It’s not Baru 4, and it’s not Exordia 2 (if such a beast ever comes to pass), and in fact it’s work for hire for an IP. It also wasn’t supposed to be a novel — the contract was for a novella, I just went badly over the word count.
But this is still a big deal for me. I wrote this book in just a few months, while holding down a full time job, at a steady sustainable pace, without any great suffering or psychic distress. I did engage in some of my worst habits (throwing everything out and starting over; going very long) but they did not stop me from hitting the deadline. It’s really rebuilt some of my confidence. I feel more certain I can finish the books I owe you all, and less afraid that I’ll vanish into a hole of self-punishment for years like I did with Baru 2 and 3.
I know it’s disappointing and frustrating that I haven’t had firm news on Baru 4, but I promise that I fully intend and hope to deliver a good book. And this is some evidence that I will succeed.
Seth Dickinson
science fiction and fantasy
Far better to have a healthy relationship with writing and fewer, slower novels than the reverse. No one wants to see you flay yourself!
I am sure that any work of yours will be celebrated!
Speaking personally, I am happy to read work-for-hire, sequels, new works.
Evidence suggests this was actually the stories for the Magic set Edge of Eternities; if so – it was great!
Congrats! I’m stoked.
Congratulations!
I am so happy it did give you a confidence boost, and I am very much looking forward to reading that book! Will it be under your author name?
Take care. Celebrate!
Congrats! This is great to hear Seth. I’m sure no matter what it is, wherever I’m familiar with the IP or not, I will enjoy it!
Most importantly I’m so happy you’re taking care of yourself and things are going well. Very proud of you and truthfully you don’t owe us anything, but I know you will do the characters you have created justice. Thank you for all your amazing work!
That’s so exciting! Congrats!
awesome job omg, I’m looking forward to reading it! super curious to find out what this is going to be, your writing is magnetically interesting in whatever genre you take on
This is nothing but great, great news. Keep it up!
Exciting! Looking forward to seeing what it is
“disappointing and frustrating”? ABSOLUTELY NOT AND NEVER
That you’re rebuilding your confidence, fears are lessening, AND that you did it in a sustainable way? That’s some of the best news I’ve heard this end of the year. It would be more than enough if you’d made those strides without a book, but you had!
I can’t wait to read it!
this is so fucking awesome!! congrats!!
looking forward to reading whatever this mystery novel is, congrats! it always feels great to lock in and be able to manage work that well
I’m just now reading Exordia and it is fantastic. I’m glad that this new novel you’ve written has helped build back your confidence! Baru 4/Exordia 2/whatever you write next I will support, and even better if you’re able to do it sustainably and with confidence.
I often find myself thinking “wherever Seth Dickinson is and whatever they are doing, I hope they are okay.” I am so happy to hear that you have finished a novel and that it is rebuilding your confidence. there is no disappointment, no frustration, that there is nothing yet on Baru 4. it will come when it comes and I and others will be here for it when it does.
Thanks much.
I’m reading Exordia and about to reread all of Baru. I’m so grateful for your work. You are a brilliant writer. I genuinely want to send you all the good vibes. I can’t wait to read your next novel. I can’t wait to read anything else you write. Again, thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
this is awesome, dude! where can we read this book when or if it becomes available?
It is actually Magic the Gathering webfiction, although I suspect you could mostly enjoy it as a non-Magic-understander.
Congratulations! This is great news.
You go, Seth!
Excited to find out what this novel is, and very happy you found a good pace that felt healthy for you.
oh fuck yeah (I visit your blog site infrequently but I’m happy to hear this was a good experience when writing up a book! Looking forward to seeing whatever it is too, since I’m fascinated w whatever you put out)
What awesome news! I’ve checked on your blog periodically but am commenting for the first time because I just reread Baru (for the fourth time) and wanted to check up on you. I hope you know you are so appreciated, Seth. I appreciate your incredible books (the Baru series remain some of my all time favorites) and I appreciate the transparency with which you share about your experience of being a person and a writer here. I look forward to any more updates you post!
Congratulations! I love your writing, so I’m happy whatever you write. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this one.
Gotten around to your novels lately to discover this treat! From discovering you via the books of sorrow, through to unveiling, discovering and loving exordia, I’m excited for whatever you publish next!
Looking forward to discovering baru trilogy for myself.
Your writing rocks and I adore the inspiration you’ve been on my own stuff. Eagerly awaiting your next gem
Thank you for your kind words!
Congratulations on finishing the novel! I can’t wait to read it! <3
As someone who has arrived here while engaging in a regular check for Baru 4 news, this is very far from disappointing.
I relate very much to these sorts of struggles/habits, and it’s so nice to read that you’ve got through/overcome some of them. (There is hope for us all?!)
Be well 🙂
Dear Seth, Thank you for sharing your gift. It takes courage to show up and do the work. It takes courage to put it out there. When baru 4 is ready to your standards we will be ready for it. It will be worth the wait. Take care and good luck!
Was this in reference to the MTG story for Edge of Eternities? If so – I was SO excited to see you announced as the writer and I will be following each segment with great eagerness. If not – something else to look forward to!
I loved Baru very much and also didn’t know you had another book out, so I’ll have to pick up a copy of Exordia soon.
It was about the MTG story, yeah! I hope you enjoyed.
Is this the Edge of Eternities stories (certainly long enough to count as a novel), or something still unannounced?
This was about the EoE story.
Is this post, by any chance, referring to Edge of Eternity? Either way, I’ve been having a lot of fun reading it! I love the dualist battle between the Monoists’ nihilism and the Free Company’s cynicism. I’m also really loving Sami, and all the Kav of Atari-duend. Cant wait to see what happens in Episode 8!
It was! I hope you enjoyed the rest of the story.
As a Magic player and fan of your work, I was really excited to see your name on the latest Magic story serials. What a great and clever read, and even better that it ran beyond the usual run of five stories or so per new set. Been seeing the heap of compliments passed through to Maro as well. Well deserved 🙂
Thank you for your kind words! Google says Maro is Mark Rosewater – happy to hear there’s positive feedback coming in.
When could we get an announcement of the book title and the publishing date ?
Pretty sure it’s this Magic set story:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/archive?author=HwyLvN87TZgwLSiWpNgX7&order=oldest
For those wondering what this novel is, I believe Seth was talking about the Edge of Eternities story that he wrote for the card game Magic: the Gathering. The story is being released in 11 parts, the first 10 of which are currently out on the “Story” section of the Magic website. Whether or not this actually is what he was talking about, I’d encourage everyone to take a look!
And Seth – the Edge of Eternities story is my first exposure to your work, but I really like what I’ve read so far, and if it aligns with your goals as your author, I would love to see you continue to write for Magic!
Correct!
Just heard about the Subnautica 2 thing and came to check in here for the first time in ages, so I’m a little late. But anyway we believe in ya whatever you put out I’m picking up
I am so excited for you!! If you never get to Baru 4, the first 3 books will still always be masterpieces, but I will admit to being terribly excited to hopefully get to read it one day. Baru such a rich character, and the world you’ve created and the story you’re telling are beautiful (and also, obviously, sometimes ugly).
Thank you! I was just working on Baru 4 today, so it’s not a matter of never getting to it, just a matter of getting it right…
Is this IP work the MTG Edge of Eternities story? that one was so good. Far from “disappointing and frustrating”, this made me even more excited about your future endeavors.
Take care!
Yep, that was it!
Assuming this was about the MtG story for Edge of Eternities, well done! One of the better MtG stories I’ve read and still felt very you. Congrats, Seth!
I’m assuming this is referring to EoE for MtG, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! By far my favorite Magic story. I’d love to read more of those characters or frankly anything written in that world. It was a lot of fun and has inspired me to dabble in writing some space fantasy too!
I’m also glad to hear that this creative endeavor was such a positive experience for you. Keep killing it, and I hope it can always be at a sustainable pace
Thanks, and yes, it was about EoE. I’m glad you liked it.
Congratulations on the stable life and the job and deadlines and the book deal!! That sounds fantastic, cannot wait to hear more about this, anything more we can know about genre/themes? Good luck!
Hi, I’m sorry for taking so long to reply! It is actually web fiction for the Magic the Gathering set ‘Edge of Eternities’. Also it’s kind of a choose your own adventure. A little. A chosen adventure.