#DarkScienceFiction

[paulsemel]

Having a kid is stressful. Now imagine if you lived in a dystopian future, had anxiety, and were told you couldn't legally use something that helps you manage said anxiety. Welcome to the world of Koji A Dae's dark science fiction novel "Casual," which we discuss in this exclusive interview. https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-casual-author-koji-a-dae/ 📖🤰📱

[artificelux]

colorofamirror.net

Color of a Mirror is my cyberpunk novel centered around a musician who wants to be a rockstar. Written, designed, and published by me, it’s not bombastic or action-heavy, but rather is driven by character and personal, human issues. It gets into ideas of the subconscious and the lies we tell ourselves. If you like the dark futures of William Gibson, I think you’ll find something to like in this book.

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I love different forms of communication, anything really that codes words behind beautiful design rather than actual letters. The above design motif is on the cover of the forthcoming deluxe hardcover novel, and is a stylized version of the American braille for “Color of a Mirror” (beginning at bottom left).

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Tomorrow is Cyber Monday. This is everything I’ve ever wanted a cerebral, cyberpunk novel to be, so what better day to check it out than tomorrow!

Available exclusively from my website, each copy will come signed by me, and will start shipping on or around Dec. 1.

(And if you want a taste of this world, check out the cinematic dark ambient soundtrack of the same name, now streaming on Spotify and other streaming platforms!)

[artificelux]

Yesterday, I took delivery of the first printing of my novel, COLOR OF A MIRROR. It’s hard to believe that I wrote a book, that it’s finally a real thing… even more surreal that people are beginning to read this story in so many different places.

Books are in stock now on my website, including the brutalist “ArtificeLux Edition” deluxe hardcover (shown below). Be sure to check it out if you want an unconventional, dark cyberpunk novel to keep you company this winter!

(And listen to the dark ambient soundtrack while you read! Available on Spotify and other streaming services, or on vinyl in limited quantities on my site.)

[artificelux]

// Launch Day // Welcome to The Dive //

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A few days ago, I launched my debut novel COLOR OF A MIRROR. Written, designed, and published by me, it’s my vision of a dark, cyberpunk future. No galactic stakes, no one person saving the human race… it’s a cerebral story of very human characters trying to carve out an existence in a near future city that will crush them without a second thought. If you like Blade Runner or the writing of William Gibson, I think you’ll find something to love in this book.

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And I’m so excited to announce that the softcover novel is now available exclusively on my website! (Please note, I absolutely will ship internationally! If you’re having trouble with an order, just send me a message through the site and I’ll work to fix it.)

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So if you’re looking for something a little different this Black Friday/Cyber(punk) Monday, here’s the link again, in case you didn’t click the one above: colorofamirror.net and I hope to see you all in The Dive!

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(And be sure to check out the soundtrack for the book on Spotify and other streaming services.)

[artificelux]

A brief excerpt of the main character in my upcoming novel COLOR OF A MIRROR.

Now on Kickstarter. Check it out below!

[artificelux]

Back to taking about the book!

Check it out below:

[artificelux]

Prose + Soundtrack + Art = Color of a Mirror

^ this is what this project is all about ^

The newest in my motion design previews, incorporating one of my favorite descriptions in the book, a Vangelis-level soundtrack moment from Josh McCausland (song titled “The Taste Was Blue”), and some brutalist artwork (also by me)… multiple disciplines coming together into a single experience.

If this multi-sensory approach intrigues you or if you just want to support an independent publishing venture that strives to upend the norm and the status quo, I’d be thrilled if you’d check out the Kickstarter project link below.

Ends the day after Cyberpu… I mean, Cyber Monday.

[artificelux]

Some stills from the minimalist intro/title reveal video I created for the Kickstarter.

Had a lot of fun learning about After Effects while working on this, and I hope to make more abstract art videos like this in the future!

Within the first 48 hours, the project was already past 5% funded, which I’m super pleased with! Still a ways to go, but it’s a great start.

(If you wanna check out the full video complete with 75 seconds of the epic soundtrack, follow this link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artificelux/color-of-a-mirror-dark-science-fiction-novel-and-soundtrack )

[artificelux]

Feels like it was just a couple days ago I was saying 1/6, and now we’ve jumped past the 1/3 mark! The support this past week has been absolutely stunning, and I can’t say thank you enough.

Still a ways to go to make this happen, but I have no doubt we can get there!

As always, link included below if you’re interested in learning more:

[artificelux]

Final Week!

The Kickstarter is winding down, and I’m full of gratitude for those who’ve backed my vision for this independent dark science fiction project. Of currently-active Fiction Publishing projects on Kickstarter, “Color of a Mirror” is the 9th most-funded. In the world. That’s absolutely incredible to me!

Why, then, is the project not yet funded?

Well, largely because I’m not content with producing a hardcover or softcover book as cheaply as possible. I want this book to be a work of art in and of itself, to feel like it came from a big-name publisher, despite me being just one person. I want to work with a printer that strives for that same type of quality in the options they offer, that gives me the ability to customize this book in a way that makes it sing.

Beyond that, however, I’m also trying to do a limited pressing of a vinyl for the soundtrack. All my metrics for how big a run to do of these various items to make them cost-effective, cross-referenced with a feasible amount of money to raise, has landed me on the $15,000 mark.

(I’m encouraged that there’s currently a novella project from an established, published author that had a goal of $10,000, making me feel like my higher goal was not so far off.)

This may be a bit of a ramble, but I hope it’s an honest look at how I’m thinking about this project, and what I’m trying to achieve.

There’s still time to back! No matter the tier you choose, every little bit helps. It’s going to take a mega-surge this final week to get to fully-funded, but I whole-heartedly believe we can get there.

Ends the day after Cyber Monday, in celebration of the cyberpunk story that it is.

Now, let’s go get higher on that most-funded list!

-Dan/ArtificeLux

[artificelux]

A first look at the soundtrack element of this project! So excited to have Josh McCausland’s massive talent creating the moody sounds of this dark sci-fi universe!

This song is entitled “Sensory Deprivation” and will feature on the Color of a Mirror original soundtrack, as part of my multi-disciplinary novel/soundtrack/design experience.

(Motion graphics and design by me.)

If you like what you see and hear, there’s only 10 days left in the Kickstarter! Check out the link below, and thanks for looking!

[artificelux]

New Excerpt! And a character we haven’t yet seen in this series of sneak peeks!

Definitely a good look at the tone and writing style of the book.

Like what you see? Check out the Kickstarter, running through Nov. 29 to get in on this independently-published book and ambient soundtrack!

[artificelux]

Building some strong momentum over the last few days, and we’re now one-sixth of the way there! So many thank yous to everyone who’s already joined!

Let’s keep it going! Join the independent publishing party, and show your support for non-traditional science fiction storytelling experiences! Check out the link below:

[artificelux]

Interested in spicing up your phone or computer with some new art? Well, backing my Kickstarter at any of the listed tiers will also unlock a download of high-quality, digital wallpapers as a special thank you!

A collection of bright neons, dark shadows, typography, brutalism, and minimalist designs, it’ll be a fun pack celebrating some of the different promo images I’ve made for the campaign.

Check it out at the link below:

[artificelux]

Just a short excerpt teaser, trying not to give anything away from one of my favorite parts of the book.

(Also. The Kickstarter pre-campaign page is active. You can save the page or get notified when the campaign goes live on Nov. 01!)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artificelux/color-of-a-mirror-dark-science-fiction-novel-and-soundtrack

It feels more and more real at each step of the way, and I’m so excited for people to finally get to join me in this dark future.

[artificelux]

•Duality•

Dark Alleys. Bright Shadows.