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.

The Final Countdown!

ONE WEEK remains until the conclusion of this summer’s Dresden Duology, and we have a slew of tantalizing treats to get you suitably psyched! Check out the reveal of the Worldbuilders bookplate, visual transcripts and behind-the-scenes images from the Battle Ground trailer, and the announcement of a new illustrated version of Storm Front!

Still need to snag a copy of Battle Ground? 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.


Worldbuilders Bookplate Reveal

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.

The team at Worldbuilders is proud to reveal Adam Mathison-Sward‘s exhilarating bookplate art, featuring Harry and Butters’ climactic polka-powered ride from Dead Beat! Preorder a copy of Battle Ground with a signed bookplate and enjoy Adam’s fabulous artwork while supporting worthy charities. You can also shop the rest of Worldbuilders’ Dresden collection.


Announcing An Illustrated Storm Front

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 October 1st at 11am PT. And international fans rejoice: this is available worldwide!


Virtual Events & Preorderpalooza

Starting Monday the 28th, we have a week of fabulous virtual Q&A events, including opportunities to order signed copies of Battle Ground! (These are actual signed copies, not copies with signed bookplates.)

Mysterious Galaxy Fan Event 9/28 at 7pm PT

MYSTERIOUS GALAXY: 9/2810:00pm ET / 7:00pm PT

Virtual Q&A via Zoom, moderated by Mysterious Galaxy Events Director Constance Summar. Ticketed event: Buy 1 signed copy of Battle Ground OR a $5 ticket.

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

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

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.

Note: Jim had a power outage that prevented him from participating in this past weekend’s Muskogee MiniCon event. We’re working on rescheduling that now and will announce the new date and time as soon as it’s available.


Trailer Transcripts

Both trailers already have captions for our deaf and heard-of-hearing fans, but we now have visually descriptive transcripts for our fans in the blind community! They may also be of interest to folks who don’t want to undermine their mental images of the characters with live action performers and anyone who wants one more source to mine as they hone their last-minute theories. Remember, two very significant scenes from the Peace Talks trailer haven’t been seen yet…

Read: Peace Talks Trailer Transcript and Battle Ground Trailer Transcript

Haven’t seen the trailers yet, or want to watch them again with the new transcript info in mind? Here are Peace Talks and Battle Ground!


Behind the Scenes Photos

While we’re at it, enjoy a sneak peek at the making of the Battle Ground trailer! Photos by Yrene Ramirez and Priscilla Mastrodomenico.


And that’s it for this week’s entry! 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.