The past few weeks have yielded a changes. Big changes. I’ll share one of them with you now, and the other in a few days.
First, after an impromptu strategy session with cover designer, Jeroen ten Berge, I decided to expand the Perseid Collapse universe into a multiple book series (three minimum). I had originally planned a single novel, with the possibility of a sequel, but 50k words into the story (200 pages), I had only finished one-third (barely) of my storyboard. Not only was The Perseid Collapse heading into uncharted page-count territory, but I felt like I was holding back to keep the novel length under control. I don’t like to hold back in my novels, so I picked a logical break point on my storyboard and divided it into two books, adding additional scenes and incorporating a new thread into the overall series concept. Nearly 20K words later, I can assure you this was the right decision. The new thread binds the books together far more tightly than I had originally envisioned. I’m extremely happy with the result.
What does this mean for you? The Perseid Collapse books will be shorter (325-375 words), but they will arrive more frequently. Since book two is already plotted, I will start it immediately upon completing book one. I typically take a month off between books…not this time. I anticipate launching The Perseid Collapse in early December and The Perseid Collapse: Event Horizon in March. The third book, The Perseid Collapse: Point of Crisis, will likely arrive in the fall of 2014.
At this point, the Black Flagged series readers are probably scratching their heads, wondering what has happened to Black Flagged Reprisals. Have no fear, Reprisals is on target for early summer 2014. I had to push it back, just slightly to accommodate the revival of the apocalyptic world started with The Jakarta Pandemic. While The Jakarta Pandemic and Black Flagged series are distinctly different worlds, The Perseid Collapse series incorporates more of the technothriller flair that I’ve developed over four Black Flagged books. Without reading The Jakarta Pandemic (though I highly encourage it), Black Flagged readers should be able to sink right into The Perseid Collapse series, feeling very comfortable in a gritty, fast paced, plot twist rich environment.
The fall promises to be an exciting time. More big news on the way! Be sure to sign up for my new release updates list HERE