Now, I have about a dozen wants and wishes. Ok, maybe I have a little more than that. Most of which surround being an author. In this post, however, I aim to get a little bit more specific and talk about Nebula City.

To some of you, this makes zero sense.

What is Nebula City? It is the city where my first book is set, held on a planet much more dangerous than our own. Now that you are caught up – let me begin.

I call the book I am querying my first, realistically it is more like my third or fourth. It took me a while to actually create an entire book that I am proud of all the way in. I have never, not once, revealed the title of this book which might sound utterly strange. The reason behind this is because I was sold the idea that publishers may want to alter the title, so why would I want to sell people a title that may change? It would be like revealing the book cover I drew up for it.

So, for ease. For simplicity. I will be calling the book what I entitled it. If it changes one day, it changes. For now, the book I am querying is called Nebula: Revival which ties into my wants and wishes. See? I made it loop around.

Anyway, my wishes for Nebula City are to craft many stories set in this city, as well as the other cities on this planet. Not all the stories would be linked. Each book would be titled the city it is set and something more personal to the story being told. Hence, Nebula: Revival.

Nebula: Revival is much grander compared to the more human story ideas I have stored in my head. Along with Revival’s grand story, there is an exploration of the inner self. Many times, Alex questions who he really is and what makes him, him. While battling inner demons and mental health, he is stuck in a state of flux as he ponders what truly matters to him. Will the coveted promotion he yearns for actually bring him joy? The story branches out to rebellion, fighting oppressive systems, and standing up for what is right.

Other stories I have planned might be deemed ‘smaller’ in scope, but my aim is to have cause, reason, and a message behind each.

In saying this, I am fully aware of how traditional publishing works. I may find that a publisher might not want more stories in this world. I may find that there is no call for it which is why for now these are wants and wishes, not plans.

The pragmatic mind I hold has halted thinking about the other works set in this expansive world. The creative heart thinks to ‘Hell with that’ and imagines them anyway. As such, the second book I wrote is called Nebula: Separation. A book that, depending on the way the wind blows, may never see the light of day. Although, I sincerely hope it does.

Now, unlike the others I have planned this book is linked.

Revival is Alex’s book. A corporate worker who has bags of ambition and self-hatred. Bruised by the world he claims to fit into. He meets The Songbird – a rebellious singer who becomes his first real friend. Separation is her book. Nova. Set before the events of Revival, with little snippets set during, Separation explores her grief and building herself up. All while setting up her own fight against ‘the man.’

These character journeys are set in this strange capitalistic world where greed prevails. Each city on this dangerous planet has its own unique quirks and ways of working which is another reason I want to explore it all. As a storyteller, my main aim will always be to find stories worth telling. As someone who is constantly preparing for the worst, Nebula: Revival is a standalone in its own right. I have queried it with the phrase other querying authors may have heard time and time again: ‘a standalone with series potential.’ Boy, oh boy does this have series potential.

Each city is inspired by science fiction stories I adored, revered, and admired throughout my whole life. Most are named after space phenomena, some with Shakespearean names.

To let you behind the scenes for a moment, I have a few ideas fluttering around. One that continues to fascinate me is exploring androids within this setting. This being said, as much as I wish to explore the science-fiction space with AI and androids, no generative AI has touched my books or my art. These worlds, stories, and pieces you see on my website were constructed by my own mind. So, please do not give over any of my work to teach them. My work is my own. I am incredibly proud of that statement and long for it to continue.

My main all-important wish, reader, is that one day Nebula: Revival reaches your shelf and that you can explore the possibilities with me. Whatever the title goes onto be and whether this world tells one story or many. I wish it finds people that resonate with my words, feel linked to my characters, or feel seen.

So, if this world intrigues or excites you. If these explorations of characters make you yearn for more. I implore you, to please watch this space because I have a headful of stories and a heart that needs to share them.