Author: priscellie

Priscilla Spencer has been Jim's creative consultant since 2007. In addition to managing content for Jim-Butcher.com and its social media channels, she beta-reads all of Jim's works, serves as a thematic consultant on the graphic novels and role playing games, and illustrates the maps for his books. The whole "Year of Dresden" thing is largely her baby. Her latest claim to fame is directing the official book trailers for Peace Talks and Battle Ground. In her professional life, Priscilla is a Producer, Writer, Photographer, and Fantasy Map Illustrator working towards a career in producing TV. She enjoys musical theatre, gluten-free cooking, sci-fi/fantasy, and weightlifting. She aspires to travel the world and pet every dog.

Ad Astra Schedule and Furies of Calderon Limited Edition

Subterranean Press has announced limited and lettered editions of Furies of Calderon. The lettered edition has already sold out. If you’re interested, act quickly!

Also, Jim is headed to Toronto for Ad Astra this weekend! Jim is slated for the following panels:

I Love to Hate You
Friday @ 10pm, Franklin
Ed Greenwood (m), Jim Butcher, Fiona Patton, Gregory A. Wilson, Catherine Fitzsimmons
In this panel, examine what is involved in creating a truly great villain. By discussing some examples of favourite well-written villains and what makes them memorable, you will gain a better understanding of how to make your antagonist someone that everyone loves to hate.

Is the Stand-Alone Novel an Endangered Format?
Saturday @ 10am, Berczy A
Julie Czerneda (m), Robert J. Sawyer, Catherine Fitzsimmons, Jim Butcher
More and more books are coming out in series format. While this may be publisher driven, it is just as likely consumer driven. In the face of this trend, it may become impossible to successfully pitch a stand-alone work, and the temptation to force a series may become irresistible. Is there still a place in publishing for a stand-alone book? This panel seeks an answer.

Magic in the Big City
Saturday @ 12pm, Ellsemere West
Lesley Livingston (m), Kelley Armstrong, Jim Butcher
With its banality and cynicism, what does it take to make magic become a reality in a modern city? The challenges to writing about the supernatural in a metropolis are many, but they are not insurmountable. In fact, there are many reasons a city is the ideal setting for magical happenings. Join our panelists and learn how they take magic to the streets.

Demons, Werewolves, and Necromancers
Saturday @ 3pm, Ellsemere East
Douglas Smith (m), Jim Butcher, Timothy Carter, Andrew Pyper, Timothy Liebe
There are new trends forming in the paranormal genre. Traditionally ‘evil’ characters are turned into heroes. Paranormal fiction is expanding and so is the demographic of people who read it. How do you keep these new ideas from becoming cliché? What works and what doesn’t? Attend this panel to plumb the depths – and shallows – of the unknowable.

The Force is With Mickey!
Sunday @ 11am, Ellsemere East
Sebastian Mineau (m), Jim Butcher, Max Turner, Cris Macht, Amy De Ruyte
As a result of the sale of LucasArts to Disney, the future of the Star Wars universe lies in the hands of a mouse. Surely such an infusion of fresh creative juices bodes well for this beloved franchise. In this panel, we’ll discuss what kinds of stories we might expect, and whether the fact that the new movies won’t be controlled by George Lucas is a good thing…or a great thing!

Ghoul Goblin #3 in Stores!

GHOUL, GOBLIN is an original comic series set in the official Dresden Files continuity, and issue 3 is now in stores!

Harry’s traveled from his home turf of Chicago to investigate a series of inexplicable murders in a small Missouri town. He’s already managed to turn half the burg against him, with the other half’s motives even murkier. And that’s not even taking the Ghoul and Goblin who’ve both separately nearly killed him. Unfortunately, they may have succeeded in murdering the eldest of the cursed family he’s trying to protect—a man who harbors his own dark secrets. It’s time for Harry to seek the help of a higher authority…

DOWNLOAD GHOUL, GOBLIN #3 NOW AT COMIXOLOGY, OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL COMICS SHOP TODAY!

Check out a five-page preview:

Jim sells rights to Steampunk series

Congrats to Jim for selling the first three books in a new steampunk series, The Cinder Spires!

From Publishers Weekly:

Penguin Group is continuing its relationship with bestselling fantasy writer Jim Butcher. The author of the Dresden Files and Codex Alera closed a seven-figure, three-book deal with his current publisher for a new series. Anne Sowards, at Roc, took world English rights to The Cinder Spires: The Aeronaut’s Windlass, and two sequels, from agent Jennifer Jackson at Donald Maass Literary. Butcher recently published the 14th book in the Dresden Files, a series that has been adapted to TV (on SyFy channel) and turned into a comic book (published by Dynamite Entertainment). The Cinder Spires, Jackson said, is set in a world “of black spires that tower for miles over a mist-shrouded surface” and follows a war between two of the Spires: Spire Albion and Spire Aurora.

At the Reddit AMA a few months ago, Jim said, “It’s kinda League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower. There are goggles and airships and steam power and bizarre crystal technology and talking cats, who are horrid little bullies.”

Jim is still writing the first book, The Aeronaut’s Windlass, so we don’t have a release date yet. We’ll let you know as soon as there’s something to announce!

Ghoul Goblin and Upcoming Books

We neglected to note last Wednesday’s release of issue #2 of Ghoul, Goblin, an original comic series set in the official Dresden Files continuity!

Ghoul, Goblin #2 cover

Still reeling from the events of Fool Moon, Harry’s been hired by a small-town Deputy Sheriff to look into a series of bizarre deaths linked to a singularly unfortunate family named the Talbots. Far from his usual Windy City stomping grounds, Mr. Dresden has nevertheless found some very familiar obstacles — hostile law enforcement officials, reluctant civilians, and people protecting secrets. Oh, and at least one supernatural threat that isn’t about to go down without a fight — or at all.

DOWNLOAD GHOUL GOBLIN #2 NOW AT COMIXOLOGY OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL COMICS SHOP TODAY!

You can also check out a four-page preview of issue 2! Issue 3 hits stores on 3/13.

Also, Jim has announced the titles of two upcoming books! His next novel will be the first in a new Steampunk series, The Cinder Spires, called The Aeronaut’s Windlass. After that will be book #15 of The Dresden Files, Skin Game. We don’t have release dates yet for either, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do!