Cover delays and the next Paragons novel

Frustration.

Frustrating, isn't it.

The Chase novel "SprawBall" is complete, and all we're waiting on is the final cover design.  Now there's a talented graphic designer called Chris that I've known for years. In fact, he was heavily involved in the Paragons world decades ago, back when we were all keen role-players, and I thought it would be really cool if Chris did ALL of the covers for the entire Paragons Of Virtue series.

Not only would they look good, but there would be a continuity throughout the books' covers.  But mainly because he has a personal connection to the stories, and is an old mate from the past.

The challenge is, he lives on the other side of the planet, he's a family man, and he's snowed under with work.

I could get another cover designer on the case - I know several - but my loyalty is to him first.  Ever had that kind of a personal allegiance issue?

So where does that leave me?  Watching the clock ticking waiting for an update, doing that "I'm being nice but I really need you to get this sorted" thing, you know?

I'll keep you posted :-)

In the meantime, I'm on to Paragons Of Virtue book 2, which is called "Skin In The Game".  And ironically I have the cover in place, now I need to write the novel.

This one features the Australian Psyker Renegade.  Here's the quick synopsis:


Canada 2053.  When his supermodel girlfriend is kidnapped in Toronto, a former man-hunter sets out to find the woman he loves at any cost.  Relying on his special ‘talents’, he has twenty four hours to track down the psychotic serial killer that abducted her, before she is skinned alive...

Make sure to sign up for updates and offers at the top of this page so you're kept in the loop.  Now where is my scalpel...?

Burlington Breaker Team Trailer

In the novel "SprawlBall" the team trailer figures prominently.  I'm reminded of all the great sci-fi vehicles I grew up staring at as a kid, and I wanted something long, sleek, armoured and tough.  Here are some of my favourites.  Maybe you can name them?

Chase Novel Final Edits Today

I'm reminded of what author Mike Nappa teaches: You write a book four times.
When you’ve finished the fourth writing, you’re done—or at least ready to show your manuscript to an agent or editor. Here, briefly, is how that process works:
1. The Close-In Writing The basic method: You write a day’s worth of work (either fiction or nonfiction)—whatever that means for you. Next day, before you write anything new, you revise and edit the previous day’s work. This is the “close-in writing,” and becomes the first draft—the first time your write your book.
2. The Close-In Edit When the entire first draft is complete, you go back through and, beginning with word one to the end, you revise and edit the entire manuscript on your computer. This is the “close-in edit,” and becomes your second draft: the second time you write your book.
3. The Distance (or “Hand”) Edit Next, you print a hard copy of the second draft of your entire manuscript. Beginning with word one to the end, you hand-edit the hard copy, scrawling notes and profanities to yourself all the way through the margins. Then, using your hand-edit notes as a reference, you go back into your computer file and revise the manuscript as needed. This is the “distance edit,” and becomes your third draft: the third time you’ve written your book.
4. The Oral Edit Finally, you print a new hard copy and read your entire manuscript aloud. Read it to the walls, to your spouse, to the patrons at Starbucks, to your dog, to the bowl of soggy Cocoa Puffs left over from breakfast. Doesn’t matter who’s in the room, only that you can hear yourself reading it. Start with word one and don’t stop until you read the last word. Yes, it may take you several days, but that’s OK. Keep reading every word out loud until you’re done.
As you read, note any places where the phrasing causes you to stumble, the wording feels confusing or out of place, or your mind seems to wander from the text in front of you.

Those places need to be cut or rewritten, so as you’re reading aloud, pause to make notes as to what to do to improve them. When you’re done, incorporate your notes into the computer file of your manuscript. You’ve now finished the “oral edit”—and written your book four times.
At this point, you will be: a) extremely sick of your book, but b) finished. Yes, this is a tedious, tiring process. But it works. If you write your book four times, chances are very good that when you’re done it will be a finely-crafted work of art … or at least undoubtedly something much better than when you started.

Granville Island Vancouver

The first of The Paragons of Virtue series is set on Granville Island, Vancouver.  Only it's the year 2053 and things have changed...

SprawlBall is a mixture of urban warfare, American football and soccer played in specially evacuated sections of towns and cities with each side stalking the other through the streets and buildings in the makeshift arena.  Matches are split into two halves of continuous play for two hours at a time, and only stop for a time out if a player is injured or killed.  Score as many points as possible, but otherwise… anything goes.  Fatalities are a very real possibility every single game, if not the major selling point.  There is more than a hint of the ancient gladiatorial arena, with the bloodthirsty crowds hungry to watch the next poor soul be smashed in the face by a glowing steel ball, or mangled under crumbling ghetto ruins.

It’s predictable that SprawlBall would take Canada by storm – a combination of derelict neighbourhoods, corporate entertainment & American Football, it had violence, money, superstars and that religious zeal that the Canadian public show for their home team.  Keep the masses occupied and distracted by spectacle.  The Romans knew that.  The Greeks knew that.  Nothing much changes. 

The sport attracts the toughest, meanest and highest paid sportsmen and women in the world and so naturally became the country's most brutal and dangerous game, with rules being rewritten all the time on the field.  Of course, none of that interested the reclusive Arthur Deal. 

I just want to get Saturday’s game out of the way, collect my wages and climb back into my little world of booze, computer games and porn. Happy as a pig in shit, eh?

He’s thinking out loud as he peels off his Slam Suit and hits the shower.  The experimental boy armour is supposed to make the user move faster and hit harder, as well as functioning as combat armour.  In reality, Chase’s ability to run through walls is more thanks to his biology than the suit.  

Life imitating art?

It's freaky, but my new novel features the events that happen in and around a major sporting event.  Then this happens...

Police believe the dramatic bomb scare at Old Trafford today was an ‘elaborate hoax’.

The alarm was raised by a member of the club’s staff who discovered a suspicious device, believed to be a phone attached to a pipe, in the north west quadrant of ground.

About 50,000 supporters were evacuated from the ground once the alarm was raised some 15 minutes before kick-off for the match against Bournemouth.

Army bomb disposal experts were scrambled to the ground and they located the device and carried out a controlled explosion.

An initial examination of the remains of that explosion leads police to believe that the scare was an ‘elaborate hoax’, the M.E.N. understands.

Police tweeted that it was ‘incredibly lifelike explosive device’.

You can read the full story here:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/old-trafford-bomb-scare-elaborate-11336004

Help Me With My Opening Line

Working on the Chase novel's the opening line. So I'm going to ask you which of the following grabs your attention and piques your curiousity most. One vote please smile emoticon

1. Running through a brick wall was once impossible.
2. Running through a brick wall in a Slam Suit is like dropping a can of spam on a concrete floor.
3. It’s either the brick wall or me.
4. It takes everything you’ve got to run straight into a brick wall head first.
5. There’s a knack to running through a brick wall.
6. Chase tried to catch his breath, closed his eyes and ran as fast as he could into the brick wall…
7. Cities take decades to grow, but they die so much faster.

Chase Novel Description Finalised

OK folks - here's the tantalising glimpse into the Chase novel:

In 2053 superstar SprawlBall player Chase and his team brace themselves for kick-off, only to find the stadium deserted and the other team slaughtered...

SprawlBall is a mixture of urban warfare, American football and soccer played in specially evacuated sections of towns and cities with each side stalking the other through the streets and buildings in the makeshift arena.  Score as many points as possible, but otherwise… anything goes.  It's the semi-final, but what starts as a sport becomes a fight for survival.  This story brings new meaning to the term "blood sport".

Idolised by the masses, shamed superhero Chase hates all the attention - does making millions by exploiting his mutant ability make him a bad person?  Probably.  But as long as they pay you well, then leave you alone, you will persevere.  At least he’s found an outlet for his gifts.  Others aren’t so lucky.  

Now he's trapped in a derelict city precinct with no way out, and the fans are turning ugly.  Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.  What would you do?  Welcome to Granville Island - you're going to be sorry you ever bought a ticket...

Survival Tips In The Arena:

1.    Stay close to the walls

2.    Avoid the spotlights

3.    Look out for Peeping Toms

4.    Hug the ball to hide the glow

5.    Never stand in an open doorway

6.    Always let the Blocker go first

It's show time!

You'll like this intense and claustrophobic battle for survival.  Catch Me If You Can is a standalone book, part of the "Paragons Of Virtue" series.  These books can be read in any order.