Here’s a trailer that manages to get me excited about the movie. It’s the latest trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past and though it uses some tired tropes of the genre (I can’t help but think about every 8th Star Trek episode), I can’t help but wanna see this.

How about you?

Here’s the description:

Bonded by war. United by hope. See the X-Men face their greatest challenge together in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from “X-Men: First Class,” in an epic battle that must change the past — to save our future.

…and the trailer:

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We have a treat for readers today.

Hot off the heels of the exclusive cover reveal (and giveaway) of Carrie Patel’s The Buried Life comes this excerpt of the book.

To set the mood, here’s the book description, which will be available from Angry Robot in July:

The gaslight and shadows of the underground city of Recoletta hide secrets and lies. When Inspector Liesl Malone investigates the murder of a renowned historian, she finds herself stonewalled by the all-powerful Directorate of Preservation – Ricoletta’s top-secret historical research facility.

When a second high-profile murder threatens the very fabric of city society, Malone and her rookie partner Rafe Sundar must tread carefully, lest they fall victim to not only the criminals they seek, but the government which purports to protect them. Knowledge is power, and power must be preserved at all costs…

EXTRA BONUS: After the excerpt, feast your eyes on John Coulthart‘s cover art for the sequel, Cities & Thrones!

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This week at the Kirkus Review blog, I get all list-y and look at some science fiction and fantasy books that might appeal to readers of classic literature.

From the article:

For some readers, science fiction and fantasy is a hard sell. The sf/f labels come with the baggage of preconceived notions about what it means. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Science fiction is not always about spaceships and fantasy is not always about dragons. Science fiction and fantasy provide just as much literary range as classic literature. In fact, several works of sf/f key off of classic literature. So, with the aim of introducing readers to sf/f, here’s a list of suggestions aimed at readers of classic literature to help introduce them to the wonderful world of science fiction and fantasy.

Check out 5 Science Fiction an Fantasy Reads for Lovers of Classic Literature over on the Kirkus Reviews blog.

There is still some time left for you to enter our giveaway for The Buried Life by Carrie Patel…but hurry, time is running out!

See the original post for details on how to enter.

The winner of our giveaway for Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher has been chosen and notified.

Congratulations to: Mekaela S.! You will be receiving your prize soon!

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Joshua Palmatier has posted the table of contents for his upcoming kickstarted anthology Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens:

1. “The Cavorite Job” by Ian Tregillis
2. “Gracie’s Fire” by Leah Cutter
3. “Quinta Essentia” by Bradley P. Beaulieu
4. “When Comrade Ekaterina Died for the Motherland” by J.R. Hargenrader
5. “A Clockwork Alien” by Gini Koch
6. “Heart of the Empire” by Jason Palmatier
7. “The Red Queen and the White” by C.B. Pratt
8. “The Wizard of Woodrow Park” by Jean Marie Ward
9. “Of War and Wings” by Tansy Rayner Roberts
10. “Airship Down: A Sound and Fury Adventure” by Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin
11. “Steamsuit” by David J. Fortier
12. “Fingers of Steam, Veins of Gold” by Brad Hafford
13. “Heart of Clockwork” by S.C. Butler
14. “Lady Antheia’s Guide to Horticultural Warfare” by Seanan McGuire

There’s also an Introduction by Patricia Bray.

[via Tansy Rayner Roberts]

Fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones will like this (spoilery) parody that leverages a musical number from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. What’s not to like?

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How about an exclusive eBook Deal?

For the next two weeks, SF Signal readers can buy an eBook copy of Wrede on Writing: Tips, Hints, and Opinions on Writing by Patricia C. Wrede for only $1.99! That’s 60% off its regular $4.99 price. (The paperback goes for $16.99.)

Here’s the book description:

How do I turn an idea into a novel? How do I build a character? How do I decide how to tell a story?

Patricia C. Wrede has been a stalwart of the sci-fi/fantasy world for decades, publishing dozens of books across multiple series, storming bestseller lists and corralling accolades from critics and fans alike. Now, with brilliant insight and a sparkling wit, Wrede shows beginning writers the ropes in WREDE ON WRITING.

How do I find the time to write? How do I decide when a book is finished? How do I get my book published?

Wrede tackles all issues for writers, from the basic how-to’s to the more advanced topics on character development and worldbuilding. In her conversational tone, she gives writers the tips and tricks her experience has brought. After WREDE ON WRITING, authors will have the knowledge to put their tools to better use. Thinking of starting a book? Trying to finish one? WREDE ON WRITING will guide you towards that superior draft to send to agents, to publishers, and to readers.

How do I calculate royalties? How do I plan my finances as an author? How do I write as a career?

Before she became a successful full-time writer, Patricia C. Wrede worked in finance, and she also provides for authors an extensive look at how to manage the money—from royalties to determining the financial potential of your next project, Wrede provides authors with deep insight into the business of writing.

A brilliant guide from a literary stalwart, WREDE ON WRITING is the book everyone with a novel under their beds or inside their heads should read.

Purchase the book here to take advantage of this deal.

The folks over at VODO have assembled an eclectic mix of science fiction media in a single, pay-what-you-want bundle. The basic Otherworlds Bundle includes the following movies, games, comics, books and music:

• Cory Doctorow’s Futuristic Tales Of The Here And Now [[Book] – Graphic novel of six stories by Cory Doctorow.
• Bientôt L’été [Game] – Heavily atmospheric game for two players. Existential!
• 2145 [Audio] – Dark Ambient music from Sabled Sun
• The Surrogates [Book] – Acclaimed five-part comic series. NY Times Bestseller.
• Blink [Film] – 4 tightly-crafted visions of beyond in 1 short film.

But there’s more!
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Yeah, a few days late with this post…but last week at the Kirkus Review blog, I look at the latest round of speculative fiction books turning into movies.

Check out Read Them Now, Watch Them Later: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Adaptation Watch over on the Kirkus Reviews blog.

Check it out!

In the interest of full disclosure, here are the books we received this week.
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There is still some time left for you to enter our giveaway for Gemsigns by Stephanie Saulter…but hurry, time is running out!

See the original post for details on how to enter.

I’ve had a secret love affair with fractals ever since Clifford Pickover first introduced me to them years ago through his book Mazes for the Mind. I always found the idea of fractals amazing and beautiful at the same time. (Kind of like banana cream pie, only more meaningful to reality.) My love affair with Fractals progressed over the years, particularly in playing with programs such as Fractint and, more recently, Frax.

Perhaps that’s why I find this Arthur C. Clarke-narrated documentary so fascinating. It’s called Fractals – The Colors Of Infinity and you can watch it right here…

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I’m always interested in what others are reading, how they read, how much they read, etc.

To that end, here’s another fun science fiction and fantasy book-related meme…

You know the drill: Copy the questions below and paste them into the comments with your answers.

1. The first science fiction, fantasy or horror book I ever read was:
2. The last science fiction, fantasy or horror book I read that I’d put in my “Top 20″ list is:
3. The last science fiction, fantasy or horror book I couldn’t finish was:
4. A science fiction, fantasy or horror author whose work I cannot get enough of is:
5. A science fiction, fantasy or horror author I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t read yet is:
6. A science fiction, fantasy or horror book I would recommend to someone who hasn’t read sf/f/h is:
7. A science fiction, fantasy or horror book that’s terribly underrated is:
8. A science fiction, fantasy or horror book that’s terribly overrated is:

Here’s a brand new short from producer Bruce Timm featuring a lost tale from Batman’s past, the Dark Knight tracks a strange giant to the mysterious lair of Dr. Hugo Strange.

Don’t miss “Batman: Strange Days” and other unique DC Nation shorts Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 CST) on Cartoon Network during Teen Titans Go!

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Interviews & Profiles

• All Things Urban Fantasy interviews Kait Ballenger.
• Literary Escapism interviews Carrie Vaughn.
• Ginger Nuts of Horror interviews Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross.
• Slice of SciFi interviews Andrea Beesley.
• Sword & Laser interviews Brent Weeks.
• My Bookish Ways interviews Michael R. Underwood.
• This Is Horror interviews Wayne Simmons.
• Star Wars Books interviews James S.A. Corey.
• Nerdist interviews John Barrowman.

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Hypnotizing!

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Courtesy of Angry Robot Books, SF Signal has 3 copies of The Buried Life to give away to 3 lucky SF Signal readers!

Here’s what the book is about:

The gaslight and shadows of the underground city of Recoletta hide secrets and lies. When Inspector Liesl Malone investigates the murder of a renowned historian, she finds herself stonewalled by the all-powerful Directorate of Preservation – Ricoletta’s top-secret historical research facility.

When a second high-profile murder threatens the very fabric of city society, Malone and her rookie partner Rafe Sundar must tread carefully, lest they fall victim to not only the criminals they seek, but the government which purports to protect them. Knowledge is power, and power must be preserved at all costs…

Here’s a better look at the awesome John Coulthart cover:

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Right now you can get the ebook version of Red Rising by Pierce Brown for only $1.99 on the Amazon Kindle, Nook and Apple platforms!

Here’s what it’s about:

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

At a convention last year, Jim Cummings — who does the voice for Winnie the Pooh — read a scene from Star Wars reading the voice of everybody’s favorite honey-loving bear for lines meant for Darth Vader. Also reading is another voice actor, Lauren Landa.

The result is hilarious.

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