ANDI JAMES CHAMBERLAIN - WRITER
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FRESH FROM THE PRESSES

News relating to book launches, updates on works in progress and anything related specifically to my writing or released works -
​ including links to free new short fictions.

​RAISE A GLASS – A Tribute To Lemmy.The Original Rock’N’Roller.

19/1/2016

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The title of "LEGEND" gets banded around like a badge of honour to every Johnny Come Lately and his brother in this day and age...
So quick are we to idolise and hoist up mediocrity to a level above all others...
But we forget we live in an era where there is an entire generation of rockstars and movie-stars who are in the autumn years and we are watching icon after icon pass away from causes both natural and man-made.
All of which are truly fitting of the title and the description given to wannabes and losers whose only skill is too oil up muscles and sleep with a tonne of idiots, or make utter fools of themselves in public... Never once committing any act that deserves our respect or our worship.
Despite it all, the people who do deserve the attention, the idolatry and our unwavering love often are seen as bulletproof and immortal. There is always a feeling that some of these people we hold in such ridiculously high esteem will transcend biology and human condition, and live forever and ever in infamy and - despite the pompousness of the idea - real, genuine legend.

Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister was one such person.

An institute, an icon, a genuine figurehead for millions of people in a subculture that bled into every facet of modern fame, life and iconography.
If you showed a picture of him to one hundred people in the street - my bet is that 90% of them - OR MORE - would know either his name, his band or could name a song of his.

He WAS heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Rock'N'Roll - he embodied it for 40 plus years - an unwavering, unmovable, unshakeable mountain of joy, passion and love for the art-form.
Seeping into every corner of the zeitgeist.

Lemmy was the king of rock for as long as i knew guitar based heavy rock.
He was the king.
One of the first songs I remember my dad ever playing for me, trying to excite me into a love of music, was "SILVER MACHINE" by Hawkwind.
Alongside songs like "Parisienne Walkways" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" it was a mainstay on all my dads’ mixtapes, he would make onto tapes recorded off of vinyl records.
We would sing it in the car on journeys, near or far.
Screaming the lyrics loud and proud.
As we would years later to "ACE OF SPADES" a song that is as culturally significant as any Beatles song, any Rolling Stones track... An inarguable fact.

Lemmy was in my life from a very, very early age.
And he has, and will remain in it for years... If not forever.
From my ears ringing for two days after seeing Motorhead on the second stage at Download Festival, to the man himself showing up in rock films like Airheads through to Sci-fi classics like HARDWARE.
He was a monolith, universally respected, universally loved and forever speaking his mind devoid of any waffle or censorship.
An absolute, unconditional, inarguable, genuine, immortal LEGEND.

Hearing he has died, so suddenly after learning of his aggressive cancer. And, hearing how he died, in his own inimitable, brilliantly and wonderfully "Lemmy" way... In front of his favourite computer game console, from his favourite pub - It is exactly how you can imagine him leaving us.
Probably with a whiskey by his side, and a bevvy of beautiful woman who idolised him all around.
A singular man living life in his own singular and impenetrable and unique way.

Yes, he has died.
But he will never DIE.
His body has faded and left us, but his spirit is intwined indivisible from the genre and the music that he helped create and that will never be able to exist without the massive spark he lent and imbibed in it.

Lemmy was rock, is rock and will always be rock.
And the genre will forever exist with his spirit and his spark deeply rooted into the heart and soul of it.

I have never been able to drink Bourbon, but regardless, i will raise a JD and Coke to the sky on New Years eve proudly.
I will say a silent word or two to his name and his memory and i will slug it back with ease, knowing his spirit and his brilliant energy will guide me...
It is the very least i can do to this great, great man.
This REAL legend.
This Golden God.
We should all raise a glass for Lemmy.
Worthy of being mentioned in the same hushed and reverent tones as Lennon, Hendrix, Coltrane, Bach and Mozart.
A man of such importance and such spirit, his absence will be felt for many, many years.

Lemmy.
The King of Rock'N'Roll.
Rest In Peace man.

Go on your way, continuing your journey in your Silver machine...

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NOVEMBER 2015 - Happenings...

28/11/2015

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I started work in earnest in the last two weeks on my second novel.
Titled "HYBRID MACKENZIE (AND THE PEOPLE ON THE HILL)" - It's an ambitious project for me to say the least.
Three books, all telling the same story - for three different and unique age groups. A round of fables told as if by Chinese Whispers - so one account will be full and comprehensive - telling the entire legend of a story, aimed at adults 18+, then the same story but filtered as though a fairy tale for a teen audience and young adult, then a third retelling where we filter down to a children's story - a picture-book, telling the very heart and essence of the story.

The idea is one which will take a lot of time, not least of which because it is also being illustrated in all three versions by myself as well!

I intend to take my time to get it right, but i am incredibly happy and proud of the work i have done so far. A solid foundation for the rest of the novel. One which loses ONE MAN AND HIS DOGMA'S non-linear narrative, and instead, tells a straight line story with a beginning, middle and end all told in sequence, with very few (if any at all) tangents along the way.

I intend to share snippets with you as we get into the story - and my intention will be to share the first chapter when the book is completed... But expect updates as we move forward!

Thank you again to all who purchased ONE MAN... still a few copies remain with me, so they will be signed and numbered (limited 250 in total) and illustrated with a doodle in every copy, should you wish to get a copy for a loved one or yourself at Christmas!

For now, i leave you all again, but big love to all, and take of yourself and each other... Its a mean old world at the minute, and a bit of love would never go amiss.

Easy Now.

​Andi.x
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One month After Release...

1/11/2015

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Hello guys!
So... We have been out a month and 99% of you who pledged via Kickstarter and Pre-ordered would have received it by now, the feedback I have had has been amazing and hugely appreciated, not to mention ridiculously heartwarming.
So thank you so much for all your support and love.

I have limited stock left of the first print now, less than 100 of the 250 left, so if you have yet to buy one or know someone who will want one - please send them to the BUY THE BOOK page (or click the link here!) - and I will have one sent out within 7 days, signed, numbered and with a unique illustration by myself.

As it is now the 1st November I am using this month to take part in NaNoWriMo and have the aim of nailing at least 50,000 words on the second novel - which I have already been working on for a month or so.
It is called HYBRID MACKENZIE (AND THE PEOPLE ON THE HILL) and has been a story I have been working on over the last decade, but which has recently become as clear as day in terms of what the story is - beginning, middle and end, and I have been busy laying foundations for the book together, including my authors roadmap and map-making for the world of the story.

This will be a big undertaking - the story is centred around an entirely fictitious world, based upon elements of our own, in a time after a great civil war, on the brink of an industrial revolution.
The tone will be somewhere between the steampunk weird of China Mieville and the fantasy of Stephen King's DARK TOWER series. I have two very exciting mentors to live up to, and who I need to try and channel without copying...
I can tell you this, I am excited and more than ready for the task.

Final thing I want to ask before signing off this time is this -
If you have read, or are deep into the book, let me know who you would cast in a film version... Just for fun. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts and divine your choices for the characters, which voices can you hear for who and what actors and actresses would you dream cast into the roles?

I have my choices and ideas, it would be amazing to hear yours.

Otherwise, thank you all again, I hope you all enjoyed your halloween and heres to an amazing November.
Wish me luck in the NaNoWriMo!

Big Love.
Andi.x

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Printers are the bane of my life...

16/9/2015

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Hello guys,
ThIs for all the pre-orders and Kickstarter pledgers.

With a heavy heart I have to apologise once again that the print run of pre-order books has hit yet another snag.

After a week of head butting walls to try and arrange and sort out problems that did not exist and that has delayed this print run for 14 days already, I was told it is finally going to print - however - I will not be receiving my run for a further possible 15/20 days.

This is the latest possible delay, due to a back log thanks to technical issues experienced with the print shop - but, it is now on track and in process.

To cancel the order and go with someone else would have lead to further delays - so I have stuck with this company, much to my chagrin.

I assure you the book is ready and finished - it is currently on Amazon and available on kindle and on POD... So these delays are totally out of my hands.

I apologise profusely and extend my deepest appreciation with your continued patience...
Believe me, no one wants to have this back more than me!!

I'll keep you updated with further news, for now, please know you have my extended thanks once again and my deepest apologies.

Should you wish to purchase a copy if you haven't already - there are now copies available on www.amazon.co.uk - or www.amazon.com for international customers (or whatever the URL is for your region!)
These are unsigned and un-numbered, but otherwise absolutely no different from the pre-orders.

Christmas is coming up... Why not buy one for al the family
(please. Thank you.)

Cheers once again.
Andi

12/09/2015

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IT'S LOOSE! - ONE MAN AND HIS DOGMA officially released!

1/9/2015

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This weekend (Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th August) has been BUSY.
B - U - S - Y.

I have launched my Kindle and Amazon profile and the novel is now live and for sale on the Kindle store.
It will be on there for all digital sales exclusively for 90 days.
Soon to be joined by the print version which is online in the net few days.

I will also be receiving my limited supply of paperbacks from the kickstarter fund in the next week to ten days...
These will be slightly cheaper than the amazon print (which is £9.99 compared to £7.99 for the first print run.) SO if you are looking to purchase now, we have a limited number left of the Kickstarter copies - and they are available on the
pre-order page.

It's been an amazing experience, and this is an astounding relief to finally have the book finished, edited, and now on general release!

Thank you to Paul Martin of the wonderful Dominion Editorial for his perfect work as editor. He was a fearless and brilliant collaborator and he really pushed me as a writer to be the best I could be, and challenged me without question when he knew something could be better. The novel is complete due to his tireless work.
Thank you Paul and Dominion, Here is to a long and fruitful partnership!
I can't wait to work with them again...

Please check out the links and - if you fancy - purchase the book.
Whatever you do, know you have my eternal thanks for your continued and awesome support.

Thank you!


Andi. xx
01/09/2015




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SAMPLE CHAPTER released...

4/8/2015

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Hello Friends.

We are continuing apace on the final edit, so very nearly at the end!
In the long months since we started we have made some important changes, tidied narrative and strengthened characters continuity to make the first draft a real bona fide pageturner.
I could not be happier with the work my brilliant editor paul martin has put in, nor his astounding support during the whole of this post-writing process...

Editing is a hard, long job - let me tell you.
And Paul has done a great job of keeping a handle on the tiniest of story consistencies and narrative threads and pointed out some things that really have helped make this the best story I could tell.

We will be going to final stage and print in a matter of a few weeks, and we should be shipping the pre-order kickstarter copies out in the next month - all being well.

Which brings me to the good news!
We have released a full edited sample chapter from the book - which acts as a gateway, Amuse bouche and introduction to the novel.

Written as a self contained story deep within the book, it was designed specifically to bolster two important characters but spoil nothing - and is ready to be read on the link below...

https://tablo.io/sarianlives/one-man-and-his-dogma-chapter-six

We welcome you to take a dip inside the finished novel and read a decent chunk of story before its release.
This introduces you to Death and his Riders Four and the great Lord Lucifer Morningstar, two of our more important and central characters from our cast.
And sets up the story to follow, whilst informing and supporting the story before... But, whilst giving nothing away.

We hope you enjoy.
I really enjoyed writing this chapter... And it perfectly explains the story when I say it deals with the tenets of religion, whilst not being RELIGIOUS, and highlighting the more fantastical areas of the story.

Get your teeth in, and I hope it whets your appetites.

Speak soon.
Andi.
x



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Do you even FLASH FICTION, Bro?

14/7/2015

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I recently tried my hand at flash fiction.
It was interesting. Writing short mini fiction is not something I have ever tried to do, even my Twitter posts tend to spread over three or four posts - I cannot seem to "do" short descriptions of anything, really.

So, when the opportunity arose to write some Flash Fiction for NATIONAL FLASH FICTION day, and possibly win some money for my effort I was sold.

The task was to write a 500 word max story based on one of several prompts - for the TABLO PUBLISHING debut competition.
My story was written as a stream of conscience and edited down after and comes in just under 450 words.

It's called FREQUENTCIES and you can find and read it HERE.

If you sign up - for free, and like the story it would be super appreciated, as a member you get to read and check out thousands of free novels, stories and blogs/prose for absolutely free.
Free sign up, no obligation.

Check the story out and leave me some feedback below.

Cheers.
Andi.x

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HOW TO ART... The Story behind the Novels Cover.

29/6/2015

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The novel ONE MAN AND HIS DOGMA took a LONG time to write.
I mean, A LONG TIME.
From conception to completion it took 15 full years to come together to what will eventually be seen in the pages and between the covers upon printing.

From a middle instalment of a three piece stage play/screen play idea - which was called the PARACETAMOL CYCLE - to a short story, to a novella, to the final 150+ thousand word mini-epic that it turned into, it went through many iterations before I had found the voice that ended up guiding me home.

When it came to art direction for the book upon printing, I initially hired my brother Gareth Chamberlain of MMAG PHOTOGRAPHY who is an amazing, energetic, intelligent photographer. His brief was based entirely round a bold image of a hand holding an apple and the apple bleeding and oozing an oil like substance.
A metaphor for one of the main characters who features in the story - and one of the prevailing story arcs and threads.

However... As these things have a way of doing, my idea - so bold in my mind, so brazen and brilliant in my minds eye - when transposed (perfectly as my brief required might I add) by Gareth (with the wonderful Ellie Lester modelling) - the design was one that did not work in practice as it did in planning and in my own head.
I came out with some astounding photos, but nothing which captured the idea as I had imagined, and instead painted a very different story that what I was intending to portray.

So, I turned to a beaten up, half scribbled sketch I had made one insomniatic evening and handed a smartphone grabbed photo of it and messaged my friend Matt Young of MATT YOUNG ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN who then translated this awful scribbled mess into something damn near perfect.

The design for the book brings in four of our main characters - the God Yahweh, the fallen Angel-God Lucifer, Death of the Riders Four and - of course - our hero, James Edmunds,

Matt captured the energy and the humour of the story in a way had only dreamt could be done, and when it is all said and done, this will be a book i will be very proud seeing in the hands of people and which i will hold with stupidly high esteem and pride.

I ask you to spare a second to check out both Gareth and Matt's work - and give their pages a like. It will take a second of your time, but could will hold something that steals your heart and mind.
Both are amazing artists in their own right and i can't thank them enough.

We hope to have some copies of the Photos Gareth took as limited signed prints in the upcoming store, which will be bundled in with copies of the book and som eT-Shirts we are hoping to release as well.

Keep them peeled peeps.

Andi.
X





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PATREON: The Next Frontier in Self Sufficiency (and other urban myths.)

17/6/2015

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Before I started writing ONE MAN AND HIS DOGMA as a novel, I had a string of similar half ideas from different genres laid out in incomplete forms on my hard-drive.

Some of them were comic book storylines I was working on with a friend for an ongoing series we were plotting and developing, others were short stories which had no spine or heart - and were floundering messes I had jettisoned into the "Junk" file in my WRITING folder. One was a three quarters complete stage-play which kind of ran out of juice. Unsure if it was a BOTTOM style manic comedy, or a Jack Lemon/Water Matthau whimsical comedy... And was not really very good at being either.

Then there were threads of the same story that just needed a dust and a polish until I could see the bones to put the flesh on.

One such short story was ONE IN SIXTY MILLION.
Written when I had a bout of severe insomnia at college in 2001, it is a simple concept that - when filtered down - had a solid idea which was waylaid badly in my adolescence as a writer...
Trying in vain to find my voice.
Banging and smashing and tripping over blindly in the outhouse trying to build my style...

Bits and pieces of the idea were stolen for tiny fragments of the novel ONE MAN AND HIS DOGMA, when I realised that a "SILLY" idea could be rejigged and rebuilt into a dramatic long-form project...
It's the idea of a very green, very naive writer who was struggling with delusions of grandeur, but I will be damned if it doesn't hold a big place in my heart.

I have posted the story over at my PATREON page for you to read, I did not want to post here as I want to try and keep some things offsite like a hidden treasure (there is that delusion of grandeur again...) hiding things around my social media on the web, where you can find bits and pieces should you go exploring.

PATREON is a strange concept, I am not entirely sure I even really get it yet. Watching people I admire like Amanda Palmer use it as well as she has though, with the support she has received and the feedback she puts out, has made it slightly less frightening.
But I am well aware how lucky I was with my Kickstarter to have the book completed and allow me to self publish - so I am also aware how I could be pushing my luck by having a page at Patreon.
Still - have one I do - and if you want to check it out and the things I am offering, please follow the link and have a gander:

ANDI JAMES CHAMBERLAIN - PATREON

I will occasionally post random and unique things there, including stories I would not post anywhere else.
So keep checking back and, should you wish, feel free to Patreonise me!

In the next week or two I hope to share a full chapter from the novel with you all and some short-stories written for my pledgers on Kickstarter, released for public consumption with their express and gratefully received permissions...
For now.
Take care and enjoy the story you crazy kids.

Peace.
Andi James Chamberlain
17.06.2015





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