Quill & Quire gives Edward Willett's new YA fantasy Song of the Sword a rave review

The September issue of Quill & Quire, Canada’s magazine of book news and reviews, contains a rave review for Edward Willett's upcoming young adult fantasy Song of the Sword (Lobster Press), first book in a five-book series collectively entitled The Shards of Excalibur. Robert J. Wiersema writes:

Authors who incorporate, interpret, or subvert Arthurian legends in works of contemporary fantasy take a huge risk: the failure rate of such books is staggeringly high. Every so often, though, a writer is skilled enough to utilize the stories of King Arthur and Camelot to significant effect. Guy Gavriel Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry trilogy is definitely on the list. So, too, is Song of the Sword, the impressive new YA novel from Regina writer Edward Willett.

His penultimate paragraph:

It’s an audacious conceit and a daring subversion of the Arthurian mythos, and Willett backs it up with a taut, compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and a keen sense of genuine peril and true wonder. It’s a powerful, fun, engaging read, and it’s the first of a series, so readers have much to look forward to.

Five Star Ratings for Lorina Stephens

Midwest Book Review has given five star ratings to Lorina Stephens' And the Angels Sang, and From Mountains of Ice.

And the Angels Sang is an anthology of short, speculative fiction stories author Lorina Stephens has penned over the course of twenty-five years. Some were previously published in periodicals or writers' workshops; all offer snapshots of the human condition. From the titular story of how a pious man perceives angels even as he suffers unspeakable torture and execution, to the devious negotiations of a "dragonslayer" who has more expertise at selling life insurance than wielding a sword, And the Angels Sang is a cornucopia of fractal glimpses into the mysterious, the fantastic, and surprises that lurk beneath the surface. Also highly recommended is Lorina Stephens' historical novel Shadow Song.

The life of a bowyer won't seem so bad. From Mountains of Ice tells the story of fallen noble Sylvio, as he returns to the courts of Simare and finds that he's being dragged into a world of murder and insanity. Set in an Italian renaissance inspired world, From Mountains of Ice is an entertaining and original fantasy from Lorina Stephens, highly recommended.
 
Lorina Stephens will be reading from, and signing copies of From Mountains of Ice, as well as And the Angels Sang and Shadow Song, this coming Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Chapters Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Ave., Unit 132, North York, ON, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
 
Lorina's books are available in both digital and print format from booksellers globally, and through the Espresso Book Machine.
 


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Writing Coach Gives Free Webinar

Nina, the Writing Coach

Author and writing coach Nina Munteanu joins editor-journalist Vernon Oikle for "Toolkit Talks", a FREE Webinar hosted by Writer's Digest University to discuss the common issues faced by writers wishing to publish. Nina shares some of her best tips on how to get published in this entertaining and very educational one-hour long conversation with award-winning newspaper editor and journalist Vernon Oikle.

Nina and Vernon cover over twenty questions posed by Writer's Digest editors on important writing topics that range from inspiration, keeping the muse, focus issues and getting started to tools of craft, marketing and promotion.


You can still register to view this free webinar and learn some of the secrets writers use to jumpstart and keep their career in upward motion. Register for Nina's free webinar by August 15, 2010 and you may be eligible for additional materials.

Click here to register and view "Toolkit Talks" on Writer's Digest University.

The Bloodlight Chronicles

Steve Stanton's debut novel has now gone to the printer and will be in bookstores soon, with back-cover blurbs by Elisabeth Vonarburg and Matthew Hughes. This postcyberpunk "techno-thriller" is published by ECW Press in Toronto, the first book in a contracted sci-fi trilogy. Steve Stanton's short fiction has been published in twelve countries and nine languages, and he currently serves as the vice-president of SF Canada.

Edward Willett offering electronic galley of Song of the Sword to reviewers

Edward Willett now has an electronic version (a non-printable PDF) of his upcoming YA fantasy Song of the Sword (book one in the five-book series The Shards of Excalibur, published by Lobster Press) available for bona fide reviewers (for online sites or print publication) interested in reading and reviewing the book leading up to its October launch.

If you review books, and you'd like to review Song of the Sword, contact Ed at ewillett(at)sasktel.net.

Cover art for Edward Willett's upcoming YA fantasy

Here's the cover art for Edward Willett's upcoming fantasy Song of the Sword, first book in the five-book series The Shards of Excalibur. The book is due out in mid-October from Lobster Press. Here's the description:

Before the Lady called her, Ariane's life was a mess. Two years ago, her mother disappeared. She bounced around different foster homes until her aunt finally took her in. The meanest clique at her new high school has decided to make Ariane their prime target. And to top it all off, she is having frightening premonitions, and they are becoming more intense. The moment water touches her skin, she sees visions of a lake, a lady, and a sword. When a staircase opens up in the middle of Wascana Lake and the water begins singing to her, she has no choice but to answer the call.Ariane learns that she descends from the Lady of the Lake, and soon the stories she thought were legend become a real life nightmare. She and her unexpected companion, Wally Knight, are charged with finding the scattered shards of Excalibur before Merlin can get his hands on them. The infamous magician, known in this world as software tycoon Rex Major, is trying to recover the pieces of Arthur's sword so he can reforge it and restore his limitless power. Suddenly, Ariane's life seems to have a purpose and a clear direction – but how can a troubled teen and her brainy sidekick outwit the ancient, ruthless sorcerer?

Jeanne Robinson (1948-2010)

SF Canada member Jeanne Robinson passed away peacefully at home on May 30 surrounded by family and spiritual advisors. She was a professional dancer and choreographer, a lay-ordained Soto Zen Buddhist, and co-authored the science-fiction trilogy, Stardance, Starseed and Starmind with her husband Spider Robinson. The original novella, “Stardance,” won the Nebula and Hugo Awards in 1978.
http://www.spiderrobinson.com/jeanne.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Robinson

Lorina Stephens at Indigo, Kingston

This coming Saturday, May 15, Lorina Stephens will appear at Indigo Books and Music, 259 Princess St., Kingston, ON, between 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. She will be signing copies of her latest novel, From Mountains of Ice, a cultural fantasy set in the Italian Renaissance world of Simare.


The novel, Lorina's fifth publication, tells the story of an unlikely hero, Sylvio di Danuto, a back-country bowyer fallen from grace, exiled, dispossessed, the former minister of security for his prince and student, Carmelo. Now Sylvio finds himself summoned back to court for the Festival de Nerezza, the annual autumn remembrance of the dead. The summons carries with it portends of danger, issued by a prince Sylvio suspects is a patricide and insane, a bone-speaker like himself and therefore a rare and potentially powerful force.

From Mountains of Ice is available in both print and digital format from booksellers globally, as well as signed directly from Five Rivers.


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Cover Design for Steve Stanton's Debut Novel

ECW Press in Toronto has released the cover art for Reconciliation, Book One of The Bloodlight Chronicles, publication date September 2010. http://stevestanton.ca

Lorina Stephens at Chapters, London, Ontario

Saturday, April 24, Lorina Stephens, author of the Italian Renaissance fantasy, From Mountains of Ice, will appear at Chapters, Richmond Centre, 86 Fanshawe, London, Ontario, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

She will be signing copies of not only From Mountains of Ice, but And the Angels Sang, and Shadow Song.

For more information about Lorina's tour schedule, visit Five River's calendar.

You can also become a fan of Lorina Stephens through Facebook.
Map is courtesy of Google Maps, street view.


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My first Children's Picture Book, The Ravens of Farne

Like Steve in the previous post, I have publication news that is not quite SF. My first picture book, The Ravens of Farne, is being released this month. It can be pre-ordered from Amazon.ca or Amazon.com

Current reviews and update...

Not exactly SF, but I am very proud and pleased to announce that there was a splendid review of my children's picture book MARITIME MONSTERS - a field guide to the sea serpents, lake lizards and wood legends of the Maritime provinces - in the latest issue of CM.

Click HERE to check out the review.

And there was a blog-based review at Wag The Fox.

http://waggingthefox.blogspot.com/2010/01/rabid-reads-halifax-haunts-by-steve.html

And lastly, Nimbus Publishing has agreed to publish my very first young adult novel, DEEPER, to be released in the Fall of 2010.

Yours in storytelling,

Steve Vernon

Eileen Kernaghan story reprinted in new anthology

Eileen Kernaghan's SF story "Carpe Diem" will be reprinted in a new anthology, The Aurora Awards -- Thirty Years of Canadian Science Fiction,  from the Montreal small press Nanopress .

Nina Munteanu's "Fiction Writer" Gaining Interest in Schools

Nina Munteanu's fiction writing guide The Fiction Writer: Get Published, Write Now! was released by Starfire World Syndicate in 2009 and is eligible for the Canadian Aurora Prix Award. Author of Darwin's Paradox and award-winning blog, The Alien Next Door, Nina teaches a curriculum on “writing to be published” based on The Fiction Writer, which several creative instructors are using in their classes at schools and universities throughout Canada and USA.

Instructors and students of creative writing are enjoying its entertaining and easy-to-read instruction and praise has been very forthcoming:

• “The Fiction Writer is at the top of the required reading list for my Writer’s Workshop students…the quintessential guidebook for the soon-to-be-published.”—Susan H. McLemore, M.Ed., Glynn Academy Language Arts Department


• “Nina Munteanu's The Fiction Writer is the book I wish I had 15 years ago. Writers young and old can find ways to improve their work, with the book's fun, easy to read format.”— Theresa Vinson, Book Seller, Hattie’s Books


• “Nina's writing style is engaging, enlightening, and enjoyable. And like the good Doctor's Tardis, the book is larger than it appears - Get Get Published, Write Now! right now.”—David Merchant, English Instructor, Louisiana Tech University


• “We use this book weekly in my Writer's Workshop class, and it gives us all the right tips to write like a professional author. The chapters are brief and concise, and really help us write both fiction and nonfiction. I would highly recommend this book for anyone hoping to enhance their writing.”—Mark J. Bujold, writing student, Saint Simon’s Island, GA


• “I felt as though she really wanted me to succeed as a writer, and was a mentor sent to provide guidance and inspiration.”— Zoe M. Hicks, author of The Women’s Estate Planning Guide and Dream Catcher, the Power of Faith


• “High energy writer and teacher of writing Nina Munteanu is an upbeat coach for new and published writers seeking to refresh their art.”—Lynda Williams, author of Okal Rel Series


• "I'm very impressed...Nina shares the hard-won knowledge she's accumulated...I'm thoroughly enjoying the book!”—Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of Wake

Simon Rose joins Five Rivers' authors

Five Rivers reached an agreement last week to publish the next young adult novel from author Simon Rose, Flashback.

The novel is a reincarnation, time-travel story about young Vancouver-based Max, who finds himself a reluctant investigator into a murder that happened decades ago to David Dexter. Max’s dreams and findings lead him to people it would appear he knew in a previous life and in the end transport back in time and body into the dangerous psychic experiments during the US/Soviet Union Cold War.

Simon Rose joins Five Rivers’ conclave of authors with six children’s novels in print through Tradewind Books, an impressive list of award nominations, and literary award adjudications (the Governor General and Sunburst among them.) A Derbyshire native, Simon now makes his home in Calgary, Alberta. More information about Simon can be found through his website.

Flashback, Simon’s first young adult novel, is slated for release early in 2011.

New YouTube Post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spZNKiuM5Xw

"Waterfront" was directed by Carol McBride in 1986. Originally short in 35 mm, it stars Eva Mackey and features a gorgeous reading (and adaptation) of my short story "Memory Lapse at the Waterfront." "Memory Lapse" first appeared in New Bodies, An Anthology of Science Fiction, published by Emanation Press. (Toronto, 1981). It was rerprinted in my 2008 anthology, "After the Fires," published by Toronto's Tightrope books. Posted with permission.

Edward Willett sells YA fantasy series to Lobster Press

Edward Willett has sold The Singing Water, the first book in a planned five-book young adult fantasy series (collectively called Excalibur Reforged) set in modern-day Canada, but with Arthurian elements, to Lobster Press in Montreal.

The Singing Water, in which a teenage girl in Regina discovers she's the direct descendant of The Lady of the Lake and must take on a quest to find the first of the scattered shards of the sword Excalibur, will be out in fall of 2010.

Superhuman Fiction from Donna Farley in 1000 Faces

The Hero with a Thousand Faces......


You can read my Hallowe'en/Fairy Tale/Humour/Urban Fantasy/Superhero/YA story in the fabulous zine of Superhuman fiction, 1000 Faces online now!

In "Camellia Chameleon", a suburban kid suddenly discovers she can change parts of herself at will-- and decides she doesn't like it! But on Hallowe'en a threat to a neighborhood child forces Cam to reconsider.....

Plus many more exciting stories. The issue is also available for download to e-book or POD. See the site for details!

Sneak peak at the cover of Dave Duncan's next book

Here's the cover art for Dave Duncan's next novel, Speak to the Devil, coming out from Tor in hardcover in May.

Claire Eamer at book signing and science fair

On Saturday, December 5, Claire Eamer is splitting her time between a book signing and a science fair. She's part of a Gala Yukon Author Book Signing at Mac's Fireweed, Whitehorse's independent bookseller, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. She's also displaying and signing books at the Yukon and Stikine Regional Science Fair at Yukon College.

Edward Willett to teach SF writing course for University of Regina

Edward Willett will be teaching a course in writing speculative fiction for the University of Regina's Centre for Continuing Education Writing Series this spring.

The eight-hour course, which runs Tuesday evenings from March 6 to April 8, is described this way:

Students will receive an overview of the genres included in the umbrella term speculative fiction—science fiction, fantasy and horror—plus hands-on experience in the crafting of stories within these genres. Topics will include idea development, character development, world building and story structure. Information about speculative fiction markets, workshops, writers’ organizations, websites and conventions will also be provided. Students will be expected to produce work to be critiqued and to critique others’ work.

The tuition fee is $99; registration form is online here.

Brent Knowles places first in the Writers of the Future Contest

Brent Knowles has placed first in the Writers of the Future Contest (3rd Quarter 2009).

Two stories of his have also been published recently -- "From the Sea" in On Spec #78 and "The Tale of Lady Spite" in Tales of the Talisman.

Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show publishes Geoffrey W. Cole

Geoffrey W. Cole's short story "Lo'ihi Rising" appears in Issue #15 of Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. Click the link to read a preview of the story and buy Issue #15 for ony $2.50 to read the whole story.

For a deeper look at how this story came about, check out Geoff's essay: "A Yeast-Free Recipe to Make Lo'ihi Rise".

Druids signing at EIA a success

Strange brew. I never blogged like this before. So, news: Last Monday I spent most of the day enjoying the fine support of Indigo Books and the Edmonton International Airport at a book signing. It went superbly well, and met a lot of very nice people! Thanks E-team.

My SF book finalist at the GG!

Les vents de Tammerlan, the second tome of my Chaaas’ cycle, is now a finalist of the General Governor’s literary Awards in the children’s literature category.

“This captivating novel by Michèle Laframboise strays from the well-worn paths of science fiction. While conserving the essential elements of the genre, the author’s subtle, at times poetic, prose creates moving and colourful images and gives life to complex, lovable characters. “

It is a small victory for my story and my paper children, and a larger victory for science-fiction, now recognized as a full flavour of the literary ice cream!

(a nice article by the Mississauga News: http://www.mississauga.com/what's%20on/article/161156--laframboise-awaits-word-on-governor-general-s-award )

Michèle, coming back from a Saskatchewan Tour for the Canadian children's books week. (Tournée Lire à tous vents)

Claire Eamer on book tour in Ontario

Claire Eamer is currently touring schools and libraries in the Toronto-London-Guelph area as part of TD Canadian Children's Book Week. She'll be delivering presentations and readings based on her kids' science books, Spiked Scorpions & Walking Whales and Super Crocs & Monster Wings, as well as her history book for kids, Traitors' Gate and Other Doorways to the Past, all published by Annick Press. TD Canadian Children's Book Week runs until November 21, 2009.

Blog Review and Promotional Tour for Lorina Stephens

Lorina Stephens' latest novel, From Mountains of Ice, a cultural fantasy, was recently reviewed at Wicked Little Pixie, an online reviewer of paranormal romance and cultural fantasy. Full review available here.

Lorina's fall promotional tour continues through December at the following locations in Ontario:
November 28: Coles, 150 First Street, Orangeville, L9W 3T7, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
December 5: Chapters, Stone Road Mall, 435 Stone Road, Guelph, N1G 2X6, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
December 11: Smith Books, Heritage Place, 1350 - 16th Street East, Owen Sound N4K 5N3, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

From Mountains of Ice is available in print and eBook through online retailers worldwide, through the Espresso channel at available locations, as well as select booksellers in Ontario and the publisher, Five Rivers.

For more information about Lorina Stephens visit Five Rivers' website.

Interview with Matthew Hughes at SF Examiner

Matthew Hughes is interviewed by SF Examiner.

Online interview, chat and contest with C.June Wolf Wednesday at Bitten by Books

C. June Wolf is taking part in an online interview, chat and contest at Bitten by Books on Wednesday, September 23, at 10:30 p.m. Central time. Prizes will be awarded!

Joan Savage short story in Orson Scott Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show

Joan Savage's short story "Shadow of Turning" is in the current issue of Orson Scott Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show.

Douglas Smith's collection Chimerascope now available for pre-order from ChiZin Publications

Douglas Smith's second collection, Chimerascope, will be coming out this January from ChiZine Publications. The cover art (at left) is by Erik Mohr.

This is Doug's first full collection, and includes 16 of his favourite stories--fantasy, SF, horror, etc.--including an Aurora Award winner, a Best New Horror selection, and nine Aurora finalists.

Chimerascope is now available for pre-order for the limited edition hardcover and will also be available in trade paperback later.

Joe Mahoney profiled on CBC's Book Club blog

Joe Mahoney is profiled on CBC's Book Club blog in conjunction with the radio series' September focus on science fiction.

ECW Press to publish Steve Stanton's SF trilogy The Bloodlight Chronicles

ECW Press in Toronto has contracted to publish a science fiction trilogy, The Bloodlight Chronicles, by Steve Stanton. The first book in the series, Reconciliation, will be released September, 2010.

Collection of Eileen Kernaghan's speculative poetry comes out this month

Here's the cover for Eileen Kernaghan's new collection of her speculative poetry, Tales From the Holograph Woods, due out this month. The image is Henri Rousseau's painting On the Forest Edge.

On Saturday, September 26 at 2 p.m., along with fellow poet Marci Tentchoff of Double-Edged Books, Eileen will be reading at White Dwarf Books, 3715 West 10th Avenue in Vancouver B.C.

Tales From the Holograph Woods, a 35-year retrospective of Eileen's speculative poetry, is available from Wattle and Daub Books.

Mark Shainblum's profile of Alison Sinclair in McGill Reporter

Mark Shainblum's profile of Alison Sinclair is in the current issue of the McGill Reporter.

Matthew Hughes signs three-book deal with Angry Robot for contemporary fantasy series

Matthew Hughes reports he has made a three-book deal (with an option for a fourth) with HarperCollins's Angry Robot imprint for "a contemporary fantasy series about a mild-mannered actuary who becomes a caped crusader crime fighter with the unwilling assistance of a demon who talks and dresses like Jimmy Cagney in a 1930s gangster movie."

The first three chapters of the first book, somewhat shortened, will run as "Hell of a Fix," the cover story in the December/January issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

Arthur Slade launches website for The Hunchback Assignments

Arthur Slade has launched a new website for his series The Hunchback Assignments.

Notes Art, "I'm really pleased with it, and especially had a lot of fun with the radio plays in the 'play' section of the website. It's so enjoyable to do these extra things with your characters."

Bonus: in the upper-right-hand side there's a "choose your background" button, allowing you to use either the American or the Canadian cover as your background.

Edward Willett replaces Spider Robinson as Author Guest of Honor at Pure Speculation

Edward Willett will be filling in for Spider Robinson as Author Guest of Honour at Pure Speculation, a science fiction convention in Edmonton, after Spider had to bow out to concentrate be with his wife, Jeanne, as she undergoes a round of chemotherapy.

Pure Speculation runs October 2 to 4 at the Shaw Convention Centre.

Poems and stories appearing from Colleen Anderson

Colleen Anderson's poem “The Drowning Ones” is out in Issue No. 77 of On Spec.

Her poem “Don Quixote’s Quandary" came out in the Science Fiction Poetry Association's 2008 poetry contest collection.

Colleen's story “The Boy who Bled Rubies” has just come out in Don Juan and Men: Stories of Lust and Seduction, published by MLR press.

She has sold the story “Best Sipped Slowly” to the anthology The Quantum Genre on the Planet of the Arts.

Lorina Stephens's Five Rivers Chapmanry actively soliciting fiction

Lorina Stephens reports that her "micro-publishing" company, Five Rivers, is:

...now actively seeking from Canadian authors solid, Canadian novel-length fiction, with well-crafted plot and characterization, employing Canadian themes, geography and issues. If you have a manuscript that’s been lying in your bottom drawer because the major US houses aren’t interested in Canadian issues, it’s very likely that manuscript will find a home with Five Rivers. We’ll look at just about any genre with the exception of romance, anything to do with vampires (unless you’re going to deliver something other than Bella and Edward), horror, crime or erotica. If you’re submitting SF, please, think outside the singing oysters thing. If you’re submitting fantasy, we’d rather not see anything about dragons, elves and quests for magical artefacts.

Complete submission guidelines are here.