Associate Director of Publicity Jodi Rosoff writes: “In 1983, Ace Books published a debut fantasy novel by Steven R. Boyett when the author was just 19 years old. Ariel was set in a post-apocalyptic future in which unicorns and other magical creatures have come back into the world. A young man who has survived ‘the Change’ by scavenging the near-deserted cities meets a unicorn of dazzling beauty, who captures his heart and brings new meaning to his life. The novel garnered rave reviews and enthusiastic fans, including a young girl from Georgia named Anne Sowards. Readers were eager for a sequel to Ariel, but Boyett took another career path—he’s now a professional DJ.”
Twenty-five years later, Anne Sowards, now an editor at Ace, has acquired the long-awaited sequel Elegy Beach, as well as the reprint rights to Ariel. The deal was handled by agent Richard Curtis.
Elegy Beach takes place in Southern California 30 years after Ariel. Publication is planned for 2010 in hardcover along with a paperback reissue of Ariel.
Boyett didn’t actually stop writing after Ariel (although he has “taken a break” since 2000). In those 17 years, he published another novel, a short story collection, an illustrated novel, a score of short stories, several comic books, and the second draft of the animated film Toy Story 2.
I was introduced to sci-fi fantasy when I was 13. I was in the seventh grade and I picked up Heinleins Friday, and I was hooked.
That christmas my Mom and Dad went nuts and bought me a ton of sci-fi fantasy books. My favorite omong them was Ariel. I read it in one night and then reread it dozens of times through the years. It has never lost its charm for me.
I have read so many books I don’t always remember the author or titles, but Ariel is one I have never forgotten. From the possible EM Pulse to the bathroom wallpapered in $100 dollar bills it still holds my interest.
I am thrilled that there will soon be a sequel to pique my curiousity for what happens next.
Boyett didn’t “take another career path” and become a DJ; he’s only been a DJ for the last few years. He produces two of the world’s most popular podcasts, Podrunner and Groovelectric. In 2000 he became interested in electronic music and started composing and then learned to DJ. Before that he wrote constantly.
And FWIW Boyett didn’t publish ARIEL at 19; he wrote it at 19. It was sold when he was 21 and published when he was 23. But still — what were *you* doing at 19, 21, or 23? 🙂
what about a sequel to “The Architect of Sleep”?