Second Iain [M] Banks Q&A now online

Over at the official Iain [M] Banks website, we’ve just posted the second Iain Banks email Q&A session, in which Iain answers selected questions from his fans and readers.

This time around you can discover Iain’s predictions for the next big UK literary stars, his view of the Minds’ attitude toward the rest of the Culture, a question as to would he / wouldn’t he write an episode of Doctor Who, whether he thinks there will ever be a Culture-based MMORPG, and more…

Head on over to www.iain-banks.net to read the full piece.

Orbit Authors talk visuals with the BookGeeks

The Glas Valley, from Brian Ruckley's 'Godless World'; sagaTwo Orbit Authors – Brian Ruckley and Jeff Somers – recently took part in the first BookGeeks SF and Fantasy Writers’ Panel.

The round-robin discussion, which also includes contributions from authors Alastair Reynolds and Jaine Fenn, is on the subject of the marriage of prose and visuals. Specifically: maps (is their inclusion in sf / fantasy books a good thing / bad thing?), cover art (should an on-cover portrayal of a book’s characters or vehicles be encouraged / avoided?) and visualised representations of the authors’ work (what would they like to see, what would work best – games, comcis, movies?)

The piece is presented in round-robin format, with each authors’ responses to the three questions then commented upon by the other three authors, which works quite nicely to build up a the discussion between the participants. It all makes for some very interesting reading. Do check it out and do leave your own comments; pieces like this always work best with plenty of feedback.

Orbit Links for August 22 2008

It’s Friday lunchtime, which can mean only one thing (well, around here, anyhow): it’s time for our weekly round-up post of links to items of interest featuring Orbit authors:

As always, if you see any online articles, reviews or interviews that feature an Orbit author, please feel free to drop us a line and let us know! We’ll happily name-check your website or blog with a heads-up credit in return (please remember to provide us with a link…)

Karen Miller UK Signings

Karen Miller , the bestselling fantasy debut author of 2007, is coming to the UK! She’s going to be signing copies of all her novels, including The Innocent Mage, The Awakened Mage and Empress

Thursday, August 28th at:

1:00pm: Waterstone’s Bracknell
17 Stanley Walk, Bracknell RG12 1HA.
For more information, call the store on 01344 488124 or visit www.waterstones.com

6:00pm: Waterstone’s Basingstoke
35 Wesley Walk, Basingstoke RG21 7BE.
For more information, call the store on 01256460646 or visit www.waterstones.com

Hope to see you there!

Charlie Huston at Fantasy Book Critic

Already DeadCharlie Huston, author of the Joe Pitt series, is over at Fantasy Book Critic talking to Rob about his upcoming book, Every Last Drop, published by Orbit in March 0’09:

Q: To begin with, for someone who has never read a Charlie Huston novel, how would you describe your writing style and where would you recommend they start?

Charlie: I think my prose is very direct. There’s a writer’s voice, and I have a style that’s meant to keep things moving, but the stories are delivered without much in the way of decoration. Dark, violent and profane are all apt adjectives…

You can read the full interview here or an excerpt from Every Last Drop over at Charlie’s blog.

Two new Alt.Fiction events announced

Alex Davis, the organiser of Derby’s annual Alt.Fiction event, has recently announced two additions to the Alt.Fiction calendar:

Alt-Fiction Writing Weekend

Alex tells us: “Alt.Fiction is proud to present its first writing weekend, set in the stunning hills of the Peak District. Join guest authors Conrad Williams and Kim Lakin-Smith for a weekend of writing workshops, discussions and free writing time- the ideal retreat for anyone interested in horror and dark fantasy.

“Weekend rates (including two nights stay, all meals and soft drinks) at £150. For further information, or to book your place, contact Alex on 07768 635293 or at alexdavisevents@hotmail.co.uk”

Sounds like an ideal opportunity for all the aspiring sf / fantasy / horror writers out there to hone your skills and learn your craft. And judging by the volume of enquiries we receive in the Orbit inbox every month, we know there are a fair few of you around.

Alt-Fiction 2009

Alex has also confirmed the date, and a venue-change, for the fourth main Alt.Fiction event:

“The fourth Alt:Fiction will move from being a one-day event to being a weekend-long festival on Friday 24th to Sunday 26th April. The extension will allow programme development and will offer the opportunity for the festival to offer greater content and value for money.

“The festival will also change venue, from Derby’s Assembly Rooms to QUAD, the city’s new centre for art and film, to allow organisers to develop an added element of quality genre cinema to the festival offer.”

More information on the line-up and programming will be released in due course, but if the last three events were anything to go by, then it should be a lively, interesting and author-packed event indeed.

In the meantime, check out our coverage of Orbit authors Philip Palmer, Brian Ruckley, Charles Stross and Mike Carey reading from their latest works at this year’s Alt.Fiction event, for a flavour of what the weekend will be all about.