Digitized

As stated previously one of the big reasons that I wanted to take Titan independently the way I have is creative control, but another big factor is that it seemed the most logical option in light of the transition the industry is in due to digitization. book stores are becoming fewer and closing all  the time. reading from electric devices seems to be the way of the future as much as ipods have become the future of the music industry. It does seem though that print will take longer to go out of style. I have been very pleased to discover that many still prefer printed books to digital e-readers. I do have to say as to my preference, I loved having Titan: The Midnight Hour out at all but once I got that printed copy in my hands it was a very special moment. I think we will always have print books to some degree, but in the coming years e-readers will take over the market. It only makes sense in the long run. The bog question is with easily available tools of social media and independent publishing options what roles do the big publishers even really have anymore?

Hammerhead

Here is the revised sketch of Dr. Melodian henchman, Hammerhead, from Jena. He still fits in with Sonic and Hawk and is even more ready to wreak havoc on Delta City. I am in the throws of writing this chapter currently which is a nice bit if inspiration.

Creative Control

Most of the reason that I wanted to publish Titan independently was so that I would have the freedom to do anything I chose with the characters and the books and beyond. I wanted the covers to have a specific look. I really wanted to have interior art pages. Both of which I likely would not have had a say in had I gone with a publisher. But, I also wanted the freedom to do merchandising and other things when the time came. I wanted to have T-shirts, posters, colouring books, puzzles, and of course action figures and more. I didn't want someone else to have control over how or if any of that came to be. Now I have the freedom and control over the series and can do what I feel is needed for it. It will not be easy to achieve any pf that but I am confident that I can find a way. After all, I had no idea how I was going to get my book out there to people seven months ago and now I have sold over 1200 copies and am in four book stores and several libraries with more hopefully to come.

The book signing in Vernon went well yesterday. It was great to talk to all the people who came up to say hi and ask questions about the book and the series. It was great to see boys and girl of all ages there too. can't wait for Chapters September 15th.

Initial Titan 2 Henchman Sketch

Here is Jena's initial sketch of the last of the Dr. Melodian henchmen, Hammerhead. He is supposed to be a big rampaging bruiser of a guy. She captured his stature well and is working now to enhance his body and head armour to withstand the punishment he will be put through. Titan has never faced any villains like the ones Dr. Melodian will be throwing at him. Will Delta City ever be the same after this?

Initial Hawk Sketch From Titan 2

Here is Jena's sketch of Dr. Melodian henchman Hawk. he has been equipped with jet powered wings that are armed with rockets and guns. He does manage to wreak a considerable anount of mayhem upon Delta City in chapter 6 of 'City Under Siege'.

Superhero Wanted

The aspect of official law enforcement and the superhero as been tackled in many superhero comics over time. It is a very interesting topic given that in a vast majority of the cases you are essentially talking about vigilante justice being served be some do-gooder citizen. I was able to explore that topic a little in Midnight Hour, and it will continue to be explored in City Under Siege. It will go a little beyond the Delta City police and the like of Chief Thomas Ross, however. A little higher authority will also enter the arena. Of course we will not know if it is Titan they are after. To tell the truth one of the only aspects of the series I am not 100% certain about is how the relationship between Titan and Chief Ross and the police department will go. So far we have had reporter Vicki Earndtheart on Titan's side and Mayor Winfield against him leaving Chief Ross stuck somewhat in the middle. I have already written of a brief encounter with Chief Ross and Titan in City Under Siege, and there is likely to be ta least one more. If Chief Ross is really doing his job well can he let Titan go without trying to apprehend him? If you have a person such as Titan able to do and help with so much, and they are clearly well intentioned, should they be treated as a criminal for breaking the law while they are  stopping so many others from being broken?

The book signing in Penticton went really well yesterday. Thanks to all the great staff rom Coles who helped out. I was pleased to meet and talk with so many of the great people who stopped by tof check out Titan. Doing something like these in store book signings was something that I had never much considered when I decided to publish independently so it has been a welcomed surprise to be a able to do them. It has been a great way to not just sell books but get the word out about the series. I will post some photos from the signing very shortly. Next week another signing in Vernon.

Writing Process

Comparing the early stages of where the books were at for Midnight Hour to City Under Siege, at least as far as the writing process is concerned, I am feeling much better with City Under Siege. I was absolutely shocked as to how much of the craft I don't understand when I completed my first draft of "The Midnight Hour" and it was only 90 pages long. I was almost ready to give up entirely. in fact I almost deleted and discarded the whole thing. Then, half way through my second draft, I could see major improvement in the manuscript already. Then it went out to the editors and I saw just how much I was missing gramatically and structurally. Now, over 145 pages into "City Under Siege" and I feel there is far less I need to work on. I feel quite confidant that I will be able to get this book out just after one year from Midnight Hour. It is hard to have the patience to see it through before its ready but so satisfying. Now, it is just amusing reading back over those early drafts of book 1 after reading the printed Midnight Hour.

Here also is another revision of Jena's Sonic sketch.

Just a reminder that I will be doing an in store book signing this Saturday August 11th at the Cherry Lane mall in Penticton BC from 2pm-6pm. Hope to see you there.

Titan Mini Serial pt. 2

The following is part 2 of 6 of the Titan mini serial:

Titan:

In the Clutches of the Leviathan pt. 2

                Titan continued to watch, transfixed, at the scene that played out within the jewel at the end of his staff. In it he could see Regulus stand firm as the giant Cyclops moved in with its double bladed axe raised high overhead. As the Cyclops made a wide arched swing at Regulus, he ducked and rolled through the massive beasts legs. The axe missed and connected with the side of a building. Chunks of rock flew everywhere as the blade smashed a giant hole into the wall.

                “You will have to do better than that, creature, if you intend to make this any kind of challenge for me,” Regulus said, as he got back to his feet.

                The Cyclops spun around to face Regulus. It let out a loud primal roar as it stared at the defiant Regulus who stood poised with weapons ready to attack.

                Titan, you should waste no time toying with this creature.  Dispatch it at once before people can be hurt.

                “Azure, you worry too much. I will have this creature vanquished in moments, and then be home in time for lunch,” Regulus replied.

                The Cyclops once again raised its axe overhead and ran at Regulus. With three massive strides the beast was upon him. Regulus crouched slightly with his shield in front readied for the blow as his sword was raised high overhead in his other hand.  The Cyclops brought its axe down with hard brute force that collided squarely with Regulus’s shield.

                The force was far more than Regulus had planned for, however. He was sent flying upward through the now deserted street. He crashed through the roof of a nearby home. Regulus leaped to his feet at once, shaking off the dust and bits of wood from the roof. He glanced around and saw no one in the home. Just as he kicked at some beams sending them flying from his path the wall in front of him came crashing in. Then, the Cyclops was staring down at him from the other side with its axe once again raised to strike.

                “Foolish creature, now you will pay,” Regulus seethed.

                Regulus launched at the Cyclops. The beast went flying backwards, its axe dropping to the ground. Regulus swiftly marched over and grabbed the creature by the ankles. He began to spin in a circle with the Cyclops in his grasp. The creature came off the ground, and after several spins it was tossed into the air in one mighty heave by Regulus. He watched as the Cyclops flew over the city and came down in the sea with a splash.

                That could have been handled much better if you had not let your pride get in the way.

                “That Cyclops got what it deserved and the town is safe. What more could you ask for? I cannot help that he had tremendous strength and was harder than originally thought to dispose of,” Regulus said, as he retrieved his sword and shield from the now dilapidated house.

                It could have been done much faster, and before anyone lost a home.

                “I will see to it that their home is rebuilt. You need not worry.”

                It is my job to tell you what you have done right as Titan, and what you will need to improve on. You need to stop being so boastful and get to the business of protecting these people swiftly, as you are charged to do.

                “Fine, fine, I will dispatch these creatures quickly, and then I will boast to my adoring public,” Regulus replied, with a cocky grin.

                If you do not then you will have few to boast to.

                Regulus began to walk up the street assessing the damage of his battle as he went. Cautiously, the townspeople began to come out of hiding and see the battle ground for themselves. Slowly, they start to put the street back to the way it was as best as can be. The damage to the surrounding building even starts to be assessed by town officials.

“Regulus! Regulus wait!” came a voice from behind him.

                Regulus turned and saw a familiar face. It. was his neighbour and closest friend, Seamus. He was panting heavily and teetering. Sweat poured down his face which was flushed, and his clothes were also drenched. He had clearly run the entire way from their homes. The journey usually took close to an hour by mule and cart.

                “What is it old friend? What troubles you so?” Regulus said, as he rushed to Seamus’s side and tried to steady him with one arm.

                 “It’s…your son…he is deathly ill…you must come at once!”

To Be Continued!

Titan 2 Writing Update

I have just finished chapter 7 of Titan: City Under Siege. It has a lot going on with the characters as do most chapters. In chapter 7 Michael, at last, has a major confrontation with his older brother Vince and he learns some very disturbing information about the deaths of his parents from Grandpa Dale. And there is still around 100 pages to go!

Titan 2 Henchman

Here is the initial sketch of Dr. Melodian henchman Sonic by Jena. Not sure if this will be his final name, but that's what I am using for now. Sonic is the first of Dr. Melodian's suped up bad guys taht Titan has to face in City Under Siege. As you can see he has mechanical legs that make him a modified speedster. he won't go Flash speeds but he will go pretty fast all the same.

I will be doing an in store book signing at Chapters book store in the orchard park mall in Kelowna on Saturday September 15th 10am-2pm. Hope to see you there.

Titan 2 Update

I am now over half way done the first draft of Titan: City Under Siege. It has gone into some areas that I had not originally planned and it has made it a much stronger book than I even had thought it would be. It has always been one of my favourites of the series and now it may just be my favourite. Volume 3 will be called Shadow Games and the main villain's will be Mezmorozo, and Shadow. There will also be allies for Titan with the Myst and the government sanctioned super team T.R.I. in Delta City to lend a hand.