Trudi Canavan’s Recipe for a Delicious Sequel

THE TRAITOR QUEEN (UK | US | AUS) has gone straight into the Sunday Times fiction chart at number one in the UK, showing that her fans have been desperate for the final instalment in this fantastic series. To mark the publication, we asked her to tell us how she feels about reaching the end of such a beloved series, here’s what she said:


Sequels. Prequels. Love them or hate them, you can’t escape the fact that every author who has a book published will be asked if there will be more. When the last page was proofed of the last book in the Black Magician trilogy I had been working on it for over seven years and I have to admit it, I was tired of the world and (gasp!) even sick of the characters I had lived and loved and cried with for so long. So my answer then was ‘no’.

I’ve learned since then to never give such definite answers to these kinds of questions.

You see, even as I wound up the story in The High Lord, there were little ideas twitching in the corner of my vision whispering, ‘This could be fun to develop.’ Then it occurred to me that the story of the Sachakan War, the impetus for the formation of the Magicians’ Guild of Kyralia, might fill a book. Still, I ignored these ideas, knowing they weren’t substantial enough. Yet.

By the time I had written the Age of Five trilogy, those ideas had grown up, met, had a few parties, married and bred new bold little ideas, all demanding to be written. Enough time had passed that I was ready to venture into the world of Sonea and the magicians of the Guild again.

So first came The Magician’s Apprentice (I am still amazed that nobody had yet written a book by that title), set around six hundred years before the events in the Black Magician trilogy. (It turns out it’s impossible to make it clear in the narrative that a book is a prequel. You can’t have characters thinking that it’s six hundred years before an event that hasn’t happened yet. It really did my head in.) Then came the Traitor Spy trilogy, set twenty years after the Black Magician trilogy. I learned that writing a sequel has its own challenges and rewards. Thinking about this recently, this recipe popped into my head:

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Michael Cobley on Alien Worlds

Alien worlds constitute one of the key themes, not to say essential furniture, of space opera. From before Edgar Rice Burroughs, SF writers have whisked us across a pangalactorama of worlds weird and wonderful, wild, wasted and withdrawn. Alien worlds have been the fabulous, concocted canvasses on which we’ve projected our fears and desires, sometimes even consciously. Over the last few years, however, astronomers have confirmed the existence of a growing number of actual worlds orbiting neighbouring stars out in the real galaxy, along with the likelihood that some are capable of supporting life.

Two purple sea urchins: Public domain photo found here: http://www.public-domain-photos.com/animals/erchin-4.htm
If life on Earth looks like this, what will it look like on other planets?

Now these ground-breaking scientific discoveries may not affect the aesthetics of space opera but they sure give me pause for thought. When you consider the proliferation of lifeforms into almost every environmental niche that Earth has to offer, and the astonishing shapes which some have adopted . . . and when you realise that often truth is not only stranger than fiction but stranger than we can imagine, then the hunger to know what lives on those distant worlds becomes a near-exhilarating craving.

And that is why I write space opera. True, the strangest worlds I’ve depicted have been either virtual (the Glow) or the decrepit remains of corroded universes (in the tiers of hyperspace), but even that is of a piece with the basic human need to imagine alternatives. Sometimes, that need springs from the sheer electric joy of speculative invention, and other time it is driven by the pressing urge to examine the world around us and understand the ways in which it has gone wrong. It is said that although SF writers have their eyes fixed on the stars, their feet are planted firmly on the ground. Because in order to depict a plausible alien world – whether in terms of the biosphere or the customs and structure of an alien society – an SF writer needs to have at least an awareness of how those contexts work here on Earth. Political journalists need to know how politics really work; SF writers need to know that and a whole lot more.

A photo of NASA's Mars Curiosity rover: This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".
Technology for finding out about other planets advances all the time – NASA’s ‘Curiosity’ rover landed on Mars last week, who knows where we’ll explore in future.

That’s not to say that explorations of alien worlds are merely an excuse for some didactic lecture. SF writers are dealers in dramatic prose, and we use metaphor, allegory and simile to tell stories, not expound forth a doctorate. Those real alien worlds have assumed the role played by Mars up until the mid-20th century, although as the astronomical/astrophysical sciences are constantly refined we may obtain hard reliable data about them sooner than we think. Still, their existence means that others exist further away, beyond the reach of today’s tech, playing host to who can tell what wonders and that, in conjunction with the ongoing attempt to grapple with the problems of our own civilisation, means that space opera will be with us for quite a while yet.

the three covers for the novels in Mike Cobley's Humanity's Fire trilogy

Cover launch! EXISTENCE and the new-look David Brins

EXISTENCE, a science fiction novel from the award-winning David Brin, admired by Stephen Baxter

This November, we’re releasing the paperback edition of David Brin’s science fiction masterpiece EXISTENCE (UK | ANZ). It’s his first novel to be released in ten years, and he’s truly returned in triumphant form.

It’s a breathtaking novel about First Contact – one that asks ‘why are we alone?’ and ‘are all civilisations doomed to fail?’ And it does it in spectacular, imaginative, mind-boggling, heart-thumping style.

See the paperback cover to the left and just a few of the reviews this unmissable book has been receiving:

‘Cleverly argued and uncomfortably plausible’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

‘A masterpiece of rock-hard SF’ SUN

‘Brin tackles a plethora of cutting-edge concepts…with the skill of a visionary futurologist’ GUARDIAN

‘Bursting with ideas, including near-future tech, first contact with aliens, and the exploration of what it means to be human’ i09.com

‘Existence is my top SF novel of 2012 and I recommend it without hesitation’ SFFWORLD.COM

But it’s not just EXISTENCE that we’re releasing this winter. We’re also giving a makeover to some of David Brin’s most classic titles. See the new-look covers below in all their glory…

New-look covers for David Brin's classic science fiction titles EARTH, POSTMAN, the UPLIFT trilogy and the second Uplifgt triology, called EXILES

See more info about each title below! (more…)

Horrible Fantasies and Fantastic Horrors

The cover for Tim lebbon's newest fantasy novel The Heretic LandQuite a few reviews of ECHO CITY and my new Orbit novel THE HERETIC LAND refer to my ‘horror writing credentials’, and it’s true that I’ve written lots of horror novels (and novellas, and short stories) in my time, and I still do!

So even though these two novels are definitely built upon a fantasy base – with other-worldly settings, new landscapes, flora, fauna, societies, species of human, religions, and politics – I thought for this gust blog post it might be interesting to examine a few instances in THE HERETIC LAND where my fantasy edges into horror. Or horror edges into my fantasy. You know what I mean . . .

Apocalyptic landscapes . . .

Unlike ECHO CITY, in this new novel the action ranges over large distances. ECHO CITY was quite a claustrophobic novel, especially as much of the action took place below ground. It was set in a large city, and not much happened beyond the city walls (I say not much, because there was some action out beyond the boundaries of what most characters believed to be the extremes of their environment . . . but I won’t spill the beans in case you haven’t read it yet). Perhaps partly because of this, THE HERETIC LAND takes place on two island continents. And one of these places isn’t in a very good shape at all.

The action starts centuries after a terrible war left the island of Skythe a ruin, its people dead or diseased, the land infected with the fall-out of forbidden magic . . . and the whole place slowly, gradually dying. A pretty horrible place really, and something similar could be found in many post-apocalyptic horror novels (in fact several of my fantasy novels, ECHO CITY included, have been called post-apocalyptic novels set in a fantasy land . . . and I’ll not argue with that).

And as well as this there’s the polluted, magic-tainted sea between the two lands of Skythe and Alderia. And here be . . .

Monsters . . .

I like monsters. A lot. I’ve written a little about monsters we all recognise – vampires (occasionally), and the huge SF zombie thriller COLDBROOK is due out soon – but what I love most is making up my own monsters. In THE HERETIC LAND, perhaps my favourite are the Deep Pirates of the Forsaken Sea. These grotesque things – part human, perhaps? – live for unknown lengths of time, use sea creatures as mounts, and love the taste of human flesh. And here it is:

The pirate had human qualities merged with the worst aspects of the sea. Bare, thick torso spotted with shellfish, a large head with shockingly human features, long flowing hair which was said to consist of poisonous fronds, long limbs that ended in claws ten times larger than the most monstrous crab’s, and thick legs that parted into powerful tentacles, each of them suckered and spiked. Its scale made it even more awful – ten times the size of a human, it was a blight on reality.

The decapus beneath it was a vivid red, its tentacles longer and more deadly, its beak clacking, and its huge eyes reflecting sunlight with an alien regard.

Euch. You’ll get to meet the Deep Pirates in THE HERETIC LAND. Close up. (more…)

Cover launch! ARALORN by Patricia Briggs

The cover for Aralorn, a fantasy omnibus of Masques and Wolfsbane from Patricia Briggs, author of the Mercy Thompson novelsCalling all fantasy and Patricia Briggs fans! 

I’m delighted to be able to unveil the cover for a very exciting new title to be released in October this year: ARALORN (UK | ANZ).

It’s an omnibus edition of two fantasy titles that are yet to be released in the UK: Masques and Wolfsbane, from the fan favourite (and New York Times bestselling) Patricia Briggs.

Masques was in fact the first full-length novel that Patricia wrote, but since then it’s been revised and updated. It features the wonderfully unconventional heroine Aralorn, a girl who flees her noble birthright and the expectations piled upon her to become a mercenary and shapeshifting spy. 

Patricia Briggs recently revisited the series with Wolfsbane, and so we decided to collect these two novels in ARALORN. With these stories, the author expertly turns her hand to a setting which is a little more historical/high fantasy than urban fantasy – but fans of the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega novels will undoubtedly also love this book.

ARALORN shows off Patricia at her best – with characters that are so intriguing that you’ll never want to say goodbye to them. The relationship between Aralorn and her mysterious companion Wolf, for example, is so deliciously intense that you’ll definitely want to see it through to the end.

Look out for ARALORN (UK | ANZ) this October. And you can find the blurb and a larger version of the cover below. (more…)

August Events

Sunday, August 5
T.C. McCarthy and Michael J. Sullivan at Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC, 2 PM

August 8 – 12
Nicole Peeler, Kristen Painter, Jaye Wells, and Amanda Carlson at Authors After Dark, New Orleans, LA

August 17
The Orbit team will be attending Blackwells’ High Fantasy Night, and, because he’s in London on a rare visit from Australia, Ian Irvine will be signing books at the event!

August 24 – 27
Simon Morden at the Greenbelt Festival, Gloucestershire, UK

August 31 – September 2
A number of Orbit authors will be attending either Chicon and DragonCon over Labor Day weekend!

Gail Carriger interviews Lilith Saintcrow

Lilith Saintcrow launches  a new steampunk series this August with THE IRON WYRM AFFAIR (US | UK | AUS).  Adventure and intrigue lie in wait for detective duo Bannon and Clare as they try to unravel the mystery behind a string of murders targeting London’s geniuses. You can read the first chapter here and get a sense of  Emma Bannon’s sharp wit.   This novel is a ton of fun so we thought: what could be more fun than bringing two charming ladies like Gail Carriger and Lilith Saintcrow together to introduce this new novel?

Read on to find out several fun and interesting facts about Lilith and THE IRON WYRM AFFAIR and find out which character(s) Lilith would most like to slap.

About you, the Author!

Gail: Tea or coffee and how do you take it?

Lilith: Yes to both. Coffee I take as espresso with a little heavy cream, tea I take mostly with gingersnaps. But there’s nothing like a cuppa when the day’s going dreadfully.

Gail: Describe your personal style for author appearances.

Lilith: You mean other than the perfume of complete terror? I have dreadful social anxiety. Normally I’m in jeans, a T-shirt with no holes, boots, and eyeliner. I agonize over appearances, they’re nerve-wracking. I have to wear something I can run in if the zombie apocalypse occurs.

Gail: If I were to observe the writer beast in its native environment, what surprising thing might I see? What does the environment look like?

Lilith: A tall glass of water with a squirt of Key Lime juice in it. That’s my preferred drink while writing. Also, a statue of Ganesh the Remover of Obstacles as writer right next to my computer, and on the other side a bonsai tree. It used to be the Saddest Little Bonsai In All The World, because the cat wanted to chew on it, and on my desk is the one place the cat can’t get to it. So the bonsai is recovering now. Also, there are a bunch of 3×5 notecards with different notes and page numbers on them, and a Keep Calm and Carry On paperweight.

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An Interview With Some Vampires

Jaye Wells is something of an expert on the undead. After writing five sexy paranormal fantasy novels featuring the kickass Sabina Kane, she knows all the major players in the vampire underworld. Collected here a five interviews with some of the biggest names in the bloodletting business.

To find out more about Jaye, the books, and her upcoming events and promotions – visit her website.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this series will go down as one of the best paranormal fantasy sagas of all time and Sabina Kane will be remembered as one of paranormal fantasy’s most iconic heroines. ” – Paul Goat Allen, BN.com.

Terry Brooks, Patrick Rothfuss and The Measure of the Magic

The cover for the fantasy novel The Measure of the Magic by fantasy legend Terry Brooks, who recently interviewed Patrick Rothfuss

In case you’ve missed it, the fantasy legends Terry Brooks and Patrick Rothfuss have been interviewing each other on their websites throughout July, and it makes for some very compelling reading . . . 

My personal highlights include Terry describing himself as being like the OCD-ridden TV detective Monk, and where Pat talks about skipping his writing teacher’s class to go on a date with that same teacher’s daughter. Very sneaky indeed.

Check out part one here on Terry’s site. Also, check out this awesome cartoon of the two of them.

Don’t forget also that Terry’s conclusion to the Legends of Shannara duology, The Measure of the Magic (UK | ANZ), is released tomorrow in paperback! Read an extract here. And here’s what fans have been saying on online retailer sites about the book:

”Terry Brooks is one of the best fantasy novelists of our time . . . He does not disappoint his many fans with this latest book’ Dee

‘Terry Brooks continues to be my longest standing favourite author’ S. Wilson

The cover for the fantasy novel Wards of Faerie by Terry Brooks, who recently interviewed Patrick Rothfuss‘This is a really great series of books that have haunting and fleeting references to present worldwide problems. Long may he keep on writing these great books’ Colin L. Williams

There’s also not long to wait now until Terry’s brand new series begins with The Dark Legacy of Shannara: Wards of Faerie (UK | ANZ) – released 23rd August. 

If you like what you hear above, this will a great place for any new readers to jump in and experience the Terry phenomenon!