Jax2Published Author  Veteran Member Posts:269  
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Cerberus Man Basic Member Posts:144 
| 12/19/2009 10:19 AM |
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Definitely of interest to your fans! Cryptozoica is starting to look more awesome every day! Wish it was out now!  "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Corporal Chaos New Member Posts:5
| 6/1/2010 10:01 AM |
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Looks promising..
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 6/1/2010 3:29 PM |
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Yeah...I concur. Here is the front cover:  And here is the brand new web-site that tells more about it and where you can see previews of the art. http://cryptozoica.com/ |
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 6/3/2010 10:11 AM |
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Awesome site! Great interview! Already put in my order for an autographed copy of the book!
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 6/3/2010 3:16 PM |
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Oh, so that was you?  Actually, since the site went "live" this past Monday, we've had several orders. Thanks muchly! |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 6/3/2010 5:45 PM |
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And yet another one. Thanks a lot, Ron! When I get a chance I need to update my own blog and talk about Cryptozoica and the new NEW Justice Machine series from Moonstone Books. |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 6/19/2010 11:30 AM |
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And before I forget--which would be pretty sad if I did-- For everybody who ordered Cryptozoica through http://cryptozoica.com/the book will ship to you hopefully at the end of next week! Also, the book will be available for driect order through Amazon and Barnes and Noble within the next couple of days. |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 6/22/2010 9:54 AM |
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Very cool! Great news about Cryptozoica and the Justice Machine.
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner  Commander In Chief Posts:864 
| 6/22/2010 3:00 PM |
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Also now added to The Books section here: Cryptozoica"Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 6/25/2010 11:50 AM |
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Still waiting for my autographed copy!
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 7/13/2010 1:16 PM |
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I got Cryptozoica last week and finished reading it over the weekend...it was about the only book I've ever read where I almost cried when I was done because I didn't want it to be over.
It's that good!
Cryptozoica has familiar things in it, but it's like a grown-up version of Outlanders, one written for adults who've led real lives instead of fantasy-land macho silliness.
The Jeff Slemons artwork was brilliant and perfectly captured the story.
Bai Suzhen is your best female character ever--and that's saying something.
Congratulastions and kudos for such a great book...
So when can we expect the sequel?
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Sin-EaterNew Member Posts:42
| 7/13/2010 7:59 PM |
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Posted By Cerberus Man on 13 Jul 2010 01:16 PM
I got Cryptozoica last week and finished reading it over the weekend...it was about the only book I've ever read where I almost cried when I was done because I didn't want it to be over.
It's that good!
Cryptozoica has familiar things in it, but it's like a grown-up version of Outlanders, one written for adults who've led real lives instead of fantasy-land macho silliness.
The Jeff Slemons artwork was brilliant and perfectly captured the story.
Bai Suzhen is your best female character ever--and that's saying something.
Congratulastions and kudos for such a great book...
So when can we expect the sequel? I too have finished Cryptozoica but was a bit disappointed. I had been expecting much more time on the island encountering, evading and being shredded by the dinos. A large amount of pages were spent on character development and the various interested parties double crossing each other for control of the island (before we ever get there). While waiting for a sequel, try Rollins Amazonia for major suspense, action and page turning delight in a trip through the Amazon jungle with a lot of true science interwoven in the story. |
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 7/21/2010 11:14 AM |
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Found this link posted on Mark's site- http://www.bookgasm.com/r...rillers/cryptozoica/ Pretty awesome! "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 7/23/2010 1:31 PM |
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I'll be a guest on the Ghostman and Demon Hunter Show's podcast this coming Sunday evening (July 25th), where I'll be interviewed about Cryptozoica, cryptozoology and MY Outlanders series...yep, the very one I created nearly 15 years ago. Find out more info here: http://ghostanddemon.com |
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 7/28/2010 10:51 AM |
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I downloaded and listened to your interview yesterday--very entertaining! Anybody ever tell you you sound like Jack Nicholson? "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 7/28/2010 6:47 PM |
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Yeah, the response was really good...according to Nathan, the show's moderator they received an unsually high number of positive responses...except for one person who apparently is connected to Gold Eagle in some way...this person--anonymous, of course-- took umbrage at some of the things I said... ...which made the whole endeavor worthwhile.  |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 8/12/2010 10:23 AM |
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You lay out what is what, that is for sure! "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 8/17/2010 12:58 PM |
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Yeah...you wouldn't think I'd have to after all these years, all these books as James Axler, all these other credentials. I guess it's always a little bit at a time...for example...did you know Doc Savage was first mentioned in Outlanders way back in Omega Path, published over a dozen years ago? And surprisingly enough...I even wrote Doc Savage back in the day. Go figure. http://markellisink.com/i...gory&id=27&Itemid=57 Well, tomorrow I head to the Cape Cod Writer's Conference and my graphic novel writing workshops...I'll probably bring some examples of my Doc Savage work as examples. At some point while I'm there, I'm sure I'll be asked about all of the Outlanders books I wrote under my pen-name of James Axler...since I'll be selling signed copies in the conference bookstore.  |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 11/16/2010 10:26 AM |
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Very cool report!
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 12/15/2010 2:38 PM |
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I think its of interest. Could Justice Machine beat Ryan and and his group in a fight? "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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)3az )3aziahBritish Bloke Veteran Member Posts:1060 
| 12/15/2010 4:36 PM |
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Posted By Cerberus Man on 15 Dec 2010 02:38 PM
I think its of interest.
Could Justice Machine beat Ryan and and his group in a fight?
Hell yes... =============================== Billy Fish: He wants to know if we are gods.
Peachy Carnehan: Not gods - Englishmen. The next best thing.
Please check out my FLICKR photos
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 6/28/2011 10:16 AM |
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Great blog! Looking forward to The Spur and The Justice Machine!
"It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 2/1/2012 4:25 PM |
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Links to a couple of interviews some here might find of interest...others not so much. You takes yer chances. http://forums.jazmaonline...ic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4089 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexandra-holzer/graphic-novels_b_1244359.html |
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| 2/6/2012 8:34 AM |
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Great coverage! It's great you've gotten out of the Gold Eagle ghetto and you're doing what you really want to do and Dark Horse has recognized your talent! Can't wait for the graphic novels.
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kanewolfNew Member Posts:1
| 2/15/2012 12:30 PM |
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The Jazma article was very interesting. The "thinking man's action adventure" comment was spot on. That's one of the main reasons I always enjoyed ME's OL titles. The amount of research behind the locales, legends, science, etc. have always been evident to me.
I cant stomach much from the other authors in the OL series. No offense guys, you are great writers (well, most of you). But anytime I've allowed myself to read a non ME OL, I always found myself saying "Grant would never say that" or "that's not what Domi acts like".
It's not personal against other authors, there's no way to perfectly duplicate the creators creations, nor should they be ;>)
That "thinking man's" approach worked on me when I was in my 20's when OL first came out, and still works on me as I push 40. Unfortunately, all a long time hard-core ME OL fan like me is left with is re-reading the series in a surgical way so as to never tire of what are to me classics of all classics.
I will pick up "Cryptozoica" if for no other reason than ME obviously put serious time and energy into, so it's gotta be good.
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 5/11/2012 1:11 PM |
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This week marks the 15th anniversary of the release of EXILE TO HELL--the first novel in my Outlanders series...as well as the publication of Demons of Eden, my second entry in the Deathlands series. I remember walking through an airport and feeling kinda startled when I glimpsed both books displayed side-by-side and face-out in a bookseller's kiosk.
Other than taking a certain personal and professional satisfaction from the fact that a novel series featuring my characters and concepts is still being published when most series of that type are moldering on the shelves of used bookstores, Outlanders is significant in that it is the last of its kind...an ongoing mass market action-adventure paperback series created by one writer instead of a committee.
I'm not trying to make any more of the matter than it deserves, but when you consider that Gold Eagle tried out over a dozen series between 1990 and 1995 and Outlanders was the only one that made it in a very tough marketplace...well, it doesn't hurt to remind certain people of that, just as a matter of policy.
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OutlandersVeteran Member Posts:163 
| 5/12/2012 2:15 PM |
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That's quite the accomplishment, Mark.
We've discussed this numerous times over the years and yes, it's a shame how things worked out, especially how bad that GE treated you.
Would I like to see you still writing the series? Of course. But that's just not in the cards.
At any rate, Congratulations at reaching this milestone in the series that YOU created and others are too damned stupid to continue writing in the manner you laid down.
Chris
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 5/12/2012 3:59 PM |
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At first I hesitated to accept your "too damned stupid" assessment.
Then I glanced over the pages available via the "Look Inside" option for Dragon City on Amazon and found this description of Reba DeFore:
"...almost ghostlike pallor her already pale skin."
Y'know...if after 15 years worth of books wherein DeFore is almost always described as having "deep bronze skin" or some variation of brown (she passes for a native African in Rim of the World), her complexion is inexplicably "already pale" I guess "damned stupid" is the most appropriate judgment to levy.
And as long as I'm here...I'll state this AGAIN--
The circumstances that led to me NOT writing Outlanders at this time was essentially because about ten years ago, I asked the former GE executive editor some questions about bookkeeping.
Despite everything else, that's what it really boils down to.
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| 5/19/2012 4:12 AM |
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That is SO shoddy...but after the Milan travesties, not a surprise.
Out of curiosity, did you write the "Road the Outlands" prologue at the beginning of every book? |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 5/20/2012 3:17 AM |
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Yeah, I wrote it...most of it, anyway. Eva Kovacs, the then-OL/DL editor rewrote the last paragraph to echo Shakespeare.
Shoddy is a good word...it covers a great deal...even contrivances that aren't part of the official continuity....like "Rosalie" and "Dog".
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner Commander In Chief Posts:864
| 5/22/2012 6:51 PM |
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Posted By Jax2 on 12 May 2012 03:59 PM
Then I glanced over the pages available via the "Look Inside" option for Dragon City on Amazon and found this description of Reba DeFore:
"...almost ghostlike pallor her already pale skin."
For all its worth, the context of that passage is that DeFore is pale from the shock of sustained recent emotional and physical trauma, not that her skin is naturally pale. In the books since the new author(s) took over, she has consistently been described as having a bronze complexion.
I'm not saying you gotta like the new books, I'm just saying that that particular example is not as egregious (in context) as you might think, without having read the events that lead up to it. "Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 5/22/2012 7:01 PM |
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Unless that physical trauma included being sprayed with a skin bleaching agent, your defense doesn't track.
You can argue that as an African-American woman, DeFore's complexion might be "ashen" due to fright or pain, but the sentence reads "almost ghostlike pallor of her ALREADY pale skin."
(Emphasis on ALREADY is mine.)
"Like" has nothing to do with it.
Shoddy is shoddy.
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Wordsmith-repriseFreelance Editor Basic Member Posts:150
| 5/26/2012 5:16 PM |
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Mark, is Reba described anywhere as being African American? After all the Deathlands manuscripts that I've edited and the several Outlanders manuscripts that I copyedited I tend to forget snippets of info. I cannot recall Reba getting the label African American. She's your character, of course, so if she's African American, she's African American. I suppose I should so back to where it all started and reread her intro.
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
| 5/27/2012 2:42 PM |
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You could do that.
Or the writers could do what I did when I started writing DL...
Perform due diligence with a little research into what had come before.
That way, there wouldn't have been such classic scenes as dead characters being encountered in the cafeteria sipping coffee or illiterate Domi inexplicably knowing how to pilot Stealth aircraft or Brigid carrying an interphaser around in her back...as one wag here put it...presumably disguised as a hump.
There are a lot more than those three things...those examples are just off the top of my head.
Grant was never specifically labelled "African American", either. But when Reba passed for a native African woman in Rim of the World, that should have been all the label anybody should need.
Anybody who actually gave a fraction of a crap, that is.
"Ghostlike pallor..."  |
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Jax2Published Author Veteran Member Posts:269
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