Back in December and January, Kevin developed a proposal for a complex new fantasy trilogy called TERRA INCOGNITA, based on the legends and adventures of sailing ships, sea monsters, and unexplored lands, as well as the myth of Prester John. (For fans of classic and progressive rock, this is a story inspired by many hours of staring at the cover art for the classic Kansas album, "Point of Know Return.")

Although Kevin sold the books months ago to Orbit, the US publishers of "Seven Suns," the contracts were only recently completed so we weren't allowed to announce the deal until now. Here is the official Orbit press release:

"In a major deal, Orbit, the new SF and Fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group USA to be launched in Fall 2007, has acquired World English language rights in a new fantasy trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson. The Terra Incognita Trilogy, based on the great sea voyages of the Age of Discovery, is a departure for the author, who is best known for his SF works, such as the Dune novels (co-written with Brian Herbert) and his Saga of Seven Suns. Tim Holman, Publishing Director of Orbit, said: "Kevin is a wonderful storyteller and this is a wonderful idea for a fantasy series. With its imaginative roots in a fascinating period of history, it promises to be a series that will appeal to both genre and mainstream readers, and this makes it a particularly exciting publishing prospect for us. Orbit will publish in the US and the UK, and it will be a flagship series for both." The agent is John Silbersack at Trident Media Group."

Publishers Weekly also ran the following story:

"ORBIT READYING FOR LAUNCH.

Orbit, the new Hachette science fiction and fantasy imprint scheduled to launch this fall, has added a new trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson to its list. Orbit's publishing director, Tim Holman, bought world English rights from Trident's John Silbersack. The Terra Incognita trilogy, inspired by the great sea voyages of the age of discovery, will be a flagship series for Orbit in the U.S. and the U.K., according to Holman.

Anderson, known for such science fiction works as the six Dune prequels he wrote with Brian Herbert (son of Dune author Frank Herbert), is currently at work on his Saga of the Seven Suns, book six of which, Metal Swarm, will publish in Orbit's first season this December. The final volume of that series will follow in 2008, with the first volume of Terra Incognita to be released in 2009."

Kevin will start actively working on the first novel this fall, after delivering THE ASHES OF WORLDS, the last volume in The Saga of Seven Suns.