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Date Archive: November 2007
Nov
30
Books Received November 11th - 30th 2007
Posted in: Books Received on 30th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Another round-up of the books that have been sent in to UKSFBN in the past few weeks. As always, many thanks indeed to the publishers concerned for bringing these titles to our attention.
Click on any of the book covers for ordering information from either Amazon.co.uk or the book's publisher.
Nov
29
Chris Roberson’s ‘Three Unbroken’: Solaris online serialisation launches
Posted in: Press Room on 29th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Solaris Books' European Sales & Marketing manager George Mann explains how the serialisation will develop: "Chapters will now be posted twice a week, on a Wednesday and a Friday, accessible for free to anyone who stops by. The novel is the second book in Roberson's extraordinary Celestial Empire sequence, with the events described taking place at the same time as those in The Dragon's Nine Sons [Amazon], which will be published by Solaris in paperback in February 2008."
More Info: www.solarisbooks.com
Source: George Mann, Solaris Books
Nov
28
David Hockney’s Fairytales exhibition, Wigan, Dec 1st - Jan 5th
Posted in: What's On on 28th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
According to a press release from Wigan Council: "Hockney applies his unique interpretation skills to six fairytales including the familiar 'Rapunzel and Rumpelstilzchen'; and the rare 'Old Rinkrank', 'Fundevogel', 'The Boy who left Home to learn Fear' and 'The Little Sea Hare'. The exhibition features 39 etchings from 1969."
More Info: www.wigan.gov.uk
Source: Wigan Council press release
Nov
28
World Horror Con ‘07 returns surplus funds to staff and supporters
Posted in: What's On on 28th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The World Horror Convention 2007, which was held in Toronto, Canada, at the end of March this year, has announced that, after all the bills have been paid, it has made a small surplus and has reimbursed more than $6,500 in expenses to its hard-working staff and supporters.
Event organiser Stephen Jones says: "These repayments include the return of a start-up donation from SF Canada, an advertisement in support of the 2008 World Horror Convention in Salt Lake City, and the return of an initial investment plus a surplus donation to the Friends of the Merril Collection, to help continue its important acquisition of horror-related items for the Toronto Public Library.
From the mid-1960s onwards Haining edited or write over 200 books, the majority of which were genre fiction anthologies (see his bibliography at FantasticFiction.co.uk for more information), the most recent being the Mammoth Book of Modern Ghost Stories, published by Robinson in September 2007. He was awarded the British Fantasy Society's Karl Edward Wagner Award for services to genre fiction, in 2001.
There's a tribute to his life an work by friend and fellow bibliophile Steve Holland over at Holland's Bear Alley blog, which includes an interview he conducted with Haining in 1995, and Jack Adrian's obituary piece is online at news.independent.co.uk.
Source: Various
Nov
27
Design Stephen King’s next ad campaign, win unique ‘Duma Key’ proof
Posted in: Press Room on 27th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Stephen King's UK publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, are currently running a competition that offers a unique opportunity to design the advertising for his new novel Duma Key [Amazon], which will be published in January 2008.
Hodder & Stoughton's Will Hill explains what they're are looking for in the winning entry and what's up for grabs: "The winning designer will see their work in print on the London Underground and in city centres and have a hand in promoting a fantastic book by an internationally-renowned author.
Nov
27
Adventure Books of Seattle launches ‘Escape Velocity’ sf ‘zine
Posted in: Press Room on 27th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Geoff Nelder of Adventure Books of Seattle writes to tell us: "We've realised a dream and launched our own new science fiction magazine, Escape Velocity." The first issue contains twenty new stories, as well as poetry, photos, and articles.
Geoff says: "I'm dead chuffed to have grabbed a NASA worker to spill the beans on what it is like rubbing shoulders with real astronauts. I spent a day with Jon Courtenay Grimwood and have written up his advice for budding sci-fi writers and his views on contemporary science fiction."
Nov
27
1,000 proof copies of Jane Johnson’s ‘Crossed Bones’ up for grabs
Posted in: Press Room on 27th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Publisher-turned-published-author Jane Johnson has written a total of ten novels to-date: three young adult fantasy tales under her own name, the Fool's Gold trilogy (as Jude Fisher) and - writing with M. John Harrison (as 'Gabriel King') - four volumes of feline-themed urban fantasy, as well as the official tie-in novelisations to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies (again, as 'Jude Fisher'). All this on top of being the editor of HarperCollins' Voyager imprint.
Her new novel, Crossed Bones [Amazon], is a saga of romance, action and adventure. The book tells the dual narrative that follows the lives of two women, one in the modern day who begins to be inexorably drawn into the story of the other; a young embroiderer who was kidnapped from her Cornish home by Barbary Pirates, back in the year 1625, and who keeps a secret journal that tells the story of her ordeal.
Nov
26
Out Now: Classical Comics’ adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V
Posted in: Press Room on 26th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Classical Comics is a new UK-based independent publishing outfit with a unique approach to publishing great works of literature in an accessible, reader-friendly graphic format.
Their first two titles, Shakespeare's Henry V [Amazon and Macbeth [Amazon] are both being published in three separate editions, with identical illustrations across all three, but different interpretations of the text: 'original', 'plain' and 'quick'.
In a press release, Classical Comics' Karen Wenborn explains the concept: "Having been told by young readers that they were bored by the Bard, Classical Comics set out to make Shakespeare as energetic and colourful as Spider-Man.
Nov
26
Stephen Deas trilogy sells to Germany’s Heyne Verlag in pre-empt deal
Posted in: Press Room on 26th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Following the announcement last week that Stephen Deas' debut fantasy trilogy has been purchased by Simon Spanton of Gollancz Books in the UK, comes news of the first continental deal for Deas.
Nov
26
British Fantasy Society Open Night, London, December 7th
Posted in: What's On on 26th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Horror and dark fantasy editor, anthologist, biographer, historian and pundit extraordinaire Stephen Jones would like to extande the following invitation on behalf of the British Fantasy Society:
"You are invited to come along to: The Annual British Fantasy Society Christmas Open Night on Friday, December 7th (early evening onwards until late), upstairs at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street, London.
"Chris Teague [of Pendragon Press] is launching Tony Richards' new collection (No-Man and Other Stories), and editor Trudi Topham will be promoting her eZine Pantechnicon. Plus writers, artists, editors, publishers and beer. What more can you ask for?"
More information over at the events page of the British Fantasy Society website.
Source: Stephen Jones, on behalf of the BFS
Nov
23
Out Now: ‘Strange Tales, Volume II’ anthology (Tartarus Press, UK)
Posted in: Press Room on 23rd November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The latest publication from UK-based independent specialist publisher Tartarus Press is Strange Tales, Volume II. Edited by Rosalie Parker, the anthology includes stories by Joel Knight, Quentin S. Crisp, Katherine Haynes, Stephen Holman, Mark Valentine, Adam Golaski, Dale Nelson, Simon Strantzas, Anne-Sylvie Salzman, David Rix, Rhys Hughes, Angela Slatter, Barbara Roden, Roger Dunkley, Elizabeth Brown, Christopher Harman and Hilbourne Carlone.
Ray Russell of Tartarus has provided us with some background information: "A 'Strange Tale' is a short story that explores a fantastic idea, supernatural or psychological, with the intention of causing, through its own logical development, uncertainty or unease about that which the reader takes for granted.
Nov
23
David Lloyd mini-tour of Ireland, Nov 27th - Dec 1st
Posted in: What's On on 23rd November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The details of the appearances are as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov 27th, 7.30 p.m., talk and signing, Central Hotel, Exchequer St, Dublin.
- Wednesday, Nov 28th, 4.00 - 7.00 p.m., signing, Chapters Bookstore, Parnell St, Dublin.
- Thursday, Nov 29th, 8.00 p.m., talk and signing, The Roisin Dubh, Dominick St, Galway.
- Saturday, Dec 1st, 12.00 - 3.00 p.m., signing, Other Realms, Paul St Shop Centre, Cork.
More Info: www.lforlloyd.com
Source: David Lloyd, via Joe Gordon
Nov
22
Stephen Deas’ three book dragon fantasy sold to Gollancz, UK
Posted in: Press Room on 22nd November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
John Jarrold of the John Jarrold Literary Agency has concluded a three-book World Rights deal with Simon Spanton of Gollancz, for a dragon-fantasy series by debut novelist Stephen Deas.
"Simon came to me with the idea of an intelligent fantasy series involving dragons," said Jarrold. "I thought that Steve Deas might be the man for this, after previous conversations we'd had, and so it proved. He has come up with a great idea and brilliant opening chapters."
Nov
21
Announcing ZombieCon! Walsall, UK, September 5th - 7th 2008
Posted in: Press Room on 21st November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
That notorious mountebank master of mirth and mayhem, James Bacon, has been in touch to tell us about the latest madcap convention scheme dreampt up by himself and his various partners in con-related crime: ZombieCon!
Take it away, James:
The creators of 'AliensStoleMyHandbag', 'DamnFineCon' & 'TheyCameAndShavedUs', bring you the fourth part in the Weird-Assed-Weekend-Trilogy: ZOMBIECON!
Nov
21
HarperCollins unveils £350 limited edition of Tolkien’s ‘Children of Hurin’
Posted in: Press Room on 21st November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The £350.00 (currently $700.00 approx.) tome has a leather-bound, hand-sewn hardback cover, comes in an embossed custom leather clamshell case, is signed and numbered by Christopher Tolkien and artist Alan Lee, and contains all the specially commissioned paintings and drawings, together with the two-colour fold-out map drawn by Christopher Tolkien.
More Info: store.tolkien.co.uk
Source: HarperCollins UK
Nov
20
Out Now: ‘Shooting War’, the graphic novel (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, UK)
Posted in: Press Room on 20th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The UK graphic novel edition of Anthony Lappé and Dan Goldman's Shooting War [Amazon] has just been published by Orion Books imprint Weidenfeld & Nicholson.
The graphic novel edition (full title: Shooting War: A Novel) collects the original Shooting War strips that were first published as a webcomic on www.smithmag.net, starting back in May 2006, and there's a great deal of additional material included as well, with around two thirds more content than in the online original.
The project was brought to the attention of the masses by Boing Boing and was swiftly picked up on by comics guru Joe Gordon, over at the FPI Blog Log, who has been a staunch champion of the series ever since and has been keeping us informed with regular progress report and updates.
Nov
20
Dabel Brothers ‘Dresden Files’ graphic novel: promo artwork online
Posted in: Press Room on 20th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The Dabel Brothers have also announced a distribution deal with US publisher Del Rey that will include the Dresden Files adaptation, alongside graphic novel versions of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son and George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards anthology series. No word yet on a UK distribution partner.
More Info: www.dabelbrothers.com
Source: Heads-up from Joe Gordon, FPI Blog Log and Ed Ashby
Nov
19
Steve Aylett’s ‘Lint’ makes World Book Day ‘Spread the Word’ long-list
Posted in: Press Room on 19th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
To save you the effort of browsing, simply click on this link to go to the Lint page. You do have to register for the site and log in before you can cast your vote, at which point - if my experience is anything to go by - the site will crash... but still, it's the thought that counts, eh? There might be some other titles of interest in the list as well... if you can find them.
More Info: www.worldbookday.com/spreadtheword
Source: Steve Aylett
Nov
19
Alan Moore ‘Black Dossier’ interview on ComicBookResources.com
Posted in: Press Room on 19th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The full interview can be found over at the Comic Book Resources site [warning... contains Black Dossier spoilers...]
More Info: www.comicbookresources.com
Source: www.comicbookresources.com, via Joe Gordon
Nov
15
Out Now: ‘Angelglass’ by David Barnett (Immanion Press, UK)
Posted in: Press Room on 15th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The latest title from UK independent genre publisher Immanion Press is Angelglass [Amazon], the new novel by David Barnett, the UK-based author of Hinterland [Amazon], which was published by Immanion in 2005.
In the press release announcing the publication of Angelglass, Immanion's Kayte Redding tells us the background to Barnett's new novel: "In present-day Prague, an amnesiac is discovered on the outskirts of the city and slowly absorbed into a household of expatriates preparing for a massive anti-globalisation protest.
Nov
14
Caitlin Kiernan to be interviewed on Second Life for BBC2 Culture Show
Posted in: Press Room on 14th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
This just in from Transworld UK: "Transworld novelist Caitlin Kiernan will become the first author to be interviewed via Second Life for a national television programme. This groundbreaking interview is a first for British television and heralds a new way for programmes to talk to stateside authors.
"On Saturday 17th November, BBC Two's The Culture Show will be broadcasting a unique interview with Caitlin Kiernan, whose novelisation of the new Robert Zemeckis’ film Beowulf, has recently been published by Transworld.
Nov
14
Out Now: Arthur Machen’s ‘Dreads and Drolls’ (Tartarus Press, UK)
Posted in: Press Room on 14th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Multiple World Fantasy Award-winning UK independent publisher Tartarus Press recently announced their latest volume of work by the great gothic fantasist Arthur Machen.
Tartarus' updated edition of Machen's Dreads and Drolls "contains sixty studies, mostly from real life, each of which, by its capacity for inspiring terror or causing amused wonder, qualifies as the 'Dread' or 'Droll' of Arthur Machen's general heading."
Nov
14
Orbit UK announces two-book dark fantasy deal for Marie Brennan
Posted in: Press Room on 14th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The first title Orbit will be publishing is Midnight Never Come, a "dark and fantastical" story of the faerie court, set in Elizabethan England, which Orbit are describing as "a lyrical and sinister tale of intrigue and betrayal, seamlessly weaving historical detail with the fantastic." The second will be the as-yet untitled sequel.
More Info: Orbit Books
Source: Orbit Books news item
Nov
13
The Future Fire e-zine announces $500 Second Life short fiction comp
Posted in: What's On on 13th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Djibril, one of the editors of UK-based ezine The Future Fire, "a magazine of speculative and dark fiction (with an emphasis on the slipstream and socially responsible storytelling)" dropped us a line to let us know that their ninth issue is now available for free download in PDF format, and that they've just launched a $500 short fiction prize competition.
Djibril says: "The ninth issue of The Future Fire includes fiction from Neil Carstairs, Mark Harding and Terrance Jefferson, as well as a range of artwork, non-fiction and reviews.
Nov
13
Jim Mahfood / Bill Shag, Dreamspace, London, Nov 24th - Dec 1st 2007
Posted in: What's On on 13th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The organisers tell us: "The show will present original works by the two artists together with a unique chance to see a new series of collaborative pieces. Jim has long been a star of the comic scene; his drawings and paintings are a comic-book twist of surrealist wit and graffiti style and culture. Bill Shag's photographs are a record of the absurd and beautiful America in which he lives. Dark and dangerous, his images capture a subversive world revelling on the edge of society. This show presents a rare chance to see and purchase work by two of America's best underground artists."
More Info: dreamspace Gallery
Source: dreamspace Gallery press release
Nov
12
Steph Swainston BSFA interview - video online
Posted in: Press Room on 12th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
"I'm talking about my novel The Modern World, but also about the whole Castle world, how the ideas of immortality and Insects came about, and how the Castle world differs from other fantasy."
More info: www.stephswainston.co.uk
Source: Steph Swainston
Nov
12
Hub editor Lee Harris on the greatly-exaggerated death of short fiction
Posted in: Press Room on 12th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Lee Harris, editor of online short fiction 'zine Hub, has issued a press release in response to the current debate about the supposed 'death' of short fiction; highlighting his own publication's success as an example of how, with adaptation and imagination, there's no reason why even smaller short fiction markets cannot continue to thrive.
Lee explains: "Since the recent release of Gardner Dozois' excellent Mammoth Book of Best New SF #20 [Amazon], and its discussion of the state of the short fiction form, there has been much high profile online debate about the readership numbers of contemporary genre magazines. It appears that reader numbers are dwindling in all such offline markets.
Nov
11
Hallowe’en issue of Estronomicon e-zine available to download
Posted in: Press Room on 11th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The latest issue includes fiction from Amy Grech, Garry Charles, Bob Lock, Barry J. House, Cathy & Neil Davies, Gary McMahon, Allyson Bird, Rachel Kendall, Mark Howard Jones and Peter Tennant, along with artwork by Michel Bohbot, David A. Hardy, Paul Mudie, Michael Calandra, Les Edwards, Jason Beam and more.
More info: www.screamingdreams.com
Source: Screaming Dreams press
Nov
11
Solaris Books’ online promotion for Chris Roberson’s ‘Three Unbroken’
Posted in: Press Room on 11th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
From a Solaris press release: "BL Publishing imprint Solaris Books is very excited to announce an exciting new project with Chris Roberson, author of Set the Seas on Fire [Amazon] and The Dragon's Nine Sons [Amazon].
"Three Unbroken is the next epic novel in the Celestial Empire sequence and details the explosive war between the Chinese and Aztec empires as they battle for control of the red planet, Fire Star.
Nov
11
Coming Soon: ‘No Man and Other Stories’ by Tony Richards
Posted in: Press Room on 11th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Award-winning UK independent published Pendragon Press have been in touch to let us know about a new title that they'll be publishing later in the year.
Tony Richards' No Man and Other Stories is described as "a collection of four supernatural novellas, two original (the eponymous No-Man along with A Black Glass Slipper) and two for the first time in paperback (Postcards from Terri and Under the Ice), which showcase perfectly the undisputed talent of a born writer and storyteller; tales that will hook you, and dare you to read by candle-light...
Nov
10
‘Dresden Files’#12 and #13 acquired by Orbit UK
Posted in: Press Room on 10th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
"In the rather nearer future, White Night [Amazon] is out in paperback in January '08, then we move to two editions as Small Favour starts out in hardback a few months later."
More info: www.orbitbooks.net.
Source: Orbit Books website
Nov
10
Books Received October 15th - November 10th 2007
Posted in: Books Received on 10th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The latest round-up of the books that have been sent to UKSFBN towers in the past few weeks. As always, many thanks indeed to the publishers concerned for bringing these titles to our attention.
Click on any of the book covers for ordering information from either Amazon.co.uk or the book's publisher.
Nov
9
Joe Gordon reports from Go Graphic! library worskhops
Posted in: What's On on 9th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The main theme of the various discussions was how graphic novels are steadily becoming an accepted and indeed welcomed part of the mainstream literature promoted by libraries and librarians, who are often quick to recognise the educational value of a medium that's visually rich and appealing; one which can often help bridge the gap between regular and reluctant readers, or new readers looking for more than just words on a page. Joe's report makes for heartening reading for anyone interested in seeing graphic novels reach a much wider audience.
More Info: Forbidden Planet Blog Log
Source: Joe Gordon, Forbidden Planet International
Nov
8
Out Now: Interzone Magazine issue #213
Posted in: Press Room on 8th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The latest issue of the UK's longest-running short science fiction magazine, Interzone has just been mailed out to subscribers by publisher TTA Press and is available to buy from their website and all good genre fiction outlets.
Nov
7
Out Now: ‘Spider-Man The Icon’ by Steve Saffel (Titan Books, UK)
Posted in: Press Room on 7th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
Titan Books have just released a brand new compilation volume that charts the history of one of the great Marvel Comics icons: "From his debut in August 1962's Amazing Fantasy #15, Peter Parker - better known as the Amazing Spider-Man - has thrilled audiences worldwide in comics, movies, cartoons and much more!
"A spectacular, full-colour tome, Spider-Man The Icon [Amazon] charts the career of Spider-Man from his four-colour-comics days to his big-budget blockbuster present, taking in every aspect of the phenomenon. One of the most recognisable creations in comics history and in modern popular culture, Spider-Man has been a feature of toys, clothes, music, movies and even snacks!
Nov
6
Unique J.K. Rowling book to be auctioned for charity
Posted in: What's On on 6th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
One of the seven copies will be made auctioned in support of the charity The Children's Voice, at Sotheby's in London on December 13th, with the bidding set to start at £30,000. The other six will be given as gifts by Rowling to "the people who have been most closely involved with Harry Potter over the years".
More info: BBC news / www.jkrowling.com
Source: BBC News website, via Publishers Lunch e-newsletter
Nov
6
Out Now: Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained
Posted in: Press Room on 6th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
No, not exactly genre fiction per se, granted, but we reckon that the recently-published Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained [Amazon] must contain more than once rich vein of source material for fans of fantastical fiction and could therefore very well be of interest to the passing UKSFBN reader.
Here's the background info from the Chambers press release: "Popular subjects such as UFOs, ghosts, psychic powers, astrology, luck, fairies, Atlantis and life after death are all areas of interest which might be described as the paranormal, supernatural or simply 'the strange'. Today, belief in such unexplained phenomena has never been stronger!
Nov
5
UK Winners - Williams, Finch, Gallagher - at 2007 IHG Awards
Posted in: Press Room on 5th November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
The 2007 International Horror Guild Awards were announced during the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, New York last weekend and three UK authors were among the winners.
Nov
2
Jim Mahfood signing, FP London, November 28th
Posted in: What's On on 2nd November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
and his 40oz Collections at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, on: Wednesday 28th November from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m.
FP says: "Jim Mahfood (also known as Food One) has been drawing and scribbling since 1997. His work with Kevin Smith on the Clerks comics and with Brian Michael Bendis on various Marvel projects has secured him an international cult following. Jim's work has appeared in comics, books, magazines, music videos, t-shirts and album covers. He also creates live mural paintings at DJ/hip hop events."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release
Nov
1
Gerard Way signing, FP London, November 14th **Updated**
Posted in: Press Room on 1st November 2007 by UKSFBN admin
FP says: "Gerard Way is not only world famous as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, but he is now making a name for himself in the world of comic book writing. The Umbrella Academy is a six issue limited series (released through Dark Horse) which has been meet with extraordinary praise and massive sales. It's not his first steps into the genre, Gerard used to work in the comic industry in New York before forming MCR in 2001. The inside illustrations in The Umbrella Academy are by Gabriel Ba' and the covers are by James Jean."
**Update** November 7th: FP have also asked us to pass on the following message: "PLEASE NOTE: Gerard Way will ONLY be signing copies of The Umbrella Academy. There will be a limit of 2 comics each person can get signed. Due to the limited signing time we can't guarantee that everyone who queues will be seen. Both editions of The Umbrella Academy will be on sale on the day."
More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com
Source: Forbidden Planet press release