New Author Website!

I've been busy these past couple of weeks putting the finishing touches to my brand new author website. It's so much cleaner and easier to navigate than the old site, and as promised, I've included a lot more sample chapters.

The focus, as always, is on science fiction and steampunk. But the biggest surprise has been the long-term popularity of Sunset on Ramree, my sole venture into historical fiction. Its sales have been steady for years and show no signs of petering out. Readers from as far afield as India and Australia have been fascinated (and horrified) by the true story of this mass crocodile attack during World War Two, and I've even heard from someone whose relative actually fought in the Battle of Ramree.

The biggest seller of 2016 was Alien Safari. It's also consistently received the best reviews and reader feedback of any title in the Cosmic Frontiers collection (it garnered an EPIC Award nomination and an Ariana Award win!). That's all the more gratifying because it's my first fully self-published novel. A sequel is underway and should be ready later in the year.

In the meantime, head on over to www.robertappletonscifi.com to check out my latest titles and enjoy a few sample chapters of books you might have missed.

Best wishes,

Robert

Yuletide Miracle - A Christmas Steampunk Novella

Everything came together ahead of schedule and like clockwork for Yuletide Miracle, so I decided to release it on Kindle a few weeks earlier than anticipated. It's available for free until May 1st, so grab it in the next few days.

It's had a rather strange road to publication, but then my best stories often do. I wrote it for Carina Press's Christmas steampunk anthology back in early 2011, knowing it probably wouldn't have much of a chance without romance. To my surprise, the Carina team loved it, and while it didn't fit the anthology itself, they signed it for solo publication.

I hadn't planned on including it as part of The Steam Clock Legacy series--it's set in that universe, but it arguably works better as a standalone tale. So when my editor suggested I find a place for it in the series, I knew I'd have to write a couple more books first (you'll realise why when you read it). Unfortunately, Carina decided to discontinue the series in order to focus on my regular science fiction instead, which left Yuletide Miracle homeless.

Rather than seek out another publisher half way through the series, I chose to retain complete control, to make sure the subsequent books reached my readers exactly the way I intended. And here it is, after a two-year delay, with all its Victorian holiday magic intact, for your enjoyment:

http://amzn.to/ZImUOr

By day, London's Steam Emporium is a bustling Christmas market, an all-ages toyshop full of technological marvels. By night, its volunteers assemble--a ragtag community of wounded servicemen and women--under the tallest Christmas tree in Europe. They are the empire's forgotten heroes, fallen on hard times.

But this year they have an exciting addition: old Red Mulqueen, newly arrived from abroad, has fighting spirit and the most extraordinary clockwork leg. He is here on a mysterious mission, and is wanted by the Leviacrum, Britain's tyrannical authority.

Red's plans take a turn, however, when he saves the life of a troubled young schoolboy, Edmond Reardon, and becomes the object of the lad's incorrigible curiosity. They strike up an unexpected friendship. But when danger descends on the emporium, Red, Edmond and their veteran friends must band together to fight for what matters most during Christmas--each other.

A Steam Clock Legacy novella.

27,000 words

Read the first chapter here!

Buy your copy on Kindle here!

Imperial Clock - Out Now

I have some exciting release news! Imperial Clock, the second novel in The Steam Clock Legacy series, is out now on Amazon Kindle.

A quick heads up--it will be available for FREE from April 18-22, so be sure to grab your digital copy. The paperback version will be available within the next few weeks.

The story begins in 1913, and covers the events that unfold whilst Professor Reardon is imprisoned in the Leviacrum tower, so it runs parallel to the final few chapters of Book One, Prehistoric Clock, rather than being a direct sequel. It also introduces two intriguing new heroines. Here's the description:

Facing a time of great turmoil across the Empire, Meredith and Sonja McEwan are the teenaged daughters of a disgraced scientist in Southsea, England. They've grown so close, so insular over the years, despising the world that despises them is all they know. But things are changing. Sonja has caught the eye of a dashing young teacher, and is falling in love, while Meredith, jealous, throws herself into solving the mystery of a powerful secret society in London, with devastating consequences.

Tidal waves, assassins, mind-boggling steam technology and women's denim trousers are about to arrive in a big way. Meanwhile, the legacy of Professor Reardon's time jump continues to throw up surprises in an age where nothing is certain. And no one is who they seem to be.

Book Two of The Steam Clock Legacy

93,000 words

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I also have a release date for Yuletide Miracle, the holiday-themed novella I wrote for the same series. It will debut on May 14 on Kindle, then I'll see about putting it out in paperback, maybe with a couple of other steampunk shorts. I'm dying for you all to read this one as well. It's magical.

 

Robert

Prehistoric Clock - EPIC Awards Finalist 2013

Great news! My steampunk novel Prehistoric Clock is a 2013 EPIC Award finalist in the Best Science Fiction category. This follows my double nomination two years ago, from which I ended up winning for Sunset on Ramree (Best Historical Fiction).

Prehistoric Clock was published in Feb 2012 by Carina Press, and is book one in the Steam Clock Legacy series. Here's the Amazon link.

http://amzn.to/U7nT8h

Prehistoric Clock - Exclusive Excerpt

Exactly two weeks to go until Prehistoric Clock, the first book in The Steam Clock Legacy series, is launched at Carina Press. The good folks there have put an exclusive excerpt up on Facebook--the first FIVE chapters for free download! Airships, diving bells, grand adventure, phenomenal steampunk science gone awry; check out all this and much more HERE.

Feb 6 is the official release date. Prehistoric Clock will also be available as an audiobook.

Amazing Steampunk Trailer From Carina Press

In anticipation of Steampunk Week at Carina Press (the last week in April), the staff there have put together this utterly gorgeous trailer showing off seven steampunk titles. My novella, The Mysterious Lady Law, is among them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKFmn6H-VYI

How's that for a visual feast?

The individual titles are:

The Mysterious Lady Law by Robert Appleton
Badlands by Seleste deLaney
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Photographs and Phantoms by Cindy Spencer Pape
Island of Icarus by Christine Danse
Steam & Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape
Like Clockwork by Bonnie Dee

Three More Book Contracts With Carina Press!

Exciting news! The contracts just arrived for THREE upcoming books, all to be published by Carina Press! Sparks in Cosmic Dust is an epic sci-fi adventure novel with romantic elements--I'm currently editing it with Deb Nemeth for a September release. Alien Velocity is a re-release of my EPIC Award SF finalist, Charlie Runs Rings Around the Earth. And finally, Prehistoric Clock is a steampunk time travel adventure (short novel) I'm hoping to make into a series. Yep, this lot will keep me busy while I tackle my long-in-the-offing haunted house novel this year. I'll post updates on all these projects along the way.

In the meantime, you can read a bit more about them here.

Robert

Top Pick Review for The Mysterious Lady Law!

AmyC at Night Owl Reviews gave my steampunk novella 4.5/5 and a Top Pick rating! And the best part: she cited my two favourite Victorian authors, Haggard and Wells, in her review. :doffs bowler hat to AmyC:

Here's a snippet:

"Mr. Appleton’s voice reminded me of all the great classic books I loved to read, Haggard, Wells—so I was absolutely thrilled to find a modern day book with the same tone. Mr. Appleton’s Victorian London was very well done and I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of his works or recommend him to Steampunk fans."

Read the full review here

New Release: The Mysterious Lady Law

And there she goes! Wind all clocks back to 1899, hold your breath (London was rather smoggy in those days) and delve into the exciting world of airships, giant burrowing machines, and all manner of steam-powered awesomeness. Today, The Mysterious Lady Law makes her debut at Carina Press. Come and find out what all the fuss is about...

In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...


The eBook is available at:

Carina Press (20% off!)
Amazon Kindle
Diesel Ebooks
Mobipocket
Books on Board
OmniLit

Or downoad the audiobook from Audible (a first for me!)

Tally-ho, dear readers! Hope you enjoy it.

Rob

Early Reviews for The Mysterious Lady Law

I have to say, my new publisher Carina Press has done a tremendous job of marketing The Mysterious Lady Law in the run-up to its release. Usually for a small press author, letting the public know that your book even exists is a long, laborious process that has you multi-tasking like crazy for weeks, even months on end, often to little reward. So it's a huge relief to know your publisher is working just as hard in that same endeavour. Trust me, that isn't always the case.

Carina (a digital imprint of Harlequin) uses a handy website called Netgalley, through which prospective reviewers can request a free ARC. And through todays's inexhaustible social networking magic, those early reviews can (hopefully) spark that elusive, cyber-alchemic reaction that spreads word of your book in avenues you never knew existed. It's a bit of a gamble--what if the reviewers hate your book--and there's no guarantee of anything, even if they like it, but Netgalley is one of the best ideas I've come across for eBook marketing.

Here are a few of the early reviews I found for my steampunk debut, The Mysterious Lady Law (officially released in 2 days!):

"...succeeds in capturing the spirit of the classic "Whodunit" detective fiction. With the added steampunk element, it's quite the imaginative romp...I hear-tell that this story is Robert Appleton's first go at steampunk. I think he wove a fun little tale, and hope he has plans to write in the genre again." 4/5 -- Alisha, My Need to Read

"...filled with adventure and wonderful steampunk gadgets ...It is interesting to see if a dance hall girl, detective and aging adventurer can outwit the formidable Lady Law. I recommend this book to lovers of steampunk and lovers of mysteries." -- Kathy, Inside of a Dog

"Journey into a steampunk reimagining of Victorian London in The Mysterious Lady Law. Robert Appleton has penned an entertaining mystery that starts off with a bang and ends in a mostly satisfying way. I liked Julia, Al, and Holly, the tale’s protagonists. They’re interesting characters with unique voices and their energy buoyed the story." -- Shayna, Joyfully Reviewed

"Robert Appleton does an excellent job of realizing this world and building the bits and baubles up a piece at a time... Overall, I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the mystery. I was kept guessing on what was coming right up to the end and I was left satisfied with the story we were given." -- Kelly, Reading the Paranormal


See you at Carina on Monday!
www.carinapress.com

Best,
Rob

The Mysterious Lady Law - Cover Art

Carina Press artist Frauke Spanuth hit the steampunk vibe dead centre with this corker of a cover for The Mysterious Lady Law. The mystery, attitude and retro-science are all here in spades--I couldn't have asked for a more fitting piece of artwork.

Thank you, Frauke!

Lady Law will make her debut on January 31, 2011, in digital format from Carina Press. Here's the official blurb:


In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...

November Writing Update!

This is by far the most hectic Nov/Dec I’ve had as a writer! Exciting but hectic. Anyone have a spare DeLorean with a flux capacitor handy...

I watched the Back to the Future trilogy on Blu-Ray the other day and it’s aged extremely well. The stories are so good and Marty and Doc are such a great quirky double-act, I never get tired of rewatching. It might be my favourite movie trilogy of all, and those nail-biting finales to parts 1 & 3—never bettered.

Sloane Taylor and I are gearing up for our blog/chat/interview tour for Claire de Lune, the erotic sci-fi mystery novel we co-wrote at Amber Quill Press (Amber Heat). It’s been such a unique project right from the start (both on and off the page), we’ve got plenty of material to share with you—male/female perspectives, blending genres, spicing up a romantic novel, the lunar beauty pageant, creating a sci-fi world. The release date for the eBook is Nov 28, and the paperback will follow some time in December.

And we’re so pleased with the book, Sloane and I are collaborating on a new erotic sci-fi romance novella, titled Dark Side of the Moon. It’s a prequel of sorts featuring one of the secondary characters from Claire de Lune. The outline already has us plotting like crazy. Check out Sloane’s website to sample her phenomenal writing style—now imagine that in a wild sci-fi setting! I have to think at beyond light-speed to keep up with her.

December 7 sees the paperback release of Impulse Power, Samhain’s space opera romance anthology featuring The Mythmakers by yours truly. My co-authors, Nathalie Gray (Metal Reign) and J.C. Hay (Hearts and Minds), are frighteningly good in this genre, and I remember being floored when my story was chosen last year. Apparently there were tons of submissions. Look out for Impulse Power, available from Samhain, Amazon, and all good bookstores, soon.

Edits are completed on my steampunk mystery at Carina Press. The Mysterious Lady Law (new title) went through several drafts before my lovely editor, Alyssa Davis and I perfected the story arc. It’s a tricky mystery, part Sherlock Holmes, part retro science fiction, and a lot of fun. I’m still waiting for the cover art, but I have a release date to announce... January 31, 2011. :doffs hat to Alyssa:

I submitted my latest romantic sci-fi novel to Samhain a few weeks ago and should be hearing back before too long. Sparks in Cosmic Dust is a huge, treasure-seeking adventure featuring five down-on-their-luck characters on a dangerous prospecting dig beyond the farthest deep space outpost. It’s loosely inspired by The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (the 1948 Bogart classic), and was a bitch to write. At 89,000 words, it’s by far the longest story I’ve written. I’ve absolutely no idea how it’s going to be received. I do know it showcases some of my best writing, for what that’s worth. Let’s hope I’m not the only one who thinks so!

Okay, this is me signing off.

Best,
Robert

Upcoming Steampunk Mystery at Carina Press!

Seriously great news here! Carina Press, the mighty new digital publisher backed by Harlequin and fronted by epub queen Angela James, has signed my latest novella.

It's tally-ho with a clink and a clank and several uproarious bursts of steam, as The Miraculous Lady Law, my first ever stab at steampunk, is now undergoing the first round of edits. The setting is Victorian London; the genre is steampunk mystery with a dash of romance, as four disparate characters are thrust together in the wake of a puzzling murder.

Lonely airship waitress and part-time chorus girl Julia Bairstow arrives home one night to find her sister brutally murdered. Staying alive herself long enough to find justice is going to take more than fancy footwork.

Over-protective Constable Aloysius Grant has a vested interested in keeping Julia safe, but what deep scars from his past is he hiding?

Legendary explorer/scientist Horace Holly feels rather obsolete these days, but the disappearance of his young protege has a profound effect upon the old professor.

Beautiful Harriet Law is the most famous private investigator alive. Her record stands at one hundred percent. Never a crime unsolved in over six hundred cases, including Jack the Ripper. But this isn't any old case, as she and all London are about to find out.

In a time of grand airships, giant burrowing machines and pioneering astronomy, the biggest mystery may lie in the smallest of details.


We don't have a release date yet, but I'll keep you updated on Lady Law's progress. My editor at Carina is the lovely Alissa Davis, and she's already given some invaluable suggestions for improvements. Can't wait to share the finished book with you.

In the meantime, check out the terrific Carina Press website:

http://www.carinapress.com/


Cheerio for now,

Robert