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For those of you who don't know me
(and there are millions) I'm Geoff Verdegastpolitically incorrect social
misfit, greasy-handed backyard mechanic, cranky eschewer of ubiquitous handheld
communication devices, and half-starved author of the literary fantasy novel,
OF STAVES AND SIGMAS. I'm also a pseudo-talented charcoal and scratch-board artist
(see OSAS's cover), an amateur photographer, and a self-trained hobo who specialises
in aimless roadside wandering, sleeping under bridges, hopping freight trains, and
stealing fresh-baked pies from window sills.
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 Ior
my writinghad 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 timeand highly
adaptable to my far more competent literary machinationsI 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 Famous Monsters of Filmland, watching
1950's science fiction films, Frank Capra movies (I especially love Meet John Doe),
pretty much anything from the early Hal Roach studios or the Three Stooges (I'm a long-standing
Shemp-o-phile). Bookwise, I've always enjoyed the fiction of Richard Matheson (in all of his various literary, teleplay, and
screenwriting pseudonyms) and the scientific and philosophical non-fiction of Isaac Asimov. I have also pretty
much read the covers off of all eleven Edgar Rice Burroughs's "Mars" books (I dare say that ERB has been
one of my greatest influences in choosing to write my own adventure novels). Homer's Odyssey, however, remains my favourite
story ever; I find it not only a magnificent work of fiction, but to me it is the metaphoric mother lode for the entire human condition.
Last, but never least, much of my general day-to-day silliness can be attributed to my well-worn copy of Edward Lear's Nonsense Omnibus.
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. And, of course, for British English. 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.
Since I'm well-awareand have been told sundry timesthat a large percentage of
readers won't even consider taking a gander at the first instalment of an uncompleted
series, I've refrained from going all-out on the John and Jane Q. Public marketing of OSAS.
Instead, I've been working dilligently (okay, maybe not so dilligently) on Book Twoand
eventually Book Threein hopes of one day being able to rope in a few of said most stubbornly
persnickety hold-outs with the long-laboured lure of a finished product. At this rate, however,
I might have to rejigger my aim toward the toddler demographic, since I'm guessing that they'll
be adults by the time I wrap this long-winded epic up. And me? I'll be looking like Rip Van Winkle
by then. And in the poor house.
But you, gentle reader, can change that! Simply take pity on this cynical old Philistine and check
out Book One anyway. If you're a bit literary, a bit adventurous, a bit into dynamic characterisation,
and aren't one bit scared of being challenged, step right up and see to what length I'll go to entertain
and enchant and provoke you. And who knows, I might even make myself sound all sagely and respectable in
the process.
NOTE: 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. 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 Keyand 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 worktruly 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!
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