Friday, May 31, 2013

Nine Worlds Geekfest Coming in August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NINE WORLDS GEEKFEST CELEBRATES GEEK CULTURE IN LONDON.
Friday, May 31st, 2013 – London UK.

Described as a the mutant hybrid of a science fiction convention crossed with a TED talks conference, Nine Worlds Geekfest will bring together hordes of UK geeks for a 3-day celebration of geek culture on August 9-11, 2013 in London, UK.

As well as including the core elements of traditional science fiction conventions like literature and film, Nine Worlds seeks to broaden the scope of geekery to include many aspects of popular science and technology, while dispensing with the whole celeb photo and signing machine that turns many sci-fi events into all-day queuing marathons. As co-organiser Ludi Valentine explains, “Our guests are the writers, and creators, and scientists, the people who make awesome things happen, people with amazing stories to tell, and cool stuff to show you.”

Guests include over a dozen big names in UK Sci-Fi & Fantasy lit, like Cory Doctorow, Stephen Hunt, Charlie Stross and Catherine Banner and lots of Sci-Fi TV writers. On the acting side, we've got Chris Barrie (Red Dwarf), a couple of Harry Potter actors and a few Doctor Who/Torchwood actors. And we've got people like Rhianna Pratchett (creator of the new Tomb Raider game), Kieron Gillen (Marvel Comics author) and lots of scientists, filmmakers, artists and academics.

The Nine Worlds team has reached out to fandom organisations and niche conventions from around the country to put together a slate of content tracks covering many aspects of geek fandom.

Nine Worlds has organisations like the Victorian Steampunk Society (which run the world's largest Steampunk event, Weekend at the Asylum) running a Steampunk track. London on Board (a 2000+ member board gaming society) is running a non-stop gaming and play testing of new games. Skeptic Magazine is running a full track of talks about Skepticism and the Royal Observatory is running a Space Exploration track. Durham University is sending their Harry Potter Studies instructors to lecture about Harry Potter academia. And lots more -- even got smaller organisations like BUCK, fans of My Little Pony, are showing off their fandom.

The event also has a team of dedicated organisers who've managed fan content at other events on topics like Game of Thrones, Role Playing Games, Comics, Tolkien, Video Games, Doctor Who, Fanfic, Knitting and over a dozen more. Nine Worlds will also be host to the UK's first academic conference on Geek Culture, with scholars gathering from around the country to discuss everything from Hacktivism to Alien Ecologies. And with dedicated Geek Feminism and Queer Fandom content tracks, Nine Worlds aims to be welcoming to groups that often feel excluded by traditional sci-fi conventions.

Nine Worlds will also have lots of entertainment running throughout the event, including themed social spaces, a sci-fi film festival, live-action quidditch, a steampunk ceilidh, lots of open board and role playing games, live music, Nerf War, comedians, magicians, an intergalactic casino, weekend-long LARP's and social/party gaming.

Nine Worlds grew out of the organisers' bafflement over why London doesn't sport the kind of large-scale geek gatherings that exist in other parts of the world. Co-organiser Erich Schultz says, “As huge sci-fi fans ourselves, we and our friends been going for years to the massive American residential conventions like Dragon*Con and San Diego ComicCon. And we keep asking ourselves, 'why doesn’t anything that cool exist in London?'"

In March 2013 Nine Worlds ran a Kickstarter fundraising drive that was 232% oversubscribed and raised £23,000 (the second most successful convention launch in Kickstarter's history), demonstrating the huge interest for an event of this kind in London.

Nine Worlds Geekfest will run in two huge conference hotels near Heathrow Airport, on August 9-11 2013. Early Bird tickets are on sale for £75 until May 31.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Jack Vance is gone

Grand Master and fantasy writer Jack Vance has died at age 92.

Too bad there isn't a mortality elixir so that we can keep these fabulous writers alive.

He will be missed.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Reviews

A Love Untamed
Pamela Palmer
Avon, $7.99
ISBN: 9780062107510


Once he was Kieran the Therian, but now he has become the latest rendition of Fox. He was the only one of the new shapeshfting Feral Warriors who did not attack the team veterans (see Ecstasy Untamed). Still as the rookie, Fox needs to prove as much to himself as his teammates he belongs as their equal in their endless war against the evil Daemons.

He is assigned teaming with Melisande the Ilena warrior who loathes shapeshifters. Expecting his teammate to be like all females wanting him, Fox is stunned by her hatred and distrust of him. As he begins to defrost the ice warrior, they become snared inside a daemon mage trap. Working together to escape before time runs out on them, Melisande and Fox find love and trust as the keys to freedom.

The latest exciting Feral Warriors romantic urban fantasy (see Rapture Untamed) is an enjoyable entry as two warriors, a newcomer and a shapeshifter hater, pair up. The storyline is fast-paced but has a somewhat déjà vu feel with the couple falling into a spirit trap. Still series fans will appreciate this tale as only love can save the lives of the Feral and Ilena Warriors. Harriet Klausner

Rising Sun
Robert Conroy
Baen, $25.00
ISBN: 9781451638516


The attack on Pearl Harbor left America especially its Navy reeling in shock and dismay as much of the Pacific Fleet especially the vaunted battle ships were destroyed by the Japanese air assault. Still morale remains high fueled by a need for retaliation. In June 1942, anticipating a glorious victory the US Navy prepares to engage the enemy near Midway. However, before the prime sea battle, Japanese subs sink two American carriers (Enterprise and the Hornet) and their planes and crew. The Japanese Imperial Navy wins an overwhelming victory in the Battle of Midway.

Former assistant principal, Admiral Spruance’s staffer Lieutenant Tim Dane survives the sinking of the Enterprise. At a hospital in Hawaii he meets civilian Nurse Amanda Mallard who is helping him recover from his injuries. Meanwhile the United States struggles to rebound from this pivotal defeat. The Japanese Army invade Alaska and the Navy blockades Hawaii. Admiral Yamamoto, who told the Emperor Japan cannot win the war, orders constant bombing of the American West Coast cities to try to end the hostilities by bringing the fighting to civilians, further crippling morale. As America fights back; Spruance adopts Dane proposal to fully take the war to Japan while the FBI investigates alleged enemy activity inside the country.

The latest Robert Conroy engaging alternative WWII military thriller (see Himmler's War) focuses on changing the outcome of a pivotal point due to an unfortunate plausible happenchance (if you are the Americans) at the Battle of Midway. However, the overarching premise feels similar to 1942 although that novel used Pearl Harbor as the change agent. Still readers will appreciate Rising Sun as Mr. Conroy brings his exciting version of the war. Harriet Klausner

Easter Bunny Murder
Leslie Meier
Kensington, $25.00
ISBN 9780758229359

Residents of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, enjoy the annual Easter egg hunt hosted by elderly Vivian Van Vorst at her Pine Point. Pennysaver reporter Lucy Stones loves to cover the fun event for the paper. However, when Lucy and other townsfolk arrive at Pine Point, they are shocked by the closed gates as no one can remember when the estate was not open for the gala. Before anyone can decide what to do next, as concern for the hostess rises; the Easter Bunny rushes out of the mansion staggering erratically towards the gates. To the horror of the witnesses especially the children he collapses before reaching it.

The Easter Bunny, VV’s grandson and heir Duff, dies before reaching the hospital. Lucy wonders if Duff was a murder victim or just died because his time ran out. She increasingly considers the death a homicide when she learns that VV recently became a recluse; as the vivacious town matriarch has always been outgoing. Though the cause has not been determined, Lucy thinks the only motive seems to be money as Duff was the heir.

The latest Lucy Stone mystery (see Chocolate Covered Murder and The Christmas Thief in A Winter Wonderland anthology) is an entertaining cozy. The heroine investigates though admits to herself Duff may have died of natural causes but the journalist remains vigilant in her inquiry as she knows her friend VV has been acting differently. The enjoyable storyline is fast-paced with a solid twist that turns the Easter Bunny Murder into an engaging family affair. Harriet Klausner

1356
Bernard Cornwell
Harper, $20.99
ISBN: 9780061969676


The war between the English and French on France soil continues unabated. However, in 1356 as the hostile forces prepare for bloody hand to hand combat at Poitiers, Black Friar Ferdinand allegedly steals La Malice from an old coffin. La Malice is the sword that Jesus ordered Peter to hide in the garden of Gethsemane and everyone wants Saint Peter’s blessed blade as the legend is the person yielding this sword will rule.

Pursuing Ferdinand is Avignon papal enforcer Father Calade and his hooded hawk. The Earl of Northampton orders his mercenary Sir Thomas “La Batard” Hookton and his band to find Saint Peter’s sword. Having just switched sides over payments due, Sir Thomas obeys the order leading his troop across France fighting his former allies, treacherous friends, and warlord hordes and duplicitous churchmen. At the same time major forces prepare for a bloody hand to hand combat at Poitiers with Sir Thomas and his mercenaries joining the deadly battle.

1356 continues the exciting epic medieval era escapades of Sir Thomas Hookton (see the Grail Quest: Archer's Tale, Vagabond and Heretic) as the pivotal battle of the Hundred Years War looms. Though the myriad of subplots never quite cohesively gel in spite of the various factions converging on Poitiers, historical fans especially of the Grail Quest series (though this is apparently a sidebar tale) will relish this deep at medieval combat with incredible bloody battle scenes as everyone wants to claim through la Malice that God supports their holy cause. Harriet Klausner

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day 2013

All gave some, Some gave all, and Some are still giving.

All gave some are all of my brothers and sisters who served their country proudly and those who continue to do so.

Some gave all are the ones who gave their lives for their country and Memorial Day is the day we honor them.

Some are still giving are the disabled and homeless veterans who still carry the scars of the war with them - be they visible or invisible. Add to this the 800,000 who have claims filed that have been waiting for years to have their claims resolved.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Hooded Man
by Paul Kane

The fight back begins in North American bookstores on 11th June

$12.99/$14.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-168-6

Available in paperback and ebook

After the world died, a legend rises

“Incredible… Paul Kane is a gifted writer.”
– Terrorizer.com

“A tale that will keep you glued to the last page.”
– Falcata Times on Broken Arrow

After the success of its School’s Out Forever collection, Abaddon Books is releasing a trio of Robin Hood-inspired post-apocalyptic novels by Paul Kane in an omnibus exclusively for the North American market.

When civilisation died and the world descended into a new Dark Age, Robert Stokes lost everything, retreating into the woods near Nottingham to turn his back on it all.

But foreign mercenary and arms dealer De Falaise sees England as ripe for conquest – and when he and his army arrive at Nottingham, Stokes is reluctantly drawn into the resistance.

From Sherwood he leads the fight and takes on the mantle of the world’s greatest folk hero. The Hooded Man and his allies will become a symbol of freedom, a shining light in the horror of a blighted world, but he can never rest: De Falaise is only the first of his kind.

Filled with impressive action and desperate characters, this hard-edged dystopian omnibus collects the novels Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland.

About the Series

The world has been devastated by an epidemic. Although there are pockets of an attempted continuation of civilisation, the truth is that the world has gone to hell in a handcart. The reason for this is a disease that has wiped out most of the world's population. It kills almost all those who are not of the blood group 'O neg'. Those people who survive are untouched. Everyone else dies. Infrastructures have collapsed. Mobs run rampant. The only kind of law that exists is that imposed by the people with the biggest guns. In this chaotic world who can bring hope and order?

The Afterblight Chronicles bring together the best genre writers in a shared world full of action-packed surprises and terrifying images of a world gone to the dogs, in a series that refuses to wallow in dystopian despondency when there’s meals to catch and cannibals to ward off!

Abaddon Books recently struck a deal with Multistory Films to bring The Afterblight Chronicles title School’s Out by Scott Andrews to the big screen.

About the Author

Paul Kane has been writing professionally for more than 14 years. His genre journalism has appeared in such magazines as The Dark Side, Death Ray, Fangoria, SFX, Dreamwatch and Rue Morgue, and his first non-fiction book was the critically acclaimed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy. His award-winning short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic and has been collected in Alone (In the Dark), Touching the Flame, FunnyBones and Peripheral Visions. His novella Signs of Life reached the shortlist of the British Fantasy Awards 2006, The Lazarus Condition was introduced by Mick Garris, creator of Masters of Horror, and RED featured artwork from Dave McKean. In 2008 his zombie story ‘Dead Time’ was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself. He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife – the author Marie O’Regan – his family, and a black cat called Mina.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Star Trek Cross-Stitch and Craft Books released

THE STAR TREK CRAFT BOOK, Angie Pederson, Gallery Books, $19.99, 176 pages, ISBN: 9781476718644; STAR TREK CROSS-STITCH, John Lohman, Gallery Books, $19.99, 144 pages, ISBN: 9781476718668, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
Here are a couple of unusual books that have come into the Star Trek universe just in time for the release of the new film. Considering the age of the followers of the original series, this may turn out to be some of the best sellers in the related book field. They will also be a perfect fit for those who are newcomers to the arts and crafts field so that they may be able to have their own hand made collectibles.

In STAR TREK CROSS-STITCH, there are thirty different projects as well as eight bonus patterns to keep you busy for a while. There are three levels of difficulty and some of the patterns include, a red shirt with expendable on it, Enterprise Sweet Enterprise, a Next Generation onesie, a five captains hand towel, Ferengi rule of acquisition number 1, and a shut up Wesley. There are also pictures from all five series to add to the enjoyment.

THE STAR TREK CRAFT BOOK has directions for twenty five unique items. A tri-corder handbag, a tribble, a sock monkey Spock, a Star Fleet uniform apron, The Animated Series coasters, and many others; each item comes with detailed instructions and a list of supplies needed to complete the project.

If you are a Trek fan and have the knack and desire for cross stitch and crafts, these are the books for you. I am now sure that you can learn something new every day and these two books proved it to me today.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Oklahoma

Prayers for all of the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes.

I've heard from my friends and relatives in the OKC area and they are fine.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

New Philippa Ballantine coming in August



Praise for Philippa Ballantine and Hunter and Fox:

“I really enjoy this author’s work! She’s pretty much on my must-buy list…”
—Felicia Day, creator, writer, and star of the web series The Guild

“Ballantine draws readers into a fascinating new world, peopled by characters you will genuinely care about. In this first volume of the Shifted World series, she draws from classic fantasy traditions but makes them wholly her own…. Talyn is a heroine to cheer for and treasure.”
—RT Book Reviews (4/5 stars: Compelling)

“A well-imagined novel.”
—Booklist

“[A] worthy feat of world-building, with Ballantine cleverly giving new clothes to old fantasy tropes so that those familiar trappings… come across fresh and wondrous.”
—Miami Herald

Kindred and Wings

A Shifted World Novel

Philippa Ballantine

On the back of the dragon Wahirangi, Finn the Fox flees the world he has known. As he sets out to find the brother he never knew of, he still holds in his heart the memory of the Hunter. He has denied his love for her, but he cannot deny it forever.

In the halls of the Last Believers, Talyn begins to uncover her own mysteries, but her lust for the death of the Caisah is still strong and clouds her vision. She must choose her path, as the Seer of her people or as the assassin of the overlord.

Meanwhile, Byre, Talyn’s brother, must venture into the fiery world of the Kindred, to rebuild the pact that his ancestors made. He will risk everything he is as he forms a new pact that will change his people forever.

Dragons and myths will be reborn, as the Hunter and her Fox face each other once more.

Philippa Ballantine is the coauthor of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series with Tee Morris. As a solo author, Philippa wrote Geist, Spectyr, and the forthcoming Wrayth, for the Books of the Order series, as well as Hunter and Fox, the first novel in the Shifted World series. Philippa is a trained librarian and is addicted to the smell of old books. Visit her online at www.pjballantine.com or follow her on Twitter @PhilippaJane.

263 pages • ISBN 978-1-61614-779-2 • Paperback: $18.00 • Publication: August 6, 2013

ebook ISBN 978-1-61614-780-8 • ebook $11.99

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The New Solaris Book of Fantasy

Fearsome Journeys
The New Solaris Book of Fantasy

Edited by Jonathan Strahan

The quest begins 28th May (US & Can) and 6th June (UK)

$7.99/$9.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-118-1
£7.99 (UK) ISBN 978-1-78108-119-8

Available in paperback and ebook

An exciting new series of the best fantasy writing!

From dragons to quests, from battles to magic – epic fantasy has never been more popular and now it has an exciting new series showcasing its best from Locus Award-nominated anthologist, Jonathan Strahan!

Following the runaway success of its celebrated Solaris Rising, End of the Line and Magic anthologies, Solaris is now opening the doors on worlds of epic fantastical adventure with Fearsome Journeys!

An amazing array of the most popular and exciting names in epic fantasy are set to appear in the first in a brand new series of anthologies, including original fiction from authors such as Trudi Canavan, Daniel Abraham, Saladin Ahmed, Elizabeth Bear, Glen Cook, and Scott Lynch.

A fresh new voice in epic fantasy, which continues to be one of the world’s most popular genres, Fearsome Journeys brings together this fantastic range of high-profile authors to create a new series that will delight traditionalists while also providing new readers with a great entry point to this most timeless of genres.

About the Editor

Jonathan Strahan is an editor and anthologist. He co-edited The Year’s Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy anthology series in 1997 and 1998. He is also the reviews editor of Locus. He lives in Perth, Western Australia with his wife and their two daughters.

www.jonathanstrahan.com.au

www.twitter.com/JonathanStrahan



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Interview with Daniel Quinn

Daniel Quinn’s Dreamer: Back by Popular Demand

Daniel Quinn’s fans have long been devoted champions of his work, recommending “Ishmael,” “My Ishmael,” and
The Story of B” to anyone that would listen and pushing copies of his books into the hands of the unconverted.
"Ishmael" won the $500,000 Turner Tomorrow Fellowship Award, an award created by CNN founder Ted Turner, and
given only once, to Quinn's book for offering positive solutions to global problems. Among the judges for the
award were revered writers Nadine Gordimer, Wallace Stegner, Peter Matthiessen and William Styron. But with the
publication of his first novel, “Dreamer,” Quinn produced a most unlikely work: an offbeat novel of psychological
horror.

An underground classic even while out of print, Dreamer retained notoriety. In 1995, the
New York Review of Science Fiction included the book in its "Horror at the End of the
Century" reading list. Recently, fans persuaded Quinn to bring his first novel back into
print. The author was delighted to comply. It turns out, that Quinn himself is a prolific
dreamer — and an avid dreaming advisor.

Baryon: Your biggest novel, Ishmael, is a serious, influential book that's been a big seller for
twenty years, translated into dozens of languages, and the books that followed were in the
same mold. How does Dreamer fit into that history?

"I spent twelve years working on the book that ultimately became Ishmael. It was spent
producing one version after another, looking for the one that would do what I wanted. It
was a grueling experience, and when I finished the sixth version and realized that I was
still not there, I decided I needed a vacation. Writing Dreamer was that vacation. It was an
important one -- one that taught me a lot. Without it, I'm not sure I would have been ready
for that telepathic gorilla named Ishmael when I finally got to him in version eight."

Baryon: But I gather that Dreamer dropped right out of the Quinn portfolio.

Realistically speaking, Dreamer was never really IN my portfolio, having gone out of print
long before Ishmael appeared. Actually I was just as pleased that it had, since "Daniel
Quinn, author of Dreamer and Ishmael" would have made a queer sort of identity. When it
came to reissuing Dreamer, I was frankly not sure how my readers would take to it, but the
reactions I've had indicate that they're completely ready to accept it as part of my
portfolio. One them wrote: "Dreamer is better than any Stephen King or Dean Koontz I've
ever read. It almost made me cry a dozen times or more, not just because of the story, but
because I realize the amazing career you probably could have had as a genre novelist . . .
were it not for that 800-pound gorilla in the room that consumed most of your writing
career."

Baryon: Would you call Dreamer a horror novel?

"My agent at the time, Scott Meredith, said that Dreamer "hangs onto the horror genre by
its fingertips." It's horror that leans toward the psychological, a book that shakes you up,
that leaves you gaping. It did that even to me, when I read it again after 25 years. There are
no demons, no monsters, no scenes of terror and carnage that'll keep you awake at night.
But it'll baffle you. When you're sure you've figured it all out, everything turns upside
down again and you don't know where you are. That's the fun of it."

Baryon: Can you point to a book that readers may know and say, "Dreamer's like this"?

That's a tough one. I guess I might point at Peter Straub's Ghost Story. If you're a fan of
horror stories, you're sure to know that one. It's a great book, and I'd like to think that
Dreamer belongs in that league.

Baryon: What can you tell me about the story of Dreamer that won't ruin the book for folks who
haven't read it?

It's the story of Greg Donner, a charming but rather naïve and trusting soul, a freelance
writer in Chicago. In a succession of dreams, he happens to come upon and follow a
beautiful young woman who seems to be in some sort of trouble. Then Greg meets that
very woman in waking life and quickly falls in love. But even in waking life Ginny Winters
seems deeply troubled and she warns him not to fall in love with her but won't explain
why. She knows why, but he couldn't possibly understand or believe her until one night he
falls asleep . . . and wakes up the next morning in a locked room in a sanatorium a
thousand miles away, where he's told that his whole life in Chicago was a delusion. This is
only the beginning of the nightmare he lives through in the weeks ahead, never sure what's
dream and what's reality.

Baryon: Many first novels tend to be autobiographical. Is that at all the case with Dreamer?

I'd have to say that Dreamer's probably the only horror novel ever written that is truly very
autobiographical. At the outset of the story Greg is involved with Karen, an attractive
woman he likes, but she's a great organizer and primarily wants to organize him into a
marriage that he doesn't really want. Then he meets Ginny and knows instantly that she's
the love of his life. Karen is disappeared from his life. This exactly parallels my own life.
The moment I met Rennie, my wife, I knew she was the love of my life, and the woman I
was with at the time was history. Almost the first thing Ginny says to Greg is, 'Don't fall in
love with me,' and this was almost the first thing Rennie said to me, word for word. In
effect, finding out why Ginny said this is what Dreamer is all about, and finding out why
Rennie said it was what the next two years were all about for the two of us. It wasn't a
horror story, of course, but it was a period of emotional turmoil.

Baryon: Are you at all tempted to go back to the horror genre now?

A few years ago I started a novel called Render that might well turn out to be a horror
novel if I ever figured out what to do with it, how to finish it. I made the mistake of
showing it to a fan who's made a career out of collecting everything I've ever published --
things even I don't have copies of. Every six months or so he comes back at me with the
question: "When are you going to finish Render?"

Baryon: People are always interested in authors' writing habits, writing life. What's yours like?

When I have a book to write, I write like crazy, ten, twelve hours a day. When I don't have
a book to write, I just go crazy. Some writers dash off a first draft and then go back to edit,
rewrite, and polish. I can't do that. I've got to be completely satisfied with every sentence I
write before I start the next one. And some writers start in the middle of a story or even the
end of a story and then go back to create the other parts. I have to have the whole thing
laid out in my head before I write the first sentence, and the first sentence I write is the first
sentence of the book. There is definitely no one way that works for every writer.

Baryon: What are you working on now?

"That's a reasonable question, though not one that gives me any joy to answer. Writers of
my kind -- writers who write because they have something to say -- go on writing till
they've said it all, then they stop. Bang. How they deal with having nothing more to write I
don't know. Some are probably okay with it, others commit suicide. I tend toward the
latter type. Writers of thrillers, romances, family sagas, or mystery novels are luckier, in
their way. They can go on till they drop dead at the keyboard. I've spent a lot of time in the
last thirty years working with aspiring writers, helping them see what they're doing that
works and doesn't work. One of these just recently published his first novel, after several
years of struggle. So I've got a book I tinker with called Finding Your Direction as a Writer.
The first two pages of it have a permanent resting place on my desktop.

Baryon: How can we visit your website?

That's easy. Search Google on my name and the top link will be to my web site. Or the
site's name is easy to remember – ishmael.org.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Dreamer by Daniel Quinn

DREAMER, Daniel Quinn, CreateSpace, $12.95, 312 pages, ISBN: 9781481850063, Kindle ASIN: B00B1J75JI, $9.95, reviewed by Barry Hunter.

I think “Nightmare” might have been a better title. DREAMER does fit it perfectly though since nightmares are still technically dreams. I’m sure a lot of the readers have had dreams so strong they thought they might have been real. That’s the quandary this book brings about.

Greg Donner, a freelance writer, is in love with Ginny Winters, literally the girl of his dreams, in Chicago. Richard Iles is in a sanatorium in Kentucky due to an undisclosed problem that appears to be government related. Richard is estranged from his wife, Ginny Winters. The problem that the reader has to decide is which one is real and which one is the dreamer. The story alternates between the two personalities and as time passes, parts of each other’s awakening thoughts begin to intermingle.

This complex psychological horror is finally back in print and is open to a new group of readers who can make their own decisions as to which character is real and which one is the DREAMER. I’m sure that even psychologists would like this complex novel.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Life on the Preservation by Jack Skillingstead

Life on the Preservation
By Jack Skillingstead

Discover what’s on the inside on 28th May (US & Can) and 6th June (UK)

£7.99 (UK) ISBN 978-1-78108-116-7
$7.99/$9.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-117-4

Available in paperback and ebook

Life on the inside isn’t as sweet as it seems

“One of the best sci-fi novels I’ve ever read”
– Ted Kosmatka, author of The Games and Prophet of Bones

“A brilliant, deeply felt book full of strangeness and beauty. A post-apocalyptic adventure, that’s also a love letter to Seattle”
– Daryl Gregory, author of Pandemonium and The Devil’s Alphabet

Inside the Seattle Preservation Dome it’s always the Fifth of October, with the city caught in an endless time loop.

“Reformed” graffiti artist Ian Palmer is the only one who knows the truth, and he is desperate to wake up the rest of the city before the alien Curator of the human museum erases his identity forever.

Small town teenager Kylie is one of the few survivors to escape the apocalypse outside. Now she must make her way across the blasted lands to destroy the Preservation. But once inside, she meets Ian, and together they discover that Preservation reality is even stranger than it already appears.

A writer of extraordinary ability; the promise of Skillingstead’s previous short fiction is here transformed into an exceptional novel about post-apocalyptic survival and alien occupation.

With a cover by award-winning artist Vincent Chong, Life on the Preservation is a story of vibrant humanity overcoming extraordinary odds.


About the Author

Jack Skillingstead grew up in a working class neighbourhood south of Seattle. He dropped out of college to work in a cannery in Alaska, later travelling to Maine and then returning to the Pacific northwest. Skillingstead won a writing competition sponsored by Stephen King in 2000, and was a finalist for the Sturgeon Award in 2004. He has published more than thirty short stories in publications including Asimov’s, F&SF and Realms of Fantasy. His work has also appeared in various Year’s Best volumes and Solaris Rising.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Earthling Newsletter


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Earthling Publications Newsletter
April 10, 2013
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Updates and a special offer.......



The traycases for the WEAVEWORLD signed/numbered edition have arrived! It took a few extra weeks to produce, but the extra time and care paid off because they look great. I'll begin pairing up cases with books, numbering them, and shipping them out this coming week. Only a few copies left (note the gift edition is already sold out, and all the lettereds are already claimed). I've seen other Earthling-Barker editions go for many multiples of the retail price, so don't delay.



IT SUSTAINS
also just arrived, and are ready to ship out. Don't miss Mark Morris's latest novel, which has received rave reviews in BLACK STATIC, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, and elsewhere.



Michael Marshall Smith's EVERYTHING YOU NEED is selling well. Get your copy before they're gone....



Finally, I came across a few deluxe PC copies of BEST OF BEST NEW HORROR, signed by ALL contributors (including King, Hill, Ellison, Gaiman, Straub, Barker, and many more). Mint condition book and slipcase. $200 plus postage for anyone who is interested, first come first served.



And next month: I'll announce this year's Halloween Series novel, a modern ghost story that you won't want to miss.



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Thanks and all the best,

Paul Miller, Publisher

Earthling Publications

Website: www.earthlingpub.com
Email: earthlingpub@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 413
Northborough, MA 01532
USA




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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

New Books from Abddon

The new series for Abaddon from the master of in-your-face horror, Chuck Wendig, launches today with TWO titles!

Gods and Monsters
is a brand new series of dark, hectic urban fantasy in which the gods are real – and here. This is a world of cults, terrible retribution, and men rising up to defy deities on a daily basis.

Gods and Monsters launches today with two titles: Gods and Monsters: Unclean Spirits by Wendig and Pat Kelleher's exclusive novella-length ebook Gods and Monsters: Drag Hunt are both hitting the electronic shelves at Kindle, iTunes, Nook and elsewhere today.

Wendig is a massive talent with a huge online following and Gods and Monsters is a brand new world he has created for Abaddon Books, while Kelleher has achieved cult status with his historical SF series for Abaddon, No Man’s World.

Wendig signing at BEA

To support the launch of Gods and Monsters, Wendig will also be with Rebellion Publishing at Stand #2748 at Book Expo America 2013 in New York next month, signing and giving away exclusive Unclean Spirits posters from 3pm to 4pm on Saturday 1st June - the public opening day of the Expo.

Links to various online outlets are below and here are links to the covers for Unclean Spirits http://tinyurl.com/wendigspirits and Drag Hunt http://tinyurl.com/kelleherhunt

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Ray Harryhausen, 1920-2013

RIP Harry. You will be missed. It was my honor to have know you in person as well as all of the wonderful times you have given me as well. It was only a couple of weeks ago the Sony Movie Channel showed you films all day as well as the interview/overview of your career. Be sure to give Willis O'Brien my best.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Tunnel Out of Death Press Release

TUNNEL OUT OF DEATH
By Jamil Nasir



“The author’s fifth novel (after The Higher Space) tells the story of multiple universes, time travel, and the ability to correct earlier mistakes employing the power of hindsight. Action and ideas come together easily in his blend of sf adventure/suspense
and metaphysical fiction.”
Library Journal

Tor Books is excited to publish the fifth novel from imagination powerhouse Jamil Nasir, TUNNEL OUT OF DEATH (Tor Hardcover; On sale May 7, 2013; $25.99). Flowing through multiple dimensions, with elements of science fiction, urban paranormal fantasy, and noir detective tales, this exquisitely layered story will turn any preconceptions on their head and show just how alien our world can be.

Heath Ransom is a former police psychic turned cyborg “endovoyant” private investigator. While on the case hunting a consciousness gone astray, Heath falls through a tear in the very fabric of reality and into an astonishing metaphysical shadow play. Caught up in a war between secret government agencies battling across various ethereal planes, and exposed to a terrifyingly mysterious nonhuman entity known only as “Amphibian,” Heath’s life, reality, and sanity are in grave danger.

Jamil Nasir was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent much of his childhood in the Middle East, surviving two major wars. He returned to the U.S. in 1970, and started college (at age 14), studying hard science, philosophy, psychology, Chinese history, and many other things, finally graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of General Studies degree. He also attended the University of Michigan Law School. Between stints at school he hitchhiked around North America, working as a carpenter, fruit picker, warehouseman, gardener, shop clerk, and paralegal, among other occupations. He currently works on large regulatory and litigation cases at a Washington, D.C. law firm, and lives in a suburb of Washington with his two daughters. He holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. His other hobbies are photography and rampant metaphysical speculation.

TUNNEL OUT OF DEATH
will pull you into a world both teasingly familiar and frighteningly foreign. An exotic adventure of the conscious, this novel is unique in a sea of worn tropes—don’t miss out. I hope you will consider sharing this book with your readers!


Praise for Jamil Nasir


“Worlds break and buckle under the weight of man’s imagination, doors to new universes yawn open in suburban subdivisions, and dreams become deliriously—sometimes frighteningly—real.”
—Strange Horizons

Sunday, May 5, 2013

The Dark Hunger
Joelle Sterling
Strebor, $15.00
www.streborbooks.com
ISBN: 9781593094911


The cursed zombie Jonas LaRoche left his beloved teen witch Holland Manning in America to return to Port-au-Prince to protect his mother and sisters from the money lenders who demand payment for providing the cash for his ill-fated journey to the States. Meanwhile Holland becomes a new student at exclusive Stoneham Academy and becomes friends of Tami, Sierra and Giselle while concealing her only power, vampire killing blood.

While she goes to classes, back in her hometown of Frumbleton, Georgia, vampire Elson Chandler tells his flock that he will replace the missing Constable Sullivan and introduce a power hierarchical change with vampires on top and humans as their blood bank slaves. Former football star receiver Jarrett Sloan becomes enslaved to Elson’s vampiric follower Isene.

At a tea party thrown by Kate Leighton, the hostess bites a guest. In a nearby onion field, the foreman chews on a migrant worker. Soon afterward at the hospital the worker attacks a nurse and a patron in Dunkin Donuts. Hell has arrived in rural Georgia while Holland’s new buddies see her birthmark that affirms she is a first order witch; she proves this further by helping Sierra take back her stolen power from her thieving Aunt Jocelyn while all she wants is her forbidden lover back into her life.

The second Eternal Dead young adult rural fantasy (see Midnight Cravings) is a great entry with several strong subplots (perhaps too many) that anchor the Sterling mythology that make witches, zombies, and vampires seem genuine. Action-packed throughout, the star-crossed taboo romance between the Haitian zombie and the young witch is just one part of a terrific rotating teen horror thriller as Joelle Sterling moves her series forward on numerous fabulous fronts.Harriet Klausner

For The Love Of The Goblin Warrior
Shona Husk
Sourcebooks, $6.99
ISBN: 9781402262098

His humanity died when his wife and children died. Once a noble warrior and caring family man ages ago, Meryn the DeCangli was cursed to roam along with his King Roan (see The Goblin King) and Prince Dai (see Kiss of the Goblin Prince) with avaricious Goblins in the Shadowlands. Thanks to Roan falling in love freeing them from their Roman era Druid curse and Dai rescuing him from the Shadowlands, Meryn knows he has a second chance as a human if his mind will let go of his ugly past that he and his former beastly comrades did over two millennia.

In Perth, Australia, Nadine the nurse suffers from nightmares too since her mother died. The cops bring the scruffy looking man (Meryn) with a head injury to the hospital where they ask Nadine if she understand the language he uses as she also speaks French and Nuer besides English. She thinks he uses Latin. As he recovers from his injuries, Meryn and Nadine are attracted to each other, but each has a violent past that makes both reluctant to consider a relationship.

The latest Shadowlands romantic urban fantasy is an engaging entry with the emphasis on the respective fascinating histories of the lead protagonists and Meryn’s struggles to cope with modern society. Fast-paced fans of the series will enjoy For The Love Of The Goblin Warrior though the romance rightfully is relegated to a support role. Harriet Klausner

Battle
Michelle West
DAW, $25.95
ISBN: 9780756407957


In the Essaylieyan Empire capital Averalaan, eight weeks have passed since Jewel Markess ATerafin became head of the most powerful of the ruling Ten Houses, Terafin (see Skirmish). Since her rise, four assassination attempts, three by magic, have occurred. She knows how dangerous her position is as her predecessor who named her as successor was murdered by a demon Her rivals for Terafin covet the seat, but her biggest fear is not feeling ready for the reasonability.

The Kings order an honor celebration for the armies returning home after winning the war to the south; attended by the royal twins, the Ten and the people. During the parade, another demonic attempt to kill Jewel occurs. With help by Meralonne and telepathic advice from Avandar who says she is not ready for Battle with the Kialli as she must accept at times killing is right in order to protect the common good; Jewel escapes by flying on Snow the winged cat. The Kialli pursues while destroying anyone unfortunately in its path. Jewel confronts the demon in the forest near her Family manse. The Kings demand she present herself to them, but she becomes victimized by the pandemic sleeping plague where she must elude the Warden of Dreams and her treasonous Terafin House Council.

Though in many ways Battle is a transition tale in the House War series, fans will enjoy this fascinating entry as the heroine matures in her new role while even taking what she learned about power into the realm of Dreams. The subplots of other players like Meralonne APhaniel and Angel move forward also, but book five focuses on Jewel’s coming of age on the job training in the use of political and magical power. Harriet Klausner

Saturday, May 4, 2013

‘Til The World Ends
Julie Kagawa, Ann Aguirre and Karen Duvall
Luna, $14.95
ISBN: 9780373803491


Dawn of Eden by Julie Kagawa. The Red Lung pandemic devastated much of the world. Kylie is a rare person immune to the horrible disease. As the lethal virus proves even more gruesome to the dead, Kylie finds a slight flicker of hope when she meets Ben. This prequel to the Blood Of Eden post-apocalyptic series (see The Immortal Rules) is an engaging tale due to the lead couple and the Kagawa world.

Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre. Following the toxic chemical spill that destroyed the United States, the affluent and their corporations established safe zones for those who could pay for sanctuary inside of fortresses. Others like Mari Thistle reside as scavengers in the dangerous Red Zone where a friend will kill you for your bottled water. Mari and Thorne Goodman meet and soon uncover a diabolical lethal plot to exterminate Red Zone survivors. The keys to this exhilarating post-apocalyptic thriller are the lead couple and the Aguirre environmentally devastated world.

Sun Storm by Karen Duvall. Sarah Daggot is a storm chaser who is outside when the worst solar flares ever recorded bombard the earth; leaving a devastated planet in its wake. She survives, but the immense radiant that blasted her changed Sarah into a Kinetic, who senses when storms from the sun and elsewhere are coming. When Sarah meets other Kinetics, they team up to prevent the final planetary destruction by the sun. However, to succeed, they need the only dissenter Ian Matthews to join them as they are one short. Sun Storm is an exciting doomsday thriller.

The three novellas contain strong protagonists, fabulous support characters and diverse dark earths.
Harriet Klausner

Blood of the Sorceress
Maggie Shayne
Mira, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778314219


In 1501 BC in Babylon, the king’s favorite slave Lilia the witch fell in love with the ruler’s right hand man and best friend Demetrius. When the monarch learned of his beloved’s betrayal of his heart, Demetrius kills him to save Lilia. After a search of the harem, Lilia and her two sisters Indira (see Mark of the Witch) and Magadalena (see Daughter of the Spellcaster) are thrown off a cliff to the rocks below. The High Priest Sindar deploys dark magic to strip Demetrius of his soul and banish him to a formless nonexistence in the Underworld.

After three and a half millennia, her two reincarnated siblings returned parts of his soul to Demetrius who has escaped his horrid incarceration. As Lilia sees him for the first time since that bloody day in ancient Babylon, she knows her chance to return and complete Demetrius’ soul has finally arrived. However, he no longer wants his soul even if that means eternal damnation or her love, and besides Sindar, now a demon, stalks them.

The final Portal romantic fantasy is a fast-paced thriller starring a strong lead female, a PTSD male struggling to adjust to a physical world and worse his refurbished feelings besides his only companion for ages: rage, and a powerful diabolical demon. As with the previous trilogy entries, Maggie Shayne casts a spell on her audience. Harriet Klausner

Power Under Pressure
Andrew P. Mayer
PYR, $17.95
ISBN: 9781616146962


In New York, the assassination of Sir Dennis Darby on the Brooklyn Bridge by the Automaton devastated the Society of Paragons. Sir Dennis served as the groups’ social compass; without his ethical leadership, the Society collapses as individuals chose self-interests over the good of the group.

Former member Sarah "the Adventuress" Stanton possesses the steel clockwork heart of her killing friend the Automaton; having hidden the mechanical beater in an obscure Brooklyn junkyard. Craving to gain favorite status from Sarah though he knows her heart is filled with revenge for the deaths of her father and mentor, Emilio vows to reconstruct the Automaton over the objection of his angry victimized sister Viola. Also needing the steel heart to complete his plans to industrialize the world under a thick blanket of smog is Lord Eschaton. His plans near fruition with the creation out of death of the Shell and the capture of Nathaniel, Eschaton must prevent the Adventuress from thwarting his scheme; while she must find a way to bring back together the Society of Paragons enhanced by reformed supervillains and still crazy mad scientists to forge the Society of Steam dream team to stop her adversary from achieving his world domination objective.

The third Society of Steam Steampunk Victorian fantasy (see Hearts of Smoke and Steam, and The Falling Machine) is an exciting tale as the frustrated beleaguered heroine wonders if she made a poor decision when she left high society to join the Paragons with vengeance filling her heart. Readers will appreciate this entry as Fortified Steam serves as the technological base for a fast-paced alternative nineteenth century New York thriller. Harriet Klausner

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Andy Offutt's obituary

Andrew J. "Andy" Offutt died on Aproil 30, 2013. We are having problems witht the correct obit. But Locus, File 770 and Wiki are reporting it as being the right person. I'll go with that. Sorry for any confusion by the earlier (now removed) posting.

Andy was a science fiction/fantasy writer who had success in the 1970s and early 1980s. He also wrote a couple of Conan noels during the Howard revival and along with Karl Edward Wagner kept the barbaric sword and sorcery field going. He also wrote adult novels under the name John Cleve.

I'm going to miss him, even though we had not been in touch in several years.