Publisher's Blog

Countdown to Action, chapter 3 posted

Publisher — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:41:54 GMT

I have posted chapter 3 of Countdown to Action! To read it, go to http://www.ftlpublications.com, click on "'Countdown to Action" and then click on "read chapter 3." (Chapter 1 is also linked on the Countdown to Action page.)

Wikipedia entry and Amazon.com review for Countdown to Action!

Publisher — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:31:00 GMT

Countdown to Action is now mentioned in Wikipedia's entry for Thunderbirds and there is a first reader review for Countdown to Action on Amazon.com

Another convention

Publisher — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:51:40 GMT

Just returned from spending a weekend at yet another convention, talking about the Thunderbirds novels and selling them as well.

Countdown to Action mentioned in FAB 60

Publisher — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:14:27 GMT

FAB is the newsletter of The Official Gerry Anderson Appreciation Society (Fanderson). Issue 60 included a very nice article about the Thunderbirds books and provided the address for reading chapter 1 (ftlpublications.com/countdown.htm).

Countdown to Action mentioned in University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy newsletter

Publisher — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:27:29 GMT

I (Joan Marie Verba) graduated from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology (school of Physics and Astronomy) in 1975. The July 2008 newsletter for the school of Physics and Astronomy just came out this week, and Countdown to Action (as well as FTL Publications) was mentioned in the alumni notes.

Action Alert Cover and Description

Publisher — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:41:42 GMT

All the Tracys are dedicated men of action, and Scott Tracy is no exception! The eldest of Jeff Tracy's sons, Scott pilots the rocket-reconnaissance aircraft, Thunderbird 1. First to arrive at any disaster scene, he evaluates the situation and coordinates the team's rescue strategy on site. Due to the importance of Thunderbird 1 to International Rescue's operation, Scott is present for nearly every rescue mission. Nonetheless, even Scott has his limitations, and in Action Alert, he stretches himself to those very limits. Can he do so without consequences to himself and International Rescue?

Cover copyright 2008 by Steve Kyte

FTL Publications on Twitter

Publisher — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:55:32 GMT

I now have a file on Twitter for brief updates. Go to http://twitter.com/ftlpublications

Next Thunderbirds novel: Action Alert!

Publisher — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:49:38 GMT

The next Thunderbirds novel will be Action Alert, which will concentrate on Scott Tracy (just as Countdown to Action! concentrated on Jeff Tracy). All the Tracys, nonetheless, will appear in the novel.

The ISBN has been assigned: 978-0-9653575-8-6

The projected publication date is November 2008.

I expect to be able to post the front cover in the next couple of weeks.

Countdown to Action! orders shipped

Publisher — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:22:49 GMT

I spent the last week shipping over 275 copies of Countdown to Action! According to the shipping confirmations, many copies have arrived already, and the others are on their way. Generally, I can ship the next business day after receiving an order.

Ordering Countdown to Action!

Publisher — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:31:08 GMT

For readers in the USA and Canada, the fastest way to get a copy of Countdown to Action by mail is to order directly from FTL Publications at shop.ftlpublications.com

For readers who prefer to order from another source, there is a list of places that carry (or will carry) Countdown to Action at http://www.ftlpublications.com/ordering.htm

Countdown to Action has arrived!

Publisher — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:01:42 GMT

The printer delivered Countdown to Action today! The books look great and I'm filling the preorders as quickly as possible.

Countdown to Action proofs approved

Publisher — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:24:39 GMT

The Countdown to Action proofs have been approved and we are on schedule for a publication date on or before Thursday, June 12. I will post once the book is published.

Countdown to Action at the printer

Publisher — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:32:51 GMT

Countdown to Action has been delivered to the printer.

Countdown to Action, Complete cover

Publisher — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:41:59 GMT

Another award for an FTL Publications title

Publisher — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:05:09 GMT

Cat’s Paw by L.A. Taylor is a Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards

FTL Publications is delighted to announce that Cat’s Paw, a fantasy and mystery novel written by L. A. Taylor, is a finalist in the 2008 National Indie Excellence Awards. This novel, originally published in 1995 and reprinted by FTL Publications in 2007, features a cover by noted fantasy artist Alicia Austin.

In Cat’s Paw, Miranda Glivven’s husband sets out on a secret assignment for the government. When he does not return, Miranda goes in search of him, starting out at his last known location. Combining elements of fantasy and mystery, the novel details Miranda’s painstaking search, in which she, out of necessity, becomes an investigator. The fantasy setting reminds the reader of the Victorian age, where trains are the main vehicles for long-distance transportation.

Cat’s Paw is another award-winning release from FTL Publications, a publisher of genre titles based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Previous award-winning titles have included Murder at the War and The Wrong World.

“Set in a world where magic is officially denied, even while it is consistently rumored to exist, Cat's Paw is an entertaining and compellingly written novel that deftly combines mystery with fantasy. Author L. A. Taylor (she passed away from cancer in 1996) is revealed as a master storyteller of immense and imaginative talent.”
--Midwest Book Review

Web site: http://www.ftlpublications.com/catspaw.htm
Book excerpt: http://www.ftlpublications.com/catspaw1.htm

Endorsements for Countdown to Action!

Publisher — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:55:12 GMT

I've received the following endorsements for Countdown to Action! which will appear on the back cover:

Thunderbirds has been my inspiration since childhood. This has been an enjoyable read and reliving of the characters and their history. I look forward to new adventures ahead as should fans old and new, too.
--David Tremont, Model maker, Weta Workshop

Verba has created a humane and human background for these characters, with foibles and weaknesses believably overcome, which makes their forming a brave, self-sacrificing force all the more credit-worthy. FAB!
--Monica Ferris, USA Today bestselling author of Crewel World and other Needlecraft Mysteries

Intended Audience for Countdown to Action!

Publisher — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:19:35 GMT

When I'm at conventions, interested parties come to me and ask what age the novels are intended for. What I tell them is that it is advertised for ages 12 and up, and that "It's not so juvenile that an adult couldn't read it, and it's not so adult that a juvenile couldn't read it." As with the original Thunderbirds television show, I did want a novel that could be enjoyed by both adults and younger readers.

There is no strong language ("hell" is about as intense as it gets), no sex, no graphic violence. There are, of course, rescues, rescues, and more rescues.

Countdown to Action, chapter 1 posted

Publisher — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:40:28 GMT

I have posted chapter 1 of Countdown to Action! To read it, go to http://www.ftlpublications.com, click on "Countdown to Action" and then click on "read chapter 1."

Shipping to the USA and Canada only

Publisher — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:39:35 GMT

FTL Publications will publish the Thunderbirds novels under a license obtained from Granada Ventures, which owns the rights to Thunderbirds.

The license permits FTL Publications to sell and ship to addresses in the USA and Canada only.

Those outside the USA and Canada can click here for more information.

Are the novels text-only novels or graphic novels?

Publisher — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:17:12 GMT

Earlier this week, I received a question asking if the upcoming Thunderbirds novels will be text-only novels or graphic novels.

The answer is that they will be text-only novels. The only artwork will be on the cover.