Robin Burks's Blog, page 19
August 9, 2012
Zeus, Inc. giveaway on Twitter
Are you on Twitter? Follow me and find out how you can win a free copy of Zeus, Inc. (Hint: you’ll need to re-tweet something). The winner will be notified tomorrow and given a code to purchase the book for free on Smashwords.
Happy Tweeting!
August 5, 2012
Meet Mr. Brentwood
Joseph Brentwood is a man of charm and mystery. Over 50 years ago, he single-handedly created a new form of sustainable energy and founded the company of Zeus, Inc. In those years, those who have been closest to him have noticed something odd – he seems to age slower than other humans. He is the father of Aleisha Brentwood, Zeus’ Vice President and Alex’s best friend.
And now? Mr. Brentwood has gone missing. Find out who took him and why, by reading Zeus, Inc. now available at the links below:
August 1, 2012
Zeus, Inc. now available!
Well, it’s Day Zero here in my world. And although some of you have already bought the book, the big push begins today. Buy a copy of Zeus, Inc. at one of three online outlets:
It will also soon be available on iBooks.
If for some reason, though, you are unable to purchase a copy of the book (or live in a part of the world where it’s not available), please let me know. I would gladly take payment via PayPal and send you a copy via email.
Also, keep an eye on this space, I’ll be introducing other characters from Zeus, Inc. in the days to come.
July 31, 2012
Meet Pip
Phillip “Pip” Smith is the head of security for Zeus, Inc. He’s a tall, handsome fellow, but there is something about him that Alex immediately does not trust. And she’s pretty sure he knows more about Mr. Brentwood’s disappearance than he’s letting on.
Pip is mysterious and tends to keep to himself, but Alex is determined to find out all of his dirty little secrets.
So what is it about this one that makes Alex curious? Read Zeus, Inc. to find out.
July 25, 2012
Book Giveaway Winners have been notified
Hey, everyone! Be sure to check your email as I’ve sent messages to the three winners of the book giveaway. Please respond as soon as you can and I’ll get a copy of Zeus, Inc. to you asap.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up for the mailing list, too. I promise not to spam you needlessly, but I will use the list to keep you updated from time to time.
And remember, you can get your own copy of Zeus, Inc. on August 1st at Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and Amazon!
July 19, 2012
Testing new travel pillow. You’re doing it wrong…
I bought this DogBones travel pillow for my upcoming trip to Paris in September. My cat, Maggie, tests it out for me. Except I think she doesn’t quite get how it works…
Meet Alex
Alex Grosjean is one tough cookie. She started her career in law enforcement, leaving college to enter the police academy, much to the chagrin of her family. She eventually started her police career with the Memphis Police Department and worked her way up from a traffic cop to missing persons. Then something happened and Alex quit.
But Alex needed to pay the bills. After an incident with a lost pet, Alex got her private investigator license and started tracking down cheating spouses and corporate spies.
But this time, Alex might be in over her head. Joseph Brentwood, CEO of Zeus, Inc., has gone missing. It’s not enough that Zeus is responsible for solving the world’s energy crisis, though. Mr. Brentwood is also the father of Alex’s best friend, Aleisha. When Aleisha asks for help in locating her missing father, Alex finds that she cannot refuse.
There’s just one problem. Alex will be forced to face her past before she can face her future.
Alex currently lives with her mother in Olympic City, TN, a suburb just outside of Memphis and the headquarters of Zeus, Inc.
Learn more about Alex in Zeus, Inc. on August 1st, 2012.
July 10, 2012
Book giveaway reminder and some details on The Book of Revelations
I would just like to remind everyone that there is still time to enter to win one of three copies of Zeus, Inc. And it’s so simple! All you have to do is sign up for the mailing list. I’ll pick three lucky winners on July 25th. Final edits are made and the book is ready in a variety of formats. I’m really looking forward to getting it out there.
In new book news, I’ve been working steadily on the first book in The Book of Revelations series. I know, I know, I previously called it a trilogy, but I think maybe I need to just see how long this is going to end up being. I have so much detail running around in my head. But tentatively speaking, the first book will be titled The Book of Revelations: Prophecy.
I have been enjoying diving into this new futuristic world, which is definitely more science fiction than that of Zeus, Inc., which only takes place in the near future. Researching scientific concepts and theories and trying to think of applications for them is mind-grueling work, but I find that I quite like it. I suppose I really am a science nerd. I have taken some inspiration from a few Ridley Scott films, but only enough to jump-start what I want to write about.
So what’s it about? It’s about a war between humans and synthetic beings that takes place about 300 years from now. The first book will be about how the war began and will lead up to the story of a young girl named Raissa Ward, who may very well be a savior of sorts. There will be themes of faith and hope and love and family. It will also deal with loss and death and the high cost of war. I’m hoping there will be flying cars, but there are definitely robots.
If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you’ll notice I talk about it a lot. I’m very excited about this novel and the possibilities it entails. Science fiction is so imaginative and now that I’m writing in third person, I feel it really opens me up more to the story and the characters. Today’s writing session introduces us to the 96th president of the United States, Albert Lee. He’s a swaggering almost Wild West sort of character with a great intellect and a lot of balls. And I wrote a speech that he gives to the media, a momentous speech that sets up the beginnings of the war. It’s just a rough draft, what I wrote, but I’m very proud of it.
On most days, when I set out to write, my first thought is “I don’t think I can do this.” Every time, that’s what I’m thinking. But I force myself to sit down and just start typing. In that way, I always end up surprising myself. Yes, I do have days where writer’s block kicks me in the butt (yesterday, for example), but I never let that convince me to just stop. I officially have the writing bug now, and I don’t think I could stop, even if I wanted to.
Anyway, that’s my latest update and where I’m wanting to go with this whole writing thing. I hope you all enjoy Zeus, Inc. and I look forward to hearing feedback once it’s released. August 1st can’t get here fast enough!
July 4, 2012
Upcoming book giveaway
Hey everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th of July (at least for you Americans) and tell you about my upcoming book giveaway. I’ll be giving away three copies of Zeus, Inc. to anyone who signs up for the mailing list before July 25th. That’s a whole week before the book is released! It will be available in the following formats: mobi (Kindle), Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others), PDF, RTF and LRF (older Sony readers).
And all you have to do is sign up for my mailing list (see mailing list sign-up on the right). Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with a link to click to verify your subscription. Once verified, you’re entered to win!
Also, please be sure to like my author page on Facebook, as well as add the book on Good Reads(and follow me there, too!)
June 29, 2012
New article for DVICE: 10 most promising up and coming inventions inspired by sci-fi
My latest feature article for DVICE.com is now up. I would like to point out that I did not even suggest the use of David Tennant photos in the article, but my editor obviously knows me very well.
10 most promising up and coming inventions inspired by sci-fi
