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Archive for May, 2008
Crimson Guard proofreading - an apology, and an offer of recompense
Posted by Peter Crowther on May 31st, 2008 at 16:14
Hi everyone;
I thought I should take a moment or two to offer my apologies for the standard of proofreading for the two-volume slipcased edition of Ian Cameron's excellent new novel RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD.
I don't propose to go into the why's and wherefore's on this: goof-ups happen, and I'm pleased to see that the copy-editor/proofer we hired to do the job - a seasoned professional, I might mention here - has seen fit to put his hand in the air. Good for him, I say . . . but I confess I would not have expected less. However, it's on my desk that the buck will and should stop.
The gentleman concerned has asked that I do not disclose his identity and I'm going to respect that request. So anyone expecting an outpouring of vitriol and general nastiness from me about the job is going to be disappointed. That's just not our style here at PS Publishing. I can assure you that this particular proofreader takes his work seriously. I can further testify that this is most certainly a long way below his usual standard. There are some good reasons why he dropped the ball but, of course, they're not much consolation to people who have shelled out good money for what will be regarded as a substandard job.
There's nothing much we can do to rectify it at this stage but, by way of some small recompense, all customers who have purchased a copy are hereby entitled to a free PS book . . . one that has been properly edited and proofed. Just drop us a line to editor@pspublishing.co.uk with your name, address and (where possible) your original order number and, as soon as we've confirmed that you did indeed buy a copy, we'll send your free book to the address used on the original order. If you ordered your set from somewhere other than direct from PS Publishing then let us have all the relevant details in your email and we'll verify your purchase with the appropriate vendor.
The free book should be chosen from our pre-2008 titles - check the Store. No pre-2008 titles are out of bounds - if we have copies left then we'll send one out to you . . . but give us a couple of alternative choices in case a particular title has recently sold out.
And if you haven't as yet ordered a copy but were thinking of doing so then we'll gladly offer the same deal completely up-front: order your copy through the PS Publishing website for the advertised price plus postage and choose a free book from our pre-2008 titles.
I know that this will not fully address the problem, nor will it restore in full the levels of pleasure you had expected on reading the book. But then nothing is going to be ideal in this situation and I hope you'll agree that what we're offering is a genuine gesture. I hope also that this unfortunate incident will not dissuade you from trying us with something else a little farther down the line.
Thanks for listening.
Best wishes -
Pete Crowther
Video: Mark Samuels reads from ‘Glyphotech’
Posted by Paul Raven on May 29th, 2008 at 5:46
Taking the fourth slot in PS Publishing's Showcase series, wherein we focus on the short stories of a rising star of the form, is Mark Samuels - a man who has reimagined London many times over in his chilling Lovecraftian fiction.
Mark's Showcase collection, Glyphotech, will be out later this year from PS - but here's a little teaser for you, via the Fantastic Horror blog. It's a short video of Mark Samuels reading from one of the Glyphotech stories, "A Gentleman From Mexico":
Good stuff, eh? Be sure to snare the whole story and many more when Glyphotech is released by pre-ordering right away:
- Glyphotech, jacketed hardcover - £25 [US$50 approx.] 100 copies only
- Glyphotech, hardcover - £10 [US$20 approx.] 300 copies only
Plus there are still a last few lonely copies of Mark Samuels' first PS Publishing title, The Face Of Twilight [artwork pictured above], should you feel like collecting the set:
- The Face Of Twilight, jacketed hardcover - £25 [US$50 approx.]
- The Face Of Twilight, paperback - £10 [US$20 approx.]
Ian C Esslemont interviewed at Fantasybookspot
Posted by Paul Raven on May 27th, 2008 at 13:42
Jay Tomio of Fantasybookspot has a very in-depth interview with Ian Esslemont, with plenty of detail about the Malazan Empire - the setting for his recently-released double-volume Return Of The Crimson Guard novel.
He has nice things to say about working with PS Publishing, too:
"Working with Peter at PS is great. It is very possible that Night of Knives may never have seen print had he not dared to take the chance. And there remain obvious reasons why Bantam, for example, was reluctant to take that chance. Its brevity for one thing, and - to be fair - it remains the work of a craftsperson coming to grips with his medium. Few publishing houses these days are willing to take on new untried names to watch them feel their way into the industry. That's the older model where publishing houses used to nourish and develop authors rather than searching for that instant hit or 'blockbuster'."
That's one of Peter's missions for PS - finding the star writers of tomorrow! And the odds are good that Ian Cameron Esslemont will be one of them - grab yourself a copy of Return Of The Crimson Guard and find out why.
- Return of the Crimson Guard - slipcased two-volume hardcover - £75 ($150 approx.), 300 copies
The Fix reviews Postscripts #14
Posted by Paul Raven on May 23rd, 2008 at 8:06
The Fix Online has a flattering review of Postscripts #14, done in their customary in-depth style. Each story gets its own bit of analysis, and you should pop over there to read it in full. But I will just repeat the nice things that David Hebblethwaite says about Postscripts (and PS Publishing in general) at the beginning:
"PS Publishing must have one of the most diverse lists in the independent press; and their magazine, Postscripts, reflects that diversity: reading an issue is like reaching into the PS bran tub and pulling out a random selection."
We're pretty proud of that diverse list, as it happens! So stick your arm into our bran tub (oo-er) and click through below to secure yourself a copy of Postscripts #14:
- Postscripts #14, hardcover - £25 [US$50 approx.] 200 copies only
- Postscripts #14, paperback - £6 [US$12 approx.] 500 copies only
Robert T Jeschonek’s ‘Fear of Rain’ at Podcastle
Posted by Paul Raven on May 20th, 2008 at 5:57
Great news for fans of fiction in audio form; Robert T Jeschonek's story "Fear of Rain", as featured in Postscripts #8, was released last week as a free-to-listen podcast from PodCastle.
PodCastle is the newest member of the ever-expanding Escape Pod stable, and is devoted specially to fantasy stories. Escape Pod itself concentrates on sf, and PseudoPod on horror, and they use great readers and high production values all through - this is no amateur operation, folks.
Plus they're a paying market for new and reprinted fiction in all three genres - so by listening for free you're supporting great writers. That's a win-win situation right there - so plug in your mp3 player and get downloading!
By the way, Robert T Jeschonek is the next author to have the PS Showcase spotlight fall upon him in the form of the fantastically-titled collection Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal, due out some time in high summer this year. With an introduction by none other than Mike Resnick, it promises to become quite the collector's item - so click through below to pre-order your copy ahead of the stampede:
- Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal - jacketed hardcover, £25 [$50 approx] - 100 copies only
- Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal - hardcover, £25 [$50 approx] - 300 copies only
There are also a last few issues of Postscripts #8 lurking about in the PS warehouse - the perfect accompaniment to tide you over until Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal rolls off the press :
- Postscripts #8 hardcover - £25 [$50 approx]
- Postscripts #8 paperback - £6 [$12 approx.]
[Tip o' the hat to Ed Ashby for the PodCastle tip-off]
More great reviews for Zivkovic and Evans
Posted by Paul Raven on May 16th, 2008 at 8:32
It looks like the ALA aren't the only people enjoying the latest PS Publishing titles; hot on the heels of yesterday's glowing reviews from Booklist, Zoran Živković and Christopher Evans have racked up another recommendation each.
Back on 3rd May, Lisa Tuttle took a look at Christopher Evans' Omega for The Times' science fiction and fantasy reviews section. Being as it was in the print edition, I can't link to it (how Twentieth Century!), but I can quote from it:
"A more compelling vision of two minds sharing a single body shines through Christopher Evans' Omega [...] Character-driven SF at its best, with a terrific concept -- a super-weapon with shocking potential -- at its core."
These are moving fast, so click through below to place your order at the PS Webstore:
- Signed, limited, slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
Meanwhile, Karen at SF Signal gets her teeth into Zoran Živković's The Last Book, and finds it a tasty morsel deserving a four-star review:
"We should all give PS Publishing a rousing vote of thanks for keeping the stories of Serbian writer Zoran Živković available for US audiences. [...] Although this short novel (less than 200 pages) is a murder mystery where it's always raining, it isn't at all dark and gloomy. I found myself laughing out loud ...
It is very fast and easy to read, perfect for a rainy afternoon in a tea shop, perhaps, which is where the two protagonists spend much of their time. For anyone who enjoys books about books, and also short witty books by excellent writers, this will be one you shouldn't miss."
Her bottom-line summary? "Umberto Eco for the rest of us". So click through to add The Last Book to your collection:
- Signed, limited, slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
PS titles by Christopher Evans and Zoran Zivkovic reviewed in Booklist
Posted by Paul Raven on May 15th, 2008 at 7:51
Booklist is the magazine produced by the American Library Association, so we can assume that they know a thing or two about good books. We certainly think so, anyway - as they seem very taken with two recent PS Publishing titles in the reviews section of their current issue, a special edition devoted to science fiction and fantasy.
Here's what Keir Graff had to say about Christopher Evans' Omega:
Alternate histories positing unusual twists to World War II aren’t themselves unusual, but Evans’ particular scenario might still be unique [...] a fascinatingly imagined wartime London—in the twenty-first century.
In this reality, Hitler died in a plane crash, the Germans and the English are allies, and an endless, grinding conflict has reduced the world to a polluted, underpopulated place where technological advancement coexists with extreme deprivation—it’s Blade Runner meets the Blitz. [...] Evans handles his tricky premise with a sure hand; not for alternate-history fans only.
"Blade Runner meets the Blitz"! That's the sort of pull-quote a publisher (and an author) dreams of. Secure your copy of Omega by clicking through below:
- Signed, limited, slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
Reviewer Ray Olson gave The Last Book by Zoran Zivkovic a starred review, which indicates "a work judged to be outstanding in its genre":
When one person dies in a bookshop, it’s sad; although it requires calling in the police, it’s nothing more, especially since the deceased was old. But when two further deaths occur in the same shop within two days, and the coroner can ascertain no cause of death in all three cases, suspicion seems justified. [...] Two more die; the possibilities that a killer inspired by Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose or powerful forces (governmental? corporate?) possessing secret, traceless poisons may be responsible are considered; the involvement of a secretive, apocalyptic cult is established; and a green volume entitled The Last Book contains or is the key to the mystery.
Serbian master fantasist Zivkovic has written what may be the most delicious mystery by a speculative-fiction specialist since Stanislaw Lem’s mind-boggling The Investigation (1974). Unlike Lem’s novel, it is also a discreet, witty love story.
Compared favourably with Stanislaw Lem? Literary accolades don't come much weightier than that. Order your copy by clicking on the links below:
- Signed, limited, slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
Edit: turns out the review of The Last Book is available on the Booklist website after all!
Finished cover: The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliot
Posted by Paul Raven on May 12th, 2008 at 7:12
Another piece of artwork from the PS Publishing intray to brighten your Monday! Or perhaps not - I notice that I've subconsciously put this one off for a few days, and I reckon it's probably more than a little to do with my not-so-latent coulrophobia.
But nonetheless, here's Chris Roberts' eye-catching artwork:
Doubtless it's that very phobia that Will Elliot plays on in The Pilo Family Circus, which has a plot seemingly tailor-made to creep me out:
"Somewhere just above the searing flames of hell, The Pilo Family Circus is playing at a town near you. This darkest of carnivals has preyed on the souls of its audience for centuries and young Jamie has unfortunately just come the attention of the star turns - the baddest, most psychotic clown troupe you could never hope to meet.
What's more, they want him to join up ... and these are not the kind of folks who take no for an answer."
That's nightmare-inducing stuff from where I'm sat. Of course, those of you less petrified by clowns than myself may well be quite tempted by Will Elliot's surreal conceit, not to mention Roberts' artwork - in which case you should click through below and pre-order your copies.
- Slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
Finished cover: ‘Template’ by Matthew Hughes
Posted by Paul Raven on May 7th, 2008 at 7:13
I guess I got lucky and joined PS Publishing on a particularly good month, because I've seen more quality artwork pass through my inbox than I'd ever had expected in such a short space of time. Point in case: Chris Erkmann's simple yet striking cover image for Template by Matthew Hughes.
It's arresting, isn't it? In which case it matches Robert Sawyer's opinion of the novel itself:
"Matthew Hughes's Template is many things - including a template others should follow to produce outstanding writing. Hughes has been the best-kept secret in SF for far too long: he's a towering talent, and Template is his best work to date. Bravo!"
- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids.
With an introduction by prolific maestro of the short story Jay Lake, what more could you wish for? Click through to pre-order your copy of Template right away in one of two formats:
- Slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies
Finished covers: Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C. Esslemont
Posted by Paul Raven on May 6th, 2008 at 7:19
We've received the final versions of the cover art for the two-volume set of Ian C. Esslemont's Return of the Crimson Guard, and I think you'll agree that Edward Miller has done a spectacular job - read the blurb alongside, and you can see that he has really caught the atmosphere of Esslemont's Malazan Empire:
The return of the mercenary company the Crimson Guard could not have come at a worse time for the Malazan Empire; drained by warfare, weakened by betrayal and rivalries, many see the grip of Empress Laseen weakening.
Conquered kingdoms and principalities test their old independence. Into this gathering civil war on Quon Tali - the Empire's homeland - comes the Guard. And with their return comes the memory of their hundred year old vow: undying opposition to the existence of the Empire.
Yet rivalries and betrayal stalk the Guard as well; for elements of its elite, the Avowed, scheme to open paths to even greater power. Ancient potent entities, Ascendants, also lend a hand exploiting all sides to further their own arcane ends.
Meanwhile, a swordsman, Traveller, and his companion Ereko, move from one strange encounter to another in a mysterious dance meant ultimately to bring the swordsman to a final confrontation from which none have ever returned.
As the Crimson Guard gathers itself from around the globe, Empress Laseen faces more immediate threats.
To feed her wars she has bled dry provincial garrisons across Quon Tali and now regional nationalists see their chance. Behind their insurrections stand the veteran commanders of Laseen's predecessor, Emperor Kellanved.
These generals and powerful mages, the "Old Hands," have lost patience with what they see as Laseen's mismanagement and have selected their own replacement.
Yet there are hints that Laseen may be using the uprisings to draw out and finally eliminate these last irksome survivors of her predecessor's rule...
Return of the Crimson Guard will be out very soon as a luxurious slipcased two-volume set - click through to the PS Webstore to pre-order your copy.
- Slipcased two-volume hardcover - £75 ($150 approx.), 300 copies
Out now: ‘Conscientious Inconsistencies’ by Nancy Jane Moore
Posted by Paul Raven on May 5th, 2008 at 10:28
The latest arrival in the PS Publishing warehouse is the second of our PS Showcase mini-collections.
Nancy Jane Moore's Conscientious Inconsistencies will be making its way to the post-boxes of pre-order customers over the coming week, and is available for immediate purchase from the PS Webstore right now.
Here's the jacket blurb to whet your appetite for this challenging and genre-smashing collection of short fiction:
“Break all rules, including these.” So advises Nancy Jane Moore in one of the stories in this collection.
Moore tends to break rules. As these stories demonstrate, she doesn’t confine herself to any one genre or style. The stories jump among fantasy, science fiction, and slipstream—sometimes in the same story—and subvert history, the present, the future, and readers’ expectations of gender roles.
The fantasy (science fiction? slipstream?) story “Three O’Clock in the Morning” (a tale of strange and indestructible walls) was described by Charles Coleman Finlay on Tangent Online as an “emotionally affecting story of the relationship between love, loneliness, marriage, and society.”
“A Mere Scutcheon” plays with the world of Alexandre Dumas, where swordswomen guard the queen and swordsmen guard the king, while “Homesteading” provides a glimpse into future history. “The First Condition of Immortality” slides into that uneasy realm between fantasy and real life, where death takes an unexpected form.
One story even breaks the basic rules of storytelling. “Thirty-One Rules for Fulfilling Your Destiny” is an epic fantasy (or maybe a space opera) told in a list of aphorisms.
However, this collection shows consistency in one area: the protagonists in these stories are women. Moore has written stories about men, and is noted for stories in which the main character is a combination of male and female, but she remains an unapologetic feminist who explores gender issues even when she’s writing fight scenes...
Conscientious Inconsistencies is ready to ship - click on through to secure your copy.
- Jacketed hardcover - £25.00 ($50.00 approx.) 100 copies
- Hardcover - £10.00 ($20.00 approx.) 300 copies
Multiple PS Publishing titles nominated for Shirley Jackson Awards
Posted by Paul Raven on May 3rd, 2008 at 10:17
The category shortlists for this year's Shirley Jackson Awards have been released, and we're immensely proud to see PS Publishing titles making a good showing in the nominations.
The Shirley Jackson Awards were set up to recognise "outstanding achievement in the literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic", and are voted for by a jury of academics, writers, editors and other industry professionals - so they are very prestigious prizes indeed.
While we at PS Publishing aren't averse to patting ourselves on the back for our part, it's the authors themselves who deserve the greatest acclaim, for without their stories the books would be blank and the awards pointless - so many congratulations to everyone nominated.
You can catch the whole list of finalists at the Shirley Jackson Awards blog, but here are the PS Publishing titles that made the cut:
Novella:
- 12 Collections, Zoran Zivkovic [hardcover, jacketed hardcover]
- Illyria, Elizabeth Hand [hardcover, paperback]
- The Mermaids, Robert Edric [hardcover, jacketed hardcover]
- The Scalding Rooms, Conrad Williams [hardcover, jacketed hardcover]
Novelette:
- "Thumbprint", Joe Hill (from Postscripts #10) [hardcover]
Congratulations, one and all! Click through on the links above to purchase copies of these acclaimed works at the PS Publishing Webstore.
Out now: ‘Thieving Fear’ by Ramsey Campbell
Posted by Paul Raven on May 2nd, 2008 at 8:45
Good news, horror fans! A brand new novel from home-grown head honcho of British horror Ramsey Campbell is about to be unleashed - PS Publishing has taken delivery of Thieving Fear, and copies should be making their way into the postboxes of pre-order customers within a week or so.
Here's the jacket pitch:
Charlotte Nolan and her cousins may not have ended up in the jobs they hoped to have when they were teenagers, but they've made their way in life. Charlotte works for a London publisher, Ellen cares for the elderly, Hugh has left teaching to work in a supermarket while his brother Rory is a controversial artist.
Then more than their jobs begin to go wrong as something reaches out of the past for them.
What has it to do with the summer night they spent on Thursaston Common? If the dreams they had that night are catching up with them, how is the Victorian occultist Arthur Pendemon involved? Before the nightmare ends more than one of them will have to enter what remains of Pendemon's house and confront what still lives there in the dark.
Sound spooky enough for you? Then click through below and buy your copy right away!
- Slipcased hardcover - £50.00 ($100.00 approx.) 200 copies
- Hardcover - £20.00 ($40.00 approx.) 500 copies