Hi Phil!
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your Alt History epic.
I'm working on a historical novel (NYC, 1902-1915), am up to 100k, and have only gotten up to 1905...
Hi there Joan, have a gander at my usual (and unsuccessful, lol) query letter that I cast upon the waters. Do you have anything posted here? I do find the site a bit clunky, btw.
Phil
The Inspector is an alternate history novel, set in a world that might seem to be a medieval Europe but also with Classical influences, both Western and Eastern, in its governance. It is first person, the protagonist is named Glaiss, which translates to the Imperial language as Blue. He is a young man from the provinces who is a newly invested Inspector of the Empire of Bandele, having been recruited by a traveling and official Bard at the age of twelve. The role of an Inspector is plenipotentiary. He must both inform, by way of official dispatches, the Emperor of how goes his realm and also by meting out his justice in an increasingly disordered land.
This is a long work of approximately two hundred and fifty thousand words in thirty-one chapters. These are structured by having present day chapters, each of which can be considered an adventure unto itself, interspersed with chapters from Blue’s past, either with his family or during his education at the Inspectorate. These can be considered as a Bildungsroman by flashback but each of these chapters either foreshadow or echo the narrative. The action and settings can be described as cinematic in scope with a cast of characters that surprise with each new chapter, some in passing and some throughout the entire book.
I have taken care to use only words whose etymology extends back five hundred years or longer. This, besides avoiding distracting anachronisms, is to maintain a lyrical tone in the storytelling. As part of my world building I start each chapter with a poem, song or quote to establish a common literature for this state that encompasses many different peoples.
There are no elements of or references to anything magical, besides the superstitions of certain characters, in this book. An elevator pitch might include the fact that there are no dragons and when you’re dead you shall remain so.
As the protagonist is a young man with both duty and authority the book will resonate with a similar readership that would like to imagine themselves as such though there are also strong female characters, and characters of all ages, throughout. The style of writing would appeal to readers who enjoy immersing themselves in a story that has its fantasy feet solidly planted in a believable alternate reality.
This is my first book. After spending my salad days as a jazz musician and composer in Boston I was the co-writer for the radio show “Says You!”. This ran for over two decades on public radio stations across the US and my involvement only ended with the passing of the founder and writing partner. I have nurtured this book over some years during which I have had a career laboring in the groves of the telecom industry, where I have been building devices designed mainly to locate my stock options.
Philip Salkind Boston, Massachusetts
phil.salkind@gmail.com 617-710-6800
The Inspector – The Book (please note that this link will take you to a book cover concept)
Good luck on your self publishing journey. It's a very tough one (having been there) and I take my hat off to anyone braving how tough it is to market a book in a too-crowded market. Personally, I won't do that again.
