The Aces at Kursk book may be my last Kursk book I will do for a while, depending on demand. From my original mega-book I have prepared two books, The Battle of Prokhorovka and Aces at Kursk. From the original book I can prepare two more books: The Battle of Tolstoye Woods and The Belgorod Offensive. These four books would effectively complete the serialization of my original book. I could also create one additional book, which would be a 300-page book for a more general audience addressing the entire battle in the south.
Also in my files are the German and Soviet research materials and draft texts to produce two or three others books covering the Soviet offensive to take Kharkov in February 1943, the German counteroffensive to retake Kharkov in March 1943 and the Soviet offensive to take Kharkov in August 1943. As part of our urban warfare work, we pulled up the unit records for both sides for the three battles in and around Kharkov in 1943. The fighting in February and March of 1943 was the fighting that immediately preceded the Battle of Kursk. They are probably best covered in a single book. The fighting in August 1943 is a continuation of the Battle of Kursk and is considered part of the Battle of Kursk by Soviet historians.
This would potentially allow for a series of six to eight books covering most of the fighting on the Russian Front in the south from February to August 1943. But I am not sure whether I should do that or move onto other projects. Right now, leaning towards moving onto other projects.
I would really love to read your work in the Kharkov battles of Feb-Mar and August 1943.
Do think about turning it into a book or pair of books.
Actually, I’d read all of it. The book on Prokharovka was as good as reading Zetterling’s work. ?
It would be two books, one covering Feb-March 1943 and the other covering August 1943. Both would take a while to do and there does not seem to be a huge demand for them.
Well, if you do decide to write them up, you’ve got one customer. 🙂
Thanks. If I could have gotten a publisher to sign up for a series of six or eight Eastern Front books, I might have tempted to head down that path. Maybe next year.
That’s a pity, because I would welcome both publications.
How well does The Battle of Prokhorovka book with Stakepole sell?
Don’t know actually, because it was released on 1 June, and I have not seen the sales reports for July-December of this year. But…..Stackpole did pass on doing the follow-up air book. I mentioned to them about doing a series of six to eight books covering the fighting in the south from Feb. 1943-August 1943 but they did not seem interested.
Christopher, any good news regarding future publications?
Thanks for asking. In negotiation now with a publisher over Aces at Kursk. Have discussed possibility over doing other books also.
Great news then! Please keep us posted on this matter!
Good luck!
Hi!
In continue with the books publications – what is a progress, which of them will appear in what time?
I have submitted the manuscript for Aces at Kursk to the publisher. They contractually have up to 18 months to turn it around. Their editors have not contacted me yet. So not sure when it will be published yet. Maybe before 2021 is done.
As for The Battle of Tolstoye Woods, I have submitted proposals to two publishers but so far no interest. I have also submitted proposals to them for a series of eight or more Kursk and Kharkov books. Also no interest.
So my current plan is to work on other books unless someone expresses a strong interest in more Kursk books. Unfortunately, marketing takes time and I would rather spend my time doing real work.
Thanks!
Hopefully, your books will be published.
Well, more than one publisher asked me to produce a series of books of about 60-80,000 words each. Kind of short summary picture books shall we say. I do not think this is the best use of my time.