magic dirt: the best of sean williams

[adelaidesean]

I am very pleased to announce that Ticonderoga Publications will be releasing a hefty tome in March that contains the very best short stories I've ever written. This is it. The definitive collection, covering everything of note from 1992's WOTF prize-winning "Ghosts of the Fall" all the way to 2007's "The Seventh Letter." If it's won or been nominated for the Ditmar, Aurealis or Seiun Awards, it's in here.* If it's been recommended by Locus or any of the various Year's Bests, ditto.** Some of the stories have been reprinted before, but many of them haven't. One has never been on paper at all. Covering science fiction, space opera, fantasy, horror and mainstream (and maybe even a little haiku, if I can twist Russell's arm), with story notes and an introduction, this is huge. I am very excited.

There's more detail here and Ticonderoga's online store is here. There will be two versions, including an uber-special signed and numbered edition. The cover is still on its way, but I assure you it'll be beautiful.

Not only is this the definitive collection of my short stories, but it will most likely be my last. At the rate I'm writing them, it'll take me another fifteen years to fill another.

* Well, most of them. The good ones, anyway.
** Well, ditto again.

Comments

[frogworth.livejournal.com]

Shaun Tan cover? One can hope!
Special edition sounds special!

By the way, I found an über-cheap copy of the UK version of Saturn Returns in a bookshop here the other day, hurrah.

What is your current situation with Sunday 2nd of March? I believe there was some parental antecedent of yours getting in the way of our FourPlay gig or something :P Would love to see you one way or other anyway... Don't have much time in Radelaide.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

This book is speeeshul (however that's spelt). :-)

My mother's birthday is being something of a spanner--it's the opening day of Writers' Week, too--but I remain hopeful. What time's your gig, again? And whereabouts? Amanda is as keen as I am (she loves your albums too, btw) so it it's humanly possible, we'll be there.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

That is a hip title.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you agree, sirrah. If the cover works out, it'll be even better.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

I am anticipating a cover that looks like dirt.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Yes, but MAGIC dirt...

[angriest.livejournal.com]

I think it would be hilarious if your cover was a photo of your name scrawled with a stick in some ordinary brown dirt.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Well, if our plans don't work out, that's just what it might be. :-)

[loic.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I discovered your writing through Ticonderoga (while I was playing guitar in Russel's bedroom) so I'm excited for this new collection.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Excellent! I'm pleased to hear that, and jealous that you got to jam with the dolphin boy himself.

[frogworth.livejournal.com]

Spesh.

Well, although I don't have a worksheet (technical jargon. I know) for the gig yet, I can tell you from previous correspondence, reading between the lines, that we won't be on before 9:30pm, possibly 9:45pm.
We're playing at the Persian Garden (http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/Show/Detail.aspx?p=5&id=1), and if you follow that link you will be reassured to be told that you can "Please check back here in February 2008 for a full Persian Gardens program with details of each night's line up."
I'm not sure which February 2008 they're talking about, since we're halfway through this February 2008 already. *sigh*

Anyway, so it's a late 'un! Maybe it'll be humanly possible?

[frogworth.livejournal.com]

Or otherwise a picture of Adalita?

[evilpaul.livejournal.com]

DO WANT

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Phreeow. Cover or author's photo--it'd triple my sales for sure!

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

The later the better! It may just work out...

[paulhaines.livejournal.com]

Great! Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

[frogworth.livejournal.com]

Would be greeeeeeeeat! If/when I find out a firm starting time I'll drop you a line.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

I want one. Possibly later, when the budget improves.


How's Keating going? Are you enjoying it?

[canadiansuzanne.livejournal.com]

A Shaun Tan cover would be awesome!

Wonderful news on the collection, Sean!!

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Suzanne. Wouldn't a cover by Shaun just be wonderful? But I figure I've already got four by him, so I shouldn't be greedy. :-)

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Keating provides, not just the voice for our times, but also the soundtrack.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Paul. Not so long a wait now. I can't believe how quickly it's coming together. Russell can really crack a whip when he needs to. :-)