Blurb:
A naturally gifted ex-national champion and a
savant with a computer-like mind compete against the world's best in the 22nd
century's most popular sport - CUBEBALL - the chess-like, technology-enhanced,
snooker of the future where the world stage is dominated by gambling, drugs and
massive audiences.
Excerpt:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0LAbHgg_GLgE4A-3cO93ct_TQLBHVFdIQyrOw7P8f2eRyDHoPxX4pHfFRBKnnxJRYciwyzkh1-BmXkhUIa0EjsQs3Kdz_HFRscputp6hV3XMlM8IArYWcqiBMyGPrIf_IK9cwuD6NC3l/s320/MediaKit_BookCover_Cubeball.jpg)
He
imagined the perfect shot in his mind’s eye as he circled the table twice,
deliberating his fateful shot. The balls loomed large, but strangely different.
The table appeared more circular than a cube as he lowered his chin to his
carbon steel cue. The whole shot played in his mind as he drew back the cue to
strike the cue-ball with a force that engulfed the whole stadium.
The
crack of the cue-ball as it struck its target echoed sharply its warning of an
imminent tidal wave of spin and curve that would capture the imagination of
every fan in the stadium, or at home in front of their cubebit. In one game
changing savage strike, the red ball fell into the pocket as the cue-ball
savagely spun into the red triangle, spreading the reds in all directions from
the centrifugal force of the cue-ball. Mickey slotted twelve red and black
combinations in four minutes, gaining an unassailable lead. He followed that
with a perfect defensive stroke, leaving the cue-ball safely jammed behind
yellow. Flaveau conceded the game and the match, shell-shocked by the unique
high-spin attack Mickey had unleashed. The break was soon nicknamed ‘the
pulsar’ and it had secured Mickey the first semi-final win and a shot at the
world title.
1. Have you ever had an
imaginary friend?
As
a boy, I imagined being a famous footballer. So I had a team of friends that I
imagined I played with. We fought hard all season to triumph in the
finals to become the best of the best. I think those friends helped to nurture
my creativity and ultimately build in me a love for writing.
2. Do you have any
phobias?
I
had a life-long phobia for large spiders. But I was given good advice from a
fellow sufferer, some years ago. The phobia makes us imagine the spiders’ as
way larger and more threatening than they actually are. The trick is to
re-enforce an opposite image of them. I envisage them sweating and
fleeing from me in a panic. In reality, this is closer to the truth than the
opposite image. I can’t say that my heart doesn’t skip a beat at the site of a
large spider, but I do control my anxiety a whole lot better!
3. Do you listen to music
while you’re writing?
Listening
to music is a wonderful way to tap into your creativity. I cannot imagine a day
without music or film to entertain and motivate me creatively. I am in the
process of writing my latest novel, Alive. Currently, Armand
Amar is my favourite music.
4. Do you ever read your
stories out loud?
I
do on occasion, but only to a friend who is prepared to listen! But I admit to
not doing that enough as it can feel very confronting. It’s ironic that I
relish sharing my work with readers across the world, but I can feel
intimidated when it is one on one. Go figure?
5. Tell us about your main
character and who inspired him.
Mickey
Allen was formed in my mind from an early age. I remember watching The
Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. I was so taken by the
movie, I practiced snooker and billiards in my family’s back sunroom for hours
every night for years. Decades later, those memories returned to me and I
decided to write a science fiction book that paid homage to the grand old game.
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January 13: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
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January 15: Independent Authors
January 18: Romorror Fan Girl
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January 20: The Reading Addict
January 20: Liza O'Connor
January 21: Queen of All She Reads
January 22: Sharing Links and Wisdom
January 25: Blog of Jacey Holbrand
January 25: Reviews By Crystal
January 26: Author C.A.Milson
January 27: Where the Story Comes First
January 27: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
January 28: Harps Romance Book Review
January 29: Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
January 29: The Avid Reader
February 1: SolaFide Book Club
February 2: LibriAmoriMiei
February 2: It's Raining Books
February 3: Beyond Romance
February 4: BooksChatter
February 4: Harlie's Books
February 5: Welcome to My World of Dreams
January 11: Reviews by Crystal
January 12: Room With Books
January 13: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
January 14: Writer Wonderland
January 14: Unabridged Andra's
January 15: Christine Young
January 15: Independent Authors
January 18: Romorror Fan Girl
January 19: Deal Sharing Aunt
January 19: Cover2Cover
January 20: The Reading Addict
January 20: Liza O'Connor
January 21: Queen of All She Reads
January 22: Sharing Links and Wisdom
January 25: Blog of Jacey Holbrand
January 25: Reviews By Crystal
January 26: Author C.A.Milson
January 27: Where the Story Comes First
January 27: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
January 28: Harps Romance Book Review
January 29: Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
January 29: The Avid Reader
February 1: SolaFide Book Club
February 2: LibriAmoriMiei
February 2: It's Raining Books
February 3: Beyond Romance
February 4: BooksChatter
February 4: Harlie's Books
February 5: Welcome to My World of Dreams
Author Bio and Links:
I
worked with national and international organisations as a business analyst in
Australia and overseas. I authored many business books analysing the
foodservice and food retail industry in Australia, Europe and Asia, as well as
agribusiness global trends. I also ran a
consultancy business that assisted Australian enterprises to develop new
markets in Australia and overseas.
I
commenced writing science fiction novels full time in 2009. It was a life-long
interest of mine. I have written five novels - all exploring contemporary
social issues in future speculative worlds. They are: Shadow Dance; Extinction;
Cubeball; Titan Sages and Alive. My novels blend speculative science, new age
and poetry. Readers of novels such as Carl Sagan’s Contact would enjoy my
novels.
Thanks to Sharing Links and Wisdom for hosting me today. Wishing everyone good luck in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteThanks for the intro to this book and to Michael, an amazing writer.
ReplyDeleteIf you could travel to any country, where would it be?
ReplyDeleteHi Becky! I've been learning French for the last year, so I have to pick France! I've been lucky enough to go there before and really enjoyed Bordeaux and Lyon. 'Bon chance' with the giveaway!
DeleteHi Misty! Thank you for your feedback and best of luck with the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteIt's an entertaining interview!
ReplyDelete--Trix
Hi Trix! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for visiting and good luck with the giveaway!
DeleteThanks for sharing the excerpt and interview :)
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria! Thanks and best of luck with the giveaway!
DeleteNo problem and thank you :)
DeleteEnjoyed the interview and excerpt, sounds like a great book, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support, Eva! Good luck!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletethis sounds like such a fascinating game.
Hi MomJane! Sport in general does fascinate our world. I believe it highly likely that a new technology-based sport, based on games of the past will sweep the globe in the 22nd century. Who knows, it may be cubeball!
DeleteSounds like a great read, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Dario. Best of luck with the giveaway!
DeleteI enjoyed the interview. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ree! Good luck with the giveaway!
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