As you can see from the press release here, I’ve signed a two book deal with Angry Robot Books. The books, entitled The Hammer and the Blade, A Tale of Egil and Nix and A Discourse in Steel, a Tale of Egil and Nix, both feature a pair of wily, somewhat shabby, but very likeable tomb-tappers-rogues-knaves-footpads named Egil (a burly, brooding priest of the Momentary God) and Nix (aka, Nix the Quick, Nix the Lucky, Nix the…um…whoreson and scoundrel).
Like most of my work these books are inspired by the sword and sorcery tales I love reading, lo, even unto this very day — Moorcock’s Elric work, Lieber’s Fafhrd and the Mouser stories, the Thieves’ World anthologies, and Howard’s Conan tales.
If you’ve enjoyed my Erevis Cale stories
And as for Angry Robot, well, color me lucky. The Robot Army is a great fit both for me personally and for these stories. Marco, Lee, Mike, and the rest of the team are exactly the right amount of crazy. They love books and publish exciting stuff. Just look at the authors they feature: Abnett, Tidhar, Beukes (*cough* Arthur C. Clarke award winner, *cough*), Wendig, Forbeck, Broaddus, Remic, Warren, McMahon, Crowther, and I could just keep going. It’s really an amazing lineup, and I’m lucky those incriminating photos of persons-who-shall-remain-unnamed finally paid dividends. As to those photos, I’ll say only that they involved a room floored in Saran Wrap, a liberal amount of Crisco, two llamas, a gag ball, a riding crop, and the soundtrack to Weird Science. 🙂
Anyway, most of you have been riding along with me for a long time, and I appreciate it more than you know. You’ve probably stuck around because you like my characters, my pacing, the tone and style of my writing. Stick with me a little longer, yeah? I think you’re going to like where we go next.
Welcome to the gang, Paul! I love the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books (probably a big subconscious influence on me), so I’m really looking forward to seeing your Egil & Nix books 😀
Thanks, Anne. 🙂
Welcome aboard!
Really look forward to your first book (with Angry Robot).
THanks a million, Erik. Much appreciated.
Congrats on the deal, Paul! I am excited to see what comes out of those fingers of yours! I love Erevis Cale and Deceived and I know that I will love Egil and Nix!
Thanks, Michael. You will dig Egil and Nix, too.
Congratulations Paul!
Thank you, Brian. Much obliged. 🙂
[ says nothing, just claps hands together and chuckles quietly in barely concealed glee ]
🙂
Congrats, Paul! Can’t wait to see these in print (or in e-print as the case may be) 🙂
Thanks, Adaram. I’m very excited. Great team at AR.
Congrats again Paul, even if you make us wait again! Time is naught but torture! :). Really,congrats and I can’t wait.
All your influences are the same for me. I was really bummed when the attempted resurrection of the Thieves World series didn’t work. That was one of my favorite shared fiction anthologies, along with Wild Cards. Would have been fun seeing your contribution to the Thieves World “world”.
THanks, Blake. That was too bad re TW. Great stuff.
Congrats, Paul! Look forward to reading!
Thanks, Bryan. I appreciate muchly.
It must be Christmas in July, and Santa just brought me news worth reading, and next year I get a book worth reading. Well, books is more like it (depending on Lucas folk, WotC peeps, and now some Angry Robots).
Not to take over this moment and rob you of your well earned time in the spot light but…
Yay Me!!! I get more Paul S. Kemp to read!!!
You can have your moment back now. 😉
Congratulations, Paul. Your writing, plot lines, character development, and 100% pure ass kicking stories are why we (me) stuck with you, and will continue to stick with you for as long as you have tales to tell.
I appreciate that, Sheldon. Next year is going to be a big year for me in terms of releases.
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Congratulations, Paul! I’m sure those two new novels will be pure gold like the rest! I have my whole DnD group reading the Cale books now :).
I appreciate that, Josh. Thanks and tell your friends I hope they enjoy. 🙂
Thank you for allowing us another glimpse into the mind that brought us the likes of Jak Fleet and Erevis Cale. I know that Egil and Nix will not disappoint. Truly, your contributions to my library are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Marques. I think folks who enjoy my Cale stories (which continue!) will love the Egil and Nix tales.
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