As you may have already heard, The Aeronaut’s Windlass was nominated for Best Novel in the 2016 Hugo Awards! This makes his third nomination, after Skin Game was tapped for Best Novel in 2015 and Welcome to the Jungle was short-listed for Best Graphic Story in 2009. Jim’s fellow contenders are some of the most loved in the genre–Ann Leckie, N.K. Jemisin, Neal Stephenson, and Naomi Novik–so best of luck to all! If you want to cast your vote in this or any category, you can register here.
Next, the Dresden Files Cooperative Card Came (or DFCO) Kickstarter ends in 48 hours! For those late to the game, here’s a convenient summary of what each pledge level gets you! You can read about the campaign in greater detail on the main page.
Also, we want to remind you of some upcoming conventions. Jim has three more cons announced for this year, the first of which is this weekend! Folks in the Kansas City area can meet him and get books signed at Planet Comicon this Friday through Sunday, then fans in Denver and Atlanta get their turn in mid-August and early September with Myths and Legends Con and DragonCon, respectively. His schedule for this weekend is below.
FRIDAY, MAY 20th:
12pm – 2pm: Celebrity Area
3pm – 5pm: Wordfire Booth (#723)
SATURDAY, MAY 21st:
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Celebrity Area
2pm – 4pm: Wordfire Booth (#723)
SUNDAY, MAY 22nd:
11am – 1pm: Wordfire Booth (#723)
2pm – 4pm: Celebrity Area
Finally, Issue #2 of the Wild Card graphic novel hits stores tomorrow! Check out a five-page preview at Comic Book Resources, then snag a copy at your favorite local independent comics shop.
As always, you can keep informed about upcoming release dates at Jim’s Upcoming Works page.
Jim has been confirmed as the DragonCon 2016 literary guest of honor (see Facebook post)! As one commenter notes, “Get ready for crazy lines at any panel that has him among the speakers.” And based on past years, they’re absolutely right. But those lines are so worth it.
As part of the run-up to the launch they’ve shared the rulebook for the game and a video that teaches you how to play the game. Watch it now, and get pumped—this game’s gonna be great!
Demo Opportunities in Maryland and Austin, TX
Evil Hat founder Fred Hicks will be demoing the Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game several places over the coming weeks. Here’s the schedule!
Saturday April 16th • All Afternoon & Evening • Games & Stuffof Glen Burnie, MD
Games & Stuff is hosting their 16th birthday bash this weekend, and Fred will be there to run as many games as he can fill. (With four prototypes on hand, if there’s table space, he can accommodate up to 20 players at a time.) If you’re in Maryland and are curious about the game — or just want to check out a great game store — come on by!
Fred will be in Austin this week, and is stopping by Wonko’s on Wednesday evening for their tabletop night. He’ll be demoing the game for as long as there are folks who want to demo it & space to do it. See you there!
Saturday April 30th • 4pm-6pm (signing & conversation from 2pm-7pm) • Dragon’s Lair of Austin, TX
But if the weeknight at Wonko’s doesn’t work for your schedule, never fear, Austin! Fred will also visit Dragon’s Lair as a part of International Tabletop Day. With the event in full swing, the store’s sure to be packed; they can only promise Fred a demo table for DFCO from 4pm-6pm, so make sure to get there in time to claim a spot. Spectators welcome, of course! And Fred will be there for at least an hour before and after to meet & greet & talk about the game. Should be a great time!
Anywhere else?
Fred is based in Maryland and will be looking for other opportunities to demo when he can. You can best find out what Fred’s up to on Twitter and Google Plus.
The game’s designer, Eric Vogel, is based out of California, and is frequently found at unstoppable game store juggernaut Endgame Oakland, so keep an eye out there as well.
No change in status from what’s shown there, folks. Jim is working, but there’s only one of him. These things take time! Don’t wear out the refresh button on that page or anything, but we will continue to keep the information there current. 🙂
Over the years, Jim has often been asked, “If you could go back and change anything about the series, what would it be?” He’s previously shrugged off such queries with a non-committal quip, but he admits the questions always struck a chord with him. Today, on the 16th anniversary of Storm Front’s release, Jim answers the fans’ call with The Dresden Files Special Edition.
This definitive collection seeks to bring the series more in line with his original vision, adding characters and worldbuilding details that would’ve been impossible given the constraints of the publishing industry at the time.
Jim credits the influence of his long-beloved Spider-Man franchise in this decision, citing the perennial appeal of Peter Parker’s origin story. He muses, “I’ve always wondered what Harry Dresden’s early life would’ve been like if he’d faced functionally identical villains, but with a different love interest, and with him being slightly more attractive, in a millennial way.”
The first novel will be rebranded as “Harry Dresden v The Shadowman: Front of Storms.” Jim draws readers’ attention to the “v” as opposed to the more conventional “vs.,” citing this choice as a way of “keep[ing] it from being a straight ‘versus’ book, even in the most subtle way.” This essential installment is due out in bookstores April 31st.
Jim hopes fans will embrace this new edition, as he looks forward to correcting an oversight in the dream sequence in Dead Beat, where he neglected to mention Harry’s father’s uncanny resemblance to Hayden Christensen.
If successful, Jim plans to reboot the series again in five years with an entirely different publisher.
