2013 and The Next Big Thing

Well, this is awkward. So, I'm still working on Scattered Together. It's coming along nicely too. I wanted to make sure it was the best it could be. Thankfully, it's almost done now. I'll probably have it done this weekend and then it's just a matter of uploading it to Amazon and working on the last details.

I plan on 2013 being a busy year. The following is a list of things I hope to achieve throughout the year:

• Scattered Together released
• Audio books for Perhaps. and Scattered Together
• A second edition of Perhaps. with a couple of minor grammatical adjustments and less overall pages
• Web comics (more on this later)
• A "What If?" section where stories you know and love take an unexpected turn from their already published story line to lead somewhere new and hopefully hilarious.

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A couple of weeks ago, Eirik Gumeny, friend and fellow word-jockey, asked me to answer a couple of questions for The Next Big Thing. I had never heard of it, but liked the idea of talking about myself and thought, why not. Here we go:

What is the working title of your book (or story)?

Ah. Well, the book is called Scattered Together. It's a collection of short stories. Some are new, but most have been previously published in various forms before. The story that I'm currently finishing up at the moment is called "Peg LeTron" and is the one that makes me shoot the most milk out of my nose.

Where did the idea come from?

A severe "dislike" of certain "vampire" books and an unabashed love of all things taco. And New Jersey. That place does something to a writer's mind. 

What genre does your book fall under?

The book has a wide variety of genres. Anything from science fiction and fantasy to every day life. "Peg LeTron" falls under absurd dystopian future.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I just want to start with saying that this question is great. I'm currently attempting to do this with my other works, mainly because it's fun, but for the time being and for the sake of space, I'll stick with "Peg LeTron" for now.

TAL: Sam Rockwell. You'll see why in a minute.

JESS: Olivia Wilde. Jess is smart, tough and a little insane and Olivia is a perfect fit.

TACOTAL: Sam Rockwell (with makeup). Double the Sam! Based on his performance in Moon - never mind the fact that he's an amazing actor - he would have no trouble with this. And if you haven't seen Moon you should see it now!

"GLITTERY VAMPIRE": Wesley Snipes.

PEG LETRON: Tracy Morgan in costume with some good ol' CGI to flesh it out. (Ha! Flesh out a robot.)

"MUTATED HUMAN/KETCHUP PACKET HYBRID CREATURE": Having yet another genetic mishap it would have to be Jeff Goldblum.

RAOUL: Jonah Hill in costume with a little CGI to help out.

ROBERCULIES: Dave Chappelle. Because I miss him.

TACOMEN: Will be a mix of costumes, make-up and CGI. All of them voiced by Billy West.

THE SOFTIES: Same as above.

VAMPIRE LORD KENNETH: Jim Parsons. Mainly because I want to meet him, but also because he's fantastic.

VAMPIRES: My friends. You'll all be non-speaking extras so we won't have to pay you that much. Muahahahahahaha!

"DAVID": Eirik Gumeny. Both Eirik and "David" are completely mad. And if Eirik had stayed in NJ I fear this is what he would have turned into. Thank you, Monica, for saving him from The Garden State. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

In a universe, in a galaxy, in a solar system, in a world, in a hemisphere, in a continent, in a country, in a local municipality, in a house, in your hands sits a book so chock full of absurd stories that it would be a crime against nature to not sit and read it this very nanosecond.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It will be self-published through Amazon.com. 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscripts?

Around two years or so.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'd have to say Exponential Apocalypse by Eirik Gumeny would be the closest.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The book? I don't know. Seemed like the thing to do. The story? A three hour drive to Connecticut.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

"Peg LeTron" also has teleportation and donuts. Concerning Scattered Together, I'd have to say the other stories. Two stories are continuations from my previous collection, Perhaps.. There's also "Abs Killstrong" which is an epic comedic fantasy story. Plus there are two or three hidden, or unlisted, stories as well. Sort of like the hidden track on an album.

That's about it for today. Off to finish Scattered Together and create some cover art representative of my current city, Liverpool, UK . I hope everyone is excited for a busy year. I know I am.