The Real Thing

Today it arrived. Traci's holding it. Ballantine/Del Rey kindly sent me an advance copy of ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS (thanks, Betsy!). Author Michael Moorcock raved about his yesterday. I've been anxious to see it ever since. This book's different. A lot of my 2007 went into this one because I did so many interior illustrations for it, plus the cover. With the exception of my art book, it represents the most work I've ever invested in one project. So yeah, when the package arrived today, I was nervous to say the least.

I'm thrilled, proud, (and relieved) to report that the finished book looks awesome. When Traci arrived home, we celebrated with margaritas at Panchito's and it was unveiled to her for the first time. It'll take a few more examinations before it'll feel real, but it is. It's done, and on February 19th, it'll be everywhere.
Huge thanks to Betsy Mitchell, editor-in-chief of Del Rey. She made this happen. Many thanks to Kaitlin Heller, Julie Schroeder (designer), and Dave Stevenson (Del Rey's Chesley-nominated art director). Proud to be part of your team. Lastly, thanks to A for being a warrior and a true friend, and to Mike and my wife Traci for everything. Much more Elric in the coming days....

ELRIC: TSOS Sneak Peek #3

"Elric & Cymoril" -- interior illustration from Michael Moorcock's forthcoming ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS, due out February 19 from Ballantine/Del Rey. Pencil on Crescent illustration board, 14"x11".

ELRIC: TSOS Sneak Peek #2

"The Fire Giant" -- another of my interior illustrations from Michael Moorcock's forthcoming ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS, due out February 19 from Ballantine/Del Rey. Pencil on Crescent illustration board, 6"x12". Bonus -- a short Elric music mix I looped for inspiration through the hours working on the Elric book.

1. "Carmina Burana: I. O Fortuna" / Carl Orff / London Symphony Orchestra & Richard Hickox

2. "Da Pacem Domine" / Arvo Part / The Hilliard Ensemble

3. "Mars, the Bringer of War" / Gustav Holst / London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Georg Solti

4. "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age" / Gustav Holst / London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Georg Solti

5. "The Man Who Sold the World" (Live) / David Bowie

6. "The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell" / David Bowie

7. "Ace of Spades" / Motorhead

8. "The Call of Ktulu" / Metallica

2008: The Year of Moorcock?

Just heard this news from George Mann of Solaris....
SCIFI NOW, one of the UK's major SF media mags, has released their list of the Best Books of 2007. Michael Moorcock's THE METATEMPORAL DETECTIVE is amongst their top five. Congrats, Mike! Congrats to Pyr and Solaris as well!






The list:
1) HALTING STATE (Stross) / Orbit
2) STEALING LIGHT (Gibson) / Tor UK
3) BRASYL (McDonald) / Pyr/Gollancz
4) THE METATEMPORAL DETECTIVE (Moorcock) / Pyr
5) HELIX (Brown) / Solaris

Also here's a conversation between Mike and SHRIEK author Jeff Vandermeer over at Amazon.com's OMNIVORACIOUS blog.

Great days for Moorcock -- he's got a hit with THE METATEMPORAL DETECTIVE; talks continue regarding a major ELRIC motion picture; and the ELRIC series will launch next month. More on that Monday....

Kleffel Interviews Picacio

Rick Kleffel is one of those guys that has 28 hours in a day. Have a look at his site THE AGONY COLUMN, and you'll know what I'm saying. How does he review so many books every month? How does he conduct up to five fresh new podcast interviews per week? How does he keep it so fresh and wide-ranging? I regularly visit his site, and lo and behold, today he posted a podcast interview he conducted with me this week (scroll down for the mp3 link). Let me know how it sounds.....great as Kleffel is, I avoid listening to my own voice on playbacks, so you'll have to tell me if my responses were at all coherent. :)

ELRIC: TSOS Sneak Peek #1

Two of my interior illustrations for Michael Moorcock's ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS...this top drawing was first unveiled back in July. The one below is today's sneak peek. Since these are interior illustrations intended to complement the author's words, they don't officially have titles. However, if I had to make an unofficial title for the top image, I would call it, "Elric the Damned." If I had to do one for the bottom image, I would call it "Darnizhaan Rises."

Both, pencil on crescent board, 11"x17". Lots more interiors like these, when ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS releases next month from Ballantine/Del Rey. I'll post another sneak peek next week.

ELRIC Final Cover & February Release Party

In case you haven't seen it, here's Ballantine/Del Rey's final cover design for Michael Moorcock's ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS, the first of six new trade paperbacks collecting classic ELRIC novels with new introductions, illustrations, and notes. THE STEALER OF SOULS cover illo is by me, and beginning next week, I'll start previewing some of my interior illustrations for the book.

Amazon shows February 19th as their availability date for the book, so unless I hear otherwise, I'm assuming that's the general release date. Good news -- Saturday, February 23, from 4-7pm, Austin Books will host the first release party/book signing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS. Mike Moorcock and I will both be there. Mike will do a reading and I'll bring along some of my original interior art for show-and-tell. Should be a great time.

Austin Books is one of the finest comic-book emporiums in America. I visit at least one comic-book store in every city I visit and very, very few stores ever approach the sheer diversity of well-displayed new schtuff that Austin Books has every week. Brad Bankston runs the place, and his store's been a two-time finalist for the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Award (the Eisner for Retailers). I'll remind about the date as it approaches, but if you plan to be in the Austin area that weekend, mark your calendars now. :)

San Francisco's Borderlands Books

Very cool feature over at io9 about Borderlands Books, one of the finest independent bookstores in America. If you travel anywhere near the Bay Area (or better yet, live there), this store is an absolute must-visit.

My 2007 Published Works

As noted by Cheryl Morgan at Science Fiction Awards Watch, the awards nomination season is now open (Hugos and otherwise), so if you need a one-stop list of my 2007 work for consideration, here you go. I'll soon have Steve McDaniel post this list over on my website, but for now, please bookmark this if you need it.


(above)
Cover illustration for
TIME'S CHILD
by Rebecca Ore
HarperCollins/Eos
February 2007













(above)
Wraparound cover illustration for
FAST FORWARD 1
edited by Lou Anders
Pyr
February 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
STAR TREK: CRUCIBLE --
THE STAR TO EVERY WANDERING
by David R. George III
Pocket Books
February 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
ON HER MAJESTY'S OCCULT SERVICE
by Charles Stross
Science Fiction Book Club
March 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
POSTSCRIPTS #10
Edited by Peter Crowther
PS Publishing
Spring 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
X-MEN: THE RETURN
by Chris Roberson
Pocket Star
May 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
THE MARGARETS
by Sheri S. Tepper
HarperCollins/Eos
May 2007













(above)
Wraparound cover illustration for
A THOUSAND DEATHS
by George Alec Effinger
Golden Gryphon Press
June 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
BRITISH SUMMERTIME
by Paul Cornell
MonkeyBrain Books
July 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
THE METATEMPORAL DETECTIVE
by Michael Moorcock
Pyr
October 2007













(above)
Wraparound cover illustration for
THE GIRL WHO LOVED ANIMALS
by Bruce McAllister
Golden Gryphon Press
October 2007


(above)
Cover illustration for
STARSHIP: MERCENARY
by Mike Resnick
Pyr
December 2007