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Three Axes To Fall is Out!
It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?
How have you been doing, by the way? It’s 2022, but only just. Two years ago, the world started falling apart. Many years before that, it started thinking about it. It’s been tough on a lot of people–I hope you’re coming out of it okay.
Me? I’ve been busy. I wrote a book. It’s called Three Axes To Fall.
It’s the book that comes after the second, Ten Arrows Of Iron.
And that book came after the very first book, Seven Blades In Black.
These books are special to me because they represent something important I discovered about myself. I’ve been writing for awhile now (you might have read some of my other books) and in all that time, I’ve had an issue I didn’t know about. I was writing for someone who wasn’t me.
I think it’s easy for a lot of writers to develop a belief about what they think success should look like. Maybe it’s even inevitable. Social media means you’ll never be unaware of how other people are doing–their successes, their reach, the ways they decide to portray their lives–and you’ll never be able to not compare yourself. It’s easy to start thinking that success looks only one way, that you need to be doing the things that make it look that way, that if you aren’t doing those things, you need to be worried.
Or maybe that’s just me.
Because it was me. I was keen to do things that I thought a writer like me should be doing, things that I thought looked like what I thought success should be, whether I wanted to or not. It was a grievous place to be, mentally–a place where I couldn’t pursue a definition of success that was my own and couldn’t satisfy a definition I’d created that was impossible.
Until these books.
It wasn’t all them–I’ve been in therapy for a few years now and it’s helped a lot. But something about these books, these books about broken people who keep fucking up and keep trying despite it, about healing from wounds in a way that isn’t pretty, about the physical vices we take up to escape our emotional vices…
Yeah. Something about them was real good to me.
And I hope they’re good to you, too. Because you earned it.
And so have I.
Three Axes To Fall is Out! Read More »
My Apology
I would like to apologize for the harm I have caused through my vulgar and sexual words, my poor judgment and my lack of respect for my colleagues.
Through my words and actions, I have made spaces that should be welcoming for all feel unsafe. It was wrong of me to do so. It was wrong of me not to consider the feelings and needs of those around me. It was wrong of me to contribute to an atmosphere that made people unsafe.
I sincerely regret those choices I made and the ignorance not to realize the effect that those choices had. I was too self-absorbed to see that my actions were making people feel unsafe and interpreted uncomfortable silence as acceptance. I am sorry.
I have entered behavioral therapy and begun attending online sensitivity training to better understand the impact my words and actions have and to find actionable means of creating a better and more professionally-welcoming environment for all. I am committed to doing the emotional labor needed and will remain off twitter and away from conventions so that I can do the work that needs to be done.
As further commitment to this, I am donating from the profits of my book sales to organizations that serve marginalized genders and identities.
I am truly sorry to those who I have harmed.
ALE & BLOOD: A Bring Down Heaven Novella!
Now available in eBook, a new adventure starring your favorite broken adventurers!
As of today, readers can find Ale & Blood: A Bring Down Heaven Novella, available on Kindle for $2.99!
His hangover began in a dungeon cell and got worse from there.
Lenk is not having a good day. Oh, sure, he had a great night–his band of adventurers, drunk on the reward from a quest completed, proceeded to get drunk on the ale they bought with that reward. But upon waking up in a cell with Kataria, his foul-mouthed and savage companion, he learned a nobleman lay dead in the streets, a city had been plunged into chaos, and all signs pointed to him doing it.
Now, accused of a crime they didn’t commit–or at least, they think they didn’t commit it; honestly, everything got a little blurry after the third drink–Lenk and Kataria must prove their innocence or lose their lives in the only justice the city knows: the arena.
Ale & Blood is what I’m calling a “side quest” story to the main Bring Down Heaven and An Affinity for Steel stories. Taking place in the time between their more famous and disastrous exploits, these side quests feature the adventures and experiences that made Lenk and his friends the kind of fun-loving, well-wishing, emotionally-damaged, world-destroying jerks they are!
And this particular adventure happens to be something along the lines of being the fantasy version of The Hangover. Except instead of Zack Galifinakis, there are gigantic, man-eating salamanders.
In the very near future, two additional novellas will come out detailing the same hangover from Ale & Blood told from the perspectives of Asper & Denaos as well as Dreadaeleon & Gariath (spoiler: they involve a lot of setting people on fire).
This story, and the stories yet to come, is the sort of story that’s perfect for people curious about my work, but intimidated by size or price. And it’s also the sort of story that’s perfect for fans of Bring Down Heaven and want to see more stories about Lenk, Kataria and the terrible situations they find themselves carving out of. It can be read completely out of order and enjoyed independently of the other novels.
I hope you enjoy Ale & Blood, friends. Thank you for your continued support.
ALE & BLOOD: A Bring Down Heaven Novella! Read More »
Announcing: Seven Blades in Black!
Hey! I have a new book coming out!
Please welcome Seven Blades in Black, the first in a series called Songs of the Cacophony!
Not bad, right?
This is a new trilogy in an entirely new world following the adventures of Sal the Cacophony, an honest young lady with a magic gun trying her best to navigate a life through a magic-scarred wasteland serving as the battleground between an empire of decadent mages and their former servants-turned-ultra-nationalist machinists, while also hunting down and killing the seven wizards who stole her powers.
This story, a long time in the making, is basically my love letter to Final Fantasy. It has everything you’ve ever wanted in a fantasy novel. Revenge! Murder! Empires governed by lunatics wearing opera masks! Giant mechanical monstrosities powered by ancient horrors! Riding birds! Terrifying beasts summoned out of the ether! Make-outs! Stabbings! Not all at once, but pretty close succession! And, hinging upon it all, a young woman with a scar, a gun and a list of thirty-three names to kill just to feel normal again.
But don’t take my word for it! Here’s our blurb:
Among humans, none have power like mages. And among mages, none have will like Sal the Cacophony. Once revered, now vagrant, she walks a wasteland scarred by generations of magical warfare.
The Scar, a land torn between powerful empires, is where rogue mages go to disappear, disgraced soldiers go to die and Sal went with a blade, a gun and a list of names she intended to use both on.
But vengeance is a flame swift extinguished. Betrayed by those she trusted most, her magic torn from her and awaiting execution, Sal the Cacophony has one last tale to tell before they take her head.
All she has left is her name, her story and the weapon she used to carved both.
Vengeance is its own reward.
I am immensely proud of this book, out from Orbit and coming soon to bookstores near you. Here’s the preorder link! GET ON IT!
Announcing: Seven Blades in Black! Read More »
PHOENIX COMIC FEST!
Oh my god, it’s that time of year again. The time when the air stands still and the cicada’s song goes silent. The time when you can feel the steam rising from the pavement. The time when Myke Cole looks up from his book on ancient history bullshit or whatever and cannot place a source to the dread growing in his heart.
That’s right.
It’s time for Phoenix Comic Fest.
If you’re local or just visiting, I hope you end up stopping by next weekend, May 24th-27th to come see some amazing authors, none of whom are as tall as I am, and to come observe our incredible panels! Specifically, if you’re looking to see me, you can find me at…
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23rd
ELEVENGEDDON (Poisoned Pen Bookstore), 7:00 PM: As is tradition, the good people at the Poisoned Pen bookstore have granted us a space to do a mass signing for readers who can’t make it to Phoenix Comic Fest and for readers who just can’t get enough books. At 7:00 PM at the store in Old Town Scottsdale, myself and other luminaries, like John Scalzi, VE Schwab, Chuck Wendig, Spicy Pete, Myke Cole, Delilah Dawson, Percyphilus Rex, and many more will be signing literally everything. You had best come down and bring a friend, or I swear to god I’ll find you.
THURSDAY, MAY 24th
All Bards (North 125AB), 12:00 PM: A lot of the kids these days are talking about Dungeons and Dragons. But amidst all the hubbub about warriors, wizards and rakshasas, no one is talking about the humble bard. Until now. With myself as DM, Myke Cole, Sam Maggs, Delilah Dawson and more will be playing a brief D&D game in which everyone is a Bard and combat is disallowed. I’m sure it’ll end well.
DRAGONS! (North 126C), 1:30 PM: Do you like dragons? By god, you better get your ass into this panel. We’ll be talking all things dragon, dragonmen, dragon-dog, dragon-goat. Big dragons, small dragons, chromatic dragons, metallic dragons, mauve dragons and MORE. BE THERE OR BE HOARDED.
Signing (North 124AB), 3:00 PM: Come get your dang book signed, friendo!
FRIDAY, MAY 25th
This Panel is Going to be Epic…Fantasy (North 126AB), 12:00 PM: As is tradition, we shall all gather together and argue why the stuff I like is true epic fantasy and the stuff you like is mere indulgent trash. Should be a fun time!
Gods and Faith in Fiction (North 125AB), 3:00 PM: I’m actually legitimately interested in this one. Not that I’m not legitimately interested in all our fine panels, but given my JRPG-inherited obsession with killing God, I might actually really have a few things to say about this one.
Signing (North 124AB), 4:30 PM: If you didn’t get your book signed yesterday, you best do it today!
SATURDAY, MAY 26th
Writers Would You Rather (North 126AB), 4:30 PM: In what is quickly becoming a tradition of Phoenix Comic Fest, we have set up yet another situation in which multiple authors will answer uncomfortable questions regarding which horrific decision they would make with a fantasy/science fiction twist! Ha ha, it’ll be horrific. Come watch.
AUTHOR BATSU GAME (122ABC), 6:00 PM: The glorious tradition of Phoenix Comic Fest. Seven authors. One task. Multiple punishments for those who break it. Who will be destroyed? Who will live? Who will have terrible diarrhea? The answer? No one knows. And also Myke Cole.
SUNDAY, MAY 27th
Signing (Badali Jewelry, Booth 1696), 12:30 PM: If you missed all the other chances, this is your last opportunity to get stuff signed by me! If not, I will SEE YOU IN HELL. Or next year.
That’s our show, guys! I earnestly hope to see you there because this is my very favorite show and everyone tries so hard during it. Please come and bring antacids for Myke Cole because I think this time he might actually poop on stage.
PHOENIX COMIC FEST! Read More »
God’s Last Breath: Launch and Events
Well, friends. The time has finally come to put an end to something consuming my life.
God’s Last Breath, the final book in the Bring Down Heaven trilogy will launch next month. It will be a good and fine thing to see off and I am happy it is growing legs. Sure, I’ll miss the good times we had together, this trilogy and I: the asshole goat, the curry, the giant, man-eating spiders that drive an economy.
But we’re going to close it out in grand style.
If you’re in Arizona, come to the launch party! We’ll be doing an event at The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Downtown Scottsdale on Saturday, December 16th at 2:00 PM! Also available will be copies of the Brave Chef Brianna collection!
Please do stop by and say hello!
If you’re not there, though, I’ll be doing an AMA for the fine people of r/fantasy on Thursday, December 14th!
YOU BEST BE THERE OR I SWEAR TO GOD I’LL SMACK YOU RIGHT IN THE MOUTH.
God’s Last Breath: Launch and Events Read More »
Dragon*Con 2017!
HEY!
Remember when we used this blog for announcing things other than appearances at conventions? I don’t! And neither do you! This is the way it’s always been! Forever!
Anyway…it looks like your friend, Ol’ Sam Sykes, will be at Dragon*Con this year (you have to put the asterisk in or you go to jail). And if you’re going to be there, too, he’d like to see you. You can find him at one of the many fine panels or signings below:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
What is High Fantasy: Ol’ Sam Sykes is gonna tell you all about elfs and dwarfs and wizards and such. Maybe spin a few lies, a few tales. Possibly have a stein of mead.
1:00 PM, Room L401-403-Marriott
Buy My Book: Ol’ Sam Sykes couldn’t possibly tell you what they want him on this panel for.
5:30 PM, Room Embassy EF-Hyatt
Comedy in Fantasy: Ol’ Sam Sykes is gonna tell you a couple of jokes about elfs and dwarfs. Definitely steins of mead involved probably.
7:00 PM, Room Embassy EF-Hyatt
SATURDAY
Signing at Badali Jewelry: This will be my only signing, I think, so if you’ve got a book that needs signed, you can either leave it at the booth for me to get to (make sure to include your name) or swing by!
2:00 PM, Booth 2422 & 2424 on Second Floor of the Exhibit Hall
SUNDAY
Fantasy Graphic Novels: We’ll be talking about the transition from fantasy novels to the comics page! Let’s all see if we can’t get along!
10:00 AM, Room Embassy EF-Hyatt
Delphic Oracle: Fantasy authors are going to tell a story by using one word at a time! There is no possible way that this can go wrong at all!
1:00 PM, Room Embassy EF-Hyatt
Sexy Fantasy: I’m actually really interested in this one. I’ve written about sex in fantasy a lot, as you’d know if this blog weren’t only about announcing where I’d be, so I look forward to hearing what other authors have to say on the subject.
10:00 PM, Room Embassy EF-Hyatt
MONDAY
Folklore Roots of the Monsters of Fantasy: Fantasy monsters! Trolls! Ogres! Old wives’ tales! Except told by someone who is not an old wife! Come on by!
10:00 AM, Room Chastain 1-2-Westin
And that’s it!
I hope to see you there! And if I don’t, I hope you’re ready to see me haunting you in your nightmares because that’s where I’m coming next!
Love,
Ol’ Sam Sykes
San Diego Comicon 2017!
HOW’S IT GOING, FRIENDS.
Will you be at San Diego Comicon this year? ME, TOO. Are you excited to be a part of a gigantic pop culture event? ME, TOO. Are you curious where I’ll be during said pop culture event? ME, TOO. Are you terrified of the increasingly close proximity to the unending void that encroaches upon us daily? ME, TOO.
But only one of those things I can actually do something about!
Please find below my schedule for San Diego Comicon!
SUPER SECRET ANNOUNCEMENT
I won’t be doing any signings at the Hachette Booth this year, but we have a super secret announcement for super secret fans of Sam Sykes. If you super secretly make your way to the Hachette Booth (that’s booth #1116) and super secretly whisper the password: “Buy my book” to the people working on the Orbit side, they will give you a free comic prelude to The City Stained Red, signed by me, for your collection!
Or, if you’re interested, you can get a physical copy of one of my books. BUT YOU MUST CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER. NOT BOTH, YOU GREEDY BABY.
THURSDAY, JULY 20th
11:00-11:50 AM: Signing
BOOM! Studios Booth #2229
Come on by the Boom! Studios booth and get yourself some signed copies of Brave Chef Brianna! The story is complete so now you can get the WHOLE DANG THING!
1:30-2:30 PM: Panel: Sixty Seconds With SFF Authors
Horton Grand Theater (on Balboa Ave)
Join me, Paul Cornell and various other people who smell nice to play a little game called “Just a Minute,” where we must speak with decisive, unhesitant authority on various nerd subjects. It’s probably a super serious panel for super serious people. I should be a great fit, right? Glad we agree.
7:30-8:30 PM: Panel: 10 Years of Adam Warren’s EMPOWERED
Room 4
I was actually super astonished when Adam Warren, creator of the amazing sexy superhero comic, EMPOWERED, reached out to me to sit on his panel. I’ve always been a big fan, but I’ll also be a big contributor to this discussion about body image, finding one’s place in the world, comics and, hopefully, butts.
9:30 PM-1:30 AM: Drunk in An Alley
An Alley
Do not disturb.
FRIDAY
10:00 AM-9:00 PM: Following You Around Like An Animal
Premises
Beginning promptly at 10:00 AM, I will begin following you at a respectful distance in a jeep. Wearing a button-down shirt and cargo shorts, I will quietly whisper my awe as I pause and snap photos of you standing in line, eating a taco and generally living life well. With the help of a safari guide, I will not engage or disturb, as per the rules, but I will treasure these memories forever.
SATURDAY
12:00-1:00 PM: Signing
Badali Jewelry Booth #532
Come on by the Badali Jewelry booth, purveyors of fine metalworks, and get yourself a signed book! Stop by! Chat! Buy a book! Buy jewelry! Never leave!
6:00-6:50 PM: Signing
BOOM! Studios Booth #2229
I’ll be signing more copies of Brave Chef Brianna and complaining, loudly, that no one respects me. Please stop by and bring me a taco!
SUNDAY
10:00 AM-9:00 PM: Hiding In Your Luggage
Your Suitcase
I need a place to stay, man. Help me out. Just check me in customs and let me come live with you. They won’t say anything, it’s cool.
AND THAT’S IT!
Remember to go to the HACHETTE BOOTH #1116 and tell them to BUY MY BOOK to get yourself a FREE-ASS BOOK OR COMIC MY GOD. DO IT. DO IT, YOU PIECES OF STANK.
San Diego Comicon 2017! Read More »
Phoenix Comicon and Beyond!
WOW HOLY COW THIS BLOG UPDATED AGAIN.
I bet you’re expecting some fun stuff, eh? Maybe some huge announcements or deep musings on the nature of life? Or maybe just a lovely piece of artwork?
Well, too bad, dummy. It’s even better than that!
PHOENIX COMICON 2017 IS HERE!
Once again, yours truly has been invited to cause a little mayhem and talk a little about books. I hope you’ll come and visit me! And, if you do, here’s my schedule to help you better stalk hunt find me.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24th, 7:00 PM: ELEVENGEDDON
As is tradition, the Poisoned Pen is once again hosting dozens of authors who come into town for Phoenix Comicon. This year, it’s being held at the Scottsdale Hilton to accommodate the sheer numbers of awesome that have come into town! Come visit me, Jim Butcher, VE Schwab, Aprilynne Pike, Brian McClellan, Myke Cole and more!
Do it or I’ll hunt you in the night!
THURSDAY, MAY 25th
WOULD YOU RATHER: 1:30 PM, North 126AB
Once again, for some reason Phoenix Comicon is allowing us to play a very childish game and embarrass each other and you can be there to see it. Come see me host the dumbest game ever with Elizabeth Bear, Scott Lynch, Katie Salidas, Brian McClellan and Aprilynne Pike!
BETWEEN THE CACTI: Sam Sykes, Scott Lynch, Myke Cole and Wesley Chu: 3:00 PM, North 125 AB
A completely unscripted, unmoderated discussion between four excellent authors and one ghost. We’ll cover everything from fun fantasy to whether Myke Cole can drink out of a toilet. Come visit!
SIGNING: 6:00 PM Exhibitor Hall (Changing Hands Bookstore)
FRIDAY, MAY 26th
Get Me Out of Here!: 12:00 PM, North 126C
Me and a number of other authors will be answering cross-genre questions and the audience will be deciding how well our answers hold up! The first one to lose gets hit in the face with a brick (maybe). Come see who it’ll be!
Apocalypse Now?: 1:30 PM, North 126C
For absolutely no reason at all in the year 2017, people tend to be thinking about the end of the world a lot. Crazy, right? Me, Myke Cole, Jason Hough, Dan Wells, Alexandra Oliva and Sherrilyn Kenyon will be discussing our favorite apocalypse scenarios and whether or not there’s a story afterward.
SIGNING: 3:00 PM Exhibitor Hall (Changing Hands Bookstore)
SATURDAY, MAY 27th
Writing Rogues II: 10:30 AM, North 126AB
This was one of my very favorite panels we ever did and this year, I have the honor of moderating it. Together with Jim Butcher, Bradley Beaulieu, Victoria Schwab, Brian McClellan, Wesley Chu and more, we’ll be discussing what effectively makes a character that operates outside the law or even the confines of the story.
Fantasy Draft II: 12:00 PM, North 126AB
I’ll be hosting this year’s fantasy draft league. Bradley Beaulieu, Brent Weeks, Scott Lynch and Brian McClellan will each be charged with putting together a team of cleric, thief, fighter and wizard from literature and pop culture. Victoria Schwab and Terry Brooks, our honorable judges, will decide which one has the best. I’ve got $10 large on McClellan.
SIGNING: 3:00 PM, Exhibitor Hall (Changing Hands Bookstore)
Author Batsu with Sam Sykes: 4:30 PM, North 125AB.
It’s that time again. Time for glory. Time for pain. Time for authors to line up and perform a task and be severely punished with hot salsa, should they fail to do so. This year, we welcome returning competitors Myke Cole, Aprilynne Pike, Pierce Brown and Scott Sigler, as well as newcomers Wesley Chu and Brent Weeks. Let’s see who survives this year!
SUNDAY, MAY 28th
SIGNING: 1:00 PM, Exhibitor Hall (Badali Jewelry Booth #1696)
Not Another F’ing Worldbuilding Panel: 3:00 PM, North 126C
HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING!? We’ll talk about building worlds. Maybe one of us will be drunk? One of us should be drunk. Come by and see who!
And that’s it!
If you’re by, come visit us! If you’re not, you’ll regret it! Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not when I’m banging down your door to get into your house, but soon! And for the rest of your life!
Happy Comiconing, everyone!
Phoenix Comicon and Beyond! Read More »