Gorgeous "Best of HP Lovecraft" Cover by Harkham House

Dunwich Horror and Others, the BEST of LOVECRAFT
Harkham House 

The respectfully amazing  publishing company Harkham House , with a little over 70 years of age as an independent cult publisher of the best books in the  (...)" general field of fantasy, perhaps with emphasis on the macabre or science-fiction (...) " is one of my favorite houses of all times. I just love this cover they did for their publishing pillar HP Lovercraft, a perfect homage to his weird pulp fiction words.


This publishing house played a major role in keeping Lovecraft  alive in the American literature world, continuously reprinting editions of his books, while introducing the audience to new talents.


  " AH published its first book, The Outsider and Others by Lovecraft, in 1939.  More than sixty years and 200 books later, Lovecraft remains on the center stage of its success while introducing fans to new authors to the world of the macabre, fantasy, and horror. (...)  The works presented by AH over the years would excite the likes of Lovecraft and his fellow pulp fiction authors. "


I am trying to get some of their books for review and also to get an interview with some of their representatives and hopefully you will be hearing  a whole lot more about these icons, in the future. Stay tunned.

Flight Through Tomorrow MP3 Podcast by LibriVox

Flight Through Tomorrow
By Stanton A. Coblentz; Read by Derek Bever
1 |MP3| – Approx. 16 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: LibriVox.org
Published: August 4, 2009
Super warfare has destroyed the old race of man, but elsewhere a new civilization is dawning… From Fantasy Book Vol. 1 number 1 (1947).
LISTEN TO THE FREE MP3 AUDIO HERE

Civiello: Classic Covers by the Fantasy Graphic Novel Artist

For those of you who have been missing out on this amazing graphic novel artist and illustrator, you are still on time to beg for redemption and catch on your reading. If you love fantasy graphic novels like I do, you may agree that in such pieces of art the plot and writing shares the spotlights with the visuals. Yesterday I was brainstorming about what to write ( I wanted to do a post on Fantasy Graphic Novels) and I suddenly remembered how the French illustrator Emanuel Civiello is one of the biggest artists responsible for my love of this art, along with another French artist, Bourgeon, more on him later. Both were

introduced to be my friends, each author by a different friend and they instantaneously became classics in my mental library of assimilated books. Funny thing, I don't own any of Civiello's books but I've read most of them, borrowed from friends. Enough words, lets take a look at some of his classic graphic fantasy novel covers and some illustrations taken from his books. Ai, I miss being flabbergasted by these images of might and magic and obscure secrets. Classic.

A Bit of Madness

Publisher: Checker Book 2005

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0975380893

French Covers for the 4 Books of the Graine de La Folie saga

UIgguk (Book 1) Le grand ornement (Book 2) La Morrydwen (Book 3) Le roy sans coeur(Book 4)

Le Graine De La Folie Intégrale

Publisher: DELCOURT 2006

ISBN: 9782756004532

Language: French

Korrigans , Book1 Les Enfants de la Nuit

Publisher: DELCOURT 2004

Korrigans , Book 2 Les Guerriers des Ténèbres

Publisher: DELCOURT 2004

ISBN:2847890971

Language : French

Korrigans , Book 3 Le Peuple de Dana

Publisher: DELCOURT 2006

ISBN: 2756003395

Language : French

Le Livre Secret des Nains

Publisher: Vents Des Savanes 2005

ISBN:2226132333

Language : French

Jimmy l'Apprenti Croquemitaine

Publisher: DELCOURT 2008

ISBN:2756014907

Language : French

L'Ecole des Apprenties Sorcières

Publisher:Albin Michel 2002

ISBN:2226135340

Language : French

How to Find Interesting Words and Names for Your Fantasy Writing

How to Find Interesting Words and Names for Your Fantasy Writing

Tolkien was a Philologist which made him an expert at linguists and the history of languages so it easy to see why his writing is filled with wonderful names of characters, creatures, and places. You don’t have to be a philologist to also find words that fit into your fantasy writing and accentuate the feel of your created world. Here are some tips and hints on how to do it.

Read the entire article @ http://fantasyguide.stormthecastle.com/fantasyguide_essays/interestingwordsesssay.htm

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Brandon Sanderson Blog: ELANTRIS Back in Stock + Sanderson 5-Pack Sale

Brandon Sanderson Blog: ELANTRIS Back in Stock + Sanderson 5-Pack Sale

The Thirteenth Depository : A wheel of time blog

I just found out about this amazing WOT blog, I am a WOT geek and a proud one and am always looking for news and blogs about mister Jordan's wonderful saga. The blog features everything about the Wheel of Time including creepily detailed chapter read troughs and lots of theories about the intricate and mysterious plot. One great thing about this series is the amount of "secrets" and enigmas that haunt the pages of this masterpiece. Fantasy readers around the world agree that the Wheel Of Time is a colossus in the genre. I will add my personal thank you note to mister Robert Jordan's family and to Brandon Sanderson for finishing the books in such a great manner, so far. Anyways, check out the blog, more WOT geek stuff coming up! Here's the link: The Thirteenth Depository, A Wheel Of Time Blog

Towers of Midnight Synopsis and Tentative Cover on the WOT forum

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One's prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unravelling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight. Perrin Aybara is hunted by spectres from his past. To prevail, he must find a way to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it forever. Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost. The end draws near. It's time to roll the dice.

The Court of the Air (Mystical Fantasy Movie)

The Court of the Air (Mystical Fantasy Movie)

by Stephen Hunt

A hugely engaging adventure set in a Victorian-style world - a fantastical version of Dickens - that will appeal to fans of Susanna Clarke and Philip Pullman.

Two orphans are more than they seem. And one megalomaniac will stop at nothing to find them...

When Molly Templar witnesses a brutal murder at the brothel she has just been apprenticed to, her first instinct is to return to the poorhouse where she grew up. But there she finds her fellow orphans butchered, and it slowly dawns on her that she was in fact the real target of the attack.

for more visit crows nest

REVIEW :: A Game of Ice and Fire

 

A Game of Ice and Fire

By David Munger

In October, Green Ronin Publishing plans to release a new pen-and-paper fantasy roleplaying product, A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying. Based on George R.R. Martin's popular epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, it brings the densely populated world of Westeros to life, complete with the knightly combat and courtly intrigue that fans of the books have come to know and love.

Dave Munger recently steered a group of players through the game's quick-start rules and preview adventure released earlier this year by Green Ronin.Read the review and find out all about this unique rule system, and how it played out on a test drive.

Robert Jordan´s "Armour" for sale on ebay

he following letter is from Greg Kitchens, the “Armorer” who is facilitating the auction of Robert Jordan’s weapon collection on ebay.

The first of Robert Jordan’s personal collection of blades are now available on ebay.

I have been planning these auctions for a couple of months now and have some thoughts to share.

• First of all, these are the first of over 100 knives, swords, and various other weaponry owned by RJ. There are plenty more to come so it would be foolish for fans to bid these first blades at astronomical prices. Please, do not go crazy. Also, keep in mind that when Jim Rigney liked something he often bought at least two. Some of his favorites, such as the Nepalese Kukuri, the scimitar, or the traditional Japanese Katana, were highly represented in his collection with multiple variations and examples. If you see something on auction you like, there may be more opportunities to buy something similar. In the listings it will always say that “This is from the personal collection of the late author Robert Jordan whose bestselling Wheel of Time series of books is hugely popular throughout the world”. If one goes to ebay and searches “COLLECTION LATE AUTHOR ROBERT JORDAN” and checks the block for “search titles AND descriptions” you will be directed to the blade collection while filtering out the plethora of books and other items out there. Once you find one of the actual listings you may then view the seller’s other auctions. One may also subscribe to ebay to get emails when items are newly posted or bid upon. I will make comments on this site and keep you updated.
• Jim Rigney was a friend of mine. For some of us sentimental types it is a great honor to own a personal item that meant something to a friend who passed. When the family so graciously made the offer, I selected a Cold Steel Magnum Tanto and an Applegate-Fairbairn fighter from Jim’s collection to go with me to Iraq next year (I likely will need neither for any more than cutting open an MRE, but a good knife does inspire confidence). Later, Wilson later gave me a modernly made katana cane sword that I found in Jim’s bucket of staffs. These are now 3 very special blades to me because they were Jim’s. The family decided to allow me to auction off these remaining items so that fans and collectors, the VERY people who will appreciate and take care of them, will have a chance to own them. That is really what this blade auction is all about.
• Some of the blades are antiques or highly desirable custom items. I have done thorough research on these blades and will not sell anything unless I am confident that it is what we say it is. There is a “horsehead” saber from the 1830s, a couple of Randall knives, some nice antique Chinese swords, and several others. These items will have value to collectors. If one is a fan AND interested in the particular genre of blade, all the better. ALL items will start at a price that is lower, in some cases MUCH lower, that the flat retail value of the item.
• RJ owned over a dozen Japanese swords, although most were either modern reproductions or Chinese “fakes”. The Chinese swords were made to appear to be old, which they are not. There were two authentic Japanese swords (besides a few military and police swords) and they will both stay in the family. There are also a few newly made, high quality katanas and wakizashis by CAS Iberia/Paul Chen Hanwei. These are fully functional warrior quality blades and are worth significantly more than the Chinese reproductions. Japanese swords, Nihon-to, are classic and legendary weapons and certainly interested RJ. Fans will undoubtedly recognize the influence these blades had on the RJ’s design of the Heron marked swords. I have spent a great deal of time studying and researching these historic weapons to make sure they are represented accurately.
• Many have asked about charities. These blades were left to some close relatives of RJ and each will get a percentage of the net profit and are, thus, free to do with it what they see fit. I do know that at least one recipient plans to donate a portion of the money to the Mayo Clinic and another has mentioned looking after The Citadel (RJ’s school, and mine), but the particulars are not yet decided. Please do not rationalize your decision to bid by telling yourself that “it’s for a good cause”. Again, our primary objective is to ensure that RJ’s collection finds its way into the hands of those who appreciate them. We hope that nobody buys something that they cannot realistically afford. We have also put some items off to the side to be charity auctioned or otherwise given away at the upcoming JordanCon. [Editor Note: Dragonmount.com will be raffling off at least one of these items. More info will be posted in our News section when it gets closer to happening.]
• We have no way of enforcing it but would appreciate it if no one would buy more than two or three blades in total. We hope that several fans get the opportunity to own one of RJ’s personal collectibles.
• I just hate to limit the sales to US only but made the decision to do just that. My apologies to our overseas friends but shipping blades internationally can get legally complicated and we just do not have an international lawyer on retainer. A knife or sword that one country may view as a harmless tool yet another country sees as a national threat! Customs and unvested carriers add another dimension of risk in ensuring that these items safely get to the buyers. I am new to ebay. If I did this for a living I’d likely be experienced enough to know the ropes for shipping and customs for any given country. There just is not adequate time to properly work it all out. I decided that I do not want to learn the hard lessons the hard way and, in the process, allow something to happen to one of RJ’s blades. If you are overseas and want to bid, perhaps you have a friend in the US to whom we can ship? You would then have the time to thoroughly work out the details in getting it into your particular country. Of course, all buyers are responsible for knowing and complying with their local laws. Again, our international friends have my personal apologies as it was with a heavy heart that I made this difficult decision.
• The letter of authenticity will be sent with each item and I will retain a copy. The letter will include a description of the blade and name the recipient. No copy of these letters will be sent electronically. We ask all buyers to disallow copies or scannings as we do not want these to ever be faked should they fall into the hands of the unscrupulous. I am personally invested in making sure you are satisfied with this sale. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. All sales are guaranteed.

Sincerely,
Col G.H. Kitchens
The Armorer

ABC buys TV rights to Robert J. Sawyer's novel Flashforward

TV rights to Robert J. Sawyer's science-fiction novelFlashforward have sold to ABC in a handsome deal negotiated by Vince Gerardis of Created By. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins) and Brannon Braga (Star Trek Voyager, 24) have scripted the pilot episode, which is now in pre-production. David Goyer will direct the pilot, and Jessika Borsiczky Goyer and Brannon Braga are among the Executive Producers.

Sawyer will serve as consultant on the pilot, and on each episode of any subsequent series; he will also write a first-season episode. Flashforward tells the story of a mysterious event that causes everyone on Earth to get a brief glimpse of their future lives. The novel, first published in 1999 by Tor Books and continuously in print since, won Canada's Aurora Award for Best Novel of the Year as well as Spain's Premio UPC de Ciencia Ficción, the world's largest cash prize for SF writing.

Alternative Social Networking - Open Your Mind!

Nice social networking for the alternative minds. This site, based on the ning platform, allows you to network with interesting people who share the taste for alternative music, culture, and art.... you can make friends, promote yourslef and your events, start groups and foruns...post your pics and videos etc.

read more | digg story

Dragon's Legacy by Morgana Starr

"Dragon's Legacy is a multi-faceted gem which enchants and captivates the imagination of the reader, while presenting timeless truths in a beautiful new way."

By Amber

Flaming fire spews forth from an enraged dragon battling evil men, as the earth splits open devouring those that seek to escape. Returning to her cave home Mary, the dragon, transforms to her female human form and greets her human friend, Charlie.

During their many adventures, narrow escapes and rescue attempts they wonder if prejudice and fear can ever be overcome in order to bring healing and unconditional love to their land. Evil dragons battle humans as Maalock, the Dragon of War tries to protect them. Will the dragons be able to protect humans from their evil counterparts? Who will finally fulfill the Ancient Dragon Prophesy?

“Blood of the dragons flows in him strong,

Knowing to Creator, he always belongs,

Son of the King rescued from the tower,

Seventh generation will come into power,

He will bring to our land justice and peace,

Then all wars and turmoil at last will cease.”

Excerpt from Dragons Legacy, Chapter Two

“Mary lifted her. hands to the sky. Immediately the wind started blowing, as she murmured softly in an ancient language. The air around her shimmered and a misty haze lifted from the ground, as her hair streamed out behind her in the wind. Straining his eyes, Charlie struggled to make out Mary’s form. He saw her shape grow and expand until his sight was filled with a dragon more beautiful than he could have imagined even in his wildest dreams. Her multicolored scales glinted in the sun, scattering rainbows all around.”

For more information see: http://www.booklocker.com/books/3240.html

Or email Morgana at dragonslegacy@insightbb.com to purchase a signed copy.

Morgana was raised in Africa as the daughter of missionaries. Her two children, Ben and Sara Neumann are her great friends and artists in their own rights. Morgana lives in Indiana with her husband, Phil Klem.

Galaxiki! - Own the Galaxy :D

Galaxiki is the science fiction & fantasy galaxy that anyone can edit. Join the community, get your own solar system & help to build a new online world. A fantastic place for science fiction and fantasy lovers.

Try it :)

The Popular Fiction Report by WD

Wriders Digest has reaveled its The Popular Fiction Report. Here is small excert relating to Fantasy Literature :

"Science Fiction/Fantasy
Perhaps it’s the nature of the beast, but science fiction and fantasy are tough to pin down. Among the many distinct sub-genres, however, the most prevalent trend is the return of “urban fantasy,” which Harper Collins Voyager Publishing Director Jane Johnson describes as “the supernatural erupting into the everyday—sexy, tongue-in-cheek, post-modern.” The best example of this resurging genre, says Johnson (aka Jude Fisher), is the work of Kim Harrison.

Crawford Kilian, author of Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, puts in a strong vote for the alternate history genre, typified by Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, and the books of Harry Turtledove. The genre is also marked by the prevalence of long series with recurring characters. “It’s established authors like Turtledove who sell most consistently,” Kilian says. “That’s because they’ve now got large readerships impatient for the next volume in the latest interminable saga.”

Read the entire report