More Stuff, More Nonsense

May 19, 2019 at 8:01 am

Aside from the idiocy on the internet, what else has been going on of late?

Well, I went to LA to moderate the Q&A at the premiere of the new TOLKIEN biopic in Westwood. The picture is lovely, by the way, and I had a great time. Got to meet Nicholas Hoult and the lovely Lily Collins, the stars of the film, as well as director Dome Karukoski. Afterwards I flew home to Santa Fe, and we did the New Mexico premiere at the Jean Cocteau.

The JCC followed that up with two nights of magic, comedy, and juggling featuring Ben Seidman and Marcus Monroe. Wonderful shows. The audience had a great time, howling and laughing. Ben is a great magician and very funny, Marcus the juggler is hilarious, and the two of them together make for a helluva evening.

While I was at the JCC, of course, my staff forced me to descend into the basement and sign books for a couple of hours. So if you are looking for autographed copies of FIRE & BLOOD, A GAME OF THRONES, or any of my other titles, check out the JCC website, they have plenty of stock once again… while it lasts. And lots of signed books by the other writers who have appeared at the theatre as well.

Oh, speaking of FIRE & BLOOD… very pleased to learn that it has been nominated for a Locus Award by the readers of LOCUS magazine, the Publisher’s Weekly of SF and fantasy. It’s a finalist in the “Best Collection” category:

2019 Locus Awards Finalists

Oh, I should mention that while I was in LA, I spent a few hours at the Petersen Automobile Museum and had a great time. They have just opened a special new exhibit of cars from television and film, so I got to gawk at a couple of cars from MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, the DeLorean from BACK TO THE FUTURE, various Transformers, the VW from DEATH RACE 2000, Kit from KNIGHT RIDER, and all sorts of other cool stuff, along with the usual displays of classic automobiles through the ages.

If you love cars, check it out.

I also met with the writing staff for the WILD CARDS tv shows being developed by UCP for Hulu. Had a great dinner, and was blown away by their talent and enthusiasm. I think we could have something very special coming your way.

And I visited another writer’s room as well, for another show. But if I talk about that one, they will kill me.

I am back home again now, and back once more in Westeros, working on WINDS… which, let me add once more, has NOT been finished and hidden away for years. (sigh)

Current Mood: busy busy

Tags: awards, jean cocteau, jean cocteau cinema bookstore, signed books

Long Is The Way

May 15, 2019 at 10:57 am

Hey, Wild Carders… we’ve got a brand new original Wild Cards novelette up this morning over at Tor.com.

The title is “Long Is the Way,” and its from the gifted pens of Sage Walker and Carrie Vaughn.

Best of all, it’s FREE.

So head over to Tor.com and enjoy.

Long is the Way

The artwork once again is by the one-and-only John Picacio, winner of the Hugo and Alfie Awards.

Current Mood: pleased pleased

Tags: tor, wild cards

Idiocy on the Internet, Three

May 13, 2019 at 4:55 pm

Okay, this one is true.

At the Q&A following the premiere of the new TOLKIEN film in Los Angeles last week, I did indeed say that Gandalf could kick Dumbledore’s ass.

Got a nice laugh. Which was good. Cause it was a joke, y’know.

Which doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Gandalf COULD kick Dumbledore’s ass. I mean, duh. He’s a maia, folks. Next best thing to a demigod. Gandalf dies and come back. Dumbledore dies and stays dead.

But if it will calm down all the Potterites out there, let me say that Gandalf could kick Melisandre’s ass too.

More Idiocy on the Internet

May 13, 2019 at 4:30 pm

As long as I am shooting down loony stories on the internet… there was also one that claimed I hate the character Bronn and/or the actor who portrays him, Jerome Flynn.

Total bullshit. Not a shred of truth.

I created Bronn, so it would be immodest of me to say he’s a terrific character… but what the hell, he’s a terrific character, and my readers will definitely be seeing more of him in the books to come.

And Jerome Flynn has been just WONDERFUL. It’s been a honor to work with him. He’s done a marvelous job of bringing Bronn to life.

Again: don’t believe anything you read on the internet.

Idiocy on the Internet

May 13, 2019 at 3:00 pm

Internet journalism is an oxymoron, I am more and more convinced.

Of late it seems there’s a new story about me somewhere on the net every day, or near enough to make no matter. Many get things wrong. For the most part I ignore them. I have better things to do than try and track down every weird rumor or out-and-out fabrication that pops up on some obscure website trolling for traffic.

Every so often, however, one of these stories gains an improbable currency, and just chuckling at the insanity no longer suffices.

That seems to be happening right now. All of a sudden this crazy story about my finishing THE WINDS OF WINTER and A DREAM OF SPRING years ago is popping up everywhere. No, I am not going to provide links. I don’t want to reward purveyors of misinformation with hits.

I will, however, say for the record — no, THE WINDS OF WINTER and A DREAM OF SPRING are not finished. DREAM is not even begun; I am not going to start writing volume seven until I finish volume six

It seems absurd to me that I need to state this. The world is round, the Earth revolves around the sun, water is wet… do I need to say that too? It boggles me that anyone would believe this story, even for an instant. It makes not a whit of sense. Why would I sit for years on completed novels? Why would my publishers — not just here in the US, but all around the world — ever consent to this? They make millions and millions of dollars every time a new Ice & Fire book comes out, as do I. Delaying makes no sense. Why would HBO want the books delayed? The books help create interest in the show, just as the show creates interest in the books.

So… no, the books are not done. HBO did not ask me to delay them. Nor did David & Dan. There is no “deal” to hold back on the books. I assure you, HBO and David & Dan would both have been thrilled and delighted if THE WINDS OF WINTER had been delivered and published four or five years ago… and NO ONE would have been more delighted than me.

I have said it before: don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

Except here, of course.

Stuff and Nonsense

May 4, 2019 at 9:24 am

Just a few jots about various things going on these days, in my life and in the world at large.

Saw the new Avengers movie last night. ENDGAME is amazing. Kudos to the writers and director. I cannot believe they got all those characters into one film, and still managed to do them all justice. The final battle was epic, exciting, thrilling, full of twists and turns… and strangely beautiful. But the character scenes earlier in the film really made it for me. The opening with Hawkeye, the Ant-Man scenes, Tony Stark’s moments communing with his helm… so many more. There’s plenty of action here, but this is not just A Big Dumb Action movie, of which there are far too many these days. Stan Lee would have been proud. Could he ever have dreamed that all those characters he and Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko and the rest of the Marvel team created in the early 60s would one day come to dominate global culture? There’s an amazing story for you.

Oh… and yay for the rat. The unsung hero. They should make him an honorary Avenger.

On other fronts… my imaginary history book, FIRE & BLOOD, had a good long run on the NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller List, hanging on for more than three months in the top ten before finally sliding off. But hey, hey, hey, as of this week, I’m back! My Targaryen history has reappeared at #9 on the hardcover fiction list, up from #12. You can’t keep a good dragon down.

(You can get autographed copies of FIRE & BLOOD from the bookstore at my Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe. We also have signed copies of all my other books, as well as novels by many other writers… most recently, Alan Brennert and Marlon James).

The graphic novel of STARPORT, adapted and drawn by the talented Raya Golden from a television pilot I wrote in 1994, is also out, and doing nicely. Raya did a beautiful job, and there’s a chance that there will be more STARPORT graphic novels coming your way in the future. ((Based on my world and characters, but no, not written by me, I don’t have the time, so calm on down)). Who knows? Maybe even the TV series it was originally meant to be. And wouldn’t THAT be wonderfully exciting.

Oh, and speaking of television, don’t believe everything you read. Internet reports are notoriously unreliable. We have had five different GAME OF THRONES successor shows in development (I mislike the term “spinoffs”) at HBO, and three of them are still moving forward nicely. The one I am not supposed to call THE LONG NIGHT will be shooting later this year, and two other shows remain in the script stage, but are edging closer. What are they about? I cannot say. But maybe some of you should pick up a copy of FIRE & BLOOD and come up with your own theories.

Purely as a viewer, no connection whatsoever, I am enjoying the hell out of the new HBO drama GENTLEMAN JACK. Only two episodes in, but it’s very well done. And of course, VEEP is as funny as ever… much funnier than real politics.

Out in the real world, I was pleased that Joe Biden finally announced his candidacy for president. There are a lot of good Democrats running, maybe too many, and I’d probably vote for any one of them over the present blot upon the Oval Office. The main things I want in a nominee, however, are twofold: (1) someone who can beat Trump, and (2) someone who would actually be a good/ great president. Biden qualifies on both counts. Also, the speech he gave announcing his run was kickass… and so, so true. I wish him well.

Lots lots more going on, but I have pages to write. ’nuff said.

Current Mood: busy busy

Tags: a song of ice and fire, jean cocteau cinema bookstore, movies, politics, song of ice and fire

TOLKIEN Comes to Santa Fe

May 2, 2019 at 6:19 pm

I will be in Westwood in LA on May 8, to moderate a Q&A after the premiere of the new film TOLKIEN, about our favorite fantasist. (See the post below for more details, and follow the streaming on Facebook).

Immediately thereafter, I will be heading back to Santa Fe… because the following night, May 9, TOLKIEN will be having its New Mexico premiere at my theatre, the Jean Cocteau Cinema.

Admission is FREE, so get there early. For RSVPs, go to http://bit.ly/grrmtolkien . We all love the JCC, but we have only 130 seats, and events like these tend to fill up early. We hate hate hate turning people away, but alas, the fire marshall insists.

The event will include a costume contest… so come dressed as your favorite Tolkien character. I expect to see an auditorium full of elves, dwarves (not dwarfs, as all Tolkien purists know), ents, hobbits, Aragorns, Boromirs, Galadriels, and the occasional Leaf by Niggle.

And here’s the most exciting part. The first prize winner in the costume contest will receive a brand new 65″ 4K television set, courtesy of our friends at TCL Electronics. And we’ll have signed books for the top runners-up… so dust off those swords and cloaks now, and we’ll see you at the Cocteau.

Current Mood: excited excited

Come Back to Jokertown

April 30, 2019 at 7:32 am

A heads up for all you Wild Carders out there — another publication day has rolled around.

Check out your favorite local bookstore or on-line bookseller. Today’s the day Tor releases its long-awaited reissue of JOKERTOWN SHUFFLE, volume nine of the overall series and the second book in the Rox/ jumper sequence. Originally published in August, 1991, this one has been out of print for the more than two decades, available only from used book stores and auction sites at inflated prices… and that for a mass market. The new Tor edition will be a trade paperback, featuring a lovely new cover paining of Lady Black by David Palumbo.

The original lineup of JOKERTOWN SHUFFLE (1991 edition) was:

STEPHEN LEIGH     “The Temptation of Hieronymous Bloat”
JOHN JOS. MILLER   “And Hope to Die”
MELINDA M. SNODGRASS          “Lovers”
VICTOR MILAN “Madman Across the Water”
WALTER JON WILLIAMS “Whilst Night’s Black Agents To Their Preys Do Rouse”
LEWIS SHINER “Riders”
WALTON (BUD) SIMONS “Nobody Does It Alone”

Featured characters include Bloat, Yeoman, Dr. Tachyon, Cap’n Trips, Black Shadow, Veronica, and Mr. Nobody.

But that’s not all. Just as we did with volumes one, four, and eight, we’ve added some brand new original content to JOKERTOWN SHUFFLE in the form of two original stories from CARRIE VAUGHN and CHERIE PRIEST, starring Fort Freak’s joker detective Leo Storgman (Ramshead) and SCARE agent Joanne Jefferson (Lady Black). So even if you’ve read the book in the mists of time, you haven’t read it all. The new tales are entitled “The Unintended” (by Cherie) and “Unraveling” (by Carrie). You won’t want to miss them.

[[Times have changed since 1991, so I had best mention here that JOKERTOWN SHUFFLE is probably the darkest volume of the original series and includes some very strong stuff, including sexual violence. So consider this a trigger warning for those who prefer not to go there]].

So here’s your chance to complete your Wild Cards collection by filling in a long-missing volume… or maybe to start a Wild Cards collection.

And once you’ve read it, head over to Tor.com and join the discussion with Katy Rask and the Wild Cards reread:

Stolen Bodies, Warped Minds—Wild Cards IX: Jokertown Shuffle

The mean streets of Jokertown and the madness of the Rox await…

Current Mood: pleased pleased

Tags: tor, wild cards

GRRM Talks JRRT

April 29, 2019 at 3:57 pm

Modern fantasy would not exist without J.R.R. Tolkien and LORD OF THE RINGS… and that most definitely includes my own A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. Tolkien’s work redefined fantasy, and all of us who have followed in his footsteps owe him a profound debt.

But who was the man behind the Shire, the Hobbits, and the One Ring?

TOLKIEN, the new motion picture about JRRT’s early life, aspires to answer that question.

I’m thrilled to say that I’m heading out to LA for the premiere, May 8 at the Regency Westwood Village. After the film, I will be moderating a discussion and Q-and-A with stars Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, and director Dome Karukoski.

For those of you who cannot make it to the premiere in person, have no fear. We’ll be streaming the Q&A on Facebook.

Head to the TOLKIEN Facebook page (@TolkienFilm) and tune into the Live Stream that will start at 9PM PST. Here is the link to the Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TolkienFilm/

See you in the Shire!

Current Mood: bouncy bouncy

Tags: fantasy, films, movies

Day One

April 26, 2019 at 1:36 pm

Okay, the first day of the NFL Draft is in the books. The Jets had one pick, the Giants had three.

Gang Green took Quinnen Williams, the monster Alabama defensive tackle, with the third pick overall. Lots of analysts had ranked him as the best player in the entire draft, so he seems a good get. Still… if it had been me, I would have taken Josh Allen, the edge rusher. The Jets have not had an edge rusher worth his salt since… could the last one have been Mark Gastineau? Surely not. Maybe John Abraham. The thing is, they need sacks and QB pressures. And they already had a monster defensive tackle named Williams (Leonard). Now they have two. I hope it works out. The main thing is to give Tom Brady nightmares, though, and I am not sure Quinnen will do that. Time will tell. Overall, though, a very solid pick.

The Giants, on the other hand…

Daniel Jones from Duke at number six? Yes, they need a young quarterback to groom as Eli’s successor. But Dwayne Haskins was right there. Why not him? I don’t follow college ball, but by every measurable Haskins is way better than Jones. Jones threw 52 TDs in three years at Duke, Haskins threw 50 in one year at Ohio State. Within fewer interceptions. Against much tougher opposition. Dave Gettleman must have seen something in Jones that no one else could see. But even if you accept that, taking him at six seems insane. He would have been there at 17. Why not take Josh Allen or one of the other defensive studs at 6, and Jones at 17? Makes much more sense. Who else was going to nab him? The Skins? The Skins preferred Haskins, that was common knowledge. Everyone in the world except the G-Men preferred Haskins, so far as I can see.

And then we got to number 17, the pick the Giants got for Odell. What did they pick there? A huge 342 pound defensive tackle out of Clemson. Very very strong, they say. Not going to get a lot of sacks, but terrific against the run. Who does that sound like? It sounds like Snacks Harrison to me. Who the Giants cut in mid-season because… ahem… “all he did” was stop the run, he didn’t get sacks. After his release, Big Blue spent the rest of the season getting gashed by runs right up the gut. Had to fix that. So to fill the Snacks hole, we draft Young Snacks. All it cost us was a Hall of Fame receiver.

The Giants did trade up late in the round to get a third pick, which we used on a cornerback. Supposedly the best CB prospect in the draft. That was good. They need good cornerbacks in the worst way. Maybe this kid will help.

Neither the Giants nor the Jets have a second round pick today.

Big Blue has a couple in the third round, and more later in the draft. I hope Gettleman can find some gems. Because right now, the team looks a lot weaker than the one that entered the 2018 season, and that squad finished 5-11.

((Comments permitted, but ONLY on NFL football and the draft))

Current Mood: depressed

Tags: nfl

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