Stuart Aken's Blog, page 236

Today’s the Day!

The launch party is off the ground, or will be, from 12:00 noon (BST).  You can join in the fun and excitement of the launch of my epic fantasy trilogy. Book 1, Joinings, (A Seared Sky), is published today in print and ebook formats. More than a book, it’s a work of love and craft in preparation for years and brought to you by the added skills of a brilliant publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing.
This unique novel will delight all adult readers (because of the themes addressed, I advise a reader age of 15 and above).
The launch is an online event so everyone can attend and join in the fun. There’ll be giveaways, signed print editions, interaction with the author, interviews, videos and more. It’s easy to get involved; click this link and you’ll be whisked to where everything’s happening. I’ll be at the party for as long as I’m able. Come along, ask questions, join the gang here, interact.
For those unable to make it, here are the links to buy the book:
Both formats UK; 
Both formats US; Related articles Romancing the Fantasy - Stuart Aken It's Here! The Promised Cover Reveal.

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 1

Can it really be the day before the launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings. 
Excited? I can’t wait!

In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown.
In reverse order.
And, on the final day of countdown, I give to you
One ominous omen:  
The Skyfire – searing the sky to burn the underserving?
Who will burn? Will the omen lead the way to resolution or disaster? Find out when you read A Seared Sky: Joinings, launched in print and ebook formats, by Fantastic Books Publishing, tomorrow. There’s a great party full of fun, giveaways and more. And it’s virtual, so you can join in from anywhere in the world. One click here, and you can be one of the first to get the paperback or ebook; or both!

We want as many of you as possible to be involved, so we’ve decided to start at 11:00 GMT, that’s 12:00 noon BST, and I intend to be on hand for at least 12 hours, and, if I can keep awake, longer. For your own time equivalents, here are some pointers for the start (come along once you’ve woken up, if you’re in the early slots): PST – 03:00, AST – 07:00, IST – 16:30, EST – 06:00, MST – 04:00, CT – 19:00, CST – 05:00, CET – 12:00, Rio de Janeiro – 08:00, EET – 13:00, South Africa – 13:00, Sidney – 22:00.Related articles Romancing the Fantasy - Stuart Aken The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 4 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 3 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 2

It's Here! The Promised Cover Reveal.

Okay, Fantastic Books Publishing and I have been teasing you with bits of the cover and hints about releasing it in full.
The book, in case you’ve not yet heard of it, is the first in the epic fantasy trilogy, A Seared Sky, and is titled, Joinings.

Well, with the publisher’s agreement, I’m revealing the fantastic cover of the ebook, which shows only the front, of course. 

I love it! I'd be fascinated to learn your reactions. Stick a comment down there with your views.

To see the full wrap-around for the print version, you’ll have to wait until launch day, 30 March.

You can, of course, come along to that and perhaps pick up a giveaway, maybe grab a signed copy of the print book, join in the fun, ask me questions. It starts at 12:00 noon BST and I’ll be there until my eyelids refuse to stay up any longer.

You can pop along from anywhere in the world because we’re doing this online to give the maximum number of readers the chance to join in. And all you have to do, is click this link to get there.

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 2

What? Only 2 days until the launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings. 
Excited? Too right, I am!

In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown.
In reverse order.
And, on the second day of countdown, I give to you
Two terrifying fire mountains:
Mount O’bo – alive with ash, rumbling with threatYlcrat – fiery island threatening to engulf
Will they burn? Will they escape the red-hot flows? Discover all when you read A Seared Sky: Joinings, launched in paperback and ebook formats on 30 March, by Fantastic Books Publishing.
Come, join the party and enjoy all the fun of the book launch, wherever in the world you dwell. Virtual and online so everyone can be there. Just a click away; right here. Be amongst the first to get the paperback or ebook; or both!Related articles The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 5 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 4 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 3

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 3

Yin Yang via  https://openclipart.org/Are there really only 3 days to go until the launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings? 
No wonder I’m excited!

In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown.
In reverse order.
And, on the third day of countdown, I give to you
Three themes a threading:
Good versus evil – what epic fantasy could exist without this one?Hypocrisy in religion – unusual for the genre, but a spur to great adventureLove conquers all – of course it does! Uncommon in epic fantasy, but bringing another layer to the complex story.
Which characters are good, which evil? Who is most guilty of hypocrisy? Who is in love, and will their romance end in triumph or tragedy? Find out when you read A Seared Sky: Joinings, launched on 30 March by Fantastic BooksPublishing.
Come along to the party and enjoy the fun of the book launch, wherever in the world you live. Virtual, online so that everyone can ‘attend’, and only a click away; right here. You can be one of the first to get the paperback or ebook; or both!

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 4

4 days to go until the launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings.  Excitement rising!
In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown. Mine are in reverse order.
And, on the fourth day of countdown, I give to you
Four fearsome frozen mountain ranges:
Prolanq Mountains – distant background mysteryMountains of Chakanh – high pass to evil?The Unnamed Mountains – a barrier breached?Mountains of Geldakq – forbidding cold in tropical climes
Which of our players knows the world, fights evil forces, risks the great unknown, faces the implacable, relentless frozen wastes? Find out for yourself, with the publication of A Seared Sky: Joiningson 30 March, by Fantastic Books Publishing. Join the party fun of the book launch, wherever in the world you live. It’s virtual, it’s online, it’s just one click away; right here. And you can be one of the first to get the paperback or ebook; maybe both!
Related articles The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 11 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 6 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 5

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 5

Only 5 days to launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings.  Rising excitement!

In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown.Mine are in reverse order.
And, on the fifth day of countdown, I'd like to give to you

Five forests full of mystery:Western Forest – the fearsome terzet horn lurks The Greenreald – a welcome retreat, but stay away from Mhortag’s TreadGreat Forest – wild men in a wild placeForest of Treshahn – peaceful idyll, perhaps?Groves of Ytraa – great sentinels from the beginning of time

Who will wander through the trees unhurt, face death and madness under darkest canopies, idle beneath widespread boughs, tremble at the sound of fierce beasts unseen? Discover for yourself, with the publication of A Seared Sky: Joinings on 30 March, by Fantastic Books Publishing. Join in the multiple fun of the book launch party wherever in the world you live. It’s virtual, it’s online, it’s a click away; right here. And be one of the first to get the book in paperback or ebook format, or both!Related articles The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 11 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 6 The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 9

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 6

Pic from  https://openclipart.org/Just 6 days to launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings.  Excitement rising.

In the spirit of that well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown.
Mine are in reverse order.
And, on the sixth day of countdown, I give to you
Six sexy sorts:Okkyntalah – experience grows a lad’s confidenceSyylvah – too hot to handle!Aklon – loves them all, loved by them allDagla Kaz – evil man, evil waysPhrysilda – little bundle of fun, and handy in a fightUnnamed woman – mysterious mistress of enchantment
I don’t want you to get the idea that this book is erotic. But it is a story for adults. Sex is a vital part of human life along with food and movement, so it’s not left out of the picture, but neither is it described in hot detail here. You’ll need your imagination if you want that. I’d be happy for a 15 year old to read it, and a maiden aunt, if that helps those in doubt.
But you can discover for yourself, with the publication of A Seared Sky: Joinings on 30 March, by Fantastic Books Publishing. And you can join the fun of the book launch party wherever you are in the world. It’s virtual, it’s online, it’s here (give the link a click to take you there). And, you’ll be amongst the first to get the book in paperback or ebook format, or both, of course!Related articles The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 7

The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 7

Pic via  https://openclipart.org/  7 more days before the launch of A Seared Sky: Joinings.  Excitement rising daily. 
In the spirit of the well-loved seasonal song, I offer you the 12 days of countdown. 
Mine are in reverse order. 
On the seventh day of countdown, I give to you
Seven shadowy stories:Lord Gadhallah – voices tell him what to do, always evil?Mythanpho – daughter of the sun, saviour of her people?Vaarkil – fished from the lake, and returning a hero?Ytraa – at the very beginning of the world?Ulkhon – travelling the daytime skies eternally?Mhortag – evil personified, or misunderstood? Na-Dagon – how many heads, and why?

These legends and myths, underlie the different beliefs of those who live in my invented world. Which is really good, which really evil? All will be revealed in the trilogy. Book 1, A Seared Sky: Joinings, published by Fantastic Books Publishing, is launched as paperback and ebook on 30thMarch. And you can be there on the day, no matter where in your world you reside, by clicking this linkRelated articles The 12 Days of Launch Countdown: Day 8

Hear Her Speak: Tumalind Answers Questions for Readers.

As launch day approaches, the Fantasy Editor from Fantastic Books Publishing is interviewing some of my characters. Here, he speaks with Tumalind, a young woman who becomes one of the main players in the trilogy.

A Seared Sky: Joinings, will be published in paperback and ebook formats on 30th March. 
I’ve seen the full cover now and -Wow! - it’s great. But you’ll have to wait a short while until we reveal it. You can, of course, keep up with the news and join in the fun by trolling over to the launch page; give this link a click.