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Author: John ONeill

Future Treasures: Pathfinder Tales: Pirate’s Prophecy by Chris A. Jackson

Future Treasures: Pathfinder Tales: Pirate’s Prophecy by Chris A. Jackson

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Pirate's Honor-small Pirate's Promise-small Pirate's Prophecy-small

For the past three years Chris A. Jackson, author of The Warcaster Chronicles, has been writing an ambitious fantasy saga for the Pathfinder Tales line, featuring pirate captain Torius Vin and his snake-bodied naga navigator Celeste, who forsake pirating to chase slave galleys and set the prisoners free. According to his bio, Jackson is a marine biologist who, with his wife Anne, has lived on a 45-foot sailboat since 2009, cruising the Caribbean and writing full time. Sounds like an ideal lifestyle to write pirate sagas to me.

The series began in 2013 with Pirate’s Promise, and the third volume, Pirate’s Prophecy, will be released next week from Tor.

Pirate’s Honor (400 pages, $9.99, $6.99 in digital format, May 14, 2013)
Pirate’s Promise (400 pages, $14.99, $6.99 in digital format, January 6, 2015) — cover by Michael Ivan
Pirates Prophecy (357 pages, 14.99, $9.99 in digital format, February 2, 2016) — cover by Remko Troost

The first two were published by Paizo; Pirates Prophecy is the first in the series to be published by Tor Books.

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January 2016 Lightspeed Magazine Now on Sale

January 2016 Lightspeed Magazine Now on Sale

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Lightspeed January 2016-smallEditor John Joseph Adams makes a welcome announcement in his editorial this month.

You might notice something a little different this month in the magazine. That’s because we’re changing the way we select our covers. Previously we sought out existing artwork and licensed it for use on our covers, but henceforth we’ll be commissioning original cover illustrations, based on one of the stories in the issue. First up is Galen Dara, with an illustration of Will McIntosh’s “The Savannah Liars Tour.”

Our current plan is to use a small team of artists we know and like, and rotate among them — and since that means we’ll be repeating the same artists fairly frequently, we’re doing away with the artist spotlight feature. So in lieu of that we’ll be presenting a new rotating nonfiction column, starting with a new movie review column by bestselling author Carrie Vaughn. Carrie’s column will appear a couple times a year (probably quarterly), and we’ll rotate in other nonfiction in the other months; as for what will be in that “slot” next — stay tuned! We’ll have more information about that next month.

Lightspeed has always had fabulous cover art, and I’m delighted to see that it will now showcase the fiction inside as well.

This month Lightspeed has original fantasy from Will McIntosh and Kat Howard, and fantasy reprints by Peter S. Beagle and Leena Krohn, and original SF by JY Yang and the collaborative team of Keith Brooke and Eric Brown, plus SF reprints by Jason Gurley and Kate Bachus. All that plus their usual author spotlights, an interview with J. Michael Straczynski, and book reviews by Andrew Liptak. eBook readers get a bonus reprint of Michael Swanwick’s Hugo and Nebula Award-nominated novella “Griffin’s Egg,” and an excerpt from the new novel Barsk by Lawrence M. Schoen.

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The Books of David G. Hartwell: The Dark Descent and The World Treasury of Science Fiction

The Books of David G. Hartwell: The Dark Descent and The World Treasury of Science Fiction

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The Dark Descent-small The World Treasury of Science Fiction-small

We lost David Hartwell on January 20th. This is our second article in a series that looks back at one of the most productive careers in our industry.

Last time we looked at two of David’s earliest anthologies, Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment and Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder, released in 1988 and 1989. Here I want examine two more monumental anthologies he produced in the late 80s, both seminal to the field: The Dark Descent (October 1987) and The World Treasury of Science Fiction (January 1989).

The Dark Descent, subtitled The Evolution of Horror, is one of the most important horror anthologies ever published. Weighing in at a massive 1104 pages, it’s one of the most detailed and insightful surveys of horror fiction we have. Showcasing 56 of the best horror stories ever written, it traces the development of modern horror from the classic work Edgar Allan Poe, M. R. James, Charles Dickens and H. P. Lovecraft, all the way to Shirley Jackson, Manly Wade Wellman, Fritz Leiber, Karl Edward Wagner, Philip K. Dick, Gene Wolfe, and Stephen King. The Dark Decent won the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology.

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New Treasures: Kurt Vonnegut: Novels 1987-1997

New Treasures: Kurt Vonnegut: Novels 1987-1997

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Kurt Vonnegut Novels 1987 - 1997-smallThe Library of America,  a publisher with a fine reputation as a nonprofit cultural institution, has done three previous omnibus volumes of Kurt Vonnegut’s fiction, collecting a dozen novels and many stories published between 1950 and 1985. The fourth and final volume, published earlier this month, gathers his last three completed novels into one archival quality hardcover.

Here are the final three novels of the visionary master who defined a generation. Bluebeard (1987) is the colorful history of a phenomenally gifted realist painter who, in the 1950s, betrayed his artistic vision for commercial success. Now, at seventy-one, he writes his memoirs and plots his revenge on the worldly forces that conspired to corrupt his talent. In Hocus Pocus (1990), a freewheeling prison memoir by a Vietnam vet and disgraced academic, Vonnegut brings his indelible voice to a range of still-burning issues — free speech, racism, environmental calamity, deindustrialization, and globalization. Timequake (1997), the author’s last completed novel, is part science fiction yarn (starring perennial protagonist Kilgore Trout), part diary of the mid-1990s (starring the author himself). The result is a perfect fusion of Vonnegut’s two signature genres, the satirical fantasy and the personal essay, and a literary magician’s fond farewell to his readers and his craft. Rounded out with a selection of short nonfiction pieces intimately related to these three works, this volume presents the final word from the artist who the San Francisco Chronicle, reviewing Timequake, called an “old warrior who will not accept the dehumanizing of politics, the blunting of conscience, and the glibness of the late-twentieth-century Western world.”

Kurt Vonnegut: Novels 1987-1997 was published by Library of America on January 19, 2016. It is 754 pages, priced at $35 in hardcover. There is no digital edition. Our previous coverage of Library of America includes:

The Library of America Publishes Elmore Leonard
A Princess of Mars and Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
American Science Fiction: Nine Classic Novels of the 1950s, edited by Gary K. Wolfe
American Fantastic Tales: Terror and the Uncanny, edited by Peter Straub

See all of our recent New Treasures here.

Future Treasures: The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire by Rod Duncan

Future Treasures: The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire by Rod Duncan

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The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter-small Unseemly Science-small The Custodian of Marvels-small

I’m cheating a little bit here because, technically, the first two books in this series are already out and thus don’t count as “Future Treasures.” But since I’m the kind of guy who waits until an entire trilogy is published before digging into the first volume, the upcoming pub date for the final book in Rod Duncan’s The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire means the series is available to me for the first time. Cancel my appointments for the rest of the week, because this looks like a good one.

The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire opens with the 2014 Phillip K. Dick Award finalist The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter, the tale of Elizabeth Barnabus, who lives a double life as both herself and as her brother, a private detective, in the divided land of England. Caught up in the supernatural mystery of a disappearing aristocrat and a hoard of arcane machines, Elizabeth soon finds herself up against the all-powerful Patent Office. The Washington Post called it “All steampunk and circus wonder as we follow the adventures of Elizabeth Barnabas. The double crosses along the way keep the plot tight and fun, and the conclusion sets us up nicely for book two.”

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If Neil Clarke Didn’t Have a Day Job, He’d Win All the Awards

If Neil Clarke Didn’t Have a Day Job, He’d Win All the Awards

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Neil ClarkeNeil Clarke, the hardest working man in science fiction, has now also accepted the position of editor of the flagship magazine of The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Bulletin. SFWA President Cat Rambo made the announcement yesterday. Here’s part of the press release.

Neil has been acting as the interim editor for the SFWA Bulletin since John Klima’s departure this past summer. SFWA would also like to take this opportunity, to thank John for his work in the organization. SFWA President, Cat Rambo adds, “I was overwhelmed by the talented applicants that applied for the position, and I’m happy that Neil was one of them. His editorial talents are rock-solid, he’s a congenial perfectionist, and I’m looking forward to having him as a more permanent part of the internal team. I expect great things for The Bulletin in 2016 and 2017.” Members and non-members interested in writing for the Bulletin should send a short pitch on their proposed topic, along with a bio of relevant experience, to bulletin@sfwa.org. Our guidelines can be found here.

Neil continues with his other projects, including editing Clarkesworld and Forever magazines and The Best Science Fiction of the Year anthology series for Night Shade Books. But not sleep, apparently. His issued this statement on Facebook (though God knows where he found the time):

Just to clarify, my new job at the SFWA Bulletin doesn’t mean I get to quit the day job or that I’ll be doing less with Clarkesworld, Forever, or my anthologies. These side projects are all pieces of the puzzle that will eventually let me quit the day job. That day is one step closer.

Neil has been nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Editor three times, and Clarkesworld has won three Hugos and one World Fantasy Award. It’s probably a good thing Neil still has a day job… if he didn’t, he win all the awards.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies 191 Now Available

Beneath Ceaseless Skies 191 Now Available

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Beneath Ceaseless Skies 191-smallThe January 21st issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies, issue #191, has original short fiction from Chaz Brenchley and D.K. Thompson, a podcast, and a reprint by Dean Wells.

“In Skander, for a Boy” by Chaz Brenchley
I was sure this boy did know a back way to the kitchens. That was his Skander, and his experience: covert, insinuating, conditional. Not mine. “This is my way, my king’s way,” in through the front door to ask straightforwardly for what I wanted. They would see Rulf at my back, and all his ships behind him; they would not refuse me. In and out.

“Blessed are Those Who Have Seen and Do Not Believe” by D.K. Thompson
I chuckled, cracked open my pistol’s cylinder, and loaded it with the wooden ammunition. “Don’t worry, my dear,” I said, and tucked the gun in my waistband. “There’s plenty of time before sunrise.”

Audio Fiction Podcast:
“Blessed are Those Who Have Seen and Do Not Believe” by D.K. Thompson

From the Archives:
“To the Gods of Time and Engines, a Gift” by Dean Wells (from BCS #80, October 20, 2011)
The silent commands were with her all the time now, haunting and familiar.

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Win an Autographed Copy of Brandon Sanderson’s The Bands of Mourning

Win an Autographed Copy of Brandon Sanderson’s The Bands of Mourning

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The Bands of Mourning-smallBrandon Sanderson’s The Bands of Mourning, the latest novel in the Mistborn series, was published today by Tor Books. To celebrate, Tor is making one autographed copy available to readers of Black Gate — and it could be yours.

How do you win? Just send an e-mail to john@blackgate.com with the subject “The Bands of Mourning,” and a one-sentence summary of why you’d like to read it, and we’ll enter you into the contest.

That’s it! That’s all it takes. One winner will be drawn at random from all entries, and we’ll announce the winner here.

No purchase necessary. Must be 12 or older. Not valid where prohibited by law, or anywhere postage for a hefty hardcover is more than, like, 10 bucks (practically, that means US and Canada).

The Bands of Mourning was published today by Tor Books. It is 448 pages, priced at $27.99 in hardcover, or $14.99 for the digital edition. The cover is by Chris McGrath.

Learn more about The Bands of Mourning, and the previous books in the Mistborn series, in our previous coverage here.

The Top 50 Black Gate Posts in December

The Top 50 Black Gate Posts in December

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Storyteller-Tools M Harold PageBG blogger M Harold Page had a fabulous month in December, with three of the top four posts for the month, all dealing with Medieval Worldbuilding:

How to Get From Worldbuilding (or Research) to Story
An Adventurer’s Guide to the Middle Ages: What if There’s No Room at the Inn (or No Inn Whatsoever?)
Three Classic Books for Medieval Worldbuilders and Armchair Time Travellers

Mr. Page has clearly fired the imaginations of all the aspiring medieval novelists in our audience (and managed to keep things fascinating for the rest of us.)

The third most popular artcile for December was a guest post from editor Dominik Parisien, announcing the contents of his upcoming Clockwork Canada anthology. Rounding out the Top 5 was the second installment in William I. Lengeman III’s Star Trek movie rewatch, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Also on our top ten were two articles on collecting pulp art by Doug Ellis, the newest installment of our vintage paperback series, Collecting Robert E. Heinlein, Sean Stiennon’s review of Robert McCammon’s Swan Song, and Sarah Newton’s detailed review of the new Deluxe Tunnels and Trolls role playing game.

The complete list of Top Articles for December follows. Below that, I’ve also broken out the most popular overall articles and blog categories for the month.

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New Treasures: Mind Magic by Eileen Wilks

New Treasures: Mind Magic by Eileen Wilks

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Mind Magic-smallThe first book in the World of the Lupi series, Tempting Danger, was published in October, 2004. It was Wilks’ debut novel, and it launched a bestselling series that has vaulted her to the forefront of the urban fantasy genre. The latest volume, Mind Magic, is the 12th in the series (not including the various novellas and short stories she’s produced over the last decade), and it sees FBI agent Lily Yu temporarily benched after the dangerous lessons in mindspeech she’s received from the black dragon.

FBI agent Lily Yu’s mind is a dangerous place to be in the latest Novel of the Lupi…

Thanks to the mindspeech lessons she’s receiving from the black dragon, Lily is temporarily benched from Unit Twelve — until her brain acclimates and the risk of total burnout passes. At least she has her new husband, lupi Rule Turner, to keep her occupied.

But when her mentor calls in a favor and sends Lily to a murder scene, she’s suddenly back on active status — despite the hallucinations she can’t keep at bay. With one touch, Lily knows the man was killed by magic, but her senses don’t warn her how far the conspiracy goes…

A shadowy force within the government wants to take Unit Twelve down, and they don’t mind killing to achieve their goal. With none of her usual resources, Lily is up against impossible odds — because with her mind in disarray, she can’t trust anything she sees.

Mind Magic was published by Berkley on November 3, 2015. It is 416 pages, priced at $7.99 for both the digital and print editions.