Archive for Uncategorized

Acquisition Announcement: THE SWORD DEFIANT by Gareth Hanrahan

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a brand new series from Gareth Hanrahan, author of the critically acclaimed The Gutter Prayer. The first book in Gareth’s new trilogy, titled The Sword Defiant will be publishing in May 2023, and is now available to pre-order.

Orbit UK Commissioning editor Emily Byron acquired World Rights to the Lands of the Firstborn trilogy from John Jarrold, with Senior editor Bradley Englert acquiring for Orbit US. Check out the stunning cover below, designed by Sophie Harris at Little, Brown Book Group with art by Thea Dumitriu.

An image of the book cover of The Sword Defiant, which shows an ominous and moody illustration of an armoured man brandishing a glowing red sword

Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord’s cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part.

Now, when Aelfric – keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker – learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday’s eager heroes are today’s weary leaders – and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves.

If there’s one thing Aelfric knows, it’s slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends.

Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, The Sword Defiant launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons and bloodthirsty vengeance.

You can follow Gareth on Twitter @mytholder!

Cover Launch: THE DAUGHTERS OF IZDIHAR by Hadeer Elsbai

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover of the UK edition of THE DAUGHTERS OF IZDIHAR by Hadeer Elsbai, a powerful debut fantasy set in an Egyptian-inspired world featuring breathtaking elemental magic and sapphic romance.

Feast your eyes on this beautiful cover, designed by Ella Garrett at Little, Brown Book Group, and read on for a taste of what’s in store. . .

An image of the book cover of the UK edition of The Daughters of Izdihar, showing a dark blue and vibrant orange patterning with a cityscape silhouetted in bronze around the border.

Trapped in an arranged marriage to a man she does not love, Nehal dreams of attending the Weaving Academy. There, she can take control of her powers, bending any water to her will, and pursue a glorious future on the battlefield with the first all-female military regiment. Her husband, indifferent and secretive, is in love with another woman, a poor bookseller named Giorgina.

Giorgina has her own secret. She is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from meetings with the Daughters of Izdihar, a women’s rights group fighting for freedom. They come from very different means, yet Nehal and Giorgina have more in common than they think.

Enticed by the group’s enigmatic leader Malak Mamdouh, the two women are drawn into a web of politics, violence and threats of war as they find themselves fighting to earn – and keep – a lasting freedom.

Praise for The Daughters of Izdihar:

‘A gorgeous, clever feminist fantasy novel rich with magic, politics, hunger and fire. An absolute must-read’ Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

‘Hadeer Elsbai has written a powerful story of sisterhood, love, and struggle within a rich, vibrant world with complicated characters that leap from the page to smash the patriarchy!’ P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn

‘A wondrously rich fantasy. . . a debut not to be missed’ Shannon Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass

‘Action-packed, magic-filled, and led by two fierce, vividly-rendered women, The Daughters of Izdihar is a compelling and empowering debut’ Ava Reid, author of Juniper and Thorn

‘A thrilling tale of two women’s fight for rights in their patriarchal society, peppered with elemental magic, politics, and a relentless desire for that which is wrongly forbidden.’ Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

You can pre-order The Daughters of Izdihar now!

Orbit to launch a new publishing program!

We are excited to announce that Orbit will be launching a new publishing program focusing on ebook and audio formats. We will be welcoming SF and Fantasy submissions from both agented and un-agented authors, and hiring additional staff to join the team in New York. Look out for more information later this year!

Andrzej Sapkowski’s bestselling Witcher series is coming out in hardcover this fall

Witcher fans rejoice! This fall Orbit will release the complete Witcher series in hardcover for the first time. Each edition will feature cover art from a different artist, showcasing a range of stunning visions of the Witcher universe. These editions will be available in the UK  from @gollancz in 2023.

First up will be the hardcover editions of Blood of Elves and The Time of Contempt in September.

Illustration by Richard Anderson

Preorder Blood of Elves Hardcover (US)

Time of Contempt
Illustration by Magali Villeneuve

Preorder The Time of Contempt Hardcover (US)

Hardcover editions of Baptism of Fire and The Tower of Swallows will follow in October, while The Lady of The Lake and Season of Storms will drop in November. Follow Orbit on Twitter to keep up with those upcoming cover reveals!

And this December look out for the illustrated edition of Sword of Destiny. This gorgeous deluxe hardcover will include six brand-new, full-page interior illustrations (one for each story) and is the perfect companion to the hardcover illustrated edition of The Last Wish.

Sword of Destiny
Illustration by Martina Fačková

Preorder Sword of Destiny Hardcover Illustrated Edition (US | UK)

The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny
The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny Illustrated Editions.

Preorder Sword of Destiny Hardcover Illustrated Edition (US | UK)

Order The Last Wish Illustrated Edition (US | UK)

Orbit Pride Virtual Events

Join us for Orbit Pride from June 23rd-June 26th, presented with queer SFF bookstores Tubby & Coo’s and Portal Bookshop! We’ll have SIX virtual panels featuring twelve of our fantastic authors. Register for one (or all!) of our events coming later this month below!

 

Thursday, June 23, 8pm BST / 3pm EDT:
Tara Sim & M.A. Carrick 

Register here

 

Friday, June 24, 7pm BST / 2pm EDT:
Alex White & K.B. Wagers

Register here

 

Saturday, June 25, 12pm BST / 7am EDT:
Tasha Suri, Mike Brooks, & Davinia Evans

Register here

 

Saturday, June 25, 3pm BST / 10am EDT:
C.L. Clark & Francesca May

Register here

 

Sunday, June 26, 3pm BST / 10am EDT:
Everina Maxwell & Emery Robin

Register here

 

Sunday, June 26, 5pm BST / 12pm EDT:
S.T. Gibson

Register here

Acquisition announcement: Warmongers by C. L. Clark

Orbit is excited to announce that we’ve acquired a standalone fantasy novel from C. L. Clark, the author of Nebula-award finalist and breakout success, The Unbroken! If you love heart-stopping battles for the souls of nations, complicated queer romances, and bold, brilliant examinations of war, warriors, loyalty and vengeance, then Warmongers is for you.

In this heart-wrenching epic fantasy set in a kingdom in a cycle of eternal war, two women—once lovers and warriors at arms—are set on a collision course when years after their separation, one is crowned king and the other vows to kill her.

You can follow the author on Twitter @C_L_Clark . And, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on C. L. Clark’s work, make sure to check out The Unbroken (US | UK) and get ready for the sequel The Faithless.

Cover Launch: The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover for The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin, the second book in The Great Cities duology!

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto

Four-time Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author N.K. Jemisin crafts “a glorious fantasy” (Neil Gaiman) — a story of culture, identity, magic, and myths in contemporary New York City, that began with The City We Became. Pre-order your copy of The World We Make now (US | UK link to come!) and pick up The City We Became (US | UK) if you haven’t already!

Acquisition Announcement: A DOWRY OF BLOOD by S. T. Gibson

We are delighted to announce that we’ve acquired S. T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood, a deliciously dark retelling of Dracula; a story of desire, obsession and the lengths to which we’ll go to protect the ones we love. It was previously published by independent press Nyx Publishing and has already established a dedicated fan base; Orbit plans to build on the novel’s cult success and break it out to a wide commercial fiction readership.

Orbit UK and US will publish simultaneously in October 2022, with a further book from S. T. Gibson set in the same world as A Dowry of Blood following in 2023. This stunning cover was designed by Duncan Spilling.

A book cover with a dark background and a woman with a smear of blood across her eyes

This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband’s dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

S. T. Gibson said: ‘I’m absolutely elated to be working with the talented team at Orbit to bring A Dowry of Blood to life on a grand scale. From the first editorial call, I knew that this book had found its perfect home. A Dowry of Blood was my refuge and comfort during a tough period in my life, and Constanta’s story is near and dear to my heart. By writing this book I was able to dive headfirst into themes of love and marriage, abuse and tenderness, and life and death. I hope readers enjoy the chills and thrills of this dark, dramatic story of obsession.’

Praise for A Dowry of Blood:

‘Dark, lush and heartrendingly romantic’ Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

‘A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful’ Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf

‘Atmospheric and lush. . . it will haunt you in the best possible way’ Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

Tara Gilbert at the Jennifer De Chiara Agency sold World English rights in a two-book deal to Assistant Editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK. Associate Editor Angeline Rodriguez at Orbit US has secured North American rights.

We can’t wait to make this the next big obsession in October, but in the meantime please join us in welcoming S. T. Gibson to Orbit! Follow for updates on Twitter at @s_t_gibson, Instagram at @stgibsonauthor and TikTok at @saint.machina

 

 

 

 

Cover launch: It Rides a Pale Horse

From Andy Marino, a new star in horror fiction, comes IT RIDES A PALE HORSE: a terrifying novel of obsession, creation, and the shocking actions we’ll take to protect those we love, all set in a small town filled with dark secrets.

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

Peter Larkin—Lark to his friends—is a local hero in the small town of Wofford Falls. The one who went to the big city, became a famous sculptor, then returned home to settle down. He’s the kind of guy who becomes fast friends with almost anyone. His sister, Betsy, is even more gifted. And eccentric. Unlike Lark, she keeps to herself.

When Lark delivers his latest piece to a fabulously rich buyer, it seems like a regular transaction. Even being met at the gate of the sprawling, secluded estate by an intimidating security guard seems normal. Until the guard plays him a live feed: Betsy being abducted in real time.

Lark is informed that she’s safe for now, but her well‑being is entirely in his hands. He’s given a book. Do what the book says, and Betsy will go free.

It seems simple enough—an instruction manual for a sculpture. But as Lark begins to work he realizes: the book’s writer is unhinged. The sculpture is impossible. And his sister’s captors are not what they seem.

All the while, his town and those within it are changing. And the only way out is through.