Science Fiction

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Lit Bits: Adam Christopher Signs Two Book Deal w/ Angry Robot

Here’s the press release: Following the hugely successful launch of his debut novel Empire State earlier this year, Angry Robot has signed Adam Christopher for another two titles. Christopher revisits the world of the Empire State in a sequel, The Age Atomic, to be published in May 2013, with Hang Wire – a tale of ancient gods and serial killers – to follow within a year. The deal included world English rights in physical and electronic formats and was negotiated by Angry Robot editor Lee Harris and Christopher’s agent Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Agency. New Zealand-born Christopher, who now lives in the UK, said: “I’m delighted to be back for another visit to the Empire State! Rad Bradley is a character close to my heart, and as soon as he reappeared on the page and started throwing punches, I felt like an old friend had returned… albeit one I’m obliged to put through the wringer again! Angry Robot continue to impress with a kick-ass roster of authors and titles, and I’m thrilled that The Age Atomic and Hang Wire will be part of it.” Editor Lee Harris said: “I couldn’t be happier to have more of Adam’s books on our list. Adam joins a very exclusive club – he is now one of only three authors to have placed four books with Angry Robot. We’re thinking of getting them membership cards.” Empire State was launched in January to widespread acclaim. Adam’s second novel – Seven Wonders – will be published worldwide in September 2012. This is incredible news indeed!  I haven’t had the opportunity to read Empire State, but it is on my list of “must reads for 2012.”  If anyone would like to leave a quick opinion about the book, feel free to do so in the comments. I should also say how lovely it is to receive emails from Angry Robot that are almost always positive.  Every time they send me something, it is either about new books, new deals with authors, or new imprints.  That tells me that they’re doing something right over in their UK offices.  Congrats to Adam and everyone else involved at Angry Robot.  Here’s to 10,000 more books from them all (yes, I mean that; you hear me, Adam Christopher?  10,000 books.  Start writing…). Go Kiwis!  

The Skiffy and Fanty Show Podcasts

Monthly Movie Madness #8 — March 2012

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/TheSkiffyAndFantyShow–MonthlyMovieMadness8–March2012/Sandf–MonthlyMovieMadness8–March2012.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSThe latest MMM feature is late.  That’s all my fault, because I am perpetually terrible at everything.  So, without further delay, here are our short, but sweet takes on this month’s SF/F movie releases! Tune in and enjoy! Here’s the episode: MMM #8 — Download (MP3) The Movies (from IMDB): The Lorax Shaun:  3 / Jen:  3 John Carter Shaun:  5 / Jen:  4 Silent House Shaun:  3 / Jen:  3 The Hunger Games Shaun:  3 / Jen:  4 Wrath of the Titans Shaun:  2 / Jen:  2 Mirror Mirror Shaun:  2 / Jen:  3 What do the scores mean? 1 — I’d rather kill myself! 2 — Probably Torture Cinema 3 — Eh, maybe… 4 — I’d like to see it! 5 — I’ll be there in costume! The big question:  which movies do you want to see and which would you rather throw in the dumpster?

The Skiffy and Fanty Show Podcasts

Episode 89 — How to Placate Scifi and Fantasy Authors (Plus Some Silly) w/ Jason Sanford

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/TheSkiffyAndFantyShow89seasonThree–HowToPlacateScifiAnd/Sandf–Episode89–HowToPlacateScifiAndFantasyAuthorsplusSomeSilly.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSJason Sanford returns for a free-form discussion on all kinds of random nonsense.  We cover the hype surrounding J. K. Rowling’s new adult novel, the abuse of Seanan McGuire by readers (and the stupid things publishers do that hurt authors), the power of science fiction, plus a few silly related topics (including an embarrassing moment for Duke, who lives in an alternate universe of plurals). We hope you enjoy the episode! Note:  If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below): Episode 89 — Download (MP3) Intro and Discussion (0:00 – 50:22) J. K. Rowling to Publish First Adult Novel (Because it’s not like she could sell another 50 Harry Potter sequels…) Don’t Blame the Writer When It’s Not the Writer’s Fault (or, Why You Should Read Before Being a Douche) Science Fiction:  A Mirror From the Future (Cognitively estranging your toaster since the 20s!) Our new intro music is “Time Flux” by Revolution Void (CC BY 3.0). That’s all, folks!  Thanks for listening.  See you next week.

Question of the Week

? of the Week: SF/F Books That Made You Cry

This week, we really want to know about the SF/F books you’ve read that made you cry.  What about those books put tears in your eyes? The last book to make me cry was the 6th Harry Potter book, in part because I had fallen in love with Richard Harris’ portrayal of Dumbledore.  I cried from the moment of Dumbledore’s death until the end (a good 40 pages worth of crying) and my sister had to console me. What about you? (To be fair, this feature has never been a weekly thing.  So be it.)

The Skiffy and Fanty Show Podcasts

Episode 88 — An Interview w/ Tobias Buckell (a.k.a. Captain Planet)

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/TheSkiffyAndFantyShow88seasonThree–AnInterviewWTobiasBuckell/Sandf–Episode88–AnInterviewWTobiasBuckell.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSThe always fascinating Tobias Buckell joins us for an extensive discussion about his latest book, Arctic Rising, technology and its effects on how we interact with the world (crowd sourcing!), the environment (and what that means for extrapolating in science fiction through things like green technology, innovative transportation, etc.), and all kinds of fascinating issues surrounding these topics.  You definitely don’t want to miss this one! Listen away! Note:  If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below): Episode 88 — Download (MP3) Intro and Discussion (0:00 – 1:11:25) Tobias Buckell’s Website Buy his book or Jen will break your legs with an AI-controlled reflective atmospheric orb.  It’s on Amazon, B&N, and just about everywhere else (do support your local bookstores if you can!). Our new intro music is “Time Flux” by Revolution Void (CC BY 3.0). That’s all, folks!  Thanks for listening.  See you next week.

Blog Posts

Flick Bits: Darkover to Hollywood! (Marion Zimmer Bradley)

From CominSoon.net: Producers Ilene Kahn Power and Elizabeth Stanley have secured the rights to Marion Zimmer Bradley’s renowned “Darkover” novels and are currently developing a multi-platform television series around the saga, the pair announced today. A gifted and prolific science-fiction and fantasy writer, Bradley, who garnered the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2000, was the author of over 66 books and 105 short stories. More good news, right?  Of course, this news is far from the real news we want to see:  Darkover to the screen!  But it’s a big jump in the right direction!  Marion Zimmer Bradley is one of the most important authors in SF/F and one who well deserves a debut on our television screens.  Let’s hope this comes true! And Darkover does seem to be in good hands:  Ilene Kahn Power is perhaps best known for producing TV Movies and miniseries, such as Traffic, Gia, Buffalo Soldiers, and Roswell.  Elizabeth Stanley produced The Dark Path Chronicles and Trailers From Hell.  We wish them all the success in the world for bringing this to the small screen! ComingSoon.net has some quotes from Power and Stanley, which might be of interest to you all, in part because they demonstrate a certain love for the books on the part of the now-producers.  I think it takes a bit of love to make something like this work, don’t you?

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