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Origins of Boltblaster, Part 2

Greetings, Loyal Readers!

Last time, I gave a brief account of how I conceived the idea of a Boltblaster prequel spin-off book from the Jason Cosmo series. Alas, my former publishers — Signet/Roc in the US, Pan in the UK & Commonwealth — were less than enthusiastic. In the publishing environment of the 1990s that left me with little incentive to write the book. It made sense to move on to other projects, with the Jason Cosmo series effectively defunct.

So while I often say I began Boltblaster in 1991 or 1992, I haven’t been working on the book ever since. Most of the years between then and now, Boltblaster was simply a dead past project.

Well, mostly dead.

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Origins of Boltblaster

Greetings, Loyal Readers!

First, it is good to be back. The Jason Cosmo Update was knocked offline for a while by evil-doers. I suspect the Dark Magic Society.

I am currently working on the long- long- long-awaited book Boltblaster, which reveals the origins and early years of Jason Cosmo’s friend, the wizard Mercury Boltblaster. The earliest stirrings of this book date back to 1990 which, I know, is longer than some Loyal Readers have been alive! In the next few posts I’ll discuss just why this book has taken so long to write. In part, that statement is an illusion, but all will be revealed! And I’ll update you on where things stand now.

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Origins of Jason Cosmo – 1987

Greetings, Loyal Readers!

It was in the fall of 1987 that I began writing in earnest what would become my first book, Jason Cosmo. I finished the manuscript in early 1988 and mailed it off to an editor at NAL. I’ll tell more of that story next year. For today, I want to share some nuggets about the early drafts of Jason Cosmo.

SPOILER ALERT: Well, mild spoiler alert. If you haven’t read the first chapter of Jason Cosmo, or its later revision as Hero Wanted, this post will spoil Chapter 1. You’ve been warned!

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Jason Cosmo 2017

Greetings, Loyal Readers!

I’ve neglected to update you in a while, so here is the latest. I am currently finished up the manuscript for my 21st century technopulp thriller Jack Scarlet: Deepfire. (If that sounds interesting, hop over to DanMcGirt.com for the latest.)

Following that, the next book in line is the long-promised, long-awaited, long-delayed Boltblaster, which I really and truly intend to release this year. I’m already three chapters in on the manuscript and have posted a few excerpts on my Dan McGirt Facebook page. As soon as I finish Deepfire and turn my full attention to Boltblaster, I’ll rerun all the excerpts to date here at Jason Cosmo Update.

Best regards,

Dan McGirt

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Next for Jason Cosmo: Boltblaster and Dirty Deeds

Jason Cosmo Series covers 1-3Greetings, Loyal Reader!

Happy Star Wars Eve!

With Royal Crush launched it is time to talk about what comes next. But first – a big thank you to all the Loyal Readers who have bought Royal Crush in the first two weeks. I hope you’re enjoying the story – please let me know in the comments, (or at Dan McGirt Facebook Page or Twitter).

Also, please let other readers around the world know what you think by posting a review at your favorite online retailer. Reviews really help the books be more visible at Amazon, etc. and I appreciate you taking the time, whether you give one star or five.

The title of this post gives you the titles of the next two novels set in the Cosmoverse: Boltblaster and Jason Cosmo: Dirty Deeds. I’ll give you a brief on each now and we’ll discuss them in more depth in the months to come.

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Jason Cosmo: Royal Crush is here!

Greetings, Loyal Reader!

Royal Crush Amazon v3I’m delighted to let you know that Jason Cosmo: Royal Crush is here at long last! Book 3 of the Jason Cosmo fantasy adventure series officially launched at the major ebook retailers over the weekend. Thanks to all the early buyers, including those Loyal Readers who pre-ordered the book.

As I write this post Royal Crush is ranked #188 in the humorous fantasy category on Amazon. It is always fun to see a less than 5-digit ranking beside my book – again, thanks to all who purchased over the weekend.

I hope you enjoy the book. If you do, please take a moment to post a quick review at your favorite ebook store or on Goodreads. It really does help spread the word and help other readers discover Jason Cosmo.

For those who have not downloaded your copy yet, here are links to some of the major stores:

Again, I hope you will enjoy Royal Crush!

Best regards,

Dan McGirt

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Royal Crush Cover Revealed

Greetings, Loyal Reader!

It is time to give you a full look at the cover for the next Jason Cosmo novel, Royal Crush, which launches December 5. And here it is!

Royal Crush Amazon v3

Illustration by Mighty Mark Helwig and titling by the Ace of Awesome, Aaron Acevedo.

I’ll let the cover speak for itself, except to say again this is Mark’s interpretation of a key early scene in the book. It’s not a literal portrayal of what the text describes – that’s the interpretation part! – but definitely conveys the essence of the action. This will not end well for someone.

Thanks to Mark and Aaron for a great cover!

Now it is down to Your Humble Author to finish the words. I am working carefully through the copyedit and proofreading stage, trying to track down those devious typos that somehow manage to sneak in when I’m not looking. Overall, the manuscript is in good shape – and it should be! This is about my 40th time through it! But you know what? I’m still enjoying this story and I know you will too!

Best regards,

Dan McGirt

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Rainy Daze: A Jason Cosmo Tale Now at Amazon and iBooks

Greetings, Loyal Reader!

A quick note to let you know that the Jason Cosmo novella Rainy Daze is now available on the iBooks from Apple and at the Amazon Kindle Store.

This story — first released in 2009 at Smashwords — is set between the early chapters of Hero Wanted and can be read along with, before, or after that book, or enjoyed on its own. I updated the file, refreshed the cover, and put Rainy Daze in wider distribution as part of my preparation for the launch of Royal Crush on December 5.

Rainy DazeI’m calling Rainy Daze a “Jason Cosmo Tale,” which will be the tag for shorter-than-a-novel Jason Cosmo stories set between or during gaps in narrative of the main novels. I’ve got ideas for a few more Jason Cosmo Tales but for now my priority is getting Royal Crush ready. I’ll discuss future books (and tales) after December 5.

In the meantime, if you haven’t yet read Rainy Daze, please check it out. If you have already read it and enjoyed it, and can take a moment to post a review at your favorite retailer, I’d appreciate it.

Best regards,

Dan McGirt

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Royal Crush Cover Art is Here!

Greetings, Loyal Reader!

Detail from Royal Crush cover artAs we countdown to the release of Jason Cosmo: Royal  Crush on December 5, I am assembling the pieces of the book, including a critical component — the cover!

Yesterday I received the cover art image. I’m not going to reveal it in full until the title has been added to make it a proper cover, but I want to share this sneak peek, a close-up of our fearless wizard, Mercury Boltblaster!

I also want to introduce the newest Jason Cosmo cover artist: award-winning illustrator and sculptor Mighty Mark Helwig. Mark joins the ranks of Richard Hescox, Josh Kirby, and Den Beauvais in providing covers for the Jason Cosmo saga. Mark give us his interpretation of a pivotal scene in Royal Crush, which I will share in all its glory when the final cover is ready.

Mark displays a quirky, sly, and slightly demented sense of humor in his work (and has a disturbing affinity for Cthulhu). I thought it would be fun to get Mark’s take on Jason Cosmo and company.  Stay tuned for the full cover soon!

Best regards,

Dan McGirt

PS:  You can see more of Mark Helwig’s work at his website: Mark Helwig Art and Sculpture and on his Facebook Page: The Art of Mark A. Helwig – Facebook Page. Check it out!

 

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Jason Cosmo: Royal Crush Countdown

Greetings, Loyal Reader!

Royal Crush will debut one month from today – December 5! ((I pushed the launch date back from October due to some unforeseen production delays))

We’re in the final countdown. I am eagerly awaiting the cover art from an Artist To Be Named Once I Get The Cover Art and will flip that around to my cover designer to add the logos and titles. Meanwhile, I have completed multiple revision passes through the manuscript and am about to print it out for copyediting with my trusty purple pen. I copyedit by hand because it is easier to scrutinize paper than to spend even more hours staring at a computer screen.

That will take a few days. Then I’ll type in any corrections and switch gears to formatting the MS-Word file into an ebook file for uploading to the various online retailers. That’s my schedule for the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to finally getting Royal Crush into your waiting hands. Or, at least onto your favorite reading device!

Best regards,

Dan McGirt