eBook Deals, or Books I Bought Recently

I know I've posted about them before, but you just can't deny that Angry Robot is having a great year and yet they still keep their prices SO LOW!

Anathem by Neal Stephenson ($1.99)

Angry Robot:
Embedded by Dan Abnett ($1.97)
Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero by Dan Abnett ($2.99)
Moxyland by Lauren Beukes ($2.99)
Zoo City by Lauren Beukes ($2.99) - The Arthur C. Clarke and Kitchies Red Tentacle Award winner.
The World House by Guy Adams ($2.99) - My review.
The Bookman by Lavie Tidhar ($2.99)
Empire State by Adam Christopher ($3.99)
City of Dreams and Nightmare (Book 1, City of a Hundred Rows) by Ian Whates ($2.99)
Pretty Little Dead Things by Gary McMahon ($2.99)

Christopher Priest Loves the Clarke Award

Not. (see what I did there, these jokes used to be funny for some reason)

I had to put in my two cents on this as I just found out about it today from Neth Space. Christopher Priest is an amazing author and known to be a bit outspoken, notably with respect to his low opinion of Christopher Nolan and the ending to The Prestige, the movie adaptation of Priest's book.

Yesterday, Priest wrote a scathing article not only bashing the panel of judges for the Clarke Award, but also each and every author in some way. Yes, even China Mieville although he was more regretful than anything. Commentaries popped up everywhere including The Guardian (which as a much much better summation than mine), John Scalzi at Whatever, and even Charles Stross (who's now making t-shirts).

Maybe it's because I saw Ken's article first, but I thought the article was hilarious. Scalzi makes a good point that what this really is is someone who's not happy that everyone else doesn't follow their own opinion...and this comes up every time another award comes around.

But, while I agree with Scalzi on that part, I'd much rather hear/read someone's honest opinion than have them pussy-foot around like Scalzi happens to do in his article. Part of this is because I'm a terrible pussy-footer and I only dream of being as direct and honest as Priest. Maybe if I were also a world-renowned author...

In the end, just read the article, it's worth your time even if you don't agree with him.

It's News To Me - Interviews, Giveaways, Gender Discussion...

There's been lots of good discussion among other great content in the last couple weeks, let's see if you can guess the pattern in this post.


Interviews: Authors Myke Cole and Tim Marquitz get interviewed by the same person. These are some of the best interviews I've ever read. Enjoy. Here's a teaser:

So here I am, the paragon of innocence and virtue, buried in young, nubile flesh for what seemed forever as they squirmed and squirmed and squirmed in what I remember thinking was a Twister game gone horribly right, until they managed to get back to their feet. Best damn moment of that entire show, let me tell you.

Giveaways: The books Dragon in Chains and Corrupts Absolutely? are being given away also by the same person. I'm almost done with Corrupts Absolutely? and I can already recommend it. Great anthology.

Gender Discussion: Adding to the topic of gender discussion, K.J. Parker is discussed and the question is asked - what does he/she do to our gender bias since no one knows the author's gender? This discussion is not had by the same person, another joins the fray.

You've probably guessed the pattern by now and in summation, visit often, you won't regret it.


Also, The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence gets a new, pretty map that looks familiar for some reason...

Winner: (International) Giveaway - Songs of the Earth by Elspeth Cooper

I'm happy to report that we had a great turnout for this international giveaway and I was even more elated to see the turnout from those outside of the US who have been greatly neglected by this here blog. For that same reason, we also have an international winner as well.

But first, and my favorite part, we have some snark to share. Remember, you'll receive two free entries to our next giveaway of your choice (if you qualify region-wise) if you're mentioned here.

"I was thrilled to learn that this is an international giveaway but i'm not sure that includes me. Since i live in Eastern Europe (Balkans) and we generally live in caves, eat with our fingers and socialize with wild animals (at least that the common belief :))), not sure if i qualify. But if you are willing to send a carrier pigeon or maybe a hawk (dragon... could you find a dragon... i love dragons :)) i would love to have this book in my library." (Mirjana from Serbia)

"I'm not sure what's considered as a snarky comment, but I'm a Hungarian (currently living in Ireland) so I'll try the stereotypical Eastern European approach (please read it with a Borat-like accent):

'My dear friend, you give me book, I give you goat. Or my sister. Any of them will make good wife.'" (Jozsef from Ireland)

I obviously need to host more international giveaways because they bring some good snark to the table.

Okay, I guess that means we're finally to the reason you came here and I know you haven't looked already because that's obviously impossible. The winner is:

Jozsef Tamas from Ireland

Congrats Jozsef, yes, the same Jozsef named in the snark above. Thanks to everyone who participated. We should have another Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway coming just around the corner (sadly US only).