It is with a sense of boundless disappointment that I must announce a delay to the release of the final volume in the Books of Babel tetralogy. Book Four, originally slated for release in 2020, has been pushed into 2021.

This is my fault. I asked Orbit to extend my deadline to May of 2020 to give me time to finish the final entry in the series. They graciously agreed. The original schedule for writing the book was a bit ambitious given my writing speed and expanding family. I’ve suffered some setbacks with the draft, including the deletion of a hundred pages or so. But rest assured, I continue to diligently labor upon the effort. My wife and I are increasing the number of days that our daughter, Maddie, is in daycare to make the next six months as productive as possible.

I realize that a minority of readers are somewhat cynical about publication delays. The postponement of certain high-profile series have left such readers feeling victimized by the people who endeavored to entertain them. To them I would say, I have logged your complaints, and I hope that you understand I am both financially, contractually, and personally motivated to finish the series. It will be done.

That said, the vast majority of my readers and fans have been patient and understanding and lovely. To you, I say, from the very bottom of my overfull heart, thank you. Your letters, postcards, gifts, DMs, and emails have been a source of great encouragement, and I am deeply grateful for them.

So, if I’m quieter on social media or slower to respond to your messages over the next six months, I hope you will bear with me. I’m working to complete the dream that commenced almost a decade ago. It is a vision I mean to finish.