Dennis Meredith’s novel: Wormholes

Advance copy: Backstories on books by NASW members

WORMHOLES: A NOVEL

Dennis Meredith
Glyphus, September 12, 2013, $16.95, Young Adult edition, $16.95
ISBN: 978-1939118004
YA edition ISBN: 978-1939118042

Meredith reports:

I’m a liar and a thief, and I think that’s O.K. More about that later.

The origin of Wormholes is foggy, since the novel was maybe a decade in the writing. But I think the idea arose as a simple, fascinating question: “What if holes into other universes suddenly began to open up?” Over time, the novel’s plot accreted around that notion. And to drive that plot, I created the lead characters, feisty woman geologist Dacey Livingstone, and iconoclastic physicist Gerald Meier.

That’s when I became a liar. To spin an exciting adventure, I invented physics to explain how wrinkles in space-time could open holes into other universes. And I came up with ways that the holes could even be captured and used as gateways into those universes — most terrifyingly, even antimatter universes. All unscientific poppycock, as far as I know, but fun poppycock. I became a thief when I misappropriated the popular term “wormholes” to name these objects. I just hope the astronomers at universities where I worked aren’t too ticked off.

Joni — my editor, publisher, and wife — and I decided to produce my novels under our Glyphus imprint, a decision I explain in my self-publishing blog series.

Additionally, we decided to publish not only an adult edition of the novel, with its intimate situations and adult language, but also an edited family-friendly Young Adult edition. This idea came from Joni. She wanted to produce a version that parents could read with their kids. Also, it was an experiment to see whether basically the same novel could be sold in different markets. We don’t know if the experiment will be a success.

Now, about my lying and thievery: I think it’s O.K., because I’m hoping that readers will have so much fun with my fictional astrophysics tale, they’ll be inspired to learn about the real science — which is why I’ve included a reference list on the book’s website.

The novel also does portray one hard truth about science — that in reality, scientists who have advocated revolutionary ideas, from prions to plate tectonics to man-made global warming — have been vilified and persecuted, despite good scientific evidence.

Contact info:

Dennis Meredith: 336-973-4793, dennis@glyphus.com
Publicist: Joni Meredith, 336-973-4793, editor@glyphus.com
Book website: www.wormholesanovel.com
Blog website: www.researchexplainer.com

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Advance Copy

The path from idea to book may take myriad routes. The Advance Copy column, started in 2000 by NASW volunteer book editor Lynne Lamberg, features NASW authors telling the stories behind their books. Authors are asked to report how they got their idea, honed it into a proposal, found an agent and a publisher, funded and conducted their research, and organized their writing process. They also are asked to share what they wish they’d known when they started or would do differently next time, and what advice they can offer aspiring authors. Lamberg edits the authors’ answers to produce the Advance Copy reports.

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