A World Touched by Fire
Online, September 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Sky Warrior Book Publishing LLC. today announced the release of "Firedancer," the first novel by newcomer S. A. Bolich. Says publisher M. H. Bonham, "We are really excited by this book. From the first page I knew I had something special in my hands."
While many readers associate "fantasy" fiction with swords, sorcery, complex political machinations and folk in medieval dress, the genre is in fact much broader, as "Firedancer" attests. In Bolich's well-envisioned world there is nary a sword or sorcerer in sight, but the magic is deep, vital, and original. The enemy is fire, known as the Ancient, the cunning elemental heartfire imprisoned at the heart of the world, that constantly plots to break free. And her heroine has a full set of issues to deal with, beginning with the loss of her lifemate to fire and escalating right through the fact that the binding power of the Firedance created to control the Ancient no longer works as it is supposed to.
"The notion of fire that thinks intrigued me right from the start," says Bolich. "The first line that popped into my head was 'This fire was malicious', which sort of punched the 'what the heck?' button in my head. Jetta wrote herself. She's fearful and feisty at the same time, grieving for her lost love even as she is forced to step up and save these clueless villagers. Her partner is the most erratic journeyman in all the Fire Clans, her own grasp of the Dance isn't what it used to be, and the Ancient is refusing to play by the rules. And then, of course, there are Windriders all over the place, masters of air and arrogant to boot. Wind and Fire are a pretty deadly combination."
"Firedancer" was released as an e-book in all major e-reader formats on September 1, taking advantage of the skyrocketing growth of electronic book sales on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and other outlets. "It's only smart," says Bonham, who also plans print versions of many Sky Warrior Book Publishing LLC releases. "People like the convenience and constant availability of e-books, and Amazon gives away its Kindle for PC software for free, so you don't even have to buy an e-reader to enjoy their Kindle offerings. It gives small presses a chance to publish books like Firedancer that offer fresh voices and fresh visions of the genre and get them to market years before the larger houses can."
While this is the first novel from S. A. Bolich, she has published numerous fantasy and science fiction short stories. Sky Warrior Book Publishing LLC, headquartered in Missoula, Montana, is rapidly establishing itself as a noteworthy small press, publishing well-known authors such as Alma Alexander, Gary Jonas, and Laura J. Underwood in addition to newcomers like Bolich.
Electronic publishing has blown a strong wind into the industry and shaken the dust off "normal". Bolich's contribution shows that the "new normal" may be something altogether delightful to look forward to.