The Modern World has received a glowing review from Dreamwatch, who remarked "Swainston is not afraid to take the fantasy rulebook, set it on fire and throw it out the nearest window" and gave it a blistering 9/10. (To be honest I'm not sure she ever had a copy of the rulebook in the first place!) You can read the full review here.

Publishers Weekly have hailed "A dramatic and compelling plot, plus inventive and convincing descriptions, [that] elevate this above the common run of contemporary fantasy fiction."

I've posted this as Steph is currently in bed, being attacked by flu viruses. I'm sure she'll be back on her feet and resuming normal service soon.

A quick reminder that I will be signing copies of The Modern World and the other Castle books at Waterstones in Piccadilly tomorrow (Thursday, June 7th), 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

Also at the scene will be Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Robert Holdstock, Steven Savile, organiser Chris Dolley, Andrew Dennis, Eric Brown, John Lambshead and David Devereux.

This will be Europe’s largest signing event in Europe’s largest book shop (eight and a half miles of shelves), so do come along. I’ll see you there!

Czech readers of this site (hello, Filtr!) may be interested to know that Pevnost magazine in the Czech Republic recently ran a 'New Weird' issue, including a double-page interview with me by Martin Sust and a review of No Present Like Time, or Cas Jako Dar as it's known in Czech. The book has a wonderful cover by Les Edwards of the Stormy Petrel heading to Tris :

Czech NPLT cover art

You can see Les Edwards' original painting on his site here.

In the near(ish) future I hope to add a new section to this site for the international editions.

The Modern World is now officially released.



The book is generating a lot of interest already. There is:

• An online interview at UK SF Book News. My comments have also inspired Ariel to write a short essay on the current state of fantastic fiction.
• An interview in this month's issue of Interzone magazine (#210)
• There are reviews in this month's issue of SFX, Starburst and Death Ray magazines

What's it about? Here's the blurb:

The Emperor San and his Circle of immortals lead the people of the Fourlands in their endless struggle against the terrifying, alien Insects that threaten to annihilate them. A war for survival has long since become a grinding war of containment. But now Frost, the Circle's architect, unveils a visionary plan to break the stalemate and finally defeat the Insects.

Jant, the Emperor's winged messenger, has more immediate concerns. Lightning, the Circle's archer and Jant's best friend, asks him to find his rebellious teenage daughter who has disappeared in the sprawling city of Hacilith. Jant starts a search that takes him into his past, through the criminal underworld, across the bizarre worlds of the Shift, and to the very limits of temptation. The girl is seventeen and beautiful but if Jant so much as touches her, Lightning will kill him. Will curiosity be the death of Jant?

As Jant struggles with his newly-found conscience, Frost's plan produces shocking results. The Fourlands suddenly faces a greater threat than ever before. Can the Circle survive the dawn of a new, modern world?

You can buy The Modern World on amazon.co.uk or in all good bookshops. Signed copies are available at Goldsboro Books and Cold Tonnage. They also include an 'official' signed photograph. Goldsboro and Cold Tonnage both have excellent service and if you want a dedication - the book signed to yourself or any other message - just let them know or drop me a note via the contact form.

I've just recieved the proofs for Dangerous Offspring, the US edition of The Modern World.

Christophe Sivet is the artist again and this time he shows Jant being chased by the Gabbleratchet. What's a Gabbleratchet? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out.

If you want to write a review, proofs can be obtained from Eos. The finished book is released at the beginning of July.

Dangerous Offspring