Big Night on the Horizon for ‘Brisingr’
By John A. Sellers -- Publishers Weekly, 9/18/2008
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Christopher Paolini, visiting the dragon’s egg exhibit (a pivotal part of Random House’s online promotional game for Brisingr) at the New York Public Library. |
Paolini arrived in New York City earlier this week and will deliver his first public reading of Brisingr at a midnight launch party at the Barnes & Noble in NYC’s Union Square. Though the author acknowledges that he is “a little bit nervous,” he says he’s excited to meet fans, and he came armed with a few boxes of pens for signing books. “Our phones have not stopped ringing since we announced that Christopher would be joining us,” said a spokesperson for the store.
For 24-year-old Paolini, who was 15 when he started writing Eragon (the first book in what has come to be called the Inheritance Cycle), it has been an “incredible” journey. “When I was about halfway through [Brisingr], it was only then that I felt I could call myself a professional writer. I’ve been able to do interesting things, travel around the world. I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity to do what I love doing as a career.”
Throughout October, those travels will continue, with a 10-city tour in support of the book. And while Paolini says that sleep can be hard to come by while on the road, he notes that it’s a “small complaint,” for the chance to meet his fans. “One of the great treats is having the opportunity to get out of my office and speak to people who have read the books,” he says. “It’s always very rewarding—it’s an intense experience but very enjoyable.”
For the author, the most inspiring part of his experience has been hearing from fans that his books have influenced their reading/writing habits. “I got into writing when I was young, so that’s very rewarding for me to see,” he says. “If anyone were ever to write a book or get into writing because of what I did, that would be a true gift.”
Following the tour, Paolini will head home to Montana, where he’ll meet with the yet-to-be-determined winner of the Vroengard Academy game that Random House created and has been running to drum up attention for Brisingr. And then it’s back to work on the fourth and final book in the Inheritance Cycle, which was originally intended as a trilogy. “The third book got so long, my choice was either to split it or publish a 2,000-page door stopper,” he says. “Both as an author and as a reader, I draw the line at around 1,000 pages.”
According to the author, the fourth book will be the last in the series. (Paolini says he has chosen a title for the book, but isn’t spilling. “One thing at a time,” he says.) After that, Paolini will be ready for a change. “As much as I enjoying writing the series, and don’t get me wrong—I do,” he says, “this November will mark 10 years since I started writing it. It will be nice to wrap it up and conclude the story and move on to other projects.”
