Click on the cover to get it on Amazon!
It’s been out 12 days, and has nine 5-star reviews – better check this one out!
Book Description:
One man. Two worlds separated by a universe. Space-time warped by black holes. In the passing of seconds on Earth, Major Niall Kearey has witnessed the birth and death of generations on Astereal. His mind shortcuts light years to visit a fantastical world of floating sky cities populated by telepaths.
Astereal is in decline, the dueling forces of black holes threaten extinction. Ancient prophecy predicts their interstellar visitor brings salvation. As Niall faces the staggering truth – that his alien dream world is real – he and his family are targeted by secret societies, scheming politicians, and the US military.
Time is running out as Astereal races towards annihilation and temporal alignment with Earth. Power brokers vie for control of his capabilities. Niall must act, balancing the needs of Earth, his family, and the alien civilization he has come to know and love.
The fate of two worlds rests on his shoulders.
“This military thriller turn paranormal/science fiction adventure will leave you wanting more from Ms. London. An absolutely amazing story!” Goodreads review.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
TR: Good morning, Ceri! I’m thrilled to have you on this morning!
CL: Good morning, Thomas – thanks so much for having me.
TR: My pleasure. Ok, so let’s get the train rolling, shall we? How old were you when you wrote your first piece?
CL: I didn’t ‘write’ until I got an AMSTRAD computer in my early twenties. I sat down and wrote a story. I have no idea what that story was about, but it was so much fun that I signed up for a creative writing evening course. Although I read a lot of science fiction/fantasy, my writing ability and knowledge was nil. World building and original characters were a little beyond me, but I’m not one for starting small and working up. I jump madly into things and drown. So I wrote a Star Trek novel and immediately submitted it to Titan, or was it Paramount? I can’t remember. It got returned in due course. Submissions were posted in huge brown envelopes back then. I cringe to think about it now. It will be in a box somewhere in the attic.
TR: Ah, fond memories, eh? What have you written since then?
CL: I will admit to writing fan-fiction several years ago – another sci-fi TV show that is fan-fiction friendly. I got a lot of feedback and had a fan base. None of it is on the internet now, but fan-fiction is where I learned to build my own worlds and original characters. My writing improved dramatically over two to three years. Then real life took over. I tried a couple of short stories – I’m really not good at those – and did a Writing Bureau course in 2010. That is where my Shimmer in the Dark (series) got sparked into life. The exercise was to write a plot outline/synopsis and later the first chapter. My first tutor found so many holes in the plot and, rightly, pointed out that I’d squeezed the second half of the story into one small paragraph at the end. I guess I thought the how and wherefores would be intuitive. A second tutor saw the revised plot and Chapter 1. He loved it. (I must send him a copy of the published book!)
TR: That’s a path I’ve not heard before – fascinating! Now, what was the inspiration for “Rogue Genesis?”
CL: It’s inspired by several concepts that I wrote about in my fan-fiction days: a hero who can manipulate energy and forces and who effectively lives across two different worlds. I have enjoyed playing about with different timeflows before. Messing with time and other dimensions opens up such a wealth of possibilities.
TR: So difficult to get the whole time/space thing right. Very tricky. I’m curious to see how you pulled it all off. Tell us a little about it, and where it’s available.
CL: “Rogue Genesis” is a standalone novel, and the first book in the “Shimmer in the Dark” series, a four book arc. Niall Kearey is a USAF Major whose career has been in Special Tactics. Saving lives. He’s psychically gifted, as in he’s capable of manipulating electromagnetic forces, and more. In crisis situations, his subconscious takes a time out on a world on the far side of the universe.
A reviewer summed it up really well, ‘astral projection through a wormhole.’
Balanced on the edge of multiple singularities, the planet Astereal experiences a far faster time flow than Earth. One black hole is outgrowing the others, altering the balance of gravitational forces and slowing Astereal’s time flow into Alignment with Earth’s. It’s also turning the planet into a volcanic ball of destruction – Astereal’s telepathic inhabitants face extinction. They place a heavy mantle of responsibility on Niall, believing he can bridge them to Earth, all one hundred million of them.
Back on Earth, Niall doesn’t even believe Astereal is real. He thinks his centuries spent flying anti-grav falc’huns between cloud cities, and defending the Astereans from an ancient enemy, is simply a dream. But secret societies on Earth have noticed the signs of Niall’s uncanny ability to evade certain death. He’s transferred to an intelligence outfit researching the link between electromagnetic forces and psychic phenomena. His new job opens his conscious mind to the reality of Astereal. The more he learns about himself and his abilities, the more he attracts the wrong kind of attention.
Rogue Genesis is full of twists, drama, betrayal and love on an epic scale. Although it’s set in the US, the corruption is international, and Niall has to make some momentous choices to save those he cares for.
The fate of two worlds rests on Niall’s shoulders.
TR: That sounds intricate – and I can’t wait to read it. 🙂 So, is there a particular place or setting where you get your writing ideas?
CL: No. Sorry. I’m really boring on that score. I do solve plot problems overnight, though. I let my subconscious work on problems. It’s more willing to push the boundaries, and conjures up some imaginative schemes to get its own way.
TR: No apologies needed. That’s a great way to solve problems. Now, you’re an indie writer. What made you choose independent publishing?
CL: Absolute Writer’s Forum is a great resource for writers. I found my beta for Shimmer there and she’s been with me since the start of 2011. She’s amazing. However, I could not write a decent query letter for an agent that passed the Query Hell test. I wasted months on it. I refused to submit a substandard letter to a single agent.
While doing this, I researched agents, and publishing, and wondered why I wanted to give up control of my book if I was going to have to do most of the marketing myself anyway. The new paradigm in the publishing world does not reconcile with my handing over so many rights and so much royalty to others who didn’t create the actual product. Yes, self-publishing is damned hard work. There is a lot I’d want an agent to handle for me, like movie rights and other subrights, but I’m happy handling the e-book side and developing print-on-demand later. Of course, if a good agent knocked on my door, I’m going to listen. Rogue Genesis would make a phenomenal epic sci-fi film and it’s just the start of the series.
TR: Sounds as though you have a great system going for you. Tell me, if you had to choose the most important element in an author’s platform, what would it be?
CL: Getting your book known. Building up a fan base. Hugely time consuming, but really rewarding. Self-publishing has forced me to get out there. I’ve met some wonderful authors and now I’m getting to know readers and reviewers. Loyal fans are genuinely interested in helping authors succeed. Authors want to write books their readers will love. It’s a symbiotic relationship I hadn’t fully appreciated before. I just want time to finish Book 2!
TR: What mistakes have you made in regards to publishing and marketing your work, and what will you do differently in the future?
CL: I underestimate how long it will take me to edit and proofread. I can be too much of a perfectionist and won’t stop fiddling. I must drive my betas (editors, really) to distraction. I need to do a lot more marketing: book tours, blogging, interviews, events, giveaways, getting my book on to other platforms. The challenge will be getting the right balance between writing and everything else. That includes family.
TR: It’s tough, doing it all, isn’t it? So,what’s on for your next book?
CL: Niall Kearey has to deal with the fall out of his decisions in Rogue Genesis. His capabilities are growing, refining, perfecting, which makes him an especially dangerous adversary. He could be the best asset of the human race, or their worst nightmare. He hopes he can live a normal life. Deep down, he knows nothing will ever be the same. He soon discovers a new foe in an unexpected quarter, and the consequences from that will reveal details about his heritage that are hard for him to deal with. He may not be given the chance. Earth has to look out for its own interests. Buy my book and the first chapter of the next can be found at the end.
Thomas, thank you so much for having me on your blog. You’ve taken me on a trip down memory lane. And talking about my next book has set my fingers itching to open up that manuscript and start tapping away!
TR: Good! From the sounds of it, you need to get that second one moving. Ceri, it was my pleasure. Stop by anytime!
That’s a wrap,. folks! “Rogue Genesis (Shimmer in the Dark)” sounds great – why not drop by Amazon and get yourself one?
Thomas Rydder 