Finally: THE MASUDA AFFAIR

[I. J. Parker]

I've been on pins and needles to tell everyone since February. My agent strictly forbade this until the countersigned contract was in my hand. Even Amazon got to announce it before me.

I have a publisher. I have a contract for two books. I get both hardcover and tradepaper a year later. I have a great editor (with clout) and a great copy editor (and that's something I really no longer expected). I get published both in the UK and the US. This year! All very good!

The publisher is Severn House. They publish most of the Asian mysteries. Of the smaller houses it's probably the best. Most of their business comes from libraries. Mind you, after my experiences with two of the big publishers, I'm looking forward to working with a smaller house. Besides, I have for years wanted to break into the UK market. So, perhaps this is the very thing I needed.

For me, it had really come down to making the continued story of Akitada available to fans who have been begging me to do anything to stay in print. I've had e-mails full of suggestions and I've had e-mails that they'd contacted my last publisher and read them the riot act. Of course, it didn't work but it was nice. Very nice!

I'm incredibly grateful to my fans.

Since February, I've been very busy getting THE MASUDA AFFAIR ready for release July 29 (UK) and October 29 (U.S.). It needed cutting and is 22,000 words lighter. Both copy-editing and proofs are done. The cover is selected. It wasn't mine, and I was miffed, but I can use mine on the electronic versions. Subsidiary rights are ours.

So, all in all, I'm very happy. The next book (THE FIRES OF THE GODS) is written and due for release 6 months after MASUDA AFFAIR. I'm making tentative plans for THE WATER PAVILION next to send Akitada to the fleshpots on the Yodo River to investigate human trafficking.

I'll be busy. :) More later.

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks all. I'm happy I could blog about this. In time, I'll get back to covers and other aspects of my move.

[B.R.Stateham]

Wonderful news! Really, I am very happy for you (and for Akitada. Would have missed that lad if he disappeared into nothing but fond memories).

[Karyn J. Powers]

Good for you!

[D.R. MacMaster]

Congrats on the new publisher, and I wish you truckloads of luck with this publisher.

[Jon Loomis]

Great, great news, I.J. Akitada lives!

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks, Pepper. Horrible delays caused by tax regulations and paperwork.

[Pepper Smith]

Yay! Congratulations! I'll bet you've been dying to tell everyone about this. I'm glad you get to keep your series going with a new publisher!