Ken Liu, who has won Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Awards for his short stories, including Paper Menagerie which you can read in full here, and has been published in almost every Spec-Fic publication under the sun – including: F&SF, Asimov’s, Analog, Strange Horizons, Lightspeed, and Clarkesworld – has finally strung enough words together to write a novel.
The first book in the series, to be published by Simon & Schuster’s new SFF imprint, is called The Chrysanthemum and the Dandelion and is scheduled for early 2015 as one of the launch titles for S&S’s new imprint. As you’d expect, S&S has purchased the entire trilogy, The Dandelion Dynasty, from Liu, but also a collection of short stories. It’s unknown as to whether this collection of stories is fiction Liu has already released, new work or a mixture of the two.
Simon & Schuster released the following Press Release:
Simon & Schuster has acquired Ken Liu’s debut fantasy series, The Dandelion Dynasty, as the first project for its new genre imprint for all ages.
The Dandelion Dynasty follows Kuni Garu, a charming bandit, and Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke. At first, the two seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, they quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures. The scope of the series is epic, involving gods, massive armies, diverse cultures, multiple plotlines, numerous characters, politics, war, courtly intrigue, and love.
Ken Liu is one of the hottest writers in the field, garnering multiple awards for his short stories, including “The Paper Menagerie,” the only story ever to have been awarded the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. “His novels are highly anticipated, and I’m thrilled to be able to work with Ken and his myriad talents at the launch of his publishing career with this series, which exemplifies the scope of our debut list. It’s kismet,” says executive editor Joe Monti.
“I’m incredibly excited to embark on my novel career with one of the greatest publishers in the world as my partner,” says Ken Liu. “I can’t wait to share this world that has lived only in my mind with readers.”
Joe Monti acquired North American rights to three books, a short story collection, and audio rights via agent Russell Galen at Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency, Inc.
Jennie Ivins
Oh, please tell me his novels will be published in audio? I was so amazed at the power of the “Paper Menagerie” and how it was understated but drew you in and finally dropped a bomb shell on you that you thought came out of no where until you read it again , . . and again, . . . and again.