Adam J. Whitlatch's Blog

The Temujin Saga Comes to Hardcover!

At long last, The Temujin Saga is available in hardcover, exclusively from Barnes & Noble. You can now add these gorgeous hardcover editions of Birthright and War Machines to your collection for just $24.99 each.

Genghis Khan’s tomb has been found, and his remains stolen. A malevolent alien race called the Seignso plan to use Khan’s genetic material to create the ultimate warlord. When the Federation of Allied Systems learns of the plot following a raid on an illegal Seignso colony, a gifted geneticist sets out to beat the Seignso at their own game.

Thirteen years later, a boy named Alex Walker begins hearing voices. Objects begin moving on their own. Is he going mad? Three strangers from the stars know the truth, and Alex must trust them to train him for a war only he is equipped to fight. Little do they know, however, that there’s a traitor in their midst.

The battle for all life in our galaxy, begins here… on Earth.

Click the following links to purchase Birthright and War Machines in hardcover!

A Vampire Fan Favorite Returns in the Heartbreak Edition

When Vengeance for My Valentine first hit stores in 2018, I wanted cover art that would shock readers and draw vampire fans in. At the time, the bloody heart seemed to only accomplish the former, so I swapped it out for a more tame (but no less breathtaking) cover image for the second edition. After returning to the convention and festival circuit after two years of Covid-19, however, it seems fans are finally responding to it. I’ve been trying to unload my remaining stock of the first edition for some time, and now that I only have a handful of them left, they’re flying off my table at every event.

Only a fool doesn’t pay attention to the fans, but with the second edition sporting a gorgeous wraparound painting by Protoguy, what am I to do? Introducing the Heartbreak Edition! This Barnes & Noble exclusive hardcover edition contains the same hard-hitting vampire story the fans know and love wrapped in a gruesome dust jacket.

The Heartbreak Edition can be yours for $19.99. Click here to order today!

A Fan Favorite Returns in the Heartbreak Edition

When Vengeance for My Valentine first hit stores in 2018, I wanted cover art that would shock readers and draw horror fans in. At the time, the bloody heart seemed to only accomplish the former, so I swapped it out for a more tame (but no less breathtaking) cover image for the second edition. After returning to the convention and festival circuit after two years of Covid-19, however, it seems fans are finally responding to it. I’ve been trying to unload my remaining stock of the first edition for some time, and now that I only have a handful of them left, they’re flying off my table at every event.

Only a fool doesn’t pay attention to the fans, but with the second edition sporting a gorgeous wraparound painting by Protoguy, what am I to do? Introducing the Heartbreak Edition! This Barnes & Noble exclusive hardcover edition contains the same story the fans know and love wrapped in a gruesome dust jacket.

The Heartbreak Edition can be yours for $19.99. Click here to order today!

Temujin Lives!

At long last, the follow up to my young adult military science fiction epic Birthright is coming! This spring, Alex Walker and his crew of super-powered misfits will return, along with their nemesis Temujin, in War Machines - Book II of the Temujin Saga.

Puppeteer Lee lends his brush once again for a stunning digital painting that will wrap around the paperback edition. The cover features one of our heroes, Samrai, battling a Death Walker.

While this book has been a long time coming, I promise that the third installment won't take nearly as long. Once War Machines hits stores, I will immediately begin work on the trilogy's conclusion, the title of which will be revealed in War Machines.

Once again, I'll be posting sample chapters on my Patreon for those who can't wait for the final release. Subscribing also grants access to notes, outlines, sketches, and other exclusive behind-the-scenes material not available anywhere else.

Prepare yourself, Earthlings, because the war continues in 2022.

TEMUJIN LIVES!

The entire world is abuzz with news and speculation about Earth’s newest heroes, the Terran Defense Corps. But who are they? Where do they come from? What are their true intentions? There’s only one question on the TDC’s minds, however, and that is… Where is Temujin?

Humbled by his recent defeat but not broken, Temujin labors in secret to rebuild his forces so that he may strike back against his enemies and deal the finishing blow. A brilliant doctor holds the key to unlocking the full deadly potential of Temujin’s war machines.

Let’s Talk About Ideas and Inspiration

Greetings, all! I hope you’re all staying cool in this scorching heat.

Folks, I want to talk about ideas and inspiration this month. Every author has heard the question “Where do you get your ideas?” at least once from friends, family, or strangers. Well, there’s a simple answer to that: The same place as you!

Oh, you want more?

Ideas come from literally anywhere and everywhere. They can come from brainstorming sessions or simply invade our everyday thoughts or dreams. Believe it or not, the idea for my most popular book series, The Weller, came to me while washing the dishes. As I stood there, my hands pruning in the dirty dishwater, I started to contemplate water and how much we take it for granted. For most of us, water just flows forth from pipes in the walls or comes packed in convenient bottles from the supermarket. I found myself pondering the various methods for procuring water in the wild, and the gaps in my knowledge worried me. Having grown up in the 90s, I was bombarded by environmentally conscious media, and being raised by Baby Boomers, I was also very aware of the Cold War and the fears surrounding it.

This line of thought took me down a rabbit hole of various doomsday scenarios until my thoughts boiled down into a single question: “In the event of a global catastrophe, who will we depend on for clean drinking water?”

A desolate, savage world began to form in my head, populated by desperate, resourceful people. Sandstorms swirled and abused engines roared, and a figure stepped out of the chaos. That man’s name was Matt Freeborn… a weller.

That night, I began writing the first of many stories featuring the ginger-haired, water-gathering vagabond, a violent and terrifying short titled “Land of Plenty.”

For me, inspiration has come from many places, including dreams and flat out boredom, but usually it all comes down to a single question for me, and writing is my way of answering those questions to satisfy my own curiosity. My notebooks are filled with cryptic questions, many still unanswered but promising to keep me in business for decades to come.

This month’s topic came to me a couple weeks ago after I did a signing for a local bookstore. A woman approached my table in front of the shop and began flipping through my books. It was clear from our conversation that she wasn’t really interested in anything my books or I had to say, but I don’t mind chatting with fellow book lovers. Finally, she asked how long I’d been writing, and I handed her a copy of Vengeance for My Valentineand told her I’d started writing the earliest draft of that book as a senior in high school over twenty years ago.

As she flipped through the book, skimming the pages filled with blood, gore, sex, and vampires, she asked, “Did you ever stop and ask yourself, ‘Why am I having these thoughts?’”

I’ll admit, the question rendered me speechless, and my friend who had come to support me and browse the local shops was visibly offended. I felt as though I was on a psychiatrist’s couch, being analyzed. To my relief, the woman soon moved on, but her words stuck with me for the rest of the day.

It’s something most creatives encounter at some point in their career, especially working in the speculative, fantasy genres. I’ll admit it irked me, but I didn’t let it penetrate my armor; I’ve been in the game far too long for that.

In her song “Circus,” Britney Spears sings “There's only two types of people in the world, the ones that entertain, and the ones that observe.”Unfortunately, many who fall in the latter category look down on those who supply their entertainment, not realizing that without creatives and their crazy ideas, their nightly couch warming would be a lot less… well… entertaining.

I’ll close with a message to all creative souls out there: Never be ashamed of your ideas. Not all ideas are gold, but they all have merit, and even those that don’t initially pan out often lead to new, even better ideas. It’s up to you to take rough rocks and put your own special brand of polish on them. Creativity is what makes life worth living. So get your butt in that chair and put your fingers to the keys. Pick up that brush, instrument, or tool. Be inspired by the world around you and worlds unseen.

Create.

May Sci-Fi and Fantasy Giveaway

Click here to find your next fantastic read in this month's giveaway!

Let's Talk About Reviews

So you’ve just finished your latest read. Your brain is swimming in thoughts and emotions. Maybe the book surprised you, challenged you, or made some other kind of impact. Perhaps it was disappointing either in story or quality. It goes without saying that you’re going to have opinions about what you just read. That’s where book reviews come in.

I’ve heard it argued that reviews are solely for the readers, not the author, and that reviews are sacred ground that authors should not tread upon. Ehh… I only partially agree, and I’ll explain what I mean. Just bear with me for a couple minutes.

I know many readers are reluctant to leave book reviews because they find the mere idea intimidating, but I promise you that it doesn’t have to be. The review process is as simple or complex as you, the reviewer, make it. One constant across all book retail and review sites is the rating system. Readers rate their latest read on a scale of one to five stars, with five being a perfect rating. Some sites will even let you leave it at that. Some want you to at least sum up your experience in a few words. There’s no need to write a novel. That’s my job, after all. Just be honest. That’s all we ask.

Reviews serve a dual purpose. The first is the most obvious, to help advise readers before they purchase a book, as well as elevate a book’s standing with retailers. But reviews also serve a second, very important role for the author.

As I stated, you undoubtedly have opinions about the book. Well, this is the perfect opportunity to let the author know exactly how you feel about their work, for good or ill. I understand that being critical can be intimidating, but reviews aren’t just for the reader. Reviews help authors grow by pointing out areas where they can improve their craft. I’d be lying if I said I don’t sometimes take negative criticism to heart, but that’s just an occupational hazard. It takes tough skin to be an artist.

Hit me. I’m a big boy. I can take it.

Earlier, I said that some consider book reviews to be some kind of holy ground, and again, I partially agree. You may have heard a story recently about a young author who received a negative, bigoted review that attacked not the book but the author herself. The author posted a screenshot of the review on Twitter and the Internet responded as you’d expect: Some rallied to the young lady’s aid and bought her book to show solidarity, while others were skeptical and claimed the entire incident was a hoax orchestrated to build clout and drive sales. I won’t speculate on the incident’s legitimacy here. What concerns me is hundreds of outraged readers took to the review section on both Amazon and Goodreads to both berate the reviewer and praise the author… many admittedly without having actually read the book at the center of the entire debacle.

Have you ever seen the movie Highlander? In the movie, ancient, sword-wielding immortals do battle across the centuries until only one remains. Well, the immortals have a sacred rule, and that is that they must never do battle on holy ground. In my opinion, the same rule applies to book reviews. The review section is holy ground, and no matter how hot tempers run, we do not do battle there. Reviews are for the art and never the person. Whether you are a reader or an author, personal attacks have no place in the reviews. Offensive, abusive reviews can and should be reported through proper channels. There are always going to be bad apples on both sides of the process, but we can’t let them spoil the entire bunch.

It’s widely believed that it’s never appropriate for an author to respond to a review, and again, I mostly agree. I would propose that the only appropriate response to any book review is “Thank you.” Otherwise, let it go.

Thank you for your time.

One more thing before I go! Today just happens to be my birthday! In case you’re thinking of giving me a gift (and have read any of my works), reviews are always appreciated, of course.

Stay well, friends!

April Sci-Fi and Fantasy Giveaway

Click here to find your next fantastic read in this month's giveaway!

Is a return to normalcy for fan conventions coming?

As millions of COVID-19 vaccines are being administered across the country, could a return to normalcy for fan conventions be on the horizon? Perhaps, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

For over a year now, conventions (like many recreational events) have been on hold, and aside from the obvious fan disappointment, the cancellations have put the squeeze on hotels, vendors, artists, and yes… authors. In 2019, I attended and sold at over a dozen conventions across the Midwest from Michigan to Oklahoma. To say 2020 put a cramp in my style is putting it lightly. It felt like slamming into a brick wall. Demicon’s cancellation meant I had to rethink my launch of the long-anticipated The Weller - Fear of the Dark. With the bulk of my book sales coming from face-to-face sales at conventions, I soon began to feel the financial effects as well as the psychological ones.

For those who don’t know me personally, I live in a relatively remote, rural area of southeast Iowa. My closest neighbor drives a horse and buggy. I work from home. Needless to say, I’m going a little stir crazy, as I’m sure most of you are. I’m definitely ready for a return to pre-pandemic life, or at least something resembling it.

We’ve come so far, made so many sacrifices. It would be a shame if it was all for naught thanks to a hasty, ill-advised reopening. We need to think this through and make a few sacrifices (I hear you groaning) if we’re going to make conventions in late 2022 (as well as late 2021) safer for everyone.

I’m not going to speculate on mask or vaccination requirements, although if you follow me on social media, my thoughts on those topics are well documented. No, for now let’s just focus on the aspect of conventions that I feel poses the most risk to attendees: Room parties.

To outsiders, fan conventions have a reputation for being endless lines of costumed nerds with poor social skills seeking autographs and collectibles. And they certainly can be that, but they’re also so much more. There are panels, workshops, film screenings, games, costume contests, and of course room parties. Some cons’ party scenes are relatively laid back social affairs with clever, fannish snacks and cocktails like Demicon or ICON in Iowa, but then others are literal raves where booze flows freely, like CONvergence or Anime Detour in Minnesota. But regardless of which type of room party you attend, there’s generally one constant: wall-to-wall perspiring fans crammed into a hotel suite.

As much as we miss these mini-benders, I think it’s clear they’ll need to be put on the back burner until the long-term effects of COVID and the vaccines are known, at least through 2022. And as inconvenient as it may be, I think changes need to be made to hospitality/consuites to minimize contamination risks. There’s no room in a post-COVID world for unsupervised buffet-style spreads with open bowls of potato chips and simmering slow cookers full of soup and nacho cheese. For the foreseeable future, it would be wise for conventions to invest instead in individual-serving, prepackaged snacks and even encourage attendees to bring their own.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s still a ways off, and until we know whether it’s a true signal of better times or a freight train barreling toward us, we need to exercise caution. In my opinion, if we incorporate our masks into our cosplays, maintain social distancing when possible, and dutifully practice proper hand washing, we can achieve at least some semblance of normalcy and get back to getting our geek on!

Stay safe and healthy, friends. I hope to see you all at the next con.

Interview - The Geekiest Podcast

Earlier this week, I had an amazing three-hour chat with Joe, Kaila, and Will of The Geekiest Podcast, and now you can tune in on your favorite podcasting platform!

We covered a WIDE range of topics including my books, War of the Worlds: Goliath, the Weller video game, pets in science fiction, martial arts, and even that time I made film and television star Peter Wingfield spit out his orange juice in a Radisson hotel lobby.

Where do Mogwai come from? Do xenomorphs lurk in my back yard? Will Michael Myers ever fucking die?

Click here to listen, and be sure to SMASH that subscribe button so you don't miss any future episodes.