In other news, Shadow Schism is finished! Here is the pitch (which is not yet finalized):
Nick considers his life to be relatively normal. However, that perception is radically altered
when, in the span of twenty four hours, three unexpected events occur. First, a folk singer tells him that he is the
embodiment of sin (although the singer doesn't specify which one). Then a verbose raven tells him that he has
been chosen to save the world from impending cataclysmic disaster. Finally, just when Nick thinks he might be
regaining some shred of his sanity, an attractive woman named Susan seeks his
assistance when shadows attack her in a parking lot. From there, things start to get weird.
Although Nick is an unlikely (and not altogether willing)
hero, when strange beings disguised as animals begin to talk to him, what real
choice does he have but to listen? Rifts
are forming between conscious reality and the shadow world and, as these chasms
grow, hostile animated shadows are beginning to leak into physical reality
through the cracks. Unless he can seal
the rifts, all of reality will be doomed.
Finding himself suddenly saddled with this grandiose and improbable
mission, Nick reluctantly embarks upon a surreal journey. He encounters nine different animal totems,
each with its own cryptic message. He consults
with a witch, an oracle, and evasive subliminal agents in order to learn how
best to do battle against the denizens of shadow as they invade waking reality in
a variety of harrowing forms. And, with
a little luck, he might even manage to win Susan's heart along the way. But will he be able to find a way to close
the rift between worlds before it's too late?
SHADOW SCHISM is a droll and unsettling tale of speculative
fiction that will leave you questioning what you believe to be real.
