Joe Abercrombie

Greetings! I am Joe Abercrombie, one of the biggest names in fantasy (11 letters). My first book, The Blade Itself, was published in 2006, and I’m now the author of 12 novels and a few short stories, including The First Law, Age of Madness, and Shattered Sea Trilogies. My website is at , and I am found on twitter under @LordGrimdark, though I’m not actually a real lord. 

Please do pose your questions now, and I'll be here from 12pm EST, 5pm GMT to answer the VERY BEST of them, starting with the most liked, and I’ll maybe even come back over ensuing days to answer more, but I reserve the right to equivocate, take the piss, or outright deceive in my responses. I mean I make stuff up for a living...

PROOF:

My name's Joe and I wrote some books. Yesterday I published the final instalment in my Age of Madness trilogy - The Wisdom of Crowds.

I'm posting now so that people can leave me some questions, or upvote the questions they'd like me to answer, and I have been told to return at 9.30pm BST (4.30pm EST) to begin answering them. On past experience that might take a while, so I'll start with the top rated and work my way through for an hour or two, then return during the coming days to try and get through some more.

As ever, I reserve the right to lie, dissemble, or avoid the question entirely.

And we have some questions to say the least, so I shall GET GOING....

UPDATE: Midnight right now so I shall stop for the time being, but I'll stop back in over the next day or two to try and answer some more. Sweet dreams, all...

UPDATE: I've answered a load more in the morning, but holy cow there are still a lot more. I'll try to come back this evening and keep cracking along from the top rated questions. I may well not get through them all, but I'll do what I can....

UPDATE: I've had one more go at it before this drops off the top of the home page and is lost in oblivion, and feel like I've hardly made a dent, but have to head off to the station for further events. So I'm sorry to all those many who asked questions which I haven't got to this time around. Thanks everyone for taking an interest. Hopefully I'll see some of you again in the future...

I’m Joe Abercrombie, author of the First Law and Shattered Sea books. My new book, A Little Hatred, which is the first in a trilogy called The Age of Madness, is out on September 17th in the UK and US on paper, e-book, and audiobook read by the great Steven Pacey. It moves the world of the First Law into a new age of progress, change, industry and, of course, blood.

I’m currently touring in the UK, so please bear with me, my answers to questions will likely come in fits and starts over the coming few days, starting from around 10pm GMT on the evening of the 17th.

By all means ask me anything about this book, this series, or anything else, although as ever I reserve the right to ignore, obfuscate, be snarky or totally avoid the subject…

UPDATE: WOAH there's 640 comments already. So what I'll do is organise them by upvotes and start going through from the top as soon as I get the chance. Might take me some time to get all the way through.....

UPDATE: I've answered a fair few but there's a fair few more to do, so I'll keep picking away at them over the coming days when I get a chance.....

UPDATE: SO many questions. Thanks, everyone, for your input and enthusiasm, this place is great. I've tried to answer everything that got an upvote, and a few that didn't, but I'm going to have to stop there this time around. Sorry if I didn't get to your question. Maybe next time......

Greetings, heroes and villains of reddit fantasy, it's me again, author of the First Law and Shattered Sea books. My twelfth book (I know, I know, you thought I was a fresh new voice in the genre) The Trouble With Peace, was out yesterday in the UK and US. By all means you can ask me anything, though I reserve the right to answer, or fail to answer, in whatever way pleases me.

My overlords at Gollancz in the UK and Orbit in the US have asked that I include these links, should you wish to BUY the book:

I'm posting this 12 hours in advance, so by all means ask your questions and upvote (or downvote) those of others, then I'm going to return at 9pm BST tonight to start answering, from most upvoted to least. If past experience is anything to go by I will by no means get through them all in one sitting, so if I don't get to your question, don't despair, I'll be dropping by over the next day or two to answer more...

EDIT: Yowch, there are 600 comments already. *Might* not get through those in an hour tonight. But I shall make a start, and see how we go...

EDIT: I've already been answering this morning and I'll be stopping back in off and on to keep going...

EDIT: Wow, guys, thanks for so many questions and such interest in the books. I am not worthy, truly. I've answered everything that got at least one upvote, now, I think. I may drop in again later on to try and get some more. Sorry if I didn't get to you this time around. Oh, and buy my books....

I'm Joe Abercrombie, author of The First Law and Shattered Sea trilogies along with Best Served Cold, The Heroes, Red Country, and a collection of short stories called Sharp Ends.

I've recently finished a very rough first draft of a new trilogy set in the First Law world and am setting about the long and complex process of editing and revision. The first book, A Little Hatred, is due out September 2019.

The occasion for this particular AMA however is that the First Law are being rereleased in the US with new covers, art by dry brush master Greg Ruth. There's a post from the most excellent art director Lauren Panepinto over here:

By all means ask me about either of those things or anything else, though as usual I reserve the right to ignore, obfuscate, be snarky, or totally avoid the subject.

I will definitely be here answering questions from about 5pm-7pm GMT on the 12th, but I will no doubt nip and out over the coming day or two to answer what I can...

That's it for tonight, but I'll stop back in to pick up some of the stragglers tomorrow...

UPDATE: And I think I've answered everything, at least for the time being. Thanks for all the many, many questions. I did leave a few where I thought I'd said something very similar elsewhere. I'll check back in for some follow ups maybe later on...

No spoilers.

Half the recommendations of this book come with, “this book just setup for the story” or “keep reading because it picks up”.

Yeah.

This is incredible, so far. The writing is just so well executed. I know exactly what is going on. New characters trickle in as the story builds. I love his tone of the story and tone of the writing.

The book could end at page 250, and I would consider it a great read. I am just so excited to finish the trilogy.

Okay thanks!

So, I've read all that Joe has to offer except the newest trilogy. I've just begun that one now. About three quarters through the first book.

I've loved everything I've read by him so far, but I think he's getting even better. A Little Hatred is just... superb. It was a little slow at the beginning, but as it's hitting a stride, I'm blown away with his writing. It's akin to watching a movie. I can visualize everything vividly. Not many authors do this for me. In his earlier books, his characters and action sequences were well done, but now it seems that he's really learned to make all aspects of his story just as real and tangible. He has created a world that truly seems real. Seems plausible. Characters that breathe and hurt and laugh and die.

I think he might be the best fantasy writer of this generation, and one of the best fiction writers alive right now.

From his .

"I am a fantasy fan, and I want more fantasy on television, and nothing would accomplish that more than a couple of big hits.   THE WITCHER, SHADOW & BONE, WHEEL OF TIME… and THE SANDMAN, a glorious adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s groundbreaking comic series… those are a good start, but I want more.   I want Tad Williams, I want Joe Abercrombie, I want Patrick Rothfuss, I want a good adaptation of Le Guin’s Earthsea books, I want Alan Garner, I want Robin Hobb… oh, the list is long, I could go on and on… and would if I did not have a zillion other things to do.   Most of all, I want Roger Zelazny’s NINE PRINCES IN AMBER.   I will never understand why Corwin and his siblings are not starring in their own show.   And hey, if epic fantasy continues to do well, maybe we will finally get that.  A boy can dream."

So what about you?

What is for you the one fantasy saga big TV networks needs to get their hands on asap?

My personal answer would be Robin Hobb.

She may be my favorite fantasy writer. She is absolutely a master at crafting brillant and deep characters and making them go on such emotional journeys...

And the physical journey is one to behold as well, she's just as good at building a world... from Buck to Jamailia, from the Rain Wilds to the pirates isles, the world of the Realm of the Elderlings simply stays with you.

And I would absolutely love to see it on TV one day... I know Robin previously said she wasnt really open to the idea but things have moved on, we live in a golden age of TV and some networks could really do with a prestige fantasy TV show. And the story of Fitz is up there in terms of prestige. Though I hope they'd go all the way in and adapt all sagas.

The writer in me would give an eye (well, maybe not) to be involved in adapting the entire story on screen.

But I'm curious to read what would be your top choice.

It rivals A Song of Ice and Fire for the top spot (but actually has an end!), and I think it exceeds all the Sanderson, Rothfuss, & Jemison I've read (my other 5-star picks). Tolkien can't be compared, that's a separate category altogether.

George Martin once said "There are two types of authors: Gardeners and architects". The First law trilogy has the best of both: Epic, realistic, character-motivated plot (à la George Martin), but yet somehow also crisp and satisfying(sort of) plot lines, where everything seems to tie together at the end (despite the length).

It's Grim and Cynical. Subtly subversive to genre tropes. Ruthless and Realistic. It might be the most violent book I've read. I had no idea it was even possible to write fight-scenes in such a gritty and visceral way. But they don't feel extravagant or unnecessary.

I'm so pumped for Abercrombie's later books. I hear they are as good or better.

I am trying to understand, how can a torturer that tortured innocent people, that wrongly convicted hundreds, if not thousands, of people, that led to a revolution that killed and starved thousands, and finally, that effectively coerced a woman into initiating non-consensual sex (literally rape), still be considered likeable by the majority of the fandom?

Like I also like Glokta, but my question is, why do I like him? He is a monster that should be reviled and hated, yet I like him... why is that?

I tried to think about it logically, and there are multiple traits that you find within him that you don't find with other evil characters:

1. Self-Awareness: a self-aware character who knows he is doing evil things. He acknowledges his actions and their moral implications without attempting to justify them or hide behind excuses.

2. Intelligence: whilst he definitely falls into some traps and miscalculations (like not knowing who controls Valint and Balk or that Frost is a spy), he still works perfectly with the amount of information available to him.

3. Rationality: he has no internal desire or lust. When he forces Queen Terez into a non-consensual relationship, he doesnt do it because he gets off on it or likes it, he does it because firstly, the nation needs heirs, and secondly, Bayaz would be angry with him if Jezal did not conceive any heirs.

4. Funny: basically, he is a funny person, his internal monologues are still recounted by this sub everyday, from his deep hatred of stairs to his love for the inventor of chairs.

5. Chivalry: finally, he is a chivalrous brave person that would do anything for the people that he deems worthy. He would go to any lengths to defend his right and left hands, Frost and Severard, he defends Ardee's honor, and he saves Vitari from inevitable doom.

But in the end, I still wonder, is these five traits all that is needed to make a character likeable? To grant them full immunity from all wrong doings? Is there an additional spice that was used in the making of Glokta that I missed?

I read a lot of fantasy and I can honestly say this is one of THE best fantasy series I have ever read. The character development is so incredibly well done! Sand dan Glokta was such an Interesting conflicted character, and I absolutely loved Ferro Maljinn. I cannot wait to read the rest of his books!

Hello, I'm fantasy author Joe Abercrombie. I wrote The First Law Trilogy and three standalones set in the same world: Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country. My latest book, Half a King, the first in a new trilogy aimed in part at young adults, was just published.

I was born in Lancaster, England, studied Psychology at Manchester University, lived in London for ten years and worked as a tv editor, mostly on documentaries and live music, and now live in Bath with my wife, Lou, have three kids, and am a full time author.

I play video games, watch a fair bit of tv, catch films when I can, and even occasionally read the odd book, though mostly non-fiction.

I've just been on the road in the UK for Half a King, and I'll be doing some events including San Diego Comic Con in the US over the next couple of weeks. The second book in the series, Half the World, has been edited and will be published Jan/Feb 2015, with the third book, Half a War, due to be published in July 2015.

Ask me anything.

I'll be answering questions real time from 11pm-1am GMT (that’s 5-7 Central), and will try to check in a couple of times over the following day or two to catch any other questions and follow-ups.

As always, I reserve the right to ignore, obfuscate, deceive, and/or respond in a snarky manner.

And, woah, that's a lot of questions. Thanks for the interest. I shall do the best I can in the time I have and see where we get to...

Late here now, and an impressive thunderstorm has rolled in, so I shall turn in for the night. Thanks for the questions, and I'll stop back in tomorrow to try and get to the rest...

Phew, and I believe I've answered everything. Sorry if I missed one here or there, there were quite a few. Thanks a lot for the questions, people. Keep on reading...

I'm Joe Abercrombie, author of the First Law and Shattered Sea trilogies plus Best Served Cold, the Heroes, and Red Country. My collection of short stories, Sharp Ends, all set in the world of the First Law, is out this week in the UK and US, and I'm touring for it in the UK over the next few days, stopping in at London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, and a triumphant homecoming to Bath on Friday.

I was born in Lancaster, England, studied Psychology at Manchester University, lived in London for ten years and worked as a tv editor, mostly on documentaries and live music, and now live in Bath with my wife, Lou, have three kids, and am a full time author.

By all means ask me anything, though I reserve the right to ignore, obfuscate, be snarky, or somehow trick you into revealing your most personal secrets.

This may be somewhat of a surprise AMA as it was arranged via my publisher rather than the usual channels, but hopefully I'm not treading on anyone's toes. The plan is that I'll be answering questions real time from 2.30-3.30 GMT today (the 25th), and will try to check in over the following days in case I miss anything...

*I'm getting booted out of the room, now, so I'll have to stop for the time being. I'll try to come back tomorrow to answer some more...

I don't read a lot of fantasy but one of my friends has been pushing me to check out Joe Abercrombie and I did. Holy shit, his dialog is amazing. I started with "The Blade Itself" and was completely blown away by how far away from trope his main characters were. Like sure, some of his characters are archetypical, but they are so far away from what you would expect them to be that it is praise- worthy. And the best thing is that they're also not completely opposite of what you would expect either. He very intentionally designed his characters to be one of a kind and it was so refreshing to read. I would suggest that anybody put "The Blade Itself" on their reading list.

I have finished the original trilogy a few months ago at this point. After having finished it, I decided that I don't ever want to read another Abercrombie book again. This was despite the fact that I loved so much about the it.

The dealbreaker for me, unfortunately, is how the story ends. I understand why it ends the way it does, and I understand that for many people, the ending is one of the best aspects of the trilogy, but I just couldn't cope with it. The ending of BTAH made me feel so hopeful for the future of the characters, I was hoping that there would be some genuine positivity and humanity in this depressingly bleak dark world... and then LAOK shattered these hopes completely. All of the things I hoped for were completely destroyed by the midpoint of the book, and the second half of it just felt like lying on the floor with Abercrombie kicking me over and over again.

Nonetheless, I think about these three goddamn books all the time. They just do so many things right and are so unique and memorable. And I find myself wanting to read more. So I just need to know, without any major spoilers: does everything Abercrombie writes end like this? Is there ever any real change or impact that the story makes on the world, or a positive ending for any of the characters? Is the theme that nothing ever changes and everything is hopeless just an aspect of every single book?

Thank you.

Just a little post to talk up The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie.

OMG! What a great novel! It was just such a fun ride from start to finish. I didn't really like Best Served Cold and was lukewarm on this one until I really got into it, but man...

Gorst's inner commentary reminded me of Glokta's. Bayaz is just despicable even in a cast full of despicable charaters, and even though everyone likes to quote Bayaz from this book I'm going to quote the late Black Dow (taken from us too soon): "It's a fucking war."

Just finished this book and wanted to say it was a straight masterpiece. Simple plot, but the characters and Joe’s prose was amazing. I have no friends, or anyone else that reads fantasy, so I had to tell someone lol.