After having been out of commission due to a nasty computer virus that was making a mess of his Windows machine, GRRM posts an update on “Not a Blog”. He touches on a number of topics, from the recent news that Charles Dance has joined the cast of HBO’s Game of Thrones in the role of Tywin Lannister to the availability of the amazing 2011 A Song of Ice and Fire Calendar with art by the renowned Ted Nasmith. He also makes note of the novelette of his that Lightspeed Magazine has reprinted.
At the end, he touches on progress on A Dance with Dragons, stating that he’s finished a chapter for a character that he dubs “Fred” (suggesting giving his identity may be semi-spoilerish). As he writes:
“Finally, might mention that I finished a chapter of the DANCE today. I had one last chapter about this particular character—I will call him Fred—to finish, and then I am done with him for the book. Of course, in the writing, it turned into three chapters. So I finished a Fred chapter a week ago, and a Fred chapter an hour ago, and yet I STILL have one Fred chapter to finish. Sigh. The horizon recedes continuously before me.”
Lightspeed magazine, edited by John Joseph Adams, has reprinted online George R.R. Martin’s science fiction novelette, “... For a Single Yesterday”. First published in 1975, at the time when some critics say GRRM was entering the height of his short form prowess, it features the melancholic and bittersweet atmosphere that was a hallmark of much of his writing at that time.
Avatar Press has just published George R.R. Martin’s Fevre Dream #4 to comic shops. The adaption of Martin’s award-winning horror novel, by novelist Daniel Abraham and artist Rafa Lopez, at present appears to be on a bi-monthly schedule, making it great, brisk read. Below is a preview of the fourth issue:
George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards: The Hard Call, published by Dynamite Comics, is now on sale both via Dynamite’s web storefront and at your friendly local comic shop. An original Wild Cards story written by author Daniel Abraham with art by Eric Battle, the comic saw the welcome return of the Sleeper—Roger Zelazny’s popular character—to the Wild Cards setting after a long absence.
Avatar Press has released the third issue in their ongoing adaption of George R.R. Martin’s Fevre Dream, with script by Daniel Abraham and art by Rafa Lopez. It should be available at your local friendly comic book shop. Below we have a preview, courtesy of Avatar.
The anthology, a tribute to Jack Vance edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, has received several nominations in genre awards. Although it did not win the 2010 Locus Awards (instead, The New Space Opera , also edited by Gardner Dozois with Jonathan Strahan, won), a short story from the anthology did win in its category: Neil Gaiman’s “An Invocation of Incuriousity”, which had pride of place as the final story in the anthology.
Congratulations to Mr. Gaiman, and our thanks to Martin and Dozois for commissioning the story, which really was an exceptional closer to the anthology.
Locus Magazine reports that Songs of the Dying Earth, the anthology co-edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois in honor of Jack Vance, has been shortlisted for the British Fantasy Awards in the Best Anthology category. This follows news from earlier in the year that it was on the long list. An exceptional collection of stories from an exceptional list of authors (including Neil Gaiman, Dan Simmons, Tanith Lee, Tad Williams, and more), the anthology has also previously been nominated in the Locus Awards, the results of which will be divulged this weekend.
George R.R. Martin has updated his “Not a Blog” with a new post catching up on what’s going on of late. Of course, with the recent release of the teaser for HBO’s adaption, that heads off the list. He notes casting continues for many roles, and amusingly complains about having invented so many characters. Roles mentioned are, “Mycah, Janos Slynt, Gendry, Tobho Mott, Old Nan, Shagga, Syrio, Marillion, Doreah, Alliser Thorne, Grenn, Pyp, Rast, Osha..:” He also states that Nina Gold, the casting director, is finding some great choices, and the work continues for those who they have not quite settled on.
In other news, GRRM states that the cross-genre anthology he’s editing with Gardner Dozois, Down These Strange Streets, looks likely to be deliverable to the publisher in a month. “Kong”—A Dance with Dragons—on the other hand continues to be a battle. He states he’s been working on the epilogue, not entirely satisfactorily, before switching to rewriting a Tyrion chapter which has gone much better. He cautions that just because he was writing the epilogue does not mean he is done—he often writes chapters out of order.
Finally, he mentions forthcoming appearances: the Clarion writer’s workshop in San Diego in July, a signing at Mysterious Galaxy, but San Diego Comic-con is not likely to happen ... On the other hand, New York Comic-con in October seems a likely bet, according to George. And why not? As the east coast’s answer to SDCC, it’d be an excellent venue for a panel and full-blown promotion for HBO’s new series, as well as the various comic book properties being developed based on his work…
The 21st entry into the Wild Cards series has just been delivered, according to GRRM. He discusses the story and some of the characters introduced in the post, as well as listing the authors participating. There’s no firm publication date yet, by he thinks Spring 2011 seems likely.
While looking around, I came across Tor-Forge’s Fall 2010 Catalog (PDF). On page 47, what I suspect to be a draft of the cover art for the re-release of the first Wild Cards is on display in black and white,. It depicts the doomed, heroic character of Jetboy, a hero at the center of the release of the Wild Cards virus.
At a guess—I’ll remark on Twitter if I get confirmation—I believe the painting is by Michael Komarck, who has provided art for the new Wild Cards trilogy.
Mike the Productions has posted some interesting news regarding The Skin Trade, the award-winning horror novella by GRRM that they recently acquired rights to.
In the linked press release, they reveal that Filmworks/FXand its president, Ken Locsmandi, are attached to the project. Locsmandi and Filmworks have extensive credits as a visual effects and post-production provider, and have been involved in such films as City of Ember, Apocalypto, and Pete Smalls is Dead (which, coincidentally, stars Peter Dinklage).
In related news, GRRM shared a promotional image Mike the Pike Productions commissioned for the project.
Mike the Pike Productions have acquired the film rights to George R.R. Martin‘s award-winning urban horror novella, “The Skin Trade”. This follows on the news from September of last year that they had optioned the novella, and suggests confidence in their adaption plans.
Via a message over Twitter, it seems that they’re now sending out the project to potential directors, an important step as they move forward.
Songs of the Dying Earth, the Jack Vance tribute anthology edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, was on the short list of this year’s Locus Awards. Congratulations to them, and the authors involved! Neil Gaiman‘s story in the anthology, “An Invocation of Incuriosity”, was separately nominated in the short story category.
Mr. Dozois has two other anthologies on the nomination list and is also a nominee as best editor, while Jack Vance himself sees his memoir, This is Me, Jack Vance! (a book which I recommend for fans of Vance, as it’s filled to the brim with his musing style and contains a number of entertaining anecdotes from across his long life), nominated in the Non-Fiction/Art book category. We also note the name of John Picacio among those nominated in the best artist category; Picacio will be illustrating the 2012 A Song of Ice and Fire Calendar, as we’ve previously reported.
The winners will be announced at the Science Fiction Awards Weekend, June 25-27, in Seattle.
GRRM has reminded us that Avatar Press will be publishing the first issue of their adaption of his 19th century vampire novel, Fevre Dream, this Wednesday. You’ll likely be able to find it at your local comic book shop. To whet your appetite, here’s a preview of the comic book, courtesy of Avatar:
The adaption was written by Daniel Abraham with art by Rafa Lopez.
After a long, bloody struggle between enthusiastic (and, in some few cases, over-enthusiastic) fans of both Rand al’Thor and Jaime Lannister, the Dragon Reborn narrowly took the title in Suvudu’s inaugural Cage Match. Just 180 votes out of just over 30,000 separated winner from loser. Hats off to everyone who took part and made it a fun event (and boo to those who tried to take the fun out of it!)
In particular, a warm thanks to Suvudu’s editors for conceiving and running the event, and who wrote a fine wrap-up (video wrap-up promised tomorrow), and to all the authors who participated with arguments and stories: Steven Brust (Vlad was robbed!), Patrick Rothfuss, Naomi Novik, Brandon Sanderson (who has written a funny version of how Rand won), and of course George R.R. Martin, who gave many fantasy fans new reason to check out A Song of Ice and Fire thanks to his terrific write-ups.