I'm very pleased with this book. It's faster paced than the first volume, and we see a lot of character development. Leith, in particular, is faced with new challenges.

I was fortunate to work with three wonderful editors. Davina MacLeod did a thorough and comprehensive initial edit (but will be horrified by the number of times I ignored her advice -- sorry Davina). The manuscript then went to HarperCollins, where Stephanie Smith made invaluable comments, before being sent to Annabel Bley for a copy edit. I'd like to thank all three people for their contribution to this process.

A number of people have found small mistakes in the first volume, Across The Face Of The World. I'd be delighted if people who find errors in either volume contacted me. Even if it's a missing full stop. These errors occur for a variety of reasons, and not the fault of the editors! I'll reply to each one of you.

From what I understand, it will be available in Australia at the end of July/beginning of August. New Zealanders will have to wait until September. The mass-market paperback of Across the Face of the World will be issued at the same time as the Trade Paperback of the new book.

Some other interesting news: Across the Face of the World has been sold into the Czech Republic and Korea. Two interesting countries... I can't wait to see the covers!

Monday 19 April, 2004

8.40am RADIO INTERVIEW Radio 2CS (Coffs Harbour)

12.30pm BOOKSTORE VISIT Galaxy Books 143 York St Sydney City

Tuesday 20 April, 2004

1.00-2.00pm BOOKSTORE VISIT Infinitas Bookstore 1 Horwood Place Parramatta, Sydney

In both bookstore visits I will sign books and chat with fans. Please feel free to come by!

Across the Face of the World continues to hold down the top spot on Dymocks' Scifi/Fantasy bestsellers list. It even made a brief appearance on their top ten general fiction list last week. Thanks again to all of you who've taken a chance on it. A special thanks to those who have sent me feedback.

Across the Face of the World now available in Australia

February 1st, the official publication date for Across the Face of the World, has now passed. I am reliably informed that some bookshops have set up promotional displays to accompany the release.

I’m very pleased by the way the book has been received thus far. Apart from some negative reaction to the blurb on the front cover, people have been unanimously positive about the book itself. Across the Face of the World will be published in New Zealand on February 20th.

New Zealand Book Launch

HarperCollins New Zealand, in association with Pennys Bookshop, have organised a New Zealand launch for Across the Face of the World. This will take place on Monday March 1st at 7pm, and will be held at the Waikato Academy of Performing Arts in Knighton Road, Hamilton.

All are welcome and there is no charge. The event will be fully catered and will wind up about 9pm.

Keynote Speaker at Map Conference

I have been invited to give the keynote address at the 2004 New Zealand Map Society/Australian Map Circle Joint Conference, to be held at the University of Waikato between February 8th and 11th. I intend to give my Conflux 2004 paper an early airing, and will talk about the construction of imaginary landscapes.

I'm looking forward to seeing it on the shelves. Or, hopefully, disappearing from the shelves!

There is little major rewriting to do. I have to tidy up a couple of chapters, the feel of which need to change in light of the other books. Otherwise, my main task is to check consistencies. It really did pay to make all those lists of times, tides, dates, places, seasons and so on while I wrote.

And I'm looking forward to the publishing date of Across the Face of the World, which is a mere three weeks away. I was never this excited when my atlases came out!