Update on the0World of Ice and Fire companion book

[Boaz]

Re: Update on the World of Ice and Fire companion book

Asshai seems to be in the far, far east. I always thought the name Asshai had something to do with shadows, but what if Asshai means something like eastland? Remember the city of Astapor is on the east side of Slaver's Bay. The As- could mean east, like the West- in Westeros and the Soth- in Sothoros. Mayhaps the eastern continent is called something like Asoros, Aseros, Asaros...

 

[Culhwch]

What's the latest on this project? Has it died a death? Was just thinking about it cruising around the Citadel. No word lately...

 

[Werthead]

THE WORLD book exists as a complete draft, with Ran and Linda sending in their draft some months ago. A lot of the artwork has been completed and I believe some new maps are on the way, whilst fan-favourite artist Amoka has been contracted for some fresh material.

The problem at the moment is that THE WORLD book includes detailed information on Braavos, Volantis and the lands of the east that will be revealed first in ADWD, so THE WORLD book can only come out after ADWD is out. GRRM also has to do some revisions which he can only do when ADWD is completed.

In short, THE WORLD book will be out some time after ADWD is done and dusted.

In the meantime, Ted Nasmith's great castle artwork from the book has been extracted and will be used for the 2011 ASoIaF Calendar (from a reputable publishers this time), out in July from Bantam. It will still appear in the WORLD book as well.

One piece of info that has slipped from the book: the name of the eastern continent, the one with the Free Cities and Dothraki sea and Qarth and Slaver's Bay and Asshai and so on, is 'Essos'.

 

[Ursa major]

I like the sound of more maps.

It's good to see that all involved in this project are being responsible about not trying to spoil our reading of the books. The fact that it's properly tied in with the series will give me the confidence to buy it when it comes out, something I wouldn't want to do with a "knocked up out of speculation" rip-off. (Having said that, I'd give a second glance to The Boaz Book of Bogus Brainstorming.)



Essos has been mentioned on Wiki for quite a while now. I hadn't realised that it was leaked from this book. (But at least it can't be considered to be any sort of spoiler.)