The September Ramble

It’s been a busy couple of months for us in the Super Spy world with progress on both our Lexicon projects.

       Starting off with the good folks at the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement,  the new Man From U.N.C.L.E. movie while not setting the box-office alight, seems to have been enjoyed by those who did see it, and is developing something of a following and an extended run in many theaters. The buzz around teh movie has definitely generated renewed levels of interest in the original TV show and all things U.N.C.L.E. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, we highly recommend repeat viewings. It’s great fun and a wonderful homage to the spirit of the classic sixties spy movies. You can hear my thoughts about the movie on a recent episode of the Earth Station One podcast.

Research on the U.N.C.L.E. Lexicon is going to schedule and we recently passed the 50% mark with over 150 U.N.C.L.E stories watched or read, annotated and notes written up to date.

In other book news we have decided on a slight title change from “The Lexicon Affair” (which was cute for fans of the existing show), to “The U.N.C.L.E. Lexicon” as that will appeal to a broader audience, and it’s how we’ve been referring to the book on various social media channels anyway. – You can follow the book’s progress on Twitter at @UNCLE_Lexicon or on the associated Tumblr account.

       Things are also moving along with the James Bond Lexicon project. We have the copy edited manuscript of the James Bond Lexicon back from publishers. We are now going through editorial notes & planning any updates and rewrites that might be needed. Unfortunately some family medical issues will slow things down over the  next few months so it is very doubtful that the book will be out in time to coincide with the release of  the new Bond movie, SPECTRE, as originally planned. However the delay will give us time to add in some new Bond stories that have been published this year. In the mean time enjoy the build up to Bond’s next screen adventure. – Again you can follow the book’s progress on Twitter at @BondLexicon or on the associated Tumblr account.

COMICS NEWS

NEW COMICS PROJECT – I’m delighted to have been signed on to provide several scripts for a new licensed property comics series from one of the major animation studios. The series won’t be announced until sometime in the first half of 2016 so I can’t say much more yet. More news as and when I can share it.

FORGOTTEN CITY – The second story arc issues (#6-10) are in various stages of production as the Kid Domino team get them ready for uploading to comiXology for digital distribution. I have turned in the script for Issue #11 and have seen the first pas at the page layouts – they are looking great.  The script for Issue #12 is also underway.

Work is also underway on pulling together the first story-arc (issues #1-5) in a trade-paperback for eventual print distribution. In the meantime don’t forget that issues #1 thru 5 are still available as digital downloads at comiXology for just $1.99 each

As a reminder, for more frequent updates, comments, and general observations on life you can follow me on Twitter @alanjporter or on Instagram. For a full list of published work to date check out my website at AlanJPorter.com

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Another Year of Scribbling Stuff

Looks like 2013 is going to be another busy year of throwing words on the page. I already have several projects running and a few more lined up for the coming year, and I thought it might be fun to see how they stack up.

Comics:

I have been working on a few CARS scripts for the Disney Publishing folks in Europe that should see print in the monthly CARS magazine at some point this year. Other stories ideas are in for consideration – so fingers crossed that I get to continue to hang out in Radiator Springs for a while longer.

I’m still working on the new science fiction comics series, FORGOTTEN CITY. I have now co-written 4 issues and written another 4 as the series’ solo on-going writer. Issues #9 and #10 are plotted out and next on the to-do list with plans for the story to go as far as issue 25. The publisher is still looking to finalize a distribution deal, so hopefully that will happen in 2013 and the book will be in stores.

There are also a few proposals and pitches sitting out there for different projects with a variety of comics publishers.

Fiction:

2013 promises to be the year of new titles from Airship 27 Productions fiction wise. This coming year should see the publication of The Ruby Files Vol. 2 containing my first short story about 1930s hard-boiled New York detective, Rick Ruby. Also in 2013 look out for The New Adventures of Allan Quatermain featuring my just completed novella “Golden Ivory.”

Short stories scheduled for the rest of the year include one featuring master escapologist Harry Houdini, and a second Rick Ruby escapade.

I’ve also started a new novel, on the “write a page a day” basis to see if I can keep going and get a novel length manuscript done by year’s end. I’m taking a totally different approach to writing this novel – I’ll probably blog more about that later in the year if things keep to schedule.

Non-Fiction:

The major focus this year is to get The James Bond Lexicon finished for the fine folks at Hasslein Books – and I have the Man From U.N.C.L.E. Lexicon lined up after that.

I’ve also had some early discussions about another business book – more on that, if and when it develops.

After listing it all out like that, I guess I am going to be a busy boy – so I guess I should get back to it. Deadlines wait for no man.