Saturday 29 December 2007

Leader of the Pack - Progress report

My third Choices short story, "Leader of the Pack," is nearing completion. There is a chance that it will be finished next month (Jan 2008). At this stage, I can reveal that:

- It is over 50 sections in length. (The longest of the Choices stories so far)
- It will require the use of a die as part of the gamebook. (The first Choices story to do this)

Friday 28 December 2007

Maps! & My new Work-In-Progress (The King's Scrolls)


Those of you who are familiar with the Lord of the Rings may be aware that the maps of Middle-Earth are quite famous. An interesting map can add that extra something to a written story, particularly, if the reader is drawn to keep referring to the map regularly enough while reading.

I have a fantasy series that I am writing for teens and hope to release one day. Here is a hand-drawn map of the land where the series will be set. There's not much to show at the moment, but it is a start.

The northern part of the map will be the kingdom of Thare (ruled by King Beran and his son, Prince Adlai). The southern part of the map is the kingdom of Sadeh, (pronounced Sar-day) which is ruled by Tanas, the enemy of the King and the Prince.

Thare is divided into twelve provinces (eleven on the mainland and the twelth being the island to the northeast of the mainland).

I have a title for this gamebook series: "The King's Scrolls." I have started writing the first story in this series a few times but have not been entirely happy with it so far. I have kept all the material though, as it will still be of use in the future (particularly when dealing with names of characters, landmarks, cities etc.).

Allegory will be strong in this series, as will the visible presence of demons and angels. (but not always visible, though!)

I am close to being pleased with how this series will go and will be ready to start the first story soon. (I hope).

Here is a picture of the map, in any case.

Jasan

Monday 17 December 2007

Places where "Invitation to a Feast" may be bought & call for reviews

I've compiled a list of websites that I know sell "Invitation to a Feast". They are linked to the appropriate purchase pages. Here they are:

Ark House Press (my publisher) Australia & New Zealand
Ark House Press (my publisher) U.S. & International
Koorong
Word Australia
Booktopia

P.S. Koorong also have a section where you can write a review on the story. If you have already read it and enjoyed it, I would love it if you could write a review (even a really short one) at the Koorong link!

Monday 3 December 2007

Invitation to a feast - Writing competition closed

Just a note for you all that my writing competition has now closed and the winner of the competition will be announced on Dec 22, 2007. As mentioned in previous posts, the winner will receive the first signed copy of "Invitation to a Feast".

Thank you to those who entered.

Jasan