Thursday 30 November 2017

Dino Dig

Dino Dig (2008) Post 334


Dino Dig is a non-fiction title that introduces the concept of dinosaur fossils, how they are made, what they tell us and how they are reconstructed. There are lots of clear pictures, and high concept words are highlighted and defined. Rather like the book I once had to write on the concept of torque for very young children (it was never published, because the publisher changed its mind about the concept), this was difficult to write for the required level. It's difficult to write about dinosaurs without using polysyllabic words, which a lot of adults would find challenging to pronounce. Because this is a high concept, high interest book, it would probably please older readers who are looking for something quick and clear on the subject.
    Others I wrote in the series include stories of the Titanic and Pompeii... it mightn't be Game of Thrones, but the death count is pretty high, all the same!

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. 

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Blinky Bill's Pet

Blinky Bill's Pet (1992) Post 333


Blinky Bill's Pet is one of a handful of "original" novels I wrote under licence. By "original", I mean they were never filmed for the TV series, and weren't novelised from existing material. A family wins some money and moves to the country. One of their reasons is so the younger girl, Rosie, can have a pet. When they arrive at their new place, it's discovered dogs and cats are banned, due to some sensitive environmental issues... rare plants (these were discovered in another book). Red, Rosie's dad, feels bad, so he suggests she can have a pet after all. It just needs to be an Australian native. Red sets out to trap a pet for Rosie catching first Flap, then Splodge and Blinky Bill. They all escape, and Blinky, having learned about pets from eavesdropping on the humans, decides to have one himself... Rosie!  After her experience of being an unwilling pet, Rosie decides she'll wait until they move house again, and informs the penitent Red that she'll wait for a cat or a dog.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. 

Tuesday 28 November 2017

The Fix-Its

The Fix-Its (2006) Post 332


The Fix-Its does what it says on the tin. It's a story about a couple who love fixing things. They renovate their old house, and then branch out into helping other people. They decide to make it their business, so they plan to buy a van, paint their slogan, design a website and advertise their services. Unfortunately, these plans are interrupted by people who need things fixing. And... they all say "You ought to be a business". The Fix-Its just can't get any time to get things underway until someone they helped puts her organisational skills to work. The Fix-Its use simple machines and tools, and explain their use to their friends. That's why it's called a Content-Based Fiction Book!


ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. 

Monday 27 November 2017

Shadowdancers

Shadowdancers (1994) Post 331


Shadowdancers is another one of my favourites; one of a loosely-connected series of four books. The other three are Amy Amaryllis, Wintersong and Candle Iron, pictured below.
Shadowdancers has a lovely cover. It's not a strictly accurate depiction of the main characters, but it catches the spirit of the book. I have the original painting hanging on my wall.
When I was writing this story, I named it Pirry Merimba, because it was a sequel of sorts to Amy Amaryllis and because it also involves a body/personality switch between two girls. I had recently been doing some work in NSW, and took a liking to some of the place names, so I called the Raven sisters Merimbula and Eden. For some reason (never did get to the bottom of it) my editor didn't like Merimbula for a name, so I changed he to Pirimba. For a while, the book was called Pirry Pirimba, but them we changed the name to its final incarnation; Shadowdancers. Pirimba Raven is a rebel, and goes diving from a high cliff when she should be at school. Her sister Eden is plainer, younger and better behaved, but she is as appalled as the rest of the family when Pirimba breaks her back and becomes quadriplegic. Later, Pirimba gets pneumonia and falls into a coma, leaving Eden bereft, and with survivor's guilt.  
Pirimba has been experimenting with astral travelling, and when she seems gone for good, Eden is surprised to find a young man named Craig who believes her theory of where her sister really is. Why wouldn't he? His own sister is the Amy from Amy Amaryllis. Meanwhile, in the land of Rargon, Pirry of Midpoint, an acrobatic dancer, or Valourn, has lost her mind. Her dance partner, ShuMar is amazed and frightened when his friend wakes from her daze as someone else.  While Pirry is "absent" from her perfectly functional body, Pirimba is delighted to use it, but what will happen is Pirry ever wakes and wants it back?
I originally intended to make Pirimba paraplegic, but after some research I discovered some paraplegics can function pretty well on their own. Therefore, I had to do more damage for poor Pirimba than I intended. The things we do to our characters! So, what happens to the characters after the credits roll? There are some clues to be had in the sequel, Wintersong.





























ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. 

Sunday 26 November 2017

Translations in Celadon

Translations in Celadon (1998) Post 330


Translations in Celadon is one of my favourites. It's a YA fantasy, written around the same time as Trinity Street, Shadowdancers and Aurora.
Rosanna Hopestill is a shy student at St Boniface College. She falls under the manipulative spell of Sari Roberts, an exotic-looking girl who is convinced she has great powers. In a way, she has, but they don't work the way she thinks. Sari has a fascination with name magic, believing, or pretending to believe, that names influence the way destiny plays out. Her name "translates" as Princess Fame Bright, and she is determined to rule her kingdom. Sari's kingdom is the green world of Celadon, whose capital city is Cerulean. 
Under Sari's influence, Rosanna, whose name translates to "Horse Still Hoping", the golden boy Asher Phillips (The Happy One who Loves Horses), misfit Suzanne Wise, (White Lily Wisdom) and Asher's foster brother Rafe Winter (Wolf Shield Winter) arrive in Celadon, "translated" into the literal interpretation of their names. Sari is the princess, Asher, her faithful groom, Suzanne, a crone, Rafe, a werewolf and Rosanna, to her dismay, is literally a horse.
   Sari conducts her band to the city to take the throne, but everything goes dreadfully wrong because Sari is in fact harnessing and using Rosanna's power of s'imagination and, Rosanna, being a horse, now thinks like a horse. 
   Of the five who enter Celadon, only three come home.
    Names have always been an interest of mine, and s'imagination, the creation of reality, is a metaphor for the way authors work. My son was a teenager when I was writing this, and so I talked over some of the plot points with him, in a general fashion. I was interested in the way a teenaged boy (which of course I've never been) would see things. I remember asking him if a pair of David-and-Jonathan friends ever found themselves on opposite sides of an issue, and fought seriously, whether they could ever repair the friendship. He said no, because one would kill the other. (He knew I was talking about fiction, I should add!) Well. After that, I knew at least one of the characters would never leave Celadon. 
   This one belongs to one of the elite band of books that worked exactly the way I wanted them to. 
   I love the cover, but it's an odd one. If viewed from one angle, it's a girl's face blended with a horse. Viewed another way, I can see a pistol. I'd be interested to know which of these images (if either) jumps out to readers.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any 

Saturday 25 November 2017

Knightfall

Knightfall (2002) Post 329


Knightfall is the first book in The Reluctant Knight trilogy. Simon, faced with three unpalatable choices for his holidays, accepts the job of exercising a pony. How difficult can it be? 
Pretty difficult, as it turns out, because Traveller is no ordinary pony. She has attitude, and one of her favourite things is tossing Simon over the hedge. Once there, he finds himself in the land of Bravaria, where King Kevin needs a champion. The dragon king wants one too, while Peggy the pearly dragon fancies Simon as a midnight snack. Then there's Becca the serving maid, not to mention all the damsels who have plans for Simon that include bopping him over the helmet. The old knight Humphrey Bickerstaff trains Simon, Becca feeds him food with so much pepper he can't taste anything else and he spends far too much time polishing his armour.
All Simon can think is it isn't like this in books.
I had a lot of fun writing this series, especially with the names. Characters include Anne De Vere, Selina Sans Clemency, Princess Elizabeth Rudbeckia Gracenoria Shortshanks, Baroness Ethelburtga Wilberforce, Lady Fiona of Castle Frioth, and Orange Ankles, whose real name happens to be Lord Perridan. In fact, I had so much fun with Simon I brought him back for two more outings.

Meet Simon (and his stepsister, Reba...)

Simon unfolded his ankles and rocked onto his hands and knees. He lifted one leg out behind him. tucking his chin to his chest.
            Sarah gave him a very cross look and went out.
            Reba bounced in, all tossing curls and blazing orange shirt.
            "If that's the Pose of the Dog," bossed Reba, "you lift your leg like this." She grabbed his ankle and hoisted his leg in the air.
            "Let go!" Simon's arms gave way and he bellyflopped onto the carpet.
            Reba seized his arms, pulled his cuffs over his hands and knotted the sleeves together. "Pose of the Strait-jacket," she announced and gave a nasty smile. "I know lots of yoga. What do you say to that?"

            "Goodbye!" was what Simon said to that. He bolted out the door and down the yard to the toolshed. It took four whole minutes to get his sleeves untied and rearranged, and when he had finished he moaned aloud. She'd got to him again.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Friday 24 November 2017

Peace Force

Peace Force (2007) Post 328


Peace Force is the eighth and last of the Space Sports series. Tension has grown between the Earthborn, Stationborn and Shipborn on Nova. While the 3D teams, past and present, use their differences for affectionate mockery, others take it much more seriously. When things get too hot for comfort, the mayor calls in a freelance peace-keeping team to force the stationers to settle their differences. Unfortunately for him, Peace Force are not what they seem, and it falls to Gold Team Junior, Prof, Coach and Prof's dog, Breezeblock, to sort things out.
Like many of the others in this series, Peace Force is told in graphic novel format, with manga-style illustrations. Initially, I planned to call it Peace-Forced, but it lost the d in the publishing process.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Thursday 23 November 2017

Trip to the Tip

Trip to the Tip 2007 Post 327


Trip to the Tip is the story of Madeleine Sefton who travel with her big brother, Brad, to Cape York, colloquially known as "The Tip". Brad intends to make a travel documentary for the festival, and day by day, he speaks into the camera. Meanwhile, Madeleine records her impressions with her hand-held tape recorder. When they get home, Brad is disappointed in the stiffness of his voiceover, but when he overhears some of Madeleine's tape, the two have a brainwave. Their collaborative film gets an honorable mention at the festival. 
I've never been to Cape York, but my husband and his brother did the trip back in 2007. Many of the incidents in this story are taken from the journal my husband kept.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Kallie and the Fishermen

Kallie and the Fishermen 1998 Post 327


Kallie and the Fishermen is a sequel to Kallie Fetches the Dragon (Post 177). In this story, Kallie has been the wizard's apprentice for some time. She loves her life, her studies and her companions, even the irascible wizard. When her fisherman father Kandos is hurt, he very reluctantly sends for Kallie to come home. The other fishermen think it's a good thing she's no longer playing with magic, and persist in believing it's all nonsense anyway... Finally, Kandos gets Kallie to demonstrate her powers. He gives her a choice, and she says she'll stay and look after him, but he knows where she really belongs, and a gull carries a message. At the wizard's castle, her fellow apprentice reads it and yells with delight; "Send for the wizard's dragon! Kallie's coming home!"

Some years after this book was published, I was surprised to find a listing for a book called Kallie the Wizard's Apprentice. It turned out to be a Canadian edition of one of the books. I had no idea until then that it existed.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Planet of Bones

Planet of Bones 2007 Post 326


Planet of Bones is one of the Arkie series. Pursued, as usual, by the determined agents of EarthNet, the Arkies land on a planet that seems bereft of life. All they find is a vast plane covered in bones. Lyam is soon investigating these, while Singer tries to tune in to sentient life forms. They're still busy when a tsunami sweeps them away from Ark3. Pace uses his matter converter to make Merlinna's tangleline weapon into a giant tube to support and keep them together. They soon encounter a squid-like monster, which communicates by echoing any sound. Singer sings to it, and the monster echoes her. Then, when they spot real monsters of the sharkish variety, Merlinna screams. The monster echoes that, and the shark-alikes flee. The monster now has a method to defend itself, the tsunami is explained (by an enormous moon) and the Arkies return to their Ark. The planet is dubbed NOT SR. 
This one came about because I sometimes wonder, when seeing book covers or scenes in film or TV depicting enormous moons, what on earth the effect would be on the tides... In this case, Lyam surmises the huge moon must be a comparatively recent capture, resulting in tides which drowned all the terrestrial animals while allowing the aquatic beasts to thrive. 

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Monday 20 November 2017

The Anti-Tourist

The Anti-Tourist 2003 Post 325


The Anti-Tourist  is a dual-first-person story, told by Eddy and Adamina, whose sisters Zann and Keira are epals. 
Zann, living in Townsville, envies Melbourne-dwelling Keira her frequent holidays (including skiing) and feels she can't compete. She may live in Tropical Far North Queensland where tourists abound, but she and her family never actually do any of the touristy things.  Eddy suggests telling Keira about the activities (visiting Magnetic Island, glass-bottomed boating etc) without actually saying she does them herself. This works for a while, but then Keira starts getting envious. Abetted by their elder siblings, the epal emails continue, but Eddy persuades Zann (whom he categorises as having about forty teeth when she's grumpy) and the rest of the family to actually do some of the (free or cheap) activities in their area. Zann might still snarl about tourists (she's an anti-tourist because they clutter up her stamping ground) but at least she's finally reaping the benefits of her part of the world.
After the epal-ship dies out, Eddy and Adamina take it upon themselves to make contact... and their e-friendship begins.
This story has dated, due to the electronics used... desk-top computer, scanner, camera etc, but the other-side-of-the-fence and the take-advantage-of-what-you-have themes still work.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Sunday 19 November 2017

A Sun, A Flower

A Sun, A Flower 1998 Post 324



A Sun, A Flower is one of my shortest books. It has sixteen pages, and
is simply a look at compound words. A sun. A flower. A sunflower. A star. A fish. A starfish. And so on! There is no actual story and no punchline, but the pictures are bright and clear and the cover is striking. 

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Saturday 18 November 2017

Green Balls

Green Balls 2017 Post 323



Green Balls is a comedy fantasy romance; a novella from the Fairy in the Bed series. This is the story that introduces Peck Grene, who pops up again in several of the other titles. Peckerdale Peter Grene is pure pixie, but he was born and brought up over here, which is, more or less, our world. His grandparents were the founders of the Peckerdale Grene Community Tower, meaning Peck not only shares his names with his home, but was also named after his grandfathers--twice. It's a bit of a burden, but he bears it well. As a pixie living near one of the gateways, Peck has the option of going over there, his ancestral home, any time he wants to. The reason he spends more time over here is simple; he has a fix-it manifest, and he is drawn to vehicles. Thus, he works as a mechanic. He can't do that over there, because cars don't work beyond the gate. Despite living human much of the time, Peck follows many of the fay traditions, and he wants to service a wish. Enter Chloe, a fast-talking businesswoman who is trying to get a hapless friend out of trouble. Chloe makes a wish, and Peck chooses to service that wish. That's when it all goes to hell in a handbasket. It takes quite a while to untangle the monumental misunderstanding and to sort out the painful problem Peck now has... Green Balls was originally published on KU, but today it was released to the wider (sales) world, so if you feel like a bit of light-hearted fun and romance, and if you're over eighteen and don't mind a little green in your fantasy heroes, then  check it out here. http://www.extasybooks.com/green-balls. You can read more about the series and see which others titles Peck has infiltrated by going to 
https://larksinger.weebly.com/afairyinthebedseries.html

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to ask about any of my books or my manuscript assessment service, leave a comment.

Friday 17 November 2017

Drowned Planet

Drowned Planet 2008 Post 322


Drowned Planet is a manga-style graphic novel in the Arkies series. In this story, ARKMA, the sentient computer driving ARK3, gives the Arkies a new and different mission. Instead of checking out this planet to see if it's SR or Settlement Ready, Pace, Singer, Lyam and Merlinna are to check and see if it's RR, (Resettlement Ready). The four land on the watery planet and find clear evidence of acid rain and atmospheric damage in the past, but the planet seems to have recovered since the settlers left centuries ago. EarthNet, in the shape of Farla and Tench are, as usual, out to catch the Arkies, but someone else is also interested in them. Tryphon considers himself a god, and he wants company. Luckily, the Arkies have found a dead ship-brain and with a bit of science and imagination, they have the answer. Mind you, they're tempted to leave Farla behind...
The verdict? The planet itself is okay, but as long as Tryphon haunts the depths and has delusions of god-dom, the decision must be Not RR.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to

Thursday 16 November 2017

Gold Team

Gold Team 2009 Post 321


Gold Team is a manga-style graphic novel in the Space Sports series. In this one, Prof, who is a grandfather in Space Skipper, is quite young. His father, Doc, is kept very busy at Space Station Nova, looking after the station, and training with Blue Team. Nonny, a child newly-arrived on Nova, discovers young Prof and his friends are secretly practising 3D at night, despite a ban on using lights and power.  The mayor's nephew spies on them, because he wants to play on their team. When Blue Team gets into trouble with injured players, there's no one to play in the championship, so the newly-formed Gold Team Junior takes over. The seeds of this idea are planted to the stories written earlier but set later, when it's revealed that young players are at an advantage, being smaller, lighter and more agile than adults.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Sally is Sally Odgers; author, manuscript assessor, editor, anthologist and reader. She runs http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com and Prints Charming Books. (Sally is me, by the way, and I am lots of other things too, but these are the relevant ones for now.)

The goal for 2017 is to write a post a day profiling the background behind one of my books; how it came to be written, what it's about, and any things of note that happened along the way. If you're an author, an aspiring author, a reader or just someone who enjoys windows into worlds, you might find this fun. The books are not in any special order, but will be assigned approximate dates, and pictures, where they exist. If you enjoyed a post, or want to contact me, leave a comment