For all that I’ve written about Outlander over the past several years – casting, reviews, related book promos, merchandise – I’m first and foremost a fan of the book series. It’s been one of the joys of my life to read and reread this tremendous series, to talk with Diana both in person and online, and to discuss the books with fans who feel the same way. And today, I’m incredibly excited to learn that the ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, has a long-awaited publication date of November 23!
My very first Outlander event, despite having been reading the books since at least 1997, was the Seattle debut of the last book, nearly seven years ago. I bought my airline tickets before the event tickets went on sale because I was so thrilled with the idea of attending. I met two of my first Outlander pals and now close friends, Koko Pipkin and Laura Miller, because of this event. And it opened a huge world of fellow book lovers that I hadn’t really known existed previously.
From Entertainment Weekly‘s exclusive announcement this morning:
The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .” begins the book’s description. “Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1743, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.
It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible,” the copy continues. “Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s tea-kettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.
“Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family,” it concludes. “Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.”
For nearly two years, I’ve been collecting bee-themed items, anticipating this day. I planned, starting then, to do a giveaway on the day that the publication date was announced – and I’ve hoarded way too much to give away at once! So I’m going to do one now, and reserve other items for later! This one is simple and quick, and open to all fans. Just comment on what you’re most excited about for Bees below – and if you have difficulty commenting, you can email a comment to me at econrad@threeifbyspace.net (but please click the I Commented entry in the contest box or it will NOT be recorded as an entry). One entry per person, and if the winner is outside the US, you will receive a prize that is easier to mail. Contest will close at midnight Saturday night.
This is a Kitchen prize pack: set of two tea towels (second is plain white); two lovely Williams-Sonoma bee spatulas; matching sugar and creamer and salt and pepper sets; and a bee mug. You will receive all the items shown.
Good luck!
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