The most common question I get is what’s next? What am I writing  now that the ASHFALL trilogy is done?  I’m going to answer it here so that I can just refer people to this post instead of typing out a long response every time someone asks.

First, yes, the ASHFALL trilogy is complete. I’m not planning to write any more  books or short stories set in that universe. I like where I left Alex and Darla. Yes, they still have some things to work out, but if you want to explore that, let me suggest that you try writing or reading fan fiction. I’m completely pro-fanfic as long as it’s free.

I’ve started drafting what I think will be a stand-alone young adult thriller. The working title is SURFACE TENSION. It’s about a teenager who sees a group of terrorists causing a plane crash from the ground. He’s the only one who knows how they’re crashing planes, and they want him dead.

Edit 5/11/14: A few weeks ago I was asked about a fourth ASHFALL book during one of my school presentations. I gave my usual answer–that I liked where I left Alex and Darla and that a series should steadily expand in scope as it progresses. The quintessential example is Lord of the Rings. The first book opens with Bilbo and Gandalf at a birthday party–the scope is tiny. By the time the trilogy ends, there are dozens of characters involved in a world-spanning struggle–the scope is immense. And then it struck me–an idea for expanding  the scope in a fourth ASHFALL book. So it’s possible that I might revisit Alex and Darla’s story. I”m going to finish SURFACE TENSION and then, if the sales of the ASHFALL books continue to be good and my publisher is interested, I might–MIGHT–write a fourth ASHFALL book.

Edit 4/16/15: There will be a fourth ASHFALL book! I signed the contract a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, there will be a long wait since I’ve only written four chapters and an outline so far.