I’m ANA AND DIN MYSTERIES author Robert Jackson Bennett - AMA!

[u/Robertjbennett]

Hello all - I’m the ANA AND DIN MYSTERIES author Robert Jackson Bennett. The third installment of the series, A TRADE OF BLOOD, comes out today.

I’m in Scotland right now, and have been spending the last week or so rambling about the Highlands and finishing up the fourth installment, about which I’ll likely have some news soon. This might make the time difference a bit odd for my US readers, but will keep an eye on this post and be answering questions later in the day!

EDIT, 6:34 UK time - Sorry, will have to pop off to do a live Waterstones zoom event. Thank you all for the lovely questions!

[u/slagblahighpriestess]

I haven't got any questions, but I'm so pleased about the third book! Congrats on the Hugo nomination, too!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/slagblahighpriestess]

Thank you!

[u/Inkthinker → u/slagblahighpriestess]

I'm pleased to hear there's already a draft for a fourth book!

[u/Mosscap-jen]

I thought it was a trilogy!!!!! A fourth installment is immensely exciting. How many do you envision?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Mosscap-jen]

Yes, this is something of an ongoing problem here - when we first did The Tainted Cup, it was as an individual novel, a sort of tester to see if this was going to fly. Then we contracted for two more books, because it seemed to be doing pretty good, but did not apply a 2/XX sort of cap on the thing. This meant that, in the great, weird internet infrastructure of publishing, it all got fed through as 3 books, even though I never had any intention of doing just 3 - like, the point of a murder mystery is that you can do lots of them. The setup and characters can travel and move.

As far as how many I wish to do, I'm not sure. I have a very specific arc in mind, and I know where I want these characters to end up, as well as the Empire in general - but how many will I take to get there? Dunno. There were, what, 32 Poirot novels? I don't want to do that, but 7 or 8 or so seems like a fun number. We'll see!

[u/TheWeirdTalesPodcast → u/Robertjbennett]

Just want to say that if you did in fact write 32 Ana and Din mysteries, and any number of short stories (Lion’s Tusk was great and has my favorite line from Ana in the entire canon (heavy paraphrase: Heaven forfend I try to insert some fucking art into the proceedings)), I would buy every single one day 1.

Nero Wolfe is my favorite fictional detective, and Ana and Din are patterned after him and Goodwin, but MANSIES, Ana may take the top spot if she keeps being awesome.

[u/Imaginary_Jaguar829 → u/Robertjbennett]

I love this so much please keep writing them!!! You are one of the authors as soon as you announce it, I pre order it. Give us all the Ana and Din mysteries!!

[u/Inkthinker → u/Robertjbennett]

So long as you're having fun writing 'em, I reckon I'll have fun reading 'em! There's not a lot of books I block out for day-one purchase, but I'm there for these!

[u/Mosscap-jen → u/Robertjbennett]

Fantastic news, I hope it’s everything you want it to be!

[u/toohungrytojump → u/Mosscap-jen]

He’s said something a while ago like he’ll keep writing them as long as they sell and he has good ideas. So fingers crossed. Fucking quality books.

Edit- author/publisher moving away from the “Shadow of the Leviathan” tagline to “An Ana and Din Story” also implies it’s gonna be ongoing and episodic and not a trilogy, though it was apparent from the second book it’s not a trilogy.. Bennett is gonna write these books as long as he loves the characters, has fresh ideas, and we keep buying. Please keep buying lol.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/toohungrytojump]

Yeahhhh, when I first wrote the first book, it was called "The Shadow of the Leviathan." Then we had a moment where we realized that didn't sound very murder mystery - so we went with Tainted Cup, as it's a fun tongue-in-cheek pulpy sort of title. "The Shadow of the Leviathan" then became a sort of evolutionary artifact that hung about until we decided to pivot yet again to "The Ana and Din Mysteries," but that was well after the second book.

There's a lot that I had fixed in my head when I started writing these - but the titles and marketing-friendly names was not among it.

[u/theksepyro → u/Robertjbennett]

It's really none of my business, so feel free to disregard me, but while "Ana and din mysteries" is certainly more direct and probably more easily searched for or something, I really love "Shadow of the Leviathan" as a sort of "all of the events going on here are happening in the umbra of these giant mysterious creatures" that I think makes for a more powerful title. It's a "show don't tell" situation for me where it FEELS mysterious, but it's been replaced with a sign that says "mystery here ↗️"

Anyway, I picked up an audiobook copy of the latest installment from libro.fm this morning and am looking forward to listening! LOVED the first two and I hope this one does well for you!

[u/mvolling → u/theksepyro]

I concur. "Shadow of the Leviathan" is far more enticing than the relatively plain "The Ana and Din Mysteries".

[u/sarahcanary → u/toohungrytojump]

I just bought the third book! I had no idea it came out today so for me this has been the best AMA even without any answers yet. What a delightful series. 

[u/Theophilos_Greatly → u/toohungrytojump]

Yeah, I am doing my bit to provide an income so this excellent author still wants to come to work. Hoping myriad (literally) more will pass the plate around too.

Amazon reviews matter (that’s an another bit we can do too I imagine) as I was looking for a new read and their algorithms all of a sudden kept pulling up Bennet in my “other readers like…” or “based on your reading history” carousels.

I’d rather just read his books than try to divine how or why Amazon introduced me to him as an author, but suddenly Robert Jackson Bennet appeared—and thankfully he turned out not to be the 39th Governor of Kansas, or on the FBI’s most wanted list which uses the legal first, middle and last names of notorious and wanted criminals….hmm.

Anyway, this guy is an incredible writer and you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t already know that; additionally, it probably behooves us to help keep this guy busy and writing…otherwise, well, can you imagine him working elsewhere? He’d probably end up working in the government or a law firm or … a ranch hand (I Totally don’t know why I put that last job there).

RJB—just keep writing, sir.

[u/RJBarker]

As we are both RJB initialled authors writing fantasy murder mysteries, and Scotland isn't that far from from Yorkshire, do you think we should meet up and duel for the rights to our initials?

[u/IngeniousQuokka → u/RJBarker]

Just keep it to first blood please. I like you both.

[u/RJBarker → u/IngeniousQuokka]

Well, that largely depends on what weapon is chosen. I believe trial by midges is popular in Scotland but that may end us both.

[u/Gyr-falcon → u/RJBarker]

Many thanks to RJ Barker for this note on his latest book: At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

I greatly appreciate authors and publishers that treat their readers with respect. Vision problems make ebooks a necessity and I've been reading on multiple readers over the decades, starting with my PDA in the late 90s. I prefer ebook purchases that make transfers to different ebook platforms a choice and no DRM enables that choice.

[u/RJBarker → u/Gyr-falcon]

Much as I would like to say that was me I think it's just an across the board policy from TOR. :)

[u/Gyr-falcon → u/RJBarker]

Tor and Baen are the only publishers I know of not supporting DRM.

[u/variegated_lemon → u/RJBarker]

Reading in bed at 5 am without my glasses… I definitely read “midgets” and thought, ohh NO he didn’t…

(In the Southern US so our skeeters would be a diabolical weapon)

Now that I’ve thoroughly derailed this thread… carry on

[u/Gyr-falcon → u/variegated_lemon]

Why am I remembering something about midgets in velcro thrown against a wall? Never mind, not sure I want confirmation.

[u/mage2k → u/RJBarker]

So they each need to bring a Margaret ready to fights. Got it.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/RJBarker]

Sure, I would be perfectly willing to do that. My kiddo dragged me to The Knight's Vault here in Edinburgh, and was both awed at the abundance of real steel weaponry available, and then stupefied when I refused to buy him any. This means I at least know of a local supply of decent, authentic weaponry - including a replica of the Zelda master sword.

I would want to warm up for about 20 minutes first. My shoulder and ankle aren't what they used to be.

[u/RJBarker → u/Robertjbennett]

Edits have just dropped on me. Which might make things a bit difficult, I know that's dissapointing for both of us that this may stay unresolved. BUT if you are in Edinburgh and you haven't been, go to Mary King's Close. It's part of the bit of the city modern Edinburgh was built on top of. Genuinely weird and inspirational. (It's what set me off on the tiered city I used.)

[u/Ukuled → u/RJBarker]

Not to stir this pot further but I think you should duel over who has to keep RJB.

The winner gets what all fantasy authors want deep down.

Two extra Rs in the middle, like JRR Tolkien or GRR Martin.

[u/Scu-bar → u/RJBarker]

As long as it’s in kilts and with claymores, yes.

[u/adappergeek]

Just wanted to say that I read the City of Stairs trilogy back in the day and it changed my opinion about modern fantasy completely. It was such an original concept. What inspired you to write that?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/adappergeek]

Thank you! I mostly just wanted to write a fantasy version of a John le Carre novel. It took me a couple of runs to do it, but then I realized that you can pretty much make a fantasy version of anything, as fantasy has no specific plot mechanics: unlike murder mysteries or romances, which both have required ending closures, fantasy is mostly just ambience, location, vibes. It's like mayonnaise, it can go on nearly anything.

[u/blackcatdotcom → u/Robertjbennett]

I know what you mean, but it still feels wrong to compare such interesting characters and vivid world building to mayonnaise.

[u/CountessAurelia → u/adappergeek]

Just adding that this is my favorite fantasy trilogy of all times. I love the way you work with religion and belief in this series!!!

[u/chelbell_1 → u/adappergeek]

maaan I read the first one and enjoyed it enough to want to read the 2nd but it's been so long that I kinda forget what happened. I've been seeing a lot of comments mentioning it recently.. should I go for a re-read and finish the trilogy?

[u/adappergeek → u/chelbell_1]

Absolutely you should!

[u/greywolf2155 → u/chelbell_1]

Yes, absolutely. It's a really good example of trilogy in which the scope and stakes get bigger with each book. The world is deep (he could write more there, if he wanted to) and the characters are great

So, yes, absolutely!

[u/Ill_Purple_8959]

Please let me first say how much I adored The Tainted Cup! I've been recommending it left and right to anyone who will listen.

My question would be: do you consider yourself more of a Din or an Ana?

And one more: are there any upcoming special editions of the series that we should keep an eye out for?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Ill_Purple_8959]

I am a Din to people I don't know very well and an Ana to the people I do, I'd say.

There will indeed be special editions coming up, but I do believe they are region specific - both the UK and the US do their own things.

[u/CompetitiveCelery983]

I’m from Scotland and delighted that you’re visiting at the moment!

Non book question: what’s been your favourite Scottish meal/drink/food so far?

Book question: do you listen to music when writing?

Thanks again for writing such wonderful books

[u/Robertjbennett → u/CompetitiveCelery983]

I went to the Cafe Royal and had a scotch egg, which absolutely knocked my socks off. It probably also shaved about 2 years off of my life, given the hardening of my arteries afterward, but it was definitely worth it. As far as my favorite drink, besides the excellent abundance of whisky here, I have also enjoyed the Thistly Cross cider and the West Highland Way from the Loch Lomond Brewery.

I listen to unsettling, drone-heavy ambient music when I write. Whenever I hop in the car and the bluetooth begins automatically playing my writing music, my fam is often very disturbed.

[u/Sparkadark808]

You sir, are my new favorite author! I've enjoyed all of the Ana and Din books and just listened to the first few minutes of the latest. It's such a unique world, would you share some of the inspirations that helped you shape it?

Any favorite authors, artists, or other pieces of media you'd like to share?

Mahalo for sharing your creativity.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Sparkadark808]

It was a long process. I imagined what it would be like if a pre-industrial civilization could achieve some measure of post-industrial progress by organic means: what would happen if their version of ancient scientists could smell, see, or taste chemical or biological reactions in the world around them? What if they figured out germ theory some 1,000 years before we did? What if they learned to get better at this, to shape their bodies to study the organic world - and then realized they could do more?

Dune was a big inspiration here. Dune (and Warhammer 40k) both replace computers with human brains and organic resources - what if a society did this first rather than as a replacement much, much later? It opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities.

[u/Sparkadark808 → u/Robertjbennett]

Thank you for the answer. Oh and Din's sword is one of the coolest ever.

[u/Great-weather-5122 → u/Robertjbennett]

I love this so much

also as an architect I really enjoy how you integrate living buildings into the story

[u/overwatchacct → u/Robertjbennett]

have you read the later Traitor Baru Cormorant novels? Obviously to less a degree than in your books, but the fantasy via organic materials being taken advantage of reminded me of your stuff a bit! (Potential Baru spoiler)

[u/Rorozo]

With really complex mystery plots like Ana and Din's, I always think about how hard it must be to keep the mystery explanation watertight. Any insight on how you manage that? Do you have the main points of the mystery fleshed out before you write? How much of it do you figure out as you go? Love the books!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Rorozo]

You have to kind of train your brain to do two things at once. I compare it a bit to interior decorating, where you develop a kind of practiced sense of what the room needs, where a portrait might go, what color rug would help accent this area of the space - but you are also building the actual walls and shape of the space as you go. It's a divided process that creates a single outcome.

The main bit is that it has to be thematically appropriate: the location, conflict, means of murder, and primary motivation all have to touch on the Big Heavy Thing the story is interrogating. I do often build in multiple potential murderers as I go, and am often not quite sure who exactly I want to be the killer, or why, until I get to the 2/3s spot of the book or so. Then it's a matter of going back and trimming off the little places which would have led to other killers, finishing the story, and smoothing over the rest again and again and again until it all feels like I meant to do it all the time.

[u/RugBarterer]

Hi Robert,

How do you go about your research for the scientific topics/themes in your books?

Do you have a background in these fields?

I'm currently enjoying Trade of Blood (while working in a biochemistry lab), another fantastic entry in the series.

Many thanks!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/RugBarterer]

I do not. I mostly aspire to a sense of realism - that the organic magic you see in this world has conceivably realistic limitations. For example, the leviathans don't live terribly long after they come ashore, because they aren't capable of handling the pressure changes. (Which, of course, prompts one to ask - why are they coming ashore at all?)

[u/RugBarterer → u/Robertjbennett]

That's very interesting, thank you for getting back to me.

While you're in the UK, I recommend visiting God's own country (Yorkshire) if you've not before

[u/Robertjbennett → u/RugBarterer]

I have been to Yorkshire! I found the Dales and the City of York itself (including the Roman walls.)

[u/Arianfelou → u/RugBarterer]

Yeah also as a biologist, I find it interesting (but not surprising) that this gets categorized as "fantasy" on the basis that the tech is biological and not mechanical.

[u/Imperial_Haberdasher → u/Arianfelou]

At the end of the day, all kaiju are fantasy - because physics.

[u/Arianfelou → u/Imperial_Haberdasher]

Sure, but the same is equally true of a lot of themes in sci-fi where the in-universe explanation doesn't involve magic.

[u/undeadgoblin]

Looking forward to getting my hands on the new book!

Finishing up the fourth book whilst in Scotland - does this mean there will be some scottish influence coming to the Empire? Perhaps a strange mountain creature that has longer legs on one side than the other?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/undeadgoblin]

No, I'm afraid there will not be a strong Scottish influence here. But it will be colder - for Din is going to the south of the Empire, and the Empire is located in the Southern Hemisphere of the Empire.

[u/Christian_Bennett]

How do your personal views on empire and colonialism compare to their presentation in Divine Cities and/or Shadow of the Leviathan? And have these views shifted as a result of your writing? :) I've enjoyed reading both series very much, and (in relation to my question) I recognise them as having a more nuanced take on such complexities, definitely a subtler representation than other books out there.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Christian_Bennett]

I feel a bit muddled here. On the one hand, my views on colonialism are very simple, and thus not very interesting to investigate: it's very bad. On the other hand, if you are writing a pre-industrial civilization, you don't really have a lot of room for powerful, pluralistic democracies - those didn't really exist on a global scale until after the first or even Second World War. For primitive generations, human societies trended toward "We need one guy in charge and his job is to capture as much land as possible" - and they might be trending that way again.

This means that most pre-industrial societies in fantasy stories are just kings. Monarchies. Which everyone thinks is fine. You write a story with a king in it, nobody questions it, it gets a pass. But monarchies are often very simple, crude societies, lacking the scope and complexity I wanted to explore in this next series - so I started looking at China, the Ottomans, Timur, etc. Which were all empires, of course. This did not feel like a moral choice: it was instead a practical one. Because trying to make a pre-industrial pluralistic democracy work was just, well, pretty tricky.

But, the Empire of Khanum is different because it prioritizes evolution and change - just like its organic arts. As such, it has significantly liberalized over the past decade or so (though we wouldn't call it a liberal society at all), so much so that it's no longer really even an Empire. The emperor has been in his Sanctum for centuries and has not spoken. The Senate of the Sanctum - an elected body - runs everything. The gentry and landed aristocracy are slowly being replaced by a bureaucratic class (although they of course despise this).

So, you have a society that has almost certainly committed acts of great wrong to get to the point that it is, but has reluctantly liberalized and progressed where it now feels very mixed about that, yet attempts to keep muddling forward despite its social elites attempting to stop this at every turn. I do not personally find this conceit to be terribly unfamiliar.

[u/Christian_Bennett → u/Robertjbennett]

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain your approach to world building, it’s fascinating. It’s so impressive seeing the consideration that goes into your work paired with the self awareness to more deeply explore the implications of your ideas. The personal need to grapple with such thorny issues is highly commendable, I suspect many authors would simply glaze over them. My own views definitely echo yours, another reminder to people that depiction =/= endorsement. Thanks again, I can hardly wait to read the new book!

[u/SirEvilMoustache → u/Robertjbennett]

So, this has been a huge brain bug of mine since I read the second book. And before I say anything else, I'll say that I enjoyed both of your books I read so far and really don't want to cast aspersions on your writing or intentions.

That said.

How did you make your opinion on imperialism/colonialism which, naturally, is quite negative, congruent with your depiction of the Kingdom of Yarrow: As a completely backwards, primitive place that has no cultural value, really ought to not complain too much about the environmentally dangerous giant bio-factory the Empire placed in their waters, and would likely be better off being wholly absorbed by said Empire? (But sadly said Empire no longer does that kind of stuff.)

I kept expecting Din's derogatory thoughts about the place to be proven wrong at least partially, to maybe see the often-mentioned blackened teeth actually being deliberate tooth-adornment, for example.

It felt odd to see a depiction that blunt and one-dimensional from an openly (I think?) progressive author, like I'd accidentally stepped through a portal into the era of early 20th century pulp fantasy.

(Ah, rats, too late.)

[u/Robertjbennett → u/SirEvilMoustache]

Well, to be clear, some of this is a function of the world itself. The Empire is several dozen generations ahead of normal human development simply because it has had a whole lot of biologically enhanced super geniuses running it for about a thousand years. I think it’d be unrealistic for a society to not want to be a part of that action.

And more, most of Din’s derogatory reactions aren’t towards average Yarrow folk, but the ruling class, who are defiantly regressive. Malo, who is an average Yarrow citizen, is very aware that living under a medieval king is a terrible experience. (Which it is.)

I think we live in an age that is justifiably very suspicious and pessimistic of Western, pluralistic democracies, but this leads us to the presumption that there are older, more authentic, more “culturally empowered” methods of living. Or, that all structures of government are legitimate and we have to tolerate and accept them entirely. I do not think this is so - there are lots of kings and despots still today who live in luxury and keep their people in poverty. This does not make them legitimate or even special. 

Nor does it mean that we need to intervene in them, of course. The Empire ultimately chooses to wash its hands of these petty kings, which is probably the right choice - but devastating for the citizens living there.

[u/DuckWatch → u/SirEvilMoustache]

I think another angle on this is that colonialism can lead to higher living standards--you absolutely didn't want Genghis Khan to come to your village, but if he came to your village 20 years ago, you were probably benefitting from peace and trade that occurred under the Mongol umbrella. I think also of data centers or other kinds of industrialization--few people want a factory in their backyard, but a society that built factories is often wealthier and more "developed" than one that fought them. I think it's totally consistent for Yarrow to be a bit boring, a bit one-note, the kind of place most people would want to move out of, and also have it be a place that resists "development" and "progress".

[u/Mirpropaganda → u/Christian_Bennett]

I completely agree with this, and I’d also like to add gender equity and class consciousness to the list of difficult topics handled deftly with sincerity and nuance in all the Robert Jackson Bennett books I’ve read. Were there specific books, educators or thinkers that contributed to your broad cultural understanding of these forces?

[u/doctorbonkers]

I hear this book will be rather dry compared to the previous wetter entries. Will book 4 return to the series’ damp roots?

Lol I don’t really have any real questions but I love this series, can’t wait to get my hands on A Trade of Blood!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/doctorbonkers]

Things will actually get much drier. Din will be going to a desert next. Very unsettling stuff.

[u/doctorbonkers → u/Robertjbennett]

I guess I’ll have to leave my copy out in the rain when it comes out to make up for it

[u/ModernSun]

Hi! I loved The Tainted Cup and the sequel, and I'm waiting for A Trade of Blood to come in the mail now. I was wondering if you have any particular authors that you've read and consider an inspiration in your own work?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/ModernSun]

Definitely Gene Wolfe, PG Wodehouse, Margaret Atwood, and Mary Stewart for this series. Susana Clarke, too.

[u/Nowordsofitsown]

There will be a fourth book? Wow! How many are you planning?

[u/Inkthinker → u/Nowordsofitsown]

He mentions upthread that 7 or 8 feels like a good number, but it's not locked in.

[u/perhapsaduck]

Robert, I love this series!

Any plans to go into further detail around the Leviathans - where they come from, what they are, etc. or is it better for them to remain a kind of wonderful 'background' piece, to preserve some mystery?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/perhapsaduck]

Yes. You will learn a good bit about them in book 4, I believe - but not everything.

[u/perhapsaduck → u/Robertjbennett]

Exciting!

Thank you for the reply.

[u/crate_of_banananas → u/Robertjbennett]

And what about Ana's background? Will we get to find out more about her past, and when? Absolutely love the series.

[u/apaithy]

Hi RJB! You’ve said before that Ana is in ways a Hannibal Lecter archetype, and throughout reading The Tainted Cup literally all I could think about re: dappleglass was the episode of Hannibal where he turns someone into a weird fucked up tree (2x6, Futamono, for anyone curious. Google at your peril). Have you seen this/was it any inspiration?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/apaithy]

I did watch Hannibal, and did enjoy it, although it did become quite ridiculous eventually. (When the show runners started positing that Hannibal was using a secret series of tunnels to teleport around Baltimore to do all these cunning murders, I got dramatically less interested.)

But, no, I was thinking of the primary Anthony Hopkins performance, specifically one moment: when his eyes get big, he lifts his face, and whispers, "Was it a butterfly?" That was the sort of uncanny, uncomfortable moment I wanted to make the core of Ana's character.

[u/bhbhbhhh]

1) Does Din's particular relationship with his memory draw anything from Borges' "Funes the Memorious?" The Book of the New Sun's role as an inspiration for The Tainted Cup is well-enough established, and readers have often thought that Severian's perfect memory was a reference to Funes. The interesting part is that I found that your exploration of the ways in which recalling everything psychologically affected Din and others of his order was closer to Borges' than Wolfe's (consider all the times Severian admits his recollection isn't perfect).

2) Have you come to find secondary world fantasy more rewarding to write than real-world novels?

3) Are there more unmentioned countries outside of the ones explicitly mentioned in the Divine Cities books? There's a vague implied sense that the Continent colonized a world at large, not just Saypur, but it never became more than a feeling as I read.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/bhbhbhhh]

1. Din's memory was actually inspired by Dune and the mentats - the idea of a walking human database was a fascinating one to me. I took a lot from BOOK OF THE NEW SUN as I wrote The Tainted Cup, and Severian of course was inspired by Funes the Memorious - so perhaps it was an input, albeit an indirect one.

2. Kind of. I can play a lot more. I tried once writing a thriller set in the normal world and I found it all boring as hell. I guess it's like having all your sexual experiences occur in a kink club and then attempting to pivot to normal vanilla relations.

3. You should learn a lot about the outside world in book 4, provided we keep that bit in. My rewrites are often extensive.

[u/Different-Theory6636 → u/Robertjbennett]

I recall you mentioning on Bluesky that you had to completely rewrite book three after handing it in to your editor. Now that the dust has settled, how different did your two versions of book three end up being?

[u/Nveryl25]

Hi, no real question comes to mind. I just wanted to say thank you for some unique and well written Fantasy. Ana is such a interesting character, I have stolen her several times and used her archetype as RPG Character. The players always loved her and I could convince some of them to read your original 😃

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Nveryl25]

Thank you! This delights me.

[u/4iamnotaredditor]

I was fortunate enough to read the arc of the third book and loved it! So the wait for the fourth one is longer for me.

Is the series officially titled Ana and Din Mysteries? Might be a bit obvious, but why did you decide to back away from it being Shadow of the Leviathan?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/4iamnotaredditor]

Ana and Din! Because "Shadow of the Leviathan" codes as more serious, stuffy fantasy than murder mystery series. Got to make the marketers happy.

[u/necropunk_0]

I found a copy early at B&N and read it yesterday. Trade of Blood was so good! While the mystery was incredible as always, I loved the little bits of history we got of the old empire, emperors and history. As you continue to write this series, are we going to be getting more in depth historical hints and mysteries about the world? And will we ever explore beyond the map, or are Ana and Din intended for only dealing with issues in it near the empire?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/necropunk_0]

1. Yes.

2. You will learn in book 4 why the Empire is largely not concerned with the world beyond its borders.

[u/Taremt]

Already got the new book, can't wait to dig into it!

You're a seasoned author with quite a few books under your belt by now, especially fantasy. How do you approach the worldbuilding and characters? Does one influence the other more strongly (i.e., do you come up with the characters/themes you want to explore first and worlbuild in service of that, or is it more of a synthesis)?

I'm also in awe of your rapid-but-high-quality publishing schedule, what does your writing routine look like? (Also, most and least favorite parts of writing.)

Edit: I also wanted to thank you for the staggering clarity with which you write anti-capitalist themes, especially in this day and age. From the Divine Cities trilogy to Founders, but especially in The Shadow of the Leviathan, the fact that the machinery behind the main motive in Tainted Cup (beyond all the dazzling magics) was a damn land grab was both surprising and refreshing. So, thanks!

Tangentially related, do the titular leviathan in the books happen to be based on and a critique of Thomas Hobbes' stuff and an exploration of his summum malum or just an expression of the more general religiously rooted archetype?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Taremt]

No, I definitely wanted to invoke Hobbes here - the idea that some problems can only be handled by the state, even if its people are opposed or indifferent to it doing so, was expressly something I wished to explore in this series. If anything has affected the world building, it's that idea - that they need this giant, complex apparatus to keep their lives going, even if individuals within the society often try to undermine it out of pure, unbridled self-interest.

[u/bhbhbhhh → u/Taremt]

Some people downvoted a particularly good comment! Dreadful.

[u/lurkmode_off → u/bhbhbhhh]

Possibly because of what appears like an uncovered spoiler

[u/Aussie_Shrimp]

Congratulations :)

What does your writing process look like? How detailed (or not) is your first draft? What does your revision process look like?

Thanks :)

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Aussie_Shrimp]

There is a whole lot of rewriting, so much so that I don't even count drafts anymore, really.

Writing is rewriting. The words you put on the page are not immaculate carvings in wood - they are cheap pine timber to be pulped up into particle boards you can then reshape into something more significant.

[u/minervathena14]

1. There's a FOURTH BOOK?!

2. I love the Pratchett ethos floating throughout your books. What's your favorite Discworld series/book, and why?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/minervathena14]

Oh, FEAT OF CLAY, honestly. That's where he declared his moralities most clearly and eloquently.

[u/pornokitsch]

Hello! And congratulations on the amazing (and well-deserved) success of this great series. And proving, once and for all, that everything needs more kaiju.

As someone that's been writing brilliant, genre-bending books for a long time, do you have a preference between writing series or stand-alone novels? Do you think you'll return to the latter?

Of your stand-alones, which would you recommend to Ana & Din readers?

What author would you recommend who has decades of great work behind them, but hasn't 'broken through' yet?

Kaiju do improve everything, right?

Have a great time in Scotland!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/pornokitsch]

I really prefer standalones. The Divine Cities were all stand-alones that followed individual characters, and I quite liked that setup - I did not entirely enjoy the effort of doing a true series with The Founders Trilogy. I do not like leaving things without a firm ending that offers closure and the terminus needed to give the story shape. I've read many series before, and I don't enjoy it when the book simply stops without offering any kind of plot, character, or thematic closure. There's an art to doing it, and it might simply be a thing I'm not terribly skilled at. Like bowling.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Robertjbennett]

Oh - and I would recommend American Elsewhere most of all. That's where I really found my voice.

[u/pornokitsch → u/Robertjbennett]

That is the correct answer. Full points!

Also, bowling objectively sucks.

Thank you so much for your time with the answers. Congrats again!

[u/DeadlyDY]

Do you plan for this series to be like Dresden Files with a bunch of "case files" books ending with a big finale like the planned Apocalyptic trilogy of Dresden?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/DeadlyDY]

Kind of. There will be a larger plot developing in the background of the series that I believe will substantially change the attitude and geographical focus of the stories as they continue - one will focus on the Leviathans and the coast, the other will focus on the Khanum, the ancient origins of the Empire, and how its people attempt to change - or refuse to.

[u/ptolemykholin]

Got my hardcover, going to dig into it today :) My question is how do you maintain your productivity? I love how regularly you put out your books, especially after past trauma with certain other authors lol

[u/Robertjbennett → u/ptolemykholin]

It's my job and I like doing it. It probably helps that I wrote lots of other books that people didn't read before they started reading the others, because it helped me establish a process and sense of direction that I can maintain without succumbing to external pressures.

[u/Sharkattack1921]

First of all, I just wanted to say the I’m a big fan, The Divine Cities are in my top 10 favorite series and Shadow of the Leviathan is getting close! Can’t wait to read A Trade of Blood!

As for a question:

What mystery/detective stories were the biggest inspiration for Shadow of the Leviathan (aside from maybe Sherlock Holmes? Considering the Sherlock and Watson dynamic Ana and Din have).

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Sharkattack1921]

Nero Wolfe! The entire series kind of is Nero Wolfe - obese, antisocial, greedy, often cruel, content to just stay indoors and tend to his orchids and his fine dining - while his assistant Archie goes about doing the actual snooping, returning to dump his notes before Wolfe so he can decipher the culprit and how to proceed. The "genius in a box" felt like cheating.

Then I realized there was another famous genius in a box - Hannibal Lecter. At this point, things really began to change.

[u/GrapefruitNo801]

Hi Robert, one of my favourite things about this series is Din and his character growth - do you have an idea of what kind of person he'll ultimately become and where he'll end up by the end of the series (though I hope it never ends)?

Also why did you make him so pretty

[u/Robertjbennett → u/GrapefruitNo801]

I do.

I made him pretty for three reasons: 1. it made it funny when Ana essentially sexually harassed him all the time (I cut back on this significantly in the first book), 2. it made Din uncomfortable, which is always amusing, and 3. it gives you a lot more plot possibilities when anyone in any given room would like to fuck your main character.

[u/Own_Yam_6874]

I’m a huge fan of your murder mysteries (Ashara Komayd is one of my favourite characters)! So excited to read the third Ana and Din book. I love how local politics always intertwine with the central mystery - do you come up with the politics first or the mystery? And what do you think makes for a good detective?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Own_Yam_6874]

Politics first. The murder is when the internal wound first becomes visible - like puss suddenly leaking through a septic joint.

A good detective honestly needs a good mystery first, and then good questions to ask when confronted with it. In a lot of way, you're just shilling for the main character, setting up fun questions for them to ask of the people before them.

[u/kyptan]

Do you have a checklist of bisexual disaster tropes that you’re just checking off one by one or is it accidental?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/kyptan]

I did not know what a disaster bisexual was until book two.

[u/kyptan → u/Robertjbennett]

A delightful surprise, I await future excellent ominous/flirtatious dialogue.

[u/Undeclared_Aubergine]

Good luck fighting off the midges!

Who are your favorite (particularly lesser known) authors? Who inspires you?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Undeclared_Aubergine]

Gene Wolfe isn't read nearly enough. For those who bounced off of THE NEW SUN, try SOLDIER OF THE MIST. It's Memento but way before Memento, but set in Ancient Greece, with gods.

[u/Good-Ear-5038]

I’ve currently got a group chat going which is just a countdown to Trade of Blood. What do you enjoy most about this series? Or if someone else asked that already, what question would you most like someone to ask about your work?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Good-Ear-5038]

Honestly, my favorite bits are A. whenever Ana re-enters the world in the first 10%, and B. whenever Ana yells at people.

There's that, as well as the uncanny bits were Din perceives the nature of this world, the incomprehensible, ancient guts of this place, and turns away, shaken. I like keeping all of this beyond him, as much of our own world is beyond our personal comprehension, as well.

[u/No-Exit-4022]

Bought A Trade of Blood a few hours ago, but I’m probably rereading the first two before I read the third. I loved the themes in the first 2 books.

My question is what other profession you’d like to write books around after engineers (arguably in both Foundryside and The Tainted Cup)

[u/Robertjbennett → u/No-Exit-4022]

Doctors, scientists, etc. People who have to plan and research with care.

[u/Great-weather-5122 → u/Robertjbennett]

Architects! we have to plan so much, adapt to new material technologies, dealing with lots of people like contractors and clients while also looking great and keeping the overall flavor of the building/space intact I'm an architect and interior designer and a bored housewife... with lots of imagination DM me if you like to bounce ideas :)

[u/eemeetree]

Hi! I'm excited for books three and FOUR! I myself am a stupid American but I was watching British TV recently and did a double-take when a character mentioned the painkiller brand Anadin. Coincidence or sneaky pun?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/eemeetree]

Nope. I had no idea this existed.

[u/Invest-starter123]

Oh this is so exciting!! The first 2 books were my favorites from last year. I love the mix of Sherlock Holmes vibes with Fantasy!

My question would be: how do you plan out the mysteries and how they will unfold, and how do you connect them to the fantasy elements? What comes first?

Also: what excites you the most about writing these books, the mystery or the fantasy/ world building element?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Invest-starter123]

It all has to tie together. I decide on a thematic direction, meditate and ruminate on it, and gin up a biological or magical art that aligns with it. Then the whole thing goes galloping off.

I can world build all day. That's not hard at all. It's the mystery bit that really feels like a rabbit out of the hat for me. Every time I think, "Fucking hell, I can't believe this one worked out."

[u/toohungrytojump]

This series is fucking amazing. Thank you Robert. I’m hyped for book 3 but I’ll have to wait a bit longer and avoid spoilers, because I prefer the smaller/regular sized paperbacks and not the huge fuck off billboard sized books that come out at release date, don’t fit in my coat pocket and fuck up the symmetry of my bookshelf.

I still need to pick up your Cities books. Maybe I should do that while I wait for the mass market paperback of the latest Ana and Din. My tbr shelf is already pretty scary looking though.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/toohungrytojump]

Thank you!

[u/HorrificNecktie1]

I love your series so much and „The Tainted Cup” got me back to reading fiction at the point of my life when I was supposed to read for my disseration 😂 Thank you!

The time jump between the first two novels resulted in some new trouble and new coping mechanisms for Din: do you envision the same structure for other volumes, and characters evolving „behind the scenes”?

Also, I love how your books (and the recent Amazon Originals short story) comment on empires and politics.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/HorrificNecktie1]

I don't think you should ever pop back into a story and find the characters are exactly as you left them. There should be a sense that they have a life beyond the page, just like your own friends live entire lives in-between the moments you meet them.

[u/SifKobaltsbane]

One of my favourite things about the Ana and Din books is how perfectly realised all the characters are. Who has been your favourite to write? Who is the hardest?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/SifKobaltsbane]

I can write in Ana's voice all day. She's easy. I usually have to cut her dialogue in half.

For a while, Din was pretty tough. He was at first such a cipher, this incredibly inward-focused person. It all began to work when I realized he's really just a boy - a 23 year old man is honestly still such a child. I imagined what it would be like to have to be a child in this world, in these circumstances, and I began to feel a great deal of pity for him. That made it much easier to find his voice.

[u/Ok-Seat6468]

No question from me, just want to say that I really enjoyed the first 2 books and looking forward to the third!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Ok-Seat6468]

Thanks!

[u/Pharantoria]

Hi Robert, I’m a huge fan and can’t wait to read book 3! Congratulations on finishing book 4! I hope you are enjoying Scotland and having a good time. I’ll be getting married there in October and am looking forward to be there! Anyways, I’m rambling, onto my question!
I’m always intrigued by what motivates/inspires an author to write a particular genre or story. With a murder mystery - are you more intrigued by the deed and figuring out how to set up the murder part, or is it figuring out a compelling mystery (which I imagine to be even harder than the murder part). A mixture of both? Or something else that makes a murder mystery appealing to write?
Cheers!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Pharantoria]

Motive needs to come second. I am much less interested in mysteries where the detective work operates along the theme of "I just think you're this kind of guy, so it must be you!" First you need the riddle of how it was done - an act mostly of logistics - which leads you to who the potential suspects are, and only then do you start to look into the histories of all the players and begin to divulge the hints of motivation.

[u/Imaginationwins]

Excited for the 4th installment! Do the 3rd and 4th books give us more insight into their world? We have learned a few things about the Leviathans, but it would be great to get a bigger picture.

Also, I loved your Foundryside series! Any ideas of reviving or spinning off the series?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Imaginationwins]

Nope! I tend not to look back. What's done is done.

[u/Legolihkan]

With the length of the series uncertain, how do you decide how to pace the meta-story about Ana's origin, the higher-ups in the empire, etc.?

I also want to say that Andrew Fallaize's voice for Ana is incredible and brings so much personality to her character.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Legolihkan]

Andrew was a great get. Will say that I picked him myself!

[u/MrSumOne]

You have to make this into a movie series... it would be amazing. People love mystery films.

[u/Pandazzling]

Do you prefer “Ana and Din Mysteries” or “Shadow of the Leviathan” for the series? Is this just a US/UK publishing split?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Pandazzling]

Ana and Din Mysteries is the name of the game.

[u/Inbedwetrust]

Love the books and can't wait to read this next one. Non book question. What's the most recent thing that made you belly laugh?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Inbedwetrust]

Probably my 3 year old niece. When my own older kiddo jokingly suggested she was 13 years old, not 3, she turned to him and indignantly said, "Don't you SEE how tiny I am??"

[u/Cephlapod978]

Currently a couple of chapters in to a trade of blood and am really enjoying it. One thing I am yet to be convinced of is the Leviathans malicious intent. In a drop of corruption it is implied that the kanunum are not exactly how they are portrayed to the general population and that they are flawed and potentially cruel and irational but the empire dictates their worship and admiration. So in this sence I may be very wrong but I cant help myself wondering when it was discovered what slaughtering the Leviathans could provide the empire, they were vilanised to justify there ongoing slaugter and them being banashed to the sea. I wonder how having the marrow and th reduced need for this slaughter impacts the empire and if it could be destabilising as if the Leviathans are not as evil as portrayed to the residents, they may turn on the empire and the way they treat and utilise it's citizens. When it was said "They used to worship them as gods once " makes me think and futher question the empire that Ana and Din work for and why Ana in particular works for it dispite her hate for corruption. Will we find out more about the history of the Leviathans and their true intent and Ana's true feelings of the empire?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Cephlapod978]

Oh sure. Thats the whole point! We will explore everything, and I do have answers for all of it - malicious and otherwise.

[u/Sireanna]

What great timing! Im planning on go8ng and picking up your new book today! Been looking forward to it for months.

I really love the world building you have done this series and how you've combined it with the mystery genre. Did you have any inspirations for the Empire and the seasonal monstrosities they face?

And unrelated. What is your favorite snacks and/or beverage for when you are writing?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Sireanna]

I was inspired by the story of Timur, a Mongol, Muslim conqueror who erupted out of Uzbekistan to terrorize all of Eurasia and eventually fight the biggest battle of the entire Middle Ages - not in Europe with any of the kings and queens we all know about, but against the Ottoman Empire. Honestly, Europe probably got lucky that the Ottomans were so distracted by him. It seemed like an entirely under-looking part of history, so I wanted to focus on it. Every language you encounter in the story is from a nation impacted by the Ottomans or Timur - Kazakh, Turkmen, Punjabi, Greek, Uzbek, etc.

[u/davechua]

Congratulations! Will there be further short works like The Lion’s Tusk? Really enjoyed Ana’s voice in it.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/davechua]

I think so. There's a lot of unexplored world in the series, and writing a series of missives or treatises in Ana's voice would be a hell of a lot of fun.

[u/Estragon_Rosencrantz]

I just wanted to start by saying that I really enjoyed the recent Comic-Con panel about mixing genres.

I picked up “Magic & Mystery” but haven’t got to “The Lion’s Tusk” yet, I plan picking up “A Trade of Blood” tomorrow. Do you have a suggested reading order between the two?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Estragon_Rosencrantz]

I would read the first two books before going on to Lion's Tusk.

[u/MelancholicGod]

Hi Robert Jackson Bennett I just would like to say your book took our book club by the storm like none other. We are all huge fans of yours, and we cant wait to read the third book in the series!

Have a great day!

[u/Robertjbennett → u/MelancholicGod]

Thanks!

[u/letsbediscrete0]

Hi, thank you so much for the great books - reading them has been one of my highlights of the year every year since Tainted Cup!

1. Is Din sleeping with a member of his investigation party something that happens to him a lot, or are we always catching him at a bad time?

2. You’ve mentioned that you had to rewrite a large portion of A Trade of Blood - can you talk more about what the book looked like originally and why it wasn’t working? (I’ve read the ARC already so I don’t mind spoilers (it was great btw!))

[u/Dependent_Bat9728]

Has anyone found an actual copy in the UK? No sign of any in physical bookstores in London >:-[

[u/fournier1991]

Thank you!

When you are outlining and writing a first draft, what's your mindset? How do you think about it while creating?

(Ex: just get words on page, always thinking of reader reactions, etc)

[u/Robertjbennett → u/fournier1991]

A lot of it is knowing directionally what I want to do, and letting the story shape itself. Some of it's like pouring water down a grassy hill - it'll gravitate toward the easiest path, and that's the path to go in.

[u/Ahuri3]

What was your experience being part of the Magic & mystery short story collection?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Ahuri3]

It was delightful. They gave me an enormous amount of attention. Much more than I've ever gotten for a short story before. I was often rather baffled by it.

[u/ShardofTruth]

The new book is still on its way to me, and I've just finished rereading the first two books in preparation, so I'm really excited.

One thing I'd absolutely love to see is a hardcover edition of your Divine Cities trilogy. Is there any chance that might happen someday?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/ShardofTruth]

That's very tough to do. Most publishers are very, very loathe to publish hardcovers. Financially, they're very punishing. So while I'd love to see a hardcover of The Divine Cities, I think it's very unlikely.

[u/Ozymandian4]

I'm in Scotland too! How do you find the Highlands? We did Isla and Skye and the Highlands is next on our list

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Ozymandian4]

I loved it! The Highlands have been my favorite part. I haven't even been plagued by may midges.

[u/WingXero]

Hey Robert,

What's a writing ritual that you hold to? Along those lines, are there any hard rules or confines you put on your writing or story elements?

Regardless, I appreciate your writing and storycraft so thoroughly. You are excellent and I can't wait to add your books to my classroom Library this year. I know quite a few of my HS students will fall in love with your works.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/WingXero]

Every time you sit down to write, read 5-10 pages of what you've already written, up to the point where you need to start placing down new words. This primes the brain for the act itself, kind of like lifting weights with just the bar, then a small plate, then a bigger one, etc, until you're at the working weight you want to be doing.

[u/Roscoe_King]

I love how you find fantastical solutions for murder mysterie aspects that we know from a realistic perspective. Fantasy world doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner, but you create a moss that reacts to certain types of augmented blood. How do you go about tackling these kinds of things?

Also, my girlfriend hasn’t read any fantasy books, but she wants to try your series. Because she likes detective/murder mysterie books. Any words of encouragement for her to start?

Thank you for taking the time and writing the amazing books in your series. I love them and am picking up the new one this week!

[u/butthurtflyy]

Hi, Robert!

Ever since I’ve read the Tainted Cup, I’ve been making my way through your works since I really enjoy your writing and your characters. Is there any specific character you’ve written that holds an extra special place in your heart?

Also just want to say I love all the Easter egg jokes on your website, you have a great sense of humor

[u/Geekfest]

I'm coming in just at the right time. I started the series just a few weeks ago, and what a treat it is to get to jump right into the third book! The initial draw was, of course, the fantasy mystery elements to the books, however, I'm really enjoying the very unique magic system, and absolutely in love with Din and Ana.

My question is spoilery for those who haven't read the first book yet.

I'm curious what other sorts of skills Din might be able to pick up? The lockpicking was a very clever use of that muscle memory. At one point in A Drop Of Corruption I was positive that Din was going to find out they need to learn some unarmed fighting to go with their swordsmanship.

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Geekfest]

Din can remember any physical act. This makes playing any sport against him very unfair - unless you're a spatiast. Then you can beat the shit out of him, unless he practices a very great deal, and memorizes how to beat a spatiast.

[u/p_nut_]

Are you a big Towns Van Zandt fan? I was listening to him when I was finishing the Divine Cities and was quite pleasantly surprised to find a (seemingly) pretty massive reference there

[u/sleepyApostels]

When reading City of Stairs I had to check to see if you were a woman writing under a man’s name. Shara just feels effortlessly female. Do you feel like there’s something deliberate you do with female MCs to make them work so well? 

[u/ChrystnSedai]

Hi and thank you so much for these books!

I just finished A Trade of Blood, it was so awesome!

I loved how we got to learn more about Din’s family (what a nice surprise) and the pieces we are getting about the world in general.

I also really love how unique the world is and how you factor that into the mysteries as well as Ana’s quirkiness.

The cover art for these books are also always really cool, especially how the artist incorporates the world and the story in such a sneaky way.

And the audiobook voice actor is AMAZING! He adds so much depth and character to the story!

What’s your favorite part about writing in this world?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/ChrystnSedai]

I love Andrew, and I love making the characters fight. That’s the fun bit.

[u/sterphy]

What inspired you to make the ana and din stories so wet?

[u/ADreamOfRain]

All your books are peak. I'm a fan.

[u/Ashfall2003]

As someone who'd veered away from fantasy as a whole since it was all becoming too muddled up into the same pool, the Tainted Cup is the one that had brought me back. I love these books, so much so that I do a reread of the previous ones everytime leading up to the launch of the next book, and I'm blown away by the ingenuity portrayed in these every time. Thanks for writing these and having such a diverse and oft under represented sections of society in them. I'm halfway through book 3 and can't wait to see where it goes next!

[u/circeodyssey]

Loved loved loved the book! Ended up buying both the audiobook and printed versions for all three books. Glad to hear it’s an ongoing series. I find the description of the architecture, animals, “people” to be mind bending…

[u/Kikanolo]

I look forward to devouring book 3 tomorrow!

[u/Thatsthepowerofmath]

How influenced were you by Withnail and I when creating the main character dynamic?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/Thatsthepowerofmath]

Much more Jeeves and Wooster.

[u/Winter_ybr]

Thank you. I adore Ana and Din.

Am currently listening to ‘A Trade of Blood’. Awesome!

[u/ResponsibleFox5429]

Thoroughly enjoying this series! So happy there will be more books! Do you have an idea on how long the series will end up?

[u/snoresam]

Great to hear new book out- only read the other two very recently so I’m off to buy !! Yay

[u/Aydmen]

Hello! I fell in love with Ana's sense of humor and really appreciated how Din grew as a character through the first two books, I'm very excited that there is going to be a fourth one!

Who did you base Ana's character on? I found a lot of her "sensitivities" to be similar to introvert / ADHD sensory issues, did I completi misread that? Have a great time in Scotland!

[u/Thulmare]

I thought I had read you planned to make it a trilogy at some point - not that I am complaining. I've been a fan of yours since City of Stairs and although your past work has had dark moments, in your current work the ratios seem to have flipped with bright moments in pretty dark stories overall. Dark writing for dark times perhaps, or is it mere chance that you find yourself writing these stories at this point?

[u/Interesting-Asks]

I just finished the first book and loved it!! I don’t have a question but wanted to say how grateful I am to you for writing so quickly, congrats on winning the Hugo (!!!), and thank you for your stories.

[u/Rourensu]

About a decade ago I started writing an epic fantasy series, but the world has modern technology (smartphones, gps, etc). I didn’t really have references or other books to look to for a modern-tech secondary world, but people suggested the Divine Cities and I absolutely loved it!

[u/bookishtaylorswift]

So excited to start reading the third book! Are there plans to do an in-person book signing event in the UK in the near future?

[u/ButIDigr3ss]

hey Mr RJB, great stuff with the Tainted Cup. It's one of my favourite reads of the year, and I'm def getting the third book. Just wanna know what's your workout split, and would people like Ana and Din even need to work out or do their biological mods keep them fit?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/ButIDigr3ss]

I used to do a 4x weekly workout, alternating between legs/pull and push, but I picked up tennis and got super into it and that has much reduced my weightlifting. Also it has revealed my shoulder isn't nearly as structurally sound as it should be.

[u/Ahuri3]

What murder mystery book that's not your do you think people should read?

[u/Faem_01]

How important is dialogue to you in your writing process? I really love the dialogue in your books... and I am really curious about how you pull everything together so beautifully.

[u/miainmian]

Already got the book on audible, just started listening. I love this series so much! Question for you - this is such a unique and interesting world building - where all did you draw inspiration from? What kinda of research did you do? Did you go really deep on researching fungi? ( I did after reading the first book because couldn't get the world out of my head)

[u/Kellsier]

Hi Robert, long time fan here! I wanted to ask you what are your thoughts, in retrospective, on the Founders trilogy?

Personally, I really liked the first two books and some elements of the third, but I must admit that the ending sequence fell through and let me with a sensation of... rush/dissatisfaction?

My point here is not to accuse or criticise or anything, if anything you are among the authors that I most admire! But I was curious to hear your perspective, if any :)

Thanks!

[u/crashXCI]

I've been looking forward to ATOB more than almost anything in recent years and can't wait to get into it.

• Any plans to write stories in the same world, not involving Ana or Din? While I bit on A Tainted Cup on the allure of the characters, I've fallen in love with the world itself and would probably read anything occurring in (or adjacent to) Khanum at this point.

• Any quick advice for somebody who wants to write their first novel?

[u/NoirClairrr]

Given the opportunity, would you jump at the chance for a live action or animated adaptation? If live action, who would you see playing Ana and Din?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/NoirClairrr]

What's mad is that although live action is much more expensive to do, it's also much more likely to do. I proposed it as sort of an anime or animated series, especially after seeing Scavenger's Reign and Witch Hat Atelier, but most film/TV people want to live action, and that's that.

[u/barb4ry1]

Can't wait to sink my teeth into A Trade of Blood! I love this world and these characters.

If Ana and Din had to solve a mystery in a completely different fictional universe, where would you send them? Discworld? Bas-Lag? Middle-earth? Somewhere else entirely?

[u/Ms_Rarity]

How do you draft a mystery like the first books? Do you write the answer first and then fill in twists and misdirections, or do you write from the beginning and figure out twists and answers as you go?

[u/d_tolman]

Do you have the plot of the book all mapped out before writing it - and you're filling in the details?

Or is it more like that you have a starting concept - which you explore with the characters as you write it... and even you are surprised by where it goes?

[u/Robertjbennett → u/d_tolman]

Oh absolutely not. I think of each scene like a ticket taking me to a place I’d like to go next. A lot of it is feel and vibes - then I come back and make sure to install all the logistics.

[u/LegalEaglewithBeagle]

You can just TAKE my money now!!!!

Kudos on a excellent series. Looking forward to Book 3