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Exclusive Interview: Words Of Radiance Author Brandon Sanderson

Among fantasy fans, there are many who worship at the alters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and George R.R. Martin. But with 2010’s The Way Of Kings — the first in a ten book series called which, like his Mistborn series, is set in The Cosmere — writer Brandon Sanderson added his name to that list in the minds of many readers. Though in the brief interview that follows, Sanderson explains, among other things, why you need not worry about The Cosmere or publication order when you read The Way Of Kings or its just published sequel, Words Of Radiance.

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Vintage Interview: Al Jaffee From 1998

 

Since 1955, writer and cartoonist Al Jaffee has been contributing regularly to Mad, appearing in over 450 issues, far more than anyone else. Along with illustrations and such regular columns as “Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions,” he’s also done the “Fold-Ins,” many of which were collected in the book The MAD Fold-In Collection: 1964-2010. But Jaffee has led a fascinating life outside of Mad as well, as chronicled in Mary-Lou Weisman’s excellent biography, Al Jaffee’s Mad Life.

In 1998, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jaffee for the pop culture magazine Bikini. And while the interview was for an advice column called Tips From Pops, we still covered a wide range of topics, including the pressures of living up to a legacy, keeping things fresh, and living the life of a freelancer.

What follows is a slightly edited version of the interview, most of which has never been published before.

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Exclusive Interview: “Suffer The Children” Author Craig DiLouie

 

In Craig DiLouie’s new novel, Suffer The Children, (paperback, Kindle, audiobook), vampires aren’t suave guys in capes or teenagers with sparkly skin, they’re children, all the children of the world, who died a few days earlier. But while this book deserves to be shelved in the horror section of your local bookstore, DiLouie says this isn’t just another book about bloodsuckers.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dualism Author Bill DeSmedt

To fans of sci-fi thrillers, Bill DeSmedt is the author of Singularity, the first book in the “Archon Sequence.” But to me, Bill DeSmedt is my friend’s dad. With a second book in the series, Dualism, hitting bookstores and eReaders, I spoke to Jeff’s dad, I mean Mr. DeSmedt, about the impetus for his new book, the importance of science facts in science fiction, and the future of his series.

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Books News

Details Of Richard Stark/Darwyn Cooke’s The Hunter Revealed

 

IDW have revealed new details about their upcoming reprint of Richard Stark’s classic 1962 crime novel The Hunter, which will feature new illustrations by Darwyn Cooke. The book is due out this June in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

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Exclusive Interview: “7 Grams Of Lead” Writer Keith Thomson

 

In his new thriller 7 Grams Of Lead, (paperback, Kindle, audiobook) writer Keith Thomson follows a journalist who’s had a surveillance device implanted in his brain. But while some might think this technothriller is pure fantasy, Thomson says explains that it was inspired by a real event.

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Exclusive Interview: Dark Eden Author Chris Beckett

In his new sci-fi novel Dark Eden, writer Chris Beckett imagines an alien world where everyone — and their society’s rules — originated with just two people. But while the plot and the title might have you thinking that a certain Bible story was the big inspiration for his book, as Beckett explains, there’s other influences at work here as well.

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“The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug” DVD/Blu-ray Review

 

With great picture and sound, as well as some good extras, the DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, 3D DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, and limited edition 3D DVD/Blu-ray combo pack of The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug are all a good way to watch this fantasy film in the comfort of your own home. But if you want a more complete version of the movie, or the trilogy of which is part two, you might want to wait.

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Funko Game Of Thrones T-Shirt/Toy/Keychain Bundles Announced

Funko have announced that they will release two Game Of Thrones bundles — with each including a POP! vinyl figure, as well as a matching t-shirt and keychain — on May 31st, exclusively through Amazon.