Wednesday 9 November 2011

BIG SECRET PROJECT DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Yes, you read that right!

At long last, after a YEAR of teasing you, and writing and revising furiously, and crossing my fingers, and long phonecalls with Super Agent and exciting emails with my editor... I can FINALLY tell you all about Big Secret Project.

*Deep breaths, deep breaths*

OK - first, some theme music. Well, I mean, clearly I'd love to provide a drumroll at this point, but not only is it hard to find one that lasts more than five seconds, but it would get really annoying after a minute (a bit like all this waffling I'm doing right now) so instead, the song which I've been listening to most throughout the writing of Big Secret Project:


For the full experience, click now, wait for the music to play, and then scroll down to read.

Right.

What is all this fuss about?

What is Big Secret Project?

Read on!
****
THE KATANA TRILOGY. A breathtaking new urban fantasy trilogy from the critically acclaimed, award winning author of The Swan Kingdom and Shadows on the Moon.

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio accidentally releases Shinobu, a warrior boy who has been trapped within the sword for centuries. He saves her life and sends the demon running. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword. 

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

The Night Itself, Book One of THE KATANA TRILOGY, is due for publication in summer 2013 from Walker Books, publishers of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments Series and Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking Trilogy.
 Squeeee!

41 comments:

Alex Mullarky said...

That's amazing Zoe, congratulations! It looks like it's going to be fab!

Zoë Marriott said...

Alex: Wow, you were really on the ball there, Alex! Thanks :)

Essjay said...

This sounds so brilliant - I want to read it now! Congratulations - this is wonderful news :-D

Zoë Marriott said...

Sarah: Thanks! At least you've got the BSP teasers I posted before - that's better than nothing, right?

Lisa D, said...

Well done that sounds like an amazing series I can't wait. Congratulations.

Essjay said...

True - I'm just a book hungry monster! I shall wait patiently. Looking forward to adding it to my goodreads and wishlist :-)

Carmen B. said...

o.O This sounds sooo awesome! I'd love to read it. Right now. I love Japanese legends and I love books set in London. And there's demons, too!
Congrats to getting the publishing deal finalized :)

Luisa Plaja said...

Huge congratulations! This is very exciting.

Jenni (Juniper's Jungle) said...

This sounds absolutely amazing, I can't wait to read it. Congratulations, such brilliant news.

Keris Stainton said...

Oh this sounds fantastic, Zoe! I was almost breathless just reading the description. HUGE congratulations!

Zoë Marriott said...

Lisa: Thank you. I'm going to try my best to *make* it amazing!

Carmen: Me too! Let's hope there a lot of other people like us out there :)

Luisa: Thanks! I certainly think so!

Jenni: I can't wait for everyone to read it either! Eeee!

Zoë Marriott said...

Keris: Heh heh - that was the effect we were going for :) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am VERY excited to be selling translation rights to this. Whooooo Hoooo.

Zoë Marriott said...

Caroline, I cannot express how excited I am to HAVE you sell them! Wheee!

Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association said...

OMG that sounds amazing - I can see a lot of the pupils that read Anime & Manga progressing onto this. Well done on such an amazing idea <3
*throws confetti*

Anonymous said...

Yay! So exciting!
This'll be the next book out, after FrostFire?
-Hobbit

Savita Kalhan said...

Fabulous news! Congratulations!

Raimy from Readaraptor Hatchling said...

*hyperventilates* wow! that sounds INCREDIBLE! I want... Summer 2013?!? you do realize that's a long way away! pfft

Congratulations on the deal, I really cant wait for it. you are an amazing writer so I know it will just blow my mind when I finally do get to read!

Zoë Marriott said...

Emma: Thank you! *Hugs* I'm so glad I can talk to you about it - keeping secrets gives me ulcers! *Dances in the confetti*

Hobbit: Yep - they've scheduled the release as early as possible.

Savita: Thanks :) Can't stop smiling today.

Raimy: Well, think about me - I've been working on this since last year! So however long it feels to you, it feels waaaay longer on this end, trust me! And thanks :)

Susan Mann said...

That is amazing news. Huge congratulations. I cannot wait to read it. x

Laurie T said...

Congratulations! That's great news and your trilogy sounds thrilling.

Deva Fagan said...

Congratulations! It sounds fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! WOOT!

Brodie said...

HOLY.... WHOA. The Katana trilogy sounds FREAKING AMAZING. But what the hell? 2013? NOOOOOOO! That is too long away! You can't tease me with this incredible novel and then make me want over a freaking year. Evil genius authors.

I'm going to go live in a dark corner for the next year while obsessively lusting after this book <3

HUGE congrats on your book deal! I cannot wait to read it!

Amanda said...

That sounds AWESOME!!! Wish I didn't have to wait til 2013 to read it!

Unknown said...

Yayyyy! Major congrats -- again! This sounds SO awesome!

whispering words said...

Congratualtions! This book sounds amazing and love the name! Excited for 2013! :)

Zoë Marriott said...

Thanks so much, everyone! I want to reply to everyone individually but I've got a prolapsed disc and sitting upright at the computer is a nightmare right now. So just...*Hugs*

Emma Pass said...

I cannot WAIT to read THE NIGHT ITSELF. Huge congrats, Zoe! :D

Shelby said...

Yes! Yes! YES!!!!
I can't wait:) I still need to read "Shadows on the Moon" though...can you say Christmas Present?

AmieSalmon said...

That sounds amazing. And if the snippets you've shared are anything to go by then this is going to be brilliant. Can't wait.

Bonnie @ A Backwards Story said...

Ahhh, it's a trilogy!!! Now I wish I wasn't on a blog tour for another KATANA book in a couple of months. I want yours!!! THE NIGHT ITSELF sounds amazing. I want it in 2012, not 2013 *whimpers* I want this, want this, want this!!! It sounds amazing, Zoe!! I can't wait!!!

jaclyndolamore said...

YAY, more books from you!! (Not that I'm caught up on your prior work YET, but maybe by 2013 I will be. ) Big congratulations!!!!!!!

Zoë Marriott said...

Jaclyn: Thank you! It's been killing me to be all mysterious about it for so long. I am the over-sharing type, not the discreet type!

Rebecca Lindsay said...

Congradulations!!! The long wait has been so worth it, the book sounds ace :)
I can't wait to read it! Oh 2013, why did you have to be so far away? lol

Cicely said...

SO. EXCITED. It sounds so awesome! Completely up my street! *waits impatiently for next next summer* Congratulations! :D

Tere Kirkland said...

WOW! Congrats, Zoe! What an accomplishment, and your novel sounds like lots of fun. Very original. Can't wait!

danya said...

Congrats!! The premise sounds amazing, and right up my alley with the incorporation of Japanese mythical beings. Awesome!

Isabel said...

Eeeeeek!!!!

That pretty much sums it all up. ;) Congratulations, Zoe!!

Robin said...

This sounds great! Congratulations, and good luck!

Sarah said...

OMG OMG OMG OMG I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Massive congratulations Zoe!!! I'm so excited about this trilogy I can't even begin to tell you :o) 2013 seems like a LOOOOOONNNGGG way way for the first book though lol. I can't wait!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...