Grave Secrets - Tor/Forge Blog

Tor Books Announces Programming for New York Comic-Con 2012!

October 9, 2012May 30, 2024torforge

Celebrating LOCUS Magazine’s Best Publisher for the 25th year in a row!

Placeholder of -84 Once again, we continue our popular *in-booth signings and giveaways, offering you a chance to meet your favorite authors up close and personal! There will also be panels, autographings and spotlight stages including New York Times Bestselling author CORY DOCTOROW!

Stop by Tor’s Booth (#920), and pick up a schedule for a full listing of events!

Thursday, October 11

PANELS

5pm – 6pm | JUSTICE IS SERVED | Room 1A14

Cops, P.I.’s, government agents and regular Joe’s fight for all that is good and just in these Science-Fiction and Fantasy tales, even if the villains are vam | pires, telepaths, and the magically gifted. These protagonists solve crimes, kick-ass, and don’t let anyone – supernatural or otherwise – stand in the way of justice.

With Christopher L. Bennett (Only Superhuman), moderated by Michael P. Spradlin.

Friday, October 12

PANELS

11am | CHARACTERS: HARDCORE vs. BADASS | Author Spotlight Stage

What makes one character HARDCORE and another BADASS? Is there really a difference? Novelist Max Gladstone breaks it down by dissecting some of the greatest heroes and villains from books, gaming, comics, film, and television, revealing the unique alchemy of each one and what every writer needs to think about in order to create truly unforgettable characters.

With Max Gladstone (Three Parts Dead).

4pm – 5pm | PUBLISHER’S PARADISE: ADULT PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT | Room 1A06

Get the inside scoop on upcoming SF/F novels publishing houses are buzzing about! Editors from Harper Voyager, Orbit, Del Rey Spectra, Ace and Roc, and Tor dish on forthcoming books from our exciting authors and licensed properties. You can expect lots of giveaways you won’t see anywhere else at the convention, including free advance reading copies!

With Tor’s own Melissa Frain.

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

12pm – Tor Booth giveaway, Bard’s Oath, the long-awaited sequel to the epic fantasy Dragon and Phoenix coming in November.

2pm – Tor Booth Way of Kings (by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson) giveaway! First 25 fans in line will receive a Wheel of Time® bag.

3:30pm – Tor Booth signing with Max Gladstone, signing copies of Three Parts Dead, his brilliant debut novel (October).

5pm – Tor Booth signing with Christopher L. Bennett, signing copies of Only Superhuman, described by Kevin J. Anderson as a “heady comic book fix for the discerning SF reader” (October).

5pm – You can also head over to the autographing area and meet New York Times bestselling author, Cory Doctorow. Barnes and Noble will be on hand with a variety of books from his back list.

Saturday, October 13

PANELS

12pm | INFORMATION DOESN’T WANT TO BE FREE, BUT KIDS DO | Author Spotlight Stage

Every single kid in America is a presumed copyright criminal. We spy on them in school, we raid their parents’ life savings, we censor their creative works. And oh, how we LIE to them: “It’s not creative if you’re copying something else.” “All great art starts with permission and ends with a lawyer.” “Giving more money to the record industry will make musicians richer.” Kids are in the streets over SOPA, PIPA and ACTA. They know that the locks we put on their information aren’t for their benefit – because we won’t give them the keys.

With Cory Doctorow (Pirate Cinema).

12:15pm – 1:15pm | MYTH MIXOLOGY: HOW URBAN FANTASISTS CREATE THE PERFECT COCKTAIL | Room 1A08

Many New Yorkers know their Manhattans, Cosmos, and Long Island Iced Teas. While the average happy hour drink takes gin, rum, or vodka, these authors spice things up with mystics, witches, daemons, Celtic gods, and other magical beings. Join top-shelf authors, F. Paul Wilson, Kevin Hearne, Theo Lawrence, Anton Strout, Faith Hunter, Nancy Holzner, Allison Pang, and Nicole Peeler, as they discuss the elements of mythology that go into making your favorite cocktails of urban fantasy.

With F. Paul Wilson (Repairman Jack Series), moderated by Kim Alexander.

1:30pm – 2:30pm | HOCUS POCUS: MAGIC & MONSTERS IN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY | Room 1A08

Science-Fiction and Fantasy authors discuss the costs and consequences of “magic” in their novels. Moderator Beth Revis will have authors Andrea Cremer, Jacqueline Carey, Jocelynn Drake, Kim Harrison, Max Gladstone, Cecil Castellucci, Victoria Schwab, and Richard Kadrey dishing about the the scary, hairy, and dangerous creatures that lurk in the worlds they have created.

With Max Gladstone (Three Parts Dead), moderated by Beth Revis. (Signing from 2:45pm – 3:45pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

2:45pm – 3:45pm | GENRE BENDERS: OUT-OF-THE-BOX SCIENCE-FICTION AND FANTASY NOVELS THAT BLUR THE LINES OF FANTASY, SF, HORROR, ROMANCE, STEAMPUNK, YOU NAME IT! | Room 1A01

Join authors in a discussion about stories that can’t be bound by the constraints of any genre. Whether mixing elements of romance with horror, or fantasy with thrillers, these authors show that a good tale can be spun from multiple traditions.

With Steven Walker (The Battle of Blood and Ink), moderator Cici James of Singularity & Co. (Signing from 4:45pm – 5:45pm at the autographing area.)

5:15pm – 6:15pm | HERO’S QUEST: SWORDS AND SORCERY IN FANTASY FICTION | Room 1A08

Some of the most unforgettable heroes in literature are characters that embark on a fantastical journey. Whether their tales tell of slaying dragons, overthrowing regimes, or magical lands, these authors put the EPIC in Fantasy fiction. Join authors Joanne Bertin, Peter Brett, Rae Carson, Peter Lerangis, Steve Bein, Stefan Bachmann, Sarah Beth Durst, and Matt Myklush as they discuss all things fantastical, from swords and sorcery to horselords and warlords.

With Joanne Bertin (Bard’s Oath), moderated by Gwen Reyes. (Signing from 11:45am – 12:45pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

5:15pm – 6:15pm | GEEK THOUGHTS: TOP BLOGS DISCUSS WRITING ABOUT SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND FANDOM | Room 1A01 (otherwise known as The Sauce)

Your favorite Geek Blogs: Live! Join Tor.com, Boing Boing, The Mary Sue, io9, The Beat, and Bleeding Cool as they discuss how their blogs approach the conversation of science fiction, fantasy, genre and fandom online.

With Cyriaque Lamar, Heidi McDonald, Jamie Frevele, Jill Pantozzi, Rich Johnston. Moderated by Ryan Britt of Tor.com.

7:45pm – 8:45pm | THE WORLD OF GRAPHIC NOVELS | Room 1A06

Restaurants, outer space, fantastical worlds, high school – graphic novels today will take readers to all these places and more! How do graphic novelists combine words and pictures to create the worlds within their books? Authors discuss how world-building works in the world of comics.

With Fred Chao (Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero), moderated by Scott Robins. (Signing from 3:45pm – 4:45pm at autographing tables 4 and 5.)

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

11am – Tor Booth Dead Space: Martyr (by B. K. Evenson) giveaway!

12pm – Tor Booth signing with Halo: Silentium artist, Sparth. Come by for a copy of Halo: Cryptum, Halo: Glasslands, a poster, or a patch!

3pm – Tor Booth signing with Cory Doctorow, signing copies of For the Win, which Scott Westerfeld has called “a rousing tale of techno-geek rebellion.”

5pm – Tor Booth signing with F. Paul Wilson, signing copies of The Tomb, the first in his Repairman Jack series.

Sunday, October 14

PANELS

12:15pm – 1:15pm | OTHERWORLDLY WEENIES, TIME TRAVELING TWEENS, UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE, AND OTHER THINGS KIDS LOVE | Room 1A01

From creepy tales set in a spooky pet cemetery, to dreamy stories of time-traveling in style, to epic journeys featuring dynamic young heroes (with swords!), these middle grade authors know the secrets to entertaining the tween set. Join the group as they discuss superpowers, supervillians, and super-hilarious storytelling.

With David Lubar (Weenies Series) and Annette & Gina Cascone (Deadtime Stories Series), moderated by Matthew Cody. (Signing from 1:30pm – 2:30pm at autographing tables 2, 3, and 4.)

1:30pm – 2:30pm | KIDS/YA PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT | Room 1A07

Come hear the advance buzz about what’s coming up from Disney-Hyperion, First Second, Macmillan Kids, HarperCollins, Little, Brown, Random House, Penguin Young Readers, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and Tor! Editors and marketing staff come together to recommend their favorite upcoming books by exciting new authors and illustrators – accompanied with giveaways, trivia, and most of all, FUN!

With Tor’s own Susan Chang.

SIGNINGS & GIVEAWAYS

11am – Tor Booth joint signing with David Lubar, signing Attack of the Vampire Weenies, and Annette & Gina Cascone, signing Grave Secrets.

1pm – Tor Booth signing with Evie Manieri, signing Blood’s Pride, her epic fantasy debut coming in February.

3pm – Tor Booth giveaway of YA dystopian smash hit and series opener Article 5 (by Kristen Simmons)!

All giveaways are on a first come, first serve basis.

Author Features

Two sisters, two brothers, and the rebirth of the Deadtime Stories

January 9, 2012May 10, 2024torforge

By Annette and Gina Cascone

When our editor offered us the opportunity to contribute an article to this newsletter about our middle grade horror series, Deadtime Stories, we were hesitant—until she wrote, “What we are unequivocally NOT looking for is an article about how you got your ideas …”

We couldn’t have been more relieved.

It’s not that we are incapable of waxing poetic about our creative process; it’s just that we don’t want to. Nor could we, really, without offending someone. Even our muse walked out on us—with good reason. Nobody wants to be trapped in a room with two menopausal women who act like eight-year-old boys.

It’s not that we don’t take our work seriously. We do. In fact, we take it so seriously that it is important to us that we identify with our audience. As a result, we have no choice but to play “What if …” for hours. No booger joke is beneath us; and there are entire days when bathroom humor rules.

Yes. That’s our process.

Writing horror and humor for middle grade readers is not for the faint of heart.

Anyway, since we’re not going to discuss the birth of our series, we thought it would be fun to tell you a little bit about its rebirth.

A couple of years ago, in a land full of tinsel, two filmmaking brothers, David and Scott Hillenbrand, were looking for brides …

Wait. We lie. We are, after all, fiction writers. The brothers weren’t really looking for brides; they were looking for projects suitable for children to produce as a live action film series. And so, we shipped them one—in the form of the original series of Deadtime Stories books published in 1996.

It was love at first sight. One month later, a marriage really was made.

Luckily for the brothers, we all live in different houses, on two different coasts. No way they wanted to be trapped in a room with us while we adapted the first two books into screenplays. Even Skyping was out of the question. If the honeymoon was to be a success, there could be no visuals; and no conversations about “special effects.”

With the screenplays for Grave Secrets and The Witching Game complete, the honeymoon was over, and the real magic kicked in.

It started with the casting of Diane Ladd and Jennifer Stone; and ended with a food truck.

Yes. That’s right. A food truck.

No. We’re not lying to you this time.

That food truck was magical. We couldn’t believe the meals that came out of that thing. No wonder everybody wants to work on a film set—you’ve got catering chefs feeding you morning, noon, and night! Talk about a dream come true. No cooking; no cleaning; no kidding!

In all seriousness, if we could take just one thing away from our entire movie making experience, it would have to be that truck.

Now, if we could only convince the brothers to add some massage tables to the set of The Witching Game, this really would be a marriage made in heaven!

…………………………

From the Tor/Forge January newsletter. Sign up to receive our newsletter via email.

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Starscape and Hill & Brand Kids Announce Deadtime Stories Books and Movies

August 2, 2011May 10, 2024torforge

Starscape and Hill & Brand Kids are thrilled to announce the upcoming DEADTIME STORIES for Kids books and movies, featuring Disney Channel star Jennifer Stone and
Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd!

New York, NY; August 2, 2011: Starscape, an imprint of Tor Books, is pleased to announce an exciting publishing project in association with Hill & Brand Kids – a delightfully scary series of middle grade books and coordinating films known as DEADTIME STORIES FOR KIDS!

Cool and creepy, funny and frightening…DEADTIME STORIES for Kids by the seasoned team of writers, Annette and Gina Cascone, offer thrills and chills without violence or gore.

Filmmaking brothers, Scott and David Hillenbrand, of Hill & Brand are producing and directing the DEADTIME STORIES films, which began production in July 2011. Tor’s Starscape imprint will be publishing the books the films are based upon, launching in January 2012 with Grave Secrets.

Each of the DEADTIME STORIES for Kids films will show one of the books being read by a babysitter to her young charges, and Hill & Brand have cast Disney Channel star Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Waverly Place) in this starring role.

Hill & Brand Kids are also pleased to announce that the first film, Grave Secrets, will feature Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd.

“I have 10 grandchildren and I chose this project to leave something wonderful for them,” shared Ladd. “I love the story and the message it sends to children, as well as adults — that you should never judge someone without knowing their story.”

Jennifer Stone added that she was thrilled to be a part of a series that she would have loved to watch growing up. “As a kid, I always enjoyed things that were a little different. This isn’t your typical children’s programming. It’s smart and a little bit eerie, which is right up my alley.”

Also joining the cast that will bring the book series to life are Ashlee Jones (True Blood and The Bold and the Beautiful), Christian LeBlanc (The Young and the Restless and As The World Turns), Taylar Hender (Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer) and The Middle’s Devan Leos and Mackenzie Brooke Smith.

Further DEADTIME STORIES for Kids books and films will follow, including The Witching Game (March 2012), The Beast of Baskerville (May 2012), and Invasion of the Appleheads (July 2012).

“We are thrilled to partner with Hill & Brand on this very unique project. DEADTIME STORIES for Kids books and films promote the importance and lasting power of books,” says Starscape Publisher Kathleen Doherty.

Grave Secrets was adapted for the screen by the DEADTIME STORIES for Kids authors, Annette and Gina Cascone, who are looking forward to seeing their spine tingling storytelling come to life. Annette says, “There’s a reason Dianne Ladd is a three time Oscar nominee. We are in awe of her work. She makes us laugh, she makes us cry, and she definitely gives us more than goosebumps. And Jennifer Stone’s future is so bright, I’m putting my sunglasses on now!”

Gina says, “This is a writer’s dream. We are very proud to be published by Starscape. Everyone at Tor has shown so much enthusiasm and are a complete joy; and we couldn’t have asked for better partners in Hill & Brand. They are professional and creative, with complete respect for our screenplays.”

Educators, librarians, parents, and kids alike will find much to love about DEADTIME STORIES for Kids books and the coordinating films will help to promote the fun of reading.

About Annette and Gina Cascone

As sisters, Annette and Gina share the same last name. As writers, they share the same brain. As children, they found it difficult to share anything at all. The Cascone sisters grew up in New Jersey with their father, a criminal defense attorney, and their mother, who claimed to have ESP. They honed their storytelling skills early on in life, mainly to stay out of trouble. Now, they are telling their crazy stories to anyone who will listen.

The stats: Gina is older; Annette is not. Gina is married; Annette should be. Gina has two children; Annette borrowed one. Gina has a granddaughter; Annette has a grandniece. Gina has cats; Annette has dogs. They both have a sister named Elise. www.agcascone.com

About Tor Books/Starscape

Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, is a New York-based publisher of hardcover and softcover books. Founded in 1980, Tor annually publishes what is arguably the largest and most diverse line of science fiction and fantasy ever produced by a single English-language publisher. In 2002, Tor launched Starscape, an imprint dedicated to publishing quality science fiction and fantasy for young readers, including books by critically acclaimed and award winning authors such as Cory Doctorow, Orson Scott Card, and David Lubar. Between an extensive hardcover and trade-softcover line, an Orb backlist program, and a stronghold in mass-market paperbacks, books from Tor have won every major award in the SF and fantasy fields, and has been named Best Publisher 24 years in a row in the Locus Poll, the largest consumer poll in SF.

About Hill & Brand Kids

Hill & Brand Kids is the family-friendly entertainment division of Hill & Brand was founded by filmmaker brothers Scott and David Hillenbrand. Specializing in the development and production of film and television, Hill & Brand regularly secures financing, worldwide distribution and manages projects across all genres. The brothers have served as producers and directors on the National Lampoon’s Dorm Daze franchise (MGM & Lionsgate), the vampire action comedy Transylmania (SONY), and the Lionsgate sci-fi thriller King Cobra and gamer cult classic Game Box 1.0. Based in Los Angeles, Hill & Brand Kids was launched in 2010, returning the Hillenbrands to their roots in family entertainment. The brothers’ previous experience includes popular kids television shows (live action and animated) such as Sweet Valley High (FOX), Power Rangers (FOX), Spiderman (FOX/Marvel), Pinocchio (HBO), and Space Cats (NBC). Off to a bold start, Hill & Brand Kids has acquired the rights to the book series DEADTIME STORIES for Kids and The Secret Life of Mitch Spinach (in development with KCET).