All Is Silence keeps interesting company.

So, as part of the Murder in March promotion on Facebook, I got to talk about various stories I’ve got brewing in my head. I’m also reminding myself to create a series bible, so here is what I’ve got so far. I have a few more ideas under my hats, but here are concepts six through eleven: [My lists almost always go to Elevensies.]

Setting. My world, THE DESERTED LANDS, is an alternate future with the crux point of separation occurred around 2008. Major differences are increased investment in renewable power and national power grids. So when the bat flu strikes in 2019 many places retain power. The pandemic kills 95% of the population and leaves another 1-2% with impacted mental functions, referred to as dog-people. With most of the population dead there is plenty of food, gas, and other supplies…

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #6

A group of high school students is stranded on an island in the San Juans in Washington State when the pandemic hits. Probably a novella or short novel. Working Title: “Lady of the Frogs.”

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #7

Middle Grade. Charley, young Native American boy introduced in ALL IS SILENCE, is working his way across the country to find his grandfather who survived the pandemic, but then lost touch. Once he finds his grandfather they begin a nomadic life as Charley must quest from town to town to find medicine to keep his grandfather alive. Probably two-three books: The Charley Series. Part of the the story takes place in Mescalero, New Mexico.

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #8

100 years in the future of the Deserted Lands, Western Washington University in Bellingham is the home to a group of post-modern monks of both genders who are collecting and saving as much information from the time before the Quieting. Their patron saint is Glen from ALL IS SILENCE. Unfortunately, they’re not doing anything with the knowledge they’re saving and the technology is beginning to degrade… What will Nika do to free the knowledge against the will of her superiors? Probably a novella or short novel. Working Title: “SPARK”

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #9.

About 20 years down the road, there will be a secondary pandemic in most of the population centers. It will only kill of about 30% of the remaining population. Sometime in the 20 years after that, the big Pacific Northwest Seismic event will occur. Seattle will truly be rocked, Mt. Baker will erupt and perhaps Mt. Rainier. A tsunami would also be in order… I don’t have specific stories yet for these events!

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #10

About 150 years in the future a secluded population of several hundred has lived alone, each of them have an electronic talisman [GPSplus] that helps them maintain their island ecosystem. The population only increased when someone dies, then their talisman goes to them. This story is about a dying man who heads into the wilderness to search for his father who gave up his own talisman and the protection of the community when his son was born. [From a dream I had.] Probably a novella or short novel. Working Title: “Birthwrongs.”

Deserted Lands Series. Concept #11 [My lists almost always go to Elevensies.]

My last idea for a story is a Death Cult in Las Vegas as the Pandemic is Raging. I don’t have the characters yet, but what do you do when one of your family has decided that they will kill themselves instead of facing the pandemic? And worse yet, when they have ‘friends’ who will help support them in doing this? Probably a short story or a novelette. Working Title: “Viva Las Vegas”

I’ve got a few more that I’m excited enough about that I won’t share until they’re written! 😉 Send me a comment if there is one of these that you really want me to write next.