Mackenzie: Chloe Bennet of Marveclass="underline" Agents of Shield.
*** - Please visit EverNHayes.blogspot.com to vote on your cast selections and/or to leave feedback for the author. Thank you!
Editorial Review of Book 1: Emergency Exit
(Courtesy of Pure Wander Magazine – Denver, CO)
Genre: General Fiction.
Sub-Genres: Action/Adventure & Dystopian
In a not-too-distant future, seven powerful national form an alliance against America and launch a chemical attack wiping out 90%+ of the North American population. Only people in the most remote areas had a chance at surviving and even then faced an enemy “clean up crew” sweeping across the continent.
The story follows a family and friends in northern MN as they discover what has transpired. That group intercepts a coded message revealing the lone safe haven for Americans—in Hawaii. Their task—to cross a dark continent in the face of an army—is daunting, if not impossible, but they have no choice. “The only way to live is to leave.”
Cast is mixed-age, gender and race—“Average American” if you will. Largely narrated by the father, Ryan (mid-30’s). His son Danny (20) and daughter Hayley (18) are the main characters, combined with a love interest for Ryan and the conflicted antagonist, Eddie. It takes a few chapters to set up the story (and series) and then quickly moves forward. They encounter a mixed bag of friends and foes along the way, allowing for extra character drama, personal challenges, and loss.
It’s hard to say if anything like this could ever occur, but it’s as believable as being wiped out by an EMP, virus, or plague, and more conceivable than the blockbuster dystopian tales out there. If you accept it for what it is, then this is an enjoyable ride with many twists and surprises. You may find yourself wanting more love story or more fighting, but there’s no lack of action, suspense, or intensity.
*** - Pure Wander is a family magazine. Emergency Exit would be appropriate and enjoyed by our audience 13+. (Violence, mild language, adult content.) 4.5/5 Stars.
(Emergency Exit is available on Amazon.com in digital and paperback formats.)
CREDITS & TRIBUTE
Cover Design by James T. Egan of Bookfly Design LLC
Copy/Content Editing by Kira Rubenthaler of Bookfly Design LLC
Copy/Content Editing by Matt Mattingly
Copy/Content Editing by Eileen Cotter
Redemption is dedicated to my mentor and loyal friend, Kristie Schreck.
I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Pamela Buttke and Aunt Viv, to my mother, and to my patient wife—for proofreading runs and editing advice. To the handful of people who have supported me and my writing through thick and thin—Joe Sas, Darin Bunch, Steve Wetzler, David Jimenez and Jack Schneider. To the Cleveland Library and Owatonna Book Club for all your incredible support—thank you! To the 26,700 people who downloaded Book 1 of this “2020” series—Emergency Exit—between April 5th and November 5th (2014) and gave a new novelist a chance. And deepest thanks to the readers who took the time to leave an Ama zon review for Emergency Exit. (Honestly, there is no more meaningful gesture—no greater compliment—to a new author.)
Additional gratitude goes out to Joel Randell of MAXIM Magazine, for promoting this series like mad and believing in it enough to mail copies to movie producers. (Fingers crossed.)
And most of all… To my family—my son and three daughters. I realize there were a few days my writing time cut into “Daddy time.” I apologize for that. The four of you are my inspiration in life—the soul to my writing. Thank you to my beautiful wife for allowing me to attempt these ridiculous feats and for encouraging me to their completion. And thank you to my mom, dad, and mother/father in-law for helping out with the kids. I do not take any of you for granted.
20/20 With Author EVER N. HAYES
Question: What is your next writing project?
Answer: I have six books outlined, including the final book of this series. Next up is a junior fiction sports story.
Question: Why should a publisher or movie studio consider this book or series?
Answer: Imagine the cast! Similar scripts have garnered billions the past 2-3 years. It’s action-packed and current. This could happen tomorrow.
Question: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Answer: You have to LOVE writing. You’re more likely to become president or make the NFL than receive a publishing contract.
Question: How would you like to see publishing change in today’s eBook revolution?
Answer: Agents and publishers should review books after they’re digitally on Amazon and select stories to represent and publish from there.
Question: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?
Answer: Collecting Amazon reviews. Easily. Emergency Exit (Book 1) was downloaded 26,700 times in the first six months. Yield: 42 reviews.
Question: How much of this book/series is realistic?
Answer: It is as realistic as Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner. More so than Red Dawn. That was my goal.
Question: What authors/books have most influenced your life?
Answer: Tom Clancy, Shel Silverstein, and God… Make Way for Ducklings, Where the Red Fern Grows, Goodnight Moon, and the Bible.
Question: Which actors/actresses would you like to see playing the lead character of your books?
Answer: I present a Hollywood “Dream Casting” on the last page of each book. Easily the feature I’m emailed about most.
Question: How long did it take you to write this book?
Answer: 80 days… and nearly seven months to edit/revise. Emergency Exit took 72 days to write and eight months for revisions.
Question: Do you proofread/edit your own books or pay a professional?
Answer: Both. I hired four editors (copy and content) for Emergency Exit and made 29 comprehensive draft revisions before publishing.
Question: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Answer: With what I pay professional editors I don’t believe 1-star reviews are credible (actual readers). Everything else is emotionally absorbed.
Question: Have you made any marketing mistakes?
Answer: Thinking outside the box! I sent every Emergency Exit “Dream Cast” member a signed copy ($200 hit). Not one response.
Question: What advice would you give your younger self?
Answer: Wait one more year to buy a house. Forget sports cards. Be honest… but realize truth is often irrelevant.
Question: Is there a certain type of scene that’s especially difficult to write?