Saturday, July 21, 2012

Living the dream

Thirty-eight years ago, I began to envision a novel about a wizard who could will himself to die and then return to live engorged with magical powers. His name would be Torg, and the book would be titled Death-Know. A lot of time passed, and I did a lot more envisioning, but very little writing. In fact, I came to believe that Death-Know was just a dream that never would really come true.

However, the dream refused to die.

Nine years ago, I wrote the first word of what turned out to be a 700,000-word, six-book epic fantasy series. After a failed try with one publisher, book 1 of what is now called The Death Wizard Chronicles is just a few weeks from coming out under a new and much better publisher.

We all have dreams, some small, some large. This one has been mine. I'm sure most of you have dreams too, some of which you've achieved, some of which have remained beyond your grasp.

I'm not saying that what I've done is some momentous thing. Dreams don't have to be overly huge. I'm just saying that if you do have a dream that you haven't yet realized for whatever reasons, then ........... go for it.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Tightening the screws

I have received the line-edits for book 1. They're great and annoying at the same time. Great because the book will be vastly improved. Annoying because as a writer all these changes always make you feel kind of stupid. Still, everyone needs an editor, right???

Bring on book 1. It won't be long now.

Synopsis

The Death Wizard Chronicles is a sexy, action-packed six-book epic fantasy series: Book One (Forged by Death), Book Two (Chained by Fear), Book Three (Eve of War), Book Four (World on Fire), Book Five (Sun God), Book Six (Death-Know).

The DW Chronicles is not for children and teenagers -- or the faint of heart. But if you like graphic fantasy that is bursting with excitement yet still has a lot going on between the lines, I think you'll love my series.

In a groundbreaking paradox, the Death Wizard, a champion of good, derives his power from a source traditionally seen as negative -- death. His nemesis, an evil sorcerer, derives his power from the sun, the benevolent source of all life. Their struggle to control the fate of the planet Triken will take your breath away.

In an original twist never before seen in this genre, the Death Wizard is able to enter the realm of death during a "temporary suicide." Through intense concentration, he stops his heartbeat and feeds on death energy, which provides him with an array of magical powers.

The series also is a love triangle involving two desperate characters attempting to come together despite the machinations of an all-powerful psychopath with incestuous cravings.

Graphic and action-packed, spanning a millennium of turmoil, The DW Chronicles carries readers on a journey they will never forget.

Do you fear death? The Death Wizard does not. Find out why.

-- Please go to www.jim-melvin.com for more details.

About Me

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Clemson, SC, United States
I was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., but grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. I graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa) in 1979 with a B.A. in Journalism. I now live in South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a pleasant setting for writing, to say the least. I was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years and I currently work at the Charlotte Observer. I am married with five daughters.

The author

The author
Jim Melvin, a veteran journalist, debuts as novelist.