Jan 30

Mark your calendars, people! American Gods now has a firm release date — what’s described by Harper Collins as a “one-day laydown”: June 19th.

Though I’m not totally down with the book publishing lingo, I’m guessing that means it’ll be a very strict release date, with no early leaks.

Jan 26

One of the biggest questions I get via email is “When is American Gods coming out?” and my answer has always been “I don’t know for sure, but when I do, you’ll see it here.” Well, here’s the news, straight from Neil:

AMERICAN GODS has a firm publication date in the US. It will go on sale in the last week of June. This will be the kind of book release where the copies will go out to stores for a firm release date, so they won’t be trickling out early…

Jan 26

Neil passed this along this good news: “SMOKE AND MIRRORS has been nominated for the Macmillan Silver PEN award — which is pretty cool. As I said on the Well, it’s always an honour to be nominated, but especially when it’s being nominated for a non-genre award.”

Here’s the press release:

MACMILLAN and JAMES STERN SILVER PEN AWARDS
Annual

Administered by:
English Centre of International PEN
7 Dilke Street
London SW3 4JE
Tel: 020 7352 6303

Two awards are made: the Macmillan Silver PEN Award for an outstanding collection of short stories; and the Stern Silver PEN Award for Non-fiction. For both awards the books must be written in the English language by a living author of British nationality or long-term residence, and have been first published in the UK in the calendar year preceding the year in which the awards are presented.

The winners are chosen from nominations made by the Vice Presidents and members of the PEN Executive Committee only – entries are not required.

Prize: £500 and a Dupont pen (short stories); £1,000 and a Dupont pen non-fiction)

Jan 02

Mel, my roommates and I went to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon yesterday and despite hearing how great the film was beforehand (which usually raises my expectations too high) I was blown away. This is easily the best film I’ve seen since American Beauty, with a great cast, exciting script, beautiful visuals and amazing action sequences. Find it near you and see it now!