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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

"Sorcerers and Seers" Delivered to Publisher

Just a quick announcement that the "polishing" phase of Book 11 in the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series, Sorcerers and Seers, has been completed to the point that last night around 3:00 AM I emailed it electronically to the publisher. I guess technically that would mean I finished it early this morning, preventing my wife from getting any sleep for half the night.

What a ride this project has been! Only as I sat down and read this book from start to finish, making only minor changes and improvements, was I able to appreciate the full spectrum of what has been created. Nothing gives me greater pleasure as an artist than to think I am going to publish something ground-breaking. It's hard to believe, but NO ONE has ever presented in a fictional form anything related to the battle at the Hill Cumorah. No doubt because the issues and millieu surrouding this event are so complex that the very idea is daunting to the point that an artist might prefer taking up residence in a padded room and flicking his fingers against his lips while making a babbling sound.

In addition, I was able to discuss details related to Jerusalem and the last week in the life of Christ which no fiction writer has ever tackled. I also hope I've done a lot to shed light on the historical dynamics related to the Jaredites during the time period of King Omer and Akish. Yes, all this stuff is encapsulated inside an adventure novel that deals with time travel and other fantastical concepts, but the core research and history is all there. And I hope it offers readers some mind-expanding concepts and perspectives about the Gospel and the eternities that no one has ever thought about before. The goal, as always, is to draw people closer to the Savior, the Gospel, and the Book of Mormon. Only my readers can confirm for me if such efforts were successful, but this was certainly my goal.

The publisher has not yet begun the process of editing. (I don't even know if they've begun the process of reading it!) It may be that they send me back to the drawing board on an item or two (as frequently happens with all submitted novels) but as of now the publisher's plan is to release the book this fall--September, if I understood them correctly. Things can change, but as of now, that's the intent.

I still have to write an extensive "Cast of Characters" list for this book that will help readers re-acclimate to the Tennis Shoes world if they haven't read any books in the series for a while. And of course I have to undergo the grueling task of casting narrators and reading the book for release in audio form.

The point is, I like this book. Genuinely. Hey, why would anyone expect the author to say anything different, right? But trust me. I know when something doesn't work. And now and then as I was reading my own story I was honestly entertained and able to mentally "remove myself" from the creation process. I can only do that for short snatches of time, but when I found myself drawn into this, I was thoroughly enthralled and cheering for the characters. Get ready for Hamira. She's a Jaredite warrioress, and one of the fiestiest characters I've ever created.

As I said in my last post, there will be a Volume 12. This latest book does indeed leave many plot elements hanging. But certain long-standing plot points are also neatly resolved. All in all, I hope it's an exciting ride that will leave readers breathless and take them to places--physically, emotionally, and spiritually--that they've never been before.

As soon as everything is completed with Sorcerers and Seers as far as the editing and the audio book, etc., I'll dive right into a sequel to Passage to Zarahemla. I'm not quite sure of the title of that one yet. It will either be Escape from Zarahemla or The Warrior From Zarahemla. The project shouldn't take as long as a regular Tennis Shoes novel. My guess is that by the end of the summer I'll dive back into the world of Jim and Apollus and Meagan and Gidgiddonihah and Harry, etc. NO MORE FIVE YEAR BREAKS!

Also, as soon as I know the price of Sorcerers and Seers, I'll make it possible for people to order autographed copies of the novel, either from Heimerrecords.com or just by contacting me directly. I'll also make people aware of publicity events that my publisher might sponsor and anything else that comes my way.

Again, I feel I should express my deepest, sincerest apologies to fans who have waited SO LONG for this book. As well as my eternal gratitude to those who have done so patiently and who remain just as excited as ever to see where the epic will take them next.

So in conclusion . . . the book is here! It's done! And it will soon be in your hands. Thanks again for your fanship and readership.

41 comments:

  1. Hip hip hurrah!!! Gigantic congratulations! I know you must be feeling on top of the world right now. Or at least ready for a little shut-eye...

    Can't wait to HEAR the newest book. I'll be listening to the rest of the collection through the summer so I will be sufficiently updated!

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  2. Okay bro. heimerdinger. I'm stoked about it!!! Two new books from a personal favorite author in one year? Not much can beat that, in a literary sense.

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  3. LOVE getting updates on the book! Keep it up!

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  4. *insert high girlish scream of excitement here*

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  5. I am very grateful to know that soon I will be reading the next installment for the Tennis shoes series. Your books have always uplifted and inspired me. Thank you For having a wonderful mind and insight into the early days of our lord and savior :) (((excitement)))

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  6. Snowcatcher, you are so right!
    I have all the books, all the books on cd, and all the books on MP3 cd. i love listening to the books on my iPod. I can't wait to read this book, but i DEFINITELY can't wait to listen to the book!

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  7. It's been a long wait! The only problem is I'll have to wait two more years! I'm leaving for the San Bernardino mission at the end of July and in your last post you said the book might come out in the fall! Well, on the bright side, I guess book 12 might be out too when I get back!

    Thanks for the great series!

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  8. Great news. But all these hints you're dropping make it all the more agonizing for me to have to wait. I guess patience is not one of my strong points. I recently started rereading Kingdoms and Conquerors in preparation for the new book. I look forward to reading it when it comes out. Keep me posted, Chris, and please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you, as a fan or a friend. Keep up the great work.

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  9. Hey Chris,
    Do you think you'll be doing an unabridged audiobook for "Seers" like you did for "Conquerors"? that would be awesome! I was just wondering what you were planning on doing...

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  10. I was just pondering that same question as you asked it, Dustin. Interesting coincidence. So, in short, I don't know the answer to that. I'll push hard for them to do it unabridged. I think what they will do is check the numbers to make sure that Kingdoms and Conquerors was profitable unabridged. If so, then I'm sure they'll do Sorcerers and Seers unabridged as well.

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  11. that would be great! I enjoy listening to all your books, but i do find myself zoning out sometimes, missing some parts. that doesn't usually happen with KaC, because i can follow along with the book. I'd love to have that happen with Sorcerers and Seers too!

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  12. I was looking for a book to keep me occupied for a couple of days and picked up Kingdoms and Conquerers. Now that I've read it I need the sequel. I looked at the publishing date for K&C, saw 2005, and thought, "oh, good, it's been 5 years, surely the next book is available!"
    So, I came to the internet to learn all about it, only to find the author (that's you!) apparently hung his Tennis Shoes series out to dry and left them for awhile! This is not an accusation, though. Let it be a lesson to me: good books take time!
    I'm enjoying the series immensely. Thanks.

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  13. This one did take time. Although I did have a motion picture, music album, and marriage in between! But with this book, see, it's always my goal to break new ground. Make the newest book better than anything that has come before, whether it's with writing skill or action or dramatizing something that's never been dramatized before. I hope I did all three. That's up to readers to decide. Nevertheless, there will be no break in book writing from now until "Thorns of Glory" comes out (Book 12).

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  14. Hey Chris,
    That is awesome news!! I have been waiting for your next brilliant work and haven't minded the wait too much. I have learned that good writing takes time and while I find that I can rush putting words on the page, ultimately there comes a day of reckoning when I have to edit them and make them come to life. Keep “plotting” forward, cuz I think that is best!!! (And I think it is a good sign that you like the book.)
    Your mention of a sequel to “Zarahemla” raised my eyebrows, but you are a sequel kind of guy so I should have been prepared for the surprise. As soon as I thought about the notion, my mind began wrapping around the first plot to see where part 2 would fit in. It has been a whole 5 minutes, but I still can’t locate a spin-off point. It looks like I’ll be surprised again!!! Yay!

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  15. Can't see a spin off point! Kiddoni and Kerra were separated! They said a sorrowful goodbye! But just as a hint, the character of "Chris" (Yeah, I know it's kind of goofy that I named that character Chris since I played him in the movie) would provide much of the spin-off elements. Ask yourself, what was he doing among the Nephites for 12 years? The answer to that question--and also the fate of Hitch and other unresolved plot points--would make up the bulk of the plot for a sequel to "Passage to Zarahemla."

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  16. Sequel to 'Passage'!?! I am there..................and then the movie!

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  17. Congratulations Chris, I've been waiting for this since pretty much the day your last book came out. If you can make sure it comes out in September because I really want to read it before I leave on my mission the end of that month. :) Thanks

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  18. I'm so siked :D i love your books :D

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  19. I can't wait! One of my best friends got me hooked on the books five years ago and since then both she and I have been waiting for the eleventh book to come out! I'm so excited! Thanks for all the work - it really does pay off.
    Quick correction on the post...Gerald Lund has written about the last week of Christ's life in his historical fiction series, The Kingdom and the Crown.
    Again, good luck and I can't wait for September to come around!

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  20. Lauren, Thanks for your comments. You may have misunderstood my comment about historical fiction and the last week of the Savior's life. Many authors have tacked this subject, even Ben Hur. But so many issues have not been addressed. That's what I hope readers will appreciate. Thanks again.

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  21. I'm sooo excited for the 11th one!!! My mother and brothers kept telling me I should read the seires, but I didn't start reading them till last week, and i've already read all 10! As soon as I finished the 10th one (I finished like 2:30 in the morning) I looked online to see when the next one was going to come out, but the website at the back of the book of the 10th one didn't work anymore, but I just barley found this website/blog, and i'm sooo glad the I did cause I don't think I could stand not knowing when the 11th would come out. I have to admitt that i'm glad I didn't start the series when it came out cause I would DIE if I had to wait 5 years for the 11th one, now I only have to wait like 3 monthes!!! Thanks for the AMAZING books!!! I totally love them!!! Keep up the good work! I also can't wait for the sequel for passage to zarahemla, I also really liked that book!

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  22. I can't wait for the 11th one!!! My mother and brothers kept telling me I sould read the series, but I didn't start reading them till last week, and i've already all 10 of them, and I'm dying to find out what happenes next. As soon as I finished the 10th one (which was like at 2:30 in the moring) I look up online to find out when the next one came out, but the website at the back of the 10th book didn't work anymore. Not to be defeted I tryed again today and I just barley found this website/blog and I'm soo glad I did. I have to admit I'm glad I didn't start reading the series when it first came out cause I don't think I could stand waiting 5 years for the 11th one to come out, now I just have to wait like 3 monthes! I'm also excited for the sequal to passage to Zarahemla, I really enjoyed reading that book too!!!! Good luke with everything and keep up the good work!!

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  23. When I read this I was SO exited!
    Thank you for posting this, and all of your updates. I appreciate them immensely!
    Your books have helped strengthened my testimony, and love for the scriptures more than you know.
    Thanks again!

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  24. the audio version in the best! However have any fans told you or feel like your cast of characters have gotten EXTREMLY long. I however am super pumped for your new book i grew up reading and listening to your books as a kid. I hope you dont kill off GID in this book and bring him back to life though :) hahahah

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  25. Yes, Royal. Some fans have said the cast of characters is long and sometimes confusing. I think five years between books helps that confusion. I did a detailed "cast of characters" for this newest book. Hope that helps too. :)

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  26. Wow Chris! Yesterday, I randomly thought about the series, and with confusion and consternation made my husband listen to my rant about what on earth had happened to you and why there was no new book. Haha, but I did acknowledge that since I had waited so long, I could wait longer if necessary. And then I found this website and saw that the next book comes out in September, which was a fantastic surprise! Thankyou for continuing even after that long of a break. One of my favorite things about your books are the new perspectives that you introduce about the gospel. They have given me and my husband long and intriguing topics to talk about and wonder as we drive across the US every summer. I feel like they have helped me to grow in my testimony and to realize that we need to have faith in and trust the Lord and He will lead and guide us through our lives. Wow this message was longer than I first intended! Thanks again!!

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  27. I've just started listening to the 10th book, AGAIN. I listen to your books while on the treadmill, it makes a long walk really interesting! I'm more than excitd to hear that 11 is on it's way! I don't really want to start over at the beginning in a few days, but I just might have to! Thanks for writing such interesting stories and helping to bring the scriptures to life. I love your books!

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  28. Greg, I got your message regarding narrators. I listened to your sample narration and your voice doesn't fit the single male voice that I'm looking for for the latest Tennis Shoes novel. Please keep in touch for the future, but do so not on the comments, but through my regular email at cheimerdinger@gmail.com

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  29. I started reading the Tennis Shoes Series when I was 13 and I blame it for a 12th grade reading level from then on. since then I've gone through five years and many books, and I can still honestly say that the Tennis Shoes Series are my top ten favorite books I've ever read (with the Eragon books as 11-13)!
    The reason your books are my most favorite is because they are the only books I've ever read that capture action, drama, romance, suspence, mystery, comedy, and history WITH sprituality all at the right balance. You have an amazing gift as an author to make the circumstance of a character seem so hopeless that the reader actually thinks he/she really is done for this time. And when they're about to quit reading the book in hopelessness you somehow logically pull the character out of it by the skin of their teeth. I actually put Seven Churches down for a month because I thought Harry would never find Gid and Marcos.
    I just found out a couple months ago that you actually didn't stop writing the series at 10. I'm so happy that I get to enjoy two more masterpieces that only Chris Heimerdinger could create.
    Thank you so much.

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  30. 'Bout dang time. At 65 I have been thinking I might die of old age before i could read #11! How do we order one?

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  31. I will provide a way for folks to order the new book with an autograph as soon as I know the price. Just join the blog. :)

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  32. Can you make sure it gets released on Kindle? Pretty-please?

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  33. Chris,
    Do you have any idea if you'll ever do a public book signing? because i'd love to get a signed copy of your next book, but i'd love more to meet you in person when it's signed! i have a copy of Kingdoms and Conqueror's you sent to me in the mail that is signed, and i love it, i just wish it had been more personal, you know what i mean?

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  34. I'm certain I'll do many public signings, but until we know the actual release date none can be scheduled. Folks will have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of the book or audio (of any book, including Book 11) directly through me if they choose. But until I know the price, I can't offer it up. Soon I hope to know and then I'll send a mass email to all fans or put up a notice on this blog. Or likely both. :)

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  35. I'm sure the publisher plans to eventually release the book on Kindle (Kendle?) and all other e-book formats. The LDS market is usually a little behind the rest. Give 'em time. Thanks.

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  36. Chris, thank you soooo much for your talent and skill in writing and story telling, it's AMAZING! My family is from Indiana and I had never heard of your books until my husband introduced me to them this past year! I'm so glad you're writing more! By the way, do you need anymore voices for your book? I love listening to your books on tape, everyone is perfect for each and every role thus far! Don't know how you do it. Thanks again!

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  37. Chris,

    Congratulations! I'm a long-time fan and I'm really excited to hear about "Sorcerers and Seers!" I can't wait! I'm glad I found this blog, so now I can keep up on things.

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  38. MechanicalTJ: I'll have to wait two more years! I'm leaving for the San Bernardino mission at the end of July. ... I guess book 12 might be out too when I get back!

    I hear you! Same thing happened to me. But you're right about the bright side. When I got back from my mission, I got to devour three new Tennis Shoes books in a row. It was indulgent bliss!

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  39. I can't wait! I remember discussing Kingdoms and Conquerors back in high school with a friend and we were stoked to find out what would happen with the characters, then when it wasn't coming out I got nervous that there never would be a conclusion. Thanks for finishing it Chris! I can't wait!

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  40. I Can't wait i just finished your 11th book. I can't wait to read the 12th. Yep i can't wait the 11th one was awesome!

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