Things have been getting busy on the writing/publication front. Last year, upon finishing up with War Bodies I was a bit undecided about where to go next. I put together a few collections, one being Lockdown Tales II which has now been published by Ian Whates over at Newcon Press. Here’s the cover of that along with links above to Amazon and the new page I’ve just made on my website.
Meanwhile, Macmillan has released the cover for War Bodies. I love this piece from Steve Stone. Oddly, the intended aim was for a different ‘war body’, but smacked right on target with this one. Readers familiar with my stuff will need no explanations.
While selecting the novellas and short stories I included in Lockdown Tales II I also rejected a few. One of these was a novella concerning parallel worlds – one of which is the Committee Earth of the Owner books (The Departure, Zero Point & Jupiter War). ‘Fly Pills’ (working title) was another of those that started with a weird dream and though I enjoyed where I went with it, it just did not feel right nor did it tie up neatly. I started playing with it, steadily expanding it, and realized a number of things. Firstly it did not have a suitable antagonist. The antagonist of the novella was essentially a dystopian earth the characters were escaping from. Secondly it was something I needed to explore on a larger scale. I have since finished the first draft of that exploration with a book of 195,000 words, which is 25,000 larger than my largest The Line of Polity.
Now, while editing backwards through that book I’m thinking about what next. It could be I’ll do some more stand alones or it could be that I’ll launch into a new trilogy. Damned if I know at the moment.
Hi Neal. Long time fan(got hooked on just the description of Brass Man, realized it was the third book in the series, started with Gridlinked, and never looked back). I have almost every Polity book you’ve written, including the first Lockdown tales volume (exceptional work). I hesitate to pull the trigger on your second collection (lockdown Tales II) mainly because the description mentions “A collection of nine novelettes and stories from best-selling SF author Neal Asher (150,000 words of fiction between them), all written during lockdown and including four that are original to this volume. “. So does that mean that the other five stories/novellettes are in your other books/collections? Or, if I get this title, will I have 9 totally original stories?
And, as a fan, I promise you this: If you keep writing them, I’ll keep reading them.
I can’t remember which of your books I picked up first, but I’ve run the gamut and I’m finishing my almost 6-month marathon with Cowl. Your books have got my through a tough few months, and whatever you write next, just know you have some loyal fans who support you! Take care and best wishes!
Hi Neal, or καλησπέρα! I have been reading your books for about 2 years – I think I am up to date and am looking forward to downloading War Bodies (Kindle). I live full time in Rhodes, Greece, so enjoyed your intro in Lockdown Tales II about your surroundings in Crete. I, like you, am trying to learn Greek. It is hard as most of the people I meet are either British or other nationalities, so everyone speaks English. And here, in tourist land, all the locals prefer to speak English too. However I persevere.
I very much enjoy your books. The scenarios are so otherworldly, yet comprehensible on a “suspending disbelief” level. The dry humour is just brilliant. Thank you.
Well, the war drone characters are some of my faves for sure, really looking forward to reading it. And hearing that you, Mr. Asher, have a biggest-ever draft is exciting for an old sci Fi fan. Thank you.
Looking forward to whatever you do next.
Working my way through Lockdown Tales 2 (book) and revisiting The Soldier (audiobook).
Was very pleased seeing your work on Love,Death &Robots.
That said, the Splatterjay trilogy remains my favourite as I enjoy the Sniper/13 dynamic , so seeing “what sniper did next” would be fun.
It could happen, but I get similar comments about a great range of my characters.
Please resurrect the Ian Cormac series, I want more…
Maybe. . .
Just dropping by to say I would LOVE to see the parallel worlds one in another collection or as a standalone. Committee Earth is fascinating and seeping into the real world by the day. Any short stories/novellas in the Owner universe are a delight. Thank you!
It will be published by Macmillan next.
Hi Neal, I am a long time reader – its a great pity that here in the USA at least recent books such as War Bodies
seem to only be available on Kindle on Amazon. I don’t use that so I am unable to get these.
Damn