After months of hype, #CamelotWIP is a work-in-progress no longer. That’s right: “The Once and Future Camelot” is now published!
And when I say “months of hype”, I basically mean… well, I’ve talked about it a lot on Twitter. Had a number of tie-in blog posts. Tha-a-a-at’s about it.
Was a time I’d have organized a giveaway, reached out to a legion of advance reviewers, maybe tried to put together a blog tour. But that was the ‘Once’ Deshipley. The ‘Future’ Deshipley has had neither the time nor the energy for that level of hoopla.
I’ll tell you what I do have, though: A truly great imagination that never dies. And with it, I invite you to join me in pretending that this epic novel got the promotional campaign it deserves. Heck, if we’re dreaming, let’s go all out and pretend this epic novel got a blockbusting theatrical trailer! I’ll even provide the script, complete with dialogue and imagery lifted straight from the actual book. ^_^
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[A knight and a lady engage in passionate goings-on. Murmurs of “Oh, Lance…” and “My queen…” and such in between kisses. Romantic music swells. Candlelight brightens and blurs the scene.]
Sir Bedivere voice-over: “I’ll give ‘em this.”
[Cut to Future Bedivere on a modern family room couch, munching on nachos.]
Bedivere cont.: “That was a lot more tastefully done than a number of comparable scenes we’ve viewed.”
[In the light of the television, Sir Lancelot glowers.]
King Arthur, warningly: “Bedivere.”
Bedivere: “I’m just looking for silver linings, my liege. Related point: The guy they cast to play you. Very pretty.”
[Cut to another dimly lit castle setting and a teen boy (Mordred).]
Mordred: “I believe that statement was technically treason.”
[Quietly epic music]
[Onscreen writing: EVERYONE KNOWS THE STORY.]
Elaine voice-over: “Arthur Pendragon is the chosen King… Chosen not only of the Sword, but of Heaven. And to serve him is to know Heaven on Earth.”
[Montage of a young Galahad taking in his first awesome sight of Camelot… overhead shot of the famed Round Table… Guinevere being presented to Arthur for marriage… knights bowing, banners flying, Excalibur gleaming, yadda-yadda…]
[Onscreen writing: NOBODY KNOWS THE TRUTH.]
Future Lancelot, at Merlin’s computer desk: “Tell me what happened.”
[Cut to Past Lancelot, on trial before the Round Table.]
Future Lance cont., voice-over: “Tell me it wasn’t like that.”
[Montage of basically everybody, Past and Future, looking various shades of miserable, angry, distressed…]
Merlin voice-over: “We cannot move forward until we’ve put what’s behind us to rest. …And I am not the one to remind you.”
[Restless music]
Morganne le Fey, as seen through a scrying bowl: “Merlin… What has caused you fear?”
[Cut to Vivienne, Lady of the Lake, rising like a beautiful menace from her mist-veiled waters.]
Merlin voice-over, ominous: “She’s coming.”
Morganne voice-over: “She could not do it alone.”
[Montage of the Black Knight fighting… Lancelot scowling at who-knows-what… a horned Faerie boy vanishing with a grin into a puff of purple smoke…]
[Onscreen writing: HOW DID THEY FALL?]
Past Lancelot: “I’m… sorry.”
Galahad, flinching away in fury: “Sorry? For which sin sorry?”
[Cut back to Vivienne in the lake, taunting.]
Vivienne: “Can it be that I foresee what you have not?”
[Cut to scene of epic Camlann battle.]
Vivienne cont., voice-over: “Have you yet to dream what’s coming?”
Merlin voice-over, sounding thoroughly shook: “I suppose it was simply time.”
[Cut to a tearstained Allyn-a-Dale.]
Allyn: “How long before we stop believing time to be our ally?”
[Onscreen writing: HOW WILL THEY RISE?]
Past Guinevere, in a courtyard: “I would have you fight for Arthur.”
Future Lancelot, in a parking lot: “It will take all of us.”
[Cut to Arthur, first Past then Future, looking grim as he prepares to pronounce judgement.]
Arthur voice-over, vehement: “If I am ever to be a king again, it will be because I stand up and choose to act like one.”
[Cut to Morganne blowing a bowl of magic smoke into Arthur’s face, rendering him unconscious.]
Morganne voice-over: “We stand as we see fit, little Pendragon. Trust no one any further than that.”
[Chorus of Imagine Dragons’ “Warriors” blasts.]
[Montage showing Sirs Gawain, Lancelot, and Bedivere looking knightly… a monstrous dragon spewing a ball of fire… the Green Knight swinging his broadaxe in the forest, transitioning to Guinevere striking a blood-splattering blow with a sword in the moonlight… Arthur fighting shadow creatures in some nightmarish wasteland… some vaguely undead-looking figure blowing to nothing in a gale-force wind… Merlin’s eyes glowing white amidst a galaxy’s worth of burning stars…]
[Music quiets]
Merlin voice-over: “Things happen as they’re meant to.”
[Cut to Future Bedivere, chilling out of medieval uniform.]
Bedivere, flatly: “Things. Not a political scandal, not the unraveling of Camelot… just things.”
[Cut to Future Gawain, pleasantly smiling.]
Gawain: “That’s easily remedied.”
[Title card: THE ONCE AND FUTURE CAMELOT]
Future Bedivere: “A lot’s changed since before.”
Future Arthur: “I wouldn’t say ‘changed.’ I’d say ‘been brought to light.’”
Future Bedivere: “That does sound sexier.”
[Onscreen writing: IN PAPERBACK AND EBOOK NOW]
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THAT’S the kind of hype I’m talking about! If you are now dying to see the movie… erm, that is, read the book, grab your paperback copy here, and/or ebook here (Barnes & Noble / Nook / epub) or here (Amazon / Kindle / mobi)! All purchases, reviews, and word-of-mouth sharing shall be most appreciated.
See you around Avalon,
~ Danielle
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