- The Orbit Team - March 27th, 2012
Great Britain is honoured and privileged to announce that Gail Carriger shall be setting foot on our shores this April – for a gloriously grand UK tour. Orbit Books shall also be launching a frightfully wonderful competition to celebrate – where you can win this enchanting teapot. Read on for more . . .
For years Ms Carriger has resided in the colonies, supping on the finest of infusions imported from London, wearing the tiniest of hats and penning the novels which have brought her fame and fortune throughout the Empire: the Parasol Protectorate novels – most recently Timeless (UK | US | ANZ).
Yet now the time has come for this illustrious lady to return to the British Isles – and to greet the legions of fans waiting to pay tribute to her magnificent work.
You are all cordially invited to attend several splendid events taking place over the course of a week in April:
Sunday 8 April: Eastercon, Heathrow, London
Those of you attending this year’s convention will be delighted to hear that Gail shall be appearing on the following charming panels:
‘Meet the new king (same as the old king)’ – 11am, Room 12
‘You got your robot elf sex in my SF’ – 3pm, Commonwealth
‘Multicultural steampunk’ – 9pm, Room 38
Monday 9 April: Foyles, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, 6.30pm
In coordination with the most honourable chaps over at Pornokitsch, Gail shall be hosting an exclusive steampunk soirée at Foyles bookshop in Central London. Climb into that corset, pull out your pocket watch and buff up your brass goggles – and pop along for a tipple or two and to get your book signed by her fair hand. This event is free but ticketed, so please send an email as soon as possible to events@foyles.co.uk to obtain a cherished spot on this exclusive guest list.
Friday 13 April: Waterstones, Nottingham, Bridle Gate, 6.30pm
Gail shall be speaking to a thoroughly privileged throng for another steampunk extravaganza at the Waterstones in Nottingham. Special guest Jema Hewitt (author of Steampunk Emporium) and friends will also be frequenting the event in full costume. The evening shall commence – as is only right – with Pimm’s & cake at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. This event is ticketed and costs £5, or £3 if you hold a Waterstones card, so please purchase them here in advance.
***
Now on to the competition. We are delighted to announce that whilst on her Grand UK Tour, Gail shall be signing three very special items for us to give away as prizes. The first prize is this darling teapot, and the two runner-up prizes are these twee tea strainers – all from the lovely shop Oliver Bonas.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning these prizes is send us a photo of yourself with a parasol or umbrella in a darling pose and send it to orbit@littlebrown.co.uk. This is an Orbit worldwide competition, and we shall be posting the entries on the site. Ms Carriger herself will choose the winner and runners-up at the end of her Grand UK Tour on 13 April. See terms and conditions here.
And to show you just how easy it is, here are Orbiteers Anna Gregson, Emily Rowland and Rose Tremlett with a shining example (and no fear, they have honourably excluded themselves from winning):
Best of British, and the Empire salutes you!
by The Orbit Team • 1 Comment • Categories: Contests, Events, Fiction, New Titles, News, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US, Signings and Events • Tags: Eastercon, Gail Carriger, parasol protectorate, Steampunk, Steampunk event, Timeless, UK Tour, urban fantasy
author post
Having a new book come out is a hugely exciting time and the moment, with a continuing series, where I really have a sense of standing poised between the past and future of the story. Part of that process involves reflecting on the influences that shaped the just-finished book, and whether they will hold the same sway over the next-in-series.
One of the strongest influences on my writing has always been environment – my appreciation of the natural, technological and cultural elements of the surrounding world, with a flow-on to the creation of milieus within my works. This is particularly true of The Gathering of the Lost, where readers will encounter new lands within THE WALL OF NIGHT world, such as the River, Emer, and Aralorn. Imagination certainly counts in fantastic world building, but when writing a great river, for example, it helps to have experienced big river systems, whether the Waikato and Clutha, in my own New Zealand, the Murray in Australia, or the Mississippi in the US. The River in The Gathering of the Lost is not any of those waterways, but I suspect that growing up with the Waikato and the Clutha has helped give it authenticity. I lived close to the Waikato for a considerable period, but did not get to know the Clutha until I was an adult. Yet by then it was already entrenched in the landscape of my imagination—because of family stories and its place in New Zealand’s colonial history of gold mining, as well as its prevalence in photographic and painting art. My own view is that it is not possible to live with a landscape that resonates so powerfully in culture and history and not be influenced by it. After all, even a conscious decision to fight against its sway is still an influence.
Read the rest of this entry »
by Helen Lowe •7 Comments • Posted in: Guest Post, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK
- Laura Fitzgerald - March 26th, 2012
Return to the Expanse with James S. A. Corey and read an excerpt from CALIBAN’S WAR (US | UK), the follow up to the critically acclaimed LEVIATHAN WAKES (US | UK) which The Wall Street Journal called “…the future the way it was supposed to be.”
“Snoopy’s out again,” Private Hillman said. “I think his CO must be pissed at him.”
Gunnery Sergeant Roberta Draper of the Martian Marine Corps upped the magnification on her armor’s heads‑up display and looked in the direction Hillman was pointing. Twenty-five hundred meters away, a squad of four United Nations Marines were tromping around their outpost, backlit by the giant greenhouse dome they were guarding. A greenhouse dome identical in nearly all respects to the dome her own squad was currently guarding.
One of the four UN Marines had black smudges on the sides of his helmet that looked like beagle ears.
“Yep, that’s Snoopy,” Bobbie said. “Been on every patrol detail so far today. Wonder what he did.”
Guard duty around the greenhouses on Ganymede meant doing what you could to keep your mind occupied. Including speculating on the lives of the Marines on the other side.
Click to read more
by Laura Fitzgerald • Post a Comment • Categories: Extracts, Orbit UK, Orbit US • Tags: Caliban's War, James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes, science fiction
- The Orbit Team - March 26th, 2012
Congratulations from Orbit to Charles Stross and Greg Bear, as they’ve both been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award!
Charles Stross’s futuristic crime novel RULE 34 was shortlisted today, as was Greg Bear’s mind-bending science fiction thriller – HULL ZERO THREE.
The Arthur C. Clarke Award is a prize for the best science fiction novel published in the UK in the previous year. It’s been running for over twenty-five years now, and previous winners include Orbit author Tricia Sullivan, as well as China Miéville and Lauren Beukes.
RULE 34 is available from Orbit UK in C-format paperback and as an ebook, and the B-format paperback will be published in July.
HULL ZERO THREE is published by Orbit in the US, and by Gollancz in the UK.
by The Orbit Team • Post a Comment • Categories: Awards, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Orbit US • Tags:
- Anna Gregson - March 23rd, 2012
Orbit UK is proud to announce the release in June of a spectacular new novel from a grand master of science fiction – with a very special limited edition cover.
Over 20 years ago, David Brin began the Uplift series – a set of novels that would sweep the board for science fiction awards year after year. David would go on to create a vast range of fiction, computer game storylines and graphic novels – as well as having his novel The Postman turned into a major motion picture.
Now, 10 years after his last book, David Brin returns in epic style with Existence (UK | ANZ), an all-encompassing novel of the near future. Both brilliant and terrifying, the book portrays mankind facing a crisis and potentially its imminent demise.
We are also thrilled to unveil the news that the first edition of Existence, released on 21st June 2012, will feature a cover with a unique 3D “lenticular” effect. The cover gives an impression of floating in space miles above Earth, and its distinctive nature means this book is likely to fast become a collectors’ item. There will be just one print run of this edition – and it will only be available until stocks last.
See the video below for a preview of what’s to come:
And see below for some of the exceptional praise the book has already received.
‘David Brin takes on one of the fundamental themes in science fiction – and one of the fundamental questions humanity faces in this century. Since Brin is both a great storyteller and one of the most imaginative writers around, Existence is not to be missed’ Vernor Vinge, Hugo award-winning author of Fire Upon the Deep
‘Take a world soaked in near-future strangeness and complexity . . . Hotwire with wisdom and wonder . . . Brin is back.’ Stephen Baxter, bestselling author of Ark
by Anna Gregson • 1 Comment • Categories: Art, Fiction, News, Orbit Australia, Orbit UK, Press Releases, Videos • Tags: David Brin, Existence, Near future, science fiction, space opera
- Tim Holman - March 23rd, 2012
THE RED KNIGHT is a book that any hot-blooded fantasy fan will find pretty hard to resist. You’ll be hearing a lot more about Miles Cameron’s amazing debut over the coming months, but to whet your appetite here’s a little something about the story and an exclusive – yes, exclusive – first look at the US cover. Read on for all the gritty details.
Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim Holman • 2 Comments • Categories: Art, Covers, News, Orbit US • Tags: epic fantasy, fantasy, Miles Cameron, The Red Knight
author post
I wonder if Charles Darwin was a zombie fan.
Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was published in 1859, and you’re probably aware of the resulting, yet-to-be-settled battle between Evolutionists and Creationists. But there’s also another great Darwinian debate, affecting not just zoologists but zombologists, too:
What actually is a species?
In science, this is known as the ‘species problem,’ and it arises when bickering biologists attempt to classify two nearly identical species of animal. Take the Baltimore Oriole, for example, that beloved black-and-orange bird of baseball mascot fame. The truth is, it’s really the Northern Oriole. Or wait — no, it isn’t. Fifty years ago it was the Northern Oriole, but after lots of nasty debate and name-calling, scientists finally decided that there’s no such thing as the Northern Oriole. They split the species into two: the Baltimore Oriole and the Bullock’s Oriole.
So, you ask, what does all this have to do with zombies?
I don’t know if you’ve ever braved a visit into an online zombie fan forum. (If not, what are you waiting for?) In those discussion boards, you might notice that while biologists haggle over birds, many zombie fans are divided over what constitutes a ‘real’ zombie. Is the zombie slow or fast? Alive or dead? Mute or able to talk your ear off, right before it bites your ear off?
Or… can a zombie can be all those things?
As a fan myself, I’ve resisted that last hypothesis for years now. Oh, how I’ve resisted. But perhaps the time has come; at last I should channel my inner Darwin and admit to zombie evolution. My favorite monster, once classified solely as Zombi Zombus, has gone the way of the Northern Oriole, split apart into separate unique species.
Presenting the new taxonomy of the living dead: Read the rest of this entry »
by V.M. Zito •3 Comments • Posted in: Guest Post, Orbit US
- James Long - March 22nd, 2012
Last night the Orbit UK team threw open the doors to Orbit Towers and invited in an assortment of bloggers, journalists and reviewers for a sneak preview at what we’ve got lined up for the rest of 2012.
After dazzling them with a spectacular array of books and various sweets – the 2312 cupcakes drew many admiring glances – we led them into our inner sanctum (otherwise known as the boardroom) and delivered a presentation covering a selection of the titles that we’re excited to be publishing this year. The presentation was concluded with a raffle, the winner of which took home a gorgeous slipcase hardback of THE EYE OF THE WORLD.
Afterwards, there was more time for mingling and book-chat, before everyone eventually left with bulging bags of books (some reviewers no doubt had sore shoulders this morning). The Orbit UK team would like to thank everyone who came along and contributed to what was a wonderful evening. Same time next year? Excellent.
Here are some photos we managed to snap during the action.
A swag bag with the much-admired 2312 cupcakes Read the rest of this entry »
by James Long • 1 Comment • Categories: Events, Orbit UK, Uncategorized • Tags:
- Jenni Hill - March 21st, 2012
Congratulations to Glenda Larke, whose STORMLORD’S EXILE has been shortlisted for Best Fantasy Novel by the Aurealis Awards – the awards for excellence in Australian speculative fiction.
This is the third novel in Glenda’s Stormlord trilogy to make the list!
Trent Jamieson’s THE BUSINESS OF DEATH also receives an ‘honourable mention’ for Best Horror Novel, although as yet there’s no shortlist for this category.
The awards will be announced on the 12th of May . . .
by Jenni Hill • Post a Comment • Categories: Awards, Orbit UK, Orbit US, Uncategorized • Tags: Aurealis Awards, Australia, epic fantasy, fantasy, Glenda Larke
- Laura Fitzgerald - March 15th, 2012
We’re shaking things up this March by publishing TWO new pieces of short fiction for fantasy and science fiction readers alike. Whether you like swords or railguns, Orbit Short Fiction has something to suit your fancy.
STRANGE DAYS IN OLD YANDRISSA by John. R. Fultz: In an age of untamed miracles and curses, a mad vagabond may solve the mystery of a king’s dilemma. Yet in a world gone mad, the only wise man is a fool. This is a great story for readers who enjoy new voices in epic fantasy. John R. Fultz’s short fiction has appeared in Black Gate, Weird Tales, Lightspeed, and Space & Time.
A PEOPLE’S ARMY by T.C. McCarthy: In the distant future, on an ice-bound world, Choi Chung Ho is a loyal soldier in the Dear Leader’s army. Stuck in a damaged tank with the American advance quickly approaching, he must find a way to survive. Survive the Americans, the blindly patriotic members of his own crew, and, most dangerous of all, the shifting politics of the North Korean military. T.C. McCarthy explores the nature of military and political conflict in vivid and graphic detail in a futuristic world war like no other.
If this is your first time reading the work of either author, be sure and check out their full-length novels too.
Praise for SEVEN PRINCES:
“A stand-out fantasy series from an author with an exceptional talent for characterization and world building.” — Library Journal (Starred Review)
“What Seven Princes [offers] is breakneck pacing and nonstop insanity. It’s epic with a capital EPIC.”
— io9.com, 2012
Praise for GERMLINE and EXOGENE
“Simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant.”
— Publishers Weekly, 2012 (Starred Review)
“This exciting and thoughtful story marks McCarthy as one of sci-fi’s most promising new talents.”
— Kirkus, 2012 (Starred Review)
by Laura Fitzgerald • Post a Comment • Categories: Fiction, Orbit US • Tags: A People's Army, Exogene, fantasy, Germline, John R. Fultz, military fiction, Orbit Short Fiction, science fiction, Seven Princes, short fiction, Strange Days in Old Yandrissa, T. C. McCarthy, The Subterrene War
