You see, Tor, Forge, Orb, Starscape, and Tor Teen (all imprints of Tom Doherty Associates) will make its entire list of e-books DRM-free by July 2012. In case you’re not sure what that means, soon you’ll be able to purchase any of Tor/Forge’s e-books and put those books on one or more e-readers or your choice without having to buy additional copies for each e-reader.

To quote president and publisher Tom Doherty, “Our authors and readers have been asking for this for a long time. They’re a technically sophisticated bunch, and DRM is a constant annoyance to them. It prevents them from using legitimately purchased e-books in perfectly legal ways, like moving them from one kind of e-reader to another.”

Soon you’ll be able to purchase your titles free of digital rights management (DRM) from the same retailers as usual, plus the publisher also has plans in place to start selling titles through retailers that sell only DRM-free books.

Thank you, Tor for being responsive to the needs and wants of your readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I’m getting this post up a couple of days later than I wanted to, but this is too important to omit. Marcher Lord Press (MLP) is getting ready to release its 2011 list and it looks like a good one.

First off, Kathy Tyers’ Firebird trilogy is being re-released by MLP after a long hiatus of being off the market. I have the old omnibus, but am seriously considering trying to get my hands on the new annotated volume. That’s right, kiddies! The new version is completely annotated by Kathy Tyers herself. The sci-fi geek in me is trembling in excitement. Check out the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Second on the list is From Darkness Won, the final book in Jill Williamson’s “Blood of Kings” trilogy. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this one too. I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 (By Darkness Hid) and Book 2 (To Darkness Fled).

The third MLP book being released this year is Mitchell Bonds’ Hero in Hiding, which is the sequel to Hero, Second Class, a charming, tongue-in-cheek fantasy. As I stated in my review way back in October 2009, Hero, Second Class reminded me of a cross between The Princess Bride and a Monty Python skit. Corny puns galore!

Ok, there. I’ve said it. Just gotta spread a little love around for one of my favorite publishers of Christian speculative, fantasy and sci-fi fiction. If you want more info, here’s a link to the web site:

Marcher Lord Press: http://marcherlordpress.com

Release date for these three new MLP books is slated for sometime in April.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

E-book editions of these three novels are available for purchase from various vendors, including Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Sony, and Kobo. You might want to check the various sellers as prices vary among them. For instance, Auralia’s Colors is 99 cents at Amazon, B&N, and Sony. Kobo has discounted it further to 89 cents. Dragonspell is $1.59 at Amazon and B&N, $1.99 at Sony, $1.79 at Kobo. The Vanishing Sculptor is 99 cents at B&N and Sony, 89 cents at Kobo (Amazon lists the Kindle version at $9.99).

The sales ends August 31.

For more info on the e-book sale, click on this link: WaterBrook Multnomah E-Book Deals

For additional info and to purchase the paperback versions on Amazon (at standard Amazon paperback prices), click on the individual book covers below:

To visit the author’s websites, click here:

Donita K. Paul: http://www.donitakpaul.com/

Jeffrey Overstreet: http://lookingcloser.org/

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Superlative Stream, by Kerry Nietz
With his female companion, HardCandy, and a secret ship named DarkTrench, Sandfly travels across time and space to find the source and meaning of the transmission that changed his life. (The Superlative Stream is the sequel to A Star Curiously Singing.)

The Word Unleashed, by Steve Rzasa
Baden will have to come to grips with the power he has unleashed on the Realm of Five. And that power has plans of its own. (The Word Unleashed is the sequel to The Word Reclaimed, which is available for $.99 in e-book form from Amazon for a limited time. Here’s the Amazon link.)

To Darkness Fled, by Jill Williamson
Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, to Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er-Rets. (To Darkness Fled is the sequel to By Darkness Hid, which is available for $.99 in e-book form from Amazon for a limited time. Here’s the Amazon link.)

Two previously released MLP books are also available in e-book form by Amazon for a limited time at the $.99 price: Starfire by Stuart Stockton Vaughn, and The Dark Man by Marc Schooley. Click on the books titles for the Amazon link.

You can purchase the books on MLP’s website at:
http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Fiction.htm

MLP bundles and specials are also available:
http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Bundles_and_Specials.htm

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a round-trip flight to Atlanta, Dragon*Com membership/entry badge and two nights (September 3 and 4) hotel accommodation in Atlanta.

Second Place will receive a complete set of Pyr books as published by the contest end date of June 1, 2010 and a commorative Pyr 5th anniversary keepsake.

Third Place will win five Pyr books of their choice  and a commemorative Pyr 5th anniversary keepsake.

For more details and an entry form, visit Pyr’s contest web page:
http://www.pyrsf.com/contest.html

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To celebrate its launch on the Scribd.com website, Marcher Lord Press is offering the novel Starfire by Stuart Vaughn Stockton for only $5 until next Tuesday.

Here’s the official blurb on Starfire:

Rathe is a late-hatch saurn with something to prove. Someone born into such a low caste has no hope of achieving much of anything in this life–unless he can prove himself as a warrior. Through his own skill and a fortuitous encounter with a massive creature, Rathe seeks to rise through the trials to secure a position within the imperial army.

But larger forces are at work in the world, and Rathe has been chosen for a grand and terrible destiny. Through an enemy invasion, revitalized technology from an ancient civilization, and supernatural entities beyond his understanding, Rathe is presented with an unfathomable choice. No matter what he decides, it seems an empire–or a world–will be destroyed.

And the only things informing Rathe’s decision are affection for a small saurin under his care and the admonitions from the mystical representative of a god Rathe doesn’t believe in.

Stuart Vaughn Stockton’s website: http://www.ritersbloc.com

You can find Marcher Lord Press on Scribd at http://www.scribd.com/marcher%20lord%20press

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

“Marcher Lord Select is American Idol meets book acquisitions,” says publisher Jeff Gerke. “We’re presenting upwards of 40 completed manuscripts and letting ‘the people’ decide which one should be published.”

The contest will proceed in phases, Gerke explains, in each subsequent round of which the voters will receive larger glimpses of the competing manuscripts.

The first phase will consist of no more than the book’s title, genre, length, a 20-word premise, and a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb. Voters will cut the entries from 40 to 20 based on these items alone.

“We want to show authors that getting published involves more than simply writing a great novel,” Gerke says. “There are marketing skills to be developed–and you’ve got to hook the reader with a good premise.”

Following rounds will provide voters with a 1-page synopsis, the first 500 words of the book, the first 30 pages of the book, and, in the final round, the first 60 pages of the book.

The manuscript receiving the most votes in the final round will be published by Marcher Lord Press in its Spring 2010 release list.

No portion of any contestant’s mss. will be posted online, as MLP works to preserve the non-publication status of all contestants and entries.

Participating entrants have been contacted personally by Marcher Lord Press and are included in Marcher Lord Select by invitation only.

“We’re also running a secondary contest,” Gerke says. “The ‘premise contest’ is for those authors who have completed a Christian speculative fiction manuscript that fits within MLP guidelines and who have submitted their proposals to me through the Marcher Lord Press acquisitions portal before October 29, 2009.”

The premise contest will allow voters to select the books that sound the best based on a 20-word premise, a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb, and (possibly) the first 500 words of the book.

The premise contest entrants receiving the top three vote totals will receive priority acquisitions reading by MLP publisher Jeff Gerke.

“It’s a way for virtually everyone to play, even those folks who didn’t receive an invitation to compete in the primary Marcher Lord Select contest.”

The premise contest is open to anyone with a completed Christian speculative fiction manuscript that meets MLP guidelines for length, content, genre, worldview, audience, etc. To enter, authors must complete the acquisitions form found at the Marcher Lord Press site and supply all the components listed below on or before October 29, 2009.

Marcher Lord Select officially begins on November 1, 2009, and runs until completion in January or February 2010. All voting and discussions and Marcher Lord Select activities will take place at The Anomaly forums in the Marcher Lord Select subforum. Free registration is required.

“In order for this to work as we’re envisioning,” Gerke says, “we need lots and lots of voters. So even if you’re not a fan of Christian science fiction or fantasy, I’m sure you love letting your voice be heard about what constitutes good Christian fiction. So come on out and join the fun!”

Marcher Lord Press is a Colorado Springs-based independent publisher producing Christian speculative fiction exclusively. MLP was launched in fall of 2008 and is privately owned. Contact: Jeff Gerke; www.marcherlordpress.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

So far, the video section includes interviews with several authors such as Troy Denning, Aaron Allston, Dan Wallace, and Christie Golden, as well as interviews from ComicCon and movie actors such as Hugh Jackman.

In addition, Suvudu has posted for free download several full-length novels. Here are the titles just posted for August:

- The Briar King: Book One of the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, By Grey Keyes
- King’s Property: Book One of the Queen of the Orcs Trilogy, By Morgan Howell
- The Brass Bed, By Jennifer Stevenson

Books that were posted previously include:

- Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Skyborn, By John Jackson Miller
- Darkfever, By Karen Marie Moning
- Manifold: Time, By Stephen Baxter
- Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice, By John Jackson Miller
- Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold!, By Terry Brooks
- For Love of Mother-Not, By Alan Dean Foster
- Weapons of Choice, By John Birmingham
- Elric: The Stealer of Souls, By Michael Moorcock
- Kiss of Midnight, By Lara Adrian
- Star Wars Fate of the Jedi: Dramatis Personae

The books are available in pdf, Kindle, Sony Reader, and Scribd.com formats.

Here’s the link: http://www.suvudu.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Marcher Lord Press has been kidnapped. Alas, it’s true. Strange beings from outer space have apprehended MLP leadership while the authorities slept.

The fiends knew exactly how to hurt us. First, they disabled our defenses. Knocked the silly cat right out. Then they overhwelmed our proximity alarms with vastly advanced weaponry that MLP scientists are only now beginning to study. Finally, they attacked MLP leadership in the first wave. Without command instructions from the top, the loyal MLP defenders were paralyzed. It was classic shock and awe.

The morning after the attack dawned on a Marcher Lord Press materially different from what had been. Witnesses emerged from the rubble of their homes to behold three otherworldly vehicles cooling on the landscape.

The first was a futuristic-looking craft that appeared to be constructed half of terrestrial composites and half of strange metallic alloys. From this vehicle popped a superhuman warrior who told a tale of cyborgs, massacres, and autonomous battle tanks. In his world, a miracle anti-aging elixer has been developed–but something terrible has gone wrong, and the powers that be will do anything to keep the populace from finding out.

This cybernetically augmented human told us that his name was Kirk Outerbridge and that his ship was called The Miracle Cure. Though apparently ship names in his galaxy are subject to change.

No sooner had Outerbridge concluded his tale than a bald cyberpunk exited the second vehicle and began to speak. This vessel was even more advanced than the first. It was seemingly capable of deep-space–perhaps even interstellar–flight. The bald man spun a yarn of a future Earth in which Islam has conquered all, and privately owned debuggers, like him, must do the work that keeps this Imam-ordered civilization running smoothly.

Unfortunately, one of the bots has malfunctioned. On this ship’s maiden voyage to a star curiously singing (which is, he said, also the name of his vessel), something happened to the main servbot on the crew. It seemed to go crazy and tear itself apart limb from limb. Our man has been called in to find out what happend. The debugger, who calls himself Kerry Nietz, says his tale is something akin to I, Robot meets Muhammed–in space.

The third vessel is the most advanced of the three. It sits confidentaly atop monstrous landing struts, towering over the battlefield. A young man leaps from an open portal and lands on the ruined street. He carries an odd white box at his hip. His ship is capable of many leaps between stars and has seen galaxies the other two could not begin to guess at.

In his world, the Act of Religious Tolerance has outlawed all but the state religion, and the holy books from all belief systems are banned. The galaxy is held in uneasy alliance and all the colonized worlds are at peace–or so goes the official story. The truth is that the secret military is about to stage a coup, a powerful warrior family is about to be shredded, and the forbidden item in the young man’s white box can tear the empire apart. Or save it.

Our youth offers his name, Steve Rzasa, and utters an enigmatic whisper: The Word Reclaimed.

Whether or not these three vessels of war and their mysterious captains mean us further harm is yet to be determined. Possibly they pose no further danger and the destruction they wrought was merely the result of their interdimensional rifting into our dimension. Perhaps their stories are something we must and shall hear.

All we can say with any assurance is that the future–that future beginning October 2009–has been claimed by men from the future and their tales of wonder, woe, and awe.

You can find Marcher Lord Press at: http://www.marcherlordpress.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”