Pipeline: October 2010

This regular feature of Salon Futura highlights a number of significant book releases (and occasionally items in other media as well) in the month the issue is published. The selections will be made by Salon Futura contributors and staff, and occasionally by our podcast guests and interviewees.

Passion Play, Beth Bernobich (Tor Books) [Purchase] — I got to read this in manuscript, and was very impressed. Innovative secondary world fantasy with some of the same lateral flavor as Daniel Abraham’s work, a combination of familiar and rewarding. Very internal view of a troubled young woman’s struggles. I’m excited to see the book coming out. — Jay Lake

I Shall Wear Midnight, Sir Terry Pratchett (HarperCollins) [Purchase] — This one goes without saying. I paid quite a bit of money for a copy in Australia this past month, and have already read it twice. The fourth Tiffany Aching book, within the Discworld milieu, and a damned fine example of why YA is for everyone. — Jay Lake

Diving Mimes, Weeping Czars, and Other Unusual Suspects, Ken Scholes (Fairwood Press) [Purchase] — The new short fiction collection from one of my best friends and favorite writers. Ken’s gentle humanism contrasts with his stark worldview amid a bevy of lush prose. Very much worth your time. — Jay Lake

I’ve read one of Ken Scholes’ novels (Lamentation, first in a five book cycle), but I’ve also enjoyed him at the shorter lengths. This should be a strong collection. — Karen Burnham

Some interesting combinations in October, the highlight of which for me is Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles (Michael Moorcock, BBC Books) [Purchase], in which “reality is collapsing, ships are disappearing, and Captain Cornelius and his pirates are looking for easy pickings.” Doctor Who meets Jerry Cornelius — brilliant! — Colin Harvey

Almost as intriguing is Kim Newman, who has quite a track record of reworking of historical figures. Chris Roberson’s MonkeyBrain Books are issuing Mysteries of the Diogenes Club [Purchase] the second volume in a series featuring agents who “solve crimes too strange for Britain’s police.” — Colin Harvey

The latest collection of stories of the secret branch of the British intelligence service investigating occult and paranormal activity, should be fun. Contrast Newman’s take with Charlie Stross’ Laundry stories. — Kevin Standlee

I’ve known Kim since we were at school so I confess to a certain degree of bias here, but I think he’s a wonderful writer and I always enjoy discovering what fabulous Easter Eggs he has dropped into his fiction this time. Kudos to MoneyBrain for keeping him in print. — Cheryl Morgan

Moving upmarket, self-explanatory is 80! Memories & Reflections on Ursula K. Le Guin (Aqueduct Press) [Purchase], put together by Debbie Notkin and Karen Joy Fowler. — Colin Harvey

What he said. — Cheryl Morgan

Schoolgirl Milky Crisis, Johnathan Clements (Titan Books) [Purchase] has been out in paper form for a while now but has just been released for the Kindle. This collection of Clements’ articles and interviews about the anime and manga industry makes for an entertaining read for anyone interested in the field who also wants a realistic view of what it’s like to work in the industry. — Kevin Standlee

All Clear Connie Willis (Ballantine Spectra) [Purchase] — Willis has been very clear that in her view Blackout [Purchase] and All Clear form a single novel. I’ve been waiting for the second volume to come out before starting on the first — and now I can! I’ve enjoyed Willis before, and count Doomsday Book as one of my all-time favorites. I suspect that I will enjoy this duology/novel immensely. — Karen Burnham

Connie has an excellent track record in the Hugos, and people are already talking of this pair of books as a potential nominee for next year. I’m very relieved that they with both appear in the same year. — Cheryl Morgan

The Silent Land, Graham Joyce (Gollancz) [Purchase] — Joyce is a superb writer of innovative and disturbing fantasies. This one is about a couple who survive an avalanche in the alps only to discover that the world has changed while they have been stuck in the snow. — Cheryl Morgan

Dreadnought, Cherie Priest (Tor) [Purchase] — All of those people who loved Boneshaker will have been eagerly waiting for more. This new novel is set in the same world. More mad steampunk technology, more tough heroines, going to sell very well. — Cheryl Morgan

Birdbrain, Johanna Sinisalo (Peter Owen) [Purchase] — Yes, there’s a new novel due out in translation from this fine Finnish writer. As you may recall, the last one won the Tiptree. This one is about a young Finnish couple on a hiking trip. “The trip gradually turns into a tortuous thriller with belongings disappearing and, even more mysteriously, reappearing. Birdbrain reveals the dark side of the explorer’s desire: the insatiable need to control, to invade and leave one’s mark on the landscape. But what happens when nature starts to fight back?” There are no monsters or aliens, but there are large, intelligent parrots. Johanna tells me it is “slipstreamy”. Can’t wait. — Cheryl Morgan

And finally…

Surface Detail, Iain M. Banks (Little, Brown) [Purchase] — The Culture is back. You have been warned. — Cheryl Morgan