From Contemporary Authors: New Revision Series, Volume 35.
PERSONAL: Born July 7, 1931, in Spokane, Washington; son of George Wayne and Theone (Berge) Eddings; married Judith Leigh Schall, October 27, 1962. Education: Attended Everett Junior College, 1950-52; Reed College, B.A., 1954; University of Washington, Seattle, M.A., 1961. Politics: "Unaffiliated." Religion: "Unaffiliated."
CAREER: Writer. Has worked as a buyer for Boeing Co., as a grocery clerk, and as a college English teacher. Military Service: U.S. Army, 1954-56.
From the back dust jacket flap of Belgarath the Sorcerer (published 1995).
David Eddings was born in Spokane, Washington in 1931 and was raised in the Puget Sound area north of Seattle. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1954 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1961. He has served in the United State Army, has worked as a buyer for the Boeing Company, has been a grocery clerk, and has taught college English. He has lived in many parts of the United States.
His first novel, High Hunt (published by Putnam in 1973), was a contemporary adventure story. The field of fantasy has always been of interest to him, however, and he turned to The Belgariad in an effort to develop certain technical and philosophical ideas concerning the genre.
Eddings and his wife Leigh currently reside in the Southwest, where they work together on their best-selling fantasy epics.
"The Belgariad"
Pawn of Prophecy (1982)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-30997-9 (pb) Del Rey
U.K. ISBN 0-593-02616-0 (hc)
0-552-12284-X (pb) Corgi
0-552-14807-5 (pb) Transworld
Queen of Sorcery (1982)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-30079-3 (pb) Del Rey
U.K. ISBN 0-593-02629-2 (hc)
0-552-12348-X (pb) Corgi
0-552-14808-3 (pb) Transworld
Magician's Gambit (1983)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33545-7 (pb) Del Rey
U.K. ISBN 0-593-02632-2 (hc)
0-552-12382-X (pb) Corgi
0-552-14809-1 (pb) Transworld
Castle of Wizardry (1984)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33570-8 (pb) Del Rey
U.K. ISBN 0-593-02635-7 (hc)
0-552-12435-4 (pb) Corgi
0-552-14810-5 (pb) Transworld
Enchanters' End Game (1984)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33871-5 (pb) Del Rey
U.K. ISBN 0-593-02638-1 (hc)
0-552-12447-8 (pb) Corgi
0-552-14811-3 (pb) Transworld
Eddings' first fantasy series. Chronicles the adventures of a young boy, Garion, as he grows to realize his amazing destiny. With his Aunt Pol and Grandfather, he must travel through the Kingdoms of the Alorns and Angaraks, making new friends and overcoming deadly enemies.
The Belgariad: Part 1 (c)1982, 83 - published 1995, Del Rey
U.S. ISBN 0-345-40004-6 (hc)
The Belgariad: Part 2 (c)1984 - Published by Nelson Doubleday Inc.,
by an arrangement with Del Rey.
U.S. ISBN 1-56865-038-8 (hc)
Two-volume hardcover omnibus reprint of the five volumes of the Belgariad. Part One contains the first three books, Part Two contains the final two.
"The Malloreon"
Guardians of the West (1987)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33000-5 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-35266-1 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-593-01195-3 (hc) Corgi
0-593-01561-4 (pb)
0-552-14802-4 (pb) Transworld
King of the Murgos (1988)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33002-1 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-35880-5 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-593-01562-2 (hc) Corgi
0-552-13018-4 (pb)
0-552-14803-2 (pb) Transworld
Demon Lord of Karanda (1988)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33004-8 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-36331-0 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-593-01210-1 (hc) Corgi
0-593-01563-0 (pb)
0-552-14804-0 (pb) Transworld
The Sorceress of Darshiva (1989)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33005-6 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-36935-1 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-593-01204-6 (hc) Corgi
0-552-13020-6 (pb)
0-552-14805-9 (pb) Transworld
The Seeress of Kell (1991)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-33006-4 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-37759-1 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-593-01207-0 (hc) Corgi
0-552-13021-4 (pb)
0-552-14806-7 (pb) Transworld
Sequel to the Belgariad. Takes place ten years after the events of the Belgariad, King Belgarion's son is abducted by dark forces. Belgarion and his companions must recover the child before disaster occurs.
Belgarath the Sorcerer (1995)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-37324-3 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-40395-9 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13845-9 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21315-5 (pb)
Polgara the Sorceress (1997)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-41662-7 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-42255-4 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13844-0 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21314-7 (pb)
0-002-24321-0 (trade pb)
A pair of prequels to the Belgariad and Malloreon series. The books are presented as narratives by the title characters. As a side note of interest, the trade paperback version of PtS was given a new illustration, probably in response to the dislike expressed by so many fans when the book was first released.
The Rivan Codex (1998)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-42402-6 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-43586-9 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-002-24677-5 (hc) HarperCollins
0-00-648349-6 (pb)
0-00-224696-1 (trade pb)
De Luxe Edition 0-00-224702-X (hc)
A compilation of the notes written by David and Leigh Eddings before they began work on "The Belgariad". The De Luxe edition was limited to 250 copies and signed by D&LE and Geoff Taylor, among other notable features. A number of readers of afe own a copy, thanks to Castellan. If you want more details regarding the book, visit his website at <http://www.arrowstorm.freeserve.co.uk>.
"The Elenium"
The Diamond Throne (1989) Del Rey
U.S. ISBN 0-345-35691-8 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-36769-3 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13345-7 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-20372-9 (pb)
The Ruby Knight (1990) Del Rey
U.S. ISBN 0-345-37043-0 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-37352-9 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13731-2 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-20373-7 (pb)
0-586-21503-4 (trade pb)
The Sapphire Rose (1991) Del Rey
U.S. ISBN 0-345-37474-6 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-37472-X (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13347-3 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-20374-5 (pb)
Fantasy series set in a new world. The church knight, Sparhawk, returns to his home to find his Queen dying, and sets out to save her life, and overcome the evil plots of a corrupt and powerful church Primate.
The Elenium (1993) Grafton (division of HarperCollins)
U.K. ISBN 0-586-21867-X (pb)
Omnibus edition of the three book Elenium series.
"The Tamuli"
Domes of Fire (1992)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-38327-3 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-37321-9 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-586-21313-9 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21858-0 (pb)
The Shining Ones (1993)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-37322-7 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-38866-6 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13846-7 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21316-3 (pb)
The Hidden City (1994)
U.S. ISBN 0-345-37323-5 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-39040-7 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-246-13847-5 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21317-1 (pb)
Sequel series to the Elenium. Prince Sparhawk answers a plea from the Tamul Empire to help them oppose dark magic and learns more about his unique connection to the Bhelliom.
The Tamuli (1999)
U.K. ISBN 0-006-48384-4 (pb)
Omnibus edition of the three book Tamuli series.
The Redemption of Althalus (2000) U.S. ISBN 0-345-44077-3 (hc) Del Rey _-___-_____-_ (pb) U.K. ISBN 0-002-24754-2 (hc) Voyager/HarperCollins 0-006-51483-9 (pb) (5th Oct. 2001) 0-002-26184-7 (trade pb) De Luxe Edition 0-007-10352-2 (hc)
A standalone novel. Chronicles the journey of Althalus as he attempts to stop the mysterious Ghend.
Novels (non-fantasy)
High Hunt (1973) Putnam
The original hardcover is long out of print. In 1992, Del
Rey reprinted it in paperback - U.S. ISBN 0-345-32887-6
In 1994, HarperCollins reprinted also reprinted it in
paperback - U.K. ISBN 0-00-647593-0 (pb)
A sort of middle-aged rite of passage novel. GI returns from Germany and goes on a mountain hunting trip with his older brother and a group of mismatched guys. Tensions arise.
The Losers (1992) Fawcett Columbine
U.S. ISBN 0-449-90719-8 (hc) Del Rey
0-345-38520-9 (pb)
U.K. ISBN 0-002-24138-2 (hc) HarperCollins
0-586-21759-2 (pb)
Dark tale of Raphael, the college football star who, after a tragic accident takes up residence in 'Welfare City' in Spokane. He observes the activities of his 'loser' neighbors and fights off predatory social workers, until the arrival of his college roommate puts a match to the powder keg.
"The Belgariad" was published in the U.S. as a set of original paperbacks - the only hardcover edition available prior to 1995 was a two-volume omnibus from the Science Fiction Book Club. In 1995, The Belgariad Part One, was published by Del Rey in hardcover. The Belgariad Part Two, though difficult to find, has also been belatedly released and can be found through the Science Fiction Book Club. All of the U.K. editions of Eddings' work have come out in both hardcover and paperback versions.
Eddings' two non-fantasy novels, High Hunt and The Losers, came out in a hardcover omnibus edition titled Two Complete Novels from Wings Publishing in 1993 (ISBN 0-517-11908-0).
Despite the 1992 copyright date, The Losers is actually David Eddings' second book; it was written right after High Hunt in the mid-1970's. He wasn't able to get it published until he became a best- selling author of fantasies.
They are currently working on a "contemporary thriller" set in Seattle to be titled Regina's Song. DE says that he and Leigh decided to create a "sympathetic serial killer" as a switch from their normal fare. It involves "Joan the Ripper (a descendant of Jack the Ripper)." Del Rey describes the novel as a "supernatural thriller."
In addition to this, in June '97, DE was quoted in the Polgara Scrapbook saying "Right now, I'm working on a darkly comic political novel about the President's mistress, who goes missing one day in possession of quite a few state secrets. Though I may wait to publish it posthumously, because it offends everyone - which was of course my intention." Whether this work is complete or not is unknown as nothing more has been heard about it since.
The political novel may well have been abandoned, for now it would be seen in a slightly different light than it would have been in June of '97. In addition, we have witnessed the appearance and subsequent publication of tRoA and now word on Regina's Song. Neither of these were so much as mentioned during the '97 interview. This is, of course, pure speculation.
Del Rey's Polgara Scrapbook is an excellent source of information about David Eddings, and each month leading up to the US publication of Polgara the Sorceress, David sent a "letter" to the web page. It is well worth a read. In addition, the main Del Rey page at <http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/> may contain future information about any new novel or series.
David's most recent online interview was conducted in early December 2000. It can be found at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0345440773&view=qa
On Wednesday 29th October 1997, David conducted an online interview on AOL. It can be found on the Del Rey site, and can also be found on Kamion's web page.
David also did an interview with Stan Nicholls for Interzone and
Starlog magazines, which can be found in various places on the Internet. It is
from some time ago, but contains lots of useful information. A copy can be
found at
<http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~cjwatson/eddings/interview.html>
A more recent interview, where Eddings discusses his new work can be
found at
<http://web.reed.edu/community/newsandpub/nov1997/eddings/>
David Eddings does not have an e-mail address and, according to
everyone who has asked, has no intention of getting one. If you want
to contact him, you need to write a genuine, pen-and-paper letter, and
send it care of his publisher, Del Rey Books. Address is as follows:
David Eddings
c/o Del Rey Books
201 E. 50th St.
New York, NY 10022
U.S.A.
It is recommended one use the two-envelope method: Write your
letter, seal it into a stamped envelope with "David Eddings" written on
the front, BUT NO ADDRESS. Then insert that into another envelope and
mail it off to Del Rey Books. They'll forward it. If you want a reply,
you'll be a lot more likely to get one if you include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope.