David Anthony Durham's Blog, page 12
February 9, 2013
A Few Flakes
So this is Saba yesterday, checking out the first few snowflakes from the coming storm.
His assessment was that it was the real deal. And that proved correct. The day after:
His assessment was that it was the real deal. And that proved correct. The day after:
February 5, 2013
Night of the Swarm
It's with great pleasure that I direct your attention to the publication of a new book - one that concludes a four book epic fantasy series!
The new book is called The Night of the Swarm, by Robert V. S. Redick. It's the last volume of The Chatrand Quartet, that began with The Red Wolf Conspiracy.
I'm so pleased that Robert is wrapping up the series. If you haven't checked this out, give it a look. Here's what Publishers Weekly said about the first book, and I think they got it right:
Insane god-kings, miniature warriors and sentient animals fight over a powerful ancient artifact in Redick's dramatic, complex debut. The Mzithrin and Arquali Empires have been locked in a 40-year cold war over the resources and riches of the Crownless Lands on their common frontier. Now the Chathrand, a floating city built as much by sorcerer as shipwright, bears young Thasha, an unwilling bride to an enemy prince. No one seems sure whether this is a sincere attempt to bind the two empires together in peace or merely a gambit in their political games. The tense atmosphere soon erupts as various factions struggle to find and control the myth-wrapped Red Wolf. Both adult and young adult readers will find much to enjoy in this tale of sea-faring and bloody diplomacy.
The new book is called The Night of the Swarm, by Robert V. S. Redick. It's the last volume of The Chatrand Quartet, that began with The Red Wolf Conspiracy.I'm so pleased that Robert is wrapping up the series. If you haven't checked this out, give it a look. Here's what Publishers Weekly said about the first book, and I think they got it right:
Insane god-kings, miniature warriors and sentient animals fight over a powerful ancient artifact in Redick's dramatic, complex debut. The Mzithrin and Arquali Empires have been locked in a 40-year cold war over the resources and riches of the Crownless Lands on their common frontier. Now the Chathrand, a floating city built as much by sorcerer as shipwright, bears young Thasha, an unwilling bride to an enemy prince. No one seems sure whether this is a sincere attempt to bind the two empires together in peace or merely a gambit in their political games. The tense atmosphere soon erupts as various factions struggle to find and control the myth-wrapped Red Wolf. Both adult and young adult readers will find much to enjoy in this tale of sea-faring and bloody diplomacy.
January 30, 2013
No Return
cI've taught a lot of aspiring novelists. MFA students. Undergrads. Various workshops. Literary fiction. Genre writers. Coast to coast and overseas.
I get around.
The crazy thing about it is that despite the hard work folks put in, the actual number of students that end up having an awesome book launch is relatively few. It's a hard game.
For most people.
At the moment, one student, Zachary Jernigan, is not most people. His debut novel, No Return, is heading for publication this spring, with terrific looking packaging and enthusiasm from Night Shade. Hardback, with this very impressive jacket design:
Click to enlarge and read all the goodness. Among it, is a blurb from myself. Just saying the truth, and that is:
“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.” – David Anthony Durham
But, rest assured, more reputable people than me think similar things.
What's cool about this, for me, is that I read this material when it was shiny and new, fresh from Zach's brain. I can't claim any credit for him getting a publishing deal, of course. He did that on his own. In his own way. But still, it's with great satisfaction that I highlight this work. It's a couple months from publication, I think, but look out for it. If the description sounds of interest, please check it out.
This guy is the real deal. It's your job - should you choose to accept it - to make him write the sequel. And then more.
Oh, and... CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK. Like, for free!
I get around.
The crazy thing about it is that despite the hard work folks put in, the actual number of students that end up having an awesome book launch is relatively few. It's a hard game.
For most people.
At the moment, one student, Zachary Jernigan, is not most people. His debut novel, No Return, is heading for publication this spring, with terrific looking packaging and enthusiasm from Night Shade. Hardback, with this very impressive jacket design:
Click to enlarge and read all the goodness. Among it, is a blurb from myself. Just saying the truth, and that is:“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.” – David Anthony Durham
But, rest assured, more reputable people than me think similar things.
What's cool about this, for me, is that I read this material when it was shiny and new, fresh from Zach's brain. I can't claim any credit for him getting a publishing deal, of course. He did that on his own. In his own way. But still, it's with great satisfaction that I highlight this work. It's a couple months from publication, I think, but look out for it. If the description sounds of interest, please check it out.
This guy is the real deal. It's your job - should you choose to accept it - to make him write the sequel. And then more.
Oh, and... CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK. Like, for free!
January 26, 2013
Outras Terras
A new cover, compliments of Saída de Emergência in Portugal! Nice, huh? I'd like to vacation here... after the turmoil dies down, of course.
January 24, 2013
Wild Cards Rolls On
I got an email from George RR Martin recently, detailing some good news about foreign deals for
George wrote:
"We have a new Russian deal, this time with Exmo, for translation rights to the first seven books, from WILD CARDS through DEAD MAN'S HAND..."
At that point he says how much the advance is. Alas, I don't reckon he'd want me sharing such info, so on to the next bit.
"We also have a new Spanish language deal. This does not include Spain, but only Latin America. The publisher is Oceano, of Mexico, and the deal is for the same seven books, volumes one through seven. Oceano will pay an advance of..."
Almost got me. But, nope, I need to cut that there.
George concludes:
"So... Wild Cards rolls on, conquering the world nation by nation."
I love that. Now, admittedly, these books all feature the original and early crew members. I'm not one of those, so this doesn't mean that anything of mine is included in these deals. But I'm inclined to believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, even my little dingy. So, I'm pleased for the series in general.
George wrote:
"We have a new Russian deal, this time with Exmo, for translation rights to the first seven books, from WILD CARDS through DEAD MAN'S HAND..."
At that point he says how much the advance is. Alas, I don't reckon he'd want me sharing such info, so on to the next bit."We also have a new Spanish language deal. This does not include Spain, but only Latin America. The publisher is Oceano, of Mexico, and the deal is for the same seven books, volumes one through seven. Oceano will pay an advance of..."
Almost got me. But, nope, I need to cut that there.
George concludes:
"So... Wild Cards rolls on, conquering the world nation by nation."
I love that. Now, admittedly, these books all feature the original and early crew members. I'm not one of those, so this doesn't mean that anything of mine is included in these deals. But I'm inclined to believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, even my little dingy. So, I'm pleased for the series in general.
January 23, 2013
Yikes!
I haven't blogged/Facebooked for an entire month! That's crazy. What gives?
Ah... I dunno. A really lovely Christmas and New Years. That was part of it. Then off to teach the Stonecoast MFA residency. That was a thing, too.
Then I came back sixks az a... dog. I mean that. Some devil flu. Better now, though. Definitely.
And hanging over all of this is some serious tummy-churning writerly stuff. That I can't talk about so much. Working on it. Working on it. I swear.
So... since I'm writing at all, I should provide some new news. There are a few items that qualify as that, but I need to drag things out a bit. So, I offer this: Uberto Pasolini and Redwave Films have extended their film option for my first novel, Gabriel's Story. This is like the eight year they've done this, and I love it. The attached director is
Ah... I dunno. A really lovely Christmas and New Years. That was part of it. Then off to teach the Stonecoast MFA residency. That was a thing, too.
Then I came back sixks az a... dog. I mean that. Some devil flu. Better now, though. Definitely.
And hanging over all of this is some serious tummy-churning writerly stuff. That I can't talk about so much. Working on it. Working on it. I swear.
So... since I'm writing at all, I should provide some new news. There are a few items that qualify as that, but I need to drag things out a bit. So, I offer this: Uberto Pasolini and Redwave Films have extended their film option for my first novel, Gabriel's Story. This is like the eight year they've done this, and I love it. The attached director is
December 21, 2012
Saída de Emergência Rocks!
The other day I got something lovely in the mail. Sort of like an early Christmas present. The special boxed set that Saída de Emergência made for the two-volume Portuguese edition of
The War with the Mein
. Finally, I got me eager little hands on it!
It looks like this:
But that's just from the outside. What's even cooler are the goodies inside. There are the books, of course:
But that's just the start!
There's also a map, with cool highlights and arrows and stuff I can't read:
And on the back of the map are character sketches:
And there's a little Acacia notepad. Are you kidding me? My name is on a notepad in Portugal? I love that.
And I love the way all of the material is full of wonderful details. Great artwork, lovingly crafted touches. They've visualized the world and brought it to life perhaps more than any other publisher has so far.
They've even taking brief descriptions from the text and imagined them artistically. Note the work on the flag of the Akaran family:
I also noticed another cool little bit, the cover for the next book, Outras Terras . It's a small image and a bit blurry, but here's a taste of it:
You know what else? It's just occurred to me that more of my novels have been published in Portuguese than any other language. Different publishers have picked up all of my books since
Walk Through Darkness
! That only leaves out my debut, Gabriel's Story. (The rights for it are available, by the way...)
It makes me wonder who these wonderful people are? Portugal is very definitely a destination for me before too long!
It looks like this:
But that's just from the outside. What's even cooler are the goodies inside. There are the books, of course:
But that's just the start!There's also a map, with cool highlights and arrows and stuff I can't read:
And on the back of the map are character sketches:
And there's a little Acacia notepad. Are you kidding me? My name is on a notepad in Portugal? I love that.And I love the way all of the material is full of wonderful details. Great artwork, lovingly crafted touches. They've visualized the world and brought it to life perhaps more than any other publisher has so far.
They've even taking brief descriptions from the text and imagined them artistically. Note the work on the flag of the Akaran family:
I also noticed another cool little bit, the cover for the next book, Outras Terras . It's a small image and a bit blurry, but here's a taste of it:
You know what else? It's just occurred to me that more of my novels have been published in Portuguese than any other language. Different publishers have picked up all of my books since
Walk Through Darkness
! That only leaves out my debut, Gabriel's Story. (The rights for it are available, by the way...)It makes me wonder who these wonderful people are? Portugal is very definitely a destination for me before too long!
December 18, 2012
Squam Arts Workshops
Here's a thing...
I'll be teaching at the Squam Arts Workshops in June of 2013! This is rather a cool thing, the first time I've been invited. Makes me nervous, actually, but it should be a lot of fun.
Here's a sample from the teachers list...
That's me! And below me, yep, that's Gudrun. She, of course, is a veteran of Squam events, including one in Italy. Much of the program is knitting and fiber-related, artistic and holistic and enriching.
My part? Well, I'm sticking to the only thing I know. Writing. I'm doing a few classes called Story in a Day. It's my first time teaching this kind of workshop, but I've got some ideas and I think it'll be fun. It's open to any style of fiction, just working within a framework of prompts that are fundamental to all storytelling.
Gudrun has come back from Squam having loved it every time. It's a wonderful atmosphere, good people, in a stunning lakeside setting in New Hampshire. So, if you want to hang out and write a story in a day, please do. Bring family and friends! Make it a holiday. Go check out the course list. There's lots of cool stuff to choose from!
I'll be teaching at the Squam Arts Workshops in June of 2013! This is rather a cool thing, the first time I've been invited. Makes me nervous, actually, but it should be a lot of fun.
Here's a sample from the teachers list...
That's me! And below me, yep, that's Gudrun. She, of course, is a veteran of Squam events, including one in Italy. Much of the program is knitting and fiber-related, artistic and holistic and enriching.My part? Well, I'm sticking to the only thing I know. Writing. I'm doing a few classes called Story in a Day. It's my first time teaching this kind of workshop, but I've got some ideas and I think it'll be fun. It's open to any style of fiction, just working within a framework of prompts that are fundamental to all storytelling.
Gudrun has come back from Squam having loved it every time. It's a wonderful atmosphere, good people, in a stunning lakeside setting in New Hampshire. So, if you want to hang out and write a story in a day, please do. Bring family and friends! Make it a holiday. Go check out the course list. There's lots of cool stuff to choose from!December 14, 2012
Wish Me Luck
I'll need it.
I'm heading to town to visit the middle school. I'll be speaking to 80 eight graders about my writing, and then meeting with a class to discuss a short story of mine that they've read.
What's more? This is my daughter's school - and her class! I'll do my best not to embarrass her. ;)
I'm heading to town to visit the middle school. I'll be speaking to 80 eight graders about my writing, and then meeting with a class to discuss a short story of mine that they've read.
What's more? This is my daughter's school - and her class! I'll do my best not to embarrass her. ;)
December 13, 2012
Knit with Me
Or... Not, me, so much, but with my wife and, hopefully, with someone close to you!Just wanted to announce that my wife, Gudrun Johnston, has just published her second book of knitting patterns. This one she did in conjunction with the yarn company Quince & Co.
It's called Knit With Me - a mother and daughter collection. You can read all about it HERE.
The idea, in brief, is that all the patterns are ones that could be knit in adult and children's sizes, mixed and matched, hopefully projects that a mother and daughter could work on together.
The photo shoot happened at a friend's awesome, rambling New England farmstead, and features family friends as models. It's lovely, and it would make a great present! As would Gudrun's first book, The Shetland Trader.
