Archive for Orbit UK

Shortlisted but Long-Talented

All right, I admit it: that’s a terrible title for a blog post. What’s far from terrible, though, is the fact that Glenda Larke, Marianne de Pierres and Sean Williams all have novels on the shortlist for the 2008 Aurealis Awards!

Song of the Shiver Barrens

Glenda’s Song of the Shiver Barrens is shortlisted in Best Fantasy Novel Category, while Marianne’s first foray into space opera, Dark Space, and Sean’s most recent excursion into similar territory, Saturn Returns, are both shortlisted in the Best SF Novel category. Song of the Shiver Barrens will be available in an Orbit edition in May next year (although the very wise amongst you will seek out the first two books, Heart of the Mirage and The Shadow of Tyr, to see what all the fuss is about!), while Dark Space and Saturn Returns are available now (with a mass market paperback of Saturn Returns coming next June).

Dark Space

Many congratulations to Glenda, Marianne and Sean, and all the shortlisted authors.

Saturn Returns

Quote(s) of the Week!

Another One Bites the DustFollowing Karen Miller’s wonderful piece about eating elephants, we have two more Orbit authors discussing their favourite quotes over at The Book Swede.

Jennifer Rardin, the fantastic debut author of Once Bitten, Twice Shy and Another One Bites the Dust, has a piece this week about humour in writing and in life:

Some of my stuff is pretty intense and rather dark. But every once in a while you’ll come to a laugh-out-loud moment. If I didn’t give you one, I’d expect you to toss the book out the window. And even if you were the soldier-through type, who’d stand by me without relief every heart-squeezing step of the way, I couldn’t do it to you.

Read more>>

The Long Price

The week before, Daniel Abraham, author of the critically-acclaimed The Long Price, had this to say about the perils of trying to be an intelligent reader and writer:

Deciding what to create is higher stakes than what to consume. If you’re one of the folks like me who has to fight the impulse to puff up their status by what they read, imagine how hard it would be to rein that in when it comes time to write.

Read more>>

An Interview with J.V. Jones

A Sword from Red IceJ.V. Jones, author of A Sword from Red Ice, gave a great interview over at Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist last week where she answered questions about her writing, her thoughts on the genre and what’s in store for the next Sword of Shadows book:

At this point even I don’t know who will succeed and who will fail. As I writer I’m interested in the conflicts we carry in our hearts. We’re afraid, yet we act in face of that fear. We love passionately, yet we’re rarely selfless. Books IV and V will show Raif coming to terms with hard realities. How do you live a life when you’re cut off from your family, home and community? What is your responsibility when you can kill an enemy so effortlessly, from a distance, that you don’t have to look him in the eye?

You can read the whole interview here and be sure to visit J.V.’s website.

Vampires, Snowmen, Vampire Snowmen?

Over at SF World Mark Yon (clearly skeptical about any urban fantasy starring a Vampire) finds a lot to like in Jennifer Rardin’s Once Bitten, Twice Shy:

“This is one that should be read: one for me that stands with my current faves Jim Butcher and Mike Carey.”

Another One Bites the Dust

At Scifichick.com Angela has a review of the next book in the Jaz Parks series, Another One Bites the Dust,

“With more action and tougher bad guys, this sequel doesn’t disappoint.”

And for a chance to win a copy of the first two books in the series (plus what looks like a very tasty chocolate snowman) visit Urbanfantasy.blogspot.com

How do you eat an elephant?

Innocent Mage coverKaren Miller, the bestselling author of the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology, has just written a fantastic Quote of the Week piece over at The Book Swede.

“How do you eat an elephant? One mouthful at a time.”

I don’t know the source of the above quote, but it’s become one of my mantras as I really settle down into this writing gig. Writing novels is a major commitment of time, of energy and most of all, of faith. Sure, if you’re looking purely at word count, one average novel of 30 chapters is the same as someone writing 30 short stories. And there are lots of people out there who’ve written 30 and more short stories, so … there’s no difference, right?

Wrong.

Read more >>

Magic Kingdom Name for Sale – Sold!

Have you ever wished you could appear in a book? Well now’s your chance! Terry Brooks is offering you the opportunity to immortalise your name in his next Magic Kingdom of Landover title. Right now, Terry is finishing the final chapters of book three in the Genesis of Shannara trilogy and is already planning his next book – which could feature you!

The price of fame doesn’t come free as you will have to bid for the prize. But just think – you could be in a Terry Brooks novel and help a good cause at the same time. And you’ll get to read the book before anyone else!

For details on how to bid go to www.terrybrooks.net

Midnight is in fact coming to Orbit!

Midnight Never ComeWe are delighted to confirm Orbit UK’s acquisition of Marie Brennan’s Midnight Never Come and sequel – two dark and fantastical stories of the faerie court, the first book being set in Elizabethan England.

Midnight Never Come is a lyrical and sinister tale of intrigue and betrayal, seamlessly weaving historical detail with the fantastic. And don’t miss Marie’s massively impressive academic credentials either – a B.A. in anthropology, folklore & mythology from Harvard University, with current projects including a Ph.D. in anthropology and folklore. Whew! As you’d expect with author who bears comparison with authors such as Neil Gaiman, in-house feedback has been just great. ‘Had me hooked from the start’, ‘clever and convincing’ and ‘wonderfully atmospheric’ are just some of the comments received, and I’m looking forward to when it’s unleashed for review.

To give you a taster of the plot, I can reveal the following details . . . In hidden catacombs beneath London, a second Queen holds court: Invidiana, ruler of faerie England, and a dark mirror to the glory above. In the thirty years since Elizabeth ascended her throne, fae and mortal politics have become inextricably entwined, in secret alliances and ruthless betrayals whose existence is suspected only by a few.

That’s it for now but be sure to let us know if you want to know more!

Stross in Second Life

Charles Stross

Charles Stross
(photo: Charlie Hopkinson)

Charles Stross is being interviewed today in Second Life, courtesy of Information Week. The audio of the interview will also be available on the Dr Dobbs’ Chatbridge and will be available after the event as a podcast.

Mitch Wagner of Information Week has some kind words for Charlie’s new book Halting State, which we publish in January:

Halting State is a well-realized and intelligent treatise about near-future effects of networked technology . . . It’s also an extremely entertaining, thrilling, and funny crime caper novel . . . I really, really loved Halting State.

You can find out more about the book here – and be sure to look at some of the other ringing endorsements from the great and the good of the SF and Technology worlds.