Last night Google’s UK headquarters in London bore witness to a very special event: a discussion between the UK’s three biggest SF writers, Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton and Alistair Reynolds. Eight lucky fans from across the world – who were all lucky enough to win a competition to join the conversation – sat in on the debate and supplied questions.
The hour-long discussion covered a wide range of subjects, such as worldbuilding versus characterisation, approaches to writing and the future of science fiction in an increasingly digital age. The entire hour-long session was watched live by hundreds of fans and was also filmed. Many thanks to the Google crew for their hospitality and for making the event possible!
Iain M. Banks is on tour in the UK next week, signing copies of his brilliant new Culture novel THE HYDROGEN SONATA [UK | US | ANZ] – the events are as follows:
Orbit are excited to announce that Iain M. Banks will be participating in an international Google+ Hangout to celebrate the publication of THE HYDROGEN SONATA. The event will take place on Thursday 27th September at 6pm BST, and Iain will be hanging out with Alastair Reynolds, Peter F. Hamilton and a few lucky fans…
For a chance to be part of this amazing panel please post your best questions in the specially created event page and make sure that you have circled +Google Play to find out if you have been successfully shortlisted. Don’t have a Google+ account but want to take part? It’s easy, find out here.
For those of you who miss out, never fear, the Hangout will be broadcast, so you will be able to watch the discussion in real time, and your questions may still be asked.
And for everyone in the UK, Iain will be touring in October:
Plus, Orbit and SFX are running a competition to interview Iain M. Banks in person! For full details pick up the current issue of SFX, and to enter submit the ten questions you would ask Iain.
Last night some of the Orbit team enjoyed a fun evening with various authors, readers, reviewers and publishing folk at Goldsboro Books in London. ‘Magic in the Court’ featured bestselling author Deborah Harkness and a number of other notable urban fantasists, including Orbit’s very own Benedict Jacka, who was celebrating the release of his new Alex Verus novel TAKEN [UK | ANZ].
Speeches were made by David Headley (Director and owner of Goldsboro Books) and Deborah Harkness, drinks were consumed and a fine time was had by all. Many thanks to Headline and to Goldsboro owners David and Daniel for a wonderful evening.
TAKEN is the third novel featuring probability mage Alex Verus – a seer who runs a magic shop in North London when he isn’t busy fighting scheming otherworldly forces – and is out now (signed copies are available at Goldsboro Books).
Welcome to Fountain Reach Ancient seat of the Aubuchon dynasty Majestic setting of the White Stone tournament
Alex Verus’s (not necessarily reliable) reputation attracts all sorts. Most are plain bonkers. Yet there’s one invitation he just can’t refuse.
At Fountain Reach, Alex is perfectly placed among the noted and notorious to figure out why apprentices have been vanishing. But the tournament is a minefield of ancient grudges and new threats, and Alex can’t afford to miss a trick as his elusive adversary stays one step ahead in this most dangerous of games.
The first two Alex Verus books, FATED [UK | ANZ] and CURSED [UK | ANZ] have already caused a serious buzz amongst urban fantasy fans.
FATED is an excellent example of not just great urban fantasy but also of brilliant story telling. There is a near perfect mix of everything and it has been masterfully crafted with a meticulous eye for those pieces of humanity that make a great protagonist and a fantastic story” – FANTASY FACTION
“Jacka follows his urban fantasy debut, FATED, with an even more impressive tale of gunplay and spellcraft in present-day London . . . Readers will savor this tasty blend of magic, explosions, and moral complexity” – PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY (starred review)
TAKEN has already earned similar praise:
Alex Verus is back in his best adventure to date. Author Benedict Jacka has found his feet and delivers a ripping, action packed novel that’s an indulgent treat for urban fantasy fans” – BOOKBAG
There’s no chance of a face-off between Alex Verus and Harry Dresden though, as Jim Butcher has confirmed he’s a huge fan:
Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously – and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list. FATED is an excellent novel, a gorgeously-realized world with a uniquely powerful, vulnerable protagonist. Books this good remind me why I got into the storytelling business in the first place.
Benedict Jacka can be found on the internet both at his website and on Twitter. You can read an extract from FATED here, while the fascinating discussion that Benedict had recently with Jim Butcher can be found here.
Benedict will be attending Fantasycon at the end of September, so do come and find him to say hello! Benedict’s schedule is as follows:
Friday 28th September – (2pm-3pm, FITZHERBERT ROOM) – ‘Blurring the Genre Boundaries’.
Saturday 29th September (10am-11am, RUSSELL ROOM) – ‘Fantasy Fiction: Keeping it Real?’, plus a reading at 8 pm.
Benedict will also be involved in the Portsmouth Literary Festival on 30th October, as part of a panel discussion entitled ‘Urban Fantasy and the City Setting’, with fellow Orbit authors Jon Courtenay Grimwood and Kate Griffin, as well as Ben Aaronovitch.
The start of a simply irresistible new urban fantasy series, FULL BLOODED (UK | US | ANZ) by Amanda Carlson, is released today in the UK, and worldwide within a week!
If you’re into shifters, paranormal girls who know how to kick some ass, sexy supernatural men and all the good things that come along with them, then this book is for you. (Check out an extract here to confirm!)
To celebrate the release, Amanda is doing a mega-epic blog tour, visiting every corner of the interwebs. So you’re likely to see her stopping by at a pixel near you . . .
Check out all of the dates she’s already done below, as well as what’s still to come!
In September, Brent Weeks is going on tour! You can find more details and book signing etiquette (US, UK to follow soon) on Brent’s blog. Below, click through to RSVP on Facebook for each of his US events.
Also, if you’re going to be at either Dragon*Con or Worldcon over Labor Day weekend, keep an eye out for the several Orbit authors who will be attending each convention!
Brent Weeks will be hitting the road in September for the release of THE BLINDING KNIFE (US | UK | ANZ) — book 2 in the Lightbringer series and sequel to THE BLACK PRISM. There will be events in both the US and the UK, and you can find all the details on Brent’s blog.
August 8 – 12
Nicole Peeler, Kristen Painter, Jaye Wells, and Amanda Carlson at Authors After Dark, New Orleans, LA
August 17
The Orbit team will be attending Blackwells’ High Fantasy Night, and, because he’s in London on a rare visit from Australia, Ian Irvine will be signing books at the event!
August 24 – 27 Simon Morden at the Greenbelt Festival, Gloucestershire, UK
August 31 – September 2
A number of Orbit authors will be attending either Chicon and DragonCon over Labor Day weekend!
In his stunning novel,2312 [UK | US | ANZ], Kim Stanley Robinson combines detailed research with a vivid imagination to create the most incredible descriptions of our galaxy 300 years in the future. While he was in the UK, we filmed him reading from the book at Toppings in Bath (big thank you to Jeanette Weston at Magus Studios).
Here he reads a passage depicting dawn on the planet Mercury… prepare to be entranced.
And for a chance to win a SIGNED hardback of 2312, comment below with your favourite quote from the reading! (Terms and Conditions apply)
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