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Welcome to the New Year and the New Website!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Welcome to the New Year and the New Website!
I hope you enjoy the new home here for JamesRollins.com. It’s been a great deal of fun seeing the site come together, and I look forward to hearing what you all think about it. As to my conspicuous absence for the last few months, I’ve been busy writing. Not only have I finished this summer’s big SIGMA book, but two other projects will be coming out in 2009.
First up is a book for both kids and adults, titled Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow, the first in a series of archaeological adventures set in a landscape of magic and monsters. It’s my first foray into the world of younger fiction. So how did that come about? Well, over the past decade or so, I’ve been building a Cabinet of Curiosities here at home that contain bits and pieces I’ve collected over a lifetime of traveling and fossil hunting.
Fossilized Hadrosaurus Dinosaur Egg
One day, while dusting that cabinet, Jake Ransom strolled into my head: a twelve-year-old boy with a penchant for archaeology and an equal taste for trouble. He and his sister embark on an epic search for their lost parents that will cross time and worlds. I hope you grab a backpack and give them a hand!
Here are a couple early mock-ups of the covers (Note: the final cover is located in Bookshelf):
The book is slated to hit stands April 28, 2009.
And of course, coming out a couple months later on June 23, 2009, is the next big Sigma book, titled The Doomsday Key.
Three murders on three continents bear a macabre similarity: a pagan mark burned into the victim’s foreheads. What follows is a sprawling adventure that spans from medieval times to the present. Along the way, the story will answer a most disturbing question: What caused all the honeybees to vanish across America? And even more frightening, what is revealed is true.
More details next month!
Finally, a new stand-alone adventure will debut late in 2009. As many of you might know, I am also a veterinarian, so a question that commonly gets asked is why don’t you write a novel about a veterinarian? Well, that question will be answered next winter, where my old career and new slam together in a new adventure like no other. I hope you like what’s to come!
And as you might imagine, there are a few surprises coming up, too. But I think for the moment, I’ll end things here…with a promise of an exciting year in store!
Until then, pop around the website. There are several new features and more to come!
And lastly as we round out of 2008 and into 2009, let me thank everyone who has made this past year such a delight. I write because I love it, but it’s all of you who make the effort so rewarding. I’ve made many good friends on the road, and I look forward to a new year of renewing those friendships and forging new ones.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Jim
Comments
Name: David Sach Date: 2009-01-09
Nice to see you back, like the new website and hope you remember to give us updates whenever you can! Just finishing The Last Oracle, excellent as ever. Can't wait to get my hands on The Doomsday Key. Keep them coming and we'll keep on reading!
Name: Scott Radler Date: 2009-01-10
Just finished "Map of Bones" - was very impressed with the amount of historical and scientific research behind the novel. That said, I want to call one technical error to your attention: night vision devices rely on ancillary illumination from infrared (IR) not ultraviolet (UV). Ultraviolet is visible to the naked eye (remember the Dayglo paints of the '60's?) Your novel inspired me to look up data on m-state metals - fascinating stuff! I look forward to reading more of your books.
Name: Cassandra Thornton Date: 2009-01-10
I love your books! I picked up a copy of The Judas Strain at an airport for a time killer and I was immediatly hooked! I can't wait to read the lateset SIGMA book!
Name: Galahad Date: 2009-01-11
great now I have something to anticipate from the old guys from Sigma -=D
Name: Karen Villanueva Date: 2009-01-11
Good to see the updated website and information about the Jake Ransom series. We're glad you write because you love it. And we read because we love it. Can't wait for the Doomsday Key! Happiest of New Years to You! (Media escort in Albuquuerque)
Name: Kim Connolly Date: 2009-01-11
I am VERY excited about the new books! I go almost every day to the store looking for something new from you and have in fact, passed your name and how great you are to many other people. When I just got this email, even my kids were excited since I have every book you have written and they have also read them all. I didn't see a date on when Skull King's Shadow comes out. Did I miss it? Anyway keep up the great work and I can't wait to buy these when they come out.
Name: Will Ellis Date: 2009-01-11
I like the second cover better. The first looks way too much like Indiana Jones. I can't wait for The Doomsday Key! Great new website!
Name: Jeff Date: 2009-01-12
Just finished reading Judas Strain over the holidays. I had simply tossed it in my suitcase and didn't pay attention to the story outline (figured it was your work so it couldn't be bad) and left for my trip; on a cruise. Yes, there were moments when I was walking around the ship late at night and I expected infected passengers to come out lunging at me. Keep up the great work!
Name: Kathi Weckel Date: 2009-01-12
Dear Doctor Jim...Way to go! Can't wait to read all that is coming out this year. As I have said before it is a joy and and honor to be associated with not only a very tallented writer but a vet to boot. I love your new website and am looking forword to when both the writer and the vet cross us into a new adventure. Are you going to include any of your personal companions....hope so. Happy New Year to you and yours. Be safe. Kathi
Name: Frank Ferris Date: 2009-01-12
Are all the tour dates correct? Meaning the dates of 2008?
Name: Angela Rodriguez Date: 2009-01-12
I just can't wait for the series to come out. I am excited about them. I wish you the best in 2009 and a Happy New Year to you. Hope to see you this year in Borders of San Plaza Las Americas San Juan, Puerto Rico for book signing and interviews. Take care, From a big fan Angela
Name: Susan Aglukark Date: 2009-01-12
I am a huge fan, I've read everything you've released and am looking forward to introducing my 12 year old son to your Jake Ransom. I am a Canadian Inuk (Eskimo) and would love to see something done (again) that incorporates our culture. A Huge Fan! Susan Aglukark. www.susanaglukark.com
Name: Mildred Zyski Date: 2009-01-12
I have read all of your books and enjoyed every one of them. I'm looking forward to anything new that you write. Having you write about your profession sounds wonderful and interesting.
Name: Debbie Date: 2009-01-12
Thanks for being open with your readers and sharing your plans with us. Your books are so entertaining and well-researched. I appreciate that my teenage son can learn history by reading them. Take care.
Name: Rob Nadeau Date: 2009-01-12
Jim, I can not wait for the new book. It seems like a long time since the Last Oracle came out. Great book, as always. I agree the the Indy book comment, it seemed to limit your normal creativity, still worth reading. Any chance you might be thinking about writing a couple of pre-Sigma books? The various story lines in your first novels were awesome. Any chance you might hit the Tampa Bay area this year? Rob
Name: Laura DeSimone Date: 2009-01-12
I can't wait for the next book to come out. I can only imagine whtat is in store for the sigma force this time around. I enjoy reading all your books and have done so, under both names. Thanks again for the great read,look forward to the next one.
Name: Jan Date: 2009-01-12
Congrats on taking a chance on young adult books!! They need all the exciting reading material they can get.
Name: D. R. Johnson Date: 2009-01-12
I am so glad to hear that you are doing a stand-alone adventure! I am not really into series books, although, so far, I have read all of the Sigma series.
Name: Susan Date: 2009-01-12
Your new website is great. I can't wait for your new Sigma Force books, and will buy the young adult books for my grandkids. I love the archeological aspects in your books since in my next life I want to be an archeologist. Or a veterinarian. What can I say, you have it all. Thanks for sharing.
Name: jay dingle Date: 2009-01-12
can't wait for the next sigma force book to come out. I like the new web site and will check it out often.
Name: Cynthia Date: 2009-01-12
I like the first cover better. It is more eyecatching. I , so cannot wait for your new book! Stephen King, you, and Preston - Childs are my favorite authors. I can't get enough!!! Keep those books coming.
Name: James Rollins Date: 2009-01-12
Glad everyone is liking the Jake covers. However, those listed above are only beta versions. The real cover is in the bookshelf. Take a look! I posted the beta covers only to show the evolution. Jim
Name: Sherry Scott Date: 2009-01-12
I am so glad for your success in writing in several new capacities! All the hard work, research, and staying the course has begun to really pay off on all levels. Maybe somewhere down the road you will write about ancient Egypt or Lemuria.
Name: Jo Anne Knight Date: 2009-01-12
I've been a James Rollins fan since his first book; have every one so far. I'm never disappointed with the adventures and love the historical background that give the stories a sense of reality. Good for you, James!
Name: Jo Anne Knight Date: 2009-01-12
I can't believe I just posted writing with a S-V agreement error for all my former students to see! I'm getting old!
Name: Sherry Scott Date: 2009-01-12
......also, I really enjoyed your early novel, Subterrainian, and liked the ending. Futuristic subjects, even a civilization living in concrete domes, powered by much less fossil fuel, etc., would be an interesting subject.
Name: Donna Wierzbowski/ Donna Del Oro Date: 2009-01-12
The Doomsday Key sounds exciting! Can't wait to read it. Enjoyed very much THE LAST ORACLE.
Name: Nicole Date: 2009-01-12
Anxiously awaiting the next Sigma book Have friends who travel a lot; passed on your great reading; you now have 2 more extatic fans! Have another great year!
Name: Vincent Derita Date: 2009-01-12
I am looking forward to the three books that will be out this year. These books sound like the first three books that you wrote. My favorite was Amazonia
Name: Rick Josephson Date: 2009-01-12
Looking forward to The Doomsday Key. Jim, your talent just gets better and better. Due to illness, I have not read The Last Oracle yet. I've got my copy ready to start soon. Wish I could get this one personally signed. Will Grayson be a character in the new sigma addition?
Name: True The James Rollins (Jerry Garcia) Fan Date: 2009-01-12
Mr. Rollins, You signed a couple of my books during a book signing and I was teasing you that I would get a Greatful Dead tee shirt and put your face on it. Guess what, you now have a fan with an unofficial James Rollins tee shirt. LOL Can't wait to read your next couple of books. I admire all the research you do and how you can write and still make it understandable. True (true fan of Rollins)
Name: Karen Graham Date: 2009-01-12
I can hardly wait for The Doomsday Key to come out. I too also love your writing. Actually, you are on a par with another favorite author of mine, Clive Cussler. Both of you have a knack for historical fact and a darned good tale!
Name: Gabrielle Macklin Date: 2009-01-12
Ever thought about touring into Canada?? I know of one fan who loves you're books and would love to meet you! Currently reading Deep Fathom, and as someone wanting to be a marine biologist, I can't put it down! Much like all your other books!
Name: Jack Kraft Date: 2009-01-12
I was just thinking of doing a search to see if you have a web-site to see if there are any new books coming out. I look forward to Doomsday Key and anything else. If you have a book signing for DK, let us know. I'll add it to my collection.
Name: kAREN Date: 2009-01-13
It's amazing, but I, like Jack above, was just thinking of searching your site. 2009 will be the year of James Rollins! I truly can't wait for all the new ones. I have been madly trying to find new authors to keep me occupied; they are good but NOT James Rollins. What can I say--I'm am a die-hard fan and have been since your first book! I love the Sigma gang, but I also love the "individual" novels so I'm really looking forward to your newest. Your talent (and obsession!) with your art is truly appreciated. Thank you, Jim.
Name: Dawn Ius Date: 2009-01-13
Wow - your new site is spectacular. This will be an incredible way for me to keep up to date on our newest projects - and it looks like there's quite a few for 2009. Can't wait for the Doomsday Key, and to read your first YA. Thanks for all of the adventures so far.
Name: Jeaneen Chapman Date: 2009-01-13
My husband and I enjoy your novels. Please release a hardcover edition of your first three books. An omnibus edition of those three seems long overdue. Rollins' fans unite!! Those are great stories and deserve a hardcover edition. Easton Press where are you guys?.....Jeaneen
Name: Todd Whipple Date: 2009-01-13
Thank you so much for posting your upcoming novels. You have excited my appetite for reading on so many levels. As a once Pre-Veterinarian student who ultimately chased and caught his own heartsâ desires for Cultural Anthropology and History, rather than his parentsâ aspirations, have loved reading all your novels, loaded with historic and cultural facts and being thoroughly exciting and entertaining. I now look forward to reading Jake Ransom so I can share the joy of Rollins novels with my 11 year old son. Then, as a dog lover, former Vet Clinic assistant, Pre-Vet student and owner of 3 rescued lab mixes, I look forward to reading your new veterinarian adventure as I have not read any since the All Creatures series. Thank you for following your passion of writing and sharing it with all of us. Please visit Seattle soon!!!
Name: Thom Richmond Date: 2009-01-14
I also wish to express my congrats and delight at your Web site! I, too, have read every book you've written to date and enjoyed each one. As one respondent claimed, you rate right up there with Preston and, if I may add, Koontz. (Fortget about long-winded King. His diversory paragraphs actually TAKE AWAY from any possible suspence which could be built up. It seems he prefers to humongous books over which either go off in tangents, need to describe every little detail of what is happening or, heavens forbid, actually telegraph what is going to come up.. I absoultely enjoy the adventures you take us on; and your descriptions are most usually so easy to picture as the action is taking place. I definitely am looking forward to all your future projects. Write on!
Name: Andrew Date: 2009-01-14
Love your books, especially Sigma series. Hope Seichan makes a return in doomsday....have you thought about doing a book from "the other side", featuring a story about the Guild...
Name: Andrew Date: 2009-01-14
Love your books, especially Sigma series. Hope Seichan makes a return in doomsday....have you thought about doing a book from "the other side", featuring a story about the Guild...
Name: Andrew Date: 2009-01-14
Love your books, especially Sigma series. Hope Seichan makes a return in doomsday....have you thought about doing a book from "the other side", featuring a story about the Guild...
Name: Christiane (no-not-Amanpour) Date: 2009-01-16
Yeah, a new Sigma Force book! In the meantime I'm catching up on older novels and trying to keep busy with other authors, but it's just not the same. I need another Gray Pierce fix ... did I really just write that?!! Note to newcomers: don't read Last Oracle before Judas Strain, like I did (there should be a spoiler alert around here somewhere!). Those things happen when you get your reading materials from the library, but I can tell you it would be worth sitting on the waiting list a while longer to get them in the right order. I loved Last Oracle! à bientôt!
Name: Andrea (Atlanta, GA) Date: 2009-01-18
Happy New Year! I can't wait for the new books. I've read everything you've written and have enjoyed every single one. Thank you!
Name: Denis Parsons Date: 2009-01-19
Thank you for the updated webpage. I look for your new work every time I pass a book store or visit my library. As mentioned by one of your fans already, I appreciate the education I get from your stories as well as the entertainment aspect. Can't wait for the Doomsday Key- also will advise my grandchildren about Jake. Keep up the good work and all the best in 2009.
Name: carl chamness Date: 2009-01-19
Thankyou for the many hours I have enjoyed lost in one of your books!! I like the new website and look forward to the books coming out this year! I would also like to say again, that my wife and I enjoyed meeting and hearing you speak at the signing in Atlanta last summer. I would encourage anyone who has an opportunity to attend a signing to do so. It was a lot of fun!!!!
Name: carl chamness Date: 2009-01-19
Thankyou for the many hours I have enjoyed lost in one of your books!! I like the new website and look forward to the books coming out this year! I would also like to say again, that my wife and I enjoyed meeting and hearing you speak at the signing in Atlanta last summer. I would encourage anyone who has an opportunity to attend a signing to do so. It was a lot of fun!!!!
Name: Ganesh Bhandarkar Date: 2009-01-19
Hi, I am the Product Manager for Books at www.indiaplaza.in <http://www.indiaplaza.in/>, India's leading online shopping destination. Indiaplaza pioneered online shopping in India and has since then served over a million customers.Today, Indiaplaza is the largest online bookstore in India. We would want to get your books signed for our customers. Please let me know if that is possible; we will take care of the logistics to India. Thank You
Name: pat Date: 2009-01-25
I really like the new look. I look forward to your new books. I hope they make a movie of some of your books esp Amazonia. When will you come so warm sunny Fl.
Name: Manda Walters Date: 2009-01-08
FYI - I resisted reading your Indiana Jones edition until this week. My impatience got the best of me as the book store so far does not have the paperback edition of your latest work. (yes, i'm a pretty much a miser) Anyway, I really needed something decent to read on the plane back from Florida and I finally reasoned, how bad can it possibly be, I mean, they picked you to write it for a reason, right? Well I read it and was fine. Not nearly as good as your other books, but decent enough. A little sappy at the end, but I guess you did what you could with what you had to work with. Glad to see anther Sigma book is coming out in April! Keep up the good work!