What Is an "Altrix"?

Names always come from somewhere (unless they don't... but that's a very in-depth discussion for another day). When we decided we were going to have our own publishing imprint, we gave it the name Altrix Books. Readers of The Chronosmith Chronicles and its predecessor will know why — but if you're new, you might not.

So, what is an "altrix"?

Well, there are two answers.

One of those answers is: it's a book. A very specific book, and a very very big book. Tor Fasa, one of the four primary players in The Chronosmith Chronicles, compiled that book — with a little bit of outside help. Essentially it's a book that, ideally, contains everything: everything that was, is, and will be. Such things take time, of course, so there are a few corners yet unfilled-out.

There are also a few sections that are completely wrong.

When the Chronosmiths rode the Time Winds into their new universe — our universe — a lot of the Altrix was no longer accurate. That sort of thing will happen across universes. As the Chronosmiths explore these new worlds, they'll cross-reference it against Fasa's Altrix, digging out the erased truths of history and amending their own records as they go.

You can learn more about the Altrix from our blog post on Tor Fasa, and see it in action in After Vincent, the first book of The Chronosmith Chronicles.

The altrix is also, it happens, a type of sea snail. This wasn't something we thought especially hard about, but it did come in handy when it came time to design a logo. Note the design you see on our books and social media by Ginger Hoesly — do you see it now?

Altrix Books will probably never hold as much as the Altrix itself (we're only a small publisher, after all!), but we're looking forward to bringing you fact and fiction from all across the galaxy. 

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FROM OUR CREATORS: A New Charity Project for Doctor Who Fans

While Altrix is proud to put out original content, we and our contributors have strong roots in charity projects. From those we've put out ourselves to the many anthologies and works of the people and groups we work with, it's an enduring theme. So we're always happy to be able to promote charity endeavors outside our own.

The latest on our radar is Red Velvet, and it hails from our regular cover artist and designer Ginger Hoesly. This marks her fourth such project (the first three having raised more than $5,000 for various charities so far) — and rather than a zine or an artbook, this is a calendar.

The collection of Twelfth Doctor art includes works from artists known around the Doctor Who fan community (including Ginger herself), and has the option of digital and physical goods as well. There's a set for just about any budget — and proceeds go to the Humanitarian Aid Program for Venezuela.

Plus, you can get digital and overstock copies of her three previous zines — The Hybrid, Moon Man, and A Pile of Good Things — on the site as well. These zines include works from Altrix creators Paul Driscoll and Kara Dennison, as well as previous contributors including Michael O'Brien and Sophie Iles.

Head over to rathzem.com to make a purchase for a good cause. And look forward to more work from Ginger here on Altrix soon!

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FROM OUR CREATORS: Travel to the City of the Saved with Kara Dennison

Last year, six authors from Obverse Books were asked to pitch in on an anniversary project. The Sextet would unite six of the publisher's most popular lines in six novellas, each making up one part of a greater whole. The Sextet could be read in whole or in part, but — and perhaps we're a bit biased — they're best as a set.

The Sextet includes stories from the worlds of Iris Wildthyme, Señor 105, Faction Hollywood, Seaton Begg, the Manleigh Halt Irregulars, and the City of the Saved. Bringing up the rear in book 6, Vanishing Tales of the City, is our own co-creator and author Kara Dennison.

The short anthology tells six stories of loss in the City of the Saved: a galaxy-sized civilization at the end of our universe where all humans will eventually end up. In a place where every human is bound to go and anything lost can easily be "Remade," a person simply disappearing is unimaginable. But that's just what's happening, and the gaps are becoming more and more evident... until some familiar faces fall into the story.

All of the Sextet's previous stars find their way to the City, whether they're "allowed" there or not. Is it the most ambitious crossover ever? Maybe third or fourth... but you will get to see Señor 105 bodyslam a Faction member while Iris watches.

Vanishing Tales is technically a stand-alone read, but it works best if you've read the full Sextet. But why wouldn't you? There's a magical new Iris story by Nick Campbell, an epic Señor 105 adventure by Blair Bidmead, a set of Seaton Begg mysteries by Simon Bucher-Jones, a sentimental Manleigh Halt Irregulars story by Nick Wallace, and modern-day political intrigue with Faction Hollywood by Jonathan Dennis. Loose threads are waiting to be tied up in the City, and a certain evil force doesn't stay defeated for long.

Plus, supporting Obverse — much like supporting us here at Altrix — is a big boost for indie writers and publishers. Obverse is helping to promote lots of new talent with their various series, and the Sextet celebrates the characters you've come to know and love over the years.

In the meantime, if you'd like more from Kara, check out her essays in Army of Ghosts — and look forward to Eleanor's Tears, her first entry in The Chronosmith Chronicles.

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