It’s been awhile since I updated everyone on the latest happenings at Creative Trust. Dan Raines, who is my boss and the other half of the Dekker management team, and I just wrapped up a season of strategic planning concerning all things Ted. You’ll be happy to know that neither Ted nor CT are easing off the throttle; there’s a lot of great stuff happening. I want to update you on the tip of the iceberg…
Stage Production
I’ve received a lot of questions about this one, but haven’t been able to answer them because things are still very much in the development stage. No one has successfully pulled off what we’re building out, so we have a lot of BIG question marks to tackle.
What I can tell you is this…the play is a retelling of redemptive history and focuses on Billy, Darcy, Marsuvees, Teeleh, and, of course, Justin. But it doesn’t happen in the world of the Circle Series or any other Dekker book. It’s much different…oh, so different. But familiar, too.
Right now we’re working through the storyboard and artist renderings. The one headlining this post is the artist rendering of the opening scene on stage. There are four sets total and this is one of 20 images we’ll be using to pitch the concept to potential supporters. Then the real work begins–fleshing out the who, what, when, where, and how of making the idea a reality. We may not be able to pull it off, but we’re exploring it as if we can.
Tea with Hezbollah
The travelogue that took Ted and his friend, Carl Medearis, on a harrowing journey through the Middle East last summer has been edited, the cover is done, and we’re in the endorsement collecting phase. The book hits shelves on January 26, 2010. So, it’s a ways out, but there’s still plenty of work to be done between now and then.
I just received a box of pre-pub, bound manuscripts from the publisher. Watch my blog over the coming weeks for a chance to win one of these copies and be the first to review the book right here on my site.
You probably noticed that Ted is spending a lot more time on the Facebook Fan Page, which just broke 18,000 fans over the weekend (up from 8,800 in April). That’s more than Dean Koontz, Brad Meltzer, James Rollins, and Nelson DeMille…combined. We’ve been experimenting with a few things and this week I have a meeting with some guys to take our efforts to the next level. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for some new stuff, including a piece of flash fiction from Ted.
Immanuel’s Veins
Ted is dropping off the grid this week to go write IV. Only a handful people will even know where he is hiding, but that’s good. He has a lot to get done in a short amount of time. And that means total immersion. The book is working out great and this will definitely be one that fans of his fantasy novels will sink their fan–, er, teeth into.
There’s lots more happening this week…meetings to discuss the potential for more graphic novels, a books program for schools, Circle animated series, and so. much. more. Just not enough space here for it all.
Got questions about Dekkerland that you want me to answer? Leave a comment about what you want to know and I’ll pick a few to answer this week.
Any updates on the Blood Books?
31.08.2009, 8:45 amHey Brandon…not at the moment. We’re working behind the scenes on a few things. Hopefully I’ll have an update to share soon.
31.08.2009, 9:10 amWhen can we expect the Blink sequel? or a hint of a synopsis to IV?
Also, any word on which Upcoming book will have the Lieutenants and Captains published in it? If it hasn’t been decided yet, may I request not Burn since many of the FG were at the Gathering and received that book there.
31.08.2009, 1:34 pmIs the play based on the books, or will it be a brand new storyline?
Was the animated series inspired by the thread on the forums which talked about making it an anime? And will it be a movie or 30 minute episodes? Webisodes?
31.08.2009, 4:25 pmI’d like to know if there will be auditions for the stage production. I would certainly travel to Tennessee if they are open auditions. I am stoked about that regardless.
31.08.2009, 9:37 pm[...] Discuss away. [...]
01.09.2009, 11:48 amHey Karri…I don’t know yet. That’s probably Step #853 and we’re on #12. But, you’ll be the first to know if and when we do auditions. There’s still A LOT of stuff that needs to happen before that point. i love that you’re excited, though.
02.09.2009, 12:57 pmBlink sequel is coming in Dec 2010. At least that’s the plan. As far as the names being published in one of the Dekker books, it’s still being decided which one it will be. IV would make sense, but it’s a year out. And, sorry, I can’t spill the beans on IV just yet beyond what Ted has already alluded to. We can’t give all of the secrets away.
02.09.2009, 1:00 pmHey, kids, anime doesn’t mean cartoon people with big eyes/small mouths, all the term means is cartoons from Japan. If the powers that be really want to make an animated Dekker series, please, PLEASE don’t give the characters gigantic saucer eyes. Don’t try to sell it as anime, because the people that don’t like anime will stay away from it and the crazy otaku anime fanboy (like myself) will realize that the people making it have no idea what they’re doing. Only the hardcore Dekker fanboys will go for it. There I go, ranting about something that hasn’t even happened yet….
15.09.2009, 9:58 pm