Iain Banks live event, Edinburgh, December 16th 2009

December 7th, 2009 in Appearances & Events, UK-Specific

Iain Banks will be appearing live at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 16 December 2009 at the Reading Room, Edinburgh Central Library as part of the Edinburgh City Reads series of literary events.

Iain will be discussing his career and work with Alan Taylor, writer and journalist, as well as reading from Transition and taking questions from the audience. The event is free, complimentary drinks will be served and pre-booking is essential. See www.edinburghcityreads.net for details or email events@edinburghcityreads.net for details.

Thanks to David H of The Banksoniain for the heads-up.

'A Gift From the Culture' Set for the Big Screen?

October 28th, 2009 in Global, TV, Radio & Film

Last week's big Banks buzz (which broke while I was away on holiday, hence the late posting here - apologies for that to everyone who came looking for a timely update and didn't find one...) is about the prospect of a film adaptation of the short story 'A Gift From the Culture', which was first published in issue #20 of Interzone, the UK's longest-running science fiction magazine, and is more readily available in the Iain M collection The State of the Art.

Various websites carry versions of the news: www.slashfilm.com, screendaily.com and hollywoodreporter.com included. At the moment there really isn't anything to add to those announcements. I'll certainly try to post fresh updates as and when they become available (hopefully with a little more alacrity...) and in the meantime, do feel free to join in the discussion of the project over at the Iain Banks Fan Forum (you'll need to be a forum member in order to post replies to the thread).

Testing … testing … and we're back!

September 29th, 2009 in Global, Website Updates

You may have noticed that www.iain-banks.net has been offline for the past few days. That's because we've been re-decorating and have given the place a bit of a brush-up and dusting-down, courtesy of the fine folks at Kino Creative, who've I'm sure you'll agree have done a marvellous job.

The site is back in action now, as you'll have noticed if you're reading this article on the Latest News page. On the other hand, if you're reading on RSS, do click on over to the website, take a quick look around, maybe let us know what you think of the new look.

We've added a bit more functionality to the news items. If you regulalry use one of the major bookmark and / or link-sharing apps or online services then you'll hopefully find an appropriate shortcut button at the end of each item to help you post and share a link. There's also a link on each news item to a suitable section of the Iain Banks Forum, to make it quicker and easier for you to talk things over with your fellow Banks fans and readers (although you'll still need to register as a forum member before you'll be able to join or start a conversation thread).

Alternatively, if you have something useful and relevant to add to a news item, then you can do so via the Comments form on the article in question. We are going to be quite strict with the comments submitted to the site to make sure that irritations from spammers (zero-tolerance there) and time-wasters are kept to an absolute minimum. So: all comments will be moderated (for the time being, anyhow) and anything non-relevant will be politely declined.

We've also improved the main bibliography section, merging Iain's SF and non-SF titles into a single list and then providing chronological listings of his SF, non-sf and Culture books, as well as his entire output to-date.

Anyhow, do have a look around, and if you feel like letting us know what you think of the new site, please do so over on the Forum or via the contact page.

Hopefully everything will be working smoothly, although it's fairly inevitable that gremlins will have messed with something during the switch-over. If you spot a problem, please do let us know and we'll fix it as soon as we can. One thing we do already know about is that the extracts are temporarily missing from the site. That's because we had a bit of an issue with a database backup a while ago and some of the content was unfortunately truncated. We'll get the extracts back up and properly linked in before too long, all being well.

Cheers!

Darren Turpin, Site Admin
pp the Iain Banks website team

Transition by Iain [M] Banks – reviews round-up

September 29th, 2009 in Global, Reviews

A new Iain [M] Banks book is always going to generate plenty of review coverage and conversation around the blogosphere and Transition, with its blend of literary and sf-nal tropes and themes, has certainly carried on that trend.

Here's a round-up of some of the pieces of online coverage that have caught our eye in the past few weeks:

John O'Connell, in a lead review in The Times, hailed Transition as "a reminder of how intelligent and imaginative [Banks] is ... Baroque, digressive, kinetic, teeming with big ideas and grand theories, it's a novel to get lost in ... a gripping, thought-provoking experiment."

Michael Marshall, reviewing for The New Scientist commented on Transition high-quality construction: "Banks deploys his usual complex structure, using multiple narrators, variously in the first and third person, and intricately nested flashbacks. In some of his books these structural gymnastics seem precious, but here they heighten the alien mood and help build the tension, leading to a nail-biting finale."

Liviu Suciu said, in the course of a review for fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com: "As core sf, its subtlety will be appreciated only on the reread when much more will make sense, though the novel raises more questions than brings answers and offers a great opportunity for a Culture-like cycle of novels in this extraordinary milieu."

Aaron Lavery's review for metro.co.uk concludes that the genre-crossover works well: "Fans of Banks's more conventional work might be initially put off, but they shouldn't be; it's an engrossing, futuristic fable with plenty to say about the here and now."

'ZS' covered Transition in a review column for business website cityam.com, saying "what this book offers is a disturbing, sweeping and customarily imaginative foray into the most sinister reaches of possibility" whilst also lamenting an apparent randomness and incoherency to the plot (you have to wonder at this point whether 'ZS' has encountered much of Iain's fiction before..?)

Brian J. Robb, reviewing for totalscifionline.com found a few parallels with recent TV sci-fi tropes, but still appreciated the mental gymnastics involved: "Banks presents an imagined series of worlds and puts his characters through the wringer. There are some nice games with chronology and point-of-view, which would certainly reward a sustained reading of the book in as few sessions as possible."

Nat Smith, writing for theskinny.co.uk gives Transition four stars, saying "initially a complicated book, [it] quickly becomes a fascinating one."

The Ex-Communicator, writing on LiveJournal said: "It's the best SF novel I have read (listened to) this year."

Patrick Ness reviewing for The Guardian on 26th Sept muses on the wasn't quite as impressed, concluding "this is an airport novel ... You're welcome to take that for as much of a recommendation as you choose." Ah well, each to their own, eh?

Do feel free to let us know if you've spotted any reviews online that we haven't mentioned here.

Quick Iain Banks interview on FT.com

September 21st, 2009 in Global, Interviews

Anna Metcalfe sends a series of quick-fire questions in Iain's direction for a 'Small Talk' feature over www.ft.com. Questions like: "What is the strangest thing you’ve done when researching a book?" (Answer: "Using the equation e=mc² to work out the explosive yield of very small quantities of antimatter, to determine how small an effective nano-missile could be.")

Iain Banks talks to… Ken Livingstone?

September 18th, 2009 in Global, Interviews

The New Statesman website has posted an interview with Iain carried out by none other than Ken Livingstone.

Yes, that Ken Livignstone, the former Mayor of London. Turns out he's something of an sf fan: he name-checks David Brin and mentions putting in an appearance at the Brighton SF Festival in 1987, and says he reads sf classics. You live and learn, eh?

Read the full piece at www.newstatesman.com.

Iain Banks interviewed for The Guardian

September 17th, 2009 in Global, Interviews

In a feature-length interview piece posted to The Guardian's website, Maxton Walker talks to Iain about whether or not Transition can (or should) be interpreted as a literary attack on American foreign policy and his attitude towards torture as a weapon in the fight against terrorism. They also discuss the Transition serial podcast and how current trends in the publishing industry are affecting Iain and other writers.

Good reading over at www.guardian.co.uk.

Iain Banks interviewed for The Independent

September 16th, 2009 in Global, Interviews

The Independent's website is running an interview with Iain conducted by Arifa Akbar. Discussions range across Iain's plans to write a symphony, the concept of "Christian terrorism" in Transition, the effect that the passing of his father, Robert, in June has had on his personal life and writing alike, and the contrast between his generally sunny disposition and the dark mood to be found in most of his books.

Well worth a visit to www.independent.co.uk to read the full article.

Iain Banks interviewed for The Scotsman

September 15th, 2009 in Global, Interviews

In an interview posted on The Scotsman's website, Aidan Smith asks Iain about Transition, as well as topics as diverse as his friendly rivalry with fellow Fife-resident Ian Rankin, drugs, the women in his life and his opinion of Prime Minister Gordon Brown ("I'm only a little disappointed in him. He's not a war criminal like Tony Blair, he's been unlucky, but he has ballsed up.")

Read the full interview at news.scotsman.com.

Newsflash: Iain Banks on Simon Mayo, BBC R5 Live, today

September 14th, 2009 in Global, TV, Radio & Film

Iain Banks will be a guest on the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 5 Live, today, Monday 14th September, at 13.00 hours.

That is all.

Thanks yet again to Dave H of the Banksoniain for the heads-up!

Iain Banks talking to Cerys Matthews, Tuesday Sept 15th

September 10th, 2009 in Global, TV, Radio & Film

Iain Banks will be a guest on BBC Radio 6's Cerys on 6, next Tuesday, September 15th, from 13.00. He'll be talking to presenter Cerys Matthews about his new novel Transition.

More info at the BBC Radio 6 website.

Thanks to Dave H of The Banksoniain for the heads-up!

Transition Podcast #11 on iTunes Top 20

September 10th, 2009 in Audiobook News, UK-Specific

The free iTunes podcast of Transition is currently sitting pretty at number #11 in the UK iTunes store Top Podcasts list:

To access the free podcast episodes, you'll need to download and install the iTunes software. The podcast files (three episodes are available so far) should then be free to access, although you'll need to sign up to the iTunes store in order to leave a rating.

Don't forget to subscribe to the channel as well - let's get Transition into the top ten!

N.B. The US / Canadian iTunes store won't be carrying the podcast until the US / Canadian edition of Transition is published, on September 23rd.

The Crow Road showing again on BBC4

September 9th, 2009 in TV, Radio & Film, UK-Specific

The BBC adaptation of The Crow Road will be broadcast again over the next few weeks.

Episode I will be shown tonight, Wednesday, 9th September 2009, at 22:00 and will be repeated on Sunday 13th at 23:50.

More details on the series website at www.bbc.co.uk.

Update: Sorry folks, doesn't look like the series will be available via the BBC iPlayer.

Iain Banks guesting on STV's The Hour, Tues 8th Sept

September 4th, 2009 in TV, Radio & Film, UK-Specific

Iain Banks will be a guest on ITV1 Scotland's 'The Hour' programme at 17.00 on Tuesday September 8th.

Not entirely sure if the programme will be available to viewers outside Scotland at the time of broadcast, but you should be able to view the show online via STV's catch-up player once the show has gone out.

Thanks to DaveH of The Banksoniain for the heads-up!

Update 09.09 STV's Andrew Coyle has been in touch to let us know that the footage of Ian's appearance on the Hour has been posted at entertainment.stv.tv. Cheers Andrew!

Iain Banks talks to Muriel Gray

September 4th, 2009 in TV, Radio & Film, UK-Specific

Iain Banks was a guest on Muriel Gray's Open Book programme on BBC Radio 4 recently where they discussed Iain's cross-genre tendencies and the conspicuous lack of a Booker nomination during Iain's long and illustrious career.

The show is currently available to listen to via the the BBC website / iPlayer console.

Check out the end of the segment for a quick mention of Iain's plans for his next book...

Doug Johnstone reviews Transition for The Independent

September 2nd, 2009 in Global, Reviews

This Sunday's edition of The Independent (UK) included a review of Transition by Doug Johnstone, who gave the new novel a hearth thumbs-up. Doug concluded by saying:

"Transition is a book that makes you think, one that makes you look at the world around you in a different light, and it's also a properly thrilling read. If only more contemporary fiction was like it."

Read the full review (although be warned: there are a couple of spoilers in there) at www.independent.co.uk.

Iain Banks in conversation with Clive James – today

August 18th, 2009 in Interviews, UK-Specific

I've just been handed the following newsflash by the ever-alert Dave H of The Banksoniain fanzine:

"Iain Banks will be the guest on Clive James in Conversation on Tuesday 18th August (i.e. TODAY!) at the Assembly Rooms George Street, Edinburgh."

See www.clivejamesguests.com for more information.

Iain Banks on BBC Radio Scotland, 13th August

August 7th, 2009 in TV, Radio & Film, UK-Specific

BBC Radio Scotland's Radio Cafe programme provides coverage of the Edinburgh Festivals, including conversation with guests and performers. They recently announced via their Twitter feed (@TheFestivalCafe) that Iain Banks will be on the show next Thursday, August 13th.

You can find out more about the programme at www.bbc.co.uk and can book free tickets for the recording via www.venue150.com.

[Thanks to Dave H of The Banksoniain for the heads-up]

Iain Banks 2009 events schedule update

August 4th, 2009 in Appearances & Events, UK-Specific

I've just updated the appearances page of the website with details of a number of forthcoming Iain Banks author events to support the publication of Transition. There are a few more in the pipeline, which I'll post as and when details are finalised.

And sincere apologies for any confusion caused by last week's post (since removed from the site) about the Forbidden Planet signing. It turned out that FP had posted the wrong details on their website (which is where I got the info from) and in my rush to let everyone know about the event I neglected to double-check the details with the publicity people here at Little, Brown. My fault entirely... apologies again.

The correct date for that signing event is most definitely Saturday, October 3rd, as per the updated appearances page and the revised Forbidden Planet events listing.

DT, webguy

Transition iTunes podcast serialisation from September 3rd

July 29th, 2009 in Audiobook News, UK-Specific

Hachette Digital have confirmed that they'll be publishing the UK ebook edition of Transition in epub format, priced £17.61 and available from Waterstones.com and WHSmith.co.uk. More details when the relevant catalogue links go live.