San Antonio, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Author Martha Wells will celebrate the release of her new fantasy novel, Queen Demon, at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio. The in-person event is scheduled for October 23 and follows the author’s recent acclaim from the TV adaptation of her Murderbot Diaries. Tickets for the event are available online and include a copy of the book, marking a return to her fantasy fiction roots after her previous successes.
San Antonio
Author Martha Wells will mark the release of her new fantasy novel, Queen Demon, with an in-person event at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio on Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. The appearance follows a season of high-profile attention for Wells after a television adaptation of her best-known series reached audiences this summer.
Key announcement
Wells will appear at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio on Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. for the release celebration of her new novel, Queen Demon. Tickets for the event are available online for $35.16, which includes the price of the book. The event is billed as a release celebration for Queen Demon, a sequel that returns Wells to fantasy fiction.
Adaptation and profile
The author’s prominence has grown sharply in recent months after a television adaptation of her Murderbot Diaries series reached viewers. A 10-part TV adaptation of Murderbot was released by AppleTV this summer, starring Alexander Skarsgard. The television project came after decades of publishing success for Wells and has expanded interest in her backlist and new work.
Credentials and achievements
Author Martha Wells has been writing fantasy and science fiction for three decades. Her Murderbot Diaries series has received multiple major awards: The Murderbot Diaries series has won four Hugo Awards and two Nebula Awards. The series has also placed Wells on the New York Times Bestsellers list, raising her profile with readers and industry partners.
About the new book
Queen Demon is a sequel to her fantasy novel Witch King, marking a return to fantasy fiction after the success of her Murderbot series. The two fantasy novels are described as focusing on characters who may be misunderstood or seen as antagonists by some readers; Queen Demon and Witch King feature characters with sympathetic backgrounds.
Publisher and future work
Wells continues to work in both genres. The publisher had no concerns about Wells branching back into fantasy, as she continues to work on the Murderbot series, with another novella expected to release in May. The planned novella indicates an ongoing commitment to the Murderbot storyline alongside her new fantasy releases.
Author background and creative approach
Wells is a resident of College Station, Texas. She attributes part of her creative inspiration to her Texas roots and the layered histories of places in the state. In her approach to fiction, she prefers to develop her fantasy worlds organically as she writes, aiming to integrate world-building with the narrative seamlessly. The author has said she hopes to create complex leading figures: Wells hopes to write complex protagonists that may typically be perceived as antagonists.
Reaction to adaptation
Wells had initial reservations about the move from page to screen. Wells expressed initial apprehension about the adaptation of Murderbot, fearing things could go wrong. Those concerns were addressed through ongoing communication with the production team: Communication with the production team helped to alleviate her concerns about the adaptation.
Event logistics
The release event will be held at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio on Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. Interested attendees can purchase tickets online for $35.16, with the ticket price including the new book. The shop event follows the broader public attention on Wells from the Murderbot television release and her multiple literary awards.
Context
Martha Wells has maintained a multi-decade career across science fiction and fantasy. Her return to fantasy with a direct sequel to Witch King situates Queen Demon within an ongoing expansion of her published work. The recent television adaptation of Murderbot has broadened mainstream awareness of her fiction, while awards and bestseller placement have reinforced her standing in the field.
FAQ
When and where will Wells appear for the release celebration of Queen Demon?
Wells will appear at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio on Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. for the release celebration of her new novel, Queen Demon.
How much do tickets cost and what do they include?
Tickets for the event are available online for $35.16, which includes the price of the book.
What television adaptation was released recently?
A 10-part TV adaptation of Murderbot was released by AppleTV this summer, starring Alexander Skarsgard.
How long has Martha Wells been writing?
Author Martha Wells has been writing fantasy and science fiction for three decades.
What awards has the Murderbot series won?
The Murderbot Diaries series has won four Hugo Awards and two Nebula Awards.
Where does Martha Wells live?
Wells is a resident of College Station, Texas.
Is Queen Demon related to any of Wells’s earlier books?
Queen Demon is a sequel to her fantasy novel Witch King, marking a return to fantasy fiction after the success of her Murderbot series.
Will Wells continue working on Murderbot?
The publisher had no concerns about Wells branching back into fantasy, as she continues to work on the Murderbot series, with another novella expected to release in May.
Did Wells have concerns about the TV adaptation?
Wells expressed initial apprehension about the adaptation of Murderbot, fearing things could go wrong.
How were Wells’s adaptation concerns addressed?
Communication with the production team helped to alleviate her concerns about the adaptation.
What themes does Wells aim to explore in her protagonists?
Wells hopes to write complex protagonists that may typically be perceived as antagonists.
Do Queen Demon and Witch King share character approaches?
Queen Demon and Witch King feature characters with sympathetic backgrounds.
How does Wells approach world-building?
She prefers to develop her fantasy worlds organically as she writes, aiming to integrate world-building with the narrative seamlessly.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Release celebration at Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio |
| Date and time | Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. |
| Ticket price | $35.16 (includes book) |
| New book | Queen Demon (sequel to Witch King) |
| Ongoing series | The Murderbot Diaries (new novella expected in May) |
| TV adaptation | 10-part series released by AppleTV this summer, starring Alexander Skarsgard |
| Awards | Four Hugo Awards; Two Nebula Awards |
| Residence | College Station, Texas |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Three decades | Author Martha Wells has been writing fantasy and science fiction for three decades. | Ongoing |
| This summer | A 10-part TV adaptation of Murderbot was released by AppleTV this summer, starring Alexander Skarsgard. | Released |
| Thursday, October 23, at 6 p.m. | Wells will appear at Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio for the release celebration of Queen Demon. | Scheduled |
| May | Another novella expected to release in May. | Expected |
Statistics
Simple visual summary of select figures related to Wells and the event:
Awards: Hugo Awards | â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ 4 Nebula Awards | â–ˆ â–ˆ 2 TV adaptation: Episodes | â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ â–ˆ 10 Event ticket: Price | $35.16
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Martha Wells
- San Antonio Current
- Google Search: Tom Arnold San Antonio Show
- Legacy Obituary
- Google Scholar: Martha Beck
- Dignity Memorial
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Joe Reyes
- Express News
- Google News: Henry Thomas
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