Close
post-featured-image

On the Road: Tor/Forge Author Events for April

A Shadow All of Light by Fred ChappellA Voice from the Field by Neal GriffinEvery Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Tor/Forge authors are on the road in April! Here is the info on all of our upcoming author events. See who is coming to a city near you!

Charlie Jane Anders, All the Birds in the Sky

Wednesday, April 13
The Delancey – Writers With Drinks NYC
New York, NY
7:00 PM

Friday, April 22
Copperfield’s Books
Petaluma, CA
7:00 PM

R.S. Belcher, The Brotherhood of the Wheel

Saturday, April 2
Barnes & Noble
Norfolk, VA
2:00 PM

Saturday, April 9
College of William and Mary Bookstore
Williamsburg, VA
12:00 PM

Marie Brennan, In the Labyrinth of Drakes

Saturday, April 9
Borderlands Cafe
San Francisco, CA
3:00 PM

Tuesday, April 12
University Bookstore
Seattle, WA
7:00 PM
Also with Todd Lockwood.

Fred Chappell, A Shadow All of Light

Tuesday, April 12
St. David’s School – Performing Arts Center
Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM
Books provided by Quail Ridge Books.

Friday, April 15
Malaprops
Asheville, NC
7:00 PM

Tuesday, April 19
Regulator Bookshop and Cafe
Durham, NC
7:00 PM

Saturday, April 23
McIntyre’s Books
Pittsboro, NC
2:00 PM

Thursday, April 28
Greensboro Central Library
Greensboro, NC
7:00 PM

Alan Gratz, The Dragon Lantern

Thursday, April 21
Murder by the Book
Houston, TX
6:30 PM
Tor Teen Night: Also with P.J. Hoover and David Lubar.

Neal Griffin, A Voice from the Field

Friday, April 15
Readers’ Realm
Montello, WI
1:00 PM

Friday, April 15
The Volume One Gallery
Eau Claire, WI
7:00 PM

Saturday, April 16
Mystery to Me Bookstore
Madison, WI
7:00 PM

Sunday, April 17
Arcadia Books
Spring Green, WI
2:00 PM

Wednesday, April 20
Neenah Public Library
Neenah, WI
2:00 PM
Fox Cities Book Festival

Thursday, April 21
The Reader’s Loft
Green Bay, WI
6:00 PM
Also with Patricia Skalka.

Leanna Renee Hieber, Strangely Beautiful

Sunday, April 24
Word Bookstores
Brooklyn, NY
2:00 PM
Also with Sunil Patel and Keffy Kehrli.

Tuesday, April 26
Barnes & Noble
West Chester, OH
7:00 PM

Wednesday, April 30
Morris-Jumel Mansion
New York, NY
5:30 PM

Glen Hirshberg, Good Girls

Saturday, April 2
Dark Delicacies
Burbank, CA
2:00 PM
Also with Joe R. Lansdale.

P.J. Hoover, Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life

Thursday, April 21
Murder by the Book
Houston, TX
6:30 PM
Tor Teen Night: Also with Alan Gratz and David Lubar.

David Lubar, Character, Driven

Thursday, April 21
Murder by the Book
Houston, TX
6:30 PM
Tor Teen Night: Also with Alan Gratz and P.J. Hoover.

Seanan McGuire, Every Heart a Doorway

Monday, April 4
Booksmith
San Francisco, CA
7:30 PM

Saturday, April 23
Borderlands Cafe
San Francisco, CA
6:00 PM

Renee Patrick, Design for Dying

Saturday, April 23
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
Seattle, WA
12:00 PM

Sunday, April 24
Eagle Harbor Book Co
Bainbridge Island, WA
3:00 PM

David C. Taylor, Night Work

Monday, April 11
Book People
Austin, TX
7:00 PM
Also with Stuart Woods.

Tuesday, April 12
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
7:00 PM

Tuesday, April 19
Brookline Booksmith
Brookline, MA
7:00 PM

Dan Wells, The Devil’s Only Friend

Friday, April 8
Third Place Books – Ravenna
Seattle, WA
7:00 PM

post-featured-image

On the Road: Tor/Forge Author Events for March

Riders by Veronica RossiA Gathering of Shadows by V.E. SchwabCharacter, Driven by David Lubar

Tor/Forge authors are on the road in March! Here is the info on all of our upcoming author events. See who is coming to a city near you!

Charlie Jane Anders, All the Birds in the Sky

Tuesday, March 1
Google
Mountain View, CA
2:30 PM

R.S. Belcher, The Brotherhood of the Wheel

Thursday, March 3
Fountain Bookstore
Richmond, VA
6:30 PM

Saturday, March 5
Barnes & Noble
Roanoke, VA
2:00 PM

Wednesday, March 9
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Lexington, KY
7:00 PM

Saturday, March 26
Wondercon
Los Angeles, CA
2:00 PM

Susan Dennard, Truthwitch

Tuesday, March 1
Half Price Books
Dallas, TX
7:00 PM
Also with Veronica Rossi.

Randy Henderson, Bigfootloose and Finn Fancy Free

Tuesday, March 1
Tattered Cover
Denver, CO
7:00 PM

Tuesday, March 15
Auntie’s Bookstore
Denver, CO
7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 16
Rediscovered Books
Boise, ID
7:00 PM

Glen Hirshberg, Good Girls

Sunday, March 6
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
3:30 PM

Saturday, March 26
Borderlands Books
San Francisco, CA
3:00 PM

David Lubar, Character, Driven

Saturday, March 5
Emmaus Public Library
Emmaus, PA
5:00 PM
Books provided by Let’s Play Books.

Wednesday, March 9
Anderson’s Bookshop
Naperville, IL
5:00 PM

Thursday, March 10
Joseph Beth Booksellers
Crestview Hills, KY
7:00 PM

Saturday, March 12
Valley Ranch Library
Irving, TX
2:00 PM

Veronica Rossi, Riders

Tuesday, March 1
Half Price Books
Dallas, TX
7:00 PM
Also with Susan Dennard.

Friday, March 11
Rakestraw Books
Danville, CA
7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 16
Kepler’s Books
Menlo Park, CA
7:00 PM
In conversation with Michael Grant.

Friday, March 18
Books Inc
San Francisco, CA
7:00 PM
Also with Caragh O’Brien and Stephanie Kuehn.

Tuesday, March 22
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
7:00 PM
Also with Kiersten White and Mary E. Pearson.

Lawrence M. Schoen, Barsk: The Elephants’ Graveyard

Thursday, March 24
University Bookstore
Seattle, WA
7:00 PM

Monday, March 28
Powell’s Books
Beaverton, OR
7:00 PM

V.E. Schwab, A Gathering of Shadows

Tuesday, March 1
Third Place Books
Lake Forest Park, WA
7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 2
Old Firehouse Books
Fort Collins, CO
7:00 PM

Thursday, March 3
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
7:00 PM

Saturday, March 5
Malaprop’s
Asheville, NC
3:00 PM

Tuesday, March 8
Joseph Beth Booksellers
Lexington, KY
7:00 PM
Also with Gwenda Bond and Julie Kagawa.

Saturday, March 12
Southeastern Young Adult Book Festival
Murfreesboro, TN

Friday, March 18-Sunday, March 20
Virginia Festival of the Book
Charlottesville, VA

Friday, March 25-Sunday, March 27
WonderCon
Los Angeles, CA
Guest of Honor

Kristen Simmons, The Glass Arrow

Monday, March 21
University Bookstore
Naperville, IL
7:00 PM

Brian Staveley, The Last Mortal Bond

Tuesday, March 15
Phoenix Bookstore
Burlington, VT
6:30 PM

Friday, March 18
Brookline Booksmith
Saratoga Springs
7:00 PM

Thursday, March 24
Brookline Booksmith
Brookline, MA
7:00 PM

Andrea Thalasinos, Fly By Night

Friday, March 4
Mystery to Me Bookstore
Madison, WI
7:00 PM

Sunday, March 6
Arcadia Books
Spring Green, WI
2:00 PM

post-featured-image

New Releases: 3/1/16

Here’s what went on sale today!

Arkwright by Allen Steele

Arkwright by Allen SteeleWritten by a highly regarded expert on space travel and exploration, Allen Steele’s Arkwright features the precision of hard science fiction with a compelling cast of characters. In the vein of classic authors such as Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke, Nathan Arkwright is a seminal author of the twentieth century. At the end of his life he becomes reclusive and cantankerous, refusing to appear before or interact with his legion of fans. Little did anyone know, Nathan was putting into motion his true, timeless legacy.

 The Brotherhood of the Wheel by R.S. Belcher

The Brotherhood of the Wheel by R.S. BelcherIn 1119 A.D., a group of nine crusaders became known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon–a militant monastic order charged with protecting pilgrims and caravans traveling on the roads to and from the Holy Land. In time, the Knights Templar would grow in power and, ultimately, be laid low. But a small offshoot of the Templars endure and have returned to the order’s original mission: to defend the roads of the world and guard those who travel on them.

Theirs is a secret line of knights: truckers, bikers, taxi hacks, state troopers, bus drivers, RV gypsies–any of the folks who live and work on the asphalt arteries of America. They call themselves the Brotherhood of the Wheel.

Character, Driven by David Lubar

Character, Driven by David Lubar

Character, Driven is a powerful and hilarious coming-of-age novel for young adults by acclaimed author David Lubar.

With only one year left of high school, seventeen-year-old Cliff Sparks is desperate to “come of age”—a.k.a., lose his virginity. But he’s never had much luck with girls. So when he falls for Jillian, a new classmate, at first sight, all he can do is worship her from afar. At the same time, Cliff has to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, since he’s pretty sure his unemployed father plans to kick him out of the house the minute he turns eighteen. Time is running out. Cliff is at the edge, on the verge, dangling—and holding on for dear life.

Fly by Night by Andrea Thalasinos

Fly By Night by Andrea ThalasinosOn the same day Greek American marine biologist Amelia Drakos receives word that funding for her beloved Seahorse Laboratory has been cut, she discovers that her deceased father had lived a secret life.

With foreclosure and unemployment looming, as well as the fallout from a brief, confusing love affair, Amelia reluctantly becomes curator for Minnesota’s Mall of America Sea Life Aquarium. At the same time, a string of perplexing e-mails from someone with her late father’s name, Ted Drakos, arrive. Ted claims that he has important information about an inherited property on Lake Superior. And that he is her older brother.

In Fly by Night, Andrea Thalasinos shows that family secrets can jump-start a new way of looking at the world.

NEW FROM TOR.COM:

The Devil You Know by K. J. Parker

The Devil You Know by K. J. ParkerThe greatest philosopher of all time is offering to sell his soul to the Devil. All he wants is twenty more years to complete his life’s work. After that, he really doesn’t care.

But the assistant demon assigned to the case has his suspicions, because the philosopher is Saloninus-the greatest philosopher, yes, but also the greatest liar, trickster and cheat the world has yet known; the sort of man even the Father of Lies can’t trust.

He’s almost certainly up to something; but what?

NOW IN PAPERBACK:

Fingal O’ Reilly, Irish Doctor by Patrick Taylor

Madness in Solidar by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Mark of the Beast by Aldophus A. Anekwe

Ringworld’s Children and Fleet of Worlds by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner

The Medicine Horn and Trapper’s Moon by Jory Sherman

1916 by Morgan Llywelyn

NEW IN MANGA:

Devils and Realist Vol. 8 by Madoka Takadono, art by Utako Yukihiro

Mayo Chiki! Omnibus 4-5 by Hajime Asano, art by Neet

See upcoming releases.

post-featured-image

Sneak Peek: Character, Driven by David Lubar

Character, Driven by David LubarWith only one year left of high school, seventeen-year-old Cliff Sparks is desperate to “come of age”—a.k.a., lose his virginity. But he’s never had much luck with girls. So when he falls for Jillian, a new classmate at first sight, all he can do is worship her from afar. At the same time, Cliff has to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, since he’s pretty sure his unemployed father plans to kick him out of the house the minute he turns eighteen. Time is running out. Cliff is at the edge, on the verge, dangling—and holding on for dear life.

Enjoy this excerpt of Character, Driven by David Lubar.

Chapter One: She Walks In, Beauty

Venus is the morning star.

As is Jillian.

Let me explain. My school day starts with Calculus, which is a form of math designed to convince people they want to be History majors in college. Our teacher, Mr. Yuler, doesn’t talk much. He’ll write a problem on the board, then sip coffee from his ever-present mug and walk the aisles while we work at our desks. If you’re stuck, he’ll uncap his pen and circle something he feels you should contemplate. It’s not a bad way to start the day, since, between my after-school jobs and my crazy idea that I should make at least a half-assed effort to do a half-decent job on my homework (which multiplies out to a quarter-decent-ass-job), I generally get less sleep than I need. It would be hard to keep my eyes open for a lecture during first period.

(more…)

David Lubar eBook Sale

Washington Irving Elementary School has a bit of a monster problem. Sebastian and his friends take turns experiencing life as a vampire, a werewolf, a witch, and ghost. Even one of his teachers and a school bully get “monsterized.” Who will be next? Three of the scary and funny Monsterrific Tales are on sale now! Plus, check out Attack of the Vampire Weenies, a spooky Weenies tale, also on sale!

The Wavering Werewolf by David Lubar

It happened to his best friend, Sebastian. Then to Sebastian’s sister, Angie. How many kids can get “monsterized” in one neighborhood? Norman finds out for himself after he takes a walk in the woods—and ends up turning into an overly fuzzy kid with a habit of howling at the moon.

Buy The Wavering Werewolf: B&N Nook | Google Play | iBooks | Kindle | Kobo

 

The Vanishing Vampire by David Lubar

In The Vanishing Vampire, Sebastian’s life has become a real pain in the neck. It all started the night he walked home from the movies by himself. He sort of blacked out and the next morning, he woke up as a vampire. Now he has only one chance to turn back into a human. And time is running out…

Buy The Vanishing Vampire: B&N Nook | eBooks.com | Google Play | iBooks | Kindle | Kobo

 

Hyde and Shriek by David Lubar

Ms. Clevis is one of the most popular teachers at Washington Irving. Until the morning she accidentally puts some of the wrong ingredients into her breakfast smoothie. Suddenly she finds herself switching back and forth between mean substitute teacher Ms. Hyde and a sweet sixth grade girl named Jackie. Will Jackie figure out the cure before she changes into the horrible Ms. Hyde forever?

Buy Hyde and Shriek: B&N Nook | eBooks.com | Google Play | Kobo

 

Attack of the Vampire Weenies by David Lubar

Critically acclaimed author and master of the macabre, David Lubar, is back with thirty more warped and creepy tales for fans of his bestselling Weenies story collections. Don’t be a weenie. Read these stories. If you dare!

Buy Attack of the Vampire Weenies: B&N Nook | eBooks.com | Google Play | iBooks | Kindle | Kobo

 

David Lubar’s My Rotten Life Has Been Optioned for Film/TV by Minds Eye Entertainment!

My Rotton Life by David Lubar

Starscape, an imprint of Tor Books, is pleased to announce that film and television rights to David Lubar’s popular My Rotten Life—the first book in the Nathan Abercrombie Accidental Zombie series has been optioned by Minds Eye Entertainment.

Established in 1986, Minds Eye Entertainment is one of Canada’s most prolific independent production and distribution companies, internationally recognized for its commitment to distinctive film and television product and expertise navigating international treaty co-production and financing.

Best known for his Weenies series of short stories, which have over two million copies in print, David Lubar began another wacky and delightfully yucky series for middle grade readers with My Rotten Life (Starscape 2009), in which he introduced readers to fifth-grader Nathan Abercrombie, who accidentally gets doused with an experimental serum, he becomes a half-dead zombie—and discovers that being half-dead isn’t all bad. His adventures as a grade school zombie continued with Dead Guy Spy, Goop Soup, The Big Stink, and Enter the Zombie.

The Nathan Abercrombie series has proven popular with young readers, educators, librarians and critics alike. Publishers Weekly praised My Rotten Life saying, “The over-the-top narrative will appeal to readers who like their humor twisted, and might even have some wishing that they, too, could be a half-dead zombie.” And Barnes and Noble’s blog raved, “what better way to combat wildly entertaining and highly addictive video games and television shows than a wildly entertaining and highly addictive series of zombie fiction novels for kids.”

Now, with the exciting news of a movie or TV production coming soon from Minds Eye Entertainment, even more kids will be able to meet Nathan Abercrombie and follow his hilarious exploits.

Waiting on Wednesday: Extremities Sweepstakes

Waiting on Wednesday: Extremities Sweepstakes

Poster Placeholder of - 80 David Lubar’s Extremities doesn’t hit shelves until July 23, but we have a chance for you to win a copy now!

We have three copies to give away. To enter for the chance to win one, comment below and tell us what your Waiting on Wednesday pick is this week.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins June 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET. and ends June 18, 2013 12:00 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

Book Trailer: Hyde and Shriek by David Lubar

Book Trailer: Hyde and Shriek by David Lubar

object

Hyde and Shriek by David Lubar

There’s something strange going on at Washington Irving Elementary School. People are turning into monsters—literally!

Ms. Clevis is one of the most popular teachers at Washington Irving. Until the morning she accidentally puts some of the wrong ingredients into her breakfast smoothie. Suddenly she finds herself switching back and forth between mean substitute teacher Ms. Hyde and a sweet sixth grade girl named Jackie. Will Jackie figure out the cure before she changes into the horrible Ms. Hyde forever?

David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. He is also the author of the Nathan Abercrombie series, True Talents, Flip, and six Weenies short story collections.

Hyde and Shriek, by David Lubar, releases January 8!

Tor Books Announces Programming for New York Comic-Con 2012!

Tor Books Announces Programming for New York Comic-Con 2012!

Celebrating LOCUS Magazine’s Best Publisher for the 25th year in a row!

Image Placeholder of - 34Once again, we continue our popular *in-booth signings and giveaways, offering you a chance to meet your favorite authors up close and personal! There will also be panels, autographings and spotlight stages including New York Times Bestselling author CORY DOCTOROW!

Stop by Tor’s Booth (#920), and pick up a schedule for a full listing of events!

Thursday, October 11

PANELS

5pm – 6pm | JUSTICE IS SERVED | Room 1A14

Cops, P.I.’s, government agents and regular Joe’s fight for all that is good and just in these Science-Fiction and Fantasy tales, even if the villains are vam | pires, telepaths, and the magically gifted. These protagonists solve crimes, kick-ass, and don’t let anyone – supernatural or otherwise – stand in the way of justice.

With Christopher L. Bennett (Only Superhuman), moderated by Michael P. Spradlin.

Friday, October 12

PANELS

11am | CHARACTERS: HARDCORE vs. BADASS | Author Spotlight Stage

What makes one character HARDCORE and another BADASS? Is there really a difference? Novelist Max Gladstone breaks it down by dissecting some of the greatest heroes and villains from books, gaming, comics, film, and television, revealing the unique alchemy of each one and what every writer needs to think about in order to create truly unforgettable characters.

With Max Gladstone (Three Parts Dead).

4pm – 5pm | PUBLISHER’S PARADISE: ADULT PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT | Room 1A06

Get the inside scoop on upcoming SF/F novels publishing houses are buzzing about! Editors from Harper Voyager, Orbit, Del Rey Spectra, Ace and Roc, and Tor dish on forthcoming books from our exciting authors and licensed properties. You can expect lots of giveaways you won’t see anywhere else at the convention, including free advance reading copies!

With Tor’s own Melissa Frain.

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

12pm – Tor Booth giveaway, Bard’s Oath, the long-awaited sequel to the epic fantasy Dragon and Phoenix coming in November.

2pm – Tor Booth Way of Kings (by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson) giveaway! First 25 fans in line will receive a Wheel of Time® bag.

3:30pm – Tor Booth signing with Max Gladstone, signing copies of Three Parts Dead, his brilliant debut novel (October).

5pm – Tor Booth signing with Christopher L. Bennett, signing copies of Only Superhuman, described by Kevin J. Anderson as a “heady comic book fix for the discerning SF reader” (October).

5pm – You can also head over to the autographing area and meet New York Times bestselling author, Cory Doctorow. Barnes and Noble will be on hand with a variety of books from his back list.

Saturday, October 13

PANELS

12pm | INFORMATION DOESN’T WANT TO BE FREE, BUT KIDS DO | Author Spotlight Stage

Every single kid in America is a presumed copyright criminal. We spy on them in school, we raid their parents’ life savings, we censor their creative works. And oh, how we LIE to them: “It’s not creative if you’re copying something else.” “All great art starts with permission and ends with a lawyer.” “Giving more money to the record industry will make musicians richer.” Kids are in the streets over SOPA, PIPA and ACTA. They know that the locks we put on their information aren’t for their benefit – because we won’t give them the keys.

With Cory Doctorow (Pirate Cinema).

12:15pm – 1:15pm | MYTH MIXOLOGY: HOW URBAN FANTASISTS CREATE THE PERFECT COCKTAIL | Room 1A08

Many New Yorkers know their Manhattans, Cosmos, and Long Island Iced Teas. While the average happy hour drink takes gin, rum, or vodka, these authors spice things up with mystics, witches, daemons, Celtic gods, and other magical beings. Join top-shelf authors, F. Paul Wilson, Kevin Hearne, Theo Lawrence, Anton Strout, Faith Hunter, Nancy Holzner, Allison Pang, and Nicole Peeler, as they discuss the elements of mythology that go into making your favorite cocktails of urban fantasy.

With F. Paul Wilson (Repairman Jack Series), moderated by Kim Alexander.

1:30pm – 2:30pm | HOCUS POCUS: MAGIC & MONSTERS IN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY | Room 1A08

Science-Fiction and Fantasy authors discuss the costs and consequences of “magic” in their novels. Moderator Beth Revis will have authors Andrea Cremer, Jacqueline Carey, Jocelynn Drake, Kim Harrison, Max Gladstone, Cecil Castellucci, Victoria Schwab, and Richard Kadrey dishing about the the scary, hairy, and dangerous creatures that lurk in the worlds they have created.

With Max Gladstone (Three Parts Dead), moderated by Beth Revis. (Signing from 2:45pm – 3:45pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

2:45pm – 3:45pm | GENRE BENDERS: OUT-OF-THE-BOX SCIENCE-FICTION AND FANTASY NOVELS THAT BLUR THE LINES OF FANTASY, SF, HORROR, ROMANCE, STEAMPUNK, YOU NAME IT! | Room 1A01

Join authors in a discussion about stories that can’t be bound by the constraints of any genre. Whether mixing elements of romance with horror, or fantasy with thrillers, these authors show that a good tale can be spun from multiple traditions.

With Steven Walker (The Battle of Blood and Ink), moderator Cici James of Singularity & Co. (Signing from 4:45pm – 5:45pm at the autographing area.)

5:15pm – 6:15pm | HERO’S QUEST: SWORDS AND SORCERY IN FANTASY FICTION | Room 1A08

Some of the most unforgettable heroes in literature are characters that embark on a fantastical journey. Whether their tales tell of slaying dragons, overthrowing regimes, or magical lands, these authors put the EPIC in Fantasy fiction. Join authors Joanne Bertin, Peter Brett, Rae Carson, Peter Lerangis, Steve Bein, Stefan Bachmann, Sarah Beth Durst, and Matt Myklush as they discuss all things fantastical, from swords and sorcery to horselords and warlords.

With Joanne Bertin (Bard’s Oath), moderated by Gwen Reyes. (Signing from 11:45am – 12:45pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

5:15pm – 6:15pm | GEEK THOUGHTS: TOP BLOGS DISCUSS WRITING ABOUT SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND FANDOM | Room 1A01 (otherwise known as The Sauce)

Your favorite Geek Blogs: Live! Join Tor.com, Boing Boing, The Mary Sue, io9, The Beat, and Bleeding Cool as they discuss how their blogs approach the conversation of science fiction, fantasy, genre and fandom online.

With Cyriaque Lamar, Heidi McDonald, Jamie Frevele, Jill Pantozzi, Rich Johnston. Moderated by Ryan Britt of Tor.com.

7:45pm – 8:45pm | THE WORLD OF GRAPHIC NOVELS | Room 1A06

Restaurants, outer space, fantastical worlds, high school – graphic novels today will take readers to all these places and more! How do graphic novelists combine words and pictures to create the worlds within their books? Authors discuss how world-building works in the world of comics.

With Fred Chao (Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero), moderated by Scott Robins. (Signing from 3:45pm – 4:45pm at autographing tables 4 and 5.)

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

11am – Tor Booth Dead Space: Martyr (by B. K. Evenson) giveaway!

12pm – Tor Booth signing with Halo: Silentium artist, Sparth. Come by for a copy of Halo: Cryptum, Halo: Glasslands, a poster, or a patch!

3pm – Tor Booth signing with Cory Doctorow, signing copies of For the Win, which Scott Westerfeld has called “a rousing tale of techno-geek rebellion.”

5pm – Tor Booth signing with F. Paul Wilson, signing copies of The Tomb, the first in his Repairman Jack series.

Sunday, October 14

PANELS

12:15pm – 1:15pm | OTHERWORLDLY WEENIES, TIME TRAVELING TWEENS, UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE, AND OTHER THINGS KIDS LOVE | Room 1A01

From creepy tales set in a spooky pet cemetery, to dreamy stories of time-traveling in style, to epic journeys featuring dynamic young heroes (with swords!), these middle grade authors know the secrets to entertaining the tween set. Join the group as they discuss superpowers, supervillians, and super-hilarious storytelling.

With David Lubar (Weenies Series) and Annette & Gina Cascone (Deadtime Stories Series), moderated by Matthew Cody. (Signing from 1:30pm – 2:30pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

1:30pm – 2:30pm | KIDS/YA PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT | Room 1A07

Come hear the advance buzz about what’s coming up from Disney-Hyperion, First Second, Macmillan Kids, HarperCollins, Little, Brown, Random House, Penguin Young Readers, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and Tor! Editors and marketing staff come together to recommend their favorite upcoming books by exciting new authors and illustrators – accompanied with giveaways, trivia, and most of all, FUN!

With Tor’s own Susan Chang.

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

11am – Tor Booth joint signing with David Lubar, signing Attack of the Vampire Weenies, and Annette & Gina Cascone, signing Grave Secrets.

1pm – Tor Booth signing with Evie Manieri, signing Blood’s Pride, her epic fantasy debut coming in February.

3pm – Tor Booth giveaway of YA dystopian smash hit and series opener Article 5 (by Kristen Simmons)!

 

All giveaways are on a first come, first serve basis.

post-featured-image

Me First

Beware the Ninja Weenies by David Lubar

Written by David Lubar

As one of the few writers fortunate enough to have published a large body of short stories for young readers, I suspect many kids might have their first encounter with short genre fiction by way of my books. This presents me with both opportunities and responsibilities. If I wrote a story about a village that drew lots to see who would be on the receiving end of cast stones, my young readers would think the idea was fresh and new. When they got to high school and read “The Lottery,” they’d spew cries of outrage about how this Shirley Jackson lady had gotten her idea from the Weenie Guy. We all, of course, know better. And I know better than to consciously pilfer from the sacred canon.

But every genre contains a communal well. Most basic ideas can take thousands of paths from conception to execution. I’ve had the pleasure of introducing young readers to time-travel, the embodiment of a figurative being, the inadvertently resurrected dead (though not by means of a monkey’s paw), and endless and diverse variations of “be careful what you wish for.”

The reader who meets The Spirit of Christmas Presents in my short story, “Christmas Carol,” will not have had the magic and enjoyment spoiled when he later encounters Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality. He will be prepared, and will happily suspend disbelief again. The frightening sideshow performer in “Thresholds of Pain” helps pave the way for the reader as she moves toward the stories of one of my own idols, Ray Bradbury. (Please note that I do not put myself in the same class as these writers. I just share a paintbox and an outlook.) My dark stories will create a hunger that my readers will later sate with Richard Matheson, Brian Lumley, and other masters. My comic pieces will, I hope, enhance my fans’ eventual enjoyment of Douglas Adams and John Scalzi.

My responsibilities are two-fold. First, I must respect the genre and its rules. There are things no writer of adult speculative fiction could get away with. Stories for young readers must be held to the same standards. My characters will never be renamed and reequipped cowboys riding barely disguised horses. My lone pair of postapocalyptic survivors will never reveal, at the end, that they are named Adam and Eve. One citizen of a future civilization will never casually explain to another how the hovercraft in which they are riding works. I know better and my readers deserve better. (And were I to stray, I have the advantage of an editor, and indeed an entire publishing house, that knows the rules of the genre even better than I do.)

My other responsibility is to never spoil a classic surprise that another writer has produced. If I find myself heading toward an ending that is too close to a beloved plot twist, I need to find another route. True, my young readers will see my version as original. But that doesn’t make it right. (On the other hand, when a young man asked me whether I was inspired to write about vampires because of Twilight, I had the pleasure of telling him I’d published my first vampire story, “Count = Count – 1,” way back in 1979.)

Because of my reluctance to tread too close to the classics, I almost withheld a story from my new collection. After I wrote “Alien Biology,” which was inspired by realizing the meaning of the term is relative (and contemplating how people traveling to another country often view the residents as foreigners), it struck me that the story was a close cousin of the iconic “To Serve Man.” After a lot of thought, I decided it wasn’t so close as to ruin the amazement of anyone’s first encounter with Damon Knight’s great story, as brought to us by Rod Serling (or as parodied by a Halloween episode of The Simpsons).

Having said all of this, I’d like to end with a bit of a boast. I think many of my stories tread new ground. I’m unaware of any classic tale that explains the production of gorgonzola cheese by means of Gorgons, surrounds two young anglers with vampire catfish, crushes ant-frying brats with the flash-frozen contents of a jumbo jet’s lavatory, or reveals that chipmunks are the smartest lifeform on our planet. At least, I hope I got there first.

…………………………

From the Tor/Forge May newsletter. Sign up to receive our newsletter via email.

…………………………

More from our May newsletter:

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.