Many lovely books from Gollancz Publishing



This is a Worldbuilders blog.




Well folks, the fundraiser’s been going for just a little more than 10 days, and we’ve already hit 25,000 dollars. I think that means that we are awesome.

Well… almost. We’re just a couple bucks short, but I’m calling it 25,000. Because that gives me an excuse to post up a celebratory blog full of more donated books.

Gollancz is my UK publisher. It is there, in ye olde London, where Gillian, my lovely UK editor, works.

When I was setting up this year’s fundraiser, I dropped Gillian a line to see if they might be interested in donating a few books to a good cause. I’m pretty midwestern about these things: I never want to come across as pushy. “Just if you want to.” I said. “No pressure. A couple books would be great. Whatever you have laying around the office…”

So imagine my delight and amazement when Gillian starts shipping over boxes and boxes of books, over 150 total. I so owe her a footrub.

Let’s list them off, shall we?

  • Five sets of the first eight books by Charlaine Harris: Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead, All Together Dead, From Dead to Worse and Dead and Gone.


Booklist says that “Charlaine Harris is a superstar in the paranormal fantasy field- Just the right mixture of humour, intrigue, and excitement.”

How’s that for cool. These books don’t just have humor, they have humour. Which is way better. Because it’s Brittish.

I’ve actually read the first four of this series and was pleasantly surprised. They’re a nice change from the dark, gothic drama of some of the urban fantasy out there. And now, thanks to Gollancz, you can own the whole set.

  • Five hardcover first editions of the collection of short stories of Charlaine Harris‘ heroine Sookie Stackhouse in A Touch of Dead.


This is a nice hardcover collection, and while I haven’t read it personally, Bookpage says, “It’s impossible not to love the wry, sexy Sookie, surely one of the most winning heroines to guide us through the dark side in a long time – maybe ever!”

  • Five copies of the Commemorative Edition of the Necronomicon: The Best Weird Tales of H.P. Lovecraft.

(Ia! Ia! Ia!)

This is a gorgeous book. If you’ve never read Lovecraft, you really should. He’s one of the cornerstones of modern fantasy and horror, and his stories still pack a punch.

Don’t believe me? Well, maybe you’ll trust Steven King when he says, “Lovecraft opened the way for me, as he had done for others before me.”

Still not convinced? How bout this quote blurb from Neil Gaiman:

“H.P. Lovecraft built the stage on which most of the last century’s horror fiction was performed. As doomed as any of his protagonists, he put a worldview into words that has spread to infect the world. You need to read him-he’s where the darkness starts.”

Man, Gaiman’s way better at this than me. I’m all, “Cornerstone of fantasy… blah blah blah.” But that up there is a serious quote. I suck at blurbing.

  • Five copies of The Centenary Edition of The Complete Chronicles of Conan by Robert E. Howard.


Back before Conan the Barbarian was govenor of California, he was a character written by Robert E. Howard. Collected here, in the chronological order they were first published, are the definitive stories of Conan, exactly as Howard wrote them.

This is another one of those books that made me wish I wasn’t a moral person. If I wasn’t a moral person, you see, I could just take one of these for myself and nobody would ever know the difference.

Brain Williamson says, “The energy of the writing practically thrums off the page and often the sense of tension and unease invoked is genuinely unsettling. Read it, then use the weighty tome to smite your enemies, drive them before you and hear the lamentation of their women!”


Jacqueline Carey is bringing sexy back to epic fantasy.

Want to read the best plot synopsis ever? Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly has to say about this book, “The seventh installment in Carey’s bestselling Kushiel series follows its youthful protagonist, Moirim, from bed to bed as she worships sexuality goddess Naamah.”

There’s more of course. But would you really bother reading it? Don’t you already know enough to want this book?

  • Six ARC and five hardcover copies of The Cardinal’s Blades by Pierre Pevel.


It’s rare that a book gets translated from French into English. So you should probably sit up and take notice when it happens.

The Cardinal’s Blades is part historical novel, part old-fashioned swashbuckling high-action adventure, and part classic fantasy. Award winning novelist Pierre Pevel has woven some of the best-loved fantasy tropes – musketeer-style adventuring, daring swordsmen, political intrigue, non-stop action and dragons – into a stunning new fantasy series set during the reign of Louis XIII.


I’ve heard this book described as, “an entire season of Firefly all in one book.” Honestly, you don’t get higher praise than that.

“Retribution Falls picks you up, whisks you swiftly and entertainingly along, and sets you down with a big smile on your face.” – Joe Abercrombie

  • Five copies of The Stranger by Max Frei.


Kirkus reviews says, “If Harry Potter smoked cigarettes and took a certain matter-of-fact pleasure in administering touch justice, he might like Max Frei.”


Kirkus gives Fire a starred review, and says that Cashore’s book is “Fresh, hopeful, tragic and glorious.”

  • Four copies of the ARC of Horns by Joe Hill.


Since he’s Stephen King’s son, Joe Hill must have absorbed some of his dad’s mojo. Publishers Weekly calls him, “One of the most confident and assured new voices in horror and dark fantasy.”


First off, Retromancer is a cool title. Second off, I have never, ever seen a book that color before. Then I hear this book has, “beautiful spies, advanced alien technology, killer robots, death rays, and a battle with an ancient god.”

It sort of makes me wonder if my own books might be a little boring, honestly.


According to Daily Mail, “Those who like their sci-fi on an epic scale will be impressed by Reynolds’ hugely imaginative, sprawling space adventure. Magnificent stuff.”

  • Five sets of Alastair Reynolds‘ books: Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap, Chasm City, Century Rain, Pushing Ice, The Prefect, House of Suns, Galactic North and Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days.


This is a hefty stack of books. We’ve got five sets of all ten books. Yet another collection I’d love to keep for my own shelf.

According to The London times, “Reynolds’s narrative is truly breathtaking in scope and intricate in detail, making him a mastersinger of the space opera.”

And Publishers Weekly says, “It’s rare to find a writer with sufficient nerve and stamina to write novels that are big enough to justify using words like ‘revelation’ and ‘redemption.’ Reynolds pulls it off.”

Remember folks, for every 10 dollars you donate to Heifer International you get a chance to win these books and hundreds of others. So why not head over to my page at Team Heifer and chip in?

Or, if you want to go back to main page for the Worldbuilders fundraiser, you can click HERE.

As always, with special thanks to our sponsor, Subterranean Press.

(I just noticed that little face in the “S” up there. Creepy…)
This entry was posted in Subterranean Press, Worldbuilders 2009By Pat25 Responses

25 Comments

  1. franti
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:28 PM | Permalink

    damn youuuuuuuu now I have to donate. You have class, Pat Rothfuss, I’ll give you that.

  2. Shavron
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:31 PM | Permalink

    Holy crap! Joe Hill has a new book coming out? Cool.

  3. Carolyn
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:33 PM | Permalink

    does the $25,000 include the matched donations from you? or is that from everyone else?

  4. Tom
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:36 PM | Permalink

    I believe Patrick Rothfuss has a personal vendetta against me, why else does he keep distracting me from doing any work?

    Great news on Reynolds books though, wish I didn’t have them all already… Though it is a shame he doesn’t have a better blurb writer than the xenophobic Daily Mail. Still maybe it’s appropriate since some of his aliens really ARE out to destroy humanity (and steal our jobs).

  5. Matt Lyons
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:39 PM | Permalink

    Wows. So before I go to the bookstore to buy the book I just read described as a season of Firefly (Retribution Falls), I thought I’d let you know how great this lineup is.

    I think my wife would kill for the ARC of Jacqueline Carey’s next Kushiel book and I’ve wanted to read Joe Hill’s Horns since first reading the synopsis. Damn original and cool stuff.

    Having spent the last few days reading through most of the previous blog postings, I have to ask Mr. Rothfuss…can you do no wrong? Serenity and Labyrinth listed as favorite movies? Props to Joe Abercrombie and David Anthony Durham? Posts about Jonathon Coulton and Joss Whedon? You are some kind of awesome.

    Cant wait till after Christmas to see how many times my bank account will let me donate to get my name in this increasingly awesome hat.

  6. Luhaine
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM | Permalink

    Blog post validation complete :)

  7. James
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 11:28 PM | Permalink

    Hrm, I always thought that it was a dragon/fantastical creature, I never looked at it as a face, now that you’ve said it, I can’t stop looking at that tongue as something obscene instead of natural.

  8. yuka_asakura
    Posted December 10, 2009 at 11:30 PM | Permalink

    Hi! My name is Rocío Pérez Ramírez and I’m from Mexico. I was searching info about your second book when I found your blog. I haven’t read all your posts, but I’ve read enough to know that your very busy and probably I’m just waisting your time; but when I saw that I had a chance to leave you a comment I just couldn’t resist.

    Anyway, I read The Name of the Wind in August; now it’s my favourite. I know that The Wise Man’s Fear isn’t ready yet, but I can’t wait to read it. I’d like to say “If there’s anything I can do to help you, I’ll do it” but I doubt it OTL, so I just wanted to say that it doesn’t matter how long you take to finish the second and third book, we’ll STILL BE HERE MWAJAJAJA (sorry).

    I think that’s all for now and I have to go so good bye. Good luck and take care!
    By the way, sorry for my terrible english.

    P.S: The face is not that creepy, it’s just… a little weird (ja!)
    P.S.2: My favourite character is Elodin (besides Kvothe fo course) and when Kvothe where describing him i imagine him like Zangetsu from Bleach jajajaja I don’t know why! sorry! (if you dont know whoi he is, search it in Google image)

  9. Chad
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 12:21 AM | Permalink

    Cool ominous shadows on some of the books.

  10. Ethan
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 12:53 AM | Permalink

    Well, you got me.
    There’s some piggies for the kids.
    :)

  11. Carolyn
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 1:06 AM | Permalink

    can you donate a cow or chicken instead of money?

  12. Luke
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 1:10 AM | Permalink

    @yuka_asakura great english and the only thing is replacing your J in jajaja to H for hahaha. I know that the J in spanish is our H sound in english. Other than that awesome.

    OK to the point.

    *mouth watering*

    i wants it! haha I’ll be donating and crossing my fingers. Either way i will be getting my hands on some of the books you have listed in your blogs. Can i say this is great incentive for all of us and I’d just like to thank enveryone who has helped out and donated to this event. I know the power of a donation. If it wasn’t for donations i wouldn’t have been able to get my eagle project done.

  13. mote
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 4:36 AM | Permalink

    oh wow. I was doing all right keeping the covetuousness reined in until you got to the ARCs of Namaah’s Kiss. It would be a shiny, beautiful, uncommon thing, to own one of those….

    I donated last week, and I’m so glad I did.

  14. Anonymous
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 9:03 AM | Permalink

    The reason you may suck at blurbing, Pat, is that you try to be funny all the time. Not that you aren’t – hell, you’re hilarious when you want to be – but I believe you can be a lot more serious if you only try.

  15. Katie
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM | Permalink

    My favorite part about the Worldbuilders blogs is the number of recommendations I’m getting for my to-read list. Some of these books look so awesome, I’m going to buy them (or at least check them out of the library) anyway, before January 15! Thanks!

  16. Kenny
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM | Permalink

    Ok! You finally twisted my arm, the wallet has been prised open!

    And just seen that the total has jumped up over $1500 in less than a day; am beginning to think the next charity event will be to find you a sofa to sleep on! lol

    Great work & you do keep me chuckling, perfect antidote to work!! Thank you very much!

    ps. Any chance of an advance copy of a Wise Mans Fear ending up in the draw? ;p

  17. Darb07
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 1:55 PM | Permalink

    I would have thought comparing something as equal to the awsome that is firefly a blasphemy . . then I saw pat didn’t object. That alone has me completely excited to get my hands on that book :) (I just watched the entire season and movie . . it hurts so bad when it’s over but you just can’t stay away from the greatness!!) =.\

  18. Jennifer
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 4:15 PM | Permalink

    Alright, that’s it. I’m just not going to feed my husband for a week or so so I can buy some chickens.

    Oh, and here’s an endorsement for one of those new prize books. Fire was a really excellent book. Don’t let the fact that here in the US that Fire, and the first book in the series, Graceling,is sold out of the young adult section put anyone off reading it. Personally, I think it’s only there because the main characters in each book are teenage girls. It is not just a kid’s book. So, all you people out there looking for a new person, to read, go get the Cashmore books.

  19. Amanda
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM | Permalink

    I wish my financial aid were coming sooner so that I could donate more >.<

  20. LaurafromNY
    Posted December 11, 2009 at 6:44 PM | Permalink

    Those books look awesome! especially the one where you barely wrote anything before the picture…dragon and sword…ooh!

    Soooo….

    Mr. Fussy, (^-^), did you find out if there’ll be a second printing of your faerie tale?!

    Also, someone had asked if it’ll be available in stores later on…would you know the answer to this too?

    Thank you in advance for a reply!

  21. Alicia
    Posted December 12, 2009 at 7:52 PM | Permalink

    That’s a fab list o’ books and the only one hubby and I have read is retribution falls. Seriously – the Firefly reference is accurate. It’s a brilliant story.

  22. Anonymous
    Posted December 12, 2009 at 10:53 PM | Permalink

    Nice floors :)
    I like wood floors

  23. Anonymous
    Posted December 13, 2009 at 12:34 AM | Permalink

    I assume that when you wrote “Brian” Williamson under “Conan” you meant Brian?

  24. Vincent
    Posted December 13, 2009 at 3:23 PM | Permalink

    Congrats on hitting the $30.000!!

  25. Anonymous
    Posted December 16, 2009 at 7:51 PM | Permalink

    There are 9 books by Charlaine Harris so it’s even better than the write up says :-)
    These books look fantastic, I may need to donate again…

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