and formats for your previous books, but to me it was so minor compare to actual content and storyline logic. I don’t know what happened but lately I am reading a lot of books with very big flaws in story development, things contradicting in different parts of a book and so on. Such was a saga about Kreelan Empire, similar I can say about the latest book by the OSC. I don’t know if it is bad luck or it's me paying more attention to small details. It seems that your Broadcast 6 was one of a few latest books I really enjoyed reading. so, are we there yet? ;-).

Anonymous said...

I always re-read all the books in a series when a new one comes out. I have been awaiting this for a long time it seems and I hope it continues to be up to expectations. You know Randy, this could replace ghost hunters on the scifi channel which would be a vast improvement since they took off stargate. If you need any ideas for space weapons I would gladly send you a few to use in your books.

Anonymous said...

Great news to hear that B7 is imminent! Thanks for all the hard work - I have no idea how you come up with these stories, but they are amazing.

And I agree with one of the other posters that the best thing to do now is re-read the existing books so that I can fully appreciate B7!
- TRI

Randolph Lalonde said...

It's official! Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: Framework has been released early thanks to the hard work of editors and the EBook formatter working on the project.

Here are the links so far!

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256369

Amazon (US): amzn.to/SXETIQ
Amazon (UK): amzn.to/TaKorj
Amazon (FR): amzn.to/TaKmzD

There's much more info in the podcast: http://crewcastradio.com/2012/11/18/the-spinward-fringe-podcast-framework-release-special/

Unknown said...

Randolph,
I really love your books. I've spent the last 3 months completely engaged in them!
You said that we could order a signed copy when Broadcast 7 is released. How do I go about ordering that?
Bonnie

Randolph Lalonde said...

Hello Bonnie!

I'm really glad to hear you've enjoyed the books, I hope you like Broadcast 7 even more. There's a mini-store at the bottom of my blog now, and you can order signed copies using that.

Thank you very much for supporting me and reading the books.

RL

Aboatface said...

Any news on a Nook release? I check every few days but still nada.

Randolph Lalonde said...

We've done everything we can from this end. I suggest grabbing it from Smashwords (it's the same file that Barnes & Noble should be hosting by now).