Elsewhen Press Signs Chris Nuttall for First in an New Series of Steampunk Fantasy Novels

DARTFORD, KENT – 13 JUNE 2012 – Elsewhen Press, a small independent publisher specialising in Speculative Fiction, today announced that Christopher Nuttall, indie author of acclaimed alternate history and science fiction novels and contributor to Alternate History Weekly Update, has signed a publishing deal for an undisclosed sum for his latest novel The Royal Sorceress.  The story is set in 1830 in an alternate Britain where the ‘scientific’ principles of magic were discovered sixty years previously, allowing the British to win the American War of Independence.  Although Britain is now supreme among the Great Powers, the gulf between rich and poor in the Empire has widened and unrest is growing every day.  Master Thomas, the King’s Royal Sorcerer, is ageing and must find a successor to lead the Royal Sorcerers Corps; most magicians can possess only one of the panoply of known magical powers, but Thomas needs to find a new Master of all the powers.  There is only one candidate, one person who has displayed a talent for all the powers since an early age, but has been neither trained nor officially acknowledged.  A perfect candidate to be Master Thomas’ apprentice in all ways but one: The Royal College of Sorcerers has never admitted a girl before.  But even before Lady Gwendolyn Chrichton can begin her training, London is plunged into chaos by a campaign of terrorist attacks co-ordinated by Jack, a powerful and rebellious magician.

Al Murray, Managing Publisher of Elsewhen Press said “We are really excited to be publishing Christopher’s fantastic new novel, which fits in perfectly with our mission to publish beautifully written, quality stories, that captivate and entertain.  The Royal Sorceress will certainly appeal to all fans of steampunk, alternate history and fantasy.  As well as the fun of the ‘what-ifs’ delivered by rewriting our past, it delights with an Empire empowered by magic – all the better for being one we can recognise.  The plotting and intrigue of Jack and his rebels, roof-top chases and battles of magic all add to the thrills; but it is by no means just a cosy romp, with many of the rebels drawn from the seedy and grimy underworld of London while their establishment targets prey on the weak and defenceless.  Here, just as in our world, social imbalance and sexual inequality underpin society.”

Elsewhen Press adopts a digital-first policy, initially publishing new titles in ebook format and subsequently in print editions.  The Royal Sorceress by Christopher Nuttall will be published in a digital edition this autumn and in print early next year.

Weekly Update would like to congratulate Chris and wish him the best of luck with his new series.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a volunteer editor for the Alt Hist magazine and a contributor to Just Below the Law. One of his short stories will be published in the upcoming Echelon Press anthology, Once Upon a Clockwork Tale (2013). When not writing he works as an attorney in the state of Illinois and enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana.