Happy holidays, everyone! The gift-giving season is quickly swooping down upon us with its great shadowy black wings, and Borderlands is here to help you find the perfect gift for every elf, shoggoth, and wizard on your list. (And the plain-old human readers on that list will probably be happy, too.)
Let's start with some signed books. We have signed copies of SHADOWS OF SELF and ELANTRIS, THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Brandon Sanderson, CHIMERA by Mira Grant, pretty much everything including the VELVETEEN books by Seanan McGuire, THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi, MANNERS & MUTINY by Gail Carriger, most of the Sandman Slim books by Richard Kadrey, BLACK WOLVES (first of a new series) by Kate Elliott, SILVER ON THE ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman, and lots more!
If your gift-ee just has to have the newest and the latest, check out the anthology THE GODS OF H.P. LOVECRAFT edited by Aaron J. French, WARHEART by Terry Goodkind, THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS by Stephen King, FUTURISTIC VIOLENCE & FANCY SUITS by David Wong, WORD PUPPETS by Mary Robinette Kowal, DREAMSEEKER by C.S. Friedman, THE PROMISE OF THE CHILD by Tom Toner, or LATE IN THE DAY (a new collection of poems) by Ursula K. LeGuin.
Some other excellent new books we're recommending are CARTER & LOVECRAFT by Jonathan L. Howard, THE FIFTH HOUSE OF THE HEART by Ben Tripp (my favorite new novel of this week), FLUX (sequel to FLEX) by Ferrett Steinmetz, AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson, THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET by Natasha Pulley, THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi, AFTERPARTY by Daryl Gregory, and my favorite fantasy of the year, A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall.
For the George R.R. Martin fan in your life, we've got a gorgeous SONG OF ICE AND FIRE COLORING BOOK, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS (which collects the Dunk and Egg stories that have been so hard to find for years), and the GOT parody (but actual, real-life cookbook) A GAME OF SCONES: ALL MEN MUST DINE by Jammy Lannister.
For the kids in your life, may we suggest the empowering princess coloring/storybook HER HIGHNESS BUILDS ROBOTS by Laura Winters and Beth Winters? (Sample pages: "Getting married was the happiest day of Princess Priya's life. . . Second only to getting her Ph.D. in chemical engineering!".)
We have 2016 calendars galore, with something for everyone, including Hyperbole and a Half, Views From the Hubble Telescope, Fractals, Dr. Suess, Art of Luis Royo, and dozens of others!
As usual, we wish you a Gorey Christmas with a plethora of Edward Gorey-themed items. From the classic Gashlycrumb Tinies to the Bibliophile With Cats Puzzle, to the massive collection AMPHIGOREY, we have a little bit of Gorey to suit anyone. My personal favorite is the "Fruitcake" holiday card that shows the solemn ritual of everyone gathering after dark to throw their fruitcakes into a hole in the ice!
Classics that never go out of style are hardcovers of DUNE, GOOD OMENS, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, and THE HOBBIT. Less traditional, but just as classic -- SLEIGHT OF HAND (short stories from Peter S. Beagle), MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs, THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey, and LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S.A. Corey, (which has just been made into a tv series).
Two local artists have graced us with one-of-a-kind gifts: we've got lovely steampunk-influenced jewelry from Oakland's Fire Selkie creations, and gift boxes, hair clips, pins, and hand-made cards from San Francisco's Fly By Night Gifts!
As always, we're happy to make personalized recommendations and practice our Psychic Bookseller Skills when you're stumped. If you just can't decide, we also offer gift certificates in any amount.
Happy holidays to all! We wish you a safe, peaceful, and bright 2016.
- Jude Feldman
December 07, 2015
Upcoming Events
Megan E. O'Keefe, STEAL THE SKY (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at 3:00pm
An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss, Friday, January 15th at 7:00 pm
Coming up in 2016, we're delighted to announce we'll be welcoming Lisa Goldstein, Charlie Jane Anders, V.E. Schwab, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and many other fantastic authors!
Megan E. O'Keefe, STEAL THE SKY (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 9th at 3:00pm - We're delighted to welcome local author and Borderlands sponsor Megan E. O'Keefe to the store! Her upcoming novel sounds hugely exciting; here's the description: "Detan Honding, a wanted conman of noble birth and ignoble tongue, has found himself in the oasis city of Aransa. He and his trusted companion Tibs may have pulled off one too many cons against the city’s elite and need to make a quick escape. They set their sights on their biggest heist yet -- the gorgeous airship of the exiled commodore Thratia. But in the middle of his scheme, a face changer known as a doppel starts murdering key members of Aransa’s government. The sudden paranoia makes Detan’s plans of stealing Thratia’s ship that much harder. And with this sudden power vacuum, Thratia can solidify her power and wreak havoc against the Empire. But the doppel isn’t working for Thratia and has her own intentions. Did Detan accidentally walk into a revolution and a crusade? He has to be careful -- there’s a reason most people think he’s dead. And if his dangerous secret gets revealed, he has a lot more to worry about than a stolen airship." We've even got samplers in the store so you can check out an excerpt from the book in advance!
An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss, Friday, January 15th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled as always to host the delightful and hilarious Patrick Rothfuss! Many fans know Rothfuss as the fantastically best-selling author of THE NAME OF THE WIND, THE WISE MANS FEAR, and THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS, but those of you who have seen him at Borderlands also know him as the first person to effectively explain why guinea pigs are actually fish. Pat is also the founder of the phenomenally successful charity World Builders, which "use[s] the collective power of readers, fellow authors and book lovers to make the world a better place". Join us for an evening of talk, questions and answers, and signing with this personable, intelligent, philanthropic, and incredibly charming author!
An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss, Friday, January 15th at 7:00 pm
Coming up in 2016, we're delighted to announce we'll be welcoming Lisa Goldstein, Charlie Jane Anders, V.E. Schwab, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and many other fantastic authors!
Megan E. O'Keefe, STEAL THE SKY (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 9th at 3:00pm - We're delighted to welcome local author and Borderlands sponsor Megan E. O'Keefe to the store! Her upcoming novel sounds hugely exciting; here's the description: "Detan Honding, a wanted conman of noble birth and ignoble tongue, has found himself in the oasis city of Aransa. He and his trusted companion Tibs may have pulled off one too many cons against the city’s elite and need to make a quick escape. They set their sights on their biggest heist yet -- the gorgeous airship of the exiled commodore Thratia. But in the middle of his scheme, a face changer known as a doppel starts murdering key members of Aransa’s government. The sudden paranoia makes Detan’s plans of stealing Thratia’s ship that much harder. And with this sudden power vacuum, Thratia can solidify her power and wreak havoc against the Empire. But the doppel isn’t working for Thratia and has her own intentions. Did Detan accidentally walk into a revolution and a crusade? He has to be careful -- there’s a reason most people think he’s dead. And if his dangerous secret gets revealed, he has a lot more to worry about than a stolen airship." We've even got samplers in the store so you can check out an excerpt from the book in advance!
An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss, Friday, January 15th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled as always to host the delightful and hilarious Patrick Rothfuss! Many fans know Rothfuss as the fantastically best-selling author of THE NAME OF THE WIND, THE WISE MANS FEAR, and THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS, but those of you who have seen him at Borderlands also know him as the first person to effectively explain why guinea pigs are actually fish. Pat is also the founder of the phenomenally successful charity World Builders, which "use[s] the collective power of readers, fellow authors and book lovers to make the world a better place". Join us for an evening of talk, questions and answers, and signing with this personable, intelligent, philanthropic, and incredibly charming author!
November Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
2. MYSTIC by Jason Denzel
3. WHEEL OF TIME COMPANION by Robert Jordan, Heather McDougal, Alan Romanczuk & Maria Simons
4. SHADOWS OF SELF by Brandon Sanderson
5. CARTER AND LOVECRAFT by Jonathan L. Howard
6. MANNERS AND MUTINY by Gail Carriger
7. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
8. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
9. SLADE HOUSE by David Mitchell
10. AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
3. INFLUX by Daniel Suarez
4. THE GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. CLOSER TO HOME by Mercedes Lackey
7. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
8. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
9. POSI+IVE by David Wellington
10. GOING DARK by Linda Nagata
Trade Paperbacks
1. BLACK WOLVES by Kate Elliott
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. GYPSY, PLUS. . . by Carter Scholz
4. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
5. CIBOLA BURN by James S.A. Corey
1. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
2. MYSTIC by Jason Denzel
3. WHEEL OF TIME COMPANION by Robert Jordan, Heather McDougal, Alan Romanczuk & Maria Simons
4. SHADOWS OF SELF by Brandon Sanderson
5. CARTER AND LOVECRAFT by Jonathan L. Howard
6. MANNERS AND MUTINY by Gail Carriger
7. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
8. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
9. SLADE HOUSE by David Mitchell
10. AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
3. INFLUX by Daniel Suarez
4. THE GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. CLOSER TO HOME by Mercedes Lackey
7. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
8. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
9. POSI+IVE by David Wellington
10. GOING DARK by Linda Nagata
Trade Paperbacks
1. BLACK WOLVES by Kate Elliott
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. GYPSY, PLUS. . . by Carter Scholz
4. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
5. CIBOLA BURN by James S.A. Corey
December News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"If being a woman means getting lipstick on everything, I'm going back to being non-binary."
"No, I won't be fine. . . I'm going to die."
"Ok, good."
"Yeah, great. I love the afterlife."
"Thanks so much, you're an angel! Well, the kind that kills people with a fiery gaze and sword."
[singing, to the tune of the song from "Annie"]:"The sun will go out/ to-mor-row/ eight minutes later/ we'll all diiiiiiieee/."
"By that logic, dear, groundhogs are a vegetable."
"I don't know if it's maturity or surrender."
* Over at Atlas Obscura, Jess Zimmerman dissects C.S. Lewis’ sneakiest trick; convincing American kids that Turkish Delight is amazing: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cs-lewis-greatest-fiction-convincing-american-kids-that-they-would-like-turkish-delight . (We actually like Turkish Delight, but your mileage may vary -- one of our customers commented, "I sure didn't think it would taste like roses!".)
"If being a woman means getting lipstick on everything, I'm going back to being non-binary."
"No, I won't be fine. . . I'm going to die."
"Ok, good."
"Yeah, great. I love the afterlife."
"Thanks so much, you're an angel! Well, the kind that kills people with a fiery gaze and sword."
[singing, to the tune of the song from "Annie"]:"The sun will go out/ to-mor-row/ eight minutes later/ we'll all diiiiiiieee/."
"By that logic, dear, groundhogs are a vegetable."
"I don't know if it's maturity or surrender."
* Over at Atlas Obscura, Jess Zimmerman dissects C.S. Lewis’ sneakiest trick; convincing American kids that Turkish Delight is amazing: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cs-lewis-greatest-fiction-convincing-american-kids-that-they-would-like-turkish-delight . (We actually like Turkish Delight, but your mileage may vary -- one of our customers commented, "I sure didn't think it would taste like roses!".)
November 10, 2015
Upcoming Events
Carter Scholz, GYPSY (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $13.00) Saturday, November 14th at 6:00pm - with special guest Kim Stanley Robinson!
Small Business Saturday with guest bookseller Richard Kadrey, Saturday, November 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, CHIMERA (Orbit, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, December 5th at 3:00pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Small Business Saturday with guest bookseller Richard Kadrey, Saturday, November 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, CHIMERA (Orbit, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, December 5th at 3:00pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
A Great Idea
by Jude Feldman
Customers frequently ask us how they can buy e-books, and still support Borderlands. Now there's a way. It's not precisely the way we would choose -- we'd rather you could purchase e-books directly from us -- but it's the best solution we've found so far, and it's really pretty smart. There's an additional benefit, too: you can also get free or inexpensive digital versions of the paper books you already own! BitLit <www.bitlit.com> is the company working on making this possible.
Brandon Sanderson (many of whose books are available through the BitLit app) was the one who told us about this. The basic idea is that you get the app, which is free for iOS and Android. You snap a well-lighted picture of your bookshelf (cleverly called -- what else? -- a "Shelfie",) and the app will let you know which of your books are available for free (or pretty cheap) download. Select the book(s) you want. Sign & photograph the copyright page(s) (or take a pic of your bookplate) to easily prove it's actually your book. Send BitLit the photos, and they'll email you the e-book, which you can read on your existing e-Reader: Kobo, Nook, Kindle, or just in .pdf on your computer or phone. It doesn't matter where your purchased your books, how long you've owned them.
October Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. SHADOWS OF SELF by Brandon Sanderson
2. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
3. A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS by George RR Martin
4. KILLING TITAN by Greg Bear
5. THE CINDER SPIRES by Jim Butcher
6. SILVER ON THE ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman
7. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
8. ELANTRIS: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Brandon Sanderson
9. THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT by Seth Dickinson
10. THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu; translated by Ken Liu
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
3. THE MIRROR EMPIRE by Kameron Hurley
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. THE ABYSS BEYOND DREAMS by Peter F. Hamilton
7. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
8. ON THE STEEL BREEZE by Alastair Reynolds
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE TERRANS by Jean Johnson
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
2. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
3. WOMEN UP TO NO GOOD by Pat Murphy
4. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
5. EMPIRE ASCENDANT by Kameron Hurley tie with SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER AND GRIMSCRIBE by Thomas Ligotti
1. SHADOWS OF SELF by Brandon Sanderson
2. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
3. A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS by George RR Martin
4. KILLING TITAN by Greg Bear
5. THE CINDER SPIRES by Jim Butcher
6. SILVER ON THE ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman
7. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
8. ELANTRIS: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Brandon Sanderson
9. THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT by Seth Dickinson
10. THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu; translated by Ken Liu
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
3. THE MIRROR EMPIRE by Kameron Hurley
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. THE ABYSS BEYOND DREAMS by Peter F. Hamilton
7. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
8. ON THE STEEL BREEZE by Alastair Reynolds
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE TERRANS by Jean Johnson
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
2. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
3. WOMEN UP TO NO GOOD by Pat Murphy
4. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
5. EMPIRE ASCENDANT by Kameron Hurley tie with SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER AND GRIMSCRIBE by Thomas Ligotti
November News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"Why didn't anyone tell me that the 'True Blood' tv show was just an R-rated 'Buffy'?!"
* Someone sent us an absolutely lovely bottle of Scotch from New York. We think it might be an Anniversary present, but we're not sure, since there was no note included with the bottle. If you were kind enough to send us this present, could you please let us know so we can thank you?
* Sadly, Crossed Genres Magazine is going to be closing their doors at the end of this year. Crossed Genres will continue to publish novels. http://crossedgenres.com/announcements/crossed-genres-magazine-to-close-after-december-issue/
* The newest Marvel Netflix series "Jessica Jones," will premiere in November. As old-school Jessica Jones fans, after seeing the full trailer, we find ourselves really looking forward to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWHUjuJ8zxE
* Borderlands' owner Alan Beatts was on the Publishers Weekly podcast talking about the way the sponsors helped keep the store alive. Listen here; Alan's segment starts around 9:40: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=8&podcast=494
* A map of Middle Earth annotated by JRR Tolkien himself is up for auction after having been discovered in a copy of LORD OF THE RINGS owned by late acclaimed illustrator Pauline Baynes. It is on display and on sale for 60,000 GBP.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/23/jrr-tolkien-middle-earth-annotated-map-blackwells-lord-of-the-rings
* The trailer for the "Warcraft" film has been released, and if nothing else it looks like some good pulpy adventure fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rxoz13Bthc
* For those who haven't discovered the joy of Secure, Contain, Protect -- it is a wiki with each entry a supposed item/artifact/person that is supernatural, inter-dimensional, or just plain weird. Some entries are sad, some fascinating, and others not to be read alone at night. http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-series . (One of our personal favorites is SCP-1000, Bigfoot.)
* Charlie Jane Anders over at io9 posted a great infographic from Orbit of the compliment of the ships in Ann Leckie's amazing Ancillary trilogy, which was completed last month: http://io9.com/get-to-know-the-incredible-starships-of-ann-leckies-anc-1733743808
* SETI has been listening to star KIC8462852, (the one with the strange light patterns that people think might be aliens,) for two weeks and have heard nothing, but they're not giving up yet. The Mary Sue has a full post on it: http://www.themarysue.com/seti-finds-no-sign-of-giant-alien-spaceships/
* "Supergirl" premiered, and as a treat for superhero movie adaptation fans, this iteration's parents are played by Lois & Clark's Dean Cain and "Supergirl" film's Helen Slater.
* Ann Leckie gave Publisher's Weekly her list of Top Ten Science Fiction Novels and there are some great, usually ignored gems on her list. http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/68381-the-10-best-science-fiction-books.html
* A new "Star Trek" television series is in the works for 2017! We're simultaneously thrilled and terrified, and already busy creating that Dream Cast in our heads. (Jude wants Angela Bassett to play the Captain. And Dame Judi Dench should definitely be in there somewhere, too!) http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/arts/television/a-new-star-trek-tv-series-will-debut-in-2017.html
* Congratulations to editor (and Borderlands sponsor) John Joseph Adams. Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt just announced that they're launching a new science fiction and fantasy line called John Joseph Adams Books/HMH that will be edited by JJA. According to Shelf Awareness, the line's "first three titles are simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions of SHIFT, DUST and BEACON 23 by Hugh Howey, which will be published in February [2016]." http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2630#m30432
* Gunnar Hansen, who played Leatherface in 1974's iconic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," has died at age 68. http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/08/entertainment/gunnar-hansen-texas-chainsaw-massacre-obit-feat/index.html
* Happy Birthday to Ms. Ursula K LeGuin, one of the greatest authors of our time! http://www.tor.com/2015/10/21/on-this-day-ursula-k-le-guin/
------------------
Award News
------------------
* Congratulations to this year's World Fantasy Award Winners! http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/
* The 2015 British Science Fiction Award Winners have been announced! http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/winners-of-the-british-fantasy-awards-2015/
* The Inaugural 100 Year Starship (100YSS) Canopus Awards, which celebrate interstellar writing, have announced their winners. http://100yss.org/news/press
"Why didn't anyone tell me that the 'True Blood' tv show was just an R-rated 'Buffy'?!"
* Someone sent us an absolutely lovely bottle of Scotch from New York. We think it might be an Anniversary present, but we're not sure, since there was no note included with the bottle. If you were kind enough to send us this present, could you please let us know so we can thank you?
* Sadly, Crossed Genres Magazine is going to be closing their doors at the end of this year. Crossed Genres will continue to publish novels. http://crossedgenres.com/announcements/crossed-genres-magazine-to-close-after-december-issue/
* The newest Marvel Netflix series "Jessica Jones," will premiere in November. As old-school Jessica Jones fans, after seeing the full trailer, we find ourselves really looking forward to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWHUjuJ8zxE
* Borderlands' owner Alan Beatts was on the Publishers Weekly podcast talking about the way the sponsors helped keep the store alive. Listen here; Alan's segment starts around 9:40: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=8&podcast=494
* A map of Middle Earth annotated by JRR Tolkien himself is up for auction after having been discovered in a copy of LORD OF THE RINGS owned by late acclaimed illustrator Pauline Baynes. It is on display and on sale for 60,000 GBP.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/23/jrr-tolkien-middle-earth-annotated-map-blackwells-lord-of-the-rings
* The trailer for the "Warcraft" film has been released, and if nothing else it looks like some good pulpy adventure fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rxoz13Bthc
* For those who haven't discovered the joy of Secure, Contain, Protect -- it is a wiki with each entry a supposed item/artifact/person that is supernatural, inter-dimensional, or just plain weird. Some entries are sad, some fascinating, and others not to be read alone at night. http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-series . (One of our personal favorites is SCP-1000, Bigfoot.)
* Charlie Jane Anders over at io9 posted a great infographic from Orbit of the compliment of the ships in Ann Leckie's amazing Ancillary trilogy, which was completed last month: http://io9.com/get-to-know-the-incredible-starships-of-ann-leckies-anc-1733743808
* SETI has been listening to star KIC8462852, (the one with the strange light patterns that people think might be aliens,) for two weeks and have heard nothing, but they're not giving up yet. The Mary Sue has a full post on it: http://www.themarysue.com/seti-finds-no-sign-of-giant-alien-spaceships/
* "Supergirl" premiered, and as a treat for superhero movie adaptation fans, this iteration's parents are played by Lois & Clark's Dean Cain and "Supergirl" film's Helen Slater.
* Ann Leckie gave Publisher's Weekly her list of Top Ten Science Fiction Novels and there are some great, usually ignored gems on her list. http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/68381-the-10-best-science-fiction-books.html
* A new "Star Trek" television series is in the works for 2017! We're simultaneously thrilled and terrified, and already busy creating that Dream Cast in our heads. (Jude wants Angela Bassett to play the Captain. And Dame Judi Dench should definitely be in there somewhere, too!) http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/arts/television/a-new-star-trek-tv-series-will-debut-in-2017.html
* Congratulations to editor (and Borderlands sponsor) John Joseph Adams. Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt just announced that they're launching a new science fiction and fantasy line called John Joseph Adams Books/HMH that will be edited by JJA. According to Shelf Awareness, the line's "first three titles are simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions of SHIFT, DUST and BEACON 23 by Hugh Howey, which will be published in February [2016]." http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2630#m30432
* Gunnar Hansen, who played Leatherface in 1974's iconic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," has died at age 68. http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/08/entertainment/gunnar-hansen-texas-chainsaw-massacre-obit-feat/index.html
* Happy Birthday to Ms. Ursula K LeGuin, one of the greatest authors of our time! http://www.tor.com/2015/10/21/on-this-day-ursula-k-le-guin/
------------------
Award News
------------------
* Congratulations to this year's World Fantasy Award Winners! http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/
* The 2015 British Science Fiction Award Winners have been announced! http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/winners-of-the-british-fantasy-awards-2015/
* The Inaugural 100 Year Starship (100YSS) Canopus Awards, which celebrate interstellar writing, have announced their winners. http://100yss.org/news/press
October 07, 2015
Upcoming Events
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm
Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm
SF in SF presents authors Laura Anne Gilman and Loren Rhoads, hosted by Terry Bisson, Monday, October 12th at 6:30 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm
San Francisco in Mystery: Past, Present, and Future with Reece Hirsch, Kirk Russell, and Kelli Stanley, Sunday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Mark Oshiro, AN INSIDIOUS THING, Sunday, November 1st at 3:00 pm
Kate Elliot, BLACK WOLVES (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 7th at 3:00 pm
Event Details
Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm
SF in SF presents authors Laura Anne Gilman and Loren Rhoads, hosted by Terry Bisson, Monday, October 12th at 6:30 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm
San Francisco in Mystery: Past, Present, and Future with Reece Hirsch, Kirk Russell, and Kelli Stanley, Sunday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Mark Oshiro, AN INSIDIOUS THING, Sunday, November 1st at 3:00 pm
Kate Elliot, BLACK WOLVES (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 7th at 3:00 pm
Event Details
Media Matters
by Alan Beatts
As much as I love books, SF, horror, fantasy and mystery as a whole are still my first and greatest love. Which means that movies, TV shows, and even video games within our field have a place very close to my heart. The last few months have included some good news and neat discoveries that I thought I'd share with you.
The Expanse TV Series
James S. A. Corey's excellent Expanse novels, which begin with LEVIATHAN WAKES, is one of my favorite SF series in recent years. So I was concerned and pleased in equal parts when I heard that Syfy was going to be producing a series based on the books. But, I've seen both the regular trailer < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/videos/the-expanse-season-1-trailer > and the background trailer, which includes interviews with the cast, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKmedH336Q >. I've got to say that it looks pretty darn good and the casting also seems impressive. Of course, it's hard to tell from such limited information, but I'm hopeful that we'll be getting a big treat this December.
And, regardless of whether the series is any good, we fans of the books win at least a little bit because there's an original prequel story, Drive, available on line as part of the promotion for the show < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/prequel.php >.
As much as I love books, SF, horror, fantasy and mystery as a whole are still my first and greatest love. Which means that movies, TV shows, and even video games within our field have a place very close to my heart. The last few months have included some good news and neat discoveries that I thought I'd share with you.
The Expanse TV Series
James S. A. Corey's excellent Expanse novels, which begin with LEVIATHAN WAKES, is one of my favorite SF series in recent years. So I was concerned and pleased in equal parts when I heard that Syfy was going to be producing a series based on the books. But, I've seen both the regular trailer < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/videos/the-expanse-season-1-trailer > and the background trailer, which includes interviews with the cast, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKmedH336Q >. I've got to say that it looks pretty darn good and the casting also seems impressive. Of course, it's hard to tell from such limited information, but I'm hopeful that we'll be getting a big treat this December.
And, regardless of whether the series is any good, we fans of the books win at least a little bit because there's an original prequel story, Drive, available on line as part of the promotion for the show < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/prequel.php >.
September Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. NO HARD FEELINGS by Mark Coggins
2. UPDRAFT by Fran Wilde
3. THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN by Terry Pratchett
4. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
5. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
6. SECONDHAND SOULS by Christopher Moore
7. DRAGON COAST by Greg Van Eekhout
8. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
9. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
10. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
2. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
3. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
6. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Kieran Shea
7. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
8. REPUBLIC OPF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE SHADOW THRONE by Django Wexler
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
1. NO HARD FEELINGS by Mark Coggins
2. UPDRAFT by Fran Wilde
3. THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN by Terry Pratchett
4. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
5. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
6. SECONDHAND SOULS by Christopher Moore
7. DRAGON COAST by Greg Van Eekhout
8. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
9. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
10. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
2. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
3. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
6. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Kieran Shea
7. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
8. REPUBLIC OPF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE SHADOW THRONE by Django Wexler
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
October News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"Do you have CAT'S CRADLE by Vonnegut? My boyfriend has never read it. I wish I'd known that before I committed."
"This is my two-handed bastard sword of a cat. FEAR ME!"
"Have you _touched_ this book?!"
"Yes, it's LORD OF THE RINGS. We have 4."
"But this LORD OF THE RINGS is super-pettable!"
* A scholarship in Sir Terry Pratchett's name has been announced at the University of Southern Australia. Endowed by the late author's estate, it will provide $100,000 to a grad student every two years in perpetuity. More information here: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/Perpetual-Sir-Terry-Pratchett-Scholarship-announced-for-UniSA/
* Chris Hall at The Guardian explores the dystopian themes in JG Ballard's HIGH-RISE and discusses the new feature film adaptation: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/03/jg-ballards-high-rise-takes-dystopian-science-fiction-to-a-new-level
* The Spectrum Fantastic Art Live exhibition is moving next year from Kansas City, MO to our very own San Francisco's Academy of Art for 2016. The press release is here: http://fleskpublications.com/blog/2015/09/23/spectrum-fantastic-art-live-moves-to-san-francisco/
* The Museum of Science Fiction has announced its intention to begin publishing a Journal of Science Fiction, free online for everyone. The first issue will launch January 2016; more details on the SFWA website: https://www.sfwa.org/2015/09/call-for-submissions-to-the-journal-of-science-fiction/
* Despite the mixed reception the film received, there are apparently talks to revive Alan Moore's "Watchmen," with Zach Snyder at the helm again, for a television series. Nothing is definite yet, owing to Snyder's current work in the DC universe, but it may be a chance for the director to redeem himself in the eyes of many: http://sciencefiction.com/2015/10/02/hbo-zack-snyder-talks-watchmen-tv-series/
* Pop singer Morrissey will release his first novel, this year, a ghost/demon story called LIST OF THE LOST, and by all accounts it's not good: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/04/list-of-the-lost-morrissey-review-publishers-ashamed (Although maybe I'm misunderstanding when a reviewer says the publishers should be ashamed of themselves.)
* The second of Marvel's Netflix series "Jessica Jones" has finally been revealed in a number of teaser trailers. It looks much better than "Daredevil," and we've only seen a few seconds of it. http://www.cnet.com/news/marvels-jessica-jones-drinks-fight-in-netflix-trailers/
* Huffington Post talked to a number scientists and "science enthusiasts" to find out their favorite science fiction films. The answers are pretty standard, but there are a few surprises peppered throughout the list: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/top-scientists-tel-you-thier-favorite-boks-and-movies_55e9b22de4b093be51bb3ff8
* Iskander Krayenbosch has created a hilarious animated video to illustrate what he thinks are the twelve steps of the Hero's Journey. Using imagery from iconic stories, he makes an excellent argument: http://sploid.gizmodo.com/the-12-steps-that-basically-every-hero-in-a-movie-goes-1734258433
* Author Jay Swanson has created the world's first real-time fantasy blog, INTO THE NANTEN. In addition to Jay's unfolding story of the exiled Marceles na Tetrarch, the site features incredible original artwork from artist Nimit Malavia and the voice talents of Dennis Kleinman. You really should check it out: http://intothenanten.com/about-into-the-nanten/
------------------
Award News
------------------
* The Copper Cylinder Award for Canadian fantastic literature has announced its fourth annual winners. The Adult award went to Thomas King for THE BACK OF THE TURTLE and the Young Adult award to Caitlin Sweet for THE DOOR IN THE MOUNTAIN. More details on the award and winners here: http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2015-winners
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has announced their 2015 Dwarf Stars (for short poems 1-10 lines) and Elgin Award (for books and chapbooks of poetry) winners. Full details here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/ds/15dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/15elgin.html
* The National Book Award longlist has been announced, and while the adult categories have no speculative nominees, the Young Adult category boasts M.T. Anderson, Rae Carson, Noelle Stevenson and others: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015.html
* The Parsec Awards for speculative podcasting have announced their winners. http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/
* Stephen King was one of those awarded a National Medal of Arts this past month. http://arts.gov/honors/medals/stephen-king
"Do you have CAT'S CRADLE by Vonnegut? My boyfriend has never read it. I wish I'd known that before I committed."
"This is my two-handed bastard sword of a cat. FEAR ME!"
"Have you _touched_ this book?!"
"Yes, it's LORD OF THE RINGS. We have 4."
"But this LORD OF THE RINGS is super-pettable!"
* A scholarship in Sir Terry Pratchett's name has been announced at the University of Southern Australia. Endowed by the late author's estate, it will provide $100,000 to a grad student every two years in perpetuity. More information here: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/Perpetual-Sir-Terry-Pratchett-Scholarship-announced-for-UniSA/
* Chris Hall at The Guardian explores the dystopian themes in JG Ballard's HIGH-RISE and discusses the new feature film adaptation: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/03/jg-ballards-high-rise-takes-dystopian-science-fiction-to-a-new-level
* The Spectrum Fantastic Art Live exhibition is moving next year from Kansas City, MO to our very own San Francisco's Academy of Art for 2016. The press release is here: http://fleskpublications.com/blog/2015/09/23/spectrum-fantastic-art-live-moves-to-san-francisco/
* The Museum of Science Fiction has announced its intention to begin publishing a Journal of Science Fiction, free online for everyone. The first issue will launch January 2016; more details on the SFWA website: https://www.sfwa.org/2015/09/call-for-submissions-to-the-journal-of-science-fiction/
* Despite the mixed reception the film received, there are apparently talks to revive Alan Moore's "Watchmen," with Zach Snyder at the helm again, for a television series. Nothing is definite yet, owing to Snyder's current work in the DC universe, but it may be a chance for the director to redeem himself in the eyes of many: http://sciencefiction.com/2015/10/02/hbo-zack-snyder-talks-watchmen-tv-series/
* Pop singer Morrissey will release his first novel, this year, a ghost/demon story called LIST OF THE LOST, and by all accounts it's not good: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/04/list-of-the-lost-morrissey-review-publishers-ashamed (Although maybe I'm misunderstanding when a reviewer says the publishers should be ashamed of themselves.)
* The second of Marvel's Netflix series "Jessica Jones" has finally been revealed in a number of teaser trailers. It looks much better than "Daredevil," and we've only seen a few seconds of it. http://www.cnet.com/news/marvels-jessica-jones-drinks-fight-in-netflix-trailers/
* Huffington Post talked to a number scientists and "science enthusiasts" to find out their favorite science fiction films. The answers are pretty standard, but there are a few surprises peppered throughout the list: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/top-scientists-tel-you-thier-favorite-boks-and-movies_55e9b22de4b093be51bb3ff8
* Iskander Krayenbosch has created a hilarious animated video to illustrate what he thinks are the twelve steps of the Hero's Journey. Using imagery from iconic stories, he makes an excellent argument: http://sploid.gizmodo.com/the-12-steps-that-basically-every-hero-in-a-movie-goes-1734258433
* Author Jay Swanson has created the world's first real-time fantasy blog, INTO THE NANTEN. In addition to Jay's unfolding story of the exiled Marceles na Tetrarch, the site features incredible original artwork from artist Nimit Malavia and the voice talents of Dennis Kleinman. You really should check it out: http://intothenanten.com/about-into-the-nanten/
------------------
Award News
------------------
* The Copper Cylinder Award for Canadian fantastic literature has announced its fourth annual winners. The Adult award went to Thomas King for THE BACK OF THE TURTLE and the Young Adult award to Caitlin Sweet for THE DOOR IN THE MOUNTAIN. More details on the award and winners here: http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2015-winners
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has announced their 2015 Dwarf Stars (for short poems 1-10 lines) and Elgin Award (for books and chapbooks of poetry) winners. Full details here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/ds/15dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/15elgin.html
* The National Book Award longlist has been announced, and while the adult categories have no speculative nominees, the Young Adult category boasts M.T. Anderson, Rae Carson, Noelle Stevenson and others: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015.html
* The Parsec Awards for speculative podcasting have announced their winners. http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/
* Stephen King was one of those awarded a National Medal of Arts this past month. http://arts.gov/honors/medals/stephen-king
September 09, 2015
Upcoming Events
Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Signed & Limited Edition (Hardcover, 225 copies) $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, Greg van Eekout, and Fran Wilde, Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 pm
Borderlands Sponsors' Open Mic Night, Friday, September 25th at 7:00 pm
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm
QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION (Lightspeed, Trade Paperback, $29.99) event with Chaz Brenchley, Tim Susman, Rachel Swirsky, and Jessica Yang, Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 pm
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm
Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, Greg van Eekout, and Fran Wilde, Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 pm
Borderlands Sponsors' Open Mic Night, Friday, September 25th at 7:00 pm
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm
QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION (Lightspeed, Trade Paperback, $29.99) event with Chaz Brenchley, Tim Susman, Rachel Swirsky, and Jessica Yang, Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 pm
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm
Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm
From the Office
bp Alan Beatts
It's been about six months since we almost closed the shop. It seems like a good time to update everyone on where the business stands, how things are going generally, and where we are relative to our long-term goals.
If you're not familiar with the whole story about what happened in February, you can read all about this blog. But, you might enjoy an article that recently appeared in Guernica Magazine that gives a nice overview and a different perspective <https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/>.
In general, business has been going quite well. Sales have been solid and are modestly up compared to last year (thank you all for that). We've done several quite large author events (Paolo Bacigalupi, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, John Scalzi, and Jo Walton, among others) along with a whole slew of smaller but fun and well-attended events with other authors.
Our two newest employees, Scott Cox and Maddy Hubbert, are both settling in well, though they're still in the process of learning "all the things". It's surprising when I think about it but it usually takes around a year for someone to truly learn how to do all the aspects of the job. But, that's the consequence of having everyone learn all the jobs around the store (aside from the back-office financial work, that is).
Of course, we are all learning constantly even after a decade and a half on the job. Our field is constantly expanding and the history of it is so deep that I don't think it's possible to know in its entirety. It is a source of constant pleasure to all of us to be part of a tradition that has such a long and rich history.
Personally, I'm doing quite well, though still working a bit more than I like. Setting up the sponsorship program was more work than I anticipated but it has mostly been the fiddly bits of putting systems in place and getting it all running smoothly. However, all that is close to done and Scott has taken over much of the day-to-day work from me. I expect that next year will give me the chance to start really digging into other projects.
Speaking of the future and other projects, back in May I talked a bit about long-term plans, specifically getting some improvements in place at the store and, much more importantly, starting a long-term plan to purchase a building to house the business.
It's been about six months since we almost closed the shop. It seems like a good time to update everyone on where the business stands, how things are going generally, and where we are relative to our long-term goals.
If you're not familiar with the whole story about what happened in February, you can read all about this blog. But, you might enjoy an article that recently appeared in Guernica Magazine that gives a nice overview and a different perspective <https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/>.
In general, business has been going quite well. Sales have been solid and are modestly up compared to last year (thank you all for that). We've done several quite large author events (Paolo Bacigalupi, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, John Scalzi, and Jo Walton, among others) along with a whole slew of smaller but fun and well-attended events with other authors.
Our two newest employees, Scott Cox and Maddy Hubbert, are both settling in well, though they're still in the process of learning "all the things". It's surprising when I think about it but it usually takes around a year for someone to truly learn how to do all the aspects of the job. But, that's the consequence of having everyone learn all the jobs around the store (aside from the back-office financial work, that is).
Of course, we are all learning constantly even after a decade and a half on the job. Our field is constantly expanding and the history of it is so deep that I don't think it's possible to know in its entirety. It is a source of constant pleasure to all of us to be part of a tradition that has such a long and rich history.
Personally, I'm doing quite well, though still working a bit more than I like. Setting up the sponsorship program was more work than I anticipated but it has mostly been the fiddly bits of putting systems in place and getting it all running smoothly. However, all that is close to done and Scott has taken over much of the day-to-day work from me. I expect that next year will give me the chance to start really digging into other projects.
Speaking of the future and other projects, back in May I talked a bit about long-term plans, specifically getting some improvements in place at the store and, much more importantly, starting a long-term plan to purchase a building to house the business.
August Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
2. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey
3. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
4. HALF A WAR by Joe Abercrombie
5. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
6. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
7. THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS by Jo Walton
8. DARK FOREST by Cixin Liu
9. FOOL’S QUEST by Robin Hobb
10. NEVERWHERE: AUTHOR'S PREFERRED TEXT by Neil Gaiman
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Keiran Shea
3. EXO by Steven Gould
4. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
7. RED: FIRST LIGHT VOL. 1 by Linda Nagata
8. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
9. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
10. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. GENE MAPPER by Taiyo Fujii
1. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
2. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey
3. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
4. HALF A WAR by Joe Abercrombie
5. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
6. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
7. THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS by Jo Walton
8. DARK FOREST by Cixin Liu
9. FOOL’S QUEST by Robin Hobb
10. NEVERWHERE: AUTHOR'S PREFERRED TEXT by Neil Gaiman
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Keiran Shea
3. EXO by Steven Gould
4. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
7. RED: FIRST LIGHT VOL. 1 by Linda Nagata
8. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
9. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
10. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. GENE MAPPER by Taiyo Fujii
September News Roundup
* Because we'll soon be losing two beloved Cafe employees who are moving on to further awesome life adventures, we're looking to hire an additional employee for the Cafe, ideally for weekday afternoons and mornings. We're asking you because we always prefer to "keep it in the family," and hire our customers and associates with whom we already have a rapport. If you're interested or know someone who is, please send a resume to abeatts@borderlands-books.com.
* Master of Horror Wes Craven has sadly passed away after a battle with brain cancer. There is hardly a person in Western society who can say they haven’t been affected by Craven’s work. From the 80’s horror classic "Nightmare on Elm Street" to his "Scream" series (a deconstruction of the horror genre from the inside out,) his impact on genre is undeniable. We at Borderlands mourn his passing, as do millions of others. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34104752
* This Bustle article does a good job of explaining why who won the Hugos was important while also acknowledging that LGBTQ, POC and women have been writing science fiction since the beginning, from W.E.B. Du Bois to Arthur C. Clarke to Naomi Mitchison to Samuel Delany and Octavia Butler. We’ve always been here. http://www.bustle.com/articles/106132-the-2015-hugo-awards-winners-were-announced-and-diversity-prevails
* Speaking of Octavia Butler, DAWN, the first book in her Xenogenesis (or Lilith’s Brood trilogy, depending on your age,) has been optioned for a television series. Charlie Jane Anders from io9 asked Allen Bain, who secured the rights, a few questions about his intentions. http://io9.com/how-the-tv-show-of-octavia-butlers-dawn-will-stay-true-1728791278
* Artist CarlosDanger101 has drawn the cast of "Game of Thrones" in the style of "Bob’s Burgers". It’s fantastic, intricate and ridiculous. Check out the post at Nerdist for the full cast: http://nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-drawings-send-the-cast-to-bobs-burgers/
* Webcomic XKCD perfectly captures and summarizes the draw of the novel (and the puzzling nature of THE MARTIAN becoming a big-budget film starring Matt Damon) with this comic: https://xkcd.com/1536/
* In comic book news, the longtime Hulk companion and fan favorite Amadeus Cho, (the Korean-American boy genius introduced in 2006) has been revealed as the new Hulk. Amadeus has already challenged governments and gods with nothing but his smarts -- it’ll be great to see what he does with the power of the Hulk behind him. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/04/marvel-comics-reveals-amadeus-cho-new-totally-awesome-hulk/
* In other Hulk news, a quote from Mark Ruffalo via an Italian website has revealed that his character, The Hulk, will not be present in "Civil War", perhaps because of something big planned for him in the future. ("World War Hulk", perhaps?) http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-3/mark-ruffalo-reveals-hulk-was-cut-captain-america-civil-war-heres-why
* If you’ve ever been interested in studying the papers of feminist SFF authors Ursula K. Le Guin, Joanna Russ, Kate Wilhelm, Suzette Haden Elgin, Sally Miller Gearhart, Kate Elliott, Molly Gloss, Laurie Marks or Jessica Salmonson, the 2015 Le Guin Feminist Science Fellowship is now open to applications. http://csws.uoregon.edu/the-le-guin-feminist-science-fiction-fellowship/ . Their website also reveals they are in the process of acquiring some of James Tiptree Jr.’s papers, as well.
* What about a world where you’re allowed to be single for no more than 45 days before being turned into the animal of your choice? That’s the premise of the new film "Lobster", directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Colin Farrell, Lea Seydoux, Rachel Weisz and more. Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAxMksPWGXI
* Mika McKinnon over at io9 gathered a number of images released by the Perimeter Institute about 13 science fiction visions that are already here, or right around the corner. http://space.io9.com/13-ways-the-future-from-back-to-the-future-is-closer-th-1725749080
* Force Friday, the wonder of "Star Wars", and the realities of capitalism collided recently when all the new merchandise for the new "Star Wars" film was released. Some toys looked amazing, some looked cheesy and some were awe-inspiring. Check out the best things from Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/the-best-star-wars-loot-from-force-friday-1728756436
* For those who missed it, the "Suicide Squad" trailer has been out for a while and it looks much better than "Batman V. Superman" in our opinion. Viola Davis, Will Smith, and Jared Leto mean this superhero film has a lot of Academy Award winners on board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLLQK9la6Go
* For some people, 2015 is iconic because it is one of the years that Marty McFly traveled to in the classic "Back To the Future" series. To a younger generation, though, it’s important for being the year that Harry Potter’s first child starts Hogwarts. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/02/harry-potter-ginny-potter-eldest-son-heads-hogwarts/
* Stan Lee has a very simple explanation for why the newest reboot of "The Fantastic Four" flopped so badly. http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/09/03/why-was-fantastic-four-such-a-fail-because-stan-lee-didnt-have-a-cameo/
* Charlie Jane Anders makes the new film "Dragon Blade" sound like an absolute must-see, with the Chinese army led by Jackie Chan versus a rogue Roman legion led by John Cusack on the run from his commander Adrien Brody. Oh, also? Trained attack birds. Read the entire fantastic thing here: http://io9.com/that-ancient-romans-vs-chinese-movie-is-a-total-so-ba-1728660272
* Great interview with Brian Hibbs from Comix Experience about their passion for comics and their graphic novel club (which was CE's answer to the rising minimum wage in San Francisco): http://www.examiner.com/article/comix-experience-promoting-graphic-novels-and-comics
* A marvelous article from journalist Katrina Woznicki about Borderlands and the sponsorship program from Guernica Magazine: https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/ . Thank you, Katrina!
-----------------
Awards News
-----------------
(There has been so much awards news of late that we decided to give it its own heading!)
* The winners of the Hugo Awards and the Campbell were announced at this year's Worldcon, with the dark horse Noah Ward taking many trophies. Here is the full statistical breakdown of voting: http://www.thehugoawards.org/content/pdf/2015HugoStatistics.pdf
* Speaking of the Hugos, it has been announced that Helsinki won the bid to host the World Science Fiction Convention in 2017. Guests of Honor include: John-Henri Holmberg, Nalo Hopkinson, Johanna Sinisalo, Claire Wendling, and Walter Jon Williams. Check out all the details here: http://www.worldcon.fi/
* The Chesley Awards for Science Fiction and Fantasy Art were also announced. http://asfa-art.org/
* The Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire Awards for excellence in French Science Fiction and Fantasy have been announced. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/08/2015-grand-prix-de-limaginaire-winners/
* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their winners. The winner will be published on the Baen Books website, along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books. http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp
* The Parsec Awards, which celebrate excellence in speculative fiction podcasting, have announced their full list of finalists for 2015. Check out the full list here and pick up a few things to listen to on your commutes:
http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/
* Master of Horror Wes Craven has sadly passed away after a battle with brain cancer. There is hardly a person in Western society who can say they haven’t been affected by Craven’s work. From the 80’s horror classic "Nightmare on Elm Street" to his "Scream" series (a deconstruction of the horror genre from the inside out,) his impact on genre is undeniable. We at Borderlands mourn his passing, as do millions of others. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34104752
* This Bustle article does a good job of explaining why who won the Hugos was important while also acknowledging that LGBTQ, POC and women have been writing science fiction since the beginning, from W.E.B. Du Bois to Arthur C. Clarke to Naomi Mitchison to Samuel Delany and Octavia Butler. We’ve always been here. http://www.bustle.com/articles/106132-the-2015-hugo-awards-winners-were-announced-and-diversity-prevails
* Speaking of Octavia Butler, DAWN, the first book in her Xenogenesis (or Lilith’s Brood trilogy, depending on your age,) has been optioned for a television series. Charlie Jane Anders from io9 asked Allen Bain, who secured the rights, a few questions about his intentions. http://io9.com/how-the-tv-show-of-octavia-butlers-dawn-will-stay-true-1728791278
* Artist CarlosDanger101 has drawn the cast of "Game of Thrones" in the style of "Bob’s Burgers". It’s fantastic, intricate and ridiculous. Check out the post at Nerdist for the full cast: http://nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-drawings-send-the-cast-to-bobs-burgers/
* Webcomic XKCD perfectly captures and summarizes the draw of the novel (and the puzzling nature of THE MARTIAN becoming a big-budget film starring Matt Damon) with this comic: https://xkcd.com/1536/
* In comic book news, the longtime Hulk companion and fan favorite Amadeus Cho, (the Korean-American boy genius introduced in 2006) has been revealed as the new Hulk. Amadeus has already challenged governments and gods with nothing but his smarts -- it’ll be great to see what he does with the power of the Hulk behind him. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/04/marvel-comics-reveals-amadeus-cho-new-totally-awesome-hulk/
* In other Hulk news, a quote from Mark Ruffalo via an Italian website has revealed that his character, The Hulk, will not be present in "Civil War", perhaps because of something big planned for him in the future. ("World War Hulk", perhaps?) http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-3/mark-ruffalo-reveals-hulk-was-cut-captain-america-civil-war-heres-why
* If you’ve ever been interested in studying the papers of feminist SFF authors Ursula K. Le Guin, Joanna Russ, Kate Wilhelm, Suzette Haden Elgin, Sally Miller Gearhart, Kate Elliott, Molly Gloss, Laurie Marks or Jessica Salmonson, the 2015 Le Guin Feminist Science Fellowship is now open to applications. http://csws.uoregon.edu/the-le-guin-feminist-science-fiction-fellowship/ . Their website also reveals they are in the process of acquiring some of James Tiptree Jr.’s papers, as well.
* What about a world where you’re allowed to be single for no more than 45 days before being turned into the animal of your choice? That’s the premise of the new film "Lobster", directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Colin Farrell, Lea Seydoux, Rachel Weisz and more. Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAxMksPWGXI
* Mika McKinnon over at io9 gathered a number of images released by the Perimeter Institute about 13 science fiction visions that are already here, or right around the corner. http://space.io9.com/13-ways-the-future-from-back-to-the-future-is-closer-th-1725749080
* Force Friday, the wonder of "Star Wars", and the realities of capitalism collided recently when all the new merchandise for the new "Star Wars" film was released. Some toys looked amazing, some looked cheesy and some were awe-inspiring. Check out the best things from Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/the-best-star-wars-loot-from-force-friday-1728756436
* For those who missed it, the "Suicide Squad" trailer has been out for a while and it looks much better than "Batman V. Superman" in our opinion. Viola Davis, Will Smith, and Jared Leto mean this superhero film has a lot of Academy Award winners on board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLLQK9la6Go
* For some people, 2015 is iconic because it is one of the years that Marty McFly traveled to in the classic "Back To the Future" series. To a younger generation, though, it’s important for being the year that Harry Potter’s first child starts Hogwarts. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/02/harry-potter-ginny-potter-eldest-son-heads-hogwarts/
* Stan Lee has a very simple explanation for why the newest reboot of "The Fantastic Four" flopped so badly. http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/09/03/why-was-fantastic-four-such-a-fail-because-stan-lee-didnt-have-a-cameo/
* Charlie Jane Anders makes the new film "Dragon Blade" sound like an absolute must-see, with the Chinese army led by Jackie Chan versus a rogue Roman legion led by John Cusack on the run from his commander Adrien Brody. Oh, also? Trained attack birds. Read the entire fantastic thing here: http://io9.com/that-ancient-romans-vs-chinese-movie-is-a-total-so-ba-1728660272
* Great interview with Brian Hibbs from Comix Experience about their passion for comics and their graphic novel club (which was CE's answer to the rising minimum wage in San Francisco): http://www.examiner.com/article/comix-experience-promoting-graphic-novels-and-comics
* A marvelous article from journalist Katrina Woznicki about Borderlands and the sponsorship program from Guernica Magazine: https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/ . Thank you, Katrina!
-----------------
Awards News
-----------------
(There has been so much awards news of late that we decided to give it its own heading!)
* The winners of the Hugo Awards and the Campbell were announced at this year's Worldcon, with the dark horse Noah Ward taking many trophies. Here is the full statistical breakdown of voting: http://www.thehugoawards.org/content/pdf/2015HugoStatistics.pdf
* Speaking of the Hugos, it has been announced that Helsinki won the bid to host the World Science Fiction Convention in 2017. Guests of Honor include: John-Henri Holmberg, Nalo Hopkinson, Johanna Sinisalo, Claire Wendling, and Walter Jon Williams. Check out all the details here: http://www.worldcon.fi/
* The Chesley Awards for Science Fiction and Fantasy Art were also announced. http://asfa-art.org/
* The Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire Awards for excellence in French Science Fiction and Fantasy have been announced. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/08/2015-grand-prix-de-limaginaire-winners/
* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their winners. The winner will be published on the Baen Books website, along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books. http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp
* The Parsec Awards, which celebrate excellence in speculative fiction podcasting, have announced their full list of finalists for 2015. Check out the full list here and pick up a few things to listen to on your commutes:
http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/
August 17, 2015
Upcoming Events
John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm
Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm
Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm
And coming up in the Fall, we'll host Greg Bear and Ann Leckie (yes, together!), the fabulous Litquake LitCrawl, Mira Grant, and many, many others!
John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm - Spend your Monday lunch break with JOHN SCALZI! We're always ecstatic to welcome John and revel in his wit, intelligence, charm, and good humor. In THE END OF ALL THINGS, John returns to the OLD MAN'S WAR universe in a direct sequel to THE HUMAN DIVISION. John will read a bit, answer as many of your questions as he can, and sign books. We think you should take a long lunch, skip school, or just "call in Scalzi," but don't miss this one! More info about the book, including an excerpt, can be found here: http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765376077
Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm - Join us to celebrate the newest Toby Daye book with Seanan McGuire and the whole crazy caboodle! In RED-ROSE CHAIN, October Daye finds herself in the unlikely position of diplomat, trying to avert a war and save herself and her friends in a hostile kingdom where nothing is what it seems. If you've attended one of Seanan's events before, you know that they are a high-energy, music-filled delight. If you've never attended one before, now is the perfect time to start! There will be reading, raffle prizes, and silliness guaranteed. Get your questions answered, bring your books to be signed, and prepare to sing along! In addition to her many, many books, we'll also have some of Seanan's super-cool t-shirts available for sale at this event.
Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm - Mark Coggins continues the cult classic August Riordin series with this latest thrilling installment! From the publisher:"Winnie doesn’t remember the last time she felt anything below her neck. Her spine is severed at the seventh vertebrae, but thanks to implants from a sabotaged biomedical start-up, she has regained mobility. She is a prototype: a living, breathing -- walking -- demonstration of revolutionary technology that never made it to market. Her disability has become her armor. Because she doesn’t register fatigue, she has trained relentlessly. Her hand, arm, and leg strength are off the scales. . . and she has honed self-defense techniques to channel that strength. . . . When the sociopath who torpedoed the start-up sends killers to harvest the implants from her body, Winnie must team up with broken-down private investigator August Riordan to save both their lives -- and derail sinister plans for perverse military applications of the technology." We hope you'll come by to meet Mark and check out his awesome new novel.
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm - A special treat from Tor Books: a tremendous Tuesday of tacos, Tecate, and three terrific tellers of tales! We do hope you'll come to check out Seanan's creepy story in the Ellen Datlow-edited anthology THE DOLL COLLECTION, Greg's newest release in the California Bones series, and Fran's exciting debut novel, UPDRAFT. The authors will discuss and sign their works, hopefully not while holding tacos. More details to come soon!
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm - We hope you can join us for an unusual Modern Russian Avant-Garde event at Borderlands Cafe: "The Arts Resistance is proud to present the watercolor and oil paintings by Evgeny Avilov, the Russian artist behind the infamous "Exorcism at the Mausoleum" and other extreme activism actions of the art collective "Blue Rider." Based in Moscow, Avilov represents the open opposition, a small number of artists and activists still protesting the authoritarian power at risk of their freedom and life. Avilov will talk about the lack of freedom of expression, human rights, and rising militarism in Russia. The Arts Resistance will give a brief presentation on the arts protest movement, reviewing art collectives Pussy Riot, Voina and Blue Rider. San Francisco-based writers will read their work exploring the theme "Home, Patriotism, and War," and Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph.D., an internationally acclaimed art critic, will make a presentation on Kandinsky, his "Blue Rider" art group and European avant-garde before World War I." Mr. Avilov's work will be on display in the Cafe until September 30th. If you are of the Facebook persuasion, RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1056292531062782/
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome Ian McDonald to Borderlands! Mr. McDonald is best known for his extremely successful, cerebral science fiction, but he also writes smart, incredibly entertaining space adventure. Here's the publisher's info for his newest novel: "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 Helium3 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."
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm - We're always happy to see the charming Brandon Sanderson back at Borderlands! (Do you know we hosted a signing for his very first novel, ELANTRIS, when it first came out? I think there were only about a dozen people in the audience!) This time Brandon will be showing off the new novel in the Mistborn world, SHADOWS OF SELF. This one's a sequel to ALLOY OF LAW, and takes place about 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy. The author will read, answer questions, and sign, so take a long lunch and come hang out with us and Brandon! Excerpts from the new novel can be found here: http://brandonsanderson.com/shadows-of-self-previews-updates/
Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm
Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm
And coming up in the Fall, we'll host Greg Bear and Ann Leckie (yes, together!), the fabulous Litquake LitCrawl, Mira Grant, and many, many others!
John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm - Spend your Monday lunch break with JOHN SCALZI! We're always ecstatic to welcome John and revel in his wit, intelligence, charm, and good humor. In THE END OF ALL THINGS, John returns to the OLD MAN'S WAR universe in a direct sequel to THE HUMAN DIVISION. John will read a bit, answer as many of your questions as he can, and sign books. We think you should take a long lunch, skip school, or just "call in Scalzi," but don't miss this one! More info about the book, including an excerpt, can be found here: http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765376077
Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm - Join us to celebrate the newest Toby Daye book with Seanan McGuire and the whole crazy caboodle! In RED-ROSE CHAIN, October Daye finds herself in the unlikely position of diplomat, trying to avert a war and save herself and her friends in a hostile kingdom where nothing is what it seems. If you've attended one of Seanan's events before, you know that they are a high-energy, music-filled delight. If you've never attended one before, now is the perfect time to start! There will be reading, raffle prizes, and silliness guaranteed. Get your questions answered, bring your books to be signed, and prepare to sing along! In addition to her many, many books, we'll also have some of Seanan's super-cool t-shirts available for sale at this event.
Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm - Mark Coggins continues the cult classic August Riordin series with this latest thrilling installment! From the publisher:"Winnie doesn’t remember the last time she felt anything below her neck. Her spine is severed at the seventh vertebrae, but thanks to implants from a sabotaged biomedical start-up, she has regained mobility. She is a prototype: a living, breathing -- walking -- demonstration of revolutionary technology that never made it to market. Her disability has become her armor. Because she doesn’t register fatigue, she has trained relentlessly. Her hand, arm, and leg strength are off the scales. . . and she has honed self-defense techniques to channel that strength. . . . When the sociopath who torpedoed the start-up sends killers to harvest the implants from her body, Winnie must team up with broken-down private investigator August Riordan to save both their lives -- and derail sinister plans for perverse military applications of the technology." We hope you'll come by to meet Mark and check out his awesome new novel.
Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm - A special treat from Tor Books: a tremendous Tuesday of tacos, Tecate, and three terrific tellers of tales! We do hope you'll come to check out Seanan's creepy story in the Ellen Datlow-edited anthology THE DOLL COLLECTION, Greg's newest release in the California Bones series, and Fran's exciting debut novel, UPDRAFT. The authors will discuss and sign their works, hopefully not while holding tacos. More details to come soon!
Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm - We hope you can join us for an unusual Modern Russian Avant-Garde event at Borderlands Cafe: "The Arts Resistance is proud to present the watercolor and oil paintings by Evgeny Avilov, the Russian artist behind the infamous "Exorcism at the Mausoleum" and other extreme activism actions of the art collective "Blue Rider." Based in Moscow, Avilov represents the open opposition, a small number of artists and activists still protesting the authoritarian power at risk of their freedom and life. Avilov will talk about the lack of freedom of expression, human rights, and rising militarism in Russia. The Arts Resistance will give a brief presentation on the arts protest movement, reviewing art collectives Pussy Riot, Voina and Blue Rider. San Francisco-based writers will read their work exploring the theme "Home, Patriotism, and War," and Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph.D., an internationally acclaimed art critic, will make a presentation on Kandinsky, his "Blue Rider" art group and European avant-garde before World War I." Mr. Avilov's work will be on display in the Cafe until September 30th. If you are of the Facebook persuasion, RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1056292531062782/
Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome Ian McDonald to Borderlands! Mr. McDonald is best known for his extremely successful, cerebral science fiction, but he also writes smart, incredibly entertaining space adventure. Here's the publisher's info for his newest novel: "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 Helium3 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."
Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm - We're always happy to see the charming Brandon Sanderson back at Borderlands! (Do you know we hosted a signing for his very first novel, ELANTRIS, when it first came out? I think there were only about a dozen people in the audience!) This time Brandon will be showing off the new novel in the Mistborn world, SHADOWS OF SELF. This one's a sequel to ALLOY OF LAW, and takes place about 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy. The author will read, answer questions, and sign, so take a long lunch and come hang out with us and Brandon! Excerpts from the new novel can be found here: http://brandonsanderson.com/shadows-of-self-previews-updates/
Urban Conservation
by Alan Beatts
1. "Bright Light, Big City"
I love New Orleans. It is one of my favorite cities in the world and the only one, other than San Francisco, in which I feel at home. I had a chance recently to spend a week there and it was just as lovely as always. But, while I was there, I was struck by how that city is facing some of the same problems that we have in San Francisco, despite it being almost, but not completely, unlike San Francisco.
That led to ruminating on a change that I've noticed over the past thirty years or so. It used to be that big cities were not the preferred choice of residence for most of the population of the US. The growth of the suburbs, starting in the 1950s and driven by the post-war boom, ubiquitous automobiles, and the expansion of freeways, began the process of moving people out of cities. Following that, rising crime levels in cities prompted more people to move out, which drained revenue from cities, which further aggravated crime and a general decay of basic infrastructure.
Between 1970 and 1980 the population of New York dropped by more than 10%. In fact, eight of the ten cites in the US that were the largest in 1950 showed huge drops in population between 1970 and 1980 (the two exceptions were Los Angeles, which has had a constantly growing population throughout, and Boston, which had a population drop of 19% the decade previous). The population decrease in those cites through that decade ranges mostly between 10 and 20% despite the US population as a whole increasing by 10% in the same decade.
So, between 1970 and 1980 people were leaving major cities in the US in droves. Even a decade later, 1990, most of those cities were below the population level of 1970. In a number of cases, the drop was continuing through the '90s and even into the new century.
1. "Bright Light, Big City"
I love New Orleans. It is one of my favorite cities in the world and the only one, other than San Francisco, in which I feel at home. I had a chance recently to spend a week there and it was just as lovely as always. But, while I was there, I was struck by how that city is facing some of the same problems that we have in San Francisco, despite it being almost, but not completely, unlike San Francisco.
That led to ruminating on a change that I've noticed over the past thirty years or so. It used to be that big cities were not the preferred choice of residence for most of the population of the US. The growth of the suburbs, starting in the 1950s and driven by the post-war boom, ubiquitous automobiles, and the expansion of freeways, began the process of moving people out of cities. Following that, rising crime levels in cities prompted more people to move out, which drained revenue from cities, which further aggravated crime and a general decay of basic infrastructure.
Between 1970 and 1980 the population of New York dropped by more than 10%. In fact, eight of the ten cites in the US that were the largest in 1950 showed huge drops in population between 1970 and 1980 (the two exceptions were Los Angeles, which has had a constantly growing population throughout, and Boston, which had a population drop of 19% the decade previous). The population decrease in those cites through that decade ranges mostly between 10 and 20% despite the US population as a whole increasing by 10% in the same decade.
So, between 1970 and 1980 people were leaving major cities in the US in droves. Even a decade later, 1990, most of those cities were below the population level of 1970. In a number of cases, the drop was continuing through the '90s and even into the new century.
July Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
2. THE ANNIHILATION SCORE by Charles Stross
3. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
4. TIME SALVAGER by Wesley Chu
5. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
7. LAST FIRST SNOW by Max Gladstone
8. THE UNNOTICEABLES by Robert Brockway
9. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
10. TO HOLD THE BRIDGE by Garth Nix
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
2. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
3. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
4. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
7. REBIRTHS OF TAO by Wesley Chu
8. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
9. THE WAKING ENGINE by David Edison
10. ARTEMIS AWAKENING by Jane Lindskold
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE DANGEROUS TYPE by Loren Rhoads
3. THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helene Wecker
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
1. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
2. THE ANNIHILATION SCORE by Charles Stross
3. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
4. TIME SALVAGER by Wesley Chu
5. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
7. LAST FIRST SNOW by Max Gladstone
8. THE UNNOTICEABLES by Robert Brockway
9. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
10. TO HOLD THE BRIDGE by Garth Nix
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
2. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
3. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
4. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
7. REBIRTHS OF TAO by Wesley Chu
8. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
9. THE WAKING ENGINE by David Edison
10. ARTEMIS AWAKENING by Jane Lindskold
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE DANGEROUS TYPE by Loren Rhoads
3. THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helene Wecker
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
August News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"Your capacity for academia and smut exceeds my own."
"Did you ever get in a Facebook war with Anne Rice?"
*New writer's group starts at Borderlands Cafe. From the orginizers, "The San Francisco Writers Coffeehouse is a bunch of writers sitting around talking about writing . . . with coffee. No agenda. Just chat about the latest trends in the industry, about the craft of writing, about markets, about pitching and selling, about conquering frustration and defeating writers block, and about all of the good things that come from the community of writers. No previous publishing experience necessary. The Writers Coffeehouse invites everyone from absolute beginner to award-winners and bestsellers. We're all writers. We'll be meeting the 4th Sunday of every month from 5pm-8pm at Borderlands Cafe, 870 Valencia Street, in San Francisco. Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 23." You can find more info at their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/385645044974572
* We're very sorry to hear that wonderful author (and dear man) Tom Piccirilli has passed away. A winner of multiple Stoker Awards and finalist for both the Edgar Award & The World Fantasy Award, he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/07/tom-piccirilli-1965-2015/
* Michael Moorcock gives a hilarious and illuminating interview in The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/12/michael-moorcock-my-family-values
* After decades of rumors and attempted adaptations, Philip K. Dick's alternate history novel THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE is finally getting a visual treatment, with the series set to premiere this fall. Check out the trailer here: http://www.tor.com/2015/07/13/the-man-in-the-high-castle-first-trailer-sdcc-2015/
* John Kenn Mortensen draws Lovecraftian horrors by way of Edward Gorey -- most of his prints are now sold out but you can check out his gallery here: http://johnkenn.blogspot.com/
* Ursula LeGuin opens an informal writing Q&A over at Book View Cafe. The submission form for questions has since been taken down, but she intends to post an answer to the questions already received every other week until she's gotten through them all, and once she's gotten through them, they will be open for more questions. Keep an eye out for her wonderful replies and for the opportunity to submit your own question. http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/tag/navigation/
* Spielberg's adaptation of READY PLAYER ONE now has a release date of December 15, 2017. Not quite time to start popping the popcorn, but at least you can put it on your calendars.
* Speaking of adaptations and release dates, Stephen King's THE DARK TOWER, which has bounced from studio to studio and director to director, finally has a release date as well: January 13, 2017. They are ambitiously talking about a movie franchise and a TV series and although they have a writer & director set up -- Nikolaj Arcel -- there is still no cast at all, so keep your fingers crossed this actually happens.
* The 2015 Mythopoeic Awards were announced at MythCon 46; congratulations to the winners! http://www.mythsoc.org/news/mythopoeic-awards-2015-winners-announced/
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has named two new Grand Masters: Marge Simon and Steve Sneyd. For more information and list of other SFPA Grand Masters check here: http://sfpoetry.com/grandmasters.html
* The British Fantasy Award Nominees have been announced and the full list is available here: http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/british-fantasy-awards-2015-the-nominees/
* The 2015 Manly Wade Wellman Award for a Science Fiction or Fantasy writer living in North Carolina has been given to Mur Lafferty for her novel GHOST TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS. http://ncsff.org/
* Though a lot of us have lost faith in J.J. Abrams' directing ability since "Star Trek: Into Darkness", he at least has one thing right in the new "Star Wars" film: there will be no midichlorians at all! http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/05/mediating-midi-chlorians-abrams-says-the-force-awakens-will-avoid-controversial-canon/
* The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History have announced their shortlist for this month's awards. Some of the short-form nominees are available online; check them all out here: http://www.uchronia.net/sidewise/
* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their list of finalists. The winner will be published on the Baen Books website along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books. Check out the list of finalists and rules here: http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp
* The 2015 Will Eisner Awards were announced, and many of the winners and nominees had sf/f elements. Winners include the titles "Saga," "Lumberjanes," "Through The Woods," and more. The full list of winners and nominees is here: http://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info
* Remember when TV shows had crossover events all the time? It has gone out of fashion in the last few years, but some unlikely shows are looking to bring it back. The procedural "Bones" and the pre-apocalyptic genre show "Sleepy Hollow" are planning a number of crossover episodes this coming season. http://tvline.com/2015/08/06/bones-sleepy-hollow-crossover-storyline-spoilers-plot/
* The full Red Band trailer for The Deadpool movie has finally been released and it looks amazing. Ryan Reynolds wanted to make up for the awful portrayal of Deadpool in that Wolverine film and he is definitely doing it. (Although it has been controversial that they've decided to delete his schizophrenia from the film, many advocates are pointing to him as a high profile character who is canonically schizophrenic.) http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/04/see-the-merc-with-a-mouth-in-full-hd-glory-in-first-red-band-trailer-for-deadpool/
* The 2014 Shirley Jackson Awards have been announced, and winners include Jeff VanderMeer, Daryl Gregory, Ellen Datlow and Allison Littlewood. For the full list go here: http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/nominees/
* The knives have been out for the Fantastic Four remake almost since its announcement, and everything from the plot to the casting to the effects has been dragged through the mud on the internet. Director John Trank has basically disowned it, saying it was not the version he wanted to show and now his former collaborator for the film Chronicle is defending his friend on twitter. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/08/chronicle-screenwriter-defends-josh-tranks-fantastic-four/
* Friend of the store and wonderful author, N.K. Jemisin, (whose new book THE FIFTH SEASON is out now,) was interviewed/profiled in The Guardian. Read her thoughts about fantasy, race, society, gender, and writing, and the ways they all inform each other here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/nk-jemisin-interview-fantasy-science-fiction-writing-racism-sexism
"Your capacity for academia and smut exceeds my own."
"Did you ever get in a Facebook war with Anne Rice?"
*New writer's group starts at Borderlands Cafe. From the orginizers, "The San Francisco Writers Coffeehouse is a bunch of writers sitting around talking about writing . . . with coffee. No agenda. Just chat about the latest trends in the industry, about the craft of writing, about markets, about pitching and selling, about conquering frustration and defeating writers block, and about all of the good things that come from the community of writers. No previous publishing experience necessary. The Writers Coffeehouse invites everyone from absolute beginner to award-winners and bestsellers. We're all writers. We'll be meeting the 4th Sunday of every month from 5pm-8pm at Borderlands Cafe, 870 Valencia Street, in San Francisco. Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 23." You can find more info at their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/385645044974572
* We're very sorry to hear that wonderful author (and dear man) Tom Piccirilli has passed away. A winner of multiple Stoker Awards and finalist for both the Edgar Award & The World Fantasy Award, he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/07/tom-piccirilli-1965-2015/
* Michael Moorcock gives a hilarious and illuminating interview in The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/12/michael-moorcock-my-family-values
* After decades of rumors and attempted adaptations, Philip K. Dick's alternate history novel THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE is finally getting a visual treatment, with the series set to premiere this fall. Check out the trailer here: http://www.tor.com/2015/07/13/the-man-in-the-high-castle-first-trailer-sdcc-2015/
* John Kenn Mortensen draws Lovecraftian horrors by way of Edward Gorey -- most of his prints are now sold out but you can check out his gallery here: http://johnkenn.blogspot.com/
* Ursula LeGuin opens an informal writing Q&A over at Book View Cafe. The submission form for questions has since been taken down, but she intends to post an answer to the questions already received every other week until she's gotten through them all, and once she's gotten through them, they will be open for more questions. Keep an eye out for her wonderful replies and for the opportunity to submit your own question. http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/tag/navigation/
* Spielberg's adaptation of READY PLAYER ONE now has a release date of December 15, 2017. Not quite time to start popping the popcorn, but at least you can put it on your calendars.
* Speaking of adaptations and release dates, Stephen King's THE DARK TOWER, which has bounced from studio to studio and director to director, finally has a release date as well: January 13, 2017. They are ambitiously talking about a movie franchise and a TV series and although they have a writer & director set up -- Nikolaj Arcel -- there is still no cast at all, so keep your fingers crossed this actually happens.
* The 2015 Mythopoeic Awards were announced at MythCon 46; congratulations to the winners! http://www.mythsoc.org/news/mythopoeic-awards-2015-winners-announced/
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has named two new Grand Masters: Marge Simon and Steve Sneyd. For more information and list of other SFPA Grand Masters check here: http://sfpoetry.com/grandmasters.html
* The British Fantasy Award Nominees have been announced and the full list is available here: http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/british-fantasy-awards-2015-the-nominees/
* The 2015 Manly Wade Wellman Award for a Science Fiction or Fantasy writer living in North Carolina has been given to Mur Lafferty for her novel GHOST TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS. http://ncsff.org/
* Though a lot of us have lost faith in J.J. Abrams' directing ability since "Star Trek: Into Darkness", he at least has one thing right in the new "Star Wars" film: there will be no midichlorians at all! http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/05/mediating-midi-chlorians-abrams-says-the-force-awakens-will-avoid-controversial-canon/
* The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History have announced their shortlist for this month's awards. Some of the short-form nominees are available online; check them all out here: http://www.uchronia.net/sidewise/
* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their list of finalists. The winner will be published on the Baen Books website along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books. Check out the list of finalists and rules here: http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp
* The 2015 Will Eisner Awards were announced, and many of the winners and nominees had sf/f elements. Winners include the titles "Saga," "Lumberjanes," "Through The Woods," and more. The full list of winners and nominees is here: http://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info
* Remember when TV shows had crossover events all the time? It has gone out of fashion in the last few years, but some unlikely shows are looking to bring it back. The procedural "Bones" and the pre-apocalyptic genre show "Sleepy Hollow" are planning a number of crossover episodes this coming season. http://tvline.com/2015/08/06/bones-sleepy-hollow-crossover-storyline-spoilers-plot/
* The full Red Band trailer for The Deadpool movie has finally been released and it looks amazing. Ryan Reynolds wanted to make up for the awful portrayal of Deadpool in that Wolverine film and he is definitely doing it. (Although it has been controversial that they've decided to delete his schizophrenia from the film, many advocates are pointing to him as a high profile character who is canonically schizophrenic.) http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/04/see-the-merc-with-a-mouth-in-full-hd-glory-in-first-red-band-trailer-for-deadpool/
* The 2014 Shirley Jackson Awards have been announced, and winners include Jeff VanderMeer, Daryl Gregory, Ellen Datlow and Allison Littlewood. For the full list go here: http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/nominees/
* The knives have been out for the Fantastic Four remake almost since its announcement, and everything from the plot to the casting to the effects has been dragged through the mud on the internet. Director John Trank has basically disowned it, saying it was not the version he wanted to show and now his former collaborator for the film Chronicle is defending his friend on twitter. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/08/chronicle-screenwriter-defends-josh-tranks-fantastic-four/
* Friend of the store and wonderful author, N.K. Jemisin, (whose new book THE FIFTH SEASON is out now,) was interviewed/profiled in The Guardian. Read her thoughts about fantasy, race, society, gender, and writing, and the ways they all inform each other here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/nk-jemisin-interview-fantasy-science-fiction-writing-racism-sexism
July 13, 2015
Upcoming Events
Wesley Chu, TIME SALVAGER (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) and Helene Wecker THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI (Harper, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, July 18th at 3:00 pm
Robert Brockway, THE UNNOTICEABLES (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99) and Loren Rhoads, THE DANGEROUS TYPE (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 pm
Hugh Howey, WOOL (Simon & Schuster, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Monday, July 27th at 7:00 pm
Richard Kadrey, KILLING PRETTY (Harper Voyager, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, August 1st at 3:00 pm
Katie Gilmartin, BLACKMAIL, MY LOVE (Cleis Press, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, August 2nd at 3:00 pm
Tiptree Award Celebration with Jo Walton, Ellen Klages, and other Tiptree luminaries! Sunday, August 9th at 3:00 pm
Bucky Sinister, BLACK HOLE (Soft Skull Press, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Saturday, August 15th at 3:00 pm
Taiyo Fujii, GENE MAPPER (Haikasoru, Trade Paperback, $14.99) and Michael J. Martinez, THE VENUSIAN GAMBIT (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, August 16th at 3:00 pm
John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm
Robert Brockway, THE UNNOTICEABLES (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99) and Loren Rhoads, THE DANGEROUS TYPE (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 pm
Hugh Howey, WOOL (Simon & Schuster, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Monday, July 27th at 7:00 pm
Richard Kadrey, KILLING PRETTY (Harper Voyager, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, August 1st at 3:00 pm
Katie Gilmartin, BLACKMAIL, MY LOVE (Cleis Press, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, August 2nd at 3:00 pm
Tiptree Award Celebration with Jo Walton, Ellen Klages, and other Tiptree luminaries! Sunday, August 9th at 3:00 pm
Bucky Sinister, BLACK HOLE (Soft Skull Press, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Saturday, August 15th at 3:00 pm
Taiyo Fujii, GENE MAPPER (Haikasoru, Trade Paperback, $14.99) and Michael J. Martinez, THE VENUSIAN GAMBIT (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, August 16th at 3:00 pm
John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm
June Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
2. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
3. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman
4. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. NEMESIS GAMES by James S.A. Corey
6. THE FOLD by Peter Clines
7. COLLECTED FICTION by Hannu Rajaniemi
8. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
9. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
10. LONG BLACK CURL by Alex Bledsoe
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. ON THE STEEL BREEZE by Alastair Reynolds
2. THE WAKING ENGINE by David Edison
3. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
4. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
5. THE THREE by Sarah Lotz
6. WORDS OF RADIANCE by Brandon Sanderson
7. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
8. FOXGLOVE SUMMER by Ben Aaronovitch
9. THE FIFTH ELEPHANT by Terry Pratchett
10. FLEX by Ferrett Steinmetz
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman
2. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
5. CIBOLA BURN by James S.A. Corey
1. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
2. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
3. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman
4. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. NEMESIS GAMES by James S.A. Corey
6. THE FOLD by Peter Clines
7. COLLECTED FICTION by Hannu Rajaniemi
8. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
9. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
10. LONG BLACK CURL by Alex Bledsoe
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. ON THE STEEL BREEZE by Alastair Reynolds
2. THE WAKING ENGINE by David Edison
3. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
4. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
5. THE THREE by Sarah Lotz
6. WORDS OF RADIANCE by Brandon Sanderson
7. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
8. FOXGLOVE SUMMER by Ben Aaronovitch
9. THE FIFTH ELEPHANT by Terry Pratchett
10. FLEX by Ferrett Steinmetz
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman
2. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
5. CIBOLA BURN by James S.A. Corey
July News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"For me, 'all dolled up' means lipstick and the good black jeans."
"When 'Get Stoned' is an item on your To-Do List, you know you must be a grown up."
* We're very sorry to hear and report this, but what an incredible life! Sir Christopher Lee, best known for his horror & fantasy acting roles, has died at age 93: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11666316/christopher-lee-dies-live.html
* The 2015 World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Awards have been announced, and the winners are Ramsey Campbell and Sheri S. Tepper. To find out more about the authors' lives and careers, check out the write-ups at the World Fantasy website: http://www.wfc2015.org/wf-lifetimeawards01.html
* Russia is building a new spaceport (or Cosmodrome) and the images are pretty epic: http://gizmodo.com/check-out-russias-new-spaceport-being-built-1715445543. . . As are the hunger strikes now being carried out there because of all the broken promises: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11555574/Russian-space-centre-workers-launch-hunger-strike-after-Vladimir-Putin-promises-fail.html
* Well, it looks like there might ONE reason to see the new "Ant-Man" film, and he is called The Falcon! http://io9.com/in-a-new-international-ant-man-spot-redacted-shows-u-1715797466
* Speaking of Marvel news, Peggy will be hitting Hollywood for the second season of Agent Carter. We can hope that with this scenery change, we'll get more diversity in this otherwise great show. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/01/agent-carter-hollywood-season-2-comic-con-poster
* Congratulations to Claire North and Cory Doctorow, winners of the John W. Campbell and Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Awards respectively: http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/news.htm
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA) has announced the Rhysling Award winners for this year: http://sfpoetry.com/ra/pages/15rhysling.html
* The New Horizons spacecraft on its way to Pluto experienced some trouble, and although everything seems to be cleared up, we still don't know what happened. Mika McKinnon over at i09.com breaks it down: http://space.io9.com/the-pluto-probe-went-into-safe-mode-and-we-dont-know-w-1715824423
* The Locus Award winners for 2015 were announced, and the winners included Ann Leckie for Science Fiction Novel, Joe Abercrombie for Young Adult Book & Novelette, Amal El-Mohtar for Short Story, Tor for Publisher and more! Check out the full list of winners here: http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/06/2015-locus-awards-winners/
* "Sharktopus Vs. Whalewolf" is an actual movie, with an actual trailer, and we find ourselves intrigued despite our common sense: http://io9.com/sharktopus-vs-whalewolf-is-a-thing-and-it-has-a-trail-1715751744
* We've still got a while to wait until the newest "Star Wars" film hits theaters in December, but a few months before the film we'll get to see how we got from Episode 6 to Episode 7 in the new "Star Wars" comic Shattered Empire this September. http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/977?articleID=165600
* Check out the first images of Bruce Campbell as he returns to play the iconic character Ash in the new Starz series "Ash vs. Evil Dead"! http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/26/ash-vs-evil-dead-exclusive-first-image-bruce-campbell-back-ash
* And speaking of triumphant returns: by now most people are aware that "X-Files" will be returning to our television screens. While some of us might have hoped to have some of the old convoluted conspiracies cleared up, they've taken what is probably the smarter tack and will just give us all new stories. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/X-Files-Going-Reboot-Favorite-Plots-All-72766.html
* And in more awards news, the 2015 Nebula winners were announced. Winners included Jeff VanderMeer for Novel, Nancy Kress for Novella, and Alaya Dawn Johnson for Novelette, along with the Norton and Ursula Vernon for Short Story. Check out the full list of winners here: http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/
* And speaking of the Nebulas, SFWA has released all new book medal designs to celebrate the Awards' 50th anniversary: https://www.sfwa.org/2015/06/sfwa-introduces-new-book-medal-designs/
* We've gotten our first look at the concept art for the upcoming Legends of Tomorrow show and it looks pretty awesome. Set in the same world as "The Arrow" and "The Flash", it looks like DC is building a shared world on television and doing pretty well! http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/03/legends-of-tomorrow-first-look-phil-klemmer-concept-art
* A new meme is sweeping the internet. Prepare yourself for Cage of THRONES! http://imgur.com/a/tum01
* Check out this lovely essay in the Herald where Usman T. Malik talks about Pakistan's history and future, speculative fiction and imagination, "Rockets, Robots and Reckless Imagination": http://herald.dawn.com/news/1153167/rockets-robots-and-reckless-imagination
* Jo Walton's RUSA acceptance speech for MY REAL CHILDREN raises interesting points about genre and women's fiction: http://papersky.livejournal.com/659500.html
"For me, 'all dolled up' means lipstick and the good black jeans."
"When 'Get Stoned' is an item on your To-Do List, you know you must be a grown up."
* We're very sorry to hear and report this, but what an incredible life! Sir Christopher Lee, best known for his horror & fantasy acting roles, has died at age 93: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11666316/christopher-lee-dies-live.html
* The 2015 World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Awards have been announced, and the winners are Ramsey Campbell and Sheri S. Tepper. To find out more about the authors' lives and careers, check out the write-ups at the World Fantasy website: http://www.wfc2015.org/wf-lifetimeawards01.html
* Russia is building a new spaceport (or Cosmodrome) and the images are pretty epic: http://gizmodo.com/check-out-russias-new-spaceport-being-built-1715445543. . . As are the hunger strikes now being carried out there because of all the broken promises: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11555574/Russian-space-centre-workers-launch-hunger-strike-after-Vladimir-Putin-promises-fail.html
* Well, it looks like there might ONE reason to see the new "Ant-Man" film, and he is called The Falcon! http://io9.com/in-a-new-international-ant-man-spot-redacted-shows-u-1715797466
* Speaking of Marvel news, Peggy will be hitting Hollywood for the second season of Agent Carter. We can hope that with this scenery change, we'll get more diversity in this otherwise great show. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/01/agent-carter-hollywood-season-2-comic-con-poster
* Congratulations to Claire North and Cory Doctorow, winners of the John W. Campbell and Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Awards respectively: http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/news.htm
* The Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA) has announced the Rhysling Award winners for this year: http://sfpoetry.com/ra/pages/15rhysling.html
* The New Horizons spacecraft on its way to Pluto experienced some trouble, and although everything seems to be cleared up, we still don't know what happened. Mika McKinnon over at i09.com breaks it down: http://space.io9.com/the-pluto-probe-went-into-safe-mode-and-we-dont-know-w-1715824423
* The Locus Award winners for 2015 were announced, and the winners included Ann Leckie for Science Fiction Novel, Joe Abercrombie for Young Adult Book & Novelette, Amal El-Mohtar for Short Story, Tor for Publisher and more! Check out the full list of winners here: http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/06/2015-locus-awards-winners/
* "Sharktopus Vs. Whalewolf" is an actual movie, with an actual trailer, and we find ourselves intrigued despite our common sense: http://io9.com/sharktopus-vs-whalewolf-is-a-thing-and-it-has-a-trail-1715751744
* We've still got a while to wait until the newest "Star Wars" film hits theaters in December, but a few months before the film we'll get to see how we got from Episode 6 to Episode 7 in the new "Star Wars" comic Shattered Empire this September. http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/977?articleID=165600
* Check out the first images of Bruce Campbell as he returns to play the iconic character Ash in the new Starz series "Ash vs. Evil Dead"! http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/26/ash-vs-evil-dead-exclusive-first-image-bruce-campbell-back-ash
* And speaking of triumphant returns: by now most people are aware that "X-Files" will be returning to our television screens. While some of us might have hoped to have some of the old convoluted conspiracies cleared up, they've taken what is probably the smarter tack and will just give us all new stories. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/X-Files-Going-Reboot-Favorite-Plots-All-72766.html
* And in more awards news, the 2015 Nebula winners were announced. Winners included Jeff VanderMeer for Novel, Nancy Kress for Novella, and Alaya Dawn Johnson for Novelette, along with the Norton and Ursula Vernon for Short Story. Check out the full list of winners here: http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/
* And speaking of the Nebulas, SFWA has released all new book medal designs to celebrate the Awards' 50th anniversary: https://www.sfwa.org/2015/06/sfwa-introduces-new-book-medal-designs/
* We've gotten our first look at the concept art for the upcoming Legends of Tomorrow show and it looks pretty awesome. Set in the same world as "The Arrow" and "The Flash", it looks like DC is building a shared world on television and doing pretty well! http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/03/legends-of-tomorrow-first-look-phil-klemmer-concept-art
* A new meme is sweeping the internet. Prepare yourself for Cage of THRONES! http://imgur.com/a/tum01
* Check out this lovely essay in the Herald where Usman T. Malik talks about Pakistan's history and future, speculative fiction and imagination, "Rockets, Robots and Reckless Imagination": http://herald.dawn.com/news/1153167/rockets-robots-and-reckless-imagination
* Jo Walton's RUSA acceptance speech for MY REAL CHILDREN raises interesting points about genre and women's fiction: http://papersky.livejournal.com/659500.html
June 09, 2015
Upcoming Events
Rudy Rucker, JOURNALS 1990-2014 (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $24.95) Saturday, June 13th at 3:00 pm
Alex Bledsoe, LONG BLACK CURL (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Sunday, June 14th at 3:00 pm
Alyc Helms, THE DRAGONS OF HEAVEN (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, July 11th at 3:00 pm
Wesley Chu, TIME SALVAGER (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) and Helene Wecker THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI (Harper, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, July 18th at 3:00 pm
Robert Brockway, THE UNNOTICEABLES (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99, and Loren Rhoads, THE DANGEROUS TYPE (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 pm
Richard Kadrey, KILLING PRETTY (Harper Voyager, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, August 1st at 3:00 pm
Alex Bledsoe, LONG BLACK CURL (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Sunday, June 14th at 3:00 pm
Alyc Helms, THE DRAGONS OF HEAVEN (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, July 11th at 3:00 pm
Wesley Chu, TIME SALVAGER (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) and Helene Wecker THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI (Harper, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, July 18th at 3:00 pm
Robert Brockway, THE UNNOTICEABLES (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99, and Loren Rhoads, THE DANGEROUS TYPE (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 pm
Richard Kadrey, KILLING PRETTY (Harper Voyager, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, August 1st at 3:00 pm
Suspending Disbelief in Video Games
by Alan Beatts
I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, an avid player of video games. However, I do enjoy some of them quite a lot. They serve the dual purpose of entertaining me while also engaging me enough that I forget about the external world for a bit. About five years ago, a friend gave me a game console for Christmas and, since then, I've played several quite good games from beginning to end. I've also tried out a number that I started, got a bit of the way in, and then put aside because they didn't suit me. That's a process that I do with novels as well. However, it's interesting that in video games the split between "this is fun, I'm going to finish it" and "nope, this isn't for me" is close to 50/50, whereas novels run closer to 85/15.
Perhaps part of the reason for that difference is that I have pretty specific tastes in video games. Playing virtual football or golf has even less appeal to me than playing the actual sports (for which the appeal to me is already close enough to zero that you'll need several decimal places to make the distinction). Likewise virtual dating games or other games that simulate social interactions don't interest me. And, while games that simulate pseudo-natural processes in accelerated time (for example Civilization or SimCity) interest me in an ant-farm sort of way, I don't really like playing god.
Consequently, what appeals to me are role-playing games, shooting games and, most of all, the child of the two, generally called open-world games (for example Skyrim and Mass Effect). Since reading serves the same purpose for me as video games (entertainment and an escape from the outside world - although video games have an advantage in exercising my twitch reflex), in the last few years, I've started thinking about the similarities and differences between the two art forms. The idea that both genre novels and the sort of video games I enjoy are both art forms is not something that I think needs much defense or explanation but, just in case, please consider that: they both require creating a structured narrative with plot, settings, and characters that will engage the reader / player for a prolonged period of time. Even games outside of my particular interest qualify as art forms, albeit for a different set of reasons.
When I consider the current state of the art in video games as part of the spectrum of story-telling entertainment, including prose fiction, illustrated narratives (i.e. comic books), film, epic poetry, and so forth, it strikes me that it is far from the eventual potential of the medium. Which is not to say that the medium doesn't have considerable merits now, but only to say that, even within the limitations of current technology, the medium is perhaps at a spot in its evolution equivalent to comic books in the 1970s. And, like comics in the 1970s, video games are great fun and the product of some very talented people who are doing excellent work.
I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, an avid player of video games. However, I do enjoy some of them quite a lot. They serve the dual purpose of entertaining me while also engaging me enough that I forget about the external world for a bit. About five years ago, a friend gave me a game console for Christmas and, since then, I've played several quite good games from beginning to end. I've also tried out a number that I started, got a bit of the way in, and then put aside because they didn't suit me. That's a process that I do with novels as well. However, it's interesting that in video games the split between "this is fun, I'm going to finish it" and "nope, this isn't for me" is close to 50/50, whereas novels run closer to 85/15.
Perhaps part of the reason for that difference is that I have pretty specific tastes in video games. Playing virtual football or golf has even less appeal to me than playing the actual sports (for which the appeal to me is already close enough to zero that you'll need several decimal places to make the distinction). Likewise virtual dating games or other games that simulate social interactions don't interest me. And, while games that simulate pseudo-natural processes in accelerated time (for example Civilization or SimCity) interest me in an ant-farm sort of way, I don't really like playing god.
Consequently, what appeals to me are role-playing games, shooting games and, most of all, the child of the two, generally called open-world games (for example Skyrim and Mass Effect). Since reading serves the same purpose for me as video games (entertainment and an escape from the outside world - although video games have an advantage in exercising my twitch reflex), in the last few years, I've started thinking about the similarities and differences between the two art forms. The idea that both genre novels and the sort of video games I enjoy are both art forms is not something that I think needs much defense or explanation but, just in case, please consider that: they both require creating a structured narrative with plot, settings, and characters that will engage the reader / player for a prolonged period of time. Even games outside of my particular interest qualify as art forms, albeit for a different set of reasons.
When I consider the current state of the art in video games as part of the spectrum of story-telling entertainment, including prose fiction, illustrated narratives (i.e. comic books), film, epic poetry, and so forth, it strikes me that it is far from the eventual potential of the medium. Which is not to say that the medium doesn't have considerable merits now, but only to say that, even within the limitations of current technology, the medium is perhaps at a spot in its evolution equivalent to comic books in the 1970s. And, like comics in the 1970s, video games are great fun and the product of some very talented people who are doing excellent work.
May Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
2. VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK by Marie Brennan
3. OF NOBLE FAMILY by Mary Robinette Kowal
4. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
6. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
7. HALF THE WORLD by Joe Abercrombie
8. THE GIRL IN THE ROAD by Monica Byrne
9. PRUDENCE by Gail Carriger
10. WHAT IF? by Randall Monroe
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
2. CRUX by Razem Naam
3. THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison
4. THE HERCULES TEXT by Jack McDevitt
5. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
6. THE THREE by Sarah Lotz
7. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
8. MORT by Terry Pratchett
9. SKIN GAME by Jim Butcher
10. DARK HEIR by Faith Hunter
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS by Marie Brennan
3. APEX by Razem Naam
4. SILVERWOOD by Betsy Streeter
5. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
1. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
2. VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK by Marie Brennan
3. OF NOBLE FAMILY by Mary Robinette Kowal
4. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
6. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
7. HALF THE WORLD by Joe Abercrombie
8. THE GIRL IN THE ROAD by Monica Byrne
9. PRUDENCE by Gail Carriger
10. WHAT IF? by Randall Monroe
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
2. CRUX by Razem Naam
3. THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison
4. THE HERCULES TEXT by Jack McDevitt
5. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
6. THE THREE by Sarah Lotz
7. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
8. MORT by Terry Pratchett
9. SKIN GAME by Jim Butcher
10. DARK HEIR by Faith Hunter
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS by Marie Brennan
3. APEX by Razem Naam
4. SILVERWOOD by Betsy Streeter
5. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
June News Roundup
* Overheard in the store:
"Luckily, you're not going to be killing zombies with bowling balls."
* The location for World Fantasy Convention 2016 has been announced as Columbus, Ohio. http://www.worldfantasy.org/
* Classic kaiju creation Godzilla has finally not only been recognized as an official special resident of the city of Tokyo, but also as a Tourism Ambassador. This apparently coincides with the filming of a new Godzilla movie this year: http://naplesherald.com/2015/04/09/godzilla-appointed-tokyo-resident-and-tourism-ambassador/
* The Mythopoeic Society has announced their finalists for the Mythopoeic Awards for 2015: http://www.mythsoc.org/news/2015mythopoeic-awards-finalists-announced/
* One of the most critically-acclaimed comics of recent years, "The Wicked + The Divine", has been optioned by Universal TV. It is the story of twelve gods reincarnated every ninety years, only to die within two years. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/06/01/the-wicked-the-divine-optioned-development-universal-tv/
* The Lambda Awards announced the winners for their 2015 literary awards, and we'd like to extend our congratulations to store friend (and sponsor!) Chaz Brenchley, whose short story collection BITTER WATERS won in the LGBT S/F/Horror category. Check out the complete list of winners here: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/news/06/02/27th-annual-lambda-literary-award-winners/
* io9 brings us two great blendings of fan art. One commenter takes tv and movie posters and redraws them to look like classic vinyl album covers: http://io9.com/preview/classic-movie-posters-redrawn-as-vintage-album-covers-1709277184 And Artist Ryan May imagines the Adventure Time characters in "Mad Max: Fury Road". Princess Bubblegum as Furiosa is everything!: http://io9.com/the-ice-king-is-a-perfect-immortan-joe-in-adventure-tim-1709400094
* Classic fantasist Tanith Lee, winner of numerous awards and accolades including being the first woman to win the British Fantasy Award, has passed away after a long illness: http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/05/tanith-lee-dead-dies-cause-of-death-funeral-esther-garber-husband-john-kaiine/
* Sci-Fest LA, the Los Angeles SF Play Festival, has unveiled two new awards, The Tomorrow Prize and The Roswell Award, both with cash prizes. Check out the inaugural winners here: http://www.sci-fest.com/
* The Spectrum Awards have been announced. See the gorgeous Gold and Silver Award winners here: http://fleskpublications.com/blog/2015/05/23/spectrum-22-awards-winners-announced/
* Voting has opened on the shortlists for the David Gemmell Awards: http://www.gemmellawards.com/
* The SFWA elections have occurred and new officers include Cat Rambo as the new president and M.C.A. Hogarth as vice-president. Check out the full list of new officials here: http://www.sfwa.org/2015/05/2015-sfwa-election-results/
* Leonard Nimoy's son Adam Nimoy has started a Kickstarter campaign with the goal of funding a documentary called "For The Love of Spock", which will trace the history of the iconic character. Zachary Quinto has agreed to narrate the film. http://www.blastr.com/2015-6-3/leonard-nimoys-son-wants-you-help-fund-his-spock-documentary
* In sadder Star Trek news, Nichelle Nichols, who played the transcendent Lt. Uhura in the original series, along with many other film and television roles, has been hospitalized following a stroke. There hasn't been any official news on her condition yet: http://sciencefiction.com/2015/06/04/star-trek-star-nichelle-nichols-hospitalized-stroke/
* Josh Trank, the director of the new "Fantastic Four" film, talks about the anger from fans for casting African-American actor Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-josh-trank-simon-kinberg-fantastic-four-casting-controversy-story.html
"Luckily, you're not going to be killing zombies with bowling balls."
* The location for World Fantasy Convention 2016 has been announced as Columbus, Ohio. http://www.worldfantasy.org/
* Classic kaiju creation Godzilla has finally not only been recognized as an official special resident of the city of Tokyo, but also as a Tourism Ambassador. This apparently coincides with the filming of a new Godzilla movie this year: http://naplesherald.com/2015/04/09/godzilla-appointed-tokyo-resident-and-tourism-ambassador/
* The Mythopoeic Society has announced their finalists for the Mythopoeic Awards for 2015: http://www.mythsoc.org/news/2015mythopoeic-awards-finalists-announced/
* One of the most critically-acclaimed comics of recent years, "The Wicked + The Divine", has been optioned by Universal TV. It is the story of twelve gods reincarnated every ninety years, only to die within two years. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/06/01/the-wicked-the-divine-optioned-development-universal-tv/
* The Lambda Awards announced the winners for their 2015 literary awards, and we'd like to extend our congratulations to store friend (and sponsor!) Chaz Brenchley, whose short story collection BITTER WATERS won in the LGBT S/F/Horror category. Check out the complete list of winners here: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/news/06/02/27th-annual-lambda-literary-award-winners/
* io9 brings us two great blendings of fan art. One commenter takes tv and movie posters and redraws them to look like classic vinyl album covers: http://io9.com/preview/classic-movie-posters-redrawn-as-vintage-album-covers-1709277184 And Artist Ryan May imagines the Adventure Time characters in "Mad Max: Fury Road". Princess Bubblegum as Furiosa is everything!: http://io9.com/the-ice-king-is-a-perfect-immortan-joe-in-adventure-tim-1709400094
* Classic fantasist Tanith Lee, winner of numerous awards and accolades including being the first woman to win the British Fantasy Award, has passed away after a long illness: http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/05/tanith-lee-dead-dies-cause-of-death-funeral-esther-garber-husband-john-kaiine/
* Sci-Fest LA, the Los Angeles SF Play Festival, has unveiled two new awards, The Tomorrow Prize and The Roswell Award, both with cash prizes. Check out the inaugural winners here: http://www.sci-fest.com/
* The Spectrum Awards have been announced. See the gorgeous Gold and Silver Award winners here: http://fleskpublications.com/blog/2015/05/23/spectrum-22-awards-winners-announced/
* Voting has opened on the shortlists for the David Gemmell Awards: http://www.gemmellawards.com/
* The SFWA elections have occurred and new officers include Cat Rambo as the new president and M.C.A. Hogarth as vice-president. Check out the full list of new officials here: http://www.sfwa.org/2015/05/2015-sfwa-election-results/
* Leonard Nimoy's son Adam Nimoy has started a Kickstarter campaign with the goal of funding a documentary called "For The Love of Spock", which will trace the history of the iconic character. Zachary Quinto has agreed to narrate the film. http://www.blastr.com/2015-6-3/leonard-nimoys-son-wants-you-help-fund-his-spock-documentary
* In sadder Star Trek news, Nichelle Nichols, who played the transcendent Lt. Uhura in the original series, along with many other film and television roles, has been hospitalized following a stroke. There hasn't been any official news on her condition yet: http://sciencefiction.com/2015/06/04/star-trek-star-nichelle-nichols-hospitalized-stroke/
* Josh Trank, the director of the new "Fantastic Four" film, talks about the anger from fans for casting African-American actor Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-josh-trank-simon-kinberg-fantastic-four-casting-controversy-story.html
May 11, 2015
Upcoming Events
Marie Brennan, VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), and Mary Robinette Kowal, OF NOBLE FAMILY (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 pm
Peter Orullian, TRIAL OF INTENTIONS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm
Peter Clines, THE FOLD (Crown, Hardcover, $25.00) Thursday, June 4th at 7:00 pm
RESCHEDULED TO JULY 11th - Alyc Helms, THE DRAGONS OF HEAVEN (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, June 6th at 3:00 pm
Paolo Bacigalupi, THE WATER KNIFE (Knopf, Hardcover, $25.95) Sunday, June 7th at 3:00 pm
Rudy Rucker, JOURNALS 1990 - 2014 (Transreal Publications, Trade Paperback, $24.95) Saturday, June 13th at 3:00 pm
Alex Bledsoe, LONG BLACK CURL (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Sunday, June 14th at 3:00 pm
In the summer we'll be hosting Wesley Chu, Jo Walton, Helene Wecker, and many, many more great authors, so stay tuned!
Peter Orullian, TRIAL OF INTENTIONS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm
Peter Clines, THE FOLD (Crown, Hardcover, $25.00) Thursday, June 4th at 7:00 pm
RESCHEDULED TO JULY 11th - Alyc Helms, THE DRAGONS OF HEAVEN (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, June 6th at 3:00 pm
Paolo Bacigalupi, THE WATER KNIFE (Knopf, Hardcover, $25.95) Sunday, June 7th at 3:00 pm
Rudy Rucker, JOURNALS 1990 - 2014 (Transreal Publications, Trade Paperback, $24.95) Saturday, June 13th at 3:00 pm
Alex Bledsoe, LONG BLACK CURL (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Sunday, June 14th at 3:00 pm
In the summer we'll be hosting Wesley Chu, Jo Walton, Helene Wecker, and many, many more great authors, so stay tuned!
April Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
2. THE GRACE OF KINGS by Ken Liu
3. VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK by Marie Brennan
4. ROLLING IN THE DEEP by Mira Grant
5. THE SKULL THRONE by Peter V. Brett
6. THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu translated by Ken Liu
7. THE BURIED GIANT by Kazuo Ishiguro
8. HALF THE WORLD by Joe Abercrombie
9. PRUDENCE by Gail Carriger
10. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. FLEX by Ferrett Steinmetz
2. THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison
3. WORDS OF RADIANCE by Brandon Sanderson
4. DARK LIGHTNING by John Varley
5. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
6. THE LIVES OF TAO by Wesley Chu
7. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
8. THE LONG EARTH by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
9. SKIN GAME by Jim Butcher
10. THE WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
3. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
4. FIELD OF FANTASIES: BASEBALL STORIES OF THE STRANGE AND SUPERNATURAL edited by Rick Wilbur
5. OCTAVIA'S BROOD: SCIENCE FICTION STORIES FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS edited by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha
1. A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall
2. THE GRACE OF KINGS by Ken Liu
3. VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK by Marie Brennan
4. ROLLING IN THE DEEP by Mira Grant
5. THE SKULL THRONE by Peter V. Brett
6. THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu translated by Ken Liu
7. THE BURIED GIANT by Kazuo Ishiguro
8. HALF THE WORLD by Joe Abercrombie
9. PRUDENCE by Gail Carriger
10. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. FLEX by Ferrett Steinmetz
2. THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison
3. WORDS OF RADIANCE by Brandon Sanderson
4. DARK LIGHTNING by John Varley
5. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
6. THE LIVES OF TAO by Wesley Chu
7. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
8. THE LONG EARTH by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
9. SKIN GAME by Jim Butcher
10. THE WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
3. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
4. FIELD OF FANTASIES: BASEBALL STORIES OF THE STRANGE AND SUPERNATURAL edited by Rick Wilbur
5. OCTAVIA'S BROOD: SCIENCE FICTION STORIES FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS edited by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha
From The Office
by Alan Beatts
This month marks the first time since January that I feel like the basic operations of the business are back to normal. Or at least our idea of normal, which I suspect is pretty strange by objective standards. The store inventory is back up to snuff with the exception of our used paperback section. With the addition of our newest hire in the cafe, who starts this week, staffing is up to a proper level (i.e. you shouldn't see me doing dishes at closing time). I feel like the sponsor program is off to a good start and Scott Cox is working with me on that, allowing me to turn my attention to some other things. Overall, I'm feeling very good about the position that Borderlands is in for 2015 -- almost entirely thanks to our sponsors.
Speaking of which, I'm delighted to announce that as of this week we've hit 800 sponsors for 2015, a full 500 over the number that we needed to remain open. This is huge, heartwarming and amazing for a variety of reasons, which are all self-evident.
What is not so evident is the major change in my attitude and my plans for the store that have been caused by the unexpected and unbelievable amount of support we've received from our customers and our industry.
This month marks the first time since January that I feel like the basic operations of the business are back to normal. Or at least our idea of normal, which I suspect is pretty strange by objective standards. The store inventory is back up to snuff with the exception of our used paperback section. With the addition of our newest hire in the cafe, who starts this week, staffing is up to a proper level (i.e. you shouldn't see me doing dishes at closing time). I feel like the sponsor program is off to a good start and Scott Cox is working with me on that, allowing me to turn my attention to some other things. Overall, I'm feeling very good about the position that Borderlands is in for 2015 -- almost entirely thanks to our sponsors.
Speaking of which, I'm delighted to announce that as of this week we've hit 800 sponsors for 2015, a full 500 over the number that we needed to remain open. This is huge, heartwarming and amazing for a variety of reasons, which are all self-evident.
What is not so evident is the major change in my attitude and my plans for the store that have been caused by the unexpected and unbelievable amount of support we've received from our customers and our industry.
May News Roundup
* The Locus Awards have announced their nominees for 2015! http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/05/2015-locus-awards-finalists/
* Controversial Nobel Prize-winning German author Gunter Glass, who often made use of the fantastic in his works, has passed away. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/13/399303570/gunter-grass-nobel-winning-author-of-the-tin-drum-dies-at-87
* DC continues to expand its television universe. It will be introducing new heroes (including Hawkgirl!) in the Flash finale before Legends of Tomorrow premieres this fall. http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/hawkgirl-other-legends-stars-to-appear-in-the-flash-season-finale
* The Romantic Times Book Reviews Awards have been announced, many of which have speculative elements. Check out all the subcategories of winners here: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/82892/announcing-2014-rt-reviewers-choice-and-career-achievement-awards-winners
* The fanzine Black Gate, and authors Markos Kloos, Annie Bellet, and Edmund R. Schubert have declined their Hugo nominations for various reasons. See their separate statements here:
https://www.blackgate.com/2015/04/19/black-gate-withdraws-from-hugo-consideration/
http://www.munchkinwrangler.com/2015/04/15/a-statement-on-my-hugo-nomination/
https://overactive.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/hugo-story-withdrawn/
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/04/27/in-which-edmund-schubert-withdraws-from-the-hugos/
* The rogue Russian spacecraft that has been hurtling toward Earth for a while has disintegrated safely. http://gizmodo.com/the-rogue-russian-spacecraft-disintegrated-safely-1703029437/
* The Aurealis Awards which celebrate Australian SF/F/H have announced their winners. See them here: http://aurealisawards.org/2015/04/12/and-the-winners-are/
* Peggy Carter fans all over the world have a reason to celebrate as "Agent Carter" the TV series has been renewed for a second series. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Definitely-Coming-Back-Season-2-71760.html
* The identity of K.J. Parker has long been a mystery in the publishing world. Well, it has finally been revealed that the master of emotionally dark realistic fantasy is also the successful humorous fantasy writer Tom Holt. Listen to the whole interview reveal here: http://jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-230-k-j-parker-and-the-history-of-a-writer/
* In an exciting bit of news, Nick Offerman of "Parks and Rec" fame will be Toastmaster of the Nebulas this year. http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/nebula-weekend/about-the-toastmaster-nick-offerman/
* io9 gathers a group of diverse opinions on what are some utterly brilliant novels with one fatal flaw. Check out a wide breadth of answers here: http://io9.com/10-brilliant-novels-that-have-one-fatal-flaw-1702859884
* 10 science fiction authors including Robert Charles Wilson, Genevieve Valentine, Ken Liu and more predict how our world will change in the next ten years. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/06/sci-fi-predictions_n_7102742.html
* "The Tall Grass" novella written by father/son team Stephen King and Joe Hill about a brother and pregnant sister fighting for their lives in a field will be getting a big-screen adaptation. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/05/07/in-the-tall-grass-stephen-king-son-get-big-screen-treatment/
* Speaking of Stephen King, the 2015 Edgar Awards have been announced, and they include King's novel MR. MERCEDES and the delightful Gillian Flynn short story "What Do You Do", (which is collected in the GRRM and Gardner Dozois edited anthology ROGUES). See the full list of winners here: http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html
* Fans of Cassandra Clare have reason to celebrate since her Shadowhunters series, which failed as a movie, has found second life as an ABC Family TV series, and they have found their Clary. Do you like who they've chosen? http://www.mtv.com/news/2153680/shadowhunters-clary-fray-katherine-mcnamara/
* It is a sad day, because after twenty years Ellen Klages has retired as the Tiptree Auction emcee. Those of us who've seen her know it will be a great loss. Read her goodbye and reminisce on the good times. http://blog.wiscon.info/2015/04/ellen-klages-and-the-tiptree-auction/
* Emily St. John Mandel has won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for her novel STATION ELEVEN. Check out the judges' comments, the shortlist, and more over at the Clarke Award website. http://www.clarkeaward.com/
* Have six minutes? Then watch the short film "The Red Witch", done by Aron Bothman (with screenplay by Samara Weiss) as a fourth year film project. A woman tries to learn Mars' story as it's being terraformed and becomes one herself. http://www.kuriositas.com/2015/05/the-red-witch.html
* The Shirley Jackson Award nominees have been announced. http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/nominees/
* Over at io9.com, K. Tempest Bradford gathers the best short stories from the past week in her regular io9 Newsstand feature: http://io9.com/io9-newsstand-the-best-stories-from-the-week-of-may-3-1703080879
* Our friends at Comix Experience < http://www.comixexperience.com > are running into some of the same challenges regarding the San Francisco Minimum Wage that we faced (i.e. the prices for their goods are set by the publisher and they will have a hard time meeting the minimum wage as it goes up). However, they aren't planning on closing. Instead they're offering a graphic novel subscription service that, with sufficient support, will allow them to continue operations and meet the increasing minimum wage. You can find all the information about it here < http://www.graphicnovelclub.com > but the thumbnail sketch is that, for a flat monthly fee of $25, you will receive a copy of the graphic novel of the month.
* Controversial Nobel Prize-winning German author Gunter Glass, who often made use of the fantastic in his works, has passed away. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/13/399303570/gunter-grass-nobel-winning-author-of-the-tin-drum-dies-at-87
* DC continues to expand its television universe. It will be introducing new heroes (including Hawkgirl!) in the Flash finale before Legends of Tomorrow premieres this fall. http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/hawkgirl-other-legends-stars-to-appear-in-the-flash-season-finale
* The Romantic Times Book Reviews Awards have been announced, many of which have speculative elements. Check out all the subcategories of winners here: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/82892/announcing-2014-rt-reviewers-choice-and-career-achievement-awards-winners
* The fanzine Black Gate, and authors Markos Kloos, Annie Bellet, and Edmund R. Schubert have declined their Hugo nominations for various reasons. See their separate statements here:
https://www.blackgate.com/2015/04/19/black-gate-withdraws-from-hugo-consideration/
http://www.munchkinwrangler.com/2015/04/15/a-statement-on-my-hugo-nomination/
https://overactive.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/hugo-story-withdrawn/
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/04/27/in-which-edmund-schubert-withdraws-from-the-hugos/
* The rogue Russian spacecraft that has been hurtling toward Earth for a while has disintegrated safely. http://gizmodo.com/the-rogue-russian-spacecraft-disintegrated-safely-1703029437/
* The Aurealis Awards which celebrate Australian SF/F/H have announced their winners. See them here: http://aurealisawards.org/2015/04/12/and-the-winners-are/
* Peggy Carter fans all over the world have a reason to celebrate as "Agent Carter" the TV series has been renewed for a second series. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Definitely-Coming-Back-Season-2-71760.html
* The identity of K.J. Parker has long been a mystery in the publishing world. Well, it has finally been revealed that the master of emotionally dark realistic fantasy is also the successful humorous fantasy writer Tom Holt. Listen to the whole interview reveal here: http://jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-230-k-j-parker-and-the-history-of-a-writer/
* In an exciting bit of news, Nick Offerman of "Parks and Rec" fame will be Toastmaster of the Nebulas this year. http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/nebula-weekend/about-the-toastmaster-nick-offerman/
* io9 gathers a group of diverse opinions on what are some utterly brilliant novels with one fatal flaw. Check out a wide breadth of answers here: http://io9.com/10-brilliant-novels-that-have-one-fatal-flaw-1702859884
* 10 science fiction authors including Robert Charles Wilson, Genevieve Valentine, Ken Liu and more predict how our world will change in the next ten years. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/06/sci-fi-predictions_n_7102742.html
* "The Tall Grass" novella written by father/son team Stephen King and Joe Hill about a brother and pregnant sister fighting for their lives in a field will be getting a big-screen adaptation. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/05/07/in-the-tall-grass-stephen-king-son-get-big-screen-treatment/
* Speaking of Stephen King, the 2015 Edgar Awards have been announced, and they include King's novel MR. MERCEDES and the delightful Gillian Flynn short story "What Do You Do", (which is collected in the GRRM and Gardner Dozois edited anthology ROGUES). See the full list of winners here: http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html
* Fans of Cassandra Clare have reason to celebrate since her Shadowhunters series, which failed as a movie, has found second life as an ABC Family TV series, and they have found their Clary. Do you like who they've chosen? http://www.mtv.com/news/2153680/shadowhunters-clary-fray-katherine-mcnamara/
* It is a sad day, because after twenty years Ellen Klages has retired as the Tiptree Auction emcee. Those of us who've seen her know it will be a great loss. Read her goodbye and reminisce on the good times. http://blog.wiscon.info/2015/04/ellen-klages-and-the-tiptree-auction/
* Emily St. John Mandel has won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for her novel STATION ELEVEN. Check out the judges' comments, the shortlist, and more over at the Clarke Award website. http://www.clarkeaward.com/
* Have six minutes? Then watch the short film "The Red Witch", done by Aron Bothman (with screenplay by Samara Weiss) as a fourth year film project. A woman tries to learn Mars' story as it's being terraformed and becomes one herself. http://www.kuriositas.com/2015/05/the-red-witch.html
* The Shirley Jackson Award nominees have been announced. http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/nominees/
* Over at io9.com, K. Tempest Bradford gathers the best short stories from the past week in her regular io9 Newsstand feature: http://io9.com/io9-newsstand-the-best-stories-from-the-week-of-may-3-1703080879
* Our friends at Comix Experience < http://www.comixexperience.com > are running into some of the same challenges regarding the San Francisco Minimum Wage that we faced (i.e. the prices for their goods are set by the publisher and they will have a hard time meeting the minimum wage as it goes up). However, they aren't planning on closing. Instead they're offering a graphic novel subscription service that, with sufficient support, will allow them to continue operations and meet the increasing minimum wage. You can find all the information about it here < http://www.graphicnovelclub.com > but the thumbnail sketch is that, for a flat monthly fee of $25, you will receive a copy of the graphic novel of the month.
April 10, 2015
April Featured Title
by Jude FeldmanA CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) comes out April 14th. This is my favorite new fantasy - a throughly enjoyable, entertainingly complex story that falls somewhere in between Patrick Rothfuss and Joe Abercrombie. Fabulous characters, ethical ambiguity, and an author who trusts in his readers' ability to "get it" without being smacked over the head.
This book is noteworthy for several reasons, but two aspects I especially appreciated were the kick-ass middle-aged female protagonist and the casual lack of heteronormativity, both extremely unusual in fantasy novels. The pacing, dry humor, and logical but unexpected plot twists are also reasons to love it.
This is going to be my next go-to novel for fans of George R.R. Martin, Scott Lynch, and of course Abercrombie and Rothfuss. Alan and everyone else here who has read it recommend it, too.
Upcoming Events
Rick Wilbur (editor) and Jacob Weisman and Kim Stanley Robinson (contributors), FIELD OF FANTASIES (Night Shade Books, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, April 18th at 3:00 pm
Mission Local Neighborhood Discussion, Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 pm
SF in SF and the Locus Science Fiction Foundation present authors Peter Straub and Michael Marshall Smith at the Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street, 5th Floor, Friday, May 1st. Doors at 5:30 pm, event starts at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20.
Betsy Streeter, SILVERWOOD (Light Messages, Trade Paperback, $18.95) Sunday, May 3rd at 3:00 pm
Marie Brennan, VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), and Mary Robinette Kowal, OF NOBLE FAMILY (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 pm
Peter Orullian, TRIAL OF INTENTIONS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm
Coming up later in the year, look for events with Paolo Bacigalupi, Peter Clines, Alec Helms, a Tiptree Winners' Celebration with Jo Walton, and much, much more!
Mission Local Neighborhood Discussion, Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 pm
SF in SF and the Locus Science Fiction Foundation present authors Peter Straub and Michael Marshall Smith at the Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street, 5th Floor, Friday, May 1st. Doors at 5:30 pm, event starts at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20.
Betsy Streeter, SILVERWOOD (Light Messages, Trade Paperback, $18.95) Sunday, May 3rd at 3:00 pm
Marie Brennan, VOYAGE OF THE BASILISK (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), and Mary Robinette Kowal, OF NOBLE FAMILY (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 pm
Peter Orullian, TRIAL OF INTENTIONS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm
Coming up later in the year, look for events with Paolo Bacigalupi, Peter Clines, Alec Helms, a Tiptree Winners' Celebration with Jo Walton, and much, much more!
From the Office
by Alan Beatts
Hi Everyone,
I am, sadly, still playing catchup, still behind on my email (sorry to all of your who have been waiting for replies), and still over-the-moon happy that we're not closing. I'm also really looking forward to our first Sponsors' Social, which is going to be on April 16th (in less than a week).
Speaking of our sponsors: if you were a sponsor as of the 19th of last month, you should have received an email from us. If you didn't get that email, please let us know so that we can get whatever is wrong sorted out. Much of the communication that we're going to have with sponsors will be via email and so we're working very hard to make sure we have correct addresses and that our emails are getting through. If you got your sponsorship after March 19th, don't worry, we'll be sending out a note to you shortly.
Due to the work load right now, I don't have much clever or interesting to say this month except for one thing. Our friends at Comix Experience < http://www.comixexperience.com > are running into some of the same challenges regarding the San Francisco Minimum Wage that we faced (i.e. the prices for their goods are set by the publisher and they will have a hard time meeting the minimum wage as it goes up). However, they aren't planning on closing. Instead they're offering a graphic novel subscription service that, with sufficient support, will allow them to continue operations and meet the increasing minimum wage. You can find all the information about it here < http://www.graphicnovelclub.com > but the thumbnail sketch is that, for a flat monthly fee of $25, you will receive a copy of the graphic novel of the month. There is also a price break if you want a year-long subscription -- that's just $240. Those are the in-person pickup prices but shipping (for those of you outside SF or those of you who just work too damn much), by Priority Mail no less, only adds $6 a month.
Hi Everyone,
I am, sadly, still playing catchup, still behind on my email (sorry to all of your who have been waiting for replies), and still over-the-moon happy that we're not closing. I'm also really looking forward to our first Sponsors' Social, which is going to be on April 16th (in less than a week).
Speaking of our sponsors: if you were a sponsor as of the 19th of last month, you should have received an email from us. If you didn't get that email, please let us know so that we can get whatever is wrong sorted out. Much of the communication that we're going to have with sponsors will be via email and so we're working very hard to make sure we have correct addresses and that our emails are getting through. If you got your sponsorship after March 19th, don't worry, we'll be sending out a note to you shortly.
Due to the work load right now, I don't have much clever or interesting to say this month except for one thing. Our friends at Comix Experience < http://www.comixexperience.com > are running into some of the same challenges regarding the San Francisco Minimum Wage that we faced (i.e. the prices for their goods are set by the publisher and they will have a hard time meeting the minimum wage as it goes up). However, they aren't planning on closing. Instead they're offering a graphic novel subscription service that, with sufficient support, will allow them to continue operations and meet the increasing minimum wage. You can find all the information about it here < http://www.graphicnovelclub.com > but the thumbnail sketch is that, for a flat monthly fee of $25, you will receive a copy of the graphic novel of the month. There is also a price break if you want a year-long subscription -- that's just $240. Those are the in-person pickup prices but shipping (for those of you outside SF or those of you who just work too damn much), by Priority Mail no less, only adds $6 a month.
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