S.A. Chapman's Blog: Ex Astris Sapientiae

Over the next few days, chapters from a few of the books I'm writing will be up on Wattpad.


By doing so and getting some feedback, I can prioritize which ones to focus on and wrap up!
As of the now; on Wattpad, you can read the first chapter to a parallel novel to Exhumation - the saga of a character you briefly met in Exhumation, but of which little is known!

Let me know what you think and if you think it’s worth continuing :-)


Check it out!

https://www.wattpad.com/story/212808055

Here is a brief update on what i'm working on. For more details and insider expose, sign up as a Patron (please!).

Epics of Existentia - Main Canon Acts

Acts of the Twin: Act 1 - Master and Ward
This story follows the adventures of Magister Lothar and the Page-Ward Jacq, as they return from the Storm Mounds of Cape Nimbus. Many revelations occur, that shed light on the events of Exhumation - Act 1 of the Sojourner. There will be high-seas adventures, a view of the world outside Sanctuary along with all of its griminess, hard living and harsh realities. But it will also reveal some of the unnerving truths of the seemingly perfect Sanctuary.

Acts of the Twin: Act 2 - Journeyman's
This Act follows on from when Page-Ward Jacq leaves the company of Pious in the opening of Exhumation. Jacq and his friend Brasson Broadroad, are sent on special mission to investigate some suspicious activities by the Advocates of Lumerus. This Act reveals what occurred during the events whilst Pious was banished from Sanctuary and to their eventual reunion.

Acts of the Sojourner: Act 2 - Exhaltation 
Follows Pious on his quest to recover his wife on the planet of Qharnak. Act 2 is high-adventure fantasy. Lots of travelling through varied and treacherous lands, Indiana Jonesesque dungeon delving, elaborate plots and mysteries and a few epic scale wars to beef it up.  

Acts of the Sojourner Act 3 - Transcendence 
Act 3 is epic fantasy - featuring such events as a romp through the Aetherical realm of Conceptia, aiding the Ice Crab Kings who dwell in the Frozen Fjords of Aquaticus against their enemies, the monstrous Siark. Act 3 is mind bending fantastical fantasy.

Acts of the Sojourner Act 4 - Transfiguration 
Act 4 follows the story an obscure character, otherwise known as X (Ekks) to his shady, black-ops superiors. This Act occurs on Earth in present time and is reminiscent of an 80's/90's Schwarzenegger style action movie, kind of like Predator meets Apocalypto (I really hate having to say A meets B, but it at least sets the expectation).

Acts of the Sojourner Act 5 - Resurrection 
Act 5 is set more of a dystopian science-fiction novel set in a far and haunting future. It follows the workings of a combat automaton, inadvertently uploaded with a somewhat revered, yet unknown and obscure Personality Matrix. After a violent awakening and bloodied several corpses at its feet, it takes care and charge of a lone child survivor hiding in the darkness. 

Epics of Existentia - Stand Alone Novels/Graphic Novels

One Choice (Graphic Novel)
This novel covers a particular desperate battle set in the same dystopian future as in Act 5 of the Sojourner. It pits a set of unwilling war-criminals and captured revolutionaries against insurmountable odds and ruthless war machines. Its a fight against each other and the timed detonation collars strapped to the necks if they do not complete their mission in time. Retreat, it detonates. Time elapses, it detonates. You die, it detonates. Only one choice - forward.
This story is written, and could be readily released as a novel. However, this will be much cooler as a Graphic Novel. Story board and initial sketches underway.

The Journal of Dr. Prof. Shroeder (Journal style Novel with illustrations).
This novella discusses the inner workings and journey of a discredited Archaeologist and Anthropologist, well into his retirement years. Discredited for the research of his ancestors, and his own research into the belief that humankind somehow survived multiple cataclysmic events. When he is taken against his will by shadowy figures, and requested to undertake further research into his own discredit, his research and his journey begin to unravel and makes sense - but to what end he is uncertain.

Non Epics of Existentia Works
Brian Storm - Firmware Detective (Comic)
This is the brain child of myself, co-author Neil Noakes and artist Adam Edwards. It follows the adventures of our somewhat aging Detectobot - Brian Storm, with an addiction to circuitboard cleaner and a knack for solving crimes. Luckily for him, his on-again off-again girlbot Pinky McIntosh keeps an eye out for him, even if all he has going for him is a 3.5" floppy disk and a persevering attitude. 
Hopefully, you will follow along while he combats the evil illegal firmwares of Chipcity - such as the Worm, Seary Spears and his long term nemesis - Malcolm Warewolfe, who rides about Chipcity atop his steed, the mighty Trojan - causing corruption and disorder in wake of electrons.

Mythra (Comic)
A child is born in a collapsed cave somewhere on an island, in a war torn Mediterranean. Drawing sustenance from the fungi and moss covered walls, illuminated by the phosphorescent ores, his mother warns him of the dangers that dwell deeper within the cave, while he endless toils to move the heavy stones that block their exit. Long after the passing of his mother, he summons the inner strength to delve deeper into the depths of the cave, in search of the legendary means to create tools of great power - a means protected by the great beast that is half-man, half-bull. Only with these implements, will he be able to make his great exit and give his mother the burial she deserves. But in doing so, he will emerge from his cave into a world - both unsuspecting and undeserving of what he will become. Mythra.

Hi Folks,

After finally releasing the Print Edition of Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia, things took a bit of a dive. Some of you may or may not know – but I have recently hit a bit of a health roadblock. I am no long working full time and I’m trying to understand what it is I need to do next with my life. As my health recovers, I have some time to consider what is good in life.

Actually, I have a lot of writing in the pipeline. But do I make the jump and hammer out tome after tome? I can do it, but should I?

Should I burn countless hours and coin for potentially no reason – especially if no one is ever going to enjoy the fruits of my labour?

So I thought I would give Patreon a go – a decent indicator if anyone is remotely interested in my continuing my writing. Until now, all my writing time and investment as been at my own cost. Writing, Artwork, Promo and Marketing. It’s been a bit of a drain, but unless you are one of the writing deities – this is not a cheap market to stay in.

So if you are one of those random folks who likes my work, or would like me to continue writing at a regular pace – please consider being my Patron. Small investment – MASSIVE REWARDS. No Pyramid scheme, I promise. It’s more of a Tetrahedron scheme. 🙂

Like sprawling Epic Fantasy? Check.
Like mystery, intrigue and espionage? Check.
Like action and conflict? Check.

Well heck, what are you waiting for - enter the Giveaway for your chance to get yourself a copy of Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia.

To mark the release of the latest version of the Exhumation enhanced e-book, I am giving away 100 copies. This edition features greater readability, with revised and further edited text.

Keep your eyes open for the next giveaway, which will be for one of several copies of the full colour illustrated limited edition hard-back.

-

You have spoken - and I have listened!

The general feedback Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia has received is that the story is great, BUT 'starts slow', 'hard to get into', 'once you get over the hump'...

Well, I'm going to fix that.

I didn't realise how much inadvertent info-dumping I unleashed on you, my unsuspecting victims.

I am working on a second edition, making the opening few chapters much easier to read and making the action and dialogue flow much better.

The story and plot hasn't changed in any way.

Thank you all who had given a review, you've helped me become a better writer!

If you're a professional in Qatar, and have a touch point into InfoSec or CyberSec, you may want to know your legal obligations! Make sure you get your free copy while you can!

That's it!

I'm signed up for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!

You can expect something from the Epics of Existentia ultra-mega-verse, will be ready for reading action by the end of November 2017!

At the moment, all I can tell you is the title:

Descendant.

Hi Folks! I need YOUR HELP!

The esteemed artist, Adam Edwards and myself, are trying to conclude some artwork decisions for Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia…

For the print edition, what would you prefer, from an artwork perspective? What would you normally like to see in any good fantasy novel?

--- An illustration for each chapter, from a scene within?

--- Or an assortment of character sketches, monsters, objects, cities, etc.?

Pictures are time; time is money! We can’t go too crazy, or we may as well just make a graphic novel!

Your thoughts are highly appreciated!

Thanks for following me LJFlynner! You'll always be my number 1!!!