Category: Author Interviews

ICYMI: Watch the BEST OF WORLD SF Event!

Posted on Friday, June 18th, 2021

To celebrate the release of THE BEST OF WORLD SF, a superb collection of science fiction stories from around the world, edited by Lavie Tidhar, Head of Zeus CEO and publisher Nicolas Cheetham hosted Tidhar, and anthology contributors Lauren Beukes, Francesco Verso, Taiyo Fujii and R.S.A. Garcia for a discussion about the book and the international science fiction scene.

The anthology is out now in the UK and North America, published by Head of Zeus’s Aries imprint. Here’s the full synopsis…

Twenty-six new short stories representing the state of the art in international science fiction.

The future is coming. It knows no bounds, and neither should science fiction.

They say the more things change the more they stay the same. But over the last hundred years, science fiction has changed. Vibrant new generations of writers have sprung up across the globe, proving the old adage false. From Ghana to India, from Mexico to France, from Singapore to Cuba, they draw on their unique backgrounds and culture, changing the face of the genre one story at a time.

Prepare yourself for a journey through the wildest reaches of the imagination, to visions of Earth as it might be and the far corners of the universe. Along the way, you will meet robots and monsters, adventurers and time travellers, rogues and royalty.

In The Best of World SF, award-winning author Lavie Tidhar acts as guide and companion to a world of stories, from never-before-seen originals to award winners, from twenty-three countries and seven languages. Because the future is coming and it belongs to us all.

Here’s the table of contents:

  • ‘Immersion’ by Aliette de Bodard
  • ‘Debtless’ by Chen Qiufan (trans. from Chinese by Blake Stone-Banks)
  • ‘Fandom for Robots’ by Vina Jie-Min Prasad
  • ‘Virtual Snapshots’ by Tlotlo Tsamaase
  • ‘What The Dead Man Said’ by Chinelo Onwualu
  • ‘Delhi’ by Vandana Singh
  • ‘The Wheel of Samsara’ by Han Song (trans. from Chinese by the author)
  • ‘Xingzhou’ by Yi-Sheng Ng
  • ‘Prayer’ by Taiyo Fujii (trans. from Japanese by Kamil Spychalski)
  • ‘The Green Ship’ by Francesco Verso (trans. from Italian by Michael Colbert)
  • ‘Eyes of the Crocodile’ by Malena Salazar Maciá (trans. from Spanish by Toshiya Kamei)
  • ‘Bootblack’ by Tade Thompson
  • ‘The Emptiness in the Heart of all Things’ by Fabio Fernandes
  • ‘The Sun From Both Sides’ by R.S.A. Garcia
  • ‘Dump’ by Cristina Jurado (trans. from Spanish by Steve Redwood)
  • ‘Rue Chair’ by Gerardo Horacio Porcayo (trans. from Spanish by the author)
  • ‘His Master’s Voice’ by Hannu Rajaniemi
  • ‘Benjamin Schneider’s Little Greys’ by Nir Yaniv (trans. from Hebrew by Lavie Tidhar)
  • ‘The Cryptid’ by Emil H. Petersen (trans. from Icelandic by the author)
  • ‘The Bank of Burkina Faso’ by Ekaterina Sedia
  • ‘An Incomplete Guide…’ by Kuzhali Manickavel
  • ‘The Old Man with The Third Hand’ by Kofi Nyameye
  • ‘The Green’ by Lauren Beukes
  • ‘The Last Voyage of Skidbladnir’ by Karin Tidbeck
  • ‘Prime Meridian’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • ‘If At First You Don’t Succeed’ by Zen Cho

Here are some links to sample some of what’s included in the anthology…

Finally, here are just a few of the great reviews the collection has received…

‘Rare and wonderful’ — The Times

‘This excellent anthology proves editor Tidhar’s assertion that science fiction should no longer be thought of as “white, male, and American” with 26 exemplary stories from 21 countries… Worthwhile both as a survey of international sci-fi and on a story-by-story level, this wonderful anthology should be a hit with any sci-fi fan.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

‘Vital and exciting, THE BEST OF WORLD SF blows the blast panels off the dusty, well-worn tropes of popular science fiction and lets in a dazzling burst of lunar light.’ — Foreword Review

‘There is not a poor story here… nice balance between light and harder stories… IMMERSION by Aliette de Bodard reads like hard Sci Fi but digs a little deeper… As a group, the stories on offer within THE BEST OF WORLD SF Volume 1 are so strong… This is a great introduction to what the rest of the world has to offer.’ — SF Book Reviews

‘Stories like these are the ones you sometimes want to foist upon readers who claim not to like SF, and The Best of World SF: Volume 1 reminds us that such stories can come from anywhere these days, if only we get to see them. I look forward to future volumes.’ — Locus (Gary K. Wolfe)

‘In addition to being an award-winning sci-fi writer, Israeli-born UK-based Lavie Tidhar is also a tireless champion of international sci-fi… an excellent, lovingly curated collection that is also uniformly well translated.’ — Financial Times

‘Now this book exists, it feels absurd it didn’t exist sooner… hefty, beautifully presented collection… an excellent samples and delight in itself… fizzes with great ideas and wonderful writing.’ — SFX (5*)

‘[Tidhar] is really a pioneer… He was looking at writers from Malaysia, from Africa, from China, from Japan when no one was really doing that. You might get some stories here and there from other parts of the world. But the way that he constructed this global structure of science fiction and looked at science fiction not as a monoculture but as a vibrant sphere for people to speak from all over the world, and the promotion he gave that over the long term and pushing it on and on in an independent space, is exciting to see and inspiring.’ — Silvia Moreno-Garcia

ICYMI: RIVERS OF LONDON Forbidden Planet Event!

Posted on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021

Late in May, Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel were interviewed for Forbidden Planet TV, to talk about the upcoming Deluxe Writers’ Edition of their first Rivers of London comic story: BODY WORK. You can now watch that above! The digital edition of the book is out tomorrow, with the print edition following on July 6th.

The Rivers of London comic series has continued to grow in popularity ever since the first story arc was released. The series now stands at eight completed stories, All of them are published by Titan Comics in English.

The ninth story — MONDAY, MONDAY — is due to start on July 7th!

ICYMI: Jack Campbell Introduces BOUNDLESS

Posted on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021

Today, we wanted to share with you Jack Campell‘s discussion about his upcoming novel, BOUNDLESS. The first in his latest series set in the Lost Fleet universe, the interview was conducted for Forbidden Planet.

BOUNDLESS is due to be published by Titan Books in the UK, on June 23rd. Here’s the synopsis…

The master of military science fiction returns.

Admiral John ‘Black Jack’ Geary carries evidence of crimes which could destroy the Alliance he has fought so hard to save. Now his battle-weary fleet returns to Unity, the seat of the Alliance government.

But instead of a hero’s welcome, he faces assassination attempts and political threats. His arrival ignites a furious Senate trial, and Geary must use all his guile to ensure the guilty are brought to justice, without himself becoming judge and jury. All the while forces lurk in the shadows, poised to strike at any moment.

Unsure of who he can trust, Geary is sent on a dangerous mission to lead his fleet through the shattered Syndicate Worlds, and beyond to alien-controlled space. As the Alliance faces the failures of its past, Black Jack must confront its legacy – distrust and rebellion.

Zeno represents Jack Campbell in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

ICYMI: Ben Aaronovitch’s Event with Enfield Libraries!

Posted on Friday, May 7th, 2021

Back in March, Enfield Libraries hosted Ben Aaronovitch for a conversation about his books and writing in general. The video for the event has now been posted on YouTube.

Ben is the author of the internationally-bestselling and acclaimed Peter Grant/Rivers of London series, which to date includes eight novels, three novellas, a short story collection, and eight comic story arcs!

Jonathan Carroll & Aliette de Bodard are Lead Interviews in Latest Locus!

Posted on Monday, March 1st, 2021

Just a very quick post to draw your attention to the latest issue of Locus Magazine: Jonathan Carroll and Aliette de Bodard are the lead interviews! The issue is out now.

In addition to his published work, and publishing in the time of COVID, Jonathan Carroll discusses his latest novel: MR. BREAKFAST, which has already been published in Italy and Poland…

It’s a kind of a combination of Borges’s ‘Garden of Forking Paths’ and that film Sliding Doors. In so many cases, so many people’s lives would have been profoundly different if they’d taken a little step to the left or to the right. We don’t think about that, because we’re so fixed on right now and this moment…

Aliette de Bodard discusses her published work — which includes, most recently, FIREHEART TIGER (Tor.com) — and also the importance of parent-child relationships in fiction, and the desire to break the moulds of certain story tropes and frameworks.

Now I think, ‘You know what? Where is it written that a story has to work that way?’ I read a book that suggested putting ‘Where is it written?’ in front of everything you think is a given. If you can pull it off, you can do anything.

The March 2021 issue of Locus Magazine is out now.

Two Weeks: Ben Aaronovitch Waterstones Event!

Posted on Monday, March 1st, 2021

On March 16th, Ben Aaronovitch is due to take part in an online Watersones event about Fantasy Worlds. Joining Namina Forna and Patrice Lawrence, the three authors will discuss their new books and…

They’ll discuss world-building in fantasy, and what they absorb from existing stories and culture to create their universes, and you’ll even get the chance to put your own questions to these three astounding writers at this special event.

The event will be held over Zoom, and is ticketed; so you should sign up for it ASAP. One option includes a discount and a signed edition of WHAT ABIGAIL DID THAT SUMMER.

WHAT ABIGAIL DID THAT SUMMER, a novella set in his best-selling, critically-acclaimed, and fan-favourite Rivers of London universe. It is due to be published in the UK by Gollancz and in North America by Subterranean Press. Here’s the book’s synopsis…

Ghost hunter, fox whisperer, troublemaker.

It is the summer of 2013 and Abigail Kamara has been left to her own devices. This might, by those who know her, be considered a mistake. While her cousin, police constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant, is off in the sticks, chasing unicorns, Abigail is chasing her own mystery. Teenagers around Hampstead Heath have been going missing but before the police can get fully engaged, the teens return home – unharmed but vague about where they’ve been.

Aided only by her new friend Simon, her knowledge that magic is real, and a posse of talking foxes that think they’re spies, Abigail must venture into the wilds of Hampstead to discover who is luring the teenagers and more importantly – why?

Next Week: Nick Martell is a Guest on Brandon Sanderson’s Livestream!

Posted on Friday, February 26th, 2021

We just wanted to take this opportunity to quickly draw your attention to an upcoming online event: next Wednesday (March 3rd), Nick Martell will be a guest on Brandon Sanderson‘s livestream! The event will be broadcast on Brandon’s YouTube page. Keep your eyes on Nick’s, Brandon’s, and our Twitter feeds for updates about timing, etc.

Nick’s upcoming second novel, THE TWO-FACED QUEEN is due to be published by Gollancz on March 25th (eBook) and April 8th (print). It’s the second novel in his acclaimed Legacy of the Mercenary Kings fantasy series. Here’s the synopsis…

Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labelled as a traitor.

Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart.

With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.

Brandon’s latest novel is the best-selling fourth novel in the Stormlight Archive series, RHYTHM OF WAR is also out now published, by Gollancz in the UK.

After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar’s crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move.

Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.

At the same time that Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with his changing role within the Knights Radiant, his Windrunners face their own problem: As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants. Adolin and Shallan must lead the coalition’s envoy to the honorspren stronghold of Lasting Integrity and either convince the spren to join the cause against the evil god Odium, or personally face the storm of failure.

Zeno represents Nick Martell and Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Craig Laurence Gidney Black History Month Event in Two Weeks!

Posted on Friday, February 12th, 2021

In two weeks, on February 23rd (Tuesday), Craig Laurance Gidney will be taking part in an online event with P. Djèlí Clark: ‘Writing Between Genres’. The Zoom event will be hosted by the Sturgis Library…

We will discuss working across genres, what challenges that presents, writing and reading tips, and much much more. The authors will also read from their work. a live Q and A will follow.

If you would like to take part in the event, which will start at 6:30pm EST, email SturgisReference@comcast.net.

Next Week: Creating the RIVERS OF LONDON COMICS Online Event!

Posted on Friday, January 8th, 2021

As part of next week’s LIBCON West @ Home, Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel are going to be taking part in an online event! ‘Peter Grant Goes Graphic: Creating the Rivers of London Comic Books’ will be hosted by Glendale Arizona Libraries, and does require registration. Here’s a quick description of the event…

Writing novels is largely a solitary enterprise, but creating a comic book can take an entire team. Author Ben Aaronovitch collaborates with a co-author, an illustrator, and a colorist to spin off his internationally bestselling “Rivers of London” urban fantasy series into a successful run of comic books, all with original storylines. How does this team of talent work together? What are the secrets to adapting the adventures of apprentice wizard/Detective Constable Peter Grant from one format to another? Does the process ever — like Peter’s own experiments — result in some explosions? Bring your questions to a fascinating and funny live Zoom panel featuring acclaimed author Ben Aaronovitch, co-author Andrew Cartmel, illustrator Lee Sullivan, and colorist Paulina “Pau” Vassileva. Moderated by Chantelle Aimée Osman.

Ben and Andrew are the co-authors of the Rivers of London comic series, which are published in English by Titan Comics. Eight story arcs have been completed so far, each now available in a collection edition: BODY WORK, NIGHT WITCH, BLACK MOULD, DETECTIVE STORIES, CRY FOX, WATER WEED, ACTION AT A DISTANCE, and THE FEY AND THE FURIOUS. The series is currently in the process of being published in German (via Panini), and the first couple have also been published in Czech (via Argo).

The comic series is based on the world and characters of Ben’s internationally bestselling and acclaimed Peter Grant/Rivers of London series of novels and novellas.

How Realistic are Weapons in the Movies…?

Posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Today, we’re very happy to share with you a short video featuring Tobias Capwell. In ‘How Real is it?’, the curator of arms and armour at The Wallace Collection in London examines 11 memorable scenes featuring medieval weapons and armour, and gives his assessment of their used based on whether or not they are historically accurate.

Capwell takes a look at Sauron’s armour, flails and maces in The Lord of the Rings; he discusses the Corinthian and Greek influences behind the Mandalorians’ helmets; whether or not swords and shields are realistically used in Vikings and The Last Kingdom; whether or not it is possible to reforge a sword that is fit for purpose (as in Game of Thrones); and also various aspects of knightly combat.

Capwell has written a number of books and articles on weapons, armour throughout history, as well as books on knighthood and tournaments. In 2015 he had the honour of serving as one of the two fully-armoured knights who escorted the remains of King Richard III to their final resting place in Leicester Cathedral:

Back in June 2020, the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities hosted Toby for a lecture on ‘Armour and the Knight in Life and Afterlife’, which you can watch below…

RHYTHM OF WAR is #3!

Posted on Friday, December 4th, 2020

We are very happy to report that Brandon Sanderson‘s latest Stormlight Archive, RHYTHM OF WAR has entered the Sunday Times Bestseller list at #3! The fourth novel in the acclaimed fantasy series, it’s published in the UK by Gollancz. Here’s the synopsis…

After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar’s crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move.

Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.

At the same time that Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with his changing role within the Knights Radiant, his Windrunners face their own problem: As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants. Adolin and Shallan must lead the coalition’s envoy to the honorspren stronghold of Lasting Integrity and either convince the spren to join the cause against the evil god Odium, or personally face the storm of failure.

Recently, Brandon was also hosted by Forbidden Planet to talk about the novel, and you can watch that below…

Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

ICYMI: Ben Aaronovitch & Andrew Cartmel Introduce THE FEY AND THE FURIOUS!

Posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

Last week, Forbidden Planet hosted Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel to talk about the latest collected edition of their Rivers of London comic series, THE FEY AND THE FURIOUS!

Published by Titan Comics on December 15th, in print and digital, here’s the synopsis…

Detective Inspector Peter Grant is back in an all-new comic miniseries from author Ben Aaronovitch!

Trouble never lies far from the race track. When a flash car belonging to a young boy racer from England washes up in the Netherlands with a bagload of unusual cargo, it’s evident there is more than meets the eye happening at street races held in an Essex car park.

Enter Detective Inspector Peter Grant. Fresh from suspension, he takes to the track in his orange ‘asbo’ Ford Focus to try and infiltrate the big leagues. But Peter soon finds himself sucked back into an Otherworld — a real-life fairyland!

Titan has published all of the Rivers of London comics to date, in the UK and North America.