Paris, Through Maya's Eyes

The latest offering from my artistic 13 year old daughter. She did this drawing for extra credit in her French class. Pretty yummy, huh?

We'll be in Paris again this summer. I'm expecting it to look just like this...

Opinião - Leões de Cartago

I was pleased to notice my historical novel about Hannibal, Pride of Carthage, getting some attention in Portuguese.

The book came out there some years back, but perhaps it's getting some new attention now, since the Acacia Trilogy is being published there.

You could read a review HERE: Os Livros do Lars.

Futuredaze

Just wanted to mention a cool new book.

Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction, edited by Hannah Strom-Martin and Erin Underwood. It's published by Underwords Press, an indie.

Now, I have a particular interest in this anthology for several reasons. One is that I know both these editors. They graduated from the MFA program I teach for - Stonecoast. Another is that they're such awesome readers I've called on both of them to beta read for me on several occasions. The Acacia Trilogy owes a lot to their insights. And also because I read and blurbed this thing!

Here's what I said:

“I love this collection! It offers all the ideas, speculation and creativity I look for in quality science fiction, but it presents them with a nimble verve, with humor and with a focused attention to the interests and concerns of teen readers. Each story works as science fiction, while also resonating at a wonderfully energetic, youthful frequency. That pleasantly surprised me again and again.” —David Anthony Durham, author of The Acacia Trilogy

And here's how they describe the book themselves:

"Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction includes 33 original short stories and poems that spark the imagination, twist the heart, and make us yearn for the possibilities of a world yet to come. Futuredaze includes pieces by Jack McDevitt, Nancy Holder, Gregory Frost, Lavie Tidhar, Sandra McDonald, Brittany Warman, Stephen Covey, E. Kristin Anderson, Alex Dally MacFarlane, Jenny Blackford, and many more!  

Reflecting many of the ideals first set forth by science fiction icons such as Isaac Asimov, George Orwell, and Ray Bradbury, Futuredaze challenges the imagination with young adult fiction that includes far-flung futures, dystopian alternate worlds, life among the stars, and a host of startling stories that embrace the idea of “What if?” that has driven the science fiction genre forward for more then a century. Now, it’s time to give voice to the next generation of science fiction readers and to those of us still young at heart."

Wild Cards Brazil!

I've never heard of a deal like this, but George RR can pull off anything.

Just heard from him that he's sold the entire Wild Cards series to LeYa, a Brazilian publisher. So... we're talking 22 books, from the original Wild Cards up to Lowball, the book we're putting the finishing touches on now!

22 books? Yikes. Those Brazilians have gumption.

I'll have other news about LeYa soon.

Boskone

I'll be heading across to Boston this weekend for Boskone, a conference I enjoy quite a bit. I've got a busy schedule this time. If you're heading that way, make sure to say hello!

Here's what I'll be doing:

Friday 19:00 - 19:25, Reading, Independence 

Friday 21:00 - 21:50, After the End of the World, Burroughs

Sorry Mayans, the world didn't end on 12/21/12 after all. And that's not the first time we've been disappointed like that. Let's discuss apocalyptic prophecies through the ages. What do they say about their creators -- and believers?

David Anthony Durham (M), Brendan DuBois , Allen M. Steele , Alexander Jablokov, Michael F. Flynn

Saturday 10:00 - 11:00, Kaffeeklatsche, Galleria-Kaffeeklatsch 2

Saturday 12:00 - 12:50, Military Motifs in Fantasy, Harbor I

Walter H. Hunt  (M), Craig Shaw Gardner, Myke Cole, Faye Ringel, David Anthony Durham

Saturday 15:00 - 15:50, Writing Advice: The Next Level, Harbor II

Writer Nick Mamatas says, "By the time someone finds their way to a panel at an SF con, stuff like 'Don't quit your day job' and 'Read widely' and 'You have to finish a story before you submit it' is no longer necessary...There is certainly a need for higher-level advice. I had a student recently who had never heard of Freytag's triangle." So let's elevate the answers, people--and the questions.

Jeanne Cavelos  (M), Elizabeth Bear, Beth Meacham, David Anthony Durham, Kate Baker

Saturday 16:00 - 16:50, The Young Adult & Middle Grade Fiction (R)evolution, Harbor II

There seems to be a revolution or evolution in young adult and middle grade fiction that started with series like Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games, and everyone seems to want in on the action. Where did YA & MG fiction come from? What is it? Where is it going? And most importantly who should you be reading?

Erin Underwood  (M), Daniel P. Dern, Jordan Hamessley, David Anthony Durham

Sunday 10:00 - 10:50, Worlds You Won't Forget, Harbor I ( Westin)

Sometimes a created world is so vivid or unusual, it becomes a character in its own right. From old favorites like Ringworld, Riverworld, and Middle Earth to newer, less well-known places like Shellworld, Earwa, or Umayma, what fantastic landscapes do you remember best? What makes a world come alive? Is detailed worldbuilding always worth it for the reader?

David Anthony Durham  (M), Charles Stross, Melinda Snodgrass, Vernor Vinge, Elizabeth Bear

Sunday 11:00 - 11:25, Reading, Lewis

Sunday 13:00 - 13:50, Non-English Fiction & Translation, Burroughs

When translating works of fiction into English, what are some of the dangers associated with capturing the original piece "meaning for meaning?" What affect do cross-cultural references have or the lack of historical knowledge have on either the translator or the reader of the newly translated piece of fiction? Moreover, is the translated work as valid as the original? How might translation techniques impact the interpreted work for good or ill? Panelists will also discuss examples of translated work.

David Anthony Durham (M), Jack M. Haringa, John Chu

Sunday 14:00 - 15:00, Autographing, Galleria-Autographing

James Patrick Kelly, David Anthony Durham, David G. Hartwell

A Few Flakes

So this is Saba yesterday, checking out the first few snowflakes from the coming storm.

His assessment was that it was the real deal. And that proved correct. The day after:

Night of the Swarm

It's with great pleasure that I direct your attention to the publication of a new book - one that concludes a four book epic fantasy series!

The new book is called The Night of the Swarm, by Robert V. S. Redick. It's the last volume of The Chatrand Quartet, that began with The Red Wolf Conspiracy.

I'm so pleased that Robert is wrapping up the series. If you haven't checked this out, give it a look. Here's what Publishers Weekly said about the first book, and I think they got it right:

Insane god-kings, miniature warriors and sentient animals fight over a powerful ancient artifact in Redick's dramatic, complex debut. The Mzithrin and Arquali Empires have been locked in a 40-year cold war over the resources and riches of the Crownless Lands on their common frontier. Now the Chathrand, a floating city built as much by sorcerer as shipwright, bears young Thasha, an unwilling bride to an enemy prince. No one seems sure whether this is a sincere attempt to bind the two empires together in peace or merely a gambit in their political games. The tense atmosphere soon erupts as various factions struggle to find and control the myth-wrapped Red Wolf. Both adult and young adult readers will find much to enjoy in this tale of sea-faring and bloody diplomacy.