Get set… for all of you asking, yes, Apocalypse Survivors: Reign on the Parade is not far away.
The manuscript is complete, has been beta read and is off to the editors, while I work on the cover and maps (cover reveal soon).
This story was a thrill to write, but a crazy challenge at the same time. With so many character stories developing, and the various groups colliding, we now had the events from Jack’s series now beginning to intertwine with Zoe’s crew. That was a lot to pay attention to and keep track of.
But from a writing perspective, I knew this would be where things led when I set out on this undertaking in the first place. It was one of the great appeals of tackling the series. And (spoiler alert) when I first mentioned the hovercraft in relation to the Norwood world, I couldn’t help but get excited. It was a moment nearly seven books in the making. And it signifies a whole new turn where the two forces – Norwood and the city – begin their inescapable collision, destined to shape New Adelaide in ways we know… and are about to discover.
There’s also been the thrill of reliving battle scenes from the other side of the fence – something only sampled in the first two Norwood books. A new perspective in moments can change everything, sometime redefining what it all means. They were people on the other side of those weapons, after all, with all that comes with.
I also had a chance to explore the tunnels of Adelaide and how they connect the two worlds in ways Jack couldn’t have imagined in the original series. They become a key part of the battle strategy between the two groups and this author did more than his fair share, experiencing them in real life to make sure the events in the book are as authentic to reality as possible. It’s something I do with all story locations – especially those used in battle, but the tunnels where something else altogether.
It’s all part of the fun of writing this series – stepping it out, immersing myself in the space, making the moments feel genuine.
But that’s only just the start of what I’m hoping Reign on the Parade has to offer. So, for those waiting to get your hands on a copy, it is not far away. May this third Norwood story take the series to the next level.
Three down, two to go!