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Date Archive: September 2007
Sep
30
Paul Magrs on comedy horrors ‘Never The Bride’ and ‘Something Borrowed’
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 30th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
Author Paul Magrs - who also writes Doctor Who tie-in novels - has created an entertaining new comedy-horror series in Never The Bride [Amazon] and its sequel Something Borrowed [Amazon].
Bed and Breakfast lady Brenda and her best friend Effie dodder around Whitby like blue-rinse Buffies, investigating unusual happenings and being irreverent to the occasional horror icon. But neither Brenda or Effie are quite what they seem; which is fine, because no one else in Whitby is quite what they seem either.
Sep
30
Lori Handeland on her supernatural erotica ‘Nightcrawler’ books
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 30th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
The Supernatural erotica cross-over sub-genre seems to be growing exponentially in popularity at the moment and Lori Handeland's new novel, Blue Moon, is just one of the latest titles to join the fray.
Mixing mystery with steamy sex and werewolf mythology, Blue Moon follows the adventures of policewoman Jessie as she investigates a seemingly simple case of a wolf being hit by a car. Before long, previously normal people are ripping out throats and Jessie is desperately trying to work with the local folklore expert, Will, without ripping his clothes off in a frenzy of lust…
Sep
27
Genre events at the Manchester Literature Festival October 4th - 14th
Posted in: What's On on 27th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The second Manchester Literature Festival takes place in various venues across the city between October 4th and 14th. We've scoured the festival literature and have found a number of events that should appeal to genre fiction fans.
Sep
26
Simon Spurrier signing, FP London, October 6th
Posted in: What's On on 26th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP says: "Contract has already gained rave reviews for Simon. SFX Magazine called it 'Crime fiction with a horrific twist that will certainly satisfy your faintly unnatural lusts.' Simon is still a bit amazed that he gets paid for doing something he loves and says that after being born, signing a publishing deal is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. He has also written numerous strips for 2000AD."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
26
Pia Guerra signing, FP London, October 4th
Posted in: What's On on 26th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP says: "Pia Guerra won the award for Outstanding Comic Book Artist 2006 at the Joe Shuster Awards. Since the mid 90’s she has worked for various independent titles but her breaking through came with with Y: The Last Man series. The comic is now in development as a major movie with New Line Cinema. Y: The Last Man - Motherland is volume nine in the ongoing series, following on from Kimono Dragons."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
26
British Fantasy Society open night, York, October 13th
Posted in: What's On on 26th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The British Fantasy Society has begun to organise and run regional open nights, in what it hopes will become a regular fixture on the UK genre event calendar. The first of these took place in Birmingham on September 15th and a second evening event has been organised for October 13th in York.
The regional events are organised and run by local volunteers. The York event has been masterminded by Lee Harris, editor of weekly online fiction 'zine Hub and newly-appointed editor of the BFS's own Prism newsletter / magazine. We dropped Lee a line to ask him what the York event is all about.
Sep
25
Mike and Louise Carey signing, Orbital Manga, London, September 29th
Posted in: What's On on 25th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Mike (Lucifer, Hellblazer and many more) and Louise (Diary of a London Schoolgirl, Bethany’s Words) will be promoting their new co-written comic book Confessions of a Blabbermouth [Amazon]. There's an interview with Mike Carey about the project over at www.comicbookresources.com.
More info: Orbital Manga / www.mikecarey.net
Source: Emily Man, Orbital Manga & Comics
Sep
25
Spend a weekend walking in Tolkien’s footsteps, Birmingham, Nov 9th-11th
Posted in: What's On on 25th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
The Birmingham Tolkien Group have announced a special weekend holiday for people to discover the landmarks that influenced The Lord of the Rings.
The BTG are offering: "...a unique opportunity to spend a weekend exploring the literary landscape of the young J.R.R.Tolkien, who spent his formative years, went to school and met his future wife in Birmingham."
Sep
24
Neil Gaiman in conversation, Criterion Theatre, London, October 2nd
Posted in: What's On on 24th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The event will be followed by an exclusive signing for ticket holders only, at Waterstone's Piccadilly. In addition, all ticket holders will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the premiere of Stardust the movie at the Odeon Leicester Square the following evening, October 3rd. The winning ticket will be drawn by Neil Gaiman at The Criterion.
Tickets cost £5, and you can book online at www.hayfestival.com or by calling 0870 990 1299.
More info: www.neilgaiman.com
Source: Becky Fincham, Headline Books
Sep
24
Brian Froud signing, FP London, October 6th
Posted in: Press Room on 24th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
FP says: "Brian Froud began his career as a graphic designer before teaming up with Jim Henson to work as the conceptual designer for The Dark Crystal and then again on Labyrinth. Brian also took his imagination and artwork into books including the best sellers The World of the Dark Crystal, Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book, Goblins and Faeries.
"The Dark Crystal celebrates its 25th anniversary with the release of a new two disc DVD special edition. It’s been digitally re-mastered and is packed full of new bonus features. It also includes commentary from Brian Froud. Labyrinth, starring Oscar winner Jennifer Connolly and David Bowie, has also been released as an Anniversary Edition. This two disc set also features commentary from Brian Froud."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com / www.worldoffroud.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
24
Unique opportunity to buy a leaf on Tolkien’s Ent statue in Birmingham
Posted in: What's On on 24th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
The Moseley Statue Group, Birmingham, are planning to create a lasting monument to celebrate legendary author J.R.R. Tolkien's literary achievements, and they need your help. They sent us the following details:
"Tolkien fans everywhere will soon be able to buy into a legend by subscribing to the public appeal to finance a sculpture celebrating the internationally acclaimed author and his Birmingham roots. From October 1st, courtesy of eBay, fans can bid for a metal leaf with a personalised dedication and associate themselves with this most famous of writers."
Sep
23
British Fantasy Awards 2007 - Winners Announced
Posted in: Press Room on 23rd September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The Winners of the 2007 British Fantasy Awards were announced during the award ceremony at the culmination of this year's Fantasycon, earlier this afternoon, in Nottingham, UK.
Master of Ceremonies Peter Crowther, of PS Publishing fame, provided the banter and sight-gags as he invited a string of guest presenters (including Chaz Brenchley masquerading as Chris Fowler, Chaz Brenchley as Chaz Brenchley, Mark Morris, Tim Lebbon, Sarah Pinborough, John Grant, Simon Clark, Steven Volk, Stephen Jones, Simon R. Green, Ramsey Campbell, Michael Marshall Smith and Jo Fletcher of Gollancz Books), onto the stage at the Britannia Hotel to announce the winners of the awards to a packed and eager roomful of fantasy and horror fiction fans.
And the award winners are:
Sep
21
Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin signing, FP London, September 26th
Posted in: What's On on 21st September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP Says: "Eoin Colfer came to prominence in 2000 when he secured the biggest ever advance for a children’s novel by an unknown author. Artemis Fowl was the book that took the world by storm, and the series has gone on to sell over 1.7 million copies in the UK and Ireland and 7 million worldwide. Eoin has always been a huge fan of Graphic Novels and now fulfils his ambition of seeing Artemis Fowl in this format. Andrew Donkin is a widely experienced graphic novelist. He is the author of over 40 books for adults and children including Batman: The Legends of the Dark Knight for DC Comics."
More Info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
21
Nathan Long signing, FP London, September 22nd
Posted in: What's On on 21st September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP says: "Nathan had been working as a screenwriter in Hollywood for 15 years when he became fed up with the whole production cycle of selling a script. He decided to become a full time author and started to write novels. A little while later Nathan hooked up with Black Library and has now written a range of Warhammer books for them including Orcslayer, Valnir’s Bane and Tainted Blood."
More Info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
20
Doctor Who authors at Borders, Manchester Fort, September 20th
Posted in: What's On on 20th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
According to the Borders website, the event will be preceded by their second annual Doctor Who quiz, at 6.00 p.m. if you're that way inclined.
More Info: www.bordersstores.co.uk
Source: Mark Morris (ages ago, sorry Mark!)
Sep
19
BFS announces programme for Fantasycon 2007
Posted in: What's On on 19th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Highlights include an in-conversation session between Guests of Honour Michael Marshall Smith and Stephen Jones, plus fellow GoH Terry Brooks interviewed by Mark Yon of SFFWorld.com fame. There's also the usual mix of readings, launch events, late-night ghost stories, the famous Fantasycon Saturday Night raffle, and on the Sunday afternoon, the fantasycon banquet and the announcement of the British Fantasy Awards for 2007.
More info: www.fantasycon.org.uk
Source: Fantasycon Blog
Derek tells us: "I'm honoured that I will be in the company of such wonderful writers as Alastair Reynolds, Anne McCaffrey and Juliet E. McKenna, to name but a few."
You can find out all the details of the events of the weekend at the official convention website: www.octocon.com
More info: www.derekgunn.com
Source: Derek Gunn
Sep
19
Heffers 3rd Science Fiction & Fantasy Evening CANCELLED
Posted in: What's On on 19th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
All ticket holders will be refunded, and Sarah Whyley of Heffers says that they sincerely hope to run the event again next year. Enquiries by telephone to (01223) 568573 or by email at sarah.whyley@heffers.co.uk.
More Info: Heffers Cambridge
Source: Sarah Whyley, Heffers
Sep
18
New online fantasy & magical realism fiction zine Serendipity launches
Posted in: Press Room on 18th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
"Issue one contains stories by Jeffrey Ford, Aliya Whiteley, Rhys Hughes, Catherynne M Valente and some fellow named Charles Dickens. There's also David Mitchell in conversation with Ian Hocking, book reviews, a competition, a call-to-arms editorial and an essay on anthropomorphism in fiction. What more could a man, woman or talking cat want? 'Nothing' I hear you answer. How right you are."
More info: www.magicalrealism.co.uk
Source: Neil Ayres
Sep
18
Steve Aylett stand-up, London, September 30th
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To, What's On on 18th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Steve says: "Simon Munnery (League Against Tedium) headlines, plus Terry Saunders and tbc. From around 7.30pm. Featuring the hellish Lord Pin."
More info: www.steveaylett.com
Source: Steve Aylett
Sep
17
RIP ‘Wheel of Time’ author Robert Jordan
Posted in: Press Room on 17th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
He had continued to publish new work in the months since the diagnosis and had been working on the twelfth volume of his best-known series, The Wheel of Time, which remains unfinished. During his career Jordan also wrote the Michael Fallon historical romance trilogy (originally under the name 'Reagan O'Neill') and seven well-received Conan novels.
More Info: www.dragonmount.com
Source: Various online sources
Sep
16
John Higgins on ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ graphic novel adaptation
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 16th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
It's worryingly easy to think that the premise of The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning [Amazon] could actually have some sort of basis in fact: that a small town in the US desert could be horrifically poisoned by above-ground nuclear testing. The story's subsequent events - as the nice townsfolk devolve into horrific mutants over a number of generations also - maintain that edginess of possibility.
Inspired by Wes Craven's film The Hills Have Eyes and this year's movie, The Hills Have Eyes 2, publishers Harper Paperbacks have decided to take you back to where it all began with this graphic novel adaptation of the series' origin story.
Sep
14
Mike Carey talks to Orbit Books about his Felix Castor novels
Posted in: Press Room on 14th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Visit the Orbit Books website to see all three interview clips.
More Info: www.mikecarey.net / www.orbitbooks.net
Source: Orbit Books blog
Sep
14
Sarah Pinborough on horror fiction, screenwriting, TAPS and more
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 14th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Sarah Pinborough is a British writer with four novels to her name to-date, all published by Leisure Books in the US and a fifth is scheduled for summer 2008. So far, Sarah has specialised in old-school, traditional horror fiction, but she's looking to broaden her creative horizons all the time.
Sarah has sold a new novella to UK independent PS Publishing which she describes as "unlike anything I've written before" (see below for more details) and she has also been accepted onto a TAPS course for budding screenwriters.
We dropped her a line to ask her about the course, and her ongoing plans for her prose-writing career.
Sep
13
PS Publishing announces schedule update through to December 2008
Posted in: Press Room on 13th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Award-winning UK independent press PS Publishing has just unveiled its line-up of forthcoming titles in a schedule update that runs through to the end of next year, including 32 31 books that are brand new to the schedule today.
The PS Publishing News Room has a list of all the new titles with links to the relevant catalogue pages, and the forthcoming titles page of the main PS website is similarly endowed with the complete range of new titles, which includes newly-announced titles by Paul Di Filippo, Terry Bisson, Michael Bishop, Zoran Živković, Ian Cameron Esslemont, Jeff Vandermeer, Ed Gorman, Christopher Priest, and many more.
Sep
12
The Write Fantastic author events in September / October
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To, What's On on 12th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
A few dates for fantasy fans' diaries coming up; Juliet E. McKenna of fantasy writers' collective The Write Fantastic (along with Sarah Ash, Chaz Brenchley, Mark Chadbourn, Deborah J. Miller, Stan Nicholls and Jessica Rydill) has been in touch to let us know about a series of events that various members of the group will be attending in the next couple of months.
Sep
12
Simon Morden offers free ‘The Lost Art’ signed bookplates, on request
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 12th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
"I have therefore decided that I will post a signed, personalised, numbered bookplate to the first ninety-nine people who want one to put in their copy of The Lost Art. I will do this entirely free of charge, to anywhere in the world. The bookplate measures 10cm x 7cm and is printed on photo quality paper at 600dpi. It features entirely original (but hopefully quite decent) artwork by me. Terms and conditions (of which there are very few, not even proof you've bought a copy) apply..."
More Info: www.bookofmorden.co.uk
Source: Simon Morden
Sep
11
James Cooper collection to launch at Fantasycon
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To, What's On on 11th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
British author James Cooper has been in touch to let us know that his debut short fiction collection, You Are The Fly: Tales of Redemption & Distress [Amazon], will be published by Humdrumming Books on Friday September 21st and will be launched at Fantasycon in Nottingham during the weekend of September 21st - 23rd, where James will be available to sign copies on the Saturday.
Sep
10
Clint Langley & Pat Mills signing, FP London, September 15th
Posted in: What's On on 10th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP Says: "Clint Langley is started his career in the 90’s and has become a hugely sought-after artist. He has worked on various comic strips, [including] Slaine, Judge Dredd and Warhammer. Pat Mills is one of the founding fathers of 2000AD, and has created some of the comic's longest-running characters, including Slaine, The ABC Warriors and Nemesis The Warlock. His other work also includes writing and developing Judge Dredd and writing the classic World War One war comic Charley's War."
The comics-creating duo will be promoting Slaine: The Book Of Invasions: Volume 3 [Amazon], written by Pat Mills with artwork by Clint Langley, and Minotaur [Amazon], which Clint Langley worked on as a designer and artist and is out on DVD on the 3rd September.
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com / Pat Mills' 2000AD profile / www.clintlangley.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
9
Mitchel Scanlon signing, FP London, September 29th
Posted in: What's On on 9th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP says: "Mitchel hails from South Wales and got his big break with Warhammer Monthly comic and the character Hellbrandt Grimm. He currently has several new strips in development with Black Library. Descent of Angels is the sixth in the top-selling Horus Heresy series. This time the story covers the early history of the Dark Angels Space Marine Legion and their Primarch Llon El'Johnson. It’s the long awaited story of the Dark Angels whose struggle for loyalty and honour is severely tested in the civil war that nearly blew apart the Imperium ten thousand years ago."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
7
UK manga publishers tell UK retailers: “Stock more manga!”
Posted in: Press Room on 7th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Our good pal George Walkley of Orbit Books, who recently announced a UK distribution deal for Yen Press titles commented: "In any of the major chains, manga is being under-cooked in terms of space."
More Info: www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/
Source: Galley Cat news item
Sep
6
Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen signing, FP London, September 20th
Posted in: What's On on 6th September 2007 by Sandy Auden
FP says: "Jamie McKelvie (illustrator and cartoonist) started collaborating with Kieron Gillen (journalist) on a strip called Save Point for Playstation Magazine UK in 2003. The pair went on to produce the six issue urban fantasy music series Phonogram. Kieron previously worked for PC Gamer but is now freelance and his work can be seen in nearly every videogame magazine. Jamie is about to release a new comic called Suburban Glamour, which he’ll also be signing."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
6
Gollancz editor Simon Spanton on the Future Classics promotion
Posted in: Press Room on 6th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Last month saw the launch of a new promotion by Gollancz Books here in the UK: their Future Classics range. They've re-packaged eight current titles by some of the biggest names on their list - Stephen Baxter, Greg Bear, Greg Egan, Paul J. McAuley, Richard Morgan, Christopher Priest, Alastair Reynolds and Dan Simmons - with all-new cover art.
The new covers are certainly impressive. All eight are included in the article below, but to be honest the jpeg images really don't do them justice at all. For instance, Paul McAuley's Fairyland is printed with an iridescent ink, giving the patterning a holographic feel, Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space has a semi-mirrored finish with an embossed pattern, and the raised patterning on Stephen Baxter's Evolution cover is actually felt-textured.
The new designs are only intended to run for the duration of the promotion and then while stocks last; the revamped imagery won't be replacing the books' current covers in the long-run, and Gollancz won't be extending the concepts for any of the other titles in the relevant authors' series. Intrigued by the thinking behind the stand-alone concept, we sent an email to Gollancz editorial director Simon Spanton and asked him a few questions about the Future Classics.
Sep
6
Free Tim Lebbon short story available from Horror Literature Quarterly
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 6th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
In the blog post announcing the news, Tim says of the story: "It's one I'm very proud of indeed ... one of the best I've written for a while."
More Info: www.timlebbon.net / Horror Fiction Quarterly
Source: Tim Lebbon
Sep
5
Steve Wescott signs two-book deal with Frontlist Books
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 5th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
"A re-published edition of Reluctant Heroes, suitably re-edited and with a new cover, comes out 1st October this year, with the second in the Black Dragon Trilogy, Cronan the Librarian, due out in March of next year. I am in the process of writing the third and final installment which should be due out March '09, as John has taken the option on publication."
More info: www.softeditions.co.uk / www.stevewestcott.com
Source: Steve Westcott
Sep
5
Doctor Who authors signing, Forbidden Planet, London, September 8th
Posted in: What's On on 5th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
More Info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Sep
5
Charles Stross wins 2007 Prometheus Award for libertarian fiction
Posted in: Press Room on 5th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Many congratulations to Mr Stross, who confidently predicts that the winner of next year's award will be Ken MacLeod's The Execution Channel [Amazon].
More Info: The Prometheus Awards
Source: Various, see above.
Sep
4
Juliet E. McKenna’s new fantasy trilogy acquired by Solaris
Posted in: Press Room on 4th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Solaris Books have announced that they will be publishing a brand new fantasy trilogy by British fan-favourite fantasy author Juliet E. McKenna next summer.
The new series, Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution is described by Solaris as "an incredible fantasy trilogy that tells of political upheaval born of civil war in the country of Lescar."
Sep
4
Mike O’Driscoll short story adaptation airing September 5th
Posted in: Press Room on 4th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The story has been adapted by Brad Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist) and is being shown as part of the second season of the Masters of Horror series.
More info: www.mastersofhorror.net
Source: TTA Press
Sep
4
Comics Brittania starts on BBC4 next week - Joe Gordon has details
Posted in: Press Room on 4th September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Joe Gordon, over at the Forbidden Planet Blog Log was lucky enough to be treated to a preview of the entire series and has written up a detailed preview, along with an interview with series producer and director Alistair Laurence. Read the full article at www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog.
More Info: Comics Britannia
Source: Joe Gordon, Forbidden Planet Blog Log
Sep
3
Brian Ruckley posts likely ‘Bloodheir’ publication date
Posted in: Press Room on 3rd September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Bloodheir will be published more-or-less simultaneously in the UK, US and quite probably Australia as well, by Orbit Books.
More Info: www.brianruckley.com
Source: Brian Ruckley's News & Views blog
Sep
3
Terry Brooks UK Tour, September 17th - 22nd
Posted in: What's On on 3rd September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Terry will be putting in appearances in London, Greenhithe, Basingstoke, Bracknell and Coventry before rounding off his latest visit to these shores with a Guest of Honour appearance at Fantasycon in Nottingham. Full details are available on the Orbit Books website.
More Info: www.orbitbooks.net
Source: George Walkley, Orbit Books
Sep
3
Neil Gaiman to interview Susanna Clarke for Sci-Fi-London
Posted in: What's On on 3rd September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The event is taking place as part of the Sci-Fi-London international festival of science fiction and fantastic film. Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions) and are on sale now.
More Info: www.sci-fi-london.com
Source: heads-up via Ed Ashby
Sep
2
Sergei Lukyanenko and Andrew Bromfield on the ‘Watch’ urban fantasies
Posted in: UKSFBN Talks To on 2nd September 2007 by Sandy Auden
Featuring a rich mixture of werewolves, vampires and Light Magicians battling it out on the streets of Moscow, Sergei Lukyanenko's Watch series is a prime example of why urban fantasy is one of the fastest growing book markets in the UK.
Its intelligent storylines, haunting cultural resonances and vivid imagery are captivating throughout the three volumes in the series so far: The Night Watch [Amazon], The Day Watch [Amazon] and The Twilight Watch [Amazon] (#1 is out now in mass-market paperback, #2 will follow in January, and #3 has just been published in large-format paperback in the UK).
A leading light in Russia's fan-scene, Lukyanenko explains how the series came to be written: "Normally, when I start writing a book I do not plan in advance that it will be a part of a series. I have books without sequels, have two-book series, trilogies and one quadrology – The Watch series.
Sep
2
Hugo Award winners announced at Worldcon, Yokohama
Posted in: Press Room on 2nd September 2007 by UKSFBN admin
More Info: www.thehugoawards.org
Source: www.sfawardswatch.com
More info: The Maynard and Sims website
Source: Len Maynard and Mick Sims