More Art Teasers for Monarchies of God!

Hey all,

Having just sent Paul Kearney's The Monarchies of God Volume II: Century of the Soldier off to press, I thought I would share with you some of the final sexiness as a taster.

Above are the beautiful covers - helms and weapons lovingly created and rendered by Rebellion's Andrew Evans (this is the sort of stuff he makes for 3D computer games, so it was pretty much right up his street) and background and design by our own Pye Parr - and they're just awesome.

Below are the maps from Volume II. Those of you who looked at the earlier blog post about the maps from Volume I will recognise the first two - although note how the vicissitudes of war have changed some of the names - but see how the map rosette has changed from the Christian-inspired Ramusian symbol from Volume I to the Muslim-inspired Merduk symbol in Volume II.

If you're as stoked as me by these books, rest assured that The Monarchies of God Volume I: Hawkwood and the Kings is due in stores in August, and The Monarchies of God Volume II: Century of the Soldier is due in September.

Schweet.

David

News from the Front

Hello, remember me?

I'm that disheveled looking one you occasionally see in convention photos. You know that scruffy bloke who sometimes accompanies the far more photogenic David and Jenni?

Yes, it's that time of the year when your editor-in-chief visits you via the means of electronic wizadry. This internet thing is dark magic I tell you.

Anyway, I have so much exciting news for you that this is going to be a long blog post. So strap yourself in, assume the position, etc etc.

Anyway, the first news to impart is that of exciting new commissions. You may have heard of these already through the electronic grapevine, but I just thought I too should say something.

I'm utterly delighted to tell you that I have commissioned a new novel from Eric Brown. King's of Eternity will be published in April 2011 and is just an extraordinary SF novel. Trust me when I tell you that this is a hell of a ride, both emotionally and in terms of big ideas and big-screen dazzle. King's of Eternity is a career best from a writer who goes from strength to strength. This is what I love about SF and being the publisher behind this title is a real privilege. The cover artist on this is going to be Dom Harman, who has done Eric's last few books for us.

The second commission to tell you about is Desdaemona by Ben Macallan. This is a brilliant and edgy urban fantasy from an exciting new writer. Rather than featuring vampires, Ben explores the machinations of devils and demons in an urban setting. The one thing I loved about this novel is how different it is to much of the urban fantasy on the market at the moment. An edgy, funny and thrilling work, which I'm sure you'll love. The cover artist on this project is the very talented Vincent Chong. You can expect this to hit shelves in June 2011.

Also, we have a cracking new fantasy series coming your way, starting next year. We're delighted to welcome back to the Solaris fold, fantasy author Juliet McKenna. Juliet is working on a new trilogy for us called The Hadrumal Convergence. This is set in the same world as her critically acclaimed Lescari Revolution trilogy and, if anything, the stakes are even higher in this epic story. Juliet's writing is intelligent and thought provoking, while delivering vast fantasy thrillers and epic world building on scale that would put writers like Steven Erikson to shame. Book one of this trilogy will be hitting the shelves in August next year. We're looking to assign Clint Langley to cover duties on this one.

So, those are some of the tasty things in the pipeline (is that a strange mixed-metaphor that I've just created, do you get tasty things in pipelines? I'm not sure that I'd want to eat anything out of a pipe...), for now I present you with a gallery of goodies heading your way.

David is currently beavering away on the follow-up to Paul Kearney's fantasy novel The Ten Thousand and just to wet your appetite for the rest of the series, here is the stunning cover for the third book in the trilogy:

This will be on shelves in July of 2011, and Corvus will be out this November. These covers are by Chris McGrath.

Continuing on the fantasy theme, we're all really looking forward to Emily Gee's next novel for us, The Sentinel Mage. And boy do we have sexy cover for this! Feast your eyes on the following, by fantasy legend Larry Rostant.

Yup, that's the same Larry Rostant who did the covers for George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The Sentinel Mage is on shelves in February 2011.

Now something a little darker for you. This one is for The Concrete Grove by Gary McMahon, part one of a three book horror series, described to me by Gary as a bit like Mythago Wood but more horror based and set on a council estate. Gary is a fiercely good writer and you can expect this to be a dark and frightening series that packs a hell of a punch. Our artist maestro on this is Vinny Chong:

This is obviously without text, but we just thought you'd want to see a preview of the cover art before we design the final book. The Concrete Grove rips it's way into your reality in July 2011.

Now for something more steampunky... Heart of Veridon by Tim Akers garnered high-praise on its publication and went straight into the top-ten of many steampunk aficionados. This is why we're delighted to show you the cover for Dead of Veridon, Tim's sensational follow-up, coming to you in June 2011.

This is by renowned artist Greg Staples.

Last, but absolutely by no means least, is this beauty for Eric Brown's collection, Engine Man, due for release in October 2011. This is by Dom Harman, and has literally just come in. Pretty 'aint it?

Obviously, this is before the designers have had a chance to work their magic, but this gives you some idea of the awesomeness that you can expect.

Anyhew, that's it, pretty much, from me. At the moment I'm tinkering away with The End of The Line, which is shaping up very nicely indeed. Expect a superb anthology of horror from some of the very best writers in the field.

Right, as you were. Until next we meet again....

Yours

Jonathan Oliver

Kings Bastard Free Sample!

Hey all,

As you're probably aware, Rowena Cory Daniells' King Rolen's Kin trilogy launches at the end of the month with the first book, The King's Bastard (although some sneaky booksellers already have it on the shelves, so you can pick it up right now).

Why are you still reading this? You just found out that the first book of our awesome new fantasy trilogy is already on the shelves, and you're still online? What, England's miserable World Cup performance knocked you back so hard you've forgotten how to read? Go, go, go!

Nope? Okay, well I guess I'll get on with the giveaway.

It seems Rowena's in a generous mood, and wants any of you who have yet to make up your mind as to whether to pick up her thrilling new heroic fantasy series to read the first chapter for free.

So, here it is!

Follow the travails of Byren Kingson, second son of King Rolen, as he strives with traitors within his father's court, enemies from over the mountains, and his own brother's jealousy, in a strange, dangerous and magically charged land. It's got fightin', magic, intrigue, all you need for a nutritious breakfast.

And the best bit is: the second and third books are due out in August and September, so you won't be hanging on for years to find out how it all ends.

So download the sample, then buy the book, then buy the other books. You need this.

Good Company

There's a decent little review of The Noise Within over at Total Sci-Fi Online. There IS a sequel coming out, Anthony, it's called The Noise Revealed and it'll be out next year!

Also, the print edition of The Observer this weekend listed the top three books chosen by a handful of independent booksellers and Edinburgh's Transreal Fiction put Banners in the Wind in 2nd place. That's between Terry Pratchett and Greg Egan - Juliet's in some fantastic company there!

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The End of the Line - line up!

Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews have spotlighted our horror anthology, End of the Line, which is coming out in November this year and will feature horror stories based in and around the London Underground and other underground train networks. Spooky stuff! The Dark Wolf article is here, and you can read about the great line up of authors that we're planning!

We love discovering new readers, and when we ran into Gard Goldsmith buying our novels at World Horror last year, Jon agreed to be interviewed by Gard's libertarian radio show - the link to Jon's interview is here. Gard has also interviewed SF anthologist Ellen Datlow and horror writer Wayne Simmons in the past.

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The Ten Thousand voted Book of the Month

Paul Kearney's The Ten Thousand has been named the Fantasy Book Review's Book of the Month! It got 9.5 out of 10, and they say "You must read the overarching splendour that is The Ten Thousand." Here's their review.

Wow, we're flattered. Well, I mean, WE knew it was brilliant, but we're glad you think so too!

In fact, we think Paul Kearney's so brilliant that the sequel to The Ten Thousand, which is called Corvus is being released by Solaris in November this year!

We're also re-releasing his hard-to-find series, The Monarchies of God, in August this year, beginning with The Monarchies of God vol.1: Hawkwood and the Kings, which will collect in one volume the first two books in this sought-after epic fantasy series.

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Design: Monarchies of God

Our talented designer Simon Parr, who not only works on Solaris and Abaddon books, but also on 2000 AD, has written all about his designs for our upcoming Monarchies of God series. Read all about it on his blog.


Simon imparts some rather revealing things about the design process...

The fur texture is a reference to the werewolves which play a large part of the story, and was made by scanning in a vile luminous pink acrylic cushion that my dog lies on...



Furry pink cushions - no self-respecting SFF designer should ever be without one...


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End of the Line Teaser

Hey all,

Bit of a taster of what's to come...

Mihai over at Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews has offered up a teaser for Jon Oliver's upcoming anthology The End of the Line, of horror stories set on underground train system.

Check it out.

Read up on the authors we've snagged for what's shaping up to be a very cool project, and titles of some of the stories we've already got in.

Looking good?

Cheers,

David

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Reviewspam Creeps In This Petty Pace

Slightly laboured title? I apologise.

Anyway, we have another plethora of reviews and bumf for you today. So hold tightly to your seats...

• Eric Brown at The Guardian has written these great reviews of Age of Zeus...
  
  "This is the kind of complex, action-oriented SF Dan Brown would write if Dan Brown could write."
  
  ...and Shine.
  
  "It's a bold attempt to counter the prevailing gloom of much current SF."
  
  
• TTA Press's Interzone 228 also includes reviews of both books (not on the site; you'll have to pick up the magazine):
  
  "Lovegrove has fun with his premise, and he's not afraid to get in a few digs at the real world."
  
  "If there's a stand of optimism that links the best stories in the collection is is something to do with human imagination, inventiveness and perseverance."
  
  
• Jim Dodge Jnr. at Mass Movement Magazine offers this glowing review of Justin Gustainis' Evil Ways:
  
  "Just be ready to have a Hell of a good time!"
  
  
• Neale Monks at SF Crow's Nest posted this very warm review of Brian Lumley's The Lost Years: Harry and the Pirates...
  
  "...should appeal to both Lumley fans and those who simply enjoy well-written horror fiction."
  
  
• ...while his colleague Patrick Mahon follows up on his previous review of Eric Brown's Necropath with this review of Xenopath.
  
  "Jeff Vaughan's new-found optimism is a convincingly drawn testament to the transformative power of love and makes this a fundamentally uplifting book to read. "
  
  
• Joshua Hill at the Fantasy Book Review gives a positively gushing account of Paul Kearney's The Ten Thousand:
  
  "Kearney captures all the best parts of fantasy – the young nobodies destined for glory, the gathering of a team, mercenaries, and exotic races and places – and combines them together with grit and realism and enough blood to drown a horse."
  
  
• SFX Magazine's summer 2010 issue 197 (again, you'll have to pick it up) includes a decent review of Ian Whates' The Noise Within.
  
  "Whates has crafted a thoroughly entertaining space opera, set in a universe brimming with humans, AIs and, just maybe, something alien."

So dig 'em up and check 'em out.

Cheers,

David

Poe Gets Another Nomination

Honestly, I think Ellen's going to get sick of attending posh parties...

The Poe anthology's up for another award. This time it's the Shirley Jackson Award for horror, given in honour of the author of The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. And, of course, we're in it twice.

Poe's up for the best Edited Anthology category, and the short story "Strappado," by the awesomely-named Laird Barron, is up for the best Short Story category.

The Awards will be given out at Readercon 21 in Burlington, Massachussets this July.

Congratulations, Ellen and Laird! Great work.

David

Interview with Jon on The Literary Project

Hey all,

Okay, slightly late bringing this one to your attention, but Gemma Noon at The Literary Project has interviewed our loving dictator boss, Jon!

Read it here.

"Solaris is a publisher of great fantasy, science-fiction, horror and dark-fantasy. We publish great books by great authors. As simple as that."

Cheers,

David

Natasha Rhodes Blog and Interview

There's an interview with Natasha Rhodes posted here.

And Natasha has also been busying away designing her new website, which is now up and running, and where you'll find her blog featuring some pretty good writing tips for the up and coming authors among you!

The third novel in her Kayla Steele series, Circus of Sins is now out in all good bookshops...

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