An update on the Ingrid Skyberg series
A few people have been asking me when the next Ingrid Skyberg book will be finished. As the situation is quite complicated, I thought I’d write a whole ruddy blog post to explain what’s going on with me.
Though I’ve been working on the book since the middle of November, I was forced to step away from my laptop a week or so before Christmas because of severe pain and the effects of strong painkillers (fuzzy head, nausea, etc). As you can imagine, I’m very frustrated not to have the second draft wrapped up by now and winging its way to my editor for tweaks and suggestions for improvement.
As things stand, I have about a third of the story written.
Severe pain, strong painkillers, pah! you might say. Stuff and nonsense. Well, there’s quite a lot more to it than that.
A bit of background
If you’ve been following my indie publishing adventure, you might know that I published my first book – The Loyal Servant – at the end of 2011. It got off to a slow start, sales-wise, but was doing quite well by March. Meanwhile, I’d started drafting The Third Estate (now called The Deadly Silence). I was really getting into the whole indie publishing thing. It was hard work, but fun and rewarding. It felt like I’d finally found my true vocation.
Then the bomb dropped. At the end of May 2012 I was diagnosed with cancer, putting my writing plans on hold. I had quite intense treatment in August and September of that year, making it impossible to write. But I did manage to get back to work a month or so after that.
One of the many ‘dos’ I’ve sported in the last 18 months – this was taken fresh out of Mr Toppers!!
The Senior Moment was published early 2013. And The Third Estate came out in the summer. Then I found out the cancer had come back. And spread. More treatment followed, but this time it was about managing the disease rather than curing it. As the treatment was set to take around five months, I knew I had to carry on writing at the same time.
I decided to start the thriller series I’d always wanted to write – featuring a kind of female Jack Reacher as its protagonist. So I wrote Fresh Doubt, the first Ingrid Skyberg novel, which I published in February 2014. In May my health took another dip, but I switched from my desktop computer to a sofa with my laptop and by the middle of November I had completed two more novels, a novella and collection of short stories.
Then I started to write book four (as yet untitled) in the series, putting in as many hours as I felt able. I was really enjoying the writing process until I was forced to stop. Which is where this blog post started.
Stockpiling stories
I now have a choice: with the time I have left (I don’t know how long that is) do I finish book four, or do I push on and write as many first drafts of Skyberg novels as I can (I already have several mapped out in my head)?
After a great deal of thought, I’ve decided on the second option. The question then is, who will give them a polish and get them ready for publication? Thankfully, I have a very good answer.
Team Skyberg when we really make an effort with hair and make-up
Team Skyberg
As some of you know, I have collaborated on The Hollywood Detective mysteries with my long term developmental editor, Jo Monroe. It just so happens that Jo’s day job is ghostwriting, which means she knows all about the importance of getting the ‘voice’ of the author just right. It’s one of the reasons why I trust Jo to put the finishing touches to the manuscripts. Another reason – and the most important one – is that she loves the Skyberg series as much as I do and will definitely do Ingrid justice.
So… although I can’t answer the question about when book four will be out, I can say we’ll be doing our best to get it done asap.
What I also hope to do is give regular updates on our progress using a combination of this blog and perhaps a podcast and the occasional video. It’ll also be a chance for you to get to know Jo a bit better – she is going to be my trusted lieutenant, after all!
Tune in for further updates.
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Eva….I am a 27 yr breast cancer survivor, (stage 4) I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself first, whatever that means to you (getting those outlines done; spending time with family and friends; whatever is important to you and surviving another day). I just discovered your books on Amazon (Fresh Doubt is the first one I read ) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciate the strong female leads. As is popular to say these days, stay calm & carry on.
Hi Eva
I was startled to read of your battle with cancer. I’d only just read your books over the holidays; your 3 Skyberg books, which I totally enjoyed. Thank you for writing them. Please take care of yourself and enjoy something in each new day. All the best.
Not often that I’m left speechless.Wishing you all the best.
I am so sad to hear this and also speechless .My prayers will be with you every day.
Hi Eva,
I don’t know what to say other than I hope you do whatever brings you the most joy. I am thankful that I’ve gotten to read most of your work and really enjoyed it. Thank you for creating those characters and leaving them in capable hands. Wishing you the best and thank you for all you’ve given us. Jim
Hi Eva,
I’ve enjoyed your books since day one and hope to continue to read them for some time to come.
I’ve been surviving cancer for nearly eight years now and tend to alter my priorities frequently, (to suit me).
Take good care of yourself and do what YOU think is best,
All the very best for the future,
Crazy D
Hi Eve, I’m so sorry to hear your sad news, After reading all your books and proof reading for you, I cant tell you how sad I am for you. Please do what ever feels best and important to you, Jo will do a great job when the time comes, Enjoy every moment.
Love and best wishes, Nita xx
Eva, so sorry to hear that you are so unwell. I have been following the Skyberg novels here in Australia and have enjoyed them all. Please look after yourself and sending you healing thoughts and hugs. :). 🙂
Hi Eva,
I can only reiterate what everyone else has said, but words are not really enough to express the feelings of your followers.
Don’t fret over finishing Skyburg 4 as it will be completed, just look after yourself. Your books to date are your legacy.
God bless
Norman
Hi Eva,
I was shocked and saddened to hear you’re so unwell. I discovered your books about 18 months ago and am a great admirer of your writing. And now a great admirer of your strength and determination to continue writing. But really hope you put yourself first and don’t overdo things. Take care and best wishes to you.
Brenda X
So sad to hear your news Eva. You are a brave lady, just like Ingrid. You are in my prayers.
God Bless Margaret x
I’m so sorry to hear about your illness. I just discovered your Skyberg books and read them one after the other. I enjoy your writing style and was looking forward to the next book in the series, but please, like others have said, do what is important to you and that which will be enjoyable. You have already achieved success! (By the way, I like the reference and similarity to Jack Reacher, as he is a favorite of mine). Keeping you in prayers.
Karen
I am so very sorry to hear about your cancer, all I can do is wish you the very best with your treatment. Kindest regards, John
So sorry to learn about the cancer. Hope things go as well as can be under the circumstances. My thoughts are with you.
I have been following you ever since I read The Loyal Servant. That got me hooked. I usually wait with anticipation for the next book however please just do what is best for you. Just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed all your books (I think I have read most).
Thank you for all the pleasure you have given me.
Ann
I read somewhere that courage is grace under pressure. Keep up the work – I have a crush on Skyberg!
Very best wishes and love to you and your editor
David Grange xx
I see others were shocked by your news, as I was. I love your books and think you have created a wonderful character in Ingrid Skyberg, she is quite the Lady.
I love the other books you have written, too, anything involving London is “my cup of tea”!
You seem to be an amazing person, and one any of us would be proud to have as a Friend in our real lives. Keep fighting your good fight, hoping for the very best for you, however long that may continue.
Sharron
Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving the world Ingrid Skyberg, a strong female, realistic idealist. I love her. She makes mistakes and owns up to them. Quite rare in her genre. You’re a brilliant storyteller and world maker. And now we read that you’re confronting your own mortality. You are Ingrid.
=^..^=