Matthew Chivers's Blog

Rebooting Win... I mean, Series...

So then...
My last blog update was a little bleak (see: The Errors of my Ways).
However, I have been hard at work at making the covers for the reboot in 2016.
I am really happy (ecstatic) about the new look of the covers.
This means:Less clutter when compared to the old editions of the ADA series with the horned skulls and stars - you can clearly see everything on the covers for the series.Dark and light are mixed in well, with a silvery tint, too.By far the most professional covers I have ever created.And, above all of this, I have some very special friends willing to be the Book Actors.
My new covers would not be possible without their help, and I am especially thankful to all of you for offering yourselves to be my characters.
I still need to gather up many of the folks to get some more photos, but I'm just nailing out the finer points of the first cover before I do anything else, and then everything else that follows (such as adding the other actors) will be extremly easy and streamlined.
Please examine the new cover, below:


Here is the breakdown of Resonace, and my explaination on how my thought processes contributed to creating this newly rebooted cover:


Resonance - Dream-State Nation, Vol. I
My good friend Katie Marie is our star female protagonist of the series, Priestess Angelite Rose.
Her three words on the cover, which defines her character throughout the series, are Courage, Devotion, and Sacrifice.
Since miss Rose has a pretty cheery personality, when compared to the other adventurers, Katie's shot shows off this trait perfectly. I have also adjusted her eyes accordingly, so, if you look closely, you can spot the violet glow in her eyes (an important detail as I'm sure you'll all agree).
I have put much effort in striking a background that works - I had to go back to the drawing board to make it more darker, as before it was too light, and it caused a few fans of my books to give me their good reasoning for it (you know who you are)!
I appreciated the feedback, and so went to work making Resonance's cover a lot darker than before. Of course, some elements could still change, but this, I feel, is a good way to show you, right now, at how much effort I'm putting into the reboot.
You may have also seen that the series name has changed. Approaching the Dark Age Series was, you may even think yourselves, far too long a sub-title - something very amateur.
Well, at least I thought it sounded it.
It has been something that has bothered me for many years, but I let it slide - and I should not have, quite simply. Yes, the theme of a Dark Age is still apparent throughout the books (this is untouched , just like the rest of the storyline), but the series sub-title itself, I felt, needed changing.
I almost settled for "Songstress Saga", but, even that didn't ring in my ears as a series title that chimed...
So, thinking hard, I remembered the RPG I was working on a couple of years ago - dubbed "Dream-State Nation".
Then it chimed...
Meridia. A Nation.
Of course - that safe-haven of mankind. It just so happens to be my salvation for a new series title.
So, there we go - this is what the future holds for all of us.
If you have any thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment or find me on the Approaching the Dark Age Series Facebook page.
I want the books to be perfectly written - I want the books to be juiced-up and roaring with energy.
I will succeed - I will finish my series - no matter what.
Until the next update, fellow Meridians!

The errors of my ways...

I have made, probably, the most important decision for my series.

By the end of the year, I shall phase out the current novels in circulation.

This goes for Kindle, Smashwords, and even the current paperback editions printed through Lulu.

Why?

I'm not quitting, before you wonder.

I have decided to start anew - and by this, I mean reboot the entire series from volumes one through four, and maybe five if I get it written in time.

Hear me out - this time is different.

My experience in publishing has been... let's say a turbulent ride, since 2011, having never ever been a publisher before and supporting myself through my own learning.

I have found each step massively difficult when it comes to writing the books, proofing the books, editing the books, creating god knows how many covers, and I have had to overcome massive hurdles with my learning difficulties in all of these steps.

I love writing my books, don't get me wrong. However, even from day one I have never been happy with myself getting them published - I always felt I let myself and everyone else down through my errors.

It has gotten to a point where I don't believe in myself with the way the books are currently formatted and in publication.

I've lost faith.

I know many of you have praised me for pubishing my books, and I thank you for that, honestly - It's just I wish I shared the same sentiment and can actually feel I have really accomplished something - really made an impact.

Past criticisms really blew me down. Really, really hard. At one stage, in 2011 and in 2012, I was prepared to give it all up.

Most negative criticisms weren't for the storyline... It was for the errors.

For the bad editing.
For the missing words.
For the extra words.
For the mispelled words.
For the missing paragraphs.
For the syntax.
For the grammar.

The list goes on and on...

It has gotten to a point where, if I don't do something, once and for all, I would end up getting dangerously depressed over something I really love doing - and I really want to finish my series, I really do.

There are many people who have read my novels - some of you think they are great and can't wait to read more, but then there are no doubt some that think I write complete trash - and that I go about praising myself over something, what you feel, is quite bad or not produced to a professional standard - and I feel I do get ignored for this, which is quite upsetting, though I have never shown or expressed it until now.

One thing I do value are honest opinions - especially friends - but I rarely get a response (which has even led me, in the past, to badger many folks for feedback, because they promise it, in order to sorely help me, and then never, ever do).

In fact, even people I have known for many, many years have defriended me over my tweets, blogs, advertisements, or even posting regularly in my personal facebook feed - and then act completely peachy when I see them in person or just outright ignore my existence.

Therefore, enough is enough.

I want my books to be taken seriously - I want my series to be succesful - I want to succeed with my story.

So, come 2016, I will be doing one massive reboot.

Time to forget the people that once associated me as a friend, or used me as an opportunity for other endevours - because they could only care less.

Time to move on.

Every single book, after new years, will be re-released with the quality covers I have been spending weeks crafting, on and off, with my new actors gracing the covers. Good friends who are prepared to really support me. Plus, they can proudly point at themselves sitting on a shelf in a store or online - an awesome experience.

So, while I have had misfortunes with my series since publishing, lost contact with people who I once counted as friends, I have aquired good fortune in others, and I hope it can stay that way going forwards.

Another imprortant change for next years reboot is the subtitle.

"Approaching the Dark Age Series" has always been a thorn in my side - the actual name, not the series itself - and it feels out of place, to me, on a cover or in advertising.

It's too long. Too muddled.

Therefore, the main titles of my series will not change - Resonance is still Resonance - but the subtitle, the name of the actual series, will be rebooted at the same time as the 2016 releases.

Resonance, Songstress Saga, Vol. I
Orchestra, Songstress Saga, Vol. II...

And so on and so forth...

Since I have developed the storyline, I felt the change was nescecary. Too much hinges on first impressions - especially with a massive title, branded, "Approaching the Dark Age Series". It comes across, to me, as overly trying too hard, or overly applying a book series with a lengthy sub-title.

It can even give a wrong impression, even with a decent cover.

It may take a little while to get used to, but I believe it would be for the best.

If I have to reboot the series to restore faith in myself, and in many others, I really need to step up and change what needs to be done.

Sorry to come across really openly. I am ussually reserved.

However, I am not stupid. I am aware - too aware. And yes, after a while, you do tend to start taking things personally, especially when you mean well.

So there we have it, fellow Meridians.

This author is going to work really hard for you - and he is going to unleash upon this world a god damned epic series, no matter the crap I have to wade through to get it done.

Time to get my ass into gear. Time to begin with the best editing and covers you have ever seen. Time to solve all my problems once and for all.

Attached is the most recently polished cover - now for paperback and hardback for next years release (minus the actor).

Thank you in advance if you managed to read this far.

Happy New Year & Other News!

Happy New Year, everyone!

After a couple of months of recuperation, I'm begenning to feel more my self again - a good thing.

Battling insomnia, though, but work on the plans that I put in my blog will soon be put into focus - and I'm really looking forward to it.

Distortion has been out for a while now, but I have yet to hear of any feedback - will let you know as soon as a review lands, but it could be a while yet - just really hoping the 4th novel is what you were hoping for!

However, after some serious thoughts, I may wrap up the series with just 6 books - I will see how Chorus, Vol.V pans-out first before making anything concrete...

This may mean a new revised title for the 6-7th novels (effectively combining some of the 6th's plot with the 7th story), which could be dubbed "Finalverse Melody" - which means the final book will be the largest of any single book released in the series thus far - and will certainly wrap it all up.

A working title should anything change after 2015 or 2016... However, it may not happen, and I may end up doing my original 7 books as intended - just a serious thought, for now.

If the story is well paced and I am happy with how Chorus turns out, and how it leads into the 6th book (Melody, Vol.VI), and I think the story has enough steam without overly bloating the series than it should be or do, then my original plan will work out fine - I have a large story investment building up for Melody - but it just all depends how much I can develop a certain character throughout a book/series that has many arcs happening at once.

I always get like this when preparing myself for another book - I just wonder if I've got the imagination to keep it going, or if my ideas are good enough to keep the characters alive, or if I can keep the reader engaged...

Especially as my series is a couple of years away from outright completion... which gets me down a bit, thinking about it.

Perhaps I should stop worrying so much - and actually get some sleep.

So, with that thought - I shall hit the sack!

Happy new year, fellow Meridians!

Distortion is Gold & News Updates

Greetings, fellow Meridians!

I am sorry for the delay in appropriately announcing the release of Distortion.

The launch has gone very well and smoothly – in fact, better than I thought it would. I have heard of no complaints, which is satisfying and relieving.

Distortion really sucked out a lot of energy for it being the middle area of the series, bridging both the beginning and soon to be the upcoming remaining books. Many of the story arcs I had built up throughout the first three novels have now come to fruition. Expect less subterfuge in Meridia – in fact, expect a massive war, which you would have no doubt seen brewing since Orchestra, Vol. II.

I really pushed myself and the characters in the story – all of them. From the humans’ point of view to that of the Anunaki. I really went to town on them – and I really hope it has paid off in your enjoyment. There are darker and lighter areas throughout the adventure, similar to Echo, Vol. III. - Distortion has some memorable moments, and some downright sickening ones, but I hope many of you will not feel queasy. However, stay with it, and I ensure any chapter will not disappoint you.

In all, I feel Distortion has served its purpose well as the middle ground for the series. I believe it has made it even stronger, and I will even go as far as saying it will setup the remaining books perfectly.
So then, with Distortion now available all across amazon.com and amazon.co.uk, what else is news?
Well, on the 31st of October just gone, I was finally, after many years, diagnosed with ASD – or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In previous posts and on Facebook I have briefly mentioned this, but now it is official. I was given a diagnosis of Childhood Autism (general Autism as opposed to Aspergers, which is high functioning and without speech delay). As a few of you may have known, I talked about my suspicions often once I learned of the disability and looked into it – I am just thankful I finally had to courage to try again for a 3rd time without a doctor telling me “What good would a diagnosis do. What would it change?” like they did twice beforehand.
What does this mean for me? I just wanted to know – to the point I became obsessive about it (which isn’t good for an autistic). I am disabled and hampered with learning disabilities, including the dyslexia atop it all, but now I look back at my books and nod my head in approval. I am just as capable to get things done – just at an extremely slower pace than everyone else is, but, with a lot of help and encouragement from my family, my fiancée Marion especially, I can work through it and continue slowly in life at a comfortable pace.
It may also explain my bizarre imagination, which may evolve to even greater heights. So then, now that I have blogged about my book and personal development in life, that’s about it for this year.
Thank you to all those who have purchased and are reading the new story – please let me know your thoughts. If you still haven't recieved your Kindle copy in the email for leaving previous reviews of any of my books throughout the series, please email: matthewcchivers@hotmail.co.uk (mark as urgent).
I hope you have a great Christmas coming up, for I will be chilling out and relaxing with my family and friends – I couldn’t enjoy Christmas last year because of Distortion getting stalled, deep down. But now it is out the way, I want to really get into the spirit of our cold holiday season...
Then next year, you can expect... Kindle 2015 updates for Orchestra and Echo (Resonance & Distortion excluded).Paperback for OrchestraPaperback for EchoPaperback for DistortionSeries-wide updates on Smashwords and other e-book retailers.Series-wide updates for the Meridian Archives.(Maybe) A single Paperback with all the Meridian Archives combined.And perhaps... if I really push myself...
Chorus, Vol. V
All of the above will be rolled out during the spring. I’ll let you know, don’t worry. I’ll provide better support for updating your current kindle purchases, too.
So then... Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, and whatever else your into, fellow Meridians!
Ho, ho, ho!

Distortion Launches 22nd November 2014

Pre-purchase Distortion or wait until the 22nd!Good day everyone,

You'll be happy to know that my fourth novel in the ADA-Series will be released on the 22nd of November (this month), which is only 10 days away!

Distortion has taken me since early 2013 to complete, and it has felt like a vast trial with it being the middle-point in the series out of the planned seven novels (meaning only three left to write... *breathe*).

At 116,000+ words, it is longer than Resonance, though slightly shorter than Orchestra, but roughly the same as Echo - regardless, you should have a quality read - I have gone to great lengths to make sure this book has had the golden treatment - in terms of the story, the writing and the editing.

Being the fourth novel, I wanted to finally cement the various plots - so any questions you may of had from the previous three instalments in the series shall now be answered, or, at least in some parts, easier to understand where I am taking you - without outright giving away the ending for the entire adventure.

Character development has also been very, very key throughout Distortion - I really wanted to push some elements of drama a bit more than I normally would, yet, at the same time, keeping it believable, entertaining and quirky.

As such, I am hoping you will react with laughs, tears, or just downright contempt - you are the judge.

In the previous novels, you may have noticed that I developed some of the main protagonists’ one at a time throughout the various arcs. However, in Distortion, that is not the case - practically all my characters have developed greatly in one way or another, as I felt, at this point through the series for those that know my universe quite well, that I could push the boundaries a little more, which in turn has fed me with a sense of freedom that I never had with the previous books.

The level of detail, once I had finished writing it and started the process of proofing and editing, actually staggered me. I took a step back, thinking 'Wow, it seriously looks like someone else is writing it for me.' By this, I mean the way in which the story has unfolded and structured itself over the course of Distortion - I am feeling a sense of real accomplishment with this fourth book...

And I really cannot wait for you guys and gals to give it a read - and then let me know what you think of it compared to the others you have read previously.

The next book in the series is dubbed Chorus, Vol. V - though I will not be starting on that until next year - after all I've put myself through with Distortion, I want to relax a little for this coming Christmas! 

Besides, I have other bits and bobs to update and get ready for the spring (such as the paperbacks for volumes two, three and four), which I can manage at a more leisurely pace.

Now then, where can you buy Distortion?

You can pre-purchase the novel on both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Thank you very much for reading, everyone.

I hope you enjoy Distortion as much as I had massive amounts of fun (and headaches) writing it!

Until next time, fellow Meridians!

(For those that have left reviews of my previous novels in the series, you will have Distortion sent to you for free via email (again, please message me privately). You will receive your copies soon!)

‪#‎prerelease‬ ‪#‎kindle‬ ‪#‎amazonuk‬ ‪#‎amazonus‬ ‪#‎amazon‬ ‪#‎supernatural‬ ‪#‎sciencefiction‬ ‪#‎fantasy‬ ‪#‎action‬ ‪#‎adventure‬ ‪#‎ebook‬ ‪#‎new‬ ‪#‎smashwords‬

US, AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Resonance-Vol-Approaching-Dark-Boo…/…/
UK, AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Distortion-Vol-Approaching-Dark-…/…/

Distortion Complete! Release Date Coming Shortly...

Good day, fellow Meridians!
Apologies for the lateness of my release date. Unfortunately, the book had to be pushed back by over a month, as I had originally feared and anticipated.
However, proofing and editing have begun, and that is by far the easier part of releasing a new novel - everything is there, so it's just a case of fine tuning the damn thing.
In its current format, the story's length is roughly 115,000 words, so a bit more than I had anticipated than in my previous posts, so it is longer than Resonance - although, once the editing process has been completed, it could reach 120,000 words (added my mental notes and filled any gaps) - so a similar length to that of Echo.
Orchestra was a mammoth novel for me on a personal scale - I wanted to attempt it with Distortion, but I decided I didn't want to BLOAT the story with unnecessary trash writing just to claim a word count - and besides, everything in Orchestra had a purpose in the storyline, and so does Distortion, so I didn't want to wane from that purpose - the novel will be what the novel will be - I cannot control it by forcing more words into the book.
Anyway, for the past 2 years now, I've suffered a bit of a dry spell - there were some things in the storyline which I was having trouble finding an answer for. And in others, I really had to fight to keep myself writing - not because I don't love my story enough, but because I find writing so taxing and because I don't have the spare time like I used to - to settle down in my "Zone" of escapism so I can write at full speed.
On the 31st of this month (October), I will be visiting my Autism Spectrum Diagnostician - If you did not know, or I haven't mentioned it properly to you before, I recently went to get diagnosed again for the third time (if you're familiar with my biography on Amazon, you'll see it has been a very long process (fight) for me to get a diagnosis).
The meetings have gone well, but I won't get the final result until the 31st - and, to be really honest with you, I can't wait as it is only several days away. I know the doctors may turn around and say "You do not have ASD" (Autism Spectrum Disorder), so I have to prepare for that outcome - but I am confident that is what has been plaguing me for my entire life.
However, I have supplied vast evidence from my early childhood proving I could not speak properly way until I was 4 or 5 years old, and required intensive speech therapy - on top of not being able to read or write until much, much older. And in order to get a diagnosis as an adult, I needed to provide all the information I could get... which even involved my parents in one meeting.
Apart from that, I have also gone back to college as a means to keep me busy, and to prove how far I have advanced since leaving school. I know I am not the world's best writer, but it won't stop me from keeping at it, no matter what - after all, if I do have Autism, it will serve to give me higher sense of purpose and clarity - to renew my mission when I founded Dream-State Drive Publications.
But alas, my fourth book. I have managed to do it, and all the while keeping the lore, science and spirit behind my novels intact - while providing a good, rough pace of action and adventure, which, as I'm sure you'll agree, is the strongest part of the series? That's for you to decide, of course!
So then, here is my general plan for the next 6 months:
Release the 2015 edition of Distortion on Kindle (Next month in November).Release the same edition of Distortion on Smashwords, complete with the front cover.Re-release the 2015 editions of Resonance, Orchestra and Echo on Kindle (Only Orchestra and Echo will receive love in the editing department where necessary - as always, great care is taken - but it is so that all the novels are standardized with their formatting and dialogue so that they are like Resonance and Distortion).Release the updated Books onto Smashwords, so that they are all the same as the 2015 kindle editions.Finally get round to releasing the paperbacks for Orchestra, Echo and Distortion (Resonance is already out).Once the paperbacks are released, I will begin work on the 5th novel, Chorus.

The 6th novel, Melody, and the 7th novel, Finalverse, are quite some time away from completion - however, once my life picks up, I'm hoping to get the gears going again and finish off the series in the next 2 years.

Distortion has been the unlucky novel - the pinnacle of the mountain, so to speak, as it is the middle novel of the entire series... I've got to climb all the way up, then descend back down it.

I want the story to end to cement my science-fantasy - I love it so much - but I want to see the ending. Correction, I want YOU to read the series ending!

And, oh man, it will be an ending to end all endings. I promise.

But one thing I have to ask of you is to have faith and to keep reading the series after Distortion... You'll understand what I mean once you have read it... please keep the faith!

Right then... back to work for me!

Oh, and before I leave you - yes, Distortion will be released next month (I'll post again within the week to let you know the date).

Matthew.

Big Announcement

Released within the coming month.Okay folks... Big announcement here, and being the first post of this year (wow), this is truly important!

First off, thank you to all who have supported my series - I keep telling myself to keep writing because of the love you've shown for the characters and driven storyline.

Second, thank you for the reviews; that goes without saying! A review allows me to become a better writer, so I am always welcome to them - no matter how bad (both ways) or sarcastic they may be - I take what I will to learn from my mistakes and improve myself, as reading and writing is something I have always struggled with for my entire life, and next year I will be seeking to expand the catalogue of Dream-State Drive Publications to encompass more authors to raise awareness for mental disabilities.

Right then, what's this announcement then, I bet you're wondering!

Well, let's just say I am a week away from finishing the entirety of Distortion - and that is at half-speed. At full speed, I am hoping to finish even sooner. Once that is done, then in about 2 weeks the proofing should also be finished.

I am expecting to release at the end of this month, although I may hold of if anything unexpected happens, then in which case it will definitely be released next month: October.

October is the latest, don't worry. The faster I can fire my cylinders the faster Distortion will be released by the end of this month!

The direction of Distortion has become surprising, even to myself, and as I keep writing and pushing the storyline, it has evolved beyond what I would have imagined. I have aimed to keep the universe true to itself, and the way the story is written is very similar to this years re-released 2014 edition of Resonance.

The story is shorter than Orchestra and Echo, but not by much. As you may already know, my chapters are quite long, and I tend to split scenes with these asterix *** - there is less of that in Distortion, but I believe it will detract less from the story (Gods know what you all thought when you got to Orchestra's ending - let me know).

It will be about the same length, if not a little more than Resonance, as I am in two minds about the end of Distortion, and I want to get it right - and that means spilling the story into the 5th novel, Chorus (I believe that's it, I think Melody is the 6th).

All I can say is that there are massive changes happening - this is the "crunch" book in the entire series where everything flies out of the pan and into the void (couldn't resist). Many things will be explained, and the Anunaki have gained some much-needed Lore as you will read into later on in the story.

Can't wait to release Distortion, let you guys read it - and, above all, let me know what you think!

And remember! Those who have reviewed any or all novels in the series on Amazon will get a free copy posted to your e-mail for free! (If you want it, please private message me your email, then let me know on a thread, like this one, that you've made a request so I don't miss it!)

THE ABOVE IS BEFORE OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE - You will receive distortion in your inbox before release!

There we go, shameless advertising right there - and fan service! *smiles*.

Once Distortion is released, I shall be going over the 2nd and 3rd books in the series, and then I shall release all four stories in paperback form next year (Resonance is already available in paperback). Before that, I really should update the Smashwords editions to the latest Kindle editions - but that will come in time, and probably at the end of the year.

Thank you all again for your patience!

Until next time, fellow Meridians!

Distortion has been distorted...

Hello folks.

November and December have been a bit hard for me, to say the least.

With my Grandad's funeral having just happened, and with my family duties - on top of me desperately trying to quit smoking - Distortion's progress has sadly declined to a snail's pace.

I'm two thirds of the way through it (maybe a little bit more than that) - and in a bid to make sure I give it the love it needs, without rushing, I'm going to have to cut back the release date...

I'm hoping for a late January-early-February release...

March at the latest.

I know I've let you down, and I hope you will forgive me. It's very hard trying to balance everything on one plate, such as writing, family, and time for myself just to relax and get my thoughts together.

However, what this does mean is that I can spend a bit more time perfecting the 2014 updates for ALL four books in the series.

Why?

Because I'm going to re-release the paperbacks in 2014.

I know I said I wouldn't do it until the end of the series - but that's a couple of years down the line - and, to be honest, that's too long to wait.

So, during my relaxing time this December, I decided to spill some creative juices - and came up with some full covers for the paperbacks - and they are dubbed "2014 Edition" - no surprise, of course.

Once I've gone over the books, formatted them for both Kindle/ePub and paperback format, I will go ahead and get them released for around May/June (hence why Distortion will be out by March at the latest - because the other books will be re-published with the new covers and some writing fixes).

The 2014 editions, for all formats (as mentioned a second ago), will have as follows:
Some punctuation revised and updated.Some dialogue improvements. Double checked for double, missing or wrong words.New covers. Not really ground breaking (and yes, I am a broken record) - but, you know me, always seeking to improve...

The Meridian Archives will also have new 2014 editions - including covers - but these will be long after Distortion's release.

I really want to get something physical re-released - I know many people prefer something they can hold in their hands, I'm the same, to be honest - which is why I want to get these sorted out as fast as I humanly can. I believe I've struck the covers I've always wanted, and for ages I stayed with the "Yellow Swans", which some of you may be familiar with, but it never felt quite right, even if the old logo did have something to do with the storyline. So this year, when I went to work in my spare time trying to conjure up different things, I thought my series over from scratch...

The Anunaki in my book, as they age, grow horns on their skulls - I also mention a comet, which begins to take shape from Orchestra, Vol.II - and then there is the "Third Eye", which the Black Sect use to dominate the other Sects in the series (and obliterate their enemies). The universe holds a very personal interest to me, and the stars are mentioned by certain characters in my books (not to mention spiritual) - so, with these elements in mind, I went on to craft some new covers... Now, you will be familiar with the "2013" covers I mentioned a while back - Well, I thought they could do with some more improvement...

I've adopted the A5 style for the paperbacks, and I have also adopted a larger font with wider paragraph spacing - this makes it easier to read on the eyes, while, at the same time, increasing the amount of pages in each novel - the price is inflated because of this. However, I am hoping to get some extra niceties added for each chapter page - and I may even add in two bonus chapters for Resonance - which are specific to the storyline - and are only available in the paperback edition (NOT kindle etc. - so the only way to read them is to grab the paperback)...

It may not happen , but if you like the idea, let me know - I'll toy around with a "Prologue" and an "Epilogue" - I think it would benefit the paperback for Resonance, but we shall see. Please let me know if you're all for reading the extras. These won't be extras from the "Meridian Archive" series, if that's what you were thinking - these will be entirely new chapters never-before-seen.

After all, I have Distortion to write up - and depending on time restraints, I'll have to go with the flow when it comes to any extras...

I have big plans coming up once Distortion is finished... big plans... so I will crack on as fast as I can.

If I don't write up another blog update before or after Christmas and New Years, then...

I hope you have a Merry Meridian Solstice and a Happy New Year!!!!!

So... without further-ado, check out the new paperback covers for 2014, below:

   

Some Bad News & Some Good News

Hello, fellow Meridians.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share.

For a while now, my Grandad has been fighting a war with Lung Cancer. He has been a heavy smoker for over 60 years. He has enjoyed a good, long life, but unfortunately, at the age of 80, he has sadly passed away this morning in hospital.

Feeling really low, as one would expect. I'm thankful I managed to see him in hospital last night for the last time with my family.

I even saw his final kiss with my Gran when he asked us to leave so he could rest.

He was terribly weak, pale, and had lost so much weight. For the past two weeks, he rapidly deteriorated, and much faster than any of us thought possible. He couldn't drink or eat, and then developed pneumonia as the aggressive cancer progressed in his frail condition.

He could barely breathe or talk.

I saw him before he was admitted to hospital, two weeks ago, and he was comfortable at home, and even had a breathing apparatus - all paid for by the NHS, which was comforting to know - but still, he was weak and pale then, too.

With that said, that's all I can say. I will be thinking of him for the rest of my life, and will always tell my daughter about him and what he was like.

Such is the way of our lives. He saw his Great Granddaughter and loved her to bits - he always worried about her walking and falling and hurting herself. I'm so glad I have some fantastic pictures of him, my Gran, and Angelite all in the same picture - I will be getting those printed and framed.

Lovely smiles.

Okay, now for some good news.

Once I learned of my Grandad developing Lung Cancer, I decided enough was enough.

After ten years over smoking, which all began during my college years - I have finally quit - with a bit of help from the new electronic cigarette. There are no cancerous or dangerous elements and, day by day, I am slowly weaning myself off the nicotine for good.

Lung Cancer runs in my family. My Grandad has just passed away because of it, and my Grandmother's siblings, who, two of which, out of six children, smoked - they both developed and died from Lung Cancer - and they were the only two siblings that smoked.

I plan to live my life to the fullest - and I don't want to contract such a horrible disease that destroyed my Grandad. Anyone's time can come along, one way or another, though I think it is safe to say that, if he didn't have Lung Cancer, he would have had a few more years in him.

So, there we go.

I will see how I get on with writing Distortion, Vol. IV - I feel a bit deflated and upset, so I'll see if I can get on with it.

If completing it is nowhere in sight, then I may have to post-pone the release until after new years.

Sorry folks.

On another note, I am going to go ahead with my publishing company, Dream-State Drive Publications. The DSD Facebook page is already up and running, and you can find it through a shared post on the Approaching the Dark Age Series page.

More information and news posted soon.

Thank you.

 

Dream-State Drive Publications

I am considering going ahead with creating my publishing company.

It will be focused primarily on helping other Dyslexic writers/authors (or other language disability impairments, which isn't Dyslexia - such as Autism, Dyspraxia, Aphasia, etc.), but I also want to aim to bring many friends together to create a library of literature (of fantasy/science-fiction) for those that are disabled when it comes to the written word and language.

However, the aim of the publishing house isn't to make money - it will be there to help those, who do suffer from such disabilities, to get the help they need to publish their works. I want to help people who were/are stuck in the exact same boat I was in before I travelled this hard road of self-improvement and determination to get my dreams published.

And, for any readers who do enjoy the fantasy stories of one of the authors associated with the publishing company, they can then check out the other authors - this helps raise awareness for each author.

Any moneys the author earns will go directly to the author - I do not intend (actually, outright refuse) to take royalties as part of creating this publication house.

So, what are the details? What would Dream-State Drive Publications do to help you? Well, as the potential Chairman, this is what I propose to do to help you to publish through DSDP:

• Proofing - I will help proof your work and, at the same time, work with you to help you improve in your writing.

• Editing - I will help edit your work, and help you identify areas of description or dialogue that need improvement or chopping.

• Formatting - be it publishing a paperback, hardback or eBook, I will help format your word documents so they are error free and perfect for publication.

• Publishing - I will publish your stories through Lulu, Smashwords and Amazon - and, if you pay the cost of assigning an ISBN (with Lulu only) to have it globally distributed, I can help setup your book so it can be on sale in Waterstones (Brick & Mortar) - from there, you can setup your own book signing events!

• Illustrations / cover - Primarily, the front covers are up to you. You can pay someone outside of DSDP to create both an eBook image - and a full-cover image - however, if you have neither of these, or if I need to recommend a different cover (to appeal to the customers), I will work with you to create an image - new or improved - to push it through publishing. All covers, for paperback or hardback, will require certain criteria in order to be accepted by the traditional bookstores - again, I will help you with this.

• Advertising - I will promote your books through a new Facebook Page and Group that I will setup in due course - and I can give you advice or tips - but, primarily, you will have to be the master of your own destiny when it comes to advertising and awareness. Again, I can help get you started.

• All royalties will go directly to you, the author - DSDP is a non-profit publication house for those disabled in the field of language.

• DSDP will only spend time on a disabled writer where some or vast improvements can be made. I will not take on lazy writers who can write with no problem when it comes to grammar, punctuation, spelling or syntax - I can detect Dyslexia in writing from a mile off, so please don’t try to take advantage of my free time and energy for those that REALLY need it and want help.

• However, if you are already a self-published author, but would like the chance to publish through DSDP to raise awareness and support for disabled writers, you are more than free to apply to have your novels re-published through Dream-State Drive Publications - in this case, and through your honesty, I will work with you to make this happen. However, I will more than likely ask to make improvements to the book, such as those mentioned above.

• What would you get in return? Well, aside from your full royalties (and my free knowledge and support), you will earn yourself awareness through other readers who enjoy the genres already provided by DSDP. This will help improve your reader base.

• DSDP (or rather, I) reserve all rights of the publishing house - therefore, if a novel just isn’t up to scratch, don’t be disappointed if I have to turn it down (especially if I have a full workload) - What do I mean by this? Well, if your passing off your novel as an epic adventure that rivals Lord of the Rings, but it's only 5,000 words - *ahem* come back to me when it's of a more suitable length! however, wherever improvement can be made, and if you have the DREAM and the DRIVE - I will help you!

• There will be no rushing - only when the stories are properly proofed, edited and have a professional-looking cover, will they then be released - at a time of your choosing, of course.

With this, I hope to raise awareness for other authors who have written their novels and wish to share their imagination.

I know how hard it is to write up a book and go through the self-publishing arc. It consumes a lot of one’s time, especially if one has a full time job. It can exhaust you, and this can impede your ability to learn and improve yourself.

There are so many great writers out there with massive imaginations - but it’s a massive shame that many of those, who do go ahead and self-publish, are knocked down by excessive backlash from bullies or internet trolls. I seek to help other such disabled writers so they (YOU) do not have to go through the same punishment.

Language - writing - essential life skills - which is why writing is so important to those of us who are disabled and wish to channel our energy and imagination to those who are truly missing out - but, at the same time, done in a constructive manner.

Perhaps this is my calling - when I look back at my life, when I look at how much I have struggled throughout it when it comes to language and writing - it makes sense for me to stand up and help others.

Why do you think? It will be something I'm planning on doing once it hits 2014!

If you are interested in participating - let me know - let's get this ball rolling.

Dream-State Drive Publications - It has a nice ring (...Resonance) to it! (pun intended).