A Dribble of Ink

In case you’re wondering, I fricking love it. I feel that it expands on the tone set by the previous covers, and establishes something of a unique identity for the books as a whole - a brand, even - which has got to be a good thing. It communicates a lot about the feel and the content - and a real sense of action and violence - without straying into the difficult ground of literal cover art. It manages to be classy and pulpy at once. I think overall the covers achieve the extremely difficult trick of being entirely un-generic, striking, and standing out from the crowd of fantasy artwork while at the same time not seeming to be deliberately NOT FANTASY. I think that’s what fantasy covers need to try and achieve, these days, ideally - to not alienate the hardcore fantasy fan while still appealing to the more occasional reader.

Monzcarro Murcatto is the most infamous mercenary in Styria, a land blighted by war and corruption. Left for dead by her employer, Grand Duke Orso, she recruits a band of outcasts, misfits, and killers to aid her in a quest for vengeance. One way or another, there will be blood.

HBO has given the production order.

They will be filming the pilot episode of A GAME OF THRONES.

It’s just the pilot so far. They’ll need to see that before they decide whether to proceed with a full season’s episodes. So let’s all hope the pilot will kick serious ass.

It should. David Benioff and Dan Weiss did a terrific job with the script. And yes, all of you can relax, it’s very faithful. Dan and David will be the executive producers for the pilot and (we hope) the eventual series.

More details when I have ‘em. The news is very fresh. HBO just issued their own press release, which should be up on their website soon, if it’s not there already.

Winter is coming to HBO. Hot damn.

First off the bat, we’re delighted that at long last we’re able to announce Powers: Secret Histories, John Berlyne’s extensively researched and lavishly produced collection of Tim Powers material. Click through on the image above to see the cover art at a much larger size!

A book that essentially redefines the term ‘bibliography,’ Secret Histories has been nearly ten years in the making and brings together an astonishing range of Powers ephemera - a huge treat and a remarkable resource for both fans and collectors alike. As well as a complete, illustrated reference of every Tim Powers book published to date, Secret Histories offers an extraordinary insight into the stories behind the stories, collecting together in a single volume Powers material previously seen only in private collections. Here - in print for the very first time - you’ll find poetry, drawings, research and plotting notes, novel outlines, early drafts, out-takes and an excerpt from the author’s unpublished 1974 novel, To Serve in Hell.

Supporting these riches are story notes and commentary by Powers himself and you’ll also find articles and essays from collaborators, friends and renowned Powers aficionados including Dean Koontz, Jim Blaylock, China Miéville, Karen Joy Fowler, John Bierer, John Berlyne and William Ashless. Powers: Secret Histories is an unprecedented bibliographic tribute celebrating the work of a truly extraordinary writer.

We’ll be issuing three editions of this oversized hardcover, all printed in glorious full colour and all dust-jacketed:

* a limited numbered state, signed by Powers - 1,000 numbered copies @ £40.00;
* a slipcased state, signed by all contributors, and issued with an additional book — an incomplete and previously unpublished novel written by Powers in the early seventies entitled The Waters Deep, Deep, Deep. Only available as part of this package, The Waters, Deep, Deep, Deep will be signed by Powers and will feature unique cover art and internal illustrations by him, as well as both an introduction and afterword - 200 copies @ £195.00;
* and, to reflect Powers’s considerable caché as a collectable author, we’re also offering a deluxe, lettered edition which will be as the above slipcased state but with an exceptionally significant additional item. Tim has given us exclusive permission to reproduce a full colour facsimile edition of his original handwritten manuscript of The Anubis Gates, complete with doodles, crossings out, dog-eared corners and even coffee stains! Only twenty-six copies of this facsimile, signed by Powers and individually lettered, will be available as part of this deluxe three book, specially slipcased edition.. an incredible item that offers a unique insight into the history of this much-loved, modern-day, time-travel classic. - 26 copies @ £495.00.

The books are all finished design-wise. We’re currently getting the various tip sheets signed and the slipcase company is working on the elaborate creations we’ve devised to house the books. I now feel confident to announce that, as per our plans, we’ll have copies available for EasterCon next March - where Tim is Guest of Honour. We should, however, point out that, judging from interest we’ve had from people over the last few years with regard to this long-awaited project, the top two editions are likely to be sold out on pre-order.

Just exchanged a couple of emails with Betsy Wollheim, the president of Daw Books, and I must sadly inform you that the eagerly anticipated sequel to The Name of the Wind has been postponed. Everyone involved is aware that the second volume must be even better than Patrick Rothfuss’ debut to satisfy fans, so they’re not taking any chances.

The author will turn in the first draft of the manuscript by the end of the year. The Wise Man’s Fear is no longer on the 2009 Daw schedule, which means that we can expect the book in the fall of 2009, if everything goes according to plan.

I just wanted to share the good news that, as of tonight, Brandon Sanderson hit the New York Times list for the first time with Hero of Ages.

We have watched him go from college student unknown (submitting unagented manuscripts- true story!) to seasoned bestselling author, so join in with me in congratulating him. Congrats, Brandon!