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On the (Digital) Road: Tor Author Events in August 2022

New month, new books, awesome events! You know the drill 😎

Check out this month’s exciting digital events!


Sunyi Dean, opens in a new windowThe Book Eaters

Sunyi Dean (left) / The Book Eaters (right)

Tuesday, August 2
Country Bookshop x Oblong Books
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
6:00 PM ET

Wednesday, August 3
Old Firehouse Books
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
3:00 PM ET

Thursday, August 4
Tubby & Coo’s x Watermarks Books, in conversation with Olivie Blake
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
6:00 PM ET

Ryka Aoki, opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars

Ryka Aoki (left) / Light from Uncommon Stars (right)

Thursday, August 4
Tubby & Coo’s
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
7:00 PM ET

Monday, August 15
Brookline Booksmith
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
7:00 PM ET

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Announcing Tor Books Programming at San Diego Comic-Con 2022!

We are absolutely thrilled to be joining San Diego Comic Con in person this year, and even more excited to share some of our AMAZING panels with you! From book spotlights to blood and magic, check out our full panel lineup below, and don’t forget to come say hi to us at booth #2701 for swag, books, signings, and more!


Thursday, July 21

2:30-3:30 PM

Room 24ABC

From Idea to Shelves: The Remix

A comprehensive and honest look at the state of the book publishing industry post-pandemic. How have publishing, agenting, book-to-film, and related fields changed over the past two years? What do you need to know about the industry today to pitch your project or level up your career? Agents, managers, and publishing pros come together to answer questions about how to take your writing career from the blank page to sold. Ava Jamshidi (Industry Entertainment), Kelly Lonesome (Tor Books), Kathleen Ortiz (KO Media Management), Holly Root (Root Literary), Lars Theriot (Industry Entertainment), and Erika Turner (Little Brown, Books for Young Readers) discuss strategies and tips for writing the breakout project and getting representation. Moderated by Nathan Bransford.

Friday, July 22

11 AM-12 PM

Room 32AB

Crafting the Future: Transgressing Genres in Science Fiction

Charlie Jane Anders ( opens in a new windowDreams Bigger than Heartbreak), Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight from Uncommon Stars), Pierce Brown ( opens in a new windowRed Rising), Blake Crouch ( opens in a new windowUpgrade), and Paul Cornell ( opens in a new windowRosebud) discuss their individual approaches to SF and what makes it such an inclusive and groundbreaking genre for exploring possibilities of the future. Each of these authors pushes against the limits of what sci-fi can be, melding it with other genres to explore new worlds and new adventures. Moderated by Dr. Jeanelle Horcasitas (educator, technical writer, and speculative futurist).

5:30-6:30 PM

Room 29CD

Tor Spotlight Panel

Tor publishes some of the greatest sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories around. This panel shines a spotlight on some of the books that Tor, Tor Teen, Tordotcom Publishing, and Nightfire have to offer. The book lovers from the Tor teams—Desirae Friesen (publicity manager), Jordan Hanley (senior marketing manager), Alexis Saarela (senior associate director of publicity), and Renata Sweeney (assistant director of marketing)—present a sneak peek at new and upcoming SFF, and maybe even some surprises.

Saturday, July 23

10-11 AM

Room 7AB

Tor Teen + MCPG Presents: Families of Blood and Magic

The saying goes that blood is thicker than water, but what happens when magic gets thrown into the mix, or when galaxy-spanning friendships form? Susan Dennard ( opens in a new windowThe Luminaries), Aiden Thomas ( opens in a new windowCemetery Boys), Lizz Huerta ( opens in a new windowThe Lost Dreamer), and Namina Forna ( opens in a new windowThe Gilded Ones), join moderator Anne Heltzel ( opens in a new windowJust Like Mother) for a discussion of both found and biological families—and all the positives, negatives, and complexities that come with the territory.

11 AM-12 PM

Room 29AB

Crafting the Creepy Crawly and Throat-Clutching Moments

Creators examine writing scenes of horror, from the slow build to the metaphorical jump scare. Get your spook on with Kiersten White ( opens in a new windowHide), Anne Heltzel ( opens in a new windowJust Like Mother), Clay McLeod Chapman ( opens in a new windowGhost Eaters), and moderator Maryelizabeth Yturralde.

3-4 PM

Room 23ABC

Something Wicked This Way Comes: Frightening Fantasy

Monsters, ghosts, and sorceresses—oh my! Not even an apocalypse can ruin this party! Seanan McGuire ( opens in a new windowSeasonal Fears), James Rollins ( opens in a new windowThe Starless Crown), and Heather Walter ( opens in a new windowMalice) discuss writing at the intersection of fantasy, horror, and suspense. This panel is for anyone who enjoys their fantasy on the dark side and who generally prefers to be chillin’ with villains. Moderated by Michelle Bucud (social media coordinator, Mysterious Galaxy).

8-9 PM

Room 25ABC

The Best Trot: Proving Love to all the True Buckaroos

Moderator, the Dr. Chuck Tingle hosts a group of true buckaroos for a panel about how the best place to find your truest self is often between the pages of books. Authors Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight from Uncommon Stars), Heather Walter ( opens in a new windowMalice), and Foz Meadows ( opens in a new windowA Strange and Stubborn Endurance) discuss everything from using speculative fiction to exploring ideas of gender and sexuality to what “proving love” means to them. There will also be some discussion of aliens, doughnuts, spooky summer camps, magic.

Sunday, July 24

2:30-3:30 PM

Room 23ABC

Tor Books: It’s Us Against the World

Defeating the bad guy is hard work, and no one can do it alone. A panel of authors discuss what it takes to bring a ragtag team together to defeat incredible odds. Chosen ones are out, and dream teams (or nightmare crews) are in. Olivie Blake ( opens in a new windowThe Atlas Six), Susan Dennard ( opens in a new windowThe Luminaries), James Rollins ( opens in a new windowThe Starless Crown), and R. R. Virdi ( opens in a new windowThe First Binding) join moderator Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight from Uncommon Stars) for a discussion of uneasy alliances, fellowships, and found families. Whether it’s a shadow thief and her shady friends, secret society exiles, a grifter calling in old favors, a seer gathering a crew to fight the moon, or a cast of six uniquely gifted magicians, these writers are proving that what’s important is not what you know, but who you know.

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Huge eBook Sale Day!

WHOA! Hot eBook deals incoming! For today, and today only (May 15, 2022), we’ve got an incredible array of Tor Books titles available at discounted prices!

You love books? Us too. Check out these deals!


opens in a new windowPlaceholder of  -75Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds by Brandon Sanderson—$2.99

Stephen Leeds is perfectly sane. It’s his hallucinations who are mad. A genius of unrivaled aptitude, Stephen can learn any new skill, vocation, or art in a matter of hours. However, to contain all of this, his mind creates hallucinatory people—Stephen calls them aspects—to hold and manifest the information. Wherever he goes, he is joined by a team of imaginary experts to give advice, interpretation, and explanation. He uses them to solve problems . . . for a price.

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opens in a new windowImage Place holder  of - 33The Starless Crown by James Rollins—$4.99

An alliance embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the secrets of the distant past and save their world in this captivating, deeply visionary adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling thriller-master James Rollins.

A gifted student foretells an apocalypse. Her reward is a sentence of death. Fleeing into the unknown she is drawn into a team of outcasts. On the run, hunted by enemies old and new, they must learn to trust each other in order to survive in a world evolved in strange, beautiful, and deadly ways, and uncover ancient secrets that hold the key to their salvation. But with each passing moment, doom draws closer.

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opens in a new windowPoster Placeholder of - 58Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune—$3.99

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead. And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he’s definitely dead. But even in death he’s not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days. Hilarious, haunting, and kind, Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story about a life spent at the office and a death spent building a home.

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opens in a new windowImage Placeholder of - 58Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki—$2.99

Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six. When Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, catches Shizuka’s ear with her wild talent, Shizuka can almost feel the curse lifting. She’s found her final candidate. But in a donut shop off a bustling highway in the San Gabriel Valley, Shizuka meets Lan Tran, retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four. Shizuka doesn’t have time for crushes or coffee dates, what with her very soul on the line, but Lan’s kind smile and eyes like stars might just redefine a soul’s worth.

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opens in a new windowPlace holder  of - 89Xenocide by Orson Scott Card—$4.99

The war for survival of the planet Lusitania will be fought in the heart of a child named Gloriously Bright.

On Lusitania, Ender found a world where humans and pequininos and the Hive Queen could all live together; where three very different intelligent species could find common ground at last. Or so he thought.

Lusitania also harbors the descolada, a virus that kills all humans it infects, but which the pequininos require in order to become adults. The Starways Congress so fears the effects of the descolada, should it escape from Lusitania, that they have ordered the destruction of the entire planet, and all who live there. The Fleet is on its way, a second xenocide seems inevitable.

Xenocide is the third novel in Orson Scott Card’s The Ender Saga.

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opens in a new windowInto the Light by David Weber & Chris Kennedy—$4.99

The Shongairi conquered Earth. In mere minutes, half the human race died, and our cities lay in shattered ruins.

But the Shongairi didn’t expect the survivors’ tenacity. And, crucially, they didn’t know that Earth harbored two species of intelligent, tool-using bipeds. One of them was us. The other, long-lived and lethal, was hiding in the mountains of eastern Europe, the subject of fantasy and legend. When they emerged and made alliance with humankind, the invading aliens didn’t stand a chance.

Now Earth is once again ours. Aided by the advanced tech the aliens left behind, we’re rebuilding as fast as we can.

Meanwhile, a select few of our blood-drinking immortals are on their way to the Shongairi homeworld, having commandeered one of the alien starships…the planet-busting kind.

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opens in a new windowShadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson—$4.99

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

When family obligations forced Waxillium Ladrian to forsake the frontier lands and return to the metropolis of his birth to take his place as head of a noble House, he little imagined that the crime-fighting skills acquired during twenty years in the dusty plains would be just as applicable in the big city. He soon learned that there too, just being a talented Twinborn — one who can use both Allomancy and Feruchemy, the dominant magical modes on Scadrial — would not suffice.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society will now face its first test by terrorism and assassination, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax, his eccentric sidekick Wayne, and brilliant, beautiful young Marasi, now officially part of the constabulary, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife can stop Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.

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opens in a new windowThe Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson—$4.99

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metal minds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.

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opens in a new windowKnife of Dreams by Robert Jordan—$4.99

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

The dead are walking, men die impossible deaths, and it seems as though reality itself has become unstable: All are signs of the imminence of Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, when Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, must confront the Dark One as humanity’s only hope.

Unbeknownst to Rand, Perrin has made his own truce with the Seanchan. It is a deal made with the Dark One, in his eyes, but he will do whatever is needed to rescue his wife, Faile, and destroy the Shaido who captured her. Among the Shaido, Faile works to free herself while hiding a secret that might give her her freedom or cause her destruction. And at a town called Malden, the Two Rivers longbow will be matched against Shaido spears.

Fleeing Ebou Dar through Seanchan-controlled Altara with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, Mat attempts to court the woman to whom he is half-married, knowing that she will complete that ceremony eventually. But Tuon coolly leads him on a merry chase as he learns that even a gift can have deep significance among the Seanchan Blood and what he thinks he knows of women is not enough to save him.

In Caemlyn, Elayne fights to gain the Lion Throne while trying to avert what seems a certain civil war should she win the crown…

In the White Tower, Egwene struggles to undermine the sisters loyal to Elaida from within…

The winds of time have become a storm, and things that everyone believes are fixed in place forever are changing before their eyes. Even the White Tower itself is no longer a place of safety. Now Rand, Perrin and Mat, Egwene and Elayne, Nynaeve and Lan, and even Loial, must ride those storm winds, or the Dark One will triumph.

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opens in a new windowThe Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan—$4.99

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.

The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, and now Stormlight Archive, among others, was chosen by Jordan’s editor–his wife, Harriet McDougal–to complete the final volume, later expanded to three books.

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward–wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders–his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower–and possibly the world itself.

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opens in a new windowTowers of Midnight by Robert Jordan—$4.99

In Towers of Midnight, the Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight.

The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age.

Perrin Aybara is now hunted by specters from his past: Whitecloaks, a slayer of wolves, and the responsibilities of leadership. All the while, an unseen foe is slowly pulling a noose tight around his neck. To prevail, he must seek answers in Tel’aran’rhiod and find a way–at long last–to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it forever.

Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The creatures beyond the stone gateways–the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn–have confused him, taunted him, and left him hanged, his memory stuffed with bits and pieces of other men’s lives. He had hoped that his last confrontation with them would be the end of it, but the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. The time is coming when he will again have to dance with the Snakes and the Foxes, playing a game that cannot be won. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost.

Dovie’andi se tovya sagain. It’s time to toss the dice.

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On the Road: Tor Author Events in May 2022

May your May be full of cool book events! We’ve got some exciting ones coming up 😎😎

Check it out!


In-Person Events

Holly Black, opens in a new windowBook of Night

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Wednesday, May 4
opens in a new windowBarnes & Noble at Union Square
33 East 17th St
New York, NY 10003
7:00 PM ET

Jenn Lyons,  opens in a new windowThe Discord of Gods

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Saturday, May 14
opens in a new windowRead It Again Bookstore
3630 Peachtree Pkyw
Suite 314
Suwanee, GA 30024
12:00 PM ET

 


Digital Events

Holly Black, opens in a new windowBook of Night

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Wednesday, May 4
Barnes & Noble at Union Square
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
7:00 PM ET

Ryka Aoki,  opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars

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Saturday, May 7
Big Gay Fundraiser! by Loyalty Bookstores
opens in a new windowVirtual Event
8:00 PM ET

 

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On the (Digital) Road: Tor Author Events in December 2021

We are in a time of social distancing, but your favorite Tor authors are still coming to screens near you in the month of December! Check out where you can find them here.

Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo: Tor Goes International

Alex Pheby author photo (left) Mordew cover (right) Kerstin Hall author photo (left) Star Eater cover (right)Shelley Parker-Chan author photo (left) She Who Became the Sun cover (right) A. K. Larkwood author photo (left) The Unspoken Name cover (right)

Friday, December 10
Virtual Screening

Featuring A. K. Larkwood, Alex Pheby, Freya Marske, Kerstin Hall, and Shelley Parker-Chan
10:00 AM CLT


Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo: Waiter There’s Some Sci Fi In My Fantasy!

James Rollins author photo (left) The Starless Crown (right)

Ryka Aoki author photo (left) Light From Uncommon Stars cover (right) John Scalzi author photo (left) Kaiju Preservation Society (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, December 10
Virtual Screening

Featuring James Rollins, Ryka Aoki, Tochi Onyebuchi, Jay Bonansinga, Neon Yang, and John Scalzi
10:00 AM CLT

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The 2021 Gift Guide for Your Fun (and Sometimes Funny) Family

It’s the (theoretically) most wonderful time of the year and we are BACK once more to help you win over your fun (and sometimes funny) family and friends with the timeless gift of books. From your nosey great aunt to the ghost cat haunting your house, we have recommendations for every important person in your life. Check out the full gift guide below!

By Rachel Taylor and a bunch of raccoons in a trench coat


The great aunt who keeps asking if you’re dating anyone yet

via GIPHY

Don’t we all hate the ‘but why aren’t you seeing anyone’ question from nosey family members? The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey will put a stop to that! Just tell her you’d rather hangout with the clone that your crappy ex made of you. You are much better company. 

The music buff in your life

via GIPHY

You’ve gotten your favorite music lover everything they could possibly want—CDs, posters, and tickets to their favorite concert, but now you’re starting to run out of ideas. Let’s go in a bit of a different direction and gift them the soulful new book Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, filled with musicians, demonic deals, and donuts. What more could a person want?

To the person you’ve been ‘talking’ to but haven’t defined the relationship with yet

via GIPHY

Win their heart with a copy of Winter’s Orbit, a sweet love story among the stars that’s also a murder mystery! Nothing says love like solving a murder and figuring out the pesky problem of there only being one bed. If they don’t sweep you off your feet after reading this tale of two space princes going from husbands to friends to lovers, they don’t deserve you.

Your nephew who thinks you’re the cool aunt

via GIPHY

You’ll need to live up to your rep and get them something with explosions, battles for the galaxy, and sentient space suits. You’re in luck because Christopher Paolini’s epic space adventure To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is in paperback and features ALL OF THOSE THINGS plus pirates and a ship pig named Runcible.

Your niece who thinks you’re the cool uncle

via GIPHY

Want your niece to think you’re Super Cool™? Give her The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. It’s got goblin wars, assassins, giant ravens—all the things the kids love nowadays.  

Or, it will arrive late, but lean into the weird and get them James Rollins’ new fantasy book, where the moon threatens. That swiss cheese-faced bastard has had it out for us since day one, and in The Starless Crown, the moon threatens to destroy all life on earth. It’s up to a godling, a disgraced prince, a pack of misfits, and a bunch of giant bats to save us. 

The sibling who’s always gotta read the book before the adaptation comes out

via GIPHY

The Wheel of Time from Amazon Prime is officially out in the world and your sibling is refusing to watch it with you until they’ve read the source material. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the brand new The Eye of the World official tie-in edition from Robert Jordan! 

To the ghost cat that lives in your wall

via GIPHY

Want to appease the angry ghost cat currently lurking in your wall? Give them the offering of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, complete with its own sentient, deeply enraged feline. But make sure your haunted feline doesn’t get too many ideas from it….

To the friend who needs to disconnect from work once and awhile

via GIPHY

We all have that friend that works too hard and needs some inspiration on better work/life balance. Give them a nudge with Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune and maybe they too will see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

Your kid sister in college who has the attention span of a goldfish

via GIPHY

Set her up for success and give her some novellas to read! They’re travel sized for her convenience, and snackable so she can get into the story before she gets too squirrely. We recommend starting with opens in a new windowA Spindle Splintered or opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful, for a bit of action adventure with a lot of heart.

Your ride or die BFF

via GIPHY

Your BFF deserves only the best and what is the best but the SUPER FANCY, EXTRA SPECIAL edition of New York Times bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab! Complete with ribbon bookmark, extra art, and a special note from the author, your BFF will have this one displayed on the shelf that only the fanciest of books go. 

That guy who is a probably a distant cousin but you’re not even sure how you’re related

via GIPHY

If you have to pour through your family tree to figure out who the heck this guy is, he should do something useful, like catch up with the latest Sanderson (Rhythm of War, now available in paperback) so you can talk shop and debate who the best Knight Radiant is.

Your sibling that wishes it was still Halloween

via GIPHY

Don’t we all have that one person in our lives who is sulking over the fact that the holiday decorations went up in October, COMPLETELY overriding the precious holiday of Halloween? Give them the scares they crave with Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw, to remind them the Halloween spirit never dies. 

Which books are you gifting to your loved ones this year? Let us know in the comments! 

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Sweet Author and Donut Pairings from Ryka Aoki

Image Placeholder of - 23By Ryka Aoki

I’m super excited right now because my book,  opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars, is finally out in the world! I’m still trying to comprehend that a press like Tor would get behind a book about the San Gabriel Valley, trans and queer folk, refugee space aliens, classical music, and donuts.

Also, so many amazing authors have given their time and wisdom to guide me in this still-quite-mind-blowing process. I’m sure they had much better things to do, yet each of the following authors had one-on-one conversations with me to help promote Light From Uncommon Stars.

Being Asian, it’s hard to say thank you without giving food—that’s just the way we are. However, since COVID makes this impossible, I wanted to list the Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley donuts that I think of when I imagine each of these sweet and brilliant writers!


opens in a new windowCharlie Jane Anders: Charlie Jane is a cake donut, lots of sprinkles. From the radiant splendor of Randy’s Donuts on La Cienega. I have never been with Charlie Jane and not seen colorful sprinkles. Rainbow sprinkles. If we’re lucky some of them will match her hair.

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opens in a new windowCadwell Turnbull: Cadwell? Cadwell definitely gets a maple donut from Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts in Hollywood, maybe with bacon. Something that seems familiar yet sophisticated and a little intimidating—but is really amazing and delicious.

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opens in a new windowJenn Lyons: We are so sharing a dozen glazed donuts in from Krispy Kreme in Burbank, grabbing our Oculus Quests, and spending an afternoon in virtual space playing Beat Saber. And I’d give her another dozen to save for later because she’s been just that good to me.

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opens in a new windowJohn Scalzi: Easy. A chocolate glazed Dunkin’ Donut with coffee. Yes, there is a Dunkin’ Donuts in Hollywood, but there’s something very non-Hollywood about it. Timeless, uncompromising—there’s a reason it’s classic. When John noticed my book, suddenly I felt legit.

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opens in a new windowBecky Chambers: A strawberry donut from Donut Man that’s still warm even after the drive back from Glendora because Becky’s work reminds me that no matter what the universe throws at you, there is sweetness to live for, so take it easy and remember to hug myself.

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opens in a new windowEverina Maxwell: Sending Everina an apple fritter from Uncle Joe’s in San Gabriel. I’ve been in awe of Uncles Joe’s apple fritters since high school. They are sweet and chunky and perfect for Everina to nosh on while waiting for me to fix my latest Internet issue.

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opens in a new windowTJ Klune: A Japanese matcha donut from Donatsu in Little Tokyo. With an iced coffee or tea and garnished with rose petals, I think it might make you cry a little, TJ—it’s just so beautiful.

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opens in a new windowSarah Gailey: A mango (or maybe an ube, or perhaps a banana milk) donut from Mochinut in Arcadia. Made a little differently from the others, rice-flour Mochinuts are perfect with good friends old and new, enhancing our conversation in the tastiest, fruitiest, and most colorful ways.

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And to each of you reading this, I send a giant Texas donut from Kindle’s Do-nuts on Normandie Ave. They are magnificent and otherworldly and just like these sweet and generous authors, they are so larger-than-life that they don’t seem quite real. But real they are.

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I am so grateful to each of them, and to you.

Now, all you need to do is reach for one and take a bite.

<3

Ryka

Ryka Aoki (she/her) is a poet, composer, teacher, and novelist whose books include He Mele a Hilo and two Lambda Award finalists, Seasonal Velocities and Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul. Her latest work, Light From Uncommon Stars, is available through Tor Books now.

Order Light From Uncommon Stars Here:

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Tor Books at NYCC 2021!

Place holder  of - 75New York Comic Con is once again coming to us virtually in 2021 and we are so excited to participate! Join the convention from October 7-10 (tickets for virtual access can be bought opens in a new windowhere) for some amazing panels, listed below, and don’t forget to follow us on social media and the hashtag #TorNYCC2021 for announcements, sweepstakes, and more. All panels excerpt the Wheel of Time panel and the Space Odysseys panel will be release on October 7 at 10 AM ET.

opens in a new windowBrandon Sanderson and Christopher Paolini in conversation

Join two of the genre’s biggest authors–and pals–Brandon Sanderson ( opens in a new windowRhythm of War) and Christopher Paolini ( opens in a new windowTo Sleep In a Sea of Stars) as they celebrate the paperback releases of their bestselling books and talk about all things fantasy science fiction and beyond. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowJust Kiss Already

SciFi and Fantasy sure can be full of Ships… not just spaceships and pirate ones! Join some of your favorite Tor and Tor.com Publishing authors as they discuss the mushy gushy FEELINGS side of speculative fiction. How do they craft those will-they-or-won’t-theys into OTPs you want to root for?  With TJ Klune ( opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door), Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars), Alix E. Harrow ( opens in a new windowA Spindle Splintered), Freya Marske ( opens in a new windowA Marvelous Light), and Everina Maxwell ( opens in a new windowWinter’s Orbit). Moderated by Andrea Hairston ( opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons). Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowTor Presents: Chaotic Horror Storytelling

Just in time for Halloween, Tor and Nightfire task a brave panel of authors with telling us a horror story unlike any other. This group of talented horror authors will spin us a brand new tale. Join Thomas Olde Heuvelt ( opens in a new windowHEX, opens in a new windowEcho), Zin E. Rocklyn ( opens in a new windowFlowers for the Sea), Catriona Ward ( opens in a new windowThe Last House on Needless Street), and your host Christopher Buehlman ( opens in a new windowThe Blacktongue Thief), as they incorporate writing prompts to create an improvised story on the spot–and talk about their craft and inspirations along the way. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowTor Goes International

From Scotland to Australia and back again, Tor, Tor.com, and Nightfire authors can be found spinning their tales from across the globe – and setting them in some international locales as well. Join authors Kerstin Hall ( opens in a new windowStar Eater), T. L. Huchu ( opens in a new windowThe Library of the Dead), Cassandra Khaw ( opens in a new windowNothing But Blackened Teeth), and moderator James Rollins ( opens in a new windowThe Starless Crown) as they take you on a virtual tour of SciFi Fantasy and Horror. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowTor Spotlight- Calling All Book Lovers Panel

Tor publishes some of the greatest sci-fi fantasy and horror stories around. This will be a panel to shine a spotlight on some of the exciting books that Tor, Tor Teen, Tordotcom Publishing, Forge, and Nightfire have to offer. Join the book lovers from the Tor teams as they share a sneak peek at new and upcoming SFF. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowAIs and Cyberspies: Science Fiction Authors and Technology

Privacy technology and the future of our online lives… join some of today’s top science fiction authors as they discuss their prescient work the intersection of SF and science/tech what the future might bring and where we might be heading. With authors including Martha Wells ( opens in a new windowT opens in a new windowhe Murderbot Diaries), Becky Chambers ( opens in a new windowA Psalm for the Wild-Built), Nnedi Okorafor ( opens in a new windowRemote Control), Neil Sharpson ( opens in a new windowWhen the Sparrow Falls), John Scalzi ( opens in a new windowThe Kaiju Preservation Society) as moderator. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowTor Teen Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Deadly

Join YA fantasy authors Charlotte Nicole Davis ( opens in a new windowThe Sisters of Reckoning), Elayne Audrey Becker ( opens in a new windowForestborn), Lauren Shippen ( opens in a new windowSome Faraway Place), Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman ( opens in a new windowAll of Us Villains) and Mark Oshiro ( opens in a new windowEach of Us a Desert) as they spill the tea on what it’s like to craft story arcs for heroes, villains, and every morally ambiguous character in-between. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowThe Wheel of Time: Exclusive Q&A with Cast and Showrunner (Virtual Screening)

Friday, October 8
2:30-3:30 PM ET
Main Stage 1D Hall

Based on Robert Jordan’s best-selling fantasy novels of the same name, opens in a new windowThe Wheel of Time is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it. The story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity. Join the series cast and showrunner as they discuss bringing this stunning world to life and what fans can most look forward to when the series premieres Friday, November 19th, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowSpace Odesseys: A Chat with Charlie Jane Anders and Tochi Onyebuchi

Saturday, October 9
2:15-3:15 PM ET
Main Stage 1A24 Hall

In this panel, Tor.com and Book Riot contributor Aurora Dominguez will be in conversation with two amazing authors of YA Science Fiction. Charlie Jane Anders is the former editor-in-chief of opens in a new windowio9.com, the popular Gawker Media site devoted to science fiction and fantasy. Her debut novel, opens in a new windowAll the Birds in the Sky, won the Nebula Award for Best Novel and was a Hugo Award finalist. Her journalism has appeared in Salon, the Wall Street Journal, Mother Jones, and many other outlets. Tochi Onyebuchi is the author of the award-winning novella opens in a new windowRiot Baby from Tordotcom Publishing. He holds a B.A. from Yale, a M.F.A. in screenwriting from the Tisch School for the Arts, a Master’s degree in droit économique from Sciences Po, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. His next novel,  opens in a new windowGoliath, hits shelves on 1/25/22. Watch the panel opens in a new windowhere.

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Our Favorite SFF for Foodies

We love a good snack, and we can almost taste the treats described in these tasty titles. From donuts to tea to humans themselves, there’s something for everyone to sample! Check out our round-up here.


By Lizzy Hosty

Poster Placeholder of - 15Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

When transgender runaway Katrina Nguyen dazzles Shizuka Satomi with her violin mastery, Shizuka thinks she might’ve found the seventh and final prodigy to convince to give up their soul to the devil so she can escape damnation. But when Lan Tran – retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four – walks into Shizuka’s donut shop in the San Gabriel Valley, Lan’s kind smile and eyes like stars have Shizuka questioning whether she should go through with her plans.

Placeholder of  -63Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Wallace starts to think he’s dead when, at his own funeral, a grim reaper comes to collect him. And when the owner of a peculiar tea shop, Hugo, decides to help him cross over, he realizes he’s really dead. But Wallace isn’t ready to cross over. After being told he has one week to cross over, Wallace decides to set out and live the life he’s always wanted within the last seven days he has left.

Place holder  of - 60The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Rose Edelstein has a unique gift – by simply eating the food that others have prepared, she is able to feel that person’s emotions. When nine year old Rose bites into her mother’s homemade lemon cake, she discovers that her happy, go-lucky mom actually tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, food is a threat to Rose, because it unlocks the secret knowledge that all families keep hidden, such as how her family members interact with the world and each other.

Image Placeholder of - 24Star Eater by Kerstin Hall

Elfreda Raughn, a member of a group of cannibalistic nuns called the Sisterhood of Aytrium, can usually stomach her usual day-to-day tasks. But when she discovers what is necessary to preserve their magical bloodline, she’s horrified and wants out. Suddenly, someone offers her a chance at just that, as long as she becomes a spy into the Sisterhood. Elfreda Raughn accepts, because she wants to be able to make her own choices – like making sure she never comes pregnant – even if it kills her.

Image Place holder  of - 89You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo

At the edge of the known universe, Niko Larson, former Admiral in the Grand Military of the Hive Mind, spends her retirement with the remnants of her former unit working at The Last Chance restaurant at the TwiceFar station. But soon, Niko and her crew are kidnapped – onto a sentient ship that believes it’s been stolen – and have to survive a sadistic pirate king if they want to make it back to The Last Chance.

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On the (Digital) Road: Tor Author Events in September 2021

We are in a time of social distancing, but your favorite Tor authors are still coming to screens near you in the month of September! Check out where you can find them here.

Christopher Paolini, opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars

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Monday, September 6
A Room of One’s Own, in conversation with J. S. Dewes
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
7:00 PM ET

Tuesday, September 14
In conversation with Jay Kristoff, multiple venues
opens in a new windowZoom
7:00 PM PT

Daniel Kraus,  opens in a new windowThe Living Dead

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Tuesday, September 7
University Bookstore, in conversation with Colleen O’Halloran
Zoom
6:00 PM PT

Kit Rocha, opens in a new windowThe Devil You Know

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Wednesday, September 8
Love’s Sweet Arrow/Tubby & Coos, in conversation with Jessie Mihalik & Jeaniene Frost
Crowdcast
TBD

TJ Klune, opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door

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Wednesday, September 22
Anderson’s Bookshop
Zoom
8:00 PM ET

Thursday, September 23
An Unlikely Story, in conversation with V. E. Schwab
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
6:00 PM ET

Friday, September 24
Loyalty Books
TBD
8:00 PM ET

Thursday, September 30
Charis Books, in conversation with Ryka Aoki
opens in a new windowSign Up
7:30 PM ET

Alex Pheby, opens in a new windowMordew

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Monday, September 27
Mysterious Galaxy, in conversation with Christopher Buehlman
opens in a new windowCrowdcast
9:00 PM ET

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