Dennis Meredith, Mythicals

For this column, NASW book editor Lynne Lamberg asks NASW authors to tell how they came up with the idea for their book, developed a proposal, found an agent and publisher, funded and conducted research, and put the book together. She also asks what they wish they had known before they began working on their book, what they might do differently the next time, and what tips they can offer aspiring authors. She then edits the A part of that Q&A to produce the author reports you see here.

Publication of NASW members’ reports in Advance Copy does not constitute NASW’s endorsement of their books. NASW welcomes your comments, and hopes this column stimulates productive discussions.

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MYTHICALS
Dennis Meredith
Glyphus LLC, November 15, 2018, Print: $16.95, ebook: $2.99
ISBN-10: 1939118298; ISBN-13: 978-1939118295
ASIN: B07H75YG5P

Meredith reports:

Sometimes a writer gets a totally off-the-wall weird plot idea that he just can't get out of his head until he writes the novel. That's how my new scifi/fairy tale, Mythicals, was born. As I recall, I was daydreaming . . . uh, I mean creatively conceptualizing . . . about the fabulous menagerie of creatures of legend, and wondering how I could write a novel about them. My science fiction filter kicked in, and I realized I could gin up a plot where they really existed as aliens on the planet. From there, it was a natural (to me) leap to having them be exiles and living among the natives via high-tech disguises I called flesh-suits.

Of course, I wouldn’t be satisfied with garden-variety fairies, ogres, elves, pixies, trolls, werewolves, angels and such. So, I re-invented the creatures to give them compelling back stories, vividly depicted home planets, and exotic customs that I hope readers will find surprising, funny, and/or satiric.

For conflict, I came up with the idea that these Mythicals realize the planet of their exile is ecologically doomed unless they take drastic action–a step they dub the Remediation–to reduce the population. Their weapon: orbiting electromagnetic pulse weapons that will blast the planet with intense radio waves and devastate the technological infrastructure. Some Mythicals advocate for the Remediation; others believe the planet’s species can be saved.

I was deep into writing when a huuuuge plot twist occurred to me, which of course I won’t reveal here. Suffice it to say, I guarantee the reader a profound shock to the literary system, I believe in a stimulating and deeply thought-provoking way. And as a bonus, here's a "true" tale surrounding the novel: http://www.ismellsheep.com/2018/11/author-dennis-meredith-saysewe-wont.html.

Contact info:

• Dennis Meredith, 760-451-6845, dennis@glyphus.com, http://dennismeredith.com/
• Book website: http://dennismeredith.com/mythicals_479.html
• Publicist: Joanne Meredith, 760-451-6845, editor@glyphus.com

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NASW members: will your book be published soon? Take advantage of this opportunity for shameless self-promotion. Submit your report for Advance Copy.

Tell your fellow NASW members how you came up with the idea for your book, developed a proposal, found an agent and publisher, funded and conducted research, and put the book together. Include what you wish you had known before you began working on your book, or had done differently.

See https://www.nasw.org/advance-copy-submission-guidelines.

View Advance Copy archives at https://www.nasw.org/member-article/advance-copy.

Thinking of writing a book? If you are a NASW member, you may access a list of more than 150 books and online resources to help you craft your book proposal, find an agent and funding sources, negotiate your contract, learn about self-publishing, publicize and market your book, and more at https://www.nasw.org/article/write-book.

Send book info and questions about book publishing to Lynne Lamberg, NASW book editor, llamberg@nasw.org.