Back to Black
I really couldn’t have known where ‘Oblivion Black’ would take me when it was published four years ago. I say this with he freshly minted sequel ‘Oblivion Black: Poisoned Kingdom’ having been published, with a trip to ‘StokerCon’ in San Diego at the end of this month for pitches (Yo pitches!) and publicity. Back in the day when I ran the indie publisher Razorblade press, we’d go to the States all the time. Razorblade had a big audience State side, and - if I’m honest - it did go to my head. I became a bit of a prick. Howver this time around I’m starting from square one, and have the benefit of life experience (and Sian) to keep the ego in check.
Going back into that world is more than a bit nerve wracking but I’m going to calibrate my head to it and open myself to the experience.
At times writing this book was like trying to ride a runaway horse, and in fact the ‘big bad’ of the book The Grifter/Tatlin/The Poison Man wasn’t in the first few drafts. He sorta sidled up to me, tipped his crow feathered top hat and grifted into the story causing chaos in his wake. I really enjoyed writing the book but doing the edits was like pulling teeth, but that’s where the real work on the book was, and what was gratifying was seeing the book develop and improve. All down to my editor you understand. the wonderful Helen Woodhouse who has been a huge help and vastly improved both books, Chris Nurse created the amazing covers - as he did with the lion’s share of the covers for the Razorblade books - and a stunning trailer. I was really happy that my mate - and talented artist - Neil Davies provided the illustrations for the hardback edition.
Who knows where this book will take me? I have some aspirations for it, let’s see. There will be a third and final book in the trilogy. I’ve just got to write it now.