Halo: The Cole Protocol (and welcome to all you new readers) at Tobias Buckell Online

Journal Entry

Halo: The Cole Protocol (and welcome to all you new readers)

The news is out, if you visit Bungie’s homepage you’ll find the following in a recent article:

Halo: The Cole Protocol will be the sixth novel set in the Halo Universe. Tobias S. Buckell, author of Crystal Rain and Ragamuffin will pen the novel, which reveals the location of the Spartan Gray Team and “takes readers into an unexplored conflict of the Human-Covenant War where unlikely alliances are formed and shattered…”
Bungie expatriate and Microsoft’s Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor had this to say on the upcoming book, which is slated for a Fall 2008 release, “Buckell continues an excellent tradition that’s now a solid aspect of the Halo novels, bringing a fresh new perspective to a limitless universe and bringing his prodigious writing talents to bear in ways that will surprise and engage fans of the series and newcomers alike.”

For those of you who follow my blog and maybe even twitter, you’ll have wondered what ‘Project X’ was. This was Project X.

For new readers arriving here via various blogs and other sources, welcome. I’m Tobias S. Buckell, a Caribbean born science fiction author. My first novel, Crystal Rain, came out in 2006, though I’ve published over 30 short stories in various magazines and anthologies from 2000-2006.

My second novel, Ragamuffin, was a finalist for the Nebula award this year, and is up for the Prometheus award. You can read the first 1/3 of either of my novels on the pages I just linked.

You can read some free science fiction short stories of mine as well here:

The Fish Merchant: PDF and MP3
Toy Planes [html]
Necahual [various texts, palm, cell, html]
Aerophilia [various texts, palm, cell, html]

My third novel, coming out just before Halo: The Cole Protocol, is called Sly Mongoose. Here is a short trailer advertising it:

This is my personal blog, you’re welcome to follow my actions via it, or comment.

To reduce spam when you first sign up to post your comment is automatically put in a moderation queue, but from then on your subsequent posts pop up without my double-checking them. It can take a while to get initially moderated, as the person who has to do that is just little old me, but I love hearing from new commenters.

I will not be answering any questions related to the book here, though I will be posting links to any information Tor (the publisher), Bungie.net, or Microsoft Game Studios releases via their outlets, as well as linking to any interviews or information that I am aware of that I have been given the go ahead to talk about.

However, I will say that yes, I have played all 3 Halo games, and read all 5 previous Halo novels as well as the two comic books. My (somewhat average, hey, I have to put food on the table, remember?) Halo 3 service record can be found under the gamertag of tobiasbuckell. You’re welcome to say hi in-game, but please don’t ask me for details about the book.

Thanks for dropping by!

Filed under the topic My Writing: Announcements, My Writing: My Books on June 16th 2008 at 4:36 pm. You can subscribe to the RSS feed for this entry to keep track of comments. You can also use to trackback.

Comment policy: this is Tobias' blog and space. Like a guest in his house, accord other guests and your host respect and polite discourse while feeling free to engage in debate or comment. Failure to do so results in comment ban or deletion.

58 Responses so far

1. Jim on Jun 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Tobias, this is thrilling news! I’m a huge Halo fan and a great fan of your writing, so I can’t wait to see your interpretation of the Haloverse. If you’re able to, at some point, I’d also love to hear your take on writing a story tailored to Bungie’s Halo Story Bible. I think that’d be a fascinating perspective.
2. Mark Terry on Jun 16th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Rock on, dude!
3. odmichael on Jun 16th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
awsome! Can’t wait for the next novel!
4. Paul Raven on Jun 16th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I’m so totally stoked for you, man. Really – I know all writers work hard, but you’ve grafted like a demon, and this is a fine reward – the first of many, I have no doubt. Suerte, amigo!
5. cherie priest on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Okay. Right now? My jealousy — let me show you it.
Congratulations, though!
6. Karl on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Just dropped by from HBO to say congratulations! I read Necahual and enjoyed it a lot, looking forward to reading one of your novels as soon as I can get my hands on one of them. I’m sure The Cole Protocol will be great considering you seem to grasp the games very well. I also second Jim’s wish, this is a very interesting question considering the organic nature of Bungie story bibles.
7. Steve Buchheit on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Holy crap! Friggin’ A, Tobias. That’s excellent.
“Fall 2008,” oh boy, I hope it’s already in the can or you’re gonna be one tired Toby RSN.
Huhn, I wonder if you can take a tax write-off for the Xbox and the games now?
8. Matthew Rotundo on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Awesome news, Tobias! Rock on!
9. Dave Klecha on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Hells. Yeah.
You rock like a thing that is in the Hall of Fame For Stuff That Rocks.
10. Kerry on Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Halo!?
Will this be readable/understandable by someone who doesn’t game? I love your writing, but since I do NOT game, I haven’t read any of the Halo books, either.
11. Jeff Beeler on Jun 16th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I hope this puts you on the bestseller list you greatly deserve to be on.
12. Alex on Jun 16th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Fun! How fortunate for them to have hired you for it!
13. Stephen Granade on Jun 16th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Hot diggety, that’s awesome. Congrats!
14. Eric Nylund on Jun 16th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Good luck!
I’m sure it’s going to be great.
–Eric N.
15. David J. Williams on Jun 16th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Very VERY cool . . . . !
16. Tobias Buckell on Jun 16th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Jim: two good things mashed up into one, woo hoo!
Mark Terry: thanks dude!
Paul Raven: yeah, thanks man
Cherie: thanks
Karl: thanks for picking up one of my novels, and hopefully I’ll be able to talk about the writing of the novel soon, but I will say that the core idea came from me from having played the games and read the novels, everything else was tweaking the concept.
Steve: yeah, tax write off, plus, I’ve been telling Emily “I’m not playing videogames, I’m doing re-research and setting the atmosphere for writing!”
Dave: LOL
Kerry: it will be readable by non-players. My wife, after all, will have to read it
Jeff: thank you, I hope so too.
Alex: thanks!
Stephen: Thanks
Eric: many, many thanks for stopping by and for your well wishes.
17. Jon Hansen on Jun 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Very nice, man. Congratulations!
18. Angel on Jun 16th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Greetings, Mr. Buckell.
Were it not for the fact that I know you’re going to get countless friend-requests from the members of the Bungie Fan community, I would say how I would look forward to playing through the campaign co-operatively with you. However, since that is the case, I’ll just say welcome to “the family” and I look forward to reading your work. Nylund’s work is definitely responsible for my deep appreciation for the fiction of the series, and so knowing that you have read his work is a comfort to me.
Good luck, and again, welcome to “the family!”
~Angel
19. Thomas M. Wagner on Jun 17th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Gasp! You sellout!
Rock on, Toby.
20. Simon Haynes on Jun 17th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Congratulations – may your Halo never slip
21. Steve Nagy on Jun 17th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Congrats, Toby!
I think it’s a perfect fit. And as someone noted on LJ, you should make a cubic crapload in sales.
22. Kosmo on Jun 17th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Holy Crap! Tobias, I’ve never been jealous of another writer in my life until this exact second. You’re writing for Halo!????
I sent Bungie emails last year in an attempt to work for them. (Actually, begging to work for them. Saying things like, hey, I’m a writer, but I’ll do anything to be involved with this amazing magic you produce) I LOVE Halo with a deep abiding passion. I think Halo is the best game ever invented. I’ve read all the books. And now you’ll be writing for them? Holy crap. Holy crap. Wow, dude. It’s the new Star Wars, imho. Congratulations, man.
—T. Kosmatka
23. Josh Smith on Jun 17th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Congrats dude, I think I already got a friend request by association last nite. I can’t wait to read it!
24. Omar Singleton on Jun 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
By golly, you’ve made a Halo reader out of me! I stay away from most books based on games/movies/whatever, but they did a great job getting someone like you to write it.
Congrats!
25. Jim Hall on Jun 17th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Wow cool news, congrats!
26. Fred Kiesche on Jun 17th, 2008 at 11:06 am
And to think, I’ll be able to say “Why, I knew him when he had written ‘Toy Planes’!”
Seriously, I hope you can make it accessible to non-gamers. I tried one of the Halo books (sorry, Eric) and found it pretty incomprehensible. The whole computer gaming thing just keeps passing me by!
27. Aidan from A Dribble of Ink on Jun 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Congrats, Tobias!
It must be a thrill to work on something like this!
~Aidan
A Dribble of Ink
28. Steven Klotz on Jun 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Great news!
I’ve only played a few hours of Halo, and not read any of the novels, but I have read and enjoyed most of Eric S. Nyland’s non-Halo books. You’re in great company, and I may have to actually read all of these and get myself one of those X-box thingies.
Currently reading Crystal Rain.
29. Steve Thorn on Jun 18th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Wow! Congratulations. This is a whole new branch in your career, and a great opportunity. You will be introduced to a new band of readers and who knows what residual effects that can have on them buying your other novels. I am very happy for you, Toby. (And to even get a best wishes from the Halo-man himself, Eric Nylund, Rock On!)
30. Matt Robertson on Jun 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hey man, I’m not yet familiar with your work, but the next book to be read on my Amazong Kindle is now Crystal Rain, once I finish Peter F. Hamilton’s “Pandora’s Star”.
I’ve read the previous novels, and cannot WAIT to hear what’s happening with the Grey team!
I’m glad Bungie and Microsoft decided to add some new blood to the novels, not that there was anything wrong with the previous authors, I’m just real excited to get into your vision of the Haloverse.
As far as it being accessible to non-gamers, I don’t see any problems, pick up the old novels and you’ll be in good shape, just cram ‘em in before fall so you can jump on this goodness!
Again, Congrats, can’t wait to rea your prior work and wait in anticipation for the street date on this one!
31. Anonymous on Jun 24th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Is this book going to tell us what happened to the spartans on onyx?
32. Bob Dole (J.K.) on Jun 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
The book will reveal where the Spartan Gray Team is located after being on a mission far outside the confines of UNSC space, now missing for over a year. Oh I can’t wait.
33. b_rad on Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
yea, but what is going to happen to those on onyx? will you be writing bout them?
like a tie-in?
34. Halo Fan on Aug 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m really excited for this book! Can’t wait!
35. Mat K on Aug 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Dude, way to go. The Halo fiction is actually pretty good, and I’m sure you’ll continue and/or improve the series.
36. Brian R. on Aug 24th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Personally, I’m thrilled to have another Halo novel out, but I don’t know if I’m the only fan who wants to find out what happened to Fred, Kelly, Dr. Hasley and the Spartan 3’s inside the sphere at the end of “Ghosts of Onyx.” Gray Team sounds like a very interesting subject in the halo universe, but it has just been killing me to find out what happens to them. Well anyway, congrats and I hope it is great.
37. Brock on Aug 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Well..who would have guessed there was a page for The Cole Protocol, I suppose I should have looked for it earlier before commenting a completely unrelated post you made in another one of your web site’s pages. That’s besides the point though, the fact remains from what I posted earlier, I’m really looking forward to this book..and I still can’t believe how small of a world it is. Once again, keep up the good work.
38. ElysiumCity on Sep 15th, 2008 at 1:28 am
its great to see that another part of the spartan puzzle is on the way! i have been itching to find out more about the ones we already know, but i am very excited to learn about gray team.
i also love the variety of talent that has gone into producing the world’s view of the halo universe and i cant wait to read another great author’s take.
39. Fred Kiesche on Sep 24th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Well…it’s officially “Fall” in the northern hemisphere. Heck, there’s even a touch of coolness on the pumpkin, maybe frost later in the week.
Fall 2008…ummm…any update on the Halo novel? Publication date, for example?
40. Tobias Buckell on Sep 24th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Still, as Amazon.com says, Nov 25th. I’ll post any changes if I hear about it, but so far, nothing official
41. Ty on Sep 26th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Man, so the book is coming out Nov. 25?
42. joe on Sep 28th, 2008 at 8:02 am
tobias,
i just found you thanks to mur lafferty and was totally surprised by the halo news. i’m a huge fan of the universe bungie has created and can’t wait to read your work!
joe
43. Цой Жив on Oct 1st, 2008 at 3:31 am
Можно и по этому вопросу, ведь только в споре рождается истина.
44. Hunter01652 on Oct 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Congrats Tobias. I have been with Halo from day 1. From the games to the books and even the possible movie that could come out, i support everything that you are doing for the Halo family. There is no doubt that you will do amazingly with the book. Also hope to see you online.
Can’t wait
Hunter01652
-Spes Phasmatis of Incendia Est Vobis
45. Jahziel - Halo Pro on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 am
Tobias, your going to need write a better novel than all Eric N. has writen, in spirit atleast. The last novel i bought, Harvest, bombed(it was crap)! This time around i’ll be reading the prologue before i buy, and if i even feel it will bomb, i’m pirating it off the web. I’m not paying for crap anymore. The little tid-bits of your work that ive read made you look promising. I look forward to it with unbridled criticsm. Furthermore, Joseph Staten should rott in a prison cell and be kept away from all scripting utensils for the remainder of his days for his atrocious sins against the Halo universe, oh, before i forget, he also owes me $20 for C.Harvest.
46. jake on Oct 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
hey i really wanna know more about what happens to john after halo 3, and the team of spartans II’s and III’s in onyx’s core, any books in process that might expand on those?
47. mbellerbrock on Dec 1st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Hey Tobias, I’m a huge fan of Halo and all it’s awesomeness. I’ve been following it since before the Xbox was officially announced. I’m super pumped about your new book. I’m currently on chapter 3 and it’s a great read. I was really excited to see that you’re from Ohio and graduated from Bluffton University. I went to high school 10 miles from Bluffton in Arlington, Ohio. Ever heard of us Red Devils?
48. MikeB on Dec 14th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
That’s good to hear and I hope it advances your writing career and makes you lots of royalties so that we can continue to enjoy your work. I do have to say though that, as I have to chose within a rather limited budget, I will be buying Sly Mongoose rather then the Halo book this Christmas.
49. Rob Saffell on Dec 31st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Tobias,
I have now finished reading the Cole Protocol. This was both my first Halo book (though I am a huge fan of the games) and my first Tobias Buckell book. I really enjoyed the book and your writing style in it. As a US Navy veteran, I have a unique appreciation for authors who manage to get a ship’s mindset right in a book. Well done!
Rob Saffell
50. Tobias Buckell on Jan 1st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Thanks Rob! I’m so glad you liked it!
51. nilak on Jan 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
The Novel is truly a blessing, I’m dead serios, I was waiting for what seemed like an internity for the next book. Unfortunatly i didn’t savor it and read it in three days I really can’t wait for the next book, I’m seriosly on withdraw here waiting for my next dose.
Congrads on your seccuss and you definatly did the saga justice
52. Arnhell on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I just finished reading The Cole Protocol today and was completely blown away. If the Grey Team don’t return in a later novel or game adaptation I will be heart broken.
I will be running out at lunch time today to buy Sly Mongoose.
53. Tobias Buckell on Feb 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Thanks Nilak.
Arnhell, I’m glad you dug it Hopefully the future will see more gray team! I look forward to seeing what you think of Sly Mongoose
54. Suzanne on Mar 31st, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Read it. Enjoyed the Elite scenes! (My favorite characters – not enough of them in the previous novels.)
55. Kev on Apr 9th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hi, and firstly thanks for the continued fleshing out of the Halo universe. I started playing Halo by accident when I won a 360 just as Halo 3 was released. I and my son enjoyed it so much I bought the other two then went on to the books. It was greatly disappointing to find the movie plan was scrapped and while Stuart Beattie continues to wander the wastelands, trying to get the movie made with his spec script, it seems the project continues to be flatlined. I was wondering, given that you are part now of the evolution of the Halo story if you have heard any rumors of a ‘Battlestar’ like tv series for the Halo story?
Logically it makes sense given the amazing effects, storyline and acting that Battlestar brought to TV within the contraints of TV budgeting. That same realistic fight for survival seems to lend itself beautifully to a Halo TV series where the storyline and universe can be expanded. I keep hoping that Peter Jackson and wingnut will do something beyond Halo chronicles games sooner rather than later.
Thanks
56. B. Adams on May 17th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
My buddies at college and I also thank you very much for enriching the Halo universe. I own all the previous books, games, Halo Uprising comics, etc, and I loved TCP. I honestly hadn’t read any of your previous work, but I definitely plan to pick up a couple of your other novels. Thanks again and good luck in the future!
57. Travis Wright on Jul 29th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Spc Wright, Illinois National Guard, Deployed to Afghanistan
Finally got a copy of the book out to me in Afghanistan been itching for the next addition the halo serious. Didn’t take me long to tear through the pages but it was a great escape from my day to day here. Excellent read, amazing attention to detail. Looking forward to another one from you Mr. Buckell. From me and some of my fellow soldiers who enjoyed the book as well, a special thanks goes to you.

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Tobias is a Caribbean-born SF/F novelist who lives in Ohio.

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