Brian McClellan's Blog, page 3
February 16, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 31: Lauren Panepinto
The thirty-first episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is graphic designer Lauren Panepinto.
Lauren is the creative director and a book designer for Orbit Books, where she has worked on covers for many of your favorite science fiction and fantasy authors including, by happy coincidence, mine! She’s also a vice president at Hachette Book Group and has written and lectured extensively about art and graphic design both online and in person at massive conventions, colleges, and art schools.
Lauren and I talk extensively about the huge amount of work that goes into creating a book cover, often using the Powder Mage Trilogy and Gods of Blood and Powder as examples. We also talk about how Lauren’s nerdiness got her into design, how the state of diverse representation helps her stay in love with her job, the importance of self-insert, and why cover trends happen.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on Patreon
February 15, 2022
Promise of Blood is Today's Kindle Daily Deal!
I wanted to let everyone know that Promise of Blood is a Kindle Daily Deal in the US today.
If you or someone you know hasn’t checked out my original trilogy, now’s a great time to gift the book that started it all!
Get the Deal
Promise of BloodPowder Mage Trilogy Book 1
It’s a bloody business overthrowing a king…
Field Marshal Tamas’ coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas’s supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces.
It’s up to a few…
Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.
But when gods are involved…
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should…
February 9, 2022
Preorders for My New Epic Fantasy Now Available!
Great news—preorders for In the Shadow of Lightning are now open! You can preorder a signed copy of the hardcover directly from my website store.
This is the first in my new epic fantasy series called the Glass Immortals, and I’m excited for you all to get to read it. You can find out more about the book—what authors like Brandon Sanderson thought of it, as well as popular retailer links—below!
This is US-only at the moment. We’re trying to get a European reseller set up. I’ll let everyone know when we’ve got more information for international sales!
Preorder Signed Copies In the Shadow of LightningGlass Immortals Book 1
"Excellent worldbuilding and a truly epic narrative combine into Brian's finest work to date. Heartily recommended to anyone who wants a new favorite fantasy series to read." — Brandon Sanderson
From Brian McClellan, author of The Powder Mage, comes In the Shadow of Lightning, a brand-new epic fantasy where magic is a finite resource—and it’s running out.
Demir Grappo is an outcast—he fled a life of wealth and power, abandoning his responsibilities as a general, a governor, and a son. Now he will live out his days as a grifter, rootless, and alone. But when his mother is brutally murdered, Demir must return from exile to claim his seat at the head of the family and uncover the truth that got her killed: the very power that keeps civilization turning, godglass, is running out.
Now, Demir must find allies, old friends and rivals alike, confront the powerful guild-families who are only interested in making the most of the scraps left at the table and uncover the invisible hand that threatens the Empire. A war is coming, a war unlike any other. And Demir and his ragtag group of outcasts are the only thing that stands in the way of the end of life as the world knows it.
Out June 21st, 2022 From Tor Books
Preorder Signed Copies Directly from Brian Amazon Bookshop Indiebound B&N Kobo Apple Books Google Overdrive More Praise for In the Shadow of Lightning
"Powerful rival families, murderous conspiracies, epic battles, larger-than-life characters, and magic."
—Fonda Lee, author of The Green Bone Saga
"Engaging, fast-paced and epic."
—James Islington, author of In The Shadow of What Was Lost
"Clever, fun, and by turns beautifully bloody, In the Shadow of Lightning hits like a bolt through a stained glass window."
—Megan E. O'Keefe, author of Chaos Vector
Note: I'm not set up for international sales of signed copies at the moment, but I'll let everyone know if those become available!
February 8, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 30: Chris Birch
The thirtieth episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is tabletop game designer Chris Birch.
Chris is the founder and publisher of Modiphius, a company that creates roleplaying games, board games, and war games in a diverse range of original and licensed properties including Dune, Star Trek, Fallout, Homeworld, Skyrim, Conan, James Bond, and more! Before founding Modiphius, Chris managed bands, tours, and night clubs for the dance music industry and ran a video game fashion label.
Chris and I talk about Modiphius; the magnificent backlist of licensed properties they’ve been able to work with, how much sociability and the convention circuit matters to a gaming company, and how fantasy art has changed over the years. We also cover Chris’s past jobs, including how those experiences paved the way for Modiphius and how happy accidents drive both our personal and professional lives.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonFebruary 1, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 29: Runesmith
The twenty-ninth episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is YouTuber Logan Reese, better known by his online handle Runesmith.
Logan gives viewers his comedic take on writing and Dungeons & Dragons on his Runesmith YouTube channel and has a liveplay series called Tall Tales. He also writes and produces supplemental modules for Dungeons & Dragons including the wildly successful Kickstarted “Stibbles’ Code of Companions” and “The Seeker’s Guide to Twisted Taverns.”
Logan and I chat about Logan's YouTube channel, creative collaboration, writing for tabletop gaming, the burnout so common amongst weekly creators, and how algorithms and fan demand inevitably steer our professional lives.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonJanuary 25, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 28: James L Sutter
The twenty-eighth episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is game designer and fantasy author James L Sutter.
James is the co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games and was the editor and developer for Paizo Publishing for over a decade where he oversaw Dungeon Magazine and the Pathfinder Tales novel line. James wrote for the Paizo world and has published short stories and essays in a number of venues. He’s also written comics, tabletop gaming material, video games, and most recently sold a young adult romance. Most importantly, and we think key to his whole essence as a creator, James wrote and recorded the music for this podcast!
James and I talk about roleplaying games, his love of music, having equity in one’s work as a writer, viewing the industry from both the creative and corporate sides, and the way the world has changed since they were kids and how that affects writing modern young adult books.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access +Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonJanuary 18, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 27: Caitlin Blasdell
The twenty-seventh episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is literary agent Caitlin Blasdell.
Caitlin began her career editing for Harvard Business School and Harper Collins before making the transition to her current job as a literary agent for Liza Dawson Associates where she has helped nurture and sell such clients as Charles Stross, Rebecca Zanetti, Zen Cho, and numerous others that include me!
I chat with Caitlin about our professional relationship, the ups and downs of the publishing market, an agent’s role where business and creativity meet, and the way our industry has changed over the last decade. Caitlin was also kind enough to answer some of the more standard agent questions, such as what she’s looking for and what kills a query letter.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonJanuary 11, 2022
Page Break Podcast Episode 26: Maggie Mae Fish
The twenty-sixth episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is actor, writer, and comedian Maggie Mae Fish.
Maggie is a wildly prolific writer having worked on projects for Cracked.com, College Humor, Screen Junkies, DreamworksTV, Amazon, and more. She also has a popular YouTube channel, Maggie Does Film Analysis. She’s won awards and shout-outs for her work from Sundance Labs, Coverfly, the LA Independent Film Festival, Polygon, and Forbes.
Maggie and I talk about the acting ecosystem, generational expectations, film and culture from a woman’s perspective, and the unconscious baggage readers and viewers bring to their entertainment experiences.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonDecember 21, 2021
Page Break Podcast Episode 25: Robert Jackson Bennett
The twenty-fifth episode of my new podcast Page Break is now out! In this episode, my guest is epic fantasy author—and a friend for many years—Robert Jackson Bennett.
Robert’s career began back in 2010 with the award-winning Mr. Shivers and The Company Man, followed by The Troupe and American Elsewhere. He then took a turn into epic fantasy with the Divine Cities Trilogy, and is currently two books into the Founders Trilogy which concludes in June 2022 with Locklands.
Robert and I talk about his early work in literary fantasy, keeping his day job while navigating his successful writing career, and his interests in technology, climate change, and politics. We also cover the way we use our writing to discover the way we feel about the world, and condensing real-world problems into digestible narratives.
Listen NowPage Break with Brian McClellan is a collection of casual conversations between me and fellow creative professionals—like two friends sitting down over lunch to discuss career, craft, family, and hobbies.
Authorhood is a quiet sort of minor fame where the person behind the words is often obscured by the works they’ve created. I aim to use this podcast to find out more about my friends and colleagues.
Look forward to weekly conversations with creators like TV writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, epic fantasy author Robin Hobb, science fiction author Pierce Brown, Twitch streamer Mark Hulmes, and many more!
Listen on YouTube Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Early Access + Ad-Free Episodes on PatreonDecember 20, 2021
Holiday Deal: Sins of Empire
I wanted to let everyone know that Sins of Empire is a Kindle Daily Deal in the US today. If you or someone you know hasn’t checked out the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy, now’s a great time!
Get the Deal
Sins of EmpireGods of Blood and Powder Book 1
A world on the cusp of a new age…
The young nation of Fatrasta is a turbulent place — a frontier destination for criminals, fortune-hunters, brave settlers, and sorcerers seeking relics of the past. Only the iron will of the lady chancellor and her secret police holds the capital city of Landfall together against the unrest of an oppressed population and the machinations of powerful empires.
Sedition is a dangerous word…
The insurrection that threatens Landfall must be purged with guile and force, a task which falls on the shoulders of a spy named Michel Bravis, convicted war hero Mad Ben Styke, and Lady Vlora Flint, a mercenary general with a past as turbulent as Landfall’s present.
The past haunts us all…
As loyalties are tested, revealed, and destroyed, a grim specter as old as time has been unearthed in this wild land, and the people of Landfall will soon discover that rebellion is the least of their worries.
