What I'm Writing Now

Through the Groaning Earth

Through the Groaning Earth is the sequel to my dark fantasy novel Escape from Devil's Head. Once again the novel will be told from shifting perspectives by an eclectic variety of denizens from the City of Bathos-- all with differing aims. Their paths will cross at times and the meetings won't always be amicable. Several of the central characters from Escape from Devil's Head will be appearing, as well as some that were only mentioned in passing in the first book. And since Bathos is a huge city of festering evil, blackest sorceries and interguild political intrigue, there will be plenty of conflicts and new characters to draw upon.

Currently I'm telling the tale of a back-alley skull-splitter named Willen who is tired of scrabbling for copper coins in the filthy gutters and wants to step up his game. Ambition in Bathos is always a good story theme, because it inevitably brings you into conflict with someone else. Hierarchy and classism are built into the very structure of Bathos and when you climb the ladder of success it seems you have to push someone else aside.

Willen is quite an unpleasant fellow, but I'm saving that topic of discussion for another blog down the road. In the meantime, if you're not familiar with the City of Bathos I urge you to check it out. Escape from Devil's Head is available at Amazon.com or you can special order it at your local book store (if you still have one).

How long before Through the Groaning Earth is finished and available? I'm currently about 40,000 words into the book--perhaps a third of the way through. I don't expect to be finished until September or so, and even if a fast moving publisher like PulpWork Press picks up the book it won't be available until at least mid 2009. In the meantime, if you need a fantasy fix--and haven't read Escape from Devil's Head already-- do check out the prequel!