Wednesday, July 27, 2011

CassaFire Cover and Synopsis!

I am guest posting today at Little Pickle Press about my geeky childhood science fiction experiences.

Bur first! I just received this yesterday from my publisher and I am so stoked.

After dozens of rewrites, help from Rusty (thanks, dude!), and my publisher’s editor making more changes, here is the working synopsis for CassaFire:

CassaStar was only the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren's civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan's technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves, the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…


And the working cover art:

Hot Tamales for everyone!

What do you guys think?

Okay, now you can go visit Little Pickle Press for my guest post…

129 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Looks good Alex just pop over to Little Pickles Press.

Yvonne.

Amy said...

Great cover and wonderful synopsis! Looking forward to reading this when it comes out! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks Yvonne and Amy!

Rusty Carl said...

Wow. Great cover! Pretty good synopsis too. Looking forward to the big release party.

It's gonna be HUGE.

Ellie Garratt said...

Wow. I'm clapping my hands together with glee. The cover is awesome and the synopsis perfect!

Laura Pauling said...

Love the cover! Congrats!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

lookin' goood! chico from chico and the man..

Unknown said...

What I love about your covers is we really get to see what the ships look like. Love the synopsis. Can't wait to read it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks everyone! And that's Byron's Darten with Athee's ship in pursuit over Tgren. I think it rocks.

Laura Eno said...

Sounds great and the cover is killer!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

The cover definitely lives up to the book's title - IT'S HOT! :)

Old Kitty said...

Awwwwwwwwww!!!Byron wants to be alone!! With me!!!!

:-)

Take care
x

Christine Danek said...

Cover looks awesome and the synopsis sounds fantastic. Looking forward to it.

Unknown said...

Love the cover! The synopsis sounds good, too. (Respect on that....I HATE writing synopsis-is-is).

Tonja said...

I love the cover and can't wait to read it.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Wow!! That's so awesome!! Cover looks awesome. Love the synopsis too :)
WOOT! So exciting! Congrats!

Lola Sharp said...

WooHoo!!! CONGRATS! :D The sequel cover art works perfectly with the previous cover. Very nice branding. :)

I'm excited for you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Woohoo!!! LOVE it! Sounds and looks very, very, VERY good - can't wait for it to be released!!!! :)

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats! And I love how the cover art fits with the first one. Very awesome.

Marian Allen said...

Beautiful cover! That's a real attention-grabber, and then the synopsis lays out the situation, obstacles, conflict, burdens of the protagonist--I'm pulled in before I even see the actual book. Great work!

Liza said...

Great synopsis! Congratulations Alex.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Love the cover and the synopsis. So EXCITING!!! I can't wait and imagine you're even more excited about it. :)

Aleta said...

It sounds great! I can't wait to read it and LOVE the cover! How exciting :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Love the story and the cover. Two thumbs up!

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

The synopsis makes me want the book now.
All I can saw for the cover is WOW. I love that it's bright and I get the feeling I'm in the ship.
Oh, I like the three caps in the title -- great balance.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sounds like "all systems go."

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

George, it does!

Sorry, Kitty.

Lola, it fits well.

Thank, everyone! I am so excited now.

Anonymous said...

Houston, we don't have a problem. Okay, I'm on my first cup of coffee and that's the best I can do. Looks great! Cover art is huge and as a writer you want something that looks professional. This looks looks great! Any trailers in the near future?

Luanne G. Smith said...

Aha! The elusive female character is revealed. :)

Great cover art. How exciting!

Bossy Betty said...

Looks really good, Alex!!! I am so excited for you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations!! This is cover is gorgeous and I am hooked by the synopsis. Yay, you!!

Eric said...

The synopsis is awesome and the cover is beautiful, Alex. Congratulations big time!

Christopher Hudson said...

Sizzle looks good ... bet the steak is tasty, too.

Michael Di Gesu said...

AWESOME COVER! The 3D effect really makes it POP! Congratulations Alex. ALL THE BEST!

Bryan Russell said...

Sweet cover! Now I want to make Lego spaceships...

The Happy Whisk said...

So so happy for you :-)

Anonymous said...

Yahoo! Looking good, sir.

Laila Knight said...

CassaFire seems like an interesting read. I love anything that deal with planets and outer space. A secret device, mental abilities and powerful weapons...hmm. And you even tossed a woman into the equation. Great cover!

I enjoyed your guest blogging at Little Pickle Press. I have to tell you that I dislike the term science geek. Anyone who dares to explore a reality outside of the norm is a visionary. :)

Budd said...

so Byron has to train a headstrong pilot. What goes around...Bassa is smiling somewhere.

Angela said...

Love the blurb, except for the tamales. I think they're kind of weird.

Jayne said...

Ooo, great cover! Really works well with the blurb and the title. :)

Hart Johnson said...

Both look great, Alex! You're making great progress! Any word on publication timing?

Anonymous said...

Great synopsis, and stunning cover, Alex!
Ann Best, Author of In the Memoir, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

Angie said...

Sounds great. I'm excited to read it.

Helen Ginger said...

Cover looks great, Alex. Love the sky - it looks like it's on fire.

Arlee Bird said...

The cover art is beautiful and I like the story concept sounds excellent. Actually, for my tastes, this story sounds like it might even be better than the first one. Very exciting!


Lee
Tossing It Out

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Stephen, I hope so!

LG, yes, there is a female lead. Promise.

Thanks, Michael - it really leaps off the page, doesn't it?

Thanks, Laila. And visionary - I like that!

Budd, you're probably right!

Hart, beginning of March, I think? Need to check!

Lee, I hope it's better.

Thanks everyone!

Christine Rains said...

Looks fabulous! And sounds awesome.

Anonymous said...

Hot Tamale!

Great cover, Alex!

Mark said...

Wow, that sounds exciting! Keep up the good work:)

TS Hendrik said...

The synopsis is great and I really dig the cover art. The brightness really makes it pop.

Donea Lee said...

Congrats! It sounds great to me! Here's a nice big box of virtual HT for you ~ :)

And to answer your question: (according to wiki.answers...oh, yes. I googled it!) A bazillion has zero zeroes, because it isn't technically a number. It's a figurative number exaggeratedly expressing a really long number or an infinite number. (cool!) :D

Sangu Mandanna said...

Great synopsis - and I totally love that cover/working cover! You must be so stoked for this release already!

Tara Tyler said...

how cool to see your writing come to life! love it =)

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Great looking cover, Alex. Goes so well with the first book and unmistakably part of a series.

Patricia Stoltey said...

The cover art looks great, Alex.

Summer Ross said...

Your cover is wonderful Alex. The synopsis reads really well and makes me interested in the book. I think you have a good thing going here. Great job!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Donea - now I know!

Sangu, I am, but I know how much I have to prepare for it as well.

Thanks, guys!!

Sarah Ahiers said...

dude, i'm not gonna lie. I'm pretty stoked to read this

Jeff Beesler said...

That cover is so beautiful it...I...uh, excuse me, I have *sniff* something in my eye!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Love it. That cover is awesome.

Nicki Elson said...

Ooh, I like it! Love the new title & cover too.

M Pax said...

Fabulous! Love the plot. Will pop over and visit.

Jennie Bailey said...

I think I'll pass on the Hot Tamales in favor of the book! The cover is super cool, Alex! And I can't wait to read it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sarah, thank you!

Jeffrey, it fits the story, doesn't it?

Thanks everyone! And for visiting my guest post today as well.

ali cross said...

Ah, poor Byron. Always seeking the solitary life. Hasn't he learned yet that it doesn't always hurt to let someone in? :D

And that cover? DUDE IT'S PERFECT!!! Love it!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I absolutely adore your cover, Alex!
It gives a feeling of motion and excitement just to look at it!

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Ricky said...

Very cool.

Lydia Kang said...

Nice cover! Sci-fi awesomeness.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Looks good!

julie fedderson said...

Ooo, love the color scheme for the cover--the fiery reds and oranges go with your title. And Hot Tamales are tiny gelatinized pieces of fiery goodness. I'm sensing a theme.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great cover and synopsis.

Tina said...

Love the cover art and am WAY intrigued by your synopsis. You go, Original Ninja! Heading over to the pickle place to check out your other post.
Tina @ Life is Good

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Ali. And he might learn this time around...

Julie, the Hot Tamales DO go with the cover, don't they? I hadn't even noticed.

Thanks, Tina!

Chuck said...

Can't wait til March! Sounds like it will be another great read. Love, love the cover...would make a nice framed picture. Glad to see your hard work is paying off, Alex.

Anonymous said...

Awesome teaser... and love the cover. Well done.

anthony stemke said...

Great cover art. Good on ya.

Dani said...

Cool Alex. And thanks for visiting the Little Pickle Press blog and sharing your sci-fi beginnings. See kids - all that daydreaming will eventually lead to book contracts! ;) Nice job.

Copyboy said...

I swear it must be so hard to plan out what you create. It's amazing how you map out this entire universe.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

What I think is I've got some catching up to do, Alex. I just ordered CassaStar. It's about time and it's only because I like you so much. This will be my first sci-fi read!
xoRobyn

~Sia McKye~ said...

How cool! I like it. Looking forward to reading it too!

Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

dolorah said...

Dang Alex; I love this cover. I have a link to you on my blog post today, but it is just cuz I posted a song with some serious guitar music and I want everyone to tell you to post a rendition :) I'd love to hear you play . .

But, the post is really about me, me me and my AHL3 publication.

Anyway; I'll post the synopsis and cover on my blog in a few days. I'm really excited about your sequel.

Please e-mail me with the book trailer link when/if you have one. I'd love to advertise it on my blog.

......dhole

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Alex, congrats! I love it and am SO excited for you! Yay!

dolorah said...

Oh; I checked out Little Pickle Press from Stephen Tremp's blog, and I really am impressed with their mission. I'm glad you've jumped on board their cause. It really is an awesome endeavour.

........dhole

ediFanoB said...

Great! I love the awesome new cover.
Greatr post over at Little Pickle Press. I look forward to March 2012 - the release month of CassFire.

And as a true member of your "Army" I will post about it on my upcoming weekend post.

You rock!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Chuck!

Dani, yes it does! Thanks again for the opportunity.

Jesse, the second was harder than the first.

Robyn, thanks so much! It's not high tech, so I think you'll enjoy it.

Donna, thanks so much! Not sure when the trailer will be available, but I'll let everyone know. And no one wants to hear me play guitar...

Edi, thanks - I really appreciate it!

Univarn said...

Ooooh, look at the shiny shiny.

Christa Desir said...

Holy cow, great synopsis! I hate the synopses writing and I never thought anyone could really do it without boring everyone in the audience. Once again, Alex, you prove me wrong.

Ciara said...

LOVE the cover. I can't wait to read it!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Univarn and Ciara!

Christa, I had lots of help. Lots!

Unknown said...

That cover SCREAMS you!!! I think it's great Alex! And I can see you've have a great support system! Congratulations!

Stephanie said...

I love that cover and the story sounds exciting. I'll have to start reading from the beginning of course. CassaStar here I come :)

p.m.terrell said...

Love the cover, Alex! It should really draw the readers in. And the synopsis sounds terrific! You have impressed everyone yet again...

Helen Ginger said...

Not just hot tamales...it's hot enchiladas! Both the cover and the plot.

Stephanie Lorée said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie Lorée said...

*sigh* Sorry for the deleted comment. One more time, with proper spelling...

CassaFire looks fantastic! Congratulations, Alex!

The Old Silly said...

The synopsis and the cover are both real grabbers!

Marvin D Wilson

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jen, thanks!

Stephanie, I hope you enjoy the new just as much - or more!

Patricia, I can only claim part of the synopsis.

Thanks, everyone!

Nancy Thompson said...

It sounds exciting and the cover looks cool! How awesome it must feel for you, Alex!

GYPSYWOMAN said...

well, my goodness, i see my comment is number 101 - a bit of significance in the double digits there so - not that you need it - but a good sign - am absolutely smitten with the cover work - it's magnificent - powerful - perfect to follow the intriguing story of casa fire! great work, mister! great!
bravo!

Callie Leuck said...

Congrats on getting a synopsis put together, Alex! Must make the publication experience seem more real...

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sounds great. I love the title too.

Anonymous said...

Nice cover! The sequel sounds great.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. ;)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Gypsy - I really like the powerful colors.

Callie, round two and it still seams surreal.

Lb, sorry I can't make it by more often.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Fabulous cover and exciting synopsis! You are well on your way! Julie

Golden Eagle said...

Great synopsis, and I love the cover!

Jeff Beesler said...

I know I commented yesterday, but darn it, Alex, that cover still sends shivers down my spine (in an awesome ninja way, of course!)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks Julie and Golden!

Jeffrey, really glad you like it. I was just amazed when I saw it - Athee trying to keep up with Byron's Darten. Perfect!

Jules said...

Dude, when you do something you do it right! Love the cover too. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Robin said...

Wow!!! I love the cover and after reading the synopsis, I want to read the book!!!! Great job!

Major Mack said...

looks cool

alexia said...

Super cool!!! Congrats! Let me know when the pre-order links are up so I can add it to my Awesome Books page.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jules, thanks!

Rasz, I'll let you know when it's available.

Alexia, I will!

Powdered Toast Man said...

Looks like the cover of a video game. I'd play it. There better be some sex in that book.

Anne R. Allen said...

Powerful cover there. It's um, manly. Can I say that?

Love the synopsis. Very well written.

Suze said...

Alex, I love it! Feel good about this, friend. Feel very good!

Missed Periods said...

How exciting! You created an entire civilization. It sounds great.

Ellie Garratt said...

I forgot to say thank you for advertising my blogfest. Thank you!

Rek Sesh said...

Sounds interesting...I loved the cover picture.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

PTM, sorry, I don't write sex scenes!

Anne, you may say that!

Ellie, I'll plug it in a blogpost soon as well.

Thanks everybody!

Talli Roland said...

LOVE!

Anonymous said...

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Cruella Collett said...

That is an absolutely AWESOME cover, Alex! So cool, and very in tune with CassaStar too! Yay! So happy for you :)

Chris Phillips said...

Cover is rockstarrish.

Laura said...

sounds fantastic... and love the cover... can't wait :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks Laura and Chris!

Reid Kemper said...

Working synopsis sounds great! Athee also interests me. And I like your blog background. :)

Luna said...

The cover rocks, Alex! You did an excellent job with the synopsis. Now I can't wait to read the book! *Happy Dance*

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Reid! Everyone wanted a female character, so I gave it to them.

Jamie, glad you're excited!