Latest Amber News

Amber Is The Special Guest On A Panel At YALL Write Online Festival On Saturday, 14 November.

11/13/2020

There was exciting news yesterday for Amber fans when it was revealed that she is to be the special guest on a panel at YALL Write festival on Saturday, 14 November.

YALL Write is a craft themed festival aimed at writers, illustrators and storytellers. This year it is entirely online because of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic.

Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, Danielle Paige, Kass Morgan will be joined by Amber who is the special guest on a panel called From Buffy To The Ravens & Casters: Witchy Writing

This exciting hour-long panel will take place at 2 PM Eastern Time, I believe I'm correct in saying that is 7 PM BST for fans in the UK like myself. This panel will take place via live stream on YALL Write’s official Instagram page for free. Just search for @yallfest. For more information click the link below to visit the individual webpage for this panel.

https://www.yallwrite.org/special-events-test/from-buffy-to-the-ravens-amp-casters-writing-witchy-on-igtv click here to visit the main site.

I'm really looking forward to this, a big thank you to my friend and fellow Amber fan Katie, who give me a heads up about this exciting event.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the Yall Write Festival or the Witchy Writing Panel. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting online event featuring the Amber Benson.

Rest In Peace Roxanne Conrad aka Rachel Caine

11/13/2020

I’d like to pay tribute to Roxanne Conrad aka Rachel Caine, who sadly lost her battle with cancer on 1st of November. Writing under the name Rachel Caine she has sold an incredible 58 million books worldwide and created a number of series for both adults and young adult readers.

The Morganville Vampires is one of Roxanne/Rachel's most loved series. The Morganville Vampires spans an amazing 15 books and tells the story of Claire Danvers who arrives in the dusty Texas town of Morganville to go to college and quickly discovers that it is filled with vampires. Whilst initially aimed at young adult readers it has fans of all ages. Despite the fact that The Morganville Vampires sold millions of copies worldwide it had not been adapted for film and television the way other hugely successful book series have been.

In 2013 Roxanne/Rachel decided to change that and announced plans to adapt Glass Houses the first Morganville Vampires novel into a web-based TV series with a little help from fans via the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

Amber Benson was delighted when Roxanne/Rachel asked her play the role of Morganville town founder Amelie. Morganville The Series premiered in October 2014. I was lucky enough to meet Roxanne in person when I attended the UK premiere of Morganville The Series she was very kind and generous with her time and offered me encouragement when I told her I’d like to become a writer. I will always treasure the copy of Glass Houses which she was kind enough to sign for me.

Amber paid her own tribute via her official Twitter account following the terribly sad news of Roxanne's passing, click here.

Her husband R. Conrad, Lucienne Diver her friend and literary agent and her friend and trusty assistant Sarah Simpson-Weiss released messages and I have included the link here.

My friend Trista Holmes who helped me create this website interviewed Roxanne/Rachel for another website she was building. Trista was kind enough to let me post the interview here in which Roxanne/Rachel discussed The Morganville Vampires, her writing process and more. Click here if you would like to read it.

To find out more, click the hyperlink to visit the official Morganville The Series website and because of the partnership with Geek and Sundry you can watch it for free via their official YouTube platform, click the link here.

The second is to Rachel Caine’s official website which has details of all of the books she has written for both young adult and adult readers. I'm betting there is a book in there that you would like to read. Click here to find out more.

My condolences to all of Roxanne's family and friends. Rest in peace Roxanne and thank you for all of your wonderful books and your kindness.

Joe

Amber Has Narrated The Audiobook Version Of Double Trouble - Out Now

11/13/2020

If like me, you're a fan of Amber's work on audiobooks here is a very exciting update. Last month saw the release of Double Trouble narrated by Amber which is the 9th book in Gretchen Archer’s Davis Way Crime Caper Series.

Amber and Gretchen first began working together in 2014 when she narrated Double Dip the second book in the series.

She took over from Dina Pearlman who had narrated Double Whammy when it was first released in 2013. In January 2019 Amber narrated the anniversary edition of the Double Whammy audiobook released as an Audible exclusive. Meaning that Amber has now narrated the audiobook version of every novel in the series to date:

Double Whammy (Audible Exclusive re-release)
Double Dip
Double Strike
Double Mint
Double Knot
Double Up
Double Dog Dare
Double Agent
Double Trouble

If you're not familiar with the series it centers on Davis Way, who is part of the elite security team at Bellissimo Resort and Casino in Biloxi Mississippi. Davis and her team have dealt with thieves, con men, murderers and more while risking life and limb more than once.

I have included the publisher's summary of Double Trouble as listed on Audible.co.uk below. This is for informational purposes only no copyright infringement is intended.

“Davis Way Cole smells T-R-O-U-B-L-E when she's fired from half of her part-time job at the Bellissimo Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The quarter-time job she's left with is lulling her to sleep, exactly what she's doing when Birdy James, centenarian director of the casino's Lost and Found department, disappears. With five million dollars.

Davis just can't help believing Birdy didn't do it, if for no other reason, she's too old to spend it. If Davis doesn't find the little old lady and the money fast, she'll lose what's left of her job, at which point, there goes her Bellissimo everything.

What she needs is a good luck charm. What she gets is her home invaded by hardheaded women, a softhearted little man, and major carpet troubles, the combination of which sends Davis' already suspicious mind into overdrive and landing her between a jailhouse rock and a very hard place.

A little less conversation and a lot more action are called for if Davis has any chance of saving herself, her family, her marriage, her job, and the heartbreak hotel she calls home.

Thank you. Thank you very much. ©2019 Gretchen Archer (P)2020 Tantor”

Double Agent audiobook is unabridged. The audiobook is available to buy from Audible both here in the UK click here and in the USA click here, both sites offer the facility to buy the audiobook for a one-off fee for non-members.

Audible also offers a range of packages where in return for a regular monthly fee a user is entitled to download Double Trouble as well as access to a vast library of audiobooks also available on the site. The number of books you can download in the month will depend upon your individual package, for full details see the respective Audible websites.

Double Trouble is also available direct from publishers Tantor Media who have a range of buying options via their official site. Click the link below:

https://tantor.com/double-trouble-gretchen-archer.html

Amber uses her vocal talents and lets loose her lovely southern accent to really bring the characters off the page I'm really looking forward to hearing Double Trouble. Apologies this update took longer to post online then I would have liked. This is genuinely one of my favourite series of books right now and if you've never listened before then now is the perfect time, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing, or production of Double Trouble in either paperback or audiobook form. All rights belong to Gretchen Archer and Tantor Media. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting audiobook narrated by Amber Benson.

Amber Benson To Co-Host Once Upon A Halloween Night Online Event On Wednesday 21st Of October

10/18/2020

Earlier this week Amber revealed that she and her friend and fellow author Christopher Golden will co-host Once Upon A Halloween Night online writing event on Wednesday.

As many fans will know Amber and Christopher have been friends and collaborators for a number of years, they co wrote Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara: "Wilderness” and “Wannablessedbe” The pair also created Ghosts of Albion online series for the BBC and Lights Out radio drama again for the BBC. Click on the hyperlinks to find out more information about all of these.

This time around Amber and Christopher link up to bring you some Halloween fun in Once Upon A Halloween Night. They will also be joined by fellow authors:

Jonathan Maberry
Jessica Guess
Clay McLeod Chapman
Craig Laurance Gidney

In this one-hour round-robin writing event the authors will create a brand-new scary story, with each person writing one paragraph at a time. The great news for fans is that this event is free and will be shown live online via Crowd Cast.

Once Upon A Halloween Night will take place on Wednesday, 21 October at 10:30 PM BST in the UK which I believe is 5:30 PM EDT in the USA. Although I would advise US fans to doublecheck the time depending on where you are in the states.

To find out more and/or to watch this exciting event live click the link below and press the green "Save My Spot!" button and enter your email to register for free. This event is being presented by St Martin's Press.

https://www.crowdcast.io/e/once-upon-halloween/register?utm_campaign=author&utm_source=social&utm_medium=social-post

I'm really looking forward to this exciting event and I apologise for not being able to get this update online a little sooner.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the Once Upon A Halloween Night online event. We have no connection to any of the authors involved, this post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting online event featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Is The Special Guest On A Brand-New Episode Of Slayerfest ‘98 Podcast

10/8/2020

Here is my second exciting update of the day. Recently Amber was the special guest on a brand-new episode of the Slayerfest ‘98 podcast and she shared a post on her official Twitter account yesterday to let fans know how they could listen.

Amber has been a guest on the podcast before and this time she is joined by hosts Ian Carlos Crawford, Dana Piccoli, and LaToya Ferguson. In this episode they discuss Buffy of course and a whole lot more.

Amber describes her very first day working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and encountering The Gentleman as she made her debut in the iconic Hush episode in Season 4. Her relationship with fans and why it's so important to her to have a genuine connection with them is something she misses due to the cancellation of conventions due to COVID - 19. The group talk about fashion on Buffy and the famous dress Amber wore in Once More With Feeling.

Amber talks openly and honestly about Tara’s exit and gives what in my opinion is a very fair and balanced view of the situation as she saw it. While not shying away from the fact mistakes were made and this storyline could and should have been done differently. She also touches upon why she opted not to return in Season 7.

It's not only Buffy that is discussed however as Amber talks about her ambition to be a show runner and spending her time in lockdown working on the pilot episode of The Witches of Echo Park TV series which will be based on her Echo Park Coven Trilogy of novels. She describes the challenge of adapting something from page to screen and also reveals a few snippets of information that I don't think fans have heard before which is very exciting. The Witches of Echo Park pilot is not the only thing Amber has been working on as she talks about writing A Murder To Remember, a movie based on a true crime story which had its premiere earlier this year on Lifetime in the USA.

The Slayerfest ‘98 podcast is available to listen and download from:

PodBeen

Apple Podcasts

Spotify (click on the hyperlinks)

Amber talks about a range of subjects honestly with compassion and fairness. This is why I personally admire Amber so much, not just for her talent for creating things and bringing characters to life but for being the genuine, kind and intelligent person she is. There are some serious topics tackled in this podcast but there are also some really funny moments. For all these reasons I’ve outlined above if you get a chance please give this podcast a listen.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with the production of the Slayerfest ‘98 Podcast. All of the works mentioned within are the property of the individual copyright holders we own nothing. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting podcast featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Benson To Discuss Cory Doctorow’s New Sci-Fi Novel, Attack Surface At An Online Event.

10/8/2020

Exciting news for Amber fans as she is set to attend an online event to discuss friend and fellow author Cory Doctorow’s novel, Attack Surface.

Author Cory Doctorow is celebrating the release of his new novel, Attack Surface with a series of events discussing his work and a number of related topics. Attack Surface tells the story of Masha Maximow, a cyber security specialist, making a very good living working for a global company monitoring activists and dissidents. She is conflicted about her work and occasionally uses her skills to help activists go undetected, without letting her bosses know of course. Masha may soon have to decide where her loyalties lie once and for all. Attack Surface is a stand-alone novel set within the Little Brother Series.

Amber has narrated the audiobook version of Attack Surface which is available to pre-order via a recent Kickstarter a campaign. The complete Attack Surface audiobook narrated by Amber can be yours for just $15 on digital files that you can keep and listen to forever. At the time of writing this update the Kickstarter campaign has just a couple of hours to go, so if you want to get involved in the Kickstarter, there is still time if you act fast. To find out more about the Kickstarter Campaign click here.

This special online event is being hosted by Massachusetts bookstore, Brookline Booksmith using Zoom video calling platform. Cory and Amber will be joined by John Rogers for what I'm sure will be a fascinating discussion. Tickets cost $35 this includes a signed copy of Attack Surface which will be signed and posted out to you after the event and is included in this price. Please note event organisers are only able to ship books within the United States.

The event will take place on 14 October at 8PM EDT for UK-based fans like myself due to the time difference. The event will take place at 1 AM BST on 15 October according to the event page. When I open the event page it automatically defaults to the UK date and time of the event. Update as of the 13/10/2020 The USA time now confirmed as 8PM EDT on the 14 October. This is 1AM BST on Thursday 15 October for UK fans.

For full details and to buy tickets for the event click the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cory-doctorow-with-amber-benson-and-john-rogers-attack-surface-tickets-118939787105?aff=efbneb

I think this will be a really interesting and unique event and I hope everyone who attends as a fantastic time. I'd also like to thank fellow Amber fan Laragh for giving me a heads up about this event.

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or the production of the Attack Surface audiobook. All rights belong to Cory Doctorow and his publishing partners. All views expressed on the Kickstarter page are solely that of Cory Doctorow himself. We are not involved in any way with the planning or hosting of this exciting event or hosts bookstore Brookline Booksmith. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting audiobook narrated by Amber Benson and the event she is attending.

Shevenge Directed By Amber Benson Is Now Available Via Amazon Video In The UK

9/24/2020

Exciting news for UK fans as Shevenge (a short film) directed by Amber Benson is now available in the UK via Amazon Video platform. Released in 2015 Shevenge was completed with the help of fans and film enthusiasts, myself included who backed an Indiegogo.com crowd funding campaign to raise funds to complete postproduction.

The film centers on three friends Sam (Emme Rylan), Charley (Jessica Courtemanche) and Taylor (Megan Lee Joy) who are having a slumber party and they begin plotting revenge on their ex-boyfriends. We then join them on a journey into the darkest part of their imagination as they take Shevenge on each one of them. This dark comedy pays homage to favourite film genres including horror, fantasy and action.

Following a number of successful screenings in the USA the Shevenge team took it to London for it’s UK debut at the Film4 Fright Fest Film Festival in August 2015. Now Shevenge is available in the UK to own digitally via Amazon Video platform.

Shevenge is being released as part of the second season of Etheria horror anthology celebrating the work of female directors and other roles both in front of and behind the camera. Shevenge is among 10 short films set in the horror or sci-fi genres. Fans can either purchase the whole of Season 2 for £5.99 or alternatively you can buy Shevenge and/or the other short films separately for just 99p each. (prices correct on the date this post was published)

Amazon Video is available online via computer, smart devices, games consoles and smart TVs. For full details and to purchase Etheria Season 2 or Shevenge individually click the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FRSSQB7/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc

Good news for Amber fans across the pond Etheria Season 2/Shevenge is also available to purchase via the US version of Amazon Video platform. For full details and/or to buy click the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Zone-2/dp/B08FRVHZDC/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=etheria+2&qid=1600945210&sr=8-2

I'm thrilled that Shevenge is part of Etheria Season 2, congratulations to Amber, Emme, Jessica, Megan and all of the cast and crew. It's fantastic that Shevenge is now available to an even bigger audience both here in the UK and in the USA and I can't wait to watch it again.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV was not involved in any way with the making or production of Shevenge. We were not involved in the production of Etheria Season 2 or any of the short films within it. Nor do we have any connection to Amazon Video in the UK or USA. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about a new way to see an exciting short film directed by Amber Benson.

Amber Benson To Narrate Attack Surface Audiobook

9/11/2020

In recent years Amber has used her acting talents to narrate a number of audiobooks in a range of different genres. From sci-fi, romance and mystery and more for a number of top authors, not to mention narrating her own work. The Witches of Echo Park and the first three books in her Calliope Reaper-Jones series, Death’s Daughter, Cat’s Claw and Serpent’s Storm. Unfortunately the Calliope Reaper-Jones audiobooks are only available to listeners in the USA. Amber uses her vocal ability to bring the words off the page and add another dimension to some incredible stories.

A few weeks ago, I learned that Amber was set to narrate Attack Surface, the third novel in author Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother Series. I shared that early information on Amber Benson.TV twitter feed. This is the second time Amber has worked with Cory, she was among the voice talent that worked on his Walk Away audiobook in 2017. Cory said he had an exciting plans for fans to pre-order the Attack Surface audiobook. Late on Wednesday evening I learnt that Cory had put his plan into action and launched a Kickstarter campaign, but I'll come back to that later. Here’s a bit more about the Attack Surface book itself.

Masha Maximow is a cyber security specialist working for a global company making a very good living helping nations monitor activists and dissidents. She is conflicted about her work and occasionally uses her skills to help activists go undetected without letting her bosses know of course. Masha may soon have to decide where her loyalties lie once and for all. Attack surface is a stand-alone novel set within the Little Brother Series.

This is a Kickstarter campaign with a difference, in that Attack Surface audiobook has already been recorded. The aim of the campaign is as I said earlier to allow fans to pre-order it but also to highlight the current copyright arrangements surrounding the majority of audiobooks. Cory can explain this issue much better than I can so rather than try and paraphrase his words click on the link to the Kickstarter page which I will provide below to find out more.

The complete Attack Surface audiobook narrated by Amber can be yours for just $15 on digital files that you can keep and listen to forever. There are lots of other perks as well including e-books of Little Brother, Homeland and Attack Surface as well as their audiobook versions too. Little Brother is narrated by Kirby Heyborne and Homeland by Wil Wheaton as well as Attack Surface and much more too.

To find out more about the Kickstarter campaign including a free sample where you can listen to the first chapter of Attack Surface that’s 2 hours and 44 minutes, simply scroll down the page and click the link.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/attack-surface-audiobook-for-the-third-little-brother-book

I'm really looking forward to listening to Amber narrate this exciting audiobook project.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or the production of the Attack Surface audiobook. All rights belong to Cory Doctorow and his publishing partners. All views expressed on the Kickstarter page are solely that of Cory Doctorow himself. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting audiobook narrated by Amber Benson.

Amber Benson To Attend Wales Comic Con Live Online Event This Weekend 5-6 September

9/2/2020

There was exciting news for Amber fans earlier today as Wales Comic Con confirmed that she will be a guest at Wales Comic Con Live, this will be taking place on 5th and 6th of September 2020.

Covid 19 continues to affect people worldwide so UK convention organiser’s Wales Comic Con are holding their third online “Comic Con” style experience. Here guests and fans from around the world can participate live online via their computers and mobile devices.

Amber was a guest at the very first Wales Comic Con Live in May and much to the delight of fans she is returning to participate in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer panel along with Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers) and Andrew Fairchild (The Anointed One).

According to information on Wales Comic Con Live website the Buffy the Vampire Slayer panel will take place at 4 PM on Saturday, 5 September. Update as earlier today 5/9/20 the panel definitely begin a 4pm GMT.

The event will be hosted via online streaming site Twitch, fans who want to take part can do so by visiting Twitch.com/walescomiccon. I believe fans can watch the live stream for free. for full interactive options and to use the live chat fans can subscribe to the official Wales Comic Con Live Twitch stream. Subscriptions start at £4.99 per month, if you have an Amazon Prime Gaming subscription you can get access to Twitch for free. To find out more click here.

Visit the official Wales Comic Con Facebook and Twitter pages for more information (click the hyperlinks) If and when more information is announced I will post a further update in the Latest Amber News Section.

I hope everyone who is planning to attend has fun and I look forward to seeing you online.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with this online event. We have no connection to organisers Wales Comic Con. We own nothing, all rights belong to the individual copyright holders. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting appearance by Amber Benson.

The Vampire Ball Which Amber Was Due To Attend In November Has Been Postponed

8/22/2020

Earlier this week there was some sad but not perhaps unexpected news for UK Amber fans as The Vampire Ball has been officially postponed because of the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic.

In October 2019 Amber had been the first guest announced for the 11th Annual Vampire Ball, a three day event celebrating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and Dollhouse. The Vampire Ball was due to be held between the 13th - 15th of November at The Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow, London.

The event organisers Star Fury Conventions have taken the decision to postpone The Vampire Ball until 2021 saying:

“Many of the guests and attendees would feel uneasy attending an event like this so close after a pandemic. We would also have to enforce distancing measures with the guests, which would mean no hugs or poses during the photo ops, or handshakes during the autograph session. This would create a quite uncomfortable environment that is simply not the Starfury way.”

I've been lucky enough to attend one of their previous events and I really enjoyed the chance to meet and talk to Amber who was one of the guests on my previous visit I don't think the event would be the same with social distancing in place.

In the statement released on the official Vampire Ball website Star Fury Conventions say that anyone who has purchased a ticket for The Vampire Ball will have it automatically transferred over to the rescheduled event in 2021. They have indicated that there will be refunds available to anyone who has a ticket but is unable to attend the event next year. The refund option will be available once the new dates have been finalised.

To read their statement in full click the link below:

http://seanharry.com/home/vampire-ball/

I'm of course very disappointed that I won't get to see Amber and her fellow guests as well as some friends I’ve met at The Vampire Ball previously, but everyone's safety is the most important thing in these uncertain times.

Here's hoping that in 2021 we can find a way to get to grips with this pandemic and that Amber can return to meet her fans in the UK once again.

Stay safe everyone!

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with The Vampire Ball and/or organisers Star Fury Conventions, or any of the television programmes mentioned within. This post is informational purposes only. We are simply trying to give fans an important update about an event that was due to feature Amber Benson.