Archive for Events

June Events

May 30 – June 3
Kim Stanley Robinson at SpaceFest

May 31 – June 3
Jaye Wells at Imaginales

June 1-3
Rachel Aaron at ConCarolinas

June 5
Kim Stanley Robinson at Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA, 7 PM
N.K. Jemisin at New York Review of Science Fiction, New York, NY, 7 PM

June 6
N.K. Jemisin at New York Public Library, New York, NY, 6 PM

June 7

Jaye Wells and Kevin Hearne at A Real Bookstore, Dallas, TX, 7 PM

June 8
Kim Stanley Robinson at Topping & Company Booksellers, Bath, 7:30 PM

June 9
V.M. Zito at Friendly Neighborhood Comics, Bellingham, MA, 12 PM
Kim Stanley Robinson and Iain M. Banks in conversation at Conference Centre, British Library, London, 3 PM

June 16
Kim Stanley Robinson at Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, CA

June 23
James S.A. Corey (Daniel Abraham and Ty  Franck) at Alamosa Books, Albuquerque, NM, 2 PM

June 30

Jaye Wells at Murder by the Book, Houston, TX, 4:30 PM

Iain M. Banks and Kim Stanley Robinson event

Iain Banks

Orbit are SO excited to announce that we are teaming up with Forbidden Planet, in association with the British Library, to present a unique opportunity to hear two giants of SF in conversation about their work.

Saturday 9th June 2012

Doors 3pm for a 3.30pm start, followed by a signing at 5pm

Conference Centre, British Library

Tickets £7.50, concessions £5 – available here

Iain M. Banks is this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Culture.  Kim Stanley Robinson is visiting the UK to promote his new SF novel 2312.  Stay tuned for more tour details!

Kim Stanley Robinson

Forbidden Planet rocket logo

Helen Lowe and Robin Hobb on Reddit

the logo for Reddit forum r/Fantasy showing the Reddit logo dressed up as Gandalf!Fantasy author Helen Lowe will join Robin Hobb in an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Reddit today, Wednesday 16th May, at 8pm CST.

The chat will be found on Reddit’s Fantasy forum, r/Fantasy, at http://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/.

Don’t forget that Helen, with her epic fantasy novel THE HEIR OF NIGHT, is one of five authors shortlisted for the David Gemmell Morning Star Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer and that you can still get your votes in here until 12 Noon GMT 31st May.

Orbit authors N. K. Jemisin and Brent Weeks have also taken part in Reddit AMAs recently, and it looks like they had a great time of it!

May Events

Sunday, May 6
N.K. Jemisin (with Paolo Bacigalupi) at WORD, Brooklyn, NY, 7 PM

Saturday, May 12
N.K. Jemisin at Flights of Fantasy, Albany, NY, 7 PM

May 18-20
T.C. McCarthy at XCon World V

Wednesday, May 23
Kim Stanley Robinson at The Planetary Society, Pasadena, CA, 7 PM

Thursday, May 24
Kim Stanley Robinson at Mysterious Galaxy, Redondo Beach, CA, 7:30 PM

Friday, May 25
Daniel Abraham at Alamosa Books, Albuquerque, NM, 7 PM

May 25-28
Gail Carriger at World Steam Expo

May 25-27
T.C. McCarthy at Balticon

Tuesday, May 29
Kim Stanley Robinson at Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 7 PM

May 20-June 3
Kim Stanley Robinson at SpaceFest, Tucson, AZ

May 31-June 4
Jaye Wells at Imaginales, Épinal, France

Gail Carriger’s UK Tour report & final competition entries

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!

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

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

April Events

Going to the RT Booklovers Convention? If so, you’ll run into some Orbit authors: Nicole Peeler, Kristen Painter, and Jaye Wells will be there, as well as new Orbit authors Amanda Carlson (whose Full Blooded [US | UK ] will be out in September) and Kate Locke (whose God Save the Queen [US | UK | ANZ] hits stores in August)! It runs April 11-15th in Rosemont, IL.

Speaking of conventions, you’ll find Nicole Peeler at Malice Domestic, and Jaye Wells at the North Texas Writers Conference. Both run April 27-29th.

Also, Gail Carriger will be touring across Europe this month! Her UK tour runs from April 8-14th, and then she’ll hit Stockholm, Budapest, and Barcelona. More details available at Gail’s website.

Sunday 8th April: EasterCon, Heathrow ~ 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 9th April: Foyles, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, 6.30pm ~ In association with Pornokitsch, a steampunk soirée with special guests at Foyles bookshop in Central London.

Friday 13th April: Steampunk Night at Waterstones, Nottingham ~ To commence at 6.30pm with Pimm’s & cake for a 7pm start. Special guest Jema Hewitt (author of Steampunk Emporium) and friends will be frequenting the event in full costume.

And finally, in the UK, EasterCon is this weekend, 6th to 9th April, at Heathrow, with Guest of Honour Tricia Sullivan; and Alt.Fiction is the following weekend, 14th and 15th April, in Leicester, with special guest Ken MacLeod.

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

Gail Carriger, author of the steampunk urban fantasy romance books the Parasol Protectorate series

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

Steampunk soiree event at Foyles in London for Gail Carriger, urban fantasy romance author of the novel TimelessIn 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.

Tea for One set from Oliver BonasTea Strainer from 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):

Members of the Orbit Books tema posing with parasols to promote the author Gail Carriger's UK tour (author of TIMELESS from The Parasol Protectorate series)

Best of British, and the Empire salutes you!

Orbit Reviewer Party 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 (more…)