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In Their Own Words: Sean Williams on EARTH ASCENDANT

Sean says:

Earth Ascendant by Sean WilliamsFrom its conception, I pictured Astropolis as three fundamentally different books: Saturn Returns is about Imre putting the pieces of his mind and team back together; The Grand Conjunction is a chase novel ranging far and wide across the Milky Way. Earth Ascendant, then, is the “empire” section of Imre’s story, taking a long, hard look at how difficult it would be for someone like us to rule the galaxy, especially someone literally warring with another version of himself.

Like Saturn Returns, this draws inspiration from one of my favourite Gothic classics, this time: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ by Edgar Allen Poe. The image of a fractured façade made it irresistible, along with many other wonderful aspects of that story. Astropolis is a Gothic tale, and a wildly anachronistic one, so it made sense to trawl for inspiration in the works of the masters. Any excuse.

The same goes with Render, Imre’s friend who speaks solely in Gary Numan lyrics. You won’t find much of me in the gender-bending sex scenes, but in the nerdy stuff, definitely.

Earth Ascendant (UK | AUS) is out now from Orbit and is available from all good booksellers. The first part of the Astropolis series, Saturn Returns, is also available from Orbit [UK | AUS].

You can find out more about Sean Williams‘ work at his website, www.seanwilliams.com, and keep up with his latest news and developments via his blog at ladnews.livejournal.com.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD tops UK SF/F chart!

Living With the Dead by Kelley Armstrong, UK hardbackCongratulations to Kelley Armstrong! According to official sales figures from Nielsen BookData, her brand new ‘Otherworld’ novel, Living With the Dead [UK] was the best-selling SF / Fantasy hardback in the UK last week.

Here’s the trailer-text to give you a flavour:

Robyn Peltier has always lived a normal life. So when her boss is murdered and she is named prime suspect, she is way out of her depth. As the bodies pile up only her friend Hope, and Hope’s somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl, are on her side.

Hope, meanwhile, has a few secrets of her own. Namely that she is half-demon, and her ‘spooky’ boyfriend is actually a werewolf. Hope also knows that Robyn has accidentally stumbled into a bloody supernatural turf war. And the only way she can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she’s safer knowing nothing about …

We recently posted Kelley’s own thoughts on Living With the Dead, and you can find plenty more information on all her books, as well as background material and short fiction set in the ‘Otherworld’ milieu, at Kelley’s official website: www.kelleyarmstrong.com.

In Their Own Words: Brent Weeks on SHADOW’S EDGE

Brent says:

ShadowShadow’s Edge is a much more ambitious book than The Way of Shadows. If you look at the map at the beginning of TWoS, that whole book takes place within about one square centimeter on the map. In Shadow’s Edge, you’re going to get a fuller sense of this huge world. More cultures, more people. The surprises definitely continue. In fact, I can’t even say the two things I think readers are going to love most because they’re both spoilers.

This much I can say: deep, conflicted characters who continue to grow throughout the whole trilogy, impossible dilemmas, truly awful bad guys, more magic, more surprises, and a huge battle that changes everything. But this book IS a complete story that has an actual ending – no lame cliffhangers just to squeeze another eight pounds out of you.

And of course, there’s one more thing that’s brilliant: you don’t have to wait five years to get your hands on the next book. If you like the first one, you can grab this one right away, and if you like this one, at most you have to wait a month for the last one. You also have the assurance that it’s going to be a trilogy and be finished…

Shadow’s Edge (UK | US | AUS) is out now and you can find it at all good high street and online booksellers.

Don’t forget to read book one, The Way of Shadows before you start on this one. You can get a taste of how the series starts by reading an extract here and see what Brent had to say about the first instalment here.

The final part of the Night Angel Trilogy, Beyond the Shadows, will be published next month, so look out for one more ITOW from Brent Weeks in a few weeks . . .

In Their Own Words: Kelley Armstrong on LIVING WITH THE DEAD

Kelley says:

Living With the Dead by Kelley Armstrong, UK hardbackThis is a story I’ve wanted to tell since I first decided that Bitten would launch a series, rather than be the stand-alone novel I originally intended. In the Otherworld, I’ve introduced a lot of women, and they’ve all had one thing in common: they’re supernaturals. But what about the humans? What if a human woman was thrown into this universe? It’s taken nine books, but here I finally get to tell that story. Robyn Peltier is the very human friend of Hope Adams (from Personal Demon). Robyn knows nothing about her friend’s secret life … but she’s about to find out, as she becomes embroiled in a supernatural murder.

Living With the Dead, the brand new novel in Kelley Armstrong‘s best-selling Otherworld series, is out now from Orbit in the UK and is available now from all good bookstores and online retailers.

And don’t forget to check out Kelley’s official website at www.kelleyarmstrong.com for loads of background information on her Otherworld series, including a number of serialised novellas and short stories set in the same world that haven’t been published elsewhere… just yet.

Deals and Deliveries: THE DROWNING CITY

I am pleased to announce our newest acquisition by debut author Amanda Downum in a three book deal with Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Agency. The first book in the series, currently titled THE DROWNING CITY, will be published in the spring of 2010 on both sides of the Atlantic.

I was captivated by this book from page one. Amanda has created a lush, original setting that blends themes from all sorts of cultures and histories across Asia into one fantastical world. More than that, though, she has created a truly exciting story that interweaves the political machinations of a city in turmoil with the intrigue and action of an agent provocateur.

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2 out of 10!

MatterWe’re thrilled to point to the Amazon Editors’ Best of 2008 top 10 list in Science Fiction & Fantasy, which includes both Matter by Iain M. Banks (US|UK) and Black Ships by Jo Graham! (US|UK)

Black ShipsJo Graham’s next book, Hand of Isis, will be out in March 2009. You can keep up with the author and enter to win an advance copy of the book at her livejournal.

And at the official Iain M. Banks site you can catch up on our recent fan QAs with the author (part one, part two, part three) and read an extract from Matter.

Marketing Vacancy

Little, Brown Book Group is currently looking for a creative, highly-organised person to join our marketing department. Based at our London offices, and working primarily on Orbit titles, the role will include producing sell-in material for the trade, and planning and executing consumer marketing campaigns. In addition, the role will include responsibility for Orbit’s UK publicity activity.

If this sounds like you, visit our vacancies page for more information and details of how to apply. Applications must be received by 26 November.

Orbit UK schedule update: January 2009

We’ve just updated the Orbit UK Schedule page with details of the first batch of great new Orbit titles for 2009. The following titles will be available from all good booksellers and online retailers as of January 15th:

  • Hammer of God by Karen Miller – Conflict threatens to erupt between the nations of Mijak and Ethrea in the third part of the Godspeaker epic fantasy series.
  • Orphan’s Alliance by Robert Buettner – Jason Wander is called on to take the fight to the enemy in this fourth instalment of this highly-rated military sf series.
  • The Judging Eye by R. Scott Bakker – Part one of a brand new epic fantasy series, set in the same world as The Thousandfold Thought.
  • Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott – Part two of the Crossroads epic fantasy series sees Majit fighting for her life against an ancient and deadly enemy.
  • The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills – The first in a brand new comic fantasy series about Gerald the hapless career-wizard.
  • One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin – The fifth book in the Jaz Parks series finds our heroine caught right in the middle of a supernatural power struggle.
  • The Destiny of the Dead by Ian Irvine – The apocalyptic final volume of the Song of Tears epic fantasy series.

Deals and Deliveries: Nicole Peeler

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we have pre-empted an urban fantasy series by debut author Nicole Peeler in a three-book deal with agent Rebecca Strauss of McIntosh and Otis Inc. The first volume TEMPEST RISING will be published in Fall/Winter 2009.

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