A quick follow-up to Tim’s post yesterday about the critical reaction to Winterbirth in the US: blogger The Book Swede is inviting readers to submit questions for an interview he’s doing with Brian Ruckley — visit his site for more information.
The first (of many, we hope!) Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly in the US has just arrived and it’s for Brian Ruckley’s Winterbirth. In their own words, it’s an “outstanding fantasy debut … ensuring a fervent audience of epic fantasy fans looking for something innovative in a genre that can be anything but.” Scroll down the page here to read the full review.
(I’m not sure, btw, whether the fantasy genre as a whole is any more or any less innovative than other genres — answers on a postcard, please — but it’s great to see a reviewer recognizing that Brian Ruckley is a writer with his own distinctive voice.)
Meanwhile, in another lovely pre-publication notice in the US, Kirkus Reviews describe Winterbirth as “epic fantasy in the mode of George R.R. Martin and R. Scott Bakker . . . readers who like their fantasy dark, multi-threaded and political will sink their teeth into this.”
To read an extract from Winterbirth, visit www.brianruckley.com
The Dresden Files television series was shown earlier this year in both the UK and the US (on Sky One and the Sci-Fi Channel respectively). This was a fantastic treat for the many fans of Jim Butcher’s books. Of course, we’ve all been eagerly anticipating more, but the future now looks rather uncertain, as despite good ratings and great reviews, commissioning of a second series has still to be confirmed.
But there is still something we can do — it’s not too late (yet)! Those helpful fans at Dresden City have put together a simple and helpful guide on how to keep the series alive, with details on exactly how to:
More on the subject can be found here and of course check Jim Butcher’s official site for masses of Harry Dresden info and more.
Thanks for your support — you know it’s worth it!
Karen Miller, whose bestselling debut novel The Innocent Mage was published by Orbit UK in April and will be published by Orbit US in September, has been interviewed by Sandy Auden at www.uksfbooknews.net.
It’s a deceptively simple story that hides layers of depth and allows the author to explore a host of intense themes. “There’s love, hate, revenge, and sacrifice for starters, and the price of fighting for what you know is right. Then there’s the fact that nothing important comes for free; that people can be hateful but still have value; and that it’s not the gifts you’re born with, but what you do with them that counts. And not forgetting: friendship isn’t easy, but it’s always important.”
Orbit Publishing Director Tim Holman talked to Bookselling This Week about the launch of Orbit in the US. Read the full interview on the ABA website.
The SF Site has posted a terrific early review of The Electric Church by Jeff Somers (on sale in September in the US and UK).
“Somers writes with assurance and style. This is fun, cyberpunky noir SF with just the right mix of fatalism and attitude, seasoned with plenty of bullets and black comedy.”
Interesting commentary here from US writer Edward Champion’s blog. He’s noted the success of the comic industry’s Free Comic Book Day, and wonders whether the book trade shouldn’t follow suit.
We already have World Book Day with free £1 book tokens and specially produced £1 books, and it seems to work very well, but if we removed the world ‘World’ and replaced it with ‘Free’, might it work even better . . . ?
Charles Stross’ latest book The Atrocity Archives has picked up an excellent review in Information Week, which describes it as “great fun . . . I recommend Stross’ work highly; I’ve read almost all of it and enjoyed all I’ve read.”
Next month sees Orbit’s publication of Heart of the Mirage by Glenda Larke. Born and raised in the Australian outback, Glenda has travelled the world and has spent the last 30 years living in Malaysia. Passionate and down-to-earth, she has dedicated her life to conservation and actively supports other writers.
Glenda’s writing has won acclaim from many of her peers. Kate Elliott writes: “I adore the rich landscapes, the complicated and believable characters who deal with life as real people not as caricatures, and the storylines that join thoughtful explorations of human nature with exciting, robust adventure. I will read anything she writes.” Russell Kirkpatrick describes her work as “powerful, down to earth and filled with the sharpness of the true storyteller”. Finally, Karen Miller says: “Words just don’t do her justice, really . . . If you haven’t read Glenda’s wonderful fantasy novels, you’re missing out on a treat.”
You can sample the first chapter of Heart of the Mirage here.
Just spotted something of interest to all right-minded people: Iain Emsley’s excellent blog, Yatterings, has an interview with laugh-out-loud funny Orbit author, Christopher Moore.
Moore’s A Dirty Job is in the bookshops now, with Lamb following in August, Fluke in September and The Stupidest Angel, a heartwarming tale of Christmas terror, available in October. Enjoy!
