Friday 27 March 2009

Burning Boys page 178

Last things I typed today...

Dr Silex simply laughed. ‘I am a teacher, Jones, because I love mathematics and I love teaching. I do not love children, I do not even like children. I only thank the Gods I never had any of my own.’

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Realmpedia - definition 3


Xenomorphic Transopticals (TXs)

From Realmpedia, the free cross-world encyclopaedia

For other uses, see Superman's Spectacles

History: Although originally patented in 1807 by prolific Martian inventor Mardarke Wilson (1752-1925) the current standard model of Xenomorphic Transopticals (TXs) were created by disgraced genius Professor Lampton Saint Bernard Arcania (AD 674-). See 'Eternal ‘Eternal Engine’ CLASSIFIED, ‘Titus Andronicus Mamble’ CLASSIFIED, ‘The Realms 10 Most Wanted’).

Application: Used primarily to alter a person's physical appearance when travelling to alien worlds, the TXs (popularly know as "Superman's Spectacles") are also used to transform an individual's appearance to protect their identity among their own species. The term "Superman's Spectacles" comes from the popular human comic book character Superman, who looked identical in his guise as Clark Kent, wearing only the unconvincing "disguise" of a pair of spectacles. Though the XTs have retained this comical name, wearing them entirely transforms an individual's physical appearance and even, if desired, can change a person's gender.

Problems: Created to allow an individual to blend seemlessly into society in any of the 101 known worlds, the TXs translation programme is dependent on processing at least 50 common words - therefore when first entering an alien society it is wise to "speak when you're spoken to".

All queries are logged and subject to immediate action.

Friday 20 March 2009

Super Maxwell on the radio

I was interviewed on the Jonathan Miles show on Radio Newcastle - you can hear it at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p002f8dz/Jonathan_Miles_20_03_2009/
As well as interviewing me, they also recorded an extract from The Last Heroes (chapter 12) - results - on to stage 2...

Thursday 12 March 2009

Keeping the wheels oiled...

Some definate progress on getting "The Last Heroes" on the map today, with my local Waterstone (Sunderland) agreeing to stock the book on the shelf, and Border Books in Newcastle sounding me out about doing "an event" ... whatever that may be? Waterstones also presented me with the terrifying prospect of a signing at their store on April 18 ... Oh, well, if nothing else it will give my friends and family the opportunity to take the mickey out of me in public!
I have also managed to get my local paper (Sunderland Echo) to review the book and am getting interviewed on BBC Radio Newcastle next week - I will post a link if I don't make too much of a fool of myself!
There may be some problems with the odd deal my publisher has struck up with book shop profits ... but all in all more positive than neg today - just hit page 150 of the next Super Maxwell book ...

Realmpedia - definition 2

Brundhahz
From Realmpedia, the free cross-world encyclopaedia
For other uses, see The First Tribe.
The Brundhahz are believed to originate from the planet ‘Earth’ (see also Sol 3) and are now almost entirely based on Virporta Island, though some are reputed to live in Borneo (see also Krohns).
Appearance: Blue skinned, and covered in thick quills. The quills are believed to be mostly used in mating rituals, but recent research has discovered that quills on the Brundhahz’s males wrists contain highly toxic poisons. About 1.5 metres (5 foot) in height they are said to resemble large blue humanoid hedgehogs.
History: Reputed to be the oldest civilisation in existence (see also Primians) Brundhahz civilisation attained technological perfection 10 million years ago, and then quickly declined. Brundhahz are reputed to be immortal, and to have created the inter-planetary Intersections.
Culture: CLASSIFIED
Current status: QUARANTINED (see ‘Eternal Engine’ CLASSIFIED, ‘Titus Andronicus Mamble’ CLASSIFIED, ‘New Combination’)
All queries are logged and subject to immediate action.

Thursday 5 March 2009

Watchmen Academy welcomes new students - please refrain from flying during school hours!smsml.jpg
Super Maxwell and the Last Heroes, the first book following Maxwell Jones's adventures across 101 worlds, has been published by YouWriteOn and Legend Press.
You can read the first chapter below...
You can keep coming back to Super Maxwell+ to find out more about my trials and tribulations as a first time published author, read exclusive content through Realmpedia, and discover more about progress on the second Maxwell Jones book, Super Maxwell and the Burning Boys as I desperately try to finish it by October 2009!
Super Maxwell and the Last Heroes costs £7.99 and is available at Amazon.co.uk or WH Smith or can be ordered at all good book shops.

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Realmpedia - definition 1

Virporta Island
From Realmpedia, the free cross-world encyclopaedia
For other uses, see Vir Porta (apocalypse).
Virporta is a sub-tropical island based on the planet ‘Earth’ (see also Sol 3) in the CLASSIFIED ocean, also in the CLASSIFIED and CLASSIFIED oceans (see also the ‘Virporta Flock’). The 88 km² island (latest info 5000 km²) is divided roughly in half between Good Men and Brundhahz; it is the smallest inhabited land mass in the world (NB – no longer applicable, see ‘Vir Test’).
Known ports: 2 (train and ferry)
Known breeches: 7 (unclassified)
Education: The Watchmen Academy, (founded 4276 BC) 5-12yrs old (Old Combination) zoned with Watchmen University (zone disabled 2046 (OC), 1999 (New Combination).
History: CLASSIFIED
Current status: QUARANTINED (see ‘Eternal Engine’ CLASSIFIED, ‘Titus Andronicus Mamble’ CLASSIFIED, ‘New Combination’)
All queries are logged and subject to immediate action.