FROM BOOK TO FILM

Since THE FOREVERS trilogy has been published, I've always dreamed of adapting it into a TV series. The three books would make for an incredible 3-season viewing experience. Several production companies have expressed interest in the books, but I came closest to fulfilling this dream when I actually sat down to write a compelling pitch and pilot episode for the books. In late 2020, I submitted this to a Netflix "Call for Canadian Content Submissions". Over 10,000 screenwriters applied. I was delighted when my project was shortlisted to the finalists group and I actually got to pitch the series directly to a Netflix executive who called it "one of the most original series pitches he'd seen." Our meeting went well, but unfortunately Netflix didn't go any further with it. I like to think one of the reasons was that we were at the very beginning of the pandemic and everyone was being super-cautious. In the meantime, the books continue to sell, slowly and steadily. The world of Paige and Junius and Chale is still very much alive in my mind and, to my knowledge no-one else has made a series like this, so I still hope that one day you'll see them on the screen.

I told the Netflix executive that the time is right for this series, which features a brave female protagonist who stands up for herself and beats almost insurmountable odds to fight for justice On a PERSONAL LEVEL this is the story of a young woman’s search for: • HER IDENTITY, HER PURPOSE, HER FAMILY • LOVE, MEANING, BELONGING – all issues very important to young people today On a WIDER LEVEL this story resonates globally, touching on: • Humanity’s relationship to DEATH and the quest for IMMORTALITY, which are universal themes that cross historical, cultural, racial and geographic boundaries. • The nature of POWER and the constant conflict between government, private industry and organized crime to exert control over the lives of ordinary people. Let's hope this is the year for THE FOREVERS to make it to the screen!!

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Since completing THE FEEDERS, many people have asked me if Paige's story is over and done with. What's my response? Yes it is. For now. But I'm not ruling out another episode in Paige's long, long life. Especially since there are a few loose ends left. But I don't want to mention that here in case you're reading this and you haven't finished THE FEEDERS.
I'd love to see this trilogy made into a movie! Any ideas who might play the main parts? I'd love to hear from you. And now you can contact me through my beautiful new website. Check out the CONTACT page right here. Let me know who'd make a great Paige, or Chale or Junius?

Oh and before I forget, if you've enjoyed any of my books, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE write a review on Amazon and Goodreads. I know that if you read the books on Kindle Amazon asks you for a star rating at the end. That ISN'T a review. You need to actually write a review. Even a one-line review will do. They're so important to us indie authors.

Right now I'm working on a new YA book. The working title is THE MOONBOW. Here's the blurb!

To draw the bow, to hurl the javelin, to bestride the horse, these are our arts.

 Of womanly employments we know nothing

2055: Myrine lives on an island in the Pacific ruled by women who, tired of the warring ways of men, left the mainland and,  follow the Amazon warrior tradition. Reproduction is carried out in a yearly “coupling” trip to a neighboring island. Male children are taken away by the ruling grandmothers. Where do they go? Nobody knows.

 When Myrine discovers Tom washed up on the beach, his father killed by sharks, she takes pity on him and hides him, bringing food to keep him going and learning more about the world on the mainland. As she gets to know him she realizes that all she’s been told about the evil of all men isn't true, since Tom is a healer.

 Myrine is training for her coming of age ceremony when she’ll be presented with a ceremonial bow denoting her full warrior status. Because of her prowess, she earns The Moonbow, the most prestigious honor for a young warrior, which means she will join the leader’s personal guard.

 But when her sister gives birth to a boy and Myrine witnesses the baby being cruelly taken away by the guards. She follows them into the forest and finds a secret place where male babies are kept until they’re sent away to an unknown destination.

 When her sister confides in Myrine that all is not right and their leader may be corrupt, Myrine risks her life and  joins with Tom, to travel to the dangerous mainland and find out what's going on.

EXCITING NEWS!

I'm offering a $20 Amazon gift card to the first person who either sends me a message via my website, OR recruits another member to my mailing list. Writing a review would also be great!!

HAPPY READING!!

THE FINAL CHAPTER IS HERE!!

I'm so happy to announce that the final instalment of The Iduna Project is available now on Amazon.com and all other Amazon stores.
It's been two years since I started this journey with Paige, Chale, Junius and all the other characters who've slipped in and out of the action. Some have returned and - sad to say - others didn't for various reasons.
I originally came up with the idea after reading an article about some research studies on the prevention of ageing. I realized then that there were no Young Adult books dealing with this topic and yet it's our young people today who may see this research pushed to the forefront of scientific discovery.
What did I learn from writing these books? Well - I learned that living forever might be a much more complex idea than we realize. First, the unrest resulting from a discovery of this type would be almost catastrophic as corporations, government and even criminal organizations fight to control it. Second, the reality of living forever has its advantages and drawbacks as Paige soon discovers. It would take a great deal of mental strength to keep going.
I guess I can say the main thing I learned is this - as Emily Dickinson so eloquently says:Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.

As human beings, our need for love and freedom and belonging outweighs anything else in our lives and as Lynette, Paige's beloved mother surrogate tells Paige: “Your love for me is my immortality, Paige. That’s how I’ll live forever. The rest is just vanity.”

So, does Paige find her freedom? Does she meet her father? Does she find happiness with someone? And who is that someone?

I guess you'll have to read THE FEEDERS to find out!!

The paperback version will be out in a couple of weeks!! There are two versions of the cover. Check out one below (just ignore the Shutterstock logo for now!)

A BOLD NEW LOOK

Every now and again I love to change my covers. It's never irreversible, but sometimes it just reignites interest in the books. Since I'm close to finishing Book 3 of the trilogy, I had a whole new series of covers for The Iduna Project designed by Ida at Amygdala Design. I'm previewing them here and I'm looking for your feedback about them.
What do you think of these bold new designs? Let me know. Give me your thoughts and you could be the recipient of a complimentary copy of The Feeders when it finally comes out! You'll have to email me at marjoriedeluca1@gmail.com because the comments command at the end of the blog post hasn't been working. (Note to self: Must check this out and fix it!). Please let me know. Don't hold back!

COVER REVEAL: THE FINAL CHAPTER

I'm so excited to reveal the new cover of THE FEEDERS, the final book of THE IDUNA PROJECT. Designed by the wonderful Jeanine Henning, it completes the beautiful trio of covers. Here's a quick preview of the cover blurb:

Paige has survived the Battle of Sin City, even though Antoine is injured and Yul holds Junius hostage at Iduna Central. She returns to Carter City with Chale, determined to find her father on Masalina Island, a place that could provide permanent sanctuary for the Forevers.

But Marcia has other ideas and when Junius’s father shows up unexpectedly, plans for the next mission to save Junius go into high gear. Meanwhile a shocking discovery among the ARP residents of Golden Heights threatens Yul’s entire empire making him desperate to get to Paige and her father who may hold the key to the success of The Iduna Project.

Paige must find the courage to outwit Marcia and Yul otherwise she’ll always be a pawn in the race for immortality. But she faces a tough road and unexpected dangers and revelations in her search to uncover the truth about all the players involved in the Iduna Project.

Can Paige finally find freedom and happiness? And who will she find happiness with?

Find out in the gripping final episode of The Iduna Project.

I'm working hard to get the book finished, but it will soon be available for pre-order on Amazon. And I do hope the final book will tie up this story that has been such a joy to write!

I'll keep you posted on its progress!

DIVERGENT -a great adaptation

I'm not always a huge fan of book to movie adaptations, and I wasn't a huge fan of Veronica Roth's novel Divergent, but I'm going to take another look at it now I've seen the movie. Directed by Neil Burger and starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet, this is a tense, deep and beautifully adapted movie.
Roth's idea of a society divided according to dominant personality characteristics is a brilliant and original one, though it reminded me a little of the class system in Aldous Huxley's classic, Brave New World.
The movie's setting is the grim and crumbling urban landscape of Chicago, where the population is kept in check by making sure everyone fits into their chosen roles. There's no room for individuality or multi-faceted personalities in this society. You blindly follow your chosen course because the leaders know best, although there's a power struggle going on between the leaders with brains and the the leaders with a conscience. Sounds like business as usual, 2014!!

Shailene Woodley plays Triss, a courageous, gutsy girl who suspects she's Divergent, meaning she doesn't fit neatly into one category. This puts her in danger because the leaders don't want people with well rounded personalities who can't be controlled. She manages to pass herself off as Dauntless, which starts off all the action in the story and leads to her discovery of a sinister plot that she must overthrow.
Shailene Woodley is a perfect Triss. Strong, cool, brave, conflicted and caring. Theo James as Four is handsome, mysterious and absolutely magic on screen. This is a movie with a little more thought and depth than The Hunger Games and I was glued to the screen the whole time, invested in the compelling characters.
I'm definitely going to check out the book again!!

THE FOREVER ONES NEWS!! The book hit #1 on 2 Amazon bestseller lists and went up to #72 in the entire Kindle store for free downloads. Paige is definitely on the move!
THE PARASITES has received some great reviews and is on Kindle Countdown this week.

THE PARASITES! Live in the Kindle Store

LIVE IN THE KINDLE STORE!! THE PARASITES, Part 2 of The Iduna Project. 

Follow the continuing story of Paige, Junius and Chale as they fight Big Business and Big Crime in an effort to stop the exploitation of the Forever Ones.

The paperback version will be out next week!

COVER REVEAL: THE PARASITES

Once they’re inside you, there’s only one way to stop them

I'm delighted to finally reveal the cover for BOOK 2 of the Iduna Project series. The book is now going through final edits and will be available in the middle of June. I'd hoped to get it out earlier, but was sidetracked by work on my adult historical fiction novel, UNNATURAL.
 It's always fun to rejoin Paige, Junius and Chale as they continue in their quest to make sense of the strange and dangerous world they've discovered after escaping from the Iduna compound, and this book takes them deep into the desert to Sin City and the bizarre world of the Crime Lords.
 My travels to Arizona and Las Vegas really inspired the setting for this novel, as well as  a Vanity Fair article entitled Three Planetary Futures, which imagines the future Las Vegas as a strange and arid eco-tourist destination where once-opulent hotels crumble into the dust and colonies of kangaroo rats inhabit ruined Bellagio suites. All because the water supply was redirected to larger population centres. Check this fascinating article out here.
This beautiful cover was designed once again by the wonderful Jeanine Henning. Check out her work here and I'll keep you updated on release dates as well as feature some background info and excerpts in coming blogs.

THE PARASITES: PART 2 OF THE IDUNA PROJECT

I'm really enjoying writing THE PARASITES, the second book in the trilogy, THE IDUNA PROJECT. 
The story opens in Carter City, Junius's idyllic home. Life seems to be perfect. Well almost! Paige, as usual, discovers a not-so-perfect side to this peaceful paradise, but she's alone in her suspicions. Her friends Kumaresh and Ida love it there and Toby and Chale are back in Tinsel Town on a mission. Before she can confront Junius, they're sent away on their secret mission to infiltrate the Crime Lords and find out how they're using the forever serum, as well as discover the link to Sin City and The Iduna Corporation. After some gruelling training and preparation, Paige and Junius are plunged into the dangerous world of the Crime Lords. They meet the handsome, but dangerous Antoine and make some unexpected discoveries about Paige's past.

Chale shows up when she least expects him to, and Paige is forced to make decisions she never imagined in her wildest dreams.
One thing never changes - the people with power will do anything to gain control of the Forever technology. Who will emerge victorious? You'll have to read THE PARASITES. Due out in April 2014!

OH and by the way, THE FOREVER ONES will be on sale on Kindle Countdown starting Jan. 29th!!

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE BURNS BRIGHTLY

Suzanne Collins' series, THE HUNGER GAMES, was groundbreaking in many ways. It ripped teen readers away from endless stories about vampires and werewolves and set off a kind of dystopian revolution. Soon young readers were really thinking about the future and pondering some deep questions about the way power corrupts, the growing influence of mass media, and the resilience of a young, courageous female hero committed to do the right thing given the choice to kill or be killed.

I found the movie adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES Part 1 disappointing and lacking the excitement of the novel. This is definitely not true about CATCHING FIRE, a dark, simmering follow up that finds Katniss completely traumatized by her experience in the Hunger Games. Victory hasn't been sweet and though she has a nice house in The Victor's Village and plenty of food for Mom and Prim, she's haunted by the memory of what she had to do to get there. The action starts up again with a visit from the menacing President Snow ( a wonderfully creepy Donald Sutherland) who says he's onto Katniss's whole charade about being in love with Peeta and he has no intention of letting her become a figurehead for a revolution in the Districts. What follows is Katniss and Peeta's struggle to stay ahead of Snow's game and survive a Victory Tour and another round of the Hunger Games.

CATCHING FIRE is far more gritty and realistic than its predecessor and Jennifer Lawrence is both beautiful and tortured in the role. Even the superficial Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) is given an opportunity to show more depth and the new allies in the games - the gorgeous Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), the ballsy Johana Mason (Jena Malone), the weird genius Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and the mad genius Wiress (Amanda Plummer) are all fully realized characters adding interest and variety to the action. Similarly, Haymitch (a terrific Woody Harrelson)and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) have more complex stories this time around and there's some real on-screen chemistry between Katniss and Peeta as their relationship develops.

With this movie THE HUNGER GAMES movies has become more than a comic book series. The story poses real, significant questions about human nature and our hunger for the sensational whether it relates to love, hatred or violence - a hunger that has been and will continue to be exploited by the media. On the positive side the story does show that there will always be brave people who put their lives on the line to do the right thing and love will win out in the end.

FOREVER ONES UPDATE!!
The newly designed novel will be available on a Kindle Countdown Deal starting SUNDAY DECEMBER 1ST. Get your copy now!

New Cover Reveal:THE FOREVER ONES

I'm really excited to reveal the new cover for THE FOREVER ONES designed by the amazingly talented Jeanine Henning. She's taken the original cover and given it new life and colour. I'm so pleased to offer you the new version on Kindle and in paperback. Check it out. The Forever Ones is still consistently in the Amazon Top 100 YA/Children's Dystopias. The new cover will be available within the next 48 hours on Amazon.

Hope you like it!

Life in the Iduna Compound

The main rule in the Iduna Compound is to enjoy yourself to the max, be what you want to be and when you get tired of it, be something else! You have forever to enjoy yourself. Or do you? 

Paige has a great time at The Beachside Club with Chale and his friends. Check out the pink bikini, Chale's choice!

 





UPDATE ON THE FOREVER ONES! Check out the latest great review on Goodreads and Amazon:

Big Success for Paige!!Amazon bestseller!

When you're an indie author, part of your daily ritual involves checking your book sales. Amazon also ranks you in various categories according to how well your book is doing. I didn't pay much attention to this at first since I was getting rankings like 225,000th in the Kindle store and 1,000, 569 in all books.
But I can truly say that persistence pays off. With the help of enthusiastic reader reviews, connecting with really supportive people in the indie author world and some Facebooking, Tweeting, blogging etc. I was blown away when I glanced at my ranking today to see that THE FOREVER ONES is ranked at #19 in the Kindle store for Teen/children's Sci-fi Dystopian novels.
Now this ranking changes hourly and when you click on the above link my ranking may have changed but I just want to savour this moment of glory for the duration of this blog!!!
What does this ranking mean? It means that Amazon puts more effort into promoting you. After all, if you're successful, they are too.
So it seems that the character of Paige, the plucky daydreamer with a burning sense of curiosity, has resonated with readers. I'm working on the second volume now. So I'll keep you posted on expected date of publication.

IDUNA PROJECT:FANTASY OR REALITY?

Could this ever happen?

Since writing THE FOREVER ONES, I'm always watching out for the latest developments in the science of aging, life expectancy and age reversal. I like to keep an eye on things because this type of discovery will be so significant and have such an impact on our society, I'd like to know in advance!

Here are a few things I've discovered:

- Dr Carol Greider won the Nobel Prize in 2009 for her discovery of telomerase, the key to the aging process. Check this video to hear her talk about the exciting discovery. All the latest research is centring on this. What is a telomere? A quick check of Wikipedia defines it like this: "A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration."

But listen to Dr. Greider to find out more.

Looks like someone's already trying to market it!

- Scientists have already reversed aging in mice. Check out this video!

- Nanotechnology will revolutionize medicine and contribute to extended life expectancy. According to Dr. Grossman "Just forty years from now, medical research will have further

developments such as microscopic devices, called nanobots, that can be

injected into your blood stream to keep you healthy at the cellular level."

-  Corporations are already springing up to keep abreast of new scientific findings and technologies. Check this one out!

So you see - there may be an IdunaCorp one day! And it may be sooner than you think!

FOREVER ONES UPDATE!

- Check out the latest review of THE FOREVER ONES from +Deborah McKnight . You'll find it on her terrific Of Dreams and Shadows blog

- Also a newly revised version of the novel is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback. My apologies to readers for some errors in the previous version.