deviantART: by:dexmaq

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E.J. Spurrell

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Contest Cancelled - Celephi Press

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

I've decided, due to lack of interest, to close down my artwork contest. We're sitting here, two weeks away from the deadline, and we still have only one submission (albeit a good one!)

Therefore, I've decided to go down another route for this, hiring artists privately for piecework.

However, there is another piece of big news, especially for Children of the Halo fans. Celephi Press is now publishing the revised chapters of Children of the Halo through the website. Any and all future installments of the Engines of Creation series will additionally be posted there as well, plus some other goodies.

The site features a blog where the book will be posted, a wiki dedicated to the Engines of Creation universe, forums, and a forum-based play-by-post role-playing game set just after the end of the first book.

The site is still fairly new and fresh, and it still hasn't hit many search engines, so help a guy out and give him some hits, write in the forums and offer comments!

Thanks,

EJ.

Contest Entries

http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/18842886/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:24:33 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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I've Done It!

Click Here for Contest Info

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm proud to announce the launch of the Celephi Books Website, where Children of the Halo and future books written by myself will be published. In addition, the website will grow over the coming weeks and months as I add features, including (but not limited to) a wiki dedicated to the Engines of Creation series, an official Forum-based Play-by-Post RP which will tie into the second book, The Liar's Law.

Please keep in mind that much of the site is still under construction for the time being, but I invite you to come in and create an account and participate in our forums, or at the very least offer suggestions on how to improve your visit.

Also, as a note to authors here on dA, I am currently in the process of working out many factors of the publishing world, so at this time I will not be accepting manuscript submissions. Keep your eyes on the site, however, because in the near future I plan on publishing the works of others.

Thanks,

EJ.

Contest Entries

~dexmaq Thus Began Revisions http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/18540177/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/18540177/ Wed, 28 May 2008 08:27:13 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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Thus Began Revisions

Click Here for Contest Info

So, in case you hadn't already noticed, I've finished the first draft for Children of the Halo. This deserves a well-rounded w00t!

It took me just a little over three months to write the entirety of the 220,000 or so words. (The exact number escapes me). At that rate, I can whip NaNoWriMo no problem. I do believe I'll enter this year.

But for now, at least, I must work on revisions. So far, the prologue has been entirely rewritten. I'm going to be reshaping a few things here and there over the next little while, and I may not announce it all the time, but you can usually tell how far I am during the revisions, because as I revise, I change the title of the deviation from "Engines of Creation" to "Children of the Halo."

But anyhoo, if anyone spots me goofing up in any of the revisions (or even the draft), please point it out. It'd be appreciated.

Nonetheless, I'm still eager to hear everyone's thoughts on the first book in the series. The next book will be coming in much the same format as the first book, by piecemeal online.

So enjoy. I did.

... ]]> ~dexmaq The Countdown Begins http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/18281269/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/18281269/ Sun, 11 May 2008 21:35:58 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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The Countdown Begins

Click Here for Contest Info

Hey thar folks, just wanted to give a little update on how everything's going over on this end. Great. As of the time this journal entry's been posted, I've finished up to Chapter 38 of Children of the Halo. The outline is telling me there's only seven more chapters, give or take. At the rate I've been writing, it'll be two weeks. Then I can safely go back and deal with the revisions, keeping me dead on with my schedule of having everything ready for publishing by August.

In other news, I've also started a project on the side. It's still in its infant stages, mind you, but it's a way for YOU to interact with the Engines of Creation Universe in a potentially offical capacity. I've started a play-by-post RPG forum over Here. It's still experimental, keep in mind, but the idea is that there's a gap between the first and second book, which is where the forums come in. You can sign up, create characters and play them within the EoC Universe. I'll be actively involved in the forums, guiding it along in an official capacity, and supplying players with "missions" and "quests", which will have overall bearings on the plot of the second book. So check it out, you might like it.

Also, I'd like to mention two things. First of all, I want to give a huge shout and thanks to =Goses for her lengthy and all-too-flattering journal feature on Engines of C... ]]> ~dexmaq It Updates Contest Info http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17988220/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17988220/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:56:35 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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Updated Contest Info

Contest Information

Book Cover Contest: Submissions should be high resolution, with a space at the top of the image to allow for the book and author titles. (About 1/4). Sizing shouldn't matter, as I can resize/crop the image to suit the format. Ideally, the book cover should feature either a number of characters from the book, or alternatively a scene from the novel with three or more characters. Please be aware that by submitting a book cover, you are agreeing that should your artwork win first prize, it will be used as the official book cover, and that the prize will be considered as payment in full for the right to use the artwork as the book cover.

Artwork Contest: Submissions can be of any resolution and any style, and should be of characters, locations, scenes or props and objects from the book.

Entries that DO NOT receive a prize may still be purchased from the artist for use in the book, or in a promotional aspect. Details will be discussed after August 1, 2008.

Accepted Styles

All styles are accepted in submissions, however, the artwork submitted must be ENTIRELY your own, including (but not limited to) stock footage for photomanips (You may also feel free to use any stock off of my stock account,

.)

Submissions

Artwork submissions (for either contest) must be submitted through notes. On the note, please mention whether the submission is for the book cover contest or the artwork contest.

You may submit as many entries as you would like in either category, however, each artist is only... ]]> ~dexmaq The Art Show/Contest http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17912486/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17912486/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:43:39 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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The Art Show

So the time is fast approaching. The time when I wrap up the first draft of Engines of Creation: Children of the Halo. The time when I go back and revise. By August, it will be completed.

And so, I've decided to send out requests now, for character designs, city designs, artwork inspired by the story (thus far), and other such stuff.

I'm sending out the call to any and all artists. I need sketches of my main characters. I need drawings of the cities, the landscapes, the various races of Eiden Myr.

And there's more. I also need a book cover.

So here's the deal. Between now and August 1, 2008, I'll be accepting submissions for character designs, book covers and any piece of artwork directly inspired by Engines of Creation. So I've decided to open a contest.

There are two categories.

Book Cover

Should be high resolution, with a detailed fore and background, featuring at least three or more main characters. Artwork should be entirely your own and original.

1st - $75 + 6 month subscription
2nd - $25 + 3 month subscription
3rd - 3 month subscription

Other

I will accept any other piece of artwork inspired by EoC. Character and location descriptions will be provided upon request. Just note me.

1st - $25 + 3 month subscription
2nd - $10 + 3 month subscription
3rd - $10 OR 3 month subscription

Note: All cash rewards will be paid out in either Deviantdollars or through a paypal account. E-mail money transfers also available. Contest winners will be announced by August 1, prizes paid out no later than September 1.

Also, please note than any submitted artwork is considered the property of the artist. If I choose to use your artwork in the finished p... ]]> ~dexmaq Late-Night Ramblings http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17709511/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17709511/ Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:14:02 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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Journal

Sometimes I hate working the graveyard shift. Oh well, at least it gives me time to do the writing. Nonetheless, it means that occasionally I have trouble sleeping during the middle of the night on my days off. That's usually when boredom strikes and I start getting into trouble.

Nonetheless, since most of my friends are sleeping it off at this time on a Saturday night, and I've been sober for almost 2 years, it gives me that alone time that I do so desire. Time to write. Time to manip. Time to create.

Let's not forget time to blaze.

Which brings me to another point.

Engines of Creation is coming along quite well. So well, in fact, that I'm currently an entire week ahead of schedule. The next chapter isn't due out for another 7 days or so. Hell, chapter 22 wasn't due to be completed until the 9th. At the rate I'm going, the first draft may be completed by a lot sooner than June 1.

If I go by my four-chapters-a-week policy, I could be done by the end of April. Revisions by July.

But I don't want to burn myself out. After revisions, I'll be going straight to book two, which I've been having plenty of nifty ideas about. Especially once Dunsmith has become an established part of Eiden Myr.

But I don't want to give a thing away. You'll just have to wait.

Beyond that, I also want to share my desire to quit smoking. I'm aiming for the 30th of this month as my last day. As of then, I'll be moving in with a non-smoking roommate, and thusly won't be allowed to smoke indoors. It gets cold sometimes in Canada. Especially with female roommates.

http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17572257/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:27:11 PDT

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E.J. Spurrell

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Journal

I got this CSS thing nailed. Thanks to

for the sweet CSS setup. Anyway, I just thought I'd set this up, and let you know a few things. First off, I've got a sweet idea for a manip, and I've even got my own model for this one. It'll be the first of a series featuring the Old Gods. You'll like it. I promise.

In other news, I just got over a hardcore fever. (The same morning I posted the last two manips, in fact.) And I've been spending the last few days extracting the chunks of hardened phlegm from my sinuses. Just thought I'd share that with y'all.

I've also been having trouble keeping track of characters in Engines of Creation, it's one of those stories that calls for many characters doing many different things, and it's easy to lose track of which character was which, but I'll soon be compiling a character database on who was who. I'll put it up when I'm done, but I can't promise there won't be spoilers. I'll try to keep it on the DL, though.

So, to all who took the time to read this journal, thanks for the interest, but it's not much. I've been toying with the idea of featuring some of the artwork I find around dA. I'll look into it. Doesn't seem like much work.

My Features

http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17522856/ Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:55:16 PDT

. It's a small gallery for now, but over the next few weeks I'll be stocking it full of good images. Just you wait.

In other news, I've taken a bit of a break from writing Engines of Creation, but not too much of one. Expect the next chapter before the end of March. From that point on, I *should* be posting a chapter at least once every three days or so. At least, that's what my schedule says.

Okay, then. Just thought I'd let you in on that little update. So head on over, check out the stock. You know the routine.

Peace.

]]> ~dexmaq It Gets an Idea http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17338883/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17338883/ Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:32:37 PDT
Engines of Creation: FFRP

I'm thinking about setting up a Phpbb-based forum site to act as a Free-Form Role-Playing Game based in the Engines of Creation Universe-- taking place during the "Null time" between book one and book two. (And yes, there will be a book two.)

Engines of Creation: Prequel RPG

I'm still trying my hand at coding, to no avail. But yet, RPG Maker VX seems to be a viable option in telling the story of Nalya, Bayne and Keltz before they met the citizens of Dunsmith. The only problem with RPG Maker VX is, however, that you need to have a copy of the engine in order to make the game work, and it costs $60.

Well, shit.

Still, there are other options. Engines like Sphere and GameMaker. There are numerous options, but I lack the technical skill to employ most of them. (IE: Coding)

Engines of Creation: d20?

I admit I don't understand much about the system, but that's not to say I can't learn. I'd be very interested in working with someone who understood the system to help make a supplement for d20. Or maybe another popular system? I'm open to suggestions.

The idea here is that I'd like to open the universe, as I establish it more concisely, to the public domain. I'm planning on opening a wiki, where I'm going to compile many of my notes on the story and its elements. (sans spoilers, mind you.)

I'm going to open it up to fanfiction as well. In fact, I welcome the idea wholeheartedly. The rules are simple: Create characters, populate Dunsmith and the Disputed Lands, but don't step on my toes. Ask before using any of my main characters for anything.

Soon I'm going to start working on a site for Engines of Creation which will encompass many of the things I've already talked about. My eventual goal is to create a community to keep this story alive.

Thanks for your time.

Dex.

~dexmaq Vinyl Winter of the Second Score http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17290239/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17290239/ Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:06:21 PDT
Well, I screwed that pooch. My apologies for the horrid job on formatting, and the lack of a chapter title, folks.

So I spent much of the afternoon going back and editing the chapters so that they're easier to understand. I also decided to make a .pdf for people to download of Engines of Creation from the prologue all the way through chapter nine, 111 pages of fantasy goodness. So if you haven't checked it out yet, download it here:

Also, I signed up for membership in a number of different clubs today-- writing clubs, mostly. I'm trying to get more exposure for Engines of Creation, and I'm just gathering my thoughts on how this should be done. Any ideas, folks?

]]> ~dexmaq Tales From the Till http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17251597/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17251597/ Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:34:21 PDT at the till, but I'm here in spirit nonetheless. I've been up all night on my night off (graveyard shifts. *shrug*) plugging away at Engines of Creation all night. Then I took a break to mess around with photoshop some more. I'm working on a new photomanip, playing around with some new techniques, see if I can do anything cool enough.

Other than that, I'm on a roll with Engines of Creation. I managed to plug away and finish up two chapters tonight, and I've already got half of yet another chapter finished. Not only that, but Engines of Creation is now officially at 101 pages long. (At least at 12 point in OpenOffice.) That's a major milestone for me-- first original fiction I've ever written that's at 100 pages. But keep in mind, I've got an additional 88 pages written so far, however they're spaced throughout the story.

But still! I'm starting to connect those pages to the main story, and it's helping me along quite well.

Needless to say, I'm going to keep plugging away at it, and we'll just have to see where it all goes.

Thanks for your support, people. I love you. No, seriously.

]]> ~dexmaq RPG Maker, Ho! http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17187260/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17187260/ Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:15:39 PST
Now I've fiddled around with RPG Maker program for years, but I was always dissatisfied with my lack of understanding of the scripting system. I still understand it very little, but I find the biggest problem for me was taking the time to script out a game.

For some reason, the versatily in RPG Maker VX has changed that.

So if anyone is wondering what's taking me so long in updating my shit, it's 'cause I've been wasting my time away with (yet another) project that makes me no money. Whatsoever.

Don't you hate it when you answer your own question, and you realize you don't like the answer?

Shit.

Nonetheless, here's a few screenshots.

[IMG][link]
[IMG][link]
[IMG][link]

Now I'm going to get back on track. Damn.

]]> ~dexmaq Life or Death Struggles http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17081079/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/17081079/ Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:14:49 PST
As if that weren't bad enough, I was at a particularly crazy party Saturday night, and I'm still recuperating from that.

And here I am, getting ready to go to work at ten after nine in the evening.

Ugh.

That being said, I'm taking a bit of a break on Engines of Creation. I had almost finished chapter five, but I was stupid and not thinking, and forgot to save before I shut the computer down.

Whoops.

But on the plus side, it looks like I'll be getting back into various photomanipulation pieces as my model pool seems to have grown, and the ideas flow as thus. So, all it's gonna take is a time when both I, and my model-of-the-day have some time to play dress up and snap some shots. So, tentatively, it'll be sometime next week I'll have some new shots to play around with...

Peace out, all. I'm off to work.

Ugh.

]]> ~dexmaq Death and Taxes http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/16973392/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/16973392/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:38:04 PST
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all about helping out the environment. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch scares the living hell out of me. But honestly. We've had the technology to use clean-burning fuel sources since the 60's. Forty years, folks. It's getting ridiculous.

And NOW they're taxing US?

Why not tax the oil companies, who strip mine for oil, then convince the governments to raise taxes so that they have a continuous money flow. The same companies that continuously buy up patents for free energy generators, and in some cases, institutionalizing the scientists researching the area. That, in turn, causes us to continue burning fossil fuels to generate electricity.

Well, damn. I guess I forgot that the guys who own all those big powerful companies have the government in their pocket.

All of them.

But not to worry, oh Davey Rockefeller! I'll just continue to pay my taxes and be a good little Canadian. I'll eat my Mickey-Dee's and shop at the Gap while I talk about the last episode of One Tree Hill with the rest of the flock at Starbucks.

Good thing I don't drive.

]]> ~dexmaq On with the writing! http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/16953886/ http://dexmaq.deviantart.com/journal/16953886/ Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:46:47 PST
I just released chapter one today, which deals with the setting of the novel, and I'll be spending the next few days touching up chapter two for release, and subsequently chapter three. Four might take a bit longer, as there are entire scenes which have yet to be written. But I've since rededicated myself to this project, and I've been spending almost every waking moment either thinking about it, or working on it. It will be completed.

I've decided to put any future photomanipulation projects on hold until I can procure myself a tablet. I just can't get precise enough with my laptop's touchpad.

I've also sprung for a three month subscription to DA. Paypal, however, wants to take a few days for the transaction to go through. I expect it'll be done by tomorrow.

Upon which time I'll be putting the finishing touches on Chapter Two, and putting it up.

Woot.

Ttyl,

Dex

]]> ~dexmaq