Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Really Hard Work Starts Here

I like Sunday mornings.

I'm sitting in my front room with a pot of tea and some quiet music. Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, an old favourite. It weaves a wonderful tale of the sea as I pour the tea carefully into the room-temperature milk in my cup. The aroma is wonderful.

Outside, it's cold and grey, but the fire is on, and I'm browning some toast in the grate.

My sigh is deep, heartfelt, and well-deserved.

It's been a busy week. I've been publishing a book, both as a paperback and an electronic book. The preparation has taken months, but things have intensified in the final stages.

But finally, I got to click the button and my first book was out there.

A quiet knock at the door is unexpected, and I half-mumble, half-shout a welcome, more in surprise than anything.

The door glides in, and a short black-and-white figure smiles around it. It's Dantoo, Yavin the badger's young niece. She steps into the room with a grin, looking very pretty in a warm-looking orange corduroy dress with blue frills. A matching blue bow sits on the line between a black and a white stripe on the top of her head.

She's holding something behind her back, and seems pleased about it, excited even.

Hello Dantoo, I say, smiling, what's that you've got there?

The young girlcub steps forward and produces a book from behind her back. She hands it to me shyly. I turn it round, and laugh as I see the title.

It's called Testament: Funny Badgers, by Indigo Roth.

It's my book.


I'm surprised, as my own copies haven't arrived yet. These badgers, they're very well connected.

Dantoo beams and points at a tiny picture of herself on the cover; she's clearly a little giddy to be one of the funny badgers. Her brother Hoth is also on the front, and his twin Sollust is on the back. They all look pretty adorable.

Hey, this is the very first copy! I say.

Before I can say another word, the pen is in her hand, and she is offering it to me; she wants her book signed. I notice the felt-tipped pen is pink.

This is unfamiliar territory for me. Book signings? Perhaps there's more of these to come. I'd like to get used to it, certainly.

I open the book and think for a moment. And then I write.

For Dantoo. This is the very first book I've ever signed. I hope you'll treasure it as much as I do this moment. And I hope you enjoy the book! Love, Indigo x

I hand it back. She regards the inscription and rushes forward for a hug.

I like Sunday mornings.

They're full of surprises.



You may have noticed that I've been absent for a while.

The good news is my book is out there, both on Amazon as a paperback and Kindle as an eBook. Go to any of the regional Amazon sites and look up Testament Funny Badgers and out it will pop.

And there's good news for Kindle owners and owners of Amazon Kindle applications on various platforms: Until Thursday 19th December, the full book is available FOR FREE on Kindle.

Go there, download it, it's yours forever.

I'd be giddy if you give it a go, and positively delirious if you'd rate, review and share the good news with friends. To be honest, as a self-publisher looking to get a literary agent, my book won’t exist without these.

I'm a surprisingly shy guy, and loathed to ask for help, but today I will; your input might make a short-lived oddity into a well-loved oddity.

I think you might have a lot of fun into the bargain. 

And I never forget a kindness =)

There's more information over here on the website for Red Angel Publishing, the imprint I've created to handle this book, and others.


Thank you, one and all, for getting me this far.

The really hard work starts here.


Indigo

This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013
All photos are © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013


Art Prints

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Poised To Spring

The site is down for a while, while I do some Admin.

Admin includes publishing on Amazon and Kindle!

Please bear with me, it won't be for long!

Indigo

Sunday, November 17, 2013

This I Have Achieved

Well, all good things come to an end.

Since late November last year, I've been a man of leisure.

I was fortunate enough to have the resources at my disposal so that I did not need to work for a whole year. I elected to make the most of this, and set out to write my first book.

This I have achieved.

I've finished writing TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS. It runs to around 250 pages of dense type, culled from the pages of this blog, with some rework. A DIRECTOR'S CUT, iy you will. The format is unusual, to say the least.

It was quite a relief to close the final chapter. And, once the final third of it comes back from my editor, it will be available as a physical book on Amazon in short order. Yes, a shiny book of my very own.

Soon after that, as an e-book on various platforms.

Maybe even an audio book. Hey, I like audio books. Unabridged, natch.

I'm rather excited by the prospect.

Of course, other changes are also in the air. Now my time is up, I'm about to return to the corporate work, and will be doing some contract work 'til Christmas. Yes, 9-5 work. Well-paid work, but a change of routine.

There will be less napping, for a start.

I start tomorrow. Monday 18 November.

My birthday.

Yes, the timing sucks. But hey, since I'm returning to my most recent employer, at least I get to hang out with friends. Not you mad lot, sadly; that will have to wait til later in the day, but I'll look forward to it.

Right, bedtime is not a million miles away.

I'll leave you with an upbeat thought. I'll be initially self publishing TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS, with the intention of finding an agent and a book deal. Until I achieve that, I wanted to use my own publishing house. So, after some thought and effort, I give you RED ANGEL PUBLISHING.


I've registered the domain name, but I've done nothing with it as yet. Soon.

Oh, and I hope you like the redesign of this blog.

It's been a great year, and you've all been part of it.

Thank you for your support and kind words.

As ever, you made a difference.


Indigo

This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013
All photos are © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013


Art Prints

Monday, November 11, 2013

Perhaps Somewhat Subjective

All photos are © Indigo Roth, 2013


Okay, after the creative outpouring of the cuttlefish, here's a change of pace.

Encouraged by your good selves and your feedback, I've created a photography calendar for 2014. 


I think it's pretty spiffy, but my opinion is, perhaps, somewhat subjective. I've sold quite a few already tho (a nice surprise), which may be a more reliable indicator.

And as my good friend Jayne Martin would say, it's SUITABLE FOR GIVING. Christmas? Birthdays? Just-because-you-can? (which is always my favourite reason)

You can check it out on Zazzle by clicking this link should you feel so moved.

As a total aside, I did think about adding in THIS picture instead of January's current one, but I didn't think the red worked well when the calendar is primarily blue/cloud-themed. Comments and disagreements about this are welcome, nay encouraged!


Ooooh, maybe there's time to make a red-themed calendar, too?


Hmmm, that's all I got for now.

*wanders off to find an English bus, phone box and post box in the same shot*

Thanks for bearing with me throughout The Cephalopocalypse; I'm very proud of the final product, and I hope it was worth the wait.


Indigo

This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013
All photos are © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013


Art Prints

Sunday, November 03, 2013

* Broken Glass Rising - Part Three

This blog entry has been removed, revised and included in the romping sci-fi epic TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS by Indigo Roth, Red Angel Publishing, 2013.

Its reference in the book is CUTTLEFISH 16-19

Paperback and Kindle:
Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon CanadaAmazon FRAmazon DEAmazon ESAmazon ITAmazon JPAmazon India

Kindle only:
Amazon BrazilAmazon MexicoAmazon Australia


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2014

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Echoes Of An Empty Box

Midnight awakenings are never good for me.

I quite often wake from improbable dreams around this time, and spend what feels like minutes shaking it off. It's an unnerving feeling, being unsure of reality, and trying to separate the Now from some darkly conjured metaphor.

So for a few seconds, I am unsure about the knocking. The banging. A gentle, rhythmic drumming, slow and deep. Like the echo of an empty box.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I'm immediately aware that I'm scared. In fact, I'm terrified. I want to turn in bed, to hear more clearly, to dismiss the sound. But I can't. Terror has me, and I feel like I did at ten years old when the gnarled tree outside would claw at my window on windy nights.

I'm cold. I can't move. But I listen.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It's coming from the kitchen. Downstairs.

I have no idea what it might be. Two hours ago I locked the house up tight, same as ever. And when I turned out the light, I expected nothing more exciting than dawn light to wake me.

The light. Yes, I should turn on the light.

My hand feels clammy as I reach for the bedside lamp. I don't find it, and fumble left and right in the darkness, trying to locate the cable. I find it on the third or fourth pass and move along it 'til I reach the control.

My heart pounds as I flick the switch.

Nothing. The darkness holds fast. The power is out.

Downstairs, the thumping stops. My heart tries to join it.

Nothing. No sound. Have I shaken the dream off? Am I dreaming still?

Light would drive a dream away, but there is none. I try to remember where the fusebox is? Ah yes. With the candles and the torch in the utility room. Beyond the kitchen. Downstairs.

Then the drumming starts again, a measured and menacing beat.

My heart races ahead of the score now, playing whole bars over the slow, heavy background rhythm. But somehow the spell has lifted a little, and as I swing my legs from under the impossibly heavy duvet I fumble about for something heavy. Keys. Socks. The paperback Hemingway on my bedside table; For Whom The Bell Tolls. Ironic, but no help there.

Treading softly, I move to the chair on which I hang my clothes, and try to locate something to wear. I have no wish to confront an intruder in my unmentionables.

Nothing. Not a single item. And I know I put them there. Along with my phone, also absent.

So I move onto the landing, dressed and armed as nature intended. The light here is poor; it's a cloudy night out, and the street-lights are on the other side of the house. I can see my way, but my feet are in no hurry.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

There is none of the usual glow in the hallway. It should be illuminated from the street, but it's not. Again, I wonder if I'm dreaming. But the bannister feels solid in my hand, and my instincts tell me that this is real.

The unnerving rhythm is slower now, and closer. Louder. I find my cautious steps down the stairs falling into line with it, as if it's drawing me down. I try to stop, I want to stop, but my legs keep moving.

I have to find out. I have to know.

The hallway is short during daylight, but my steps towards the kitchen door seem endless. And always, that damned thumping.

I step boldly into the dim kitchen. I'm aware of the patio doors, the table, the fridge, the sink. I'm running on adrenaline, and my mind is telling me to run, to fling open the front door and make for the road. Though the front door is locked, and my keys are upstairs.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It's coming from the cupboard by the sink. I step forward hesitantly.

My mind races. What can it be?

I reach out with a trembling hand.

And the noise stops. I pause, waiting for it to start again. Time passes, hideously distorted seconds. I'm frozen in mid-reach, a solitary frame from a movie reel.

The silence is endless.

Ro-o-o-o-th, comes a low, drawn-out hiss.

The masculine voice is behind me, and I spin, crying out, my hand at my mouth.

There is a silhouette sat at the kitchen table. How did I not see him? The damned noise must have held my attention.

The figure stands, the chair scraping noisily.

Ro-o-o-o-th. The voice is familiar. You've kept me waiting.

He takes a menacing step toward me. He's tall, broad.

But he's just a man. And this is my house.

This guy has no idea who he's dealing with.

This guy is in trouble.

I raise my fists and prepare to fight.

The figure chuckles darkly and moves closer.

And I see his face in the faint glow from a high window.

Good grief, It's me. Indigo Roth. What? How can it be me? How is that even possible?

But there's question about it. It's me.

My jaw drops as realisation dawns over me.

Good grief, I'm in trouble.


Indigo

This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013


Art Prints

Sunday, October 27, 2013

* Broken Glass Rising - Part Two

This blog entry has been removed, revised and included in the romping sci-fi epic TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS by Indigo Roth, Red Angel Publishing, 2013.

Its reference in the book is CUTTLEFISH 13-15

Paperback and Kindle:
Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon CanadaAmazon FRAmazon DEAmazon ESAmazon ITAmazon JPAmazon India

Kindle only:
Amazon BrazilAmazon MexicoAmazon Australia


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2014

Sunday, October 13, 2013

* Broken Glass Rising - Part One

This blog entry has been removed, revised and included in the romping sci-fi epic TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS by Indigo Roth, Red Angel Publishing, 2013.

Its reference in the book is CUTTLEFISH 10-12

Paperback and Kindle:
Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon CanadaAmazon FRAmazon DEAmazon ESAmazon ITAmazon JPAmazon India

Kindle only:
Amazon BrazilAmazon MexicoAmazon Australia


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2014

Sunday, October 06, 2013

A Suspicious Lack Of Words

I'm still working on the details of The Cephalopocalypse finale, but I've been out snapping photos, too. If I say that quietly you might not notice a suspicious lack of words.

The pics below look a tiny bit fuzzy. Give the first one a click to start a hi-def slideshow. They look much better that way!

















That's all the recent stuff. But may I please draw your attention to some other photos that are out there? I've set myself up a shop on Fine Art America, and I'm hopeful as a result that there may be a few more folk out there with a Roth photo on their wall.

Shameless self promotion? You sound surprised.

Art Prints


Indigo


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013


Monday, September 30, 2013

* CEPHALOPOCALYPSE NOW!

This blog entry has been removed, revised and included in the romping sci-fi epic TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS by Indigo Roth, Red Angel Publishing, 2013.

Its reference in the book is CUTTLEFISH 9:1-52

Paperback and Kindle:
Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon CanadaAmazon FRAmazon DEAmazon ESAmazon ITAmazon JPAmazon India

Kindle only:
Amazon BrazilAmazon MexicoAmazon Australia


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2014

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

* Finding Wisdom In Flames

This blog entry has been removed, revised and included in the romping sci-fi epic TESTAMENT: FUNNY BADGERS by Indigo Roth, Red Angel Publishing, 2013.

Its reference in the book is CUTTLEFISH 8:1-59

Paperback and Kindle:
Amazon USAAmazon UKAmazon CanadaAmazon FRAmazon DEAmazon ESAmazon ITAmazon JPAmazon India

Kindle only:
Amazon BrazilAmazon MexicoAmazon Australia


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2014

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Five Sentence Fiction: YFB

Max and Yavin the badger arrive as I'm having breakfast; they look exhausted, and I rise to give them the comfortable sofa to relax on. 

Their meaty pizza - their reward for pulling an all-nighter overhauling Max's particle accelerator - is placed on the coffee table, and smells way better than my muesli and coffee.

I switch off the TV and offer to pour their soda, which I then do slowly, watching their eyelids droop as I hum a gentle Bavarian lullabye.

After a few minutes, I eat their pizza on my own; I don't like to wake them, and it's a shame to waste it.

Some days I question my ethics.




Inspired by the Five Sentence Fiction prompt "You Fat Bastard"


Indigo


This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009-2013