As part of the process of publishing my book, the company that was going to do some of the marketing had me decide how to characterize my book. At the end of the day I decided to go with the standard, sci-fi/fantasy category.
Recently the book has been popping up on online retailers like Amazon.com. I was surprised to see that http://www.tower.com/ (which is selling the book for 12.62$, lowest price I've seen so far) has placed my book as the 408th best selling Fictional Christian Romance novel! So, if you're looking for some Hot Christian Romance, apparently the Twilight Alliance is the book for you. Though I don't find the book terribly romantic, and I don't remember the part in the Bible that had half-horse, half-fire, half-man people in it. Or gryphons... In fact, I'm somewhat frightenned as to how these elements might translate to a romance. I mean, how can you have a relationship with a half-man, half horse?
Outrageous claim #2: Reading the Twilight Alliance will make you more desirable to members of the opposite sex!
Keep your eyes open for reviews of the book. Also, check out http://www.thehachiko.com/ which put up a preview of the Twilight Alliance.
And for those of you who are finished reading, I insist that you vote for your favourite character on the poll to the left. Enjoy!
http://www.tower.com/twilight-alliance-etherlands-volume-1-c-s-gregg-/wapi/112516725
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
What's in a name?
People sometimes ask about Simon. So to fullfill my blogging responsibilities, here's a few things about how I came up with the character. Firstly, his name means to hearken, or to listen. And as the story progresses we see Simon is hearing voices. One of the most important themes of the story is Simon's quest to find out if he's hearing an evil voice or a good voice.
There are lots of Simons (Simonses?) in the Bible who I had in mind when I wrote Simon. Aside from Simon Peter (Saint Peter), I also thought of Simon Magus, who in Christian literature is considered to be the first heretic. There are stories of him challenging Saint Peter. The word Simony comes from the name Simon and means to pay for a position in the church. There were also gnostic sects that believed that Simon Magus was God in human form.
Simon of Cyrene would have been considered the first African Saint, Cyrene being an African city (though at the time it was a jewish community). He was the guy who helped Jesus carry his cross up the mountain.
Throughout the story, (Particularly in Etherlands: volume 2) Simon expresses all of these characteristics to some extent. He's a guy struggling with his place in the religious framework of his world.
Hopefully that would also answer the question I have heard as to why I didn't give the character a more exciting, fantasy-novel sounding name like, Xor the Great or Liktha'an The Impaler. I'll save those for another novel.
There are lots of Simons (Simonses?) in the Bible who I had in mind when I wrote Simon. Aside from Simon Peter (Saint Peter), I also thought of Simon Magus, who in Christian literature is considered to be the first heretic. There are stories of him challenging Saint Peter. The word Simony comes from the name Simon and means to pay for a position in the church. There were also gnostic sects that believed that Simon Magus was God in human form.
Simon of Cyrene would have been considered the first African Saint, Cyrene being an African city (though at the time it was a jewish community). He was the guy who helped Jesus carry his cross up the mountain.
Throughout the story, (Particularly in Etherlands: volume 2) Simon expresses all of these characteristics to some extent. He's a guy struggling with his place in the religious framework of his world.
Hopefully that would also answer the question I have heard as to why I didn't give the character a more exciting, fantasy-novel sounding name like, Xor the Great or Liktha'an The Impaler. I'll save those for another novel.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I'm not Simon!
So, the first person to read the book since it's been published was ironically, Simon Bourque. I know what you're thinking. This is some crazy publicity stunt, sinc the main character in the Twilight Alliance is named Simon. Not so! Apparently Simon (real Simon) was sick last week and the book comforted him while he got better.
Outrageous claim #1: Reading the Twilight Alliance cures you of the flu.
It's been interesting getting some feedback about the book. One thing is a lot of people don't like the main character of Simon. They say he's whiny and flaky. Simon Bourque actually said he was the John Kerry of the fantasy world.
That's all well and good. But following people expressing how much they don't like Simon, some people go on to then say, "He reminds me of you! When I read it I see your face."
I didn't really see that coming. In short, "I dislike Simon and Simon is like you C.S. Gregg." Oh well, what can you do. A quick disclaimer though, Simon isn't really just me in fantasy wizard form. I wrote him as a character to be critical of. He's pretty naive, self-righteous... And other things. Clearly I'm none of those things. Anyway, I reiterate, I am not Simon!
Outrageous claim #1: Reading the Twilight Alliance cures you of the flu.
It's been interesting getting some feedback about the book. One thing is a lot of people don't like the main character of Simon. They say he's whiny and flaky. Simon Bourque actually said he was the John Kerry of the fantasy world.
That's all well and good. But following people expressing how much they don't like Simon, some people go on to then say, "He reminds me of you! When I read it I see your face."
I didn't really see that coming. In short, "I dislike Simon and Simon is like you C.S. Gregg." Oh well, what can you do. A quick disclaimer though, Simon isn't really just me in fantasy wizard form. I wrote him as a character to be critical of. He's pretty naive, self-righteous... And other things. Clearly I'm none of those things. Anyway, I reiterate, I am not Simon!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Join the Alliance!
What to say? Well, I've been writing this story for a long time, so I can't really pinpoint what my main inspiration was for it. I could quote any number of favourite movies, books, cartoons, video games, life experiences...
Other than that, I couldn't really see myself writing something that didn't really have some kind of message. I think me and the main character, Simon have few things in common. He's a bit of a naive idealist, a kind of "fight the power" hippy-type who knows how politicians should be running the world. At the same time he's a skeptic, questionning everything and everyone, not sure if there's anything he can do to make a difference. The things that I hope are most apparent in this book is that there aren't too many bad guys and good guys in the war that develops. Even the inhuman creatures are just people reacting to their circumstances. In many cases the people who worship demons are no more evil than the people who claim to believe in God.
Speaking of God, am I allowed to talk about religion on a blog? Atheists and people of fatih have lots of interesting things to say about life. I hope one day the word 'religion' will shed it's taboo so we can learn from each other. That being said, don't hesitate to strike up a conversation about your beliefs or lack of beliefs religious or otherwise. Just be nice. I've seen such conversations get way out of hand.
By all means, leave comments about anything from the Twilight Alliance to the new James Bond movie. Let us have nerdy communion here on this blog! Over the next few months, hopefully I'll get the opportunity to respond to some of your opinions about the The Twilight Alliance, write posts about some of the chapters here and there.
Other than that, I couldn't really see myself writing something that didn't really have some kind of message. I think me and the main character, Simon have few things in common. He's a bit of a naive idealist, a kind of "fight the power" hippy-type who knows how politicians should be running the world. At the same time he's a skeptic, questionning everything and everyone, not sure if there's anything he can do to make a difference. The things that I hope are most apparent in this book is that there aren't too many bad guys and good guys in the war that develops. Even the inhuman creatures are just people reacting to their circumstances. In many cases the people who worship demons are no more evil than the people who claim to believe in God.
Speaking of God, am I allowed to talk about religion on a blog? Atheists and people of fatih have lots of interesting things to say about life. I hope one day the word 'religion' will shed it's taboo so we can learn from each other. That being said, don't hesitate to strike up a conversation about your beliefs or lack of beliefs religious or otherwise. Just be nice. I've seen such conversations get way out of hand.
By all means, leave comments about anything from the Twilight Alliance to the new James Bond movie. Let us have nerdy communion here on this blog! Over the next few months, hopefully I'll get the opportunity to respond to some of your opinions about the The Twilight Alliance, write posts about some of the chapters here and there.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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