Tag Archives: the seven swords

March 8, 2021

‘The Black Song’ Nominated for the Booknest Awards, ‘Slab City Blues’ Audio Goes Wide, and more…

By Anthony Ryan

Many thanks to those nice people at Booknest for nominating ‘The Black Song’ – Book Two of The Raven’s Blade – for their ‘Best Traditionally Published Novel’ award longlist. Head over to the awards page to vote for your favourite fantasy novel from 2020: http://booknest.eu/component/k2/blog/2183-2020-booknest-fantasy-awards-longlist

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The audiobook edition of ‘Slab City Blues – The Collected Stories’, narrated by the inestimable Steven Brand, is no longer exclusive to Audible and can be purchased from these retailers: 

 Apple Books  –  Kobo  –   Google Play  –  Chirp

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‘Een Pelgrimstocht van Zwaarden’ – the Dutch edition of my novella ‘A Pilgrimage of Swords’ – Vol. 1 of The Seven Swords – will be released on March 30th. Netherlands fantasy outlet AnderWereld are offering a box of goodies which includes a hardcover copy of the novella and a 210mm x 210mm glossy postcard of the Execration map signed by yours truly. Go here to order: https://www.anderwereld-magie.nl/a-63512008/nieuwe-mystery-boekenboxen/mystery-boekenbox-maart-fantasy-novelle/

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And finally, I’m please to share a few more sample pages from the Draconis Memoria RPG rulebook courtesy of Hiruoka. Watch this space for news of the upcoming kickstarter. 

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February 23, 2021

Announcing ‘City of Songs’ – Volume Three of the Seven Swords

By Anthony Ryan

I’m pleased to announce that Subterranean Press is now taking pre-orders for my novella City of Songs – Book Three of The Seven Swords.

About the Book:

ATHERIA – THE FABLED CITY OF SONGS, THE SHINING JEWEL OF THE THIRD SEA WHERE THE MASKED EXULTIA CASTE HOLD SWAY AND VIE TO OUTDO EACH OTHER IN THEIR PATRONAGE OF THE ARTS, SOMETIMES WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES…

Guyime, wandering, dethroned King of the Northlands, is drawn to the Atheria by his quest for the Seven Swords, the demon cursed blades of legend. But to claim the next sword he must first solve a seemingly impossible murder—a puzzle that, once untangled, will unveil secrets so dark they could bring the City of Songs to utter ruin.

Continuing the epic tale of The Seven Swords, City of Songs is an action-packed, darkly magical mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies. 

Pre-order from the Subterranean Press website.

As with the previous instalments there will be an audio version of City of Songs – details to follow when I have them. 

For any newcomers to this series click the links below for details of the first two volumes:
A Pilgrimage of Swords

The Kraken’s Tooth  

Thanks to my editors, Yanni Kuznia and Bill Schafer, and everyone else at Subterranean for making this happen. Also, many thanks to Didier Graffet for yet another spectacular cover. Check out more of his work here.

I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed hardcovers closer to the release date so watch out for that. 

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November 17, 2020

‘Songs of the Dark’ – Illustration Preview & ‘Kraken’s Tooth’ Hardcover Giveaway

By Anthony Ryan

Songs of the Dark – Short Fiction from the World of Raven’s Shadow will be released in special edition hardcover by Subterranean Press in December. I thought I’d let you have a preview of my interior illustrations for A Duel of Evils, the first story in the collection. I’ll be revealing the other illustrations prior to release so check back for updates. 

Pre-order Songs of the Dark from the Subterranean Press website.

In other news, I was intending to wait until mid-December to run the giveaway for signed hardcovers of The Kraken’s Tooth, the second volume in my Seven Swords novella series. However, given the current state of postal services around the world I though it best to run it now to give winners a chance of receiving their prize before Christmas (for those that celebrate it – other mid-winter festivals are available). 

I have five signed hardcover copies of The Kraken’s Tooth to give away to members of my mailing list. Existing members are automatically entered. If you’re not a member and would like a chance to win one please join the mailing list before midnight GMT on 22nd November. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on 23rd November (remember to check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize). 

I’m told that Subterranean still has some copies of The Kraken’s Tooth hardcover available for purchase. Please note that these can only be bought direct from the Subterranean Press website. 

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October 6, 2020

The Kraken’s Tooth – Audiobook Released and Updated Ebook Links

By Anthony Ryan

The Kraken’s Tooth – the second novella in my Seven Swords series from Subterranean Press – is now available in audiobook, narrated by Steven Brand. 

Buy the audiobook:  Audible.com – Audible.co.uk

The Kraken’s Tooth ebook is also now available outside the US. Click the link below for the relevant Kindle store in your country:

Amazon US (*)

Amazon UK (*)

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

Amazon France

Amazon Germany

Amazon Netherlands

Amazon Italy

Amazon Spain

Amazon Brazil

Amazon India

(*Amazon Affiliate Paid link)

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September 30, 2020

The Kraken’s Tooth – Released Today

By Anthony Ryan

My new novella The Kraken’s Tooth – Book Two of The Seven Swords – is released today by Subterranean Press. Most of the hardcovers have already sold out but I’m told there may be a few left if anyone wants to head over to the Subterranean Press site to snag one.

The Kraken’s Tooth is also available in ebook:  amazon.com  – Kobo – Nook 

The ebook edition doesn’t appear to have filtered through to non-US stores yet. There will also be an audiobook edition, narrated by Steven Brand, available from Audible (hopefully soon) – I’ll post links  to both when I have them. 

About the Book:

THE GREAT MERCHANT CITY OF CARTHULA—RAISED FROM THE BONES OF A KRAKEN ON THE WHIM OF A GODDESS

WHERE NOBLE HOUSES CALL UPON DARK MAGIC TO TRIUMPH IN THEIR ENDLESS AND DEADLY GAME FOR DOMINION…

Landless one-time king Guyime, once called Pilgrim but known to history as the Ravager, has survived the fall of the Execration – an event that set him on a path to find the legendary Seven Swords. 

Guided by sorcery, Guyime journeys to Carthula in the centre of the First Sea to claim the mythical blade known as the Kraken’s Tooth. Aided by three companions – the beast charmer Seeker, a powerful sorceress and a scholarly slave – Guyime ventures into Carthula’s perilous underbelly to secure a prize guarded by ancient magics, cursed spirits, and lethal traps. But can he survive an ultimate ordeal crafted from his worst nightmares?

Continuing the epic story begun in A Pilgrimage of Swords, The Kraken’s Tooth is a fast-paced tale of low intrigue and grand adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies. 

From Publishers Weekly (Starred Review):

“Ryan masterfully combines vivid characterization and understated worldbuilding in the stellar second fantasy novella in his Seven Swords series (after A Pilgrimage of Swords)… Ryan does a superior job of propelling the adventure along while simultaneously pulling back the layers of [the fallen king] Guyime’s tortured backstory, and the robust fantasy world is described in clean, evocative prose…”

Anyone wishing to check out the first book in the Seven Swords series, check out the Pilgrimage of Swords book page.

Thanks to my editors, Yanni Kuznia and Bill Schafer, and everyone else at Subterranean for making this happen. Also, many thanks to Didier Graffet for another wonderful cover. 

I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed hardcovers closer to Christmas, so be sure to sign up to the list to make sure you don’t miss out. 

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August 29, 2020

Upcoming ‘Black Song’ Signed US Hardcover Giveaway

By Anthony Ryan

Just a quick post to let you all know that on 4th September I’ll be running a quickie mailing list exclusive give-away for five signed, lined and dated copies of the US hardcover edition of The Black Song to mark the one month-aversary of its publication.

In order to enter you have to be a signed-up member of the mailing list – sign up here. I’ll be sending out an email to subscribers on 4th September with a clickable link for those who want to be entered into the draw, so make sure you check your spam folders to ensure you don’t miss out. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on Monday September 7th. The give-away will be open to all mailing list subscribers, not just US residents.

In other news – it transpires that I totally missed the publication of the Italian edition of The Wolf’s Call in April – Il richiamo del lupo (La spada del corvo #1) is now available, published by Fanucci Editore. Click here for the Amazon.it link, but I’m assured it’s available in all good bookshops, COVID restrictions permitting. (If anyone knows the name of the cover artist, please let me know so I can credit them).

Finally, a reminder that The Kraken’s Tooth – the second novella my ‘Seven Swords’ series from Subterranean Press – will be released on 30th September and is available for pre-order here: https://subterraneanpress.com/krakens-tooth.

If you order before the release date you have the added bonus of being entered into a draw to win an original signed illustration by me and you won’t have to send me emails complaining about the price of hardcovers on eBay after Subterranean have sold out.

The ebook and audiobook editions of The Kraken’s Tooth will also be available when the hardcover is released.

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July 13, 2020

New Podcast Interview/’The Black Song’ Giveaway/’The Waking Fire’ Price Drop

By Anthony Ryan

Thanks to David Walters for inviting me to be interviewed on FanFiAddict’s ‘Authors on a podcast talking books’. You can hear me waffle on about The Black Song and various writer-related gubbins via these links:

FanFiAddict website: https://fanfiaddict.com/2020/07/11/authors-on-a-podcast-talking-books-ep-42-anthony-ryan/

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/authors-on-a-podcast-talking-books/id1489100521?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5flRejokJOk3ODDJHv8mUH

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Good news everyone, my author copies of the UK hardcover edition of The Black Song have arrived which means I’ll be able to run a giveaway for signed copies after all. I’ll be running the giveaway in about a week and winners will be chosen from existing mailing list subscribers, so make sure you sign up to have a chance of winning. 

The Black Song will be released in the UK on July 30th and the US on August 4th. Pre-order links are here.

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Thanks to everyone who entered The Kraken’s Tooth advance review copy giveaway. The winners have now been notified. Please check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize. Pre-order links for The Kraken’s Tooth are on the book page.

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And finally, I’m pleased to report that the US ebook edition of The Waking Fire – Book One of The Draconis Memoria – has been reduced in price to $3.99, so if you were thinking about starting this series but hadn’t yet taken the plunge, now would be a very good time. Where-to-buy links and book description are on The Waking Fire book page.

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July 6, 2020

‘The Kraken’s Tooth’ – ARC Giveaway & ‘The Black Song’ Signed, Numbered Edition Pre-order from Goldsboro Books

By Anthony Ryan

Thanks to those nice people at Subterranean Press I have three signed Advance Review Copies of my novella The Kraken’s Tooth – Book Two of the Seven Swords, to give away to mailing list subscribers. If you’re not already a subscriber please sign up here by midnight GMT on July 12th to have a chance of winning. Winners will be chosen and notified on July 13th.

Any book reviewers/bloggers/book-tubers who would like a copy please get in touch via the contact page and I’ll ask Subterranean to send you one. The book is also available to reviewers via Netgalley. 

The Kraken’s Tooth will be released in special limited edition hardcover and ebook on September 30th. Further details, excerpt and pre-order on the Subterranean Press website: https://subterraneanpress.com/krakens-tooth

Also, a reminder that anyone who pre-orders will be entered into a draw to win this signed original illustration that appears at the front of the hardcover. I’m told the hardcover may well sell out prior to release so act now if you don’t want to miss out. 

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In other news – I’m happy to report that Goldsboro Books now has a pre-order page for the signed and numbered UK edition of The Black Song: https://www.goldsborobooks.com/product/the-black-song-limited-edition.

About this time I was hoping to run a giveaway for signed UK and US edition hardcovers of The Black Song. Sadly, due to ongoing COVID chaos, I’m not sure when my author copies will turn up. As I don’t want to promise books to readers without a reasonable expectation of when their prize will arrive, I’ll be holding off on this giveaway until I have my author copies. It’s possible this may happen after the book is released, so watch this space for updates.

Please note – the release date for The Black Song has been changed from July 28th to July 30th for the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa – August 4th in the US & Canada. Pre-order details for all formats are on the book page.

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June 1, 2020

SciFi Indie Author Giveaway and ‘The Kraken’s Tooth’ Gets a Starred Review in Publisher’s Weekly

By Anthony Ryan

Win a signed paperback of Slab City Blues: The Collected Stories.

I’m happy to announce I’ve teamed up with sci-fi authors Glynn Stewart, Christopher Ruz, Daniel Willcocks, and Matt Ward to do a SF/F raffle giveaway for FREE signed paperback copies of The Ragged Blade, Starship’s Mage, Slab City Blues: The Collected Stories, Dawn of Chaos, Cynetic Wolf, and Death Donor.

Very excited to be working with some of the heavy-hitting indies in the space to offer up some late-night, award-winning distraction in these challenging times.

The contest will be running from June 1st-10th. No purchase necessary.

NOTE: By entering the sweepstakes, you are expressly giving each participating author permission to add you to their email newsletter. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.

Just hop over to mattwardwrites.com/raffle and enter your email to register. Then, on June 11th, one lucky winner will be chosen to receive free signed copies of each of the books. And to keep things interesting, five runner-ups will also be selected to get free electronic copies because everyone loves free books, right?

Interested? Again, just hop on over to mattwardwrites.com/raffle before June 10th and enter your email to register.

Good luck!

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In other news, I’m delighted to report that my upcoming novella The Kraken’s Tooth has received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly – ‘Ryan masterfully combines vivid characterization and understated worldbuilding in the stellar second fantasy novella in his Seven Swords series.’

Read the full review here.

The Kraken’s Tooth will be released in September 2020 by Subterranean Press in special limited edition signed hardcover and ebook. Pre-order here: https://subterraneanpress.com/krakens-tooth

The 26 signed and lettered copies have now sold out. However, you can still pre-order one of the 1000 signed limited editions. These might sell out too so order soon to make sure you snag one. Pre-orders for the ebook will appear closer to the release date.

For anyone new to the series who wants to catch up, A Pilgrimage of Swords is available in ebook here:  Amazon.com  –  Amazon.co.uk  –  Nook  –  Kobo  –  Apple Books  –  Subterranean Press

Buy the audiobook here: audible.com  –  audible.co.uk

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April 20, 2020

The Kraken’s Tooth – Original Illustration Pre-Order Giveaway

By Anthony Ryan

Those fine people at Subterranean Press are running a giveaway for the original frontis illustration for the hardcover edition of my novella The Kraken’s Tooth – Book Two of The Seven Swords which began with A Pilgrimage of Swords.

The giveaway is open to anyone who pre-orders the hardcover from the Subterranean Press website. The winner will receive the original illustration hand-drawn by yours truly, signed and dated. It looks like the signed and lettered special traycase hardcover has sold out but the signed and numbered edition is still available. Don’t worry if you’ve already pre-ordered as you’ll automatically be included in the draw. The Kraken’s Tooth will be released in September 2020

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I hope you’re all staying safe and well in these trying times. For everyone patiently waiting for The Black Song advance reader copy giveaway, I hope to run it sometime in May. It will be exclusive to my mailing list subscribers so be sure to sign up to make sure you don’t miss out.

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