• June 28th, 2010 • Posted in
News •
Celebrate 25 Years of Spectra!
One of my most treasured moments as a writer was learning that Bantam Spectra had made an offer to publish ‘Lord of Snow and Shadows.’ So I was really thrilled when my editor Anne Groell contacted me to say that LOSAS (as we affectionately call it now) was one of the novels chosen to represent the year 2003 in Spectra’s month-long celebration of twenty-five years of delighting readers with fabulous science fiction and fantasy. I was a (crazy!) keen reader long before I became a published writer and checking through the starry collection of authors and titles that Spectra has published over the last twenty-five years has reminded me what an inspiring and astounding variety of speculative fiction we’ve been treated to.
‘Lord of Snow and Shadows’ will be up on July 1st.
http://www.suvudu.com/
http://www.suvudu.com/2010/07/25-years-of-spectra-lord-of-snow-and-shadows-2003-by-sarah-ash.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectra-Pulse/5674967431
I love illustrated books! As a child, I would spend hours studying the pictures by my favourite artists: E.H. Shepherd; Pauline Diana Baynes; Charles Keeping… That’s why I always get really excited when I learn that an artist has created some artwork after reading one of my stories – and why I was so excited to hear from Marcelle Natisin recently. I’ve linked to Marcelle’s wonderful paintings before and I still cherish the hope that we might embark on a project together one day. She has a very distinctive style that’s all her own and I just love her vivid use of colour and movement.
Her three latest works were inspired by chapters 11-13 of ‘Tracing the Shadow’ – and if I had to choose a personal favourite, it would probably be (by a whisker) ‘Light and Sound’ http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2q2pa2 although ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2q5zd3 and Rieuk Mordiern: Character Sheet http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2o8ili are very special as well.
Check them out for yourselves and see which ones you like the best! I’ve provided links to two other Artamon-related works – but there are also paintings inspired by fantasy authors such as Meredith Ann Pierce and Naomi Novik to enjoy.
The Price of His Power http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2114t6 An Ecstasy of Shadows http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d14dx14
And how could I leave out one of my own personal favourites? Songspinners http://mnat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d20xqot
Saturday at St Hilda’s proved a really enjoyable day, in spite of the dreary weather. Four fascinating panels touching on everything from starting out in publishing and producing the first novel, to reflections on a life in writing, provided much to think and talk about. There was even an impromptu reading by Ian Watson when the local pub was overwhelmed by hungry writers and readers and lunch overran!
The Anthology was duly launched to the clinking of teacups as The Write Fantastic celebrated five years (five years!) of spreading the word about the pleasures of reading and writing fantasy and science fiction.
| I’m really looking forward to taking part in The Write Fantastic one-day event in Oxford on May 8th: exciting panels with fantasy and science fiction writers and editors, the launch of the anthology – and, of course, the opportunity to chat in the bar!So why not come along and meet me and the other writers and enjoy a stimulating day of discussion on speculative fiction?
(From the website)
Since our launch in May 2005, The Write Fantastic’s diary has seen over 60 engagements, ranging from library and bookshop events, talks to local writers’ groups and contributions to literary festivals to teaching creative writing.
We’ve found readers’ appetite and enthusiasm for fantasy fiction is boundless, from epic tales of sword and sorcery to gritty urban myth. It’s been our pleasure to help make sure that no one is missing out on all the wonderful reading currently on offer.
To celebrate TWF’s fifth year, we’re welcoming Kari Sperring, Ian Whates, Freda Warrington and Liz Williams to the team and holding our first day event, at the Jacqueline Du Pré Building, St Hilda’s College, Oxford on May 8th 2010.
We’re inviting friends and colleagues to share their insights and recommendations in a wide-ranging programme. Our author guests are Stephen Deas, Ben Jeapes, Geoff Ryman, Mike Shevdon and Ian Watson. We’ll also be joined by David Moore and Jenni Hill of Solaris Books, Oxford’s very own SF&F publisher, to offer their editorial perspectives.
The day will also see the launch of TWF’s anniversary anthology of original stories.
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Anniversaries
The Write Fantastic
Cover art by Jim Mortimore
Established in May 2005, The Write Fantastic is a daring initiative by professional authors, its twofold mission to introduce fantasy fiction to readers who have yet to experience the genre and also to ensure that existing readers are able to appreciate the full breadth and depth of current fantasy writing.
To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the group, NewCon Press is proud to present an anthology of all new fiction from the current membership of TWF.
Contents:
- Introduction – Stan Nicholls
- Remembrance – Juliet E McKenna
- I Shaved Half Emperor Cyrrhenius – Chaz Brenchley
- Song for a Naming Day – Sarah Ash
- Persephone’s Chamber – Freda Warrington
- Birthday of the Oligarch – Kari Sperring
- The Anniversary – Jessica Rydill
- Smoergaen’s Bane – Ian Whates
- The Rape of the Stalactite – Liz Williams
- Authors’ Biographies and Selected Bibliography
The book will be launched at a special one day convention in Oxford (also featuring Geoff Ryman, Ian Watson, Ben Jeapes and David Moore of Solaris) http://www.thewritefantastic.com/anniversary.html
The book will appear on May 8th 2010
Paperback edition: £6.99
Hardback edition: £15.99
The dust-jacketed hardback edition is strictly limited to just 50 numbered copies. Although not officially a ‘signed’ edition, copies will be signed by the majority if not all the contributing authors.