5.15.2010

The Aedyn Chronicles by Alister McGrath

Discovered a blog post at Koinonia Blog (Fantasy meets Theology) about The Aedyn Chronicles (Zondervan, April 2010), a new fantasy series for children by renowned theologian, Alister McGrath. Here's a blurb from the publisher:
The land of Aedyn is a paradise beyond all imagining. But when this paradise falls, strangers from another world must be called to fight for the truth. Peter and Julia never suspected that a trip to their grandparents’ home in Oxford would contain anything out of the ordinary. But that was before Julia stumbled upon a mysterious garden that shone on moonless nights. It was no accident that she fell into the pool, pulling her brother along with her, but now they’re lost in a strange new world and they don’t know whom they can trust. Should they believe the mysterious, hooded lords? The ancient monk who appears only when least expected? Or the silent slaves who have a dark secret of their own? In a world inhabited by strange beasts and magical whisperings, two children called from another world will have to discover who they truly are, fighting desperate battles within themselves before they can lead the great revolution.
Sounds intriguing. I've read some of McGrath's books on apologetics and very much enjoy his writing style - he can communicate profound truths in an appealing and understandable manner. Like C. S. Lewis, McGrath can straddle the worlds of deep thinkers (see his interview with atheist Richard Dawkins here) to the person in the pew.

5.11.2010

Micropublishing Trends

“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?” - The Beatles


Micropublishing Trends & Marketing Thoughts
by Lyn Perry

It seems everyone wants to be a paperback writer. Or at least an e-published author. And with the advent of web-based self-publishing tools like Lulu (for print-on-demand books) and Feedbooks (featuring a variety of electronic formats), anyone with a bit of talent and know-how can claim the title of published author.

This is not a bad thing...

Read the rest of this post at Gareth Powell's site (where I guest blogged just today! :)


Creative Commons License
As the author of this article I'm applying to it the Creative Commons License.

5.10.2010

Book Review - White Tiger by Kylie Chan

Received a complimentary advance review copy of White Tiger by Kylie Chan, the first of an urban fantasy trilogy originally released in 2006/07 in Australia via HarperCollins Voyager.

Here's a description from Kylie's website: When 28-year-old Emma Donahoe becomes a nanny to John Chen’s daughter, Simone, she does not expect to be drawn into a world of martial arts, magic, and extreme danger, where both gods and demons can exist in the mortal world.

Emma gradually realises that John Chen is no ordinary businessman and that nearly all the demons in hell would like to see him dead. John and his American bodyguard, Leo, begin to teach Emma their particular brand of martial arts and special defensive techniques...they also begin to realise that there is something that is different about Emma but exactly what it is, nobody can say.


Since I didn't have time to read this novel (and am not extremely well-versed in urban fantasy), I gave it to a friend of mine named Cathy who enjoys this genre. She writes:
White Tiger is the first in a series of books filled with Chinese philosophy and culture. The author brings mythological gods to human form while weaving a story steeped in Asian sword-slinging action. The story is centered on a western nanny trained to become a demon slayer. Mild romance combined with good character development keeps you reading, though mostly out of curiosity as to what happens next...but perhaps not enough to make you want to buy the second book. The copy I received was not yet ready for western publication as it had many grammatical errors* but nothing a good editor couldn't fix.
Thanks, Cathy, for giving us your initial impression. For other reviews, visit:


* Note: The advance review copy I received came from Angry Robot Books which was going to release the The Dark Heavens Trilogy in the US/Canada. However, ARB just announced they've left HarperCollins UK and are now part of Osprey Publishing Group. Here's the Press Release and FAQ for those who are interested. BTW, the image to the right is the HarperCollins Voyager cover while the top book cover is no longer.

5.01.2010

ResAliens Print Issue #3



Cover art by Brad Foster of Jabberwocky Graphix.

Purchase your copy today!
+ Paperback only $8.00 plus shipping.
+ PDF Download only $2.00
+ iPod, iPad, iPhone verson only $3.99