Literary agency
Over at the Orbit Books blog, Michael Cobley‘s editor, Bella Pagan has provided an excellent post celebrating publication of Mike’s ORPHANED WORLDS, the second in his epic space opera series, Humanity’s Fire.
The post is chock full of goodies, with links to an extract from the new book, to themed wallpaper featuring Steve Stone’s superb cover art, news of author appearances and signings and also to some fantastic reviews!
Still here? Get thee hence to the Orbit Blog right away!
Well, a couple of days ago if I’m honest, but behold this shiny finished copy of mighty Michael Cobley‘s THE ORPHANED WORLDS, book two in the Humanity’s Fire series and due to be published in trade paperback by Orbit on April 29th.
‘Darien is no longer a lost outpost of humanity, but the prize in an intergalactic power struggle. Hegemony forces have a stranglehold over the planet and crack troops patrol its hotspots while Earth watches, passive, rendered impotent by galactic politics. But its Darien ambassador will soon become a player in a greater conflict. There is more at stake than a turf war on a newly discovered world. An ancient Uvovo temple hides access to a hyperspace prison, housing the greatest threat sentient life has ever known. Millennia ago, malignant intelligences were caged there following an apocalyptic war. And their servants work on their release. However, Darien’s guardians have not been idle, gathering resistance on the planet’s forest moon. Knowledge has been lost since great races battled in eons past, and now time is short. The galaxy will depend on the Uvovo reclaiming their past – and humanity must look to its future. For a new war is coming.‘
Already picked up in both France and Germany, Zeno still has other rights available for this superb series, described by Iain M. Banks as ‘Proper galaxy-spanning Space Opera‘ – so drop us a line if you’d like to make an enquiry. Additionally, we’re going to be at this year’s London Book Fair, so be sure to come and chat to us about it!
Eamonn Murphy has posted a glowing review of Michael Cobley‘s SEEDS OF EARTH over at the SFCrownest web site. He saysof the novel…
“This is really a fine piece of work and could, when it’s all finished, be up there with the aforementioned Tolkien or Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ series as one of the all-time greats.”
We just got a graphic in showing the German cover of Michael Cobley‘s SEEDS OF EARTH, or, to be accurate, DIE SAAT DER ERDE, due to be published by Heyne in August 2010.
Shiny spaceships!
And here’s a link to a recent review over at NextRead for SEEDS OF EARTH.
‘A great first attempt… Cobley has a strong confident voice with a intriguing and different tale to tell. I’m wondering what layers he’s going to peel back in THE ORPHANED WORLDS.’
Michael Cobley‘s superb space opera SEEDS OF EARTH receives its mass market paperback release, published by Orbit and priced at £7.99. (See this entry made today on the excellent Orbit Blog).
If you came to the party early and picked this one up during its first outing in trade paperback, you’ll be excited to learn that the follow up, ORPHANED WORLDS is due out in April. Thank to the folks at Orbit for sending along the cover visual – what great artwork! Incidentally, we’ve already done a deal with Bragelonne for a French translation of this series and so more on that in due course.
Mike has dropped us a line to tell us about a tonne of other stuff he has going on too…
The new issue of the very shiny Sci-Fi Now (no#25 – available via subscription here at at your local W H Smiths!) carries a fabulous review of Mike Cobley‘s equally shiny new Space Opera SEEDS OF EARTH, published by Orbit.
‘In this first installment of the Humanity’s Fire saga, Michael Cobley has really nailed his colours to the mast. The story is huge, complex and moves between its varied cast with assured purpose…a tightly plotted, action packed epic that leaves you wanting more.‘
Reviews are coming in now for Michael Cobley‘s superb epic space opera SEEDS OF EARTH, which is due to be released early next month by Orbit.
Check out this review at Bookgeeks.com and if that intrigues you, nip over to Concept Sci-Fi via this link where an extract of the novel is available. And here is an interview with the author for good measure.
There’s a review of Mike Cobley‘s forthcoming novel, Seeds of Earth just gone up on the Concept Sci-fi Ezine site. The book is due out in March 2009 from Orbit Books.
‘…incredibly well thought out, with a comprehensive social and political system that is totally believable and incredibly detailed. [Cobley]’s clearly paid a lot of attention to backstory and really should be congratulated for the amount of effort he’s put in to this...’
Michael Cobley‘s fantastic new Space Opera, Seeds of Earth – the first in his Humanity’s Fire sequence is due out from Orbit in March.
We’ve just received a cover proof which shows off a very cool quote from none other than Mister Iain M. Banks – author of The Culture novels and writer who knows a thing or two about Space Opera, given that he’s written some of the very best example of the genre! Of Mikes new book he says…
“Proper Galaxy-spinning space opera with lots of weird aliens, secret ancient technologies and mysterious hyper-weapons – a worthy addition to the genre.“
… and he should know!
Michael Cobley, whose forthcoming novel Seeds of Earth will be a highlight of Orbit‘s schedule for the first quarter of the coming year, has written a piece for the Fantasy Book Critic web site detailing his pick of this year and his tips for the next. And on the horizon for Mike…
“Seeds Of Earth, the first part of my Humanity’s Fire space opera trilogy, steps fully-fledged onto the world stage in early March. I hope to be doing a reading or two in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and there will also be the odd competition for goodies and so forth. Eastercon, the UK national SF convention, takes place in Bradford from April 10th to the 13th, and I shall be there, saying hello, signing anything that’ll stay put long enough, and going in search of The Perfect Curry! Also in March, I’ll be submitting volume 2, The Orphaned Worlds, before diving headlong into the final part, The Ascendant Stars.“