Firstly, I decided to challenge myself in March, and over six months wrote over 100 pieces of flash fiction (admittedly, I could’ve done better). After being inspired to write more super short stories when I read over one of my old writings from a past contest, I decided to create my own collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror flash fiction. I ended up removing a few stories so the final version is now down to 99 tales in total, but in early 2018 everyone will able to enjoy the Freaky and Fantastical 500 (Words or Less) from Yours Truly! I think the book has something for everyone, and to grasp some messages multiple readings will be required, but at least you can do so in only several minutes, instead of several hours with this!
Secondly, with the help of the awesome Alejandro Lara and Javier Puga, Illicit Liberties: Muskrat Attacks is finally complete. The nine-page comic will hopefully find a home with a publisher in 2018, but if not I will be publishing it very soon myself wherever I can. Also, Jesse Jim Johns and Butch Casey’s misadventures will continue on in other issues with a large cast of characters and worlds I’ve developed over this year, so the old Illicit Liberties: Theseus’ Crown story I posted about so long ago will still be following this, along with other stories that will include zanier monsters and kookier crooks based on famous legends.
Thirdly, The Chimera Chronicles is (also finally) complete! The world of Nue Gaea will be debuting later in 2018, with concept art by multiple artists and about 20 stories with some to spare for the next volume, introducing some of the heroic humans and therians who will be protecting this fantastical world in the projected future series. I’ve been developing this world for over ten years now, so I will definitely have more to come following this first book.
And finally, I have been editing my old stories and some new ones to be combined into the first volume of my From the Mind of Marcus E.T. anthology (tentative title). Comics, prose, and possibly some short essays and poems written by myself will be put into one single book. Most of these will be stories that have been published in other anthologies in the past, but this book will compile those works written solely by me in one place.
I’m proud of my accomplishments in 2017 and I’m looking forward to getting my works out in 2018! For some of my newest comics, check out the upcoming MEGABOOK 5 from CE Publishing group and the Out of the Blue anthology from Stanche Publishing, both of which will be available in early 2018 in digital format, and possibly in print at a later date. That is all for now, but there is more to come, so farewell to 2017 and happy holidays everyone!