Marc Aplin's Blog, page 227
June 12, 2014
Reaper’s Gale by Steven Erikson
You’ve heard of the super cell? That thankfully rare occasion where a number of storms, each one a threat to life and limb and capable of doing some serious property damage, combines to create one mother of an event, the likes of which has people battening down the hatches or fleeing before the front? Well, […]
John Jarrold’s Literary Agency Celebrates 10 years
I’d like to say a huge congratulations to John Jarrold who today celebrates the 10th anniversary of his Literary Agency. Literary Agents are the unsung heroes in the publishing world. Every year they receive thousands of manuscripts from authors who truly believe what they are sending in is the next big thing. The literary agent and their […]
June 11, 2014
The Buried Life by Carrie Patel
The gaslight and shadows of the underground city of Recoletta hide secrets and lies. When Inspector Liesl Malone investigates the murder of a renowned historian, she finds herself stonewalled by the all-powerful Directorate of Preservation – Ricoletta’s top-secret historical research facility. When a second high-profile murder threatens the very fabric of city society, Malone […]
Amazon stand-off not just with Hachette anymore…
For those not in the know, Amazon and Hachette had some kind of breakdown during negotiations a few weeks back. Although no one has told us what exactly this breakdown was over, we can speculate that Amazon asked for some kind of price drop from the publisher to which they refused – telling Amazon that […]
June 10, 2014
Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil pressed their hands to their hearts and started the apocalypse.” And so begins Dreams of Gods & Monsters, Laini Taylor’s conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy. The depth of this elaborately created world was realized only at the end and left me with […]
Cover for Aaronovitch’s ‘Foxglove Summer’
I remember being in a bookshop a few years back (a second-hand one) and an elderly lady, maybe 75, tilted a book towards me and said “nice cover this, isn’t it?” Turns out I knew the book, it was Rivers of London, “Yes I said, it is very good too – it is about a […]
‘The Child Eater’ – Digital Cover Reveal
I should hope by now that when I mention the name ‘Jo Fletcher’ to you I invoke fond memories; memories of fantastic, unforgettable books that span a range of our favourite sub-genres. For those who just pick up books and don’t really pay attention to who publishers what, let me educate you: Jo Fletcher is […]
June 9, 2014
Shield and Crocus by Michael R. Underwood
Ever since Jaws, summer is the time Hollywood studios release their action blockbusters. If the movie has robots, monsters, superheroes, or magic, odds are, it’ll come out during the summer. Now let’s say you’re walking up to your local theater, and you see this poster: A lone hero, perched above a city, carrying a shield, […]
June 8, 2014
But I Just Want to be Normal!
“Why me?” the protagonist cries as she throws an angry lightning bolt at the sky. Ever since she discovered her superpowers and incredible strength, being a hero has been such a burden. She flops down on the still-smoking bench that seconds ago she hollowed out of a log using her pinpoint accurate laser vision. “I […]
The World Goes Robin Hobb Cover Crazy!
Over the last few weeks we been inundated with Robin Hobb covers! Evidently (and quite rightly!), the publishers are taking advantage of the fact Robin is returning to events facing her fans’ favourite characters. Here are the new covers for the US paperback editions of The Liveship Traders Trilogy! Of these covers, Robin said: The […]
