The time is rapidly approaching - I'm only weeks away from releasing my first self-published novel! I've really appreciated the insight and guidance of diary threads here, and so thought that it would be worth starting one of my own. I'm starting this before the release of the book so that I can share each step (and mistake!) made along the way, and also because I know that by doing so I'll get a lot of excellent advice from the lovely peeps here on Absolute Write
When Winter Calls
380 pages (paperback)
Release Date: Summer 2015 (Now Available!)
“A terrifying glimpse into a future where humanity can be ‘improved’ by technology and corporations govern. Robert Gordon spins a cautionary tale about the increasing omnipotence of corporations and an endless appetite for pushing the boundaries of technology.” – Elizabeth Karr, Producer of Radio Free Albemuth
Back Cover Text:
Research is the Door to Tomorrow
Welcome to Caldera, the corporate enclave in international waters where cutting-edge research meets employee utopia. As Sentivue Industries prepares their new flagship product – a neural interface that connects the user to the collective knowledge of the ages – Jared Elsworth is tasked with ensuring a smooth and successful launch.
But with winter setting in and many of its residents preparing to leave, something doesn’t seem right. People are acting strangely, and the citycorp begins to take on a much darker and more violent tone. Is the interface causing the changes, or is somebody pulling the strings? When isolation is the key to corporate sovereignty, how do you overcome a sinister force that has taken control?
Robert A. Gordon is an anthropologist that has been writing about the ethics of future technology for the past decade. Dedicating his professional career to engaging the public discourse on questions of morality and social purpose, he has consistently worked on themes of corporate power, governance and innovation. When Winter Calls is his debut novel, a science fiction thriller that explores the boundaries of our personal and collective identities in an ever-changing world.
Next Steps:
I'll keep everybody updated with everything that I do as things progress, and particularly the resources that I find useful. Over the month of June I started the pre-release ramp up on the blog, and put out a post every day for 30 days to drum up interest and open up channels of communication with other futurists online. Now the next phase begins!
When Winter Calls
380 pages (paperback)
Release Date: Summer 2015 (Now Available!)
“A terrifying glimpse into a future where humanity can be ‘improved’ by technology and corporations govern. Robert Gordon spins a cautionary tale about the increasing omnipotence of corporations and an endless appetite for pushing the boundaries of technology.” – Elizabeth Karr, Producer of Radio Free Albemuth
Back Cover Text:
Research is the Door to Tomorrow
Welcome to Caldera, the corporate enclave in international waters where cutting-edge research meets employee utopia. As Sentivue Industries prepares their new flagship product – a neural interface that connects the user to the collective knowledge of the ages – Jared Elsworth is tasked with ensuring a smooth and successful launch.
But with winter setting in and many of its residents preparing to leave, something doesn’t seem right. People are acting strangely, and the citycorp begins to take on a much darker and more violent tone. Is the interface causing the changes, or is somebody pulling the strings? When isolation is the key to corporate sovereignty, how do you overcome a sinister force that has taken control?
Robert A. Gordon is an anthropologist that has been writing about the ethics of future technology for the past decade. Dedicating his professional career to engaging the public discourse on questions of morality and social purpose, he has consistently worked on themes of corporate power, governance and innovation. When Winter Calls is his debut novel, a science fiction thriller that explores the boundaries of our personal and collective identities in an ever-changing world.
Next Steps:
- Final proofing round - the book is currently on its 9th edit and I'm calling this as the last! Proofing/formatting/minor changes only.
- Purchase ISBN block
- Start playing around with Draft2Digital, CreateSpace and IngramSpark - I'm currently planning on using all three for different things (eBook, Paperback, Hardcover)
- Start building up a mailing list through my Future Conscience blog, with a discount offer!
- Sort out US tax exemption forms so that I'm not charged double tax! (I'm in the UK)
- Finalise full cover design (including a request for a cover quote...)
- Figure out a publicity strategy for launch window (reviews, Goodreads, podcasts, blog interviews, paid ads, calling in favours!)
- All the other things I've missed... (!!)
I'll keep everybody updated with everything that I do as things progress, and particularly the resources that I find useful. Over the month of June I started the pre-release ramp up on the blog, and put out a post every day for 30 days to drum up interest and open up channels of communication with other futurists online. Now the next phase begins!
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