Having left her in a good place at the end of Widdershins, I didn't want to complicate her life yet again, so I planned to set the story earlier in her life, during her first year as a student at Butler University.

Except the story grew. I was having too much fun visiting with this younger Jilly, so I asked Bill if I could expand it and swap it for the "Newford retrospective" collection that he'd contracted with me. He agreed, and that's how Promises to Keep came to be.

The book takes place in 1972 and begins with Jilly getting a surprise visit from an old friend—her only friend—from her runaway days. Interspersed with the main story that leads off from that meeting are flashbacks to pivotal moments in her life: time spent in the Home for Wayward Girls, her life on the street, meeting and working with the Grasso Street Angel, the first time she meets various familiar faces (Geordie, Sophie, etc.). You'll find out how the messed-up street kid she was grew a social conscience, and became the cheerful character we know from later stories.

Promises to Keep does deal with some serious subjects, but the tone isn't all doom and gloom. And while I hope that those of you familiar with these characters will enjoy this visit with their younger selves, I also believe it turns out to be a friendly entry into Newford for new readers.

Lastly, I'm delighted to say that Mike Dringenberg—an artist I've wanted to work with for ages—has done the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?

Promises to Keep is a hardcover. You can get more information here.

For ordering information, contact:

Subterranean Press
P.O. Box 190106
Burton, MI 48519
subpress@earthlink.net
Subterranean Press web site