Tim Lebbon - horror and dark fantasy author » 30 Days of Night

Arriving in threes

Tim Lebbon — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:11:46 +0000

No new books for a couple of months, then three turn up together. My postman must love me. Parcels, packages and boxes, I do more for his strength-building than any gym membership.

I’ve already told you about LAST EXIT FOR THE LOST. Yesterday’s two new additions were:

The hardback of THE THIEF OF BROKEN TOYS, an officially recognised Beautiful Object in the world of books. If you didn’t get your pre-order in for this one … watch the second hand market. It’s a gorgeous product yet again from the brilliant CZP Publications. Nice. And remember, paperback and Kindle editions are still available.

The second arrival yesterday was my brand new original 30 Days of Night novel, FEAR OF THE DARK. This one, based in the 30 Days of Night universe, is a mad vampire novel set in good old London, taking in archaeological digs, the British Museum, and a very strange guardian angel. It was fun to write, and I’m sure it’ll be fun to read as well.

More new books due very soon, watch this space for info.

30 Days of Night: Fear of the Dark

Tim Lebbon — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:54:35 +0000

30 DAYS OF NIGHT – podcast review

Tim Lebbon — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:00:20 +0000

Well this is a bit wacky! Here’s a podcast review of my novelisation of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT. I really like the idea of podcast reviewing , and although the guys chatting seem sorta hazy about how the book came about – graphic novel, to movie, to novel – it’s good to hear that the reader’s favourite scene is the polar bear scene … which is the one major scene in the book that is my own creation, and not translated from the screenplay.

That polar bear is also indirectly responsible for the Jack London books I’m writing with the most excellent and unfeasibly sexy Christopher Golden. But more on that another time.

Three Years On…

Tim Lebbon — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:40:09 +0000

Three years ago today I was sitting at my desk – this very desk – as a full-time writer for the first time. I was a little hungover. The night before I’d had a leaving do from work at The Hanbury Arms in Caerleon, drank too much Reverend James, and generally celebrated leaving work to live my dream. That last day in work was a lot of fun … wandering around to say goodbye, collecting leaving presents (bottles of whiskey and wine … they know me so well). And that first day of full-time writing I spent on the first chapter of my 30 Days of Night movie novelisation. I remember it well, because I had to scrap it three days later when the updated shooting script came through and I realised all the relationships had changed … but since that day to this, I’ve had the best time of my life.

It’s been three years. I worked at my old day job for six times that, yet I only have vague memories of the place: I remember the people, many of whom still remain friends. I remember cheese and bacon toasties on Friday morning. I remember being in a tea-group of one and having to steal other people’s milk from the fridge (yes, everyone … it was me!) But it’s rare that I sit and dwell on my time there, because that was another life.

Since starting to write full time I’ve written so many novels, shorts stories, and novellas that I’ve lost count – they include two 30 Days of Night novels, Hellboy: The Fire Wolves, Echo City Falls (coming soon), The Island, Fallen, two Hidden Cities books with Chris Golden, the first of the Secret Journeys of Jack London books (also with Chris), the novella The Reach of Children … and there I was, hoping I’d turn prolific.

I’ve also started branching out into some screen work, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m collaborating on an exciting new screenplay, and I’m also currently developing two TV series.

And last week, as if to celebrate my impending 3-year anniversary, I had some Very Good News. Thrilling, exciting news. But more on that soon.

I’m very, very lucky. I commute to work past the dog, sit in my own office with all my books and other stuff around me, make stuff up, write it down, and sell it. I walk the dog in our lovely local woods at lunchtimes, and occasionally go out for lunch with friends. I always wanted to get here, but was never sure I would.

Thank you, to everyone who enjoys buying and reading my books. That means you. You keep buying them, and reading them and liking them, and I’ll keep writing them. There’s lots on the horizon.

So without further ado … I’m writing a novella about a thief of broken toys. I must away.

30 Days of Night and Booklife

Tim Lebbon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:32:07 +0000

My original 30 DAYS OF NIGHT novel is delivered, and it now has a new title: FEAR OF THE DARK.

I really like that, and it’s very relevant to the themes inherent in the novel. Nice! Release date is May next year, more news as and when it comes in.

As for now … weekend, and I’ll be having a weekend away from the computer (mostly). I’m reading a fantastic book right now, Jeff Vandermeer’s superb BOOKLIFE, which I’m finding both informative and truly inspirational. Lots of what he says resonates, and I’ll be talking more about it when I finish. Hopefully by the end of the weekend.

Forthcoming Books – update

Tim Lebbon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:20 +0000

Thought it was about time I posted an update about forthcoming books. These are novels, novellas and collections that will be published next year sometime. Keep checking back here for accurate publication dates.

LAST EXIT FOR THE LOST (collection, Cemetery Dance)

THE THIEF OF BROKEN TOYS (novella CZP Publications)

ECHO CITY FALLS (novel, Bantam Spectra)

THE CHAMBER OF TEN (novel with Christopher Golden, Bantam Spectra)

THE SECRET JOURNEYS OF JACK LONDON (book one): CALLS OF THE WILD (novel with Christopher Golden, Harper Collins)

30 DAYS OF NIGHT: Title TBC (original novel, Simon & Schuster)

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (novelisation, Titan Books) – delayed until 2011

As well as these books there are also several other publications planned but not yet announced. Keep watching for more news …

Working hard …

Tim Lebbon — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:19:11 +0000

… and that’s why I haven’t been around here for a while. My 30 Days of Night novel THE BANE is with the publisher, and I’m well into my novelisation of THE CABIN IN THE WOODS. Every spare hour is spent working right now, so I might not post much here for a while. And around all this writing busyness is family stuff, some good – kids back in school, Ellie starting dancing again, Dan starting rugby this evening – and some bad.

So please keep stopping by, browsing the site, and keep a watch out for the occasional blog posting over the next few weeks.

Currently listening to: Black and White by THE HIVES. Awesome.

Currently reading: The Land at the End of the Working Day, a wonderful novella collection by Peter Crowther.

New Book News ….

Tim Lebbon — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:19:17 +0000

…. coming soon. Watch this space!

Also, I’m expecting a long-awaited official announcement this month for a new collection of mine.

I’m working hard on my original 30 Days of Night novel – called THE BANE – and it’s going really well. Love what I have so far, and it’s fun writing in this universe again.

There’s other exciting stuff happening too, all of it in early stages. Hoping to make some more announcements soon.

Meanwhile … a duck-billed platypus for your enjoyment.

30 Days of Night … the sun goes down again

Tim Lebbon — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be writing an original novel set in the 30 Days of Night universe for Pocket Books.

Novelising the movie was a huge amount of fun, and the book did really well (popped up on the New York Times Bestseller list, no less!), so I’m really excited about returning to this world again.

The book doesn’t even have a title yet (still brainstorming ideas), but I’ll fill you in with more details as and when….

Two Years On

Tim Lebbon — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:30:52 +0000

Two years ago today was my first day working as a full-time writer. Leaving work to write for a living was a big decision, but definitely one of the best I’ve ever made, and through the downs as well as the ups I haven’t regretted it for a moment. It seems a lot longer than two years ago that I last left Monmouthshire County Council’s dodgy old building (it’s effectively falling down), and looking at the amount I’ve written since then, perhaps there has been a time-warp thingy going on somewhere. Here’s a rough list:

30 Days of Night
Fallen
Mind the Gap (with Christopher Golden)
The Map of Moments (with Christopher Golden) – forthcoming
The Secret Journeys of Jack London: Book One (with Christopher Golden) – forthcoming
Hellboy: The Fire Wolves - forthcoming
The Island - forthcoming
The Toxic City: London Eye
A Whisper of Southern Lights
The Reach of Children

As well as those novels and novellas I’ve done several short stories, two screenplays (The Everlasting and The Dregs), and plenty of other stuff. It does make me wonder how the hell I wrote so much when I was working, but the fact that I’m still working just as hard after two years is great. I’ve still got plenty of work on … and a big THANKS is due to you discerning readers who continue to buy my books!

And on it goes …! I wrote a novelette this weekend for a US market (sending it to the editor for consideration today), brainstormed a new screenplay with a good friend of mine, and this week it’s back to the Yukon to finish off book one of the Jack London series.

Many more announcements coming soon, including a new short story option. So please do keep popping by, and in another year I hope the above list will be much, much longer.