The King Must Fall anthology from Grimdark Magazine is now available in ebook, hardcover, paperback, and audiobook. The anthology includes an all new Raven’s Shadow novella The Book Burner’s Fall. For chronology fans, this story takes place some one hundred and twenty-five years before the events in Blood Song.
Book description:
When the mighty and cruel must be brought low, it’s the killers and the schemers who emerge from the shadows. As plans twist and change, and our protagonists are foiled and beaten, one thing remains true: no matter the cost, the king must fall.
The King Must Fall is a dark fantasy anthology featuring 19 titans of the dark and grimdark fantasy genres writing about rogues, assassins, mages, blackguards, and warriors on quests to kill their kings, rulers, captains, and leaders.
Featuring stories by Devin Madson, Luke Scull, Anna Smith Spark, Anthony Ryan, Michael R Fletcher, Jeremy Szal, Lee Murray, Daniel Polansky, Shawn Speakman, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Trudi Canavan, Alex Marshall, Anna Stephens, Justin Call, Peter Orullian, Kameron Hurley, Matthew Ward, Deborah A. Wolf, and Bradley P. Beaulieu.
In other news, the audio edition of To Blackfyre Keep – Book Four of the Seven Swords – is now available on Audible, read by the inestimable Steven Brand.
And finally, if you’ve ever wondered how authors really feel about negative reviews, Hillary Argyle of the Bookborn channel has put together another compilation of author reactions. One day, when I’m feeling brave, I may post the uncut version of my segment (but that day is not this day).
To Blackfyre Keep hardcovers are here. To celebrate the release of the fourth novella in The Seven Swords series, I’m holding a signed copies giveaway for existing subscribers to my mailing list and anyone who subscribes between now and midnight GMT on November 8th.
Three lucky winners will receive a signed limited edition hardcover of To Blackfyre Keep. The giveaway is open to all subscribers worldwide. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on November 9th – check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.
For those of you waiting for the audiobook, I’m told it’s now slated for release by Audible on December 6th, once again narrated by the incomparable Steven Brand.
I’m aware that readers outside the US are currently unable to buy the eBook on most platforms. I’m assured by Subterranean Press that they are working on distributing the ebook to international platforms. I’ll post updated links when I have them. In the meantime, non-US readers are able to buy the ebook direct from the Subterranean Press website.
Full details of this novella are on the book page.
The hardcover edition of my fantasy novella To Blackfyre Keep – Book Four 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. Order from the Subterranean Press Website.
The kindle version doesn’t seem to have filtered out to the UK Amazon store yet – I’ll update the links in due course.
Also, no word on the audiobook yet, but I’ll post as soon as it becomes available.
I know many of you were expecting this to come out last month and can only apologise for the delay which was due to lingering pandemic related issues with Subterranean Press’s printing and distribution side.
Many thanks to everyone at Subterranean for making this happen, and, as always, to Didier Graffet for the wonderful cover illustration. You can view more of his work here.
For any newcomers to this series click the links below for details of the first three volumes:
I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed copies of To Blackfyre Keep later this month when my author copies turn up, so sign up to the list (if you haven’t already) to make sure you don’t miss out.
Book description:
GUYIME—DEMON CURSED WIELDER OF THE NAMELESS BLADE—FOLLOWS THE TRAIL OF THE FABLED SEVEN SWORDS INTO THE TROUBLED NORTHLANDS, A REALM WHERE HE WAS ONCE CALLED KING…AND RAVAGER.
Magically guided to enlist in the retinue of a lovesick knight, Guyime and his companions journey to the haunted ruin of Blackfyre Keep, a castle legend tells cannot be held. But a far deadlier threat than mere ghosts awaits. An ancient evil has been conjured and to defeat it Guyime may be forced to become the monster he used to be—the Ravager reborn.
Continuing the epic adventure of The Seven Swords, To Blackfyre Keep is an enthralling tale of creeping menace and pulse pounding action from New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies.
Some news I’ve been sitting on for a while now – Lone Wolf Pictures lands rights to Anthony Ryan’s fantasy book universe to produce new, major multi-volume TV drama series. Here’s the full press release from Lone Wolf Pictures:
‘London, Berlin & Los Angeles – Lone Wolf Pictures and The Whole Spiel announce an epic adventure drama series, “Queen of Fire” (working title), based on the best- selling multi-volume fantasy universe.
The powerful, live-action fantasy drama series will feature the legends, worlds and characters of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy, Raven’s Blade duology books and collections of short stories written by The New York Times and international bestsellers master storyteller Anthony Ryan.
Lone Wolf Pictures acquired exclusive rights tothe Penguin Random House published multi-volume fantasy universe with plans to adapt it into a character- driven multi-season fantasy TV series, with Stephen McDonogh, Paul Telegdy and Anthony Ryan executive producing. Key showrunner appointments are to be announced shortly.
The world of Raven’s Shadow has been on many “best of” lists, with the Blood Song, Tower Lord and Queen of Fire, each being New York Times bestsellers. The
two novels, along with Blood Song, were also international bestsellers with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide.
The story’s heart binds the enthralling journeys of five characters in a shared destiny of another world, divided into warring nations, where the politics are as cut-throat as any own real-world history.
“Queen of Fire” features Lyrna, an enslaved princess who, despite the malign manipulations of her father, rises to lead an empire in uncovering the truth of the forbidden powers of the Dark; Reva, a young woman, born to privilege, stolen fromher loving home, raised to kill and blinded by revenge; and ‘The Woman,’ as she is simply known, is a cruel, ruthless and utterly unrepentant soul in the body of a beautiful woman with an insatiable lust for power who will stop at nothing for the promise of immortality.
These series also features Vaelin, a legendary warrior, server of the faith, possessor of a gift, known as ‘the Blood Song,’ a form of precognition, guiding his sword in battle and showing him the right path – if he chooses to take it. Frentis, who grew up on the streets alone, is powerless against The Woman’s magic and forced to kill innocents and those he once served. He possesses a quest for revenge, which might see him lose the last remnants of the gentle soul he once was.
Each character is entwined in a destiny they have yet to comprehend, one which will alter the world for eternity.
They are torn by dualities: the child versus the adult they’ll become, the world of the battlefield and the world of the court, the sins of the past and the payment they extract in the present. A belief they have a destiny and a duty to fulfill it. But do they have to follow the course chosen for them? And how will the world suffer if they don’t?
“Once drawn into Ryan’s masterful storytelling, audiences will delight in the twist to the immensely satisfying non-stop action, with heretics challenging the monastic orders of faith, legendary characters and monstrous creatures in an extraordinary struggle for power spanning a world of empires,” adds Stephen McDonogh, “‘Queen of Fire’ is an unflinchingly brave story of people and empires bitterly divided, and the vital necessity of overcoming their differences to have any hope of making a better world.”
“Ryan’s beautifully crafted body of work has captured the attention of millions and we are honored to bring it to life on television,” said Telegdy. “The robust and timeless
storylines of this epic franchise provide endless possibilities to uniquely engage and captivate a global audience.”
“I am thrilled with the production’s fresh, original and expansive vision for adapting my books and stories for global screen audiences and core fans alike.” Says Ryan, “It is an exciting opportunity to collaborate closely with the creative team in bringing my universe and characters to life on screen.”
LONE WOLF PICTURES is an independent British-based production venture founded by long-standing BBC alumni and producer Stephen McDonogh (Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie, Louis Theroux’s award-winning documentary featureMy Scientology Movie, and multi-award-winning family nature feature, Earth: One Amazing Day), with an eclectic slate of high-end, immersive feature film and TV projects each with something important to say about (and to) the world, its people and the nature within.
THE WHOLE SPIEL is an entertainment startup founded by Paul Telegdy and Stefan Telegdy, focused on creative and commercial development in film, television, gaming and music. With offices in Los Angeles, London and Berlin provides creative and strategic support for a diverse range of clients across the media and technology sectors.
In addition to “Queen of Fire,” Lone Wolf Pictures and The Whole Spiel, along with Infinity Hill, recently announced the new Falkland-Malvinas 10-episode war drama series, “The Islands.”’
This is obviously great news but I should stress that there’s a lot of road between now and the series making it to screen. I’ll post updates when I get them and, to answer an oft-asked question, please direct any casting enquiries to Lone Wolf Pictures.
(cover illustration by Didier Graffet)
In other news, I’ll be running a quickie giveaway on my mailing list for three advance reader copies of To Blackfyre Keep this coming Friday, July 15th. If you’re not already signed up, join here to make sure you don’t miss out on a chance to enter.
To Blackfyre Keep is volume four in my Seven Swords novella series and will be published by Subterranean Press in September 2022. Pre-order from the Subterranean Press website.
I’m pleased to say that the illustrated paperback edition of my novella Fire Wings is now available. Cover and interior illustrations are by long term collaborator Kevin Goeke.
For more details and info on other formats, see the book page. The winners of the signed, illustrated hardcover giveaway have now been chosen and notified. Thanks and welcome to the new subscribers to this list.
As explained previously, the audiobook release of The Martyr – Book Two of The Covenant of Steel – has been delayed in order to accommodate Steven Brand’s increasingly busy narration schedule. The revised release date is now confirmed as September 6th in the UK and US. Pre-order links are on the book page.
There seems to be some weirdness going on with the US Audbile pre-order page regarding current availability (I’ve no idea why), so US customers might need to wait a few weeks before their orders will be accepted.
I’m happy to reveal the frontis illustration for To Blackfyre Keep – volume four in my Seven Swords novella series – drawn by my very own hand. Anyone who pre-orders the special edition hardcover from Subterranean Press will be entered into a draw to win the original signed illustration.
And finally, anyone who can’t get enough of me wittering on may want to check out the latest SFF Addicts Podcast in which I and four fellow authors discuss the merits and otherwise of both traditional and indie publishing.
To Blackfyre Keep – Volume Four in my ongoing fantasy novella series The Seven Swords – is now available for pre-order from Subterranean Press as a limited edition signed hardcover.
To Blackfyre Keep is slated for release in September this year. Pre-order from the Subterranean Press website.
Many thanks to everyone at Subterranean for making this happen, and, as always, to Didier Graffet for the wonderful cover illustration. You can view more of his workhere.
The ebook edition will appear on the day of the hardcover release. There will also be an audiobook edition but the release date is not yet confirmed. Details to follow when I have them.
Book description:
GUYIME—DEMON CURSED WIELDER OF THE NAMELESS BLADE—FOLLOWS THE TRAIL OF THE FABLED SEVEN SWORDS INTO THE TROUBLED NORTHLANDS, A REALM WHERE HE WAS ONCE CALLED KING…AND RAVAGER.
Magically guided to enlist in the retinue of a lovesick knight, Guyime and his companions journey to the haunted ruin of Blackfyre Keep, a castle legend tells cannot be held. But a far deadlier threat than mere ghosts awaits. An ancient evil has been conjured and to defeat it Guyime may be forced to become the monster he used to be—the Ravager reborn.
Continuing the epic adventure of The Seven Swords, To Blackfyre Keep is an enthralling tale of creeping menace and pulse pounding action from New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies.
Newcomers to this series should start with Volume One, A Pilgrimage of Swords – details on the book page.
Thanks to Jesper Schmidt of the ‘Am Writing Fantasy Podcast’ for inviting me on to talk about fantasy writing, publishing, and marketing books in today’s publishing landscape.
Listen to the interview or a read a transcript here (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the audio player). Or if you prefer to gaze upon my ugly mug whilst I talk, watch it on YouTube.
You can also find it on Apple Podcasts or your pod-catcher of choice.
Also, many thanks to The Quill to Live SFF review site for choosing City of Songs – Volume 3 of the Seven Swords, as one of their favourite novellas of the year. Check out the full list here.
The US ebook edition of The Pariah, Book One of The Covenant of Steel, is on sale at $2.99. This is a Black Friday only sale so act quickly if you don’t want to miss out.
In other sale news, Subterranean Press is currently offering the hardcover signed special editions of Songs of the Dark and City of Songs at half price.
The US ebook edition of Queen of Fire – Book Three of the Raven’s Shadow Trilogy – is now on sale at $1.99. The sale will run until October 19th. Book details and sample chapter on the book page.
Thanks to everyone who entered the City of Songs signed hardcover giveaway. The winners have now been chosen and notified. Check your spam folder to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize. The signed numbered hardcover can still be purchased from Subterranean Press while stocks last. Check out the book page for more info.
