Transilience has been out over 6 months now! It is hard to believe. Reviews have been few but good. People are digging it. And again, Inkshares played an integral role in helping me get it published. I learned a ton while Transilience competed for the affections of Sword and Laser.
You can grab a copy HERE or most other online booksellers.
In other news, I recently finished Tony Valdez’s novel Dax Harrison. I am happy to have supported it. I enjoyed reading it and you can find my Amazon review HERE and my GoodReads review HERE. When the next Dax Harrison novel comes about, I will be sure to be near the front of the line to support it.
That’s all I’ve got. Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving to all you State-side.
My debut novel, Transilience, is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Release date is 14 April!
Here’s the blurb:
Daniel Helmqvist is a private investigator in New London, the only city on Mars. He’s good at what he does, but people aren’t exactly lining up to hire his services. When two big cases land in his lap at once, he makes the mistake of believing his fortunes are about to change.
As the two cases unfold, he quickly discovers that success comes at a hefty cost and unseen forces conspire against him at every turn. What began as a chance to earn some easy money becomes a series of lies, cat-and-mouse games, and a chase that leads him out on to the surface of Mars itself.
Inkshares was the first place I really took a leap of faith in trying to get Transilience published. I learned so much about funding a project during the Sword and Laser contest and met a great group of people. Thank you one and all.
I am absolutely thrilled that my dream will finally be realized.
A very hearty, warm, sincere THANK YOU to everyone on Inkshares who has either ordered Transilience, or helped me become a better crowd-funder. I learned a great deal during the second Sword and Lasers contest. I honestly believe I would still be some guy looking for a publisher or agent to take a chance on my novel. Now, I have a three book deal. Funny world, that.
You can still pre-order a copy. Just follow the link: https://unbound.com/books/transilience
You can save money, too, by using promo code july2016 until 22 July.
Again, thank you one and all. I’ll go back to trying to process how amazing this is.
So, through a mistake in my calculations and overlooking the obvious, the campaign for Transilience ends on Thursday. Yep, this Thursday.
Time is running out if you want to support it. I’d like for you to support it. It will be published. A huge push between now at the end of the week will make it all the easier.
Here’s the link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Check it out. Order a copy. Be a part of something exceptional.
Again, use promo code july2016 and save some cash.
Transilience is rounding the corner for the homestretch.
If you visit its site on Unbound, you might think to yourself, "He’ll never reach his goal." I say in the politest of terms, you’re wrong to think that. It will happen. And it will super happen with your help. I can sweeten the pot.
Between now and July 22, you can enter the promo code july2016 and save 5 pounds on your order. That means for as little as five pounds (~$6.50) you can get an eCopy of Transilience and your name listed amongst a distinguished few. Want to be a Super Patron, you can be so at the crazy price of about 13 bucks. Think how much the Medici family had to spend to garner such a distinction!
Also, once Transilience hits 25% funding, I’m giving away a signed copy of Noir (giant image to follow below). I’ll ship it at no extra cost anywhere on the planet.
Lastly, more than ever, Transilience matters. It is a story about the lengths people will go to promote an ideology of intolerance. It is a story about how little life can matter when stock options are on the table. It’s a story about choices and consequences.
Here’s the link to Transilience’s site: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
If you are worried about allegiances, don’t be. Inkshares very own Jeremy Thomas ordered a copy. In fact, he’s been one of the earliest supporters of the novel. He’s pretty awesome.
Now, as promised, an image of my wife and I playing Noir last night (Friday). She won the best of three. The beer is of my own creation. A Rye IPA featuring a fairly new English hop variety: Boadicea.
As of today, my novel, Transilience, has only 4 weeks left in its funding campaign.
I need a lot of help to make this a reality.
So please help.
Order a copy today.
Something happened on Friday that made one of the themes in Transilience become very relevant. Britain voted to leave the EU.
I’ve covered themes in Transilience before; however, I’d like to do it again. I promise these themes will not be couched in the same terms (or all of them anyway) as the last time. It might be worth reading this post - even if you have read every other Update I’ve posted.
Science Fiction has a strong tradition of being a platform for social commentary. This is no secret. I bring it up because Transilience fits within that tradition and it’s important that we all know that factoid.
There are two plots, covering two themes in Transilience.
The themes: Greed and Idealism.
Greed is the B Plot.
Social commentary on greed is nothing new.
Greed, that old chestnut!
However, it doesn’t mean it isn’t any less relevant. The divide between rich and poor is growing exponentially each year. The quest for higher profit margins - and satisfied stockowners - continues to impact the world around us. The environment is compromised. Ecosystems decimated. Towns ruined. All because something can be made cheaper elsewhere. Or the price is too high to not destroy our planet. Or not replace city services when they are killing the citizenry.
More than ever, the cost of greed needs to be a theme explored through fiction and non-fiction alike.
Idealism is the A Plot. The main story. The one that will prove the most difficult for the protagonist.
The idealism of which I speak is the dialogue of racism. Anti-immigration. The belief that a country is better off without an influx of men, women and children looking to make a start somewhere else.
In Transilience, horrible acts of terrorism happen because some believe the Western world is better off without these people who want to make a better life somewhere else. Somewhere safe. Free from war. Free from tyranny.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
On Friday the UK voted to leave the EU. You can say it was about this or it was about that. However, UKIP made immigration the defining issue and I agree with the BBC on this one.
In the US, the presumptive nominee for the GOP’s bid for the presidency has thus far only one clearly defined platform in his candidacy: Exclusion. Build a wall and start deporting whoever you don’t happen to like at the time.
At the heart of these issues - and the same one that features in Transilience - is the idea of a loss of national and cultural identity. What does that even mean?
For a country (England) which has as many regional traditions as it does dialects, can you claim a national identity? Is language? Is it Sunday roast? Is it being white?
For a country with 50 different states, each with a history that predates their joining the Union and their history once them became a state. 50 little countries really with their own customs. Their own cultural traditions that separate them from the 49 other states in the Union. Here’s the kicker. Most of those traditions were brought to the US from elsewhere. That’s right. By immigrants. Men, women and children looking for a land of opportunity.
"Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
How can a country so large and so varied claim a national identity or culture? Is it language? Is it baseball? Is it being white?
Over these past few weeks, it has felt like characters from my novel have quite literally walked off the pages and into reality. I find it all rather unsettling.
The connection between the A and the B Plot are the protagonist, Daniel Helmqvist. A Private Investigator in Mars’s only city, New London. In the novel he must evaluate his moral compass against the commitments he makes to his clients. Having done that, he must then face the consequences of those decisions (for good and ill) and try to make a living.
What happens, I will leave safely tucked away in the pages of the novel.
I am very sad to say that if you want to find out, you have to buy the book. Thanks for reading. Again, time is running out on the campaign.
Your support will be greatly appreciated and you will be immortalized in print for your kindness. Here’s the link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Through an incredible act of generosity by my in-laws, Transilience has surpassed 20% on Unbound.
I’m not setting any crowd-funding records, that’s for certain. But I believe support will increase as the percentage numbers do. I’m excited. And very optimistic.
At 25%, I am giving away a copy of Level 99 Games’s brilliant deduction card game, Noir. It’s the Black Box edition and I’ll sign it with a gold marker pen, which might devalue the game but it’s a risk we should all be willing to take.
So please, order a copy today.
Inkshares is replete with first-time authors and it times it feels a bit like a Dickens story. We beg and we plead for support. We put our futures in the hands of others and hope for the best. And the recipient of these entreaties must shoulder through these lines of digital beggars to surf the net undisturbed.
In all of this, I wonder if the fact that a good story is the end result. That we loose sight of that fact. That one donation. One preorder. One simple transaction. One simple click of the "Order" button brings to life a story. Validates hundreds of hours of work. Reserves a copy of that effort for you, the buyer.
...charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.
Again, here’s the link to Transilience’s Unbound campaign.
https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Appreciate is too small a word to describe my reaction to an order. Nevertheless, it is a word that I will shout from the rooftops and hope to do it justice.
In all the power of the Dunning-Kruger effect, I will assume I have not overstayed my welcome on Inkshares. That despite taking my novel elsewhere to be crowd-funded, you all want to know what’s happening in my tiny world.
I am certain you do...
I have good news!
At this very moment, the ultimate answer to the universe is: Order a copy of Transilience today. https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Fun fact: I originally had Order a copy of Transilience today in quotes but I changed it to italics because it looked sexier.
The number of days left in Transilience’s campaign: 42.
See where I’m going with this??
If it helps, I’m not sure I do. This seemed funnier in my head.
Seriously though, please take a look at the site. Many of you support Transilience during its run on Inkshares. Some of you said very flattering things about it. Some of you have supported it on Unbound, and I am eternally grateful. I’m hoping for the more of the same...even if its on another site.
It’s a bit like when a friend transfers schools because a parent got a new job in a different city. You don’t have to stop being friends with them. Maybe you get to hang out on the weekends. Go see a show. Hang out at the mall. The situation has changed, a little, that’s all.
Oh! And! And! I am giving away a painting. It’s a painting I did on a noir theme. It’s original and it’s unique (in that it’s the only one I’ve painted like it).
And!! Regardless of your contribution level, you get your name placed lovingly in my novel. For a mere 10 pounds (~15 bucks) you receive an eBook with your name immortalized within its pages.
(Deep breath) And!! You get to do an incredibly noble thing for a guy trying to be a writer.
One more time. The link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Oh! I also wrote a piece on why I write. You can find it on my blog. A place where I am the Hobo King and a wooden nickel will buy you a tin cup and an endless supply of gin.
Transilience has been out over 6 months now! It is hard to believe. Reviews have been few but good. People are digging it. And again, Inkshares played an integral role in helping me get it published. I learned a ton while Transilience competed for the affections of Sword and Laser.
You can grab a copy HERE or most other online booksellers.
In other news, I recently finished Tony Valdez’s novel Dax Harrison. I am happy to have supported it. I enjoyed reading it and you can find my Amazon review HERE and my GoodReads review HERE. When the next Dax Harrison novel comes about, I will be sure to be near the front of the line to support it.
That’s all I’ve got. Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving to all you State-side.
Kevin
Hello everyone!
My debut novel, Transilience, is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Release date is 14 April!
Here’s the blurb:
Inkshares was the first place I really took a leap of faith in trying to get Transilience published. I learned so much about funding a project during the Sword and Laser contest and met a great group of people. Thank you one and all.
The link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XY7SBTC
Transilience has reached its funding goal!!!
Hello!
Transilience is rounding the corner for the homestretch.
If you visit its site on Unbound, you might think to yourself, "He’ll never reach his goal." I say in the politest of terms, you’re wrong to think that. It will happen. And it will super happen with your help. I can sweeten the pot.
As of today, my novel, Transilience, has only 4 weeks left in its funding campaign.
I need a lot of help to make this a reality.
So please help.
Order a copy today.
Something happened on Friday that made one of the themes in Transilience become very relevant. Britain voted to leave the EU.
I’ve covered themes in Transilience before; however, I’d like to do it again. I promise these themes will not be couched in the same terms (or all of them anyway) as the last time. It might be worth reading this post - even if you have read every other Update I’ve posted.
Science Fiction has a strong tradition of being a platform for social commentary. This is no secret. I bring it up because Transilience fits within that tradition and it’s important that we all know that factoid.
There are two plots, covering two themes in Transilience.
The themes: Greed and Idealism.
Greed is the B Plot.
Social commentary on greed is nothing new.
Greed, that old chestnut!
However, it doesn’t mean it isn’t any less relevant. The divide between rich and poor is growing exponentially each year. The quest for higher profit margins - and satisfied stockowners - continues to impact the world around us. The environment is compromised. Ecosystems decimated. Towns ruined. All because something can be made cheaper elsewhere. Or the price is too high to not destroy our planet. Or not replace city services when they are killing the citizenry.
More than ever, the cost of greed needs to be a theme explored through fiction and non-fiction alike.
Idealism is the A Plot. The main story. The one that will prove the most difficult for the protagonist.
The idealism of which I speak is the dialogue of racism. Anti-immigration. The belief that a country is better off without an influx of men, women and children looking to make a start somewhere else.
In Transilience, horrible acts of terrorism happen because some believe the Western world is better off without these people who want to make a better life somewhere else. Somewhere safe. Free from war. Free from tyranny.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
On Friday the UK voted to leave the EU. You can say it was about this or it was about that. However, UKIP made immigration the defining issue and I agree with the BBC on this one.
In the US, the presumptive nominee for the GOP’s bid for the presidency has thus far only one clearly defined platform in his candidacy: Exclusion. Build a wall and start deporting whoever you don’t happen to like at the time.
At the heart of these issues - and the same one that features in Transilience - is the idea of a loss of national and cultural identity. What does that even mean?
For a country (England) which has as many regional traditions as it does dialects, can you claim a national identity? Is language? Is it Sunday roast? Is it being white?
For a country with 50 different states, each with a history that predates their joining the Union and their history once them became a state. 50 little countries really with their own customs. Their own cultural traditions that separate them from the 49 other states in the Union. Here’s the kicker. Most of those traditions were brought to the US from elsewhere. That’s right. By immigrants. Men, women and children looking for a land of opportunity.
"Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
How can a country so large and so varied claim a national identity or culture? Is it language? Is it baseball? Is it being white?
Over these past few weeks, it has felt like characters from my novel have quite literally walked off the pages and into reality. I find it all rather unsettling.
The connection between the A and the B Plot are the protagonist, Daniel Helmqvist. A Private Investigator in Mars’s only city, New London. In the novel he must evaluate his moral compass against the commitments he makes to his clients. Having done that, he must then face the consequences of those decisions (for good and ill) and try to make a living.
What happens, I will leave safely tucked away in the pages of the novel.
I am very sad to say that if you want to find out, you have to buy the book. Thanks for reading. Again, time is running out on the campaign.
Your support will be greatly appreciated and you will be immortalized in print for your kindness. Here’s the link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Cheers,
Kevin
Through an incredible act of generosity by my in-laws, Transilience has surpassed 20% on Unbound.
In all the power of the Dunning-Kruger effect, I will assume I have not overstayed my welcome on Inkshares. That despite taking my novel elsewhere to be crowd-funded, you all want to know what’s happening in my tiny world.
I am certain you do...
I have good news!
At this very moment, the ultimate answer to the universe is: Order a copy of Transilience today. https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Fun fact: I originally had Order a copy of Transilience today in quotes but I changed it to italics because it looked sexier.
The number of days left in Transilience’s campaign: 42.
See where I’m going with this??
If it helps, I’m not sure I do. This seemed funnier in my head.
Seriously though, please take a look at the site. Many of you support Transilience during its run on Inkshares. Some of you said very flattering things about it. Some of you have supported it on Unbound, and I am eternally grateful. I’m hoping for the more of the same...even if its on another site.
It’s a bit like when a friend transfers schools because a parent got a new job in a different city. You don’t have to stop being friends with them. Maybe you get to hang out on the weekends. Go see a show. Hang out at the mall. The situation has changed, a little, that’s all.
Oh! And! And! I am giving away a painting. It’s a painting I did on a noir theme. It’s original and it’s unique (in that it’s the only one I’ve painted like it).
And!! Regardless of your contribution level, you get your name placed lovingly in my novel. For a mere 10 pounds (~15 bucks) you receive an eBook with your name immortalized within its pages.
(Deep breath) And!! You get to do an incredibly noble thing for a guy trying to be a writer.
One more time. The link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Oh! I also wrote a piece on why I write. You can find it on my blog. A place where I am the Hobo King and a wooden nickel will buy you a tin cup and an endless supply of gin.
https://braggkevin.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/why-i-write/
Cheers!
Kev
Hello!
Stickman Helm. Hell yeah!!
The first of more to come.
Follow the link to watch "The Chase".
The link: https://youtu.be/woiNr1sarFA
If you like it, smack that Like button. If really liked it, head over to Transilience’s campaign page on Unbound and be a part of making it happen!
The other link: https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience
Again, I am raffling off original artwork as soon as my novel hits 20% funding. Order and become eligible. It’s that easy.
Thanks!
Kev