Brandon Sanderson's Blog, page 57
August 7, 2014
My Calgary schedule starting today—Three events open to the public
I’m in Calgary, Alberta, Canada today through Sunday. The When Words Collide convention is sold out, but there are three events that are free and open to the public. See full details below.
Thursday, August 7, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Fish Creek Library Signing (open to the public)
Address: 11161 Bonaventure Drive SE
Calgary, AB, Canada T2J 6S1
Phone: (403) 260-2600
Date:
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Join us for readings by international bestselling authors, followed by a Q & A and book signing.
Brandon Sanderson, Jacqueline Guest, Mark Leslie, D.J. MacIntosh, Jack Whyte
Friday, August 8, 1:00–3:00 p.m., Clarence-Phaeton room
Festival Guest Readings (open to the public)
Address: The Carriage House Inn
9030 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, AB, Canada T2H 0M4
Phone: (800) 661-9566
For those who missed the Thursday evening readings at the Fish Creek Public Library.
Brandon Sanderson, D. J. McIntosh, Jacqueline Guest, Mark Leslie, Jack Whyte
Saturday, August 9, 8:00–9:00 p.m., Clarence-Phaeton room
Autograph Session (open to the public)
Address: Same as above
Drop by between 8 PM – 9 PM to meet the authors and get your books signed. This session is
open to the public, so tell your friends.
Our Festival Guests are joined by 50+ authors.
When Words Collide, Calgary
Address: The Carriage House Inn
9030 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, AB, Canada T2H 0M4
Phone: (800) 661-9566
This convention is SOLD OUT. Three events are open to the public. See above.
Brandon’s schedule:
THURSDAY August 7
7:00 p.m., Fish Creek Library signing. Open to the public. See above.
FRIDAY August 8
1:00–3:00 p.m., Festival Guest Readings. Open to the public. See above.
4:00–5:00 p.m., Surrey
Live Action Slush – Fantasy Edition
Bring the first page of your manuscript to be anonymously read aloud and receive comments from the editors.
Tony King (reader), Brandon Sanderson, Mark Leslie, Robert Runté, Susan MacGregor, Randy McCharles (M)
7:00–9:00 p.m., Clarence-Phaeton
Guest of Honour Keynotes
Following a brief welcome by the festival chairman, each of this year’s festival guests will speak on a topic of their choice.
Brandon Sanderson, D. J. McIntosh, Jacqueline Guest, Mark Leslie, Jack Whyte, Randy McCharles (M)
SATURDAY August 9
Saturday 1:00–2:00 p.m., Surrey
RPG Storytelling
RPGs or Role-Playing Games make up a huge chunk of the gaming industry. Part of what makes them so popular is the rich storytelling that players experience as they solve problems and learn secrets through the game. Our panel of RPG storytellers and players discuss what draws them to the gaming life.
Brandon Sanderson, Chadwick Ginther, Ron Bender, Dave Gross
3:00–4:00 p.m., Clarence
An Hour With Brandon Sanderson
Join festival guest Brandon Sanderson for a Q&A discussion of his bestselling fantasy novels, including his work on Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time.
5:30–6:30 p.m., Surrey
Festival Banquet
Pre-purchased banquet tickets are required for this culinary delight.
8:00–9:00 p.m. Autograph Session. Open to the public. See above.
SUNDAY August 10
1:00–3:00 p.m., Surrey
Brandon Sanderson on the Writing Process
Brandon will give a creative writing classroom-style lecture on a writing craft topic.
4:00–5:00 p.m., Surrey
How to Build a Consistent and Original Magic System
What are the important elements to a convincing magic system for your fictional world? How can magic help or hinder the development of your story?
Brandon Sanderson, S. G. Wong, Sandra Fitzpatrick, Edward Willett, Nola Sarina
8:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., Yorkshire 2
Magic the Gathering with Brandon Sanderson: Conspiracy
Calling Brandon Sanderson fans: Brandon is an avid gamer and has agreed to participate in a Magic the Gathering Limited Draft Tournament on the Sunday evening of the festival. This tournament is limited to 16 people and will start at 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening and likely run past midnight.
Cost to enter is $10. Cards will be supplied as well as prizes for participants. Registered festival members who would like to ‘play with Brandon’ can email us at info@whenwordscollide.org to get on the tournament list. Once the tournament is full, we’ll keep a waiting list in case someone doesn’t show up. For people who may be new to Magic or a bit rusty, we will be reviewing the cards and rules from 7:00–8:00 p.m.
August 4, 2014
My UK schedule today through Wednesday
I arrived in the UK late Saturday night, and I have five events in three days. Hope to see many of you there! This is my only trip to the UK this year.
Please note: The evening signings on Monday and Tuesday will have more time for running over if there’s a big crowd. The midday signings are “signing only” events; there won’t be time to do a reading and general Q&A since I have to catch a train soon afterward. The Wednesday night signing is also more limited for the same reason. Monday and Tuesday nights are the best bets for seeing me without a rush. Also, some signings may sell out, so call the shop to ask.
Signing details:
London, Forbidden Planet
Date: Mon, Aug 04, 2014
Time: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Place: Forbidden Planet
Address: London Megastore
179 Shaftesbury Avenue
London, UK WC2H 8JR
Phone: 0207 420 3666
Notes: Brandon will do a reading and Q&A before signing, and will sign any book that he wrote. It’s nice to support the shop hosting the event by buying a book while you’re there.
Waterstones Liverpool One
Date: Tue, Aug 05, 2014
Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Place: Waterstones
Address: 12 College Ln
Liverpool, UK L1 3DL
Phone: 0151 709 9820
Notes: This is a “signing only” event. On the UK tour, only the evening events will have time for a reading and Q&A.
Brandon will sign any book that he wrote. It’s nice to support the shop hosting the event by buying a book while you’re there. The bookshop says: “This is a free and non-ticketed event, however we advise you arrive early to avoid disappointment.”
Waterstones Manchester Deansgate
Date: Tue, Aug 05, 2014
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Place: Waterstones
Address: 91 Deansgate
Manchester, UK M3 2BW
Phone: 0161 837 3000
Notes: This is a ticketed event, £6 (£4 for loyalty cardholders).
Brandon will do a reading and Q&A before signing, and will sign any book that he wrote. The bookstore says: “This is expected to sell out, so you’ll need to be quick.”
Waterstones Leeds
Date: Wed, Aug 06, 2014
Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Place: Waterstones
Address: 93–97 Albion Street
Leeds, UK LS1 5JS
Phone: 0113 244 4588
Notes: This is a signing only event. On the UK tour, only the evening events will have time for a reading and Q&A.
Brandon will sign any book that he wrote. It’s nice to support the shop hosting the event by buying a book while you’re there. The bookshop says: “This is a free event but it’s sure to be extremely popular so be sure to arrive early!”
Waterstones Nottingham Bridlesmith Gate
Date: Wed, Aug 06, 2014
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Place: Waterstones
Address: 1/5 Bridlesmith Gate
Nottingham, UK NG1 2GR
Phone: 0115 947 0069
Notes: This is a ticketed event, £5 (£3 for loyalty cardholders). Get your ticket early!
Brandon will do a brief reading and Q&A before signing, and will sign any book that he wrote. He has to catch a train immediately afterward, so this stop may be shorter than the other evening UK events.
July 31, 2014
Tweets July 2014
ScottKing Tue Jul 01
@BrandSanderson If we get Shadows Beneath signed who signs it? Can I request a @MaryRobinette copy or a @howardtayler copy?
MaryRobinette Tue Jul 01
@ScottKing @BrandSanderson @howardtayler I think we’re all signing it at Westercon.
@MaryRobinette @BrandSanderson @howardtayler The Limited Edition signed by everyone says sold out. But there is a single signature edition.
@ScottKing @BrandSanderson @howardtayler Ah… I don’t know the answer to that question.
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 01
@MaryRobinette @ScottKing @howardtayler On the page, we mention the regular edition is signed by me. But we will see what we can do.
GreggRosenblum Tue Jul 01
@BrandSanderson How the hell do you write so much, so fast, so well?
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 01
@GreggRosenblum Slow and steady every day. I don’t write fast, just consistently.
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 01
Legion is DRM-free with 8 other books (including Jay Lake’s final book) for the next 8 days at StoryBundle.com/scifi
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 01
The Shadows Beneath ebook is now up everywhere except for the iBookstore, which is still dragging their feet. link
elektrotal Tue Jul 01
man, i’m wotc’s favorite customer. i buy magic and D&D products by the pound simply for the joy of owning them
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 01
@elektrotal I know exactly how that feels…
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 03
SLC ! Here’s my Westercon/FantasyCon schedule starting today. Two conventions for the price of one! Book launch at 1! link
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 03
The Shadows Beneath hardcovers have arrived in SLC! Kara is picking them up right now. Hope to see you at 1:00! link
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 03
At Fantasycon on Salt Lake? Launch party for our new book is in 15 min at the Downtown Marriott in Salon D. Free food!
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 03
Cool WoT costumes at the convention! pic
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 03
There are still a few slots left for the draft tonight.
D_McKenzie_Cole Fri Jul 04
@BrandSanderson are there plans to make an audiobook version of Shadows Beneath?
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 04
@D_McKenzie_Cole Yes, eventually.
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 04
FantasyCon/Westercon! At noon I’m signing in the dealer’s room in the Marriott at City Creek. 4:00 is my spotlight in Salt Palace Ballroom.
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 04
Pattern cosplay at the convention! pic
NardoPolo68 Fri Jul 04
@BrandSanderson not sure if I should be proud or concerned that strange men are photographing my daughter
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 04
@NardoPolo68 I am more odd than I am strange, really…
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 04
I am going to be doing a reading at FantasyCon in fifteen min. Salt Palace ballroom. Super cool secret chapter of an anticipated book…
taimproblem Sat Jul 05
@BrandSanderson I thought I saw something somewhere about a London appearance in August; is this a thing or did I dream it?
BrandSanderson Sun Jul 06
@taimproblem Will happen. Details going up soon. It is right after my Spain trip.
BrandSanderson Sat Jul 05
Hmm… Last event at Westercon is me being on a “Stump the Guests of Honor” trivia panel. @KenJennings, where are you when I need you?
BrandSanderson Mon Jul 07
SciFi ebook bundle at StoryBundle.com/scifi. In next 24 hours (outside UK/Commonwealth) RT for a chance to win one! pic
BrandSanderson Mon Jul 07
I’m running a contest on Twitter where you can win a DRM-free ebook bundle that includes my novella Legion. See here: link
scmendell Mon Jul 07
@BrandSanderson This is a non-incentive for me because I’ve already purchased, like, 90% of your books. LOL
BrandSanderson Mon Jul 07
@scmendell
Ahmedroid Mon Jul 07
@BrandSanderson Is Firefight really coming early 2015 or late 2014 as was planned originally? Any chances we can have a confirmation soon?
BrandSanderson Mon Jul 07
@Ahmedroid Right now it is first week January.
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 08
For the morning crowd: I’m running a retweets contest. Win free ebooks including Legion! See here: link
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 08
New blog post on the Storybundle contests ending in 2 hours, fan art, & more. link
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 08
Just over one hour is left in the retweet contest to win an ebook bundle. Details: link
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 08
UK folks! In August I’ll be in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Nottingham. Some events are ticketed. link
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 08
Twitter winners of ebooks from StoryBundle.com/scifi are @JonathanAdams12 @SirRobTheGreat @johanilsson @ChynnaMiller @zacwest Check DMs!
BrandSanderson Wed Jul 09
The DRM-free ebook bundle with my novella Legion is available only for the next 11 hours. Snag it before it’s gone! link
BrandSanderson Wed Jul 09
The cover for Legion: Skin Deep has been revealed! You can preorder the limited edition now. link pic
BrandSanderson Wed Jul 09
Legion‘s name-your-price ebook StoryBundle lasts 6 more hours. link And preview the sequel here: link
BrandSanderson Wed Jul 09
Last year I was in the Beyond Words fantasy author calendar. The next one (with different authors) is almost funded. link
ScriptSam Wed Jul 09
@BrandSanderson me and @joyce21632 really love your books, please come to Taiwan again!
BrandSanderson Wed Jul 09
@ScriptSam Thanks! Planning to visit next February.
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 10
Check out this cool Pattern hat made by Ellen Dimiduk. pic
KevinWessman Sun Jul 13
Wife is almost done with the Mistborn trilogy and it’s hard to tear herself away to make cookies. Nice work, @BrandSanderson
BrandSanderson Sun Jul 13
@KevinWessman No cookies? What have I done?
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 18
I wrote an article that’s on the Barnes & Noble book blog, about why we still read novels when there are alternatives link
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 18
Very cool orchestral piece called “The Survivor of Hathsin” by reader Phil Stokes: link
BrandSanderson Mon Jul 21
Cool cosplay of Prof from Steelheart by Steven Walther pic (kneeling, he also had really cool gloves w lights)
lower_nikki Tue Jul 22
@BrandSanderson My awesome aunt made some Shardplate! pic
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 22
@lower_nikki Whoa!
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 22
Want to play Magic with me in Avilés (Spain) or London? Let me know! Also, WotC sent me some awesome giveaways. link
jpsavage1972 Tue Jul 22
@BrandSanderson I would loved to beat you playing magic! but I am at a wedding on the 4th, are you doing anything else in the UK?
BrandSanderson Tue Jul 22
@jpsavage1972 I have a list of events on my website. I will do five signings across three days.
Wizards_MagicEU Wed Jul 23
@BrandSanderson (Dan) Hey Brandon, if you like I can come along to the London event and bring some additional giveaways too?
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@Wizards_MagicEU Dan, that would be great! You’re definitely invited to come along.
@BrandSanderson (Dan) Wonderful, I’ll be there! No need to give me a slot in your draft, I can bring a box of CNS for you to play w/ though?
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
@Wizards_MagicEU Awesome. I sent you a DM.
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
San Diego Comic-Con! Two free samplers, at Random House booth #1514 and Tor booth #2707. link pic
TinTango Thu Jul 24
@BrandSanderson Is that the sequel to Steelheart? I didnt know it was out already!
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@TinTango Not out until just after Christmas, I’m afraid. This is a teaser book of the first few chapters.
William_Pennell Thu Jul 24
@BrandSanderson just started Way of Kings on audio and its great, how long do you think it will take to finish the series?
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@William_Pennell Might take a little while. It’s my main project, but those are big books that take some time do do right.
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@William_Pennell Expect a five-book sequence, followed by a break, then another five-book sequence.
@BrandSanderson Brill, thanks so 5 books by 2019? Do you have a mailing list coz I will forget which books to read during the years?
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@William_Pennell Sure do. You can sign up on my website, under the contact form. We send a list out about every quarter.
daumari Thu Jul 24
@BrandSanderson so how come you aren’t at SDCC?
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@daumari On tour in Europe.
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
I hear that the ebook of The Rithmatist in the UK is £1.39 right now. Find buy links here on the UK tab: link
ltsimps Thu Jul 24
@BrandSanderson I’ve read Radiance, Mistborn, Steelheart. What should I read next ?
BrandSanderson Thu Jul 24
@ltsimps Warbreaker is free on my website. If you want a book by someone else I suggest Name of the Wind or Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
Salt Lake City airport has many Sanderson books with bonus Isaac signatures (on the maps). Gate C6 Simply Books!
PeteBaylyUK Fri Jul 25
@BrandSanderson do you just wander into bookshops armed with a pen?
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
@PeteBaylyUK Yup.
@BrandSanderson how often do they try and throw you out for defacing the books before you explain who you are? :p
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
@PeteBaylyUK Doesn’t happen very often. Helps that my picture is in many of the books.
JimDeley Fri Jul 25
@BrandSanderson now that I’m caught up on all 5 Ice and Fire books, thought I’d switch to some quick, light reading. pic
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
@JimDeley
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
Tight connection in Atlanta means I could only sign at 1 airport store. NYT Bookstore by the E Gate escalators. Steelheart, WoR, and more!
WillLittle210 Fri Jul 25
@BrandSanderson do you have a projected date for Skybreaker?
BrandSanderson Fri Jul 25
@WillLittle210 Spring 2016 probably.
BrandSanderson Sat Jul 26
Nice selection of my books (these plus more) at El Corte Inglés Bookstore at Puerta del Sol in Madrid. All signed! pic
odo Sat Jul 26
@brandsanderson Have a nice stay in Spain! Looking forward to meeting you at @festivalcelsius next week!!!
BrandSanderson Sat Jul 26
@odo See you there!
carll_l Sat Jul 26
@BrandSanderson welcome to Madrid!
July 30, 2014
My Celsius 232 schedule in Spain
Next week I will be in the UK, but right now I’m in Avilés, Spain for the Celsius 232 convention (which has free admission, so come on out). Here’s my complete schedule! Aquí está mi agenda completa.
Address: Plaza Domingo Alvarez Acebal, 2
33402 Avilés, Spain
THURSDAY/JUEVES, July 31
Time: 10:00–12:00
Place: Firmódromo, Carpa de Actividades, across from the Casa de Cultura
Event Type: Signing/autográfos
Notes: Brandon will sign or personalize up to three books each time a reader waits in line.
FRIDAY/VIERNES, August 1
Time: 10:00–12:00
Place: Firmódromo, Carpa de Actividades, across from the Casa de Cultura
Event Type: Signing/autográfos
Notes: Brandon will sign or personalize up to three books each time a reader waits in line.
Time: 19:30–20:45
Place: Casa de Cultura Auditorium
Event Type: Presentation: The Works of Brandon Sanderson
Notes: Moderated by Laura Fernandez
SATURDAY/SÁBADO, August 2
Time: 10:00–12:00
Place: Firmódromo, Carpa de Actividades, across from the Casa de Cultura
Event Type: Signing/autográfos
Notes: Brandon will sign or personalize up to three books each time a reader waits in line.
Time: 19:00–20:15
Place: Casa de Cultura Auditorium
Panel: Three Different Approaches to Fantasy
Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss and Joe Abercrombie
Notes: Moderated by Cristina Macia and Jorge Ivan
July 29, 2014
Hugo voting deadline this week + GraphicAudio Well of Ascension & Updates
The deadline for voting in the Hugo Awards is Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. The online ballot can be submitted here by all World Science Fiction Society members, either who will be attending Loncon 3 from August 14th through 18th, or who have a supporting membership.
I posted an extensive writeup of my thoughts on the Wheel of Time’s nomination in the Best Novel category here, and I hope that all of you who are planning to vote took the time to familiarize yourselves with the nominees in every category. My best wishes to the creators of all the nominated works—it’s an honor to be in your company.
It’s unfortunate that previous travel commitments mean that I’m in the UK next week instead of the following week during the convention. However, Robert Jordan’s wife and editor Harriet McDougal will be there to attend the Hugo Awards Ceremony and enjoy your hospitality in London.
Writing Excuses Season Eight is one of the Hugo Award nominees for Best Related Work. Season 8 covers all the episodes we released in 2013, and currently Season 9 is going strong. Recently we finished a group of critique/workshopping episodes for the short fiction that we published in our anthology Shadows Beneath. The anthology includes our final drafts, but it also includes the first drafts and the transcripts of the episodes where we brainstormed and workshopped them. So before listening to the episodes below, it’s best to get the anthology and read the first drafts.
Critiquing my novella “Sixth of the Dusk”: Part 1
Critiquing my novella “Sixth of the Dusk”: Part 2
Critiquing Mary’s novelette “A Fire in the Heavens”
Critiquing Howard’s story “An Honest Death”
(Note: Dan has a story in the anthology too, but he wasn’t done with his first draft when we were recording the workshopping episodes.)
Mary and Dan are also nominated for short fiction Hugo Awards in the novelette and novella categories. It has truly been a banner year for the whole crew!
In other news, I wrote an article that’s on the Barnes & Noble book blog, about why we still read novels when there are alternatives.
GraphicAudio has released the first part of their full-cast audio dramatization of the second Mistborn book, The Well of Ascension. You can listen to a preview below and pick up the book here. The first Mistborn, Elantris, and Warbreaker are also available.
July 24, 2014
San Diego Comic-Con Freebies
Comic-Con International has started in San Diego this weekend, but I’m not there this year. Instead, I’m flying out tomorrow morning to Spain for Celsius 232, and then flying to the UK. But that doesn’t mean Comic-Con is bereft of things Sanderson. There are two great freebies that you can pick up.
The Firefight chapter sampler is at the Random House booth #1514. This includes the prologue and first three chapters of Firefight. The book comes out in January, but these sample chapters will whet your appetite as David confronts an Epic named Sourcefield. (Note: This sampler does spoil the ending of Steelheart, but so does the existence of a sequel, to an extent.)
Finally, Tor has put together a Mistborn/The Way of Kings two-sided sampler, and it’s at their booth #2707. One side has the prologue and first five chapters of Mistborn. The other side has all of Part One of The Way of Kings (up through the end of chapter 11). Now, I realize most of you have probably read Mistborn and The Way of Kings already, but if you haven’t, this is a great introduction to my solo novels, a total of 296 pages of fiction for free. And if you have read it already, grab a copy and give it to one of your friends!
I’m sure to be back at Comic-Con in San Diego multiple times in future years, but it didn’t fit in this year. Have fun without me!
July 22, 2014
Awesome Prizes from Wizards of the Coast + Magic in Spain & UK
Warning! This is a Magic: The Gathering post. If you’re interested in the game, particularly if you want to play some Magic with me in Spain or the UK in the next few weeks, read on. Otherwise, I promise I’ll post a writing-related update here soon.
Anyway, I’ve been in contact with Ryan Spain over at Wizards of the Coast, and he offered to do something ridiculously awesome for me. From time to time, WotC sends me prizes to give away to people who play Magic with me. I was running low, and Ryan offered to get me some cards signed by the Magic team to give out.
That sounded awesome. But I didn’t know how awesome. A few weeks back, I got several hundred cards in the mail—including a complete foil set of Conspiracy, with most of the cards signed, and a large stack of rares and mythic rares from Theros block and M15. (Along with a few other goodies.)
I’m blown away by how awesome this is; check out the pictures below for just a few pages of what we’ve been sent, along with the key listing people’s signatures so you know who has signed what. (Ryan says he told them to sign cards they personally had a hand in designing or developing.)
I want to give a big thanks to the Wizards team.
It’s my intention to give these all away to fans over the next year or so. I’ll probably be giving some away randomly, while in other cases if you beat me, I’ll let you thumb through the binder and pick one to take. (In addition, I intend to give some of the more expensive cards to be used as prizes for the charity Magic draft I’ll be doing at Salt Lake Comic-Con.)
Magic the Gathering in Spain and London
Now, at the end of July and beginning of August I’ll be in Spain and the UK. I know that playing Magic at my US conventions works very well, and I can pretty much tell how many people will show up to play along. But when it comes to traveling to other countries, I really don’t know what to expect.
On August 4th I’ll be in London signing at Forbidden Planet, as part of my UK tour, and I might have some time after the signing to play Magic. We would limit the signup to eight players, but others would be welcome to come and ask questions while we played.
I’ll also be in Avilés, Spain starting July 30th as part of the Celsius 232 science fiction and fantasy festival. What I want to know from my readers in the UK and Spain is whether there is enough demand for me to set up a Magic event in Avilés and another one after the Forbidden Planet signing in London.
Let me know through the contact form if this is something any of you are interested in. We’ll then judge the demand and plan accordingly. (And if you’re not interested in Magic at all, you can still use the contact form to tell me your city so I can send you an email when I’m signing nearby.)
July 9, 2014
Legion: Skin Deep cover revealed!
I’m pleased to present to you Jon Foster’s cover illustration for the second Legion novella, Legion: Skin Deep, coming later this year from Subterranean Press. I think Mr. Foster did a fantastic job with this illustration, and I like it even better than his cover for Subterranean Press’s edition of the original Legion. There’s a small version to the right, and you can see a bigger version below.
If you haven’t read the original and aren’t familiar with the concept, I describe Legion as a fast-paced, witty, and supremely fun thriller with a psychological bent. Stephen Leeds is perfectly sane. It’s his hallucinations who are mad. A genius of unrivaled aptitude, Stephen can learn any new skill, vocation, or art in a matter of hours. However, to contain all of this, his mind creates hallucinatory people—Stephen calls them aspects—to hold and manifest the information. Wherever he goes, he is joined by a team of imaginary experts to give advice, interpretation, and explanation. He uses them to solve problems . . . for a price. His brain is getting a little crowded, however, and the aspects have a tendency of taking on lives of their own.
A good way to check out the first Legion is in the Cosmic SciFi StoryBundle that’s available for only the next 9 hours as of this posting. And there’s an excerpt on Tor.com.
Ever since I wrote the original Legion novella, readers have been asking when we’ll see more of Stephen Leeds’s adventures. And the answer is in just a few months. Stephen and his aspects are some of my favorite characters to write, so it was a joy to get back to them. And this time the adventure lasts twice as long—while the first novella was 18,000 words, this one is 36,000, longer than The Emperor’s Soul. It explores Stephen’s world in interesting new ways, and if you liked his first story at all you’re going to love this one. You can read a preview here.
This book will also be released as an ebook and an audiobook, but the only version up for preorder at this time is Subterranean’s gorgeous limited edition. A special bonus for the limited edition readers is that you will also get the ebook version before anyone else.
Description from Subterranean Press:
Brandon Sanderson is one of the most significant fantasists to enter the field in a good many years. His ambitious, multi-volume epics (Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive) and his stellar continuation of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series have earned both critical acclaim and a substantial popular following. In Legion, a short, distinctly contemporary novella filled with suspense, humor, and an endless flow of invention, Sanderson revealed a startling new facet of his singular narrative talent. In the stunning sequel, Legion: Skin Deep, that talent is on full display.
Stephen Leeds, AKA “Legion,” is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the new story begins, Leeds and his “aspects” are hired by I3 (Innovative Information Incorporated) to recover a corpse stolen from the local morgue. But there’s a catch. The corpse is that of a pioneer in the field of experimental biotechnology, a man whose work concerned the use of the human body as a massive storage device. He may have embedded something in the cells of his now dead body. And that something might be dangerous . . .
What follows is a visionary thriller about the potential uses of technology, the mysteries of the human personality, and the ancient human need to believe that death is not the end. Legion: Skin Deep is speculative fiction at it most highly developed. It reaffirms Sanderson’s place as one of contemporary fiction’s most intelligent—and unpredictable—voices.
Legion: Skin Deep will feature a full-color dust jacket, and two full-page, full-color interior illustrations by Jon Foster.
In addition, upon publication, everyone who has preordered Legion: Skin Deep direct from SubPress will receive a free copy of the ebook.
Limited: 2500 numbered copies, bound in leather, signed by the author.
July 8, 2014
StoryBundle contests + Miscellaneous Updates
The SciFi ebook StoryBundle with my novella Legion is available only until Wednesday night, so the clock is ticking. I’m running three giveaway contests (ending very soon!) where you can win the DRM-free ebook bundle: One on Twitter, one on Facebook, and one on Google+. The rules for each are slightly different, so check out the posts and share them! Note that Legion is not available in the bundle if you’re in the UK/Commonwealth (except for Canada).
Later this year Subterranean Press will be releasing a limited edition hardcover of Legion‘s sequel, Legion: Skin Deep, which you can preorder here and read a preview of here. If you haven’t read the original Legion, this bundle is a great way to whet your appetite and get ready for the sequel.
Writing Excuses has aired a couple of episodes that I haven’t talked about yet:
Side Quests
Adjusting Character Sympathy
Adjusting Character Competence
Prewriting
Critiquing “Sixth of the Dusk” (part 1)
Before listening to that most recent episode, it’s most useful to read the first draft of my novella “Sixth of the Dusk,” which you can find in the “The Making of Sixth of the Dusk” section of the Writing Excuses Anthology, Shadows Beneath, now available, which I talked about last week. The critique of my story will continue in next week’s episode, and then we’ll move on to critiquing Mary’s and Howard’s drafts of their stories.
My assistant Peter has uploaded another Twitter posts archive for June.
Playing a bit of catch-up, here are some interviews I did for BYU Radio back in March that I don’t think I ever posted. One, two.
I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned that the jewelry section of the store now has the Bondsmith glyph and the Oathbringer shardblade pendant. There’s lots of other cool jewelry from Mistborn and Elantris, so check it out. Also, shirts are on sale.
There are a couple of recent awards that books have picked up. The Association of Mormon Letters (AML) has presented the Award for Young Adult Speculative Fiction for 2013 to The Rithmatist. Also, Steelheart won the Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel of 2013. I’m honored.
Speaking of Steelheart, the German version has been released in Germany. Also, this:
This lovely photo is the work of Ta’veren Tees and fans of the JordanCon persuasion.
And here’s a great piece of Jasnah Kholin fanart by Mandy/exmakina on Tumblr.
July 3, 2014
Salt Lake City! Westercon/FantasyCon today!
Starting today I (and the rest of the Writing Excuses crew) will be at two conventions in Salt Lake City, Westercon and FantasyCon! “Two conventions?” you say. “But which one shall I attend!” I know, it’s a bit strange, but being a member of either convention will also get you into the other convention. Just wear your badge (from whichever convention you registered at) and the other convention will let you in too.
Westercon is at the Marriott Hotel Downtown at City Creek, 75 South West Temple. FantasyCon is across the street, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 South West Temple. Here’s a handy map.
Most of my events are at Westercon at the Marriott, but I’ll have one event at FantasyCon at the Salt Palace on Friday and another event on Saturday. The details are all below.
I’ll also have a booth in the dealer’s room at Westercon. My assistant Kara has brought up the new Writing Excuses anthology, other signed hardcovers of mine, T-shirts, and Kaladin beanies. Badali Jewelry also has a booth at FantasyCon (#618 / #620), and they have the Mistborn, Elantris, and Stormlight Archive jewelry.
There are a few events that I want to highlight for the weekend. First, we’ll be doing live recording sessions of Writing Excuses with Mary, Dan, and Howard on Thursday and Friday at Westercon and Saturday at FantasyCon. We’ll have special guests like Cory Doctorow and Peter S. Beagle, and we’ll probably also do some audience Q&A episodes.
But before the Thursday session is the official launch party for Shadows Beneath: The Writing Excuses Anthology. Mary lined up some goodies for the event and we’ll have lots of hardcovers, so come on out!
Finally, I have two Magic: The Gathering drafts, and we’ll be trying out the Augmented Draft I talked about a few weeks ago. The cost for each draft is $15, and slots are limited to 15 people per draft. Sign up in the gaming room at Westercon ahead of time!
Thursday, July 3rd
12:00–1:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon D&E
Opening Ceremonies
Welcome to Westercon67 in Salt Lake City, Utah – with a plethora of guests and an introduction to an exciting weekend.
1:00–2:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon D&E
The premiere of Shadows Beneath: The Writing Excuses Anthology
Shadows Beneath is the Writing Excuses anthology containing stories the hosts of the show brainstormed and critiqued on-air. In keeping with the Writing Excuses theme to help writers, in addition to the final, edited stories, Shadows Beneath also contains first drafts, first-draft to last-draft comparisons, revision notes, and show transcripts corresponding to each of the stories. The anthology will be available for the first time at WesterCon.
Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler
2:00–4:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon D&E
Writing Excuses LIVE
Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler; guests include Peter Orullian and Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury
4:15–5:30, Marriott Dealer’s Room, Brandon Sanderson/Dragonsteel booth
Booth signing for Brandon Sanderson
We’ll have books, shirts, beanies, and other goodies!
8:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., Marriott Hotel Wasatch-Brighton Room
Magic: The Gathering Draft (Conspiracy) with Brandon Sanderson
Signup in the Gaming room required, $15 fee. Maximum 15 people.
Friday, July 4th
12:00–1:00, Marriott Dealer’s Room, Brandon Sanderson/Dragonsteel booth
Booth signing for Brandon Sanderson
We’ll have books, shirts, beanies, and other goodies!
1:00–3:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon D&E
Writing Excuses LIVE
Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, Mary Robinette Kowal; guests include Cory Doctorow, Deirdre Saoirse Moen
4:00–5:00 p.m., Salt Palace Convention Center Ballroom 2
Brandon Sanderson Guest of Honor Spotlight
Brandon does a reading and Q&A. He may read from something surprising.
8:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., Marriott Hotel Wasatch-Brighton Room
Magic: The Gathering Draft (Theros with Augmented Cube!) with Brandon Sanderson
Signup in the Gaming room required, $15 fee. Maximum 15 people. This will be an Augmented Cube that Brandon talked about here.
Saturday, July 5th
1:00–3:00 p.m., Salt Palace Convention Center Room 250
Writing Excuses LIVE
Mary Robinette Kowal, Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, Dan Wells; guests include Peter S. Beagle, J.R. Johansson, Mette Ivie Harrison
4:00–5:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon B&C
Worldbuilding Basics
Societal mores, fully realized economic systems and historical references are just some parts of a well-developed setting for your characters.
Brandon Sanderson, M. Brook West, Renee Collins, Bryan Young (m)
6:00–9:00 p.m., Marriott Hotel Salon B&C&D&E
Author Signings and Tag-Team Jeopardy
Author book signing and rotating jeopardy panels for your enjoyment. See how the authors let their fun out.
All authors at Westercon (Brandon included)
Finally, there are a couple of panels that I’m not on, but my assistants are! And check the schedule for other panels that Mary, Dan, and Howard are doing.
Friday
10:00–11:00 a.m., Marriott Hotel Salon A
Writing Assistants: What do they do and when do you need one?
Writing is a solitary business. But does the business of being a writer need to be as well? Writing Assistants give advice.
Sandra Tayler (m), Isaac Stewart, Peter Ahlstrom, Chersti Nieveen
Saturday
10:00–11:00 a.m., Marriott Hotel Salon A
Designing and Publishing Your Own Print and Ebooks: The Production Process Behind the Writing Excuses Anthology
Brandon Sanderson’s assistants Peter Ahlstrom and Isaac Stewart talk about the process behind editing, designing, and publishing Shadows Beneath: The Writing Excuses Anthology. Learn how to apply the same process to your own self-published books to add that professional touch that will set your books apart from the rest.
Peter Ahlstrom, Isaac Stewart.
