I am very happy to announce that Pyr has just closed a deal with Orion to publish the US version of Adam Roberts’s brilliant multi-generational epic of near future space colonization and revenge, Gradisil. I’ve long been a fan of Roberts’ work and am thrilled to be able to bring him to the attention of US readers.

Speaking of the UK edition, Nick Gevers writes in the May 2006 issue of Locus, “There is powerful prose in Gradisil, a maturing mastery with language reminiscent of Ian McDonald. This is Robert’s best novel to date, and quite conceivably a harbinger of greatness.”

While SFX has this to say, “It all adds up to proof, if any were really needed. That Roberts belongs in the front rank of hard SF writers.”

I’m equally excited to announce that Hugo-nominee Stephan Martiniere will be providing the cover art for our edition. More details soon. Meanwhile, you can visit Adam Roberts online at: www.adamroberts.com

After being largely absent from the internet for the past six months, Fiona Avery is back online with a newly redesigned website, www.fionaavery.com. In addition to being the author of The Crown Rose, Fiona is the author of some fifteen comic books and graphic novels (including Spider-Man, Tomb Raider, Witchblade and X-Men), and numerous episodes of science fiction television. Check out her new site and be sure to stop by her journal.

Aaron Hughes has some nice things to say about Keith Brooke’s Genetopia over at Fantastic Reviews:

“…a fascinating look at the consequences when the nature of humanity begins to change at a genetic level. …Like Mark Twain, and in refreshing contrast to the current standard of bloated multi-volume series, Brooke is able to confine his coming-of-age tale to an engaging and relatively short stand-alone novel, even as he uses it to frame important questions about the future of mankind.”

More kind words about Pyr as well:

“Genetopia is an original publication of Pyr Books, which in just one year under the adroit direction of Lou Anders has established itself as one of the leading publishers of quality science fiction and fantasy, with a welcome emphasis on the current crop of outstanding British SF writers. Like many of these British Boom authors, Keith Brooke is remarkably adept at envisioning an almost unrecognizable far future, and Genetopia is an excellent example.”

Marin Morse Wooster, of the Washington Post, calls Ian McDonald “one of the best sf novelists of our time” in his review of River of Gods:

“…a bold, brave look at India on the eve of its centennial, 41 years from now. MacDonald has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why in this novel, his first to earn him a Hugo nomination. …MacDonald takes his readers from India’s darkest depths to its most opulent heights, from rioting mobs and the devastated poor to high-level politicians and lavish parties. He handles his complex plot with flair and confidence and deftly shows how technological advances and social changes have subtly changed lives. River of Gods is a major achievement from a writer who is becoming one of the best sf novelists of our time.”

Book Expo America has come and gone. While this year’s show felt less hectic than last year – no doubt due to the venue of D.C. as opposed to New York – it was a productive and fun weekend.

Highlights included the number of independent bookstore owners we met with, and the chance to put a face on and hang out with Pyr author David Louis Edelman (Infoquake). Here is a picture of Dave with his dashingly handsome editor.

And here is a picture of the whole BEA-attending Prometheus/Pyr gang. Pictured from left to right: Marcia Rogers, Jill Maxick, Richard Snyder, Jonathan Kurtz, Gretchen Kurtz, Lou Anders, & Linda Regan.

Ryun Patterson of Bookgasm can’t get enough of Ian McDonald’s River of Gods:

“It’s one hell of a novel. Easily trumping any speculative fiction from the past couple of years, River of Gods is an exuberant leap into the future of India through the eyes of nine disparate characters. As their stories mingle and merge, McDonald not only weaves a tremendous yarn of mysteries and technological magic, but the truly illustrates the dilemmas lying in wait for humanity as we continue to leapfrog from one discovery to the next, inevitably toward a future we could never predict.”

Ryun goes on to say, “readers are left needing more, despite the fact that, unlike certain doorstop-sized tomes of recent years, McDonald knows how to end a story. Revelation after revelation resolve themselves in a cascade of denouement that is at once thrilling and sorrowful, as if the author wants to stay in 2047 as much as the reader does. “

Those readers who want to hang around Ian’s mid-21st Century India, as well as those new to his vision of 2047, can see a sample of his Hugo and Sturgeon nominated novella, “The Little Goddess,” which takes place in the same milieu as River of Gods and is partially excerpted on Asimovs.com. Also of note, Ian recently delivered to Yours Truly another tale of future India, “Sanjeev and Robotwallah,” a short story to be included in the upcoming Pyr anthology, Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge.

SciFi.com’s SciFi Weekly just posted a review of Keith Brooke’s Genetopia. Reviewer D. Douglas Fratz gives Genetopia an A-, and says in his review:

“… a startlingly original creation, filled with memorable characters and places…. The greatest strength of this novel may be its thematic handling of the issues of slavery, the nature of humanity and the values of diversity. …should be recognized as one of the most thought-provoking novels of the year.”

SciFi.com’s Science Fiction Weekly just posted a review of Chris Roberson’s Paragaea: A Planetary Romance. Reviewer Paul Di Filippo gives Paragaea an A, and says in his review:

“Roberson has certainly learned a lot from his literary ancestors, and he manages to hit all the high notes perfectly. …the illusion of being cast away in some exotic realm that combines the best elements of Jack Vance, The Arabian Nights and a hundred other glorious pulp adventures will linger in the lucky reader’s mind throughout the tale, and long after.”

A wonderful review by Rob H. Bedford of Sean Williams’ The Crooked Letter, posted to SFFWorld:

“…explores the nature of life, death, and reality. Big subjects, but with the precision of an archaeological expert, Williams is more than up to the task. There is a lot to admire in Williams epic fantasy, the wide range of global religions and myths of which his afterlife is comprised, to the characterization of the protagonists. The story has the mythic resonance of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and American Gods, the dark fantasy/horror one might associate with something like Stephen King’s Dark Tower saga, the multiple universes/realities of Moorcock’s Eternal Champion mythos, and the strange, weird creatures one might associate with China Miéville’s Bas-lag novels. Williams imagined world is equal part those novels which preceded his, but fortunately, there is enough newness to both the approach and vision to make this the work of a singular vision.”

Bedford has some nice things to say about Pyr in general as well:

“…reading many of the other titles Lou Anders has published with Pyr, I shouldn’t have been surprised with both the quality of the writing and the breadth of Williams’ imagination. Like a lot of the other books published by Pyr, Williams captures what makes a tried and true genre like Epic Fantasy so popular and enjoyable of a genre and spins a tale with his unique voice. This is the type of book you finish and can’t wait to read the sequel.”