Gary Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK Paperback Edition is Out Now!


The new paperback edition of Gary Wigglesworth‘s acclaimed THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK is out today! Published by Robinson in the UK, here’s the synopsis…

This is a literary quiz book with a difference. Rather than basic sets of questions, The Book Lover’s Quiz Book mirrors the format of Gary’s live quizzes, at the Betsey Trotwood in London and elsewhere. So, there are lots of multiple-choice questions, some amusing answers, clever red herrings, little-known facts about authors and some of the much-loved Say What You See picture round.

Also, there are fixed and variable rounds – fixed ones include ‘Blankety Books’ (one word missing from the title – always with a theme), ‘Literary Links and lists’ (what connects/next in the list etc.) and ‘2 of a Kind’ (name the character and the author that share the same initials). The changeable rounds keep the quizzes fresh and include ‘What the Dickens?’ (real or made-up Dickens names), ‘RomeNo or JuliYess’ (real or made-up Shakespearian insults) and ‘Book Bingo!’ (identify the correct number). There are also more standard rounds such as ‘First Lines’, ‘Working Titles’ and ‘Banned Books’.

The aim of all Gary’s quizzes, and this book, is that people should have fun and be able to guess (if they don’t know) as much as possible.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the book has received…

‘I love a quiz, so the book I’m most hoping to find in my Christmas stocking is this ingenious book of literary questions, red herrings and conundrums. Much more than a straightforward question-and-answer book, it promises the kind of variety that will enliven evenings with family and friends. (And I might know some of the answers!)’Val McDermid

‘This is the ultimate literary quiz book and Gary Wigglesworth is the quizmaster to end all quizmasters.’David Quantick, author of Night Train, and writer for The Thick of It and Veep

‘Outside of a dog, The Book Lover’s Quiz Book is every bookworm’s best friend — inside of a dog… well, if you know the rest, you’re going to love this book.’Peter Hanington, author of A Dying Breed

‘What a wonderful, joyous, fun book this is. For book lovers every answer jogs a warm memory, while every unknown signposts a future literary treat.’Stuart Turton, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water

‘My favourite quiz, now in book form!’ — Anne Miller, QI elf and author of Mickey and the Animal Spies

Robinson has also published Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2, which is out now in hardcover.

New Paperback Edition of Gary Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK out Next Month


In four weeks, Gary Wigglesworth‘s acclaimed THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK will be available in a new paperback edition. Due to be published by Robinson on May 8th, here’s the synopsis…

This is a literary quiz book with a difference. Rather than basic sets of questions, The Book Lover’s Quiz Book mirrors the format of Gary’s live quizzes, at the Betsey Trotwood in London and elsewhere. So, there are lots of multiple-choice questions, some amusing answers, clever red herrings, little-known facts about authors and some of the much-loved Say What You See picture round.

Also, there are fixed and variable rounds – fixed ones include ‘Blankety Books’ (one word missing from the title – always with a theme), ‘Literary Links and lists’ (what connects/next in the list etc.) and ‘2 of a Kind’ (name the character and the author that share the same initials). The changeable rounds keep the quizzes fresh and include ‘What the Dickens?’ (real or made-up Dickens names), ‘RomeNo or JuliYess’ (real or made-up Shakespearian insults) and ‘Book Bingo!’ (identify the correct number). There are also more standard rounds such as ‘First Lines’, ‘Working Titles’ and ‘Banned Books’.

The aim of all Gary’s quizzes, and this book, is that people should have fun and be able to guess (if they don’t know) as much as possible.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the book has received…

‘I love a quiz, so the book I’m most hoping to find in my Christmas stocking is this ingenious book of literary questions, red herrings and conundrums. Much more than a straightforward question-and-answer book, it promises the kind of variety that will enliven evenings with family and friends. (And I might know some of the answers!)’Val McDermid

‘This is the ultimate literary quiz book and Gary Wigglesworth is the quizmaster to end all quizmasters.’David Quantick, author of Night Train, and writer for The Thick of It and Veep

‘Outside of a dog, The Book Lover’s Quiz Book is every bookworm’s best friend — inside of a dog… well, if you know the rest, you’re going to love this book.’Peter Hanington, author of A Dying Breed

‘What a wonderful, joyous, fun book this is. For book lovers every answer jogs a warm memory, while every unknown signposts a future literary treat.’Stuart Turton, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water

‘My favourite quiz, now in book form!’ — Anne Miller, QI elf and author of Mickey and the Animal Spies

Robinson has also published Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2, which is out now in hardcover.

Gary Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2 is Out Now!


THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2, Gary Wigglesworth‘s acclaimed new book, is out now! Published by Robinson, here’s the synopsis…

Put your bookworm reputation on the line and prove your literary knowledge with this collection of quizzes for book whizzes.

Book lovers can answer questions by themselves or host a quiz among friends with twenty-four quizzes to keep you guessing with a variety of question styles including:
– ‘Blankety Books’, where you must fill in the missing word in each title
– Anagrams to decipher
– ‘Two of a Kind’, where you must identify a character and author who share the same initials
– Guess the book with ‘Say What You See’ pictures and badly drawn covers
– ‘Book Bingo’

The quizzes are carefully weighted so avid bookworms will get a workout, while more casual readers can still have lots of fun having a go. All questions are designed to aid guessing, with multiple-choice answers and hints, and make the reader smile with amusing wrong answers, clever red herrings, little-known facts and footnotes.

Robinson also published the first Book Lover’s Quiz Book, which Val McDermid called ‘The perfect gift for quizzers’. Be sure to follow Gary’s Twitter account for news and updates about upcoming quizzes he’s running!

Here are just a few of the early reviews for the new quiz book…

‘A delightful book that leads to yet more delightful books – there are no wrong answers, because every time you can’t answer the question you’ll be excited that has led to a book that you need to get to know. Best read near a library’ — Robin Ince

‘For someone like me who loves books and loves quizzes, this is perfection. But I’m struggling to answer the question, “Is this a book about quizzes or a quiz about books?”‘ — Charlie Higson, writer, comedian and actor

‘An entertaining challenge for all book-lovers’ — Claire Fuller, award-winning author of Unsettled Ground

‘Delightfully twisty questions to find out whether you’re the greatest of the book nerds’ — Ben Aaronovitch

‘There aren’t many sequels that outdo the original — The Godfather II. Home Alone 2. Aliens. To that limited list we need to add THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2. Bookworms rejoice! It’s even wittier, wiser and more challenging than the excellent original’ — Peter Hanington, author of the William Carver novels

‘The questions are brilliantly funny, wide-ranging and surprising’ — Bethan Roberts, author of My Policeman

‘Perfect for the home, the pub or waiting in a queue, THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2 will remind you of your favourite books and give you a list of new ones to search out. The questions range from “I know that!” to ones that will make your brain attempt a desperate bid for freedom. In other words, an absolute delight of a book’ — Johnny Mains, award-winning editor and creator of Dead Funny: Horror Stories By Comedians

Gary Wigglesworth’s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2 Out Next Month!


Gary Wigglesworth‘s THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2 is out next month! Due to be published by Robinson, on October 5th, it’s the second volume in the author’s acclaimed quiz series! Here’s the synopsis…

Put your bookworm reputation on the line and prove your literary knowledge with this collection of quizzes for book whizzes.

Book lovers can answer questions by themselves or host a quiz among friends with twenty-four quizzes to keep you guessing with a variety of question styles including:
– ‘Blankety Books’, where you must fill in the missing word in each title
– Anagrams to decipher
– ‘Two of a Kind’, where you must identify a character and author who share the same initials
– Guess the book with ‘Say What You See’ pictures and badly drawn covers
– ‘Book Bingo’

The quizzes are carefully weighted so avid bookworms will get a workout, while more casual readers can still have lots of fun having a go. All questions are designed to aid guessing, with multiple-choice answers and hints, and make the reader smile with amusing wrong answers, clever red herrings, little-known facts and footnotes.

Robinson also published the first Book Lover’s Quiz Book, which Val McDermid called ‘The perfect gift for quizzers’. Be sure to follow Gary’s Twitter account for news and updates about upcoming quizzes he’s running!

Here are just a few of the early reviews for the new quiz book…

‘A delightful book that leads to yet more delightful books – there are no wrong answers, because every time you can’t answer the question you’ll be excited that has led to a book that you need to get to know. Best read near a library’ — Robin Ince

‘For someone like me who loves books and loves quizzes, this is perfection. But I’m struggling to answer the question, “Is this a book about quizzes or a quiz about books?”‘ — Charlie Higson, writer, comedian and actor

‘An entertaining challenge for all book-lovers’ — Claire Fuller, award-winning author of Unsettled Ground

‘Delightfully twisty questions to find out whether you’re the greatest of the book nerds’ — Ben Aaronovitch

‘There aren’t many sequels that outdo the original — The Godfather II. Home Alone 2. Aliens. To that limited list we need to add THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2. Bookworms rejoice! It’s even wittier, wiser and more challenging than the excellent original’ — Peter Hanington, author of the William Carver novels

‘The questions are brilliantly funny, wide-ranging and surprising’ — Bethan Roberts, author of My Policeman

‘Perfect for the home, the pub or waiting in a queue, THE BOOK LOVER’S QUIZ BOOK 2 will remind you of your favourite books and give you a list of new ones to search out. The questions range from “I know that!” to ones that will make your brain attempt a desperate bid for freedom. In other words, an absolute delight of a book’ — Johnny Mains, award-winning editor and creator of Dead Funny: Horror Stories By Comedians

Short Fiction Watch: MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW SF 28


MammothBookOfBestNewSF28-BlogPublished on October 1st, 2015 by Robinson, the 28th edition of the MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW SF includes a number of Zeno clients! Here’s the volume’s description…

An annual institution – the year’s best science fiction short stories and novellas

For decades now Gardner Dozois has been presenting his annual selection of the very best of recently published SF stories, both byoutstanding up-and-coming writers and undisputed masters of the genre. It has been voted Year’s Best Anthology by the readers of Locus magazine an unparalleled eighteen times and remains the definitive anthology for both diehard sci-fi fans and newcomers to the genre.

Without fail, Dozois pinpoints the previous year’s most exciting and ambitious science fiction, showcasing truly exceptional contemporary writing.

The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 28 includes, as ever, Dozois’s extensive recommended reading guide and his illuminating and incisive summation of the year in science fiction.

Among the included authors are Zeno’s own…

deBodard-HouseOfShatteredWings-Blog2

Aliette de Bodard is the author of the critically-acclaimed, newly-released THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS — published by Gollancz in the UK and Roc Books in the US. Here’s the synopsis…

A superb murder mystery, on an epic scale, set against the fall out — literally — of a war in heaven

Paris in the aftermath of the Great Magicians War. Its streets are lined with haunted ruins, Notre-Dame is a burnt-out shell, and the Seine runs black, thick with ashes and rubble. Yet life continues among the wreckage. The citizens retain their irrepressible appetite for novelty and distraction, and The Great Houses still vie for dominion over France’s once grand capital.

House Silverspires, previously the leader of those power games, now 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; or the architects of its last, irreversible fall…

McDonald-Luna1-NewMoon-Blog

Ian McDonald is the author of the highly-anticipated new science fiction novel LUNA: NEW MOON, which is to be published this month by Gollancz in the UK and Tor Books in the US. Here’s the synopsis…

The Moon wants to kill you. Whether it’s being unable to pay your per diem for your allotted food, water, and air, or you just get caught up in a fight between the Moon’s ruling corporations, the Five Dragons. You must fight for every inch you want to gain in the Moon’s near feudal society. And that is just what Adriana Corta did.

As the leader of the Moon’s newest “dragon,” Adriana has wrested control of the Moon’s Helium-3 industry from the Mackenzie Metal corporation and fought to earn her family’s new status. Now, at the twilight of her life, Adriana finds her corporation, Corta Helio, surrounded by the many enemies she made during her meteoric rise. If the Corta family is to survive, Adriana’s five children must defend their mother’s empire from her many enemies… and each other.

Tidhar-AManLiesDreamingUKPB-Blog

Lavie Tidhar is, most recently, the author of the Jerwood Fiction Undercover prize A MAN LIES DREAMING, which is published in the UK by Hodder, and is due to be published next year in the US by Melville House. 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.