And one more thing...Will GRRM Keep Up With HBO?

I meant to add this to the last post, but, what the hey. Here's another tidbit:

Will Martin Keep Up with Game of Thrones?: SFFWorld has a nice discussion about whether George RR Martin will be able to keep up with the writing of A Song of Ice and Fire as the HBO TV show unfolds. Survey says - Nope.

From Werthead: "we will see the end of ASoIaF on screen potentially years before GRRM produces the final novel."

Can't say I'm a big fan of that, but I think we can be almost guaranteed of its occurrence. Then again, opportunities like the show don't happen all the time, so you have to take advantage where you can. Maybe the final season or so will just have poor ratings - I don't think I could watch it before knowing the ending through paper.

It's News To Me - The Kitchies and Final Cover for Shadow's Master by Jon Sprunk

If you were wondering, yes, I do randomly call some news "It's News To Me" and other news whatever that happens to be. I guess some is news for everyone and some just for me. That's the extent of an explanation I can give. :)


The Kitschies: The finalists for the Kitschies have been announced, so check out Pornokitsch.com right now. I can't think of a better award than multiple colored tentacles. Also, here's an interview with the Pornokitsch editors at Staffer's Musings.


Shadow's Master: The final volume in the Shadow Saga by Jon Sprunk gets a new cover. Disregard the cover I posted yesterday.

It's News To Me #31 - The 20 Unhappiest People You Meet in the Comments Section of Year-End Lists

First off, this:

...your welcome.

Second:

The 20 Unhappiest People Commenting in End of the Year Lists: It's hilarious, it's also true, you must read this.

It's News To Me #28 - Alyth (Marysvale #2) by Jared Southwick

I realized I hadn't heard any news about the next volume in Jared Southwick's Marysvale series so I went on a hunt through the interwebs.

Luckily it took all of about 30 seconds to find out that the sequel, Alyth, is already out on the Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook as of the first of this month.

I really enjoyed the first one (here's my Marysvale review) and as the article in the link mentions, you can get both Marysvale and Alyth for $8.99.

It's News To Me #26 - Brent Weeks Cover and Lev Grossman Talks Magicians on TV

Hope you're week's going well. I've been busy with school and applying for jobs and studying for the MPRE and dreading taking the bar next summer. That last one really takes it out of you.

Lev Grossman gives the story behind The Magicians getting optioned for TV: By interviewing himself. It's great.

Brent Weeks reveals Sub Press cover for Perfect Shadow: Which I really need to read, with which I really need to get an ereader to read. Loving the cover. (Artist Raymond Swanland, Sir Awesome)

It's News To Me #20

I had to post this bit of news immediately as Sub Press is giving Deadhouse Gates a new cover already. Plus, I started a new update feature if you're interested.

New cover art for Sub Press Deadhouse Gates: It's perty. Better than the last even.


Game of Thrones Pedicab: Now that's riding in style, Seven Kingdoms style.

It's News To Me #16 - Michael J. Sullivan's Percepliquis Cover

Yup, two days in a row for It's News To Me. I'm just trying to keep you guessing...or I'm just really inconsistent, you make the call.

The Alloy of Law (Mistborn 4) Excerpt #2: Tor.com has another excerpt from Brandon Sanderson's highly anticipated fourth installment in the Mistborn series...one I have on my shelf and been meaning to read... some... day.

Have you been put on Notice?: Stomping on Yeti has put a certain few individuals On Notice in this always hilarious meme.

Neth Space and MD Lachlan: I guess Ken wasn't a big fan of MD's Wolfsangel, the review was posted to Tordotfantasy and MD wasn't the biggest fan of that. :) I'm still hoping to be a fan of Wolfsangel myself.

Michael J. Sullivan's final installment in the Riyria Revelations has a cover: Of course it's another one done completely by the author himself.

It's almost like some people steel all the talent.


In case you didn't know, those who have been following along with the series (and I guess those who haven't) can buy the final volume in the same matching designs as the first 5 even though this series is being re-released by Orbit. That same blog post also shows you how you can find out when Percepliquis will be available in this format.

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #15 - New Hannu Rajaniemi

I have no idea how he does it, but Jussi (from SFFWorld and Westeros I think) always has the latest on the covers.

Here's Hannu Rajaniemi's newest, The Fractal Prince (US edition):

Kekai Kotaki's work

It's News To Me #14 - DGLA Winners!

I'm back for just a bit to get this up, then I'm without internet for another couple days.

And the winners of the David Gemmell Legend Award are...

Legend Award (Best Fantasy Novel of 2010)

Brandon Sanderson for The Way of Kings

Morningstar Award (Best Fantasy Debut)

Darius Hinks for The Warrior Priest

Ravenheart Award (Best Fantasy Book-Jacket)

Olof Erla Einarsdottir for the cover of Power and Majesty

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #13 - Covers From Solaris

Here are a few covers from Solaris I (source here): (Click to embiggen)

...and my fave:


Rowena Cory Daniels is the author of The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin beginning with The King's Bastard [US] [UK].

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #12

Wow, it's come to my attention that I've not been doing great with these. Hmm, 12 means about 3 months worth at one a week and It's now month 6. Eek.

Does Pat review his books like he does his movies?: This is just a question I had when I read the post that I've just linked to. I thought both movies looked cool and will eventually watch them.


GRRM's Dance with Dragons Reviewed: What's a news update without something George R.R. Martin related. You've seen this I know, word on the street is that it's pretty spoilerific. I'm keeping my experience pure by not reading this review.


Excerpt from Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey: I have this book, I just need to start it already. You probably know I'm a huge Abraham fan, so I'm ready for this to blow my mind.

Banewreaker by Jacqueline Carey reviewed: The Wertzone reviews a book I absolutely loved. In fact, here's a review I did when I was fresh and new to the blogging world. Ahh, I hope I've grown a bit from then.


The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan get covers: What a great story of an indie author making it big. Michael J. Sullivan really deserves his deal with Orbit, I just need to find time to read the series after book 1 (review).

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #11 (A Dance With Dragons is Done!)

George R.R. Martin: Yep, you heard me correctly. The announcement's out, George is done with A Dance with Dragons. I have to say I'm still surprised. I honestly thought there'd be at least one more delay if a short one. Look out July 12, 2011!!!!!!! (Thanks Wertzone for the heads up)

The Wertzone: On that note, The Wertzone has a great summary of the ratings for HBO's Game of Thrones. No more Wertzone news, this is my blog. :)

Hugo Awards: The Hugo nominations are out. Alec was a big fan of The Dervish House and I own Feed, but have yet to read it. Can't say I'm all too interested in how this turns out. The David Gemmell Legends Award has it's final shortlist too, now that list is interesting.

Paul Kearney Interview: He talks about the newest/final book in the Macht trilogy, plus other projects he's been working on including the conclusion to the Sea Beggars trilogy. Love this author. Check out The Ten Thousand and Corvus for sure.

It's News To Me #10

Some interesting cover art has come out recently:


Tim Marquitz' sequel in his Demon Squad series: Resurrection is something I've been looking forward to for a while now. I loved Armageddon Bound (Demon Squad 1) and this cover is leaps and bounds better.


Lev Grossman's The Magician King: The sequel to Lev Grossman's successful The Magicians is coming out this year and that means I really need to read the first. I've had a copy for months now and it's been beckoning to me ever since. (Thanks to Mad Hatter for bringing this to my attention)

And some news from Seventh Star Press:

Try a Seventh Star Press Title for Just Two Dollars!

What is your favorite flavor of fantasy? Do you like character-driven YA
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epic fantasy with a wide cast of characters, lands, and lore? How about
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To celebrate the launch week of Jackie Gamber's Redheart, we're announcing
a very special sale. The good news is that we've got a title in each of
the above areas of fantasy, so that you can try Seventh Star Press eBooks
out in this special sale that will be running through Mid-June. What are
you waiting for? Just two bucks and you'll be on a grand adventure. Find
out what readers around the world are discovering...there's a growing
constellation of quality titles at Seventh Star Press!


All eBook titles include the Matthew Perry illustrations that are in the
print editions.

Visit the following page for further information and direct links to eBook
titles:

http://www.seventhstarpress.com/documents/ebooks.html

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #9

Things have been busy lately, so I apologize for the lack of reviews. I'm currently attempting to find an internship for the summer, write a paper, plan two large events at the law school both in the next week (I think I signed up for way too much when I became President), and actually stay up on readings for class.

Interview with Peter Orullian: Author of The Unremembered [US] [UK] (Book 1 in the Vault of Heaven), a book I'm really enjoying, I just wish I had more time.

Interview with Mark Lawrence: Author of Prince of Thorns [US] [UK] (Book 1 of The Broken Empire trilogy), a book I'm really looking forward to given the very positive reviews that are already coming out.


Paul Kearney's Sea Beggars series re-release: The two previously released volumes will be combined in an omnibus edition with the new third and concluding volume from Solaris. As a huge Kearney fan, this makes happy. :)

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #6

I know I'm a couple days late on this news, but I had to make some mentions since I'm ever so excited about it. :) This week's been insane.

China Mieville gets a face-lift: A couple of my favorites are show below, but you can get a full showing at Werty, Mad Hattsalot, Dribbles of Ink, and more. I really Tor UK did a great job with these covers, representing Mieville's common theme of worlds within worlds

Peter Orullian's The Vault of Heaven Series: Publicity has ratcheted up a notch not to mention the ARC's are already making their way around. There are a few stories, Sacrifice of the First Sheason and The Great Defense of Layosah, an awesome interactive map, and even a couple videos:

Cradle of the Scar -

Part 1: Grant



Part 2: Kaela



(Thanks to The Mad Hatter for putting it all in one handy dandy place)


2010 Nebula Awards: The award that's voted on and presented by members of SFWA has posted some short lists. I've really failed this year, only having read one of the YA nominees. Ouch. :)

Novel

• The Native Star, M.K. Hobson (Spectra)
• The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin (Orbit UK; Orbit US)
• Shades of Milk and Honey, Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• Echo, Jack McDevitt (Ace)
• Who Fears Death, Nnedi Okorafor (DAW)
• Blackout/All Clear, Connie Willis (Spectra)

Short Story

• ‘‘Arvies’’, Adam-Troy Castro (Lightspeed Magazine 8/10)
• ‘‘How Interesting: A Tiny Man’’, Harlan Ellison® (Realms of Fantasy 2/10)
• ‘‘Ponies’’, Kij Johnson (Tor.com 1/17/10)
• ‘‘I’m Alive, I Love You, I’ll See You in Reno’’, Vylar Kaftan (Lightspeed Magazine 6/10)
• ‘‘The Green Book’’, Amal El-Mohtar (Apex Magazine 11/1/10)
• ‘‘Ghosts of New York’’, Jennifer Pelland (Dark Faith)
• ‘‘Conditional Love’’, Felicity Shoulders (Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 1/10)

Novelette

• ‘‘Map of Seventeen’’, Christopher Barzak (The Beastly Bride)
• ‘‘The Jaguar House, in Shadow’’, Aliette de Bodard Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 7/10)
• ‘‘The Fortuitous Meeting of Gerard van Oost and Oludara’’, Christopher Kastensmidt (Realms of Fantasy 4/10)
• “Plus or Minus’’, James Patrick Kelly (Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 12/10)
• ‘‘Pishaach’’, Shweta Narayan (The Beastly Bride)
• ‘‘That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made’’, Eric James Stone (Analog Science Fiction and Fact 9/10)
• ‘‘Stone Wall Truth’’, Caroline M. Yoachim (Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 2/10)

Novella

• The Alchemist, Paolo Bacigalupi (Audible; Subterranean)
• ‘‘Iron Shoes’’, J. Kathleen Cheney (Alembical 2)
• The Lifecycle of Software Objects, Ted Chiang (Subterranean)
• ‘‘The Sultan of the Clouds’’, Geoffrey A. Landis (Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 9/10)
• ‘‘Ghosts Doing the Orange Dance’’, Paul Park (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction 1-2/10)
• ‘‘The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen’s Window’’, Rachel Swirsky (Subterranean Magazine Summer ’10)

The Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation

• Despicable Me, Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud (directors), Ken Daurio & Cinco Paul (screenplay), Sergio Pablos (story) (Illumination Entertainment)
• Doctor Who: ‘‘Vincent and the Doctor’’, Richard Curtis (writer), Jonny Campbell (director)
• How to Train Your Dragon, Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders (directors), William Davies, Dean DeBlois, & Chris Sanders (screenplay) (DreamWorks Animation)
• Inception, Christopher Nolan (director), Christopher Nolan (screenplay) (Warner)
• Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Edgar Wright (director), Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright (screenplay) (Universal)
• Toy Story 3, Lee Unkrich (director), Michael Arndt (screenplay), John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, & Lee Unkrich (story) (Pixar/Disney)

Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy

• Ship Breaker, Paolo Bacigalupi (Little, Brown)
• White Cat, Holly Black (McElderry)
• Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press; Scholastic UK)
• Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword, Barry Deutsch (Amulet)
• The Boy from Ilysies, Pearl North (Tor Teen)
• I Shall Wear Midnight, Terry Pratchett (Gollancz; Harper)
• A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner (Greenwillow)
• Behemoth, Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse; Simon & Schuster UK)

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #5

Here's a look at my most recent Book Haul and then there's been a bit of a stir in the inter-blogs this week, as you'll see below:


Steven Erikson Tourdates: The Crippled God tour is coming to your neighborhood...if you live in Britain. There's also a huge giveaway going on at Floor-to-Ceiling books with the ENTIRE SERIES up for grabs. Yup, all ten books and the last one signed.

The Wertzone Reviews - The Dragon's Path and Leviathan Wakes: I'm very much looking forward to both these works written or co-written by one of my favorite authors, Daniel Abraham. Very much looking forward. Very. Much.

Bankrupt Nihilism: Many have weighed in on this subject from authors (Abercrombie and Bakker) to bloggers (The Wertzone and Floor to Ceiling - although different point made) to those too cool for such a discussion. I think a decent point was made, although execution was not quite the best and it's in the execution that most of the detractors have focused. Jeff, at Genre Reader, made a similar point, but has yet to get lambasted for his views.

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #4

There's some heated debate going on at Fantasy Literature and I thought I'd bring it over here too if you haven't seen it already.

Justin made an offhand comment in a post regarding an article by N.K. Jemison about Feminism in Epic Fantasy saying he might have agreed with her 15 years ago but that it's not really the case now.

Then Ruth rebuts with a list of male-centric works (which I pointed out most of which at least started over 15 years ago).

This is a tough question to get to the bottom of. Have we changed in the last 15 years with works like Sanderson's Mistborn, Abercrombie's Best Served Cold, Shadowmarch, Shadows of the Apt, I would even put in Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen?

I think, and this is the lawyer part of me, that the most that can be said is we've gotten a bit better, but I still don't even know if I can say that because there are plenty of non-male-centric books out there that were written earlier than 15 years ago. Dragonriders of Pern, Dragon Prince (male leads but very strong female characters), and some more listed in the comments to Ruth's post.

Either side you're on there will be plenty of evidence to show the contrary, so maybe we should just attack the premise in general. Does that mean we shouldn't argue it? Of course not. :)

I think Mark Charan Newton has also brought this issue up a few times (although that link isn't exactly what I was looking for).

Any thoughts?

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #3

I have a ton of reviews to catch up on and I will be working hard on those this weekend...as long as everything goes as planned. That and applying/interviewing for internships. I look forward to only one of those.

Why You Should (or Shouldn't) Read 'A Game of Thrones' Before Watching the TV Show: This is a great article and I just have to add, I recommending reading it before, but at least a year before so you forget most of the details and you're only reminded of things. I fully realize my option is no longer in play.

Goodreads: Basic Premise - "Killer Unicorn" books should have Killer Unicorns on the cover. Here's the facetious review and here's the author's commentary. Me likey. :)
Pat Rothfuss Interview by Suvudu: Pat lets us know a little about the extremely long wait time between The Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear. Interesting that the first draft he submitted back in the day had things like, . I think we'll all be glad for the wait in the end. :)

2010 Comic Con Patrick Rothfuss Interview from Suvudu on Vimeo.

James S. A. Corey Interview by Orbit: I have to admit, when I first heard about Daniel Abraham collaborating with Ty Franck for Leviathan Wakes, I thought Daniel Abraham was doing all the work with Ty Franck jumping on the boat. Not so, it's definitely a joint effort. Ty Franck had the entire world laid out and let's be honest, Daniel Abraham is an amazing writer. Parts II and III are on Youtube.



And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #2

Here's a couple interesting items below and if you want my recent book haul, that can be viewed here.


Interview: Anthony Huso, author of The Last Page, a book I keep hearing great things about.

Top 10 Movies List: BSC has the Top 10 SFF movies of the decade. Not a bad job - it's easy to take apart someone else's list - but I'd definitely put Lord of the Rings a bit higher. I agree that Lady in the Water got a bad rap, I loved that movie.

Jim Butcher: Ghost Story is being delayed. As all good GRRM advocates know, it's better to have a better book than a worse one. :D

And that's the news...at least to me.

It's News To Me #38

Hope you're holiday season's going great. I have a short one this week, but in January, I'll be back in action with reviews and updates aplenty.

News

On behalf of Tor.com, Tor Books, Microsoft/343 Industries, and Halo Waypoint, I’m excited to present two exclusive chapter excerpts of HALO: Cryptum, the hugely anticipated first novel in a trilogy by Hugo and Nebula award-winning science fiction legend Greg Bear in the New York Times bestselling “Halo®” series. Chapter one will go live on Tor.com at *1 PM eastern today* while chapter two will simultaneously be available at halowaypoint.com, the official Halovideogames franchise web site. HALO: Cryptum will be available nationwide on January 4, 2011.

HALO: Cryptum takes place 100,000 years before the events of the Halo games and serves as a great entry point into what has become one of the most successful science fiction franchises of all time. These two exclusive excerpts will be the first place to begin this deep exploration into the time of the Forerunners, the creators and builders of the Halos. Almost nothing has been revealed about this ancient race. This new series will delve deep into the reign of these enigmatic beings, and tell the epic story behind one of the great mysteries of the “Halo”universe: the complete disappearance of the Forerunners from existence, while also revealing an amazing tale of human origins.

An icon in the science fiction community, Greg Bear has penned such critically celebrated international bestsellers as Eon and The Forge of God. His recent novel Hull Zero Three was published in November by Orbit Books and met widespread acclaim. Bear’s talent for taut narratives, intellectually rigorous themes, and realistic, appealing characters make him the most qualified author writing today to begin a new chapter in this blockbuster franchise.

Greg Bear will also be appearing with special guests from 343 Industries at University Books in Seattle for an exclusive signing and launch event on January 4^th, 2010 at 7 PM.

Here's the first chapter for a preview.

Movies/TV/Videos

And that's the news...at least to me.