Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Sega CD Summer coming October 2022

I've neglected the blog for a long time, which means I haven't given any updates on my writing exploits.

And I'm excited to share the news that I have a new novel coming out soon! I'm doing this one independently. 

I hesitate to call Sega CD Summer semi-autobiographical, but the book is heavily influenced by my childhood in Williamsburg, Indiana. Some of the characters will definitely be easily recognizable to those who know me. 

It combines several of my favorite things: video games, baseball, and small-town life. I started writing in December and went through several drafts. After receiving some feedback from beta readers, I decided it's ready to go.

I tried a few literary agents, but this is such a specialized book that I didn't think I'd be able to sell it. As a result, I decided to try something a little bit different. 

As it turns out, I think there's a little serendipity at play here: this October marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the Sega CD in North America on October 15, 1992. In addition, Sega will release its latest mini console, the Sega Genesis Mini 2, on October 27, 2022.

In my view, that makes October the perfect time to send Sega CD Summer out into the world. Look for it on October 18, 2022. I'm aiming for a release on Amazon (both Kindle and print versions) as well as Smashwords (multiple electronic formats).

Here's a brief synopsis:

Summer 1994. The Great Console War rages between the Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo.

Twelve-year-old Tommy Guggenbiller, desperate to buy the Sega CD, takes a job as a paperboy in the tiny town of Williamsburg, Indiana.

Juggling his newspaper responsibilities with summer baseball season, and his father’s obsession with America’s Pastime, Tommy must overcome deadbeat customers, an ex-best-friend-turned-baseball-rival, and the indomitable prankster known as Mr. James Glad.

Sega CD Summer is a celebration of ‘90s video games, small-town life, and baseball--a button-mashing tale in the spirit of 8-Bit Christmas and The Sandlot.

Sega CD Summer cover
The back and front cover (click to enlarge)