The Manual Is OUT!

The full-color, slightly larger format, all-singing and all-dancing art book to the Leviathan series, also known as The Manual of Aeronautics, is OUT NOW. Actually, several people have found them on store shelves over the weekend, but today is the official release date. (Well, tomorrow morning in the United States. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN . . . )

You can go buy the Manual with your monies! Or ask your librarians for it, or get it online at Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or IndieBound.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, the paperback of Goliath also came out today!

One of my favorite features of the Leviathan series is that each of the books has a splendid color endpapers by Keith, and the Manual is no exception. Which means I get to follow my tradition of revealing the endpapers on publication day.

As a wrap up of the series, Keith and I wanted to do something that encapsulated the whole series, with pretty much all of the characters in it. Also there was a certain piece of fan art about Deryn and Alek posing for the cover photo on Goliath. So we thought it would be cool for Keith to create the photo shoot for the Clanker/Darwninist Co-Existence Treaty signing!

Most likely, the image below wouldn’t really happen in the world of the Leviathan. I mean, all these characters wouldn’t all get credit for what they did to end the Great War (and all of those machines and beasties in the background would be a bit of a mess). But think of this as a visual confection, a collage that reveals the themes of the book (not unlike the frontispiece of that OTHER Leviathan).

So this is what we went with, and from this humble idea Keith created this awesome image:

Click here for the HUGE and zoomable version. And then see if you can find all the amusing (or sad) details.

Feel free to comment on the Manual in this comment thread, given that there aren’t really spoilers for an art book. (Or are there? Hmm.)


So I guess this is KIND OF THE END. You know? I mean, I’ll certainly post about the Leviathan series again, and people will go on talking about it and cosplaying it, and as new people are born and taught to read, they’ll discover it for the first time. Also, it’s completely possible that someone will make graphic novels or movies or interpretive dances of it, or that I will do more work in that universe someday.

But that doesn’t change the fact that with the Manual finally out, the Leviathan series is kind of . . . over now, at least in its original flavor version. *MAKES SAD FACE WITH TINY TEAR*

It’s been a great five years of working with the awesome Keith Thompson, who really threw his genius into this project, making it much better and bigger and realer than I could ever have hoped it would be. (I’m pretty sure I’ll be working with him again. Steampunk card game!)

It’s also been great having so many voluble, passionate, opinionated, and ridiculously creative fans. Thank you for coming along for the ride, and especially for all the amazing fan art. You are the best.

Seriously. Barking spiders to all of you.

235 thoughts on “The Manual Is OUT!

  1. I can’t believe the series is over… so sad…
    I love how the people who died are commemorated using photographs. I also love how, under their portraits near the end, it says what they do after the series. I had always wondered what Volger did…

  2. On 45: But I wouldn’t be able to stand a companion if Deryn and Alek weren’t the mains! It would kill me….

  3. It won’t end! Ever! There’s still so many people we can convince to read it!
    So anyway..
    The end papers are AWESOME!!! Loved the tribute to Zaven and the fact that Tazza is eating Rusty. Who had that idea?
    And poor Alek and his box. That’s just funny. And Bovril playing with the mechanical elephant looks cool. He’s just there to have fun, :)….. (it is Bovril, right? :P)

    By the way, everyone. I made a Goliath trailer! Here’s the link:

    http://www.sendspace.com/file/3w17a7

    please, anyone who reads this, tell me what you think!

    Scott, I repeat, IT’S.NOT.OVER. We’re still here.

  4. Person with Hat says: “In a way, the illustration reminds me of one of those family pictures no one ever wants to be in so the end result is a combination of grumpy people, people trying to contain their laughter over some joke that’ll be lost in time and the people who look very reluctant to be included.”

    Yes. Keith nailed this perfectly.

  5. I think this is the one post where Scott has commented the most. And it is a post that deserved that.

  6. A succesful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.
    -David Brinkely

    That means you, Scott!

  7. Has anyone else noticed the plaques, quilts, and tools in the foreground? It appears Malone is fine-tuning the symbols for the picture. It’s good they’re drawn in pre-picture/posed form because it’s far more interesting. (And that picture might be delayed. *Cough. Newkirk. Cough*)
    I think I missed why the box is so important. Maybe it has a toy Stormwalker inside (for Bovril to play with.)
    There are so many other details to list I won’t even try.

    Just ordered the Manual!

    The series is only over if you let it be. I shall send more fan-art if I can to keep it going!

  8. Shouldn’t the “parrot dragon” say something like “The amazing Manual of Aeronautics is finally out! Yay!!” ?

  9. Question for Scott: I’m really curious about what the books you mentioned in the Author’s note are. If you didn’t just leave the names out because you forgot, I would love to know because books with airships, adventures and awesome pictures are books I would love to read!

  10. I just noticed that Lillit is holding a picture of Zaven…*sniff*…I MISS ZAVEN. Seriously, he was like my favorite character. Even if he was only in the book for a few chapters.

  11. I love the eyes that Alek and Deryn are giving each other, like they’re sharing a hilarious private joke.

    “Even today, they have no barking idea about us!”

  12. The series will never be over, Mr. Westerfeld, for it will be a story forever treasured in our hearts. Thank you for, well, everything! You have inspired me so much! Take care, keep writing, and keep being barking awesome! Sincerely, Aaza

  13. All the peace and celbration is great and all but for the sake of the crewman just under the walker’s gun, don’t get any closer.

  14. Wow! Keith must’ve spent a lot of time on that pictutre! WE THANK YOU! Both Scott and Keith! EXCLAMATION POINT!
    Volger actually looks somewhat happy. That’s, like, Snape SMILING. At HARRY.
    Dr.Barlow, I know you Brits love your tea, but WHY NOW???
    Lillit, sneaking a sideways glance at MR.Sharp. πŸ™‚
    BOVRIL IS LIKE THE CUTEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN.

    Really, thank you Scott. And Keith. It’s been a wonderful, maybe even slightly life-changing trilogy. No, really, my life wouldn’t be the same without you guys. I love you both!
    …IN A FRIENDLY SORT OF WAY.

  15. Ooh! Look at Rogers ‘daring’ hemline! And the Captain looks kinda murderous…. did he just find out Deryn is a girl? Or maybe its a letter from his mother hes reading…

  16. We’re the best? We know. But Scott-la, we’re the best because YOU’RE the best – you and Keith are incredible and aghhhh you do so much for us, thank you for being amazing writers and artists and for being so involved with your readers… Gives me hope for humanity.

    The picture is gorgeous. And Leviathan being over makes me sad – but I am sure that we will all cosplay and fanart onward… A truly amazing story never ends.

  17. Also, can I just say how much I love Scott-la trolling his own blog and snatching first comment? xD

  18. Levithian could NEVER end and i would love you Scott-la if you made a companion novel!!!!!! :D! I have read SO many of your books and you must write more!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

  19. Never in my westerbloggerhood have I seen a post get so many comments so quickly. Everyon who was complaining about us taking too long to get 100 comments, be grateful!

  20. So I just finished reading it for the first time and I love the sideways look Volger’s portrait is giving Barlow’s portrait in the last two pages. You cannot tell me Varlow does not exist. It most certainly does.

  21. @71 I serched Goliath and did not find the pic. What page is it on or am i just blind?
    – Thanks!

  22. @71: I found it. I’d guessed it was after the Herculean Inundation, but it still took a while. I never noticed that detail before, and it doesn’t make him any taller in either one with only one foot on it.
    @82: Page 202 (In my book)

  23. It’s been an amazing run! Huge thanks to everyone who enjoyed the books, and of course thanks to Scott for everything!

    Definitely a little sad, but it’s been such a great and long endeavor how could wrapping it up not be? I’m going to miss all the characters, the world of Darwinists and Clankers, and all the awesome little things people notice hidden away throughout Scott’s and my efforts (many of them being things that seemed to form on their own accord and were fun surprises to us as well!)

    I’ve always read everyone’s comments, and taken it all to heart. I hope you enjoy The Manual of Aeronautics!

  24. LOVE THE DRAWING<3
    Omg, so many little details. Newkirk looks more like he's smelling something bad than wiping his nose.
    And why is that pigeon there…..

    Naww:( I finished the trilogy long time ago but I still feel kinda sad now that ppl are saying it's "officially" over.

    Oh well, I'll remember Leviathan here ever after~
    (And of course, Deryn and Alek and Count Volger and Bovril and the rest of them:) )

  25. I started the series in July, but the idea of the series being “officially” over still upsets me. I was late to the party πŸ™ . The books still made my summer though, and I can’t wait for my copy of the artbook to come!
    Looking forward to what comes next from you!

  26. I just noticed the pigeon, and being a HUGE One D. fan, I just had to put some good use to the countless “Funny Moments” videos I’ve watched.

  27. More Leviathan-y books? D:
    AND WHY DOESN’T ANY OTHER THOSE CHARACTERS GIVE A SHIT ABOUT BAUER AND HOFFMAN, MAN. THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND NO ONE KNOWS THEIR FIRST NAMES BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T CARE.
    ALEK ONLY FOUND OUT BAUER’S NAME BECAUSE HANS JUST WANTED TO USE HIS OWN NAME AND I SDFK

  28. @91 i sort of basically love you for knowing that. and it’s not like he could be in this pic himself, so why not?

  29. Its great that the manual is out but its all so sad that’s it’s the last book in the series. It was awesome reading the book, thanks to you I been reading more. I use to hate reading but when I stared reading the uglies series last year then this series I started to like reading agAin. Guess you can say I was on the late train:) the pic is great! I love how Alek is standing on the box and the details are awesome! I hope to read the manual, maybe the library I go to might have it. Hey Scott maybe u can do next book on what happens after alek and deryen take the job at the london zoo. What ever book you do next should be great.

  30. @93 that is such a perfect idea! Scott-la you should do that, but DreA you are right anything Scott-la rights next will deffinatly be AMAZING!!!!!!!

  31. Wow Scott, look at all these passionful comments. You’ve got an army. You know that, right?

  32. I randomly noticed the little figures in the background on the tip of the elephant tusk and cannon barrel O^O

    Anyways THIS IS NOT THE END. THIS IS JUST THE END OF THE BEGINNING. LIVE ON LEVIATHAN. LIVE ON. UNLESS YOU ARE, LIKE, A CLANKER MACHINE. YOU DON’T LIVE. DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO YOU. I LIKE CAPS.

    Oh well πŸ™ I now must satisfy my thirst through reading all you other cooleo-awesome books.

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