George R.R. Martin's Blog, page 206

Bow and Hammer

The bloody bowman knows what it's like to be dead. He's met his waterloo and been a casualty, and seen his share of apparitions too. The horny-headed hammerhand is older than you might have thought, but too young to need a pacemaker, though he might have ridden on the ferry with Gerry. Another friend of our kraken's sister, he knows the doctor and the wizard too. Damned if he doesn't play what he calls football (not the real kind).

Three More for the Show

I have fallen way behind in introducing you to the many of the wonderful actors and actresses that have been cast recently for HBO's GAME OF THRONES. They're hiring them faster than I can write about 'em.

There's too many for me to catch up in one swell foop, but let me mention a few.

Playing Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, will be the distinguished British star of stage and screen CHARLES DANCE, O.B.E., who has been our dream casting for this role since the mome...

Memories of Semana Negra

Just stumbled across these on YouTube, and thought some of you whackaroonies might get a hoot out of them.

Here's me having entirely too much fun at Semana Negra two years ago:



And here's me still having fun at Semana Negra, and doing a panel with Scott Bakker and Paco Taibo II:



Semana Negra -- for those who don't know -- is an annual "literary conference meets a state fair" held in Gijon, a colorful seaside city in the north of Spain. Writers come from all over the world to talk about their bo...

Coming Soon to a Bookstore Near You...

... if you happen to live in Brazil.

September 1 is the official release date for the first Brazilian edition of A GAME OF THRONES, to be published by Leya.

The Brazilian editions will sport the beautiful Marc Simonetti art from the recent French reissues. Just thought I'd give you all a peek:



This will be the first of my books to be published in Brazil. Or, indeed, anywhere in South America. A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is now on five continents. I only need to conquer Africa and Antarctica to ha...

Going, Going...

My stock of the 2009 Ice & Fire calendar, with its wonderful Michael Komarck art, is almost exhausted.

As of this moment, I have three (3) left.



The calendars are not available for purchase, but are available free with a $100 purchase of signed books, as in my post below.

But it's strictly first come, first served... and no, I won't hold or reserve or "put one aside." The next three qualifying book orders get these last three calendars.

Questions about this offer should be directed to my assista...

Sorry, New York

I wanted to announce -- just in case anyone reading this was making plans on going there to see me or get a book signed -- that I am scrapping my plans to attend this year's New York City Comicon.

Hey, it's still a great show, with lots of terrific guests. So attend, by all means. But not just for me... I won't be there.

It's nothing about the show, and certainly nothing about the city. New York is one of my favorites cities in the world, and I like to visit whenever I can. And I will try t...

Really?

Okay, all this is news to me, especially the bit about the magazine.

Which, y'know, I'm figuring is more wishful thinking than an actual fact.

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/08/game-of-thrones-to-premiere-in-spring.html

But I've got to admit, it would be COOOOL.

Dr. Hook put it much better than I can.

Dancing

Another chapter done.

And another character. This wraps up Yogi for the book. The Meereenese knot is hanging by a thread. One more good slash and it may finally part.

That's eight characters completed. Not counting the prologue or epilogue.

Course, there's still more to due. Got to get back to shoveling Snow soon, and there's still Fred hanging on, but first I need to hack at that blasted knot some more.

(Some year all this will make sense to you. Assuming anyone still cares).

August

August? August? AUGUST??? How the hell did it get to be August? What happened to July? Who took June?

Argh.

Well, I had to turn over the page on my World Wildlife Fund calendar. The big gorilla has been replaced by elephants. But Kong is not yet subdued. So much for omens.

Perhaps for the next month it is my fate to wrestle Dumbo. How am I gonna beat Dumbo? He FLIES.

I actually had a very good day today, writing about a character who wasn't originally supposed to be a POV, but has tur...

Dancing

Still have that final Fred chapter to finish. Sometimes it's good to change gears, though, so I did that today, and completed the last Barney chapter.

So that's one more viewpoint done with, at least.

If only I didn't have so many of them...