LAST LIGHT - peak oil novel now in paperback

Erik · Post by **Erik** » 02 Jul 2008, 11:29

alexscarrow wrote:Yup. The price of oil has shot up since I penned the book. I'd really like to update the numbers before my publisher do a re-print.

I enjoyed the book by the way - finished it a week or so ago - though I think I'd have "enjoyed" it more if I'd read it a few years ago before I knew anything about peak oil!

As for the ending, looks like you could have set yourself up for a sequel there, i.e. there's plenty of room to fit a whole novel in between the final chapter and what you say in the "epilogue" [desperately trying not to spoil it for those who haven't read the book yet].

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 05 Jul 2008, 16:53

Yeah...I've been considering a sequel. And since the issue of PO seems to be a growing news story, I may well do.

What I don't want to do though, is appear to be cashing in on an issue. So it's something for me to carefully consider.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 05 Jul 2008, 20:34

OT: I read and liked your other book "A Thousand Suns" ... another ripping yarn!

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 05 Jul 2008, 20:38

alexscarrow wrote:Yeah...I've been considering a sequel. And since the issue of PO seems to be a growing news story, I may well do.

What I don't want to do though, is appear to be cashing in on an issue. So it's something for me to carefully consider.

Cashing in is OK!

As part of that, maybe make V2 a bit more US centric and filmable ... machine guns, gangs, riots and survivalists will do the trick!

Bias it towards your typical US teenager and you will become RICH!

Think Starship Troopers without the aliens!

Post by **mikepepler** » 06 Jul 2008, 21:48

Vortex wrote:OT: I read and liked your other book "A Thousand Suns" ... another ripping yarn!

I liked it too!

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 07 Jul 2008, 23:04

If you're interested...the next book, October Skies is out in August.

Youtube trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpKxDZWJMqI

Well...rather interestingly, I just got the green light from my publisher to go and write the Last Light sequel. So, as of tomorrow, I shall commence work. If you're interested, I'll be doing a regular progress report on it on my blog.

nb: thanks for your comment about Thousand Suns...seems like a long time ago since I wrote that.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 10 Jul 2008, 21:11

Alex, what sort of living do you make from this writing lark?

Does it pay the bills, or do you have to stack supermarkets shelves too?

Mean Mr Mustard · Post by **Mean Mr Mustard** » 11 Jul 2008, 08:21

alexscarrow wrote: Well...rather interestingly, I just got the green light from my publisher to go and write the Last Light sequel. So, as of tomorrow, I shall commence work. If you're interested, I'll be doing a regular progress report on it on my blog.

A Brit version of World Made By Hand? Have you read that one? And have you seen this review of the Post Oil genre - includes Last Light. http://www.energybulletin.net/node/44031

If you get writer's block, we'll chip in a paragraph each for you, and you'll be done in no time at all. Might get a bit disjointed though...

And you could introduce some new characters, ones that bear no resemblance to any Powerswitchers. For example, a guy who sold his house at the height of the property boom, who now lives in a motor home with his faithful collie, a young couple tending their woodland down in Rye, and a concerned oil trader - she lives on a narrowboat. And the Business Continuity Planner with his tin hat.

Tracy P · Post by **Tracy P** » 11 Jul 2008, 20:30

Just bought a paperback copy for a friend who works on race cars. Lets see what happens!

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 12 Jul 2008, 08:11

There's definately room in this sequel for my drawing inspiration from you guys. I'm setting it some years after the crash, when the dust has settled and we get a look at what kind of people survive.

Out of interest. Is there anybody here who has good firsthand knowledge of north sea oil rigs?

Mean Mr Mustard · Post by **Mean Mr Mustard** » 12 Jul 2008, 09:20

Alex,

The post-oil vision intrigues me, and doubtless many others here. Can we Powerswitchers help you in your research on various specifics? (without needing to give away the plot!)

For example, JHK thinks there wouldn't be any bicycles, and the timeline of his book, though not explicit, is set by one minor character being within living memory of WW2, so his story is only 15 years or so into the future. Clearly there will be bicycles around, and enough energy sources to do the light engineering to make them and keep them on the (potholed) roads. Could bike tyres be remoulded from old car tyres?

Heinberg discusses hand tools in The Party's Over. The bike has to be the ultimate hand tool, eh. Mind you, I'm now going to start hoarding cans of 3in1.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » 13 Jul 2008, 14:12

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:a concerned oil trader - she lives on a narrowboat.

That sounds too far-fetched. Nobody would believe that such a person could exist!

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 13 Jul 2008, 14:28

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:For example, a guy who sold his house at the height of the property boom, who now lives in a motor home with his faithful collie

That is a bit far fetched. He's only half a collie, and he's anyone's for a biscuit

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 16 Jul 2008, 08:08

Something that would be useful to me, is anyone with firsthand experience of, and detailed knowledge of the layout of a north sea oil rig.

Some of the story takes place in such a location...and knowing the typical layout of a rig, terms, etc would be very useful!

welshgreen · Post by **welshgreen** » 19 Jul 2008, 01:22

if you need any help with refineries give me a shout.