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IAIN M. BANKS in conversation in Sydney 6 October

Known for his literary novels, science fiction and personal politics, Iain M. Banks will be in conversation LIVE in Sydney via Skype on 6 October for the release of his new novel SURFACE DETAIL published by Orbit.

As he rarely travels by plane,  technology will bridge the vast distance between the UK and Australia and enable Banks to talk to the Sydney audience while sitting in the Little, Brown office in London. Three cheers for technology!

Date: Wed 6 October

Time: 6pm for 6:30pm

Cost: $10/$7 conc

Venue: Gleebooks, 29 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Bookings: (02) 9660 2333

Prepare to Gland Woot

Iain M. Banks fans take note — SURFACE DETAIL is out in October, and here’s what you need to know: General Systems Vehicles, Special Circumstances, Orbitals. Plus Unfallen Bulbitians, Smatter, Hells and Intagliates.

For those of you who have no idea what we are talking about, don’t worry.  It is never too late for you to join the Culture. You can start with SURFACE DETAIL.

Read the first chapter here.

In advance of the book’s release, it appears that the Culture is tweeting ship names. Or perhaps it’s an Iridian ruse. Whatever the case, it’s probably worth following. @_TheCulture_

Jennifer Rardin

With great sadness, we report that our author Jennifer Rardin passed away on Monday, September 20th. Our heart goes out to her family and friends.

The Runelords Series – Cover Panorama

This month Chaosbound (UK /ANZ) is out – book eight in David Farland’s Runelords series. It’s already had some top-notch reviews, such as: ‘Chaosbound is a profound fantasy that explores deep complex philosophical issues . . . with timely applications for our world’ from Harriet Klausner in SFRevu and ‘Stark, dark and elegiac’ from Publishers Weekly.

You may have heard of this series, and some impressive names raving about it (see below), but have you spotted what’s special about the covers of our UK editions? Designed by the highly talented Paul Young, it just so happens that when you put the covers side by side they form a continuous fantasy landscape . . .

 
You can click here to see the whole panorama.

And as for that praise we were talking about . . . (more…)

Gail Carriger’s British Debut…

We are hereby exceptionally proud to announce that Gail Carriger’s exquisitely charming Parasol Protectorate series has finally found its way to the seat of the empire – the green and pleasant lands of the British Isles. Delivered via dirigible direct into Hyde Park’s airfield, all three titles have arrived just in time to stem the Commonwealth’s desperate need for treacle tart, parasols and lessons in vampire social etiquette.

If you perchance found yourself at Britain’s most glorious festival of steampunk this weekend – the so-called Weekend at the Asylum – then you will undoubtedly be acquainted with Miss Alexia Tarabotti already.

With the gift that she has bestowed upon every privileged guest, she has imparted the vital knowledge of how best to protect the Commonwealth on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. And that’s not to mention her terribly useful tips on which hats are to be avoided this season if one is to protect one’s reputation in polite society. Please do take heed of her sage advice.

UNconventional: Worldcon & Me

Opening Ceremony; Photo: J Horlor

Those of you who read my pre-Worldcon post on Marianne de Pierre’s blog, will know that even getting there was a big deal for me. Although a long time avid reader of scifi-fantasy (SFF) and lover of shows such as Babylon 5, Buffy and Firefly, I am still something of a moss gatherer by nature and not unhappy with the quiet life of study and garden, manuscripts and books . . .  But the opportunity to attend the 68th Worldcon, or Aussiecon4, in Melbourne seemed just too good to miss—and I am so glad that I did go!

Firstly, it was fabulous to get together with so many other people who love SFF as much as I do. My very first panel was “Eowyn and Sam, Underappreciated Heroes in The Lord of the Rings” and of course, the hall was full (I mean: LoTR!), with both audience and panelists all enthusiasts for the topic. I know I had a great time, because I was pretty much in Fantasy heartland territory, but I got the feeling everyone else was enjoying themselves as much as I was. And when all’s said and done, it’s a pretty easy topic to roll with.

(more…)

Worldcon photos from last weekend!

Aussiecon4, the World Science Fiction Convention for 2010, was held in Melbourne, Australia last weekend. Check out some photos from the convention on the Orbit Australia Facebook page, you’ll be able to spot lots of Orbit authors including Trudi Canavan, Marianne de Pierres, Kate Elliott, Trent Jamieson, Helen Lowe, Charles Stross, Gail Carriger and more! Stay tuned for even more photos uploaded soon, but in the meantime visit the first ones here

Orbit Hugo Reception Party - Aussiecon4

Two New York Times Bestsellers!

This week we had two New York Times bestsellers!

Gail Carriger hit the New York Times mass market paperback list at #20 for Blameless!

Brent Weeks’ The Black Prism is on the hardcover list for his second week at #29.

Congratulations to both Gail and Brent!