FORTHCOMING BOOKS FROM ANGRY ROBOT BOOKS

The Phlebotomist by Chris Panatier

In a near future where citizens are subject to the mandatory blood draw, government phlebotomist Willa Wallace witnesses an event that makes her question her whole world…​ To recover from a cataclysmic war, the Harvest was instituted to pass blood to those affected by radiation. But this charitable act has led to a society segregated entirely by blood type. Government blood contractor, Patriot, rewards your generous gift based on the compatibility of your donation, meaning that whoever can give the most, gets the most in return. While working as a reaper taking collections for the Harvest, Willa chances upon an idea to resurrect an obsolete technique that could rebalance the city. But in her quest to set things into motion, she uncovers a horrifying secret that cuts to the heart of everything. AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON OR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

Captain Moxley and the Embers of the Empire by Dan Hanks

In the post-war peace of 1952, ex-Spitfire pilot Captain Samantha Moxley should be done fighting bad guys. ​ Instead, she finds herself dragged into a clash with a mysterious US government agency known as The Nine, when they take an interest in the work of Jess, her archaeologist sister. Pursued by The Nine, former Nazis, and a host of otherworldly monsters, Sam must fight to protect her sister and uncover two hidden keys which promise to unlock the greatest archaeological find in history: the fabled Hall of Records. From the skies over New York, to the catacombs of Paris, and finally to the ruins of Ancient Egypt, her quest takes her into the ashes of the past in search of the dying embers of an empire....and a discovery that could transform the world, or bring it to a terrible end. AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON OR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

Night Terrors by Tim Waggoner

In a world where dreams can cross into reality what would it take for you to team up with your childhood nightmare? Meet Detective Audra and her partner Mr Jinx, the clown who haunted her childhood dreams. Together they are working to protect the real world from Maelstrom, the world of dreams, but then things start to go sideways and they find themselves in disgrace. It doesn’t take long for Audra and Jinx to realise that there is something sinister afoot, more dreams are escaping to the real world than ever before and it’s up to them to save both worlds before it’s too late. AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON OR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

The Sensation by Amanda Bridgeman

A series of brutal murders has the homicide division of San Francisco's Hub 9 working overtime. But as the bodies mount, they begin to question whether the attacks are random or somehow connected. When one of their own falls victim, Detective Salvi Brentt and her team join forces with the narcotics and cyber divisions to track down those responsible. They soon discover that a volatile new drug-tech experience, involving black market neural implants, has hit the streets, causing the epidemic of violence and missing persons. With the clock ticking and the death toll rising, Salvi must go deep undercover in the seedy Sensation club scene to find out who is behind the deadly drug-tech. But in the secretive playgrounds of the rich and powerful, some will stop at nothing to protect their empire... AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON OR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

Keep Those Grey Cells Active 2

See if you can figure out what these seven words all have in common? 1. Banana 2. Dresser 3. Grammar 4. Potato 5. Revive 6. Uneven 7. Assess Give it another try.. Look at each word carefully. You'll kick yourself when you discover the answer. No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.... Look below IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD for the answer. IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD 1) You can't count your hair. 2) You can't wash your eyes with soap. 3) You can't breathe through your nose when your tongue is out. Put your tongue back in your mouth, you silly person. Answer: In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.

Keep Those Grey Cells Active 1

Ten (10) Things that are known about you. 1) You are reading this. 2) You are human. 3) You can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips. 4) You just attempted to do it. 6) You are laughing at yourself. 7) You have a smile on your face and you skipped No. 5. 8) You just checked to see if there is a No. 5. 9) You laugh at this because you are a fun loving person & everyone does it, too. 10) You are probably going to send this to see who else falls for it.

CONPLAN 8888 | Counter Zombie Dominance Plan

DoD Training CONPLAN 8888 | Counter Zombie Dominance Plan 

So if a zombie were to come lumbering up your block right now, what would you do? Reach for your weapon? Bolt the doors and windows and stay inside? Rush to your nearest gun shop? Maybe try to make it on post? 

If you've watched even one episode of The Walking Dead, or if you're a fan of any of the jokey zombie movies that have come out in the last few years, you and your buddies have probably spent at least one evening over beers talking about what you would do if zombies suddenly decided to rush you. It turns out that you're not the only one thinking about these plans. 

In fact, the DoD has been considering what the military should do if a zombie apocalypse were to take place. "This plan was not actually designed as a joke." So starts out CONPLAN 8888, better known as the Counter Zombie Dominance Plan (CZDP), unveiled by the Joint Combined Warfighting School back in 2009. It's easy to make fun of, for sure, but there might be some real training gems nestled inside this strange idea. The plan's overall purpose isn't to actually train and prepare for zombies, but what the military should do to "preserve non-zombie humans" from the very significant threats posed by a zombie horde. 

It's also endearing that the DoD is thinking outside the box when it comes to training. Even more comforting is knowing that even if an army of the undead were to attack civilization, there's no chance they'd win. 

Here's why: 

o Aircraft -- No matter if we get attacked by fast or slow zombies, they're no match for modern aircraft. Fighter jets have serious destructive potential, and they're incredibly accurate. And since we're pretty sure zombies never got the training on how to shelter in place, they'd probably just stand out in the open with fighter jets zipping overhead. 

o Body Armor -- This goes without saying but putting on your gear will definitely help prevent you and your buddies from being bitten by zombies. In most zombie scenarios, they're limited to human strength, so we're pretty sure they can't chew through your IOTV. 

o Landmines -- Landmines are nothing to mess with, but fortunately, most humans know to stay away from minefields once the first device is detonated. We're counting on zombies not being so smart and would expect them to continue navigating the field, even while the mines exploded all around them. And since zombies are fairly easy to predict, herding them into minefields could be an effective way to deal with them. 

o Machine Guns -- Mass charges are all zombies really do. They overrun their target and bite them until they become zombies too. Machine gun fire would put a stop to that quickly. 

o Tanks -- This one is pretty obvious, but so often overlooked in a takeover of the undead scenario. The truth is that the explosive firepower of tanks means that very few zombies could survive an attack. Even if ammo was low, tanks could easily just run over swarms of zombies, fixing the problem.  

Training against fake nations and fake enemies is nothing new CZDP explores what would happen after a political fallout, a broken chain of command, and a target-rich environment, as would happen if zombies were to suddenly take over the earth. It's just like when the military issues training guides to combat fictional nations like the "Pineladians" or the "Krasnovians," both fictional countries the military trains to fight against. Fictional countries the military trains to fight aren't new. In fact, it's a standard part of lots of military training. Zombies aside, the military does this by design – in part to ensure that they don't set off any political red flags by having our service members train against nation-states, and because it helps things stay light in the face of what could be some really dark scenarios. 

Of course, the Pentagon doesn't actually believe that a zombie takeover is likely, but the training for battling the undead is remarkably useful for other training events. And, since the training manual is so absurd, students at the Joint Warfighters College actually paid attention, were engaged in the lesson, and explored the basic concepts of planning and order development – all very important things for the future leaders of the military. 

[Source: We Are The Mighty | Jessica Evans | October 07, 2020 ++]

Available from Harper Collins

Bennett R. Coles' Dark Star Rising

The misfit crew of HMSS Daring is back in Bennett R. Coles' Dark Star Rising Exuberant after scoring a major victory against enemy pirates, the star sailing ship HMSS Daring eagerly embarks on its new mission. Until the pirate network is dismantled and its mysterious leader Dark Star brought to justice, the safety of the empire remains in jeopardy. Supported by the ship’s misfit crew, Subcommander Liam Blackwood and Quartermaster Amelia Virtue go undercover, following leads that take them deep into the pirate network. Yet the closer they get to its center and the elusive Dark Star, the clearer it becomes that all is not what it seems. Pirates aren’t the only danger the duo face. Empowered by imperial decree, an old enemy is murdering noble families and taking their property—an enemy that has a personal grudge against Daring and her crew. And now he is on his way across the galaxy to exact revenge. Caught between ruthless pirates, a vengeful enemy, and their own increasingly intense feelings, Liam and Amelia must use all their cunning, charm, and daring to get out this alive. Dark Star Rising is now available in paperback.

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

Get exclusive content from R.F. Kuang with pre-order of The Burning God! The epic Poppy War series is nearing its stunning conclusion. As a special treat for fans, receive exclusive bonus content from R.F. Kuang, with three key scenes from the trilogy presented from Nezha's point of view when you submit your proof of pre-order for The Burning God! Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation. Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it? On sale November 17th, The Poppy War is available for pre-order.

The Neil Gaiman Reader

A Must-Have for Your Bookshelf: The Neil Gaiman Reader The Neil Gaiman Reader goes on sale October 20th, and we've created social media accounts dedicated to all things Neil and his upcoming book. In celebration of Neil's literary genius and legacy, these pages will feature exclusive quotes, excerpts, photographs, and videos that you can't find anywhere else. Follow The Neil Gaiman Reader on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The Neil Gaiman Reader is the definitive collection of Neil Gaiman’s vast body of work—52 short stories and excerpts that span his career, selected by his most devoted readers. Pre-order your copy from your favorite bookstore today.

The Bladebone by Ausma Zehanat Khan

The fourth and final novel in Ausma Zehanat Khan's powerful fantasy quartet is now on sale "Bringing such a complex series to a satisfying end is no small feat, and Zehanat Khan pulls it off with grace." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Armed with the powerful sorcery of the Bloodprint and supported by the Talisman, the oppressive One-Eyed Preacher is on the verge of conquering Ashfall, the Black Khan’s capital in the west. Yet not all is lost for Arian, Sinnia and the Council of Hira. If these brave female warriors can uncover the secrets of an ancient magic weapon known as the Bladebone, they can defeat the Preacher and crush his cruel regime. Neither Arian and Sinnia, nor their allies, the Mages of Khorasan, know the Bladebone’s whereabouts, and not all may survive the search to uncover it. Pursued by a nefarious enemy aligned with the Preacher, they become separated, each following a different path. Then, in their darkest hour, unexpected help appears. But is the Khanum of Black Aura a friend or foe? Arian may discover the answer too late. The Bladebone is now available in paperback.

Military Q&A, Part 2

How Do They Separate the Men From the Boys in the Navy? With a crowbar! How Do You Knock Out a Marine Drinking Water? Slam the toilet lid on his head. How Many American Officers Does It Take to Screw in a Light Bulb? Only one, but they do it from 30 miles away using laser targeting at a cost of $8.3 million. What Do You Call a Marine with an Open Head Wound? Ajar head. What Branch of the Military Do Babies Join? The infantry! What Did One Sailor Say to the Other When They Had the Same Problem? "We're in the same boat." Have You Heard about the Karate Champion Who Joined the Military? He nearly killed himself the first time he saluted! Why Was the Sergeant Upset That His Son Got an A in Math? Because he spent more time dividing than conquering! What Don't You Say to a Marine? I thought you had to be in relatively good physical condition to join the Marine Corps. What's the Difference Between Aeroflot & The Scud Missile? Aeroflot has killed more people.

Welcome to issue #105 of the Donald M. Grant Newsletter

Welcome to issue #105 of the Donald M. Grant Newsletter 6 October 2020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. PHIL HALE - KICKSTARTER - USE MUSIC TO KILL 2. STEPHEN KING ARTIST/GIFT EDITIONS AVAILABLE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. PHIL HALE - KICKSTARTER - USE MUSIC TO KILL We are publishing a new Phil Hale art book - USE MUSIC TO KILL - which showcases the last fifteen years of Phil Hale’s art and are initially selling it through a Kickstarter project. USE MUSIC TO KILL is a collection of over two hundred paintings, photographs, drawings and collages in Phil's distinctive style, from a career that has spanned fine art, portraiture, illustration, fashion photography, film and music. It is a full color 11” x 11”, 272 page hardcover book. For Donald M. Grant, Phil illustrated THE DARK TOWER II: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE and A MONSTER AT CHRISTMAS as well as three books of art - GOAD, MOCKING BIRDS/RELAXEDER and LIFE WANTS TO LIVE - as well as the collaborative DOUBLE MEMORY: ART AND  COLLABORATION with Rick Berry, This new book will be available on our website after the Kickstarter project is over but at a higher price. If you have friends who like Phil’s art please let them know about this. The Kickstarter information is here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/philhale/phil-hales-use-music-to-kill 2. STEPHEN KING ARTIST/GIFT EDITIONS AVAILABLE Still available are the Artist Editions of THE DARK TOWER VII: THE DARK TOWER (signed by Michael Whelan) and THE  WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (signed by Jae Lee). Please note that these two Artist Editions were released prior to the Trade Editions and so are First Editions of these books. Links to the specific pages are at: https://secure.grantbooks.com/product/wind-through-keyhole-artist/ https://secure.grantbooks.com/product/dark-tower-vii-artist/ Thank you. Robert K. Wiener, President Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc.

Military Q&A, Part 1

Military Q&As How Do You Play Air Force Bingo? B-52...F-16...A-10. What Do You Call a Soldier Who Survived Mustard Gas & Pepper Spray? A seasoned veteran. What Do You Call a Marine with an IQ of 160? A platoon! What's the Difference Between the Army and the Boy Scouts? The Boy Scouts have adult supervision. Which Month Do Soldiers Hate? March! What's the Main Mission of the Marines? To make sure the Army never get their feet wet. What's the Difference Between a Fighter Pilot and a Fighter Jet? The jet stops whining when the engines are shut off. What's Long, Hard, and Full of Seamen? A submarine! Did You Hear about the Accident at the Army Base? A tank ran over a box of popcorn and killed two kernals!

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 10

Joke #10 A soldier and a marine were walking through the woods one day when they came upon a bear. The soldier immediately sat down and began digging through his rucksack. He pulled out a pair of running shoes and started putting them on. The Marine said “Are you crazy? You know you can’t outrun a bear, right?” The soldier said, “The way I see it, I just have to outrun you.”

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 9

Joke #9 A Soldier and a Marine were sitting next to each other on a plane. The Marine took off his boots and began to stretch out. The soldier swore under his breath at the Marine and told him he wanted to get up and get a drink. The Marine insisted that since he was in the aisle seat he would get it for him. The Soldier agreed, and when the Marine went to get his drink he started spitting in the Marine’s boots. When the Marine came back the Soldier nodded and thanked him for the drink, very pleased he pulled one ver on the Marine. This happened several times times throughout the flight. When the plane was descending for the landing, the Marine put his boots back on and quickly realized the Soldier had been spitting in his boots. To the Soldiers surprise, the Marine was laughing about it. He looked over at the Soldier and said “when are we going to stop playing these games, spitting in each other’s boots and pissing in each other’s drinks, it’s so juvenile!”

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 8

Joke #8 As we stood in formation at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, our Flight Instructor said, “All right! All you dummies fall out.” As the rest of the squad wandered away, I remained at attention. The instructor walked over until he was eye-to-eye with me, and then just raised a single eyebrow. I smiled and said, “Sure was a lot of ‘em, huh sir?”

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 7

Joke #7 Army Says: “HOOOOOAH!” Marines Say “OOOOORAH!” Navy and Coast Guard Say “HOOOOOYAH!” Air Force Says “OKEY DOKEY?”

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 6

Joke #6 An Army Drill Sergeant took some recruits to the mess hall. After everyone had made it through the chow line, he sat them down and told them “There are three rules in this mess hall - Shut up! Eat up! Get up!” Checking to see that he had everyone’s attention, he asked, “What is the first rule?” Much to the amusement of the other instructors, 60 privates yelled in unison, “Shut up, Drill Sergeant!”

Ten Days of Military Jokes, Day 5

Joke #5 US Air Force: Birds US Army: Choppers US Navy: Helos US Marine Corps: OHH! OHH OHOH! (pointing at the sky)