With the launch of Investigation, Mediation, Vindication just three weeks away (!!), May is going to be busy. Earlier this month, I revealed the cover design for the book. Coming up, you can expect sample chapters, advance reviews, story stats, and more. But before we get into any of that, it seemed like a good idea to explain the book is really about. And who better to give us an introduction to Investigation, Mediation, Vindication than the main character himself, Mr. John Smith?
So without further ado… my interview with the protagonist.
Hello, Mr. Smith. Thanks for doing this with us today.
John Smith: Whoa! Where did you come from?
I’m sorry?
JS: You just appeared out of nowhere. Are you… from the future?
That’s a weird first assumption, but given that your book is set in 2013… technically, yes. I’m from 2020.
JS: Cool.
So, let’s talk about the book–
JS: Just tell me one thing… have the Chargers finally brought a championship back to San Diego?
Uhm.
JS: I’d ask about the Padres, but let’s be honest… that’s never going to happen.
True. And no… the San Diego Chargers haven’t won the Super Bowl.
JS: Bummer. But 2020 is awesome anyway, right?
You know what? Maybe we should focus on book-related questions.
JS: Okay. Ask away. It’s your dime.
You do know you’re not getting paid for this, right?
Seriously?
But maybe I can throw in something nice for you in a future book. Like a new car.
Actually, I really like my Corolla.
I’ll think of something else then. Anyway, how would you describe Investigation, Mediation, Vindication to a potential reader?
JS: I’d say it’s like if you took Star Wars–the original trilogy, of course–and mixed it with Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. And then added vampires.
What?
JS: What what?
John, have you ever even seen Casablanca?
JS: Nobody’s seen Casablanca. I’m not convinced it really exists.
The book is literally nothing like what you described. Except for the vampires.
JS: So how would you describe it?
A lighthearted urban fantasy?
JS: That sounds kind of lame. Maybe throw in some explosions?
There already are explosions. Remember?
JS: Honestly, I’ve been trying to forget. I seemed to spend a lot of the book vomiting, naked, or unconscious. When I wasn’t handling my first mediation or trying to solve a city-wide murder spree, anyway.
Let’s talk more about that. How did you get involved in this whole supernatural mediation thing?
JS: Beer.
Beer?
JS: Yeah. I don’t blame the beer though.
Okay…
JS: I blame the bar. Or maybe Verizon. If their cell coverage had been just a little bit worse, I’d never have been able to place the Yellow Pages ad that got me into this mess. Or I’d have at least waited until I was sober to do so.
So you bought a Yellow Pages ad. While drunk.
Yeah.
And then?
And then crab people tried to kill me! Worst Comic Con ever.
*sigh* I have no idea why I thought this interview would be a good idea.
JS: Maybe you were distracted by all the flying cars?
Flying cars?
JS: In 2020.
Ah.
JS: Are there seriously still no flying cars? What have you all been doing with your time?
I wish I knew. Before we go, is there anything you’d like our readers to know? Anything that might actually convince them to buy the book?
JS: Isn’t that your job?
Humor me.
JS: Okay okay. Investigation, Mediation, Vindication is the story of a private investigator turned supernatural mediator who has to save San Diego, mostly with the help of his vastly more capable new acquaintances and friends. There’s beer, sandwiches, two unfortunate trips to the gym, multiple assassination attempts, a very scary little girl that you probably shouldn’t call a little girl, an excellent argument against monarchies in general, and a field of human candelabras.
Ah, the candelabras.
JS: So gross.
You’re not wrong.
So there you have it: a spectacularly unhelpful description of my forthcoming urban fantasy, as detailed by the protagonist himself. If you’re still confused1, come back on Thursday for the very first sample chapter. Everything will make more sense then. More or less.
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