Cover reveal for G.B. Gabbler's novel, The Automation
The Automation
By G.B. Gabbler
The capital-A Automatons of Greco-Roman myth aren’t clockwork. Their design is much more divine. They’re more intricate than robots or androids or anything else mortal humans could invent. Their windup keys are their human Masters. They aren’t mindless; they have infinite storage space. And, because they have more than one form, they’re more versatile and portable than, say, your cell phone—and much more useful too. The only thing these god-forged beings share in common with those lowercase-A automatons is their pre-programmed existence. They have a function—a function their creator put into place—a function that was questionable from the start…
Odys (no, not short for Odysseus, thank you) finds his hermetic lifestyle falling apart after a stranger commits suicide to free his soul-attached Automaton slave. The humanoid Automaton uses Odys’s soul to “reactivate” herself. Odys must learn to accept that the female Automaton is an extension of his body—that they are the same person—and that her creator-god is forging a new purpose for all with Automatons…
The novel calls itself a “Prose Epic,” but is otherwise a purposeful implosion of literary clichés and gimmicks: A Narrator and an Editor (named Gabbler) frame the novel. Gabbler’s pompous commentary (as footnotes) on the nameless Narrator’s story grounds the novel in reality. Gabbler is a stereotypical academic who likes the story only for its so-called “literary” qualities, but otherwise contradicts the Narrator’s claim that the story is true.
THE AUTOMATION is a this-world fantasy that reboots mythical characters and alchemical concepts. Its ideal place would be on the same bookshelf as Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI and Gaiman’s AMERICAN GODS—though it wouldn’t mind bookending Homer, Virgil, and Milton, to be specific.
For updates and purchasing information on THE AUTOMATION please visit Gabbler's website.
Now Only 0.99 cents On Amazon!
Frequently Asked Questions.
Answers are from both parties unless otherwise noted.
- Where can I buy your books? We’re glad you asked! Check them out here [insert link].
- What are your full names? Can’t
say, because it’d give away our genders. And that would give away
several plot twists later on in the series. See more about this HERE.
- Why have an Editor at all? Because sometimes people need interpreters – not just on the language level, but on the reality level.
- Why have an Editor break the 4th wall? First,
because our work is a statement on the Author-as-God mindset (whether
the Narrator likes it or not). Second, some say there are two sides to
every story. We are living proof. Everything we do is a work in progress
– we wanted you to KNOW more than one person has played their role in
this story. Stories overlap. There are different perspectives all saying
the same thing. Maybe even you have your own footnotes to add.
(Seriously, go ahead. Add them if you want. Just don’t sell your version
for money and we won’t have to go through those crummy legal battles
and etc. because UGH let’s not have a copyright debate right now, OK?).
- Speaking of footnotes, I hate them! We’re glad that you have opinions. We have them too.
- What is the REAL reason you guys collaborated on this series for? Because
we, like all couples, think each other are brilliant. That, and Gabbler
doesn’t want BLA to make a fool of him/herself and therefore make
Gabbler look bad by extension. See also THIS.
- How’d the Narrator get the idea for this crap? Um, you clearly aren’t paying attention here. BLA believes every word s/he writes.
- Why does every chapter end in a slanty-name and a character list? Yes,
we’ll be upfront about the weirdness of it. Every chapter ends in a
name and a list. Think it’s a bit much? We wouldn’t blame you. See
(despite my best efforts to “free up” the chapters), our Narrator
insisted. Our Narrator said (something to the effect of), “Like stanzas
of a poem, the names create form for the novel.” I replied, “If poetry is your intent then why not write in verse?”
“Because I don’t have f—king time to write poetry! Is my writing not
anal enough?” That’s when I realized the Narrator’s chapter “formula”
was a great compromise.
- Why no page breaks between chapters? Even in the tangible novels? BECAUSE EPIC POETRY BREAKS FOR NO CHAPTERS. Plus BECAUSE PAPER.
- But about those lists, what do they have to do with poetry? Everything. They are a catalog organizing our characters. Let’s move on.
- You said BLA is mute. How can s/he tell you ANYTHING? Like
we said in Vol. 1, the Narrator uses a computer to type to me. BLA is
very good at typing. In fact, BLA typed most of this up and I just
edited it. – G.
- I’m not sure about Dorian’s race. Or the twins’. Good.
- Do you read comments on the blog? Yep.
We might even holla back. We ask that you be respectful. All
inappropriate comments will be deleted. What’s “inappropriate”? Well,
post what you need to say and you just might find out.
- When’s the next book coming out? Follow the blog for that announcement, because we don’t even know yet. But SOON.
- Why no audio book? Because footnotes.
- Causes you support? We endorse Alley Cat Allies.
Cats like Bulfinch are put down in shelters because they aren’t treated
like the wild animals that they are. Though Bul isn’t feral, we don’t
think other cats should have to be exactly like him just because he’s domesticated. And yes, Bulfinch is the pinnacle of all cats here.
- Did you guys make a playlist for your books like all the other writers seem to do? No,
sorry. We like music and all – we even post some on the blog – but we
do think we’ve got enough going on sub-textually with the footnotes and
such. Feel free to send us a song/playlist you think we’d like, though!
- Is there an error in your book (grammar, syntax, spelling, formatting, etc.)? Complain about it! Gabbler may have edited the damn thing but there is only so much damage control a human can do. But drop an email with ‘Is this supposed to be this way?’ in the Subject and we’ll see if we did it on purpose or not.
- Oh, and thanks for pointing out our flaws. Keeps us humble. Jerk. But seriously, thanks for telling us our fly is down: HeckleTheRingmaster @ circodelherreroseries . com [sans spaces]
- How do I contact you? Please
talk to our manager through the contact email. We don’t have a mail
box. Or a P.O. Box (yet). We also don’t do appearances because…well,
you’ll find out in Vol. 3.
- Fan mail? Checked
every day! whenever we’re not reading hate mail or error emails. Send us your stuff here: Contact @ circodelherreroseries . com [do I need to repeat myself about the spaces?]
- Hate us? Sounds
like someone needs a hug. But not you, because you’re a jerk. But, if
you still need to vent, send us an email. Why not. You already know what
it is. We brought this on ourselves.
- However, a more
productive form of criticism would come in the form of you posting your
critiques on your own blog in a public space. Own what you have to say
BUT NOT IN MY FACE.
- Why aren’t you with a traditional publisher? We’re a bit too weird for their tastes. Thankfully, you have good taste.
- Want to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us gods? Read the FAQ Spoiler Edition (tab above).
- All answers are tentative. Please check again in the future for more secrets and/or better lies.
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