Ian Cameron Esslemont signs a 4-book deal with Transworld

Thanks to Ken for the "heads up!"

From John Jarrold's LiveJournal:

John Jarrold has concluded a four-book World rights deal for Canadian fantasy writer Ian Cameron Esslemont with Simon Taylor of Transworld Publishers in London for a strong five-figure sum in pounds sterling. Esslemont created the Malaz world with Steven Erikson, and joined his co-creator in writing novels set in the world with NIGHT OF KNIVES, followed by RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD. Both of these books have been published in the UK by Transworld and are being published elsewhere in the world. All four of the new books are also set in the Malaz world.

The first book, called STONEWIELDER, is due for delivery in September 2009, and publication in 2010.

‘I’m really delighted about this deal,’ said John Jarrold. ‘Simon Taylor and Transworld have shown their long-term belief in Cam Esslemont, at a time when much of the publishing world is wringing its hands over its shorter-term problems.’

That's wonderful news for Malazan fans, for it means that Esslemont is now under contract the remaining books he and Erikson had initially envisioned in the whole Malazan sequence.:-) And we now know that Stonewielder is slated for a 2010 release date.

Meanwhile, if you haven't already done so, sink your teeth into Night of Knives (Canada, USA, Europe) and Return of the Crimson Guard (Canada, USA, Europe).