Colin Parsons

Author of fantasy fiction for children and young adults. His books include the Wizards' Kingdom series and The Curious World books.
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Welcome to my Blog

Stay up to date with the day to day happenings of Colin here


Dec13

My 2015 review

by Colin R. Parsons on  December 13th, 2015 at  10:45 am

Hi to my readers.

I've gone a bit techy...mmmm! I've two format's for you this time around on my blog. I've done a podcast of my 2015 review on YouTube (link below). But those of you who don't do YouTube here's what I've been up to and what to expect in 2016. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3bg0Bgv54

As you know in March this year I launched 'House of Darke' - my first fantasy/steampunk novel, and I must say the response has been great. Pegasus, my publisher did a great job with the book and also the 'Book Trailer' too - the first time I've ever had one (it's also available on Kindle...and soon in audio book format). 

Killian Spooks and the Ghosted Children was supposed to have come out in 2015 but...I've had a lot of problem's with the publisher; formatting, editing and so forth, so I'm hoping that everything will be ironed-out and the book will come next year.

Death Trap: this is another long awaited book. I've teamed up with Dramascape and Simon Powell. It's looking really good and in mid-production. It's been edited and they are in the middle of creating and adding illustrations to the format. I'm expecting it in ebook and paperback, so I can do a book launch. From what I've seen so far it looks amazing and should be ready early next year.

D.I.S.C. - Direct-Interface-Shadow-Control: this will eventually be novel number eleven, if it's published! It's with Accent Press at the moment and I'm awaiting their response to the adventure. This story is about five teen's, who are bullied in various ways, but eventually become warrior's and have to save the earth. I'm hoping Accent's Imprint 'YA Cafe' will take it on. Finger's crossed.

Also, by the end of 2016 all of my books should be in audio format. InEar Entertainment have already produced Crank Tech One and are toying with the idea of setting IU-137 as an audio prequel. Living Audio have already recorded Wizards' Kingdom. They are in the process of producing The Curious World of Shelley Vendor and House of Darke. The rest of my back catalogue will follow.

Finally; Villains: This is my work-in-progress. It's a kind of Sherlock Holmes 'Who Done it' series. Pinkel Krooke is a private detective and has a sidekick, Simon. Simon is an A.I. or android with special crime-solving software. It's set in 2050 and nearly everybody is living underground in Spirit City. The crimes that the police can't solve Krooke and Simon can. I'm going for a novella series of maybe five books. This will be my first adult offering in a novel. We'll see what happens.

So, I hope this has kept you up-to-date - I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2016.

awesome comments

Aug24

Trying something different

by Colin R. Parsons on  August 24th, 2015 at  4:59 pm

Hi my trusty blog follower 

Thanks for dropping by. I'm going for a slightly different approach with a new project. I've an idea for a private detective series. I'm calling it...Villains - another case for Pinkel Krooke. There'll be five books and the protagonist Pinkel Krooke will have special talents. 

I'm working on the details as I write. The cases will also be unusual too with the villains being weird, so the normal police detectives can't work them out. So Pinkel Krooke is the only person who can solve the crimes. There will be plenty of action and the usual thrills n' spills along the way. I'm also thinking of a side-kick Simon (an AI assistant). Got to put a robot in there somewhere.

What do you think of the idea? Would love to hear your opinion?

awesome comments

Aug22

10 interesting things about me and my writing

by Colin R. Parsons on  August 22nd, 2015 at  5:09 pm

Here are a few things you wouldn't normally know about me:

1. I don't like writing fight scenes in a novel. I find them difficult, but neccessary and very hard to choreograph.

2. The idea I originally have is sometimes totally different by the end of a story.

3. The first draft is always exciting, but I hate second/third/fourth/fifth - re-drafting/editing and proofreading.

4. When I'm coming to the end of a book, I'm already thinking about the next, and the next.

5. I act out certain expressions of a character. It can be embarrassing; especially in coffee shops & libraries.

6. I always sign my books with a Fisher Space Pen (or bullet pen). Have done since the beginning.

7. I work with a laptop and also pen and paper to write my stuff. I hate typing up from a paper note pad though.

8. I've used character names from medicine bottles, kitchen appliances and unusual furniture names, in a swedish store.

9. I've never collaborated with another writer on a project, but that will be changing soon.

10. Finally, I never saw myself standing in front of an audience. I was too scared as a kid. I was always the one hidden in the background in school plays. But now I run presentations in front of hundreds of children in assembly halls, classrooms, libraries and festivals.

There you go, did you know that?

awesome comments

Aug14

Authors need friends

by Colin R. Parsons on  August 14th, 2015 at  11:00 am

Dear reader...

Being a writer and getting noticed these days is pretty difficult. I've been writing for fifteen years or so, and still trying to make a big impression. IU-137 is my latest offering and is featured at #5 in the top 100 free downloads at the moment, which is fantastic and definitely a step in the right direction I think.

By doing this I'm honestly trying to highlight the rest of my back catalogue - especially the sequel: Crank Tech One: DESTRUCTION. It seems to be the 'done thing' these days to offer freebies and therefore, hopefully readers will see what else an author has to offer. Checking out the sequels or other series and stand alone novels.

I think what I'm trying to say is, if you like a particular author and he or she has had you coming back again and again - then tell others about your experience. You can do this by talking to other readers online or at readers groups. Putting a review of your reading experience on websites such as Amazon, Smashwords, Goodreads Wattpad and many others, is a good idea too.

Enjoy IU-137 and if you've a moment, do drop a review on Amazon - good, bad or indifferent. Thank you.

awesome comments

Aug03

IU-137

by Colin R. Parsons on  August 03rd, 2015 at  11:47 pm

This is my unexpected new novella called: IU-137 (2015). Fans of, Crank Tech One: DESTRUCTION (2012), will love this short story because its the prequel. I thought it was about time that I brought something out that really showed where, Crank originally came from.

In this adventure IU-137 (Independent Unit - 137) is the prototype of Professor of Robotics, Jarrad Shamtack. It introduces the android, and also the professor, his henchmen Huey & Bod, and a couple of new characters too. The novella is a short story, but is filled with all the action of the following book. IU-137 is free on Smashwords and will eventually be free on Amazon too. So you'll be able to download the first part, and follow up on the rest of the adventure.

IU-137

IU-137 - Robots are on the rise (first review below).

Having read Crank Tech One, Destruction written by the same author ( which is a great read) I always wondered where Crank came from, what's he been up to before he became crank. This is a short prequal which starts to fill in those blanks. As the old saying goes "you can't judge a book by its cover " which must admit I really like the cover of this book. I went through this in about 40 minutes, but what a great 40 minutes it was. It's very well written almost impossible to put down, and it gave me a glimpse in to the other, shall we say talents this Robot has.
Knew this was a short story, and was willing it go beyond where it ended. Colin R Parsons has a talent for leaving you wanting more. And I want to know more about IU-137. Great read for all ages male or female,Well done Mr Parsons. Well done indeed. A. Brooks (a reader fan)

awesome comments

Jul17

Progress report

by Colin R. Parsons on  July 17th, 2015 at  8:02 pm

Well I like to keep my readers or whoever reads my blogs up to date, so here goes.

Killian Spooks and the Ghosted Children will be out sometime in 2015...honest! I've a short story coming out called; 'The Oogalee' this will be in October in an anthology: Inspirations - Awen 2015 - its connected with the RCT libraries in Wales. 

Work in Progress on two novels: Wizards Exile and D.I.S.C.

I've two very special projects taking place during the summer...but I'm keeping them both 'under my hat' for now. I will be announcing it all, so watch this space.

I'm still waiting for competition results on another short story called; BEANS (post apocalyptic/dystopian).

Bye for now.

awesome comments

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