Contests Archives

Archive for Contests

Job Opportunity: Laundry Field Agent. Do You Have What It Takes?

Madeleine Hall
June 29, 2012

You: you’re a civil servant, working in an administrative or support role, within SOE X Division, commonly known as the Laundry. You have signed the Official Secrets Act. You know the score. You know that when you carry out certain computation operations, it has echoes in the Platonic realm of pure mathematics – echoes audible to beings from other universes, who can be bound to act at our command. Magic is a branch of applied mathematics, and there are agents out there working ceaselessly to protect the realm from esoteric alien threats. You aren’t one of them – yet.

You believe you can contribute more to the organisation by taking a proactive role. You’re a dynamic self-starter and a team player, flexible and able to plan and execute on your feet while remaining within official guidelines. And you want to get out from behind your desk.

Do you have what it takes to handle an active service assignment?

We’re looking for the next Laundry field agent to assist our rising star employee, Bob Howard. Bob has seen service. He’s dealt with nameless horrors you could only dream of, and with only limited . . . mishaps.

Starting today, we will be releasing clues that will allow you access to the Laundry Vault.
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Gail Carriger UK Tour competition: the winners!

Anna Jackson
April 20, 2012

Announcing the winning entries to our very special Gail Carriger UK Tour competition! Gail has now perused all the photos at length and wants to emphasise that picking the winners has been very tough indeed – as every photo has been delightful in its own special way. But a decision must be made. So . . . In first place, winning this darling teapot, is:

The Heroic Valerie Hernandez!

Valerie Hernandez's winning photo for the Gail Carriger competition — 1st prize: Valerie Hernandez

And the two runners-up prizes, each winning a twee tea strainer, go to:

Maria Diana Broughton’s photo of the darling Ane Victoria and Eirin

And Terry Kroenung’s capturing of a feisty low-kick

Terry Kroenung's photo of a lovely low-kick, runner up for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — Runner up: Terry Kroenung

Well done everyone, and your prizes, which Gail signed for us when she visited the UK offices, will be with you shortly.

You can follow the progress of the rest of Gail’s European Tour here, and don’t forget to catch up on Gail’s latest adventure Timeless (UK | US | ANZ), as well as the manga edition of Soulless (UK | US | ANZ) if you haven’t done so already!

Gail Carriger’s UK Tour report & final competition entries

Anna Jackson
April 18, 2012

What a splendid time we’ve had here in the UK with the admirable Gail Carriger, author of The Parasol Protectorate novels.

Our booksellers’ evening last Wednesday at the gorgeous Drink, Shop, Do was a glory to behold. See Gail’s report of the event here.

The steampunk event at Waterstones Nottingham last Friday was also a storming success, with around a hundred people in attendance – many attired in full costume – to pay tribute to the honourable Gail and fellow steampunk fashion icon Jema Hewitt. See below for some of the wonderfully impressive regalia displayed on the night:

Steampunk event at Waterstones Nottingham for Gail Carriger, author of the steampunk urban fantasy romance series The Parasol Protectorate — Gail Carriger and Jema Hewitt (top left hand corner) as well as a whole host of other wonderful costumes at the steampunk event at Waterstones Nottingham

And whilst all this was happening in the UK, fans from across the world were sending us fabulous parasol photos for our very special teapot competition. See the final entries below (and earlier entries here and here), and tune back in this Friday 20th for the announcement of the winners!

Maria Diana Broughton's photo of the darling Ane Victoria and Eirin for the Gail Carriger competition — Maria Diana Broughton's photo of the darling Ane Victoria and Eirin

Kirsten's entry for the Gail Carriger competition — The beautifully coy Kirsten

Elizabeth Dixon's entry for the Gail Carriger competition — The delightfully daring Elizabeth Dixon

Jaymee's entry for the Gail Carriger competition — The just divine Jaymee

Katelynn Hickman's entry for the Gail Carriger competition — The heavenly Katelynn Hickman

Terry Kroenung's entry for the Gail Carriger competition — Terry Kroenung's capturing of a feisty low-kick

And don’t forget that Gail is now off to swan around the rest of the European continent. See her tour details here!

More Gail Carriger parasol competition entries . . .

Anna Jackson
April 13, 2012

We invite you to be so kind as to look below for some more entries to our competition to celebrate Gail Carriger‘s UK tour. What these lovely beauties are all hoping to win is a beautiful teapot or one of two tea strainers, which Gail signed for us when she graced the UK office with her presence on Wednesday. Be sure to send in your entry by 5pm UK time today to be in with a chance of winning. More entries and winners will be posted next week!

And don’t forget that tonight there will be a Steampunk Extravaganza held in Gail’s honour at the Waterstones in Nottingham. It looks like it’s turning out to be quite a party indeed . . .

Jennifer Arnold's submission for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The alluring Jennifer Arnold

Valerie Hernandez's submission for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The heroic Valerie Hernandez

Rebecca Campbell's submission for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The charming Rebecca Campbell

Sarah E. Miller's submission for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The mystical Sarah E. Miller

Janet Smith's submission for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The surperb Janet Smith and handsome hubby

Gail Carriger UK Tour competition – entries so far . . .

Anna Jackson
April 11, 2012

The cake selection on offer at the steampunk soiree held in honour of author Gail Carriger — The cake selection on offer at the steampunk soiree - photo courtesy of Meg at http://bowtiesare.blogspot.co.uk/

Reports confirm that Ms. Gail Carriger, author of the Parasol Protectorate series, is having a terribly splendid time here in the British Isles.

Gail Carriger, author of the steampunk urban fantasy series The Parasol Protectorate, at Foyles during her UK tour — Gail Carriger in fine attire at The Steampunk Soiree

The Steampunk Soiree held at Foyles in London on Monday night was a deliciously delightful affair, with many a cup of tea supped and innumerable French fancies nibbled.

In addition to the guest of honour – Gail herself – the charming Lauren O’Farrell, author of Stitch London, was also in attendance – displaying her crafty knitting talents in all their glory.

Gail’s reading from Soulless ( UK | US | ANZ) was a glory to behold, and many a question from inquisitive fans meant that we were all gossiping late into the evening. The Soulless Manga Edition (UK | US | ANZ) seemed a particularly popular subject of conversation.

You can see more photos of this splendid event right here.

And we simply cannot wait for Friday’s event at Waterstone’s Nottingham!

* * *

But enough of this tittle-tattle, and on to the very important matter of our teapot competition.

We have had entries flying in thick and fast. Be sure to send in yours by 5pm UK time this Friday 13th April if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning this darling teapot or these twee tea strainers as runner-up prizes, all signed by Gail’s fair hand.

And in the meantime, please see below for just a small selection of some of the fabulous entries so far. We shall be posting more of these in due course!

Elisabeth Weigel's Entry for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The wonderful Elisabeth Weigel

Galena Ostipow's entry for the Gail Carriger Uk tour competition — The adorable Galena Ostipow

Jaime Rainwater's entry for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The ravishing Jaime Rainwater

Caroline Laronze's entry for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The lovely Caroline Laronze

Sernella Volpe and Stek's entry for the Gail Carriger UK tour competition — The stylish Sernella Volpe and Stek from Steampunkitalia

Announcing Gail Carriger’s Grand UK Tour (…and a terribly delightful competition)

The Orbit Team
March 27, 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!

Kitschies nominations competition

Rose Tremlett
January 20, 2012

Equations of Life by Simon Morden cover - a black and white spiral optical illusion pattern with lime green spine The Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington cover - featuring a black and white 'Death and the Maiden' motif by Niklaus Manuel with white background and a red title

We are delighted that two Orbit titles have been shortlisted for this year’s Kitschies – awards that celebrate the most ‘progressive, intelligent and entertaining works of genre literature’, run by the excellent Pornokitsch website.

Jesse Bullington’s The Enterprise of Death is a finalist for the Red Tentacle for best novel, and the cover for Simon Morden’s Equations of Life is a finalist for the Inky Tentacle for best cover. Congratulations to Jesse and our very own designer Lauren Panepinto!

To celebrate we want to give you the opportunity to read these great books and judge for yourselves. We have 10 copies of each to give away. Just fill in your details below and we’ll pick the winner in two weeks time, the day before the winners are announced at the SFX Weekender 3 Kitschies Award Ceremony (sponsored by Kraken Rum, making it even more certain to be a great event).

Please read the full terms and conditions.

Seven Days for SEVEN PRINCES: The Competition

The Orbit Team
January 7, 2012

This competition is now closed. Winners will be notified by email.

To celebrate this week’s release of the majestic epic fantasy adventure that is Seven Princes (UK | US | ANZ) by John R. Fultz, we’re giving 7 copies of this title away absolutely free. To enter, all you need to do is fill in the form for your relevant territory, and 7 winners will be picked at random worldwide next week. Good luck!

The cover for the debut fntasy Seven Princes by John R Fuktz

A very special holiday giveaway

Rose Tremlett
December 12, 2011

To celebrate some of the amazing books Orbit have launched during 2011 (and taking a sneaky peak at 2012) we are having a giveaway – but it’s a giveaway with a difference! We have 5 sets of Advance Reading Copies up for grabs. Obviously they are not so much in advance any more, but they are exclusive, limited editions that money can’t buy – and they are a great sampling of some of Orbit’s biggest and best titles of the year!

That’s five sets of the following titles:

THE FALLEN BLADE by Jon Courtenay Grimwood
LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S. A. Corey
THE DRAGON’S PATH by Daniel Abraham
THE EDINBURGH DEAD by Brian Ruckley
SEVEN PRINCES by John R. Fultz (New! Publishing this Jan. 2012)

The competition is open to the UK and US. Full terms and conditions below. Complete the following form for your chance to win one of the sets! (more…)

Nicole Peeler’s Jane True makes a splash in the UK

Anna Jackson
August 17, 2011

Released this month in the UK, Australia and NZ are Tempest Rising (UK│ANZ) and Tracking the Tempest (UK│ANZ) – with a spangly new cover style. They’re books one and two in Nicole Peeler‘s sexy storm of a series, the Jane True novels. Books three and four, Tempest’s Legacy (UK│ANZ) and Eye of the Tempest (UK│ANZ), will follow hot on their heels this September and October respectively. So not long to wait to get your urban-fantasy-grabbing mitts on them!

Two weeks ago we ran a Twitter competition for UK readers to vote for their favourite of the above four covers. The result was Tempest Rising – good news as it’s the perfect place to dive into the world of supernatural halfling Jane True. You’ll see her coming to grips with her new-found powers over water (not to mention coming to grips with the rather dashing members of the supernatural community she meets for the first time…). The winner of the competition was Julie Fallon – congrats! Copies of the first four books will be winging (or more appropriately: swimming?) their way to you soon.

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