Mark Teppo's Blog, page 5
October 29, 2013
Katabasis Release Day
It’s new Foreworld book day around here. This is Katabasis, the fourth volume in The Mongoliad Cycle, and the one that I will look back upon as being one of my favorites. The three volumes of The Mongoliad were a thrilling rollercoaster ride, but Katabasis holds a special place in my heart because it’s the book where there’s a lot of payoff. Not just for those who have been following The Mongoliad, but there are a number of little rewards for those who have been reading the SideQuests as well. Everything comes together—for me, at least—in Katabasis.
There’s one more to follow. Siege Perilous, written by our favorite stand-in, E. D. deBirmingham. There are a few loose ends regarding the Church and a mysterious cup that need resolving . . .
While we’ve been tumbling toward this date, I’ve been quietly getting things done on the Resurrection House front. The latest news post takes about getting distribution taken care of (PGW, for those who are following along), as well as news of a few acquisitions: two books by Darin Bradley and one by Forrest Aguirre. Fall 2014 is starting to shape up nicely. Now, to do editorial letters, source cover art and design, get the books into the system, and start the marketing machinery. Ah, there’s nothing like the “can do!” entrepreneurial spirit.
August 27, 2013
August 1, 2013
Post Funk
I spent the last two days in a bit of a funk, brought about by that irksome between project doldrums, a tweaked neck, and a bit of the summer malaise. I attempted to flush it from my system by getting out of the house and spending time with some of my delightful friends, which also resulted in an opportunity to visit Paper Hammer up in Seattle. The storefront of the Might Tieton artistic community, Paper Hammer is chock-full of letterpress goodness. I went looking for ideas that could be used for the print edition of The Potemkin Mosaic and came away with thoughts of accordion books and message bottles.
Otherwise, I’ve spent a few days noodling on the opening of HERE BE MONSTERS. I suspect that’ll go out in a few days and we’ll see what Mr. Agent Man can do with it. I still need to do some more marketing for Queen of Faith, as well as some outreach for Earth Thirst.
I’m spending a lot of time thinking about presentation and new projects and big ideas. But it’s a lot of thinking yet.
Reading: Rob Ziegler’s Seed.
Watching: Justified – Season Four.
Listening: David Sylvian – Gone to Earth [disc 2]; Scylla Unreleased Demos*.
*Wikipedia claims these are a “poor quality bootleg,” but it’s basically Curve as an overdriven garage band playing IN YOUR GARAGE, which is still better than 90% of the crap out there.
July 29, 2013
Summer Escapism
I embraced Summer Escapism a bit over the last few days, and caught both Wolverine and Red 2. I was somewhat surprised by the former, and still have a headache from the latter.
Matt Patches has a great article at film.com about James Mangold’s inspirations for Wolverine, and while I think some of them are a little forced, it’s nice to see someone trying to break out of the staid mediocrity of the summer tentpole. And I completely agree with the third act failure. I had almost forgotten I was in an X-Men film until the last act. The bits with Jean Grey are great.
And Marvel doesn’t quite get the concept of the teaser. They should look at Fast and Furious 6 for an example of how to do it right.
As for Red 2, do you remember that scene in Despicable Me 2 with the shark wired with dynamite that is strapped to a rocket? Yeah, that’s the sort of shark that Red 2 tried to jump. I think Bruce Willis has invented quite a career for himself over the years, and no end of admiration to him for making it work (there’s a scene in the first Expendables where he tries not to smirk while in a scene with Schwartzenegger and Stallone, in a very ‘Who knew I would be the guy with an actual career in action films?’ sort of way), but I think we’ve reached that point where it’s time for something new for Mr. Willis. He can certainly show up and keep collecting checks for shooting things and giving us that wild-eyed look of exasperation, but I think I’m done opening my wallet for that.
What a waste of talent. I hope they all got decent travel packages.
Eh, okay. Any scenes with Byung-hun Lee or Helen Mirren in them were great. And Brian Cox’s shoe-sniffing Russian spy stole every scene he was in. Well, both of them, anyway.
