Lancaster writer inspired by Game of Thrones

Joe Abercrombie has risen from his school days at Lancaster Royal Grammar playing computer games, rolling dice and drawing maps of places that don’t exist to become a Sunday Times bestselling author.

Joe’s latest work is a collection of short stories from his trilogy ‘The First Law’ (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings) which has now sold more than three quarters of a million copies and been published in 13 countries.

His book Red Country was both a Sunday Times and New York Times Hardcover Bestseller in October 2012.

Game of Thrones author George R.R Martin is also a fan of his work and Abercrombie has cited Martin’s TV franchise as a major influence on his own fantasy writing.

Joe, 41, was born and grew up in Lancaster, studied psychology at Manchester University and now lives in Bath with his family.

The short stories will be a mix of original and reissued tales collected together for the first time, eight of which are award-winning and previously published, and six brand new.

The brand-new shorts will feature some of the most popular characters from the First Law world, including Glokta, Jezal, Logen Ninefingers, Bethod and Monza Murcatto.

“I hope readers will have as much fun revisiting some of these much-loved - and much-hated - characters as I have,” said Joe.

His book covers have won both the David Gemmell Legend Award and the World Fantasy Award for best artwork. 

Sharp Ends - Tales from the World of The First Law is published by Gollancz and available in hardback for £18.99, eBook for £8.99 or audio download for £25.