Book Four Updates

owenbaillie Invasion, Updates

I’m happy to report the first draft of book four is done and heading into rewrites. I estimate it will be published early-mid April. I know I’m a shocker for missing my deadlines, but this time I’m on track and have been more focused than ever.

The book has a heap of new characters and a totally new location. It goes back to the beginning (before we pick up the characters in book 1) and explains a little of how things broke down. In fact, the tentative title is BREAKDOWN.

The idea of a new book might make some people happy, but book four doesn’t involve characters from books one to three.

Ouch.

I did post a warning about this in the afterword of book two, and it has always been my plan to converge two groups of characters for the final three books (seven-nine).

However, books four to six are integral to the final three books. I hope the idea of not reading about your favourites from books one to three does not put you off book four. Trust me, there the characters are different and engaging. All the characters have a place in the future of this world that you will enjoy as much as the old ones. Those that survive, anyway.

Here’s my problem…

Due to deadlines, I left book three (Escape) on a massive cliffhanger (bad me). I regret not concluding this and have received a lot of e-mails and quite a few reviews basically telling me in a nice way that such a conclusion was not very nice.

So now, the question is:

Do I finish the cliffhanger for book three and add it to the existing version, then notify all those who have purchased it to download the updated version for free? Amazon has a system that allows an author to do this. Anyone who has purchased it would then just get the same book with the last chapter added.

Or do I leave the cliffhanger to be concluded in book seven?

I really had not planned on taking so long to get book four done, but life got in the way (and a little story called Murder Inc.). Originally, I was going to add book three’s conclusion to the start of book four, but I feel I need to keep them separate.

Book seven would still be another twelve months away. Perhaps people have forgotten the end of book three now and it no longer matters.

I’m looking forward to hearing what readers think so hit me back with your thoughts and thanks for staying interested…

 

 

31 thoughts on “Book Four Updates”

  1. Firstly, super exciting that the first draft of book four is all set! Can’t wait to get my hands on that!
    In regards to the massive cliffhanger that book three finished on … I say leave it until book seven to tell us what happened! The suspense is a killer but that’s half the fun of reading a series which unfolds over several books. I loved the ending, and I will no doubt re-read book three just prior to book seven being published, but right now I’m excited to meet the new characters!
    I have the same situation with many books I’ve recently finished … All left up in the air, waiting to find out what happens.

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  4. I’m looking forward to book four and a new set of characters, not that I don’t care about the others!
    Leave the cliff hanger to book 7 what’s a few years between friends?

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  5. You’ve created extremely likeable characters that are making so much better choices than most in an apocalyptic setting. I can’t explain how tired I am of stories where the main characters never learn to pull the trigger or are all too excited to investigate the sound coming from the basement only to get murdered/ eaten for no reason. It’s nice to have a series where they learn quickly to adapt and even though they face extreme hardship, find the best way to survive.

    It was quite a cliff hanger. It’s hard to imagine waiting so long to find out where it leads but I don’t think I’d go back in an attempt to “fix” it just yet. Let your idea play out and if by the end of book five you still feel the need to go back and add something, do it then. I’ve liked the plan from the start to interject another storyline and then bring them all together hot and heavy for the last books. How cool would it be to have the new group tie back in to the other storyline at the same dock as everything is going down? That’s a cliff hanger worth waiting for.

    Just keep going and take your time. Like everyone else will say, I’d be more than willing to give input any time you need it. Just let me know.

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    • Thanks, Don. Great response and I appreciate the kind words. Funny you talk about character logic, and I like that you believe in the actions of these characters. I’ve copped some criticism for the actions of some in these stories, but I guess the thing is we all see the world differently. Not everyone is going to respond the same way, are they? I always wanted to have these people inexperienced in the beginning, but with some logic, being mindful that they would make mistakes. Re: your idea, you may have inadvertently stumbled on a future plot point there! 🙂 good advice, and thanks again for taking the time to write.

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  6. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, but if you’re gonna do it, that’s how you do it! A few months ago I’d say finish it, but I like the idea of waiting until seven. It’s been a great story so far, so I’m excited that it’ll be extended.

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  7. I don’t know how anyone could forget the cliff hanger I’m in two states I would love to know what happens but the the same sense I would then want to know what happens next. Leave us hanging as long as we find out eventually its all good. Can’t wait to see what this group of people will be like

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  8. Super excited to read book 4!!! As for the end of book 3 …. I am SO anxious to know what happens BUT I get wanting to keep it separate. So …. if book 4 comes out in April I suppose I can deal with the cliffhanger. Just don’t be surprised if I start whining for book 5!!!

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  9. Quite honestly I cannot remember book 3 that being said I read 5 books a week I am sure I read it and would know exactly what was going on after the first paragraph. So do whatever you like I will find out eventually
    Daniel

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  10. I think I’m in the minority. I’d like the cliff hanger resolved before I get invested in the new round of characters. I’ve just re-read the first three and so the pain of not knowing is fresh. But….. I’ll still read it however it comes.

    P.S. I could always pre-read it for you and give you a more informed view. Ha!

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  11. Definitely leave it for book 7. Don’t just end the cliff Hanger easily, as most authors would. These books were well written and I can’t wait for book 4 through 7 to come out so I can read them. 12 months isn’t that long, and heck, if people forget, they can reread the series.

    Good luck with writing and can’t wait for the rest of there series.

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  12. Ok, I’ve read all the arguments for and against waiting for book 7 to wrap up the cliffhanger and I’ve got to put my two cents in. Lol.

    Owen, DON’T DO IT! Don’t keep me in suspense!!! I’m dying waiting!

    The fate of the world is hanging in the balance and only you Jedi Master can abolish the dark force inhabiting my universe! Ok, I know, wrong genre but still – I can’t tell you how often I’ve been Googling your name and searching Amazon for the next book!! I’ve seriously become a stalker! I’m so ashamed. (Not really… well almost.)

    This could be a sinister marketing plot and I could be a lemming in a tide of restless readers who can’t think beyond the cliffhanger but I’m hooked for the ride! And I need to sleep at night.

    I can honestly say that no other Zombie book (ok, well maybe one other…) has kept me awake at night thinking about how to resolve that cliffhanger and what impact it will have on the overall story line.

    Will it make any difference if I say I only have a few months to live and only YOU can make my last days worth living? and I NEED the cliffhanger resolved NOW?

    No? Okay well I tried.

    But seriously, I’d like it cleared up so i can have inner comfort…and world peace

    But if I must wait until a later book, I guess I’ll be okay with it. It’s not like I’m hooked or anything.

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    • Oh, Karen, you make a very good case for it! Love the feedback, thank you very much 🙂 still working it all out so nothing decide yet but I will take your kind words and insistence on board! Thanks again 🙂

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  14. I absolutely love the first three books… (1) The story is great; (2) The characters are extremely well developed; and (3) the action feels very accurate. I am 68% through #3 right now. Can’t wait for more!!!

    Shoot me a message through FB if you’d like another proofreader. I’m very detail-oriented and don’t miss much.

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