Brandon Sanderson - Zeno Agency Ltd.

Zeno Titles in Audible’s 2014 Bestsellers Lists!

Posted on Friday, December 12th, 2014

Ben Aaronovitch‘s FOXGLOVE SUMMER and Brandon Sanderson‘s WORDS OF RADIANCE are among the bestselling audiobooks released in 2014 on Audible UK (of all genres)! Especially incredible is the fact that FOXGLOVE SUMMER makes the list having only been published on November 11th! (Just four weeks ago!)

Additionally, and equally great news, Ben’s RIVERS OF LONDON and BROKEN HOMES and Brandon’s THE WAY OF KINGS are also among the 2014 Best-Sellers – All Time Releases!

RIVERS OF LONDON, BROKEN HOMES and FOXGLOVE SUMMER are the first, fourth and fifth books in Ben’s Peter Grant urban fantasy series, published by Gollancz in the UK. The series is narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Here’s the synopsis for RIVERS OF LONDON…

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 (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.

THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are the first two novels in Brandon’s Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series, also published by Gollancz in the UK. The series is narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Here’s the synopsis for the THE WAY OF KINGS…

They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won.

Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself – and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne.

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

What happened deep in mankind’s past?

Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

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

Brandon Sanderson’s MITOSIS Out Today in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, November 20th, 2014

Great news for those of you who loved Brandon Sanderson‘s epic superhero novel STEELHEART, but can’t wait for the upcoming sequel, FIREFIGHT: the novella MITOSIS is out tomorrow in the UK! Set in between the two novels, it is published by Gollancz. It will be available in hardcover, eBook and also audiobook.

Here’s the synopsis…

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of WORDS OF RADIANCE, co-author of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and creator of the internationally bestselling Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson, comes MITOSIS, a short story set in the action-packed world of STEELHEART: the Reckoners series, exclusively available in a HB collector’s edition. Epics still plague Newcago, but David and the Reckoners have vowed to fight back. Catch all the action before FIREFIGHT, the exciting sequel to STEELHEART, hits the shelves.

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

Cover Reveal: FIREFIGHT by Brandon Sanderson (UK)

Posted on Monday, October 27th, 2014

Today, we share with you the UK cover for Brandon Sanderson‘s upcoming second Reckoners novel, FIREFIGHT. We think you’ll agree that Gollancz have commissioned yet another excellent piece. The novel is the hotly-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling STEELHEART, and is due to be published on January 8th, 2015. Here’s the synopsis…

They told David it was impossible – that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart – invincible, immortal, unconquerable – is dead. And he died by David’s hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realise he has questions. Big ones. And there’s no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David’s willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David’s heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic – Firefight. And he’s willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

STEELHEART is out now in the UK, and a MITOSIS, a short story set in the same universe, is due to be published later this month, also by Gollancz.

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

STEELHEART by Brandon Sanderson Out Now in Paperback (UK)

Posted on Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Today marks the release of Brandon Sanderson‘s STEELHEART in paperback. This first novel in the Reckoners series is published by Gollancz in the UK. Here’s the synopsis…

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics… nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart – the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David’s been studying, and planning – and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He’s seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

STEELHEART is followed by MITOSIS (a novella) and FIREFIGHT (January 2015).

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

UK Cover Reveal – Brandon Sanderson’s MITOSIS

Posted on Monday, August 4th, 2014

We’re very happy to share with you today the UK cover for Brandon Sanderson‘s new Reckoners short story, MITOSIS! To be published by Gollancz, the novella takes place between STEELHEART and the upcoming FIREFIGHT. Here’s the (succinct) synopsis…

Steelheart may be dead, but Epics still plague Newcago and David and the Reckoners have vowed to fight back.

MITOSIS will be release in hardcover, eBook and audio editions, on October 23rd, 2014. FIREFIGHT is due to be published in January 2015.

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

Brandon Sanderson Signing at London’s Forbidden Planet on Monday!

Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014

As part of the summer’s science fiction and fantasy extravaganza taking place in London, Forbidden Planet are hosting Brandon Sanderson for a signing this coming Monday, 4th August! The New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Stormlight Archives and the Mistborn novels is sure to be a big draw – so make sure you get there early!

NOTE: Brandon will be signing between 6-7pm – not 1-2pm, as stated on the poster above (it’s an older one).

Gollancz publish many of Brandon’s novels in the UK, including the Stormlight Archive – THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE (with more to come), and the Mistborn novels – THE FINAL EMPIRE, THE WELL OF ASCENSION, THE HERO OF AGES, ALLOY OF LAW. Brandon’s next novel with Gollancz will be the Reckoners short story, MITOSIS (check back next week for more on this title). Tor Books recently published THE RITHMATIST, the first in a YA series.

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

Four Zeno Clients in Sainsbury’s Summer Reading eBook Deals!

Posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

It’s often easy to forget that there are an ever-increasing number of eBook vendors, these days – so dominated is the market by Amazon. One new entrant into the market is Sainsbury’s – that venerable supermarket chain. For the next two days, they are running a Summer Reading sale for eBooks – this campaign seems to have been rather stealthily rolled out, too. Handily split up by genre, we are delighted to report that novels by four Zeno clients are included in the ‘Other Worlds’ Science Fiction and Fantasy selection!

Among the great selection of titles from across the SFF genres, there are six Zeno titles…

Ben Aaronovitch, RIVERS OF LONDON – the first Peter Grant novel (Gollancz) – only £1.99!
Ben Aaronovitch, BROKEN HOMES – the fourth Peter Grant novel (Gollancz)
Peter V. Brett, THE PAINTED MAN – the first Demon Cycle novel (Voyager)
Tim Powers, HIDE ME AMONG THE GRAVES (Corvus)
Tim Powers, THREE DAYS TO NEVER (Corvus)
Brandon Sanderson, THE FINAL EMPIRE – the first Mistborn novel (Gollancz) – only £1.99!

So, if you’re after some new e-reading for the inconsistent British summer weather, then these would all offer a great starting point for Ben’s, Pete’s, Tim’s and Brandon’s work.

Zeno represents Tim Powers in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency. Zeno represents Peter V. Brett and Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Cover Reveal: Brandon Sanderson’s THE RITHMATIST (UK)

Posted on Friday, May 9th, 2014

On May 22nd, Brandon Sanderson‘s YA fantasy novel THE RITHMATIST will be published in the UK by Tor UK. And it has that gorgeous new cover, above. The cover, unveiled earlier this week on Tor’s blog, was designed by the publisher’s head of design James Annal, with design agency Crush.

In case you didn’t catch our coverage when it was first released last year, here is the synopsis…

In a school for the magically gifted, your talent could cost you your life…

Young student Joel is fascinated by the magic of Rithmatics, but few have the gift and he is not one of them. Undaunted, Joel persuades Professor Fitch to teach him about this geometric magic. For although Joel can’t infuse his protective lines and circles with power, or bring his chalk-drawn creatures to life, he can really understand how it works. However, a daunting test lies ahead, when someone starts kidnapping top Rithmatic students at his school, Armedius Academy.

Since he’s not a magic user, Joel appears to be safe and he’s desperate to investigate and prove himself. Then people start dying – but can Joel really stop a killer alone? He’ll need the help of Rithmatist apprentice Melody, as even more students disappear. Together, they must race to find clues before the killer notices them – and takes them out too.

The book features illustrations by Ben McSweeney, which depict the magical elements of the novel with great elegance and insight.

Tor UK are also due to publish the as-yet-untitled future sequel in the series.

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

Multiple Award Nominations for Zeno Clients!

Posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014

This past weekend, a number of award shortlists were announced, and we’re very happy to report that a handful of Zeno authors are represented! (As well they should be!)

First up, two of our clients have been nominated for Hugo Awards!

In the Best Novel category, the whole of The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series has been nominated (as a single entity). This series, began by the late Robert Jordan, was completed by Brandon Sanderson, who finished the three final novels in the series – THE GATHERING STORM, TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT, and A MEMORY OF LIGHT (all published in the UK by Orbit).

In the Best Novelette category, Aliette de Bodard‘s ‘The Waiting Stars’ has been nominated. The story first appeared in THE OTHER HALF OF THE SKY, published by Candlemark & Gleam. Back in February, we reported that ‘The Waiting Stars’ was also nominated for a Nebula Award. ‘The Waiting Stars’ is also available to read, free, on Aliette’s website.

The Hugo Awards will be presented at Loncon 3, in London, UK, on August 17, 2014.

Secondly, two Zeno clients also made it onto a Gemmell Awards shortlist, for the Legend Award (best fantasy)! We mentioned them briefly on the blog in March, as they (obviously) made the long-list, but we’re very happy to see Peter V. Brett‘s THE DAYLIGHT WAR (Voyager) and Brandon Sanderson‘s A MEMORY OF LIGHT (Orbit) make it to the final selection round.

The Shortlist is open for voting now, until the end of April. The winner will be announced at the Gemmell Award ceremony at the Magic Circle, London, on June 13th, 2014.

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

Selfies of Radiance (Gollancz Competition)

Posted on Friday, March 28th, 2014

To celebrate the incredible success of Brandon Sanderson‘s latest novel, WORDS OF RADIANCE, Gollancz is running a competition via Twitter for some exclusive collectors cards!

Be sure to Tweet your Selfie of Radiance with @Gollancz mentioned and include the #WordsOfRadiance tag! The competition closes on March 31st at midnight GMT.

WORDS OF RADIANCE is the second novel in Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. It reached #2 on the Sunday Times bestseller list (hardcover fiction) in its first week of publication (and #1 on the New York Times bestseller list). In case you’ve not checked out the series, here is a synopsis for the first book in the series, THE WAY OF KINGS (also published by Gollancz in the UK).

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms, but the Voidbringers followed. The Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, the Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won (or so the legends say). Today the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself – and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne. On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes, a young spearman is forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are published by Tor Books in the US.

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

A Splendid WAY OF KINGS Recreation…

Posted on Monday, March 24th, 2014

The SFF community is one that is frequently characterised by strong sense of fandom and investment. Whether it be adaptations onto screen or stage, or even music homages (see, for example, the musical rendition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s RIVERS OF LONDON we shared a couple of months ago). In a truly stunning example of creative fandom, someone has now rendered the climactic battle from Brandon Sanderson‘s THE WAY OF KINGS in Lego! (Chapter 65, in case you want to wait until you’ve read that far!)

A hat-tip to Tor.com for directing our attention to Rick Martin‘s incredible interpretation. Here are just a couple of pictures…

Charge!

Photo Credits: Rick Martin

THE WAY OF KINGS is the first novel in Brandon’s Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series, published in the UK by Gollancz. The second book in the series, WORDS OF RADIANCE, was recently #2 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list for hardcover fiction. Here is the synopsis for the first book, in case you haven’t yet given it a try…

What happened deep in mankind’s past?

Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

Both THE WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are out now – the former now split into two paperbacks. The novels are published in the US by Tor Books.

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

Brandon Sanderson Storms Bestseller Lists

Posted on Friday, March 14th, 2014

We have recently been informed that Brandon Sanderson‘s WORDS OF RADIANCE is not only going to be #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it will also debut at #2 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list! This is absolutely fantastic news, and well-deserved.

WORDS OF RADIANCE is the second novel in Brandon’s latest fantasy epic, the Stormlight Archive, following THE WAY OF KINGS. Published by Tor Books in the US and Gollancz in the UK. Here is the (non-spoilery) synopsis…

Return to a planet swept by apocalyptic storms, a world tipping into war as aristocratic families move to control the shard blades and shard plates, ancient artifacts from a past civilisation that can win wars.

As the world tips into a war for control of the mythical artifacts of power made from Shard, characters are swept up into new dangers which will threaten their integrity and their lives.

The Sunday Times list will be officially released and printed in the March 16th edition of the newspaper.

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

Brandon Sanderson’s THE FINAL EMPIRE is Kindle’s Daily Deal (UK)

Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2014

Yesterday saw the release of Brandon Sanderson‘s much-anticipated WORDS OF RADIANCE, the second novel in the Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series. If you are new to the author, though, and the prospect of reading a 1,000+ page novel is a bit daunting as a first try, then today is your lucky day!

Amazon UK have selected THE FINAL EMPIRE, the first in the Mistborn trilogy, as one of their Kindle Daily Deals! The offer runs until 11:59pm tonight, so be sure to check it out quickly! Here’s the novel’s synopsis…

What if the Dark Lord won? An acclaimed epic commercial fantasy comes to the UK for the first time. Unabridged edition for download only.

A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields. But now a troublemaker has arrived and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy – the magic that lies in all metals.

The Mistborn series continues with THE WELL OF ASCENSION, THE HERO OF AGES and THE ALLOY OF LAW. At the time of writing, THE FINAL EMPIRE was also the #1 bestseller in Epic Fantasy!

It’s never been a better time to try Brandon’s work! The Mistborn series and also the Stormlight Archive novels are all published in the UK by Gollancz.

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

Publication Day – Brandon Sanderson’s WORDS OF RADIANCE

Posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Today sees the UK publication of Brandon Sanderson‘s highly anticipated WORDS OF RADIANCE, the second novel in his Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series. Brandon is the bestselling author who completed Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, and also the Mistborn saga (currently four novels, with more on the way!). The second book in the Stormlight Archive exhibits Brandon’s gift for epic storytelling, wonderous magic systems, and sheer addictive writing.

Here is the synopsis for WORDS OF RADIANCE…

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

The ancient oaths have at last been spoken; the spren return. Men seek that which was lost. I fear the struggle will destroy them.

It is the nature of the magic. A broken soul has cracks into which something else can be fit. Surgebindings, the powers of creation themselves. They can brace a broken soul; but they can also widen its fissures.

The Windrunner, lost in a shattered land, balanced upon the boundary between vengeance and honor. The Lightweaver, slowly being consumed by her past, searching for the lie that she must become. The Bondsmith, born in blood and death, striving to rebuild what was destroyed. The Explorer, straddling the fates of two peoples, forced to choose between slow death and a terrible betrayal of all she believes.

It is past time for them to awaken, for the Everstorm looms.

And the Assassin has arrived.

A couple of advance, non-spoilery reviews have managed to find their way online (it’s so huge, it’s not surprising there haven’t been more). Here are some choice quotes…

‘Does Book 2 live up to the expectations? My answer is a resounding, “Yes!”’ — Tor.com (1)

‘… worth the wait… WORDS OF RADIANCE is excellent, which was a tremendous relief to me. Love or hate this book, I was wedded to it long before I read it, and I’m fortunate to say that I continue to love it. So to you, lucky reader, who have the choice of whether or not to buy this book, I give this advice. Sanderson’s experiment is working, and he gets better with every book. The journey will be worth it. Yes, you should buy this book. Yes, this is a series worth following to the end. I’m so glad to be taking this journey, and I hope you will as well.’ — Tor.com (2)

‘WORDS OF RADIANCE is truly an achievement. It expands on its predecessor, fulfilling the promises it sets up, and manages to surpass it. There is no question about it: this is my favorite Brandon Sanderson novel. When I read THE WAY OF KINGS, I had thought that while it was (at the time) Brandon’s best written novel, it wasn’t my favorite, but that The Stormlight Archive series absolutely had the potential to be Brandon’s best series. Well, that was entirely right. There’s no doubt about it. If you adored THE WAY OF KINGS, you will be blown away by WORDS OF RADIANCE. Even if book one didn’t thrill you, however, I can’t see how you won’t be enthralled by this volume. It really is that good. You’ll be sold on the entire series with this.’ — 17th Shard

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

Gemmell Award Nominations, Voting & Zeno Clients

Posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

It’s that time of year again! Voting for the Gemmell Awards long-lists has now opened, and there are a handful of Zeno clients in the mix!

In the Legend Category, for best fantasy novel of the year, we have…

Peter V. Brett‘s THE DAYLIGHT WAR (published in the UK by Voyager)
Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan’s A MEMORY OF LIGHT (published in the UK by Orbit Books)

In the Ravenheart Category, for best book artwork, we have…

Peter V. Brett‘s THE DAYLIGHT WAR
Brandon Sanderson‘s STEELHEART (published in the UK by Gollancz)

Readers can vote for their favourite novel from the long-lists (nominated by publishers), and the results of the first round of voting will be revealed at this year’s Eastercon, in Glasgow. (Voting for the first round closes on the 13th April.) The Shortlist will then be open for voting until the end of April, and the winner will be announced at the Gemmell Award ceremony at the Magic Circle, London, on June 13th, 2014. Voting is open to all, so get yourself over there and VOTE (… for our clients…)!

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