The publisher has just sent through the full wrap-around cover art and a PDF file containing the typeset galley proof of my forthcoming novel, Silversands.

It looks good.

Vincent Chong has done a marvellous job with the cover picture and design, and the text looks good laid out and ready to print.

The novel will be launched in hardback in April, with the first 100 copies signed and numbered.

More information.

Plus, on a tangentially related note, the organisers of Odyssey 2010 have been in contact to ask if they can include my picture and bio on the “Also Attending” page of their website, along with the other authors, artists, editors, and critics scheduled to appear at the convention – so look out for that in the next few days.

Regular Interzone artist Vincent Chong has redesigned and relaunched his website and added some of his latest work. Please check it out: www.vincentchong-art.co.uk

You can now listen to a free audio version of my short story The Last Reef on the Transmissions From Beyond website, read by Bob Eccles and illustrated by Vincent Chong. All you need to do is follow this link and press the “play” button:

http://transmissionsfrombeyond.com/2008/12/transmission13/

Vincent Chong (who is providing the cover art for my novel, and illustrated my short story The Last Reef when it appeared in Interzone) will be exhibiting several pieces of his award-winning artwork in the Art In Mind group exhibition at The Brick Lane Gallery in London (196 Brick Lane) from 29 Jul – 11 Aug. So, if you’re in London for my book launch on 9 August, why not make a day of it and pop along to the exhibition too?. The gallery is open daily from 12-6pm and there is a preview opening night for the show on Wednesday 30 July between 6-9pm.

The cover art and blurb for my novel SILVERSANDS is now online at the Pendragon Press website. As mentioned before, the cover has been designed by the award-winning genre artist Vincent Chong, and the book itself will be launched in April at the 2009 Eastercon in Bradford.

The back cover blurb reads:

In an age where interstellar travel is dangerous and unpredictable, and no-one knows exactly where they’ll end up, Avril Bradley is a Communications Officer aboard a ship sent to re-contact as many lost souls as possible.

But a mysterious explosion strands her in a world of political intrigue, espionage and subterfuge; a world of retired cops, digital ghosts and corporate assassins – all fighting for possession of vital computer data that has lain hidden for almost a century. . .

Full story here: http://www.pendragonpress.net/2008/07/06/new-cover-silversands/

I have just seen Vincent Chong‘s final cover design for my novel, SILVERSANDS (due April 2009) and I’m very pleased indeed, as it reflects the same mix of intrigue, technology and character that I tried to convey in the story.

In his latest newsletter, Christopher Teague of Pendragon Press writes:

“Talking of covers, Vincent Chong is hard at work on the design for Gareth L Powell’s debut novel Silversands, which is due for launch at next year’s Eastercon. I’ve seen a simple sketching and I’m just salivating at the prospect of seeing the finished version…”

I am excited this afternoon because Vincent Chong has sent over a preliminary concept sketch for the cover of my novel, “Silversands“. The novel is due next year from Pendragon Press, and I’m very glad to have Vincent on board, as I’ve been a fan of his work since he illustrated my short story “The Last Reef” when it appeared in Interzone.