Helen Lowe's Blog, page 211
August 26, 2013
Tuesday Poem: “Ordinary Boy” by Michelle Elvy
Jersey (not Jozefow), 2012 (not 1942)
When asked why he did it, the boy
averts his eyes, fidgets. He does not
lie, but he cannot face the truth.
His lip trembles and he shakes
when shown the photos. When
asked to describe his role, he
employs passive voice and
talks about others:
……………………………………..I was told… They insisted….
When pressed for an explanation,
he refers to a chain of command:
……………………………………. I did what they said.
He talks about the older boys,
the way he wanted to belong, the way
he w...
August 25, 2013
Fun! BookSworn & Friends Worldcon Party Poster
Isn’t it great?
I particularly like the part about “Eat A bug, Get A Book.”
And yes, although I will not, alas, be in San Antonio for Lonestar Con (the 71st Worldcon!) my books will be there in style at the BookSworn & Friends party — there’s just that little matter of eating a bug… 
I think it’s going to be a great party, so if you are going to be at Worldcon you should definitely go along: the more the merrier! When & where: Thursday August 29 at 8 pm in the Marriott Rivercenter, suite 3436....
August 24, 2013
Comment Of The Week: From Rosie Cooper
Thank you for Malian, and her friends (and enemies), for writing so deeply about relationships, and how we are all shaped by and shaping events around us, all just people each with the same capacity for right and wrong. I loved the breadth and depth of your story, its characters, all the twists and the tantalising mysteries… I promise to wait patiently for book three!”
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Rosie’s comment came...
August 23, 2013
Just Arrived: “The Raven’s Shadow” by Elspeth Cooper
Way back in the vasty yore that was February of this year—and what a very long time ago that seems!—you may recall that I did an interview with my friend and fellow BookSworn author, Elspeth Cooper, about the first two novels in her Wild Hunt series, Songs of the Earth and Trinity Rising.
Just in case you didn’t see it then or want to re-read, the interview is here.
And now, yes NOW, the third book in the series, The Raven’s Shadow, is here—and I, dear readers, have snaffled a copy!
I am looking...
August 22, 2013
A Geography Of Haarth: Haarth
The Wall of Night Series map; design by Peter Fitzpatrick
The A Geography of Haarth post series is traversing the full range of locales and places from The Wall of Night world of Haarth. Today sees the last entry for “H”—which turns out to be Haarth itself!
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Haarth: The Derai name for the world in which The Wall Of Night series takes place.
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“…another recounted an even older story that claimed the Derai were not from Haarth at all, but had come from the stars long ago. They had, the teller sai...
August 21, 2013
Book Review: “Great North Road” by Peter F. Hamilton — Reviewed by Andrew Robins
Introduction:Today I am very pleased to bring you another SFF review from regular “…on Anything, Really” reviewer, Andrew Robins.
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Book Review: Great North Road by Peter F. Hamilton (Macmillan, 2012, Trade paperback edition, 1087 pp) — Reviewed by Andrew Robins
Great North Road is a standalone story that takes shape in what starts as a not too distant, not too unrecognizable 22nd Century.
The back cover sells this book as a murder mystery, and in one sense that is exactly what the story is—a wel...
August 20, 2013
Legendary! US Special Price for “The Gathering Of The Lost” Until Legend Award Voting Closes
USA
I hinted on Monday that I might have some more exciting news coming up, spinning off The Gathering Of The Lost making the international David Gemmell Legend Award shortlist.
To facilitate more readers having the opportunity to enjoy The Gathering Of The Lost—and also to celebrate the Legend Award shortlisting—my US publisher, Harper Voyager, are offering GATHERING for the super-duper, bargain basement price of 0.99c until voting closes on September 30.
Please Do Spread the Word!
I do feel thi...
August 19, 2013
Tuesday Poem: “For A Song” By Barbara Strang
For a Song
To my father
After it ended
the war was still on
around our house
in the thin-lipped silences
and grown-ups dressed in uniform colours,
navy, khaki, brown.
My father had been there,
didn’t talk about it
we children rifled
through fat albums
on the bottom shelf
snaps of trucks and desert sand,
young men in lemon squeezers,
hearty blokes who still came round.
My father had been there,
didn’t talk about it
he withdrew fat volumes
of war histories from the library
to find what it was about.
……………..~
My fath...
August 18, 2013
What’s Happening, 19-25 August & Looking Ahead
UK/AU/NZ Cover
USA
To start with last week brought some mighty big news: that The Gathering Of The Lost (The Wall Of Night Book Two) made it through to the shortlist of the international David Gemmell Legend Award 2013 for Best Fantasy Novel!
I posted on it in detail here, but would just like to say again how tremendously exciting it was and how much I appreciate all your tremendous support for me and for Gathering.
(I...
August 17, 2013
Comment Of The Week: From Charlotte Angus
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Charlotte’s comment was posted on my July 1 post in which I celebrated The Gathering Of The Lost making the David Gemmell Legend Award longlist—and now of course it’s made the shortlist: w00...
