The wait is finally over. Whispers from the Machine, book one of the Stapledon series, is available for purchase. After 18 months of intensive work, the debut is for sale on both Amazon and Ingram. While Ingram carries the paperback and hardback versions, Amazon offers those alongside the eBook edition.
In even more exciting news, the audiobook will be arriving within the next ten days. The talented Hetty Elliot did an amazing job with the narration, and I am incredibly pleased that I decided to invest in this production. Whispers from the Machine has come a long way since its inception. Both the story and my own skills as an author have grown together throughout the process. I am immensely proud of the result. It captures the exact story I wanted to tell, the characters I wanted to introduce, and the world I wanted to build.
Discover the World of the Stapledon Series
Whispers from the Machine serves as the debut entry into the wider Stapledon Series. When xenoarchaeologist Clio Cormack accidentally awakens a dormant alien megastructure, she unearths a threat that could consume humanity. To stop an ancient god from rising, she must break every law and form an alliance with a rogue AI.
This series is part of a larger ambition. It is an epic space opera chronicling the unravelling of a fragile peace between humanity and the dead gods of long-forgotten worlds. What begins with a single discovery soon reveals a history written in blood and code. As ancient secrets are unearthed, the silence of the void is broken, first by Whispers from the Machine and then by the roar of rebellion.
Looking Ahead to Book Two
Production on book two is already moving. Act one is drafted, and I am currently chipping away at the second act. My goal is to have it available within the next 18 months. I am taking every lesson learnt from writing Whispers from the Machine and pouring it into the sequel. This includes the writing process itself and the complex production steps like editing, cover design, and audiobook development.
Marketing is another hurdle, and it is a field where I still have much to learn. Whispers from the Machine sold a whopping 12 copies on its launch day. Joking aside, even that feels like a massive victory. While I continue to nudge the first book forward through marketing, my primary focus will remain on the writing.
A Quiet Launch for Whispers from the Machine
People often ask what an author does on such a momentous day. For me, it had very little to do with the book. Beyond a social media post and this blog, I had an eye test, jet washed the drive, and installed four new door handles.
It was a big day, but there was no fanfare, and I did not feel I needed any. I am simply happy to have reached this point, especially as there were many moments along the way where I was not sure I would. Watching the numbers or hitting refresh was not going to help anyone.
Whispers from the Machine is out now, and I think it is a great read, though I admit I am biased. If you have any interest in seeing what Clio found hidden in the deep void, I would very much appreciate your support.
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