WordFire Wednesday 99 Cent Deals
Veiled Alliances edited by Kevin J. Anderson
A prequel novella to Kevin J. Anderson’s bestselling space opera epic, The Saga of Seven Suns.
It is a time of great beginnings. Set a century before the grand events of the Saga of Seven Suns, Veiled Alliances chronicles the origin of the green priests on Theroc, the first Roamer skymining operations on a gas-giant planet, the discovery of the Klikiss robots entombed in an abandoned alien city, the initial Ildiran expedition to Earth, the rescue of the generation ship Burton and the tragedy that leads to sinister breeding experiments.
Veiled Alliances is an excellent starting point for readers new to the Saga, as well as an unforgettable adventure for fans of the series.
BONUS: This edition also includes the complete script for the Wildstorm/DC Comics graphic novel of Veiled Alliances.
“A breakneck epic. … Kevin J. Anderson is one of the best plotters in the business.”—Brandon Sanderson
“A setting so rich and detailed that the reader will suspend disbelief and actually be there.”—R.A. Salvatore
“Kevin J. Anderson writes the kind of inventive and entertaining space opera that is exactly what I want to read.”—Peter F. Hamilton
Sister of the Lionheart by Hilary Benford
An unforgettable heroine in a novel of the Crusades.
Joanna is the strong-willed daughter of King Henry of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Close to her brother Richard Lionheart, she grew up at courts in France and England. From jousts to the infamous Courts of Love, from family quarrels to international intrigues, Joanna’s youth was spent in the thick of it all.
With her ambition to become a queen, like her much-admired mother, Joanna marries King William of Sicily and is swept away to a court that is a crossroads for Normans, Italians, Jews, Arabs and Byzantines. She is furious when she learns that her husband William possesses a harem—but she refuses to accept it in silence, acting like a true descendant of Vikings.
That is only the beginning of Joanna’s adventures. When Jerusalem falls to Saladin, her husband and The Lionheart make plans to go on Crusade. And Joanna persuades Richard to let her accompany him.
This historical epic introduces a strong and truly unforgettable heroine, Joanna Plantagenet, whose drive and persistence helped change the course of history.
Pros and Cons by Jody Lynn Nye & Bill Fawcett
Attending your first convention as a professional writer? Don’t know what opportunities are out there for you? How do you get invited? How do you approach editors? How do you deal with fans who love your book and those who haven’t read it yet? Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett have answers to the questions you don’t even know you have. From how to approach a convention committee to how to handle yourself on panels and signings, this book will give you an expert’s perspective on how to make the most of a convention.
New Releases
Red Hunters and the Animal People with Original Foreword by CMarie Fuhrman by Ohiyesa
About the book:
An ancient land, a timeless people…
From the author of Indian Boyhood and The Madness of Bald Eagle, comes a collection of twelve gripping tales inspired by Native American folklore and culture.
Who can save a starving village? What does it take to change foe to friend? What is the cost of triumph?
Learn of the people found beneath fur and feather. Each of these short stories opens a door into the world of the animals that roam this earth. Read the wisdom of nature as it was told for thousands of years before being written down.
This new edition highlights the importance of native knowledge with a new foreword by award-winning poet and author CMarie Fuhrman. The mysteries lost to the westward expansion are preserved here once more.
Turn back the page of time and hear the call of the past.
About the author:
Following the Santee Dakota (or Sioux) tradition of taking a new name after a major life event, Ohiyesa became known as Charles Alexander Eastman when he was fifteen and became more involved in European-American society. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Boston Medical School and treated survivors of the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.
In 1901, he published Indian Boyhood, a collection of stories from his experiences growing up among the Santee in Minnesota, USA and Manitoba, Canada. He went on to publish twelve more books on Native American legends, autobiographical works, and political treatises. These included: Red Hunters and the Animal People (1904), Wigwam Evenings: Sioux Folk Tales Retold (1909), The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation (1911), and Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains (1918).
He gave lectures on Native and European-American cultural cooperation and was involved in helping youth groups. He designed and helped set up youth camps and was a founding member of the Boy Scouts of America. He died in 1835.
About the editor:
An editor, writer, and overall creative, Tammy Lewis received a BA in English from Brigham Young University and went on to write and edit articles, papers, and technical documents with aerospace scientists and engineers. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Western Colorado University.
Whether in fiction or non-fiction, Tammy is always focused on the stories around her and in how to present those stories to the world so they can be learned from and enjoyed. Her latest projects include the republication of Red Hunters and the Animal People by Ohiyesa (Wordfire Press, July 2024) and Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars (Wordfire Press, July 2024).
The Food of the Gods by H.G. Wells and edited by Emilie Thiessen
About the book:
The groundbreaking science fiction classic by H.G. Wells
Imagine a food…that could change the course of human history.
In The Food of The Gods and How it Came to Earth, legendary science fiction author H.G. Wells provocatively chronicles this very idea: a food so powerful it transforms society as we know it.
Two young scientists, Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood, begin their study of “growth” on a whim, then proceed to develop Herakleophorbia IV, a growth serum quickly named “The Food of the Gods.” The serum is tested on chickens, who quickly grow to six times their size. It’s deemed a success, but after the serum makes its way into the local food chain, the gigantism spreads—giant plants, earwigs, wasps, and even rats. English villages are terrorized and ransacked.
But the scientists have yet to learn their lesson, administering the serum to numerous young children. “Boomfood” has now taken the entire country by storm, forcing all of England to reckon with the recklessness of the scientists. Will the giants find peace among the common citizens, or will they be forced to shed blood to ensure their own survival?
“If any writer could overcome the hurdles inherent in humanizing giants, that writer would be H. G. Wells, the fellow who practically pioneered all the major tropes of science fiction.”—Paul Di Filippo, Hugo-nominated author of The Steampunk Trilogy
About the author:
H.G. (Herbert George) Wells has long been considered the father of science fiction. Born in England in 1866, Wells authored more than 50 novels and dozens of short stories before his death in 1946.
His earlier work included some of his most famous science fiction novels, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898). Later in life, Wells shifted from science fiction to cross-genre work, including the comedy The History of Mr. Polly (1910) and the politically charged, antifascist warning The Shape of Things to Come (1933), which was soon made into a film heralded for its pioneering special effects.
As World War II broke out, Wells’ pessimistic worldview became increasingly apparent in his book Mind at the End of its Tether (1945), in which he outlined his speculation that an advanced species would soon replace humanity. By the end of his life, Wells was a worldwide celebrity for his outspoken views on science, politics, and social equality. Wells died in 1946 at the age of 79 in his London flat.
About the editor:
Emilie Thiessen graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor's degree in French language and literature and print journalism before becoming a full-time writer, editor, photographer, and layout artist for various local newspapers in central Minnesota.
Emilie has since honed her editing skills with multiple prestigious certifications, including Aces Certificate in Editing and Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader.
In the spring of 2023, Emilie self-published her first picture book, inspiring her to enter academia again. Soon thereafter, Emilie started working toward her master's degree in creative writing and publishing at Western Colorado University, where she is currently operating on the editorial board for the upcoming anthology Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars. Emilie is scheduled to graduate in the summer of 2024.
Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women by George MacDonald and edited by Joshua Smyser
About the book:
“Whatever the book you are reading now, you simply must get this at once.” —C. S. Lewis
Shun the Ash and the Alder…
Sing to the Marble Lady…
Enter the door of the Timeless…
After Anodos is visited by a fairy on his 21st birthday, his bedroom transforms into a forest, leading him to Fairy Land. With the guidance of fairies and knights, he must navigate ethereal and fantastical landscapes, face threats of evil trees and giants, search for a lost love, and conquer his own haunting shadow.
One of the earliest works of portal fantasy and an inspiration to the great fantasy authors of the twentieth century! Transport yourself into a tale of love and self-discovery with this fine new edition of Phantastes by George MacDonald, with an additional foreword by author Paul Di Filippo.
About the author:
George MacDonald was a Scottish writer and minister who lived from 1824 to 1905. He wrote sermons, poems, and works of Christian theology, but his most influential work has been his pioneering fantasy literature and fairy tales.
These seminal works laid the foundation for fantasy authors such as C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Lewis Carroll. He was a friend and mentor to Carroll and urged the writer to pursue publication for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
With his theological upbringing, MacDonald explored themes of faith, imagination, and the human spirit. His allegorical tales such as Phantastes and Lilith delved between the spiritual and the fantastical.
MacDonald's writings continue to enchant and captivate readers, marking him as a visionary in the genre.
About the editor:
Joshua Smyser is a teacher, writer, and editor. He holds a BA in English Education from Colorado State University and teaches English literature and composition at the high school level. His current studies at Western Colorado University will earn an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. Working with Wordfire Press, he has concurrently released two books as editor in 2024. The first is a brand-new edition of Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women by George MacDonald. As part of an editorial team, the second is the short story anthology Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars.
Coming Soon
Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars edited by Kevin J. Anderson and Allyson Longueira
About the book:
When the witches and wizards are away, the familiars will play!
Gifted adventurers across time and space often travel with an animal familiar—usually a cat, but possibly other fuzzy, scaly, or prickly creatures. These magical companions lead their humans into mischief, help them out of sticky situations, or offer opinionated commentary along the way.
We're familiar with familiars ... or are we?
Compiled by New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson and award-winning editor Allyson Longueira—and their Publishing graduate students at Western Colorado University—Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars features 26 never-before-published short stories and poems crafted by Mercedes Lackey, Heather Graham, Jody Lynn Nye, John Hartness, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many others.
You’ll love this collection kitty-littered with surprises at every turn. Some stories are whimsical, some are sad, some will tug at your heartstrings—and some will stay with you long after you close this book.
From mischievous cats to cunning ravens, skittering spiders to—a cow?—these feisty familiars will take you on a magical trip to places even wizards don’t tread.
About the author:
KEVIN J. ANDERSON has published more than 175 books, 58 of which have been national or international bestsellers. He has written numerous novels in the Star Wars, X-Files, and Dune universes, as well as many original works. He has edited numerous anthologies, written comics and games, and the lyrics to two rock CDs. Anderson is the director of the graduate program in Publishing at Western Colorado University. Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta are the publishers of WordFire Press. His most recent novels are Clockwork Destiny (with Neil Peart), Dune: The Heir of Caladan (with Brian Herbert), and Double-Booked.
An award-winning writer, editor, and designer, ALLYSON LONGUEIRA has worked in fiction and nonfiction in multiple media, including newspapers, magazines, and books for twenty years. While a newspaper editor she leds her newspaper to three general excellence awards in three consecutive years. After she transitioned to fiction editing. Allyson launched Fiction River Presents published by WMG Publishing, for which she serves as series editor. Allyson is the publisher and CEO of WMG Publishing, Inc.
Ways to Get Involved with the Bookish Community
The bookish community is a vibrant and welcoming space for readers, writers, and literary enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to connect with fellow book lovers, discover new reads, or share your own literary creations, there are many ways to get involved.
Join a Book Club
Book clubs are a fantastic way to discuss your favorite books and explore new genres. You can find local book clubs through libraries, bookstores, or community centers. Online platforms like Goodreads and Facebook also host numerous virtual book clubs that cater to specific genres or interests.
Attend Literary Events
Literary events, such as book signings, readings, and literary festivals, provide opportunities to meet authors, discover new books, and engage in discussions about literature. Keep an eye on local event listings and websites for upcoming events in your area.
Engage on Social Media
Social media platforms are teeming with bookish communities. Join book-related groups on Facebook, participate in Twitter chats using hashtags like #BookTwitter, or follow bookstagrammers on Instagram. These online spaces allow you to share your love for books, participate in reading challenges, and discover recommendations from fellow readers.
Visit Your Local Library or Bookstore
Libraries and independent bookstores are cornerstones of the bookish community. Many host events such as author talks, book clubs, and writing workshops. Becoming a regular visitor can help you stay informed about upcoming events and connect with fellow book lovers.
Start a Book Blog or BookTube Channel
If you enjoy writing or making videos, consider starting a book blog or BookTube channel. This allows you to share your thoughts on books, recommend reads, and connect with a wider audience. Platforms like WordPress and YouTube are great places to start.
Participate in Writing Groups
If you're a writer, joining a writing group can provide valuable feedback and support. Look for local writing groups through libraries and community centers, or join online groups on platforms like Reddit and Scribophile.
Volunteer or Intern
Volunteering or interning with literary organizations, libraries, or literary magazines can provide behind-the-scenes insights into the literary world. It’s also a great way to meet professionals in the field and build your network.
Benefits of Joining the Bookish Community
Joining the bookish community offers numerous benefits that go beyond simply finding new books to read.
Enhanced Reading Experience
Discussing books with others can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the literature. Different perspectives can highlight themes and ideas you might have missed on your own.
Networking Opportunities
The bookish community is a great place to meet like-minded individuals, including readers, writers, editors, and publishers. These connections can lead to new opportunities, whether you're looking to publish your own work or collaborate on a project.
Support and Encouragement
Being part of a community provides emotional support and encouragement, especially for writers. Constructive feedback from peers can help you improve your craft, and the camaraderie can keep you motivated.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives
Engaging with a diverse group of readers exposes you to a wide range of perspectives and literary tastes. This can broaden your own reading horizons and introduce you to genres and authors you might not have explored otherwise.
Personal Growth
Reading and discussing literature can foster empathy, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. The bookish community encourages thoughtful discussion and personal reflection, contributing to your overall personal growth.
Opportunities for Engagement
The bookish community offers numerous opportunities to participate in reading challenges, book swaps, and other interactive activities. These engagements can make reading a more dynamic and social experience.
Access to Resources
Being part of a community often provides access to resources such as book recommendations, writing advice, and industry insights. These resources can be invaluable for both readers and writers looking to deepen their literary knowledge.
By getting involved in the bookish community, you not only enhance your own literary experience but also contribute to a vibrant, supportive network that celebrates the love of books. Whether you're a reader, writer, or both, there's a place for you in this diverse and dynamic community.
Thank you for joining us for this week's WordFire Wednesday! We hope you found our fresh reads, fantastic deals, and upcoming titles as exciting as we do. Embracing the bookish community can truly enrich your reading journey, offering endless opportunities for connection, growth, and discovery. Stay tuned for more weekly updates, and don't forget to share your thoughts and experiences with us. Until next time, happy reading and enjoy the vibrant world of books!