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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Now About That Rumor…

Since I keep receiving comments and emails, I’m just going to put the rumor to rest. But just to uphold interest, I’m going to tantalize you with some morsels, as well.

The rumor? It’s about my book, CassaStar.

Yes, I am working on a sequel!

I’ve spent the past two months revising and now it’s ready for my test readers. And a critique partner if I can find one. I’ll save that for another post…

Want some details?

I recently read “Save the Cat” and decided to create a logline: Byron’s predictable life is disrupted when the talented pilot meets his match on an alien planet… (Yeah, I’m still working on that.)

It begins twenty years after CassaStar ends.

It involves relations between two races.

It involves alien technology.

And the main character opposite Byron is a woman. Yes, you read that correctly! For those of you who’ve wondered why there were no women in the first book, I give you a female lead and an explanation for the lack of women on Cassan spaceships. There is a good reason you know…

I just can’t tell you now!

(And for my new followers, a full description of CassaStar can be found by clicking on the button under the header.)

All right, rumor confirmed! Any questions? Again, Hot Tamales always welcome.
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84 comments:

  1. Liz PMarch 9, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Consider me tantalized!

    Looking forward to hearing more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelissaMarch 9, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    oooooooo A woman lead this time??? Exciting! Can't wait for more of Byron and this mysterious woman! Good luck with all the writing!

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  3. LiMarch 9, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Exciting! I'm an idiot when it comes to hands-on tech stuff, but I love to read about it, especially if it's futuristic.

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  4. RHYTHM AND RHYMEMarch 9, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    I am tantilized also.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jeremy [Retro]March 9, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    whooo-hooo! that's it, just whooo-hooo!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Melissa, yes, and she's been a challenge...

    li, low tech here!

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  7. Laura PaulingMarch 9, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Sounds exciting! I love sequels. And adding a female role and more backstory is always great in a sequel! Good luck with it.

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  8. Emily WhiteMarch 9, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Ooh! How fun! I always love it when I hear good books have (or will have) sequels!

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  9. GailMarch 9, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Wishing you great success.

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  10. Christine DanekMarch 9, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Sounds interesting. I'm intrigued. :) Good luck.

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  11. PK HREZOMarch 9, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Yay for tough women leads!!!

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  12. Matthew MacNishMarch 9, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    By "relations between two races" do you mean sex? Because that would be awesome.

    Seriously though? Twenty years? That's crazy. Byron will be so much older. I'm looking forward to hearing more.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anne GallagherMarch 9, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    I agree with Matt -- twenty years? That's a long time, however, I can see your point.

    Love the idea of a woman, and hey, I do write romance so it you need a beta with an eye for lurve, I'm your go-to gal.

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  14. L. Diane WolfeMarch 9, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Finally writing from a women's POV huh?

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  15. HannahMarch 9, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    I didn't realize this was a rumor. I thought it was fact months ago. :P

    That's super exciting though! Beta readers are awesome and you already know how much I heart my CPs.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carol KilgoreMarch 9, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    About time!
    Good CP's are priceless.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AngelaMarch 9, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Is it hard for you to write from a female perspective?

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  18. Michael Di GesuMarch 9, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I never though it a rumor...

    GOOD LUCK! Looking forward to reading more about it.

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  19. Stephanie LoréeMarch 9, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Alex: Can't wait! Please keep me posted as I will happily do another ARC review, interview, etc for you. Best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Helen GingerMarch 9, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    We must be on the same wavelength. Quite a while ago (last year, I think), I reviewed Save the Cat. I've just started "Save the Cat! Strikes Back". I'm on page 32. Great books - not just for screenwriters.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lydia KangMarch 9, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Exciting, exciting!
    Good luck on your writing!

    Didn't mean to rhyme on that one, but what the heck. Your post made me Dr. Seuss-y.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LunaMarch 9, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Yes! *Happy Dance*

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  23. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    I was wondering why there were no women but I'm glad there's one in the second. I'd love to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Laura, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

    Emily, I hope mine is one of them!

    Matthew - no! Not getting into the sex thing. Not that it doesn't sound like fun... And remember, Cassans live much longer than us, so he's not THAT much older.

    Anne, I might need your help!

    Hannah, I thought everyone knew, but the question kept arising.

    Angela - yes!!!

    Stephanie, I will!

    Helen, I got some good ideas from that book.

    Clarissa, all will be explained...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Bossy BettyMarch 9, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Thanks for inviting me (the Hot Tamale--remember?) Great news here! Now don't you have some writing to do?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Kelly PolarkMarch 9, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Congrats, Alex! That's exciting! And hurray for a female mc. Does she resemble Kate Beckinsale?

    ReplyDelete
  27. George Beremov [Nebular]March 9, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    A CassaStar sequel? Now, that's exciting! Good luck, Alex, buddy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. JulesMarch 9, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Yeehaw, a female lead (I think). I just hope they are now women created from alien technology :)

    A big congrats on the sequels progress, at-ta-boy. You did need an at-ta-boy didn't you?! :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  29. N. R. WilliamsMarch 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Excellent. I'm sure one of your blogging friends will step up to the plate to be your critique partner. If not, I am looking for one more person. I've had two offers, one is for critique and the other is a reader.
    Cheers,
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium, Special .99 through April 30

    ReplyDelete
  30. Elizabeth Spann CraigMarch 9, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Nice teaser! Glad the writing is going so well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sarah AhiersMarch 9, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    LOL yeah i also thought this was well known fact!
    I'm super excited about your woman MC. She's got to be bad-ass to stand up next to Byron.
    Can you tell us her name?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Paul JosephMarch 9, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Hmmmm...a sequel, huh? Overachiever!

    Good for you! I have CassaStar on my 'To Read' list. It's a long list, but you will have the honor of bumping others out of the way. If I EVER finish this draft, that is.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mason CanyonMarch 9, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Sounds great. Looking forward to learning more.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

    ReplyDelete
  34. Charles GramlichMarch 9, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Congrats on the progress. I wish you smooth sailing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Margo BensonMarch 9, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Ready and waiting...!! I really enjoyed CassaStar and hope that, although 20 years on, Byron is still a tad crotchety!

    I didn't mind the lack of women in CassaStar (you did include Byron's misery of a sister!) I thought of it as a 'boy's' tale. Best of luck with this one.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Kelly, she looks a little like Kate!

    Jules, I did!

    Sarah, I will reveal it soon...

    Paul, thanks!

    Thanks everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Golden EagleMarch 9, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    It sounds intriguing! Now I'm looking forward to learning more about the sequel to CassaStar.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyMarch 9, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Aw, I'd heard this rumour...and after reading CassaStar, I rejoiced at this rumour. Super coolness abounds :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. M PaxMarch 9, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Woot! I knew you were working on it and am interested in hearing what the sequel will be about.

    I've got about 3 more chapters to go in CassaStar.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Lynda, glad you're excited!

    MPax, that's great!

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  41. The Happy WhiskMarch 9, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    I'm excited for you. Rah.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Summer RossMarch 9, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Thanks for giving us some details on your sequel.

    ReplyDelete
  43. EricMarch 9, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    This is awesome, Alex. The details are definitely tantalizing. If you need any critiquing help, I humbly offer myself.

    Not sure if you view that as a good thing or a bad thing, but there it is :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. ediFanoBMarch 9, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Sequel:Great!

    Twenty years after CassaStar ends: Surprise. Did not expect such a time gap. Does this implicate that book three is about Byron's twins (a boy and a girl) who are the result of his partnership with an alien female ;-))

    Relation between two races: Will be interesting to see on which level

    Alien technology: I like that

    Female main character is highly appreciated - leader of an amazon planet?

    Anyhow I will read and review it - the sooner the better ....

    But please take all the time you need to write a good book. I waited a long time for the next George R.R. Martin book. I also will wait patientlyfor the CassaStar sequel ....

    ReplyDelete
  45. Susan Gourley/KelleyMarch 9, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Great teaser. You know you'll have to leak more details now.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Old KittyMarch 9, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    TWENTY YEARS AFTER BOOK ONE??

    You mean Mr Bad Boy of Cassa Star will be MY AGE!?!??! Wooo-hooo!!!! That was definitely worth waiting for!!! Yay!!!!!!! I can dribble without doing a Mrs Robinson! Wooo-hooo!!!!

    Women ROCK!!! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  47. Pat TillettMarch 9, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    I'm very much looking forward to it. I REALLY liked CassaStar and can't wait to read the next book!

    ReplyDelete
  48. OkieMarch 9, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    nice! I guess that means I need to get on the ball and pick up the first one. :)

    Kudos to you. Have fun writing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Eric, it's a good thing!!

    Edi, thanks dude! Remember, Cassans age slower, so he's not A LOT older. Book three? Crap, I didn't even plan a book two!

    Kitty, I knew it would excite you!!

    Thanks, Pat.

    Okie, that would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Arlee BirdMarch 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Wait a minnute! This is like good news or interesting information. I was here for dirt and juicy gossip. What--no Charlie Sheen?

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  51. LTMMarch 9, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    but I thought you'd been working on a sequel... so now I've got ESP or I'm confusing you w/another writer friend. Anyway, sounds cool. And CS is on my Kindle, but still haven't managed to start it... you say there are no girls in it? What's the deal, Alex? ;p

    (this sequel I somehow already knew about sounds cool, btw.)

    ReplyDelete
  52. ChuckMarch 9, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Alex, I can't wait for the sequel. I really can't express how much I loved Cassastar...never even really grasped there were no women but the settings kind of ruled them out anyway. Got a working title yet?

    ReplyDelete
  53. RaShelle WorkmanMarch 9, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Alex, you're so awesome! I read Save The Cat, too. Loved that book. =D

    ReplyDelete
  54. RaShelle WorkmanMarch 9, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    ps: I'm sure you've had 65,000 offers for a crit partner, but I'd love to trade pages with you. Let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Lee, not unless he's dissed me lately as well!

    LTM, thanks. Many people knew, but I kept getting questions about it, so had to settle it once and for all. And no women. Okay, one briefly in the beginning. But that's it!

    Chuck, thanks dude, really appreciate your enthusiasm! No working title yet. I'm a bit stumped there...

    RaShelle, it was a great book. And you're the second to offer!! So we might have to work something out.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comMarch 9, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Woohoo! That's very exciting, Alex. A woman too? You might just make a sci-fi convert out of me.
    Congratulations.
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  57. Jemi FraserMarch 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Loved CassaStar - can't wait for part 2 :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Jeff BeeslerMarch 9, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    This is quite a juicy rumor! Take your time with the sequel of course, but I''ll definitely be ready to read it when it comes out!

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  59. CopyboyMarch 9, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Glad you're moving forward with a sequel. Best of luck with it.

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  60. Julie MusilMarch 9, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    It's so cool that your sequel picks up 20 years after CassaStar ends. I'm curious how the world changed, and I'll bet that was a lot of fun to create!

    ReplyDelete
  61. CheeseboyMarch 9, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Nice! Sequels are always the best. (Except for Die Hard)

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  62. Shanae BranhamMarch 10, 2011 at 4:26 AM

    Good luck with the sequel! Thank you for the female lead. I like strong female characters.

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  63. caretakerMarch 10, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    alien

    ReplyDelete
  64. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 10, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Robyn, promise? You'd probably like CassaStar, as so many non-science fiction readers have enjoyed it.

    Julie, Byron's world certainly changed.

    Shanae, she is strong!

    Thank you everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague SikesMarch 10, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    How do you ever find time to write books?

    Looking forward to hearing more.

    Monti
    NotesAlongTheWay

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  66. Hart JohnsonMarch 10, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    You know, I haven't HEARD this rumor, and if you don't TELL me, I consider that permission to just start making stuff up.

    You've been warned.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Lindsay N. CurrieMarch 10, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    YAY!! Congrats Alex:)

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  68. Talli RolandMarch 10, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Oooooooh! Interesting! Can't wait to have a read, Alex.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Donea LeeMarch 10, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Sounds intriguing ~ :) Women definitely add some spice. Best of luck with your writing!

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  70. Karen LangeMarch 10, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Yay to a sequel! Glad you put those rumors to rest.

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  71. Laura HowardMarch 10, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Can't please everyone eh? Teasing is such a sin, but such a nice one! Can't wait for more!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 10, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Monti, it's not easy!

    Hart, as long as I'm not naked!

    Thanks, Talli.

    Thanks everyone! Hopefully you'll get to read it...

    ReplyDelete
  73. SouthpawMarch 10, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    P.S. I did it. I signed up for the A-Z Blogfest.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Sangu MandannaMarch 10, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Ooooh I love these little teasers! Definitely looking forward to reading more: and yes, I did wonder why there were no women in CassaStar, BUT I did also guess that there was a good reason!

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  75. Abby MinardMarch 10, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Yay! Can't wait to see what you have in store for the next one. About time you give some ladies much needed face-time ;p

    ReplyDelete
  76. Dempsey SandersMarch 10, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    After how everyone raved about CassaStar a sequel was a must. A female lead is intresting, and I am sure it will be just as popular, your book had quite the following.

    ReplyDelete
  77. TerryLynnJohnsonMarch 10, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    sounds great! way to stretch yourself in writing!

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  78. LeoviMarch 10, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    It seems a very interesting idea, Byron can aser a very enigmatic.

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  79. The Words CrafterMarch 10, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Wow, it's already ready for crit partners?!!!! Yay! Hopefully, I'll be able to have it in a few months....?

    *excited happy dancing*

    ReplyDelete
  80. ali crossMarch 10, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Huzzah! This news makes me very, very happy! :D

    ReplyDelete
  81. WritingNutMarch 10, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Ooh.. exciting! It sounds great, I can't wait to hear more! :)

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  82. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 11, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Holly, good for you!

    Sangu, there was a good reason, promise.

    Thanks, Dempsey.

    Words, my publisher still has to accept it, so doubt it will be this year.

    Thanks everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  83. EllaMarch 12, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Sounds exciting! I am still waiting to read the lst one...augh! My son is on Spring Break, might be my chance!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Ellie GarrattMarch 13, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Well I'm tantalized! I love the direction the sequel is taking!

    ReplyDelete