New Book Releases: November 23, 2010

★★★ Our Pick of the Week ★★★ Hull Zero Three [ Kindle ] By Greg Bear ISBN: 0316072818 Publisher: Orbit Publication date: November 22, 2010 Binding: Hardcover Estimated price: $11.60 Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Description: A starship hurtles through the emptiness of space. Its destination-unknown. Its purpose-a mystery. Now, one man wakes up. Ripped from a dream of a new home-a new planet and the woman he was meant to love in his arms-he finds himself wet, naked, and freezing to death. The dark halls are full of monsters but trusting other survivors he meets might be the greater danger. All he has are questions— Who is he? Where are they going? What happened to the dream of a new life? What happened to Hull 03? All will be answered, if he can survive the ship.

News: Angry Robot launching Short Story Store

I just received the following press release via e-mail from Angry Robot.  It's an announcement that the publisher will be launching what it calls "Nano Editions," an online store for short stories. And may I just say, it's about (#@%^*) time someone did something along these lines. For years, I've been wondering why genre publications don't augment their subscriptions by selling short stories ala cart online. Shelling out thirty bucks to have banged up paper editions of my favorite magazines (that I don't have the shelf space to store) via snail mail each month is getting a bit old. Let's hope other publishers take note of Angry Robot's good idea. Read the full press release below:

ANGRY ROBOT ANNOUNCES DIGITAL SHORT STORY STORE

On December 1st 2010, Angry Robot will be launching “Nano Editions”. Exclusive to the publisher’s own webstore at angryrobotstore.com, Nanos are digital short stories by Angry Robot novelists, sold at sensible prices in ePub format, ready to load onto the world’s most popular eBook readers.

Quote

"I’ve always loved books, all my life. When I was a clerk at Scribner’s bookstore I dreamed of having a book of my own, of writing one that I could put on the shelf. When I would have to unpack and put up the National Book Award winners I used to wonder what it would feel like to be a National Book Award winner, so thank you for letting me find out. And please, publishers: there is nothing more beautiful than the book. The paper, the font, the cloth. Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please never abandon the book. There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book."
- Patti Smith, author of Just Kids, accepting the National Book Award

Book Trailer: Hull Zero Three

Here's a machinima-inspired trailer for Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear.

From what I've read in early reviews, the trailer is inspired by the novel's strong resemblance to many popular first person shooters. The story follows a man who wakes up lost and alone on a ship infested with monstrous creatures. Unlike many games that follow this trope, however, the book is built on the deftly wielded science Bear brings to all of his work.

The trailer was created using the game engine and textures from the Quake 2 World Project, a free, standalone first person shooter video game. Read a three chapters online.

Book Trailer: Hunger Games

A group of fans at a Utah-based production company have created this compelling trailer for Suzanne Collins' popular Hunger Games in anticipation of the upcoming Lions Gate movie based on the book.

It's not your run-of-the-mill fan trailer, though. Director John Lyde has created what could almost be a professional teaser trailer, if only it made less sense and featured more explosions. In any case, it's a must-see for Hunger Game fans.

Cover Art: Minimalist Harry Potter Covers

After years of fans imagining their own versions of the Harry Potter covers, the UK publisher of the series has finally come around. Later this year, Bloomsbury Publishing will re-release the series with new minimalist "signature series" designs for the cover. And yes, this time it's for real.

The art for "Half Blood Prince" is particularly good, though it would work better for a copy of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Word Art: Finally Reading

Source: ImgFav