What am I going to be writing next ...?

[Mark Robson]

Well, it is a bit premature to say too much until a contract is agreed and signed, but I will say that it looks very likely that (based on my story efforts to date) nobody is going to predict the sort of story most likely to become my next series. All I will say is that I'm really excited about the prospect of writing it ... and it is TOTALLY different from anything I've done before with no links to any of my previous books. Don't be upset, though, people. The storyline had me, my agent, and my editor buzzing by the end of the meeting I had today. If I get this one right, I foresee huge interest in the story.

 

[scalem X]

Is it a detective series?

Better to be be spot on or dead wrong, rather than to just trail along.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Be sure to keep us informed as soon as you're able to say more, Mark.

 

[Mark Robson]

Is it a detective series?

Better to be be spot on or dead wrong, rather than to just trail along.

Not exactly, Scalem, no. Though I am planning elements of investigation and mystery as a part of the story.

And will do, Teresa. Shouldn't be too long, I hope.

 

[Patrick Mahon]

Sounds exciting, Mark - just don't keep us in suspense for too long!

 

[Threddy]

Is it still fantasy?

 

[Mark Robson]

Sort of!

 

[Threddy]

What does that mean? It's not Sci-Fi is it?

 

[Mark Robson]

Let's just say that it won't fit comfortably under any particular genre label, but will have elements of several genres in it. I'll tell you more when the dust has settled and the negotiations have begun in earnest.

 

[Threddy]

Mark, I feel you should share more with your loyal fans.

 

[Patrick Mahon]

Threddy,
I think Mark's first post in this thread says it all:

"it is a bit premature to say too much until a contract is agreed and signed"

I think it's probably best if we let Mark wait until he's confident that he's got a signed contract before we start pressing him for more information - don't you?

In any case, I gather from another thread that Mark has just headed over to Florida on holiday. So I think you'll have to wait a little while longer in any case.

 

[Threddy]

I think it's probably best if we let Mark wait until he's confident that he's got a signed contract before we start pressing him for more information - don't you?

In any case, I gather from another thread that Mark has just headed over to Florida on holiday. So I think you'll have to wait a little while longer in any case.

What a cop out.

I agree it's probably best to wait until he's confident, but that doesn't mean i'm not going to try.

 

[thaddeus6th]

If you do get the contract signed, and let's hope you do, will your new book be available as a prize for a fantasy tennis tournament winner?

[Oh yes, Legal Beagles, I shall have victory over you].

 

[Marky Lazer]

Let's just say that it won't fit comfortably under any particular genre label, but will have elements of several genres in it. I'll tell you more when the dust has settled and the negotiations have begun in earnest.

Is it erotica?

 

[Mark Robson]

Is it erotica?

LOL! Most definitely not!! Don't leave for Florida until Monday. Have been tipped the nod by the Senior Editor at S&S that I should have an offer on the table by the end of the week. Hope to tell you more very soon.

 

[dwndrgn]

Always good to hear you've got projects on the burner!

 

[Mark Robson]

OK, I've now got a firm offer on the table for the first two books of my next project. Although I haven't accepted the offer yet, I feel it safe to spill the beans a little now.

The working title of my next novel is The Devil's Triangle. The story will be contemporary with a sort of fantasy / almost science fiction twist. It's hard to say even now how people will judge the story when it comes to genre.

The basic premise is that the wife of my main character, an insurance investigator for Lloyds, disappeared off the Florida Keys in 2001 whilst working on a marine biology project and ever since that time he has been obsessed with discovering the truth about what is going on in The Bermuda Triangle region (formally known as The Devil's Triangle). Now he spends as much time as possible snooping around trying to find any new clues as to what happened to the missing aircraft and ships.

Without giving too much away, let's just say the story is one of a parallel world that in its quest for a clean energy source has messed with the nature of their parallel 'Earth' in a way that causes occasional rifts to open between their world and ours. Things go through from our world to theirs, but there is a very good reason why nothing ever comes through from their world into ours.

I've already built a substantial amount of background, including some wonderfully bizarre and almost credible science for my alternate world - many thanks to Ian Watson for all his help - the man has a brain the size of a small planet, I think!

I'm very excited about this new story. I'm leaving magicians, spies and dragons behind for a while, but the good news on that front is that S&S were ready to offer on another Imperial book had I not proposed this new series at our recent meeting, so there's potential for more stories in that world eventually.

Will be taking out time from the family holiday in Florida to go down to the Keys and do some snooping around of my own! Will perhaps tell a little more when I get back.

 

[Patrick Mahon]

This sounds really exciting, Mark! Do keep us in touch with the story as it develops - I'm sure there's lots of people here who would enjoy some tasters from time to time...

In the meantime, have a great holiday (sorry, serious research trip) in Florida, and let us know all about it when you get back!

 

[Threddy]

This sounds very interesting, Mark. Is it aimed at the same audience as usual or is it a bit more serious than your other stuff?

 

[Marky Lazer]

So, it's erotica after all! (sorry couldn't resist...)