I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE AURORA
REVELATIONS by Michael Walker Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Michael F. Walker
Pub. Date: September
17, 2024
Publisher: BookBaby
Formats: Paperback,
eBook
Pages: 340
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-AURORA-REVELATIONS
In April 1897, a strange airship
crashed in Aurora, Texas and the "unearthly" pilot was buried in the
local cemetery. Today, the pilot finally awakened. God help us all.
In July 2015, supernatural sleuth Kevin Starkly disappeared mysteriously in the
New Jersey Pine Barrens. What secrets did he uncover about the Aurora UFO
crash, and has he paid a terrible price for his curiosity?
Four twenty-something paranormal investigators, a self-styled "Nerd
Legion," ―Tony Fermia (a psychic who talks to ghosts in his dreams), John
Walters (an art curator), Rich Harrigan (a skeptical science teacher), and
Angel McQueen (an alien abductee and Tony's high-school crush)―travel across a
haunted America searching for their old friend Starkly. The group soon find
themselves entangled in a terrifying conspiracy to resurrect the alien pilot―a
plot that brings them face-to-face with a ghastly enemy and has them fighting
for their lives and for the future of humanity.
Like a grown-up Stranger Things on a cursed road trip, or The X-Files with no
FBI boss and no filter, the harrowing exploits in The Aurora Revelations will
captivate readers of Paul Tremblay, Dan Simmons, Edgar Cantero, or any fans of
paranormal thrills, mystery, and supernatural suspense.
Reviews:
"Ghosts, extraterrestrials, dreams, and suicide cults
are just a few topics in The Aurora Revelations by
Michael F. Walker. A satisfying tale akin to setting in place the last piece of
a jigsaw puzzle, fans of bizarre and original stories, your dreams have come
true." -- Gaius Konstantine, Readers' Favorite
"Walker's sprawling but gripping debut follows the antics of paranormal
hunters as they uncover an alien conspiracy...The paranormal intrigue is
infused with humor, true science, and literary and pop culture references for a
playful and suspenseful adventure. Fans of The X-Files will
feel right at home."--Booklife Reviews (Editors' Pick)
"Walker pulls an amazing aggregation of borderline satire and surreal
terror into a coherent and spooky whole...A supernaturally effective oddity
odyssey."-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Q&A with Michael F. Walker, author of The Aurora Revelations
For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about your
book and the characters?
The Aurora Revelations centers on a motley
quartet of paranormal investigators, a self-styled Nerd Legion, who go
searching across haunted America for an old friend, the arrogant supernatural
podcaster Kevin Starkly, who disappeared before their eyes while exploring the
cursed Pine Barrens of New Jersey. There’s Tony Fermia, a psychic who talks
with the dead in his dreams; Angela McQueen, an alien abductee and Tony’s high
school crush; Richard Harrigan, skeptical scientist; and Johnny Walters, an art
gallery curator. Starkly’s obsessed with the legendary crash of an “airship” in
Aurora, Texas in 1897 and the alien pilot supposedly buried in the local
cemetery. He thinks he alone possesses a clue that will solve the whole UFO/UAP
mystery. Soon the Nerd Legion find themselves entangled in a terrifying
conspiracy and must fight for their lives against the tragic consequences of
Starkly’s scheme.
What are you working on now?
As you might imagine most of my time now is occupied with
marketing my book. I want to connect The Aurora Revelations
with as many readers as possible out there. That said, the developments
in the book, the “pilot awakening” brings a new understanding of humanity’s
place in the world and in the universe. What other creatures share our world
unseen by most of us? That opens possibilities for a new Nerd Legion
investigation.
Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people
from your real life?
Most of my characters, especially those in the Nerd Legion,
are based on real people. The cautious paranormal investigator Johnny Walters
is obviously my own alter ego. I’ve always had an unhealthy obsession with our
haunted, unsettling world. In fact, as a teen I planned on staying the night in
the “Amityville Horror” house on Long Island along with two of my closest high
school friends—the real-life counterparts to Tony Fermia and Richard Harrigan.
No, we didn’t get permission. Even the “Weird Brothers” are based on two “good
ol’ boy” antique dealers I met while my wife was liquidating her aunt’s estate
in New Jersey.
Who was your favorite character to write? What about your
least favorite?
Hard to pick any favorites, but Nikola Tesla’s ghost turned
into such a fun character to write. The real-life Tesla—with his quirks and
phobias, his obsessions with death rays and contacting extraterrestrial
life—was much more fantastical than any fiction writer could ever imagine.
Loved writing the dream conversations between Tesla and Tony. Least favorite would probably be Kevin
Starkly only because I find it difficult to write a really annoying,
self-centered character.
What is your favorite passage/scene in your book?
It’s difficult to settle on one favorite scene. Is it the
chase through the cursed Bone Maze? Is it the discovery of the mysterious
stranger covered in blood in Chaco Canyon National Park? I liked writing Tony’s
dream the night before the Nerd Legion hunt for the Jersey Devil in the Pine
Barrens. It’s such a harrowing nightmare that foreshadows much of what happens
in the story. “This is where the bad monster will get all of you,” is the most
terrifying and accurate prediction in the whole book.
What kind of research did you have to do for the story?
A surprising amount of my novel is based on real theories,
events, and locations, so I wanted the story to have some verisimilitude. My
research included reading some of the classics in “high strangeness” like
Jacques Vallee’s Passport to Magonia, Mothman Prophecies by
John Keel, John Mack’s Abduction, and The Cosmic Trigger by
Robert Anton Wilson. Any mistakes made
in the interpretation or analysis of this research are completely my own.
Lightning Round
Questions
What are you reading right now?
Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
Dying to read the new Connie
Willis book, The Road to Roswell. Right now, I’m reading a few
indie books purchased at NecronomiCon 2024: Good Bones by Peter
J. Larrivee and Missing in Miskatonic, a hard-boiled detective
tale set in H.P. Lovecraft’s universe, by JP Behrens.
Favorite social media site?
When looking for the creepy and
strange on Instagram, I follow Down the Rabbit Hole. The Lore podcast is always
chilling, and for a laugh I love the skits and book reviews of actress Ashley
Ottesen on Instagram too.
Favorite Superhero or Villain?
Always loved Batman even as a kid.
Coolest villain was Ozymandias from The Watchmen. You always must keep an eye
on the smartest kid who wants to change the world.
Favorite TV show?
The X-Files
is my classic TV favorite (along with the original Outer Limits), for
new shows, I’m looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things.
Sweet or Salty?
Salty and savory, Yum!
Any Phobias?
Fear of heights, and oddly, fear
of the dark!
Song you can’t get enough of
right now?
Calling Occupants of
Interplanetary Craft by Klaatu, for obvious reasons.
2024 Movie you’re most looking
forward to?
I still have not seen Alien
Romulus. Also looking forward to the new Joker movie with Joaquin Phoenix
and Lady Gaga.
Do you play video games? If so
what are some of your favorites?
Never got into gaming when I was
younger simply because they didn’t exist! Wait, does Pac Man count?
About Michael Walker:
Michael
F. Walker is a
lover of the strange and macabre. His debut novel, The Aurora Revelations,
is coming soon in 2024. He lives with his wife and daughter in a ramshackle old
house in Brooklyn, NY that looks haunted but (probably) isn’t.
Sign up for
Michael’s newsletter!
Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a finished copy of THE AURORA REVELATIONS, US Only.
Ends October 22nd, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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10/7/2024 |
Guest Post/IG Post |
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10/8/2024 |
Guest Post/IG Post |
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10/9/2024 |
Interview/IG Post |
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10/10/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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10/11/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
Week Two:
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10/14/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/15/2024 |
IG Review |
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10/16/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/17/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/18/2024 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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