Literary agency
Just a very quick post, today, to let you know about Ben Aaronovitch‘s upcoming book tour dates! He’s celebrating the release of WHAT ABIGAIL DID THAT SUMMER, his first novella starring Abigail Kamara; and also the 10th Anniversary edition of the first Peter Grant novel, RIVERS OF LONDON! Both books are published by Gollancz in the UK.
September 13th:
September 14th:
September 15th:
To celebrate the release of FALSE VALUE, the highly-anticipated eighth Peter Grant novel, Ben Aaronovitch is embarking on an extensive book tour in the UK!
First up, though, the book is due to be published in the UK by Gollancz on February 20th. Here’s the synopsis…
Peter Grant is facing fatherhood, and an uncertain future, with equal amounts of panic and enthusiasm. Rather than sit around, he takes a job with émigré Silicon Valley tech genius Terrence Skinner’s brand new London start up – the Serious Cybernetics Company.
Drawn into the orbit of Old Street’s famous ‘silicon roundabout’, Peter must learn how to blend in with people who are both civilians and geekier than he is. Compared to his last job, Peter thinks it should be a doddle. But magic is not finished with Mama Grant’s favourite son.
Because Terrence Skinner has a secret hidden in the bowels of the SCC. A technology that stretches back to Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, and forward to the future of artificial intelligence. A secret that is just as magical as it technological – and just as dangerous.
And here are the UK Tour dates…!
February 16th…
February 17th…
February 18th…
February 19th…
February 20th (Official Release Day!)…
February 21st…
February 22nd…
February 23rd…
February 24th…
February 27th…
February 28th…
North American fans of the novel will have to wait until the following week (February 25th) to get their hands on the novel, published by DAW Books.
Next Tuesday (January 19th), Edward Cox will be taking part in a Q&A event at Blackwell’s in Holborn, London, at 6:30. The event will also include fellow fantasy authors Den Patrick and Jen Williams.
Cox’s Relic Guild series is published in the UK by Gollancz: THE RELIC GUILD, THE CATHEDRAL OF KNOWN THINGS and the forthcoming THE WATCHER OF DEAD TIME. Here’s the synopsis for THE RELIC GUILD, in case you haven’t had the chance to check it out, yet…
In the sealed Labyrinth, a young woman must find a way to control her magic and escape her prison in this remarkable debut fantasy.
Magic caused the war. Magic is forbidden. Magic will save us.
It was said the Labyrinth had once been the great meeting place, a sprawling city at the heart of an endless maze where a million humans hosted the Houses of the Aelfir. The Aelfir who had brought trade and riches, and a future full of promise. But when the Thaumaturgists, overlords of human and Aelfir alike, went to war, everything was ruined and the Labyrinth became an abandoned forbidden zone, where humans were trapped behind boundary walls 100 feet high.
Now the Aelfir are a distant memory and the Thaumaturgists have faded into myth. Young Clara struggles to survive in a dangerous and dysfunctional city, where eyes are keen, nights are long, and the use of magic is punishable by death. She hides in the shadows, fearful that someone will discover she is touched by magic. She knows her days are numbered. But when a strange man named Fabian Moor returns to the Labyrinth, Clara learns that magic serves a higher purpose and that some myths are much more deadly in the flesh.
The only people Clara can trust are the Relic Guild, a secret band of magickers sworn to protect the Labyrinth. But the Relic Guild are now too few. To truly defeat their old nemesis Moor, mightier help will be required. To save the Labyrinth – and the lives of one million humans – Clara and the Relic Guild must find a way to contact the worlds beyond their walls.
The series has received some great reviews, so far…
‘A terrific debut novel, with plenty of scope for expansion and some really good world-building. Most importantly, lots of fun. Looking forward to the next one.’ — Joanne Harris on THE RELIC GUILD
‘An exciting blend of steampunk, fantasy, horror, and pulp adventure… incredibly detailed, but it never threatens to take over the narrative… Cox avoids the fantasy cliché of characters being little more than their occupations or particular field of expertise, and the format of past and present allows the reader to see how much some of them have changed and developed, and why… THE RELIC GUILD is an intriguing, original and enjoyable book, a daring mix of genres that initially feels like it shouldn’t work, but is ultimately greater than the sum of its parts.’ — Starburst
‘Tightly woven together and all storylines move forward with clarity and purpose: no character is a spare part; no passages tread water. The book accelerates to its conclusion with juicy revelations but a shock held back for the final pages… everything a reader would want to compel them onto the final book of the trilogy… touches of fantasy, horror and the weird but eschewing many of the regular tropes of the genre: it is quite an achievement to create something so different and so fresh… Every page bursts with magic… fervid and sensual writing… an impressive sequel, building on its predecessor in its sheer inventiveness, scope and story development. It is hard to call anything ‘unique’, but perhaps this is as close as fantasy gets.‘ — British Fantasy Society on THE CATHEDRAL OF KNOWN THINGS
‘THE CATHEDRAL OF KNOWN THINGS is… both more of the same whilst being filled with fresh ideas at the same time… a blend of horror, fantasy and civilised steampunk adventure. It’s also quite a bit more cinematic than the first book… Cox has taken the time to explore both the world and his characters with this sequel. The Guild is part typical fantasy adventuring party and partially a superhero team, and this time round we get to learn more about what makes them tick. Not only do we discover more about the heroes, but the scenery-chewing bad guys also get to have their own backstory as well. Add on top the gentle bringing together of existing storylines and some rather entertaining self-discoveries by the main characters, and what we have here is an excellent middle book… leaves us wanting more…’ — Starburst
We are very happy to report that Zeno client Naomi Foyle is taking part in a great event in London next week: Women in SF, which takes place on May 8th, from 6:30-7:3opm at Blackwell’s Charing Cross Road branch.
The event has been organised by Jo Fletcher Books and Blackwell’s Charing Cross Road. Six authors will come together to discuss the debate surrounding the representation of female authors in genre fiction, why there is a lack of it, and the solutions that could be implemented to ensure equality in the future. Alongside Naomi, Karen Lord, Stephanie Saulter, Jaine Fenn and Janet Edwards will be in attendance, and the panel will be moderated by Edward James. The event also coincides with the launch of a Blackwell’s Women in SF display, to promote novels written in the genre by female authors.
Attendance at the event is free, and you can book tickets here – be sure to book them soon, though, as they are expected to run out quickly.
Naomi’s latest novel, ASTRA, was published by Jo Fletcher Books this past February. It is the first in a projected trilogy. Jo Fletcher Books also published Naomi’s previous novel, SEOUL SURVIVORS.
Here is the synopsis for ASTRA…
Like every child in Is-Land, all Astra Ordott wants is to have her Security Shot, do her National Service and defend her Gaian homeland from Non-Lander ‘infiltrators’. But when one of her Shelter mothers, the formidable Dr Hokma Blesser, tells her the shot will limit her chances of becoming a scientist and offers her an alternative, Astra agrees to her plan.
When the orphaned Lil arrives to share Astra’s home, Astra is torn between jealousy and fascination. Lil’s father taught her some alarming ideas about Is-Land and the world, but when she pushes Astra too far, the heartache that results goes far beyond the loss of a friend.
If she is to survive, Astra must learn to deal with devastating truths about Is-Land, Non-Land and the secret web of adult relationships that surrounds her.