Monday, December 7, 2015

Dispatches from the Border: December 2015

Events and News From Borderlands Books

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Upcoming Events
----------------------

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Megan E. O'Keefe, STEAL THE SKY (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at 3:00pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

Coming up in 2016, we're delighted to announce we'll be welcoming Lisa Goldstein, Charlie Jane Anders, V.E. Schwab, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and many other fantastic authors!

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Yearly Holiday Gift Guide
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Happy holidays, everyone!  The gift-giving season is quickly swooping down upon us with its great shadowy black wings, and Borderlands is here to help you find the perfect gift for every elf, shoggoth, and wizard on your list.  (And the plain-old human readers on that list will probably be happy, too.)

Let's start with some signed books.  We have signed copies of SHADOWS OF SELF and ELANTRIS, THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Brandon Sanderson, CHIMERA by Mira Grant, pretty much everything including the VELVETEEN books by Seanan McGuire, THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi, MANNERS & MUTINY by Gail Carriger, most of the Sandman Slim books by Richard Kadrey, BLACK WOLVES (first of a new series) by Kate Elliott, SILVER ON THE ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman, and lots more!

If your gift-ee just has to have the newest and the latest, check out the anthology THE GODS OF H.P. LOVECRAFT edited by Aaron J. French, WARHEART by Terry Goodkind, THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS by Stephen King, FUTURISTIC VIOLENCE & FANCY SUITS by David Wong, WORD PUPPETS by Mary Robinette Kowal, DREAMSEEKER by C.S. Friedman,  THE PROMISE OF THE CHILD by Tom Toner, or LATE IN THE DAY (a new collection of poems) by Ursula K. LeGuin.

Some other excellent new books we're recommending are CARTER & LOVECRAFT by Jonathan L. Howard, THE FIFTH HOUSE OF THE HEART by Ben Tripp (my favorite new novel of this week), FLUX (sequel to FLEX) by Ferrett Steinmetz, AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson, THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET by Natasha Pulley, THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi, AFTERPARTY by Daryl Gregory, and my favorite fantasy of the year, A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall.

For the George R.R. Martin fan in your life, we've got a gorgeous SONG OF ICE AND FIRE COLORING BOOK, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS (which collects the Dunk and Egg stories that have been so hard to find for years), and the GOT parody (but actual, real-life cookbook) A GAME OF SCONES: ALL MEN MUST DINE by Jammy Lannister.

For the kids in your life, may we suggest the empowering princess coloring/storybook HER HIGHNESS BUILDS ROBOTS by Laura Winters and Beth Winters?  (Sample pages: "Getting married was the happiest day of Princess Priya's life. . . Second only to getting her Ph.D. in chemical engineering!".)

We have 2016 calendars galore, with something for everyone, including Hyperbole and a Half, Views From the Hubble Telescope, Fractals, Dr. Suess,  Art of Luis Royo, and dozens of others!

As usual, we wish you a Gorey Christmas with a plethora of Edward Gorey-themed items.  From the classic Gashlycrumb Tinies to the Bibliophile With Cats Puzzle, to the massive collection AMPHIGOREY, we have a little bit of Gorey to suit anyone.  My personal favorite is the "Fruitcake" holiday card that shows the solemn ritual of everyone gathering after dark to throw their fruitcakes into a hole in the ice!

Classics that never go out of style are hardcovers of DUNE, GOOD OMENS, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, and THE HOBBIT.  Less traditional, but just as classic -- SLEIGHT OF HAND (short stories from Peter S. Beagle), MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs, THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey, and LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S.A. Corey, (which has just been made into a tv series).

Two local artists have graced us with one-of-a-kind gifts: we've got lovely steampunk-influenced jewelry from Oakland's Fire Selkie creations, and gift boxes, hair clips, pins, and hand-made cards from San Francisco's Fly By Night Gifts!

As always, we're happy to make personalized recommendations and practice our Psychic Bookseller Skills when you're stumped.  If you just can't decide, we also offer gift certificates in any amount.

Happy holidays to all!  We wish you a safe, peaceful, and bright 2016.

- Jude Feldman

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News
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* Overheard in the store:

"If being a woman means getting lipstick on everything, I'm going back to being non-binary."

"No, I won't be fine. . . I'm going to die."
 "Ok, good."
"Yeah, great.  I love the afterlife."

"Thanks so much, you're an angel!  Well, the kind that kills people with a fiery gaze and sword."

[singing, to the tune of the song from "Annie"]:"The sun will go out/ to-mor-row/ eight minutes later/ we'll all diiiiiiieee/."

"By that logic, dear, groundhogs are a vegetable."

"I don't know if it's maturity or surrender."

* Over at Atlas Obscura, Jess Zimmerman dissects C.S. Lewis’ sneakiest trick; convincing American kids that Turkish Delight is amazing: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cs-lewis-greatest-fiction-convincing-american-kids-that-they-would-like-turkish-delight .  (We actually like Turkish Delight, but your mileage may vary -- one of our customers commented, "I sure didn't think it would taste like roses!".)

* Neal Shusterman, longtime YA SF/F author, has won the National Book Award for his novel CHALLENGER DEEP, which includes illustrations from his son Brendan Shusterman.  The novel is about a young boy navigating his schizophrenia at school and also about a journey to the bottom of the sea and a mutiny.  Check out more info on the book here: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015_ypl_shusterman.html

* The design of the World Fantasy Award is changing, and the new design could be yours!  Any artist is welcome to submit a new design for the trophy.  The World Fantasy Awards Administration asks that it represent both fantasy and horror, and bear no resemblance to anyone, living or dead.  Check out the full rules here: http://www.worldfantasy.org/index.html

* In other Awards design competition news, the competition for the next Hugo Award base is open now.  Check out rules and deadlines here: http://midamericon2.org/hugo-base-contest/

* So you can watch the first episode of The Expanse  -- Syfy’s new series based on James S.A. Corey’s best-selling book series -- on youtube for free.  Initial reviews have been very positive.  Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvZeQD1Vf2s&feature=youtu.be

* In science news, researchers in the U.K. have created some prototype bandages that will glow when they come in contact with bacteria.  Besides being useful if you cut yourself on a rusty pipe before a rave, earlier detection of pathogens leads to earlier, more effective treatment.  http://www.technologyreview.com/news/544166/smart-bandage-signals-infection-by-turning-fluorescent/

* The screenwriters of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy have weighed in on the Turkish case where a doctor is on trial for posting photos that juxtapose the Turkish president with Smeagol/Gollum.  Though it may sound ridiculous to some, the man faces up to two years in prison.  http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/02/peter-jackson-turkish-court-case-gollum-president

* Now that the "Jessica Jones" series has arrived in full and gotten mostly positive reviews, we turn our sights to the next Marvel Netflix series in the line-up -- "Luke Cage".  Here are the first photos from the set: http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/see-the-first-photos-from-the-luke-cage-set.html  Here’s hoping it’s a little more "Jessica Jones" and a little less "Daredevil".

* In other Marvel news, with the release of the Marvel Phase 2 box set, more and more unseen gems are becoming available online.  This time it’s Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista either auditioning or screen-testing for their roles as Star-Lord and Drax.  http://comicbook.com/2015/12/04/cp/

* Hachette is expanding their SF/F imprint Orbit by 50%, which means they will now be publishing 90 titles a year.  The reason for this expansion is a growing diverse audience for SF/F and the number of successes Orbit has been having lately.  The full announcement in on their website here: http://www.orbitbooks.net/2015/11/13/orbit-us-announces-expansion/

* We mentioned last month that publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has announced a new SF/F line as well,  with well-known science fiction and fantasy editor John Joseph Adams at the helm.  The growing audience for SF/F is cited in their announcement as well.  http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/68624-hmh-launches-new-sf-f-list.html

* There’s a new featurette for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" online.  It looks great, as has most of the stuff coming out of the set.  Hopefully this can start to replace our memories of Episodes 1, 2 & 3!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7xZV_26VYU

* Carrie Fisher is absolutely hilarious on "Good Morning, America": http://www.hitfix.com/news/carrie-fisher-just-scorched-good-morning-america-and-youre-not-worthy

* Outspoken Carrie Fisher also had some choice remarks for the father who complained about the gold-bikini Leia costume and as a side effect provided us with our new favorite nickname for Jabba the Hutt.  Check it out over at io9: http://io9.com/carrie-fisher-has-the-best-response-to-the-slave-leia-m-1746298590

Also over at io9, Charlie Jane Anders posts about the lost 1929 science-fiction film that predicted WWII (or an alternate version) that was just found.  It sounds campy and interesting but with some gender stereotypes, so just like "Guardians of the Galaxy", then?  http://io9.com/the-long-lost-1929-science-fiction-movie-that-predicted-1746321534

* We are one step closer to medical 3D printing, with the creation of functional blood vessels.  http://gizmodo.com/3d-printers-can-now-churn-out-living-blood-vessels-1746249526  (Soon I will be able to build my army of cat-monsters from home, excellent!)

* And finally, a trio of lists for your enjoyment!
From The Guardian: their list of the best SF/F books of 2015: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/03/best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-of-2015
Bustle gives us their list of the 8 most badass women in SF/F, including classic characters like Lauren Olamina and Meg Murray and newer ones like Katniss Everdeen: http://www.bustle.com/articles/127525-the-8-most-badass-women-in-science-fiction-novels
And finally, io9 talks about the deadliest kisses in SF/F history: http://io9.com/the-deadliest-kisses-in-all-of-science-fiction-and-fant-1746237456

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Awards News
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* The winners of of the GoodReads Choice Awards have been announced.  Some of the sf/f winners include Neil Gaiman, Victoria Aveyard, Pierce Brown, and more.  Check out the full list here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2015

* The Ignotus Awards for SF/F published in Spain were announced at HispaCon.  For more information check it out here: http://www.aefcft.com/ (website in Spanish)

* Continuing with our outside-the- U.S. awards theme, the Aurora Awards, which celebrate excellence by Canadians in SF/F were also announced this last month.  Winners include the great Julie E. Czerneda, Charles de Lint and Karl Schroeder.  Check out the full list here: http://www.prixaurorawards.ca/

* And finally the winners of the Prix Utopiales -- which are for works produced by Europeans and published in French -- were honored at the Nantes Utopiales Festival International de Science-Fiction.  For the list of winners check out the website here: http://www.utopiales.org/fr/palmares-2015 (website in French)

* And finally the World Fantasy Award winners were announced in Saratoga, NY.  Congratulations to all the winners!  For the full list of winners and nominees check out the website: http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/

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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2015

Hardcovers
1. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
2. MYSTIC by Jason Denzel
3. WHEEL OF TIME COMPANION by Robert Jordan, Heather McDougal, Alan Romanczuk & Maria Simons
4. SHADOWS OF SELF by  Brandon Sanderson
5. CARTER AND LOVECRAFT by Jonathan L. Howard
6. MANNERS AND MUTINY by Gail Carriger
7. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
8. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
9. SLADE HOUSE by David Mitchell
10. AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire

Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
3. INFLUX by Daniel Suarez
4. THE GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. CLOSER TO HOME by Mercedes Lackey
7. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
8. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
9. POSI+IVE by David Wellington
10. GOING DARK by Linda Nagata

Trade Paperbacks
1. BLACK WOLVES by Kate Elliott
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. GYPSY, PLUS. . .  by Carter Scholz
4. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
5. CIBOLA BURN by James S.A. Corey


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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 13th, at 5 pm to discuss LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S.A. Corey.  The book for the next month will be THE EINSTEIN PROPHECY by Robert Masello.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 20th, at 6 pm to discuss STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel.  The book for the following month will be GENE MAPPER by Taiyo Fujii. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
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Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party!  There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors!  Don't miss this chance to meet so many authors all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season -- we'll be joined by Elin Barnes, Cara Black, Rhys Bowen, Emily Brightwell, Diana Chambers, Martha Cooley, Patricia Dusenbury, Janet Finsilver, Jean Flowers, Dana Fredsti, Vinnie Hansen, Ellen Kirschman, Rita Lakin,  Bette and JJ Lamb, Margaret Lucke, Andrew MacRae, Eileen Magill, Nick Mamatas, Pat Morin, Terry Shames, Susan Shea, Kelli Stanley, CJ Verburg, and many more!

Megan E. O'Keefe, STEAL THE SKY (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 9th at 3:00pm - We're delighted to welcome local author and Borderlands sponsor Megan E. O'Keefe to the store!  Her upcoming novel sounds hugely exciting; here's the description: "Detan Honding, a wanted conman of noble birth and ignoble tongue, has found himself in the oasis city of Aransa. He and his trusted companion Tibs may have pulled off one too many cons against the city’s elite and need to make a quick escape. They set their sights on their biggest heist yet  --  the gorgeous airship of the exiled commodore Thratia.  But in the middle of his scheme, a face changer known as a doppel starts murdering key members of Aransa’s government.  The sudden paranoia makes Detan’s plans of stealing Thratia’s ship that much harder.  And with this sudden power vacuum, Thratia can solidify her power and wreak havoc against the Empire.  But the doppel isn’t working for Thratia and has her own intentions.  Did Detan accidentally walk into a revolution and a crusade?  He has to be careful  -- there’s a reason most people think he’s dead.  And if his dangerous secret gets revealed, he has a lot more to worry about than a stolen airship."  We've even got samplers in the store so you can check out an excerpt from the book in advance!

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

*******

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Dispatches from the Border: November 2015

Events and News From Borderlands Books

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Upcoming Events
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Carter Scholz, GYPSY (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $13.00) Saturday, November 14th at 6:00pm -  with special guest Kim Stanley Robinson!

Small Business Saturday with guest bookseller Richard Kadrey, Saturday, November 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Mira Grant, CHIMERA (Orbit, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, December 5th at 3:00pm

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

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News
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* Overheard in the store:
"Why didn't anyone tell me that the 'True Blood' tv show was just an R-rated 'Buffy'?!"

* Someone sent us an absolutely lovely bottle of Scotch from New York.  We think it might be an Anniversary present, but we're not sure, since there was no note included with the bottle.  If you were kind enough to send us this present, could you please let us know so we can thank you?

* Sadly, Crossed Genres Magazine is going to be closing their doors at the end of this year.  Crossed Genres will continue to publish novels.  http://crossedgenres.com/announcements/crossed-genres-magazine-to-close-after-december-issue/

* The newest Marvel Netflix series "Jessica Jones," will premiere in November.  As old-school Jessica Jones fans, after seeing the full trailer,  we find ourselves really looking forward to it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWHUjuJ8zxE

* Borderlands' owner Alan Beatts was on the Publishers Weekly podcast talking about the way the sponsors helped keep the store alive.  Listen here; Alan's segment starts around 9:40: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=8&podcast=494

* A map of Middle Earth annotated by JRR Tolkien himself is up for auction after having been discovered in a copy of LORD OF THE RINGS owned by late acclaimed illustrator Pauline Baynes.  It is on display and on sale for 60,000 GBP.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/23/jrr-tolkien-middle-earth-annotated-map-blackwells-lord-of-the-rings

* The trailer for the "Warcraft" film has been released, and if nothing else it looks like some good pulpy adventure fun.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rxoz13Bthc

* For those who haven't discovered the joy of Secure, Contain, Protect -- it is a wiki with each entry a supposed item/artifact/person that is supernatural, inter-dimensional, or just plain weird.  Some entries are sad, some fascinating, and others not to be read alone at night.  http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-series .  (One of our personal favorites is SCP-1000, Bigfoot.)

* Charlie Jane Anders over at io9 posted a great infographic from Orbit of the compliment of the ships in Ann Leckie's amazing Ancillary trilogy, which was completed last month: http://io9.com/get-to-know-the-incredible-starships-of-ann-leckies-anc-1733743808

* SETI has been listening to star KIC8462852, (the one with the strange light patterns that people think might be aliens,) for two weeks and have heard nothing, but they're not giving up yet.  The Mary Sue has a full post on it: http://www.themarysue.com/seti-finds-no-sign-of-giant-alien-spaceships/

* "Supergirl" premiered, and as a treat for superhero movie adaptation fans, this iteration's parents are played by Lois & Clark's Dean Cain and "Supergirl" film's Helen Slater.

* Ann Leckie gave Publisher's Weekly her list of Top Ten Science Fiction Novels and there are some great, usually ignored gems on her list.  http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/68381-the-10-best-science-fiction-books.html

* A new "Star Trek" television series is in the works for 2017!  We're simultaneously thrilled and terrified, and already busy creating that Dream Cast in our heads.  (Jude wants Angela Bassett to play the Captain.  And Dame Judi Dench should definitely be in there somewhere, too!)  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/arts/television/a-new-star-trek-tv-series-will-debut-in-2017.html

* Congratulations to editor (and Borderlands sponsor) John Joseph Adams.  Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt just announced that they're launching a new science fiction and fantasy line called John Joseph Adams Books/HMH that will be edited by JJA.  According to Shelf Awareness, the line's "first three titles are simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions of SHIFT, DUST and BEACON 23 by Hugh Howey, which will be published in February [2016]."  http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2630#m30432

* Gunnar Hansen, who played Leatherface in 1974's iconic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," has died at age 68.  http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/08/entertainment/gunnar-hansen-texas-chainsaw-massacre-obit-feat/index.html

* Happy Birthday to Ms. Ursula K LeGuin, one of the greatest authors of our time!  http://www.tor.com/2015/10/21/on-this-day-ursula-k-le-guin/


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Award News
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* Congratulations to this year's World Fantasy Award Winners!  http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/

* The 2015 British Science Fiction Award Winners have been announced!  http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/winners-of-the-british-fantasy-awards-2015/

* The Inaugural 100 Year Starship (100YSS) Canopus Awards, which celebrate interstellar writing, have announced their winners.  http://100yss.org/news/press

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From The Office
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A Great Idea

Customers frequently ask us how they can buy e-books, and still support Borderlands.  Now there's a way.  It's not precisely the way we would choose -- we'd rather you could purchase e-books directly from us -- but it's the best solution we've found so far, and it's really pretty smart.  There's an additional benefit, too: you can also get free or inexpensive digital versions of the paper books you already own!  BitLit <www.bitlit.com> is the company working on making this possible.

Brandon Sanderson (many of whose books are available through the BitLit app) was the one who told us about this.  The basic idea is that you get the app, which is free for iOS and Android.  You snap a well-lighted picture of your bookshelf (cleverly called -- what else? -- a "Shelfie",) and the app will let you know which of your books are available for free (or pretty cheap) download.  Select the book(s) you want.  Sign & photograph the copyright page(s) (or take a pic of your bookplate) to easily prove it's actually your book.  Send BitLit the photos, and they'll email you the e-book, which you can read on your existing e-Reader: Kobo, Nook, Kindle, or just in .pdf on your computer or phone.  It doesn't matter where your purchased your books, how long you've owned them.

BitLit currently offers around 75,000 titles for download, and they say the number is increasing every day, as more and more publishers realize what a good idea this is.  Already you can get most of Brandon's books, Joe Hill's, Jane Lindskold's, Neal Stephenson's, Charles Stross', Jo Walton's, F. Paul Wilson's . . . . the list goes on.  It is true that 75,000 books is only a tiny, tiny fraction of the books that readers already own, and might want to get digitally, but progress is certainly being made.  So far, of the "Big 5" publishers, HarperCollins and Macmillan are on board, although only for a portion of their lists.  I do believe the idea will take root and expand, though.  And while many of the books are free, some do have a nominal cost - usually between $2.99 and $6.99.  I think it's likely the prices will decrease, though, again as more publishers join up and add more titles, and the idea becomes more commonplace.

We've believed for a long time that it's an extremely logical next step to also offer the e-book to physical book purchasers, for the quite large number of people who would like the advantages of both -- i.e. the beautiful, well-crafted object of the physical book (possibly signed by the author!), and also the portable, take-anywhere convenience of the e-book.

And yes, there is already an Amazon thingamabob (called MatchBook; why the company ever thought that mixing fire imagery and books was a good idea is beyond me) that does something similar, but (1) it only works with physical books you purchased from Amazon, (2) you can only use it on a Kindle, and (3) their available selection, which currently offers fewer titles than BitLit, seems to be mostly composed of books that were self-published via Amazon.

This is not a new idea, but it does seem to be gaining ground.  Baen Books has made e-versions of their titles available for years, without even asking you to purchase the physical book -- they have the Baen Free Library <https://www.baenebooks.com/c-1-free-library.aspx>.  They've also included CD's with a bunch of the author's backlist books with new Baen hardcovers.  Offering readers free books is certainly a generous, benevolent thing for them to do, but Baen is also shrewd enough to understand that it's an easy way to get readers utterly hooked on their authors and their books, and intent on purchasing that next volume.

I love physical books.  I don't ever want to give them up.  But there are definitely times when I am away from home and wish that I could just quickly check something -- a quote, a fact, a particularly lovely sentence -- that is printed in a book I own.  Or I am stuck in line at the post office with nothing to read.  At those times it would be terrific to be able to pull up one of my books on my phone and dive right in.

As I mentioned in opening, the logical extension of the process under discussion is also a way for readers to have their cake and eat it, too -- to keep physical bookstores like Borderlands, with their myriad advantages besides just selling books (like making the most accurate recommendations, being social centers, and providing places for readers to engage with authors,) in business -- to let readers possess beautiful objects in the form of physical books, while still being able to take their library on that long road trip with them.

-Jude Feldman

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Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2015

Hardcovers
1. SHADOWS OF SELF by  Brandon Sanderson
2. WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
3. A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS by George RR Martin
4. KILLING TITAN by Greg Bear
5. THE CINDER SPIRES by Jim Butcher
6. SILVER ON THE ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman
7. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
8. ELANTRIS: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Brandon Sanderson
9. THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT by Seth Dickinson
10. THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu; translated by Ken Liu

Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE FLUX by Ferrett Steinmetz
3. THE MIRROR EMPIRE by Kameron Hurley
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
6. THE ABYSS BEYOND DREAMS by Peter F. Hamilton
7. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
8. ON THE STEEL BREEZE by Alastair Reynolds
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE TERRANS by Jean Johnson

Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie
2. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
3. WOMEN UP TO NO GOOD by Pat Murphy
4. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
5. EMPIRE ASCENDANT by Kameron Hurley tie with SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER AND GRIMSCRIBE by Thomas Ligotti


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Book Club Information
------------------------------

The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 13th, at 5 pm to discuss LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S.A. Corey.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 15th, at 6 pm to discuss RED PLANET BLUES by Robert Sawyer.  The book for the following month will be STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------

Carter Scholz, GYPSY (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $13.00) Saturday, November 14th at 6:00pm. With guest Kim Stanley Robinson! - We're delighted to welcome the very talented Carter Scholz, one of the finest of the "writer's writers"!  His new collection GYPSY, from PM Press, features the following wonders: "In the novella Gypsy, a small band of renegade scientists crowd-sources Earth's first starship in a desperate attempt to escape global catastrophe.  Heartbreak and hope collide in this moving and visionary tale. "The Nine Billion Names of God" uses a classic SF text to deconstruct literary deconstruction itself, with hilarious results.  In the wickedly droll "Bad Pennies," a spy tasked with trashing a foreign economy testifies before a complacent Congress. "The United States of Impunity" is an ironic salute to America's criminal overclass.  Also featured is our Outspoken Interview, in which a postmodern Renaissance Man charts the synergies and dissonances of a career that embraces both literary and musical composition, reveals the hidden link between winemaking and deep space astronomy, and tells you how to steal his car."  Carter will be joined by series contributor (and Hugo-, Nubula-. and World Fantasy Award-winning author) Kim Stanley Robinson.

Small Business Saturday with guest bookseller Richard Kadrey - Saturday, November 28th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm -  Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and locally-owned, like Borderlands!  This year we welcome author Richard Kadrey, who will be helping to make recommendations and signing books.

Mira Grant, CHIMERA (Orbit, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, December 5th at 3:00pm - We're happy to close the year with terrifying parasites & a visit from Mira Grant!  From the book description: "The final book in Mira Grant's terrifying Parasitology trilogy.  The outbreak has spread, tearing apart the foundations of society, as implanted tapeworms have turned their human hosts into a seemingly mindless mob.  Sal and her family are trapped between bad and worse, and must find a way to compromise between the two sides of their nature before the battle becomes large enough to destroy humanity, and everything that humanity has built. . . . including the chimera.  The broken doors are closing.  Can Sal make it home?"

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party!  There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors!  Don't miss this chance to meet so many authors all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season.

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

*******

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Dispatches from the Border: October 2015

Events and News From Borderlands Books

----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm

Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm

SF in SF presents authors Laura Anne Gilman and Loren Rhoads, hosted by Terry Bisson, Monday, October 12th at 6:30 pm

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm

San Francisco in Mystery: Past, Present, and Future with Reece Hirsch, Kirk Russell, and Kelli Stanley, Sunday, October 25th at 3:00 pm

Mark Oshiro, AN INSIDIOUS THING, Sunday, November 1st at 3:00 pm

Kate Elliot, BLACK WOLVES (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 7th at 3:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

-------
News
-------

* Overheard in the store:

"Do you have CAT'S CRADLE by Vonnegut?  My boyfriend has never read it.  I wish I'd known that before I committed."

"This is my two-handed bastard sword of a cat. FEAR ME!"

"Have you _touched_ this book?!"
"Yes, it's LORD OF THE RINGS. We have 4."
"But this LORD OF THE RINGS is super-pettable!"

* A scholarship in Sir Terry Pratchett's name has been announced at the University of Southern Australia.  Endowed by the late author's estate, it will provide $100,000 to a grad student every two years in perpetuity.  More information here: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/Perpetual-Sir-Terry-Pratchett-Scholarship-announced-for-UniSA/

* Chris Hall at The Guardian explores the dystopian themes in JG Ballard's HIGH-RISE and discusses the new feature film adaptation: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/03/jg-ballards-high-rise-takes-dystopian-science-fiction-to-a-new-level

* The Spectrum Fantastic Art Live exhibition is moving next year from Kansas City, MO to our very own San Francisco's Academy of Art for 2016.  The press release is here: http://fleskpublications.com/blog/2015/09/23/spectrum-fantastic-art-live-moves-to-san-francisco/

* The Museum of Science Fiction has announced its intention to begin publishing a Journal of Science Fiction, free online for everyone.  The first issue will launch January 2016; more details on the SFWA website: https://www.sfwa.org/2015/09/call-for-submissions-to-the-journal-of-science-fiction/

* Despite the mixed reception the film received, there are apparently talks to revive Alan Moore's "Watchmen," with Zach Snyder at the helm again, for a television series.  Nothing is definite yet, owing to Snyder's current work in the DC universe, but it may be a chance for the director to redeem himself in the eyes of many: http://sciencefiction.com/2015/10/02/hbo-zack-snyder-talks-watchmen-tv-series/

* Pop singer Morrissey will release his first novel, this year, a ghost/demon story called LIST OF THE LOST, and by all accounts it's not good: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/04/list-of-the-lost-morrissey-review-publishers-ashamed (Although maybe I'm misunderstanding when a reviewer says the publishers should be ashamed of themselves.)

* The second of Marvel's Netflix series "Jessica Jones" has finally been revealed in a number of teaser trailers.  It looks much better than "Daredevil," and we've only seen a few seconds of it.  http://www.cnet.com/news/marvels-jessica-jones-drinks-fight-in-netflix-trailers/

* Huffington Post talked to a number scientists and "science enthusiasts" to find out their favorite science fiction films.  The answers are pretty standard, but there are a few surprises peppered throughout the list: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/top-scientists-tel-you-thier-favorite-boks-and-movies_55e9b22de4b093be51bb3ff8

* Iskander Krayenbosch has created a hilarious animated video to illustrate what he thinks are the twelve steps of the Hero's Journey.  Using imagery from iconic stories, he makes an excellent argument: http://sploid.gizmodo.com/the-12-steps-that-basically-every-hero-in-a-movie-goes-1734258433

* Author Jay Swanson has created the world's first real-time fantasy blog, INTO THE NANTEN.  In addition to Jay's unfolding story of the exiled Marceles na Tetrarch, the site features incredible original artwork from artist Nimit Malavia and the voice talents of Dennis Kleinman.  You really should check it out: http://intothenanten.com/about-into-the-nanten/

------------------
Award News
------------------

* The Copper Cylinder Award for Canadian fantastic literature has announced its fourth annual winners.  The Adult award went to Thomas King for THE BACK OF THE TURTLE and the Young Adult award to Caitlin Sweet for THE DOOR IN THE MOUNTAIN.  More details on the award and winners here: http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2015-winners

* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has announced their 2015 Dwarf Stars (for short poems 1-10 lines) and Elgin Award (for books and chapbooks of poetry) winners.  Full details here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/ds/15dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/15elgin.html

* The National Book Award longlist has been announced, and while the adult categories have no speculative nominees, the Young Adult category boasts M.T. Anderson, Rae Carson, Noelle Stevenson and others: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015.html

* The Parsec Awards for speculative podcasting have announced their winners.  http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/

* Stephen King was one of those awarded a National Medal of Arts this past month.  http://arts.gov/honors/medals/stephen-king

--------------------
From The Office
--------------------

Media Matters

by Alan Beatts

As much as I love books, SF, horror, fantasy and mystery as a whole are still my first and greatest love.  Which means that movies, TV shows, and even video games within our field have a place very close to my heart.  The last few months have included some good news and neat discoveries that I thought I'd share with you.

The Expanse TV Series
James S. A. Corey's excellent Expanse novels, which begin with LEVIATHAN WAKES, is one of my favorite SF series in recent years.  So I was concerned and pleased in equal parts when I heard that Syfy was going to be producing a series based on the books.  But, I've seen both the regular trailer < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/videos/the-expanse-season-1-trailer > and the background trailer, which includes interviews with the cast, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKmedH336Q >.  I've got to say that it looks pretty darn good and the casting also seems impressive.  Of course, it's hard to tell from such limited information, but I'm hopeful that we'll be getting a big treat this December.

And, regardless of whether the series is any good, we fans of the books win at least a little bit because there's an original prequel story, Drive, available on line as part of the promotion for the show < http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/prequel.php >.

Kingkiller Movie, TV Show, and . . . Game?
A bit further out than the Expanse series, we can also look forward (probably) to a combined package of movie(s), a TV series, and even video games based on Patrick Rothfuss' renowned Kingkiller novels (THE NAME OF THE WIND, THE WISE MAN'S FEAR and, the forthcoming THE DOORS OF STONE) < http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/01/kingkiller-chronicle-lionsgate >. Like the preceding project, there's a little bit of "oh, I hope they don't blow it" fear, but Pat's blog post < http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2015/10/hollywood-news/ > makes it clear that he's being very careful, and will be in a position to exercise some control over how it is all developed.

(Of course, the possible downside of his involvement is that it may further delay subsequent books, though hopefully not THE DOORS OF STONE.)

Ultraviolet, for Free
Looking back rather than forward, I found something damn neat on Hulu.com last week.  Hulu, if you aren't familiar with it, is a site that is primarily geared to letting you watch recent episodes of TV shows (with commercials, of course).  They also have a limited selection of movies available.  And, if you want to pay, you get access to a bunch more stuff.  But, one of the things that I like best about Hulu is that they also host full seasons of a lot of older TV show for free viewing (like all the episodes of The Twilight Zone, for example).

In 1998 there was a short-run British TV series called Ultraviolet (no relation to the pretty terrible 2006 movie).  It's always been pretty hard to find, so I was excited to discover that all six episodes are available on Hulu . . . for free < http://www.hulu.com/ultraviolet >. That show is the most intelligent modern treatment of vampires that I've ever run across.  If you've never seen it, I really suggest that you check it out.  As an added bonus, it is one of Idris Elba's early gigs, long before he worked on The Wire, Prometheus, or Pacific Rim.

Here's hoping that both the Expanse and Kingkiller projects work out well.  Given the quality of shows like The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, I have much more hope for books being turned into series than I used to have.  I think that viewers, producers, writers and directors have gotten much more sophisticated over the past decade.  For example, I'll bet that, if Firefly were to be aired now, it would be a huge success.  So, let's cross our little digits and see what December and 2016 bring us.

----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2015

Hardcovers
1. NO HARD FEELINGS by Mark Coggins
2. UPDRAFT by Fran Wilde
3. THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN by Terry Pratchett
4. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
5. LUNA: NEW MOON by Ian McDonald
6. SECONDHAND SOULS by Christopher Moore
7. DRAGON COAST by Greg Van Eekhout
8. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
9. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
10. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey

Mass Market Paperbacks
1. RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire
2. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
3. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
6. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Kieran Shea
7. POCKET APOCALYPSE by Seanan McGuire
8. REPUBLIC OPF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
9. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
10. THE SHADOW THRONE by Django Wexler

Trade Paperbacks
1. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
2. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin

------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------

The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 11th, at 5 pm to discuss MY REAL CHILDREN by Jo Walton.  The book for the next month will be RED RISING by Pierce Brown. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 18th, at 6 pm to discuss NIGHT WATCH by Sergei Lukyanenko.  The book for the following month will be RED PLANET BLUES by Robert Sawyer.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm - We're always happy to see the charming Brandon Sanderson back at Borderlands!  (Do you know we hosted a signing for his very first novel, ELANTRIS, when it first came out? I think there were only about a dozen people in the audience!)  This time Brandon will be showing off the new novel in the Mistborn world, SHADOWS OF SELF.  This one's a sequel to ALLOY OF LAW, and takes place about 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy.  The author will read, answer questions, and sign, so take a long lunch and come hang out with us and Brandon!  Excerpts from the new novel can be found here: http://brandonsanderson.com/shadows-of-self-previews-updates/ .  We'll be handing out (free) tickets to mark attendees' place in line as they arrive, and once the signing starts, we'll call folks up in groups of 10 using those ticket numbers. You are welcome to bring books from home to be signed, but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while you're in the store.  Also, Brandon will sign any number of books for attendees, (assuming he's written them!)  but he reserves the right to limit personalizations to three per trip through the line if it is extremely crowded.  Borderlands will be open early, at 11:00 am, to prepare for this event.

Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm - Borderlands is thrilled to welcome these two incredible authors to the store.  We're happy to host Greg Bear, the author of more than 44 books including the Nebula-Award-winning DARWIN'S RADIO, who will be showing off the second book in his exciting War Dogs trilogy, KILLING TITAN!  We're also delighted to welcome Ann Leckie, who will be presenting the third ANCILLARY book, ANCILLARY MERCY -- the first of the series swept the awards last year, winning the Arthur C. Clarke, British Science Fiction, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. Two fabulous authors, one event!  You don't want to miss this one.

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl.  This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District.  This year, meet mystery authors who will thrill, confound, and delight you with their stories.  We are pleased to present: William C. Gordon, a noir novelist who began writing in his 60's using San Francisco as a character in most of his books.  He is former trial lawyer, photographer, army officer, world traveler and the author so far, of six novels including, THE CHINESE JARS, THE KING OF THE BOTTOM, THE UGLY DWARF, FRACTURED LIVES, THE HALLS OF POWER, and the soon to be released, EMMA.  Jim Nisbet has published twenty books, including LETHAL INJECTION, widely regarded as a classic roman noir; six volumes of poetry; and a single non-fiction title, LAMINATING THE CONIC FRUSTUM.  Current projects include a fourteenth novel, YOU DON'T PENCIL, and a complete translation of Charles Baudelaire's LES FLEURS DU MAL.  Terry Shames writes the best-selling Macavity award-winning  Samuel Craddock series, published by Seventh Street Books. Her most recent title, A DEADLY AFFAIR AT BOBTAIL RIDGE, was released April, 2015.  Kelli Stanley is a critically-acclaimed, multiple award-winning author of crime fiction, including the moody San Francisco noir CITY OF DRAGONS.  She lives in San Francisco and appreciates fedoras and bourbon.  We hope you'll join us to appreciate these fabulous authors!

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm - Join us to travel to previously unimagined worlds and explore mind-blowing new concepts, without even leaving the building!  This year our guests are: Alyc Helms, who writes fantasy short fiction and novels that explore her obsession with anthropology, liminality, gender, and foxes.  You can out more about her at http://www.alychelms.com .  Nancy Jane Moore is the author of THE WEAVE, a science fiction novel recently released from Aqueduct Press, and numerous short stories.  Check out her website at http://nancyjanemoore.com/ .  Tim Pratt is a Hugo Award-winning author of stories and novels.  His newest book is fantasy novella THE DEEP WOODS.  For more information about Tim, see http://www.timpratt.org .  Na'amen Gobert Tilahun co-hosts "The Adventures of Yellow Peril & Magical Negro" podcast and writes things.  Night Shade Books will release his first novel THE ROOT in Spring 2016.  Don't miss the chance to explore four strange new worlds with these speculative fiction authors!

San Francisco in Mystery: Past, Present, and Future with Reece Hirsch, Kirk Russell, and Kelli Stanley, Sunday, October 25th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome a panel of three fabulous mystery authors representing "San Francisco: Past, Present and Future".  Kelli Stanley's noir novels about San Francisco in the 1940's paint a picture of the vanished city of the World War II era.  Kirk Russell's stories about SF homicide inspector Ben Raveneau and his John Marquez series about California Fish and Game's Special Operations Unit will show the present, and Reece Hirsch shows us the future with his thrillers about cybercrime, including the powerful Chris Bruen series.  There will be light refreshments provided by the Mystery Writers of America, the NorCal chapter of which arranged this great event.  So join us to chance to chat with, and get your books signed by, three extraordinary authors.

Mark Oshiro, AN INSIDIOUS THING, Sunday, November 1st at 3:00 pm - Since 2009, Mark Oshiro (aka MarkDoesStuff) has been on a journey to read as many books and watch as many TV shows as possible.  Now, Mark is turning the tables on his fans by making the transition to a "real life author".  Join him as he reads a selection from his upcoming novel AN INSIDIOUS THING, discusses the Mark Does Stuff universe, and teases everyone by NOT being the most unprepared person in the room!  We'll be taking preorders for Mark's novel, so sign yourself up.

Kate Elliot, BLACK WOLVES (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 7th at 3:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome Kate Elliott back to the store. This may be Kate's ONLY 2015 signing, so we're especially honored to host her this time 'round!  The new book looks amazing -- here's the description from the publisher: "An exiled captain returns to help the son of the king who died under his protection in this rich and multi-layered first book in an action-packed new series.  Twenty two years have passed since Kellas, once Captain of the legendary Black Wolves, lost his King and with him his honor.  With the King murdered and the Black Wolves disbanded, Kellas lives as an exile far from the palace he once guarded with his life.  Until Marshal Dannarah, sister to the dead King, comes to him with a plea -- rejoin the palace guard and save her nephew, King Jehosh, before he meets his father's fate."

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Dispatches from the Border: September 2015

Events and News From Borderlands Books

----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------

Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Signed & Limited Edition (Hardcover, 225 copies) $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm

Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, Greg van Eekout, and Fran Wilde, Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm

Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 pm

Borderlands Sponsors' Open Mic Night, Friday, September 25th at 7:00 pm

Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm

QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION (Lightspeed, Trade Paperback, $29.99) event with Chaz Brenchley, Tim Susman, Rachel Swirsky, and Jessica Yang, Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 pm

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm

Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley, Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

--------
News
-------

* Because we'll soon be losing two beloved Cafe employees who are moving on to further awesome life adventures, we're looking to hire an additional employee for the Cafe, ideally for weekday afternoons and mornings.  We're asking you because we always prefer to "keep it in the family," and hire our customers and associates with whom we already have a rapport.  If you're interested or know someone who is, please send a resume to abeatts@borderlands-books.com.

* Master of Horror Wes Craven has sadly passed away after a battle with brain cancer.  There is hardly a person in Western society who can say they haven’t been affected by Craven’s work.  From the 80’s horror classic "Nightmare on Elm Street" to his "Scream" series (a deconstruction of the horror genre from the inside out,) his impact on genre is undeniable.  We at Borderlands mourn his passing, as do millions of others.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34104752

* This Bustle article does a good job of explaining why who won the Hugos was important while also acknowledging that LGBTQ, POC and women have been writing science fiction since the beginning, from W.E.B. Du Bois to Arthur C. Clarke to Naomi Mitchison to Samuel Delany and Octavia Butler.  We’ve always been here.  http://www.bustle.com/articles/106132-the-2015-hugo-awards-winners-were-announced-and-diversity-prevails

* Speaking of Octavia Butler, DAWN, the first book in her Xenogenesis (or Lilith’s Brood trilogy, depending on your age,) has been optioned for a television series.  Charlie Jane Anders from io9 asked Allen Bain, who secured the rights,  a few questions about his intentions.  http://io9.com/how-the-tv-show-of-octavia-butlers-dawn-will-stay-true-1728791278

* Artist CarlosDanger101 has drawn the cast of "Game of Thrones" in the style of "Bob’s Burgers".  It’s fantastic, intricate and ridiculous.  Check out the post at Nerdist for the full cast: http://nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-drawings-send-the-cast-to-bobs-burgers/

* Webcomic XKCD perfectly captures and summarizes the draw of the novel (and the puzzling nature of THE MARTIAN becoming a big-budget film starring Matt Damon) with this comic: https://xkcd.com/1536/

* In comic book news, the longtime Hulk companion and fan favorite Amadeus Cho, (the Korean-American boy genius introduced in 2006) has been revealed as the new Hulk.  Amadeus has already challenged governments and gods with nothing but his smarts -- it’ll be great to see what he does with the power of the Hulk behind him. http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/04/marvel-comics-reveals-amadeus-cho-new-totally-awesome-hulk/

* In other Hulk news, a quote from Mark Ruffalo via an Italian website has revealed that his character, The Hulk, will not be present in "Civil War", perhaps because of something big planned for him in the future.  ("World War Hulk", perhaps?)  http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-3/mark-ruffalo-reveals-hulk-was-cut-captain-america-civil-war-heres-why

* If you’ve ever been interested in studying the papers of feminist SFF authors Ursula K. Le Guin, Joanna Russ, Kate Wilhelm, Suzette Haden Elgin, Sally Miller Gearhart, Kate Elliott, Molly Gloss, Laurie Marks or Jessica Salmonson, the 2015 Le Guin Feminist Science Fellowship is now open to applications.  http://csws.uoregon.edu/the-le-guin-feminist-science-fiction-fellowship/ .  Their website also reveals they are in the process of acquiring some of James Tiptree Jr.’s papers, as well.

* What about a world where you’re allowed to be single for no more than 45 days before being turned into the animal of your choice?  That’s the premise of the new film "Lobster", directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Colin Farrell, Lea Seydoux, Rachel Weisz and more.  Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAxMksPWGXI

* Mika McKinnon over at io9 gathered a number of images released by the Perimeter Institute about 13 science fiction visions that are already here, or right around the corner.  http://space.io9.com/13-ways-the-future-from-back-to-the-future-is-closer-th-1725749080

* Force Friday, the wonder of "Star Wars", and the realities of capitalism collided recently when all the new merchandise for the new "Star Wars" film was released.  Some toys looked amazing, some looked cheesy and some were awe-inspiring.  Check out the best things from Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/the-best-star-wars-loot-from-force-friday-1728756436

* For those who missed it, the "Suicide Squad" trailer has been out for a while and it looks much better than "Batman V. Superman" in our opinion.  Viola Davis, Will Smith, and Jared Leto mean this superhero film has a lot of Academy Award winners on board:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLLQK9la6Go

* For some people, 2015 is iconic because it is one of the years that Marty McFly traveled to in the classic "Back To the Future" series.  To a younger generation, though, it’s important for being the year that Harry Potter’s first child starts Hogwarts.  http://sciencefiction.com/2015/09/02/harry-potter-ginny-potter-eldest-son-heads-hogwarts/

* Stan Lee has a very simple explanation for why the newest reboot of "The Fantastic Four" flopped so badly. http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/09/03/why-was-fantastic-four-such-a-fail-because-stan-lee-didnt-have-a-cameo/

* Charlie Jane Anders makes the new film "Dragon Blade" sound like an absolute must-see, with the Chinese army led by Jackie Chan versus a rogue Roman legion led by John Cusack on the run from his commander Adrien Brody.  Oh, also?  Trained attack birds.  Read the entire fantastic thing here: http://io9.com/that-ancient-romans-vs-chinese-movie-is-a-total-so-ba-1728660272

* Great interview with Brian Hibbs from Comix Experience about their passion for comics and their graphic novel club (which was CE's answer to the rising minimum wage in San Francisco): http://www.examiner.com/article/comix-experience-promoting-graphic-novels-and-comics

* A marvelous article from journalist Katrina Woznicki about Borderlands and the sponsorship program from Guernica Magazine: https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/ . Thank you, Katrina!

-----------------
Awards News
-----------------

(There has been so much awards news of late that we decided to give it its own heading!)

* The winners of the Hugo Awards and the Campbell were announced at this year's Worldcon, with the dark horse Noah Ward taking many trophies.  Here is the full statistical breakdown of voting: http://www.thehugoawards.org/content/pdf/2015HugoStatistics.pdf

* Speaking of the Hugos, it has been announced that Helsinki won the bid to host the World Science Fiction Convention in 2017.  Guests of Honor include: John-Henri Holmberg, Nalo Hopkinson, Johanna Sinisalo, Claire Wendling, and Walter Jon Williams.  Check out all the details here: http://www.worldcon.fi/

* The Chesley Awards for Science Fiction and Fantasy Art were also announced. http://asfa-art.org/

* The Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire Awards for excellence in French Science Fiction and Fantasy have been announced.  http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/08/2015-grand-prix-de-limaginaire-winners/

* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their winners. The winner will be published on the Baen Books website, along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books. http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp

* The Parsec Awards, which celebrate excellence in speculative fiction podcasting, have announced their full list of finalists for 2015.  Check out the full list here and pick up a few things to listen to on your commutes:
http://www.parsecawards.com/2015-parsec-awards/2015-parsec-awards-finalists/

--------------------
From The Office
--------------------

It's been about six months since we almost closed the shop.  It seems like a good time to update everyone on where the business stands, how things are going generally, and where we are relative to our long-term goals.

If you're not familiar with the whole story about what happened in February, you can read all about it at our blog <http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com>.  But, you might enjoy an article that recently appeared in Guernica Magazine that gives a nice overview and a different perspective <https://www.guernicamag.com/daily/katrina-woznicki-how-to-save-a-book-store/>.

In general, business has been going quite well.  Sales have been solid and are modestly up compared to last year (thank you all for that).  We've done several quite large author events (Paolo Bacigalupi, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, John Scalzi, and Jo Walton, among others) along with a whole slew of smaller but fun and well-attended events with other authors.

Our two newest employees, Scott Cox and Maddy Hubbert, are both settling in well, though they're still in the process of learning "all the things".  It's surprising when I think about it but it usually takes around a year for someone to truly learn how to do all the aspects of the job.  But, that's the consequence of having everyone learn all the jobs around the store (aside from the back-office financial work, that is).

Of course, we are all learning constantly even after a decade and a half on the job.  Our field is constantly expanding and the history of it is so deep that I don't think it's possible to know in its entirety.  It is a source of constant pleasure to all of us to be part of a tradition that has such a long and rich history.

Personally, I'm doing quite well, though still working a bit more than I like.  Setting up the sponsorship program was more work than I anticipated but it has mostly been the fiddly bits of putting systems in place and getting it all running smoothly.  However, all that is close to done and Scott has taken over much of the day-to-day work from me.  I expect that next year will give me the chance to start really digging into other projects.

Speaking of the future and other projects, back in May I talked a bit about long-term plans, specifically getting some improvements in place at the store and, much more importantly, starting a long-term plan to purchase a building to house the business.

I've always thought of Borderlands as a personal project, and assumed that it would end when I was tired of it, incapable of running it, or I died.  The dramatic reaction to the sponsor program and the conviction on the part of many people that Borderlands is an institution has made me rethink that assumption.  I now believe that, if possible, I should create a way for Borderlands to outlast me.  Owning a building is the most important and difficult part of that goal.

At that time my idea was to found a non-profit organization, using extra funds that we received when we had more sponsors sign up than we needed (we need 300 sponsors each year; this year more than 800 people signed up).  The goal would be to create the organization, raise money, and eventually purchase a building to house Borderlands along with, if there was enough room, other bookstores as well.

I spoke with a number of people in both the legal and non-profit worlds about that idea and discovered that there are some pretty serious obstacles to making it work.  I'm still mulling the idea over but, at this point, it looks like it's not going to happen.  If you're curious about the exact reasons for that, let me know and I'll be happy to explain.

But, I'm not giving up on that goal.  I'm just taking a different angle on it.

We already pay a fair amount in rent.  If we were able to find the right building, at the right price, and if we were able to make the down payment, we could use that money to pay a mortgage rather than our rent.  Of course, that is a little like the old joke, "If we had some biscuits, we could have tea and biscuits.  If we had some tea."

However, I've been watching property listings in San Francisco for more than a year now.  There are buildings out there that would suit us very well.  Granted, the prices are quite high now but, even in the (probably) insane real estate market we have in SF right now, the prices are not out of reach.  If we had the down payment.

A year ago I would have figured that getting the quarter-million dollars or so that would be needed was completely out of reach.  But, the success of the sponsorships has made me reconsider that.  Each year we will need $30,000 to make up for the shortfall caused by the higher minimum wage.  This year we received over $80,000 from our sponsors.  If the number of sponsors stays close to that level (or even goes up), we could have that down payment in five years.

On top of that, there are several other possibilities that might mean we can get there either sooner or with fewer sponsors.  First, the current high prices will almost undoubtedly drop sometime.  It might be next year or it could be in five years, but I do not believe the current situation is going to last.  Second, there were a couple of ideas that people suggested when it looked like we were going to close that, although not sufficient to fix the minimum wage problem, could increase our income by a non-trivial amount over the next one to two years.  And, finally, there are other ways that I might be able to raise funds to get us to that goal.  Any or all of those things could either get us there faster or manage to get us there with fewer sponsors.  Taken together, all that gives me good reason to hope that we might succeed.

So, that's one of the next projects for me.  Working on ways to get that down payment together, watching the market for the right building, and being ready to move quickly if the chance presents itself.  It might not work but, if we can swing it, we'll make bookselling history for a second time.  As well as traveling a long, long way towards securing Borderlands' future.

Of course, I'll be working on other things around the shop as well.  I'd really like to be able to easily live-stream and make podcasts of our events.  I've got some shelving to rearrange and build so we can get our used paperback section up to snuff (I'm not happy with the size of it right now).  And I'm sure that other things will come up as I go along.  Pretty much business as usual around here.  But I'm still going to be thinking about a permanent home for the shop . . . all the time.

- Alan Beatts

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Best Sellers
----------------

Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for August, 2015

Hardcovers
1. THE END OF ALL THINGS by John Scalzi
2. KILLING PRETTY by Richard Kadrey
3. THREE MOMENTS OF AN EXPLOSION by China Mieville
4. HALF A WAR by Joe Abercrombie
5. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
6. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
7. THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS by Jo Walton
8. DARK FOREST by Cixin Liu
9. FOOL’S QUEST by Robin Hobb
10. NEVERWHERE: AUTHOR'S PREFERRED TEXT by Neil Gaiman


Mass Market Paperbacks
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY by Keiran Shea
3. EXO by Steven Gould
4. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
7. RED: FIRST LIGHT VOL. 1 by Linda Nagata
8. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
9. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
10. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler

Trade Paperbacks
1. THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
3. BLACK HOLE by Bucky Sinister
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. GENE MAPPER by Taiyo Fujii

------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------

The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, September 13th, at 5 pm to discuss EXCESSION by Iain M. Banks.  The book for the next month will be MY REAL CHILDREN by Jo Walton. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, September 20th, at 6 pm to discuss LEXICON by Max Barry.  The book for the following month will be THE NIGHT WATCH by Sergei Lukyanenko.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------

Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Signed & Limited Edition (Hardcover, 225 copies)  $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm - Mark Coggins continues the cult classic August Riordin series with this latest thrilling installment!  From the publisher: "Winnie doesn’t remember the last time she felt anything below her neck.  Her spine is severed at the seventh vertebrae, but thanks to implants from a sabotaged biomedical start-up, she has regained mobility.  She is a prototype: a living, breathing -- walking -- demonstration of revolutionary technology that never made it to market.  Her disability has become her armor.  Because she doesn’t register fatigue, she has trained relentlessly.  Her hand, arm, and leg strength are off the scales. . . and she has honed self-defense techniques to channel that strength. . . .When the sociopath who torpedoed the start-up sends killers to harvest the implants from her body, Winnie must team up with broken-down private investigator August Riordan to save both their lives -- and derail sinister plans for perverse military applications of the technology."  We hope you'll come by to meet Mark and check out his awesome new novel.

Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm - A special treat from Tor Books: a tremendous Tuesday of tacos, Tecate, and three terrific tellers of tales!  We do hope you'll come to check out Seanan's creepy story in the Ellen Datlow-edited anthology THE DOLL COLLECTION, Greg's newest release in the California Bones series DRAGON COAST, and Fran's exciting debut novel, UPDRAFT.  The authors will discuss and sign their works, hopefully not while holding tacos.

Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 pm - We hope you can join us for an unusual Modern Russian Avant-Garde event at Borderlands Cafe: "The Arts Resistance is proud to present the watercolor and oil paintings by Evgeny Avilov, the Russian artist behind the infamous "Exorcism at the Mausoleum" and other extreme activism actions of the art collective "Blue Rider."  Based in Moscow, Avilov represents the open opposition, a small number of artists and activists still protesting the authoritarian power at risk of their freedom and life.  Avilov will talk about the lack of freedom of expression, human rights, and rising militarism in Russia.  The Arts Resistance will give a brief presentation on the arts protest movement, reviewing art collectives Pussy Riot, Voina and Blue Rider.  San Francisco-based writers will read their work exploring the theme "Home, Patriotism, and War," and Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph.D., an internationally acclaimed art critic, will make a presentation on Kandinsky, his "Blue Rider" art group and European avant-garde before World War I."  Mr. Avilov's work will be on display in the Cafe until September 30th.  If you are of the Facebook persuasion, RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1056292531062782/

Borderlands Sponsors' Open Mic Night, Friday, September 25th at 7:00 pm - Borderlands' sponsors are an intelligent, talented, and diverse group of people, and many of them are writers!  We're hosting our first Open Mic Night for sponsors, giving them a chance to share short stories, flash fiction, an excerpt from a longer work -- almost any type of writing, in any genre.  All we ask is that the readings are kept short -- five minutes or less -- so as to allow as many readers as possible the opportunity.  The really fun thing about open mic nights is that each reader brings fresh surprises and you never know what's coming up next.  We hope you'll come by to check out your talented friends and fellow customers!  (Please note: This event is open to the general public, but only sponsors may read.)

Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome Ian McDonald to Borderlands!  Mr. McDonald is best known for his extremely successful, cerebral science fiction, but he also writes smart, incredibly entertaining space adventure.  Here's the publisher's info for his newest novel: "The Moon wants to kill you. Whether it’s being unable to pay your per diem for your allotted food, water, and air, or you just get caught up in a fight between the Moon’s ruling corporations, the Five Dragons.  You must fight for every inch you want to gain in the Moon’s near feudal society.  And that is just what Adriana Corta did.  As the leader of the Moon’s newest 'dragon,' Adriana has wrested control of the Moon’s Helium­3 industry from the Mackenzie Metal corporation and fought to earn her family's new status.  Now, at the twilight of her life, Adriana finds her corporation, Corta Helio, surrounded by the many enemies she made during her meteoric rise.  If the Corta family is to survive, Adriana's five children must defend their mother's empire from her many enemies. . . and each other."

QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION (Lightspeed, Trade Paperback, $29.99) event with Chaz Brenchley, Tim Susman, Rachel Swirsky, and Jessica Yang, Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 pm - Following the overwhelming success of Lightspeed Magazine's special WOMEN DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION issue (and Nightmare Magazine's WOMEN DESTROY HORROR, and Fantasy Magazine's WOMEN DESTROY FANTASY issues), a hugely successful Kickstarter has now brought us QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION!  From their website: "Sometimes it seems as if science fiction has walled itself into a cave that leaves out anyone who isn't straight and cis-gendered, a cave with no room for anyone questioning their sexuality or relationship to their body.  Since we added a little room to SF last year by smashing a place for women, we here at Lightspeed decided to give the writers and editors of the queer community a chance to do some demolition."  We are delighted to facilitate further destruction of boundaries with these awesome contributors!  You can preview some of the short stories, flash fiction, artwork and more here: http://www.destroysf.com/table-of-contents-queers-destroy-science-fiction/ .  We certainly hope you'll join us!

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm - We're always happy to see the charming Brandon Sanderson back at Borderlands!  (Do you know we hosted a signing for his very first novel, ELANTRIS, when it first came out? I think there were only about a dozen people in the audience!)  This time Brandon will be showing off the new novel in the Mistborn world, SHADOWS OF SELF.  This one's a sequel to ALLOY OF LAW, and takes place about 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy.  The author will read, answer questions, and sign, so take a long lunch and come hang out with us and Brandon!  Excerpts from the new novel can be found here: http://brandonsanderson.com/shadows-of-self-previews-updates/ .  Borderlands will be open early, at 11:00 am, to prepare for this event.

Greg Bear, KILLING TITAN (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) and Ann Leckie, ANCILLARY MERCY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, October 10th at 3:00 pm - Borderlands is thrilled to welcome these two incredible authors to the store!  We're happy to host Greg Bear, the author of more than 44 books including the Nebula-Award-winning DARWIN'S RADIO, who will be showing off the second book in his exciting War Dogs trilogy, KILLING TITAN!  We're also delighted to welcome Ann Leckie, who will be presenting the third ANCILLARY book, ANCILLARY MERCY -- the first of the series swept the awards last year, winning the Arthur C. Clarke, British Science Fiction, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. Two fabulous authors, one event! You don't want to miss this one.

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Borderlands" with William C. Gordon, Jim Nisbet, Terry Shames, and Kelli Stanley Saturday, October 17th at 7:15 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl!  This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District.  This year, meet mystery authors who will thrill, confound, and delight you with their stories!  We are pleased to present: William C. Gordon, a noir novelist who began writing in his 60's using San Francisco as a character in most of his books. He is former trial lawyer, photographer, army officer, world traveler and the author so far, of six novels including, THE CHINESE JARS, THE KING OF THE BOTTOM, THE UGLY DWARF, FRACTURED LIVES, THE HALLS OF POWER, and the soon to be released, EMMA.  Jim Nisbet has published twenty books, including LETHAL INJECTION, widely regarded as a classic roman noir; six volumes of poetry; and a single non-fiction title, LAMINATING THE CONIC FRUSTUM.  Current projects include a fourteenth novel, YOU DON'T PENCIL, and a complete translation of Charles Baudelaire’s LES FLEURS DU MAL.  Terry Shames writes the best-selling Macavity award-winning  Samuel Craddock series, published by Seventh Street Books. Her most recent title, A DEADLY AFFAIR AT BOBTAIL RIDGE, was released April, 2015.  Kelli Stanley is a critically-acclaimed, multiple award-winning author of crime fiction, including the moody San Francisco noir CITY OF DRAGONS.  She lives in San Francisco and appreciates fedoras and bourbon.  We hope you'll join us to appreciate these fabulous authors!

Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds at Borderlands Cafe" with Alyc Helms, Nancy Jane Moore, Tim Pratt, and Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, Saturday, October 17th at 8:30 pm - Join us to travel to previously unimagined worlds and explore mind-blowing new concepts, without even leaving the building!  This year our guests are: Alyc Helms, who writes fantasy short fiction and novels that explore her obsession with anthropology, liminality, gender, and foxes.  You can out more about her at www.alychelms.com .  Nancy Jane Moore is the author of THE WEAVE, a science fiction novel recently released from Aqueduct Press, and numerous short stories.  Check out her website at http://nancyjanemoore.com/ .  Tim Pratt is a Hugo Award-winning author of stories and novels.  His newest book is fantasy novella THE DEEP WOODS.  For more information about Tim, see www.timpratt.org .  Na'amen Gobert Tilahun co-hosts "The Adventures of Yellow Peril & Magical Negro" podcast and writes things. Night Shade Books will release his first novel THE ROOT in Spring 2016.  Don't miss the chance to explore four strange new worlds with these speculative fiction authors!

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

Monday, August 17, 2015

Dispatches from the Border: August 2015

Events and News From Borderlands Books

----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------

John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm

Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm

Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm

Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm

Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm

Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

And coming up in the Fall, we'll host Greg Bear and Ann Leckie (yes, together!), the fabulous Litquake LitCrawl,  Mira Grant, and many, many others!

-------
News
-------

* Overheard in the store:
"Your capacity for academia and smut exceeds my own."
"Did you ever get in a Facebook war with Anne Rice?"

*New writer's group starts at Borderlands Cafe.  From the orginizers, "The San Francisco Writers Coffeehouse is a bunch of writers sitting around talking about writing . . . with coffee. No agenda. Just chat about the latest trends in the industry, about the craft of writing, about markets, about pitching and selling, about conquering frustration and defeating writers block, and about all of the good things that come from the community of writers. No previous publishing experience necessary. The Writers Coffeehouse invites everyone from absolute beginner to award-winners and bestsellers. We're all writers.  We'll be meeting the 4th Sunday of every month from 5pm-8pm at Borderlands Cafe, 870 Valencia Street, in San Francisco. Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 23."  You can find more info at their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/385645044974572

* We're very sorry to hear that wonderful author (and dear man) Tom Piccirilli has passed away.  A winner of multiple Stoker Awards and finalist for both the Edgar Award & The World Fantasy Award, he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012.  http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/07/tom-piccirilli-1965-2015/

* Michael Moorcock gives a hilarious and illuminating interview in The Guardian.  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/12/michael-moorcock-my-family-values

* After decades of rumors and attempted adaptations, Philip K. Dick's alternate history novel THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE is finally getting a visual treatment, with the series set to premiere this fall.  Check out the trailer here: http://www.tor.com/2015/07/13/the-man-in-the-high-castle-first-trailer-sdcc-2015/

* John Kenn Mortensen draws Lovecraftian horrors by way of Edward Gorey -- most of his prints are now sold out but you can check out his gallery here: http://johnkenn.blogspot.com/

* Ursula LeGuin opens an informal writing Q&A over at Book View Cafe.  The submission form for questions has since been taken down, but she intends to post an answer to the questions already received every other week until she's gotten through them all, and once she's gotten through them, they will be open for more questions.  Keep an eye out for her wonderful replies and for the opportunity to submit your own question.  http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/tag/navigation/

* Spielberg's adaptation of READY PLAYER ONE now has a release date of December 15, 2017.  Not quite time to start popping the popcorn, but at least you can put it on your calendars.

* Speaking of adaptations and release dates, Stephen King's THE DARK TOWER, which has bounced from studio to studio and director to director, finally has a release date as well: January 13, 2017.  They are ambitiously talking about a movie franchise and a TV series and although they have a writer & director set up -- Nikolaj Arcel -- there is still no cast at all, so keep your fingers crossed this actually happens.

* The 2015 Mythopoeic Awards were announced at MythCon 46; congratulations to the winners!  http://www.mythsoc.org/news/mythopoeic-awards-2015-winners-announced/

* The Science Fiction Poetry Association has named two new Grand Masters: Marge Simon and Steve Sneyd. For more information and list of other SFPA Grand Masters check here: http://sfpoetry.com/grandmasters.html

* The British Fantasy Award Nominees have been announced and the full list is available here: http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/british-fantasy-awards-2015-the-nominees/

* The 2015 Manly Wade Wellman Award for a Science Fiction or Fantasy writer living in North Carolina has been given to Mur Lafferty for her novel GHOST TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS.  http://ncsff.org/

* Though a lot of us have lost faith in J.J. Abrams' directing ability since "Star Trek: Into Darkness", he at least has one thing right in the new "Star Wars" film: there will be no midichlorians at all!  http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/05/mediating-midi-chlorians-abrams-says-the-force-awakens-will-avoid-controversial-canon/

* The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History have announced their shortlist for this month's awards.  Some of the short-form nominees are available online; check them all out here: http://www.uchronia.net/sidewise/

* The Second Annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award has announced their list of finalists.  The winner will be published on the Baen Books website along with receiving an engraved award and $500 worth of Baen Books.  Check out the list of finalists and rules here: http://www.baen.com/baenfantasyaward.asp

* The 2015 Will Eisner Awards were announced, and many of the winners and nominees had sf/f elements.  Winners include the titles "Saga," "Lumberjanes," "Through The Woods," and more.  The full list of winners and nominees is here: http://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info

* Remember when TV shows had crossover events all the time?  It has gone out of fashion in the last few years, but some unlikely shows are looking to bring it back.  The procedural "Bones" and the pre-apocalyptic genre show "Sleepy Hollow" are planning a number of crossover episodes this coming season.  http://tvline.com/2015/08/06/bones-sleepy-hollow-crossover-storyline-spoilers-plot/

* The full Red Band trailer for The Deadpool movie has finally been released and it looks amazing.  Ryan Reynolds wanted to make up for the awful portrayal of Deadpool in that Wolverine film and he is definitely doing it.  (Although it has been controversial that they've decided to delete his schizophrenia from the film, many advocates are pointing to him as a high profile character who is canonically schizophrenic.)  http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/04/see-the-merc-with-a-mouth-in-full-hd-glory-in-first-red-band-trailer-for-deadpool/

* The 2014 Shirley Jackson Awards have been announced, and winners include Jeff VanderMeer, Daryl Gregory, Ellen Datlow and Allison Littlewood.  For the full list go here: http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/nominees/

* The knives have been out for the Fantastic Four remake almost since its announcement,  and everything from the plot to the casting to the effects has been dragged through the mud on the internet.  Director John Trank has basically disowned it, saying it was not the version he wanted to show and now his former collaborator for the film Chronicle is defending his friend on twitter.  http://sciencefiction.com/2015/08/08/chronicle-screenwriter-defends-josh-tranks-fantastic-four/

* Friend of the store and wonderful author, N.K. Jemisin, (whose new book THE FIFTH SEASON is out now,) was interviewed/profiled in The Guardian.  Read her thoughts about fantasy, race, society, gender, and writing, and the ways they all inform each other here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/nk-jemisin-interview-fantasy-science-fiction-writing-racism-sexism

--------------------
From The Office
--------------------
by Alan Beatts

1.  "Bright Light, Big City"

I love New Orleans.  It is one of my favorite cities in the world and the only one, other than San Francisco, in which I feel at home.  I had a chance recently to spend a week there and it was just as lovely as always.  But, while I was there, I was struck by how that city is facing some of the same problems that we have in San Francisco, despite it being almost, but not completely, unlike San Francisco.

That led to ruminating on a change that I've noticed over the past thirty years or so.  It used to be that big cities were not the preferred choice of residence for most of the population of the US.  The growth of the suburbs, starting in the 1950s and driven by the post-war boom, ubiquitous automobiles, and the expansion of freeways, began the process of moving people out of cities.  Following that, rising crime levels in cities prompted more people to move out, which drained revenue from cities, which further aggravated crime and a general decay of basic infrastructure.

Between 1970 and 1980 the population of New York dropped by more than 10%.  In fact, eight of the ten cites in the US that were the largest in 1950 showed huge drops in population between 1970 and 1980 (the two exceptions were Los Angeles, which has had a constantly growing population throughout, and Boston, which had a population drop of 19% the decade previous).  The population decrease in those cites through that decade ranges mostly between 10 and 20% despite the US population as a whole increasing by 10% in the same decade.

So, between 1970 and 1980 people were leaving major cities in the US in droves.  Even a decade later, 1990, most of those cities were below the population level of 1970.  In a number of cases, the drop was continuing through the '90s and even into the new century.

On a larger scale, movement into "urban" areas, (as defined by the US Census) came to a complete halt between 1980 and 1985.  For each of those years the "urban" population of the US stayed at 74% despite a previously constant upward trend for the prior 100 years.  Since the census definition of "urban" includes large suburban areas the are close to major cities, the drop in population evidenced by the largest cites is not as obvious here but the percentages are indicative of the same flight out of cities.  Even by 1990, the urban population had only increased by one percentage point to 76%.

That trend of shrinking populations in big cites started to reverse in 1990 and that reversal has continued.  Of the ten cities I tracked from 1950 onwards, six of them show a upward population trend starting by the the end of the last decade.  Some started early in 1990 (New York), the trend continued in 2000 (Chicago and Boston), and the laggards turned up in 2010 (Philadelphia and Washington).  By 2014, based on US Census projections, even Baltimore will be gaining.  The three cities that are still losing citizens are not much of a surprise: Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis.  But even in those cities, the downward trend has leveled off sharply and it wouldn't surprise me if it had reversed by the 2020 census.

In fact, the trend of people moving into cities seems to be accelerating rapidly.  An article from the Brookings Institute in 2013 discusses that phenomena at length (http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2013/05/28-city-growth-frey) and, associated with it, there is this useful table surveying the growth of the 20 largest cites in the US (http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Opinions/2013/05/28-city-growth-frey/CityGrowthTable1.pdf?la=en).  Only one shows negative growth between 2010 and 2012 (poor old Detroit) but even in that case the negative change is much, much slower than the average of the past decade.  Every single other city is not just showing growth, but at a much higher rate than the average of the past decade.  Moreso, in 16 out of 20 cases, the growth between 2011 and 2012 is greater than the period between 2010 and 2011.

By any set of figures that I can find, we're in the middle of a huge population shift back into big cities.  One that is probably as big or bigger than the shift out of cities that happened near the end of the last century.

2.  "Knock Yourself Out"

These days, I hear often that "growth is good", and there are certainly good things about people flooding back into our cities.  Property values go up, which means more tax revenue for the city, which should lead to better infrastructure.  Generally speaking, people living in a city have a lower energy footprint, due to public transit, shorter home-to-work commuting, and so on.  That's better for the environment.  And those are just a few upsides.

But the rapid increase in population causes a host of problems as well.  Rents, both residential and commercial, increase because of demand, which leads to displacement of small businesses and lower income citizens.  The population increase places greater demands on infrastructure, everything from emergency services to water supply and treatment.  Those sort of problems can be difficult to solve because the population can jump very rapidly but addressing shortfalls in services or housing cannot be done quickly.  It takes time to build housing, water treatment plants, and to train police officers.  Additionally it takes political will and money to address those things.  Both can be in short supply, especially after years of making do with a small tax base and sharply limited income.

And, finally, there isn't much financial motivation to build low income housing or hire and train fire department personnel.  But there is, of course, a great deal of financial motivation to build luxury housing and raise rents.

In the long term, many of those problems will get solved.  Once people move into a city and stay for a while, they start to get concerned about things like reliable public transit and emergency services.  While developers are making piles of money building things, the city administration starts to find ways to get some of that cash to repair and upgrade the infrastructure that the new development is using.

Large cites are hugely dynamic systems.  Like all such systems they adapt and adjust remarkably well.  The population shift is also a dynamic process.  People want to live in dense, urban areas but they are perhaps not too picky about which one they choose.  If a specific city gets too expensive or the infrastructure is stretched too thin, then people will move to another city instead, thereby reducing the strain.  We see this in San Francisco every time a family with children choose to move out when their kids are old enough to start school (because the public schools here are overloaded and the private ones are crazy expensive).

But, we do risk a serious cultural loss as a result of the population shift into cities.  That loss is not something that can by dynamically addressed.  Once cultural institutions and the individuals who drive them are lost, they are often gone forever.

3.  "You Don't Know What It's All About"

Big cities, both true metropolises and smaller ones, are a crucial part of our society's artistic, intellectual, and social existence.  By putting a large number of diverse people together in close proximity, cities allow for the accidental creation of a "critical mass" of ideas and enthusiasm that jumpstarts artistic and intellectual movements.  From the Algonquin Round Table to the musicians at CBGB, from Kerouac and the Beats at Vesusivio to the gutter punks at The Farm, from The Hotel Monteleone to Storyville -- the history of our literature, music and art is, in part, also a history of our cities and their inhabitants.

Alongside that quality, and supporting it, has been the general tolerance of city dwellers for the unusual, outlandish, and extraordinary.  Just to preserve one's sanity in such a densely populated environment, city dwellers tend to take a live-and-let-live attitude in regards to each other, which is amplified by the enormous diversity of cultures jammed side-by-side.

Also, the dense population makes for an economic environment that can support businesses that couldn't survive in a small town.  Consider Borderlands for example -- there simply are not enough readers of what we sell to keep us open in a small town.  But in a city, places like Borderlands can find enough customers to be viable.  Consequently cities support businesses (and the people and ideas associated with them) that wouldn't exist otherwise, and who add details and flair to the economic landscape.

Of course, most of the small businesses and artists that inhabit cities don't ever make a mark on the larger fabric of our culture.  But some of them do and, without the rich incubator that cites provide, many of them would not achieve their potential.

The risk is that the suddenly rising cost of living and working in cities will drive the small businesses, artists, musicians, writers and other assorted oddballs out, depriving them of the environment that helps them grow.  And, incidentally, depriving our culture of their potential gifts.

Also at risk is the eccentric physical structure of cities.  The Mission District in San Francisco is unique in that, within it, there are examples of virtually every style of West Coast architecture going all the way back to at least 1870 (and further, if you count the original Mission Dolores, the facade of which was constructed in 1791).  Simple economics demand that a sudden large demand for housing will prompt a rush to build new housing.  Since the central and oldest areas of cities are typically almost completely built-up, the only way to build new structures is to demolish the existing ones.  Not a bad thing on its own (as long as some care is given to consider the historic value of older buildings) but, since the construction is happening all at once, there is a risk that all the new construction will have much the same character.  If that happens, the preponderance of that style eliminates the hodgepodge mix of buildings, which in turn makes the city a more bland and homogeneous place.

4.  Urban Conservationism

A useful way to look at our environment is as a spectrum with untouched and unaltered nature at one end, extending through parks, farmland, small towns, suburbs, smaller cites and concluding with metropolises.  The critical quality of this spectrum is the degree and extent of human alteration to the original environment.

Another way to look at our environment produces a very different perspective.  What if instead we consider the degree to which the environment is organic and unplanned?  In other words, a large farm or a gated suburban community is at one end of the spectrum and wild and untamed nature is at the other end.  If one takes that view it suggests that a national park like Yosemite and a city like New York both exist at a point near to each other, rather than at opposite ends of the spectrum, and that they are both distant from a farm or suburb.

Both are hugely complex and chaotic systems that no-one completely understands or controls.  They both are the result of organic growth that has been guided, to varying degrees at various times, by humans.  Granted one could argue that Yosemite has been subject to far less guidance, but I think that you can make an argument to the contrary as well; consider the far-reaching effect that fire fighting has had on Yosemite over the past 100 years -- to my knowledge, nothing in New York has ever been subject to that kind of consistent and constant effort.  Further, the shape and character of even newish cities like New York or San Francisco, is not something that was planned in any organized fashion.  And, if you consider truly old cities like London or Istanbul, the idea that what we now see is the product of organized planning is laughable.

I suggest that, like national parks, our great cities are complicated, sometimes delicate, environments that are a valuable and vital part of our history, culture and future.  And, as a result we should treat them with respect and view ourselves as their custodians rather than their owners.

Despite the foregoing, I'm not suggesting that the approach to conservation that is applied to national parks would make any sort of sense for a city.  Unlike a park, one of the intrinsic qualities of cities is rapid change.  More than being intrinsic, change is part of what gives cites their vibrancy and unique quality.  But what I am suggesting is a change in attitude towards our cities.

San Francisco existed long before I was born and I expect it will be here long after I'm gone.  Likewise, both the building that houses Borderlands and the building that I live in are much older than me and, with luck, they can also be here long after I'm gone.  In essence, I'm just passing through and I think it behooves me to act that way.  So, rather than blithely remodel the bookstore to suit Borderlands, we have tried to preserve the existing building and materials while fitting Borderlands in around them.  It has been a give and take process and will continue to be.  But it has never crossed my mind that it would be better to tear out the old windows rather than repairing them as needed.  On the other hand, when the front windows needed replacement, I was happy to put in new, safer framing to hold them, rather than preserving the old, weak (i.e. not earthquake safe) construction.

I suggest the following principles, both for individuals, businesses, and city government -

1)  Tread softly and go slow
The city has been here much longer than you and will probably be here once you're gone.  If you've just arrived, try out things for a while before you decide that you want to change them.  If you buy a house, live it in a little bit before you start tearing out walls and remodeling the kitchen.  If you think that a stop light at your corner would be better than a stop sign, drive, bike and walk in the neighborhood for a while before you write the city.  Even if you've been here for a while, all that is still good advice.

If, after going slow, you think that a change makes sense, try not to change things more than absolutely necessary.  When you decide to cause change, think carefully about what the effects will be, whether they are going to be positive or negative, and whether they are consistent with the city you came to.  Finally, when you start changing things, do it in small steps and look at the consequences before moving forward with more change.

2)  Conform to the city while finding a place that suits you
Instead of assuming that the way you're used to living is going to work in a city, put aside your expectations of how things will work and instead look at how things are.  Watch how people who have lived here a while navigate the seeming obstacles and headaches.  Be willing to make trade-offs between your habits and the habits that the city encourages.  Perhaps you don't really need a car, which means that parking doesn't matter to you at all.

At the same time however, don't drive yourself crazy turning into a pretzel to fit the place you live.  There are a bunch of different neighborhoods in any city.  Some go to bed early and some rock 'til sunup.  Some of them have easier parking and some have pretty much no parking.  If you like to go to bed early, don't move in near a nightclub.  If you like nature, live near a park.  If you want your children to grow up somewhere quiet and conservative, find that neighborhood.  If you want to play music all night and dance around, live on the ground floor, not the top one.  But don't expect to make the place you decided to settle change to suit you -- best case, you'll be unhappy; worst case, you'll succeed.

3)  Support what is unique and respect history
As much as familiar things are comforting, it's the unfamiliar that gives cities their character and charm.  Go to the tiny, local restaurant, and shop at smaller, local shops.  Help maintain the businesses that make the city unlike others.  Most of all learn and respect the history of the city.  San Francisco's Cable Car system is (mostly) a lousy way to get around but it's also a part of the city's history; so don't complain about the high fares and limited routes.  Ride it or don't, but respect the history it represents.  Seek out the oldest places in town (the longest operating restaurant, the place that invented a signature drink, the oldest bar).  Talk to the old timers who have lived through the history of your town. And remember, that some of the oldest, crappiest buildings and neighborhoods are the heart of the place you live.

4)  Be reasonable
In the flood of people returning to our cities, you are not a unique snowflake unlike all the others.  You are actually one invisible fragment of a blizzard, and you are no more important than anyone else.  Accept that living side by side with a large number and wide variety of people means you're not going to agree with all or even most of them.  Accept that they're going to randomly double-park every once in a while, meaning you have to go around them on your bike.  Perhaps you cannot get into your favorite restaurant during your half-hour lunch break; fine, try a new place that you've never been.  Know that sometimes, the bus is just going to stop for no apparent reason at all and you'll need to walk nine blocks to get to work.  Patience and a willingness to make accommodations for circumstances and other people will make living in a city much more comfortable for you . . . and the people around you.

5)  Accept change
The one constant in life, right?  Some change is great and some change is horrible, but the one thing we know for sure is that it's going to keep happening.  Make peace with it.  Don't think that things were better when you were in high school or in some other, far-off time.  In the first place, things probably weren't better but even if they were, you're not accomplishing anything by dwelling on it -- other than interfering with you enjoyment of the time you're living in right now.  Fight against the changes you really think are negative, fight for those you really think will make things better, and roll with those that are beyond your control.

A custodial attitude to living in a city, incorporating the principles above, could seriously mitigate the problems that we're facing all over the world.   The Nature of Cities, (a website with the stated goal to "promote worldwide dialog and action to create green cities that are sustainable, resilient, and livable": http://www.thenatureofcities.com/) has as their slogan the phrase "cities are ecosystems of people, nature, and infrastructure".  We are just one part of the ecosystem of our city and, on an individual basis, the most replaceable.  But our attitudes and choices, as a group, can make a city thrive or stagnate.  The choice of what sort of place we want help grow is almost entirely in our hands.

Bright Light, Big City by Jimmy Reed

Bright light, big city, gone to my baby's head
Whoa, bright light, an' big city, gone to my baby's head
I tried to tell the woman, but she don't believe a word I said

It's all right, pretty baby, (gonna) need my help someday
Whoa, it's all right, pretty baby, gonna need my help someday
Ya' gonna wish you had a-listened, to some a-those things I said

Go ahead, pretty baby, a-honey, knock yourself out
Oh go ahead, pretty baby, honey, knock yourself out
I still love ya baby, 'cause you don't know what it's all about

Bright light, a big city, they went to my baby's head
Oh, the bright light, the big city, they went to my baby's head
I hope you remember, a-some of those things I said

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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for July, 2015

Hardcovers
1. SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson
2. THE ANNIHILATION SCORE by Charles Stross
3. AURORA by Kim Stanley Robinson
4. TIME SALVAGER by Wesley Chu
5. THE WATER KNIFE by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman
7. LAST FIRST SNOW by Max Gladstone
8. THE UNNOTICEABLES by Robert Brockway
9. UPROOTED by Naomi Novik
10. TO HOLD THE BRIDGE by Garth Nix

Mass Market Paperbacks
1. DRAGONS OF HEAVEN by Alyc Helms
2. THE RHESUS CHART by Charles Stross
3. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
4. SPELLCASTING IN SILK by Juliet Blackwell
5. NEXUS by Ramez Naam
6. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
7. REBIRTHS OF TAO by Wesley Chu
8. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
9. THE WAKING ENGINE by David Edison
10. ARTEMIS AWAKENING by Jane Lindskold

Trade Paperbacks
1. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
2. THE DANGEROUS TYPE by Loren Rhoads
3. THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helene Wecker
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer

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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, August 9th, at 5 pm to discuss ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer.  The book for the next month will be EXCESSION by Iain M. Banks.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, August 16th, at 6 pm to discuss HOW TO LIVE SAFELY IN A SCIENCE FICTIONAL UNIVERSE by Charles Yu.  The book for September will be LEXICON by Max Barry.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
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John Scalzi, THE END OF ALL THINGS (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Monday, August 24th at 12:00 pm - Spend your Monday lunch break with JOHN SCALZI!  We're always ecstatic to welcome John and revel in his wit, intelligence, charm, and good humor.  In THE END OF ALL THINGS, John returns to the OLD MAN'S WAR universe in a direct sequel to THE HUMAN DIVISION.  John will read a bit, answer as many of your questions as he can, and sign books.  We think you should take a long lunch, skip school, or just "call in Scalzi," but don't miss this one!  More info about the book, including an excerpt, can be found here: http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765376077

Seanan McGuire, A RED-ROSE CHAIN (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, September 5th at 5:00 pm - Join us to celebrate the newest Toby Daye book with Seanan McGuire and the whole crazy caboodle!  In RED-ROSE CHAIN, October Daye finds herself in the unlikely position of diplomat, trying to avert a war and save herself and her friends in a hostile kingdom where nothing is what it seems.  If you've attended one of Seanan's events before, you know that they are a high-energy, music-filled delight.  If you've never attended one before, now is the perfect time to start!  There will be reading, raffle prizes, and silliness guaranteed.  Get your questions answered, bring your books to be signed, and prepare to sing along!  In addition to her many, many books, we'll also have some of Seanan's super-cool t-shirts available for sale at this event.

Mark Coggins, NO HARD FEELINGS (Down & Out Books, Hardcover, $30.00) Sunday, September 13th at 3:00 pm - Mark Coggins continues the cult classic August Riordin series with this latest thrilling installment!  From the publisher:"Winnie doesn’t remember the last time she felt anything below her neck.  Her spine is severed at the seventh vertebrae, but thanks to implants from a sabotaged biomedical start-up, she has regained mobility.  She is a prototype: a living, breathing -- walking -- demonstration of revolutionary technology that never made it to market.  Her disability has become her armor.  Because she doesn’t register fatigue, she has trained relentlessly.  Her hand, arm, and leg strength are off the scales. . . and she has honed self-defense techniques to channel that strength. . . . When the sociopath who torpedoed the start-up sends killers to harvest the implants from her body, Winnie must team up with broken-down private investigator August Riordan to save both their lives -- and derail sinister plans for perverse military applications of the technology."  We hope you'll come by to meet Mark and check out his awesome new novel.

Tacos and Tecate with Seanan McGuire, THE DOLL COLLECTION (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99), Greg van Eekout, DRAGON COAST (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) and Fran Wilde, UPDRAFT (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm - A special treat from Tor Books: a tremendous Tuesday of tacos, Tecate, and three terrific tellers of tales!  We do hope you'll come to check out Seanan's creepy story in the Ellen Datlow-edited anthology THE DOLL COLLECTION, Greg's newest release in the California Bones series, and Fran's exciting debut novel, UPDRAFT.  The authors will discuss and sign their works, hopefully not while holding tacos.  More details to come soon!

Russian Avant Garde Art Event with artist Evgeny Avilov and art critic Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph. D., Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 pm - We hope you can join us for an unusual Modern Russian Avant-Garde event at Borderlands Cafe: "The Arts Resistance is proud to present the watercolor and oil paintings by Evgeny Avilov, the Russian artist behind the infamous "Exorcism at the Mausoleum" and other extreme activism actions of the art collective "Blue Rider."  Based in Moscow, Avilov represents the open opposition, a small number of artists and activists still protesting the authoritarian power at risk of their freedom and life.  Avilov will talk about the lack of freedom of expression, human rights, and rising militarism in Russia.  The Arts Resistance will give a brief presentation on the arts protest movement, reviewing art collectives Pussy Riot, Voina and Blue Rider.  San Francisco-based writers will read their work exploring the theme "Home, Patriotism, and War," and Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph.D., an internationally acclaimed art critic, will make a presentation on Kandinsky, his "Blue Rider" art group and European avant-garde before World War I."  Mr. Avilov's work will be on display in the Cafe until September 30th.  If you are of the Facebook persuasion, RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1056292531062782/

Ian McDonald, LUNA: NEW MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, September 26th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome Ian McDonald to Borderlands!  Mr. McDonald is best known for his extremely successful, cerebral science fiction, but he also writes smart, incredibly entertaining space adventure.  Here's the publisher's info for his newest novel: "The Moon wants to kill you.  Whether it’s being unable to pay your per diem for your allotted food, water, and air, or you just get caught up in a fight between the Moon’s ruling corporations, the Five Dragons.  You must fight for every inch you want to gain in the Moon’s near feudal society.  And that is just what Adriana Corta did.  As the leader of the Moon’s newest 'dragon,' Adriana has wrested control of the Moon’s Helium­3 industry from the Mackenzie Metal corporation and fought to earn her family’s new status.  Now, at the twilight of her life, Adriana finds her corporation, Corta Helio, surrounded by the many enemies she made during her meteoric rise.  If the Corta family is to survive, Adriana’s five children must defend their mother’s empire from her many enemies. . . and each other."

Brandon Sanderson, SHADOWS OF SELF (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Friday, October 9th at 12:00 pm - We're always happy to see the charming Brandon Sanderson back at Borderlands! (Do you know we hosted a signing for his very first novel, ELANTRIS, when it first came out?  I think there were only about a dozen people in the audience!)  This time Brandon will be showing off the new novel in the Mistborn world, SHADOWS OF SELF.  This one's a sequel to ALLOY OF LAW, and takes place about 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy.  The author will read, answer questions, and sign, so take a long lunch and come hang out with us and Brandon!  Excerpts from the new novel can be found here: http://brandonsanderson.com/shadows-of-self-previews-updates/

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

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