SFX's Summer of SF Reading

SFX's Summer of SF Reading kicked off last night with an event at Waterstone's in Piccadilly and I went along to rub shoulders with the likes of China Mieville, Dan Abnett and Sir Terry Pratchett himself (although I didn't get to speak to him as he was off for some supper by the time I got over to his side of the room).

It was a great evening, the focus of which was a panel of authors, chaired by SFX editor Dave Bradley, discussing the question "Millions of people watch SF on TV and at the cinema - why don’t more people read SF books too?”


After all that was said and done it seemed to me that millions of people don't watch SF on TV and at the cinema. Most of the time what they're watching is in fact fantasy, or other genres dressed up in a SF costume. Doctor Who is not science fiction - it's fantasy. Likewise Star Trek, Iron Man (and all his ilk), Avatar and Star Wars. They're all fantasy franchises really. Same is true of my own Pax Britannia books.

Anyway, I had a great time catching up with mighty Dan Abnett, Nik Vincent-Abnett and Graham McNeill, Dave Bradley and I discovered we have a mutual love of the humour (and fanboy references) in Iron Man 2, and I also caught up with the inestimable Jenni Hill from Abaddon Books (and her very tall fella Mike).

I also had the pleasure of meeting a genuine fan, one Joe Kelly, who remembers Spellbreaker from the first time round and loves my first novel The Dead and the Damned. (Made me quite nostalgic for Badenov's Band, as it happened.) He, Graham and I also spent some time discussing the ready made critical audience there is for Warhammer and 40K books.

When all's said and done, it was a great evening with much SF-related banter and a fair few gags too (and I loved China Mieville's description of what a science fiction movie is), so thanks SFX and thanks Waterstone's - perhaps we can do it again some time.

We have a winner!

It's been a couple of weeks since my sister-in-law ran the London Marathon in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, but I finally caught up with her on Friday. We put all the names of those people who so generously entered the competition I ran recently to win a walk on part in Dark Side into a metaphorical hat and she picked a winner.

But before I announce who it is on behalf of myself and my sister-in-law I would just like to say how delighted and overwhelmed we were by the Pax Britannia fans' generosity. The competition raised over £130 for the D.A.A.T. which was incredible, so thanks must go to all those who entered.

But, back to the business in hand. The winner of the Dark Side competition is...

Jared Shurin

So watch this space to find out how Jared will finally be immortalised in print later in the year.

Oh, and in case you're interested, my sister-in-law completed the Marathon in 4 hrs 20 mins.

Subscribe to SFX Magazine and get four (yes, four) Pax Britannia novels free!

I was flicking through the latest copy of SFX magazine the other day, when I came across this...


Apparently, if you subscribe to SFX now you'll get the first four Pax Britannia novels free. Which is nice.

So, if you want to catch up on Ulysses L Quicksilver's adventures before the imminent release of Blood Royal, now would appear to be the perfect time.

Mark Harrison - cover artist

It's been a while since I posted a piece focused on a particular artist, so I'm making up for that fact now with this post about Mark Harrison.

I first came across Mark's work through legendary British comic 2000AD. He's illustrated everything from Durham Red to Pulp Sci-Fi but I particularly remember his visceral art for Gordon Rennie's Glimmer Rats.

However, roughly eight years after Glimmer Rats I found myself working with Mark myself. He realised the cover for Unnatural History - featuring a duel atop a steam train and a T-Rex with St Paul's Cathedral in the background - and since then has produced every Pax Britannia novel cover (including Al Ewing's El Sombra and the forthcoming Gods of Manhattan).

You can visit Mark's own website here, and see his other novel covers, alongside his comic artwork and concept paintings for computer games.

Meanwhile, here are his six Ulysses Quicksilver Pax Britannia novels to date in their full gruesome glory.

Enjoy...

Unnatural History

Leviathan Rising

Human Nature

Evolution Expects

Blood Royal

Dark Side

Win! Win! Win!

Just another reminder that I'm currently running a competition to Win a walk on part in Dark Side the next Ulysses Quicksilver Pax Britannia novel. It's in support of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and you've got until next Sunday to enter.

So far, those people who have already entered have raised a fantastic £77. But wouldn't it be great if we could make the Pax Britannia contributions top £100?

Come on, you know you want to have your name immortalised in print! I mean, who wouldn't?

If you haven't entered the competition yet, don't be put off - any donation will do, no matter how small. After all, it is for charity. Just remember to tag your donation with the comment 'Jon Green sent me' to qualify.

To find out how to enter, click here.

Good luck and (if you've already entered) thank you.

Dr. Johann von Lithos

Like these?


Then you're bound to love Dr. Johann von Lithos' steampunk-flavoured site which has everything from a film trailer for authentic version of H G Wells' War of the Worlds through Steampunk Faeries to milliner's plans for you to make your own top hat!

Enjoy...

The 20 Most Recommended Steampunk Novels (apparently)

Although I can't help noticing that the Pax Britannia books are notable by their absence from this list.

Of those that have made it, I've read a fair few - most recently Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan. And Tim Powers' The Anubis Gates is simply sublime.