The hardcover edition of my fantasy novella City of Songs – Book Three of the Seven Swords – is now shipping from Subterranean Press. Thanks to everyone who bought a pre-order. The special tray case edition has sold out but there are still copies of the signed and numbered hardcover available. Please note that Subterranean will not be supplying large online retailers with copies so if you want one you’ll have to order from the Subterranean Press Website.
The ebook and audiobook versions haven’t yet been published but should appear before the end of the month. I’ll post links when I have them.
I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed copies of City of Songs later this month so sign up to the list (if you haven’t already) to make sure you don’t miss out.
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly starred review.
“The Pariah is a sharp, brutal tale and a brilliant introduction to the Covenant of Steel series. While the story itself is grim and bloody, Ryan’s prose and characterization are a beacon in the darkness. A remarkable story that I did not want to end.” – FanFiAddict.
About the book:
The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
The Pariah will be released in the UK on August 26th. Pre-order links are on the book page.
Thanks to everyone who entered the signed hardcover giveaway. The winners have now been chosen and notified. Check your email spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.
Anyone who would like another chance at a signed hardcover can enter the Orbit giveaway which is open until August 31st and includes an exclusive print of the cover illustration by Jaime Jones.
f you’d like to hear (or see) me talk some more about The Pariah and my writer origin story check out this interview I did with the Wizards, Warriors and Words Podcast with fellow fantasists Dark Ashton, Jed Hearne and Michael R Fletcher.
Apologies to anyone who signed up for the video confab today with myself and RJ Barker which has had to be put back to 1st September due to RJ battling the lurgy. You can still sign up here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/ryan-barker-aug2021/register
July 31st 2021 will mark ten years to the day since I first published Blood Song on the Smashwords self-publishing site. For a more detailed version of my pro-writer origin story check out my essay ‘The Long Overnight’ on the Penguin Blood Song page (scroll down to the ‘Author Essay’ bit). Suffice to say, a lot has happened since. One decade, eight (soon to be nine) published novels, a bunch of novellas, and over a million books sold later, I think it’s fair to say I owe it all to that one click of the mouse ten years ago. Funny old world.
On July 31st members of my mailing list will be given the chance to enter a draw for a rare 1st edition, signed, lined and dated US hardcover edition of Blood Song. One second-place winner will receive a signed US edition mass market paperback. Five third-place winners will receive signed Blood Song bookplates. All winners will also receive one of these snazzy Pariah bookplates provided by Orbit and signed by me.
