TorrentBoy: Zombie World! (9 to go!)

Today we're officially launching "TorrentBoy: Zombie World!", my first chapter book for kids! Put simply, it's about a plot to take over the world by turning everyone into zombies, and only a super hero named TorrentBoy can save the day. Oh, and there's a teddy bear with a laser blaster and a sarcastic talking watch. And potty humour. It's aimed at kids aged 6-11, obviously.

"Torrent"Boy? Is this book promoting file sharing?
Not file sharing per se, no. The underlying concept of the TorrentSphere is that all people in the world are connected through a massive invisible network, and that the network makes us all smarter and better people. It's bittorrent philosophy, but very abstracted. Then again, TorrentBoy battles giant leeches. Take from that what you will.

Where can I read it?
The book is available at 1889 Books, in DRM-free PDF format. Just a quick note: if you read the book and enjoy it, please consider giving it a favourable rating on Amazon or another bookstore. Ratings cost nothing to you, but help me immensely. IMMENSELY.

Where can I buy it?
The 1889 Books page has a bunch of links on it (that will be updated more often than this blog post), but if you want some quickies, try Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes and Noble, or Powell’s. You can also ask at your local bookstore, but they may have to order it in for you.

But is there an eBook version?
Funny you should ask! There is indeed an .epub version of the book available for purchase. This file will work on your iPhone/iPod in Stanza (earlier experience says lots of people like this version). You can also head on over to Smashwords if you like, because it's available in 900 formats there as well!

(I will be selling the book through Shortcovers just as soon as they send me my publisher's package. It should be arriving any day now, and hopefully it won't take me too long to get things set up).

Will I like it?
I have heard from several adults that it was fun to read, and have extensively beta tested with countless children who were all supremely enthusiastic. I would have to guess that if you have a boy between the ages of 6-11, they will really like reading this. Girls, too, though they tend to focus on Crash, the teddy bear. He has a speech impediment, so he sounds cute while he blasts bad guys.

WTF is 12 Books in 12 Months?
I am on a mission to release 12 books in 2009. It's a big job, and it's already starting to hurt, but it's too much fun to stop. TorrentBoy is book 3 of this process. The previous entries were Poke of the Titans and The Pig and the Box. Next up is another picture booked called Percy's Perch, which has a very special adventure surrounding it...

Speaking of adventures, what's up with the the TorrentBoy Project?
Oh you clever made-up-person, you! How keen! Yes, "Zombie World!" is just the first book in the TorrentBoy series. I'm aiming to do something new and crazy with this idea, and for that, I need your help. What I'm doing is making this into what I call an "open source franchise", where anyone can play with the idea, and expand it, and improve it, and make it better. I'm not just allowing fanfic, I'm requesting it. I'm DEMANDING it. I want to take some of that fanfic, and publish it. I want to make a concept with the best ideas the internet has to offer. Because the internet has some really good ideas, as I'm sure you're aware.

If you want to give the Project a spin, head on over to the official website, and take a look around. It's still in early beta (I'm not even married to the software base I'm using right now), so expect flaws. But it'll improve. Especially if you help nitpick. Nitpicking is vital!

I'll be doing a post specifically about this topic in the coming days, so stay tuned.

How about a video? You always have videos!
This time I don't have a trailer, but I have a video introducing the TorrentBoy project. Unfortunately, it's not in as good shape as I'd have liked. I recorded the audio as a placeholder and expected to do it again, but then allergy season started in Victoria and I haven't had a good narration voice since. When things clear up for me, I'll re-do it. But it gives you an idea, at least.

Why don't you return my emails? I'm so lonely!
I keep telling you, I don't care if you're the son-in-law of the King of Sudan, I don't have time to manage a $1.5B estate right now.