Blake has written books Day 5: Everything Else

Throughout the week, guys, I’ve given you glimpses into the full-length novels I’ve got available. But that isn’t the extent of my work. There are several shorts and collections available as well, and darn it, don’t they deserve their day in the sun?

Tales of Siegel City:

The Restless Dead of Siegel City

In this novella, it’s Halloween night and the city of faux superheroes finds itself overrun with the REAL undead — mummies, zombies, vampires, and all manner of creatures of the night have come to wreak havoc. Copycat, Animan, and their crew have to dig out the root of the infestation, and Josh has to confront the ghost of his greatest failure.

This is the first direct follow-up to Other People’s Heroes.

• Amazon Kindle store (99 cents)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store (99 cents)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format! (99 cents)
• Available in your iPad/iPhone/iPod bookstore! (99 cents)

Lucky Penny

Gill Lutz is a Las Vegas runner — a man employed by a casino to make sure that everything runs smoothly with no interference by people with “special” talents, which in a world full of metahumans is no small task. When the Vegas-based superhero called Lucky Penny uses her powers make Gill’s casino pay out jackpot after jackpot, he’s got to stop her before the casino goes bankrupt or, even worse, he’s out of a job.

This new story is set in the world of the novel Other People’s Heroes and the short story “The Restless Dead of Siegel City,” but can be read independently of those works. This eBook edition also contains a bonus short story, “Stowaway.” It’s Christmas Eve, 1827, and Louis Baudreau is determined to find something in the skies over the Gulf of Mexico he never thought he would see again. Instead, he finds a visitor on his boat that may take him places he never imagined.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store (99 cents)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store (99 cents)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format (99 cents)
• Available in your iPad/iPhone/iPod bookstore (99 cents)

The Ghost of Simon Tower

Every Christmas Eve the heroes of Siegel City come together to raise a glass to their fallen friends. On Josh Corwood’s first Christmas among them, he learns of an apparition that has haunted Simon Tower for years… a mysterious, nameless phantom, who may hold some of the Tower’s biggest secrets yet.

Set the Christmas after The Restless Dead of Siegel City, This short story continues the tale of Other People’s Heroes with a gateway into the past of Siegel City, and a glimpse into its future.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store (99 cents)
• Barnes and Noble Nook Store (99 cents)
• iPad/iPhone/iPod Bookstore (99 cents)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format (99 cents)

Associated Pressure

After the battle of Simon Tower, there are a lot of questions… heroes missing, villains who have changed sides, evil twins, and rampant confusion. The new LightCorps is holding a press conference to place everyone’s minds at ease. Unfortunately, one of the new superheroes can’t keep his story straight…

This very short story takes place in-between the final two scenes of Other People’s Heroes, with a humorous look at a Josh Corwood taken totally outside of his comfort zone.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store (99 cents)

Christmas Stories

A Long November

A Long November was written as my National Novel Writing Month experiment for 2005 and became my first Podcast Novel. Duncan Marks is just like you — sick and tired of Christmas coming before the Thanksgiving turkey even comes out of the oven. But this year, a Spirit of the Season takes him on a journey that tests his resolve… and upon which Christmas itself may rise or fall.

This short story, along with eight other Christmas themed stories of mine, has been collected into an eBook. Some of these shorts, including the Siegel City story “Lonely Miracle,” have been included as bonus content in some of my feature length novels.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store ($2.99)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store ($2.99)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format ($2.99)
• Subscribe for free at Podiobooks.com. (A Long November only – Audiobook does not include short stories)
• Available in your iPad/iPhone/iPod bookstore! ($2.99)

Making Santa

Making Santa is my first effort at a true serialized novel, a lighthearted sci-fi story for the holidays. Yes, you read that right. It’s planned to be released in four installment, one each year at Christmas time. Here’s the info on part one:

Advent:

Nicholas Grace and 199 other men have been abducted by a strange alien race called the Yool — a “benevolent order” that travels the galaxy helping undeveloped worlds by providing them with the things they lack. On our world, the Yool are trying to give us our missing icons. With the help of the Yool and their advanced technology, one of the 200 abductees will be chosen to fill some of the most legendary boots in history. One of these men will become Santa Claus.

• Amazon Kindle Store ($1.99)

Geek Punditry

Reel to Reel

The Reel to Reel project is my ongoing effort to study, document, and pontificate on different genres of movies. Once or twice a year, I intend to run the “first draft” of each project, a day at a time, online. I’ll then come back later with the expanded eBook editions, including more movies and more content. Here’s what’s available so far.

Vol. 1: Mutants, Monsters and Madmen

The first project looks at 40 of the greatest, most entertaining, and most influential horror movies of all time.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store ($2.99)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store ($2.99)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format ($2.99)
• Available in your iPad/iPhone/iPod bookstore ($2.99)

The Obligatory Everything But Imaginary

For years now, I’ve offered up my geek punditry at CXPulp.com and various other sites across the internet landscape. Now I’m gathering together the best of those columns and articles in a series of short, low-price collections around different themes. Here’s what’s available so far.

Vol. 1: A Revolving Door in Heaven
A look at the phenomenon of life, death, and the rapid turnaround between the two in American comic books.

• Amazon.com Kindle Store (99 cents)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store (99 cents)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format (99 cents)
• The iPad/iPhone Bookstore (99 cents)

Vol. 2: Is Santa Claus Super?
In this volume we look at Christmas comic books, Christmas music, how to shop for the Geek on your list, and we answer the most burning question of all… is Santa Claus a superhero?

• Amazon.com Kindle Store (99 cents)
• Barnes & Noble Nook Store (99 cents)
• Smashwords.com for every eBook format (99 cents)

Blake has written books Day 4: The Pyrite War

For my fourth novel, I returned to the world of Siegel City, but not the one we saw in Other People’s Heroes. While OPH was very much a contemporary novel, in The Pyrite War I hearkened back to the city’s early days to tell the tale of Siegel’s very first superhero.

On the cusp of America’s involvement in World War II, the world only knows of one super-powered champion: Guardian M, protector of Siegel City. When young Gabriel Ruston discovers powers of his own he sets his sights on becoming the second champion, but dies in a tragic incident on his first night in costume. When his brother, David, finds evidence that Gabriel’s death was no accident, he is forced to join with a frightened underground to uncover the truth about the man everyone idolizes. In Siegel City, nothing has ever been what it seemed… not even in a Golden Age.

This book is partially my tribute to the origins of the superhero, partially a way to flesh out and develop the world of Siegel City. Fans of OPH will find a whole new cast of characters, but a few of them may just have links to people we’ve seen before.

• Available as an ebook at Amazon.com ($3.99).
• Available at the Barnes & Noble Nook store ($3.99).
• Available at the iPad bookstore ($3.99).
• Available at Smashwords.com for every eBook format ($3.99).
• Available in print at Amazon.com ($15.49).

And don’t forget, guys — reblog! Tweet! Share! And please post your reviews at all of the above websites and at Goodreads.com!

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #1: Nightshadow I

NIGHTSHADOW (I)

Powers: Unknown. Although there are no records of Nightshadow using any measurable metahuman abilities, the extent of his activities leads many historians to speculate he had a number of powers he kept hidden from the general populace.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: Mister Mysteriouso himself. The first man to use the Nightshadow name has remained a complete enigma even today. I asked the current Nightshadow about him once, and all he would tell me is, “If you’re not in the suit, Josh, you don’t need to know.” There must have been something about this guy, though. He started the first superhero legacy.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR BEGINS TODAY.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #2: Guardian M

GUARDIAN M

Powers: Guardian M’s powers were numerous and varied. He was known to possess the abilities of flight, super-strength, invulnerability, enhanced senses and a number of other powers, with more being added seemingly regularly for the duration of his active time in Siegel City.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: There he is, Mr. America. The first superhero in the world, the guy everyone else has aspired to be ever since. It’s still amazing to me, all these years later, that no one has ever found out his secret identity, or for that matter, what really happened to him in the end. All I know is that even Lionheart admired this guy, and that sure as hell means he’s someone I’m going to look to for inspiration.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #3: Witch Raven

WITCH RAVEN

Powers: Undetermined. Witch Raven was observed demonstrating a number of “magical” powers, including flight and the control of animals, but whether these powers came from genuine magic or a sort of metahuman enhancement remains unknown.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: This girl was emo before emo was a thing. Flying around, sending her flocks of angry birds to attack people, slapping them with spells that knocked them into submission. I’m still not sure where I stand on the whole debate of “magic versus metahuman powers,” but no matter what she was really doing out there, she was effective as hell.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #4: Indestructagirl

INDESTRUCTAGIRL

Powers: Indestructagirl had greatly enhanced strength and resistance to physical damage.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: Powers of a typical tank, but there’s something about this girl. She couldn’t have been out of high school when everything happened, but she seemed so angry… so fierce in battle. How does somebody so young get so mad at the world? And if that wasn’t enough… damn me if there isn’t something familiar about her.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #5: Salty Joe

SALTY JOE

Powers: Salty Joe could breathe underwater and swim at remarkable speeds.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: Okay, I officially give up on these clowns and their names. “Salty Joe?” Dear God. Anyway, breathing underwater. Doesn’t sound too bad… maybe if we had him around today we wouldn’t keep hearing those rumblings from the Oceanica that they’re going to invade the surface world any day now. But look at these pictures… he may have still have a swimmer’s physique, but he had to be pushing 80 even in 1939. Whatever happened to him, he’s long gone now.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #6: Atomic Particle

ATOMIC PARTICLE

Powers: Atomic Particle could reduce his size to almost microscopic levels.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: Okay, this can’t be a coincidence. Not only does he have the same powers as my buddy Particle, but he has the word “Particle” in his name. There must be a connection. He doesn’t seem to have Particle’s smarts, though — all the reports make it sound like he was a sort of stealth muscle in the group, appearing from out of nowhere, slugging the bad guys, shrinking back down to nothing before they could catch him. Nice work if you can get it.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #7: Mysteria

MYSTERIA

Powers: Mysteria could cause someone to experience intense visual hallucinations virtually indistinguishable from reality.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: This gal, from everything I’ve heard, could be deadly. You didn’t have to look her in the eye for her to cast her illusions on you, she only had to see your eyes. The next thing you knew, you thought you were wandering through the Sahara Desert or sitting on the moon, staring back at Earth, scaring the hell out of you. She was the original Creepy Cape.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.

Countdown to THE PYRITE WAR #8: Queen Mab

QUEEN MAB

Powers: Queen Mab could force a person into a state of deep sleep. Although not as well known, it is believed she could also force a sleeper to awaken.

First Appearance: The Pyrite War

Notes from the Simon Tower Archive: Finally, a name — and a dame — with a little style! Queen Mab had the style and grace of a movie star with the mysterious air of a film noir femme fatale. People may have made fun of her for not having a more combat-applicable power, but think about this for a minute. You’re slugging it out with one of her teammates when she shows up, waves her hands, and the next thing you know you’re in dreamland, with no idea that you’re going to wake up in handcuffs. She’s on my list of “if I had been born in another time” along with Rita Hayworth and Audrey Hepburn.

–Annotations by Josh Corwood.

In 1939 Siegel City only had one superhero, the world’s first. When he discovered his powers, Gabriel Ruston thought he would be the second, but died on his first excursion in costume.

After Gabriel’s death, his brother David is drawn into an investigation. What if Gabriel wasn’t the second? What if there were others? What if something tragic happened to all of them?

In Siegel City, nothing is ever what it seems… even in a Golden Age.

THE PYRITE WAR launches on September 10, 2013. Prepare for battle.