Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes - Posts Tagged "tales-of-the-dim-knight"

On the blog, I'll address a couple criticisms that my work's gotten, not as a defensive measure but to explain the methods of my madness.

If there's criticism that Tales of the Dim Knight is the seeming lack of a central plot. Some have even suggested the book should be a short story collection.



However, I'm comfortable with it as a novel, though I guess people could consider it a braided novel if they like. I will say that the book is a little different, so it throws people for a loop. There are three things that make the book different and throw people for a loop.

First, humor was a priority because it's very much a comedy and a parody. Many authors use humor as something that they mix in with their plot. What's different about my approach with Tales of the Dim Knight is that so much of the basic superhero stories are told for the parody and humor value. So the plot is at least partially built around the gags rather than the gags being put in around the plot.

Second, my overall style for the story is tied to the way I encountered superheroes growing up which was mostly in episodic television. And in the best superhero TV shows like Spider-man: The Animated Series, the stories may stand on their own but they were usually leading somewhere and somewhat inter-related. I hope that appeals to people who grew up watching Saturday Morning cartoons as part of that nostalgic feel.

And that brings me to the third point, the overall dramatic story in here is about Dave Johnson's journey. He gets his ultimate dream when he becomes a superhero, but that has an impact on his family and there's all ready trouble to begin with, so the story of the relationship between Dave and his family holds the novel together dramatically.

Obviously, the style we use here is not for everyone, but I'm very satisfied with it and how it turned.

If you'd like to try out, we are having a give away on Goodreads with the prize being an autographed copy.

I've been reviewing the audiobook of Tales of the Dim Knight recorded by Scott Wilcox. It's quite an experience. It's right up there with seeing your first book in print for coolness.

There are some things that I've written years ago that I'm hearing for the first time being read by someone else, as well as some gags originally written by Andrea and I'm chuckling at it. Yes, I wrote it, but someone else is reading it.

I also found that I sent a slightly outdated manuscript to the reader. The only big difference was that the older manuscript contained additional info in the final chapter and another of the epilogue, both of which have been cut. It was interesting to hear them, but I remembered why I cut them in the first place. It kind of slogged the ending down. In addition, I've written two complete novellas which make the delete portions non-canonical.

I also was very impressed with the amount of work that the producer put into it and it brought home a key point. It's two years after the release of the novel that I'm actually getting around to getting the audiobook out. The reason? I told myself that I could do it myself, but I never did. The time never appeared for it. I can read aloud fine (I frequently take the scripture readings at church), but doing the audiobook is more than that. It requires editing and getting everything into the right format and remixing. So, I appreciate Scott, and I would encourage writers to check out The Audiobook Creator's Exchange if they don't have another way to make an audiobook. It's a great opportunity.

Many people have told me that they only listen to Audiobooks. They don't have time to sit down and read.

That's why I'm pleased to announce that my wife and I's book, book:Tales of the Dim Knight|9756931] has been released as an audiobook read by Scott Wilcox.

Scott brings a good sense of comic timing and appreciation for the material to his adaptation. This book is available now through Audible and should soon be on Apple.

A thought occurred to me recently. Paperbacks are like VHS and ebooks are like DVDs.

VHS tapes rarely had much in terms of bonus content because of the limits on their space, but the DVD brought about all sorts of featurettes, commentaries, and games because of the expanded storage.

Ebooks have that potential but most authors, yours truly included, do not tap that potential. Instead the ebook is usually a Kindle version of our original books.

Inspired by that thought, I went and created a second Kindle edition of Tales of the Dim Knight that includes an alternate ending and nine deleted scenes including the first time Captain France and Miss Invisible met Half Brain. So, I encourage you to check it out.

Note: if you bought the first edition off Amazon, you can go to Manage your Kindle to download the latest at no additional cost.

I'm please to announce the new Kindle Edition of Tales of the Dim Knight has been released.

This second edition includes:

---A discussion guide for book clubs.
---Alternate Ending to the Book
---Nine other deleted scenes.

The revised Kindle version is on sale 7/8 for $0.99.

But as they say on TV, that's not all. Today only, Tales of the Dim Knight is the featured book of the day on Mamma Says Read. And we're giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. You can enter many ways, including by purchasing Tales of the Dim Knight today.

So click here to do enter.

Because of the deletion of multiple point of views, this scene from Tales of the Dim Knight is not the paperback book and wasn't in the original Kindle Edition but is in the new second Kindle Edition:

“Why do they not recognize the flag?”
Miss Invisible glanced over the muscles bulging from Captain France’s costume. Maybe a beret would help. “People do think you’re patriotic in those colors.”
Captain France leaned against an overturned trashcan in the alley. “They think I’m American until I speak. Why can’t they tell the difference between red, white, and blue and blue, white, and red?”


Miss Invisible shook her head. Days like this, she wondered why she ever let that man in her bed. “It’s beyond me.”
Blue food coloring fell from a window and splashed all over them.


Captain France wiped at his suit. “What is this?”


Two men carrying automatic weapons dropped down. The taller said, “Ahmed wants to see you.”


“Ahmed who?” asked Captain France.
“You’ll see. Come with us.”
Captain France stood, hands in the air. “But, of course.”


Miss Invisible disappeared, except for the sticky substance. One of the men slugged her with his rifle butt. She screamed at the pain throbbing in her side and re-appeared.'


“Ahmed knows your tricks. They’ll be quite useless. Come this way.”
The men led them to a car. Two feet short, their captors stopped, a blank, confused look coming over their faces.


Someone screamed, “Look up there!”


“Huh?” the men said and looked up even though if Miss Invisible didn’t know better, she’d think the voice came from the manhole leading to the sewer.


Miss Invisible and Captain France jump kicked the stupefied men.


The manhole cover lifted up. “Come this way, to safety.”


Captain France muttered, “There had better not be. alligators down there.”


The two heroes held their noses and followed their new friend.

There's even more available in Tales of the Dim Knight 2nd Kindle edition available for 99 cents through 7/8.