It’s all a bit confusing with Vampire Diaries books of late. First we had news that L.J. Smith would be working on a prequel trilogy about Stefan, which then turned out to be a TV series tie-in. Now LJS has posted to her blog to say that The Return: Midnight has been written, and that she’s working on a brand new book universe trilogy, starting with Phantom. Aside from the title and a small hint at the end of LJS’s blog post (which might be spoilery for Midnight), it’s all very mysterious. As soon as there’s any more information about it, it will be up here ASAP.

Also, I have been finished with Midnight, the final book in the last Vampire Diaries trilogy about a month ago and am waiting (you can imagine how eagerly or maybe–if you’re not an author–you can’t) for the edits. I’ve also signed on for a new trilogy and finished the first book in it, Phantom. So there is more Vampire Diaries in store for readers of those books.

 
And in Strange Fate news:

And yes, Strange Fate will also come out as soon as I can finish it. The problem was that the Strange Fate contract got delayed and . . . well, just trust me, it’s coming, even if I type my fingers off.

Hang in there, guys. We’ve waited this long, we can make it to the end!

READ L.J. SMITH’S BLOG POST FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT COMPETITIONS AND TALKING WITH FANS…

Book three in The Return trilogy, Midnight, is now set for publication on March 15, 2011. You can get a good look at the cover for it, too, by clicking on the thumbnail to your left. Guesses as to who the redhead on the cover is in the comments. Bonnie with green eyes? Caroline with hair that’s a little too red for auburn… or someone completely new? Guess we’ll find out in March. ;)

In other Vampire Diaries news, it transpires that Stefan’s Diaries is actually a tie-in to the TV series, detailing the experiences of the Stefan Salvatore from that universe. It looks to be that it’s a project that L.J. Smith and executive producers of the TV series Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson will all be consulting on, though there are no details on who exactly will be writing it. As L.J. Smith is still involved I’ll post up information on that trilogy for those who may be interested. No details on individual synopses or book covers yet, but there are publication dates:

Stefan’s Diaries #1: Origins: November 2, 2010
Stefan’s Diaries #2: Bloodlust: January 4, 2011
Stefan’s Diaries #3: The Craving: May 3, 2011

According to the BookSeller.com, L.J. Smith will be penning three new books in her Vampire Diaries series. While The Return is focused mainly on Damon, it looks like the new books – which will be prequels to the original series – are going to be all about Stefan, bearing the title Stefan’s Diaries.

Edit: It seems that Stefan’s Diaries is a mysterious TV series tie-in that includes L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec in the credits.

This is, however, not good news for Night World fans still waiting for the publication of Strange Fate. L.J. Smith posted on her blog that the new Vampire Diaries books will be taking priority of the final installment of the Night World series. Given The Return trilogy has been in the works for a couple of years now, it’s difficult to estimate how long it will take for the new books to be written and for Ms Smith to start working again on Strange Fate. Hang in there, though, Night World fans. We’ve survived for a decade waiting, we can survive a little longer, right?DI

HarperTeen have made the first eight chapters of The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls available to read on their website.

Shadow Souls is due for publication on March 16, and you can pre-order it over on Amazon.com. UK fans will have to wait until May 6 for it to be released, but can also pre-order from Amazon.co.uk.

Updated the archive with 5 fics (Forbidden Game, Night World & Vampire Diaries) and 5 pics (Forbidden Game, Night World & Vampire Diaries).

In other fanfiction news, now that the Vampire Diaries TV series is under way, I just want to remind people that while I’m not archiving fanworks for it on Twilight Tales, you are very welcome and encouraged to post them (along with Vampire Diaries fanworks based on the books) in the following places:

Fell’s Church Library
Fell’s Church Gallery
TVD Fic on LiveJournal

And a reminder that the new omnibus reprint of Dark Visions is out now.