First off, thank you for clicking whatever link you did to land here! I am really appreciative of your time.
Welcome to my Pubslush page for my third novel. Trampling in the Land of Woe is a blend of steampunk and Dante Alighieri’s afterlife as written in The Divine Comedy. The story takes us through the cobblestoned city streets of New Dis, above the very pit of hell in airships, and then down into the rings themselves. Paddleboats, steam-powered railroad bulls, trains, zeppelins, and ornithopters zoom by in this fascinating mash-up of literary proportions.
The core of the narrative explores a story of need. Hephaestion journeys into the pit as he seeks to rescue his soulmate and king, Alexander the Great. He navigates the bustling city of New Dis, evades capture from various antagonists, and faces off against beasts of legend. Despite the trappings of steampunk and the texture of Dante, the story revolves around a man searching for meaning, truth, and love.
The research became both compelling and delightful as I focused on doing justice to these historical icons. To honor my readers, I have hired a team of professionals to help me along the way. Editors Ally Bishop andPatricia Eddy have both been amazingly helpful, yet challenging, as they push me to delve deeper into the story behind the story, the motivations of a man who’s lost the only person who ever mattered to him.
Additionally, I procured the excellent skills and talents ofAleksandr Dochkin to design the cover. When I approached him with the novel and the concepts, he eagerly agreed. He learned new computer programs and went well outside of his artistic comfort zone to produce the captivating cover.
My goal for Trampling in the Land of Woe has been to create a polished, professional, inspiring, and perhaps provoking commentary on what it means to be human, to be known, and to be remembered. My compulsion to write this book demanded a distinct and organic setting, and early readers believe I’ve done it justice. I’ve yet to find a story quite like this, despite my decades of voracious reading, and I hope you, as a reader, will agree.
Thanks again!