Our friends at the Waygate Foundation have notified us of a charity auction they're hosting to benefit Room to Read, which is a worthy organization helping to promote literacy and gender equality across the world. 

Up for bid is a unique set of medieval gauntlets, signed by an impressive list of authors and artists. Here are the names:

• Brandon Sanderson
• Howard Tayler
• Michael R Underwood
• Howard Andrew Jones
• Tobias Buckell
• John Klima
• Pat Rothfuss
• John Scalzi
• Courtney Allison Moulton
• Aimee Carter
• Kelley Armstrong
• Saladin Ahmed
• Jaime Ramsey
• Matthew Alan Thyer
• Jacqueline Carey
• Sandra Taylor
• Kameron Hurley
• Bradley P Beaulieu
• Myke Cole
• Michael J Sullivan
• Wesley Chu
• Brian McClellan
• Cherie Priest
• Seleste deLaney
• Sam Sykes
• Larry Elmore
• Jana Oliver
• John G Hartness

The voting period for the 2014 Hugo Awards ends on Thursday, July 31st PDT. The Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is nominated for "Best Novel" this year. To vote, you must be a member of this year's WorldCon, held August 14-18 in London, United Kingdom. 

The awards ceremony will be held at at 8PM on Sunday, August 17. You must be a member to attend. Harriet McDougal, the editor of the series and Jordan's widow and Maria Simons, one of the continuity editors for the series will be in attendance, along with many other authors, editors, artists and industry professionals. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live online, details of that will be published later on the convention website. If you are in Atlanta, Georgia, JordanCon is hosting a "Hugo Watching Party".

Harriet and Maria will both speaking at the convention on Saturday, Aug. 16th at 12PM on the influence of the series in a panel discussion titled "The Road Goes Ever On and On". 

Our friend Leigh Butler recently wrote an essay on why she thinks the Wheel of Time deserves a Hugo. Brandon Sanderson also published his thoughts back in April, when the nomination was announced. 

Regardless of if you agree with us on the Wheel of Time Hugo nomination, the Hugos are still one of the most prestigious awards in science fiction and fantasy literature. They are also one of the few decided by popular vote. If you have the means, please participate in the process, regardless of how you intend to vote. If you do vote, please participate fully in the process. Try to read as many of the nominated works as you can and vote in as many categories as you feel confident in. 

The voter packet for the Hugo Awards are now available for download.

London, 30 May 2014 ‐ The 2014 Hugo Awards voter packet  ‐ an electronic package of nominated works made available by Hugo nominees and their publishers  ‐  is now available for download by Supporting, Attending and Young Adult members of Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) taking place at ExCeL London from 14 ‐18 August 2014.

 

The Hugo Awards are the leading awards for achievement in science fiction and fantasy, and are voted on by the Worldcon membership.

 

The voter packet, which includes full editions of many Hugo ‐ nominated works and preview versions of others, enables Loncon 3 Supporting, Attending, and Young Adult members to familiarise themselves with the Hugo Award contenders before voting. The packet is available now at http://loncon3.org/hugo_vote/hugo_voter_packet.php and will remain available until voting closes at 0000 PDT on Friday 1 August 2014.

 

The 2014 Hugo Awards will be presented at a ceremony on the evening of Sunday 17 August. The ceremony will be streamed live via the internet to enable fans around the world to experience this celebration of the best of the year's science fiction and fantasy.

 

The Loncon 3 team will shortly release a voter packet for the Retro Hugos, commemorating the best in science fiction and fantasy available to fans in 1939.

 

Full details of the Hugo Awards are available at the Loncon 3 web site: http://www.loncon3.org/hugo_awards.php.

 

For information on how to join the more than 5,000 fans of science fiction and fantasy who have already signed up to attend Loncon 3, visit http://www.loncon3.org/memberships/.

If you want more information on the Hugo awards, please click here. You can also read Brandon Sanderson's thoughts on voting here.  Please remember, though we are fans of the series, we want to familiarize ourselves with the other works nominated.  If you have only read The Wheel of Time out of all the other nominations, it's unfair to other authors and other works.  Wheel of Time may be the best choice out there, but you need to make sure of the fact before you vote.  It's also a good idea to nominate a 2nd place, or 3rd place choice.  As part of the science fiction/fantasy community, we want everyone to get the recognition they deserve for the hard work they put into writing these wonderful works of fiction.

Our friends at Ta'veren Tees have some great new products to share with the Wheel of Time community!  And there's a few days left to catch their JordanCon 15% off coupon!

OH, LIGHT! NEW COINS, FLASKS, AND POSTERS!

 

We are excited to announce the availability of three highly anticipated new WoT products. The "Mat Cauthon Challenge Coin," "WoT Curses Flask," and "Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn poster" are now available for purchase at www.TaverenTees.com/collectibles! The flask and poster are currently available in limited quantity, so make sure to get yours now!

 

Mat Challenge Coin: 

http://www.taverentees.com/matcoin

 

 

WoT Curses Flask:

http://www.taverentees.com/cursesflask

 

Rand al'Thor Poster by Ariel Burgess:

(The JordanCon People’s Choice Award winner for best WoT Art!)

 http://www.taverentees.com/randthedragon

 

 

And don't forget: Coupon code "JORDANCON" is still good for 15% off through May 2!

We are very pleased to announce that the entire Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson was nominated for a 2014 Hugo Award in the category of, “Best Novel”.

The Hugo Awards are science fiction and fantasy's highest honor. They are awarded each year by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at WorldCon. These awards have been given annually since the 1950’s and are often referred to as “the Oscars of science fiction.”

We are incredibly pleased at this nomination and would like to congratulate Brandon Sanderson and Team Jordan, and especially Harriet McDougal, for their incredible work seeing the series to completion after Robert Jordan’s death. We only wish he could have lived long enough to see his masterpiece honored this way. We’ll have more thoughts on the nomination and what it means in a few days.

To vote on the Hugo Awards, you must be a member of this year’s WorldCon, taking place August 14-19 in London. For information on the convention and a complete list of nominees, please see their website. http://loncon3.org

JordanCon 2014 has come and gone.  The three days of the convention were packed with so much excitement, it felt much longer.  Or perhaps it was staying up so late to spend just a few more minutes talking about Rand, Mat, and Perrin, that made it seem that way.  Either way, it's over.  But it's not the end, because there is always next year.

Sunday was a bit more laid back than Saturday.  Things were winding down, but there was still a ton of events.  Since I was eliminated on the very first question during last year's trivia contest, I decided I would try even harder this year.  For the "Daes Dae'mar" trivia contest, we were able to be in teams of up to five, and my team was filled with dread because of Terez's mighty knowledge.  Would you believe we nearly tied for first place?  In the end, due to the Tarmon Gai'don round, we wound up losing.  But still, second place is better than being the first one out.

Sunday was also the kaffeeklatsch with Brandon Sanderson.  We were lucky enough to get in to see him.  It was an amazing hour, just talking about anything and everything.  The winner of the costume contest--she had dressed up as Syl from Brandon's Stormlight Archive--was also in attendance and pondered on the nature of a Spren's bond with a human.  Interesting stuff, but I won't go into it here.  My questions tended to focus on The Wheel of Time--like if the very last scene seemed a bit too happy to fit in with the darkness of the rest of the book--and what Ajah Brandon would chose if he were an Aes Sedai--his answer was Blue, surprisingly.

Numerous people wore costumes, and most didn't even enter the costume contest.  This picture of Min was among my favorites costumes.  Though, a cosplaying Lews Therin and Ilyena--whom lay unmoving on the floor while he tired to feed her chips--was probably the funniest.

I completely missed the Blademaster Tournament, but have every intention of seeing it next year.  I'm not even sure who won, but it looked like everyone had a fun time.

Supposedly, during an earlier JordanCon, a cardboard cut out of Rand (the one from A Crown of Swords) disappeared in the night.  Well, by some miracle of the Light, he reappeared this year.  Everyone was pleased to see him, though he was taken to the safety of a locked hotel room during the night.  Here he is, punching my sister.

I honestly had more fun this year than last year.  And that means I'll have an even better time next year.  I cannot wait for JordanCon to come around again.  I want to thank everyone who helped with this event, including the honored Guests, the Directors, the volunteers, and the hotel staff.  Everything went smoothly, everyone was friendly, and the environment was so welcoming.  Wheel of Time fans are the best!

If you want to see more of my photo gallery, please click here.  And if you want to share your pictures, put a link below in the comments!

Here we are, day two of JordanCon. So far, the Con has been a blast, full of activities and events. There's been panels, the Blademaster tournament, vendors, art shows, and costume contests. In short, anything and everything you could hope to experience in relation to The Wheel of Time.

If you're following Dragonmount on Twitter, you've already seen some of the events that have unfolded, as well as pictures of our favorite people--authors, artists, and fans. If you don't follow Dragonmount on Twitter (and you really should), here's a quick update of some of the goings on.

First off, the Toast Masters (who actually ate toast during the opening ceremony) are none other than the tWoT Cast--known for their foul-mouthed antics. Hilarity ensued, complete with an airhorn to make their rants viewable to a wider audience. Our own Jason Denzel, and past JordanCon Toast Masters, Leigh Butler and Richard Fife, were called from the past, to the present, to save JordanCon from the tWoT Cast's grip (a al Back to the Future.

Leigh Butler and I. Don't ask. #JordanCon opening ceremonies pic.twitter.com/LpqApsSNhq

— Dragonmount.com (@dragonmount) April 11, 2014

For panels, there are several tracks with a wide veriety of purposes. Writing workshops, Wheel of Time discussions, gaming groups, and even speed friending. Something for everyone. Naturally, I gravitate towwards Wheel of Time related events, but even people who haven't read the series--and there are some here who fit that description--can have fun and enjoy the company of like-minded nerds. Of the Wheel of Time panels I've attended so far, "Loonie Theories" has been the funniest. The winner this year: The Wheel of Time series is a metaphor for childbirth. And a close second, Rand al'Thor is Santa Claus.

Patrick Rothfuss--of The Kingkiller Chronicles fame--is the Author Guest of Honor. It's been incredible seing him around, and seeing his willingness to speak with fans. He even took part in a Q&A session for Waygate Foundation's Write-A-Thon (hosted by Brandon Sanderson. The two greats talked shop, reminisced, and answered questions from audience members and those following along online. Brandon's illustrators, Ben McSweeney and Isaac Stewart also helped out, donating some drawings to help the event raise money.

The Power houses of fantasy literature: @BrandSanderson and @PatrickRothfuss #JordanCon pic.twitter.com/Mj7ymdVI4R

— Dragonmount.com (@dragonmount) April 12, 2014

There's plenty more going on. Currently, a silent auction is being held, and a masquerade ball shortly to follow. There's still one more day left, we we're going to party like it's our last night!

Due to the success of the first Write-a-thon with Brandon Sanderson, Waygate Foundation is hosting a second event, live at JordanCon!

Join us Friday, April 11th at 8:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time for another live online writing event with Brandon Sanderson! We'll be broadcasting on Justin.tv, live from JordanCon!

 

During Part 1 of the Sanderson Write-a-thon which aired January 17, Brandon explained his writing process to viewers as he developed characters and began writing a new short story. Viewers got a chance to see Brandon do his magic while participating in the process and helping to shape the story. We raised $1,390 during the event, with proceeds going to Worldbuilders.

 

And now we're doing it again!

 

The story's not done - now's your chance to get involved and help determine what happens next. Join us online via Justin.tv or in person at JordanCon on Friday, April 11th to participate. The live event starts at 8:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time and will run for 2-3 hours.

 

Missed the first broadcast? Check out a recording on YouTube, and see below to read the first part of the story.

Here is the YouTube video:

You can find more information at Waygate's website, or on their Facebook page.

I am calling for applications for one person to join my staff of bloggers. Applications for this position will be open until Wednesday, April 2nd.

Description of the Job Position:

The open position is for a Wheel of Time Humor Blogger. This blog is a regular feature on Wednesdays. This person will be responsible for a short weekly column featuring a combination of existing WoT humor from around the Internet (e.g. Mat's Inbox, the WoT lightbulb jokes, the WoT Lolcats) and creating their own WoT humor content.

Job Duties for Both Front Page Blogger Positions:

1. Bloggers are expected to produce content in their respective areas for the front page once per week. They must be able to meet deadlines in a timely manner.

2. Bloggers occasionally will be called upon to assist the Front Page Admin with brainstorming new ideas for features.

3. Bloggers are expected to dedicate time each week to the Front Page Bloggers Staff Board and the DM Staff Board. As members of DM Staff, they act as representatives of the members of DM and their input is vital in the decision making process. Bloggers should be actively engaged in discussions on staff boards.

4. Bloggers must be able to give at least a 6 month commitment of approximately 5 hours per week. LOAs will come up, of course.

Anyone who thinks they can fulfill the requirements may apply. Strong candidates are people who possess the following qualities: efficiency, writing ability, organizational skills, creativity, maturity, and the ability to work well with others.

The Application Process:

If you are interested, please send an email to frontpage@dragonmount.com.

In your application, please include:

* Your DM Handle.

* Some details about who you are in real life, including anything you think will have prepared you for leadership (including past online leadership experience).

* A sample of your writing consisting of at least three short paragraphs. This can be in the form of a brief essay, a blog, a school paper, a newspaper article, a forum post, a short story, or a role play. You do not have to write something new for this application; in fact, many of you already have forum posts that are long enough to count. I mainly want to get an idea of your writing style.

* Anything else that you think would set you apart from other applicants.  Why are you the best candidate?

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.

~Mashiara

Ta'veren Tees is releasing a new "Moiraine and Lan" shirt design, featuring the artwork of Paul Bielaczyc.

The Wheel weaves as it wills, and it has willed a brand new shirt featuring everyone's favorite Blue Aes Sedai and her stone-faced Warder! The new "Moiraine and Lan" design with art by Paul Bielaczyc is available for PREORDER in both men's and women's styles now at:

 

Men's: www.TaverenTees.com/moirainelan

Women's: www.TaverenTees.com/moirainelanfem

 

This is our first shirt design released on the all new, redesigned TaverenTees.com, which is also now available as TheWheelofTimeStore.com. The new site features WoT jewelry, as well as costumes and art in addition to tee shirts, calendars, posters, coins, and playing cards.

 

You can read more of the release on our blog at: http://blog.taverentees.com/2014/03/moiraine-and-lan-tees-available-for.html

[slight spoilers of The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance will follow.]

Brandon Sanderson's latest epic book, Words of Radiance, was released earlier this month.  At over 1,000 pages long, it took me a week and a half to make it through.  Not from lack of wanting to, only from lack of time.  I finished it on Friday morning, which was my goal, because Friday evening was Brandon's signing in Scottsdale, Arizona (the bookstore livestreamed the event; you can watch it here).

The book looks intimidating.  It's really, really big.  I think that could put many readers off.  But, if you can stick with it, the story is well worth the effort.

It picks up where The Way of Kings left off.  Kaladin and his Bridge Four gang have been taken in by Dalinar.  Dalinar is still experiencing his visions from the Almighty, trying to put them together for a plan to save the world.  Shallan—despite her betrayal of Jasnah—has been embraced as a full ward of the heretic, and helps research the Voidbringers.   The world is heading towards destruction, but all our heroes fight towards the goal of salvation.

Shallan's storyline was the most interesting.  Brandon has said that each book within the Stormlight Archive will be one person's story—The Way of Kings was Kaladin's book, sharing his past through flashbacks.  This was Shallan's book, and we were finally shown her whole story.  It was fascinating to see how she transformed from the timid girl of Jah Keved to the ward and confidant of one of the most powerful women in the world.  She finds her inner strength and grows into a very strong character.

This is helped by her bonding of a Spren.  We saw Kaladin make on bond with Syl, the Windspren, in The Way of Kings, and Shallan's bond with her Spren is similar.  Pattern, a Liespren (or Cryptic), helps Shallan build her powers.  With different typed Spren, though, come different powers.  Shallan's abilities are very unlike Kaladin's.  She is able to Lightweave, forming illusions.

Kaladin, though not the main focus of the book, still has a great story arc.  After being rescued from Sadeas, Kaladin and his bridgemen take the employ of Dalinar as personal bodyguards.  Kaladin soon finds himself protecting the whole Kholin clan, including the King.  Knowing his duty is the right thing to do, he is still torn at the prospect of protecting Lighteyes—people who think themselves raised above him. 

Throughout the novel, Kaladin battles with himself over these mixed feelings.  He respects Dalinar, but can't seem to take that final leap in trusting him completely.  He is unable to confide his abilities to Dalinar, even though he knows he should.  Kaladin does a lot of regression in this book—going back to hating the world and the people around him.  It makes an interesting parallel to Shallan's story because they share experiences of overwhelming grief in their past. 

Dalinar doubles his efforts to find Radiants.  He is convinced that the mythical figures will begin appearing to help save the people from the Desolation that is coming.  Sadeas still undermines Dalinar's beliefs and the Kingdom is nearly torn in half between the two Highprinces.   Still, Dalinar pushes on, despite the ridicule of the other Highprinces.  He is so firm in his beliefs that he doesn't let anything deter him from his duty.

He is such a great character.  He's strong of will and mind, and he is able to put aside his shame and focus on the bigger picture.  His goals are very ambitions, but he does everything in his power to make them come to fruition. 

The book is divided into five parts, with interludes in between.  These interludes feature characters that are minor, or out of the way, but still offer insight to the state of the world.  The most interesting of the interludes was from the point of view of a Parshendi Shardbearer, Eshonai.  She wants to make peace with Dalinar and the Alethi people, and takes steps to meet with them.  However, something happens to the Parshendi, a transformation that changes Eshonai's intentions drastically. 

We also see other people who have made bonds with Spren.  This is just a taste of all the abilities—all the Orders with the Radiants—that we will see as the series continues. 

Exciting and captivating, this book is wonderfully paced—the interludes giving needed breaks from the thick intrigue of the main storyline.  It is humorous and sad, light and dark, hopeful and depressing.  Brandon has done a great job of making a world and characters that are realistic.

The rest of Brandon's tour dates are listed on his website.  The event was very well attended—not everyone could fit inside the bookstore!  He also had prizes to hand out, with Shardhunt codes—which will unlock goodies on Brandon's website if enough of them are activated.  My sister and I were given codes because we dressed up—we both wore our Aes Sedai shawls.  If he's stopping in a town that's near you, I really suggest trying to see him.

A Memory of Light, the fourteenth and final book in the Wheel of Time series is on the Long List for the David Gemmell Legend award. This award honors the best of fantasy fiction each year and is named in honor of the late David Gemmell. Gemmell was a prolific British fantasy author, with thirty novels published in his career. After his death, this award was established both to recognize the best works of fantasy fiction each year and to honor Gemmell's legacy.

The Long List is selected by an international slate of professionals in the field each year, while the Short List is determined via internet poll. If you'd like to see A Memory of Light on the Short List, you have until April 13th to vote. In addition to the recognition this award bestows, the prize itself takes the form of a wicked cool battle axe. Brandon Sanderson won this award in 2011 for The Way of Kings, the first book in his The Stormlight Archive series.

The link to vote is here.

Also, as a reminder the nomination period for the Hugo Awards is still open until the end of the month. We believe the entire Wheel of Time series is eligible for an award based on the current rules regarding serialized works. If you joined this year's WorldCon by January 31st, you are eligible to nominate. This is Robert Jordan's final opportunity to receive either of these awards, so if you feel strongly about this, be sure to participate!

Today is the release of Words of Radiance, Brandon Sanderson's second novel in The Stormlight Archive series.

If you can't pick up your copy today, Tor.com has plenty of preview material, including chapter samples and a video of Brandon working on the book in real time.

And of course, Brandon kicked off his Words of Radiance tour last night at midnight, as is his tradition.  The tour will continue for about three weeks, visiting various locations around the country.  Here is a list of the stops he will be making.  But don't worry if you can't make it to any of these.  Brandon will also be attending JordanCon 6, April 11-13.

To discuss the book as you read it, or make predictions before you've read it, stop by Dragonmount's forum where there is a Words of Radiance thread.

Find out more information about the series at Brandon's website, or at his fansite, the 17th Shard.

Finally, if you don't feel like waiting in line at the store, you can always buy the book from Dragonmount's eBook store for the discount price of $11.99.

Happy reading!

Earlier this month, the nomination process for the 2014 Hugo Awards began. The Hugo Awards are science fiction and fantasy's highest honor and awarded each year by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at WorldCon. To be eligible to nominate you need to be a registered member of either the 2013, 2014 or 2015 WorldCons by January 31. Nominating ballots are due by March 31 and the awards will be announced at this year's WorldCon in London. 

As we reported earlier, this is Robert Jordan's final year for Hugo eligibility in the category  of "Best Novel" for the Wheel of Time series. However, there are many other categories and works eligible for nomination. If you are planning to nominate for the first time this year, we recommend participating in the process as fully as possible and nominating in several categories. Ballots from first time voters nominating one work in a single category run the risk of being discounted by the Hugo Administrators.

What's eligible for a Hugo? Any work of science fiction or fantasy that was published for the first time in 2013, or translated into English for the first time in 2013. That encompasses a wide variety of novels, short fiction, artwork, graphic novels, TV shows, podcasts and more. Anything you've enjoyed or thought advanced the genre in a new or interesting direction can be nominated. The Hugo Award administrators will select the five most popular in each category to become this year's Hugo nominees. 

If you're still uncertain what to nominate, here are some eligible works we'd like to draw your attention to. Remember, these are just our suggestions. Feel free to nominate whatever works you enjoyed last year. 

Best Novel

• The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (We believe that the current WSFS rules allow the nomination of the entire series as a complete work now that it's complete.)
• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
• The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Best Editor (Long Form)

• Harriet McDougal, for her work on editing the Wheel of Time series and ensuring that her husband's vision was completed. 

Best Related Work

• Writing Excuses Brandon Sanderson hosts this podcast along with several other authors. It won the Hugo in this category in 2013. 
• Dragonmount.com There is unfortunately no category for best fan website, but if you enjoy our work here we'd appreciate the nod. 

Best Fan Writer

• Linda Taglieri runs the excellent 13th Depository blog which features the most detailed analysis of the Wheel of Time series online.
• Leigh Butler is the host of the Wheel of Time Re-Read and A Song of Ice and Fire Read for Tor.com.
• Aidan Moher is a long time friend of Dragonmount and hosts the popular review and commentary blog A Dribble of Ink.
• Adam Whitehead maintains The Wertzone, a popular review and fantasy site. He is also a frequent poster to our forums.
• Maureen Carr, AKA "Mashiara Sedai" who writes our popular theory blog "WoT If…" and edits the rest of our columns. 

Best Fan Artist

• Amy Dale, for her "Fields of Merrilor" artwork that graces our site. 

Best Professional Artist

• Paul Bielaczyc, for his "Dragon Reborn", which is available both as a print and as a t-shirt at Ta'veren Tees.
• Ariel Burgess, for the body of work commissioned by Ta'veren Tees for  the 2014 Wheel of Time Calendar. 

Additionally, our friends at Tor.com publish a large amount of eligible short fiction and art every year. (In particular, please read "The Lady Astronaut of Mars" by Mary Robinette Kowal.) Also, many of your favorite authors will post on their websites about what eligible works they have this year. If you aren't sure if something you enjoyed was published in 2013, check with the author to be sure. 

You can learn more about WorldCon, how the nomination process works and how to register by visiting LonCon's website. Remember, participating in the Hugo nomination process is an important way we recognize the best of science fiction and fantasy each year. 

Waygate Foundation is hosting a live writing event with Brandon Sanderson.

Join us for a live online writing event with Brandon Sanderson!  Waygate Foundation is proud to host a Write-a-thon featuring the creation of a new work of fiction by Brandon Sanderson.  The event will take place this Friday, January 17th, beginning at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time and will run for approximately five hours.  The Write-a-thon recognizes the successful start of the Worldbuilders annual campaign for Heifer International, and will help drive the final two weeks of this campaign to a new record donation.  75% of all funds raised during this event will be donated to Worldbuilders.

 

This public event will enable fans to watch as Mr. Sanderson writes in real-time, and participate in the process.  Join us for the live broadcast at http://www.justin.tv/waygatefoundation on Friday!

Get more information on this event here.

It's January and that means awards season is upon us. The biggest award in science fiction and fantasy literature is the Hugo Award, awarded by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at the annual WorldCon. The Hugos are often described as "the Oscars of speculative fiction." They are one of our oldest awards, being granted since the 1950's. Brandon Sanderson won the award in 2013 for his novella, The Emperor's Soul and many other significant writers have won this award as well. Notable Hugo winners include Robert Heinlein, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Kurt Vonnegut, and Anne McCaffery. It's truly the highest achievement that an author can obtain and perhaps the most meaningful, as the Hugos are not awarded by a jury or committee, but rather by a direct vote of the members of the World Science Fiction Society. 
 
Who is the World Science Fiction Society? It's one of the oldest, if not THE oldest fan club for science fiction and fantasy fans in the world. It's made up of thousands of fans like you and me, as well as writers, artists and editors and other professionals in the field. In short, these are the people who care about science fiction and fantasy and want to see more quality work done in this area. WSFS has been in existence since the very first WorldCon, held in 1939. Anyone can become a member of WSFS by paying the membership fee, which can include entrance to that year's WorldCon. 
 
LonCon, the 72nd annual WorldCon, will take place in London this year. The members of that convention will award Hugos for works published, broadcast or otherwise made available during the 2013 calendar year. This includes A Memory of Light, the final book in the Wheel of Time series. As an active member of WSFS, I'm very excited at the prospect of being able to nominate this book and honor my favorite author and the amazing literary achievement that is the Wheel of Time. But...
 
In re-reading the WSFS Constitution recently, I saw this clause in the Hugo eligibility rules:
 

3.2.6: Works appearing in a series are eligible as individual works, but the series as a whole is not eligible. However, a work appearing in a number of parts shall be eligible for the year of the final part.

 

Simply put, because no portion of The Wheel of Time has ever been nominated for a Hugo, the entire series became eligible as a single work when it was completed. I've contacted the Hugo Administrators for this year and they declined to rule on this interpretation, preferring to wait and see if the nominations received require one. So if more folks nominate just A Memory of Light, that will make the ballot. If more nominate for the entire series, then the series will be listed. If it doesn't make a difference either way, then they won't need to rule. 

There's a precedent for this interpretation, though not quite on this scale. Black Out and All Clear, a duology by Connie Willis was nominated and won in 2011 for Best Novel. The first season of A Game of Thrones was nominated as a whole, and won in the Best Dramactic Presentation-Long Form category in 2012. So not only do we have the opportunity to honor one of the most significant fantasy authors, but also to make Hugo history. 

Oh yeah. We. As I mentioned before, the Hugos are an entirely democratic process. There is no jury or committee. Anyone, including you, can participate in the process. All you have to do is register as either an Attending or Supporting member of this year's WorldCon. Attending membership is just that. You plan to attend the convention and your membership includes all WorldCon and WSFS publications, attendance at the convention and voting rights for the Hugos and WorldCon Site Selection. Supporting membership is usually significantly cheaper and includes just voting rights and publications. Both categories of membership include access to the Hugo Voter Packet, which in past years has included electronic copies of all or most Hugo nominated works that year. This ensures that all voters have the opportunity to read and fairly evaluate all the works before completing their ballots. 

If you'd like to participate in the nomination process, you need to be a Supporting or Attending member by January 31st. Attending membership is currently US $185. Supporting is US $ 40. You can register at the LonCon website, as well as read more information about the Hugos, WSFS and WorldCon. 

Even if you don't think that Robert Jordan deserves a Hugo for his work on the Wheel of Time, I still invite you to join WSFS. Its a truly international organization of fans and being a member connects you to a much wider world of fandom with rich traditions and stories. Voting in the Hugos is an incredible privilege and one that I encourage you to take advantage of, regardless of who you plan to nominate or vote for. 

Just in time for the Holidays, Ta'veren Tees is releasing a bunch of new items!

New The Wheel of Time™ Collectibles available in time for the holidays!

 

Ta’veren Tees is excited to announce the release of several new products on www.TaverenTees.com. You can be sure to stock up on WoT gifts for the fan in your life – and for yourself! Check them out now, and be sure to catch the Black (Ajah) Friday sale, beginning November 29! 

 

2014 The Wheel of Time Calendar

This 12" x 12" calendar with art from Ariel Burgess features six brand new scenes (including some from A Memory of Light) from pivotal moments in the series, as well as favorite characters from The Wheel of Time Playing Cards like Birgitte Silverbow and Tam al'Thor. The calendar runs from January 2014 through December 2014 and includes U.S. Holidays. A bonus, 12” x 24” image is also included!

 

 

Get it here: www.TaverenTees.com/14calendar

 

The Wheel of Time Map Prints

Never get lost in Randland again! This 22" x 28" map is the original art by Elissa Mitchell featured in the front of each WoT book. It is available as a glossy poster or as a limited edition, numbered rolled canvas.

 

 

Get the poster here: www.TaverenTees.com/mapposter

Get the canvas here: Get it here: www.TaverenTees.com/canvasmap

 

The Tar Valon Mark

The Tar Valon Mark features the face of Deane Aryman, holding a flame on her open palm, flanked by seven stars and wearing the stole of the Amyrlin Seat. The reverse side features the serpent eating its own tail, a symbol of both the Aes Sedai and eternity. In the center is the Flame of Tar Valon, official symbol of the White Tower and the Amyrlin Seat.

 

 

Get it here: www.TaverenTees.com/tvmark

 

Free* 2013 The Wheel of Time Ornament

This year’s free* ornament features Mat’s chapter icon as well as the phrase “Dovie’andi se tovya sagain.” The series title and year are also included. The ornament is free with a purchase of $40 with coupon code MERRY, or is $6 individually.

 

 

To learn how to get it for free go to: www.TaverenTees.com/2013ornament

 

Ta’veren Tees’ Facebook: www.facebook.com/taverentees

Ta’veren Tees’ Twitter: www.twitter.com/taverentees

During the month of November, Waygate Foundation is teaming up with Child's Play to bring games to children in hospitals.

Waygate Foundation is excited to launch our November campaign supporting Child’s Play!

Child’s Play charity works to improve the lives of children in hospitals around the world through the power of play.  They collaborate with donors from the gamer community and video game industry to provide toys and games to a network of over 70 hospitals.  Child’s Play works with each hospital staff to set up gift wish lists to allow children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment and provide a vital distraction for patients and their families.

 

75% of donations received during November will go to support Child’s Play in its mission, with the remainder going to support Waygate Foundation in its future charitable activities.  And for a limited time, you can double your contribution to help children in need!  Waygate Foundation is partnering with an anonymous donor to match up to $3000 in donations during the month of November.

 

As part of this campaign, we are offering a drawing to win one of several prizes such as a signed book from Brandon Sanderson or a print of the “Sanderfuge” comic signed by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik.  Enter by November 30 for a chance to win.

Check out Waygate Foundation's Facebook page or their website for more information.

A few weeks ago, a group of Utah Filmmakers called Wheel of 9 Productions released a Wheel of Time fan film called Flight From Shadow. The 20-minute film is based on the chapter from The Eye of the World entitled Four Kings in Shadow. It features a strong cast of actors, strong visual effects, and outstanding costume and production design.  While some aspects of the movie deviated slightly from the books, there's no denying that the film was crafted with a loving hand by a group of fans who cared deeply for Robert Jordan's work. 

Some of the Dragonmount staff has had a chance to meet these filmmakers, so we decided to ask them some questions. 

DM: Tell us a little about you and your core team and your backgrounds.

Wheel of 9: Our team is comprised of a very diverse group from the artisan and filmmaking communities in Utah. Those of us who came together to create Flight From Shadow represent what I think are some of the very best our state and community has to offer. Ranging from Emmy Award-winning filmmakers to nationally recognized artisans, our group’s individual resumes are too numerous to list here in full. Abbreviated versions will be available on the Wheel of 9 website under the cast and crew bio section plus searchable through Flight From Shadow’s imdb.com page.

DM: How did you decide to make a Wheel of Time fan film?

Wo9: We decided that we wanted to do something to showcase Utah talent, especially artisan talent. The two most challenging genres are science fiction and fantasy because you can’t leave anything un-conceptualized. We decided on fantasy, because at the time, The Hobbit was coming and there was a lot of interest in the fantasy genre. When considering material to be translated into film, we looked at the top contributors to the genre and since Narnia, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were already being tackled, we decided to undertake a Wheel of Time - inspired project because there are so many Robert Jordan and Wheel of Time fans in our community. The biggest part is that the material was untouched and it gave us the freedom to delve into it without being derivative.

DM: What made you choose this specific chapter from Eye of the World?

Wo9: We chose this chapter because, despite the fact that many things are already in play, it is the first real time that Rand manifests the One Power. We thought that it was an exciting point in the plot and one which the fans would identify with. It was also a character-contained portion of the story where we didn’t have too large of a cast to deal with. Larger cast means more budget.

DM: Tell us more about the Myrddraal costume?

Wo9: The Myrddraal costume was developed and designed by both David Powell and myself. We really went to great lengths to create something which was consistent with the descriptions in the book but was not a reflection of the copiously available fan art. Due to the recent Harry Potter films, we avoided the more snakelike features which some fans have come to expect. We didn’t want him looking like Voldemort. Also, we wanted to avoid too close of an association with Peter Jackson’s interpretation of the Wringwraiths. It was a tall order. So we decided to go for a look consistent with a Myddrraal still in the early stages of transformation. This character also presented us with one of our first substantial challenges in translating Jordan’s work to screen. To create a non-moving cloak, especially within our budgetary constraints, was not only nearly impossible but ultimately not terribly cinematic. With greater time and budget it probably could be accomplished but not within the context of this project. Our apologies to the orthodox fans.

DM: You added a member Red (Black) Ajah to this story. Tell us about the reasoning behind that decision.

Wo9: The entire opening sequence of the film was created to accommodate the over 400 pages of exposition which has already taken place in The Eye of the World prior to where our story takes place. We felt it necessary to create a context which would bring the audience, whether fan or not, into the world we were about to explore. It also created a very dynamic opening and established the threat to the main characters.

DM: What are some of goals you wish to accomplish from this film?

Wo9: The purpose of the project from the beginning was to showcase Utah artisans and filmmakers. We wanted to produce something with wide appeal that could really demonstrate what we’re capable of. My hope is that the attention this project will bring will open doors for the many talented individuals involved and make it possible for them separately as well as us as a group to be taken seriously as a creative force.

DM: What was the process for writing the script like? Did you have any particular challenges?

Wo9: The shooting script was developed over a number of rewrites. The first screenplay, by a different writer, deviated quite a bit from the material found in the book, and was ultimately thrown out. Blake Casselman, a long-time fan of the series, was brought on board to begin the revision process from scratch. His early drafts were closer adaptations of the “Four Kings in Shadow” chapter, but feedback from non-fans of the book series consisted of confusion about the world the script took place in, and toward Rand’s role as the protagonist. The biggest challenge was adapting a later section of the book without the nearly 400 pages of world building, story and character development leading up to it. We decided that the film should be as accessible to the non-fan as possible, so the scene involving the Myrddraal and Aes Sedai/Black Ajah, along with the execution sequence at Four Kings were conceived as a means to introduce the conflict and as exposition for Rand and Mat’s predicament, along with raising the stakes for Rand. We also took liberties in the script to identify Rand as the Dragon Reborn, along with portraying him as the one who clearly channels Saidin inside the storeroom at the Dancing Cart Man, to better establish him as the film’s protagonist. Again, this was more for the non-fan’s benefit.

DM: How many days did you shoot for, and were there any especially interesting stories from the set?

Wo9: Including B-roll, we shot three days at the Castle Ampitheater in Provo, Utah, one day on the Bonneville Salt Flats plus three additional days with the special effects dice table, the book opening, the Caemlyn Road sign and the map transition (a total of 7 days). While every shoot date had its challenges, by far, the most interesting was the Salt Flats shoot. We had anticipated mostly sunny skies but instead found ourselves being pounded by wind and rain for most of the day. At one point, the wind gusts had reached such a strength that we had to stop filming, protect the camera, and struggle to keep the easy-up we were using from being ripped away in the wind. A testament to our team.

DM: What's next for you and your team?

Wo9: With the film’s release still being so fresh, the possibilities and opportunities which may come from it have had little time to manifest. Elements of our team are already working on our next projects and many of us are feeling the positive influence the project is generating. The future is bright.

Indeed it is! Thank you for your time and for sharing this film with the entire Wheel of Time community.

You can watch the full movie here:

In addition, you can view a whole series of great behind-the-scenes videos here:

Ta'veren Tees' first hoodie is now on sale for preorder!

THE WHEEL OF TIME™ HOODIE AVAILABLE JUST IN TIME FOR FALL

 

Can’t ignore the cold like an Aes Sedai? No problem. Ta’veren Tees has just added the first hoodie to their collection of The Wheel of Time merchandise, available for preorder now at www.TaverenTees.com/wothoodie. Preorders get $5 off the original price of the hoodie through Oct 15. Preorders will ship on Oct 15 and all products ordered in the same order will be held and shipped at the same time.

 

The front of the hoodie features a distressed snake-wheel logo in gray on the left breast. The back bears the iconic quote “There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time” – a reminder that though the series is complete, the story is never over.

 

The Wheel of Time hoodie is a unisex zip hoodie on black with contrast drawstrings. S-3XL are printed on a 6.5 oz, pre-laundered 80% cotton 20% polyester fleece hooded sweatshirt made from premium, super soft, lightweight fleece offering a slim fit and quality construction.

 

4XL & 5XL are printed on an 8 oz, heavy-blend, preshrunk 50% cotton, 50% polyester zip hooded sweatshirt. The drawstrings on these hoodies are black.

Yesterday, the results for the 2013 Hugo Awards were announced at the LoneStarCon 3.  We are pleased to say that Brandon Sanderson's novella, The Emperor's Soul, received the award for Best Novella.  

Mr. Sanderson also took home a Hugo for Best Related Work, for his part on the popular writing podcast, Writing Excuses Season Seven—along with his co-podcasters Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and their producer Jordan Sanderson.

This year's winner for Best Novel was John Scalzi's Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas.

You can buy Brandon Sanderson's novella The Emperor's Soul at Dragonmount's eBook store!  John Scalzi's Redshirts is also available!

A Memory of Light will be eligible for next year's Hugo Award.

The Waygate Foundation is auctioning off a shirt signed by Team Jordan.

Waygate Foundation is proud to host a charity auction to benefit Wounded Warrior Project!

 

Waygate is auctioning off a rare production sample of a Ta'veren Tees t-shirt featuring Perrin Aybara, signed by Team Jordan.

 

The shirt is a prototype version, not available for sale - except through this auction!

 

Check out the eBay listing to see the auction, which closes August 21st, 10:00PM Eastern.

Hurry and place your bid for this priceless memento!

TarValon.Net has selected a recipient to be awarded the 2013 Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship. 

 

We have awarded our 2013 Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship and I wanted to share with you all to the information in case you wanted to update your respective communities.  After our application closed on July 5th 2013 our Hall of the Tower at TarValon.Net, Inc reviewed each application anonymously and voted on our recipient.  

 

In the end Ms. Rachel Little from the University of Houston Clear Lake who is completing a degree in Humanities and Pre-Law was selected as the winner of this prestigious award.  Some of you may also know her as a member of TarValon.Net, Yelenia Hylraren who has also been serving as our Mistress of Revels North America for the past few years.  

 

Our congratulations to Rachel and our thanks to all our applicants- it was another tough choice this year!

Rachel is also the Senior Director of Operations at JordanCon.  Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement!

The First Age—a play-by-post role playing website—has just launched.  The site allows users to create characters that live in the First Age, the Age before the Age of Legends, in an alternate history taking place in our own world in 2045.The website's creator, who goes by the name Ascendancy, has this to say: 

The reason I built the site is because I have been a student of the Wheel of Time philosophy, universe and metaphysics since my first reading of the series in 1997.  In the time leading up to AMoL's release, I considered the nature of the universe more and more and like so many other fans, was intrigued by how the subsequent (or past) Ages of the Wheel will (has) unfold(ed).  One line in particular burned in my imagination all these years: "Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again."  And I wondered, what are the origins of our modern day mythologies?  What sort of balance does the Pattern need to maintain?  And so on. 

 

A short time later, The First Age was born.

The site if full of information relevant to the current Age's politics and problems, including the monsters that inhabit the world from the Age before, everything from chupakabras to zombie-like rougarou.  There's even details about all the Ages between the Third Age—when The Wheel of Time series actually takes place—and our own First Age.  The fictional set up is incredibly specific and creates a rich environment for possible role playing.  There's even a warning that players may receive detailed instructions from the administrators to help shape the overall plot of the story, and provide plot twists.  Anyone is able to join The First Age and add their own character and tale to the Pattern as it unfolds.

Ta'veren Tees has a new shirt available for pre-order.

 

THE GOLDEN CRANE FLIES FOR TARMON GAI’DON!

“THE GOLDEN CRANE” TEE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER, ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME

 

Ta’veren Tees is excited to add “The Golden Crane” to their collection of The Wheel of Time™ tees, available for preorder now at www.TaverenTees.com. Through August 2, the shirts are on sale for $22.

 

 

Fans of a certain stone-faced warder will notice the front of the shirt bears the symbol from the ring of the Malkieri kings. The back features a golden crane and the words “Tai’shar Malkier.”

 

“The Golden Crane” comes in both men’s and ladies’ styles and is available for preorder at www.taverentees.com/crane and www.taverentees.com/craneladies. As always, preordering this shirt ensures it will be shipped as soon as it is in stock on August 2.