Friday, August 19, 2011

Murdock's Saga Continues

As promised, here's more to young Murdock's story.  Enjoy!

“Young man,” he shouted at Murdock, “how would you like to try and hit the bull’s eye?” The man motioned to three targets that rested a hundred feet away.

“I don’t have any money,” said the teen, barely making eye contact.
 “Not even one gold piece?” said the man. “I bet you have at least one coin in your pocket.”
“I don’t want to try!” said Murdock with agitation in his voice.

The man tried another tactic. “How about this?”

Seth tugged on his brother’s sleeve, getting him to stop. “Aren’t you going to listen to what he has to say?”

Murdock stopped and glared at the con artist. “What?”

“I’ll give you your first shot for free and, if you hit the target, you’ll win a prize.” The person pointed to a rickety bow that leaned against a table.

The teenager pointed at the prize. “That piece of junk?”

“Hey, I had to win that from a marksman! It’s a fine piece of weaponry!”

Murdock rolled his eyes.

“And if you miss, you give me that coin you’re trying not to lose.”

The young ranger instinctively touched the sack on his belt, jingling the coins it contained. Squinting, he said, “I won’t miss.”

“Then it’s a deal!” The man waved Murdock over and showed him where to stand. “Wait right here,” he said.

The teen did his best not to appear agitated, but he failed miserably. A second later, the man returned with a tattered bow and arrow.

“You want me to hit that target using this?”

“That’s right.” The man’s eyes narrowed to slits. “What’s the matter, are you afraid to lose?” The man held his stare on the teenager.

“Come on, Murdock, you can do it!” encouraged his brother.

With a scowl, the young ranger snatched the bow and arrow from the man. He raised the bow, positioned the feathered portion of the projectile, and readied his shot.

The con artist leaned closer to the bowman. “Take your time,” he said in a soft voice. “You wouldn’t want to miss.”


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Call For Artists


Overlord Enterprises, a small but expanding company geared to authors, is excited to secure an Artist Partner who will work with us to roll out online projects for both the company and clients.  Exciting in-house ideas abound and the structure of the company allows for great flexibility. As the Lead Artist, you will be in charge of bringing ideas from brain to awesome.  Presently, you will need to build out the company's project needs (both online and off-line) in order to set the base at this beginning stage.  Soon after that - and even a little presently, creative projects for clients will be undertaken.  Examples of projects include:  book cover creation, interior book illustrations, website graphics, logos, character manifestation, online comic strips, etc.


The Artist Partner is not only able to build out our projects, but will be able to strategize about various client's and their online/off-line project needs.  As such, we are not tied to any one particular artistic skill.  Rather, value is viewed via flexibility, scope, breadth, past experience and - importantly - what you can bring to the organization's future.  The right candidate will become a partner in a potentially dynamic firm which is already generating capital.


Who you will be partnering with:

Overlords Enterprises has two major components, which are run by the same team:  The Overlords (book series) and Self Publishing Insight (author consulting).  The Overlords is on the verge of releasing book 3 of it's 4 book fantasy adventure series, launching short stories online and more.  Self Publishing Insight does writing presentations, author workshops, one-on-one consulting and more.  Our current team is comprised of a CEO (who is also the author), a Business Strategist and a Marketing Associate (intern).  Together we have over 4 decades of deep writing/business experience.
  
More desirable characteristics about you:
  • You create art all the time.
  • You know the word entrepreneur and it does not frighten you... it actually excites you.
  • Your art works in both online and off-line environments. 
  • You can embrace and are open to other people's visions, but definitely have your own thoughts.
  • You can cite specific examples of your rocking artistic ways by referencing portfolios/projects/websites/apps/etc. that you have worked on.

Environment, Compensation and Opportunity:


Since this is a small start-up company, it is preferred that you are based in the Rhode Island area (the author lives in Tiverton), but will be asked to work virtually for now.  The amount of time you put into the organization is not limited, but it can be less then full time at the outset.  Compensation is currently in the form of equity, client referrals, flexible hours, full artistic voice by which to mold the organization and the ability to be in control of growing the company's future.  As soon as possible, this will also include a competitive salary and benefits for all involved.


If you are interested in creating and keeping things fresh, enjoy a challenge, love being a part of something where you're truly appreciated and constantly contributing then please send an email to jon@the-overlords.com with any relevant information you feel would be prudent to include.  The more examples the better, a resume and mentioning why you are interested are all recommended.  All applicants will be reviewed and appropriate candidates will be contacted for further talks. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Xavier Murdock -- the Back Story

In an ongoing effort to ready my fans for Book Three in The Overlords series, I'll be starting back stories on some of the supporting characters.  Xavier Murdock, known simply as Murdock throughout the saga, is one of my favorite characters.  Cut from the Han Solo mold, Murdock is always there keeping Harrison in check, swigging ale, and ready for a fight!  Keep checking back for more additions to Murdock's storyline.  Here it goes!


“How long are you going to be away?” asked the young boy, sadness in his eyes.
            His brother did not answer right away; instead, he continued to stuff his backpack with clothes and other assorted necessities.  Lifting his eyes, he said, “Seth, for the last time, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
            “But Xavier, what am I going to do while you’re not here?”
            The thin teenager stopped his packing and pointed a finger at his younger sibling.  “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t like being called Xavier?”
            Xavier Murdock, who insisted people call him by his surname, had recently piqued the interest of several elders a few days earlier, his talents with the longbow no longer hidden.
            “I should never have won that contest,” said Murdock, shaking his head.
            Over the past weekend, fourteen year-old Murdock, his parents, and his brother, attended a local fair, partaking in Aegean festivities for a whole day.  While his father drank flagon upon flagon of ale, his two sons meddled about the fair grounds.
            Murdock had always enjoyed watching the jousting contest, in hopes of watching someone get knocked senseless off his horse.  As he and Seth meandered toward the area, a man called out to them ...


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

What Overlords Fans Have Been Craving!

To all the Overlords fans out there, Mike is giving you what you have wanted!  In an effort to whet your Overlords appetite in anticipation of the upcoming release of his third book in the fantasy series, Mike will be blogging short stories of the supporting characters on a bi-weekly basis.  One of Mike’s favorite characters is Xavier Murdock, the rogue ranger and expert marksman of the group.  He definitely had a checkered past, to say the least!  Look for new blog entry in your inbox or social network of choice.