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Martin Sketchley is the author of the Structure Series, a fast-paced and gritty military SF comprised of the books The Affinity Trap, The Destiny Mask, and the forthcoming Liberty Gun (November). The Agony Column describes the series as, “just the sort of dense and intense science fiction space opera that we really love to read – a great combination of shameless entertainment with thought-provoking literature. This is clearly wide-screen, far-flung future science fiction with all the attendant baroque complexity in place.”

Now, writing for the news magazine of the British Science Fiction Association, the Matrix, Martin Sketchley interviews acclaimed author John Meaney, whose Nulapeiron Sequence (Paradox, Context, and Resolution) has drawn comparisons to Frank Herbert’s Dune books and racked up critical praise. (Paradox was chosen #2 in Barnes & Nobles’ Top Ten SF&F Books of 2005, and won an IPPY award).

In this interview, they talk mostly about martial arts and its intersection with science fiction, with a few words about that famous movie of the same name as the magazine:

“I asked Meaney whether there are any SF books or films in which martial arts featured, and which he thought were particularly well executed? ‘You know I’m fond of a good paradox…,’ he says. ‘I liked the wirework antics of The Matrix, because they’re supposed to be inside VR, and it works like a video game. Otherwise, I detest wirework movies.

‘There have been flashes of authentic martial arts in some SF books. Um, Hardwired and Angel Station by Walter Jon Williams, who’s a kempo fourth dan, and Tricia Sullivan’s Someone To Watch Over Me. And there’s the occasional microsecond of fighting in Jon Courtenay Grimwood’s novels. Those moments work because he is the most stylish writer in the world.'”

John Meaney’s To Hold Infinity makes its N. American debut this September.

Presented for your viewing pleasure, the full jacket for Sean Williams’ upcoming fantasy epic, The Blood Debt: Books of the Cataclysm: Two. In this case, we made use of the wonderful art and adapted elements of the design from the Australian edition, artwork by Greg Bridges and design by Gayna Murphy. Our own Jaqueline Cooke – who omits her name from the jacket – does deserve credit for adapting the Australian design on their mass-market paperback to the needs of our hardcover (those foil symbols weren’t easy to resize), the wonderful flaps, etc… (Right click the image for a larger view as always)

The most excellent Hal Duncan, whose World Fantasy Award-nominated Vellum has drawn comparisons to the preceding book, The Crooked Letter, has this to say: “Williams’s mix of grand metaphysical vision, weird landscapes, and wild adventure makes for a great read, but it’s the deeply human story at the heart of The Crooked Letter that really makes it something wonderful.”

Infoquake, the new novel from David Louis Edelman, is the subject of a BarnesandNoble.com Spotlight feature. B&N Explorations newsletter editor Paul Goat Allen says, “Brilliantly blending the cutthroat intrigues of the high-tech business world with revolutionary world building, Edelman could quite possibly be the love child of Donald Trump and Vernor Vinge. Infoquake is one of the most impressive science fiction debuts to come along in years — highly recommended.”

The Spotlight includes both B&N’s review as well as a short interview with Edelman:

“Like with the character of Natch, there are things to both admire and fear about the future I’ve come up with. Hunger and disease have essentially vanished, and people take for granted the ability to travel anywhere in the world instantly. On the other hand, the world is ruled by an autocratic military organization that essentially has no checks and balances. I think some people would have been happier if I had written a straightforward novel with a good guy and a bad guy and an easily identifiable political bias. But for better or for worse, my dad taught me to always play the devil’s advocate. “

Meanwhile, Online discussion forums for Infoquake are now open on Yahoo! Groups. David Louis Edelman also has the following readings & appearances scheduled:

• August 23-27: WorldCon in Anaheim, CA
• September 1-4: Dragon-Con in Atlanta, GA
• September 5: Reading and signing at Barnes & Noble in Baltimore, MD (time TBD)
• September 7: Reading and signing at Barnes & Noble in Reston, VA at 7:30 P.M.
• October 20-22: CapClave in Silver Spring, MD

Update: David is also interviewed on the live journal talk show here.

I am on a whoppin’ 8 program items this year, including a Pyr panel at which we will talk about our upcoming books, introduce our authors & artists, and debut upcoming arwork:

Panel 1: Wed 8/23 4:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: FUTURE TRENDS IN SCIENCE FICTION
Participants:
Lou Anders
John-Henri Holmberg
James Patrick Kelly(M)
Mark von Schlegell
Gary K. Wolfe

Precis: Not long ago, we were awash in Splatterpunks, Cyberpunks, and even Steampunks. What happened to those SF literarymovements? What’s the next trend?

Panel 2: Thu 8/24 12 Noon, 60 minutes.
Title: AUTOGRAPHING: Lou Anders
Participants:
Lou Anders

Panel 3: Thu 8/24 3:00 PM, 60 minutes.
Title: KAFFEKLATSCH: Lou Anders
Participants:
Lou Anders

Panel 4: Thu 8/24 5:30 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: PUBLISHING SCIENCE FICTION
Participants:
Lou Anders
Jaime Levine
Anthony R. Lewis
Alan Rodgers
Michael J. Walsh(M)

Precis: From small press to major publishing houses, science fiction is a popular place to be. What’s it take to know the field and to get your books into the stores?

Panel 5: Fri 8/25 2:30 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: PYR: A LOOK FORWARD
Participants:
Lou Anders
David Louis Edelman
Kay Kenyon
Ian McDonald
John Picacio
Mike Resnick
Chris Roberson
Dave Seeley
Joel Shepherd
Sean Williams

Precis: One of science fiction’s newest major publishers give a look at their future publications.

—————————————-
Panel 6: Sat 8/26 1:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: OMNIBUS PUBLISHING PANEL
Participants:
Lou Anders
Robert Meyer Burnett
Lydia C. Marano
Richard Pini
Evo Terra(M)
Gordon Van Gelder

Precis: Publishers from different areas of publishing — a major imprint, a small press, an on-line magazine, a prozine –compare the similarities and differences in their tasks.

Panel 7: Sun 8/27 10:00 AM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: THE INFLUENCE OF EDITORS ON THE SF FIELD
Participants:
Lou Anders
Ellen Datlow(M)
David Hartwell
Stanley Schmidt
Sheila Williams

Precis: Do editors publish what the readers want to buy or does the field reflect the editors’ tastes?

Panel 8: Sun 8/27 11:30 AM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: IN DEFENSE OF ESCAPIST LITERATURE
Participants:
Lou Anders
Pat Cadigan
Stephen Eley
Kelly L. Perry
Brandon Sanderson(M)

Precis: Science fiction has had a moniker of being junk food for the mind; escapist fare only. Is that true? Not all of it is literature but surely some of it must be? Mustn’t it? What literary trends can be found? What will withstand the test of time? And does it matter?

Here is the full cover for Alan Dean Foster’s Sagramanda, a techno-thriller set in near-future India coming this October. Art is by John Picacio, design by Jacqueline Cooke. A bit of a differnt look for us, no? I’m well pleased. (As always, click to enlarge.)

Here it is: the full cover spread for Justina Robson’s upcoming near-future thriller, Mappa Mundi, due out this coming September in trade paperback. Artwork is by Stephan Martiniere with design by Jacqueline Cooke. Click for the large image of course. Nice yes?

Joel Shepherd’s Crossover is in stores now. And just in time, two excellent reviews have appeared:

Sandy Amazeen of Monsters & Critics says:

“The first in a new series that will follow the adventures of Cassandra Kresnov, this is more then an action packed sci-fi tale set far into the future. Delving deeply into issues of sentience, self-determination and artificial intelligence this is an examination of the possible political implications that will arise as artificial intelligence progresses and begins thinking for itself ….This fast paced read uses political intrigue, dirty dealings, old and new friendships to keep the story well grounded in human issues while raising some interesting points to ponder. Shepherd’s new series is certain to gain an instant following with this exciting and thoughtful entry.”

Meanwhile, Henry L Lazarus writes in the Philadelphia Weekly Press:

“Pyr has brought the first of Joel Shepherd’s tales of an all too-human android in a conservative future empire… Very exciting and impossible-to-put down. I can’t wait for the other two to appear.”

The August 2006 issue of Locus magazine features an interview with Ian McDonald, in which he talks about such things as growing up in Northern Ireland, the genesis of River of Gods, and the 1950 World Cup:

“There’s a huge gaping hole in science fiction. A lot has been done about China, but people have overlooked India…. Historically, the UK and Ireland have been much closer to India, and it has enriched our culture-and, thank God, our cookery-immeasureably.”

There is also a substantial discussion of his next novel, Brasyl, which we’ll be releasing next year with another Stephan Martiniere cover.

Five-time Hugo winner Mike Resnick, author of Starship: Mutiny and the recent short story collection New Dreams for Old, will be interviewed on July 30, 2006 on Cincinnati radio station WVXU 91.7, around 7pm.