S.A. Check's Blog, page 4

Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. Available for Pre-Order

The release date for Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. is just around the corner as September 3rd draws near. For anyone interested in pre-ordering their copy, either ebook or paperback, it's available now through the pre-order site by clicking HERE

The folks over at Pubslush.com run a pre-ordering site that doubles as a niche crowdfunding site to give good books the boost they need. They also allow the projects there to choose to donate a percentage of the funds raised to The Pubslush Foundation which supports literacy initiatives worldwide - which any pre-orders for Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. will contribute to.

Any author or writer interested can also opt for a higher level of participation and receive discounted options for book submission critiques, book cover designs, and even professional editing via my book publisher, Ink Smith Publishing.

Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Getting a running start out of the gate is a huge help. I hope you stop over to check out Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. and the other projects offered there. Even if you can't I'll be sure to post when and where the book will be available after its release.

Thanks again for all the support. It really is the reason I keep writing. Stop over and check out my website - SACheck.com  and keep reading.

Last Zombie Standing #9

And here we go! Another Saturday is upon us and another round of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday is here to liven up our reading pleasures. Take a minute to stop over at the main site and check out the contributions from all the writers this week by clicking HERE . This week, I’m sharing from my short story Last Zombie Standing and we’re getting close to the finale. The necronaut battle royal is in full swing and the winner could very well save the planet. Read on to find out who takes home the prize. If you need to catch up on a couple of the installments, just scroll down last week’s snippet where I listed links to all of them. Thanks and Enjoy!_________________________________________________________________          The Russian tore Zulu-2’s arm off at the shoulder, using it as a club to pound against Zulu-1.  Zulu-2 stumbled away from the fight and fell against the motorized rabbit on the ground. The mechanical guide sprang to life and shot across the pulsating energy field, striking the Russian cosmonaut’s leg. The nozzle on top exploded, soaking both zombies with the remaining blood.            Like two sharks in a feeding frenzy, Zulu-1 and the Russian ripped into each other, tearing and biting with bare-boned fingers and teeth. The larger zombie grabbed Zulu-1’s head and roared as it tore it free. Zulu-1 flailed backwards before falling with an almost inaudible thud into the lunar turf.  What was left of the Russian moved in to finish its meal but tripped over Zulu-2’s dismembered arm.  It struck the ground face first, driving what was left of the telescoping pole through its skull.           “Kingston, we won,” the general said.           Zulu-2 stood next to its fallen combatants, staring blankly into the horizon at the blue and green orb in the distance. The dome fell silent except for the quiet sizzling of burnt flesh.          The mike on Zulu-2’s shoulder crackled.           “Sir, what have we become?” Kingston asked._______________________________________________________________________
          Well, we have a winner but what exactly have they won? Stay tuned for the answers. I hope you’ve been enjoying the story and please leave a comment on your way out. The release of my new novel Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. is only about a month away. Take a second to check out the blurb here on my blog or stop over at my website SACheck.com . Enjoy the weekend and see you in seven!

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #8

          Welcome back to another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday! I hope everyone’s summer is going well and you’re getting some great reading under your favorite shady spot. Things are definitely heating up on the moon as our two necronauts have broken through the mysterious energy barrier to claim the general’s prize only to run into a dead Russian cosmonaut with his own plans for the energy source. If you haven’t been following along, I’ve listed the previous snippets here for you to catch up. Make sure you stop over at the main site and check out all the great contributions this week by clicking HERE . Enjoy!
Last Zombie Standing #1
Last Zombie Standing #2
Last Zombie Standing #3
Last Zombie Standing #4
Last Zombie Standing #5
Last Zombie Standing #6
Last Zombie Standing #7
___________________________________________________________________________          “They’re being torn apart,” the general shouted.          “That was the whole reason the Zulu Space Initiative was chosen for this mission, sir,” Kingston said. “What doesn’t make sense is why an alien culture would initiate contact with us and just happen to have a solution to our energy crisis but send it wrapped in an power sphere no human could access.”            The dome convulsed again as the cat’s carcass broke the perimeter, followed by the dead Russian a few steps behind.           “Don’t let him near that box,” the general ordered.             The Russian necronaut headed straight for the energy source as Zulu 1 caught the dead feline’s scent and attacked, biting deep into its side in one sweeping motion. The larger zombie smelled the fresh blood on Zulu 1’s face and wrestled him to the ground, clawing at his clenched jaws. Zulu-2 sprang in from the side, grasping at the animal remains still clinging to the Russian’s lead pole. The Russian turned on Zulu-2, snapping the tension rod. Zulu-1 lashed out at the Russian with a skeletal fist, knocking its jaw from its head.          “That’s it, show him how an American zombie takes care of business,” the general said.          “Actually, sir, they’re Canadian.”            “What?” the general bellowed.          “We had to outsource to stay within budget,” Kingston said.           “Stars and stripes, just get me that box!”___________________________________________________________________
          Oh boy. What’s a zombie to do? Stay tuned and find out as we wrap this one up in the next couple weeks just in time to start sharing from my upcoming novel, Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. It’ll be coming out September 3rd from Ink Smith Publishing. Check out the awesome cover art here on my page or over at my website SACheck.com . If you want to read the blurb from the coming soon section over at my publisher’s website - Ink Smith Publishing. Thanks for stopping by, comments welcome! See you in seven!

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #7

          If you’re looking for government controlled Necronauts doing battle on the moon, then you’ve come to the right place. Thanks for stopping by and welcome back to another edition of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday, a place where fantasy and speculative fiction authors meet and share snippets from new and existing works. This week the saga of the Necronauts continues as Zulu 1 and 2 finally breach the mysterious dome of energy and package that the general have been raving about. But will they be around long enough to bring it back to him? Read on and see. Before you go, make sure that you stop over at the main site by clicking HERE and enjoy all the contributions from this week’s authors. Enjoy.­­­­­___________________________________________________________________________          “What the hell is that dangling in front of him?” the general asked.          “It appears to be a dead cat, sir,” Kingston answered.  “It looks like they’ve attached a telescoping pole to its suit’s helmet, slightly more primitive but it appears to be effective.”          “I don’t care if it’s Hitler’s head!  Just get these two stiffs moving before big dead red beats us to the punch.”          “Sir, I just don’t think-“          “Don’t think, just do, or I’ll come down there and shoot you myself.”          “Yes, sir.”           The robotic rabbit unleashed a double dose of blood into the air as it scurried forward, sending both zombies into a frenzy.  Zulu-2 howled into space, driven by hunger and pain. Their mechanized guide broke through the energy barrier as its engines died, stopping a few feet inside the dome. The necronauts followed close behind. The moment they crossed the shimmering threshold, waves of pure power tore into their suits, stripping away their lunar gear and tearing into their flesh. Without the sanguine enticement of their robot aid, both zombies stopped, searching for motivation as their skin tore away, exposing the bone underneath. ______________________________________________________________           The mission is starting to unravel, literally. Let’s hope Z 1 and 2 can hold it together, again, literally. The mystery of the box and sphere deepens but now we see why it was no job for an ordinary astronaut. Tune in next week as the lunar chess match continues. Please leave a comment and let me know what you thought. They’re always appreciated. My next novel – Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. will be out on September 3rd from Ink Smith Publishing. Check out the cover art here on my blog and also over at my website - S.A. Check for a snippet from the book! Have a great weekend.

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #6

          Welcome back to another edition of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday! I hope the weekend is going well and you’re stopping by for a quick fix of Sci-Fi/Fantasy writing to get you through the day. As always, stop over at the main site by clicking HERE to enjoy the contributions from all of the great writers this week. You’ll be glad you did. This week I’m sharing more from my short story – Last Zombie Standing. If you haven’t had a chance to keep up or it’s your first time here, just click the links on my page to catch up with the previous snippets. The mystery deepens as our two necronauts close in on the general’s prize until an unexpected guest shows up. Hope you enjoy!___________________________________________________________________
          A blue light shimmered in the distance, half buried in the dirt. Waves of energy emitted from the core forming a veritable hemi-sphere of pulsating power.            “Enough power to fuel an entire nation,” the general said.           “Giddee up, doggies,” the general wailed as he sent another jolt of electricity coursing through the dead astronauts.          Both necronauts stumbled down the hill towards the glowing mass as Zulu 2’s mike activated.           “Sir, I think we may have a problem.”          “Don’t tell me you can’t handle a bunch of geeky scientists, Bravo One.”            “Actually, this is the geeky scientist, sir.”          “Kingston, where the hell is my Bravo Team?”          “We remotely trapped them in an air-lock and cut off their radio capabilities.  More importantly, sir, we’ve detected another landing, not far from Zulu 1 and 2’s current position.  We think it’s the Russians.”           “What?” the general asked as he panned Zulu 1’s shoulder camera to the left. “By God, look at the size of him. It’s a Ruskie zombie!”
          It looks like getting their prize isn’t going to be as easy as they’d hope. I’m betting on reserved and well-thought negotiations to get them through this dilemma. Yeah, right. Get ready for some Zombie Smack-Down! Hope you enjoyed. Please leave a comment on your way out and don’t forget to tip the waiter. Be sure to stop over at my website – SACheck.com. I’m hoping for a cover reveal for Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. in the near future. I already got a sneak peek and I’m looking forward to showing it off.

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #5

Hi all! Welcome to another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday! Summer is in full swing and everyone is busy enjoying the sun but take a few minutes and check out some of the great writing snippets contributed by the other writers over at the main site by clicking HERE . This week’s snippet comes from the same short story, Last Zombie Standing, that I’ve been sharing, following the adventures of two zany necronauts and the government controlling them. If you enjoy it, make sure you click back to the other selections from this story on my page. Enjoy!_____________________________________________________________           “How far until the mark,” the general asked.          “Half a klick due north, sir.” A new voice transmitted through Zulu-1’s suit. “This is Bravo Team Leader,sir, we have a team converging on the research and development lab.”          “Who’d have thought a couple dead heads would save our country?”  The general’s voice echoed across the lunar landscape as the two militarized zombies stumbled towards their destination.          Clumsily reaching for the vaporized blood, Zulu 1 stumbled and fell.            “Give ‘em another blast from the rabbit.  We need them both mobile,” the general blared.          A second spray of crimson mist blew from a nozzle on the mechanized scout, renewing both creatures’ determination. A remote camera mounted on top of the machine turned and focused on the hill in front of them.           “Sir, we should have a visual on the target when we crest that next ridge.”         “Let’s take that hill,” the general ordered.           The zombies obediently followed the small robot, clawing their way up the loose dirt. The powdery gray sod stuck to their faces and hair, covering what little color remained from their former selves. By the time they crested the embankment, both appeared more like a ghost than the living dead. _________________________________________________________________
What’s beyond the hill? And how’s it going to save the world? Tune in next week and find out. This has been a fun story for me to write and I hope you’re enjoying the ride. Please take a minute to leave a comment. They’re always appreciated, whether you’re a contributor to SFFSat or just reading along. Jump over and check out my website – S.A.Check  My latest novel, Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. comes out this September. See you in seven!

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #4

          Hi everyone! Welcome to another SciFiFanSat and more snippet fun from a group of great contributing authors. Every week, a veritable plethora of literary goodness can be found over at the main site – click here to check them all out - SCIFIFANSAT . This week I’m sharing from a WIP short story – Last Zombie Standing where we’ve been following the misadventures of a couple crazy necronauts on a secret government mission that is slowly being revealed. If you missed the earlier snippets, just click the links on my page to catch up. Enjoy!_________________________________________________________________          “But, we don’t even know if it does what they say,” Kingston said. “It’s only been two weeks since first contact.”          “We’ve got no choice,” the general snapped. “Our fossil fuel supply is spent and the promise of nuclear energy has literally blown up in our faces. And in case you haven’t noticed, the world is overrun with damn zombies.”           Almost on cue, Zulu 1 turned towards his necronaut comrade, who staggered aimlessly along the moon’s surface still following the trail of vaporized blood emitted from the robotic rabbit ahead of them.           “It…it could be a trap,” Kingston stammered, his voice quivering at the prospect of disrespecting the general.          “They promised it was just a glitch in the guidance system, you posie picking pacifist. Get off the air!”          “We tracked the trajectory all the way from Canis Major and we couldn’t find any type of trajectory derivation.  Maybe we should stop and re-think this?”           “Get me a security team over to research and development,” the general barked, his voice cracking. “I want this line secured and those traitors arrested.” _________________________________________________________________
          And the plot thickens. Who exactly are Kingston and the general talking about? And what is this package they’ve sent everyone’s two favorite necronauts to retrieve? Tune in next week for some more witty banter between Zulu1 and Zulu2. Leave a comment or two on your way out – we’re running a two comment minimum but I know the owner so you can get away with just one.
          Look out for my new novel – Maxx Fragg,V.P.I. – coming this September from Ink Smith Publishing and stop over at the website – www.SACheck.com– just to say you did. Enjoy the weekend!

Help Support Indie Publishing

So my book publisher, Ink Smith Publications, applied for a grant to help take them to a new level and keep growing / moving forward. If you can hit the link below and click vote - it's that easy and will only take a second. You'll be supporting Indie Presses and authors and I'd sure appreciate it.  Just click here to VOTE  

Last Zombie Standing Snippet #3

So here we are, another weekend and a brand spanking new edition of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. What's this you ask?  Well, let me tell you. It's a group of awesome authors who share snippets from their books and works in progress to entertain and maybe make the weekend a little brighter. My snippet this week is from a short story, Last Zombie Standing. If you haven't already, you can check out the prior two installments on my page. Make sure to stop over at the main site HERE to enjoy all the contributing authors this week. Enjoy!
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           “I think they’re already picking up the rabbit’s scent," Kingston transmitted.

           “Okay, soldiers, you need to proceed to retrieval point Alpha and bring us back the package," the general ordered.

          Both men stumbled forward, adjusting to gravitational pull of their new surroundings. The small metal box that disembarked after them rolled along the lunar surface, spraying a red mist into the air.

          “That’s right, boys, smell the blood and let's double time it,” the general snapped.

          An electrical current shot through the suits, sending the dead star-farers scrambling across the terrain.

          “Sir, you’ll burn out what’s left of their nervous system with too many jolts,” Kingston warned.

          “Don’t tell me how to command my men, science-boy,” the general barked.  “I’ve been sending men into battle since before you learned to use a slide rule.”

           “But-“

          “The only butts I want to see are those two dead hinnies high-tailing it to get me my box.”

          Zulu 1’s knee buckled as it hit a soft spot and it gurgled, “Urrggggg!”

          “Don’t lip me, soldier.”

          “I don’t think that was meant for you, sir,”  Kingston said.

          “Shut up, Kingston,   we’ve only got one shot at getting to the package first.”
_____________________________________________________________________________

And there you have it. What is the box and why does the general want it? And why are they using zombies to get it? Tune in next week as the plot thickens. Stop over at my new website - SACheck.com and say hi and look for my new book, Maxx Fragg, V.P.I. - out this September from Ink Smith Publishing.

The Magic Pencil

So, a couple weeks ago I was asked to participate in an Author's Tea event at my daughter's school. This was the third year they've had one and it's always been a good time, so I said "sure", I'd love to. The kids had all written their own books for a school project and just had them published, so it was an exciting time.

I've done my fair share of public speaking before, talking about writing, the process, and getting published in today's market. But with the prospect of speaking to a group of elementary school students, I wanted to be on my best game. They are our future after all. So I gave it some extra thought and tried to come up with a few topics that would be relevant, at least I hoped, to kids that age, and tied it into my presentation.

I talked about growing up reading comics and the literary impact they had on me, devouring which-way books where you made choices at the end of the page and turned to a certain page based on your choice, and even taking classes on Shakespeare and how his work still shows up in movies todays, pointing out a few examples. I think it went well. No one threw anything at me, that and I had some help in the form of one Gina Jones, another local writer and motivational speaker, who had the kids on the edges of their seat.

So I had thought about how to end my talk, to give the kids something to remember about writing and using their imaginations. Maybe I could spark the future of the next great novelist of our generation? The night before I'd had an epiphany to buy the whole student body a pencil, their own wands to create magical adventures all their own. A quick stop at the local dollar store and I was set for my grand finale.

When I'd reached the end, I told the kids I had something for each of them and, of course, their eyes lit up. I produced a pencil from the box I'd brought with me and showed them all. Some of the smiles went away but curiosity kept most of them. I told them it was no ordinary pencil. This was a magic pencil! Why was it magic? Simple. Inside every one of the pencils that I'd brought with me was a story hidden inside, just waiting to be let go. Some of the kids' face lit up and I'd figured I'd hit the mark and I felt pretty good as I was passing them out to all these eager young writers. I even got a nod from Gina, saying it was a pretty cool idea.

Afterwards, I was still at the school, stuffing my face with some delicious cake that was provided for the event, and my daughter came up to me. I asked her how I did and she said very genuinely that I was great and everyone enjoyed it. That made me feel even better. But then she paused and said there was only one thing that was bothering her, so I asked her what was wrong. She said some of the kids in her class were cracking open their pencils to find the magic and there was none. I told her to tell them to sharpen both ends and they could still get a short story out of them. Now, she's old enough that she understood where I was going with the pencils, so did the pencil crackers, but kids will be kids, and I still think it was a good idea. Though maybe next time I'll go with stickers.