IPTP Agent Maya Is Ready For Action!

Over at IPTP Agent Maya, the long-awaited first two adventures of Agent Maya are now for sale! Go on over and check them out!

Armchair Interviews Reviews Jaunt!

Online book review site Armchair Interviews has provided the second review of Jaunt!

"Special Agent James Gilmour is on a mission unlike any other. He must travel through space and time to prevent the enemy from creating a super weapon and destroying all of humanity following the discovery of three caches of jewels with mystical powers. The jewels, discovered in Asia in an area where an extraterrestrial crash occurred during a previous world war, have the unusual ability to alter time.

Gilmour, the main character, is a courageous and dedicated agent who overcomes his distrust of his assignment to travel through time in an effort to save the world. His brave and stoic nature is portrayed through his words and actions throughout the storyline.

Although the idea behind the story is intriguing, I found this book very difficult to get involved in. Although I am an avid sci-fi fan, the fact that this story’s plot revolves around different nations here on earth, rather than different planets throughout the universe, made it somewhat difficult to believe as science fiction. The story is placed a meager 200 years in the future, at which time humanity has many advanced technologies and even the newly discovered capability of time travel, yet Russia is leading a confederation against the rest of the world.

With the exception of Agent Gilmore, I struggled with character believability in this novel. The characters seemed to have similar traits, and I did not feel that they stood out with their own distinguishing personalities. There were many different characters throughout the story and at times it became difficult to remember which individual played which role.

The author, Erik Kreffel, lives in Indiana. His website has interesting information about Ether, the upcoming sequel to Jaunt, and link to order the e-book.

Armchair Interviews says: Perhaps as much drama/fiction as sci-fi."

Check out armchairinterviews.com!

JauntWorld, Year 2

JauntWorld begins year 2 in 2009! With all the turmoil in my personal life, I'm looking forward to finishing the first draft of Ether and finally releasing the first two Agent Maya books after much delay (not due to writing, mind, just scheduling time to fit them in). The crucial last act of Ether is still to be committed to paper (or hard drive) but the impetus is there!

A further project I have begun is the gathering and editing of a book honoring my father's artwork and illustrations, tentatively titled Kreffel: A Life in Gags, that I will be self-publishing through Lulu.com in the future, with all proceeds benefitting charity. This volume (one of a projected work of volumes, more likely) will be all his black and white comic strips, panels, magazine and editorial work created in the nearly four decades of his career, starting from late high school, his years in the US Army, Indiana Bell Yellow Pages advertising and his final decades in freelancing. This is a monumental task, as he was extremely prolific, and scanning all this linework in is a job unto itself! It's a labor of love, though, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy 2009!

In Memoriam Michael J Kreffel

JauntWorld's focus is on the professional, not personal, side of my writing. But I'm breaking this rule to acknowledge the passing of my father, mentor and friend, Michael J Kreffel, this morning. He gave me nothing but praise, encouragement and assistance in all my creative endeavors, from youth to adulthood. His humorous illustrations, graphic design and writing were nothing if not inspirational to me, and formulated my career path from the start. He was the hero I looked up to, answered every question I had and made time for me. His constructive criticism helped me create my best work, whether crayon scribbles or Jaunt, and was the man I am proud to call my father.

Miss you, dad.

Ether Update, Part II

Ether manuscript is now two hundred pages! Due to an unforeseen personal issue, I have been unable to write as much as before, but my goal of a two-thirds-length first draft by the end of 2008 has been attained. One lesson I have learned: writing scenes in futuristic submarines are really hard. Never again!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Wow, and JauntWorld is a year old already! Time really flies....

Jaunt Reviewed in the Midwest Book Review!

The first review of Jaunt has been added to the Midwest Book Review's Small Press Bookwatch for November 2008!

"Time complicates things, especially when treated as a place than a constant. 'Jaunt' is a time-travel tale of James Gilmour. Charged with the task of foiling a Russian plot to assemble a super weapon to threaten the world, he must use a strange alien technology that allows for the altering of time. In order to prevent a new world order, he must change the world, a job without glory. 'Jaunt' is thought provoking and intriguing reading, a strong pick for science fiction fans."

Check out www.midwestbookreview.com and the Small Press Bookwatch for Fiction, November 2008!

Jaunt Cast Bio, Part V

Next up in our cast biographies goes back to the heroes.
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Dark Horse, born in Buffalo, New York. Age 53, DOB 06.10.2091. Pentagon USNA Army liaison to the DoE, based in Washington, DC. Graduated top ten percentile in West Point class of ‘13. Formerly assigned to Army Intelligence, department and activities classified. Took command of covert Select Army Attachment Bravo upon promotion to Major, activities classified. Reassigned to Pentagon upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, works in liaison with all divisions of the USNA Armed Forces, as well as the DoE, official activities includes research into new energies and forms of renewable fuels, unofficial are classified. Married, one daughter. 5’ 10”. Hobbies/Interests: Whitewater rafting, archery and other outdoor sports.