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Blood Red Sand
Mars will run red with Nazi blood…
After World War Two, Sergeant McCabe knew the British army could send him anywhere. He never imagined facing down another Nazi threat on Mars.

In New Berlin colony, rivalry between Generalfeldmarschall Seidel’s Wehrmacht and Reichsführer Wagner’s SS threatens bloodshed. The Reichsführer will sacrifice everything to initiate the secretive Hollow Programme and realise his nightmarish future for humanity.

McCabe, Private Jenkins, and the Mars Expeditionary Force must overcome bullet, bomb, and bayonet to destroy the Third Reich. While Jenkins fights to stay alive, McCabe forms an uneasy alliance with MAJESTIC-12 operatives known as the Black Visors. Will this be the final battle of World War Two or the first confrontation in an interstellar war?

Mars Occupation Force – Press Office

04 May 2025

Motherland Climax by Vlad Puting (by Damien Larkin)


So, I’ve been busy. I know, I know… every few months (ahem, years) I come back to this blog with an excuse and it’s always the same one. I’d much rather pen a ninety-thousand-word novel than write a two-thousand-word blog post. I am getting better, though and recent participation in anthologies and shared projects with other writers has spurred me on to get back into blogging a bit. Timing-wise, it’s probably a good idea especially with the release of ‘Motherland Climax by Vlad Putting’ only two months away!

First off, I know what you’re thinking. The title, right? Let me dig into the background a little bit.



Around a year and a half ago I read ‘The Iron Dream’ by Norman Spinrad. It utterly blew my mind in that way fantastic books do. It’s a satire set in a world where a certain genocidal German dictator emigrated to the USA instead of entering politics and became an illustrator and novelist. In his seminal work, he wrote about a post-apocalyptic future where mutants reigned supreme and ‘pure’ humans were in the minority. The story follows a ‘pure’ human character who retakes his country, rebuilds society in his image, and wages relentless war against mutant nations.

If you’ve read anything on World War Two, you can see the parallels.



It was the discourse at the start and end of the book that really hooked me in. The fact that it’s a book-within-a-book allows the suspension of belief to the point that for me, it was like reading what a deranged genocidal maniac dreamed of doing, in a world where he lived a normal, everyday life.
My mind went into overdrive after reading it. I wanted to write something like it so I turned my attention to whose perspective it could be written from. If you follow me on social media, you most likely know I’m a firm supporter of Ukraine against Russia’s illegal invasion, so my thoughts shifted to a certain Russian politician. What if he never entered politics and instead penned a series of novels? What would he write about? Who would his characters be? With that train of thought ‘Motherland Climax by Vlad Putting’ was born.

The Foreword of the novel (it’s actually Chapter One) sets the scene. It explains the backstory of how a former Russian KGB operative moved to the UK and eventually wrote what was to become a best-selling series of novels featuring super-spy Victor Petrov. The world itself is geopolitically quite different from our own, with vague references to the two World Wars never happening and even a mention of a ‘Corsican novelist named Napoleon.’

Colonialism is still very much alive with the likes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Iceland and Ireland, the Confederate States of America, and the Holy Roman Empire vying for supremacy, often at the expense of the Rus Empire. Against this backdrop Victor Petrov will stop at nothing to seize political power for himself, install the neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus, and wage unrepenting war against the hated ‘Doctrine of Equality.’

I describe most (if not all) of the novel as written in ‘purple prose’, a delightful term I only discovered after penning it. Essentially, the writing style is gratuitous, excessive, and at times, downright barmy. There are sections dedicated to how manly the Victor Petrov character is from fighting a bear in the Siberian wilderness, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with ninja assassins on a plane to taking on two divisions of heavily armed insurgents, alone, while piloting a mech.

Ludicrous, I know, but I approached this story with the sole purpose of tearing up the rulebook. I wrote it from the perspective of someone who, in our world, wields massive power, but in the setting of the story, doesn’t. The novel draws on a feeling of inferiority and the need to be glorified and worshipped while espousing views that I think most people would find abhorrent.

In the Afterword (the last chapter) a contemporary fictional author delves into some of the themes and ideas in the book in an attempt to understand why this series is so popular. That for me, sums it up nicely, and hopefully explains what I was trying to do with this project.

The excessive number of times the ‘Motherland’ is referenced, (mostly in a weirdly erotic manner) is also explored in the Afterword. The author ponders if it’s an ‘Oedipus Complex but on a nationalistic scale’ and they’re right. Dictators and those who seize power often link their egos with the country they’ve usurped. Any past, perceived slight on their person becomes one for the entire nation to endure.

More than anything, the Victor Petrov character dreams of bringing the Motherland to her natural climax on the world stage. The persecution and suffering he experienced in his early career becomes the driver behind him making the neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus the world’s preeminent economic, political, and military power.



I genuinely have no idea how Motherland Climax will be received since it’s such a radical departure from what I’d normally write. This is my first foray into satire and alternative history, and I’m hopeful people enjoy it and see what I was trying to do. Thankfully, pre-publication reviews and feedback have been positive, so fingers crossed that trend continues.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be delving more into the world of Motherland Climax, plus updates on my other projects (yes, three books coming this year alone). Stay tuned, and if you’ve read this far, well done.

Go pour yourself a nice cup of coffee/carbonated beverage/water or beer, if you partake.
You’ve earned it!

Motherland Climax by Vlad Puting is available for pre-order now:
https://www.damienlarkinbooks.com/shop/pre-order-motherland-climax-by-vlad-puting
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01 September 2023

AN INTERVIEW WITH SINEAD MCGUIGAN


In this weeks interview, I'm joined by the one and only Sinead McGuigan. Sinead is the author of 'A Gift and a Curse' and 'Unbound.' Be sure to check out her work!


 

Welcome, Sinead. How long have you been a poet?

I started writing poetry in 2019.

Where did you get the inspiration for your books? 

My poetry is directly linked to my own personal healing journey from cancer and my past. I write from a deep emotional place and am influenced a lot my women's rights and freedom.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve experienced in your writing career, so far?

I find it hard to make time to write as much as I would like to, life can get busy so really my greatest challenge is being disciplined more in my creative endeavours.





If you could go back and give your younger self a single piece of writing advice, what would it be?


I used to write as a teenager and certainly I would have wished I hadn't ignored that side of me for so long.

What do you think the biggest challenges are for aspiring writers and poets, right now?

The social media aspect in a sense really is challenging and it can be confusing perhaps to see people with large following and little talent. In Ireland I think there is a certain snobbery almost in what is deemed good poetry

Do you believe that having a strong social media presence leads to more book sales?


It can help absolutely as often it's the only option for self-published authors . I definitely feel it helps me so much and I'm very grateful.







How do you deal with writer’s block?

I genuinely don't get writers block but there are periods in which I don't write.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

When I see a piece of art or feel instantly inspired by a subject and it flows naturally.

If you could collaborate with any other poet or poets on a project, who would it be and why?
I generally collaborate with artists and my main projects are related to women's issues.

What are you working on now?

I am trying to decide what my next book will focus on.





Where do you see your writing career in 5 years?

I really would like to write short stories and perhaps in time a novel.


Have you ever considered writing in another genre?

Yes, certainly fiction and perhaps a healing journal for others.


What marketing tips would you give to someone starting out in their career?


Always be true to yourself and your art. There are different flavours to be explored but write from your authentic self.


Be sure to follow Sinead's writing journey over on @sineadmgpoetry on Instagram.

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25 August 2023

AN INTERVIEW WITH K.A FINN


For today's interview, I'm joined by K.A Finn author of the Broken Cords, Blackjacks, and Nomad series of books. So far, I've only read book one in the Nomad series, so it's clear I have a lot of reading ahead of me. Enjoy!

How long have you been a writer?

I physically started writing my first book in 2011 but the idea was with me for years before that.


Where did you get the inspiration for your books?

It’s different for each series but my sci-fi one was inspired by Star Trek TNG. I watched it all the time and developed my own set of characters as part of that world. A few years later I had created many more characters, too many for the Star Trek ‘fanfic’ world, so I gave them their own.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve experienced in your writing career, so far?

Marketing! I love writing but I hate marketing my writing. Imposter syndrome also comes into play a bit – especially when I’m working on a brand new series and the doubt series in. I go through phases of thinking this is the best thing I’ve ever written, then flipping to this is total rubbish after I reread it. Trusting yourself and what you’re writing is difficult at times.




If you could go back and give your younger self a single piece of writing advice, what would it be?

I think I’d say not to worry about what people might say about your writing – just do it. I talked myself out of so many ideas or removed whole scenes because I was afraid. I still am at some stage of each book, but not as bad as I was. All that doubt meant my first book took four years to write. If I’d just stopped worrying and doubting, it would have been completed a lot sooner.


Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Pantser all the way! I tried plotting a few books but I never managed to stick to it. I prefer to let my characters run wild and see what happens. I love being surprised by what they get up to!


What do you think the biggest challenges are for aspiring writers, right now?

I think it’s getting noticed in such a flooded market. It’s relatively ‘easy’ to publish a book nowadays. There are so many books being published every single day it’s difficult to stand out - especially with the rise of AI written books.

It can take me up to a year to write, edit, re-edit, rewrite, format etc one of my books, but I’ve read of other authors using AI to complete a book in a matter of hours. I’m not going to change the way I create my books, but it does makes it difficult to compete.


Do you believe that having a strong social media presence leads to more book sales?

No one will buy your book if they don’t know it exists…unfortunately! As much as I dislike social media dragging me away from my writing, I think it’s absolutely vital if you’re to succeed as an author. You absolutely need to shout about your books over and over again on as many different platforms as possible.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

I’ve never actually had writer’s block. At the moment, I am actively writing six books and have started another fifteen or so. If I get stuck on one book, I move to the next one. I have a limited few hours a day to write while my kids are at school, so I can’t afford to waste any of that time staring at the screen. So far I’ve been able to work like this very successfully. If the cyborg from my sci-fi series finds himself on stage with my rockstars, while the vampires watch from the audience, there’s a strong chance I might have become a little confused. So far so good though!


What is your favourite part of the writing process?

I absolutely love holding the completed hardback book in my hand. I read each book numerous times on my Kindle to check for errors before publishing, but holding the physical book, then putting it on my shelf alongside my other books, is the best feeling in the world.


If you could collaborate with any other author on a project, who would it be and why?

Michael Scott. I was addicted to his young adult novels growing up, and read them repeatedly. I still have them on my bookshelf. I love the way he incorporates Irish mythology/fantasy in his books with a modern twist. It was my first introduction to that merging of old and new. It’s something that’s always stuck with me and it’s something I include in my books to a certain extent.


What are you working on now?

Lots and lots of books!

I’m just running through the final edits on my fourth Broken Chords (rockstar romance) book, Crushed Rock. That is due out in a month or so (fingers crossed). I’m also completing the final edits on a new fantasy romance series, North Bound, about a sword swinging, demon fighting Santa. It’s my take on Rise of the Guardians – for adults! Once the rockstar is out of the way, I’ll be finishing up my third vampire Blackjacks series book, then on to some wolf shifters, back to the next rockstar. I’m also planning to finish the seventh book in my sci-fi series. It’s my favourite series and I’ve been neglecting the characters for too long.


Where do you see your writing career in 5 years?

In my over-active imagination I see all my books on TV as massively successful series’. And I would absolutely be left to sort out the casting for the different characters! Realistically though, I would love to have my books on more shelves around the world, in the hands of more readers, and for my fans to still love my books as much as they seem to at the moment.


Have you ever considered writing in another genre?

I began writing sci-fi, then ventured into more romance genres (rockstar, paranormal, and now fantasy). It really depends on the characters that pop into my head and where they want to be situated. I’m just along for the ride.


Pen names – yay or nay?

I use a pen name and always have. I like to remain mysterious!


What marketing tips would you give to someone starting out in their career?

Dedicate one day a week to marketing. I have Marketing Monday. I plan and make any Instagram, Facebook posts, make the images etc and schedule them for the week. If I don’t force myself to do that, I’ll get lost in the writing. Get it over with at the start of the week then spend the rest of the time doing all the fun writing!


To learn more about K.A Finn and her books, check out the below links:

Website: www.kafinn.com
IG: kafinnauthor
FB: kafinnauthor
https://linktr.ee/kafinn

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