Greetings, folks!
I’m long overdue for a post, and right off the bat I need to say a huge thank-you to Madame Sidler for the stellar job she’s done moderating the site and the forum and everything in-between. Isn’t she awesome? And so…helpful?
As some of you may have seen on Instagram, a new edition of the Wingfeather Saga will be released on March 10. To be precise, the first two books will be released then, and the second two will release later in 2020. I don’t know if you realize it, but this is a proper Big Deal. Some of you may know that the first two books were released by Waterbrook, a division of Random House, and then, thanks to some restructuring of the company, they let books three and four go, so to speak. After my agent shopped books three and four for a few months we discovered that, sadly-but-understandably, it’s hard to find a publisher to buy half of a series. Rabbit Room Press was up and running, so the logical solution was to publish them there. That was a huge blessing, and it allowed us to put on the big Kickstarter campaign for book four (THANK YOU), which gave us the full-color map by Justin Gerard, tons of interior illustrations by Joe Sutphin, and the limited hardback editions of those books.
Well, bibliophile that I am, it pained me a little that books one and two would (seemingly) never get a hardback edition to match three and four because they were owned by another publisher. I wished we could do an omnibus, or a cool slipcase for all the books, or a redux with new covers. None of that was possible as long as the series was split in two.
Enter Waterbrook/Random House again, who took note of the fact that you guys spread the word and demonstrated the passionate following the Wingfeathers had found. Earlier this year we moved books three and four back to Random House, and we hired the amazing Nicholas Kole to illustrate brand new covers. You may remember Nicholas from the Wingfeather film project (more on that in a minute). He read all four books and brought his formidable imagination to bear on the character and world design, giving the Wingfeathers a look and feel that I thought was spot-on, making him the obvious choice for the new covers. Not only that, we hired the one-and-only Joe Sutphin to come up with ten gorgeous new illustrations for each book–two-page spreads full of the masterful detail and heart we all love him for.
You guys, this is an author’s dream come true: four brand new hardbacks with all-new illustrations. The best part about all this is that these new editions will bring the Wingfeathers to a whole new audience—and the hope is that the books will sit on the shelf at Barnes & Noble, alongside Harry Potter and Redwall and Percy Jackson. Can you believe it? I’m giddy. I’m not sure of the release date for books three and four, but as I said, the first two will be released in the spring.
A lot of you guys have asked about Pembrick’s Creaturepedia and Wingfeather Tales. Well, folks, I have MORE GOOD NEWS: these will also be released by Random House sometime in 2021, after three and four–also with new covers and artwork. I’ve already talked to Aedan Peterson (I know his dad, after all) and he’s game to re-draw the Skreean critters for that when the time comes. I’m so grateful this story is going to get a burst of fresh wind, and am thrilled at the thought of more people going on the adventure with Janner, Kal, and Leeli, all the way from Glipwood to the Shining Isle.
Finally, you guys deserve an update on the movie. There’s not much to say except that we’re still working, still pushing the ball further down the field. Making a movie, it turns out, takes a long time and a LOT of money. We’re still meeting with studios and investors, and good things are happening. If you don’t mind, pray for Chris Wall and the rest of the team as they fight to make this happen. I really believe in the power of a good story to wake people up to the great goodness that is coming and, indeed, is already here, and am so grateful to be able to serve in this way. None of this fun stuff would be happening if it wasn’t for you and your enthusiasm for these books. Thanks for reading, for spreading the word, and for all the emails and letters of encouragement.
You can pre-order the first two on Amazon or at the Rabbit Room store. That’s it for now. Thanks, all. For everything.
The stories are true.
AP
Preorder links:
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (Amazon) (The Rabbit Room)
North! Or Be Eaten (Amazon) (The Rabbit Room)
I’m so excited! I’m Joseph who asked about Madia at the homeschool convention in Rochester, New York, by the way, Mr. Peterson.
When can we expect the first movie to come out? Also, when is Adorning the Dark coming out?
The new front covers look amazing!!! Is that what the characters are going to look like in the films?
Hi Joseph, yes, the same character designer from the film is illustrating the covers of the new editions!
This is the most fantastic thing! I Soo love the cover art, it really puts the whole feel of the books into one picture. Keep up the hard work for a good cause!
I’m tearing up! I love the Wingfeathers! I have read the cover off of OTDSOD!
Whaaaaat!!!! I’m speechless! This is so amazing! I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to hear anything regarding the movies. Just to know that it is still being pursued is so great to hear!
And the new hardbacks! I will definitely be purchasing those. Those covers are amazing! I loved the work Nicholas Kole did on the short film and these covers are rocking my world right now!
The Creaturepedia and Wingfeather Tales being reprinted is just too much to process. I… I… I have no words. I am so incredibly excited by all of this!
Thank you so much for sharing Andrew! It is great to hear from you again! Keep up the good work and know you are in our prayers.
Yay!
I cant believe how beautiful these are! It’s chilling.
I’m so excited to see what other illustrations are in store!
Chilling’s the word!