sequel — spy novels author Xander Richards

Posts Tagged ‘sequel’

Phoney Baloney

Posted by XanderRichards at 3 June 2012

Category: News

Last week, the missers and I got new ‘phones.

Since then, we should technically have lost a load of weight through exertion due to the steepness of the learning curve. These are the latest Android ‘phones, with all the bells, whistles and gadgets one might expect of such technologically advanced devices. Mine even receives satellite co-ordinates and stuff from the Russian GLONASS birds. But to grapple with all this new technology has been something of a stretch for us old Luddites. Thank God, they’re pretty easy to figure out, if complex.

Mine has an application called Polaris Office. No, it’s not ICBM launch control and telemetry systems, it’s kinda like regular Office on your PC. But I was pleased to discover that it’s compatible with my old MS Word 97, which I prefer over the newer versions in approximately the same manner as lounging on the deck with a beer is preferable to dying in agony. I love my old Word 97 and I’m really glad this new ‘phone supports it because it means that some of the next novel is likely to be written on there (not whilst in heavy traffic, I promise).

And talking of which (tenuous little segue there), it’s going well. I’m busy sending the boys somewhere they’ve been before in search of a fresh revelation. Sounds mystical I know; let me assure you that it’s not. I’m enjoying the writing and getting well back into my stride.

I’m also selling books! The printed version is actually going rather well, which pleases me enormously (grab one here). I haven’t received any figures for the e-book yet, but they’re coming around the middle of this month. Hopefully sales have progressed well into single digits!

So with that I’ll leave you for now dear reader. I’ve got plenty of reading to do meself, and a couple of reviews to write. Catch you soon!

Roger and out, X.

Tags: android, book, ebook, edition, glonass, gps, novel, office, phone, polaris, printed, published, satellite, sequel, spies, telephone, wi-fi, writing

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Sequel Roaring Ahead

Posted by XanderRichards at 25 May 2012

Category: News

Thank God for planning! I started planning the sequel to ‘COAST: An Act Of Burial’ quite a long time ago and I’m glad I’ve had the time to think about it. The reader will know that the idea for the original arrived in 1987, so I literally had twenty five years to figure stuff out. This time, not quite as long.

But, that being said, I’ve got a very good storyline (although I’ve yet to bounce it off Jeff, my editorial consultant). This time it’s, shall we say, creepier. The TDR.12 boys are still causing all kinds of mayhem and having a good laugh at each others’ expense, but there’s a more international flavor, totally different settings and a lot more difficulty for our heroes. There are three new characters introduced but some old favorites returning as well. Altogether it advances the COAST universe, but adds its own unique spin too.

I’ve got the sequel all plotted out and now I really just have to knuckle down and do the writing. I’ve got the plot synopsis finished although, last night, I had another great idea which I’ll have to squeeze in. At the moment, the prologue and chapter 01 are done with a short section of chapter 02 written. It’s a very different beast than AAOB, but that’s exciting for me as a writer. New territories to explore, new problems to be solved… great! Brain food.

This week the missers and I got new cellphones, shiny gadgets with tons of features. In particular I’m impressed with the satellite navigation on mine. Not only does it read the American Navstar birds, but is—as far as I know—the first ‘phone to read the Russian GLONASS system as well. Added to this is A-GPS functionality, which uses the phase differences between cellsites to accurize the satellite fix. We tried it out whilst backroading last weekend and it was nothing short of amazing. With the map display on the ‘phone we were watching the features pass the window as they appeared in perfect synchronism on the screen. Whilst this kind of technology may be commonplace to some (perhaps you, dear reader), it’s a pretty new thing for us and we’re having some fun with it.

And that is all for now; have a great weekend!

Roger and out, X.

Tags: a-gps, act, american, burial, coast, espionage, glonass, gps, ideas, map, mapping, navigation, navstar, novel, plot, plotting, russian, satellite, sequel, spies, spy, story, tech, technology, writing

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Six Days To Go

Posted by XanderRichards at 24 April 2012

Category: News

If the retailers don’t get my spy novel out on Monday 30th, I’ll doubtless be really embarrassed. But I guess it’ll happen when it happens. I’ll just have to make sure that the firework display, orchestral concert, circus, global press conference, space shuttle flyby and all the other huge launch events can be flexible. I wish!

I’ve made some new author friends thanks to the wonder of Twitter. One of them, who seems to be a very good writer, has kindly offered to review ‘COAST: An Act Of Burial’ so, by way of return, I’m going to be reviewing the first novel in their sci-fi trilogy. I’ve got some research and another book to read before I can get my teeth into it, but I’m looking forward to it. The story concept is fascinatingly unique.

And talking of story concepts, I guess apart from supporting the marketing efforts of my first novel, I have to write the second. This is a slightly daunting task because, firstly, my brain has mostly been out of writing mode since I finished the first one and, secondly, I had the story of the first in my head for twenty plus years, so it was (relatively) easy. This time it’s a fresh story, new situations, virgin locations and additional characters—to whatever extent, a new world to play in. But I’m looking forward to it.

In other news, I’ve found a Print-on-Demand company who are offering incredibly reasonable prices and low minimum order numbers, so it looks like I’ll be able to do a short print run. The printed copies will mainly be sent to reviewers, but also given to the many people who’ve really helped me out with this venture.

Right, that’s all for now. Only six days to go… set your diaries to ‘stun’. Don’t forget to check out my author page on Facebook!

Roger and out, X.

Tags: action, author, concept, demand, ebook, espionage, facebook, novel, on, print, publish, publishing, sci-fi, sequel, social media, spies, spy novels, thriller, twitter, writing

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Goodreads, Keith, 5 stars
\"...an interesting and well-paced international spy thriller with lots of action!\"
Every Read Thing, Brandon Sears, 4 stars
\"Reading this novel is similar to watching a summer blockbuster!\"
Goodreads, Joel Dietrich, 5 stars
\"A powerfully written novel ... a wonderfully intelligent story that\'s very well researched and uses proper terminology that adds greatly to the story. I was deeply invested throughout\"
Amazon, Jon Bowser, 4 stars
\"I found surprisingly complete, almost cinematic pictures forming in my mind as the dynamic action unfolded ... Richards keeps you well anchored with an unusually strong sense of place.\"
Amazon, John C, 5 stars
\"This is a non-stop action thriller with very exciting and well-written action parts!\"
Goodreads, Mark Carver, 4 stars
\"The vivid cover image pretty much says it all. Grab your copy and hang on!\"
Reader Comment: Albertina Hamby
\"...action sequences which are mind blowing, fast-paced, authentic and draw the reader right in. This is a book you will not likely want to set down, I guarantee it!\"
Reader comment: Mike Gaudet
\"A real true page-turner!\"
Diane Rapp, author of ‘Howl Of The Wolf‘, 5 stars
“James Bond move over! Readers who enjoy military suspense, gutsy heroes and action-packed adventures should buy this book. There are heroes like these men protecting us ... this novel helps us appreciate their sacrifice.”
Reader comment: Tony Toews
\"This book has \'Blockbuster Action Movie\' written all over it!\"