Tag Archives: pandora’s box

Short Stories, Books, News

‘The Day After’ now available!

As I mentioned a few months ago, I wrote a short story for a collection I was working on with several friends. Now that collection is finished and is about to be self-published!

The Day After
Cover Art by Zach Hayden

Obviously, I’m one of four authors who contributed to this collection. The others are my friends Natasha Hayden, Nick Hayden, and Keith Osmun. We decided a few months ago to pick a theme and each write a short story in a different genre pertaining to that theme. Our theme was simply “the day after,” which is pretty open-ended. I chose science fiction, obviously. My story, “Suicide Soldier,” that takes place in the world of Pandora’s Box and explains a few details of that book’s events that weren’t explored in its narrative.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Natalya is an American mom and wife with a Russian name working as a spy for the Brazilian government in a Midwest American town. Balancing dual identities is dangerous–and sometimes comical–especially when her husband hasn’t a clue.

Morana is on a suicide mission to transmit a bestial virus to her enemies when she encounters a smalltown family with the potential to break through her boundaries of hatred. But in the end, will it make a difference, or is it too late for redemption?

Peter, a photojournalist, returns home late to meet his newborn son…but just in time to rescue his family from a national zombie infestation. As they travel toward safer ground, trying to maintain a modicum of normalcy, Peter has the urge to document the disaster, but at what price?

Jacob is trapped in an endless maze of a house that appears to have no exits to the outside world except for a noose in his bedroom. He meets a mysterious stranger in the darkness and discovers pieces of letters he doesn’t remember writing. Who knows how long he’s been there? The noose is tightening.

Four stories, four writers, four genres…one connecting thread. What happens when the main focus of your life is stripped away and all that’s left is the day after?

So, as you can see, we have quite a variety of stories in this collection. Besides my science fiction tragedy, there’s a spy comedy, a zombie horror story, and a gothic horror story. All of which, if I may say so, are great reads.

UPDATE: The Day After, the latest release from Novel Concept, is now available in paperback (and PDF) from www.Lulu.com and as an e-book from www.Smashwords.com.

Appearances, Announcements, News

I’m returning to Summer’s Stories!

After graciously hosting my first ever book signing for Pandora’s Box last year, I’ll be returning to Summer’s Stories in Kendallville, Indiana, with Natasha Hayden and Timothy Deal to sign and sell copies of Destroyer. The signing will be September 17 from 1PM-3PM. It will be primarily for Destroyer, but I will also bring a few copies of my other book(s) (see my next announcement).

So don’t miss this rare opportunity to get a copy of this new novella from Novel Concept signed by all three authors!

News, Appearances, Announcements

New book signings posted

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I just updated my “Appearances” page with two new book signings.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, I will return to the former campus of my alma mater, Taylor University Fort Wayne, for the Fort Wayne Celebrates event. This (hopefully) annual event is the replacement for my campus’ homecoming. My friends/fellow authors Nick Hayden, Natasha Hayden, Timothy Deal, and perhaps a few more will be present, signing and selling books at a booth in the event’s marketplace from 12PM-5PM. We’ll be there off and on while enjoying the many events going on that day, but please come see us. I will be selling and signing copies of Pandora’s Box, Destroyer, and the forthcoming The Day After.

Then Saturday, October 15, 2011, I will be signing copies of Destroyer at the North Webster Community Public Library from 10AM-12PM. I may also bring a few copies of the other aforementioned books.

Stay tuned for other news about book signings!

News, Appearances, Announcements

I am attending a poetry reading (and possibly reading)

I should have mentioned this sooner, but I will be attending the Poetry Slam tonight from 7pm-9pm at Courthouse Coffee (East) in Warsaw, Indiana. It is a fundraiser for a food bank, I think, since “admission” is a food item donation. If they will let me, I plan to read a poem or two. I may also take a few copies of Pandora’s Box with me. The coffee house is located at 2858 Frontage Road in the shopping center near Elder-Beerman. I hope to see you there.

Announcements, News

A new poem and ‘The Day After’ project

I just posted a new poem that is hot off the presses. It’s entitled “Unwanted.” Admittedly, it is a sad one, but I like it anyway.

In other news, I recently finished a short story for a project I’m doing with my writer friends. It takes place within the universe of my novel, Pandora’s Box. It will be part of a short story compilation called The Day After, which we hope to self-publish soon. I’ll write more updates as the project progresses.

News, Announcements

New novella coming soon! (most likely)

Some of you may have noticed I’ve had a “Novellas” page within the “Nathan’s Works” tab since I started this website nearly a year ago, and that there was a title listed there. It said, “Destroyer – Coming Soon!” That was in reference to a novella I co-wrote with two writer friends over the course of a year from 2008-2009 as part of a writers’ project. It is a pulp science fiction tale. I was very happy with how it turned out and even looked for a place to publish it for a short while, but to no avail. So it’s been left on the drawing board ever since.

Until now.

Having tasted some success with Pandora’s Box, I’m thinking about venturing into the world of self-publishing with this story. The length and genre make it difficult to market to prospective publishers, so I believe this is the best route to take. Not only will I get a byline, but so will two of my friends. I’m even toying with the idea of recording an audio version and posting it on iTunes.

But this is all down the road a bit. Currently, I am considering artists to create the cover. Then I will talk with Nick Hayden, who has some self-publishing experience, about how we might go about it. I still have no idea when or if this book will be published.

Stay tuned.

Fanfiction, Guest Author

A friend dreams a sequel to ‘Pandora’s Box’

A month ago, I was talking with my friend, Laura Brooks, a college freshman from Michigan, who told me she dreamed a sequel to my novel, Pandora’s Box, after reading it. I asked her to write this dream down so I could post it here, calling it a “fanfiction” (you know you’re successful when people write fanfiction related to your stories). What follows is a synopsis of that dream, written much like a story treatment for a movie. Now, believe it or not, I have been mulling over ideas for a sequel for a year, although this bears little resemblance to it. Regardless, this dream is entertaining. Enjoy!

(WARNING: If you haven’t read Pandora’s Box yet, there are some spoilers in this).

Pandora’s Box Dream
by Laura Brooks

It started after Hope went to visit the place she was found. After they had used her blood to discover the cure, she left to join to the armed force her mother was in. After one year of training, she could take down any enemy put in front of her despite the fact that she was just a simple recruit.  She went out with her superior officer on a mission. They were attacked by strange black creatures. They took down the creatures and were amazed by what they saw. They looked like people but had pure black skin, and bloodshot eyes. News struck of another infection.

Her commanding officer said that they needed to return to base immediately.  When they got there, they discovered that the base had been attacked, and everyone had been turned or slaughtered. They saw only one survivor, their general. The general told them to escape, but her commanding officer said he wouldn’t leave him behind. Instead he told Hope to run, but she refused and started fighting. With her blade and fists she knocked down or slashed every creature that tried to kill her. Both of the commanding officer and the general shouted at her for staying and kept trying to get over to her to help. That’s when she came across her best friend from training. She had been turned.

Hope didn’t want to fight her, but knew she had no choice. She charged and took down everyone in her path. Receiving wound after wound she looked to her friend and sadly said, “Goodbye.” She slashed at her friend but received a deep cut in the side as a result. She knew the only way she could survive was to kill her so she did what she had to. She stabbed her friend down. She had no time to cry over her friend for her commanding officer was being overpowered. She rushed over to his side and slashed one of the creatures across the stomach with her blade. But just when everything seemed to be going their way they were surrounded. The general said, “Looks like we’re not getting out of this one.” She responded, “I’m not done yet!” The creatures lunged towards them from all sides.  There was no escape. (This is when I woke up).

News, Announcements

Where ‘Pandora’s Box’ can be purchased

After discovering that British internet retailer that was selling my book, I decided I needed to post the places/websites where Pandora’s Box could be purchased and the libraries that have it in their collections. This is something I have been procrastinating on for a while, and for that I apologize.

So, without further delay, here are the places you can buy a copy (or at least have it special ordered):
–Amazon.com
–Langtoninfo.com
–Hyde Bros. Booksellers (in Fort Wayne, Indiana)
–Summer’s Stories (in Kendallville, Indiana)
-Ace Hardware (in North Webster, Indiana)

Here are the libraries that have copies:
–North Webster Community Public Library (in North Webster, Indiana)
–Syracuse Public Library (in Syracuse, Indiana)
–Noble County Public Libraries (in Noble County, Indiana)
–Warsaw Community Public Library (in Warsaw, Indiana)
–Peabody Public Library (in Columbia City, Indiana)

I will add more as they become available, so be sure to check back for updates.

News, Announcements

‘Pandora’s Box’ available online–FOR $47!?

Yesterday I downloaded an app for my new iPhone 3GS called RedLaser. Using the phone’s camera, I can scan an item’s UPC code and price check it online. For fun, I used it on the UPC of my novel, Pandora’s Box. I thought it would, at least, bring up its listing on Amazon.Surprisingly, it didn’t, but it did bring up a listing on a different website–where it is being sold for $47.54!

The website is www.langtoninfo.com, a British internet retailer. They promise that they “might not always offer the ‘best deal,’ but we offer a fair deal with an exceptional level of genuine service to match. Even though it means our prices are slightly higher, we don’t pressure our suppliers to reduce royalty payments to authors and other copyright owners.” You can see their listing for Pandora’s Box here.

As nice as that sounds, I am happy to say it retails for $20 on Amazon, and I sell them at a discount at my signings.