Burning Boys page 206

Last thing I typed today ...

Billy had a moment to look up and realise that the chattering old steam engine had been replaced by a gleaming sleek arrow of metal. Then the bullet train accelerated through the sound barrier with a silent burst of speed that shattered the few windows that were still unbroken in Virporta Village several miles away.
Billy was flicked off the train’s back like a fly off a car windscreen.

Local fame at last!

Made it into my local paper, The Sunderland Echo, today - just in the nick of time before my signing!
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Dad39s-tale-is-a-success.5166051.jp

Super Maxwell mini-trailer!

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.’

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.

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...