Guardian Interview - how to write a dystopian novel

Today I'm thrilled to be featured in The Guardian with Delve Into Dystopia!

 Plus find out about a teen-created dystopia writing competition

 

Shattered Worlds is On Tour!!

If you love dystopian and apocalyptic fiction, then join us over the next 

few days to get your fix. You'll find exclusive excerpts from the novels, 

guest posts from the authors, and there’s also an opportunity to enter the Shattered Worlds giveaway to win 12 novels and a $60 Amazon gift card.

Check out the tour dates below!
 
26th February
Playing Jokers
Mythical Books
Read More, Sleep Less
Jess Time To Read
Donnie Darko Girl
K.F.Breene
Vanilla Moon Blog
Old Victorian Quill
Happy Indulgence Books
Sarit Yahalomi
Trina’s Tantalising Titbits
Mom with a Kindle
Primorose Musings
Becca Anne’s Book Reviews
Aria Kane
Booky Thoughts and Me
Share My Destiny
Day Dream Books
Simplistic Reviews
A Touch of Book Madness
A Dream Within a Dream
To Dream with Eyes Open
Wonderful Monster Book
Reviewing in Chaos
We Do Write
Girls with Book
Rude Mom
Living in a Book World
Marked by Books
Gin’s Book Notes

27th February
Two Ends of the Open
Purple Shadow Hunter
Books Direct
I Love Books
Sassy Book Lovers
The Book Bag
The Bookish Confections
Fantastical World of Wonders

28th February
Why I can’t Stop Reading
Shayna Varadeaux
Books by Kay
Contagious Reads
Creating Serenity
Bawakas Book Fair
Crazy Beautiful Reviews
Literary Me
Fuonlyknew
Wanted Readers
Pieces of Whimsy
Naughty Book Eden

1st March
Bibliophile Mystery
Vanya Drum
Yearning Mermaid
My Book Addiction
Reviews by Jasmine
Magic Inside Pages
Book Liaison
Cada Libro Un Mundo
Ebook Escapes
Literary Winner
Rockin’ and Reviewing
Fundinmental
Sun Mountain Reviews
Mismatched Bookends
Books to Breathe

2nd March
Once Upon a YA book
Buried Under Books
Michael Scifan
Book Lover’s Life
Live a Thousand Lives
All Things in the Cloud Sweet
The Cover Contessa
Scandalous Bookblog

3rd March
Thoughts at One in the Morning
Addicted Readers
A Book Addict’s Bookshelves
So Many Books, So Little Time
FicCentral
Deal Sharing Aunt
NaYa Books and More

Thanks a bazillion to all the amazing bloggers who signed up for the Shattered Worlds tour. We're blown away by how many of you have offered to host it.

If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of all six featured novels, Shattered Worlds is on sale for just 99c / 77p !! 

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Smashwords

Win 6 Bestselling Dystopian Novels plus an Amazon Giftcard

See below to win all these incredible ebooks, 
plus an Amazon gift card!

Bestselling tales of survival against the odds,

dark worlds, dystopian regimes and heroic rebels.

Shattered Worlds features six full-length novels from bestselling authors. 

Immerse yourself in post-apocalyptic civilizations and bleak near-futures

where hope still lives.

 

1. Apocalypsis Book 1: Kahayatle from 

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elle Casey 

2. Outside (Outside series, Book 1) by Shalini Boland

3. The Torturer's Daughter by Zoe Cannon 

4. Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer 

5. The Blemished by Sarah Dalton

6. The Breeders by Katie French

   For your chance to win all six novels, plus the sequels and a $60 Amazon Gift Card, enter the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Post-Apocalyptic Obsession

A while ago, I wrote a post about my love of all things post-apocalyptic, over on Jera's Jamboree. And now, with the release of THE PERIMETER, my final book in the Outside Series, I thought I'd resurrect the post again, over here. 

I’ve always been quite an eclectic kind of reader. Never sticking to one genre and devouring just about anything and everything from romance to thrillers to supernatural to contemporary fiction. But I do have phases. There was my ‘pony’ phase when I was ten – anything with a gymkhana and a fanciable stable boy and I was hooked. Later, came my Anne Rice phase – vampires and witches in the Deep South.  I still dip in and out of her series. But right now, I’m head-over-heels in love with dystopia and the apocalypse.

Artist - Matthew Coglianese

The British TV series The Last Train got me hooked on near-future fiction. It came out at the end of the nineties and after watching it, I trawled around looking for more movies and books to satisfy my craving, but alas, pickings were very thin. A few years later, I decided to write my own – The Outside Series. I’m happy to say that since then the genre has been flourishing.

Here are a few of my personal faves:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in a dystopian society where children from different ‘districts’ fight to the death in an arena. Sounds brutal and it is, but it’s written for teens, so isn’t quite as bloodthirsty as it sounds. Fast-paced action with a hint of romance. 

Survivors, a British TV series about a small group who survive a flu pandemic. I loved the gritty realism of it, the ‘what-would-you-do-in-this-situation?’ scenario. 

The Passage by Justin Cronin: Vampires + Dystopia = what’s not to love? This is a rich and highly detailed novel set before and after the end of society as we know it. 

The Blemished by Sarah Dalton. I recently discovered this indie writer and found an unputdownable story about a dystopian society where people are genetically modified to be beautiful. Everyone else is ‘blemished’. We follow Mina’s story as a ‘blem’ where Dalton skilfully combines action, romance and drama. 

The Walking Dead is hands-down my favourite of the genre. Based on the graphic novel, it’s a TV series about a zombie apocalypse. The characters are brilliant, the setting is terrifying and the tension is so ramped up that I feel like I’ve run a marathon after each episode. I do watch most of it from behind a cushion, but the bits I get to see are fantastic. 

I am Legend by Richard Matheson is a fabulously scary end-of-the-world novel. I was excited when the movie came out, but really annoyed when they gave it the obligatory Hollywood ending. 

Divergent by Veronica Roth. This first book in the series was very enjoyable. It’s about a dystopian society where people are split into factions according to their personalities. The story follows Tris as she comes of age and must choose where she belongs.

Recently, I've been reading the gripping Yesterday's Gone serial, and I've just started Breakers, which is shaping up to be a great read.

There are plenty more in my ‘to-be-read/watched’ pile and I think this phase in my life is set to last for a good while longer. I do, however,  tend to alternate each novel with a more contemporary read, otherwise I can end up confusing my ‘factions’ with my ‘districts’ which is not a good idea.

THE PERIMETER (Outside Series #3) - COVER REVEAL . . .

 

In this fractured world, a sinister force is coming for Riley, and the only things keeping her safe are a perimeter fence and the people she loves. As her life is threatened, she must make impossible choices. But help comes from the most unlikely of places, and all Riley needs to know is: who can she really trust?

Meanwhile, a repentant killer searches for salvation, but what he gets is the exact opposite. Now he'll have to make the hardest decision of his life.

The Perimeter is a darkly captivating dystopian tale of adventure, danger, love and redemption that will have you on the edge of your seat and up at night turning the pages to find out what happens next . . .

THE PERIMETER

(Outside Series #3)

Coming November 18th 2013 

About the Outside Series:

Set in the near future, the Outside Series follows Riley as she overcomes the murder of her younger sister by tracking the killer across a post-apocalyptic Britain. At the same time, she is forced to take on the might of a twisted regime intent on conquering the nation.
Book 1 - OUTSIDE
Book 2 - THE CLEARING
Book 3 - THE PERIMETER

Links to all books:

Shalini's US Amazon page
Shalini's UK Amazon page
Barnes & Noble page
Smashwords page
itunes page

Dystopian Thriller, OUTSIDE, is Free for Two Days Only

OUTSIDE
A post-apocalyptic romance thriller

The world of the future is divided by Perimeters: high-security gated communities where life goes on as normal. If you’re inside you’re lucky, if you’re outside life expectancy takes a nose dive.

Riley is fortunate to have been born on the right side of the fence. But her life of privilege comes crashing down when someone breaks through the Perimeter and murders her sister. She forsakes her own safety to go in search of the killer. Luc decides to go with her otherwise she’ll be dead before she’s past the security gate. But what awaits her outside is more unbelievable than she ever expected.

Cut to the present day where Eleanor's world is falling apart. This time next year, civilisation won't be quite so civilised . . .

Praise For OUTSIDE:

I was completely shocked at how all the events unfolded at the end. I really did not see it coming ... If you like post-apocalyptic books, this story is for you. Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews.

Outside is written in a way that kept me flipping through the pages, biting my fingernails and that good old 'one more chapter' feeling was ever-present.

The Aussie Zombie.

  

UK Kindle - Download OUTSIDE free for 2 days only: 18th & 19th Sep

US Kindle - Download OUTSIDE free for 2 days only: 18th & 19th Sep

New Sci Fi Dystopian Released Today

So episode 1 of the hubby's new book is out on Amazon today . . .

THE SPIRAL ARM (Episode 1, Season 1)
Wren Harper lives on an overcrowded Earth on the brink of apocalypse. There are just too many people. The answer lies 600 light-years away on Kepler; a planet more than double the size of Earth. For decades humans have been fighting another race for its control. Earth’s armies are depleted, so now 15-year-old cadets are sent to fight, trained along the way in vast combat ships. But why has Wren been chosen? She's small and geeky and not a fighter. Will she survive Kepler? Or will the training kill her first?

The Spiral Arm on Kindle US
The Spiral Arm on Kindle UK

Show more

Show less

Free Sci Fi Thriller

Collapse by Richard Stephenson 

is free on Kindle until Sunday 14th April

Grab a copy while you can.

What would it take for the United States to fall from within? In a not too distant future, America is put to the test. With the American people deep in The Second Great Depression and two of the most powerful hurricanes on record to contend with, the United States is in no condition to deal with hidden terrorists on its soil, maniacal politicians, and the most formidable military threat the world has seen since the Third Reich.

This is the story of three men from three very different walks of life: Howard Beck, the world's richest man, also diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome; Richard Dupree, ex-Navy SEAL turned escaped convict; and Maxwell Harris, a crippled, burned-out chief of police of a small Texas town. At first, they must overcome their own struggles and fight for their survival against impossible odds. In the end, the unlikely trio must band together to save their beloved country from COLLAPSE.

Empires topple. Nations crumble. Civilization is fragile. In 2027, America will fall. 

Collapse on Kindle UK

Collapse on Kindle US

Blog Tour for THE CLEARING with Fiction Addiction

My blog tour starts today!!

 

I've hosted other books on their blog tours, but I've never had one of my own,

so I'm very excited to announce that my blog tour for THE CLEARING starts today.

I'd love it if you could join me over the next couple of weeks at the following virtual venues where there'll be interviews, blog posts, giveaways and reviews.

 

 

18th February 2013	A Daydreamer’s Thoughts - Review
19th February 2013	Victoria’s Pages of Romance - Interview & Excerpt
20th February 2013	Reading a Little Bit of Everything - Excerpt & Giveaway
21st February 2013	A Novel Review - Review
22nd February 2013	Story Addict Guest Post
25th February 2013	Snuggling on the Sofa - Review
26th February 2013	Rhoda Baxter - Guest post
27th February 2013	Miss Bookworm Reviews Review & Giveaway
28th February 2013	Book-Marks the Spot - Review & Giveaway
1st March 3013	Cosmochicklitan

 

 

Thanks so much to Shaz Goodwin at Fiction Addiction Books on Tour

for her super-special ninja powers of organisation and co-ordination!

 



Book Trailer for my New Dystopian Novel . . .

 

New Trailer for Book 2 in the Outside Series

 

 

 

Created by the very talented and lovely B. Lloyd

Writing Post-Apocalyptic Fiction - My Top 10 Tips

 

 

THE CLEARING, Book 2 in my post-apocalyptic series came out this week and I'm already scribbling away on Book 3. Hoping to release it this summer if I can.

 

I'm really enjoying writing it. there's something about this genre which I find compelling. It sends shivers down my spine but despite this, I love to immerse myself in those terrifying end-of-the-world situations.

 

A few weeks ago I blogged about writing dystopian and post-apoc fiction over on Author's Anon. I've reposted it below for those of you who missed it:

My personal top ten elements for writing a great post-apocalyptic novel:

 

1. Make your setting original.

There have been oodles of futuristic New Yorks and Londons and a plethora of abandoned dystopian ‘facilities’. We’ve had kids battling to the death in arenas and gory zombie apocalypses. Worlds have been divided into ‘Factions’ and ‘Areas’, ‘Districts’ and ‘Zones’.

 

Put your own personal twist on the fall of society.

 

2. Sanctuaries

Locating them, getting into them and saving them from destruction. That’s all part of great post-apocalyptic fiction. Along with finding food, medical supplies, clothing and other survival gear.

 

3. Struggle

Decide whether your story is about struggling to save and change the world or whether it’s about a character’s struggle to adapt and survive within that world. It can be both, but have a clear idea about it before you go in. Do they succeed in their struggle? Or does everything unravel?

 

4. Why is your character special?

Did they get lucky? Are they equipped with specialist survival skills? Are they a victim? Why did they make it when everyone else died?

 

5. The Threat

Who or what is it? A person? A creature? A hostile environment? Are there multiple threats?

 

6. Authenticity and continuity

There are two main types of post-apocalyptic fiction. There’s gritty reality - the ‘what if’ scenario where life-as-we-know-it ends. And then there’s pure fantasy – zombies and dystopian societies etc. But whatever you choose to write about, make it as authentic as you can. If you’re writing about zombies, set parameters for them. What can they do? How can they harm you? And remember to never ever call them ‘zombies’ – there are ‘walkers’, ‘deadheads’, ‘the unconsecrated’ and a gazillion other names for the undead. Make up your own. Be consistent and make your world totally believable.

 

7. Technology

Does your world have any? Or did it all die with the end of civilisation? Or is there now even more advanced technology? Either way, talk about it and show it or the lack of it. What are the implications?

 

8. Atmosphere

Create a distinctive atmosphere for your novel. Whether it’s dark and claustrophobic or menacing and suspenseful, try and keep that feeling running through the story so your reader gets a real sense of being in another time and place. Perhaps it’s a world of extremes where you have luxury and decadence in the face of poverty and oppression. Either way, make the scenes ooze with atmosphere.

 

9. Before and After

What was the world like before the fall? What is it like now? Was it the same as the real world or was it something else? I want to know details. I want to see landscapes or cityscapes. I want to picture the before and after.

 

10. Hope

Even if everything is bleak and horrendous and it all seems futile, you have to plant a tiny nugget of hope somewhere in the story or we might as well all lie down and die.

Feel free to let me know if you think I’ve left anything out . . .


More online resources:
Writing Apocalyptic Stories
Apocalyptic Fiction Authors Beware
How to Write a Post-Apocalyptic Story
Best Post-Apocalyptic Novels

FREE for one day only: OUTSIDE - a post-apocalyptic novel

OUTSIDE
A post-apocalyptic romance thriller

 

The world of the future is divided by Perimeters: high-security gated communities where life goes on as normal. If you’re inside you’re lucky, if you’re outside life expectancy takes a nose dive.

Riley is fortunate to have been born on the right side of the fence. But her life of privilege comes crashing down when someone breaks through the Perimeter and murders her sister. She forsakes her own safety to go in search of the killer. Luc decides to go with her otherwise she’ll be dead before she’s past the security gate. But what awaits her outside is more unbelievable than she ever expected.

Cut to the present day where Eleanor's world is falling apart. This time next year, civilisation won't be quite so civilised . . .

Praise For OUTSIDE:

I was completely shocked at how all the events unfolded at the end. I really did not see it coming ... If you like post-apocalyptic books, this story is for you. Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews.

Outside is written in a way that kept me flipping through the pages, biting my fingernails and that good old 'one more chapter' feeling was ever-present.

The Aussie Zombie.

 

UK Kindle - Download OUTSIDE for free today only 12/12/12

US Kindle - Download OUTSIDE for free today only 12/12/12

 

Last Family on Earth - Now Casting...

Bill over at Megaton sent me a press release from

Pilgrim Studios who are creating a rather unusual reality TV show:

SPIKE TV IS GIVING YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN

AN UNDERGROUND SHELTER FOR YOUR FAMILY

Are you a survivor? Are you prepared?

Nuclear war, terrorism, pole shifting, killer comets and tsunamis all have the potential to cause national or worldwide disaster. Some people think the Mayan Calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

If you've always wanted to secure lifetime access to a well-protected, underground shelter for you and your immediate family in case of a global emergency, then this is your chance.

SPIKE TV and Vivos Shelters (www.terravivos.com) are seeking a handful of lucky people to compete on a new TV show for the chance to own shares in a state-of-the-art, community underground shelter for up to 6 family members.

Producers are looking for outgoing, competitive PAIRS of immediate family members (husband and wife, father and son, siblings...) to represent their family household on national television in a series of fun and exciting challenges. This is your opportunity to PROVE that you have what it takes to join a community of people who can survive global disaster!

APPLY TODAY!
Send an email to LastFamilyCasting@gmail.com with the following:
1. Your name and the name of at least one family member who could be your teammate
2. Your phone numbers
3. Your city/state (same household or neighborhood preferred)
4. Recent photos of each of you
5. A brief explanation of why you want to win this show AND what skills you and your family can offer a community of survivors.

Deadline to apply is JUNE 20, 2012! Producers are waiting to hear from you!

Jacqueline Topacio
Casting Producer
Pilgrim Studios
12020 Chandler Blvd., Ste. 200
North Hollywood, CA 91607
PH: 818-478-4713
FAX: 818-847-7938
jtopacio@pilgrimstudios.com

www.pilgrimstudios.com/casting/lastfamilyonearth

* To compete on the show, you must be a legal U.S. resident and at least 18 years of age. (Note: Family members of any age are eligible for a place in the shelter. Conditions and restrictions for shelter co-ownership apply.) For more information, visit www.pilgrimstudios.com/casting/LastFamilyOnEarth

Received in the Post

Before Christmas I got an email from a friendly chap called Paul Stapleton. He knows I like my post-apocalyptic fix and asked if I might like to review his graphic novel for my blog. The thing is, I don't really have time to write reviews at the mo, so I said I'd be happy to do a feature.

Paul sent me a copy anyway (nice!) and a couple of days later I received a thin brown packet through the post. It sat on the windowsill for a day or so as I've been too busy to look at it (Man-flu has arrived chez Casa Boland).

Finally, I got around to opening it - The Undisputed King of Nothing, Volume 1 'Goodbye to all That'. Interesting artwork. Flipped it over - intriguing blurb on the back. Yup, looking forward to reading this one asap. I think my husband's got his eye on it too.

Reviews

Paul's Links:
Bedsit Press
Amazon Page
Waterstones Page
Facebook

I Predict a Riot

Petrol is non-existent and there has been no food on the supermarket shelves for weeks. People are hawking produce in the streets and goods are traded as British coin is currently worthless. People want food, alcohol, tobacco and medicine. Pharmacies and hospitals have been emptied of stocks. Supplies, supposed to be on their way, just aren’t getting through to their destinations. Electricity, phones, gas and water are functioning, but only intermittently and people are hoarding bottled water.

We’re lucky to be in a small village and not a big town or city where there are riots and looting. It’s a surreal time where a person can be stabbed to death for a pack of cigarettes.

I know the London riots have been bad, but we haven’t reached this stage yet. My new novel Outside explores what could happen if things really did escalate out of control.

What are your views on the riots? Why do you think they happened and could the government have done anything to stop them sooner?