Like most successful publishers, Angry Robot generally only accepts
submissions through literary agencies. Earlier this year, however, the
company ran a pilot programme to see how many unpublished – but talented -
authors there were without representation. During March, Angry Robot invited all un-agented authors to submit completed manuscripts as part of an “Open Door Month”. Over 990 novels were submitted during that period.

Angry Robot are now delighted to announce the first acquisitions from the
first Open Door Month. Two new authors, each with a minimum two book deal,
have now joined the Angry Robot family.

Cassandra Rose Clarke was the first signing to come through this process.
Her two novels for Angry Robot show the versatility of this important new
talent.

The Mad Scientist’s Daughter is the heartbreaking story of the journey from childhood to adulthood, with an intriguing science fictional twist. And The Assassin’s Curse is a fantastical romp, starring Ananna, a no-nonsense lady pirate, born into pirate royalty.

Clarke said: “I’m beyond excited to have Angry Robot publishing my
first-ever novel, and not only because of the delightful coincidence that my
novel involves a robot who is, on occasion, angry. Angry Robot’s reputation
is stellar and their author list incredibly impressive – I’m humbled to be
included amongst their ranks!”

Things take a somewhat darker turn with a pair of books from Lee Collins – The Dead of Winter and She Returns From War. Both novels follow Cora Oglesby, a bounty hunter with a reputation for working supernatural cases.

Collins said: “As excited as I am at the prospect of rubbing shoulders with
Angry Robot’s outstanding authors, publication was really a secondary goal
of my submitting to them. My primary reason was the hope, however slim, of
cybernetic augmentation.”

Both deals were negotiated by Angry Robot’s editor, Lee Harris, who stated:
“There is an enormous amount of talent out there, waiting to be discovered,
and I am thrilled we have found two great new talents as part of our
search.”

Both authors’ debut novels will be published by Angry Robot in autumn 2012,
with their second books scheduled for spring 2013.

Following the success of the project, Angry Robot expects to run a similar
Open Door period in spring 2013, details of which are to be confirmed at a
later date.

Rebellion reports:

“Having already conquered the world of roleplaying games, one of the most dynamic RPG publishers in Britain is now advancing into the world of fiction. Cubicle 7 is pleased to announce the launch of its new fiction imprint – Cubicle 7 Fiction. In cooperation with the established and successful Solaris and Abaddon Books imprints, Cubicle 7 Fiction will publish between three and five novels and anthologies a year based upon its terrific science fiction, fantasy, and speculative properties.

The first title is Sarah Newton’s far future adventure, Mindjammer. The novel and its universe can be explored at the new website HERE. Mindjammer has been released in ebook format, with a release of physical print edition to follow. Additional titles will be announced in the months to come.

Cubicle 7 has already earned a stellar reputation thanks to the quality of its RPG games, which range from aliens and trans-humans to vistas of a far-flung future and Steampunk dystopias peopled by Frankensteinian monsters. Its stable of imagination-fuelled intellectual properties has inspired and driven numerous roleplaying game lines.”

“Rebellion Publishing is proud to announce the opening of its brand new digital store – giving you the pick of the freshest genre writing available at the click of a button.

Everything from SF to horror and fantasy to urban fantasy will be available direct from our Solaris and Abaddon Books imprints for the first time, and in both ePub and mobi formats – perfect for anyone with a Kindle or eReader.

You can visit the new store HERE

The ideal one-stop shop for the 21st century reader, the Rebellion Publishing store offers digital downloads for all our titles with competitive prices, special sales and promotional offers – it’s the perfect place to stock up with winter warmers for the festive season.

Offering Steampunk, SF, fantasy, urban fantasy and horror, the site is easily navigable and each book is categorised in multiple ways. Alternatively, in search of a new read with a strong female lead? Or maybe a good anti-hero? Find what you want quickly with our ‘popular themes’ sections.

And to kick off, not only is there 10% off of all ebooks but, inspired by the lingering chill of Hallowe’en, for this week only all the novels in our Tomes of the Dead zombie series and the Infernal Game series are just £2 each!”

Ian Whates has announced his plans for NewCon Press in 2012. There are three titles planned for release at Eastercon 2012.  One is a short story collection from Ian Watson, gathering together fifteen previously uncollected stories, with an introduction by Adam Roberts. The next is a hard SF novel written by Andy West. Finally, there will be an anthology, Dark Currents, that returns to the traditional NewCon Press formula of mixing science fiction, fantasy, slipstream and horror stories, all written to a common theme.

Later in the year, there will be a collaboration between NewCon Press and Un:bound.  This will involve a podcast programme, individually downloadable readings of original stories, plus an anthology (e-book and hardcopy).

Finally, plans for the Imaginings series of signed limited editions are well under way with individual issues devoted to the work of Tanith Lee, Nina Allan, Adam Roberts, Stephen Baxter, Pat Cadigan and Jon Courtenay Grimwood. Volume 1 will feature the work of Tanith Lee. Entitled Cold Grey Stones, the book will comprise eleven stories, six of which have previously appeared in such publications as Interzone, Realms of Fantasy, and Fantasy Magazine, while five are completely original to this collection. The cover features atmospheric artwork by Tanith’s husband, John Kaiine.

According to an article in The Bookseller, SF and fantasy is becoming “the new frontier for publishers”. They point to the growth in sales of genre titles  (for example, Terry Pratchett‘s latest novel Snuff  became the fastest selling adult hardback novel by a British novelist since records began) and the intense competition amongst publishers to acquire SFF titles.

Read the full article HERE

Redrum Horror is a new imprint with a passion for horror fiction old and new.

Its first publications, due in early 2012, will be Guy N. Smith‘s chilling novel of sex, satanism, and rock n’ roll, Deadbeat; the collection The Red Empire and Other Stories by Joe McKinney; and Attic Clowns, a new collection from Jeremy C. Shipp.

For details see the website HERE

“IDW Publishing is proud to announce Road Rage, a new partnership with best-selling authors Stephen King and Joe Hill, to produce a comic book adaptation of their co-written adventure tale, Throttle. This monthly two-part series begins in February 2012, and will be followed by two issues adapting the story that inspired Throttle – Richard Matheson’s classic tale of suspense, Duel – beginning in April.

Throttle, the first collaboration between father and son King and Hill, was not only inspired by Matheson’s Duel, it also only appeared in print in a limited-edition anthology honouring Matheson’s works, He is Legend. Throttle and Duel were subsequently released as an audiobook called Road Rage, which is the banner title the comics will also carry.”

The BookSeller.com reports that Orbit has appointed Jenni Hill, previously of Solaris Books, as its commissioning editor. She will take up her post on 31 October 2011.

See full article HERE

Quercus Books launched their new YA novel in style on Monday 17 October 2011 with a drinks party held at the Purl Bar in central London. Flaming Zombie cocktails were the order of the day as authors, editors and readers came together to celebrate and mingle.

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick tells the story of Alex, a teenager hitchhiking through the US when an electromagnetic pulse changes her world – and the people in it – forever.

Introduced by editor and anthologist Stephen Jones, Ilsa spoke briefly about the book – as well as talking about the connection between her own family and the Holocaust and how this coloured her experience of writing the novel – before signing copies for guests.

US art and illustrated book publisher Abrams Books has acquired the UK-based graphic novel publisher, SelfMadeHero.  SelfMadeHero are the publishers of the British Fantasy Award winning graphic novel, At the Mountains of Madness: A Graphic Novel by Ian Culbard.

For full story see the Publishers Weekly article HERE