DOUBLE BIRTHDAY SPECTACULAR!

This week, we celebrate two birthdays: Jim’s was yesterday, October 26th, and Harry’s is this Saturday, on Halloween! And accordingly, this week’s post is a DOOZY.

Contents including a new contest, the release of Tyler Walpole’s bookplates, a nomination in the Goodreads Choice Awards, an unmissable podcast appearance, and SO MUCH MORE!

Trust us, you’re going to want to read all the way to the end…


Goodreads Choice Awards

Goodreads Choice Awards Header. Text: The choice is yours. Vote for the best books of the year in the 12th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers. Vote in the opening round.

Peace Talks has been nominated in the Best Fantasy section of the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards! Jim is in the running alongside some of the most beloved names in the genre, including N.K. Jemisin, Naomi Novik, R.F. Kuang, V.E. Schwab, and perplexingly Brandon Sanderson, whose nominated book doesn’t come out for another three weeks (Priscilla is counting the days. That series is phenomenal!).

The opening round of voting runs from today to Sunday, November 8th, so you have just shy of two weeks give all the nominees a shot and cast your vote for your favorite! Best of luck to all the contenders!


Bookplate Blowout

Autographed Peace Talks and Battle Ground bookplates by Tyler Walpole

Tyler Walpole’s breathtaking bookplates for Peace Talks and Battle Ground are now on sale! These artist edition 5″x7″bookplates are signed by Jim Butcher and the artist and have an adhesive backing, so you can add them permanently to the interior of your book or the back of your e-reader, or put them in a frame to hang on your wall. 

Act fast–the previous batch of Tyler’s bookplates sold out in under 8 hours!


A Conversation With Legendarium

Jim’s recent visit on the Legendarium Podcast contains a series of revelations, including plans for another Dresden novel between Battle Ground and Mirror Mirror! This interview features Jim at his most candid and personal, and it’s absolutely unmissable.


“It’s My Birthday Too” Fanfic Contest

Dresden character gallery by Mika Kuloda: Ramirez, Molly, Murphy, Harry, Thomas, Michael, and Butters

Over the course of the year, we’ve recognized fanartists, cosplayers, and our canniest prognosticators. Now, for our final contest of the year, we’re celebrating Harry’s Halloween birthday with a spotlight on fanfic authors!

This month’s challenge: Write your own microfiction about either a birthday OR a holiday in the Dresdenverse! Entries are due November 24th. Three winners (one grand prize and two runners-up) will receive their choice of a Mika Kuloda Art Print from Worldbuilders!

A few ground rules:

  • Keep it under 1,500 words–this is a bit shorter than Jim’s “Job Placement” microfiction.
  • The principal characters in your fic should be named characters from the series.
  • Must be PG-13. No explicit sex or gore. Take your cue from the stories Jim has contributed to multi-author story anthologies.
  • Endeavor to keep your stories generally consistent with the world and story events of Jim’s novels. 1,500 words is not a lot of room to establish a high school AU. 😀
  • Jim’s fanfic policy still holds. Jim will be playing NO ROLE in judging this competition and will NOT be reading any of the fanfics entered, to ensure he will have no knowledge of their contents. Any potential resemblance of story elements to later published works will be purely coincidental.
  • We reserve the right to post our favorite entries on Jim-Butcher.com, but we will not monetize stories and we make no claims of exclusivity. You’re welcome to share your story wherever you’d post any other fanfic, provided you do not derive income from that platform. You also may not sell your fanfic. You still can’t profit off fanfic based on Jim’s work. This is like Fanfic 101. Be cool. Don’t make us regret doing this.

Submit entries (pasted text, attached MS Word document, or AO3 link) by November 24th to yearofdresden (at) gmail.com.


Jim’s Birthday Quoteathon

For Jim’s Birthday, we asked fans to share their favorite lines and moments from his two decades of novels, and we’d love to keep the lovefest going all week! If you haven’t yet, add your voice to the thread.


Happy Harry Halloween

Dressing up as a Dresden character this Saturday? Send your Halloween photos to yearofdresden (at) gmail.com! We’ll post some of our favorites in next week’s Drop.

(Please celebrate responsibly! Don’t feel the need to compromise your social distancing comfort level for the sake of a group shot, and we’d love to see PPE/masks integrated into your costume. Safety first!)


And that’s it for this week! Visit Jim-Butcher.com every Tuesday this year for weekly Drops of never-before-seen artwork, microfiction, interviews, contests, sample chapters for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and other tasty tidbits in our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Dresden Files. Join our new mailing list and follow @jimbutchernews on twitter to ensure you don’t miss a moment, and check the announcement post to catch up on prior Drops.

Still need a copy of Peace TalksBattle Ground, or anything else by Jim? Support your favorite local independent bookstore, or order in print, audio, or ebook through the Jim-Butcher.com Store. You can grab a signed copy of Battle Ground from Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore (though we STRONGLY recommend confirming availability of signed stock before placing your order at either place) or a book with a signed bookplate from Worldbuilders.

Battle Ground: On Sale Now!

Inktober Villains, Cold Days, and More!

This week, we continue celebrating fabulous fanart and debut Subterranean Press’ special edition of Cold Days! Get all the goodies below…

Obligatory New Book Promo

Battle Ground: On Sale Now!

Battle Ground is here! Don’t miss the second novel of this summer’s epic Dresden Duology, which Publishers Weekly is calling “urban fantasy at its best.”

Signed hardcovers of Battle Ground are still available from Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore. Hardcovers with signed bookplates are available from Worldbuilders. Unsigned copies of Battle Ground and all Jim’s back catalogue are available in print, audio, and ebook through the Jim-Butcher.com Store.


Inktober/Magink Continues

Two weeks ago, we shared some of Adam Mathison-Sward’s illustrations for “Magink,” his take on the popular “Inktober” event. Here are some of our favorites so far. See them all on Adam’s Twitter or Instagram, then cast your vote for Saturday’s Viewer’s Choice Livestream!

Collage of 5 images: Bob on Harry's shelf, Maggie shoulder to shoulder with a happy Mouse, Marcone before a backdrop of Chicago's skyline, Thomas and Justine embracing without touching skin, and a grinning River Shoulders in a tux and spectacles

We’ve also learned of another artist doing a Dresden theme for Inktober. Tattooist, illustrator, and professional pumpkin carver Luke Schroder is inking 31 days of Dresden villains! You can find them all on his Facebook, but here are some of our favorites:

9 illustrations by Luke Schroder: Victor Sells, Agent Denton, a Red Court vampire, Maeve, Cassius, Tessa, the Chlorofiend, the Phobophages, and Lloyd Slate

Subterranean Press Announces Cold Days

LEFT IMAGE: Cover Illustration featuring Harry weighed down by a dark suit of armor. Ice coats his upraised bare hand, forming claws. RIGHT IMAGE: Lovecraftian horrors thrash in the water, led by He Who Walks Before

The days are getting colder (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), so it’s fitting that Subterranean Press would choose this week to debut their limited edition of Cold Days.

They write, “Our [deluxe collectible hardcover] edition of Cold Days will be printed on 80# Finch Opaque, our preferred paper for higher-end limited editions, with a number of full-page interior illustrations, as well as a full-color dust jacket. Vincent Chong will once again be handling the illustrations. Limited: 500 numbered hardcovers, signed by author: $85


Battle Ground Bookplates

Tyler Walpole is putting his double-signed (by himself and Jim) bookplates for Battle Ground on sale NEXT WEEK! His plates for Peace Talks sold out in 8 hours, so make sure you’re looped in. Subscribe to his newsletter to get all the necessary info, including the date and time the plates will go on sale and a link to purchase when the time comes!

A ominous-faced Harry channels lightning through his fingertips. Flanking him, Murphy holds her P-90 from her perch on her motorcycle and Mab sits astride her deadly unicorn. In the background, Ethniu spreads her arms before the a burning city, her Eye kindling with red fire.

These signed bookplates have an adhesive backing, so you can stick one in a book, on the back of your e-reader, or anywhere else that suits your fancy.

Tyler’s bookplates were also used in the books sold through the NYCC one-on-one meet and greet with Jim and the virtual signing with Bard’s Tower, so if you ordered through either of those vendors, you already have this gorgeous art coming your way! Note that these are different from the Worldbuilders bookplates, which are illustrated by Adam Mathison-Sward.


And that’s it for this week! Visit Jim-Butcher.com every Tuesday this year for weekly Drops of never-before-seen artwork, microfiction, interviews, contests, sample chapters for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and other tasty tidbits in our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Dresden Files. Join our new mailing list and follow @jimbutchernews on twitter to ensure you don’t miss a moment, and check the announcement post to catch up on prior Drops.

Still need a copy of Peace TalksBattle Ground, or anything else by Jim? Support your favorite local independent bookstore, or order in hardcover, audio, or ebook through the Jim-Butcher.com Store. You can grab a signed copy of Battle Ground from Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore (though we STRONGLY recommend confirming availability of signed stock before placing your order at either place) or a book with a signed bookplate from Worldbuilders.

Marsters Madness and Bookplate Bonzana

Battle Ground: On Sale Now!

“[Battle Ground] is urban fantasy at its best, combining spectacular magic and deeply explored character.” —Publishers Weekly


This week’s Dresden Drop brings a Q&A with Jim and James Marsters and gorgeous new bookplate art from Tyler Walpole! I’d say “let’s start with the pretties,” but BOTH stories involve pretties, so… let’s start with the illustrated pretties? Let’s go!


Battle Ground Bookplates

Did you buy a copy of Battle Ground before we started offering them signed, or do you prefer unsignable electronic or audio formats? We have a solution!

We’re thrilled to unveil the art for Tyler Walpole‘s stunning bookplates for Battle Ground, which will feature signatures from Jim Butcher and the artist. They have an adhesive backing, so you can stick one in a book, on the back of your e-reader, or anywhere else that suits your fancy.

A ominous-faced Harry channels lightning through his fingertips. Flanking him, Murphy holds her P-90 from her perch on her motorcycle and Mab sits astride her deadly unicorn. In the background, Ethniu spreads her arms before the a burning city, her Eye kindling with red fire.

Tyler’s batch of Peace Talks bookplates sold out in 8 hours, so for Battle Ground, he’s giving everybody a fair shake and notifying fans in advance of when they’ll be released. Subscribe to his newsletter to get all the necessary info, including the date and time the plates will go on sale and a link to purchase when the time comes!

Note that these are different from the Worldbuilders bookplates, which are illustrated by Adam Mathison-Sward. Or if you want a signed copy of the book (NOT a bookplate), awesome indie booksellers Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore still have signed inventory available for purchase and ship internationally.

Want to see more of Tyler’s Dresden work? He created literal HUNDREDS of illustrations for the Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game, available in physical edition or electronically on iOS, Android, Steam, Switch, Kindle, and more!


NYCC Rewind

On Friday, Jim sat down with James Marsters (Spike on Buffy and narrator of the Dresden audiobooks) as part of the Virtual New York Comic Con. The two discussed a host of fascinating subjects, both personal and professional, and took turns low-key fanboying each other. All in all a great time! Check it out on NYCC’s YouTube:


And that’s it for this week! Visit Jim-Butcher.com every Tuesday this year for weekly Drops of never-before-seen artwork, microfiction, interviews, contests, sample chapters for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and other tasty tidbits in our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Dresden Files. Join our new mailing list and follow @jimbutchernews on twitter to ensure you don’t miss a moment, and check the announcement post to catch up on prior Drops.

Still need a copy of Peace Talks or Battle Ground? Support your favorite local independent bookstore, or order in hardcover, audio, or ebook through the Jim-Butcher.com Store. You can grab a signed copy of Battle Ground from Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore (though we STRONGLY recommend confirming availability of signed stock before placing your order at either place) or a book with a signed bookplate from Worldbuilders.

Questionpalooza Redux!

This week’s Dresden Drop brings new Q&A events, writing classes, preorders for a deluxe edition of Storm Front, and a spotlight on some fabulous fanart! Read on!

Battle Ground: On Sale Now!

Both books in this summer’s Dresden Duology are out in the wild! You can now read Peace Talks and Battle Ground, volumes 16 and 17 of this anticipated 25 book saga.

“This is urban fantasy at its best, combining spectacular magic and deeply explored character.” —Publishers Weekly

Still need a copy? Support your favorite local independent bookstore or order in hardcover, audio, or ebook through the Jim-Butcher.com Store. You can grab a signed copy from Mysterious Galaxy and Barbara’s Bookstore (though we STRONGLY recommend confirming availability of signed stock before placing your order at either place) or a book with a signed bookplate from Worldbuilders.


Friday, Friday, Friday!

Jim is going to be BUSY this Friday, October 9th! In the morning, he’ll sit down for a Q&A hosted by James Marsters and a series of personalized meet-and-greets at a Virtual New York Comic Con, and in the evening, he’ll teach two writing classes virtually through Arizona State University.

NYCC: 20 Years of Harry Dresden: 11:30am-12:00pm ET / 8:30am-9:00am PT

Join Jim Butcher and series narrator James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as they dive into the world of Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Chicago’s first (and only) Wizard P.I.

NYCC: Jim Butcher Meet-and-Greet: 12:30-1:30pm ET / 9:30am PT

Join bestselling author Jim Butcher in a personal online one-to-one video meet and greet! Ticket includes a branded video recording of the experience as a memento and a copy of Battle Ground with a signed bookplate. ONLY 30 SLOTS AVAILABLE.  

ASU: Fundamentals of Writing: 8:00-9:00pm ET / 5:00-6:00pm PT

The first of Jim’s two writing craft classes covers the fundamentals. This class is FREE to the public! Register at the link to watch via Zoom, or watch it on Facebook. This event will NOT be recorded, so you’ll need to catch it live!

ASU: Scenes and Sequels: 9:30-11:30pm ET / 6:30-8:30 PT

The second of Jim’s two craft classes covers “scenes and sequels,” a subject Jim broached in an excellent LJ post back in 2006. In this paid two-hour workshop ($89 for ASU students, $99 for guests), he’ll go into much more thorough examination of these essential structural elements of fiction. This class filled up before we could promote it, but interested parties can join the waitlist.


Q&A Replay

Did you miss last week’s Q&As? Check out Jim’s interviews at Barbara’s Bookstore and Muskogee Public Library.


Grim Oak Press’ Storm Front On Sale Now

In his lab, Harry holds Bob's skull in a parody of Hamlet's Yorick speech

Shawn Speakman of Grim Oak Press has unveiled a full-color deluxe edition of Storm Front, lavishly illustrated by Chris McGrath, and you can preorder your copy now!


Magink Begins

We’re super jazzed about an endeavor by artist Adam Mathison-Sward, who you may recognize from his work on Jim’s short stories “Christmas Eve” and “Everything The Light Touches” and Worldbuilders’ bookplate for Battle Ground.

Every day in the month of October, he’ll be posting a new inked Dresden Files illustration, and every Saturday, he’ll livestream his work! You can vote on each Viewer’s Choice illustration in the prior Monday’s illustration on his Instagram, which for this week is here. Follow his work on Instagram or Twitter! Here’s his schedule and October’s pieces so far:

Magink Calendar
Photos of illustrations of Harry, Murphy, Molly, Miss Gard, and Eldest Brother Gruff

And that’s it for this week! Visit Jim-Butcher.com every Tuesday this year for weekly Drops of never-before-seen artwork, microfiction, interviews, contests, sample chapters for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, or other tasty tidbits in our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Dresden Files. Join our new mailing list and follow @jimbutchernews on twitter to ensure you don’t miss a moment, and check the announcement post to catch up on prior Drops.

Happy Book Day, Battle Ground!

We’ll make this quick, because we know you have a book to read. At long last, Battle Ground is here!

Battle Ground: On Sale Now!

Here’s what people are saying:

“This is urban fantasy at its best, combining spectacular magic and deeply explored character.” —Publishers Weekly

The arc begun in Peace Talks comes to a deadly, destructive finish in the 17th “Dresden Files” book—and nothing will be the same again. — LibraryJournal

“Things are going to change, for Harry more than most—in ways from which he may never recover… sets the stage for a new direction in Harry’s life.” —Booklist

Still need to snag a copy? Support your favorite local independent bookstore, preorder a regular copy through the Jim-Butcher.com Store, or order from one of our virtual signing partners in the section below. Or if you’d rather immerse yourself in the dulcet decadence of James Marsters’ performance, snag the audiobook from our store or through Jim’s publisher.


Virtual Events & Signed Books

Last night, Jim hung out with Matt of Mysterious Galaxy and a cohort of fans. If you missed it, you still have plenty of opportunities to hear from Jim and ask your questions all this week. The booksellers in this list are also offering signed copies of Battle Ground, so jump on that!

Barbara's Bookstore Event

BARBARA’S BOOKSTORE CHICAGO: 9/29, 8:00pm ET / 7:00pm CT

FREE Virtual Q&A via Crowdcast TONIGHT, moderated by Dresden Files creative consultant and Peace Talks/Battle Ground trailer director Priscilla Spencer. Signed copies available for purchase.

B&N Battle Ground Event

BARNES & NOBLE: 9/30, 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT

FREE Virtual Q&A via B&N’s Facebook, moderated by Jim’s editor Anne Sowards. Signed copies available for purchase.

MUSCOGEE MINICON: 10/1, 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT

FREE Virtual Q&A event! Come chat on Discord with Jim and representatives from the Muskogee Public Library. Unfamiliar with Discord? Learn more here or watch the livestream on MPL’s Facebook page. No books will be sold or signed in conjunction with this event.

You can also order a signed book from Mysterious Galaxy or buy a book with a signed bookplate from Worldbuilders. Here’s a reminder of the gorgeous Adam Mathison-Sward art on the Worldbuilders bookplates:

Harry and Butters ride Sue the Zombie T-Rex into battle! Both are drenched with rain, but Harry holds his staff high as he yells a rallying cry. Butters clings to Harry's midsection in terror.

Illustrated Storm Front On Sale Thursday

In his lab, Harry holds Bob's skull in a parody of Hamlet's Yorick speech

Shawn Speakman of Grim Oak Press has unveiled a full-color deluxe edition of Storm Front, lavishly illustrated by Chris McGrath!

Preorders now through the end of September are open ONLY to fans who own the limited or lettered editions of Shadowed Souls. Orders will open to the general public starting this Thursday, October 1st, at 11am PT. And international fans rejoice: this is available worldwide!


Visit Jim-Butcher.com every Tuesday this year for weekly Drops of never-before-seen artwork, microfiction, interviews, contests, sample chapters for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, or other tasty tidbits in our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Dresden Files. Join our new mailing list and follow @jimbutchernews on twitter to ensure you don’t miss a moment, and check the announcement post to catch up on prior Drops.