Castings Trilogy

News

pamela — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:18:03 +0000

In no particular order: 2010 will see the publication of a stand-alone book set in the Castings Universe, called “Ember and Ash”. No, it’s not the fourth book in the trilogy, it really is stand alone, and the Ash of the title does not refer to the trilogy character Ash. I’m excited about it because I get to explore some more layers of the universe in a completely different way to the trilogy. Different approach to narrative, different issues, same universe. Fun!

I have completed the first draft of the third book, Full Circle, and am nervously awaiting editor’s comments.

This morning I read the first known piece of fan fic set in the Castings Universe. While I have to officially say that I am protecting my copyright and asserting my intellectual rights, I am chuffed. I’ve always wanted to be fanficed. It was pretty good, too!

For those interested: the official position is that copyright of all material, characters, etc, published under my name remains my property. If people acknowledge my ownership, however, as this piece does, I am happy for them to explore aspects of my worlds and share them with others, as long as readers are not asked to pay. If you want to fanfic Castings and you have questions, please email me (click on Contact Pamela).

Bookgeeks panel

pamela — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:04:16 +0000

Go check out the new Bookgeeks author panel on technology and magic in speculative fiction, with Stephen Baxter, Patrick Rothfuss, Sean Williams and me: http://www.bookgeeks.co.uk/2008/12/03/the-second-bookgeeks-sf-and-fantasy-author-panel-science-and-magic I was fascinated by the other authors’ comments.

Blood Ties review by Simon Appleby

pamela — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:57:42 +0000

Simon Appleby, over at Bookgeeks, has read Blood Ties and reviewed it favourably.

Pamela Freeman’s fantasy debut, Book One of the Castings Trilogy, has lots of great ideas and interesting themes, and was a very enjoyable holiday read.

more…

Thank you Simon. Keep an eye out for the upcoming panel on Bookgeeks: Stephen Baxter, Patrick Rothfuss, Sean Williams and I discuss creating believable science and magic in speculative fiction. It was a fascinating exercise for me and makes great reading.

Deep Water Review by Iain Wear

pamela — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:06:25 +0000

Iain Wear has reviewed Deep Water over at The Bookbag.

He has some reservations which is fair enough but gives it four stars so thank you, Iain.

My favourite part was
"Quite a way before the end of Deep Water, I knew I have to see how things turn out when it all comes together."

Way to go! I’ve finished the first draft of the final book (Full Circle) and it will be the bookshops in September 2009.

Deep Water Review by Stuart Mayne

pamela — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:58:08 +0000

A thank you to Stuart Mayne for his aurealisXpress review of Deep Water, reproduced here with his permission:

I’m a fan of Pamela Freeman’s fantasy series, The Castings Trilogy. I’m sick of epic fantasy that deals with kings and the powerful and The Castings Trilogy gives me exactly what I want: ordinary people thrust into circumstances that are bewildering and unsettling. It is in these circumstances that we all change and it is reassuring that there are writers such as Pamela out there who want to write about the ordinary lives that are extraordinary.

The second book begins directly where the first ends, and I struggled for a time to remember what had befallen Ash, Martine and Bramble in Blood Ties. But Freeman deftly inserts any back-story explanations that are needed.

The middle novel in a trilogy can sometimes fail from lack of dramatic impetus. It can take on the aspect of the middle half of a standalone novel, developing character and plot without thought for the reader. Freeman shows her mastery of her craft by giving the reader a fully developed standalone story inside the wider work. The reader is given their fill of dramatic story and left panting, watching the author’s website (castingstrilogy.com) expectantly for the Full Circle to be completed.

Freecon 2008 8th-9th November

pamela — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:58:01 +0000

If you are going to be in Sydney in the second week of November I shall be at Freecon and would love to see you.

Date:	Sat 8th - Sun 9th November
Venue:	The Norman Selfe Room of the Sydney Mechanics School of the Arts (SMSA) building at 280 Pitt Street Sydney

Full details on the convention website

Cairns Post review of Deep Water

pamela — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:45:27 +0000

Niki Bruce
The Cairns Post
18th September 2008

Finally the next instalment in The Castings trilogy is available.

Readers return to the world of Bramble and Ash, two people fighting against the “norms” of their society, trying to find a way of stopping the mad mage Saker.

more…

Deep Water in UK

pamela — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:36:27 +0000

I’m delighted to say that Deep Water is available in the UK from this week. The US has to wait just a little longer.

I am working hard on finishing the first draft of Full Circle. I hope it will surprise and please you - it’s certainly surprising me! I looked at the initial synopsis yesterday and it bears only a family resemblance to the final story. I’m pretty sure this is a good thing.

Denvention here I come

pamela — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:42:18 +0000

Counting the days until the Denver World Con. If you are attending, here is my schedule so far:

Thursday 1.00pm The Return of the King: the novelist’s fascination with monarchy (this panel was my idea, so I’d better put on a good performance!)

Friday 5.30pm Reading - and yes, I will be reading at least a small section from Deep Water!

Saturday 11.30am Keeping a Job: What writers do to support their writing

I will add locations if they are confirmed before I get on the plane. Hope to see you there!

Deep Water arrives!

pamela — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:42:35 +0000

The advance copies of Deep Water have arrived on my doorstep and, oh, they are beautiful. So for those of you who have been emailing me asking when it will be available - it will be out in Australia in a couple of weeks! For the UK and US, I’m sorry, but it will be a couple more months for you (but you could order it now…).