Bumper City (Detective Alton Cold Mystery) Futuristic Mystery Thriller by Alan McGill Book Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway

 

 

There is a darkness far worse than the night. 

Bumper City

Detective Alton Cold Mystery Series Book 1

by Alan McGill

Genre: Futuristic Mystery Thriller

In the future, Las Vegas is nearly destroyed. Rebuilt under a dark cloud that blocks all sunlight, Sin City takes on a whole new meaning.

Beneath the neon, The Pagliacci Serial Killers are on the loose and a new drug called “Colors”, infused with nanotechnology, is killing thousands. Violence erupts as the mutant population take to the streets to protest working conditions and the disappearance of their loved ones.

Big Tech, the wealthy elite, and corrupt politicians attempt to cover it up. They can’t allow anything to interfere with the elections, profits, or their plans.

Can hard-nosed detective Alton Cold and his A.I. car Bessimer catch the killers, stop the cabal, and expose the truth? Or will the appearance of a mysterious woman cloud his judgement as the unnatural cloud darkens the sky?

To save the people he cares about, he’ll put everything on the line to confront a darkness far worse than the night.

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Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? It’s almost a cliché at this point and I hate even mentioning it. But I started writing at a young age. Doesn’t every writer say this??? Anyway, my father was a great storyteller and so was my grandfather. I probably picked it up from them. When I was 10 years old, I had a paper route (for those who have no idea what that was, I delivered newspapers to people’s houses.) It took about an hour after school. I would entertain myself by telling stories. Usually out loud. Nobody ever said anything, but looking back, they may have thought I was “touched” in the head. Maybe that’s why I got good tips.

What is something unique/quirky about you? Another cliché? Sorry folks, but it really is true. I think of myself as an introvert. Yes, I know, say it isn’t so, another introvert writer. I can speak in front of 1000 people on a variety of subjects, but put me in a room at a party, I’ll sit in the back by myself unless spoken to. I’m always polite, but terrible at small talk.

 

Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you! I generally find myself rather boring. I’ve never seen Bigfoot, or a ghost. I look for spaceships all the time, but alas none. I’m not really enamored with celebrities, but I have met a few. I will say that Al Sapienza was at Happy Valley Con in State College, PA and he stopped by my author booth. He didn’t buy a book, but he was really nice and I appreciated the brief conversation. I hope I run into him again. He’d be a great Mo LaRocca or Detective John Rollins in Bumper City, if I ever get a chance to turn it into a movie. Although I don’t think that is very interesting.

I might say that riding my motorcycle across the United States and camping along the way. Arriving late at night under darkness at a campground below Devil’s Tower, then waking the next morning to see it towering overhead was really cool.

What are some of your pet peeves? Unnecessary bureaucracy. People who critique books masquerading as “helping the author”. People who are rude and unkind. Anyone cruel to an animal.

Where were you born/grew up at? I was born in Northwestern Pennsylvania. My father was a third-generation coal miner. I lived in the family homestead briefly when I was in college. It was like living in history. My great grandfather immigrated from the Ukraine and was so proud to be an American. He raised nine children. My grandmother and her two sisters moved to Manhattan when they were young. My grandfather died early, and she moved back to raise my father. I found her guts and drive inspiring.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day? I’d rent a private jet for the day, sent the bill to Elon. Fly to Fountain Colorado to visit an old friend for breakfast. Then off to Philippe in L.A. for a French Dip (always wanted to try it there). Maybe look up Larry David and see if he wants to give the eulogy. He doesn’t know me, which should make it even funnier. If I get lucky, maybe J.B. Smooth will be there. Then I’ll take a swim in the Pacific, then look to have my last will and testament done on video. My funeral is gonna be a hoot. Some people might want to consider all the bullying they’ve done to me and others. Yeah, you’re getting called out and it’s going on Youtube. Won’t take long, I already have the script. I’ll do a tribute to all the wonderful people, friends and other I met along the way. Then I’m jetting off to Kruez’s BBQ in Lockhart, Texas where my closest friends will be flown in to enjoy my last meal. Then I’m flying everyone to the Black Hills of South Dakota and seek a nice burial plot there. We’ll party in S.D. until I croak.

Who is your hero and why? If it’s fictional, Captain America. Always does the right thing. Stands up to bullies, never waivers. If it’s IRL, my grandfather. He passed a few years ago. He worked hard all his life. With no education he joined the Navy and survived Normandy. Returned home, married his sweetheart, and stayed faithful to her until both passed in their eighties. He joined the painter’s union, became a professional contractor, and later retired from the postal service. He was grumpy and a handful, but his core was kind. Although he wasn’t a fan of animals, he never hurt any. He’d make sure my dog had water; he wouldn’t let anyone kill the big snake in his garage. He said, “he just wants to get something to eat. How would you like it if you could only see 2 inches off the ground and somebody came along to kill you.” In his early 80’s he volunteered to help teach at the local GED class. He was tough as nails but tender at heart.

What kind of world ruler would you be? I would hope a fair and compassionate one. One who lives up to his promises and treats everyone fairly. Keep people safe and well fed. Gives hope and inspiration and protects the innocent yet punishes the wicked.

What are you passionate about these days? I’m passionate about the stories I’m writing. I respect everyone’s opinion and there will be those who might not enjoy my stories, but I love to create them and it’s a great thrill when someone connects with the story.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Writing is my unwind. But that’s cliché too so I’ll spare you all that one. I like to mountain bike or trail ride. I binge watch TV. I like to create podcasts and I enjoy cooking. Not really wild about the clean-up, but I enjoy trying new recipes.

How to find time to write as a parent? Not a parent so, doesn’t apply.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less! Shy. Introverted. Loyal. Optimistic. Easy-going

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I would have to say in 2020 maybe 2021. As I answered earlier, I have been storytelling a long time, and I wrote both Bumper City and A Cry in the Moon’s Light decades ago. I didn’t do anything with either stories, but in 2020 I decided to self-publish. Once your name is out there, you are a writer by definition.

Do you have a favorite movie? Really tough question. Five way tie. Casablanca, Outlaw Josey Wales, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Gladiator, Magnum Force.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie? I think they all fit well. The Werewolf Witch Saga would be great. And Bumper City is like a futuristic Bosch. One beta reader said it is like Fallout with the gritty noir of a 50’s detective movie and the sci fi of Robocop. It’s got a lot of neon, but it’s dark and the killer clowns would be amazing. I actually started a script for Bumper City but I start the film version very different than the book. I start with Nevaeh in a future San Franscisco with a lot of light. The camera watches her desperating waiting for a call from her aunt. Then she packs her cloths and goes to the train station for Bumper City. The credits roll, Herb Albert’s “Rise” plays, and she is on a train where you see a darkness up ahead. The train goes through the wastelands and you feel the electromagnetism and heavy air slowing the locomotive. Then you notice the darkness up ahead with a neon city underneath. The train gets through the wasteland and enters the darkness where the atmosphere has returned to normal. Then Nevaeh gets of the train in Bumper City and the nightmare begins!

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? None.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? Wolf. I have a werewolves and witches saga. And Bumper City has a German Shepherd named Jericho. Gotta be a wolf.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

1. The Gunslinger – King

2. Wizard and Glass – King

3. The Princess of Mars – Burrows

4. The Warlord of Mars – Burrows

5. Canary Row – Steinbeck

6. Haxfuri – Hemfry

7. The Pit and the Pendulum - Poe

8. Dr Syn alias The Scarecrow - Thorndike

9. From a Buick 8 - King 

10. The Regulators – King

What book do you think everyone should read? The Gunslinger

How long have you been writing? I completed my first novel in 1994 but wasn’t published. I’ve written things off and on since then, but I’d have to say 2020 would be the official start.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Bit of both. Some are inspired along the way. Something I am working through the story and believe needs a new element to propel it further. That’s when I come up with new characters and places.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book? Not a lot. I usually research as I go. Although I have a story idea now and it will require some research.

Do you see writing as a career? No. It’s an expensive hobby at this point. But I’m okay with that. 

What do you think about the current publishing market? I think Amazon is a doubled edged sword. They make it possible for indie’s like me to self-publish and tell our stories, but they screw the creatives by gobbling up the profits. They have us. We can’t really do it without them, so we have to eat the gianormous royalties they take. It’s just a bit disheartening because they really don’t do much. They have their thumb on the scale and there isn’t much we can do about it.

 

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? Not much. No particular favorite genre. It just has to be interesting to me.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? I write in silence. I see the story and hear the words and prefer not to have any interference. I am the same way about reading. 

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? I have several projects going at once. Since I narrate and produce my own audiobooks, I have those plates in the air too. It’s a struggle sometimes to keep it all together. And I have write and narrate around my work schedule.

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?

Pen or type writer or computer? Computer. I’m an old guy and grew up without a cell phone or computer. But I can’t imagine writing without a computer. The editing would be a nightmare. 

Tell us about a favorite character from a book. I like Roland Deschain from The Dark Tower series. He’s magnificently written by King. All the characters are, but Roland is my favorite. 

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision? I was inspired by others to narrate books because of my voice. People seem to like it. So, I thought why not and dusted off A Cry in the Moon’s Light turning it into an audio drama as a podcast. It did very well reaching the Top 10 in Fiction Drama on Podbean in 2021. That inspired me to keep going.

A day in the life of the author? 

Advice they would give new authors? Don’t write defensively. Don’t let critics or bad reviews get to you. Everyone has an opinion, some will like it, others won’t. If you try to write with a critique in mind you’ll lose the story you want to tell. Hire a good editor, then formatter, then cover designer, and put it out there. Don’t spend a lot of money. And enjoy the story because you will edit it over and over and over and over again.

Describe your writing style. All in. It’s all on me. Like it or not. 

What makes a good story? No idea. Whatever someone likes. Everyone is different and people enjoy different things. 

What are they currently reading? 

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? I usually do an basic outline with a goal for the end. Then I do a short chapter by chapter outline. I pick off the topics in the outline as I go.

What are common traps for aspiring writers? Self-publishing isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Beware of the “marketing experts.” Social media is great networking but if you rely on your number of followers as customers, you’re bound to be disappointed. Hire a good editor. 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? For me it’s all about being original. I write stories that I like. I create worlds that are interesting for me to be in with the characters I write. I know everyone is not going to like what I like, but if I write what I enjoy, I’ll put the passion into the writing which better serves the audience. 

If you could tell your younger writing self-anything, what would it be? Learn audio engineering faster so you don’t have to spend as much money to have it done. Find a book formatter on your own, hire an editor on your own. You’ll save 50% or more and be able to put out more content. 

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? I don’t find it difficult. I am inspired by those around me and pour that experience into those characters.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? Three or four months if I’m not interrupted by life. So, the answer is about a year for me.

Do you believe in writer’s block? Yes. I have it in one of my short stories. For me it’s a puzzle to be solved. I don’t lack inspiration, but I get stalled in the story and can’t see the way forward yet. I can’t figure out the why’s, but it always comes. Sometimes it just takes a little while to work it out.

Alan McGill is an American author who lives in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents who grew up in the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who weaved humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up with these stories of right and wrong along with watching fictional heroes such as The Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America. Heroes who stood up to bullies and protected those who could not protect themselves. This made an impression on the author to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love for storytelling. He is a multi-genre author with his debut novel being A Cry in the Moon’s Light which is a horror romance and mystery series. As with all his books, one of the primary themes involves characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The second theme present in all his books is love. A pure and deep love that defeats all evil.

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