As 2003 draws to a close and 2004 looms, I thought I’d let everyone know what I’m currently up to, work-wise.

Publication of Gig has been (slightly) delayed to January, which means I am still looking forward, even more now than before, to the book’s appearance.

In that same month the mass-market paperback edition of Untied Kingdom is due to come out. I’ve received my advance copies and it’s a fine-looking publication, garlanded with great review quotations. Expect hundreds of copies to be weighing down the front table at a good bookshop near you very soon (ahem).

At present I am approximately halfway through my next novel, Provender Gleed. I can’t say much about it here, because it’s unfinished and I’m always a bit superstitious about discussing something that’s not finished. However, I am having a great time writing it, which is always a good sign.

After that, what does the pipeline hold? Well, most probably a Young Adult novel (what they’re calling children’s books these days). Provisional title: The Heap. Possibly the first of a trilogy. And after that, I expect either to write a Worldstorm sequel, or another Barrington Stoke book, or something completely different. I just don’t know. I’ll have to see what grabs me, nearer the time.

I have also compiled a second short-story collection, Waifs and Strays, which if the gods smile on us could be winging its way into bookshops sometime in 2005.

2003 has been an up-and-down year: highs, lows, and a lot of hard work. My best wishes to you all for Christmas and for the New Year.