Reader Art and Queen Victoria's Book of Spells' STARRED Reviews!

You know what I love? When readers are inspired by my books or stories and make art. There is no finer compliment in the world. It makes my heart soar and validates why I do what I do. It brings my beloved characters to life in a whole new way. Take a look at this particular beauty from artist Nancy Lee. Here's a take on Miss Percy Parker from the Strangely Beautiful saga (which remains currently out of print but I promise I'll have updates on that front soon). In the meantime, enjoy Miss Parker:

And enjoy this good news:

QUEEN VICTORIA'S BOOK OF SPELLS: An Anthology of Gaslamp Fantasy (Tor 3/13), the upcoming anthology features my short story "Charged" that stars an Eterna Files character, received a STARRED REVIEW in both Publishers' Weekly AND in Kirkus Reviews! I am so honoured to be in this anthology with such great writers I've admired for years. So thrilling! Here's the full text of the Kirkus review:

QUEEN VICTORIA ' S BOOK OF SPELLS [STARRED REVIEW!] - KIRKUS REVIEWS
Editor: Ellen Datlow
Editor: Terri Windling

Eighteen tales of Gaslamp Fantasy, that is, historical fantasy set in an alternate 19th century where magic worked or supernatural events occurred, together with an extensive and informative introduction from editor Windling tracing historical roots and adding context. A majority of the tales here use historical events or biography as their foundation. Delia Sherman, then, portrays Queen Victoria as a highly effective wizard. Genevieve Valentine probes a highly unsavory aspect of London ’s 1851 Great Exhibition. Elizabeth Wein spins a tale of writer-designer William Morris and artist Edward Burne-Jones. Kaaron Warren writes movingly of a house where unwanted women are confined and how they gain revenge. Dale Bailey takes an actual case of spiritualism and fakery and demonstrates how it is not always clear which is which. Veronica Schanoes strikes sparks both real and figurative in her account of the unionization of the all-female workforce at a lucifer-match factory. And Jane Yolen reimagines the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and Queen Victoria. Other tales take their inspiration from Victorian literature. Catherynne M. Valente, for instance, revisits the fantasies of the Brontë children. Tanith Lee offers a steampunk variant on the Frankenstein’s Monster theme. In Gregory Maguire’s continuation of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge marries and has children, and Tiny Tim’s life takes an unexpected turn. And Theodora Goss offers up an existential literary-games scenario à la Jasper Fforde. Elsewhere (via Jeffrey Ford, Ellen Kushner and Caroline Stevermer , Maureen McHugh, Kathe Koja, Elizabeth Bear, James P. Blaylock and Leanna Renee Hieber), the fiction is purer, the surprises no less welcome. Splendid tales that illuminate a bygone era’s darker corners. - Kirkus

You can pre-order a Hardcover copy at a pre-order sale price, or a paperback copy at a pre-order sale price, or pre-order the book to your Nook or Kindle! Barnes & Noble is linked here, and Amazon here.

 

COVER REVEAL: QUEEN VICTORIA'S BOOK OF SPELLS

I am thrilled to present this gorgeous cover with art by Allen Williams for QUEEN VICTORIA'S BOOK OF SPELLS: An Anthology of Gaslamp Fantasy in which my short story about a human electrical abberation, "Charged", will appear. (3/13 from Tor Books)

Table of Contents:

“The Fairy Enterprise” by Jeffrey Ford

“From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvelous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire)” by Genevieve Valentine

“The Memory Book” by Maureen McHugh

“Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells” by Delia Sherman

“La Reine D’Enfer” by Kathe Koja

“Briar Rose” by Elizabeth Wein

“The Governess” by Elizabeth Bear

“Smithfield” by James P. Blaylock

“The Unwanted Women of Surrey” by Kaaron Warren

“Charged” by Leanna Renee Hieber

“Mr. Splitfoot” by Dale Bailey

“Phosphorus” by Veronica Schanoes

“We Without Us Were Shadows” by Catherynne M. Valente

“The Vital Importance of the Superficial” by Ellen Kushner and Caroline Stevermer

“The Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown” by Jane Yolen

“A Few Twigs He Left Behind” by Gregory Maguire

“Their Monstrous Minds” by Tanith Lee

“Estella Saves the Village” by Theodora Goss

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells will be released from Tor simultaneously in both hardcover and trade paperback March 2013. Here's the art without the text. I'm in love with it. Kudos Mr. Williams!

So many exciting releases coming up this fall and next year! I'll be re-releasing the Strangely Beautiful saga this summer and fall, my next new release is my short story "At Will" which headlines the beautiful anthology WILLFUL IMPROPRIETY: 13 Tales of Society, Scandal and Romance (Sept. 4th, Running Press in the US and Constable & Robinson in the UK), then of course the sequel to my Daphne du Maurier Award nominated DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul arrives this November: THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART (Sourcebooks). In addition to looking forward to this exciting anthology with so many names I adore and admire, I expect to have another announcement to share very soon concerning even more things to look forward to in 2013, so stay tuned. :)

Cheers and happy haunting!!!