Shadows of the Apt

And here we go again, following on from Empire in Black and Gold and the rest of the first plot arc, and finishing with a special sneak preview. The Scarab Path Jodry Drillen — Phil Avery(1), Accius/Malius (the Vekken) — Lance Reddick, Berjek Gripshod — Giancarlo Esposito Praeda Rakespear — Freema Agyeman, Hrathen — Danny Trejo, […]

And we're on with the rest of the books — thanks again to everyone as per last post. This lot have a decided Game of Thrones feel to them. The casting for Empire in Black and Gold can be found here. Dragonfly Falling, Blood of the Mantis, Salute the Dark Nero — Peter Dinklage, Emperor Alvdan II — […]

There is no movie. Just keeping that out there. But I have had an enormous number of suggestions from here, FB, Twitter and just basically people in the street, so we now have a cast! Thank you to everyone who chipped in (list at the end, but let me know if somehow I've missed you off). I'm doing […]

Is not a thing. Let's get that straight right away. But as it's one of those things you speculate about, I'm interested in any thoughts people might have about actors and characters. Feel free to bung your suggestions in the comments, or to be on Facebook or Twitter (@aptshadow) or Goodreads. Then, when I have a few, I'll […]

I figure I've talked enough about how I'm shortlisted for the Gemmell Legend Award and desperately need every vote I can get so I want to highlight some excellent stuff I've read recently. I've been on something of a reading spree , mostly because I've been travelling around and that tends to give me more time for it. […]

Well, obviously my nemesis Doctor Penguino (1) has had word of my general allergy to awards, because I suddenly find myself on the David Gemmell Legend award shortlist! Seriously, though, I am insanely grateful to everyone who cast their vote for me. This is the first time I've clawed my way onto a shortlist, and it's with book […]

A woman tries to rebuild her husband's mind using the machine that dismantled it; a botanist touches the soul of a planet; the mind of a warship plots revenge on the powers that destroyed it; a photographer tries to come to terms with his inexplicably dead wife; a scientist experiments with a drug that allows direct access to the minds of […]

So a couple of weeks ago I was at the unveiling of (wait for it) The Lost Second Book of Nicoletto Giganti. This is not a sequel to a fantasy blockbuster about giants. Instead, it’s an early 17^th century fencing manual. Fellow author Anne Lyle was also there, and her report is here. This is a fascinating example of how […]

One question that turns up a lot, from readers and in interviews, is "Which characters are your favourites to write?"  And of course I love all my insect-kinden children, even the ones I brutally kill off seconds after you meet them, but it's true there are a few who are an especial joy to write for. And 'write for' […]

It's that time again, a small trumpet-blowing post appealing to your love of democracy (1). The David Gemmell awards longlist is up, and War Master's Gate is on it. Although I have a well-advertised allergy to any kind of award — meaning that the world, out of consideration for my fragile health, has ensured I never get near any […]