(guardian.co.uk, Oct 31, Michael Carlson)
Tony Hillerman‘s 18 mystery novels, set in the Navajo lands of south-west America, earned him first a cult following and later best-seller status. But for Hillerman, who has died aged 83 (Oct. 27, 2009), the greatest honour was being named in 1987 a special friend of the Dineh, this being the Navajo’s word for the (more…)
Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender’s Game, Ender’s Shadow, Speaker for the Dead, and the upcoming Ender in Exile, which are widely read by adults and younger readers, and are increasingly used in schools.
Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker (beginning with Seventh Son), poetry (An Open Book), and many plays and scripts.
Card was born in Washington and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he teaches occasional classes and workshops and directs plays. He recently began a longterm position as a professor of writing and literature at Southern Virginia University.
Card currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, and their youngest child, Zina Margaret.
As with all Clive Cussler’s dazzling Dirk Pitt novels, critics said Treasure of Khan “amazes, informs and entertains” (Publishers Weekly), “the action zipping along until a final powerhouse showdown” (Entertainment Weekly). “What’s not to like?” proclaimed the Los Angeles Times—and hundreds of thousands of readers agreed.
In his new novel, however—the twentieth Dirk Pitt adventure— Cussler may have topped even himself.
A potential breakthrough discovery to reverse global warming . . . a series of unexplained sudden deaths in British Columbia . . . a rash of international incidents between the United States and one of its closest allies that threatens to erupt into an actual shooting war . . . NUMA director Dirk Pitt and his children, Dirk. Jr. and Summer, have reason to believe there’s a connection here somewhere, but they also know they have very little time to find it before events escalate out of control. Their only real clue might just be a mysterious silvery mineral traced to a long-ago expedition in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. But no one survived from that doomed mission, captain and crew perished to a man—and if Pitt and his colleague Al Giordino aren’t careful, the very same fate may await them.
Filled with the breathtaking suspense and audacious imagination that have become his hallmarks, this is a tour de force— further proof that when it comes to adventure writing, nobody beats Clive Cussler.
(from PAXALLES)
Flynn said the main reason he wrote his book to tell the story of the CIA, private contractors, etc. who have fought in the war on terror and who haven’t been recognized for their sacrifice. He said that the Democratic Congress has repaid this sacrifice by hanging investigations over their heads with millions of dollars in legal fees. He has written this book as an homage to them and says his book has scared many people in Washington. He said that he and Daniel Silva have been told that they predicted September 11th and people are always amazed they knew what was coming.
Flynn said that the agencies and military will get big time blow back in an Obama administration.
“Dear John, I’m having some difficulty determining whether a book is a true first edition. The copyright page doesn’t say “First Edition” and has a number line. I have noticed this on other books and the number line can be ascending, descending or all mixed up. What does this mean? (Lance, Washington)
John responds….While booksellers and collectors alike would appreciate a uniform discipline by publishers for indicating edition status, it does not appear likely. The common convention used today is a number line on the copyright page. Conventional wisdom says that if the number “1″ is anywhere in that line (the order is irrelevant), the book is a first printing. This applies to most imprints, except for Random House where a “2″ in the number line indicates a first printing. Some publishers still use the words “First Edition” either alone or in conjunction with the number line. Earlier printings, such as those released by Putnam will have no indicator, and is a first printing unless otherwise noted on the copyright page. This can get confusing!
For instance, HarperCollins will use the words “First Edition” on all printings but only those with the complete number line are first printings. We use and strongly recommend Bill McBride’s A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions as a reliable resource. About the time you think you’ve got it figured out some imprint will throw you a curve! So, keep your good humor and ask us if you need help.
That’s right, we just added 200 brand new signed first editions for just $10.99 ($15.70 less 30% at checkout) to our sale! We have never before offered collectible books at this low price.
Did you know that some of the bestselling authors of adult fiction also write for younger readers? Yes, it is so! Ridley Pearson, Dave Barry, Rick Riordan, Clive Barker, Robert B. Parker, Christopher Paolini, Clive Cussler, and Carl Hiaasen are just a few of those turning their remarkable abilities to tell a story to a younger audience. And we are striving to bring them to you! All of them are also remarkably collectable. They make great gifts for you and the young readers in your life.
Please check them out here.
Q: In you return to writing about lawyers and corruption within our government’s highest offices. Why did you decide to write about the legal world?
A: Foremost, because I know a lot about it. Also, in coming up with plots I look for classical dilemmas, interesting confrontations, ordinary people close to powerful epicenters. Political situations, lawyers, Washington, all allow for those creative elements. In my novels I try to have at least one character represent the “every person”. It’s a way to allow the reader to relate to the events taking place in the novel and also to have someone to root for (or against) as the case may be. Most stories need a moral linchpin as well, and there’s always one of those (seen via a character) in my stories.
Q: The Supreme Court is constantly the subject of both fiction and non-fiction books. Why is our nation’s highest court so captivating?
A: Because people hear about it all the time, but know almost absolutely nothing about it. People know about the presidency and the congress, but those nine black-robed justices are a complete enigma. Secrecy is always seductive, particularly when there is so much power concentrated in so few people. And the people who have served on the court over the years tend to be fascinating characters in their own right. As a novelist, I found much material simply in studying past courts and justices. It’s also interesting to see the interplay between “justice” and the political and governing roles of the Court. As the Constitution says, the Court is an equal branch of government. And many of the decisions they make don’t always have much to do with justice between the two parties in a case, as ironic as that sounds. I find that (more…)
I purchased Frederick Forsyth Avenger (Signed 1st Edition) with a black jacket. I just ran across another copy listed as a 2003 1st/1st from St. Martin’s but it has a white jacket with brown (or copper) lettering. Do you know the difference? Or if this book was published with 2 different jackets?
Although it doesn’t happen very often, publishers will print two different book jackets for the same book. One is not necessarily more valuable (or collectible) than the other. It is simply a marketing moment to promote the book, and does little more than lend confusion to the collector market. In addition to the Forsyth example, you will find this on Tom Clancy‘s Clear and Present Danger and well as Lisa Scottoline‘s Vendetta Defense.
Where is has made a difference is on Terry Brooks‘ novels for Star Wars there are four different jackets showing the characters. In 1975 Robert Ludlum, writing as Michael Sheppard, released a book called the Road to Gandolfo. The publisher, Dial Press, could not decide on which of the three jacket designs to use so shipped it with all three. Finding a collectible edition with all three jackets in tact is quite the find!
Share a photo of you or a friend reading Michael Connelly’s new novel, THE BRASS VERDICT. The first 1,200 people to submit their photo with the book will receive a very special prize — an in depth profile of Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller, written by Michael Connelly. It is a deeply personal look at how and why Michael created both of these characters, and it truly is a must-have collectible for any Michael Connelly fan. Why are we doing this? Because we want to meet you, the readers, and in exchange, you’ll get to learn more about Mickey, Harry, and Michael’s writing process. The submitted photos will be shared with the community of readers on Michael’s web site, on Michael’s Facebook page, and on Flickr page. Click on the link for all the details.
Click here to get details and instructions for the “Look Who’s Reading THE BRASS VERDICT” Contest.