Archive for Signings and Events

Photos From Brent Weeks’s UK Tour!

After two weeks spent travelling around the US on his 15-date book-signing tour, Brent Weeks hopped across the pond to meet his UK fans and sign copies of his New York Times bestselling novel THE BLINDING KNIFE [UK | US | ANZ].

Brent’s UK tour took in nine cities in eight days and involved hundreds of fans who enjoyed a brilliant reading (with a shocking twist for which his editor still hasn’t forgiven him!) before chatting with Brent and getting their books signed. Brent also spent a full day at Fantasycon in Brighton, where he was a Guest of Honour and took part in a variety of panels.

We thought the tour was a huge success – thanks to everyone who attended! – and Brent clearly thought so too:

Here are some photos from Brent’s week in the UK.

We thought we ought to help Brent acclimatise to the UK, so before his tour began we invited him and his wife Kristi along to Orbit HQ in London where we drank tea while discussing the weather.

Brent’s first call of duty was a signing at Forbidden Planet’s flagship store in London, where a huge crowd turned up to meet him. (more…)

Iain M. Banks global launch event for The Hydrogen Sonata

Iain Banks

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.

The Hydrogen Sonata UK cover image

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.

 

Kim Stanley Robinson reads from 2312

“One stands on a pebble next to a star…”

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)

http://youtu.be/kRHOX8mRALE

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

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!

More Gail Carriger parasol competition entries . . .

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 . . .

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!

March Events

On either side of the pond, there are plenty of places to run into Orbit authors in March.

Thursday, March 1
Gail Carriger at Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 7 PM

March 2-4
Kristen Painter at Fantasy on the Bayou, New Orleans, LA
Mira Grant at Consonance, San Francisco, CA

Friday, March 2
Gail Carriger at Murder by the Book, Houston, TX, 6:30 PM

Saturday, March 3
Gail Carriger at Book People, Austin, TX, 7 PM

Thursday, March 8
Jon Courtenay Grimwood at A Gothic Evening at Blackwell’s, Blackwell’s Charing Cross, London

Saturday, March 10
A. Lee Martinez at B&N at North East Mall, Hurst, TX, 2 PM

Wednesday, March 14
Amanda Downum at Dragon’s Lair Comics, Austin, TX, 6 PM

Saturday, March 17
Robert Jackson Bennett at Murder by the Book, Houston, TX, 1 PM

Wednesday, March 21
Ken MacLeod at Pulp Fiction Books, Edinburgh

Thursday, March 22
Amanda Downum at Pandemonium Books, Cambridge, MA, 7 PM

March 23-25
Mira Grant at AggieCon, Austin, TX

March 30
Gail Z. Martin at Books-a-Million Carolina Mall, Concord, NC

March 30-April 1
Mira Grant at Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, WA