~Mythago Wood meets a dime Western with an Australian accent ~

What can I say but *love*!

I’ve been blessed to have some wonderful book covers in my career and this one by Joey Hi Fi, commissioned by Angry Robot (and partially inspired by Brigitte Sutherland’s graphic novel illustrations) is right up at the top!

PEACEMAKER is due for release May 1st 2014 in UK and US, and as soon as it ships in Australia.

What do you think?

The eagle’s shadow behind Virgin has great significance in the story and you can see Nate Sixkiller on Virgin’s shirt. The background is the city and the foreground is the Birrimun Park. The park has hints of purple mulla mulla on it.

Perfect!

For those who are wondering what the heck it’s about, the story is a blend of SF, Western, paranormal Australiana. US Marshall Nate Sixkiller, and Park Ranger, Virgin Jackson, have to work together to solve a murder in Birrimun Park. Turns out that co-operation is not a strong suit for either of them. But in this case there is really no option.

I would describe it as Mythago Wood meets penny Western with an Australian accent.

Delighted to announce that I’ll be facilitating the following set of workshops through the Queensland Writers centre in 2014. Please consider enrolling. It will be awesome FUN!

Year of the Fiction Novel

with Marianne De Pierres
When: 10:00am – 4:30pm, Saturday 19 April, 14 June, 16 August, 20 September, 15 November
Fees: $295 deposit + $300 final payment ($595 total)

Get that novel-idea out of your head and onto the page in this year-long series. Marianne De Pierres will help you to navigate the world of your novel, develop your characters and master your story’s structure. Make 2014 the year you feel the thrill of typing The End.

Thought it was time to share how things are going with the next book! I’ll be delivering PEACEMAKER book one in December to Angry Robot, and it will be released next year. Will let you know publication date when it’s confirmed.

I’m loving writing in this world. It’s such an eclectic mix of genres and themes. This kind of story really frees my imagination.

It’s also brought me back into focus on the graphic novel second issue which is waiting to be produced. I’m thinking of running a very small Kickstarter to cover the costs of the artwork and then making it available free. What do you say to that?

Here’s a sample of Virgin looking out over the park that Gestalt artist Emily Smith drew for me a while back. I’d love your thoughts on it! I loved it at the time but I was looking for the slightly more realistic look that Brigitte’s art gave the story.

I’m hoping Emily will eventually be free to do some work on the series.