A Silent Dystopia Anthology
Over the next 4 days, Kendall Reviews will be revealing the incredible talent that are helping to expand the A Quiet Apocalypse universe.
Today you can pick up Book 2 in this thrilling series for FREE
The Contributors
Morgan K Tanner
What was it about the A Quiet Apocalypse universe that made you want to be a part of it?
I read A Quiet Apocalypse soon after it was released and loved it. I’ve read many post-apocalyptic tales but this one felt so fresh, with not a zombie in sight. The concept was so intriguing, and the world delivered perfectly that I was so excited to learn there were more books planned for a series.
During and after reading the first book I had no incline that I would ever write my own story set in this universe. In fact, I’ve never had that thought after reading anything. When I first started writing and submitting stories I had it somewhat ingrained into my psyche that fan fiction was a big no-no. Is this the cursed FF? Perhaps it is in a way, but the good kind, obviously! To put it another way, I suppose I’ve always subconsciously felt that it’s not my place to interfere in another author’s mind to try and steal their idea, or something.
But anyway, when I was asked whether I’d be interested in donning the AQA earmuffs and writing something for an upcoming anthology, my first thought was ‘what, me??’
Of course, after I’d stopped dancing around the room and re-read the email, I had no doubts that I wanted to write something for this project. The universe was so well-established I worried I’d have nothing to offer that could live up to Dave’s vision. But being in awe of the whole thing was the focal point of my enthusiasm to get something done. It’s not quite fan-boy level but getting pretty close.
What were the challenges of writing in an established universe and how did you overcome them?
In all honesty, this has been the most difficult story I’ve ever written. The thing I love about writing is there are no rules. Well, apart from don’t copy. Don’t write a story about a caretaker going insane in a hotel, or about a wizard child going off to wizard school.
When writing a story, I usually have a vague idea of where it’s going; what the ending will be, what the mood is, what the protagonist or antagonist is like. If something doesn’t quite work, there’s usually a way you can bodge something into the story to have it all make sense in the end.
But when the rules are already established it’s a little tricky. It took me a long while to even think of a story for this. I had the villain in mind, but how could I work this into something that made sense and was interesting and new? My antagonist, Boleskine, is quite a nasty and repulsive guy. He’s what I had in mind when I first began plotting. His name is my kind of homage to the character of Crowley in the first book. I thought that calling him Thelema was a bit obvious.
Well, I wrote, then deleted, then wrote some more, then deleted. And so on. I was really struggling to get something that I was not only happy with, but something that would stay true to the source material. My first attempt wasn’t my greatest hour, I don’t mind admitting.
After David sent his wonderful feedback on the first draft, I managed to see the story through the eyes of another. Suddenly the inconsistencies and plot holes were apparent to me. Suddenly the self-belief was there and raring to go. I changed a lot; most of the ideas and suggestions from David were spot on. I deleted parts, re-wrote parts, and wrote whole new parts from scratch. I’m now happy with where I am. Although are we ever really happy?
I should end by expressing my gratitude to Dave, David, and Dean for asking and trusting me to take part in this exciting project, but also for giving me a kick up the literary arse to stop playing by the boring old ‘rules’.
More information about Morgan and his work can be found HERE.
Stephanie Ellis
What was it about the A Quiet Apocalypse universe that made you want to be a part of it?
I am a big fan of the post-apocalyptic world in literature – and yes, I’m a fan of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road – and have used such a setting in both short stories and novels. I have always been drawn to the (usually) bleak nature of the environment and the effect the destruction of civilisation as we know it has on those who remain. Through the survivors’ struggle, you examine the concept of humanity. Will the broken society retain the supposed ideals of civilised man, or do they descend to brute animal level and show us that that is all we really are? In AQA, that world has already started to evolve, the strong manipulating and controlling the weak, prejudice running rampant. I wanted to write about those who had the strength to fight back but in doing so, are ultimately as cruel as those they stand against. What does it really mean to be human? You will never know until the veneer of civilisation has been stripped away.
What were the challenges of writing in an established universe and how did you overcome them?
This wasn’t too difficult as I had read AQA and so understood the nature of the remaining environment. The main difficulty was making sure that I used the evolved means of communication within the new world – the Tellpads – and the like. I also had to remember the names of the different groups roaming the land. This was eased a great deal by being provided with a clear ‘Bible’ which I could reference for the timeline and events.
More information about Steph and her work can be found HERE.
A Quiet Apocalypse
The end is hear…
A mutant strain of meningitis has wiped out most of mankind. The few who have survived the fever are now deaf.
Bitter with loss and terrified to leave the city known as Cathedral, the inhabitants rely on The Samaritans, search teams sent out into the surrounding countryside. Their purpose, to hunt down and enslave the greatest commodity on Earth, an even smaller group of people immune to the virus, people who can still hear.
People like me.
My name is Chris.
This is my story.
You can buy A Quiet Apocalypse from Amazon UK & Amazon US
Cathedral
CATHEDRAL … The world has changed. So have the rules.
In the silence of a quiet apocalypse, there is Cathedral. It is a city like no other, sanctuary for the survivors of a terrible plague that has deafened the world. The walls protect the small community. Rituals and laws maintain order to prevent a return to chaos.
But Cathedral is a dangerous and complex place. For citizens like Sarah and newcomer Paul it can be either home or prison.
They just have to decide where their loyalties lie…
(cover by Adrian Baldwin; central art piece by Dark Artist Roberto Segate)
You can buy Cathedral from Amazon UK & Amazon US
The SaMaritan
The disease known as MNG-U has staked its claim on humanity and ended the world. Those who survive have been robbed of their hearing, deafened in this quiet apocalypse. But in the city of Cathedral, they have found sanctuary.
Inside the walls, the meagre populace relies on harsh governance to keep them safe. Outside the walls they depend on Samaritans, search teams who scour the Wilderness for both resource and threat. Bound by an oath to maintain and defend their city, Samaritans are the line separating Cathedral from disorder and ruin, a mandate they pursue ruthlessly and without question.
Until now.
On a routine recon, one Samaritan will find himself injured and alone and in desperate need of guidance. Where loyalties between the oath made to his beloved city will clash with promises from his past. Now he must question everything he knows, including his own purpose.
Because, lost in the Wilderness, redemption is about to become the only way to stay alive.
The Samaritan: Book 3 in The Quiet Apocalypse series.
(cover by Adrian Baldwin; central art piece by Roberto Segate)
You can buy The SaMaritan from Amazon UK & Amazon US
Leave a Reply