Looking back, I actually think it's fitting that I didn't produce my first novel until I started to creak open the doorway to my middle age. Although it's true that the fundamental ideas for what would become OF STAVES AND SIGMAS have been with me since my college days, I knew that I wasn't experientially equipped in those fledgling years to do them literary justice. In my twenties, and even through my thirties, I don't think that I—or my writing—had attained the maturity necessary for properly exploring and delineating the complexities of this story and its multi-faceted characters. Shelved, then, for a number of years, only when I felt sufficiently tempered by the triumphs and the hard knocks of life did I finally resurrect my earlier draft; and, finding the plot compelling and undiminished by time—and highly adaptable to my far more competent literary machinations—I have spun it into the well-received volume that you see before you. Good stories, they say, are timeless.

I grew up reading 1960's Marvel Comics and watching 1950's science fiction films. I loved Frank Capra movies, Hal Roach's Our Gang Comedies, old Universal and Hammer horror flicks, Richard Matheson novels, the Mars books of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and the nonsense of Edward Lear. Having lived in Europe for a few years in my youth, I was quickly instilled with an unquellable fondness for mediaeval cities and ruins, for classical composers, for old mythology and lore, and for diverse cultures in general. Stir all of these ingredients together, add a bachelor's degree in English, and you just might glean what it is that compels and drives my imagination. These concepts, and more, are what I inject into my writing. And, to keep my many grammatical eye-spies at arms length, please take note that I'm a fan and student of British English (centre vs center, pyjamas vs. pajamas, gaol vs. jail), and the text of OF STAVES AND SIGMAS reflects this preference. In fact, I think it works particularly well in the Ergosian portion of the story. You see, there was a time in my life when the only books I could obtain were British ones—or British editions of American works—and, becoming fascinated by these wonderful spelling variations within my own language, I quickly gave over to acculturation, and indeed now prefer to use the British version in my literary endeavours. By contemporary American standards, this probably makes me an eccentric individual. And you know what they say: it's always safest to humour eccentric people. Then run like bloody blazes while their backs are turned.

Although this website is more storefront than interactive forum, I still invite my readers to e-mail me with comments, questions, and engaging discussion. I do read every message and make every attempt to respond as time and deadlines permit. You may reach me at: gverdegast [at] gmail [dot] com.

P.S. Book Two is in the making; feel free to bookmark this website to stay current on SOULS OF ERGOS news and updates!

May I also recommend?

For the young adult reader in your household, please consider the stories of Brian S. Pratt. The prolific Mr. Pratt has two completed series— The Morcyth Saga and The Broken Key—and is currently involved in writing Travail of the Dark Mage— the sequel series to The Morcyth Saga. A highly approachable and reader-oriented novelist, Mr. Pratt offers both new readers and returning ones a whole wagon-load of exciting narratives, introductory material, sample chapters, and even some no-frills versions of his work—truly something for every taste and every budget, all available in more formats than practically any other books on the planet! Traditional bindings? E-books? Brian S. Pratt has got them! And he has more adventures on the way! Please click here to visit his website and to start your adventure today!

OF STAVES AND SIGMAS
$18.95
Paperback, 6x9
ISBN: 978-159858-292-5
ASIN: B001RTSUBY (Official Kindle Edition)
ASIN: B001VT3K3I (MobiPocket Edition)
508 pages

An Uncommon Fantasy Adventure with a Literary Flair!