Oops... Forgot to put this up a few weeks ago! According to the Irish post Office, these are the official last posting dates if you want to order a copy of the short-story collection The New Heroes: Superhuman and receive it in time for Christmas:

Ireland19th Dec
Northern Ireland19th Dec
Great Britain18th Dec
Europe18th Dec
USA 10th Dec
Rest of the World 7th Dec
Leiberstan 0th Jan

Unfortunately, this means that orders placed now for anywhere outside Europe might not be delivered in time for Christmas. There's a good chance that they will, but no guarantees!

As always, please keep in mind that when I receive an order for the book I always send the buyer an e-mail asking for their personalised inscription... I generally wait three or four days for an answer before mailing the books (of course, the sooner the buyer responds the sooner the books are mailed...!).

Now, here's a blast from the past! One of my earliest published comic strips...

Deadline

Irish Comic News Awards 2012

Irish Comic News Awards 2012 I've been shortlisted once again for the Irish Comic News Awards in the category of Best Mainstream Published Irish Writer...

To win this fine award I need your vote! All you need to do visit the Irish Comic News Website, enter your name and e-mail address in the boxes at the top of the page, then enter "Michael Carroll" in the "Best Mainstream Published Irish Writer" category. You don't have to vote in any of the other categories, but if there's something that catches your eye, go for it! (Just as long as you put my name in the correct category!)

Voting closes on Friday November 16th, so please vote as soon as you can, and tell everyone else to do the same! I'd like to pretend that it's vitally important for the future safety of the universe that I win the award, but that would be a lie.

Ach! Completely forgot to post this news when it happened! Jonathan Liu of Wired Magazine had written a great in-depth article on the Quantum Prophecy / New Heroes series!

Check it out at the links above, but be warned: it contains some rather large spoilers!

The Reality of Science Fiction: A Panel Discussion on Science and Sci-fi
Paccar Theatre, Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 18:00-19:00. Admission free - registration required!

Does sci-fi influence the direction of scientific research? How do sci-fi writers draw inspiration from real science? What happens when the two professions come together to work on a project?

In a free event at Science Gallery, an expert panel - including a scientist, a science fiction writer, and an expert on the relationship between the two - discuss the relationship between sci-fi and science.

If you're interested in the interplay between science fiction and reality, join writer Michael Carroll (2000AD, Judge Dredd), DCU's Pat Brereton (Hollywood Utopia, Smart Cinema), and Head of Zoology at TCD, Nicola Marples to find out how important scientific accuracy is in science fiction, and how much of an impact science fiction can have on scientific research, public opinion, and even funding decisions.

For more information, see the Science Gallery website!

Upcoming events:
I'll be appearing at the following events over the coming month... Come along and meet me!

Date Time Event Venue
Oct 13-14 All day   Octocon Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2
Oct 18 16:30 Children's Book Festival Cabra Library, Dublin 7
Oct 31 15:00 Children's Book Festival Ballymun Library, Dublin 11

As many of you might know, I'm one of the writers of the Judge Dredd strip in the weekly comic 2000AD and its monthly companion title Judge Dredd Megazine. This year, 2012, the classic British science fiction anthology celebrates its 35th birthday!

As part of the celebrations, in comic shops throughout the UK a mass-signing will take place on Saturday September 1st (the day before my 18th wedding anniversary!). I'll be signing at Forbidden Planet in Belfast, alongside the artist Paul J. Holden (PJ and I collaborated on the Judge Dredd story "Debris" which has just finished its run 2000AD). While it is officially a 2000AD event, I'm sure that The Powers That Be won't object to anyone turning up with New Heroes books!

Update: The signing starts at noon - see you there!

I'm sad to report that my old friend Harry Harrison died last night, after a long illness. Harry was by far my favourite author, and a huge influence right from the time I read my first Stainless Steel Rat novel.

Harry was a wonderful friend and a great mentor. He was one of the smartest and funniest people I've ever met, and it truly breaks my heart that I won't see him again... But I'll never forget him.

If you like my books (and given that you're on this site, I reckon that's a fair guess!) then you'll absolutely love his. They're packed with adventure, excitement and wonderful characters... Check them out at your local library or bookstore (but please don't buy those CD-Roms full of illegal copies of his books that a bunch of despicable thieving swine keep selling on eBay!).

Good News! E-book editions of Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening are now available in ePub and Adobe Reader format!

This has been a long time coming, the delay being mostly due to an unforeseeable contract anomaly, but as I understand things, all the problems have now been sorted out, and it shouldn't be too long before The Gathering and The Reckoning are also available. Kindle editions shouldn't be too far behind.

I'll post more news on this as soon as I get it!

The Future Has Been Decided!

Yes, voting is over and all is done... The readers have decided that the next book in the series will be another prequel: Hunter!

I hope to have more information on the new book in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

For the past few years, the most common e-mail I've received is along the lines of "When are you going to go back to the New Heroes?"

But in recent months - especially since Stronger was published - those e-mails have been swamped by another one: "Please write another book featuring the characters from the prequels!"

Unfortunately, I can't please everyone... So I've decided to put it to a vote!

It's up to you, folks... You have until the end of Friday 13th to register your preference and let me know what you want to see next!

Quick quiz: what do Mary Norton, George Orwell, Roald Dahl, Charles Dickens, Marita Conlon-McKenna, Eoin Colfer, Tom McCaughren and Michael Carroll have in common?

Answer: we're all featured in the English language textbook Racing Ahead, published in Ireland by CJFallon!

The textbook features an extract from The New Heroes: Sakkara (also known as Quantum Prophecy: The Gathering in the USA) - about the first half of chapter one, covering Renata and Colin's attempt to save the customers from the burning toy store.

Even better: it's illustrated! There are ten illustrations depicting the action, and though the style is quite cartoony I think they work really well.

The initial proof pages sent to me for approval featured the characters looking rather different than they should (Renata with blonde hair, Colin with a very different costume - you'll recall that in the early part of the book Colin wears a cut-down version of Titan's old costume), but the publishers took my suggestions on board and had the artwork changed:

 

Proof that Stronger has been published - my brother-in-law Patrick Field in a bookstore in New York, yesterday!

Stronger Stronger is now available throughout the USA in all good bookstores!

The latest in the Quantum Prophecy / New Heroes series, Stronger is a fast-moving roller-coaster of a ride through the Quantum Prophecy universe as experienced by one of the series' most popular characters, the superhuman known as Brawn!

Bonus! You can now read the prologue to Stronger right here!

Now on YouTube: the brand-new video trailer for Stronger!

The Footsoldiers The Footsoldiers - a Penguin Books eSpecial!

I've been sitting on this hot news for a while, but now it's time to make it public!

Readers with those new-fangled electronic book thingies will very soon be able to purchase a new edition of "The Footsoldiers", one of the short stories from the limited-edition collection The New Heroes: Superhuman.

"The Footsoldiers" is an adventure narrated by Thunder, and it takes place in the "lost years" between The Ascension and The Quantum Prophecy / The Awakening... The superhuman age is at its peak with dozens - maybe hundreds - of active heroes and villains.

A small group of heroes band together, and - in a reaction to Max Dalton's group The High Command - call themselves The Footsoldiers. They're not the most famous, or the most powerful... But they'll get the job done, whatever it takes.

... And along the way, Thunder uncovers one of the greatest mysteries surrounding the superhumans.

Excellent news: Stronger has received a remarkably positive review from Kirkus Reviews! Kirkus call themselves "The World's Toughest Book Critics" so I was pretty thrilled to see Stronger referred to as "a high-octane blend of concept and action" and "utterly compelling"!

Stronger will be published on June 14... Only a couple of months before you can judge for yourself whether it deserves Kirkus' elusive "Starred Review" tag!

This coming weekend I'll be a guest at Hi-Ex - the Highlands International Comic Expo - in Inverness, Scotland, taking place in Eden Court.

This is the fourth Hi-Ex and every one so far has been fantastic! The convention is organised by artist Vicky Stonebridge and writer Richmond Clements, each of whom I regard as very good friends even though they have far too much talent.

The fantastic line-up of guests includes Graeme Neil Reid, Leslie MacKenzie, Michel Rodrigue, Andy Luke, Montynero, Dave Shelton, Patrick Brown, Nigel Dobbyn, Alex Moore, Sally Hurst, Chie Kutsuwada, John Vaughan, John Freeman, Inko, Maura McHugh, Tanya Roberts, Jim Alexander, Colin MacNeil, Al Ewing, Gary Esrkine, John Higgins and Cam Kennedy.

My panels for the convention...

Saturday March 31st
 11:30Razorjack
Join comics legend John Higgins as he and his minions guide you round the worlds of his incredible creation Razorjack.
 13:30Charity Auction
With all proceeds going to Children 1st, and something to suit everyone's pocket, you'd need to be really evil not to come along and bid!
 
Sunday April 1st
 15:00Expanding the Universe
Some folk just want more... Prequels, sequels and spin-offs. But are they a good idea? Can they ever work? Do they ever live up to expectations?

Added a new - very short - video to YouTube...

I've just learned that Super Human has been selected as one of the Children's Choice Award Winners for Beginning Readers (Grades K-2)...

"Each year 12,500 school children from different regions of the United States read newly published children’s and young adults' books and vote for the ones they like best. These Children's Choices, selected from more than 500 titles, can be counted on as books children really enjoy reading."

Woo-hoo! I've been shortlisted for the "Favourite Newcomer Writer" category in this year's Eagle Awards!

There's only five other writers on the list for that category... And one of them is my friend Robert Curley. So if you're not going to vote for me (because you hate me or something), then please vote for him. Except, y'know, do vote for me!

My panels for the upcoming Cardiff International Comic & Animation Expo (taking place on 25th & 26th February, 2012 in the Holland House Mercure, Cardiff, Wales):

Saturday February 25th
 14:30Creating a Monster
An Expo-Exclusive Panel with John Higgins and Michael Carroll discussing John's signature creation Razorjack and her history from comic to graphic novel then full novel, to future plans...
 15:15The 2000AD Mega-Panel
2000AD is 35 years old on February 26th 2012... One day early join Scrotnig droids John M. Burns, David Roach, Mike Collins, Rob Williams, Patrick Goddard, Michael Carroll, Gordon Rennie & Mick McMahon to discuss the Prog, the Meg, and everything in between - including questions from select 2000AD creators to the panel. Hosted by Stacey Whittle & Iz McAuliffe of The Megacast podcast. Zarjaz!
 
Sunday February 26th
 12:00Never Mind the Quality
The British Indie comics scene is currently busier than it has ever been, and it seems that every month new small publishers and titles are announcing their arrival. But is this really a good thing? Now that anyone with internet access can publish their work worldwide does that mean there are now more creators with less raw talent producing British comics than ever before? Join Peter Rogers and creators Michael Carroll, Chris Lynch, Steve Tanner, and Jon Haward in this spirited debate!

Forthcoming Events

Cardiff International Comic & Animation Expo
Holland House Mercure, Cardiff, Wales
25th & 26th February, 2012

Phoenix Convention
Irish Writers' Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland
3rd & 4th March, 2012

Hi-Ex: The Highlands International Comic Expo
Eden Court, Inverness, Scotland
31st March & 1st April, 2012

Good news... Super Human has been selected by the Young Adult Library Services Association as one of the Top Ten Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2012!

The book was also chosen by YALSA as a featured book in the Adventure Seekers category!

Created in 1976, the Eagle Awards are the comics industry’s longest established accolades. Unlike many awards, they've voted for by members of the public rather than industry professionals.

The nominations stage for this year's awards (voting for 2011's comics and creators) is now open: Anyone can vote in any of the categories. Simply select the name of the creator or title you feel deserves to win, or if the name isn't there, add your own by clicking "Other" and entering the nominee in the box. (Or, if you don't have a preference, select "No Answer").

The five names or titles with the most nominations in each category will then become the shortlist for the voting round. The winners will be announced at the MCM Expo LondonComic Con on May 25th.

I'm already on the list of nominees for "Favourite Newcomer Writer" and "Favourite Writer", plus two of my stories have been nominated ("Judge Dredd: Caterpillars" and "Judge Dredd: Downtime") for "Favourite 2011 Single Story", which is exciting, but the only way I'm going to win anything is if I receive lots of nominations... Hint hint! :)