Author Artemus Withers Release Party and $50.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest LIVE Here!

The publication of The Adventures of Reztap is the culmination of a long road of writing ups and down. From my long career in information technology, I learned the value of every moment you have to spend with family and friends. Sacrificing that to become a writer has been easier at some times and tougher at others. Perseverance pays off, though.

For the last ten years, I’ve focused on becoming a better writer so I could bring Tar, Gorth and the crazy cast of characters out of my mind and into print so their zany adventures could be enjoyed by everyone. I essentially started the revision process of my first full rough draft by joining a writer’s group and brining my first chapters there. There I fully realized a brutal reality – my craft needed improvement. I knew that going in, so I wasn’t afraid of some constructive criticism. The long labors over revisions and implementing fellow authors’ recommendations without losing my own voice finally came to fruition.

After a few years, the writing group broke up and I set my sights on getting input from more professional sources, which brought me to my first writer’s workshop at ArmadilloCon. That was where I met Patrice Sarath, author of Gordath Wood among other books. Patrice and the other workshop participants helped me focus my first chapter into something different and infinitely better than I had before. It was like a light clicked and my writing reached a level where it could finally be published.

Never underestimate the value of a good editor! That was perhaps the most important lesson I learned before getting published. I’m forever in debt to Chart House Press for recognizing the promise and entertainment value of The Adventures of Reztap, the first book in the series The Chronicles of Reztap. They took a gamble on an unknown author and eight months later, I’m a professionally published author for the first time.

If you want to become an author, put those words in your head down on the page! Your first draft will be a mess and need work, but it’s only the first step. Perseverance pays off especially in the writing world. Don’t give up, continue to improve, do everything you can to learn the craft of writing and keep writing!

In The Adventures of Reztap, Tar and Gorth run into all sorts of trouble as they’re forced onto a rescue mission to save a princess with hilarious results. The action doesn’t stop there and they cross the galaxy saving another new group of friends, encountering and overcoming ridiculous and deadly obstacles on the way. The story takes common science fiction tropes and turns them on their head to entertain and fascinate. I hope the story makes you smile, laugh and shake your head at the insanity.

Excerpt from The Adventures of Reztap:

“Tar turned around to see a black-armored individual wielding a small, but dangerous, military laser cannon. He beckoned us to follow with an insistent wave of the deadly weapon. I knew what was coming next and closed my eyes as I saw Tar raising his hands to the sky. I counted to three and dropped to my knees as I heard a shout of surprise from in front of us and saw the bit of blinding light that made it through my closed eyelids. I felt Tar’s hand grasp my jumpsuit collar and I opened my eyes. Our assailant had his eyes clasped shut, holding them with one hand and firing ahead in a barely discernible pattern. After a few seconds, I realized where our moment of opportunity to escape was and grabbed Tar’s arm. We made our way out of the crowd and back out the front entrance. Sure enough, there were two military goons there with weapons at the ready. Tar raised his hands again and I shut my eyes. This blinding technique was a new one we’d never utilized before. I wondered how long the surprise would be effective. The two guards fired blindly at the front of Galloper’s and we hastily made our exit south into the bustling throng of alien life that teemed in the asteroid’s thoroughfare.

“Tar,” I said as I worked to save the wares of vendors Tar was jostling in his attempt to escape. “You know how this is going to end.”

“What we are doing, my friend,” Tar said as I grabbed a cart of Nilothian Tickle Worms he nearly upended. “Is making him think twice before simply dispatching his goons after us again. Are we worth the trouble? Would the bad will generated by his blast happy agents be worth the very not-hassle-free engagement of my services?”

I dodged a flock of Feathered Artificers upset by our passing. I didn’t need a fancy hat generated on my head while running for my freedom. Then again…

I grabbed two of the floating robots and slapped one on Tar’s head and the other on my own as I pulled him into an alley. Tar kept silent as he searched for our pursuers through a bushel of blood fronds. As we waited patiently for a little over three minutes, the textile robots went to work fashioning a concealing cloak from head to foot for both of us.

“They’ve donned goggles,” Tar said as the Feathered Artificers finished the bottom hem of the robes. They beeped incessantly until Tar waved his arm past them, signaling a sale with his sub-dermal credit chip and an inaudible guttural vibration from his throat. The two automated clothiers beeped happily and then shot up into the air trilling loudly to announce they’d made a sale. That was exactly the last thing we needed. Every pursuer within earshot looked at the two flying globes and immediately began to converge on the estimated beginning of their exuberant arc.

“Great,” I murmured. We both looked at the dead end alley behind us. I winced, but the cloak covered my face. Tar grabbed my arm and we ventured further into our cornered enclosure. I looked behind us. No one had reached the entrance to the alley yet. As I turned back around, I noted Tar had seen a camouflaged doorway I hadn’t noticed from afar. He began to examine the edges. There was no handle on the exterior; I figured it was an emergency exit only door. I looked up at the building and a thought tickled the back of my mind.

“Uh, maybe we should just surrender,” I said as a feeling of apprehension weighed on me like a blanket soaked in Arcturan dung.

“No way,” Tar said. His fingers rubbed over a spot several times and he nodded. He dug under the robe and pulled out a pocket knife. “Sometimes the simplest tool is all you need to gain your freedom!”

Buy a print copy of The Adventures of Reztap from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of The Adventures of Reztap from Amazon by clicking here. – ONLY $2.99!

About Artemus Withers

Author Bio Inspired by authors such as Douglas Adams, Harry Harrison and Terry Pratchett, Artemus endeavored to create a world of science fiction and humor to delight readers across the world. A lifelong computer systems professional, Artemus went from the military to government contracting to the commercial world fixing various computer problems and helping workers and companies get to where they need to go. Artemus also dabbled in acting as an improv troupe member for several years and performed in various stage, television and film productions. He lives in Katy, Texas with his wife where they rule their family kingdom of three adult daughters from afar and enjoy the company of their grandson and two dogs.

Connect with Artemus

| Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google + | Books by Artemus Withers |

CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.

Prize: A $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

Entry-Form