David Gemmell dies at 57
posted by Chrispian at 07:19 PM - Category: Authors

Fantasy novelist David Gemmell, best known for stories such as Legend and Waylander, has died at the age of 57.

Gemmell had heart bypass surgery two weeks ago and appeared to be making a good recovery, according to his publisher Transworld.

His career began in 1984 with Legend, a tale of a fortress under siege. He wrote 30 novels in total.

Transworld managing director Larry Finlay said Gemmell was "writing at the peak of his powers".

It's always sad to hear that someone has passed away. It always feels especially tragic when a writer or other artist passes because they contribute so much to our lives. I haven't had the chance to pick up any of David's books yet, but they've been on my list a while now. He has had a prolific career and I'll have plenty of material to get to know him through. In print, at least, he's attained the kind of immortality most writers dream of.

Source BBC

Meet The Authors
posted by Chrispian at 11:56 AM - Category: Authors

I don't get to meet very many "famous" authors and I imagine that's probably true of most of us. But you can sort of do it by proxy with this cool little web site called "Meet The Author (USA) or Meet The Author (UK). It's a great idea and is now on my list of sites to check out regularly.

via Grump Old Bookman

Help Brave Men Run
posted by Chrispian at 08:51 AM - Category: Authors

As you may know, I'm a huge fan of Matthew Wayne Selznick, especially of his writing. He writes the stories that I want to read and If you haven't read his book yet, you really should! Brave Men Run is his debut novel and it's fantastic and deserves to be recognized. So I'm asking for a favor: lets help Matt win some awards and get more exposure!

Matt self published his novel, Brave Men Run, and as such is eligible for the "14th Annual Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards". If (I'd say when!) he wins he could get some much needed exposure and some prize money that could go a long way into further promoting the book and attending conventions. The entry fee isn't cheap, it's $100! Most publishing houses cover expenses like this, but since Matt is self published the burden falls on him and I've offered to help out by asking everyone to pitch in. I've already donated $25 for this event and I hope some of you will drop some money in the tip bucket too. I know we can make the $100 needed to get Matt's book into the running.

But don't stop there - Matt could still use our help beyond this first contest. There are several up coming contests and conventions that would really help Matt out. So lets get behind a writer who's spent a lot of time helping other writers! Donate today and donate often.

Click Here to see Matt's page about upcoming contests and events, and most importantly to donate! I hope you match my $25 starter donation. I'll be donating again on payday!

Kate Atkinson, author of "Case Histories" will be on the LCB Blog
posted by Chrispian at 09:41 AM - Category: Authors

Kate Atkinson, author of "Case Histories" will be at the LBC Blog Monday, August 29th. LBC is the Litblog Co-Op, a group of bloggers who are trying to spread the word about great books you might not have heard about.

Hunter S. Thompson goes out with a bang
posted by Chrispian at 11:31 AM - Category: Authors

Hunter S. Thompson, the father of the "Gonzo" movement, author and reporter had a great send off last night. His ashes were shot out of a cannon along with fireworks in a display that was every bit as "Gonzo" as Hunter was. Hunter took is own life recently after a long battle with depression. It's only fitting that his send off be as dramatic as his life and death. Being born on the 4th of July myself, being blown up this way seems like a fine way to cap of my own life (when it evntually ends) after being born to fireworks and celebrating each birthday with them.

Source: MSNBC

Prolific Author Dennis Lynds (AKA Michael Collins) dies
posted by Chrispian at 05:50 PM - Category: Authors

Author Dennis Lynds died today. He was visiting his daughter who is in critical condition after a car accident. Lynds had been in poor health for some time. He was a prolific author writing mystery, crime and literature under the names Michael Collins, Mark Sadler, John Crowe, William Arden, and of course Dennis Lynds. My sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Pulitzer Prize winner Harper Lee (To Kill a Mocking Bird) honored at the Los Angeles Public Library's 10th annual awards
posted by Chrispian at 03:31 PM - Category: Authors

There is no doubt the effect 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' had on literature. The book has been burned and banned so many times it's #41 on the most banned books list, which means it will never go out of print. Harper Lee is extremely media shy, she doesn't grant many interviews or make appearances. Hasn't for years. She never wrote anther book. But because she was friends with Gregory Peck, who wan an Academy Award for playing Atticus Finch in the film adaptation, she attended the dinner, though she only spoke one sentence.

I often wonder why some writers, like Lee, never write again. Some of her interviews show that she was more terrified by the success than a quick death by reviewers. I can often relate as I'm often scared to death of success.

I also share another thing in common with Harper. I live just a few hours from her in Alabama. Maybe my writing will be improved by her presence!

Source: Harper Lee raises her low profile for a friend

Featured Author Blog - Whatever by John Scalzi (Author of Old Man's War)
posted by Chrispian at 10:39 PM - Category: Authors

I've been meaning to start this feature for a while, but as I find good author blogs, that is blogs written by published authors, I'm going to start featuring them here. If you know of one, please feel free to send me the link (editor@451press.com).

One of my favorites is a recent find, and while there are certainly more famous writers who blog, John Scalzi sold me on his book through is blog. John's blog is a great read. Even if you don't read a lot of books and prefer to read blogs (like I do at times), John's blog is engaging, entertaining and very well written. It's fun to read about the normal things you would expect to see on a blog like personal details, fun things he finds on the internet and his recently outing himself is bi, processorial that is (he runs both a Mac and a PC). It's a fun read and after reading his blog for several weeks, it's become a daily read for me.

I can relate to all his geeky posts, like those about computers, science fiction and Star Wars. But it's also nice to get to take a look inside the book industry through his eyes. Watching him talk about his book covers and wishing for his second book to be described as "From the Author of Old Man's War" instead of "The Sequel to Old Man's Ware", which it turned out to be. It really is a very candid look at the book business and a whole hell of a lot of fun. I ordered me a copy of "Old Man's War" this week and look forward to reading it. I'll write a review here once I'm done.

Go have a look at John's blog. If your like me you'll be hooked and order anything he writes.

Tristan Egolf shot himself, died at 33
posted by Chrispian at 03:18 PM - Category: Authors

It seems to me that there is a disturbing trend of authors, musicians and actors who end up shooting themselves. It makes me fear for my life as an aspiring writer and gives me yet another reason to never own a gun. Tristan Egolf ended his own life on Mother's Day by shooting himself in the head, perhaps paying homage to Hunter S. Thompson. It really is a shame though to see people go out like this. Apparently the writer / musician had slipped deeper and deeper into depression before finally taking his own life.

Via blogcritics.

Day of the Bard
posted by Pierre at 11:44 AM - Category: Authors

Today marks the 441st anniversary of the Bard. From Stratford upon Avon, young William Shakespeare traveled to London and made his fortune as a playwright, poet and actor only to become very celebrated by most and hated by teens who just want summer break to start. Let?s face it; the days of wooing might soon be condensed to the same shelf where fairy tales go unnoticed (sob, sob). Of course there will always be that summer when the life that was out of reach was miraculously present and then suddenly vanished like walking through ice. Anyway, I have really strayed from the topic?oh yes, Shakespeare. I have included a link to Shakespeare?s Complete Works as well as a BBC link that exposes a famous portrait of Shakespeare as phony. First they tell us he didn?t write his own plays, now he didn?t even look like himself.

BBC Article:

Complete Works:

Tales of a Jane Austen Lover - The Power of the Old Country
posted by Melody at 08:35 AM - Category: Authors

I didn?t love England until I read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I was a 22-year-old English major looking for a favorite author. Being a sappy romantic, Jane swept me off my feet. How could I NOT love Elinor Dashwood, a woman of perfect sense who suffers with dignity and is rewarded with unending love?

When I began obsessing over Jane?s work, I thought I was just falling in love with six books, but NO. By imagining the Dashwood cottage and the 3 sisters walking about their English countryside, I fell under the spell of England itself. ...Read More

Marlowe Christened Today...Long Ago
posted by Pierre at 09:02 PM - Category: Authors

Today is the day that Christopher Marlowe was christened and since no actual birth date was recorded, the beginning of his life is celebrated. Marlowe was considered one of the greatest English playwrights during the Elizabethan England era, and was well know to practice English tea time with his peers. Some might know Marlowe from the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love where he served as both an inspiration and an annoyance-of-genius (pardon my phrase) to young Shakespeare. Whichever his role, Marlowe is a considerable author worthy of any theater enthusiast?s reading list. The site below offers a brief biography as well as a complete bibliography of his work:

"Marlowe's dramas have heroic themes, usually centering on a great personality who is destroyed by his own passion and ambition. Although filled with violence, brutality, passion, and bloodshed, Marlowe's plays are never merely sensational. The poetic beauty and dignity of his language raise them to the level of high art."

Luminarium.Org