Frostborn, Day Two

So, one day past Frostborn'sdebut, and the interweebs are booming.

Publishers Weekly, who also gave Frostborn a Starred Review, selected it for one of only eleven PW Picks: Books of the Week, August 4, 2014. They write, "Though a lot of elements are in play, Anders ties the novel’s threads together in a neatly satisfying way, crafting a powerful, fast-paced tale."

io9 selected Frostborn for their list "All the Amazing Must-Read Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Books for August."

I answer questions like what is my Patronus and what my favorite sandwich is on Tor.com's The Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe, go into my story's origins in "On the Conception of a World and Birth of a Giant" on Suvudu, and also on Suvudu, discuss trends in "The Truth about Trends."

I am interviewed by Dave Gross for his Creative Colleagues series, and also at My Bookish Ways.

And there's a contest running on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist.

The wonderful John Freeman reviewed Frostborn for SciFi Pulse, calling it "a terrific debut novel in what I’m sure is going to be a great trilogy, crammed with action and adventure, believable characters you can genuinely care about and some wonderfully funny moments as Karn and Thianna battle all manner of foes, including the undead and a really petulant dragon," and adding, "I’m looking forward to the TV series/ films, the game, the figurines… because I can see them coming!"

Fantasy Literature calls Frostborn, "a sweet middle grade story" and says, "Middle Grade readers are sure to love Frostborn and, as an adult, I liked it, too. It’s an exciting fantasy adventure and I’m looking forward to the next THRONES & BONES novel. I listened to Listening Library’s audio version which is 8½ hours long and narrated by Fabio Tassone, a European actor. He gave a great performance. I’ll definitely choose this format for the sequel."

The Librarian of Snark was very unsnarky when they wrote, "I will definitely be recommending this to my fantasy-loving tweens and I think it will easily find its audience."

Mom Read It says, "I thoroughly enjoyed this book; fans of mythology-based fantasy will, too. Anders is a Hugo Award-winning editor; this is his first book, and kicks off a promising fantasy series that will appeal to boys and girls alike. I love that Karn is a 'gamer' – and so are other characters in the book, which will appeal to gamer boys and girls out there, who try to explain to their disapproving parents that games help sharpen their mental acuity. The characters have rich backgrounds, with the promise of more to be revealed in future books, and Anders’ description of various terrain is so vivid, I could feel the chill of the frozen land of the frost giants. If you’ve got middle graders looking for a fantasy series along the lines of Kelley Armstrong’s Blackwell Pages, this is a great place to steer them. The book hits stores today – go get your copy!"

Frostborn has arrived!

Today, I am a published author.

This has been a very long journey across many years. But today, Random House Children's Books, through their new imprint, Crown Books for Young Readers, has released Frostborn,my debut novel, and the first book in the Thrones and Bones series. Frostborn is a middle grade novel for boys and girls ages 8-12, inspired by Norse mythology and my love of fantasy worlds. There is an amazing website that Random House has built at www.thronesandbones.com as well as the series Facebook page. You can also follow Thrones and Bones news on Twitter @ThronesandBones.

The book has been garnering multiple positive reviews, including a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly, and it currently has a rating of 100% on Goodreads.

For those in and around the Birmingham, Alabama area, they'll be an official reading/signing and launch of the Frostborn tour at the Barnes and Noble at the Summit Shopping Center on Saturday, August 9th, at 4 pm. You can find out about this event here and you can order Frostborn from B&N here.

Knattleiker Training Game

Today the Knattleiker Training Game just debuted on the Thrones and Bones website. Try you hand on computer or mobile and see how you rank at this ancient Norrøngard sport!

Cycling for Cancer

Starting this Saturday, science fiction and fantasy author Joel Shepherd is cycling from Bangor,

Maine, to Washington, DC, a journey of about 800 miles, while raising money for the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). You can find out about the ride here, and you can follow Joel's progress on Facebook and on Twitter @ShepJoel. More importantly, you can sponsor Joel's ride by donating to the Cancer Research Institute here.

Pick of the Week, Pick of the Month!

Two bits of wonderful news today.

First up,  Publishers Weekly has selected Frostbornfor their PW Picks: Books of the Week, August 4, 2014. They say:

Frostborn by Lou Anders (Crown) - In this Norse-flavored adventure, Anders pits a clever boy and a resourceful half-giant girl against numerous enemies and the hazards of the frozen wilderness. Twelve-year-old Karn has no desire to learn the family business of farming; he’s much more interested in playing the strategy board game Thrones and Bones. Thianna’s human ancestry makes her an oddity and object of derision among her full-blooded giant peers. Nevertheless, Karn and Thianna become reluctant allies and friends when trouble threatens: Karn runs afoul of a malevolent undead lord, while Thianna must flee from her human mother’s people, who seek a long-lost artifact. Though a lot of elements are in play, Anders ties the novel’s threads together in a neatly satisfying way, crafting a powerful, fast-paced tale.

And second, Amazon has picked Frostborn as one of only four Best Books of the Month: Ages 9-12 (Middle Grade)!

Meet Thianna

Frostborn: For Future Fans of Tolkien and GRRM

Frostborn: A Perfect Introduction to the Fantasy/Adventure Genre

A wonderful review has appeared today on Read Love. Here's an excerpt from the review.

4.5 of 5 hearts. A Delightful Fantasy That Will Entertain and Inspire. Frostbornlies in a literary sweet spot — the gap between middle grade and young adult. Within its pages, kids aged 10 to 14 will find a perfect introduction to the fantasy/adventure genre, one with just the right mix of humor, suspense, and adventure. Lou Anders’ Norse-influenced work couldn’t be released at a better time. The popularity of Disney’s Frozen should make picking up this book feel natural!

Barnes & Noble Launch Event

Shelf Unbound's Middle Shelf reviews Frostborn!

Shelf Unbound's Middle Shelf  has a fantastic review of Frostborn in their latest issue. I'm especially gratified to see this one because the reviewer is 13 years old.

"Thrones & Bones is a fantastic page-turner that always keeps you on your toes. When I picked up the book for the first time, I couldn’t put it down! This action-packed novel has trolls, undead warriors, frost giants, and so much MORE! Once a year, the farmers and a frost giant village meet at a sacred location to trade and bargain goods for a week. Both Thianna, a half-breed frost giant, and Karn, next in line to inherit the Hauld, arrive to trade for the first time. Then things get wild…Thrones & Bones is one of the best books out there. There is so much detail and action. One moment you are being hunted by wolves, and the next, two headed trolls! The adventure of Thianna and Karn is something you don’t want to miss!" - Teak Balena, Teak Recommends, Shelf Unbound’s Middle Shelf  (July/August 2014 issue)

The Thrones and Bones website

The Thrones and Bones website entered Phase 2 this past weekend, expanding from the single page placeholder to include pages for the book, the author (ahem), maps by Robert Lazzaretti (of D&D and Pathfinder fame), a character page with web-exclusive art by Andrew Bosley, and a Teacher's Guide. More content will appear before the August 5th debut of Frostborn, but check it out now!

Frostborn: My Book Be Real!

This morning, the FedEx truck brought me one of the most exciting moments of my life to date. An early copy of Frostborn (Thrones and Bones) (sent in advance of the case that will follow). The book comes out August 5th, so the rest of you will have wait. Meanwhile, I am trying very very hard to contain my excitement. And, um, failing.




Gorgeous art by Justin Gerard. Design by Ken Crossland.

2014 Chesley Award Nominations

ASFA, the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists, has released the 2014 Chesley Award nominations. I am very honored to be up once again for Best Art Director (my 7th nomination in this category and my 20th award nomination overall to date). I'm equally thrilled that four covers I art directed - by the amazingly talented Jason Chan, Kerem Beyit, Justin Gerard, and Dehong He are up for nominations as well!

2014 Chesley Award for Best Art Director, nominee: Lou Anders

2014 Chesley Award for Best Cover Illustration, Hardcover, noninee: Jason Chan, Lost Covenant: A Widdershins Adventure



2014 Chesley Award for Best Cover Illustration, Paperback, nominee: Kerem Beyit, The Scroll of Years: A Gaunt and Bone Novel


2014 Chesley Award for Best Cover Illustration, Paperback, nominee: Justin Gerard, Power Under Pressure (The Society of Steam)


2014 Chesley Award for Best Cover Illustration, Paperback, nominee: Dehong He, Shield of Sea and Space (The Chaos Knight)


Congratulations to all the nominees and Happy 4th to those who celebrate it!

Frostborn on Tour

Some dates for the Frostborn Tour. Yes, the Frostborn Tour.

Saturday August 09, 2014 4:00 PM
The Official Launch: Barnes and Noble Reading/Signing
 Barnes and Noble @ The Summit Birmingham
Summit Shopping Center, 201 Summit Boulevard Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35243
205-298-0665

Thursday August 29 - Monday September 1, 2014
DragonCon
Atlanta, Georgia
Panel Appearances and Signing at The Missing Volume
Exact date and time of signing TBD

Wednesday September 03, 2014 5:30 PM
Barnes and Noble Reading/Signing
Crossroads Commons
2999 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80301
303-444-0349

Thursday September 4th, 2014 (time to come)
Old Firehouse Books
232 Walnut St.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-484-7898
*school visits and evening signing

Friday September 5th
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClinktock Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85283
480-730-0205
*school visits only

Saturday September 6th (time to come)
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClinktock Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85283
480-730-0205

*daytime event with the Changing Hands Kids Book Club (and general public)

Wednesday Sept. 10th, 4:00 PM
Page & Palette

32 S. Section St.
Fairhope, AL 36532
251-928-5295
*school visits and in-store signing

Thursday Sept. 11th, 6:00 PM
Little Professor Book Center
2717 18th St. S.
Homewood, AL 35209
205-870-7461
*school visit, local library visit and in-store signing at 6PM

Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 6:30 PM-8PM
Young Authors Program
Vickery Creek Middle School 
6240 Post Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Event and location details forthcoming. Time subject to change.
Open to any student in Forsyth County and their families.

Thursday, September 18, 2014 7:00 PM
Books-a-Million
757 Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL 35209

Phone:(205) 870-0213

Tuesday, September 23, 2014 4:00 PM
Avid Bookshop
493 Prince Ave

Athens, GA 30601
Phone:(706) 352-2060

*school visit and in-store signing

Saturday, September 27, 2014
Tweens Read Book Festival
South Houston High School
3820 Shaver St, South Houston, TX 77587
713-740-0350

Saturday, October 12, 2014
wik'14: Writing & Illustrating for Kids*
Spain Park High School (Birmingham)
4700 Jaguar Drive
Hoover, AL 35242
* Not a Frostborn-specific event. I am teaching a two part lecture "ScripTips: Hollywood Screenwriting Techniques from 10am-11:45am, but I will happily sign books.

Friday-Sunday, November 14-16, 2014
Windycon 41*
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 60148
630-719-8000

*Not a Frostborn-specific event. I'm Editor Guest of Honor, but will happily sign books.

Additional dates in other cities are being added. I'll update this list as they are confirmed.

Frostborn: School Library Journal review

School Library Journal just weighed in on Frostborn (Thrones and Bones).

I'm very excited.

ANDERS, Lou. Frostborn. illus. by Justin Gerard. 320p. (Thrones and Bones: Bk. 1). Crown. Aug. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780385387781.

Gr 5-8–Karn would rather be playing his beloved board game, “thrones and bones,” than learning to become hauld of his father’s farm, which has been passed down many generations. He meets Thianna, a half-giant, half-human girl who longs to fit in with the club-wielding frost giants, the only community she’s ever known. When a tragedy reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Hamlet occurs, the two pair up in order to survive. They soon realize the danger that they’re in and that they need each other’s unique skills to survive. Aside from the sometimes difficult-to-decipher Norse names, the language is quite easy to understand and that, coupled with the shorter-than-your-average-fantasy length, makes this an excellent choice for readers new to the genre. The themes of staying true to oneself, teamwork, and individuality will resonate with readers. Fans of Matthew Kirby’s Icefall (Scholastic, 2011) who bemoaned the lack of magic in that book will enjoy this new series. A good addition to a fantasy collection with potential for future entries.–Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library

First Review of Frostborn!

The first review of Frostborn (Thrones and Bones).
The review is from Kirkus and I couldn't be happier.

KIRKUS REVIEW

An obsessive gamer and a sassy half-giant affirm that power lies in being underestimated.

As the heir apparent to a powerful farm in Norrøngard (think a fictional Norway), 12-year-old Karn is expected to comprehend bartering techniques (six ewes + six lambs = one cow). His predilection for Thrones and Bones (a traditional Norrønir board game) and disdain for a bucolic existence don’t invite any confidence from his father. Thianna is a 12-year-old half-giant and half-human (by way of her deceased mother). At 7 feet tall, she’s considered diminutive by giant standards and would “cut her human half out in an instant if she could.” When their fathers meet for several days of trading goods, Thianna and Karn strike up an unexpected friendship. Their need for an alliance is accelerated when nemeses from Thianna’s mother’s past surface, and Karn’s life is designated an obstacle by his Machiavellian uncle. Enter: wyverns, a seemingly silent horn, undead assailants, flatulent trolls and one massive dragon. A merging of comedy, action and suspense maintains a promising pace. As present as the lurking danger are two important messages: Focus your energy toward accentuating your strengths rather than regretting weaknesses, and always stand downwind from a troll.

Future fans of Tolkien and George R.R. Martin can happily cut their serial-fantasy teeth on this first book of an eventual series. (map, illustrated guide to the Thrones and Bones game) (Fantasy. 10-14)

That last line especially, huh?
Meanwhile, keep watching www.thronesandbones.com for developments. And any activity on the Goodreads page is always appreciated.

Big Week for Thrones and Bones

This is a big week for my novel Frostborn (Thrones and Bones book one). First, yesterday I did my first ever school visit in support of the book. I regularly speak at conventions, writing workshops, colleges, and libraries throughout the year, but this was the first time I've ever spoken about my forthcoming book to the age range its intended for!

Second, today in Los Angeles, the marvelous Fabio Tassone begins recording the audiobook narration!

The team building the Thrones and Bones website also took a very exciting step this week.

And finally an arc mailing went out last week, which should be arriving in folk's hands this week.

(There's one bit of news that I have to sit on for a few more days, but which also breaks later this week.)

BEA and AST

I came home this evening to two pieces of very good news.

One, my novel Frostborn (Thrones and Bones book one) has made Publishers Weekly's BEA 2014: Children's Galleys to Grab list. They do get the title wrong, but the rest is on point: "Firstborn by debut novelist Lou Anders, a middle-grade tale of trolls, giants, and dragons."

And second, Russian language rights to Frostborn have been sold to AST, one of the largest publishers in Russia.

10 Years

April 12, 2004.

That was my first official day at work as Editorial Director for Prometheus Books's brand new science fiction and fantasy imprint Pyr.

It's been ten years today.

We're closing in on our 200th book.

What a privilege it has been! 7 consecutive nominations for the Best Editor Hugo. 6 nominations for the Best Art Director Chesley. One win in each of those categories.

And the joy of working with the most talented writers and artists in the world, many of whom are dear friends now.

Ten years today.

I don't know that I ever imagined we'd get there.

Or maybe I always knew.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible. It's been an honor.

I wonder what the next ten years has in store.

Frostborn Audiobook Narrator

I am very happy to announce that the wonderful Fabio Tassone will be narrating the audiobook of my forthcoming novel, Frostborn (Thrones and Bones). Fabio, who appeared as the Duke of Nájera in The Tudors, is fluent in four languages and can do a very wide range of accents and character voices brilliantly. 

To date, I've had two conversations with my audiobook producer and one with my audiobook director, and I am just over the moon (and utterly convinced that Frostborn is being handled by three very capable pairs of hands). I'm so excited to see the results.

Frostborn will be released from Random House's Crown Books for Young Readers on August 5, 2014 in hardcover, ebook, audio download, and audio CD.  

More information at http://www.thronesandbones.com/ (currently pointing to the book page at Random House Kids but a dedicated website is forthcoming). Also, please check out the Frostborn page at Goodreads.