And Rachel Aaron has a new post up in the Magic District — but my favorite one that she wrote is the one about the knife test that she puts all her characters through. Interesting reading. . .
So you’re preparing your ultimate zombie-themed dinner party, and you’re stuck for a dessert. Or you’re entertaining a zombie who’s recently gone vegetarian, and is jonesing for those good old days of gray matter and the delicious taste of human brains. Whatever your reasons, you need a brainy treat that puts the “sweet” back into “sweetmeats.”
Luckily, I’m here for you.
These delicious desserts were created by Jennifer at Cups and Cakes Bakery, in San Francisco, California, and she was kind enough to let us come in and record the entire process. Here’s how you, too, can create delicious bite-sized brains for you and your victi…er, guests. First up, a quick instructional video, followed by a detailed recipe.
Ever think you know exactly how a character in a novel should sound? Think you could put on a good performance of playing that character yourself?
Well Jeff Somers has set up a competition in which you have the chance to do just that. For the official website of his next novel, The Terminal State (UK/ US), Jeff is creating four mini video clips to represent four different characters from his series. He’s already provided some superb images to depict the nature of each character, and mini excerpts from the book have been supplied as scripts.
All that’s missing is you - the reading public - to put on your best acting voices and provide voiceovers for the videos. Whichever voice clip that Jeff feels best represents each character will be used on the final site. Visit this site to hear some examples that Jeff has provided himself, such as the one below. There, you’ll also find more information on how you can get creative and start sending in your own voiceover submissions.
…or a day in the life of Jeff Somers at least. If you haven’t already spotted it on his site, see below for a glimpse of an artist at work. Seem familiar to anyone?
A bunch of Orbit books have been included in the “Fourth Annual BCSreview Tournament” and I expect you all to go vote. I think the competition is paltry, and should be easily trounced, but still, go vote.
Desktop looking drab? iPhone lacking flair? What your gadgets need is a full-on fantasy makeover. And it just so happens that to celebrate today’s release of Shadowrise (UK/ANZ), the highly anticipated third volume in Tad Williams‘ Shadowmarch quartet, we’re giving away free wallpaper downloads based on the striking cover art. Just click on the links below to instantly spruce up your screen – all sizes catered for!
Fantastic news: Sony have optioned the movie rights to Jeff Somers’ Avery Cates novels. A very wise move in our opinion, as there’s no doubt that these books would make the most awesomely full-throttle, kick-ass movies ever.
Read all about it here, and if you haven’t been lucky enough to experience the explosive, pedal-to-the-metal action-fests that are the Avery Cates novels yet, check out the third instalment, The Eternal Prison(UK/US/ANZ), released in February in the UK and Austalia, and already available in US. And while you’re at it, why not take a peek at our very attractive reissues of The Electric Church(UK/US/ANZ) andThe Digital Plague(UK/US/ANZ).
Here at Orbit we work very hard to publish the most exciting Science Fiction and Fantasy for the widest possible readership, remaining committed to publishing writers we believe to be exceptional in the best possible way. But did you know we take our food just as seriously?
Recently, as a thank you to our Sales team for supporting us so enthusiastically throughout the year, we put our baking mitts on to produce this tasty Orbit-themed cake.
And for a certain editor’s birthday not so long ago we produced this sugary treat . . . based on the axe awarded to the authors shortlisted for the David Gemmell Legend Award for Fantasy.
We’d love to see any SFF-themed cakes that you’ve come up with, or perhaps you have an idea about what theme you’d like to see in cake form? Robocake anyone? Dark Lord’s dessert? Elvish eccles? We’ll see what the Orbit catering team can come up with, and if our creation is up to scratch it may just appear on the site in a few weeks time!
Oh, the holidays. It’s a special time of year when I really enjoy reflecting on all the ways I’ve tortured my characters. To celebrate this magical and highly cathartic ritual, I’ve composed what is sure to be an instant holiday classic. Feel free to sing along!
The Twelve Days of An Urban Fantasy Heroine
On the first day of my UF novel, my author gave to me a demon in my pantry.
On the second day of my UF novel, my author gave to me, two love interests–and a demon in my pantry.
On the third day of my UF novel, my author gave to me, three bullet wounds–two love interests and a demon in my pantry.
On the fourth day of my UF novel, my author gave to me four mauling hellhounds–three bullet wounds, two love interests, and a demon in my pantry. Read the rest of this entry »
Sorry folks, I know I’ve been a little absent from the new-and-improved-now-with-author-posts orbit blog, but, as you might surmise from the photo to the left, I was off getting hitched. Not only that, but I had been feverishly working for months on the covers for the new Spring/Summer 2010 season, finished almost every one, had a huge Sales meeting here at Orbit HQ, and then ran off and got married in a supremely geek-flavored way. Among other geeky touches, Han and Leia over there were the cake toppers, and I made all the wedding party enter the reception to the opening theme to Star Wars.
Just wanted to let you loyal readers know, Orbit HQ is staffed with geeks at literally every level.
Now let the cover posts commence! (And yes, work on the WORST COVER EVER continues…)
- - August 4th, 2010
A signing with Mark Henry and Nicole Peeler in Seattle at Ravenna Third Place Books & Honey Bear Café tonight!
Ever think you know exactly how a character in a novel should sound? Think you could put on a good performance of playing that character yourself?
Sorry folks, I know I’ve been a little absent from the new-and-improved-now-with-author-posts orbit blog, but, as you might surmise from the photo to the left, I was off getting hitched. Not only that, but I had been feverishly working for months on the covers for the new Spring/Summer 2010 season, finished almost every one, had a huge Sales meeting here at Orbit HQ, and then ran off and got married in a supremely geek-flavored way. Among other geeky touches, Han and Leia over there were the cake toppers, and I made all the wedding party enter the reception to the opening theme to Star Wars.
