Irregular Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Kickstarter, Solar Pons Goes Audio, Sherlock Holmes Steampunk now on Amazon,and an Author interview with Harry DeMaio

This is a pretty jam packed update. We've got a lot going on at Belanger Books!

The Irregular Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Now on Kickstarter! The First Ever Collection of Traditional Sherlock Holmes Stories Specifically Written for Young Adults!

Belanger Books is proud to present a new collection of over twenty traditional Sherlock Holmes stories written specifically for young adults -- including a brand-new MACDOUGALL TWINS adventure!

The story collection is written by professional writers such as David Marcum (The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes stories), Derrick Belanger (Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Seven), Elizabeth Varadan (Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls), Will Murray (creator of Marvel Comics Squirrel Girl),  Rob Nunn (The Criminal Mastermind of Baker Street), Robert Perret (Sherlock Holmes: Before Baker Street),  Peter Eckrich, Dick Gillman (Sherlock Holmes, The Collector's Edition), Kieran Judge, and Derek Nason (Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of H.G. Wells), as well as a variety of student writers. Plus an introduction by Shannon Carlisle, BSI.

The book comes in the regular edition, plus a limited edition only available during the Kickstarter! The proceeds will be donated to the Beacon Society which provides scholarships to school and libraries to help introduce students to the Sherlock Holmes canon.  

Please back the project today on Kickstarter by following this link!

Solar Pons Goes Audio

For the first time ever, the first Solar Pons book, In Re: Sherlock Holmes, is a available in audio. Read by the impeccable Steve White who is most noted for his Sherlock Holmes audio books, this is a must have for Holmes and Pons fans alike.

The audio book is available on Amazon and directly on Audible.

Now on Amazon: Sherlock Holmes Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk!

After an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, both volumes of Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk is now available in print and Kindle formats on Amazon!


Description:

Imagine Holmes trying to solve the case of a fire breathing dragon lurking in the skies above London - matching wits with a sentient mechanical man with the power to destroy the world - soaring in the skies with airship pirates  - using his deductive skills to help stop Professor Moriarty from attacking alternate Earths! These are just some of the stories included in the new two volume anthology Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk.

Tales of a Retro Future - Volume one of the anthology features stories with a focus on steampunk inventions.  See airships cloud the skies, robotic swans attack, and apparatuses appear to raise the dead.

Mechanical Men and Otherworldly Endeavours - Volume two of the anthology features stories with a focus on robotic creatures and otherworldly adventures. See Holmes team up with intelligent animals from an alternate Earth, switch bodies with Dr. Watson, and travel to another dimension.

Get your copies on Amazon today!

Author Interview with Harry DeMaio on his Latest Octavius Bear Book, The Basket Case

One of the most unique Holmesian series out there is the Octavius Bear series by Harry DeMaio.  I interviewed the author via email about the series and his contribution to Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk.

Interviewer: Octavius Bear is one of the most unique detectives I've ever read. How did you come up with the character?

Harry DeMaio (HD): Thanks for the kind words about Octavius, Derrick. High praise from an accomplished and successful author, editor and publisher such as yourself.  I like to think Octavius and his crew are unique but who knows. Actually, Octavius had his genesis with Nero Wolfe (Octavius Bear-Nero Wolfe -Roman Emperors) but transmogrified into a Holmes/Wolfe hybrid. I am an animal lover (See my latest Holmes story- The Wet-Nosed Irregular) and mystery buff. The ten book (soon to be eleven) Octavius series uses an “Alternate Universe” science fiction environment and a tongue-in-cheek humor approach. It’s a genre mélange. I hope the Great Bear, his Octavians and his adventures entertain.

Your series tends to walk a fine line between being a kid book for adults or an adult book for kids. While you have cute scenes with the bear cubs, you also have a case dealing with the murder of a star athlete. Where do you see your core audience for the series? How do you set the tone to reach that audience?

HD: Each of the Octavius Books is sub-titled “Alternative Universe Mysteries for Adult Animal Lovers” They are not “kiddie-lit” although young adults seem to like them. I guess my own childish personality creeps in. Some of the earlier books were heavy on slapstick but I include little mini-essays in each book outlining some aspects of the Development of Civilization in Octavius’ World - probably a bit heavy for youngsters. The cubs are intended as comic relief as are several other characters such as Otto the Magnificent, Maury Meerkat and some of the villains. As are the limericks that open each chapter. One of my very favorite characters is Chita, whom I describe as a beautiful, fascinating, clever, sexy, immoral and highly independent feline. Not for little ones. BTW, there are quite a few female characters in my books and Octavius is married to a super-rich, glamorous, Polar Bearoness – a perfect match for him. 

You recently had an Octavius Bear/ Sherlock Holmes team up in Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk, Mechanical Men and Otherworldly Endeavours. What made you decide to have the bear meet up with the detective that inspired him?

HD: One of the major themes of the later Octavius books is the Multiverse Project – quantum mechanics- based leaps to and from alternative universes. It seemed to me that I could situate Holmes and Octavius in different universes but make it possible for their environments to intersect when mutual needs and interests arose. I’ll probably do it again. I think they make a good team.

Maurice Meerkat is your Dr. Watson character; however, Maurice goes beyond the narration of Dr. Watson in that he often breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the reader.  How did you come up with the character and why do you take such a unique way of telling the stories through Maurice's eyes?

HD: Maury Meerkat is modelled primarily on Archie Goodwin in the Nero Wolfe series. Smart, wise-cracking, a sharp contrast to Octavius personally and physically. Tiny vs. Huge!  Archie also broke the fourth wall frequently and took the reader into his confidence. A different but not incompatible character with Doctor Watson. Another hybrid situation.

Your work has been compared to the novel Watership Down. In my opinion, that comparison doesn't catch the wit and humor of your series. The only source I can think of that catches a similar feel is Zootopia, but interestingly enough, that movie came after the early Octavius Bear books.  In your own opinion, what were your literary influences for the Octavius Bear series? Is there any other work that you find is comparable to your own?

HD: I’ve already mentioned Holmes and Wolfe. Of course, there is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica and the works of Kierkegaard, Confucius, Tolstoy, Victor Hugo, Jane Austen and Mickey Spillane. (Kidding!) There was one movie I took some interest in beside Zootopia -The Great Mouse Detective. Actually, a little vanity on my part but I like to think my stuff is fairly original – for better or worse.

What books are upcoming in your Octavius Bear series? Do you plan on having an ending to your work or will the series be ongoing? 

HD: Book 10 - The Camera Case is due out in September – another wonderful cover from your brother Brian. He’s done all of my covers since Book 4 and they are great.  I’m working on Book 11 -The Wurst Case Scenario (“cultured meat” and murder) and I have plans for a Book - 12 The Book Case. Assuming the hyper-generous Steve Emecz and MX publishing are still willing. BTW. I’m in my mid-80’s. Who knows?

Any other upcoming projects?

HD: I have written several Holmes short stories, two of which you are graciously publishing. The phenomenal David Marcum has accepted a pair as well. I have a few more in the planning stage.

Any last thoughts?

HD: I would absolutely love to see Octavius and his crew in animated movies. Not an easy area to crack, unfortunately. Any advice???

You can get all nine Octavius Bear adventures on Amazon. You can also read an earlier interview I did with Harry at I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. 

Look for a special blog post soon featuring The Art of Sherlock Holmes and artwork featured in The Irregular Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Kickstarter.

Belanger Books is a small press owned by artist Brian Belanger and author Derrick Belanger specializing in new Sherlock Holmes books, Solar Pons, Children's books, Classic Sci-fi, Steampunk, and genre specific anthologies.  Some of our books have been #1 bestsellers in their categories on Amazon.