Ben Aaronovitch’s DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL now available in German Audiobook!


We’re very happy to report that audiobook aficionados in Germany are now able to get Ben Aaronovitch‘s LIES SLEEPING in audio! Published by GoyaLiT as DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL, and narrated by Dietmar Wunder, here’s the synopsis…

Constable und Zauberlehrling Peter Grant steht vor seiner größten Herausforderung: Das Schicksal Londons steht auf dem Spiel. Der gesichtslose Magier, verantwortlich für grauenvolle übernatürliche Verbrechen, ist zwar endlich demaskiert und auf der Flucht. Doch er verfolgt einen perfiden Plan, der ganz London in den Abgrund stürzen könnte. Um den Gesichtslosen zu stoppen, muss Peter all seine magischen Kräfte aufbieten – und einen bösen alten Bekannten kontaktieren: Mr. Punch, den mörderischen Geist des Aufruhrs und der Rebellion.

LIES SLEEPING is the seventh novel in Ben’s internationally best-selling, critically-acclaimed Peter Grant/Rivers of London series. GoyaLiT has published all of them in German audio to date, with DTV publishing the print and eBook editions.

The Peter Grant series is published in the UK by Gollancz, and in the US by Del Rey (1-3) and DAW Books (4-). Here’s the English-language synopsis for LIES SLEEPING

A fabulous new adventure, London under threat, and the scent of magic in the air… it must be a new Rivers of London mystery…

Martin Chorley, aka the Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run.

Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring Chorley to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that Chorley, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan.

A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague – Lesley May – who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch…

Ben’s most recent book, THE OCTOBER MAN, is set in the same universe as the Peter Grant novels and novella, but stars a new protagonist and primary location: Tobias Winter in Germany. The novella is out now, published in the UK by Gollancz, in the US by Subterranean Press, and is forthcoming in Germany.

First two Peter Grant novels available in Czech audio!


Great news! The first two novels in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Peter Grant series are now available in Czech audio editions! Produced by Tympanum, and narrated by Tomáš Kobr, the novels are published as ŘEKY LONDÝNA (RIVERS OF LONDON) and MĚSÍC NAD SOHO (MOON OVER SOHO), here’s the synopsis for the first book…

Jedna z nejúspěšnějších městských fantasy uplynulého desetiletí vás zavede do Londýna, ve kterém u policie slouží čarodějové a po ulicích se prohánějí zlovolní duchové či božstva na válečné stezce.

Jmenuji se Peter Grant. Ještě nedávno jsem byl obyčejný četnický zelenáč v řadách londýnské Metropolitní policie. Jedné noci jsem se ale při vyšetřování jisté vraždy pokusil získat svědeckou výpověď od muže, který byl sice mrtvý, ale jinak znepokojivě výřečný, což mi zajistilo pozornost vrchního inspektora Nightingalea, posledního čaroděje Anglie. A právě tehdy začal můj příběh.

Nyní jsem policejní detektiv a čarodějův učeň, první učedník za padesát let, a můj svět už není zdaleka tak jednoduchý, jak býval.

The print editions of the novels are published in Czech by Argo. The series is published in the UK by Gollancz, and in the US by Del Rey (1-3) and DAW Books (4-6). The English-language audiobooks are published by Orion Audio, and are narrated by the superb Kobna Holdbook-Smith. The series has also been published widely in translation. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the first novel…

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit — we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to — and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden… and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos — or die trying.

Brandon Sanderson’s ALCATRAZ returns to audio…


The fifth instalment in Brandon Sanderson‘s Alcatraz series is available now in audio! Published by W.F. Howes, here’s the synopsis for THE DARK TALENT

Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary, the seat of Evil Librarian power. Can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians?

The first four novels in the series are available in a collected omnibus, published in the UK by Gollancz.

On his thirteenth birthday, Alcatraz — a foster child — gets a bag of sand in the mail which purports to be his ‘inheritance’ sent from his father and mother. The Librarians, of course, immediately steal the bag of sand from him.

This sparks a chain of events which leads Alcatraz to realize that his family is part of a group of freedom fighters who resist the Evil Librarians – the secret cult who actually rule the world. Alcatraz’s grandfather shows up and tows him off to infiltrate the downtown library to steal back the mystical bag of sand. The ensuing story involves talking dinosaurs, sentient romance novels, and a dungeon-like labyrinth hiding beneath the innocent-looking downtown library.

Brandon’s next novel is OATHBRINGER, the third novel in his best-selling Stormlight Archive series. It is due to be published by Gollancz in November.

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

UK Audio Rights for Gabriel Denning Sold


The UK & Commonwealth audio rights for Gabriel Denning‘s riotous mash-up WARLOCK HOLMES and its two sequels have sold to W.F. Howes. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Sam Morgan at the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York. Titan Books will be publishing in the UK and US. The first novel is scheduled for May 2016.

Here’s the pitch:

Sherlock Holmes is an unparalleled genius who uses the gift of deduction and reason to solve the most vexing of crimes.

Warlock Holmes, however, is an idiot. A good man, perhaps; a font of arcane power, certainly. But he’s brilliantly dim. Frankly, he couldn’t deduce his way out of a paper bag.

The only things he really has going for him are the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety … and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.

Gabriel Denning was born and raised in Seattle. He has published articles for the popular games company Wizards of the Coast, worked as a editor, written a video-game script for Nintendo, and scripted and performed shows at the Epcot Center, Walt Disney World. He now lives in Las Vegas with his family. To connect with the author, be sure to follow him on Twitter.

Edward Cox’s THE RELIC GUILD Launch a Huge Success!


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THE RELIC GUILD Editor Marcus Gipps (left) and Edward Cox

On September 18th, Gollancz published Edward Cox‘s superb debut fantasy novel, THE RELIC GUILD. To mark the occasion, the publisher and Goldsboro Books hosted Edward for a great book launch event.

CoxE-RelicGuildLaunch3-CropIn addition, Gollancz organised an extensive blog tour to mark the publication of the novel…

CoxE-RelicGuildBlogTourBanner15th September

Interview on Geek Planet Online

Guest Post: ‘Lies of the Father’ on Falcata Times‘how he smashed the ice when moving from a busy city to the country and how a lie can sometimes make a huge difference’

16th September

Interview on Book Plank

Guest Post: ‘A Deal’s Not a Deal Until the Deal is Done’ on Sci-Fi London‘I’ve been asked a few times about how I got signed by a major publisher. My answer always makes me sound flippant: I got an agent, and he got me a book deal. It’s a little more complicated than that, but it’s the truth. What’s also true is that it took me longer to convince my agent to represent my book than it took my agent to get the book signed by Gollancz.’

17th September

THE RELIC GUILD Audio Clip on The Cult Den

Guest Post: ‘The Feeling’ on Reader Dad‘The great question: why do I write? I’ve been asked this a number of times, and my answers have been varied. I’ve taken the pretentious route, proclaiming that no one chooses to be a writer, writing chooses you. I’ve tried to brush it off by saying that writing is the only thing I know how to do. The truth is, I definitely do know why I write, but it is difficult for me explain simply. It comes from an experience, a visceral reaction that I now call the Feeling.’

18th September

Guest Post: ‘Writing and Teaching’ on Wondrous Reads‘During the 2012-2013 academic year, I lectured in creating writing at the University of Bedfordshire. It was my privilege to spend many hours in the company of keen-minded individuals, each of whom was eager to get better at what they did. Their passion fuelled my passion. They inspired me as I tried to inspire them… I’m very proud of the work I did there. However, I’ve known a lot of people who don’t trust writing courses of any kind, and their misgivings are not without some justification.’

Interview with Alastair Stuart

19th September

Guest Post: ‘Known Things’ on Fantasy Book Critic‘A certain kind of vindication, a validation, comes with signing a book deal. Someone like Gollancz doesn’t buy your novel unless they believe it is good enough to publish. Knowing this will patch up the shaky confidence of any writer, at least for a time. However, writing a novel good enough for Gollancz is only the beginning, because when you’ve signed up for a trilogy, you sort of have to do it again…’

THE RELIC GUILD Audio Clip on Geek Native

20th September

Interview on Fantasy Book Review (and review)

Guest Post: ‘Writes & Wrongs’ on Civilian Reader – ‘I might have taken the longest route possible to getting an agent. I’m something of a blunderer by nature, and learning the hard way is the theme of my life. So much so that I sometimes wonder how I managed to get an agent at all…’

And, finally – THE RELIC GUILD, out now in Hardcover and Audiobook, is also available in eBook at just £1.99 until 25th September.

New UK Narrator for Peter V. Brett’s Demon Cycle novels!


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We’re very happy to announce that a new narrator for Peter V. Brett‘s UK audiobooks has been announced! After auditioning a string of talented actors, Peter selected Colin Mace for new editions of all of his Demon Cycle fiction. Colin will be re-recording the three novels to date – THE PAINTED MAN, THE DESERT SPEAR and THE DAYLIGHT WAR – plus Brett’s two short stories set in the same world, THE GREAT BAZAAR and BRAYAN’S GOLD (also collected in a very nice hardcover edition). All of the novels, as well as the audio editions, are published in the UK by Voyager Books, Harper Collins.

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The Sunday Times-bestselling series continues to go from strength to strength, and we believe these new audio editions will become fan-favourites, too. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the release dates of these new editions as soon as it becomes available.

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

Can you Hear Us? Yes You Can! Multiple Audible Deals…


We’re delighted to announce several recent sales to  Stacy Patton-Anderson at Audible.

First up, a slew of titles by Lavie Tidhar – including his PS Publishing novel OSAMA, a work that has been on everyone’s lips of late, not least because it was name-checked in Christopher Priest’s now infamous ranty  blog post as one of the titles (along with WAKE UP AND DREAM by fellow Zeno client, Ian R. MacLeod) that should have made this year’s Arthur C. Clarke award shortlist. We, of course, couldn’t possibly comment on this matter… except to say how absolutely correct Mr Priest is!

Along with OSAMA, Audible will also be releasing Lavie’s entire BOOKMAN trilogy in audio – THE BOOKMAN, CAMERA OBSCURA and the recently published THE GREAT GAME, and the final title in this superb batch is Lavie’s collaboration with fellow Israeli author Nir Yaniv, THE TEL-AVIV DOSSIER, a scarcer Tidhar title, originally published by Chizine Publications in Canada.

Joining Lavie at Audible is another client, Ian McDonald – himself often seen on awards and ‘best of’ shortlists. Audible will be publishing an audio edition of Ian’s THE DERVISH HOUSE, a novel that was nominated for last year’s Clarke and Hugo awards and which won the Campbell, the BSF and the SFSite poll. They will also be publishing BRASYL (also nominated for the Clarke) and RIVER OF GODS (nominated for the Clarke, Hugo and the Tiptree).

World Fantasy Award and Philip K. Dick award winner James P. Blaylock will see his new novel ZEUGLODON (to be published later this year by Subterranean) and also his classic work THE DIGGING LEVIATHAN published in audio.

And finally – very much in the sense of ‘at long last’ –  an author with too many award wins and nominations to list here, William Gibson. To accompany their release of Gibson’s new non-fiction collection DISTRUST THAT PARTICULAR FLAVOUR, Audible have acquired a number of backlist titles – namely NEUROMANCER, THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE, PATTERN RECOGNITION, SPOOK COUNTRY and ZERO HISTORY.

Happy listening!

JB Interviewed on “I Should Be Writing”…


When I was over in San Diego recently at the World Fantasy Convention, I got together with Mur Lafferty, author and the brains behind the I SHOULD BE WRITING podcast, a massively useful resource for aspiring authors and one that I am very happy to recommend and endorse.

The interview covers quite a lot of ground, including my thoughts on the current state of the market (especially here in the UK) and some advice on how to approach not just us here at Zeno, but any literary agent you might be hoping to interest. Enjoy!

[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/isbw/isbw_show223_111110.mp3]

More Audio Delights…


… this time in the unmissable guise of Ben Aaronovitch, whose RIVERS OF LONDON (or MIDNIGHT RIOT, if you’re in the US) continues to garner some spectacular reviews.

Ben will be appearing on The Radio 2 Book Club segment of the Simon Mayo Show on Monday 24th January, discussing RIVERS OF LONDON and generally being amusing, witty and wry. The BBC web site is offering the first chapter online, so follow that link above. UK residents who miss the broadcast can catch up with it on the BBC iPlayer.

Ben signing at London’s Forbidden Planet store on Jan 15th, 2011

Zeno In Your Living Room…


Through the wonders of modern technology, you can listen to some of our authors read and discuss their work, whilst relaxing in the comfort of your own home!

  • John Meaney has just dropped us a line to let us know he’s added a page of downloadable audio to his author web site. Follow the link and you’ll be able to hear John don the disguise that is is alter-ego Thomas Blackthorn, reading the first chapter of soon-to-be-published novel POINT as well as that of EDGE, both Angry Robot releases.

    And as if that wasn’t enough, he’s also made available the prologue and first two chapter of his superb Gollancz space opera ABSORPTION, the second volume of which, TRANSMISSION, is soon to be delivered. Note that The Times described ABSORPTION as ‘best hard science fiction I’ve read this year, well written, exciting, mysterious, full of interesting characters and ideas…

  • And another of our Angry Robot stars, Lavie Tidhar, is the guest on the latest podcast over at The Functional Nerds – head over there to hear Lavie discuss his novel THE BOOKMAN, forthcoming sequel CAMERA OBSCURA, and the third book in the series that he’s currently working on, as well as his life, his writing and all sorts of other stuff.

    You can also hear Lavie discussing Steampunk with Jeff Vandermeer and Karin Lowachee over at Cheryl Morgan’s Salon Futura podcast.

Audible Sales…


Audible have acquired world English Audio rights for Ian R. MacLeod’s 2009 Arthur C. Clark Award winning novel SONG OF TIME. Originally published as a limited edition by PS Publishing, SONG OF TIME was described by Paul Billinger, chair of the Clarke  judges as ‘… a rich and subtle novel that couples themes of memory and identity with well crafted and all too human characters.

Audible have also acquired world rights to Michael Cobley‘s epic Space Opera series HUMANITIES FIRE, comprising  SEEDS OF EARTH, ORPHANED WORDS and THE ASCENDANT STARS. Published in the UK by Orbit and in Germany by Heyne, this series has been widely acclaimed by reviewers and reader alike.

No word yet as to who will narrate either of these acquisitions nor on when we can expect their release, but we’ll let you know as and when we’re told.