Joe Abercrombie biography
Joe Abercrombie was born in the famous English town of Lancaster, England, on the 31st of December 1974. He was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School before studying Psychology at Manchester University. Joe Abercrombie then moved to London, finding work at a TV Post-Production company. Two years later he left to become a freelance film editor, and worked documentaries, awards shows, music videos, and concerts for artists ranging from Barry White to Coldplay.
In 2002 Joe Abercrombie began the writing of a fantasy trilogy based around the adventures of Logan Ninefingers. Completed with the help and the support of his family in 2004, and after initial rejections, The First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings) was taken onboard by Gillian Redfearn at Gollancz in 2005. It has since been published in eight countries, seven languages and with seven different titles.
Joe now lives in North London with his wife, Lou, and his daughter, Grace. He splits his time between film editing and writing fantasy novels.
Yes, although as time goes on it does begin to seem more like work . . . just very badly paid work. There are rare times when I get a sudden good idea and feel inspired, and can get a lot done in a short space of time. Then there are times when I really have to grind it out. But nothing beats that feeling of reading back a chapter you’ve just finished and actually thinking it’s good. 
Joe Abercrombie books
- The Blade Itself (2007)
- Before They Are Hanged (2008)
- Last Argument of Kings (2008)
Latest news: Joe Abercrombie
Stephen Hunt to guest star at SFX Weekender
British fans gearing up for the Weekender (the UK equivalent of the Comic-Con), have been given the news that Stephen Hunt will now be appearing with genre stars such as John Barrowman (Torchwood), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville), Lis Sladen (Doctor Who) and a number of the wor [...]
John Jarrold interview (September 2009)
John Jarrold is a name that is respected throughout the publishing world. Working predominantly with new and established science fiction and fantasy authors, John uses his extensive knowledge and skills to help guide writers on the road to publication. Amongst those full of praise for his work are [...]
Fantasy Book Review: Best Served Cold by Preita Salyer
We would like to welcome Preita Salyer, the latest addition to our ever-expanding review team. Preita's first review is now live and she has provided a thoughtful and insightful look at Joe Abercrombie's latest offering Best Served Cold. In conclusion Preita says "All-in-all this was an enjoyable an [...]
Joe Abercrombie reviews Lev Grossman's The Magicians
Lev Grossman's The Magicians was Fantasy Book Review's Book of the Month for May 2009. We loved it and last week fantasy author Joe Abercrombie (The First Law Trilogy, Best Served Cold) gave his thoughts on the Time critic's novel:
"It's a beautiful looking hardcover on which serious design effor [...]
Sapkowski wins David Gemmell Legend Award
Blood of Elves, by Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski, has received The David Gemmell Legend Award for establishing honour and lending dignity to the fantasy genre. Sapkowski’s UK editor, Jo Fletcher, collected the award in front of an audience of publishing professionals, authors, media and f [...]
The short-list for The David Gemmell Award announced
At the beginning of 2009 the final long-list for the David Gemmell Legend Award [complete list of nominations] was announced. Comprising of 78 titles the list was in obvious need of pruning and this weekend came the announcement of the lucky 5 titles that had made it onto the short-list. The short-l [...]
Californian author self-publishes new epic fantasy novel
First-time author chooses self-publishing to spurn weakening economy. The Ninth Avatar is an epic fantasy about Starka, an incest-accused outcast girl who receives a disturbing prophecy. She seeks the courage to become the leader of her entire faith while those she meets along the way battle to sa [...]
Joe Abercrombie interview on YouTube: Part 1
Fantasy writer Joe Abercrombie discusses the inspiration behind his latest novel, Best Served Cold, with Blackwells' Marcus Gipps. In 2002 Joe Abercrombie began the writing of a fantasy trilogy based around the adventures of Logan Ninefingers. The First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They [...]
Joe Abercrombie interview (February 2009)
In 2002 Joe Abercrombie began the writing of a fantasy trilogy based around the adventures of Logan Ninefingers. The First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings) has since been published in eight countries, seven languages and with seven different titles. [...]
An interview with Joe Abercrombie
In 2002 Joe Abercrombie began the writing of a fantasy trilogy based around the adventures of Logan Ninefingers. The First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings) has since been published in eight countries, seven languages and with seven different titles. B [...]
Joe Abercrombie interviews
An interview in September 2006 with the Hobbit on SFFWorld.com. Joe Abercrombie interview
Pat's Fantasy Hotlist interviewed Joe Abercrombie in March 2007 following the release of Before They Are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie interview
An interview in October 2007 on Fantasy Book Critic, one of the most entertaining and pleasurable interview they have ever conducted - Joe Abercrombie interview
Joe Abercrombie critical acclaim
"Dark, deeply ironic and full of character gems that will appeal to your cynical side." SFRevu
"Delightfully twisted and evil" Guardian
Book of the Month
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
Latest interviews
Interviews plus question and answer sessions with authors, narrators and publishers.
Must-reads
The following reviews are of books that begin the very best fantasy series available.
Competition: Win a signed copy of Graham Hancock's Entangled
Graham Hancock is the author of The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, Keeper of Genesis, Heaven's Mirror, Supernatural and other bestselling investigations of historical mysteries. His books have been translated into twenty-seven languages and have sold over five million copies worldwide. Written with the same page-turning appeal that has made his non-fiction so popular, Entangled is his first work of fiction. We have five signed copies of Entangled to give away as prizes. Email us the answer to the following question and the lucky winner, chosen at random, will receive a copy of the book, signed by the author.
Special Feature: Fantasy Book Review talks to the Book View Cafe
Book View Cafe is a cooperative site created by a group of writers - including internationally renowned authors Katharine Kerr, Ursula Le Guin and Vonda N. McIntyre - who want to take advantage of the internet's possibilities for reaching a wider audience and to distribute their work directly to their readers. The Book View Cafe is a place where you can find free, original fiction plus the authors' best and out-of-print work for a fee. Fantasy Book Review spoke to Book View Cafe member, science fiction author and memoirist Chris Dolley in February 2010.
Special Feature: Understanding the author of Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, the elusive author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, has been the subject of enduring fascination for the past hundred years. The destruction of many major documents about his personal life by his descendants has only magnified the mystery. Jenny Woolf's biography, published to coincide with the release of the new Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film, lays waste to the myths and suspicions that have obscured Carroll's reputation by placing him firmly in the context of his own time.
