Category Archives: Uncategorized

How did we design Weun Academy’s cover?

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If eyes are the windows to the (Human) soul, then the cover is that for books. Everyone – EVERYONE – judges a book by its cover. You get milliseconds for people to decide if they’re going to skip you book all by what it looks like.

There’s a lot of pressure to get a cover right. It has to convey the right theme, look visually appealing, be appropriate to attract your target market, have the right tag line…

When Matt and I began the cover work our starting point was “what should it show?” My D’mok Revival books followed very traditional (read “old school”) space scene covers that were far more reflective of classic science fiction (of the 60’s and 70’s). We’re now in 2020’s, it needed to reflect what attracted people TODAY. So we wanted to go with more of a scene from the book. We talked to some of the Beta readers and selected a few specific moments.

WARNING… Mild spoilers ahead due to images. I’ll hold off on explaining too much.

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Okay? So here they are…

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Arriving at the gates to the school

Eisah exploding with power

Seigie Weun Statue

The Man of fire

We even tried developing some of the concepts, specifically the Seigie statue and the “Crystal Gate” to the campus.

I also tried mocking up some things using Midjourney.

But it wasn’t coming together in a way we really loved.

I then participated in JD’s book marketing cohort in the fall of 2024. We did more of a contemporary book study. I even went out to Target and Barnes and Nobel and took pictures of what was on the shelf, studying what the market put out.

Because this book was going to a YA and NA market it needed to have people on the cover in some way. That set us on a path that began as the Seigie statue. At one point we also tried something far more unique and artistic, before Matt had an inspiration on his ipad and our direction dove toward the main visual we have today.

Here’s an animation showing that end progression taken from Matt’s ipad (using procreate). Yes, he sketched it by hand on his ipad. I watched him apple pen stroke over apple pen stroke carve this from the ether.

From there we evolved the branding for Weun Academy including fonts, finalizing the series emblem, evolving book blurb content.

And we ended up with what we have today!

Final thought on this: the work we did shaping the “Crystal Gate” entrance to Weun Academy actually transformed the description that ended up in the book. It was originally just a gateway in the forest, a large gateway with statues on either side. When we attempted to think like “the architects of Weun Academy’s campus” we thought about what experience we wanted to have students or anyone else coming through the forest to that way on to the campus. We wanted this (preferred way for new students to arrive) gateway to supercharge one’s excitement, to create an anchoring to the D’mok Warriors that came before them, to see their own potential in the statues of the heroes from the (still recent) past. It’s funny how production work can loop back and impact the source material before release! Anyway, I found that interesting and wanted to share.

  • Mike

Weun Academy Fashion – Dress Uniform

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Let’s continue the exploration into the fashion of Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker with exploring the official academy dress uniform.

Taking a page from military schools and organizations, students and faculty have a different attire when attending formal events versus their everyday learning and training uniforms.

A formal sport coat features a front flap and four decorative buttons. In the right light, onlookers can catch a subtle floral pattern across the purple material. Boards on the shoulders indicate their rank, while the same D’mok Classification pin is displayed on the raised collar.

For those with special duties or status, an honor sash or braided cord (“Aiguillette”) worn on the shoulder.

Matching the form and function of the academy jumper, the official and multi-function academy emblem is pinned to the chest. Completing the look, simple black pants bearing a single, vertical, purple stripe down each side are worn.

Nearing Weun Academy’s Launch!

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It’s so hard to believe, but here we are! October 30th is coming so fast.

I’m learning a great deal about BookTok and AuthorTok. I’ve started posting some content. Matt and I will be doing a few segments on cover creation hopefully later this week!

I have my Facebook ads ready to go! They had a great click rate when I tested them… Though the AAA content on Amazon needs a bit of tuning yet.

While there will be a campaign to get the word out–including one through the Science Fiction Writer’s Association (SWFA)–I could use your help and would greatly appreciate your support!

Spread the news far and wide about Weun Academy.

You can use the official landing page: https://www.weunacademy.com

OR send people to the main D’mok site with book embedded link: https://dmokrevival.com/index.html?book=WeunAcademy

I really appreciate it!

Weun Academy Final Blurb

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They say the cover is what makes someone pick up a book, the blurb on the back makes them buy it.

Writing a blurb well is very tricky. I’m glad I had some practice at the at JD’s marketing cohort last fall. Here’s the latest Weun Academy blurb!

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Sixteen-year-old Eisah Tanner lives by one rule: blend in.

As an Earther on the fringes of a Martian colony, he keeps to the shadows, evading Redborn bullies who hunt his kind for sport. But when their cruelty erupts into a tactical assault, a dangerous power ignites within himone that can’t be hiddendrawing unwanted, extraterrestrial attention.

Whisked to New Eden, a sprawling space station in the heart of the galaxy, Eisah enters Weun Academy, a school for gifted outcasts. With a fresh start, he aims to master his superhuman abilities and finally belong. However, this alien world proves as treacherous as the power he carriesand some enemies hide behind friendly faces.

When a brutal strike rocks Weun’s community, shifting loyalties and hidden agendas drive Eisah and his friends to uncover answers and forge a path forward. Learning who to trust becomes the hardest lesson. As enemies close in, he must unravel a web of lies, betrayal, and something far darkerbefore shadow consumes them all.

Step into Weun Academy, where mettle is tested, chosen families are defended, and the fight to find your place in the universe begins.

The original wasn’t bad. However, this version works hard to quickly introduce Eisah, provide some background, his aspirations, and introduce the big threat.

I like how it suggests Eisah used to seek shadow for protection. However, it transforms into something deadly. It’s an interesting juxtaposition that unifies and completes the concepts within the blurb.

“Learning who to trust becomes the hardest lesson” is a newly added phrase that hints at core struggles and plays off the location being an academy.

Hopefully this will get people to read more!

Weun Academy Series + Toriko Tales updates

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Major announcements to share!

First, exciting progress on the Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker cover. This is a very rough first draft done by my husband Matt Zummo. We already have professional feedback to make the author name and book title larger. Regardless, I wanted to show the latest direction.

Again, not done, but very exciting!

I have secured Jonathan Oliver to do the final editing of the reworked Weun Academy 1 manuscript.

He is a well-known editor and author in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Jonathan Oliver served as the Editor-in-Chief at both Solaris and Abaddon Books, where he oversaw the publication of numerous critically acclaimed anthologies and novels. He also wrote two novels for Abaddon Books, titled The Call of Kerberos and The Wrath of Kerberos​.

Among his credits is proofreading Brandon Sanderson’s “The Way of Kings” and “Rhythm of War” books. Work is scheduled for February 2025. Well worth the wait.

I will also be working with JD Barker for Weun Academy marketing starting in October 2024.

J.D. Barker, a renowned New York Times bestselling author and a highly respected book coach. Barker is well-known for his expertise in writing, marketing, and self-publishing, and he has guided numerous authors, including those who have achieved New York Times bestseller status. His coaching style is celebrated for being personalized, approachable, and highly effective, particularly in helping authors navigate the complexities of book promotion and marketing. Barker also offers various services, such as manuscript critiques, marketing strategy consultations, and detailed editorial guidance, all aimed at helping writers succeed in the publishing industry​.

I’m hoping to take what I learn for Weun Academy and apply it both to Toriko Tales and to the original D’mok Revival books.

Speak of Toriko Tales, Courtney Andersson, who has experience in IPs like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, will be doing the final editing and proofing passes on Toriko Tales: Toriko vs the Crowned Paw! This work will begin in January 2025.

Cortney Andersson is an experienced editor who works primarily with the Mandala Publishing and Earth Aware Editions imprints, both subsidiaries of Insight Editions. In her role, she manages the entire editorial process for about 10-12 titles per year, collaborating closely with authors, designers, and other key stakeholders. Her portfolio includes several award-winning projects, and she has played a significant role in the publication of New York Times Best Sellers. She is known for her ability to guide complex projects from acquisition through to publication, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

Both titles will be released in 2025, with exact timeframes to be determined.

Overhauls+

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I just checked and saw how long it had been since I wrote a blog post. Where does the time go?

Our first board game based on the D’mok Revival series: HoverDome: Red Canyon Run was delivered to all Kickstarter Backers. We even had some board game stores pick it up. Having completed that herculean task, I’ve been able to focus back on my next novels.

Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker has been totally overhauled and swelled from 120,000 words to 147,000! I realize the recommended size for a science fiction work written by an unknown like me is between 80-120,000 words. Once I decided this will likely be another self-published work, it freed me to expand key sections. This included the last two chapters that were thrown away and rewritten free of word constraints. I’m very happy with the result.

I’m seeking new eyes to do one final editing pass, in addition to publicity and marketing professionals. I’m happy with what I did back in 2013 with D’mok Revival’s original launch. My goals now are very different. In a perfect world, hungry fans would demand a constant stream of stories the D’mok Revival literary universe. I won’t get there doing everything myself. That’s what the professionals are for.

That said, Matt and I are working on the updated cover design for Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker. We’ve decided to focus on Weun Academy’s iconic crystal gate and campus. This process has evolved how I see it, leading to changes in the manuscript! We have quite a bit of work on the Silver Tower and other structures appearing in the shot. We both know it’s right direction to pull people in.

Hot on the heels of Weun Academy is Toriko Tales: Toriko vs The Crowned Paw. The manuscript is completed and edited. We have rough cover concepts. I want to take all the learnings and interactions with professionals from Weun Academy and roll it forward into the future release of Toriko Tales. So, it’s a ways off yet.

In between working on the cover and securing professional resources, I’m constantly expanding the source materials for Weun Academy 2: The Shadow Touched. I have fifty pages of short stories and character interviews, and thirty pages of notes so far. It’s wonderful to see the movie trailer for this book playing clearly in my mind.

Because my mind loves to work on too many things at one time, I’ve also jotted down scenes and notes for D’mok Revival 5 and the third spin-off, Wayfinder.

Needless to say, you can expect a great deal more from me. I can’t wait to see what happens in this literary universe. I hope someday soon you’ll be able to experience it too!

Inspirations & Triumphs!

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It’s been some time since my last update. Sometimes even thinking about doing a post gets lost among my job, family, side projects, and other social media posts. But so much has happened.

First, HoverDome: Red Canyon Run made it’s Kickstarter goals, was manufactured, shipped, and delivered! There’s even two sites for it: 1) the marketing site, 2) the ecommerce site others can still purchase the game with (while supplies last). Matt, Derek, and I (“Frozen Soul Games”) are so proud of what we accomplished. I’m also thrilled that a little part of my D’mok literary universe has been brought into our real world too, since HoverDome was the hoverbike racing arena in books 3 and 4.

My first book in the Toriko Tales series is completely done and edited! I have a placeholder site for this as well. It won’t further develop until it’s published (formally or self-published). Matt’s going to help me with the cover design (assuming it goes forward as self-published). I do need to get Weun Academy 1 out first since Toriko Tales mentions places and characters from that series.

Speaking of Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker, after finishing Toriko Tales I discovered my writing style had elevated once again. In fact, going back and re-reading Weun Academy opened my eyes to the many ways it could be improved. Thankfully, WA had yet to be released. So, I went back end edited it. I added over 13,000 words, edited the vast majority of every page, improved dialog, enhanced character depth, and more. I’m very happy with the way the story evolved. Currently my friend Dan is reviewing it. I hope to have one other as well, before I send it back to Arlene for editing. Then, it too will be ready for release. Matt is also helping me with this cover. It’s been so long since he and I talked about it–before we formally worked on the Kickstarter for HoverDome. Matt loves his projects, and I can happily provide them! Lucky for me!

As a result of editing Weun Academy, I’ve reconnected with those characters and that place. It’s actually what I was hoping to accomplish. Going off and writing the locations, situations, and new characters of Toriko Tales really pulled me away from WA. The editing undid that. In my last blog post I mentioned I had started WA2. Outside of occasional backstories, not much had happened with it since. I felt it calling to me again. More characters appeared in little snippets in my mind talking or doing things. I went back and reread what I wrote as the intro so long ago. While it wasn’t bad, something wasn’t clicking. I needed to go back and understand what exactly happened between books 1 and 2 to get the start and ultimate tone of book 2 right.

So, I sat down and worked on some short stories. I know exactly what happens the day after WA1 ends. I won’t give details since only a handful (by Beta readers) know why that’s important. But that exposed the next thing I needed to understand, and the next thing after that. I found a chain of things that had to be addressed before attempting to write WA2.

I’m still in throws of those mid-steps. I can clearly see them, and have even done outlines on the “movie trailer” snippets of the short stories. I really love what’s coming together. Best of all, it’s so natural. The words just flow, mostly because I’m documenting the movie playing in my head. I’m thankful to have that so clearly back again. There was a time during Toriko Tales where it had evaporated on me.

I don’t know how long it will take me to write WA2. On average a full novel (especially ones the size of Weun Academy) can take two years. That said, I wrote D’mok Revival book 4 in months, and it was nearly the size of WA1. So, we shall see. It’s really up to life.

As always I can see the clear tied between happenings in my life, Matt’s life, Derek’s life, and the world that integrate directly into my stories. I felt like COVID’s isolation would manifest in a major way in WA2, perhaps lots of virtual learning like my son had to do. But that’s not what I see anymore. Certainly there is isolation. But for a much smaller subset of students, and all due to the shadow from WA1. Again, I shouldn’t say too much more due to spoilers.

Regardless, I can’t wait to see how this goes and how everything turns out. It might be possible to go from WA2 directly to D’mok Revival 5. Originally I intended on writing Wayfinder 1 after WA2, then DR5… But I see a path to holding off Wayfinder 1.

We shall see! I promise to blog more!

Hello, Weun Academy 2! Plus more!

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I mentioned a while back that the angst building inside of me from COVID 19 living wanted an outlet. A few months back, despite my attempts to ignore it, Weun Academy 2 made itself known. In fact, after waking up at 3am one morning, it demanded I write some things down before being able to go back to sleep.

While there were scenes and glimpses into WA2, I was able to stay focused on completing Toriko Tales. As many of you saw, when the final push came, Toriko Tales wrapped up 10,000 words in a week. But I believe there was a reason for that happening.

Ever since, my mind has been flooded with scenes and still pictures from Weun Academy 2. I couldn’t help but wake up (at 2 or 3 AM) to write down musings.

I already love how the continued COVID angst, on going adaptations in US politics, and even my every day life continues to weave together to form the foundation of this new story!

For those Beta readers who reviewed WA1: The Shadow Maker, Eisah threatened “something” at the end… Well, he made good on that something. While book 2 doesn’t start off explaining the event, it certainly set things in motion leading to the dynamics which follow. I actually wrote the short story tonight detailing what that event was (so that I know the details).

But what if you were not a beta reader for Weun Academy 1? Good question! I tried with 25 or so agents and received nothing but rejections (obviously). The few that explained said they wouldn’t know how to market the book, etc. I’m considering moving forward with self-publishing again. I really do believe in the book and feel it could earn an agent, but I also want to share it with people beyond my amazing Beta readers! I finished writing it back in 2018! I want it in the hands of the public!

It will be difficult to release WA2 if WA1 isn’t already on shelves or kindle. We shall see.

Another quick update, I’m now co-owner of Frozen Soul Games. It’s first product will be HoverDome: Red Canyon Run, modeled after the mobile space arena of the same name as presented in books three and four of D’mok Revival! I’m very excited. The Kickstarter for this effort is planned for May 1, 2021.

One final item, I’m updating the dmokrevival.com Web site. The design has been out there since I released my third book. It’s time for a refresh. The preview can be found at http://www.dmokrevival.com/_dev_index.html. Let me know what you think if you have a moment.

So, between reviewing Weun Academy 1 and determining the way forward, getting feedback from beta readers on Toriko Tales, getting ready to launch the HoverDome Kickstarter, reworking my series Web site, and working the start-up process for Weun Academy 2, there’s just a few things going on!

That’s all for now!

Toriko Tales Book 1 Is Complete!

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I’m happy to report the first draft of Toriko Tales is complete! It took so much longer than anticipated. Of course, a global pandemic, change of job, and occasional writers-block will cause delays!

As the title suggests, Toriko from the main D’mok Revival series is the main protagonist. The great part of the book takes place on her homeworld of Tericn, and centers on the topic on artificial intelligence. More specifically the ethics and varied cultural responses to this advanced technology. As always, there’s plenty of interpersonal conflict, including the trauma of her parents demise when she was a child, and her ongoing relationship struggles with her older sister. Also, an entire set of new characters join the D’mok Revival literary universe.

Readers can expect plenty of references and cameos to characters from the D’mok Revival and Weun Academy series. Even though the Murai Dome and Tericn was visited in the first book of the D’mok Revival series, only a few areas were explored at that time. This required me to do extensive construction of the 11 versions (“levels”) of the Murai Dome itself and explain how the some of the older technologies are still leveraged to create the living environment currently inhabited by Terconians.

I wrote over forth-three pages (16,800 words) of backstory so I could authentically represent the new characters, circumstances, and locations feature in Toriko Tales. Some of these written explorations were used to break through the few instances of writer’s block suffered. I found the reason I could not move forward was because I didn’t understand the history of the characters or location in the scene. This technique became my “go to method” to get that “movie playing in my head” again.

I’ve reached out to my amazing author Arlene Robinson, and we’re working out the details to have her edit my latest work. I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Arlene again!

My immediate next steps are

  1. Incorporate feedback my Matt Zummo (my first line of review)
  2. Get the manuscript out to my Beta Readers and incorporate their feedback
  3. Get the manuscript in the hands of Arlene Robinson
  4. Determine if I’ll self-publish or go for an agent

So, what’s it like? Toriko Tales is forty chapters strong, with a prologue and epilogue. The final product will include details about Tericn’s capital city the Murai Dome, and the translations of conversations between Toriko and Spark (which appear in binary in the main book).

The current manuscript comes in at 81,597 words. My original goal, the lower-bound for science fiction novels, was 80,000. I truly feel it was the right size to tell this Toriko focused story. It certainly sets up many dynamics in the D’mok literary universe, many of which will begin to be seen in Weun Academy 2 and D’mok Revival book 5.

Here’s a little preview of the (working) chapter names:

  1. Invictus
  2. Spilled Milk
  3. The EEE
  4. Phrenicide
  5. The Ardent Syndrome
  6. The Prodigal Kitten
  7. The Catadel
  8. Punitive Cogitation
  9. Mini-T v2
  10. Creature Comforts
  11. The Mind Hack
  12. Team Purg
  13. Murai Dome v9
  14. Cat fight
  15. The Evidence Vault
  16. Army of the Broken
  17. Wound Licking
  18. The Catress’ Lair
  19. Level One
  20. Sirra AI
  21. The First Lie
  22. The Past Is Present
  23. Old Wounds
  24. PvE
  25. The Alternative
  26. The Closer
  27. Clara Mortem
  28. The Crowned Paw
  29. The “Do Different”
  30. Uncrating
  31. Bansa
  32. Edrell Lab
  33. Sins of the Parents
  34. Eudorian Sanctuary
  35. Hacker Royale
  36. The First Meridian
  37. Destination Known
  38. T-Town
  39. The Manufactory
  40. Fallout

I’ll keep you posted as editing is done and next steps are taken.

In the meantime, I’m going back and reviewing Weun Academy 1’s manuscript. It never did find an agent. I may move forward with self-publishing that title at this point.

ALSO, as many of you know, Weun Academy 2: The Sabereth Incident is already a few pages in! I know, I can’t help it. I think I’m addicted to writing. I’m taking a moment to retread and run my formal process of understanding the character, location, and plot in order to advanced WA2’s manuscript. More on that in a future post!

Until then, stay safe!

Unexpected emotion

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I just had “a moment.” You know those scenes in a movie where a writer is furiously writing and crying at the same time–in the zone–emotion erupting. I always thought that was so cheesy. Not anymore.

I’m working on Toriko Tales in chapter 23 titled “old wounds.” It’s central to explaining a lot of Toriko’s formative past and impacted present. But going back and touching Toriko’s memories, things she had long buried (and perhaps had professionally blocked) trauma was–painful.

It’s fascinating, embarrassing, and enheartening to cry over something that happened to “your character.”

Anyone who knows me understands “my characters” are far from words on a page. They’ve always been people–friends–that I get to visit and know better when I write. That sounds like a desperate plea for help, but it’s not.  It’s just how writers work.

“Write what you know.” Well, I know them.

With every word that I typed, my own eyes awash, I kept thinking “I’m so sorry, Toriko.  I am so sorry.” As if her pain was “real.”

Now, obviously this is coming from somewhere. Childhood trauma. Disconnection from parents and context. Everything being turned upside down. I have plenty of things from my own life that’s clearly inspiring this grander version of things. Perhaps that’s what was releasing.  Certainly, the way she comes back from it is the mantra I use concerning acknowledging past loss and pain, then focusing on what I have today.

But shesh! Intense!

I hope it translates to future readers and feels authentic as it had for me.

Just wanted to share.