Xavier T : Kingdom

KINGDOM

Defining Kingdom is difficult. Publishing agents agree that the books are a fine read, but also that they don't fit into an established genre. In other words, they don't have a specific stand at the bookstore. What they didn't say, but I know to be true, is that the story is also dialogue-heavy.

I know how publishing works and the importance of adhering to industry-defined guidelines, so I understand their dilemma. But it's their dilemma, not mine.

"Yes," one agent said, "We'll call it science fiction, but ditch the romance and murder mystery."

A rival agent suggested that I focus on the romance and make the story present day. Yet another informed me that artists shouldn't write - they make the plot too big.

I have issues with calling Kingdom science fiction because of the implications. It isn't a far-fetched tale with lots of magical characters, and nor is it a tale of obligatory happy endings (think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings). It's a tragedy and a comedy, sometimes sentimental, and often controversial. Instead of magic, I use human faith, and instead of happy endings, the stories have happy moments - moments of extreme bliss and utter despair, much like life really is.

I don't have the heart to change the story, and I won't.

So what is Kingdom? It's a series of ten novels (maybe 11), Ludlum-length and dialogue heavy. Covering a period of 1500 years, the story follows the once-great future kingdom of Khataria, beginning with its accidental founding by a group of crash-landed Earth survivors perhaps fifty years from now.

The story revolves around the lives of significant public figures of the day and the impact of their actions on later generations. The goal of the tale is not about finding utopia, but recognising when you already have it.

Kingdom is a very human story with a strong romantic current, set against an ongoing background of war. Very few of mankind's traits and morals aren't explored, prompting readers to ask questions of themselves.

As for genres, Kingdom is a tale of timeless heroes, so let's just call it Myth.

Suggested Reading Order:
Creatures of the Faith - 82,000 words
Princes of Khataria
Rites of Passage
Sons of Okhatar
Rage of the Immortals
Set in the 11th century, these five books form the core of the Kingdom saga.
Central characters: Princes Karelia, Danos, and Zanaes; King Arasti; King-Consuls Luchius and Gatacus; Queen Jacinta; Lords Ogron and Taalia; General Cheron; Captains Miklon, Mattaes, Emil, Atoya, and Lotoff; Princes Alexius, Mical, and Yolis of Althase.

Khataria is at the height of its wealth and power when three new Princes are born. But beneath this seemingly perfect world runs a deep river of mystery. Secret affairs, treason from within, and the mysterious death of Lord Gatacus, threaten to undermine the empire before the Princes come of age to save it. But before the mystery is solved, a new threat arrives - An alien race with technology unimagined, with only one goal in mind. The harvest of all humanity.

One.
Set in the 1st century, this book is still in first draft stage. "One" can be read out of sequence without affecting the main story.

The Exile of Titania.
A Lion Roars.
Set in the 4th century, these two books follow the story of two Princes, Tamaq and Bataq, whose rivalry leads to the destruction of the 'Old Khatarian Empire'. These two novels are best read after the five central books, in which the unwitting heroes are regarded with mythological awe.
Central characters: Princes Tamaq and Bataq; Prince Andraes of Althase; Jai d'Erstinaya; King Stavius; Lord Azuul; Lady Katalia; Governor Thanas; Bishop Olaf; Captains Philippe, Chang and Jonx-Zi.

The Ruined Empire
Set in the 6th century, this book is still in conceptual stage.

Keeper of the Faith
Set in the 16th century, this book is still in conceptual stage.



	Short Stories \| Narratives \| Drawings \| Poetry + Prose \| Digital Art \| Novels Paintings \| Commercial Art \| Symbiosis \| Kingdom \| The 8 Laws of Excess \| Complete Works Xavier T Home \| Cycling Stuff \| FAQ \| JSP Archives \| Rubdown Archives \| Email
COLLECTIVE WORKS


KINGDOM Defining Kingdom is difficult. Publishing agents agree that the books are a fine read, but also that they don't fit into an established genre. In other words, they don't have a specific stand at the bookstore. What they didn't say, but I know to be true, is that the story is also dialogue-heavy. I know how publishing works and the importance of adhering to industry-defined guidelines, so I understand their dilemma. But it's their dilemma, not mine. "Yes," one agent said, "We'll call it science fiction, but ditch the romance and murder mystery." A rival agent suggested that I focus on the romance and make the story present day. Yet another informed me that artists shouldn't write - they make the plot too big. I have issues with calling Kingdom science fiction because of the implications. It isn't a far-fetched tale with lots of magical characters, and nor is it a tale of obligatory happy endings (think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings). It's a tragedy and a comedy, sometimes sentimental, and often controversial. Instead of magic, I use human faith, and instead of happy endings, the stories have happy moments - moments of extreme bliss and utter despair, much like life really is. I don't have the heart to change the story, and I won't. So what is Kingdom? It's a series of ten novels (maybe 11), Ludlum-length and dialogue heavy. Covering a period of 1500 years, the story follows the once-great future kingdom of Khataria, beginning with its accidental founding by a group of crash-landed Earth survivors perhaps fifty years from now. The story revolves around the lives of significant public figures of the day and the impact of their actions on later generations. The goal of the tale is not about finding utopia, but recognising when you already have it. Kingdom is a very human story with a strong romantic current, set against an ongoing background of war. Very few of mankind's traits and morals aren't explored, prompting readers to ask questions of themselves. As for genres, Kingdom is a tale of timeless heroes, so let's just call it Myth. Suggested Reading Order: Creatures of the Faith - 82,000 words Princes of Khataria Rites of Passage Sons of Okhatar Rage of the Immortals Set in the 11th century, these five books form the core of the Kingdom saga. Central characters: Princes Karelia, Danos, and Zanaes; King Arasti; King-Consuls Luchius and Gatacus; Queen Jacinta; Lords Ogron and Taalia; General Cheron; Captains Miklon, Mattaes, Emil, Atoya, and Lotoff; Princes Alexius, Mical, and Yolis of Althase. Khataria is at the height of its wealth and power when three new Princes are born. But beneath this seemingly perfect world runs a deep river of mystery. Secret affairs, treason from within, and the mysterious death of Lord Gatacus, threaten to undermine the empire before the Princes come of age to save it. But before the mystery is solved, a new threat arrives - An alien race with technology unimagined, with only one goal in mind. The harvest of all humanity. One. Set in the 1st century, this book is still in first draft stage. "One" can be read out of sequence without affecting the main story. The Exile of Titania. A Lion Roars. Set in the 4th century, these two books follow the story of two Princes, Tamaq and Bataq, whose rivalry leads to the destruction of the 'Old Khatarian Empire'. These two novels are best read after the five central books, in which the unwitting heroes are regarded with mythological awe. Central characters: Princes Tamaq and Bataq; Prince Andraes of Althase; Jai d'Erstinaya; King Stavius; Lord Azuul; Lady Katalia; Governor Thanas; Bishop Olaf; Captains Philippe, Chang and Jonx-Zi. The Ruined Empire Set in the 6th century, this book is still in conceptual stage. Keeper of the Faith Set in the 16th century, this book is still in conceptual stage.

	Short Stories \| Narratives \| Drawings \| Poetry + Prose \| Digital Art \| Novels Paintings \| Commercial Art \| Symbiosis \| Kingdom \| The 8 Laws of Excess \| Complete Works Xavier T Home \| Cycling Stuff \| FAQ \| JSP Archives \| Rubdown Archives \| Email

©2007 Andrew Xavier Thompson, Australia. Xavier T is a registered trademark #1068585