PAX BRITANNIA

Ulysses Quicksilver and the mystery of the Fortean premonition

2008-07-21T11:54:00.003+01:00

I was in central London on Friday to promote Match Wits with the Kids but managed to make time to visit my favourite store - Forbidden Planet.

Whilst there (as well as checking whether they had any of my books in - which they did) I picked up a copy of Fortean Times (a magazine I dip into from time to time). To my amazement, right there, slap bang on the cover, was mention of two things that I am combining in my next Pax Britannia adventure (that being the one after Human Nature, which I'm writing at the moment).

What are the chances of that? Obviously Ulysses Quicksilver and the Denver Space Cadets meet the Earliest Americans was meant to be!

Work in progress

2008-07-13T22:42:00.005+01:00

As any regular (or even intermittent) reader of this blog will know by now, I am currently writing the fourth novel in the Pax Britannia line, entitled Human Nature.

However, I am also plotting out the next novel after that. As you can see from the attached photograph I am going through my copious notes as I compose the novel synopsis.

I always find this a challenging yet exciting stage in the novel-writing process, challenging (and at times infuriating) as I struggle to fit all of my ideas into something that is in any way recognisable as a comprehensible plot, and exciting... for pretty much the same reason.

It's so satisfying when, as Hannibal Smith from the A-Team would say, 'a plan comes together' and I discover what's going to happen next myself. Then I get excited all over again at the prospect of extracting these ideas and situations that my imagination has created and revealing them piece by piece through the course of the novel.

The sharp-eyed amongst you may also get an inkling as to what the next book (due in 2009) is going to be about...

The Massive Match Wits Giveaway!

2008-07-13T22:26:00.001+01:00

How would you like to have a copy of Match Wits with the Kids, signed by the author... and for free?

Well, if you would, then make sure you're outside the Department for Children, Schools and Families (Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT) between 8.00am and 10.00am this Friday 18 July 2008.

Icon Books are going to be giving away 500 free copies of Match Wits with the Kids and I'll be there to sign them as well. All those involved in the giveaway will be wearing Match Wits t-shirts and will be happy to explain why this is the most important book of the summer.

Match Wits with the Kids - a little learning for all the family!

JG on BBC London 94.9

2008-07-12T22:30:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow morning, Sunday 13 July (in case you're reading this any time other than Saturday night) I am going to be on the Sunday Schedule, with Lesley Joseph and Roland Rivron, on BBC London radio 94.9FM.

If you're able to, why not tune in at around 10.30am to hear about, not only Match Wits with the Kids, but also an event linked to the book that will be taking place in central London this coming Tuesday. You really don't want to miss this!

Unnatural History review at SciFiChick.com

2008-07-11T11:36:00.005+01:00

Angela Schuch (a.k.a. SciFiChick) has posted a review of Unnatural History (the first Pax Britannia adventure and the dandy Ulysses Quicksilver's first outing) on her website - and very complimentary she is too. To read more for yourself click here.

Abaddon Update

2008-07-09T08:55:00.001+01:00

Over at Abaddon Books blog, editor Jonathan Oliver has posted an update regarding the delights that are soon to be forthcoming from Abaddon Books over the next few months. Al Ewing's I, Zombie gets a mention, as does Rebecca Levene's Anno Mortis. And then there's something called Human Nature, whatever that is. ;-)

Human Nature

2008-07-06T14:41:00.006+01:00

My next Pax Britannia novel Human Nature is now up on the front page of Abaddon Books website, along with a detailed blurb giving fans of the Pax Britannia series an idea of what to expect come December.

The Whitby Mermaid, prize exhibit of Cruickshanks’ Cabinet of Curiosities, has been stolen. But have no fear; consulting detective Gabriel Wraith is on the case. And he’s not the only one, for wherever there is a mystery to be solved, Ulysses Quicksilver is never very far away. What does the theft of what would appear to be a poorly-conceived fake have to do with the mysterious House of Monkeys? And what of the enigmatic criminal known only as the Magpie?

When Ulysses probes further into the case, he finds himself embarking upon an adventure that will take him to the industrially-polluted North of England and the fishing town where the curious creature was supposedly caught. But there are worse things awaiting him there than mermaids. The moors of Ghestdale are haunted by the savage Barghest beast, while in the abandoned mines beneath the Umbridge estate, impossible abominations lurk in the darkness, waiting. And yet Ulysses Quicksilver is about to discover that the worst horrors are those spawned by Man’s own selfish nature. Trapped within the very heart of darkness, with his body and sanity threatened, can he escape a fate worse than death with both still intact before one man’s insane quest for immortality comes to fruition?

To reserve your copy now, follow the link my own webstore at the top of the sidebar.

Visit my new Pax Britannia bookshop

2008-07-02T13:25:00.000+01:00

I have recently created my own online store, with the aid of Amazon Associates, so if you would like to purchase any of the books written by myself simply follow the link at the top of the sidebar, or click here.

Clive Barker on fantasy

2008-07-01T21:58:00.003+01:00

Anybody who has picked up an Abaddon Books publication or checked out their website will have probably seen this quote from Clive Barker already:

Well fans of the renowned horror and fantasy writer may be interested to read what he has to say about the art of fantasy here.

Human Nature - the horror revealed!

2008-07-01T12:09:00.001+01:00

Today I am pleased to unveil the cover for my next Pax Britannia adventure Human Nature, which is out this December from Abaddon Books.

Cover artist Mark Harrison has done a sterling job once again and, as a result, the cover conveys the Cthulhu-esque horror at the heart of the story whilst not giving too much away. I know that they say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but you can in this case you can; it's horror, horror, horror all the way.

Oh, and there's a great big gribbly beastie's in there too.

A life in maps

2008-06-28T17:21:00.009+01:00

Before starting work on the latest Pax Britannia adventure Human Nature, I picked up a copy of London: A Life in Maps by Peter Whitfield (having come across it quite by chance in a bookshop near Covent Garden).

It's a fascinating tome that traces the history of the capital through various historical maps. Also included in the book are numerous illustrations of famous (and not-so-famous) London landmarks.

As well as helping in terms of being a reference work for my research, it is also proving to be something of an inspiration for future stories. So, included within this post is an image of the smoky Victorian metropolis, and two locations, one from the current book I'm writing, and one that will feature in the fifth Pax Britannia novel, due next year. Can you work out what and where they are?

Back to Britannia

2008-06-26T20:50:00.003+01:00

It's been a while since I last visited the world of Pax Britannia (February, to be precise, when I wrote the short story Vanishing Point) but now I'm back and it's like I've never been away.

I've written three completely different books since writing the last PB novel Leviathan Rising, but I'm now well into the next Ulysses Quicksilver adventure Human Nature, due for publication this December from Abaddon Books.

And what a dark tale it's turning out to be. On top of that, to add to my growing excitement (as well as the darker mood of the story) I received Mark Harrison's fantastically grotesque cover for the book through the ether.

But I'm not going to reveal it to you in all its dark glory just yet. But to whet your appetite I'm going to post this teaser pic instead.

Let the rumour-mongering commence!

Author interview

2008-06-07T10:48:00.002+01:00

Graeme Flory, a fan of my Pax Britannia stories, recently interviewed me over the Internet for his own blog Graeme's Fantasy Book Review. Follow this link to find out more for yourself.

We have a winner!

2008-06-05T21:55:00.006+01:00

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the recent Pax Britannia competition, run on this site, is... Michelle Powell!

Michelle's winning entry had her appearing as someone preparing to board the submersible liner Neptune from Leviathan Rising.

Michelle will appear as a character in the next Ulysses Quicksilver adventure Human Nature (out this December from Abaddon Books).

Congratulations to Michelle and thanks to all those who took the time and trouble to enter.

The competition is now closed!

2008-06-01T18:15:00.002+01:00

The deadline to submit entries for the Pax Britannia competition I've been running has been and gone.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I will be going through the entries and deciding a winner shortly.

I will let everyone here know the results as soon as I have them.

Competition closes today!

2008-05-31T13:44:00.000+01:00

D-Day is here! You only have until midnight tonight to enter the Pax Britannia competition I am running, the prize being a walk on part in the next Ulysses Quicksilver adventure Human Nature, due to be published this December by Abaddon Books.

There have already been some very impressive entries, so if you want to win you're going to need to pull something pretty amazing out of the hat at the last minute.

Follow this link to my original post about the competition if you want to remind yourself of the competition rules.

Good luck! It's not long now...

Dark Wolf's Dark Desires

2008-05-22T23:05:00.003+01:00

Over at Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews, Dark Wolf himself has a few things to say about the Pax Britannia competition I'm currently running.

Thanks to Dark Wolf for the special mention and click here to find out what sort of character he would like to be...

When you absolutely, positively, have to vaporise every last heinous scoundrel in the room...

2008-05-20T20:09:00.002+01:00

... Why not try one of Dr Grordbort's Infallible Aether Oscillators, the Manmelter 3600ZX, the F.M.O.M. Industries Wave Disrupter Gun, or the Goliathon 83 Infinity Beam Projector?

(Please note that no equine quadrupeds were actually molecularly disassembled during the making of this infomercial.)

Closing date fast approaching

2008-05-20T19:58:00.002+01:00

Just a reminder for anybody planning on entering the Pax Britannia competition - the prize at stake being a walk on part in the latest Ulysses Quicksilver adventure - that the deadline for entries is Saturday 31 May 2008.

And competition is fierce, although it's not too late to enter. So far people have written reviews of Leviathan Rising, promoted Pax Britannia on their blogs and even produced incredible photographs with themselves cast in the role of a steampunk adventurer.

If you need reminding of the details, or you want to know more, follow this link to my original post about the competition.

And good luck!

Rise of the Daleks

2008-04-25T08:52:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow, Saturday 26 April, I shall be appearing alongside a Dalek as part of Borders Books' Dalek Day, taking place at Grays Library, close to the Thurrock Lakeside shopping centre.

I'll be there signing copies of my Doctor Who Decide Your Destiny adventure The Horror of Howling Hill and visitors will also be able to have their photograph taken with a genuine Dalek from the TV series.

The organisers of the event have designed a 'Draw your own Monster' competition sheet to tie in with my book, and there will also be opportunities to win prizes throughout the day.

So, if you're in the area, why not come along?

Maybe see you there.

Who needs a Rolex anyway?

2008-04-23T15:06:00.005+01:00

My watch has broken. Or rather, the battery is dead.

There was a time when I would feel under-dressed if I didn't have my watch on, but to be honest, these days, I don't really miss it.

I'm so used to looking at my phone to tell the time (like, how did that ever happen?) or the computer screen in front of me that I haven't really used my watch since giving up full-time work nine months ago. Besides, even when it was working I took it off to type as otherwise it kept catching on the edge of my computer keyboard.

But, if I were to ever replace my watch I think I would want something like this amazing piece of kit.

P.S. I do not, and doubt I ever will, own a Rolex.

Pax Britannia competition

2008-04-19T09:12:00.002+01:00

When you read of Ulysses Quicksilver’s latest escapades, do you see yourself there alongside him, partaking in a bit of derring-do? When you read of the empire of Magna Britannia or its capital, Londinium Maximum, do you imagine yourself there, immersed within this retro-Victorian steampunk world? If so, then how would you feel about actually appearing in the next Pax Britannia adventure?

Well, here’s your chance. All you have to do is enter our Pax Britannia competition and, come this December, you could see your name in print, as one of the characters in the next Ulysses Quicksilver adventure Human Nature.

To enter, you simply need to find an interesting way to help promote the current Pax Britannia novel Leviathan Rising, published by Abaddon Books. It could be a review for a magazine or a website, it might be in the form of a photograph, something you manage to arrange at a local bookshop, or it could involve you making a model or even dressing up as a character from the book (if that’s your sort of thing).

Obviously, we can’t condone anything illegal or immoral but, as long as you stay within the bounds of the law (and common decency), pretty much anything goes. You can also enter this competition more than once; after all, we’re going for blanket coverage here!

The important thing is that whatever you do, you have to have evidence, and evidence that can be emailed. This might be in the form of a link, a digital photograph, a video clip, etc.

There are no age restrictions for this competition, but bear in mind that the final novel would probably receive at least a 15 rating at the cinema!

You need to send your competition entries, via the ether, to paxbritannia@hotmail.co.uk by Saturday 31 May 2008.

By submitting an entry – be it a video clip, a photograph or a text review, etc. – you thereby give permission for to it being used as we see fit on any blogs or publicity material, for free, and waive copyright to it. The copyright will then belong to Rebellion A/S.

The winner will have their name used as that of a minor character in Human Nature and will receive a signed copy of the book on publication.

There may also be some runner-up prizes in the form of signed books and a general lauding of their work on this blog.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your thinking caps on and come up with something original. We await your entries with eager anticipation.

Good luck!

Important note: Abaddon Books, the Pax Britannia setting, all text and artwork from the novels are © & ™ Rebellion A/S and reproduced here with kind permission.

We also reserve the right to change the rules of the competition should is become necessary and as we see fit.

Ex-Ter-Min-Nate!

2008-04-16T14:11:00.004+01:00

Those of you who have visited my other blog Unnatural History will know that I have written a Doctor Who tie-in book called The Horror of Howling Hill. So imagine my delight when I found this on YouTube.

A steampunk dalek. How cool is that? I want one!

Dirk Valentine and the Fortress of Steam

2008-04-15T22:07:00.003+01:00

Fancy yourself as something of a steampunk adventurer-cum-action hero in the same vein as the dashing Ulysses Quicksilver? You do? Well, then you should check out this little treat at Miniclip.com.

If only...

2008-04-15T21:48:00.008+01:00

Feast your eyes on these retro-futuristic delights!

What you see here before your very eyes are two fantastic steampunk computer creations. The first is a steampunk monitor and keyboard, created by the inspired Hieronymus Isambard "Jake" Von Slatt.

The second is a steampunk laptop, the brainchild of Richard R. Nagy, a.k.a. the Datamancer.

I only discovered these Victorian-styled delights today, but now you know exactly how I will be imagining the Babbage engines of Magna Britannia from now on.

What wouldn't I give to be able to write the next Pax Britannia novel on one of these!

Well, guys... Jake... Richard... If you're listening, fire up the old cogitator circuits and drop me an electronic missive post-haste.