Andrew Toynbee's Blog, page 4

Christmas special offer for U.S.A. and Canada.

Signed copies now available to US and Canadian residents.

***bonus perk***

Buy A Construct of Angels, get an eCopy of A Vengeance of Angels free!

��Yaaay!

(Oh, if you’re resident in any other country, and would like a signed copy plus the perk,

please contact me in the comments section or PM me via Facebook.)

 

Synchronicity?

Image courtesy of ba1969 at StockXchng

In an odd turn of events, I find myself incapacitated and stuck at home, exactly fifteen years after a similar event kick-started my writing.

Those who know my story might remember that a week-long illness gave me the time I needed to collate all my scattered notes onto my first-ever laptop. This was the start of my first ‘real’ writing project, the still-to-be-completed ‘Homeworld.’ (I will complete this one day, when I’ve cleared a few other projects.)

Now, after eight weeks immobilised, resting my crocked leg, my Muse crept up behind me, placed her hands over my eyes and whispered: “I have a great idea. Wanna hear it?”

And so she delivered an entire story, possibly an 80k novel, into my shell-like ear. I’m 99.8% certain (in life, there’s always room for a little doubt) the idea would never have come to me if I’d been working.

I’m optimistic that this new story has legs and will come together pretty quickly. It’s a quiet little British adventure story (provisionally titled ‘Pink Camper Van’) that made me smile as it unfolded. At the time of posting, I’ve already written 2,000 words, and I have a firm conclusion in mind, meaning this particular tale won’t end up as one of my infamous neverending stories.

As they say, watch this space. And as Monty Python might add: ‘And now for something completely different.’

.

Second paperback completed!

Ordering the CreateSpace proof copy was a good move. Definitely. The 1.5 line spacing I’d used to prevent the book being as thin as an advertising flyer made the whole story look as if it was a child’s book.

I changed the spacing to 1.0, which immediately shrank the page count to the point where the cover would have wrapped twice around the book. Oops.

So some re-jigging was called for. After several infuriating days watching words, sentences, and images sliding around of their own free will (anyone who has worked with Word will know what I mean), I’ve finally arrived at a point where the MS is where I need it to be.

Six copies have now been ordered from the US, along with another six copies of CoA for my ‘impulse buy’ stocks.

I can now declare book 2 to be over and done with, done and dusted, completed and in the bag. *shifts focus to book 3.*

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to:

Second paperback almost completed

Those of you who have been reading my posts for a while may remember the troubles I had with my Createspace version of ‘A Construct of Angels.’ Many hours of format tweaking and two proof copies shipped to England from the US finally produced a paperback I was happy to sell.

With my second novel, I have applied the lessons learned and the formatting was completed within a week. A proof copy has been ordered and I hope to hold it in my hands within ten days – less than three weeks after my eBook was released. What a difference a year makes!

I’m also trying something new with this cover – endorsements. Two other indie writers, Candace Knoebel and Sonya Loveday have agreed to let me reproduce their glowing beta reader comments on the back cover. I’m hoping this will do two things. The first is to encourage people to buy my book (always a motivating force), and the second is to provide a little exposure for the ladies as a thank-you. They have both been hugely encouraging over the past three years, helping to propel me towards completing my debut, then my second novel. I’ve enjoyed reading books published by both writers and I’d recommend them without hesitation to other fans of YA fantasy.

Ladies. thank you, and:

 

Post-release day ripples

Well, the release day seemed to go well, with positive feedback from several participants indicating that the evening was fun, engaging and informative. With a firm timetable (thank you, Sonya Loveday!) and a mixture of caption contests, music videos, and giveaways, there was a little something for everyone. With my ‘real’ life currently a bit of a whirlwind,  I had considered cancelling the event and having a covert book launch instead. Also, being a typical introvert, the idea of being totally responsible for the entertainment of literally dozens of people had put me on edge. But the encouragement I received before, during and after assured me that ‘If I held it, they would come.’ And although the event was scheduled to end at midnight (GMT / UTC), I was still chatting two hours later, such was the response.

Thank you to everyone who came along and everyone who donated a book. Hopefully, everyone will have received their prizes by now, except perhaps the little angel figure who is destined for Finland. If not, please let me know and I will investigate.

So, second novel under the belt. The third novel begins.

In the meantime, everybody, please:

Mid-week reminder. Release day is November 1st.

Poster created by Tarnya Rutheford. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tarnyas-epic-bootie-bling/502771273109666?fref=ts

Hump day sees me frantically completing the edits and incorporating suggestions from my beta readers (thank you all for being part of the process!).

Release day is on track. Okay, there may be a small signalling delay, but prizes, timetable and invitations are all falling into place.

Hope to see you there!

*Rushes off to…

Release Party – A Vengeance of Angels – November 1st

November 1st! There, I’ve finally committed myself to a release date for my second novel (see above) which will soon be available from Amazon as well as other outlets.

Many of you will have already seen the cover release, blurb, and teasers for my second novel ‘A Vengeance of Angels.’ It’s been two years in the making, and yet it’s still taken one year less than my first novel. Lessons learned during the steep learning curve that was the creation of my first eBook and paperback have been applied. The timetable created by my editor, Tara, has also been pivotal in this case.

Now, almost exactly two years after my debut release, the second part of The Angels of York is ready. I’ve edited the eBook and paperback side by side, so the physical version will be available from Createspace shortly after the eBook goes live. After having tried Amazon’s exclusive KDP with the first book, and seeing no real benefit, I will not be going exclusive with this novel. So it will be available from Smashwords and Kobo almost immediately after it appears on Amazon.

I’ve already begun advertising the sequel using the free space on my van, showing off Ravven’s artwork to all who follow me along the road.

(Magnetic signs supplied by Vistaprint)

I also took the opportunity to refresh my original magnetic poster, which had begun to look tired after 25 months of English weather. Yes, they do wear out eventually.

So, without further ado, I invite you (yes, you!) to my launch party on Saturday 1st November. Caption contests, funnies and music will be the order of the day. I hope you can make it.

Until then,

 

A Vengeance of Angels – the proposed blurb

Recently, Michelle Proulx posted the back cover description, or ‘blurb,’ for her upcoming novel ‘Chasing Nonconformity.’

Following in her wake, I was inspired to do the same with my own soon-to-be-released second novel ‘A Vengeance of Angels.’

I would very much appreciate any thoughts you might have on the pace or phrasing of this. All comments will be read, considered, then nodded at. :D

If you haven’t already, please pay Michelle’s blog a visit. It’s witty, entertaining and packed with awesome!

Okay, here goes with mine:

As the valiant Sara Finn lies battered and unconscious, Michael, the former Angel-turned-mortal is helpless to protect young Magda from forces both good and evil.

Bursting with barely-contained Dark Energies, the four year old is becoming an irresistible magnet for the sword-wielding Damocles, who is bent on death and destruction.

The Eternal Realm, watching from above, is determined to destroy Magda and anyone who stands with her in order to deny Damocles unlimited Dark Power. When the opposing forces clash in York’s beleagured streets, their merciless battle is set to wreak havoc. Where will Magda’s loyalties lie in the battle for humanity’s future?

Okay, fire away! :D

 

A Vengeance of Angels – Teaser 2

Following the previous excerpt where Michael was set upon by the Anakim, Damocles, I thought I’d share the moment where a Mal’akhi-yah (A messenger from the Eternal Realm) crashes into Michael’s mortal life.

I hope I’ve managed to covey some of the awe-inspiring power a messenger radiates, and perhaps explain why angels have been revered by humans over the centuries:

“The voice that smashed into me shook my bones to the marrow. I was slammed into the grass, the breath bursting from my flattened lungs as a whoosh. My chest felt as if I had collided with Damocles again. Blackness filled my eyes; stars exploded across the void. I drew in a long breath, then released a groan that barely eased my pain. Blinking, the sparkling blackness finally gave way to a grey blur. Stark-limbed trees framed the too-bright sky. Focus eluded me, but I  stumbled upright, spinning drunkenly, prepared to hurl myself at Damocles, however fatal that might turn out to be for me.

But it was not the menacing Anakim who stood before me. Instead, a glowing figure, its limbs barely distinguishable as such, radiated a furious energy that set my blood wailing. Twice my height, it considered my diminutive mortal form as my knees buckled and I dropped into supplication.

“You must NOT…” it boomed. The voice slammed against my senses, bending me backward. The ozone-charged air shimmered as the noise thundered past and through me, vibrating deep into my lungs. I trembled uncontrollably, then slumped forward to land on my forearms, nose mashed into the damp grass. My body wanted to wail out its terror, its anguish at having been subdued in such a manner, but I released barely a whimper as the air continued to resonate from the being’s words. I was utterly helpless.

Although my body was ready to crave forgiveness, my mind recognised exactly what was confronting me—a Mal’akhi-yah, a messenger from above. Exactly what I would have become had I remained with the Realm.”

~

Hope you liked it. ‘A Vengeance of Angels’ is almost ready!

.

A Vengeance of Angels – Teaser 1

Last week I was able to reveal the cover for my long-awaited sequel ‘A Vengeance of Angels.’

This week, I can read you a short excerpt from the fourth chapter. I’ll reveal more later in the week.

BTW, Anyone who’s read the first book, ‘A Construct of Angels,’ might recognise this part, as it appears at the end of the book.

This passage is told from the point of view of Michael, the Angel-turned-mortal as he recuperates from his recent battle with the demonic ‘Aryan.’ He is in the company of Sara Finn’s father, Gil, plus Gil’s nurse-employee, Ingrid:

A long shriek from above sent Gil rocketing to his feet. Ingrid had already fled through the door. Concerned, I followed Gil as he dashed upstairs and into the room of Agatha Carpenter. As he and Ingrid tried to calm the old lady, I remained at the door. They might have succeeded in their efforts, but she caught sight of me and her deafening shrieks resumed. She waved a bony finger in my direction and I felt the chill of one whose fate is irrevocably sealed. I’d felt it before. As a doomed gladiator, as a convicted witch, as a Jew amongst the Nazis…

“The swordsman is falling,” she wailed. “Now! He seeks the one who shines most brightly. He will have his revenge!” Her arm swept around to encompass the room, but Ingrid’s body blocked part of the flailing gesture.

“All around him shall perish!” she declared in a voice edged with hysteria. I knew a moment of panic. She could only be referring to one person, one Anakim.

And he was coming for me.

“When, Agatha?” I called. I had to get clear, to keep everyone around me safe from Damocles’ fury.

“My god, Michael,” Gil snapped. “Don’t encourage her!”

“Now!” she shrieked as Gil rolled his eyes. “Now, now! Beware…” Abruptly, her voice tailed off as if she’d passed out—or the vision had overwhelmed her senses.

I spun and scrambled for the stairs, taking them two at a time in my headlong rush toward the door. Upstairs, Gil was shouting, but I paid him no heed. I was through the large conservatory in seconds, bursting through wood-framed doors to hurtle across the flat lawn bordering the rear of the large house. A line of trees separated the garden from the open fields beyond. If I could get far enough from the house, Damocles would never connect me to Gil, Ingrid, or any of the residents. While I ran as hard as my mortal legs would allow, my progress felt painfully slow. Chancing a glance back at the house, I saw nothing was amiss.

Until something in the bright morning sky caught my eye. A dark shape was dropping toward the hospice as fast as a missile.

Aw, hell…he’s still going for the house! I slithered to a halt on the damp grass. The dark shape became clearer. At the speed he was moving, with the strength and rage he doubtless harboured, Damocles would flatten the house in a heartbeat. I threw up my arms and tried to howl out the Anakim’s true name. But my human throat collapsed around the supernatural sound. Instead, I sucked in a deep breath and settled for:

“Damocleeeees!”

The dark shape hesitated, its pitiless assault wavering. And then it exploded toward me.

I stepped back toward the trees as he took shape, knowing that as a mortal, I would stand no chance against the Anakim. But if I could keep him away from Gil and the others…

Damocles slammed into the grass with a sub-sonic thump that punched at my feet and threw me to the ground. Using my heels and elbows, I scrambled backward as the grimacing swordsman stepped out of the foot-deep crater he’d formed in the lawn. I scuttled back over leaf-strewn soil and through bushes, intent on putting more distance between me and the house, but Damocles raised his arm and my flight was over.

The irresistible grasp of his power drew me toward him, my boots leaving deep furrows in the soil, then the lawn.

“Don’t run away, little mortal,” Damocles sneered darkly. “You’ll miss all the fun.” He flexed his fingers and I rose into the air, shedding autumnal debris onto the ploughed turf. I was turned upside down, then spun around on my head like a street dancer.

“So it’s true…” he breathed, spinning me upright to face him. My feet dangled six inches above the ground.

“You really did give it all up…” he sneered, “…to be mortal.”

*  *  *

Watch out for the next part!

In the meantime, I shall continue to: