First, I've chosen the winner of the free DAW paperback (dependent on availability) for the month of December! Congrats to estara! Contact me either here on LJ with a message, or send an email to jpalmatier@sff.net, with the title of the book you'd like me to try to get my hands on along with your address and I'll send that out ASAP.

And now a few links. First up is a link to some blog entries by Deborah J. Ross, who's newest book, Hastur Lord, is set in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover universe. She's been talking about what it's like to work in that universe, to play with someone else's character and world, and writing in general. Check it out!

Also, there's a new kid in town. Benjamin Tate (benjamintate) is a DAW author who's first book, Well of Sorrows, will be coming out this May. He's got a new blog started here on LiveJournal, along with a contest. Check it out at benjamintate.livejournal.com. All you have to do to enter the contest is friend him between now and May 1st, 2010. Prizes will include books, not necessarily written by him, as well as a few other things. Help spread the word and welcome Benjamin Tate to DAW's ranks!

2amtomorning
If you find yourself at the crossroads of insomnia and insanity, this is the place to channel those demons that keep you sleepless. Vivid pictures, poetry, ruminations, and confessions from the nether hours between dusk and dawn. Originally formed to celebrate the city at night, there's a strong urban theme.

green_future
Dedicated to promoting global sustainability, this community offers a forum for discussing current environmental news, research, and issues with tips on how to make positive, pro-active changes to reduce carbon impact. You'll also find information on how to get involved in eco-activism and learn about events near you (i.e., act local; think global). Offering a wealth of data on earth-friendly products and practices, you'll be inspired to don an organic bamboo cape and save the planet.

wtf_sexism
Self-described as "a little community with a lot of rage," you can soak up impassioned vibes and read blistering exposes detailing sexist attitudes in the news, pop culture, and science! A must-join community if you are, or love, a feminist. (NB: the topic of whether a "man" can be a feminist is outside the scope of this spotlight, but will probably wind up on the Writer's Block.)

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm a few days late on this because . . . well, let's just say I had to recover. *grin* But here are the new releases for the first month of 2010. We've got the next hardcover book in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover universe, the second book in the Esther Diamond series, and the paperback version of C.J. Cherryh's Regenesis, all great reads to start off the new year! So, without further ado:





Hastur Lord by Marion Zimmer Bradley & Deborah J. Ross: A never-before-published fantasy novel set in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover universe.

The world of Darkover, a unique, isolated, and protected world, has long avoided becoming part of the technologically advanced Terran Empire. But things are about to change. Regis Hastur, lord of the most powerful of the seven Domains in Darkover, learns that the Empire is about to become a Federation, and is extending an invitation for all of the worlds to join. While the offer seems tempting to his people, Regis knows that Darkover would become little more than a military base, used for its unique planetary position, and will be sapped of its resources. He must now stop at nothing to save his world.

**************************





Doppelgangster by Laura Resnick: "In Laura Resnick's Doppelgangster, the New York actress is 'resting' between roles by working as a singing waitress at a Manhattan mob restaurant because wiseguys tip well. Then duplicated gangsters appear, bullets start flying, and it's up to Esther and her friend Max the Magician to fight Evil by stopping the gang war before it starts killing the wrong people. And if she has time, maybe Esther can actually keep a hot date with her hunky detective friend Lopez, who doesn't believe in magic. Yet. Unplug the phone and settle down for a fast and funny read." --New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney

**************************





Regenesis by C.J. Cherryh: The long-awaited sequel to the Hugo award-winning novels Cyteen and Downbelow Station.

The direct sequel to Cyteen, Regenesis continues the story of Ariane Emory, Personal Replicate, the genetic clone of one of the greatest scientists humanity has ever produced, and of her search for the murderer of her progenitor--the original Ariane Emory. Murder, politics, deception, and genetic and psychological manipulation combine against a backdrop of interstellar human factions at odds to confront questions that have remained unanswered for two decades. . . .

Who killed the original Ariane Emory?

And can her Personal Replicate avoid the same fate?

*****************************

Time for the last book discussion of the year: Spells of the City edited by Jean Rabe & Martin H. Greenberg. Obviously it's an anthology, the second this month and the last for 2009, sending us out with a bang! Good news is we've had a full year of great books from great authors from DAW. Great news is we've got another year coming! So check out the table of contents for this anthology, then check out the book. There's more to come in the new year!





Cover Copy: Cities can be magical places to visit, with so many things to see and do. But what if there are true magic-workers and magical beings in the cities of our world--under bridges, lurking in alleyways, hiding in subway tunnels, or perhaps living in the apartment next door? Spells of the City open the doors to those magic domains that may coexist with our own--where trolls and goblins, fairies and leprechauns go about their business undisturbed by mortals and their concerns.

So venture now into Spells of the City, where a troll may be your toll collector on the George Washington Bridge . . . Harry the Book will be happy to place your bets in a spellbinding alternate New York . . . while a gargoyle finds himself left to a lonely rooftop existence when he's forced to live by his creator's rules . . . and leprechauns must become bank robbers to keep up the demand for their gold. And these are just a few of the denizens you'll meet in a multitude of urban centers that have been touched by the fantastic.

Table of Contents:

Trollbridge by Timothy Zahn:
Snatch as Snatch Can: A Harry the Book Story by Mike Resnick:
Psycho Danny and the Video Man by Margaret S. Lundock:
The Devil Within by Michael A. Stackpole:
Wee-kin Warrior by Marc Tassin:
Falls the Shadow by Judi Rohrig:
We Burgled It, Sure We Did by Mickey Zucker Reichert:
London on the Brink of Never by Steven Savile:
Rose by Jackie Cassada:
An Excess of Joy by C.J. Henderson:
Stannis by Anton Strout:
Fearie Dome by Dean Leggett:
Disarmed and Dangerous by Tim Waggoner:
Good Morning Heartache by Bradley P. Beaulieu:
'Twas the Happy Hour After Christmas by Robert Wenzlaff:
Eli's Coming by Linda P. Baker:
Helvik's Deal by Vicki Steger:
Second Choices by Brain M. Thomsen:

***************************

I mentioned Pat Rothfuss' charity fundraiser for Heifer International previously, and today he's posted a bunch of DAW books and advance reading copies signed by various authors (including CJ Cherryh, Mercedes Lackey, Tad Williams, Joshua, moi, Julie Czerneda, and others!). To see this treasure trove of possibility, go here: http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/blog/blog.html

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.