Comrades!

Ironically, the website update (which takes time) was done days ago,
but sending out this little email (which takes very little) has had
to wait until two days into July. Ah well...

PROGRESS

The manuscript continues to proceed well. Approximately a third is
laid out and essentially complete, a third is written but needs
editing and layout, and a third is incomplete. In a couple of weeks'
time, a full sample chapter will be placed on the site, of which
more below.

I had hoped to be able to announce a provisional release date by
now, but I have taken up an invitation to a visiting professorship
at Rutgers University and my wife and I are thus is the midst of all
the joys of transatlantic relocation to New Jersey. It is very
difficult to know how this will impinge on the time I have
available, but it certainly will. Trying to be realistic, I don't
see myself being likely to have the book at the printers before I
go, so instead I shall probably aim to have the book essentially
ready so that once settled, I can then source a US printer.

This would mean the book would be at the printers in September for,
all being well, an October release. It's later in the year than I
hoped or planned, but such is life when one has also to earn a
living! However, treat all this is highly provisional and I'll keep
everyone updated.

WEBSITE UPDATE

There's been a general update, with new art added to some pages, so
it's worth having a little click about, as well as the usual
previews, including a Sibiryak spirit and also two separate cultural
perspectives on the magical Otherworlds.

http://www.firebird-productions.com

SAMPLE CHAPTER

I would be interested to hear what sample chapter you would like to
see, so I will run a poll over the next couple of weeks; do vote!

RUSSIAN PROVERB OF THE MONTH

"Who is silent, is guilty."

All the best

Mark