Transition Girl

Why transition girl?... Best answered by a quote from the Iliad....."The soul was not made to dwell in a thing; and when forced to it, there is no part of that soul but suffers violence."

Friday, July 20, 2018

celebrating milestones

There are just a few short days before the release of my sixth book - "the Peithosian Gift".

It's fair to say, I am quite excited about this one. It was a labour of love, taking almost five years to draft, redraft, rewrite, and finally edit. There were a few major life events along the way, one of which was my mom passing away suddenly from the effects of a very aggressive blood cancer. I know, it's those 'moments' in life that shape us. That particular event certainly led the charge of me shifting closer towards full hermit mode. Writing about philosophical dilemmas in my fiction writing and pumping up the volume on my reading of philosophical literature.

At this stage of the process, when the book has been through its editorial paces, the art work for the cover and marketing made sparkly, the distribution networks lined up neatly, pre-sale markers doing the rounds, and the final discussions with the marketing team about the strategy to get the book onto reader radars - this is the 'business end'. I have the added benefit of two publicists for this latest book - one in my main market (north America) and another in a market I'd like to reach (UK/Ireland).

The marketing this time around will be a 4-6 week book campaign - getting the book out to influential reviewers, organising interviews, and giving a very large number of librarians an opportunity to look it over. I may have to burn the midnight oil for some interviews given I'm on the other side of the world compared with my main markets, but this is a small price to pay to share my insights about the themes of the book.

As for those themes, I explore a few: (1) freedom to make your own choices in life, (2) abuse of power, (3) family loyalty, (4) concentration of power in the hands of a few, (5) Nature versus nurture. I also consider how history has a way of repeating itself especially when we do not remember (or know) why we were fighting the first place.


The book will be available through all the usual sites (Amazon, Book Depository etc) but here's a link to the publisher's pre-order page if you wish to venture there:

https://www.rowanvalebooks.com/book/the-peithosian-gift

And if you're wondering what the book is about, here's a brief synopsis:

The Peithosian Gift is a speculative fiction novel about two warring clans with the power to control the minds of others. Since ancient times, the Morgans and the Kanes have violently disputed the right to use their gift. The present-day Morgans are outnumbered and persecuted by the Kanes for using their gift; most are in hiding, while others avenge the slaughter of their kin. The Kanes hunt and assassinate Morgans to prevent a mind-controlled world. While one clan seeks a ‘saviour’ to restore the imbalance, the other fears the birth of a too-gifted child. Radha, born of a third, lost clan, has superior powers that she is scarcely able to control. Events lead to a clash of clan leaders and key players, forcing Radha on the run with both sides hunting her.

Remember "your will is not your own" - accept it and you will survive.

And, finally, no milestone celebration would be complete with setting the next milestone. Tthe teaser for the sequel, "the Peithosian Curse", which is now being drafted is - "what would you do to fit into the crowd?" I am VERY excited about where my characters will be venturing in the book to come.

Happy reading.