New Book Finished New Book Started by BJ Neblett

 New Book Finished New Book Started by BJ Neblett

“Our destinies were set in the heavens long before the suns and stars were born. You must remember that everything has its purpose, and everything happens for a reason. I am here for a reason. As are you, and you and you. Each person’s purpose is as different as the individual pursuing it. Yet they all point to a single grand reason. Every occurrence is a link in a chain of events, constantly moving towards the grand purpose. It is a purpose much greater than any of us.  Sometimes an occurrence causes a break in the chain. You may alter your future, choose a different path. But your destiny is set and cannot be changed. It is the nature of things to right themselves and continue. Destiny will win out.”

With that prophetic statement, the Great Wizard Inhodu explains his presence to Princess Haylee. Book three of Planet Alt-Sete-Nine: War of the Wizards is well under way. The muse has been beating away at me non-stop, so I figured I'd dive right into book three.

Meanwhile, book two Planet Alt-Sete-Nine: Princess Haylee is at the publishers and looking for a late January or early February 2021 release. Naturally it will be available in ebook and paperback, and sold through Amazon and your favorite neighborhood book store.

Keep watching for updates.

More to come!

BJ 

Sneak Peak At My New Book Cover by BJ Neblett

Sneak Peak At My New Book Cover by BJ Neblett

Planet Alt-Sete-Nine a compelling adult contemporary fantasy.

Jake is a young up and coming game designer for a major video game company. He gives a beta version of his latest creation, an advanced game called Planet Alt-Sete-Nine to his girlfriend Haylee for testing. However it isn't long before Haylee is completely engrossed with playing the sophisticated game, to the exclusion of everything else. To Jake's horror, Haylee soon loses her memory, finding it impossible to distinguish between reality and the alternate reality of the game. Meanwhile, the game's programmed groundbreaking artificial intelligence seems to be taking over not only the game, but Haylee’s life as well. Complicating matters are Jake's bosses pressuring him to get the game finished for market. The scene and chapters switch between the action of the game being played out on Planet Alt-Sete-Nine, and the couple's deteriorating relationship, as Jake frantically races to find answers to Haylee’s gaming addiction and the out of control artificial intelligence. Frustrated, Jake is driven into the consoling arms of his oldest and closest friend Barb who just happens to be Haylee’s rival for Jake’s affections. In the end, Jake loses Haylee to the video game. But has she simply run away or has she been swept off to the land of Planet Alt-Sete-Nine?

“A richly imagined fantasy tale that grabs ahold of you and doesn’t let go.”

                                                            K.J. McPike author of the Souls Untethered saga

“A gripping tale of the potential for artificial intelligence to undo the established order, taking us through a wonderfully imagined, captivating interface between reality and the virtual reality of next-generation video games. A page turner par excellence.”

                                                            Adrian Winstanley author High Hopes Silver Linings

Look for Planet Alt-Sete-Nine Summer, 2018. And coming Winter, 2019, Princess Haylee, book two of the The Lost Princess series.

Please feel free to re-post and pass along this blog. Thanks!

BJ Neblett

New Book New Class and A New Author by BJ Neblett

New Book, New Classes and A New Author

by BJ Neblett

Hello! I realize it has been quite some time, but I do have an excuse… a reason… ok, an explanation for my tardiness: in a word, work. Need I say more? But in this case work refers, at least in part, to writing.

Let me explain.

This spring/summer will see the release of my new book. Yes, the same one you have all been anticipating and asking me about. Planet Alt-Sete-Nine is book one of a trilogy, and to be perfectly honest, I wanted to not only make it as near perfect as possible, but to get a good head start on book two before the release of book one. We, my publisher BrightonPublishing, and I are working on the next to last (hopefully) edits and putting together a stunning cover design to grace what many of my beta readers have termed a modern fantasy classic. (blush blush blush)

Planet Alt-Sete-Nine is a contemporary fantasy which blurs the lines between the realities of virtual reality and alternate realities. Confused? Ok, here’s a peak at a possible back cover book blurb:

School teacher Haylee is a happy, normal, slightly geeky twenty something with more than a passing fascination for fantasy video gaming. But when her boyfriend Jake asks her to beta test a new game he is developing for his company, the lines between fantasy and reality soon begin to blur. She is drawn deeper into the game’s ground breaking virtual reality, alienating herself from friends and family. Even the renowned Dr. Cochran, a leading expert on video game addiction, is at a loss to explain Haylee’s strange and erratic behavior. As Haylee explores the mystical Planet Alt-Sete-Nine for an elusive princess, Jake frantically searches for a way to hold on to Haylee and her tenuous grasp with reality. Can the powerful Wizardess Azami le Blanc unravel the mystery of the Al-téarièn people? Or will the fierce warrior Cailey be Haylee’s salvation?

Watch here for more on release date!

Part two of my tardiness also concerns work, only in this case my teaching duties at Seattle’s Hugo House for Writers. I have been busy teaching several classes, which is both a bane and blessing in disguise. I love teaching writing and have found my Sunday’s lately taken up with classes that include Editing, Writing Effective Time Travel, my current class, Short Stories and Shorter Stories. My next class has proven to be a very popular one: Creating Effective Characters In Fiction. It starts Sunday, April 15, and runs for six consecutive Sundays from 10 AM to Noon. Registration opens March 6 and usually fills up fast. Visit Hugo House for more information on this and other upcoming classes I will be teaching through the summer, including Editing, Dialogue, Time Travel and more. (it never hurts if you mention that you heard about it here on my blog!)

Finally, I have been honored by a quote from a short story of mine called George appearing in a recently released book. Adrian Winstanley, a very capable writer, has crafted an entertaining, funny and touching memoir in High HopesSilver Linings. During the wonderful tour that has been his life, we learn of a particularly dark period when my words, as quoted to him by a caring nurse, moved Mr. Winstanley to re-assess his very existence. I highly recommend High Hopes Silver Linings. It is available through most books stores including Barnes & Noble, and, as always, Amazon.com.

Peace,
BJ Neblett

Ice Cream Camelot Now Available!

My new historical memoir Ice Cream Camelot about my growing up during the Kennedy administration is now available as an Ebook through Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, etc. Brighton Publishing will be releasing it as a paperback in a few weeks. Thanks to everyone for their help and support, comments and encouragement. Watch this site for updates and for information about release parties and signings. Below is the Amazon write up for Ice Cream Camelot.

Disc jockey BJ “Billy James” Neblett reminisces about his boyhood in this Kennedy era memoir. Spanning the years 1961 to 1965, Neblett describes in vivid detail his first meaningful encounters with girls, alcohol, and rock ’n’ roll.
Billy Neblett enters fifth grade at St. Pius X Catholic Grade School at a disadvantage. He’s been held back a year, and everyone he knows has gone on to sixth grade. In the course of making new friends, his circle expands to include a hazel-eyed beauty named Amy—who will become Billy’s first crush.
As Neblett chronicles his coming of age, he addresses the changing political climate, exciting scientific achievements, and exploding impact of the new music genres of the early ’60s. From Kennedy to Khrushchev, from Sputnik to Friendship 7, from Buddy Holly to the Beatles, Neblett deftly interweaves his own story with the national and international scenes. In showing how personally the news affected the youth as well as the adults, Neblett draws the reader in to a more innocent time, and to an American society beginning to lose its naiveté.
Neblett pulls no punches about his own youthful struggles with substance abuse and his brushes with juvenile delinquency. He and his friends hold drinking parties that eventually escalate to drug use. An accident claims his best friend’s life, leaving Billy to not only feel survivor’s guilt, but to also question whether he was responsible. Another incident results in serious burns to several of his friends. Hot-wiring cars brings Billy an exhilarating sense of freedom—as well as the real fear of arrest and jail time. And Billy discovers the joys and agonies of young love in his first sexual encounters with girls.
Perhaps most telling, Neblett relates how the gift of a transistor radio and the early ’60s rise of rock ’n’ roll set him on the path that will define his life. He regularly cuts school to sit on the steps of his favorite radio station, WIBG or “Wibbage,” hoping to meet his idols—its on-air DJs. His persistent fascination turns into a legitimate internship at the famous Philadelphia station, and, encouraged by his mentors during the unpaid summer dream job, he learns to spin records himself.
Return to a simpler time, in the early days of JFK’s Camelot, the space race, and Bandstand, as seen through the eyes of a boy who later built a career across the U.S. as popular radio DJ Billy James.

Ice Cream Camelot Off To Publisher!

Taking time off from posting stories to do a bit of bragging. My second book, Ice Cream Camelot is finished and off to my publisher Brighton Publishing. We are hoping for an early spring 2013 release. There is a short synopsis below. Your feedback and comments are always welcome. I'd like to thank Ballard artist Emily Gussin for all of her hard work on the book's cover. The layout and artwork is worth the price of admission by itself. Also, I'd like to again thank everyone for their continued support, both of my first novel Elysian Dreams, which continues to sell well, and here with my blog site. You keep reading and commenting and I'll keep posting. And for those who asked: Yes, The Most Dangerous Pitch, last week's post, is a true story, and aside from occasional sparks and flashes, my eye is doing fine, thanks. We won last week's softball game 34 to 5!

Ice Cream Camelot by BJ Neblett

            Ice Cream Camelot presents the history of the Kennedy administration within the funny and touching memoir of a young boy coming of age during those significant years. But this isn’t the Wonder Years revisited, and Billy Neblett isn’t your typical eleven year old. His family has recently moved from his beloved South Philly, and shy young Billy is repeating the fifth grade while struggling to stay out of trouble, make new friends and deal with a growing dependency on alcohol.  All the while, Billy is attempting to find his own identity in an increasingly confusing and frightening world. Amid school bullies, killer nuns, the race for space, peaceful sit-ins, violent race riots and the growing threat of nuclear war, Billy finds his heroes in the most unusual places. Legendary rock n roll DJs Hy Lit and Joe Niagara take Billy under their wing, mentoring him and fostering a love of radio. But it is or 35^th president, John F Kennedy from whom Billy finds hope and inspiration. Painfully aware of the irony in his life – there are no blacks in lily white suburban Lawrence Park, and girls are treated as second class citizens at St Pius X Catholic Grade School – Billy looks to the charismatic JFK as the savior of Camelot for himself and his first love Amy. Ice Cream Camelot is a unique, engaging and entertaining look at one of the most important eras in American history.

Chasing The Dream

New year and lots of new things to do...not resolutions, just things to do.
Elysian Dreams is out and now available in paperback from your favorite book store (as well as Amazon and Barnes and Nobel of course). The good folks at the local B&N have a new author and local author section, into which I am working on getting Dreams. But as you can imaging, just like your local grocery, shelf space in book stores is at a premium...a very high premium. Which means you will probably have to order Elysian Dreams from your favorite book store. So it's time to hit the streets, the air waves and the Internet. While I have a very competent aid running my web site for me, I am on my own as far as publicity goes. Exactly how do you get the general reading public to take notice of a struggling writer's first release?
Not a rhetorical question, I am asking for suggestion here...ok, call it what it is...HELP!
There are book shops, chain stores, coffee houses, book clubs, etc, etc, etc...that I would love to get in touch with (That shameless self promotion again) and make them aware of Elysian Dreams. But I'm just one guy...one clueless guy. So, let me know what your thoughts are...how do I go about selling my book...and myself? Any thoughts, suggestions, comments? All will be gratefully and eagerly accepted and considered. You can post your ideas here for all to see, or we can keep it one on one if you prefer...my e mail address is: info@bjneblett.com Either way I will respond and let you know how things are going.
Stay tuned loyal readers...it's going to be an interesting ride!
PS: For those of you who have already read (or soon will be reading) Elysian Dreams, you too can help. According to my publisher what is needed are comments...all kinds of comments and reviews. My home page is bjneblett.com. From there you can link to my Facebook page and to Brighton Publishing and leave comments and your thoughts on Elysian Dreams. You can also post them right here if you wish. Book sellers look for public comment...it lets them know that someone is reading what they are considering carrying. So lets have it...the good the bad and the ugly. Thanks.

                                                                                                                        Peace,
                                                                                                                        BJ

Ballard Tribune Interview With BJ Neblett

Ballard author publishes debut novel (updated)

By Anne-Marije Rook

2011-12-12

Ballard author B.J. Neblett can finally hold on to the physical pages of his debut novel after releasing the electronic version months ago. On December 12, Brighton Publishing released Neblett's novel, Elysian Dreams, in paperback format, just in time for the holidays.
Neblett decribed his book as a real page turner with all the drama and excitement of the Prohibition era – gangsters, romance, adventure, and the key to it all... time travel.
Elysian Dreams weaves its journey through time from the 1920's through the 1980's, binding history professor Collin Crowly, college student Angelina and the slightly nerdy high school student Marsha together in a profound way.
Main character Crowly's mysterious family mansion Casa di Tempo becomes their magical portal to the past, eclipsing space and time as the trio desperately seek their rightful place in the world.
Elysian Dream is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon.com

Original article from June, 2011:
Ballard resident B.J. Neblett has written his debut novel, which was published as an e-book last week and will be released in print later this month.
"I have written many, many short stories and poems but this is my first book," said Neblett, a retired radio deejay.
Neblett said the book started off as a writing exercise and took him three and a half years to write.
"I wanted to see if I could write from a female point of view," he explained.
Taking place in Philadelphia from the prohibition era until the 1980s, Neblett's novel "Elysian Dreams" surrounds three main characters: a well-off popular college history teacher, Professor Collin Crowley; a restless and beautiful college student, Angelina; and a highly intelligent and slightly nerdy high school student, Marsha, who struggles with her own feelings of being a misplaced soul.
As the trio desperately seeks answers, their lives unexpectedly and repeatedly cross. It is Collin Crowly’s family legacy and his mysterious mansion, Casa di Tempo containing a hidden portal to the past, that sets the stage for a romantic adventure across both space and time.
"It's a romantic mystery with quite a bit of action," Neblett said. "I think it appeals to most everybody. Women won't find it excessively violent or chauvinistic and men won't find it too fluffy."
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Neblett said he takes inspiration from personal experiences.
"My mom's people were Italian and the gangster era always intrigued me," he said.
And while the book is fiction, Neblett said all the places, events and buildings are real.
"A lot of research went into this book. I'm a big history buff so I made sure all the dates and places were accurate," he said.
The e-book available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble has been received well so far with reader reviews giving the book five out of five stars and calling it a page turner.
"Great bedtime reading. Lots of interesting local historical detail," writes on reviewer.
"If you read any book this year, make it this one. I highly recommend this book, it captures your attention and keeps it page after page. Loved it!!" raves another.
Neblett said he hopes his book will serve as a springboard to more publishing opportunities and dedicated the book to his mother who inspired him to do what he wanted to do.
Neblett credits her for his career as popular radio DJ Billy James, which will be the topic of a book sometime in the future.
Additionally, Neblett revealed that he's writing a sequel to Elysian Dreams and he's currently working on a memoir about growing up in Philadelphia during the Kennedy era.
"My goal is just to get it out there and be read," Neblett said.
"[Elysian Dreams] is different from anything that's out there right now and if given half a chance, the public might actually like it."

Birth Of A Book: Elysian Dreams

            Just in time for Christmas, Elysian Dreams, my first novel, is now available in paperback. Brighton Publishing has done a great job putting the book together and with the lay out, I couldn’t be happier with the way the book looks. The E book has been very well received and I want to thank everyone who has been enjoying Elysian Dreams on their Kindle or Nook or other E book readers. Now, those of you like myself, who prefer the print versions of their favorite books can have their book and read it too!

            Now it’s your turn: Tell your friends, head to your local book store, order yourself a copy of Elysian Dreams, tell the owner/manager that they should stock the book, enjoy Elysian Dreams, drop us a comment either here at the blog site (your words will be available for all to read) or you can reach me at the e-mails below. And thanks!

bjneblett@gmail.com

info@bjneblett.com

                                                                                                                        Peace,

                                                                                                                        BJ

Editing And Proofing

           Thanksgiving was quiet this year, actually a very good thing. The long awaited galley proofs of my novel Elysian Dreams were delivered on Wednesday. Here it is Sunday night and I am finally done with my part. It’s mind boggling the long and detailed process a manuscript will travel before it is ready for print. The version I received had already gone through sixteen different edit and proofing procedures. To the untrained or casual eye, nothing had really been changed. But, as they say, it’s all in the details.

            Spelling aside, it takes several pairs of trained eyes to catch every little grammar and punctuation nuance. A swapped synonym or relocated comma can completely change the meaning and strength of a sentence. And of course, the final say as to what is being said lies with the author. The gang at Brighton Publishing did a great job with the lay out, editing and proofing of Elysian Dreams. And yet, by the time the polished manuscript reached my hands there were still a few errors that had slipped through. Hopefully, by now we have caught them all.

            When I was teaching creative writing I gave my students some well worn and proven tricks to make the inherently formidable job of writing a bit easier. When it comes to revisions, I urge future novelists to read their copy out loud. Reading silently, the mind automatically scans and skips, filling in obvious words and phrases. Reading aloud forces pronunciation of every word, every pause, every breath, and every inflection. Spelling, usage and other errors literally jump off the page. And a well checked manuscript can benefit the author in several ways. The easier it is for an agent or publisher to read your copy, the more likely he or she will be to actually read it through. And, once you have sold your manuscript, the easier the editor’s job, the quicker your treasure will make it to print.

            Even in this day and age of spelling and grammar checkers and typing ahead and auto replacement and auto thesaurus, mistakes do happen. In the end, it is up to the author to see to it his or her words are exactly as they intended.

            Look for Elysian Dreams on the shelves of your local book store in about a week to ten days. If you don’t see it, ask for it by name. Thanks.

                                                                                                            Peace,

                                                                                                            BJ

Why I Write

            Since Elysian Dreams was released in E book form on May 28 it’s been an exciting and frustrating four months. Last quarter sales, the first quarter (actually only one month) the book was available, sales were fairly good. My publisher Brighton Publishing was extremely pleased with the numbers. I guess I was expecting (hoping?) for more. But then again there was really no promotion as such, just some internet chatter and the launching of Elysian Dreams Facebook page. In any event I do want to thank everyone who has purchased the E book. We have gotten nothing but positive comments and response. And speaking of which, if you do (or have) purchased the E book, your response is essential to both myself and the publisher. You can post your personal review at Amazon or Barnes and Nobel or wherever you downloaded your copy.

            And so now, even as I sit and write this blog, I am awaiting the sales figures for July, August and September. Judging from the hits on Facebook and the E mail I have received I am sure the numbers won’t disappoint. Again, thanks. The print version should be here very soon.

            Enough sales pitch. Writing isn’t and shouldn’t be about $$$. There is a wise old saying: How do you become a writer? You write, plain and simple. A painter paints, a sculptor sculpts, a writer writes. Too often the lines between writer and author become a bit blurred. If you love to write, and you do write, then guess what? You’re a writer! It doesn’t matter if you are published or have an agent or if anybody besides yourself ever reads your words. Don’t ever let anyone tell you any differently, you are a writer.

            I think it might have been Steven King who, when asked why he writes replied, “Because not to is suicide.” Those words speak volumes. Did you ever get an idea into your head and it just kept nagging and nagging at you? That’s the same idea. Most writers (note: writers) as well as authors report that writing is as natural an act as breathing or eating. And we all know what happens when one stops breathing or eating.

            As I mentioned last time, I began writing at a very early age. It helped me to order my thoughts and sort things out. I too, got ideas and thoughts stuck into my head that just wouldn’t let go. That is until I put them down on paper, released them so to speak. And only when I had, could I then relax and sleep and function normally; until the next thought or idea came along. Of course I now recognize these ideas and thoughts for what they were and are: inspiration.

            So, how about it? Is there a thought or idea or something rattling around somewhere inside you that just won’t let go? Who knows, maybe there’s a writer inside of you trying to get out.

                                                                                                                        Peace

                                                                                                                        BJ