I know it’s been a while, but I’ve taken tonight off–in a manner of speaking–in order to update the site a bit. I’m not a web-wizard; worse I have the image handling acumen of a shaved, armless baboon. Yes, sadly, this is an excuse.
But to make my excuses more palatable I’ve finally updated the series pages for The Chronicles of Elantra and House War, with the first chapters of the new books in either series. (I appear to have had to upload Cast in Chaos chapter several times because I’m not capable of cutting and pasting without cleaving off parts of the chapter in question. Yes, it’s been that kind of night…)
I’m as usual a tiny bit behind, but this is the current writing news:
House Name has already been turned in, and as of now, has a publication date of January 2011. Skirmish, the next book, leaps ahead to the year 427 in the Empire–and starts the day Jewel ATerafin returns home. That’s the book I’m currently writing, and it’s going very well; at the moment, it is all joy to write. It’s not, of course, in the home stretch, and I’m going to no doubt have days in which I pull out all my hair and bang my head against figurative plot and structure walls, but I’m enjoying it immensely while I can.
On the Elantra front, I’m pretty sure Cast in Ruin is in the home stretch. I’m also pretty sure that Kaylin will be going to the West March sometime very soon, but not in Ruin.
Michelle West & Michelle Sagara 
Jul 06, 2010 @ 14:34:51
Hey Michelle,
Thank you soooo much for uploading the first chapter of Cast in Chaos. I just read it and I totally loved it. I am counting the hours till it’s released and I can hold the book in my hands.
Jul 06, 2010 @ 18:20:57
Yay, more books! And in the forseeable future, too ^^
Jul 06, 2010 @ 19:38:20
Thank you Michelle!
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
(you have no idea how happy I am right now! You made my day!)
I absolutely loved the Cast in Chaos chapter! And I hope the finishing Cast in Ruin goes well for you!
: )
Jul 07, 2010 @ 02:10:30
Do you have a cover for House Name? And if so, may i ask who is on the cover this time around?
Jul 07, 2010 @ 02:22:57
I don’t have a cover yet — I’ll have to ask, actually; I’m not sure it’s not too early, but I sent the whole book to the artist (Jody Lee!) a while ago now.
Jul 07, 2010 @ 03:04:08
I read the sample chapter for Cast in Chaos.
::sigh::
I ought to know better.
I am intrigued and excited. I can’t wait until August now, and given that I am on an academic schedule, that says *a lot*.
(Oh! and, um, how much time are you spending on the fiefs ::cough, cough:: in the next couple of books? Because I desperately want a continuation of the awesomeness you began in Silence.)
Jul 07, 2010 @ 03:11:34
Cast in Chaos is not set in the fiefs, but Cast in Ruin is, if that’s at all helpful.
Jul 07, 2010 @ 03:24:06
Thanks for the response. I guess we still have six months until the book is released. Apologies for being antsy.
I just did a reread of Hidden City and City of Night and it really made me wonder what is going to happen next. It made me think about what Alowan most have seen when he healed Angel that he would be willing to beg. Very good book. Both of them. I can’t wait to read more.
Jul 07, 2010 @ 05:26:06
Thank you, thank you for Cast in Choas. {happy dance:)} I can’t wait for August. Um, is it bad to wish for time travel?
Michelle, your stories are outstanding. Don’t ever stop writing. I love the way Severn supports Kaylin. I hope they end up together. (hint, hint) :)
Jul 07, 2010 @ 12:33:35
It does, thank you.
Jul 08, 2010 @ 23:08:44
Cast in Chaos is rumored to have lots and lots of Nightshade. Please for all that is good and decent, tell me this is true. I’m an unrepentant Nightshade junky, he’s by far the most interesting character in the series (well, him and Sanabalis, I love that dragon).
Jul 09, 2010 @ 02:57:29
I’m agreeing with DG here… and should really leave it at that. You really don’t want to know my obsession with Nightshade… and the Arkon… because he’s a boss.
Jul 13, 2010 @ 19:15:35
I really love to read the elantra series and the house war saga. The only thing that confuses me is the time lines. The years are fine, but the calendar months? is there anyway that you can name the calendar months for the series in order. I am trying to figure out how much time has passed when reading all of the series. The Sun sword series needs it the most, From the first to the sixth book you don’t know if it took days or months to win the war?? So could you post the calendar months?
Thank you
Jul 14, 2010 @ 01:56:41
I know i am not Michelle, but i think i can answer this question. There are thirteen months in the Essalieyan Calendar with four weeks each. She mentioned this at some point. Here they are in order.
Veral. 1st month.
Fabril. 2nd month.
Morel. 3rd month.
Lattan. 4th month.
Seril. 5th month.
Emperal. 6th month.
Wittan. 7th month.
Aeral. 8th month.
Maran. 9th month.
Scaral. 10th month.
Misteral. 11th month.
Corvil. 12th month.
Henden. 13th month.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 04:46:10
Thanks a lot!! I didn’t have a copy, this helps so much :)
Jul 16, 2010 @ 23:21:21
i was wondering…. in book four of the sun sword, Margret went to the lost city of men, and in one of the visions saw the original matriarch talking with the first born who had taken the form of one of the Sen. The first born had also taken the form of jewels oma, Is she the Terafin guardian spirit?
Jul 18, 2010 @ 01:52:37
Michelle,
I wanted to thank you for your excellent Cast books. This series has been my favorite now for many years. Every year I look forward to the new addition to the series and can’t count how many times I have re-read each of the books. I enjoy the depth and quality of your books and the abilty they have to allow me to catch new things almost every time I read. I also enjoy the humor and chemistry that exists between the characters. I admit I am a Nightshade/Kaylin fan, but have a sinking feeling I am going to end up very disappointed on that end, so I am trying to reconcile myself to liking Severn, so it doesn’t ruin the story for me. Despite what happens there, I know I will always keep these books on my ‘to be kept forever shelf’ and appreciate the many hours of pure enjoyment I’ve received from reading these wonderful stories. Keep up the great work! I would recommend your books to anyone in a heartbeat.
Jul 20, 2010 @ 19:45:17
i was wondering…. in book four of the sun sword, Margret went to the lost city of men, and in one of the visions saw the original matriarch talking with the first born who had taken the form of one of the Sen. The first born had also taken the form of jewels oma, Is she the Terafin guardian spirit?
No. She *is* relevant to Jewel, because Jewel is a seer–but the Terafin spirit is an ancestor of the House itself.
Jul 20, 2010 @ 19:46:21
Despite what happens there, I know I will always keep these books on my ‘to be kept forever shelf’ and appreciate the many hours of pure enjoyment I’ve received from reading these wonderful stories. Keep up the great work! I would recommend your books to anyone in a heartbeat.
Thank you. When in the rough stretches of a book (and every book I’ve ever written has those), hearing things like this is always helpful and greatly appreciated :)
Jul 26, 2010 @ 17:56:35
After work on Friday I ran to Barnes & Noble to buy Chaos. I promised myself I would only read 5 chapters then I would call it a night. 5 hours later I am done and ready to start re-reading the book again.
Thank you Michelle for telling a good story. I have enjoyed the Elantra series tremendously and I look forward to reading all future books about this unique world you have created with your wonderful vivid imagination.
I agree with the previous readers – this series is in my keeper bookshelf.
Jul 26, 2010 @ 23:44:37
I just finished “Cast in Chaos”. Another fantastic book about Kaylin and the problems that seem to bloom under her feet at every step. I have noticed that our Kaylin is growing up. I think this lends itself perfectly with how the books have grown also. Keep up the great work. Oh…the Nightshade/Kaylin thing. I’m not in favor of a romance there. I’m rooting for Severn all the way.
Having read all of the series you’ve written the Cast series is my favorite but not by far. “The House War” is taking a close second.
Please don’t ever stop writing. I share there books with my daughter.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 21:34:50
Cast in Chaos is great!! I really loved the whole book, I’ve re-read it at least 3 times already. Please let us know what happened with the item she left in her room, does it have anything to do with the Dragons? Please give us background on Severn how did he end up alone in nightshade.
The Elantra series is currently my favorite series. I read voraciously, and I am so glad you have two great series going on at the same time. I can at least expect to read a great book every 6 months thank you.
Elantra and House Wars are definitely keepers
Aug 24, 2010 @ 07:33:55
Michelle, Thanks so much for the next exciting installment in Elantra. More please soon! I couldn’t wait to start reading it once it arrived. I enjoyed finding out how Nightshade had “bided” his time as he waited for the others to rejoin him in what was a matter of moments for them, but years for him. Are we ever to find out why he was made Outcaste? Did he try to become High Lord? and yes, more on Severn’s background as well!