The Epic Universe Podcast has officially launched! Lee Stephen sat down with Stephanie Police to discuss several aspects of Epic, including inspiration and characters. Check it out here .
Hardcovers and Hero
3.27.09
As March comes to a close, the release of Hero draws ever nearer. The third installment of the Epic series is set to release in mid-April. Author Lee Stephen tried to explain the challenge of hitting the April 18th mark.
"April 18th always was a tentative release date. Due to our status as an independent publisher, sellers like Amazon don't always adhere to release dates we request. Books usually get placed on market one to two weeks after we upload them to our printer. We just try to time it as close as possible to hit the mark."
So what does this mean? Start checking Amazon! Hero should appear there within the next 2-3 weeks.
Speaking of releases, there's a little something else that recently hit the market: hardcovers for Dawn of Destiny and Outlaw Trigger. Both original books were reformatted not only for hardcover printing, but also to include maps and rosters. All books, both paperback and hardcover, will now come with each feature.
"Fans of the series who already have the first two books shouldn't worry," Stephen went on. "There's nothing different about the story itself, so there's no need to feel pressured into buying a newer version of what you already have. But of course, if you'd love to have hardcover versions, or if you'd like newer versions with the maps and rosters added, they are available for purchase."
Hero will be released in paperback and hardcover simultaneously.
A Hero is Coming: 4.18.09
12.05.08
Recipients of the Epic mailing list were treated to a surprise Thursday when they checked their inboxes as Stone Aside Publishing officially announced-and teased-Epic's upcoming third installment, Hero. The announcement of the April 18th release date, mixed with several excerpts from the novel and a flurry of quotes, was launched in the early hours of the morning on December 4th (the full announcement and quotes can be found on the Epic Universe Blog at http://epicuniverse.blogspot.com/ ).
"People have been asking about it," said author Lee Stephen in regards to Hero's long-awaited release date, "so we were excited about giving them a reason to pump their fists."
If the teaser was any indication, readers will have plenty of reason to do that. Epic is building momentum, and it's more than apparent that while the title of Hero may sound self-fulfilling, there are plenty of questions to ask. What has happened to the Fourteenth of Novosibirsk? How has Scott's fall affected his comrades? Who has Scott Remington become? The excerpts, while short, do provide a glimpse at life in the Fourteenth. As to their significance, that's anyone's guess.
In addition to the excerpts, a series of quotes were included in the announcement, presumably from characters in the novel, though no characters are directly identified as speakers. The quotes range from as telling as, "This is what you can't comprehend. This is our hell!" to the simplistically intriguing, "It's done."
At least one thing is certain. Hero is on its way.
If that's not a reason to pump your fists, we don't know what is.
Epic Fights for a Cure
11.01.08
Every year, over 180,000 Americans die due to complications with diabetes. It affects over 16 million people in our country and over 100 million people worldwide. It is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral nerve and autonomic dysfunction, amputations, and many other health problems. Every year, more people die from diabetes than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
Like many Americans, I was unaware of the intricacies of this disease until I saw how it affected the person I love most. As the husband of a type-1 diabetic, I witness the challenges my wife faces on a daily basis. Terms like "having a high" and "suffering a low" have become part of my permanent lexicon. I have been introduced to a world of needles, insulin pumps, and blood glucose meters. Experiencing her struggles and her triumphs has shown me just how much I take for granted.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Our goal is to bring attention to diabetes through literature, and to implore fans of Epic to consider donating to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) during this very important month. Because of the JDRF, diabetics have a network of international support and an organization dedicated to confronting and conquering this disease. There are two ways you can help.
First, you can go to www.jdrf.org and donate to the JDRF's fight for a cure personally. Just click on the "donate now" tab located at the top-right of the menu. You can give any amount you wish as either a one-time donation or a monthly commitment. No amount is too large or too small—every bit goes toward finding a cure.
Fans of the Epic series will have another option. In honor of this important month, 60% of Epic's November sales will go directly to the JDRF. Every book purchased will assist in the cause. If you know someone who might be interested in the Epic series, there is no better month than this one to get them to jump on board. They will be joining a good cause and discovering a new science fiction series at the same time.
The goal is awareness, whether through literature or personal charity. What's important is that people take action. Diabetes is a devastating disease, but one we are on the brink of curing. Please join us in this effort to raise awareness and make a difference!
If you donated because of this message, whether by contributing on your own or by purchasing a book, please let us know! We would love to know how much we were able to raise through this effort. I would also love to thank you personally for joining the fight. I can be reached at lee(AT)epicuniverse(DOT)com.
Thank you so much!
Lee Stephen
Author, Epic series
Hero Release Date Coming Soon
10.22.08
Fans of Epic, the wait will not be much longer! After surviving hurricanes and other delays, a release date for the third installment of Epic is about to be announced. According to author Lee Stephen, the release date will be announced before the end of the 2008. After that, it will just be a matter of time before Hero hits the shelves. "I couldn't be more excited," said Stephen. "Book three has been a very long process, longer than any other book. It's been a busy year."
Epic fans will have plenty to discuss before Hero's arrival. Stone Aside Publishing plans to start their promotional campaign soon, beginning with building the series' community message board. "It's been a slow off season, but that's to be expected once the books have been out for a while. Don't worry, there will be more than enough to talk about in the coming months."
A glimpse of what's to come can be seen on Epic's deviantART page, where a new wallpaper has been uploaded for users to download and view. Could fans be getting a sneak peek at one of Epic's new characters?
