I guess I ought to share the news I mentioned regarding the Palladium Wars. Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and roses.
47North has decided not to continue the series. I don’t know the reasoning behind the decision because they did not share it with me, and it doesn’t matter in the end whether it was sales numbers, budget issues, new editorial direction, or none of the above. The bottom line is that Palladium Wars #5 (the “E” novel, for those of you following the alphabetical naming order) will not be published by 47North.
That doesn’t mean it won’t be published at all, of course. I don’t intend to chop the series off at four installments without a satisfying conclusion. What it does mean is that I’ll most likely have to self-publish future installments. There’s always the possibility that my agent will find a new home for Palladium Wars, but the odds of that happening are very slim. It’s highly unlikely that any house will want to take on Book Five in a series they don’t own completely.
I’m not new to the self-publishing game, so I don’t have a problem with the prospect. I’ll have to hire my own editor and cover artist, of course, and the book will be available on Kindle and in paperback, but the audio version will depend on either my agent selling the audio rights to Audible (an easier proposition than selling the series rights to another house altogether), or me hiring an audiobook narrator for the job. All of this means expenses out of pocket for me, and good narrators and cover artists do not come cheap. I’ve thought about doing a Kickstarter for the fifth installment, but I’m not fully sold on the idea yet, and I may just decide to eat the expenses instead of asking readers to commit to a pre-buy like that.
(Self-publishing would mean there’d be no pre-orders because there’s no way to do those on KDP, so I’d be flying blind as to potential reader interest, and I may end up holding the bag fronting the production costs.)
Sorry I can’t give you better news on that particular front. I am very fond of the series (I think it’s superior to Frontlines in many ways), but I also recognize that the stars haven’t always been aligned for it. I had the distinct misfortune to get four different audiobook narrators for the four books in the series, and that’s been a cause for a lot of negative reviews even though there’s precisely nothing I could have done about the situation. (To recap: Luke Daniels didn’t have time in his schedule for the second book, Angelo DiLoreto untimely passed away before the third book came out, and Korey Jackson…well, maybe I’ll get to that in a later post. The fourth artist, Seth Podowitz, may or may not be available as an independent hire, so we’ll see whether we end up keeping our streak of a different narrator for every book. Hey, at least we’d be consistent on that front.)
That’s the current state of The Palladium Wars for you. I fully intend to write Book 5, and unless it finds another home in the meantime, I’ll be making it available on the Kindle and in paperback formats once it’s done, but right now that’s all I can tell you with any certainty.
Please don’t give up on Palladium Wars book “E” .. I would pre-order now if it was an option!
Me toooooo
Me too!
Me as well. I found this post while looking if there was any info on book 5. I think I originally found Marko after book 1 then went back and read Frontlines and I have to agree with Marko that “[Palladium Wars] is superior to Frontlines in many ways”.
So sad to hear this but I’m thrilled you are carrying on regardless Marko, it is a superb series and feels like there is so much more to explore in the Gaia system even beyond this story ark. Very interested what happened with Korey as I really liked his voice (although it does take time to get used to a new narrator as you say).
I am in for new book – recording prefered
I love the Palladium Wars! Even more than Frontlines. I hope you will be able to continue the audiobook. Like others I’d be willing to do a kickstarter, pay more, support self published, etc.
Well I will purchase a copy, hopefully audible. Hang in there and it’s a great series.
Tony
I know you won’t get an answer as to why from the publishers. The situation somewhat reminds of the state of television in the 25-30 years, straight from the mouths of family and friends who work in the industry. The decision on whether or not to continue a production is strictly based on narrow criteria, with a mix of instant gratification on the part of the bean counters that run the industry today. Not great for artistic creation.
Oh how frustrating, I agree that he Palladium War books are your best so far, it’s good to get the different perspectives, and I’ve never paused during a particular character’s part and had any doubt who was speaking when I returned. I hope you’ll be able to finish the series as you intended.
I would 1000% back a kickstarter and would be willing to pay more than previous editions to help book 5 get published!
I’m also sorry this is happening, I love the series and I’ll pre order or whatever
I’m so sorry! You must be very bummed. I agree with you that this is your best work yet, so please don’t let it discourage you too much. Not giving up is half the battle! Thanks for all your struggles. Looking forward to the finale.
Really sorry to hear the news. I concur that this series is better in many aspects than the Frontline Series, even though I am also a fan of that one. But the intricacies of the different characters and how they interact makes Palladium Wars a page turner for me. I sincerely hope you are able to self-publish it. It would be a real pity not finishing it.
I appreciate the update and the insight of challenges that authors face to bring their cherished work to market. I’m an avid fan and look forward to the Kindle edition in the (not too distant) future.
I would back a kickstarter just based on what you’ve accomplished to date. You’ve proven yourself as a top-tier writer!
WTF? I buy books because of the authors, not the publishers. But now if I happen to notice this publisher, that will be a strike against buying a book from a new (to me) author. This publisher has gained a spot on my defecation roster.
Self-publish and be damned [to the publisher]! (to misquote Wellington https://www.richardestep.net/publish-and-be-damned-wellington-the-courtesan-and-the-blackmailer/), and pay whatever tax Amazon imposes to make that happen. I’ll be buying…
Love this series and really pleased you are continuing even with the challenges
I am more than willing to pay to KickStart books 5 thru whatever…hoping you don’t string us out to The Palladium Wars: Zero Sum, though!
That’s a huge bummer, I love the Palladium books possibly more than Frontlines at this point.
However you decide to distro them, I’m in! I tend to use audible for my reading needs these days because I have a very long commute, but if I have to buy it and read it, I will.
That is a frustrating turn of events. Still, no matter how it’s published, count me in for at least 1 copy. I really like the Palladium Wars series too, and can’t wait to read the next book.
What a bummer, but thank you for having some positive news as well. I would definitely pre-buy anything that you write! The Palladium Wars has become my favorite and I am pleased that you are continuing with Book 5 in the series!
I am soo sorry this is happening I believe this series is much better than the Frontlines (which is an awesome read). Keep us updated please and do give us at least a grand finale. I enjoy so much your books I need at least one new every year.
I love the Palladium wars. If you did Kickstarter, I’d pitch in.