The Third Heaven: The Realm of the Dead

 

 

I’ve not been posting much lately as I have been focused on getting book three done.  Nevertheless, I wanted to give a brief update on where we are. The complete plot looks like it’s done, and I am making what I think is good progress for what should be a spring release of the new book.

Writing a series like the Third Heaven is daunting.  To take the word of God, and attempt to fictionalize it for entertainment purposes,  has been the most humbling journey I’ve ever embarked on.  In the end the books are simply my desire to tell the epic story of Lucifer’s fall and the resulting consequences.  This series has been a labor of love, and I never thought that so many would be touched by my work.  I am intimidated beyond all belief when it gets close to releasing a new book.  I always wonder can I capture this epic story, and not loose my readers.  Trying to find a way to incorporate the actual scriptures yet keep to their spirit.  Can I create the wonder, the majesty, the emotions from this book.   Who am I writing for?  Christians?  Non-Christians.  Ultimately I’ve come to the conclusion that I am writing for myself in many respects.  It’s not the recommended way to target an audience.  But as I pour out my heart I trust that the body of work will touch those whom God wants it to touch.  I find myself always asking for prayer that God would anoint me when it sit at my keyboard to write, and that I write the story he wants me to tell.

The book at this point is 70% done and this I reached the time in my publishing process, where it was time to commission the cover for the new novel. And once again my designer Roger, has done an outstanding job of capturing the look, feel, and emotion that I wish to evoke for the cover.  I couldn’t be more pleased.  Talk about a home run…wow.

Going the independent publishing route; is not, contrary to the word independent, a solo adventure. Like any traditional publisher it requires a team of individuals who can come together to create the books that we love.  And I am so privileged to have such a team member in Roger Despi. (aka Pintado) So if you would allow me, I want to gush a little bit about Roger.  I met him when I first commissioned work to be done on the first cover.  As those that follow me know, I utilized 99designs.com to get the first cover done.  It was a wonderful experience.  And I would do it again in a heart beat. Using their process I was able to elicit over 100 graphic designers who desired to work on the project.  Roger’s work ultimately was selected and the rest is as we say history.

But it was the ease of working with Roger, and his talent that caused me to go with him. Needless to say it was a match made in Heaven and he’s been doing my book covers ever since.  If you need excellent original work done.  This is the man. Period.

Roger’s website can be found here.  Or you can find him on 99designs under the name Pintado.

Roger was able to take my thoughts on these two images, and capture what I wanted to depict on the first try.

To combine the image of Jesus coming from the grave in the underworld, yet death as an enemy standing between him and resurrection.  This ladies and gentlemen is why I use him.  Book three is darker so the cover needed to evoke a darker sense.  For in it we touch on torture, Hades, betrayal, demon possession, crucifixion, death.

But the book also talks about reconciliation, forgiveness, faith, and of course resurrection, victory and redemption.  That there is light even in the darkness, even in the face of death.  There is hope.  Tolkien said it this way, in the Fellowship of the Ring. “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.” Christ, our hope in the midst of darkness.  That is what this covers means to me.

Needless to say I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on the final copy of the print version.

It is with great honor that I can showcase this mans wonderful work, and I look forward to meeting all my fans in the pages of the upcoming book.  And as always, please remember me in your prayers.

With warmest regards,

Donovan