Just one more novel for Sara Douglass?

Sara Douglass

Australian fantasy author Sara Douglass has revealed she is planning to write one more “no holds barred” fantasy novel, as she struggles with the aftermath of cancer, but the author is not sure what the future holds after that.

On November 23rd 2008, Douglass, the author – best known for her Axis Trilogy and Warfarer Redemption series – revealed she had been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancaer, for which she was being treated for with major surgery and chemotherapy.

In May Douglass announced that she had finished all of her treatment, and her cancer was in remission. “I am back to trying to live a more normal life. Both cancer, surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy really knocked me about. I’m concentrating now on regaining strength and fitness,” she wrote. And in July the author again said her health was continuing to improve.

This week, posting on the blog of publisher Voyager, Douglass wrote that one of the things that would change in her post-cancer life was her writing. There is one more book to come in her DarkGlass Mountain trilogy, The Infinity Gate, which is due to be published in May 2010. Douglass writes:

“After that, there will be one more fantasy book, The Devil’s Diadem. I signed HarperCollin’s offer memo for this last week (really Stephanie, it is in the post!). There’s always been a fantasy book I really, really wanted to write … and for various reasons I never got around to it. The Devil’s Diadem is it.

So this book will be one for me, no holds barred, full on fun, everything I always wanted to put into a fantasy novel but never did as I was too busy second guessing myself as to what everyone else wanted. I am loving writing it. Should be out in 2011.”

After that, Douglass added, she is not sure what next, but will be updating readers through her Nonsuch Kitchen Gardens blog, where this week she wrote: “This will likely be my final foray into fantasy – I seriously doubt I will ever write another fantasy novel. As so often happens, when you are faced with a life-threatening situation, your priorities change, and I am afraid that fantasy is part of the ‘out-the-door’ changes.”

The response from fans on her blog to Douglass’ story has been overwhelmingly positive. “I was so very sad to hear your Fantasy writing days are coming to a close, your books have given me years of pleasure, I can’t wait for the last Darkglass Mountain to be released & then will be waiting for the new book but it will be tinged with sadness as there will be no more,” wrote one, a post representative of other sentiments.

Commentary
Like other readers, I feel both happy and excited that Douglass feels free enough to write a “no holds barred” novel – it sounds like it could possibly be one of the fullest expressions of her art form if it goes well. And I certainly expect her writing power to have increased after coming through the extremely harsh experience that cancer must be.

However I also feel sad if it truly is the case that Douglass will stop writing fantasy books after that last novel … she is one of Australia’s greatest fantasy authors, not to mention one of the most in-demand fantasy authors around the globe. Her books can be found in virtually every bookstore with a decent fantasy section, and many people I know have praised them.

I can only wish the best for this author who has given the fantasy scene so much. And hope that she makes a complete and full recovery and does whatever she needs to in life that will deliver her happiness and fulfilment.