David Anthony Durham's Blog, page 30
October 4, 2011
Release Day
That's what today is. The Sacred Band slides into stores today. It's exists. It's alive! (At least, I hope it is.)
So what's that mean in the life of David Anthony Durham? What grand things do I have planned for today? Well, I'll tell you what I've done so far...
I've made omelets for the kids' breakfast.
I've walked the dog.
I've tried (and failed) to replace the fan belt on the car we're borrowing.
I've eaten leftover curry for lunch.
I've answered emails and mucked about with some interviews and essays.
It's now about time to walk the dog again...
Not very impressive, really. But what do I have in mind for later?
More of the same. That's how we roll around here. I'm in Scotland, an ocean away from where the book is pubbing. That's fine, though. My triplets are all grown up. They have to make their own way in the world.
That said, I hope that you include The Sacred Band in your plans for the day. If you're at all considering buying it... ah, please do. Go for it! What's the harm? What's the worst that could happen? And don't delay! Sales made this first week count a lot in terms of how/if my publisher invests in promoting the books in the weeks to come. So, if you're going to get the book eventually, considering making that eventually today!
I will be forever grateful if you do.
Oh, and I should mention that Suvudu.com has my Release Day Interview up HERE.
So what's that mean in the life of David Anthony Durham? What grand things do I have planned for today? Well, I'll tell you what I've done so far...
I've made omelets for the kids' breakfast.
I've walked the dog.
I've tried (and failed) to replace the fan belt on the car we're borrowing.
I've eaten leftover curry for lunch.
I've answered emails and mucked about with some interviews and essays.
It's now about time to walk the dog again...
Not very impressive, really. But what do I have in mind for later?
More of the same. That's how we roll around here. I'm in Scotland, an ocean away from where the book is pubbing. That's fine, though. My triplets are all grown up. They have to make their own way in the world.
That said, I hope that you include The Sacred Band in your plans for the day. If you're at all considering buying it... ah, please do. Go for it! What's the harm? What's the worst that could happen? And don't delay! Sales made this first week count a lot in terms of how/if my publisher invests in promoting the books in the weeks to come. So, if you're going to get the book eventually, considering making that eventually today!
I will be forever grateful if you do.
Oh, and I should mention that Suvudu.com has my Release Day Interview up HERE.
October 3, 2011
Map Anyone?
The map for the new book just went up at my website. If want to take a gander at it you can do so HERE!
Excerpt Anyone?
There's an excerpt from The Sacred Band over at Suvudu.com. If you're interested in getting a glimpse of how the book begins, click over HERE and have a quick read!
Oh, and let me add that the excerpt is also up at Underwords. It just one of many books that Erin has posted excerpts of. So, if you want to browse other authors as well, take a look HERE.
Oh, and let me add that the excerpt is also up at Underwords. It just one of many books that Erin has posted excerpts of. So, if you want to browse other authors as well, take a look HERE.
October 1, 2011
The Last Pre-Pub Review
There was only one of the big four pre-publication reviews that I hadn't seen. I couldn't really track it down, though I knew it existed. Then, to my surprise, Bill Schafer from Subterranean Press dropped me an email that included it. Thanks, Bill!
With it, I think it's safe to say that the early reception of the book has been very good. Here's hoping the actual readers feel the same!
And herewith, what Booklist had to say about The Sacred Band:
Durham's sprawling epic fantasy trilogy comes to an end with this final volume, which follows The Other Lands (2009). The Acacians are preparing for war with their enemies, the fierce Auldek, and Queen Corinn Akaran has mastered a powerful weapon: The Song of Elenet. Not only does the Song allow her to lay waste to her enemies on the battlefield, but it also gives her the ability to resurrect her older brother, Aliver—and control him. Her sister, Mena, is scouting ahead in preparation for the coming war, while their younger brother, Dariel, remains separated from his siblings and his lover. As she prepares for Aliver's coronation so that he can rule with her, Corinn is blindsided by the return of the exiled Santoth, a band of sorcerers who put a deadly curse upon her in order to harness the power of the Song. Readers who began the Acacia trilogy with the first book, when the Akaran siblings' father was overthrown by a warlord, will find themselves immersed in this absorbing, far-reaching conclusion and the many story lines it wraps up.
With it, I think it's safe to say that the early reception of the book has been very good. Here's hoping the actual readers feel the same!
And herewith, what Booklist had to say about The Sacred Band:
Durham's sprawling epic fantasy trilogy comes to an end with this final volume, which follows The Other Lands (2009). The Acacians are preparing for war with their enemies, the fierce Auldek, and Queen Corinn Akaran has mastered a powerful weapon: The Song of Elenet. Not only does the Song allow her to lay waste to her enemies on the battlefield, but it also gives her the ability to resurrect her older brother, Aliver—and control him. Her sister, Mena, is scouting ahead in preparation for the coming war, while their younger brother, Dariel, remains separated from his siblings and his lover. As she prepares for Aliver's coronation so that he can rule with her, Corinn is blindsided by the return of the exiled Santoth, a band of sorcerers who put a deadly curse upon her in order to harness the power of the Song. Readers who began the Acacia trilogy with the first book, when the Akaran siblings' father was overthrown by a warlord, will find themselves immersed in this absorbing, far-reaching conclusion and the many story lines it wraps up.
September 29, 2011
FantasyCon
I'm up early on strangely warm Scottish autumn afternoon. Seeing the kids off to school, and then I'll be heading south to Brighton for British FantasyCon. Never been to a British Con before, so it'll be a new experience for me. Not sure if I'll just lurk, or if I'll actually rub shoulders and knock back drinks with folks. We shall see...
I'll let you know how it goes.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Carola Strang at ActuSF
As a follow up to my earlier post showing the lively cover for the French version of The Sacred Band (Acacia L'alliance sacrée), here's a link to an interview with my French editor, Carola Strang.
She's terrific. In a business that doesn't always promote bravery in editorial decisions, she's also quite courageous. As she describes in the interview, she wants to publish titles that aren't interchangeable with lots of other titles. She looks for things she finds more unique, more substantial. And then she sticks by them, even though that's a lot harder than following the popular flow instead...
Risky way to do business, but I love her for it.
HERE's the interview.
She's terrific. In a business that doesn't always promote bravery in editorial decisions, she's also quite courageous. As she describes in the interview, she wants to publish titles that aren't interchangeable with lots of other titles. She looks for things she finds more unique, more substantial. And then she sticks by them, even though that's a lot harder than following the popular flow instead...
Risky way to do business, but I love her for it.
HERE's the interview.
September 28, 2011
In Case You Missed It...
...there's been a bit of a firestorm recently revolving around the subject of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender characters in YA fiction. What started this particular, um... discussion... off was that two authors, Rachel Manija Brown and Sherwood Smith wrote a piece for the Genreville blog of Publishers Weekly, claiming that they had been told by a perspective agent that they should straighten a character's sexual orientation - or at least not disclose it. (Here's that post.)
This took off pretty fast on the internet, and shot into mainstream media quickly, as in this article in the UK's Guardian newspaper.
The two authors hadn't mentioned the agent by name, but she came out herself - Joanna Volpe - with a strongly worded denial of the claims, posted here at The Swivet.
Opinions and counter opinions have been flying ever since.
Occupation: Girl has a terrific summation of the whole situation, with lots of quotes from lots of voices. YA Highway also tackles it with a summation.
Just mentioning it...
This took off pretty fast on the internet, and shot into mainstream media quickly, as in this article in the UK's Guardian newspaper.
The two authors hadn't mentioned the agent by name, but she came out herself - Joanna Volpe - with a strongly worded denial of the claims, posted here at The Swivet.
Opinions and counter opinions have been flying ever since.
Occupation: Girl has a terrific summation of the whole situation, with lots of quotes from lots of voices. YA Highway also tackles it with a summation.
Just mentioning it...
September 27, 2011
What Do You Think Of This?
It's Le Pre aux Clercs cover for the French edition of The Sacred Band. I don't mind admitting, I'm loving the full-on aerial dragon battle feel of it.Ah, Mena, my princess...
The artwork is by Didier Graffet, who also did the art for the first two books.
September 26, 2011
Amazon.es
I just noticed that there's now an Amazon site for Spain. I guess it was only a matter of time.I promptly went over and tried to find my books there. Success!
HERE they are.
Of course, I wish I had more books there. For the time being, the Spanish continuation of the Acacia series in on hold, but I have hopes we'll reboot it eventually.
September 22, 2011
They're Giving Away My Books? What Madness!
Yes, but it's a good kind of madness.
Want a copy of The Sacred Band for free? Go check out the giveaway at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist: Click HERE.
Hey, if you win it you don't have to buy a copy for yourself. You could buy a copy for a friend instead!
Want a copy of The Sacred Band for free? Go check out the giveaway at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist: Click HERE.
Hey, if you win it you don't have to buy a copy for yourself. You could buy a copy for a friend instead!
