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Stolen Scripts

August 13, 2011 at 1:34 pm
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Parris and I have always been big supporters of the various charities, both fannish and mundane, that raise funds through auctions at SF and fantasy conventions. It’s a great way to raise money for worthy causes, have a little fun, and get some unique items into the hands of collectors. In fact, I just finished shipping off five huge boxes of books, games, t-shirts, and other collectables to our hotel in Reno, to donate to the various charity auctions at worldcon.

(Some items will go to SFWA Emergency Medical Fund auction, some to the BWB fund-raising drive to pay for their party, some to the worldcon’s own charity).

Unfortunately, there are a couple items that won’t be auctioned at worldcon. We had hoped to bring a couple of signed scripts from the first season of the HBO series GAME OF THRONES with us, and the good folks in Belfast were kind enough to donate them. Dan Weiss sent them across the pond (registered and priority, signature required).

All that arrived was a battered envelope and Dan’s cover letter.

The US post office delivered the envelope in a plastic baggie with a pre-printed note apologizing for the “damage.” But this was no error in handling. The envelope was torn open at one end, and both scripts were gone, though Dan’s letter remained.

I am convinced the scripts were stolen.

Last year we donated a signed STAR TREK script to a charity auction and it brought $1200. These two scripts may not have gone for quite that much, but they would have brought home some significant bucks. Someone in the US Post Office (we believe the package made it across from Belfast relatively unscathed) recognized their value and removed them.

So… I am putting out the word to all my fans and readers. Whoever sold these scripts will presumably try to cash in at some point. So if any of you ever see scripts fitting this description turn up on ebay, one of its competitors, or on some dealer’s table — notify me at once, and report the stolen property to whatever local authorities are appropriate.

Here’s what was taken: two teleplays, final shooting scripts for episodes nine and ten of season one, “Baelor” and “Fire and Blood,” autographed by writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and director Alan Taylor, printed on white paper.

Like Bloodraven, I have a thousand eyes and one. So let’s keep ’em all peeled, boys and girls.

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I’m Still Number Two…

August 11, 2011 at 3:20 pm
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… on the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller list.

COLD VENGEANCE, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, has debuted as the new #1 this week. Last week’s top dog, the new Harry Dresden novel from Jim Butcher, has dropped to #5. But DANCE WITH DRAGONS is holding on to the second slot!

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Speaking of Cons…

August 10, 2011 at 1:52 pm
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… I wanted to give a shout out to a convention that I won’t (alas) be attending — TITANCON, the one-day GAME OF THRONES convention being held in Belfast on September 24.

This one is fan-organized, fan-run, and not for profit. It’s being held in the city where the HBO series is filming, and (depending on shooting schedules) several of the cast members are likely to show up to sign your autographs and let you buy them drinks.

((Actors, like writers, like it when you buy them adult refreshments)).

Here’s the dope: http://www.titancon.com/

Like I said, I can’t be there myself. Wish I could, but the dates don’t work with my schedule, alas. But if this Titancon succeeds, maybe there will be more in future.

And Joe will be there:

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So for those of you over in the UK and Europe who can’t find your way across the pond for Renovation, consider attending Titancon instead. A weekend in Belfast and the company of your fellow Ice & Fire fans and Hodor too. What could be better?

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Renovation Schedule

August 10, 2011 at 11:25 am
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It seems as though San Diego Comicon and my nine-city book tour just ended yesterday, and yet here comes worldcon, bearing down on me like a wedge of charging knights.

As I said at every one of my tour appearances, the BEST place to meet your favorite writers (including me, if I’m one of them) is not at a bookstore signing, but at a con. And there’s no con like worldcon. Yes, comicon is bigger. So is Gencon, Dragoncon, and many more. But worldcon is the source from whence they all sprang, the granddaddy of them all, and still the center of the SF/ fantasy universe.

And hey, they give the HUGOs there!

Here’s my schedule for Reno:

THURSDAY, August 18
1:00 pm A reading, from THE WINDS OF WINTER (AO1+6, RSCC)
3:00 pm autographing (Hall 2, RSCC)

FRIDAY August 19
11:00 am The Art of Ice & Fire, with John Picacio and Martina Pilcerova

SATURDAY August 20
11:00 am – 1:00 pm “The Pointy End” – a special screening of my episode from
the first season of the HBO series, with commentary

4:00 pm The Ethics of Adaptation, a debate/ dialogue w/ Melinda Snodgrass

8:00 pm HUGO AWARDS (Peppermill, Tuscany Ballroom) I will be presenting.

SUNDAY August 21

12:00 noon WILD CARDS panel (Ao1+6, RSCC)
1:00 pm autographing (Hall 2, RSCC)

Of course, the daytime programming is only a small part of what worldcon is all about. The other part is the room parties. And yes, I’ll be hitting those as well, partying every night — and you can expect that the Brotherhood Without Banners will once again throw the best, most kickass party at the con, as they’ve done for most of the past decade.

Unlike comicon, worldcon does not sell out. Full memberships and day passes will be available at the door. All you need do to attend is make it to Reno.

For most information, go to http://www.renovationsf.org/

See you in Reno!

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A Lighter Shade of Pale

August 9, 2011 at 4:14 pm
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Thrice nominated, once victorious. A double threat. He wrote the script for his own wedding. Has struggled against the Spider’s sort, taken on Santa, caught a tiger by his tail. Never reads the same book twice. Last seen dancing home.

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Across the Atlantic Sea

August 8, 2011 at 7:55 pm
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From England, England hails this fellow, an ideal choice. He’s been a madman, a nut, a spud, a martian, a king, and a slaver, he’s gone up with a balloon and down with a ship. But why he is so sad when he’s stroked so many women?

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Learn to Rite Good

August 8, 2011 at 8:41 am
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The Clarion West writer’s workshop in Seattle has announced its lineup of instructors for 2012.

I’m one of them.

Here’s the scoop:

http://www.clarionwest.org/

The Clarion workshops are a sort of writer’s boot camp. They’re not for everyone — the criticism can be intense — but for those who are willing to live, eat, drink, and breathe SF and fantasy for a summer, there’s no better training. Admission is pretty competitive as well. Many apply, few are chosen.

But over the decades Clarion and Clarion West have turned out more professional SF and fantasy writers than all the college creative writing programs in the country combined.

Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the tuition.

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Best New Show!

August 7, 2011 at 4:11 pm
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And this year it’s… drum roll, please… GAME OF THRONES.

GOT just took the “Outstanding New Program” award at the 2011 TCA awards, voted by the members of the Television Critics of America, an organization of professional television critics, reviewers, and journalists.

Here’s the scoop:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/friday-night-lights-game-thrones-220054

Goes without saying that we’re all jazzed.

Thanks to all the members of the TCA for the recognition, and to Dan and David and the rest of their team, whose efforts produced a series we can all be proud of.

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ICE Now Shipping

August 6, 2011 at 7:21 pm
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Cool news from Valyrian Steel. Their full-sized steel replica of Ice is now ready and shipping.

Mine turned up a few days ago. If you preordered, you should have yours as well.

And if not, well, there’s still time to arm yourself for the invasion of the Others and/or the zombie apocolypse, whichever comes first.

Order from Valyrian Steel at http://www.valyriansteel.com/shop/swords/ice-sword-of-eddard-stark/prod_9.html

(I should note, for those who came in late, that the Valyrian Steel replica is derived from the blade in the books, and is NOT modeled on the version seen in the HBO television show. HBO preferred to make its own versions).

Replicas of Longclaw and Needle remain available as well, while the supply lasts.

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“Mystery Knight” Vies for Howie

August 6, 2011 at 5:18 pm
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Dunk and Egg are contending in another tourney. The third of my Dunk & Egg novellas, “The Mystery Knight,” has been announced as a finalist for this year’s World Fantasy Award.

Here’s the full list of this year’s nominees:

BEST NOVEL
* Zoo City, Lauren Beukes (Jacana South Africa; Angry Robot)
* The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
* The Silent Land, Graham Joyce (Gollancz; Doubleday)
* Under Heaven, Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking Canada; Roc; Harper Voyager UK)
* Redemption In Indigo, Karen Lord (Small Beer)
* Who Fears Death, Nnedi Okorafor (DAW)

BEST NOVELLA
* Bone and Jewel Creatures, Elizabeth Bear (Subterranean)
* The Broken Man, Michael Byers (PS)
* !œThe Maiden Flight of McCauley’s Bellerophon!, Elizabeth Hand (Stories: All-New Tales)
* The Thief of Broken Toys, Tim Lebbon (ChiZine Publications)
* !œThe Mystery Knight!, George R.R. Martin (Warriors)
* !œThe Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen’s Window!, Rachel Swirsky (Subterranean Summer 2010)

BEST SHORT FICTION
* !œBeautiful Men! , Christopher Fowler (Visitants: Stories of Fallen Angels and Heavenly Hosts)
* !œBooth’s Ghost!, Karen Joy Fowler (What I Didn’t See and Other Stories)
* !œPonies!, Kij Johnson (Tor.com 11/17/10)
* !œFossil-Figures!, Joyce Carol Oates (Stories: All-New Tales)
* !œTu Sufrimiento Shall Protect Us!, Mercurio D. Rivera (Black Static 8-9/10)

BEST ANTHOLOGY
* The Way of the Wizard, John Joseph Adams, ed. (Prime)
* My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, Kate Bernheimer, ed. (Penguin)
* Haunted Legends, Ellen Datlow & Nick Mamatas, eds. (Tor)
* Stories: All-New Tales, Neil Gaiman & Al Sarrantonio, eds. (Morrow; Headline Review)
* Black Wings: New Tales of Lovecraftian Horror, S.T. Joshi, ed. (PS)
* Swords & Dark Magic, Jonathan Strahan & Lou Anders, eds. (Eos)

BEST COLLECTION
* What I Didn’t See and Other Stories, Karen Joy Fowler (Small Beer)
* The Ammonite Violin & Others, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Subterranean)
* Holiday, M. Rickert (Golden Gryphon)
* Sourdough and Other Stories, Angela Slatter (Tartarus)
* The Third Bear, Jeff VanderMeer (Tachyon)

BEST ARTIST
* Vincent Chong
* Kinuko Y. Craft
* Richard A. Kirk
* John Picacio
* Shaun Tan

SPECIAL AWARD, PROFESSIONAL
* John Joseph Adams, for editing and anthologies
* Lou Anders, for editing at Pyr
* Marc Gascoigne, for Angry Robot
* Stéphane Marsan & Alain Névant, for Bragelonne
* Brett Alexander Savory & Sandra Kasturi, for ChiZine Publications

SPECIAL AWARD, NON-PROFESSIONAL
* Stephen Jones, Michael Marshall Smith, & Amanda Foubister, for Brighton Shock!: The Souvenir Book Of The World Horror Convention 2010
* Alisa Krasnostein, for Twelfth Planet Press
* Matthew Kressel, for Sybil’s Garage and Senses Five Press
* Charles Tan, for Bibliophile Stalker
* Lavie Tidhar, for The World SF Blog

The winners will be announced Halloween weekend at the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego, California. The award is a wonderfully gloomy bust of H.P. Lovecraft sculpted by Gahan Wilson.

I have one Howie on my awards shelf already, a best novella award for my werewolf story “The Skin Trade,” published lo these many years ago when the world was young… but he has a lonely look about him, and ‘twould be nice to have another. Hey, it’s always nice to get a little head. Not that I’m expecting to win. Unlike the Hugo and the Nebula, the World Fantasy Award is juried, so one never knows how it’s going to turn out.

“The Mystery Knight” was published in WARRIORS, the big crossgenre anthology I edited with Gardner Dozois. If you’d like to check it out, paperback copies are available from Amazon and other on-line bookshops.

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