The final cover design by G. Zschomler
"I felt like I was channeling J.J. Abrams
with so many lens flares."
The new book, pictured left, is on schedule for its February 29, 2016 release. What you see at the left is the final cover design. (Below and on the right you may also view the back cover.) I've also included the book's video trailer at the end of this post.
Before you go there here's a couple snippets from the opening of the book:
I
t
has long been speculated that parallel worlds (or universes) exist side by
side—or, rather, together in the same space; one, perhaps, within another
within another. Although imagined, never in the wildest dreams of scientists,
has anyone ever thought it possible to travel inter-dimensionally. And no
one—no one—ever believes me when I tell them that I have, in fact, achieved
that very feat...
S
o, there I was in a funk,
licking my wounds and trying to decide if I should quit before they had the
chance to can me. I was crumpled into my desk chair, wallowing in self-pity,
pondering the sad state of human beings and questioning my calling when into my
study walked a woman I had never seen before.
You may enlarge images by double
clicking them. Art by G. Zschomler
In her hand she held a staff of the most
grizzled wood, twisted, but worn smooth. She was the most ancient woman I’d
ever seen and I’d seen some doozies down here (you can’t unsee the sagging,
wrinkly sight of an aged woman sunbathing in a bikini on the beach).
She looked well beyond old-age—craggy,
leathery, thin to the point of frail, ashen and gray of hair—as if she’d
actually come back from the grave where she might have spent more than a few
decades.
Mind you, she was gnarled and
well-weathered, but not haggard, and didn’t appear to have the stink of death
upon her. In fact, she smelled of jasmine, pine and cinnamon (sort of like
Christmas), which was really quite lovely. I remember thinking: Perhaps they were burial spices?
Not only had I never seen her before (and
I would know this because she was extremely peculiar) I was taken aback
immediately by her manner of dress. The woman wore a long fur overcoat; black
and white striped stockings, combat boots; a flour-sack prairie dress, and an
aviator’s cap—complete with steam-punk type goggles cocked atop the cap.
She extended a crooked, knobby finger and
inquired of my identity, almost as if it weren’t a question at all.
“You Pastor Micah Rickmond?”
"I wrote this book to address questions we all have by sharing experiences similar to those we all endure, but I did it using a sci-fi vehicle which makes the story especially intriguing." ~the author
Preorders are now being accepted for signed copies ($10 plus post). Email me at: gregory.zschomler@gmail.com
A burnt out pastor thinks he’s living hell until he actually goes there.
"I wrote this book to address questions we all have by sharing experiences similar to those we all endure, but I did it using a sci-fi vehicle which makes the story especially intriguing."
Pastor Micah had no idea what kind of powder keg he was
stepping into with his new church assignment. Half the Gulf Coast congregation
hates him, the chairman of the board is out to get him, a church split is in
the works, his youngest daughter suffers from an autoimmune disease, his
marriage is in turmoil, and years of 60 hour work weeks without a vacation are
taking their toll. And that’s only the beginning.
In seminary
a professor had joked, “ministry is hard; then you die,” but it was no joke to
Micah—the stress is killing him and death seems a reasonable option for escape.
Maybe imminent hurricane Charlie will do that for him; he doesn’t care.
That is until a mysterious old woman shows up to take him on a
series of interdimensional journeys—around the world, to heaven, to hell and far
beyond what he’d ever imagined. Just as things come crashing down around Micah,
and he’s questioning everything he believes in and pondering leaving it all
behind, his eyes are opened to a few astounding realities.
Does God
cause the chaos? If He’s truly Sovereign then isn’t He responsible for the mess
the world is in? How can such a god be loving? How can He be trusted?
A work of supernatural, spiritual and speculative fiction based
on actual events.
I mean, who doesn't want to see Star Wars' Carrie Fisher (Princess Leah), Star Trek's Walter Koenig (Chekov), Star Wars' Dan Park (Darth Maul), Brandon Roth (Superman), Star Trek's Wil Wheaton (Wesley), Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols (Uhuru), and many many more from Grimm, The Walking Dead, etc.
Plus the Rose City ComicCon is the place for crazed costumed fans, the out of this world merchandise, the sneak peeks, the insider info and much, much more.
Well, if that's not enough, how about Sci-Fi and Fantasy books from local authors? Look for the NIWA booth on the expo floor and that's what you'll find them--including my Bayou Boys Adventure series and The Amish vs. the Zombies.
If you like Sci-Fiction and/or Fantasy this is probably just the thing for you. Several local, indie authors will have their work available at the NIWA booth. The featured author-speaker this year is the writer of Logan's Run. There is cosplay, sci-fi and fantasy collectibles and other stuff to buy (including books), art, gaming, speakers and so much more. If the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world is your thing you might want to check it out. Just sayin'. For more info click here.
I am so excited to write my next projects. Yes, two of them! I was going to write a work of non-fiction next, but I think I can better express what I have to say (what I feel called to say) through fiction...for now.
I plan to write yet another Bayou Boys Adventure called ALIEN AMBUSH. lol And a Christian Adult Sci-Fi novel called TO HELL, HEAVEN, AND BACK AGAIN involving inter-dimensional travel. The later is totally going to blow your mind!
Although I have begun both stories and will likely write on them from time to time over the summer I won't be attacking them full-bore until fall (once I have the editing and production work on PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM completed). I'll probably tackled one of them for NANOWRIMO.
