Will Wight, New York Times Best-Selling Author of 'Cradle'
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In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.

Let me tell you the future

9/15/2020

87 Comments

 
As the shrewd super-sleuths among you may have deduced, this Thursday (September 17th) we have an announcement coming up!

Today, I come to you with an announcement for that announcement. This sentence is me announcing my announcement of that announcement.

Be good, or next time I'll announce my announcing of the announcement for an announcement, and frankly that will hurt me even more than it hurts you.

Our countdown to this announcement has been interpreted by some as being a countdown to the release of the book, which I assure you is not the case.

We would never surprise you with a book without warning you first, because that wouldn't be sporting. It's like shooting your dueling opponent before the ten-second countdown is finished.

​Oh sorry, I meant to say "It's like that time I shot that guy in that duel before the countdown was finished."

Here is a measure of the full wisdom you will receive on Thursday:

1.) A final release date for Wintersteel. (Includes dates for the ebook, audio, paperback, and aerosol inhalant editions.)

2.) Pre-order date. (Our pre-orders are short, don't worry. None of them have ever been longer than it takes Sagittarius to orbit the third moon cluster.)

3.) A small preview of the book. (A teeny-tiny taste. Just a lick. We will wave the book in your direction and let you smell a whiff of its freshly printed pages.)

4.) The cover (Oh wait, we already did this. What do we do? Quick, think of something...) I mean my ukelele covers of classic Dave Matthews hits.

After that, as part of the Wintersteel release process, I will be revealing some behind-the-scenes content from every Cradle book so far (except Uncrowned, for [REDACTED] reasons).

This includes deleted scenes, notes, scrapped content, and photographs of old comrades that we had to shove into bottomless pits because they were slowing us down.

Some books have more than others, but you know what book had a lot? Blackflame.

Quite frankly, it was hard to sort through all the chapters upon chapters that I cut from Blackflame in order to settle on just one excerpt. I tried to print out all the extra content, and after the first six days of printing, I had to climb over a mountain of paper with emergency ink supplies strapped to my back in order to continue.

I kid, of course. That's an exaggeration. It actually took seven days before the state of Florida officially recognized it as a mountain.

Just to give you an example of what I'm talking about, here are some behind-the-scenes facts about Cradle that you may not have known:

--Orthos' original name was Oerthon. I changed it because then every single major character's name would end in an N. Lindon, Yerin, Eithan, Oerthon, and Melusine. Which isn't an N, but it's an N-sound.

--Oh, you don't know Melusine? Yeah, because that was originally planned to be the name that Little Blue took for herself later on.

I would have changed it up, of course--spelled it differently, most likely--because Melusine is a mythological fairy of fresh water.

--In the earliest drafts of the story that I would eventually draw on to make Cradle, one of Melusine's powers was to turn into a spear. You want to know why I had to scrap that one, huh? You want to know?

Because a certain WAY MORE FAMOUS fantasy author wrote a VERY FAMOUS series in which the main character has a fairy companion who can turn into a spear.

Thanks so much, MYSTERY MAN.

--On the topic of things I had to scrap because famous people did them first, I had come up with some names for future books in the Cradle series that I eventually had to give up on.

This was all the way back in 2015, mind you. Keep that in mind.

The book in which Lindon returned to Sacred Valley was originally going to be called Homecoming, and the final book in the series was to be called Endgame.

On the day Marvel announced the name for Avengers IV, I put my forehead down on a desk and gave a heavy sigh.

​Back when I had a forehead.

​-Remnant Will
87 Comments
Drew L
9/15/2020 02:30:36 pm

So... about this aerosol edition... Does it come in. Double-stuff variety?

Also my daughter loves the birthday card you sent her. Thanks dude!

Reply
Sean W
9/16/2020 05:13:06 pm

Also curious. Is it one inhalation per chapter, or per word? That book looks big, so I'm wondering if I have storage room for an aerosol-ized edition.

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Nick
9/17/2020 05:45:51 am

WHAT TIME TODAY!!!????

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Nick
9/17/2020 05:48:28 am

I put this comment on the whole post, I don’t know why it showed up under the replies to this one...

F Gill
9/17/2020 07:57:02 am

https://www.facebook.com/willwightauthor/

its the first post -- already done -- its a video

James
9/15/2020 02:37:15 pm

I'm just gonna go and cry, at least now I'll be getting work done in school. I must say I honestly thought that the book was coming out on Thursday even acknowledging the post where you said you had an announcement in a few weeks.

Reply
Contrad
9/15/2020 02:40:00 pm

Wow let me take all this in. When you drop, you drop big. I'm just going to take time to process all this information and figure out all the hidden messages from all this. I'd have gotten all the double sided messages here if I had a Dross, but unfortunately I'll have to do it the old way and check sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph.

Reply
Lashan
9/16/2020 07:19:40 am

Dude, you need to work on looking at each letter to understand hidden meaning of WW, heck i am going through dots and pixels. I will get to the BOTTOM of this post. YES SIRRR

Reply
April
9/15/2020 02:43:22 pm

You totally could have kept the companion weapon thing. She could have been a pike. No similarity there

Reply
Chris
9/15/2020 03:00:24 pm

Do you know what he’s referencing.

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April
9/15/2020 05:23:25 pm

Yes

Kyle
9/16/2020 08:50:45 am

I dont

Lyndrek
9/16/2020 12:41:31 pm

Why he is referencing a book whose name is along the lines of "The Process of Potentates" written by the son of Sander

Will link
9/15/2020 03:04:51 pm

I could have had a great blooper. "Okay Syl--uh, I mean, Mel."

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Walter
9/15/2020 03:23:27 pm

At least he kept the main character.

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Z
9/16/2020 12:31:10 am

Hmmm, Turning into a pike seems a bit fishy. A musky would be better.

Just imagine the scene: the opponent challenged London, only to be swallowed by a giant, blue, ethereal fish with a mouth full of sharp teeth.

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Kaileonis
9/15/2020 02:48:57 pm

Aerosol? Dont tease us please!!!

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Phil Norton
9/15/2020 02:51:16 pm

Who Will win Uncrowned? MYSTERY MAN or SPOILERMAN? Stay tuned!

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Lyndrek
9/16/2020 12:43:36 pm

... forgetting that at least half of the contestants left are female, and one of them who is in the lead is definitely not even human.

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Trevor
9/15/2020 02:52:46 pm

So Will guess what else September 17th is.......I'm waiting......okay I'll tell you. It is my birthday. I will be forty mmshshsbd years old. I know I'm old, not current generation of monarchs old or Abidan Judge old but still not young. So you are giving me a fantastic present in the form of anticipation of my current favorite book series (although I do like that series by that guy with the spirit that turns into a spear, but we won't talk about that). So thanks Will.

Reply
Zamberjm47
9/15/2020 03:19:28 pm

Ah good, my post is up. Gladly accepting the role of new unpaid intern.

Reply
Zinn
9/15/2020 03:04:48 pm

Friggin Sanderson...

Reply
John Merchant
9/15/2020 03:17:06 pm

Way of Kings is awesome. Not Cradle-level awesome, but awesome nonetheless.

Reply
Zinn
9/15/2020 04:13:29 pm

Couldn’t agree more, John! Maybe Little Blue could be a trusty set of nunchucks instead...

Indreq
9/15/2020 10:34:32 pm

I am not mad, this is pretty cool series too. And guess what - new book is coming out later this year!

Michael
9/15/2020 03:06:53 pm

I can't wait to hear "Don't drink the water" on ukulele.

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Marek
9/17/2020 05:25:22 pm

Haha, I was also surprisingly sad when I realized he would NOT be releasing ukulele covers.

I’d be down to check it out.

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Jake A
9/15/2020 03:07:25 pm

Dang it! Look at all the stuff Will has had stolen from him! Time to go burn some bridges! Stoked for the this release.

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Dallin H
9/15/2020 03:08:17 pm

C'mon, Little Blue, the Sylvan Riverseed could have gone by the name Sylphrenia. I think it could really work.

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Jason
9/16/2020 08:41:30 am

I missed that both of them could be shortened to Syl.

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Jack
9/15/2020 03:12:06 pm

Will, you’re the man.

Reply
Jeremiah
9/15/2020 03:17:14 pm

Hey! I think you stole the announcement of the announcement from me! I demand compensation of the sort that will be wintersteel on its release date

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Also James
9/15/2020 03:21:26 pm

So.... who had a fairy that could turn into a spear? I honestly thought you were going to say you had to
Change it because Lindon is terrible at handling spears....

Reply
Anderkent
9/15/2020 03:46:14 pm

It's Sylphrena from Sanderson's Way of Kings

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Keytar
9/16/2020 08:10:21 am

Curse you, Mystery Manderson!

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Zexand
9/15/2020 03:22:17 pm

I hope Little Blue still gets to pick her own name down the line. I was always a bit disappointed she only gets what sounds like a pet name, despite her growing sapience and personality. And since the spear transformation weren't out the window, I'm super curious what ability will replace it.

Though since I haven't read the series you're referring to, it took some doing to suss it out. It's on my list of stuff to read, but not until he finishes up... or gets further along in it.

Though as long as I get my Cradle goodness, I don't feel much pressure to go back to said author for more books.

Reply
Nikolai
9/15/2020 03:37:07 pm

>This includes deleted scenes, notes, scrapped content, and photographs of old comrades that we had to shove into bottomless pits because they were slowing us down.

This feels like scales being injected directly into my veins. *gasps in excitment*

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indreq
9/15/2020 10:36:42 pm

Next logical step would be complete "uncut" versions of books :D

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Erin Fowler
9/15/2020 03:47:46 pm

Cannot wait for that whiff of freshly print pages!

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Francisco
9/15/2020 03:48:26 pm

Wow! I'll be honest, I think I like this remnant Will better than the old one. The old one was okay, but this remnant, wow!

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Sam
9/15/2020 03:51:09 pm

What’s the point of having a remnant author IF HE ISN’T ALREADY WORKING ON CRADLE #9. *cracks whip* BACK TO WORK (=_=)

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Zexand
9/15/2020 04:27:56 pm

Exactly! Remnants don't get tired... they don't need food, water, or sleep! Maybe the occasional Oreo on a stick, but that's it.

So Cradle #9 should be at least 10% did by now.

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Lloyd
9/15/2020 03:53:04 pm

For what it's worth, I wouldn't find a surprise book unsporting... exciting, maybe even invigorating, but not unsporting

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Hauar
9/15/2020 03:59:08 pm

You do realize we are now going to demand an actual video of you covering at least one song on ukulele, right?

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Hutchiaj01
9/15/2020 06:10:51 pm

That will be part of the release night stream

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Extesian
9/15/2020 04:37:15 pm

unite them o_O

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Akura Shi Lindon Arelius
9/15/2020 04:48:52 pm

I’ve been to Mt. Dora (Florida), if it were Cradle related, I’m pretty sure any of us would have that pile read and reread by Friday morning and still whining about how far away Wintersteel still is.

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Brett
9/15/2020 05:36:20 pm

This so awesome! I cannot wait to binge read Wintersteel in a day and hate myself for not savoring it longer.

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Chappy
9/16/2020 12:09:32 pm

Story of my life

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Unklebeavis
9/15/2020 05:40:09 pm

But who was phone?

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EndanDrachon
9/15/2020 06:08:12 pm

This is the most excited I've been for a ukelele cover!

...hmmm? The heck's Wintersteel? That sounds like some weird thing I may or may not be repressing the knowledge of the existence of until the date of its release. Hypothetically.

Reply
Laben
9/15/2020 06:08:58 pm

Really looking forward to all the deleted scenes, notes, etc! Will, you really know how to build excitement before a release. Granted, I would buy your books with zero build up, but making things fun for us really makes your audience feel cared about. Thanks for that.

Reply
Madeline
9/15/2020 06:20:23 pm

Was looking forward to a Wintersteel release to get me through my week of work. Now it is not a Wintersteel release? : (

Reply
Michael
9/15/2020 07:49:14 pm

The real question, though, is who's name will be printed on Wintersteel? Will or Remnant Will?

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IDon'tKnowFish
9/15/2020 08:14:54 pm

Well, I geuss I have time now to reread cradle in preparation.

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Decorus
9/15/2020 08:47:06 pm

Wait there is no Oreo format with a milk chaser?
How am I supposed to devour the book?
No fair I can't get my nomnomnom on.

Reply
Brian S
9/15/2020 10:42:02 pm

I'm not sure your remnant would approve of this blog post. I'm not sure how you separated yourself from your remnant without dying, but it's become obvious that you have. I'm certain that your remnant would never have taken the time to go into so much detail about why you had done the things you did, because frankly, it likely wouldn't remember.

If you need a few suggestions for future book names, I'd recommend the following, I'm sure none of them have been used.

The Way of Kings
Lord of the Rings
The Wheel of Time
A Dance With Dragons
The Belgariad
Gardens of the Moon
The Name of the Wind
Wrath of a Mad God

Hope that helped

Reply
Jeff
9/15/2020 11:41:15 pm

A few more completely original names in case you need them.

Rebodied
Body Destroyer
Whitewater
Earth Unbound
Reality Flame
Overslave
Crowned

Reply
kyle
9/16/2020 01:55:42 pm

antonym/10

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Nameless
9/16/2020 01:18:52 am

Hey Will, will (double Will... like double rainbow!) Travis be voicing the audiobook and will you be releasing this at the same time as the book?

Reply
Chappy
9/16/2020 12:13:30 pm

Travis is doing the audio, they did a 10 min snip of him doing his recording editing thing a while back.

Yes it was amazing, if you didnt see it you may be able to find it again if you scroll through their facebook pages, if not just know its worth the wait.

Reply
Steven
9/16/2020 03:35:53 am

well, obviously, speaking of duels...

https://youtu.be/oaVEGgsvM7o

... we apologize for calling your announcement a bloated warthog.

Looking forward to the book, or the announcement to the release date for the release of the theoretical book, which has yet to be announced... .whatever we can get, really, thanks!

Reply
Aaron
9/16/2020 04:50:23 am

So this post explains why Will is dead and we've been dealing with his remnant. You create that much new real estate near Orlando and Disney will kill you. I'm pretty sure they knew about the book titles too...

Reply
Elliot
9/16/2020 05:38:38 am

Remnant Will is getting a little gamey...and I’m here for it.

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Raccoons in a trenchcoat
9/16/2020 08:09:03 am

its not coming out tomorrow? Why must you toy with us like this Will

Reply
shuvo khan
9/16/2020 08:15:27 am

I've been thinking how will's remnant looks like. does he have 6 pen arms which gather word madra? what is the name of his path? is it the Path of Flowing Thoughts? if his remnant can communicate so clearly, how far did he advance before his demise?

Reply
Drake_EU
9/16/2020 10:05:22 am

I always shoot the opponent before the countdown is up that’s just common sense! 🤷🏻‍♂️😂

Reply
E
9/16/2020 12:01:18 pm

Remnant Will, sending love and support, but I think it's messed up you're releasing an aerosol edition when we have been calling for a Jimmy Neutron book gum edition for years!...And by 'for years!' I mean since the end of the previous sentence, which is only another run-on clause or two from being a really long time ago!

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Lampherious
9/16/2020 02:28:07 pm

Better hurry up and release your books before Sanderson steals all the good plot twists!

Reply
The Oreo Dealer
9/16/2020 03:33:46 pm

Ahem, I have Oreos that say that release day could be tomorrow. Look at them, all nice and cream-filled. You feed our need and we feed yours...

On a serious note, please be a bit more clear next time. A good portion of the fanbase thought the actual release was tomorrow. Now they are binge-eating the Oreos I meant for a certain Remnant. Not out of revenge, more of a despair and frustration splurge, I suspect.

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Nayr
9/16/2020 08:17:53 pm

I think it’s going to be released tomorrow, between the unsportsmanlike joke and the fact that we get Wintersteel final release date but for preorder he doesn’t mention what preorder is for and the remnant is craftier then the living author.

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Vishal
9/16/2020 09:52:47 pm

So I went and re-read that previous post and...very clever Will! He’s smoothly inserted the word ‘announcement’ after ‘release date’ and I’m left wondering...what the heck? Why was I confused? Did I misread it the first time?!? Haha. Nice one...

On another note, I guess the pre-order time is important to be able to estimate how many copies of the book to print...(You can print a million, Will...you’ll sell them all!)...so I’m guessing at least 2 weeks?

Reply
Metatron
9/16/2020 06:00:01 pm

How cathartic was it letting us all know about your foiled plans to have little blue turn into a spear?

Reply
Bewildered
9/16/2020 07:56:40 pm

"Be good, or next time I'll announce my announcing of the announcement for an announcement ..."

Is Will a fan of Yes (Prime) Minister by any chance? That sort of hilarious linguistic complexity is par for that show.

Reply
Max
9/16/2020 09:04:24 pm

Because you want to keep the fact there are 69 comments but, your OCD needs to make it 70. Jai Clan Rules!

Reply
Robert
9/17/2020 01:19:36 am

Haha re Sanderson. Reminds me of Hoids explanation of what people value most. Not intelligence or creativity but timeliness, ie being first to the public.

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Ferone
9/17/2020 02:03:49 am

Now I'm looking forward to the ukelele covers more than the book.

Reply
Decorus
9/17/2020 06:54:57 am

It’s been Thursday for many hours. Still waiting....

Reply
BlackMage
9/17/2020 07:04:32 am

Release date and other info is already out, plus check out Will Wight's big revelation on how the Jades managed to take out a sage!!

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Spicy
9/17/2020 07:06:33 am

You have become a ghost?

Reply
R
9/17/2020 07:12:13 am

October 6!

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Brian C
9/17/2020 07:55:43 am

October 6th! He released it on Facebook!!

Reply
Decorus
9/17/2020 09:12:24 am

Yeah I don’t go near Facebook and can’t touch it while at work:( There are these crazy people there... Mostly my umm distant related Kin who are into QAnon and worse...

Reply
Dovi
9/17/2020 05:41:05 pm

Ah, a Facebook announcement apparently. Not somewhere I ever go unfortunately...social turns nice people into raging lunatics.

After this cracker of a teaser on Tuesday, bummed it didn't get a good follow-up at the same time as the other media channels. Ah well.

Reply
Kate
9/18/2020 01:18:36 am

I had hoped Remnant Will was joking
Sadly not

Reply
BlackMage
9/18/2020 06:29:11 am

Since WW seemed to have forgotten to update this, I'll just highlight the salient points -

1. 22/9 for start of pre-orders on Amazon
2. 6/10 is the actual release date
3. Anyone who doesn't pre-order will be haunted by Will's Remnant.

Reply
Naterater
9/22/2020 09:03:08 am

when will we get hardbacks of these books

Reply



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