Graeme Rodaughan's Blog: Writing The Metaframe War Series

Between the 11th and the 17th of October 2024, Draft2Digital eliminated my account without warning (in contravention of their Ts&Cs) and removed all my books from their sales channels.

This wiped out over a 100+ ratings and reviews across Apple, B&N, Kobo, etc for my books.

I have no way to verify if final payments of royalties were made.

They refuse to answer contact requests.

I have responded by returning to Kindle Unlimited. Apparently Amazon is willing to do business with me.

As for Draft2Digital. I'm not impressed, and online research demonstrates that this has happened to other authors who have worked with them.

D2D: https://www.draft2digital.com/
Complaints: https://writersweekly.com/angela-desk...

I've never had an issue with Amazon!

Thanks to an innovative program between Apple and Draft2Digital, I'm making the full Metaframe War series available on Apple's audiobook format.

The first three books are availble at https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook-...

With the rest to follow over the next couple of months.

Enjoy.

With the conclusion of The Metaframe War series, my next project beckons.

Here is the first scene, make of it what you will.

Shae O’Rourke’s smartphone rang with the opening notes of Beethoven’s symphony No. 5.

She cast a sideways glance at the offending device. It rang again. A frown creased her brow. She’d programmed the number specifically with this ring tone. Her Dad’s lawyers were calling her. It had been years since she’d spoken to anyone from her mother’s side of the family. The monied side. The multi-generational law family side. Unlike her father’s side of the family who were mostly military or law enforcement, with the emphasis on enforcement.

She reached toward her hotel room’s side table, picked up her phone as it rang a third time and answered, “Shae O’Rourke here.”

“Hi Shae. It’s Uncle Bill. My apologies, this isn’t a social call. I have to wear my professional hat for this one. I have a message for you from your father.”

“Really?” Shae sighed, a familiar tightness enveloped her chest. Uncle Bill, aka William Dallas, was her mother’s older brother. Basically a smart, tight-fisted prick. A relative she’d rather not have to deal with, but - if needs must. If he had a message from Dad, it couldn’t be anything good. She prompted him. “Yes?”

Uncle Bill hesitated for a moment as if trying to find the right words. “Your father initiated a daily contact with us recently. He left instructions in the event that he didn’t contact us for three weeks. I’m sorry to say that time has now passed.”

Shae stiffened, then sat up and rotated off the hotel bed. She rose to her feet and paced away from the bed. Uncle Bill was having a hard time giving her the message. “And?”

Uncle Bill hummed for a moment. Shae could just about hear him frowning on the other end of the line. “We are to alert you.” His voice trailed off into silence.

“What?” She asked, a note of urgency entering her voice.

“We are to alert you that your father and younger brother are missing … presumed dead.”

“Dead? Shit! What the hell are you talking about? Has anyone seen bodies?”

“I’m sorry, Shae. What? No, there are no bodies. We did attempt to contact your father and brother but they’re not answering phone calls or emails.”

“Then why do you think they’re dead?”

“Your father’s instructions were very precise.”

“Of course, they were precise. I’m sure he dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every damn ‘t.’ But without bodies you don’t know what’s happened. You can’t possibly know if they are alive or dead.”

The phone rested silently against her ear and the moment stretched out, then Uncle Bill said, his voice gentler but hesitant, “Look, Shae … I know you don’t get along with your Dad. Hell, you and I have barely talked to each other. The last time I saw you was at Rory’s twenty-first, and you’d already started with the FBI, but since then, you’ve barely had anything to do with the family. Your Dad mentioned that you’d left the FBI Hostage Rescue unit and joined a private company offering the same services out of London. You know he’s really proud of you.”

A sick feeling curdled its way into Shae’s stomach. She didn’t have to listen to this. “Uncle Bill?”

“Yes?”

“I get that. I get all of it. You don’t have to explain ancient history to me. Now, for the record, I don’t accept that Dad and Rory are dead. Missing? Yeah, I’ll believe that but,” she shook her head, “No way they’re dead.”

“Perhaps it’s good you feel that way. Your father had more instructions.”

“Go on.”

“The office in Boston. The keys are yours.”

“What?!”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want it. Keep it for Dad and Rory when they come back.”

“The keys are still yours, you can come around and pick them up.”

“Then sell it. It’s nothing to do with me.”

“We can’t sell it. It’s on a ten year lease, fully paid up, and-”

Shae pulled to a sudden halt. “What? How did Dad afford that?”

“That’s not material. Your father gave me these instructions just over a month ago. Rory and he had a new lead on your twin sister.”

Shae sighed, an old anger surging through her. “I’ve long thought Dad’s crazy obsession with finding Niamh was going to get himself killed, just like it got Mom killed. I just hope he hasn’t actually managed to do that. I’d especially regret it if he managed to get Rory killed too.”

“There are those of us who understand your father’s quest, and Maureen knew the risks. My sister never did anything with her eyes shut.” Her uncle paused for a long moment. “I can’t imagine what it would do to me to have one of my children stolen from me.”

Shae rubbed her forehead with her free hand. This couldn’t be happening.

Her uncle said, “I don’t judge your father. There but for the grace of God go I.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. “Where was the lead?”

“Within New England.”

Shae cast her gaze around her hotel room. It was all very comfortable. Clean, well-kept, upmarket. Her latest contract had paid well. The bonus for a safe hostage rescue had arrived in her bank account the previous day. She could take a couple of months off if she needed too. Hell, she could take a year off with what she had saved. Her Dad and her brother were missing. There was no one else the family could turn to that might give a damn. But still ... “Is anyone looking for Rory and Dad?”

“We’ve notified the police-”

“Anyone who’d make a difference?”

“We have hired a private investigation service.”

“Who?”

“Ray Brighton.”

“I don’t know him.”

“He’s reputable.”

“I don’t trust people I don’t know.”

“Come home, Shae. Your father’s research for this new lead is in his office. You can pick up your Dad’s trail. Your family needs you.” He paused for a long moment. “Come home, Shae.”

Shae pressed her lips into a thin line. Her uncle was right. There was no getting around it. “I’ll get a flight to Boston as soon as I can.”

“Call me once you have the details. I’ll organize someone to pick you up from Logan airport and take you directly to your father’s office. You know he was living in the flat above the office.”

She nodded. “Yes. I know he was doing that. He’s been doing that for a long time. Look, I’ll send you the flight details once I have them. I’ll get on the next available flight. Is there anything else?”

“No, Shae. That’s all.”

“Bye, Uncle Bill.”

“Good bye, Shae.”

The line died. Shae rubbed a hand across her forehead, then down her face. Whatever had happened to stop her father and Rory contacting Uncle Bill had started three weeks ago. Three weeks was a long time. The trail would already be cold once she got back to Boston and checked out her Dad’s research. She shook her head. God only knew what she’d discover. She dialed another number from her contact list. She needed a business class flight from Kiev, Ukraine to Boston, Massachusetts, and she needed it straight away.

It was time to go home.

Hi All

The final book in my Thrilling Action-Packed Suspense-Filled Fantasy Adventure series, The Metaframe Adept, is now available for PREORDER with a release date of the 1st of November.

This final volume of The Metaframe War brings to a decisive close all the story threads raised in the first six books and is available at

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC91DXKV
Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id645...
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...

[EDIT: 26 Aug 2023] The PREORDER price of $0.99 will revert to full price $5.99 remain at $0.99 USD after the 1st of November along with all 'Paid for,' books in the complete Metaframe Series.

Buy it cheap now and always.



On Good Reads at







A Thrilling Suspense-Filled Fantasy Action Adventure

Hunters and vampires are fighting a secret war for control of the fabric of reality. Whoever acquires mastery of the reality shifting powers of the Metaframe will become the new gods of the universe.

"Imagine if you could change the rules of the game, what rules would you choose?"

THE METAFRAME IS REVEALED!

Anton Slayne and his friends return home to New England to discover the world has changed for the worse.

Anton's arch-nemesis, Vampire General Chloe Armitage, ushers in the open rule of vampires over their human subjects. A tithe in blood will be paid by all in service to an immortal queen and her new blood-sucking aristocracy.

But, the vampires are not unopposed, Louise Wesson marshals her Day Guard against the new tyranny, and Anton Slayne, Li Wu, and Peter Lamb find a new and powerful ally in a new-born goddess, but will anything be enough to defeat Armitage and her vampire army?

For the Living Darkness is coming for our world and its remorseless advance threatens to destroy all. Only one thing is sure in this world.

EVERYONE WILL SACRIFICE!

Be prepared to be blown away by a high-octane, suspense-filled fantasy, action adventure thriller, that would be at home in a summer movie blockbuster.

Hi Everyone,

The final book in my Dark Fantasy Adventure series, The Metaframe Adept, is deep into development with an expected release date of the 1st of December 2023.

This final volume of The Metaframe War will bring to a decisive close all the story threads raised in the first six books.

I'm looking forward to getting this book into your hands before Christmas 2023.



On Good Reads at







A Thrilling Suspense-Filled Fantasy Action Adventure

Hunters and vampires are fighting a secret war for control of the fabric of reality. Whoever acquires mastery of the reality shifting powers of the Metaframe will become the new gods of the universe.

"Imagine if you could change the rules of the game, what rules would you choose?"

THE METAFRAME IS REVEALED!

Anton Slayne and his friends return home to New England to discover the world has changed for the worse.

Anton's arch-nemesis, Vampire General Chloe Armitage, ushers in the open rule of vampires over their human subjects. A tithe in blood will be paid by all in service to an immortal queen and her new blood-sucking aristocracy.

But, the vampires are not unopposed, Louise Wesson marshals her Day Guard against the new tyranny, and Anton Slayne, Li Wu, and Peter Lamb find a new and powerful ally in a new-born goddess, but will anything be enough to defeat Armitage and her vampire army?

For the Living Darkness is coming for our world and its remorseless advance threatens to destroy all. Only one thing is sure in this world.

EVERYONE WILL SACRIFICE!

"Like Underworld on speed, it's got all the adrenaline and action-packing shots of entertainment you could want, wrapped up in a no-nonsense narrative." - Adam Smith, Cultured Vultures

Be prepared to be blown away by a high-octane, suspense-filled fantasy, action adventure thriller, that would be at home in a summer movie blockbuster.

Hi Everyone,

Book #6 in The Metaframe War series is available for Preorder on Amazon



On Good Reads at






A Thrilling Dark Fantasy Action Adventure

Hunters and vampires are fighting a secret war for control of the fabric of reality. Whoever acquires mastery of the reality shifting powers of the Metaframe will become the new gods of the universe.

"Imagine if you could change the rules of the game, what rules would you choose?"

THE MIROVAR FORCE TEAM HAS BEEN SHATTERED!

Anton Slayne and his friends travel to the fabled fortress of Matahat al Diydan to seek sanctuary at the hand of an old enemy - the Red Ghost - ruler of the Red Empire.

Cornelius Crane and his rebellious general, Chloe Armitage, confront the horror of Mekra’s machinations on the blood-soaked streets of Romania. He carries the mystical Key of Ahknaton upon his person. The Metaframe waits to be used, its reality shifting powers both feared and desired by all who know of it.

The Key can open any door and give birth to any reality. Whoever uses it first could win or lose everything - only one thing is certain.

CHAOS WILL RISE

"Like Underworld on speed, it's got all the adrenaline and action-packing shots of entertainment you could want, wrapped up in a no-nonsense narrative." - Adam Smith, Cultured Vultures

Be prepared to be blown away by a high-octane, dark fantasy, action adventure thriller, that would be at home in a summer movie blockbuster.

To read a late draft of my cousin's debut novel.

The Tailor of Iron Mountain tells the story of Tom Hadley, a music-obsessed 15-year-old boy who lives with his mother, Harriet. By all appearances, Tom is a typical teenager: lanky, sullen, and only washes his hair once every vernal equinox, yet his entire life has been spent moving from one place to another in an effort to escape the shadow of his family’s scandalous past. Tom finds his world turned upside-down when he meets Obie, a painfully shy twelve-year-old boy with a vivid imagination and a terrible haircut. What Tom doesn’t know is that Obie is harbouring a secret of his own, a secret that will find them both reluctantly dragged into the extraordinary world of Supers.

It's a fun, light-hearted, book with a darker undertone, similar genre to the Percy Jackson, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter series etc. In its current guise it's around 135k words.

It's YA. It covers super-heroes, comedy, drama, and action - and it works. My cousin has talent in spades. Keep an eye open for 'The Tailor of Iron Mountain,' and treat yourself to an entertaining read.

Waiting for it to show...

The number one...

The 'theme of people exerting their will over others without their permission.' is the essential theme of Dominion.

Thanks, Dan Simmons, 'Carrion Comfort.'

Dominion is the circumstance where one person wedges another between two choices - both bad.

The target of dominion must choose between the lesser of two evils. The least evil choice will serve the interests of the dominator...

Two young men lived in a cave. One morning, they went out to hunt. After much effort they returned to the cave with two rabbits.

The first man looked upon the rabbits and thanked the gods for the bounty. The second man looked upon the same rabbits and lamented that there weren't more.

The first man went to sleep replete and satisfied. The second man went to bed with hunger gnawing at his belly.

A day came where a pair of twins within the tribe became eligible for marriage. The two young men married the two young women on the same day.

The first man thanked the gods for the blessing of his beautiful and gentle wife. The second man lamented his bad luck, for his wife had a shrewish tongue and disliked everything he did.

In due course, children arrived to both men, however one child in each family did not survive childhood.

The first man mourned his loss, but thanked the gods for the blessing of his child's life, even if short. He responded to his loss by appreciating and loving his other children all the more. The second man cursed the gods for sending him the tragedy of a lost child. In his bitterness, he turned his back upon his other children lest they die too.

Time passed, the children grew up and moved away.

The first man celebrated their maturity, and wished them well in their lives. The second man saw his loneliness and cursed his children for abandoning him.

In the end, the angel of death came for both men, his shroud covering the light, his scythe singing through the air.

The first man was at ease, and accepted the end of his life in peace. The second froze with terror, and gasped, "But I have not lived!"

The first man sought to comfort his friend, for they had lived their lives as neighbours. "My friend, we have had the same life, there is much to be thankful for."

The second man, looked at his neighbour aghast, and exclaimed, "Out lives have been nothing alike! Your life has been blessed and mine has been cursed."

The angel of death, swept his scythe through a glittering arc, taking both men's souls away. He looked upon their bodies resting in absolute stillness and remarked, "You were both right."

Tales from the COVID-19 front lines... (Australia).

I was walking through the city when someone whispered at me from an alleyway, "Hey, mate. You want some?"

I probably should've kept walking, but I was curious. So, I said, "What?"

"4 Ply. I've got rolls of the stuff."

"You're kidding me!"

"No, for real." He lifted back the front of his coat. His skinny chest was wrapped in line after line of toilet paper.

I looked closer, there was a faint metallic gleam to the paper under the street lights. It wasn't 4 ply, it was nothing like real toilet paper. I waved my hand dismissively at his fake wares. "That's Badger's Arse. Government issue, made from recycled sandpaper, sawdust, and metal filings."

"No. No. No. It's good stuff. I promise you."

I shook my head, and turned away. I was wasting my time with a street-paper merchant. A bootlegger of stolen stock. No one could be trusted. It was a good thing I'd already hoarded my stash.

I reached my car, got in and drove for home. Half way there, red-blue lights flashed me from behind. A pair of motor-cycle cops pulled me over. They ordered me to open my car up to be searched for contraband and to assume the position. Of course, I complied. Ever since the 'Corona Virus Civil Safety Act,' had been passed, Cops could shoot you for non-compliance with a lawful directive. And searching my car and my person in intimate detail had been made a lawful action under the CVCS Act. The closest one passed upwind of me and I got a full whiff of his rear end. It smelled pretty bad down there. I figured the cops were down to using government issued Badger's Arse with predictable results. They were hoping to find some paper on me - off course I wasn't carrying any with me. I'd carefully gone to the toilet before I left home. I wasn't stupid.

The cop I couldn't smell asked, "You carrying any paper?"

I said, "No," and before I could stop myself, I added insouciantly, "I had a boating accident."

"A boating accident?" asked the smelly cop, lurching around to face me.

"Yeah, I was transporting my whole stash of paper across a lake and the boat tipped over and I lost the lot."

The other cop's face darkened, and I realized I'd let my mouth run away from me. He remarked with a merciless grin, "We'll see about that."

They pulled my car apart, and then smacked out one of my rear brake lights in a fit of spite at having to leave empty-handed. They slapped a yellow-sticker on my windshield, declaring my car unroadworthy due to the now broken brake light. I said nothing. They roared away on their motorcycles and I walked the rest of the way home.

In a stroke of good-luck, I arrived home in time to discover a gang of thieves ransacking my place. I keep a loaded shotgun (only for sport shooting of course) buried in the front yard. I dug it free with my bare hands and charged through the front door. I caught them attempting to steal my stash of paper. Of course, I blew them away. It's a God given right to defend your paper. They died squealing, their filthy hands clutching scrunched up wads of paper, more paper, half used, hanging out of the rear-tops of their jeans. One of them was a female with some of my paper stuck to the bottom of her left shoe.

It was a disgusting job, but I recovered what I could, and re-hid the rest of my stash in a fire-protected safe-box in my cellar. As for the bodies, they were safe enough on my lounge room floor. I'd work out what to do with them later - right now, nature was calling.

I have one of those retro-dunnys in the back yard. So I went to it, and sat down on the throne. I did my business and reached for my roll of toilet paper. I'd bought out three supermarket aisles of Kleenex Super Ply, Super-Deluxe just as this whole crisis was starting. It was the creme-de-la-creme of toilet papers. I was filled with anticipation of wiping its wonderfully strong, yet soft and absorbent majesty across the sensitive skin of my bottom. My left hand reached, my fingers grasped - nothing!

It was gone.

I heard a growl above my head. There were holes in the roof of my dunny, and a dirty great possum had my toilet roll. I watched in horror as it leaped onto a tree branch and scampered into the crown of the giant gum tree in my back yard. Dragging my precious paper with it. I put my horror aside, and grim faced, I reached for what I needed and stepped out of the dunny.

Now, as everyone knows, and it hardly needs to be said. There are two great truths. Outback dunny's have matches and possums can only hold one thing at a time. Being an enterprising, fore-thinking citizen of merit. I'd added a stash of dynamite sticks next to my dunny, just because you never know when you might need one. I grabbed a stick and lit the fuse with a match. I threw the dynamite at the possum. And being the stupid critter it is, it dropped my prize toilet paper and caught the dynamite.

I leaped forward and caught the falling paper, and fell into a roll that shielded it with my body. Above me the possum growled, and then the whole top of the gum tree exploded, raining burning fragments all over my backyard. I checked my paper, it was safe. The top of the tree fell away, a burning mass, straight onto the top of my house, which exploded in a ball of flame.

I cradled my toilet roll. I had no worries, my stash was protected in a fire-proof box in the cellar. Anything else was expendable, I had my paper, what more could a man want?