Guest Author: Jess C Scott

Other Side of LifeToday, I am excited to welcome Jess C. Scott, author of the fabulously new fantasy novel, The Other Side of Life, the first book in a new cyberpunk elven trilogy.

A thieving duo’s world turns upside down when an Elven rogue uncovers the heinous dealings of a megacorporation.

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Blending Fantasy and Sci-Fi
My upcoming publication is an urban fantasy project titled, The Other Side of Life [Book #1 in the (Cyberpunk) Elven Trilogy].

It can be classified as: Urban Fantasy / Cyberpunk / Elf Punk / YA with adult crossover appeal

It also includes a love story (which takes some time to build up; the characters “get to know each other” first), action/adventure, and a touch of philosophy.

Most of my work tends to blend and/or cross several genres. My first book was a blog/IM novel, a coming-of-age story set in the digital era (formatting the book was a nightmare!). My second book is a multiple-genre-crossing erotic short story collection. My third novel is part of a contemporary YA “seven deadly sins” series featuring a diverse range of cultural influences.

This latest project is no exception. While it is challenging to combine both fantasy and science fiction—which annoys some of the hardcore fans of each respective genre, in its classic, “undiluted” form—it is the adaptability of speculative fiction (which covers both fantasy and sci-fi) that I find really appealing. The genre allows for lots of imagination, relevance, and (perhaps demands for) clarity in both thought and language, to be able to present whole new worlds and ideas, to readers.

Cyberpunk is a derivative of science fiction. While my novel isn’t hardcore sci-fi, I invested quite a lot of time into capturing the soul/attitude of cyberpunk. This includes the aspects of counterculture and rebellion, the whole part about cyberpunk being “high tech and low life,” and the impact (usually negative) of technology upon humanity (and social interactions, by extension). George Orwell’s 1984 was a big inspiration.

As for fantasy, I’ve always been drawn to elves and dragons (I own the huge 11-year-old dragon website, http://dragonsinn.net). They both contain a timeless and majestic quality; they are the epitome of fantastical creatures which blend beauty, intelligence, and power. I thought it’d be a nice combination—to bring together the more ethereal and refined qualities of the fantasy genre, with the tough realness and edginess and “now-ness” of cyberpunk. You’d get a sophisticated type of hybrid genre, if the elements were mixed correctly.

I might anger some folks, with my unrestricted merging and “cross-pollination” of genres. But I’d rather do that, than be accused of reusing/recycling/rehashing things that have already been done before.

After all, defying mainstream formulas seems quite typical of (cyber)punk.

EXCERPT:

Social status. Nin reacted with vehemence, to the words. A strict adherence to the laws of hierarchy didn’t seem to work for humans or elves. It always resulted in a stratified society marked by inequality, by differences among people that were regarded as being in a “higher” or “lower” class.

Nin dreamed of a utopia, where happiness was more important than financial gain, where both the human and Elven races took responsibility for their actions, and practiced peace and kindness because it was morally right, not because they were “following the rules.”

But he knew that was being too idealistic.

P.S. Jess is offering a free PDF copy of the novel to early reviewers (open to readers worldwide)! More details @ http://elventrilogy.wordpress.com/

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Jess identifies herself as an author/artist/non-conformist. Her literary work has appeared in a diverse range of publications, such as Word Riot, ITCH Magazine, and The Battered Suitcase. She is currently working on a YA “seven deadly sins” series, as well as The Cyberpunk Elven Trilogy.

Contact Info
Website: www.jesscscott.com
Book Site: http://www.elventrilogy.wordpress.com/
Social Media: Facebook and Twitter

Want to purchase Jess’s novels?
The Devilin Fey at Amazon
EyeLeash: A Blog Novel at Amazon
4:Play: A contemporary cocktail of erotic short stories at Amazon
Diva at Amazon
Trouble at Amazon
Porcelain at Amazon
New Order at Amazon
Incubus Story at Amazon
Tongue-Tied at Amazon

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.