THE WRITER'S LIFE
So, there's going to be this book. I may have mentioned it once or twice. That's because it's a good book, and it's not just me who says so. And everything surrounding the book has just happened, by weird coincidence and by virtue of the number 42.
Coincidences are there to be found in many things, if you look enough. It just so happens that Cyrus Song took about seven months to write. Since then, it's gone through another two months of compiling, editing and re-reading. In my own eyes, it's perfect. There are one or two reviews due back from test readers in the next few days, but the reviews so far have been good:
“I don't think I've read anything else which is as funny as it is deep.”
“A worthy tribute to Douglas, but it's totally its own thing.”
“Very, very clever.”
“I love all the little tributes buried in here.”
And so on (names and addresses supplied).
There's much more besides, happening on my own planet and in the wider world, but I'm pre-occupied with getting this book out. I'm still suffering separation anxiety from my characters while they're in the care of the beta readers. So what about when the book is published, and Simon fry, Hannah Jones et al, are in the hands of (hopefully) many readers? By then, they'll be characters I'm proud of enough, and confident in, to send out into the wider world. I love them anyway: They're people I created, including all their problems, and they're people I care about. While they're still with those remaining test readers, they're still effectively out on approval. They're like my children on the first day of pre-school.
Many people reading the book, may actually learn a lot. Not just from the story itself, but from all the factual information in there. I always do a lot of research, and that's certainly true of this book. All the science is plausible, and many of the places actually exist. When it comes to London Zoo, the animals in the book are the animals actually at ZSL Regent's Park at time of writing: Kumbuka, the silverback gorilla, is real, as are the pair of black mambas in the reptile house. And there are many others, from Aardvark to Zebra.
Now that the manuscript is otherwise complete, and the book proofed, I can take a stab at a publication date (which adds up to 42): 17.08.17. Whereas – like Douglas – I've previously loved the whooshing sound a deadline makes as it passes, this may be one where I can jump off of the train while it's still moving, and hit the platform running: If anything, Cyrus Song should be released by that date, so possibly before. I'm sure I'll find a way of making 42 from whatever numbers they are.
And now that the time approaches and I've had almost all feedback, I can write a longer synopsis to the one on the back cover of the book:
Simon Fry is convinced that the answer to life, the universe and everything, is in the earth itself. Specifically, he believes that if he could talk with the animals, he’d find the answers. Or at least, the questions which need to be asked for the answer to make any kind of sense. Doctor Hannah Jones is a veterinary surgeon. She has a quantum computer, running a program called the Babel fish: Like its fictitious namesake, the Babel fish can translate any language to and from any other. Elsewhere, Mr Fry considers what might be possible if historical scientists were able to make use of all that would be new to them in the 21st century. Having watched Jurassic Park, he is fairly sure he can make this a reality. So begins one man’s quest to find answers to questions he doesn’t know yet. Cyrus Song is the story of Mr Fry’s ponderous mission to find answers to questions he never knew he had, about himself, life, the universe and everything. What could possibly go wrong?
It's a story of boy meets girl, but it's not a love story. But in a way, it is, because the book is a greater story: Animals talk; There are pan-galactic microscopic animals; and there are white mice. There's a rabbit, because all rabbits always look like they want to say something. We find out the truth about many animals, including what the cats are up to. There's an accidental human clone, a large supporting cast of characters, and many tributes in cameo roles for people whom I admire. I've buried some Easter Eggs in the book too.
And there is an answer. There's an answer to life, the universe and everything, besides 42 (although 42 does get a mention). It's a tribute to Douglas Adams and I saved the best review till second-to-last:
“This is a worthy offshoot of Douglas' books, and The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A tribute, but very much original.” (Name and address supplied).
It's science fiction but it's plausible; It's deep in meaning, and very funny. I can't say much more beyond the extended synopsis, because of what's in the book. People may read this book and choose not to give too much away: A bit like the film, The Cabin in the Woods, talking about it could reveal spoilers. That's what I hope for most: for those who've read it to say to others, “You just have to read it.”
Soon my creation and my characters will be out there in the wider world, and I have every confidence they'll do well. You have been listening to the prelude to the Cyrus Song, brought to you by the number 42.
“How the fuck did you think of this? Where did you get the idea?” (With my imagination).
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