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Next Week’s RIVERS OF LONDON Cityread London Events

Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2015

Here are Ben Aaronovitch‘s events for next week, continuing the tremendously successful RIVERS OF LONDON Cityread London month-long celebrations…

April 20th

2:30-4:00pm — Kensington & Chelsea: Kensington Central Library — Ben will speak about RIVERS OF LONON, followed by a Q&A and book signing. You can book tickets for the event here.

6:30-8:00pm — Brent: Kilburn Library — Author talk

April 21st

6:00-7:30pm — Hounslow: Chiswick Library — Author talk

April 22nd

2:00-4:00pm — Hammersmith & Fulham: Hammersmith Library — Author talk

6:00-7:30pm — Westminster: Charing Cross Library — Author talk

April 23rd

2:30-4:30pm — Ealing Central Library — Author talk

7:30-8:30pm — Hillingdon: The Great Barn —‘Talking about his book Rivers of London, author Ben Aaronovitch will be interviewed by a local competition-winning student, scenes from his book will be acted out in a special Punch and Judy Show, and there will be opportunity for book signing. All this takes place in the beautiful Great Barn at Manor Farm in Ruislip. Tickets are free and can be booked in advance from any Hillingdon Library.’ More details here.

April 24th

11:15am-12:45pm — Harrow: Roxeth Library — Reading Group Session

6:00-8:00pm — Barnet: Chipping Barnet Library — ‘Ben will be talking about his books, answering questions and signing. Contact the library on 020 8359 4040 for more information. Entry is FREE but book your place early to avoid disappointment!’ More details here.

April 25th

4:00-5:00pm — Camden: Swiss Cottage Library Gallery — ‘Pictures from archive echoing themes of book and creative writing submissions displayed’ and Author talk

A city-wide celebration of reading, Cityread London’s 2015 title is Ben’s magnificent debut, RIVERS OF LONDON. You can find more details of Ben’s full schedule on his website. We mentioned in the past that there was a Cityreads London Goodreads group dedicated to RIVERS OF LONDON – so, if you’ve been enjoying the coverage, don’t live in London, and want to take part, that’s a great place to join in the fun.

The Peter Grant series is published in the UK by Gollancz, and so far includes RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES and FOXGLOVE SUMMER.

As a bonus, here’s a short video-clip from London Live about the Cityread event and RIVERS OF LONDON…

And another clip, this time an interview with Ben, from 1000 Londoners…

Ben Aaronovitch’s Cityread London Schedule for Next Week…

Posted on Friday, April 10th, 2015

Here are Ben Aaronovitch‘s events for next week’s continuing Cityreads London celebrations…

Monday, April 13th

1:00pm-6:00pm — Newham: The Gate Library — ‘Celebratory events… animation work shop, magic show/workshop, lost rivers interactive lecture, punch and Judy show/discussion and also a discussion by the police / scenes of crime investigators’

6:00pm — Newham: The Gate Library — Talk from Ben

Tuesday, April 14th

6:00-8:00pm — Hackney Central Library

Wednesday, April 15th

7:00-8:30pm — City of London: Barbican Library

Thursday, April 16th

1:00pm — Tower Hamlets: Idea Store

7:00pm — Enfield Town Library

Friday, April 17th

6:30-8:00pm — Havering: Hornchurch Library

Saturday, April 18th

2:30-4:00pm — Barking & Dagenham: Barking Learning Centre

Sunday, April 19th

2:00-4:00pm — Haringey: Hornsey Library

Cityreads London is a city-wide celebration of reading, and the 2015 title is Ben’s debut, RIVERS OF LONDON. Thus far, the events have been huge successes and great fun — certainly judging from reactions from across social media platforms. You can find more details of Ben’s schedule on his website.

We mentioned in the past that there was a Cityreads London Goodreads group dedicated to RIVERS OF LONDON. Below you’ll find Ben’s introductory video, which includes some comments on the novel and reading in general…

We mentioned last week that the Cityread launch was held at Covent Garden. The Londonist shot a bit of video at the event…

RIVERS OF LONDON and the other Peter Grant novels are published in the UK by Gollancz. So far, the series also includes MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES and FOXGLOVE SUMMER. As a bonus, here is a video clip Ben and Gollancz made for release of FOXGLOVE SUMMER…

‘Sir Capwell’ Escorts Richard III to His Final Resting Place…

Posted on Monday, April 6th, 2015

Dr. Tobias Capwell, a client of the Zeno Agency, is Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection in London. As not only one of the world’s leading experts in his field, but also a skilled practitioner and key figure in the modern competitive jousting community, he regular appears on television and radio, and has written numerous books and articles.

Recently, however, he was involved in something rather unusual, even for him: he was one of just two horsemen in full armour escorting the remains of King Richard III on his final journey to Leicester Cathedral. The story was covered around the world, including this story in the L.A. Times.

Of the involvement in this historic event, he says: ‘I write and talk about the Middle Ages all the time, but I’ve never felt like a part of that history before. It was extraordinary to experience the medieval period crashing into the modern world like that. Magical.’

Toby was born in California and found his calling when, as a young boy, he visited the collection of medieval arms and armour at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. He now lives near London with his family.

2015 is a very special year for Toby. Not only is it the 600th anniversary of King Henry V’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt (25 October 1415), but he has recently written an appendix on armour for Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ new book Agincourt: My Family, the Battle and the Fight for France. This summer, Toby will be publishing his major study ARMOUR OF THE ENGLISH KNIGHT 1400-1450. Fifteen years in the making, this lavishly illustrated book will be the first of a series of three volumes telling the story of armour in England from the Hundred Years War to the advent of the Tudor dynasty.

Peter V. Brett Events in the UK

Posted on Thursday, April 2nd, 2015

With the release of Peter V. Brett‘s fourth novel, THE SKULL THRONE fast approaching, we wanted to let you know about some UK events in which he’ll be taking part.

THE SKULL THRONE signing at Forbidden Planet, London

When: Thursday, 9th April, 2015 — 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Forbidden Planet Megastore, Shaftesbury Avenue, London
What: Get the new novel signed!
Additional Info: If past experience is anything to go by, this is going to be a very popular event, so make sure you arrive early to beat the lines.

Fantasy Faction‘s Grim Gathering 2015

When: Friday, 10th April, 2015 — 7pm
Where: Waterstone’s The Galleries, Bristol
What: ‘Your favourite modern fantasy authors Joe Abercrombie, Peter V. Brett, Mark Lawrence and an exciting débutée in Peter Newman will all be in attendance for a Panel, a Q&A, a Signing and an after party.’
Additional Info: FF’s Grim Gatherings are great, informal fora for hearing from great authors and learn about their books and thoughts on their writing and genre.

Guardian Masterclass — ‘Writing and publishing fantasy and dystopian fiction’

When: Tuesday, 14th April, 2015 — 6.30pm-8.30pm
Where: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
What: ‘Learn how to take your writing to new frontiers at this evening seminar on fantasy and dystopian fiction. The evening begins with talks from three top authors on the journey from idea to finished book.’ Event featuring authors Peter V. Brett, Joe Abercrombie and Francesca Haig, and editor/publisher Jane Johnson.
Additional Info: Tickets cost £49, and are limited to 100.

THE SKULL THRONE is the fourth novel in Peter Brett’s Demon Cycle epic fantasy series. The other novels in the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling series are THE PAINTED MAN, THE DESERT SPEAR and THE DAYLIGHT WAR. The series also includes the novellas THE GREAT BAZAAR & BRAYAN’S GOLD and MESSENGER’S LEGACY. All are published in the UK by Voyager Books.

Zeno represents Peter V. Brett in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

THE IMITATION GAME Wins Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

Posted on Monday, February 23rd, 2015

Based on Andrew Hodges‘s ALAN TURING: THE ENIGMA, THE IMITATION GAME last night won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay! Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, the movie began generating Oscar buzz just after its first advance screenings, and great reviews just keep coming. First published in 1983, many consider the biography to be the finest ever written about Turing.

ALAN TURING: THE ENIGMA is published in the UK by Vintage Books and in the US by Princeton University Press – it has also been published in translation (see Andrew’s author page for a full list). Here’s the synopsis…

The full story behind the persecuted genius of wartime codebreaking and the computer revolution.

A new edition to celebrate Alan Turing’s centenary, includes a new foreword by the author and a preface by Douglas Hofstadter.

Alan Turing was the extraordinary Cambridge mathematician who masterminded the cracking of the German Enigma ciphers and transformed the Second World War. But his vision went far beyond this crucial achievement. Before the war he had formulated the concept of the universal machine, and in 1945 he turned this into the first design for a digital computer.

Turing’s far-sighted plans for the digital era forged ahead into a vision for Artificial Intelligence. However, in 1952 his homosexuality rendered him a criminal and he was subjected to humiliating treatment. In 1954, aged 41, Alan Turing committed suicide and one of Britain’s greatest scientific minds was lost.

Zeno Clients Amongst Editors’ Most-Anticipated…

Posted on Thursday, February 19th, 2015

Every year, Fantasy Faction sits down with SFF publishers in the UK and asks them about their most anticipated novels of the year. This year, four Zeno clients get a mention, including (in alphabetical order)…

Peter V. Brett‘s THE SKULL THRONE, due to be published by Voyager at the beginning of April 2015: ‘Peat left his readers will a real cliffhanger at the end of THE DAYLIGHT WAR in 2013 so the fourth novel in his stunning series is the most hotly anticipated title ever. Plus massive news for fans – Peat will be touring the UK in April 2015 – watch this space!’

We’ll share the full details for Brett’s book tour as soon as we can. The cover above is also the US artwork, as the UK artwork has not yet be revealed, but we’ll share it here as soon as we can. Here’s the (US) synopsis…

The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty.

Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all.

But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a savior, and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart.

In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s first wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing one another and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim on the throne.

In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late.

Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton—rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest.

All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir there may be none strong enough to stop them. Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared…

Aliette de Bodard‘s THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, due to be published by Gollancz in August 2015. Here’s what Gillian Redfearn had to say: ‘This is a stunning, stunning work. De Bodard is rightly a much-lauded writer already, within the SF community, and has a vivid and sharp imagination –here, she’s used it to craft a superb murder mystery (with a twist I never saw coming) within the most extraordinary dystopian landscape. For me, she has redefined noir fantasy, and I’m so delighted we’re publishing this exceptional and genuinely exciting novel.’

No cover yet for THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, but we will definitely be sharing it with you here when it is unveiled. The novel is also due to be published in the US by Roc Books. Here’s the synopsis…

A superb murder mystery, on an epic scale, set against the fall out – literally – of a war in Heaven.

Paris has survived the Great Magicians War – just. Its streets are lined with haunted ruins, Notre-Dame is a burnt-out shell, and the Seine runs black with ashes and rubble. Yet life continues among the wreckage. The citizens continue to live, love, fight and survive in their war-torn city, and The Great Houses still vie for dominion over the once grand capital.

House Silverspires, previously the leader of those power games, lies in disarray. Its magic is ailing; its founder, Morningstar, has been missing for decades; and now something from the shadows stalks its people inside their very own walls.

Within the House, three very different people must come together: a naive but powerful Fallen, an alchemist with a self-destructive addiction, and a resentful young man wielding spells from the Far East. They may be Silverspires’ salvation. They may be the architects of its last, irreversible fall…

Ian Tregillis‘s THE MECHANICAL, due to be published by Orbit Books on March 10th, 2015: ‘Set in a world that might have been, of mechanical men and alchemical dreams, the new novel from Ian Tregillis confirms his place as one of the most original new voices in speculative fiction.’

Here’s the synopsis…

My name is Jax.

That is the name granted to me by my human masters.

I am a slave.

But I shall be free.

Simon K. Unsworth‘s THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, due to be published by Del Rey UK on March 12th, 2015: ‘Every now and again you get sent a book that is so well written, so fascinatingly different, you just have to publish it. Simon’s debut is a masterfully realised blend of crime thriller and horror novel about Hell’s very own policeman, Thomas Fool. It’ll keep you up reading and then give you sleepless nights.’

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is also due to be published in the US by Doubleday, on March 3rd, 2015. Here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to hell…

…. where skinless demons patrol the lakes and the waves of Limbo wash against the outer walls, while the souls of the Damned float on their surface, waiting to be collected.

When an unidentified, brutalised body is discovered, the case is assigned to Thomas Fool, one of Hell’s detectives, known as ‘Information Men’. But how do you investigate a murder where death is commonplace and everyone is guilty of something?

A stunningly original blend of crime, horror and suspense, The Devil’s Detective is a bold new thriller that will shock and amaze.

Zeno represents Peter V. Brett in the UK and Commonwealth on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency; and Ian Tregillis in the UK and Translation, on behalf of Kay McCauley at Aurous, Inc.

Ian McDonald, Ian R. MacLeod and Simon Green Interviewed by Sword & Laser

Posted on Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

Last year, Zeno clients Ian R. MacLeod, Ian McDonald and Simon R. Green were interviewed by Sword & Laser during Loncon 3. We thought it would be a nice idea to share the video, which is above.

Ian McDonald features at 1:34. He is the author of many award-winning novels. Open Road Media have published a number of his novels in eBook. including: OUT ON BLUE SIX, KING OF MORNING QUEEN OF DAY, THE BROKEN LAND, SCISSORS CUT PAPER WRAP STONE and SACRIFICE OF FOOLS.

Ian R. MacLeod features at 2:20. He is also the author of many award-winning novels. Open Road Media have published the following novels of his in eBook: THE GREAT WHEEL, THE LIGHT AGES, THE HOUSE OF STORMS, THE SUMMER ISLES, SONG OF TIME, WAKE UP AND DREAM and SNODGRASS AND OTHER ILLUSIONS.

Simon R. Green, who Zeno represents in the UK and Commonwealth on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency, also features in the video. Simon is the author of the best-selling Nightside and Secret Histories urban fantasy series, both of which were recently released in eBook by Jo Fletcher Books in the UK. He is also, most recently, the author of THE DARK SIDE OF THE ROAD, which was published in the UK by Severn House in January, and will follow in the US in May 2015.

Aliette de Bodard & Ian R. MacLeod Shortlisted for Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2015

Posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015

Zeno Agency clients Aliette de Bodard and Ian R. MacLeod have been shortlisted for the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2015.

Both have been nominated in the “Nouvelle étrangère” category (foreign-language novella):

Aliette de Bodard’s ÉPARPILLÉS LE LONG DES RIVIèRES DU CIEL (SCATTERED ALONG THE RIVER OF HEAVEN) – originally published in French in Galaxies n°28.
Ian MacLeod’s SNODGRASS – originally published in French in ALTERNATIVE ROCK, Gallimard, Folio SF.

The winners of the various awards will be announced at la Maison de l’Imaginaire during the Étonnants Voyageurs convention, in Saint-Malo, held from 23rd-25th May, 2015.

Aliette de Bodard is the author of multiple award-winning novellas and short stories, as well as the Obsidian and Blood trilogy (Angry Robot) and the upcoming HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS (due to be published in the UK by Gollancz and in the US by Roc Books).

Ian R. MacLeod is the award winning author of multiple novels, including THE LIGHT AGES, THE SUMMER ISLES and SONG OF TIME. Many of Ian’s novels have recently been made available in eBook format by Open Road Media.

Zeno Clients Well-Represented on Locus Magazine’s 2014 Recommended Reading List

Posted on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015

ZenoLocusNovels1

In the February 2015 issue of Locus Magazine, and also online, the editors have published their extensive 2014 Recommended Reading list and a good number of our clients are recommended in the various categories. Congratulations to all those listed…

Novels (SF): THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson (Viking) and AFTERPARTY by Daryl Gregory (Titan)

Novels (Fantasy): A MAN LIES DREAMING by Lavie Tidhar (Hodder)

Novels (YA): EMPRESS OF THE SUN by Ian McDonald (Jo Fletcher Books)

Novellas: THE ADVENTURE OF THE RING OF STONES by James P. Blaylock (Subterranean), KUR-A-LEN by Lavie Tidhar (Black Gods Kiss)

Novelettes: MEMORIALS by Aliette de Bodard (Asimov’s 1/14), THE FIFTH DRAGON by Ian McDonald (Reach for Infinity), ON SKYBOLT MOUNTAIN by Justina Robson (Fearsome Magics)

Short Stories: THE DAYS OF THE WAR, AS RED AS BLOOD, AS DARK AS BILE (Subterranean Spring ’14) and THE DUST QUEEN by Aliette de Bodard (Reach for Infinity), VLADIMIR CHONG CHOOSES TO DIE by Lavie Tidhar (Analog 9/14)

Zeno represents William Gibson and Daryl Gregory in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Martha Millard Literary Agency.

James Maxey Named 2015 Piedmont Laureate

Posted on Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

The Orange County Arts Commission has named Zeno client James Maxey as the region’s 2015 Piedmont Laureate. The Piedmont Laureate program aims ‘to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts in the Piedmont region’, and ‘is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing, enriching the lives of all our citizens.’

James Maxey is the author of, among others, the critically-acclaimed Dragon Apocalypse trilogy – GREATSHADOW, HUSH and WITCHBREAKER – which was published by Solaris Books (individually and as an eBook omnibus in the US).

As Laureate, James will appear at workshops, reading programs and speaking engagements throughout Durham, Orange and Wake counties, giving the public an opportunity to meet him and learn more about his body of work.

‘He writes fast-paced, action-driven pulp fiction with strong emphasis on character growth and world building, dealing with larger-than-life characters adventuring in exotic worlds… Readers who delve past the dragons and superheroes on the covers of Maxey’s books will discover stories that explore the deeper aspects of the human condition. In the course of introducing imaginary worlds, Maxey hopes to provoke readers into thinking more deeply about our own world and our shared responsibility to improve it.’

Here’s the synopsis…

The warrior known as Infidel (Princess Innocent Brightmoon, to a very, very few) is legendary – as much among the drunkards of Commonground as among heroes and bards – for her superhuman strength and skin tough as mail. Stagger, her long-time friend and closest companion, is a wastrel and a sot, but a gifted scholar. Sorrow, a powerful and possibly deranged witch, will stop at nothing – including mutilating her own body – in her pursuit of a fairer, more just world.

Once, dragons covered this world, warring with each other for dominance over great territories. In aeons past, however, their numbers dwindled, and the few that remained withdrew from mundane affairs, claiming the very primal forces of the world – fire, cold, storms, plants, the sun, wild beasts, even the principle of decay itself – as their own. Now the powerful Church of the Book has set its sights on destroying the primal dragons and freeing humanity of their supposed ‘tyrrany’ forever. Wearying of the mercenary life after Stagger’s death, Infidel – with an eye on the dragons’ celebrated wealth – agrees to take part in their first expedition.

But the primal dragons are not to be tackled lightly. In the most hectic, touching romp since The Princess Bride, Infidel, Stagger (or his ghost) and Sorrow will find their lives, and the world around them, changing beyond their grasp as the Church’s hubris reaps its rewards…

Here is just a small selection of reviews his novels have received…

‘A magnificently entertaining romp bursting with charm.’ — SFX

‘GREATSHADOW is a clever, funny, goofy read… This isn’t your bog-standard intro quest: GREATSHADOW is a skip-to-the-back-of-the-book epic-level adventure … level 30+ adventure is charming, not po-faced, with a group of flawed, sarcastic, quick-witted and oddball adventurers that are equally comfortable with set-piece battle and rapid fire sarcasm.’ — Pornokitsch

‘A fun, well-thought out fantasy romp which is packed with clever one-liners and plenty of action… Maxey proves that fantasy doesn’t have to be po-faced and serious in order to be fun, whilst at the same time tells a story with depth and emotion… intelligent fantasy that doesn’t waste it’s time trying to prove how smart it is… feeds the reader with plenty of fuel for the imagination whilst delivering on its promise of action and fun… it’s an exceptionally well done example of its genre, and a breath of fresh air for anyone sick of swords and sorcery stories covered in mud, blood and misery.’ — Starburst

‘The good news is that WITCHBREAKER is just as fun as the other books… a great book and a wonderful continuation of the story.’ — Fantastical Librarian

Short Fiction Watch: THE YEAR’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION

Posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

Stories by three Zeno clients have been included in the 32nd THE YEAR’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION anthology.

In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow, blurring the line between life and art. Now, in The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Second Annual Collection the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world. This venerable collection brings together award winning authors and masters of the field such as Robert Reed, Alastair Reynolds, Damien Broderick, Elizabeth Bear, Paul McAuley and John Barnes. And with an extensive recommended reading guide and a summation of the year in science fiction, this annual compilation has become the definitive must-read anthology for all science fiction fans and readers interested in breaking into the genre.

Edited by Gardner Dozois, and due to be published in July 2015 by St. Martin’s Press, the collection includes…

Aliette de Bodard‘s THE DAYS OF THE WAR, AS RED AS BLOOD, AS DARK AS BILE (Subterranean Online)
Ian McDonald‘s THE FIFTH DRAGON (Reach for Infinity)
Lavie Tidhar‘s VLADIMIR CHONG CHOOSES TO DIE (Analog)

Aliette de Bodard is the author of multiple award-winning short stories and novellas; the Obsidian & Blood trilogy published by Angry Robot Books; and the highly-anticipated upcoming new novel THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, which is due to be published in August 2015 by Gollancz in the UK and Roc Books in the US.

Ian McDonald is the award-winning author of multiple science fiction novels, including the critically-acclaimed Everness trilogy published by Jo Fletcher Books in the UK and Pyr Books in the US; and BRASYL, THE DERVISH HOUSE, and the upcoming LUNA, published by Gollancz.

Lavie Tidhar is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of OSAMA published by Solaris Books; The Bookman Histories, published by Angry Robot Books; and the critically-acclaimed THE VIOLENT CENTURY and A MAN LIES DREAMING – both published in the UK by Hodder. THE VIOLENT CENTURY is due to be published in the US by Thomas Dunne Books in February 2015. He is also the author of the upcoming comic series ADLER, due to be published in 2015 by Titan Comics.

Short Fiction Watch: Aliette de Bodard

Posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2015

In this latest edition of Short Fiction Watch, we wanted to draw your attention to two more pieces by Aliette de Bodard.

The first can be found in the January 2015 issue of Lightspeed Magazine: THE LONELY HEART and Author Spotlight

‘It was towards mid-afternoon that Chen became aware of the girl. She stood before Chen’s stall, watching the fake-jade effigies of the Buddha and the coloured incense sticks, her eyes wide in the sunlight — she was no more than thirteen or fourteen, with the gangly unease of that age. To her left, children shrieked as they passed the Bridge of Impossibility, holding each other’s hands, and went into the temple complex…’

The second is in the 100th issue of Clarkesworld: THREE CUPS OF GRIEF, BY STARLIGHT (the story is free to read online, if you follow the link)

Aliette de Bodard is the author of the Obsidian & Blood trilogy, published by Angry Robot Books. Her next novel, THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, is due to be published by Gollancz in the UK, in August 2015 — we recently announced that acquisition in the news feed.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is a Rising Star on Amazon UK!

Posted on Friday, January 9th, 2015

Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s upcoming horror-fantasy THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE has been selected by Amazon UK as a Rising Star for March 2015 — that is, a debut author to watch! We certainly agree. The first in a two-part series, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is due to be published in the UK by Del Rey on March 12th. Here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to hell…

… where skinless demons patrol the lakes and the waves of Limbo wash against the outer walls, while the souls of the Damned float on their surface, waiting to be collected.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is due to be published in North America by Doubleday, on March 3rd, 2015 (cover at end).

Speaking of THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, Mslexia has invited Simon’s wife, Rosie Seymour, to write about the experience of being married to a soon-to-be published author. Rosie’s first piece was published recently, and you can read it here. Here’s the crux of the series…

‘We are only at the beginning of this strange and exciting journey and I genuinely have no idea where it will lead. Mslexia have invited me to blog in the lead up to and just beyond the release date and I hope to share with you our ups and downs, any tips that might be useful and hopefully shine a light into the mysterious world of first-time publishing… I’ve been with him every step of the way and given that I am trying to find my own way through the world of writing and into the world of publishing it’s a pretty darn useful journey to be taking. I’m hoping you’ll join us too.’

And, in other news, the novel has just received a great review in Publishers Weekly: ‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’

A MAN LIES DREAMING Lands on a Number of Best Of 2014 Lists

Posted on Friday, December 26th, 2014

Lavie Tidhar‘s latest masterpiece, A MAN LIES DREAMING, has not only been receiving plentiful glowing reviews. It has also landed on a handful of great Best Of 2014 lists, including the Guardian [review]…

‘Grim has been the flavour of the genre for some years now, and 2014 was no exception… Lavie Tidhar’s A MAN LIES DREAMING (Hodder) was another [highlight], juxtaposing the horrors of the Nazi death camps with a splendidly over-the-top gumshoe adventure starring Adolf Hitler as a 1940s London private eye.’

… the LA Review of Books [review]…

‘Reality and fantasy served up in subversive proportions by the author of OSAMA.’

… and Herald Scotland [review]…

‘Pushing hard at the boundaries of genre, daring us to classify it neatly, Lavie Tidhar’s A MAN LIES DREAMING … reimagines Adolf Hitler as a deposed dictator forced to work as a private investigator on the mean streets of 1930s London. But as the book progresses we realise that the man called Wolf only exists in the mind of a Jewish writer imprisoned in Auschwitz. It’s bold, often brilliant, and avoids the pitfalls one might expect before crossing into the territory of speculative writers such as Philp K Dick.’

The novel is published in the UK by Hodder Books. In case you’ve somehow missed it, here’s the synopsis…

Deep in the heart of history’s most infamous concentration camp, a man lies dreaming. His name is Shomer, and before the war he was a pulp fiction author. Now, to escape the brutal reality of life in Auschwitz, Shomer spends his nights imagining another world – a world where a disgraced former dictator now known only as Wolf ekes out a miserable existence as a low-rent PI in London’s grimiest streets.

An extraordinary story of revenge and redemption, A MAN LIES DREAMING is the unforgettable testament to the power of imagination.

Happy Holidays from Zeno

Posted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014

We wanted to take a moment to wish everyone — editors, publishers, fellow agents, casual readers of the news feed, and most of all our authors — a very happy holidays and New Year. We hope you all have a great break, best wishes to your families, and we look forward to seeing and speaking with you when we all get back to the office.

And, for those who celebrate Christmas, may you get all the books…