David Anthony Durham's Blog, page 11
March 13, 2013
George R. R. Martin poleca książki
This amuses me. The reach of GRRM.
A few days ago he was kind enough to post a list of books and authors he recommends for people waiting impatiently for his next book. Happily, I'm one of them!
That's nice enough, but I had to chuckle when the list made the Huffington Post!
And, even further afield, it's on this Polish website! Fortunately, Acacia (and Pride of Carthage) is published in Polish, as Akacja, so I'm in this cover shot with some rather prominent authors:
So if I end up big in Poland it's surely all George's fault.
A few days ago he was kind enough to post a list of books and authors he recommends for people waiting impatiently for his next book. Happily, I'm one of them!
That's nice enough, but I had to chuckle when the list made the Huffington Post!
And, even further afield, it's on this Polish website! Fortunately, Acacia (and Pride of Carthage) is published in Polish, as Akacja, so I'm in this cover shot with some rather prominent authors:
So if I end up big in Poland it's surely all George's fault.
March 9, 2013
Mandria Cartaginei
Anyone have connections in Romania?
I ask because I've just seen the Romanian version of Pride of Carthage for the first time. It's called Mandria Cartaginei: Romanul Lui Hannibal and it looks like this:
I like it, but I'm worried about getting my hands on a copy. Never got one from the publisher and, sometimes, I never do. Hey, I'd even buy one if I could figure out how to.
I ask because I've just seen the Romanian version of Pride of Carthage for the first time. It's called Mandria Cartaginei: Romanul Lui Hannibal and it looks like this:
I like it, but I'm worried about getting my hands on a copy. Never got one from the publisher and, sometimes, I never do. Hey, I'd even buy one if I could figure out how to.
March 6, 2013
LEYA Has Been Good To Me
A little while back I announced that the very cool Brazilian publisher LEYA had signed an uber-deal for all 22 of George RR Martin's Wild Cards collaborative series of novels (including the one I'm helping to wrap up right now). That still makes me shake me head. 22 books in one deal?...
I can now announce another deal with them that I'm very happy about.
LEYA has also had the incredible wisdom to acquire the Acacia Trilogy for the Brazilian market! Hurrah! I'm going to Brazil! Or... my books and my characters are, at least. Maybe I'll get there myself some day.
This is an entirely new market for me. Saída de Emergência published the series wonderfully in Portugal, but Brazil is a different territory. Here's hoping the LEYA books look as lovely as Saída de Emergência editions!
I can now announce another deal with them that I'm very happy about.
LEYA has also had the incredible wisdom to acquire the Acacia Trilogy for the Brazilian market! Hurrah! I'm going to Brazil! Or... my books and my characters are, at least. Maybe I'll get there myself some day.
This is an entirely new market for me. Saída de Emergência published the series wonderfully in Portugal, but Brazil is a different territory. Here's hoping the LEYA books look as lovely as Saída de Emergência editions!
March 5, 2013
No Return
A few days ago I mentioned a story collection from a former student at Stonecoast.
Before that an anthology edited by two former students.
Today, I'm pleased to point you toward a novel by a former Stonecoast student, Zachary Jernigan!
His debut novel, No Return pubs today from Night Shade Books.
What's the book about? Lots of weird stuff. Click over and get the details. Here, I'll just point to what I myself had to say. I wrote:
"A visionary, violent, sexually charged, mystical novel -- No Return challenges classification. Clearly, Zachary Jernigan has no respect for genre confines. His tale of gods hanging in the sky and a “constructed man” with glowing blue coals for his eyes and a motley band of fighters navigating a harsh landscape peopled by savage creatures and religious zealots… Well, it’s pure genius. Here’s hoping it’s just the first of many such works from this guy."
Now, only the authors own credit for all this publishing success, but I will submit that there's something very good in the water of Coastal Maine. Aspiring writers of speculative fiction - check out the Stonecoast MFA Program!
Before that an anthology edited by two former students.
Today, I'm pleased to point you toward a novel by a former Stonecoast student, Zachary Jernigan!
His debut novel, No Return pubs today from Night Shade Books.What's the book about? Lots of weird stuff. Click over and get the details. Here, I'll just point to what I myself had to say. I wrote:
"A visionary, violent, sexually charged, mystical novel -- No Return challenges classification. Clearly, Zachary Jernigan has no respect for genre confines. His tale of gods hanging in the sky and a “constructed man” with glowing blue coals for his eyes and a motley band of fighters navigating a harsh landscape peopled by savage creatures and religious zealots… Well, it’s pure genius. Here’s hoping it’s just the first of many such works from this guy."
Now, only the authors own credit for all this publishing success, but I will submit that there's something very good in the water of Coastal Maine. Aspiring writers of speculative fiction - check out the Stonecoast MFA Program!
March 1, 2013
In Search of and Others
Just a few days ago I mentioned a newly published anthology edited by some former Stonecoast students of mine (Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction). Well, today I get to mention another!
The marvelous Will Ludwigsen has just published a collection of short stories called In Search of and Others. I don't know if I've read any of these stories or not, but I loved the stuff I read of his when he was at Stonecoast. Quirky. Humorous. Gothic.
Here's the jacket copy:
A house inches eight hundred miles to confess its horrible crime. The last resident of a mental institution discovers he's not alone. A middle-schooler performs an experiment to determine how much time we fit in dreams. Boys looking for wonder find more than they're expecting in the Adirondacks with Charles Fort. A detective learns everything he's ever wanted to know...and some things he hasn't. In Will Ludwigsen's short stories of strangeness and mystery, the universe has a way of being weird in just the ways we need it to be. There are answers to many of our deepest questions...and they're usually far more personal than we expect. What are you in search of? And what is in search of you?
Hey, wait, I definitely did read that story about a house inching eight hundred miles to confess a horrible crime! It's terrific.
Publishers Weekly gave the collection a starred review, saying:
In this hauntingly beautiful collection of nine reprinted and six original stories, Ludwigsen issues an invitation to look past preconceived notions of self and ways of being, and to take a journey to the dark side of imagination. “The Speed of Dreams” begins as a lighthearted tale told from the perspective of a teen girl but takes an abrupt turn to a resonating and viscerally powerful conclusion. “We Were Wonder Scouts” echoes the irrepressible spirit of a Heinlein protagonist while twisting it ever so slightly. The variety of viewpoints and alternation between short and long stories allow the reader to catch a breath just before being pulled deep beneath the surface of chilling wonder. Each story’s concepts remain fully accessible while still challenging the reader, and exquisite craftsmanship makes this a timeless classic for those seeking asylum from formulaic prose.
Congrats, Will.
The marvelous Will Ludwigsen has just published a collection of short stories called In Search of and Others. I don't know if I've read any of these stories or not, but I loved the stuff I read of his when he was at Stonecoast. Quirky. Humorous. Gothic.
Here's the jacket copy:
A house inches eight hundred miles to confess its horrible crime. The last resident of a mental institution discovers he's not alone. A middle-schooler performs an experiment to determine how much time we fit in dreams. Boys looking for wonder find more than they're expecting in the Adirondacks with Charles Fort. A detective learns everything he's ever wanted to know...and some things he hasn't. In Will Ludwigsen's short stories of strangeness and mystery, the universe has a way of being weird in just the ways we need it to be. There are answers to many of our deepest questions...and they're usually far more personal than we expect. What are you in search of? And what is in search of you?Hey, wait, I definitely did read that story about a house inching eight hundred miles to confess a horrible crime! It's terrific.
Publishers Weekly gave the collection a starred review, saying:
In this hauntingly beautiful collection of nine reprinted and six original stories, Ludwigsen issues an invitation to look past preconceived notions of self and ways of being, and to take a journey to the dark side of imagination. “The Speed of Dreams” begins as a lighthearted tale told from the perspective of a teen girl but takes an abrupt turn to a resonating and viscerally powerful conclusion. “We Were Wonder Scouts” echoes the irrepressible spirit of a Heinlein protagonist while twisting it ever so slightly. The variety of viewpoints and alternation between short and long stories allow the reader to catch a breath just before being pulled deep beneath the surface of chilling wonder. Each story’s concepts remain fully accessible while still challenging the reader, and exquisite craftsmanship makes this a timeless classic for those seeking asylum from formulaic prose.
Congrats, Will.
February 28, 2013
Paris, Through Maya's Eyes
The latest offering from my artistic 13 year old daughter. She did this drawing for extra credit in her French class. Pretty yummy, huh?
We'll be in Paris again this summer. I'm expecting it to look just like this...
We'll be in Paris again this summer. I'm expecting it to look just like this...
Opinião - Leões de Cartago
I was pleased to notice my historical novel about Hannibal, Pride of Carthage, getting some attention in Portuguese.The book came out there some years back, but perhaps it's getting some new attention now, since the Acacia Trilogy is being published there.
You could read a review HERE: Os Livros do Lars.
February 27, 2013
Futuredaze
Just wanted to mention a cool new book.
Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction, edited by Hannah Strom-Martin and Erin Underwood. It's published by Underwords Press, an indie.
Now, I have a particular interest in this anthology for several reasons. One is that I know both these editors. They graduated from the MFA program I teach for - Stonecoast. Another is that they're such awesome readers I've called on both of them to beta read for me on several occasions. The Acacia Trilogy owes a lot to their insights. And also because I read and blurbed this thing!
Here's what I said:
“I love this collection! It offers all the ideas, speculation and creativity I look for in quality science fiction, but it presents them with a nimble verve, with humor and with a focused attention to the interests and concerns of teen readers. Each story works as science fiction, while also resonating at a wonderfully energetic, youthful frequency. That pleasantly surprised me again and again.” —David Anthony Durham, author of The Acacia Trilogy
And here's how they describe the book themselves:
"Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction includes 33 original short stories and poems that spark the imagination, twist the heart, and make us yearn for the possibilities of a world yet to come. Futuredaze includes pieces by Jack McDevitt, Nancy Holder, Gregory Frost, Lavie Tidhar, Sandra McDonald, Brittany Warman, Stephen Covey, E. Kristin Anderson, Alex Dally MacFarlane, Jenny Blackford, and many more!
Reflecting many of the ideals first set forth by science fiction icons such as Isaac Asimov, George Orwell, and Ray Bradbury, Futuredaze challenges the imagination with young adult fiction that includes far-flung futures, dystopian alternate worlds, life among the stars, and a host of startling stories that embrace the idea of “What if?” that has driven the science fiction genre forward for more then a century. Now, it’s time to give voice to the next generation of science fiction readers and to those of us still young at heart."
Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction, edited by Hannah Strom-Martin and Erin Underwood. It's published by Underwords Press, an indie.
Now, I have a particular interest in this anthology for several reasons. One is that I know both these editors. They graduated from the MFA program I teach for - Stonecoast. Another is that they're such awesome readers I've called on both of them to beta read for me on several occasions. The Acacia Trilogy owes a lot to their insights. And also because I read and blurbed this thing!
Here's what I said:
“I love this collection! It offers all the ideas, speculation and creativity I look for in quality science fiction, but it presents them with a nimble verve, with humor and with a focused attention to the interests and concerns of teen readers. Each story works as science fiction, while also resonating at a wonderfully energetic, youthful frequency. That pleasantly surprised me again and again.” —David Anthony Durham, author of The Acacia Trilogy
And here's how they describe the book themselves:
"Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction includes 33 original short stories and poems that spark the imagination, twist the heart, and make us yearn for the possibilities of a world yet to come. Futuredaze includes pieces by Jack McDevitt, Nancy Holder, Gregory Frost, Lavie Tidhar, Sandra McDonald, Brittany Warman, Stephen Covey, E. Kristin Anderson, Alex Dally MacFarlane, Jenny Blackford, and many more! Reflecting many of the ideals first set forth by science fiction icons such as Isaac Asimov, George Orwell, and Ray Bradbury, Futuredaze challenges the imagination with young adult fiction that includes far-flung futures, dystopian alternate worlds, life among the stars, and a host of startling stories that embrace the idea of “What if?” that has driven the science fiction genre forward for more then a century. Now, it’s time to give voice to the next generation of science fiction readers and to those of us still young at heart."
February 25, 2013
Wild Cards Brazil!
I've never heard of a deal like this, but George RR can pull off anything.
Just heard from him that he's sold the entire Wild Cards series to LeYa, a Brazilian publisher. So... we're talking 22 books, from the original Wild Cards up to Lowball, the book we're putting the finishing touches on now!
22 books? Yikes. Those Brazilians have gumption.
I'll have other news about LeYa soon.
Just heard from him that he's sold the entire Wild Cards series to LeYa, a Brazilian publisher. So... we're talking 22 books, from the original Wild Cards up to Lowball, the book we're putting the finishing touches on now!22 books? Yikes. Those Brazilians have gumption.
I'll have other news about LeYa soon.
February 12, 2013
Boskone
I'll be heading across to Boston this weekend for Boskone, a conference I enjoy quite a bit. I've got a busy schedule this time. If you're heading that way, make sure to say hello!
Here's what I'll be doing:
Friday 19:00 - 19:25, Reading, Independence
Friday 21:00 - 21:50, After the End of the World, Burroughs
Sorry Mayans, the world didn't end on 12/21/12 after all. And that's not the first time we've been disappointed like that. Let's discuss apocalyptic prophecies through the ages. What do they say about their creators -- and believers?
David Anthony Durham (M), Brendan DuBois , Allen M. Steele , Alexander Jablokov, Michael F. Flynn
Saturday 10:00 - 11:00, Kaffeeklatsche, Galleria-Kaffeeklatsch 2
Saturday 12:00 - 12:50, Military Motifs in Fantasy, Harbor I
Walter H. Hunt (M), Craig Shaw Gardner, Myke Cole, Faye Ringel, David Anthony Durham
Saturday 15:00 - 15:50, Writing Advice: The Next Level, Harbor II
Writer Nick Mamatas says, "By the time someone finds their way to a panel at an SF con, stuff like 'Don't quit your day job' and 'Read widely' and 'You have to finish a story before you submit it' is no longer necessary...There is certainly a need for higher-level advice. I had a student recently who had never heard of Freytag's triangle." So let's elevate the answers, people--and the questions.
Jeanne Cavelos (M), Elizabeth Bear, Beth Meacham, David Anthony Durham, Kate Baker
Saturday 16:00 - 16:50, The Young Adult & Middle Grade Fiction (R)evolution, Harbor II
There seems to be a revolution or evolution in young adult and middle grade fiction that started with series like Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games, and everyone seems to want in on the action. Where did YA & MG fiction come from? What is it? Where is it going? And most importantly who should you be reading?
Erin Underwood (M), Daniel P. Dern, Jordan Hamessley, David Anthony Durham
Sunday 10:00 - 10:50, Worlds You Won't Forget, Harbor I ( Westin)
Sometimes a created world is so vivid or unusual, it becomes a character in its own right. From old favorites like Ringworld, Riverworld, and Middle Earth to newer, less well-known places like Shellworld, Earwa, or Umayma, what fantastic landscapes do you remember best? What makes a world come alive? Is detailed worldbuilding always worth it for the reader?
David Anthony Durham (M), Charles Stross, Melinda Snodgrass, Vernor Vinge, Elizabeth Bear
Sunday 11:00 - 11:25, Reading, Lewis
Sunday 13:00 - 13:50, Non-English Fiction & Translation, Burroughs
When translating works of fiction into English, what are some of the dangers associated with capturing the original piece "meaning for meaning?" What affect do cross-cultural references have or the lack of historical knowledge have on either the translator or the reader of the newly translated piece of fiction? Moreover, is the translated work as valid as the original? How might translation techniques impact the interpreted work for good or ill? Panelists will also discuss examples of translated work.
David Anthony Durham (M), Jack M. Haringa, John Chu
Sunday 14:00 - 15:00, Autographing, Galleria-Autographing
James Patrick Kelly, David Anthony Durham, David G. Hartwell
Here's what I'll be doing:
Friday 19:00 - 19:25, Reading, Independence
Friday 21:00 - 21:50, After the End of the World, Burroughs
Sorry Mayans, the world didn't end on 12/21/12 after all. And that's not the first time we've been disappointed like that. Let's discuss apocalyptic prophecies through the ages. What do they say about their creators -- and believers?
David Anthony Durham (M), Brendan DuBois , Allen M. Steele , Alexander Jablokov, Michael F. Flynn
Saturday 10:00 - 11:00, Kaffeeklatsche, Galleria-Kaffeeklatsch 2
Saturday 12:00 - 12:50, Military Motifs in Fantasy, Harbor I
Walter H. Hunt (M), Craig Shaw Gardner, Myke Cole, Faye Ringel, David Anthony Durham
Saturday 15:00 - 15:50, Writing Advice: The Next Level, Harbor II
Writer Nick Mamatas says, "By the time someone finds their way to a panel at an SF con, stuff like 'Don't quit your day job' and 'Read widely' and 'You have to finish a story before you submit it' is no longer necessary...There is certainly a need for higher-level advice. I had a student recently who had never heard of Freytag's triangle." So let's elevate the answers, people--and the questions.
Jeanne Cavelos (M), Elizabeth Bear, Beth Meacham, David Anthony Durham, Kate Baker
Saturday 16:00 - 16:50, The Young Adult & Middle Grade Fiction (R)evolution, Harbor II
There seems to be a revolution or evolution in young adult and middle grade fiction that started with series like Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games, and everyone seems to want in on the action. Where did YA & MG fiction come from? What is it? Where is it going? And most importantly who should you be reading?
Erin Underwood (M), Daniel P. Dern, Jordan Hamessley, David Anthony Durham
Sunday 10:00 - 10:50, Worlds You Won't Forget, Harbor I ( Westin)
Sometimes a created world is so vivid or unusual, it becomes a character in its own right. From old favorites like Ringworld, Riverworld, and Middle Earth to newer, less well-known places like Shellworld, Earwa, or Umayma, what fantastic landscapes do you remember best? What makes a world come alive? Is detailed worldbuilding always worth it for the reader?
David Anthony Durham (M), Charles Stross, Melinda Snodgrass, Vernor Vinge, Elizabeth Bear
Sunday 11:00 - 11:25, Reading, Lewis
Sunday 13:00 - 13:50, Non-English Fiction & Translation, Burroughs
When translating works of fiction into English, what are some of the dangers associated with capturing the original piece "meaning for meaning?" What affect do cross-cultural references have or the lack of historical knowledge have on either the translator or the reader of the newly translated piece of fiction? Moreover, is the translated work as valid as the original? How might translation techniques impact the interpreted work for good or ill? Panelists will also discuss examples of translated work.
David Anthony Durham (M), Jack M. Haringa, John Chu
Sunday 14:00 - 15:00, Autographing, Galleria-Autographing
James Patrick Kelly, David Anthony Durham, David G. Hartwell
