Frank Herbert - Born October 8th, 1920

Portrait by Charles Burns

“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” 

Frank Herbert - Author of  Dune.

George RR Martin - Born September 20th, 1948

Portrait by Anita Kunz

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” 

George RR Martin - Game of Thrones

Edgar Rice Burroughs - Born September 1st, 1875

Portrait by Don Marquez

“If I had followed my better judgment always, my life would have been a very dull one.”
Edgar Rice Burroughs - Creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars

Born September 1st, 1875

Mary Shelley - Born August 30th, 1797

Portrait by Meghan Murphy

"What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which 

had haunted my midnight pillow."
 

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - Born August 30th, 1797

Creator of Frankenstein

 

Highly recommended - Bernie Wrightson's Illustrated Edition.

Also just released this week. A new take on Frankenstein 

from Gris Grimly which looks to be filled with fantastic creepy cool art. 

Mr. Grimly has a detailed blog on the project here.

Ray Bradbury - Born: August 22nd, 1920

Portrait by Edward Miller

"A book has got smell. A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. 

An old book smells like ancient Egypt." -  Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles - Art by Tim O’Brien

From the fantastic Bradbury inspired art gallery @Tor.com

A Conversation with Ray Bradbury

Howard Phillips Lovecraft - Born August 20th, 1890

“At night, when the objective world has slunk back into its cavern and left dreamers to 

their own, there come inspirations and capabilities impossible at any less magical and quiet hour. No one knows whether or not he is a writer unless he has tried writing at night.” 

 - H.P. Lovecraft

Portraits by Francesco Francavilla

Robert A. Heinlein - Born July 7th 1907

 Cover for "Grumbles from the Grave" by Michael Whelan.

"Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done."
Robert A. Heinlein

Wolfhound Century by Peter Higgins - Book Trailer

This looks like something a bit different - read the first five chapters @io9. 

Orbit will release Wolfhound Century by Peter Higgins on March 26, 2013.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire "Victory Tour" Posters

Two glossy and creepy "Victory Tour" propaganda posters for movie adaptation of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire were revealed today. They're really well done and particularly effective in the way they present Katniss and Peeta as a product. The film opens November 22nd, 2013. Second image via HitFix

Edgar Allan Poe - Born January 19th, 1809

 Portrait by Joe Kubert

via Hey Oscar Wilde! It's Clobberin' Time

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things 
which escape those who dream only by night."
Edgar Allan Poe 
 January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849

Wheel of Time: Memory of Light Released Today

Brandon Sanderson wraps up the final chapter of Robert Jordan's Epic Fantasy Series today. TOR created a neat video focusing on its Legacy of inspiration to current fantasy writing.

Also the cover art by master fantasy artist Michael Whelan is now available as print here.

 And there is fantastic post on Whelan's art/design process for the cover here.

J.R.R. Tolkien - Born January 3rd, 1892

 Portrait Art by Audrey Benjaminsen

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973