New Releases: 3/19/2013

See upcoming releases.

Not at New York Comic-Con Sweepstakes

Tor Books is heading to New York Comic-Con!

We hope to see many of you there. Stop by Booth #920 to say hi or to participate in one of our many events and signings.

But for those of you who couldn’t make it out to New York, we wanted to offer you the chance to grab some of the same amazing swag and books that we’re promoting at #NYCC. To enter for the chance to win one of these five prize bundles, leave a comment on this post telling us one fabulous thing that you’ll be doing this week while you are #NotAtComicCon.

Here’s a look at the prize:

And here’s a list of what’s included in each prize bundle:

• Wheel of Time backpack
• Halo patch
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• The Battle of Blood and Ink written by Jared Axelrod and illustrated by Steve Walker
• The Clockwork Sky Volume One by Madeleine Rosca
• Dead Space: Martyr by Brian Evenson
• Earthseed by Pamela Sargent
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
• The Eye of the World: Graphic Novel: Volume 2 Based on the novel by Robert Jordan, written by Chuck Dixon, illustrated by Andie Tong
• For the Win by Cory Doctorow
• Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
• The Gift of Fire/On the Head of a Pin by Walter Mosley
• Green by Jay Lake
• Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear
• Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss
• Hellhole by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
• Inside Straight edited by George R.R. Martin
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero written and illustrated by Fred Chao
• Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
• Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
• The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind
• Only Superhuman by Christopher L. Bennett
• Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
• Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
• The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins October 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET. and ends October 15, 2012, 12:00 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

The Week in Review

Welcome to the week in review! Every Friday, we comb through the links and images we found and shared this week, and pull the very best for this post. Consider it concentrated genre goodness from all around the web. Happy Friday the 13th, everyone!

• Are you at San Diego Comic-Con? Check out what Tor has going on! (Image by John Scalzi.)
• USA Today tackles the steampunk trend and talks to author Lev AC Rosen.
• The New York Times profiles John Scalzi!
• Tor.com has wallpaper from Winter’s Heart available for download.
• Tor Books is proud to present the third Halo novel by Greg Bear, Halo: Silentium.
• io9 has a wonderful list of great opening sentences from classic fantasy novels.
• A ring that belonged to Jane Austen recently sold at auction for 150,000 pounds. That kind of dedicated Austen fan might enjoy checking out Mary Robinette Kowal‘s books too!

The Tor/Forge newsletter went out this week! Check out these fascinating articles from our authors:

• How to Keep Smiling After the End of the World as We Know It by David Brin
• Haunted Mansions and Eclipses by Marta Acosta
• It’s Not All A Beautiful Mind by Dan Wells
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero Sneak Peek, written and illustrated by Fred Chao
• Finding Research Treasure by D. B. Jackson

And, just to make Friday that much sweeter, here’s a list of sweepstakes and sales we have going on!

• Not at San Diego Comic-Con Sweepstakes (Ends 7/16)
• Kitty’s Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn (Ends 7/17)
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero written and illustrated by Fred Chao (Ends 7/18)
• The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan (Ends 7/27)
• Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn (Ends 7/31)
• The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Ends 8/10)
• Urban Fantasy Sweepstakes (Ends 8/3)

Not at San Diego Comic-Con Sweepstakes

Tor Books is heading to San Diego Comic-Con!

We hope to see many of you there. Stop by Booth #2707 to say hi or to participate in one of our many events and signings.

But for those of you who couldn’t make it out to California, we wanted to offer you the chance to grab some of the same amazing swag and books that we’re promoting at #SDCC. To enter for the chance to win one of these five prize bundles, leave a comment on this post telling us one fabulous thing that you’ll be doing this week while you are #NotAtComicCon. Whether you’re fighting a clone army, rescuing damsels in distress (or princelings in peril), zipping across galaxies at light speed, or just conquering your laundry pile, we hope that you have a great week.

Here’s a look at the prize:

And here’s a list of what’s included in each prize bundle:

• Wheel of Time backpack
• Signed copy of Redshirts by John Scalzi
• Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
• The Battle of Blood and Ink written by Jared Axelrod and illustrated by Steve Walker
• Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
• Existence by David Brin
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
• The Eye of the World: Graphic Novel: Volume 2 Based on the novel by Robert Jordan, written by Chuck Dixon, illustrated by Andie Tong
• Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise
• Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
• Girl Genius Omnibus Volume 1 by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio
• Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear
• Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss
• Inside Straight edited by George R.R. Martin
• Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero written and illustrated by Fred Chao
• Laddertop: Volume 1 written by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card Art by Honoel A. Ibardolaza
• Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
• The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind
• Passion Play by Beth Bernobich
• Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
• The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must be 18 or older and a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. to enter. Promotion begins July 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET. and ends July 16, 2012, 12:00 p.m. ET. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules go here. Sponsor: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

Tor Books Reveals Third Halo Novel by Greg Bear

The final instalment in the New York Times bestselling Forerunner Saga

New York, NY – July 11, 2012 – Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC—the largest publisher of science fiction in the world—is thrilled to reveal the title,  cover, and release date for the third novel in the New York Times bestselling Halo Forerunner Saga, Halo: Silentium, written by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear. The first two books of the Forerunner Saga, Halo: Cryptum and Halo: Primordium are currently available in trade paperback, e-book, and audiobook.  This newest book in the series, Halo: Silentium will release in hardcover from Tor on January 8, 2013 alongside simultaneous audio and e-book editions.

The New York Times bestselling Halo®series of novels, based on the hugely successful Halo videogame franchise, has sold millions of copies, and is part of a global phenomenon that has dominated the science fiction landscape over the last decade.

In Halo: Cryptum, Greg Bear began a three-book arc set in the era of the Forerunners, the ancient and enigmatic creators and builders of the Halos, which continued in Halo: Primordium. Now, in the last years of the Forerunner empire, chaos rules. The Flood—a horrifying shape-changing parasite—has arrived in force, aided by unexpected allies. Internal strife within the ecumene has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses.

Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian—husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict—hold the keys to salvation. Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time—to prevent an unmatched evil from dominating the entire universe.

Tor Books has proudly partnered with Microsoft and 343 Industries to publish every book set in this iconic universe.  Along with the books of the Forerunner Saga, Tor also publishes another all-new Halo trilogy penned by New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss that explores the Halo Universe in the wake of the final events of Halo 3. Traviss’s first novel, Halo: Glasslands, came out in 2011, with Halo: The Thursday War due out in October 2012.

The Halo franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that have grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. Beginning with the original “Halo: Combat Evolved” for Xbox in 2001, the rich fiction of the franchise has since inspired a series of blockbuster Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, New York Times best-selling novels, comic books, action figures, apparel and more. To date, the Halo franchise has sold more than 42 million copies to date, with franchise sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime. “Halo 4” marks the beginning of a new saga in the iconic franchise, as Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Developed by 343 Industries exclusively for Xbox 360, “Halo 4” will release on Nov. 6, 2012.  

HALO AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON 2012 

Thursday, July 12^th

Machinima: The Future of Entertainment

12:00-1:00 PM

Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Don’t miss out on this panel with exclusive footage from Machinima’s new channel, Machinima Prime, which focuses on thrilling episodic content, including the much anticipated tentpole series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.

Thursday, July 12^th

The Fiction of Halo 4

 4:45-5:45 PM

Room 6BCF

Halo 4 heralds the return of one of gaming’s most iconic heroes, the Master Chief, in a new, epic sci-fi saga. Expanding and enriching the narrative, 343 Industries, with very special panelists, share how the development of stories across the Greg Bear Forerunner Saga, the Karen Traviss Kilo-Five trilogy, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Halo 4 Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer have become connective tissue for Halo 4. Don’t miss the exciting premiere of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn trailer as well as Q&A with special guests.

Saturday, July 14^th

Halo 4: A New Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer

3:15-4:15 PM

Room 6DE

Halo 4 marks the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, get a glimpse at how they have taken Halo 4 in new directions, introducing an ancient threat and the Master Chief’s greatest challenge, as well as an innovative and fresh new take on multiplayer in War Games and Spartan Ops.

Saturday, July 14

Giveaway and Signing: Greg Bear

2:00-3:00 PM

Tor Books Booth (#2707)

Come meet Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Greg Bear as he signs copies of Halo: Cryptum, the first book in the New York Times bestselling Forerunner Saga!  One lucky fan will have a chance to walk away with a copy of an exclusive poster of the cover of Halo: Silentium, the final novel in the trilogy.

Tor Books Announces Programming for San Diego Comic-Con 2012

Brandon Sanderson, John Scalzi and Steve Englehart as Comic-Con Special Guests!

This year at Tor’s Booth (#2707), we continue our popular *in-booth signings and giveaways, offering you a chance to meet your favorite authors up close and personal. This year we’re pleased to include the legendary

ORSON SCOTT CARD

author of New York Times Bestselling Ender’s Game, soon to be a major motion picture from Summit Entertainment!

Thursday, July 12th

• 12pm – 1pm Tor Booth (#2707) ROBIN MAXWELL, will sign advanced copies of Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan, coming from Tor in September.

• 3pm – 4pm Tor Booth (#2707) New York Times bestselling author and Comic-Con Special Guest, BRANDON SANDERSON, will sign copies of The Way of Kings.

• 2:30pm – 3:30pm Panel: The Dark Knight Rises: Is Batman Broken? Room 26AB
  Strong, smart, and heroic, he’s the Dark Knight we want on our side. But is Batman also out of his mind? Comic-con Special Guest, STEVE ENGLEHART joins Catwoman herself, Lee Meriwether, to discuss Bruce Wayne’s relationships, strengths and weaknesses. Does the Dark Knight have bats in his belfry?

• 4:45pm – 5:45pm Panel: The Fiction of Halo 4, Room 6BCF
  Halo 4 heralds the return of one of gaming’s most iconic heroes, the Master Chief, in a new, epic sci-fi saga. Expanding and enriching the narrative, 343 Industries, panelists share how the development of stories across the GREG BEAR Forerunner saga, the KAREN TRAVISS Kilo-Five trilogy, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Halo 4 Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer have become connective tissue for Halo 4.

• 5pm – 6pm Tor Booth (#2707) Bestselling, award-winning futurist DAVID BRIN, will sign copies of his new high concept novel Existence, his first major work in over a decade.

Friday, July 13th

• 10am – 11am Panel: Art of the Thrill Kill, Room 24AB
  From psycho killers and sociopaths to the vast unknowable emptiness of deep space, these authors know that it takes more than just blood and gore to keep their readers awake at night. DAN WELLS joins other top horror and thriller novelists to discuss how they balance ratcheting suspense with perfectly paced creepiness to create stories that are both psychologically and atmospherically disturbing.
• 12pm – 1pm Signing in the autographing area, AA09

• 12pm – 1pm Tor Booth (#2707) Legendary science fiction author ORSON SCOTT CARD & co-author AARON JOHNSTON sign Invasive Procedures a taut science fiction medical thriller. Five lucky people will get a chance to receive a signed copy of Earth Unaware: The First Formic War set in the popular Ender’s series, on-sale July 17th!

• 12pm – 1pm Spotlight on BRANDON SANDERSON, Room 25ABC
  Author, educator, and Comic-Con Special Guest BRANDON SANDERSON talks about his growth from a nonreader in his youth to become one of the most popular fantasy writers working today. Sanderson’s books include his own Mistborn trilogy and his continuation of the late Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Timeseries, which wraps up in January 2013.

• 2:30pm Duo Paul & Storm join us in the Tor Booth (#2707) to serenade fans as they wait in line to meet New York Times bestselling author and Comic-Con Special Guest JOHN SCALZI! Then at 3pm, John signs copies of Old Man’s War, the book that launched his career!

• 3:30pm– 4:30pm Panel: Epic Fantasy War, Room 6A
  Brandon Sanderson (The Way of Kings), joins the top names in fantasy fiction to discuss how the key to writing a real epic fantasy novel lies in the word epic-which doesn’t just mean ambitious in scale, scope, and size.
  5:00pm – 6:00pm Signing in the autographing area, AA09

• 5pm – 6pm Tor Booth (#2707) DAN WELLS will sign copies of his the book that started it all, I Am Not A Serial Killer.

Saturday, July 14th

• 10am – 11am That 70s Panel, Room 23ABC.
  STEVE ENGLEHART makes a Comic-con Special Guest Spotlight appearance on this panel. Get out your pet rocks!

• 12pm – 1pm Comics Arts Conference Focus on STEVE ENGLEHART , Room 26AB
  Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) moderates a discussion of Englehart’s stellar career writing the adventures of Captain America, Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange, Coyote, Night Man, the Justice League, and dozens of other characters.

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm Panel: The Naked Truth About Tarzan and Jane: The First 100 Years of Spectacular Tarzan Imagery, and One of Literature’s Best-Loved Couples as They Enter Their Second Century, Room 25ABC
  Bestselling novelist Robin Maxwell (Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan) and author Scott Tracy Griffin (Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration) gather with illustrator Joe Jusko (The Art of Joe Jusko) to discuss these iconic literary characters. Join them for a presentation and Q&A session hosted by Jim Sullos, president of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Incorporated, the official licensing entity for Tarzan and John Carter of Mars.
  Room 25ABC

• 2pm – 3pm Tor Booth (#2707) Iconic science fiction author GREG BEAR signs copies of Halo: Primordium, Book Two of the Forerunner Saga.

• 12pm – 1pm Tor Booth (#2707) Father/daughter duo ORSON SCOTT CARD & EMILY SCOTT CARD sign copies of their first writing collaboration, Laddertop, Volume 1.

• 3pm – 4pm Panel: A Wrinkle in Time, Room 23ABC
  From the far-flung reaches of the Milky Way to the mind-bending possibilities of time travel, let the authors of speculative fiction tell you what they see when they venture to other dimensions. With DAVID BRIN & ORSON SCOTT CARD.
  4:30pm – 5:30pm Signing in the Autographing area, AA09

• 4:30pm – 5:30pm Solo Autographing with BRANDON SANDERSON, Room Table AA18

• 5pm – 6pm Tor Booth (#2707) STEVE ENGLEHART will sign copies of The Long Man.

• 5:30pm – 6:30pm Spotlight Panel with JOHN SCALZI, Room 7AB
  Comic-Con special guest JOHN SCALZI (Redshirts) talks about his latest work, his upcoming novel, video game, and film projects, takes questions and generally tries to amuse the hell out of you for an hour. With him as moderator/interviewer/conspirator: Wil Wheaton (Tabletop). It’ll be the most fun you can have while respirating.
  3:30pm – 4:30pm Solo Autographing, AA18

Sunday, July 15th

• 10pm – 11am Panel: Stunted Fools and Scary-Ass Clowns: Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy Room 25ABC
  Join in for an irreverent hour celebrating sly wit and unholy humor with some of the most devilish quipsters, wisecrackers, and satirists writing today. JOHN SCALZI (Redshirts) plays ringmaster to some of the best SFF humor writers in the field.
  11:30am – 12:30pm Signing in the autographing area, AA04

• 2:45pm – 3:45pm Panel: Heroes for the Middle Grade Reader: Books That Will Rock Your Socks Off, Room 5AB
  EMILY JANICE CARD (yes, daughter of THAT Card) teamed up with her famous father to write a science fiction manga, Laddertop, Volume 1 aimed at middle grade readers, and will join a panel discussing adventurers and unexpected champions that we can all cheer for.
  4pm – 5pm Signing in the Autographing area, AA09

• 12pm Tor Booth (#2707) giveaway, The Omen Machine by New York Times bestselling author, Terry Goodkind.

• 2pm – 3pm Tor Booth (#2707) giveaway, Dark Companion the YA debut of Marta Acosta.

Make sure to follow @Torbooks on Twitter for up to date information and last minute events!

*All Tor Booth signings are on a first come first serve basis and while supplies lasts. Limit one book per person.

New Releases: 9/27/2011

See upcoming releases.

Tor Books Reveals Second Halo Novel by Greg Bear

Book two in the New York Times bestselling Forerunner Saga

 A long time ago, I was a living, breathing human being. I went mad. I served my enemies. They became my only friends…

New York, NY – July 19, 2011 – Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC – the largest publisher of science fiction in the world – is excited to reveal the title, cover, and release date for the second novel in the Halo Forerunner Saga, HALO: PRIMORDIUM, written by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear. Book one of the Forerunner Saga, Halo: Cryptum, is currently available in hardcover, and will release in trade paperback this fall.  Book two, HALO: PRIMORDIUM, will release January 3, 2012 alongside a simultaneous audio edition.

The New York Times bestselling Halo®series, based on the hugely successful Halo videogames franchise for the Xbox 360, has sold millions of copies, part of a global phenomenon that has dominated the science fiction landscape over the last decade.

In Halo: Cryptum, Greg Bear began a three-book arc set in the era of the Forerunners, the ancient and enigmatic creators and builders of the Halos, that continues in HALO: PRIMORDIUM. In Halo: Cryptum, a young, rebellious Manipular began a dangerous search for artifacts of the Precursors — long-vanished superbeings of unknowable power and intent — setting off a devastating chain of events that nearly ended the Forerunner empire. Now two humans, former companions of the Manipular, find themselves captives and strategic pawns in a cosmic game whose madness knows no end — a game of ancient vengeance between the powers who seeded the galaxy with life, and the Forerunners who expect to take up their sacred Mantle of duty to protect all living things.

“I’m having great fun working through the action and growing mysteries in HALO: PRIMORDIUM, as humans engage in an epic odyssey across a damaged, war-torn Halo, facing the Flood, rogue AIs, and the stunning testament of the Last Precursor,” says author Greg Bear. “This is classic SF territory for me, and it’s a terrific opportunity to work with the 343 team, and to contribute through these books to both future games and the Halo universe in general.”

“In Cryptum, Greg began an exploration of a vast and imposing part of the Halo universe,” says Frank O’Connor, Franchise Development Director for 343 Industries. “In PRIMORDIUM, he takes that story closer to the ground, exploring characters, motivations and mysteries that began in Cryptum and continuing a journey that’s fascinating, horrifying and inspiring, all at once.”

Tor Books has proudly partnered with Microsoft and 343 Industries to publish every book set in this iconic universe.  Along with the first two books of the Forerunner Saga, Tor has also announced another all-new Halo trilogy penned by Karen Traviss that will explore the Halo Universe in the wake of the final events of Halo 3. Traviss’s first novel, Halo: Glasslands, will come out October 25, 2011.

The Halo franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that have grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. Beginning with the original “Halo: Combat Evolved” for Xbox in 2001, the rich fiction of the franchise has since inspired a series of blockbuster Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, New York Times best-selling novels, comic books, action figures, apparel and more. To date, sales in the Halo franchise have eclipsed $2.3 billion. Microsoft recently dropped a bombshell on Halo fans at E3 with two big announcements. Coming Nov. 15 2011, Microsoft will release “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary,” a spectacularly remastered version of the original “Halo” campaign bundled with some of the most beloved multiplayer maps in “Halo” history – all created in celebration of the 10th anniversary of one of the greatest franchises in gaming history. Also announced was “Halo 4,” the hugely-anticipated next blockbuster instalment that will mark the beginning of a new Halo trilogy when it releases in-stores during the 2012 holiday season.

HALO AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

Friday July 22 from 10 AM to 11 AM — “Writing in Videogames: In-Game, Novels, Comics, and Other Franchise-Building Offshoots” (Room 32AB)

Panel featuring Greg Bear, Karen Traviss, Frank O’Connor, & Kevin Grace

Friday July 22 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM —“Halo Universe” (Room 6BCF)

Panel featuring Greg Bear, Karen Traviss, Frank O’Connor, & Kevin Grace

Friday July 22 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM — Giveaway and signing of Halo: Evolutions books, totebags and posters with Greg Bear, Karen Traviss, Frank O’Connor, & Kevin Grace in the Tor Books booth (#2707)

Tor Books announces launch of monthly Twitter chat series!

Calling all Tweetgeeks: science fiction stars Greg Bear, Steven Gould, and M.J. Locke to kick off first #Torchat next Wednesday, 2/16 at 4 PM EST

New York, NY – Wednesday, February 9, 2011 – Tor Books is excited to announce the launch of #Torchat, a new SF/f genre-themed, hour-long chat series hosted on Twitter. Guest authors will join fans in lively, informative and entertaining discussions of all that’s hot in genre fiction (140 characters at a time) from 4 – 5 PM Eastern on the third Wednesday of every month. Each #Torchat will revolve around a different genre topic of interest, with new guest authors and exclusive fan giveaways from @Torbooks.

Next Wednesday’s first #Torchat will revolve around a discussion of “hard” science fiction, that ambiguous and often narrowly defined subgenre of SF that purports to extrapolate from “real science.” Special guest authors Greg Bear (@spacegriz), Steven Gould (@StevenGould), and M.J. Locke (@MorganJLocke) will lead a fan chat on what Hard SF means, whose really doing it (and whose not…), and the science behind the fiction, using the Twitter hashtag #Torchat.

The chat will be introduced and (loosely) moderated by Tor publicist Justin Golenbock (@jgolenbo), with giveaways of advance copies of upcoming summer SF releases from @TorBooks preceding and following the 4 PM chat.

Our Author guests:

Greg Bear has won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards and is the acclaimed author of some of SF’s most iconic novels, including Eon, The Forge of God, and last fall’s Hull Zero Three.  His most recent novel, Halo: Cryptum, is a current New York Times bestseller. He is new to Twitter.

Steven Gould is the national bestselling author of Jumper, adapted by Hollywood as a major motion picture in 2008, as well as Wildside, Helm, Blind Waves, Reflex, Jumper: Griffin’s Story, and the forthcoming SF novel 7th Sigma (July 2011). He is the recipient of the Hal Clement Young Adult Award for Science Fiction and has been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

M.J. Locke is the author of the forthcoming SF novel Up Against It (March 2011), about a deep space mining colony in the midst of a lethal resource crisis. She works as an environmental engineer in the American Southwest, a really cool job that lets her to apply real experience to her SF writing.

Writing Halo and Science Fiction

By Greg Bear

There are lots of reasons for me to love science fiction. I grew up on sf—books, comic books, TV, movies—and very quickly decided I wanted to write it. I also wanted to create special effects, a la Ray Harryhausen, and later Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The genre—if it is a genre—expanded my brain, challenged my prejudices and the prejudices of my culture, and drew me time and again back to the sciences. To this day, pulling me into a conversation about an idea—any idea—elicits this rambling mental journey back through science, books, movies, artistic visions. There’s no easy way to separate them in my head.

Being given the opportunity to work in the Halo® universe is like a homecoming. So many science fictional ideas find an honored place in the Halo games, from Larry Niven’s Ringworld to Heinlein’s Starship Troopers to the cosmic expansiveness of Edward E. Smith and Olaf Stapledon. By the time we’re discussing the Forerunners, we’re in Arthur C. Clarke territory. And I love all of these authors.

But there are other aspects to the Halo Saga. The mythic angle cannot be avoided. We’re talking about human origins, cosmic cataclysm, monstrous transformation—genocide, biocide. The troubled histories of many ancient gods come to mind.

Why weigh down what is in essence an entertaining adventure and action game with all this freight of history and myth? One reason only: because it’s fun. It stretches our thinking. We play in these fabulous environments and ask how they came to be; our questions generate more questions. Storytelling is the best way to explore those questions and perhaps lay down some answers.

But because many, many people contribute to the Halo universe—the creators at Bungie, the current creators and guardians at 343, and the many fans and players themselves—playing around in Halo must be a group effort.

And that’s the other benefit of loving science fiction—the great sense of community, of shared questions, of a shared adventure in exploration and discovery. The science fiction community took me in as a teenager, gave me opportunities, exposed me to new ways of thinking about art and literature. The Halo community is part of that outreach.

I hope Halo: Cryptum and the next two novels in the Forerunner Saga will engage you as well. Whether or not you’ve actually played Halo, if you love science fiction as I do, I hope you’ll find yourself in familiar territory—that is, lost in a profound sense of wonder.

We’re all players here; and the players create new ground, and new stories, every day.

Greg Bear is the author of Halo: Cryptum (0-7653-2396-6; $24.99 / $28.99 CAN), the first book in the Forerunner Saga.  This trilogy of novels, based on the hugely successful Halo® videogames franchise for the Xbox 360, tells of events that took place thousands of years before those that occur in the games.

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From the Tor/Forge February newsletter. Sign up to receive our newsletter via email.

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More from our February newsletter:

• Beyond the Woo by Doranna Durgin
• New Life For a Fan Favorite—Gunslinger Girl by Laura Fitzgerald
• Reprint Roundup by Stacy Hague-Hill