Book News (and other fun stuff): November 30th, 2012

Here’s my roundup of book news (and other fun stuff) around the web for the week! Sometimes I add stuff throughout the day on Friday, so be sure you check back over the weekend too!

Also, don’t miss my list of gift ideas for book lovers at the bottom of the post. I’ll try to offer up new ideas every week until the end of December.

Interviews, news, and more:

• TRAPPED (Iron Druid Chronicles #5) by Kevin Hearne just came out, and you can check out the awesome map of Yggdrasil at his website!
• Garrett of The Ranting Dragon interviewed Anne Sowards, editor of Ace/Roc Books!
• Kirkus has posted their Best Fiction list of 2012!
• Paul Goat Allen talks about James Bond at the B&N blog!
• Author John Connolly talks about his favorite tales of gothic terror at NPR
• Cherie Priest is at Tor Books UK for a 5 question interview
• 2012 is the 25th anniversary of the publication of DAWN by Octavia Butler and The Mary Sue has a wonderful video of NK Jemison telling us about how Octavia E. Butler shaped her life and writing.
• Chelsea at Vampire Book Club has posted her list of Best Books of 2012!
• The New York Times has posted their list of 100 most notable books of 2012
• It’s Vintage Science Fiction month again at Little Red Reviewer, so head over there and get your geek on!
• There’s a great ThinkGeek contest going on at The Mary Sue!
• We say goodbye to Sookie in May 2013, but Charlaine Harris has the scoop on the new 2013 Literary Pin-Up calender, which benefits Heifer International, who works to end poverty all over the world. What better time to buy one?
• Jon Land from Crimespree Magazine talks about the books that changed his life
• Simon and Schuster just started a self-publishing company, but it’ll cost ya!
• Crime author KN Sheilds gets the Crime Fiction Lover treatment!
• Andrew Nette answers 10 questions about his current novel, Ghost Money, at Pulp Curry!
• ATTN AUTHORS! Here’s how to submit your manuscripts to Random House’s new digital-only imprints (via GalleyCat)
• The Story Plant, a digital publishing venture from two industry pros, is expanding into science fiction/fantasy and needs your help. Head over to CrowdFunder and consider donating a bit to help them along!
• Stephen King heads up the list of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Authors (I know, shocker, right??) -via GalleyCat
• ATTN AUTHORS: Have you seen THE MILLION DOLLAR BOOKSHOP? Started by author Mark Lawrence, the page aims to generate a million dollars for children’s charities, and any author may obtain pixels to advertise their book. Each pixel will link to the purchaser’s website (usually an Amazon link or author blog/site.) What an awesome idea and great way to raise money for charity!
• Bastard Books is giving away a boxed set of the first 3 novels in Iain M. Banks’s Culture series!
• Pop Culture Nerd reviews the new movie HITCHCOCK
• Jen Forbus of Jen’s Book Thoughts gives us Crime Fictions Sexiest Male Authors of 2012!
• Helen Lowe talks to Elizabeth Knox at SF Signal!

Excerpts and such:

• You can read an excerpt from Dave Swavely’s new novel SILHOUETTE
• Criminal Element has an excerpt from Ania Ahlborn’s upcoming novel THE NEIGHBORS
• Lish McBride, author of Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, has a new story on Tor.com called HEADS WILL ROLL.

Fun stuff (some book-related, some not):

• Do you remember those terrifying TOPPS Dinosaurs Attack trading cards from the 80s? Brace yourselves. (via io9)
• io9 has a list of sci-fi and fantasy books that would make great gifts!
• How ’bout some adorable pics of famous authors and their pets? (via Flavorwire)

Gift Ideas for Book Lovers!!

• ThinkGeek has  a wonderful gift list (and much, much more!)
• Snag a copy of Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children at ThinkGeek 
• MyBookmark has the cutest kitty paw bookmarks on Etsy (and other awesomeness)