Futuristic - Blog Posts
Unconventional literary science fiction? ☑️
Dark cyberpunk setting that oozes from each page? ☑️
Badass female main character? ☑️
Available in e-book so you don’t have to deal with international shipping? ☑️☑️☑️
Buy COLOR OF A MIRROR direct from the author (AKA: me). No bullshit. No subscriptions. No gatekeeping.
Welcome to the Dive.
•
colorofamirror.net
“Many say the moon is closer to the dead.”
This is COLOR OF A MIRROR, my debut novel with an original, dark ambient soundtrack by composer Josh McCausland to go along with it.
Written, designed, and published by me, it’s the culmination of years of work, and it’s exactly the story I wanted to tell. It’s not loud or bombastic, but rather a cerebral, slow-burn cyberpunk narrative lingering on themes of fame, paranoia, religion, and technology. If you’re a fan of the brooding futures of William Gibson, Blade Runner, or anything with a mood like the movie Drive, I think you’ll find something to love here.
Available exclusively on my website, it comes in limited edition deluxe-hardcover, softcover, and e-book. (And if you’re a vinyl lover, the soundtrack is pressed in 180g Moondust White; also available on my site.)
Welcome to the Dive. Hope to see you around.
-Dan
•
colorofamirror.net
(Book photos by Josh McCausland.)
Yesterday, I took delivery of the first printing of my novel, COLOR OF A MIRROR. It’s hard to believe that I wrote a book, that it’s finally a real thing… even more surreal that people are beginning to read this story in so many different places.
Books are in stock now on my website, including the brutalist “ArtificeLux Edition” deluxe hardcover (shown below). Be sure to check it out if you want an unconventional, dark cyberpunk novel to keep you company this winter!
(And listen to the dark ambient soundtrack while you read! Available on Spotify and other streaming services, or on vinyl in limited quantities on my site.)
Prose + Soundtrack + Art = Color of a Mirror
^ this is what this project is all about ^
The newest in my motion design previews, incorporating one of my favorite descriptions in the book, a Vangelis-level soundtrack moment from Josh McCausland (song titled “The Taste Was Blue”), and some brutalist artwork (also by me)… multiple disciplines coming together into a single experience.
If this multi-sensory approach intrigues you or if you just want to support an independent publishing venture that strives to upend the norm and the status quo, I’d be thrilled if you’d check out the Kickstarter project link below.
Ends the day after Cyberpu… I mean, Cyber Monday.
Final Week!
The Kickstarter is winding down, and I’m full of gratitude for those who’ve backed my vision for this independent dark science fiction project. Of currently-active Fiction Publishing projects on Kickstarter, “Color of a Mirror” is the 9th most-funded. In the world. That’s absolutely incredible to me!
Why, then, is the project not yet funded?
Well, largely because I’m not content with producing a hardcover or softcover book as cheaply as possible. I want this book to be a work of art in and of itself, to feel like it came from a big-name publisher, despite me being just one person. I want to work with a printer that strives for that same type of quality in the options they offer, that gives me the ability to customize this book in a way that makes it sing.
Beyond that, however, I’m also trying to do a limited pressing of a vinyl for the soundtrack. All my metrics for how big a run to do of these various items to make them cost-effective, cross-referenced with a feasible amount of money to raise, has landed me on the $15,000 mark.
(I’m encouraged that there’s currently a novella project from an established, published author that had a goal of $10,000, making me feel like my higher goal was not so far off.)
This may be a bit of a ramble, but I hope it’s an honest look at how I’m thinking about this project, and what I’m trying to achieve.
There’s still time to back! No matter the tier you choose, every little bit helps. It’s going to take a mega-surge this final week to get to fully-funded, but I whole-heartedly believe we can get there.
Ends the day after Cyber Monday, in celebration of the cyberpunk story that it is.
Now, let’s go get higher on that most-funded list!
-Dan/ArtificeLux
Back with another look at the soundtrack! This time featuring “Closer to the Dead” (as always, by ultra-talented Josh McCausland)!
The video on this one is a little different than those that have come before… still abstract, but really hinting at certain elements of the book as well. Secrets abound…
There’s still time to back the Kickstarter for the exclusive vinyl release of the soundtrack, and the deluxe-hardcover novel, all with designs by me. There are other rewards (including digital copies and softcover) as well, so hopefully a little something for everyone!
It’s gonna take a big push this final week to get it over the line, but I’m holding out hope it can happen. Every little bit helps, so if you’re interested, I’d be thrilled for you to check out the link below:
New Excerpt! And a character we haven’t yet seen in this series of sneak peeks!
Definitely a good look at the tone and writing style of the book.
Like what you see? Check out the Kickstarter, running through Nov. 29 to get in on this independently-published book and ambient soundtrack!
Feels like it was just a couple days ago I was saying 1/6, and now we’ve jumped past the 1/3 mark! The support this past week has been absolutely stunning, and I can’t say thank you enough.
Still a ways to go to make this happen, but I have no doubt we can get there!
As always, link included below if you’re interested in learning more:
Building some strong momentum over the last few days, and we’re now one-sixth of the way there! So many thank yous to everyone who’s already joined!
Let’s keep it going! Join the independent publishing party, and show your support for non-traditional science fiction storytelling experiences! Check out the link below:
A brief excerpt of the main character in my upcoming novel COLOR OF A MIRROR.
Now on Kickstarter. Check it out below!
Back to taking about the book!
Check it out below:
Interested in spicing up your phone or computer with some new art? Well, backing my Kickstarter at any of the listed tiers will also unlock a download of high-quality, digital wallpapers as a special thank you!
A collection of bright neons, dark shadows, typography, brutalism, and minimalist designs, it’ll be a fun pack celebrating some of the different promo images I’ve made for the campaign.
Check it out at the link below:
Just a short excerpt teaser, trying not to give anything away from one of my favorite parts of the book.
(Also. The Kickstarter pre-campaign page is active. You can save the page or get notified when the campaign goes live on Nov. 01!)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artificelux/color-of-a-mirror-dark-science-fiction-novel-and-soundtrack
It feels more and more real at each step of the way, and I’m so excited for people to finally get to join me in this dark future.
•Never Normal•
Another small peek at the first chapter. Plus a new abstract design.
•Duality•
Dark Alleys. Bright Shadows.
•3RTL•
Ominous. Omen-ous. Portents of things to come.
•2BRTL•
Mixing up more digital concrete, this time paired with a pop of 80s color blocking.
•BRTL•
Some of my minimalist graphic design poured into digital concrete.
Back with a fresh post about the book! These here are the opening sentences, mixed with a bit of my minimal numerals/font design. Loving playing with the layout and formatting for the text on this!
Check out the fiction section of my website artificelux.com to see a longer excerpt and to find out a bit more about the project!
Looking forward to sharing more over the coming days and for the launch of the Kickstarter in a month on Nov.1
A story about the lies we tell ourselves, exploring the crossroads of psychosis, guilt, religion, and technology.
Would be listed on Netflix as:
“Slow-Burn. Cerebral. Dark.”
Redesigning some packaging. Spray paint and pen.
Femme fatale :) Encres et eau.
A Hologram Rose.
skull tears
