Graphic novel published by Moonstone Books, set for August
release
As he described himself, John Chadwell is somewhat of an
overnight 20-year success story.
Chadwell has been a writer for many years, but in August, he
will have his first book published
– a graphic novel with local ties called
”
Werewolves of New Idria.
”
Chadwell has teamed up on the project with writing partner
Ronald Shusett, who penned
”
Total Recall,
”
along with well-known illustrator Duncan Long.
Graphic novel published by Moonstone Books, set for August release
As he described himself, John Chadwell is somewhat of an overnight 20-year success story.
Chadwell has been a writer for many years, but in August, he will have his first book published – a graphic novel with local ties called “Werewolves of New Idria.”
Chadwell has teamed up on the project with writing partner Ronald Shusett, who penned “Total Recall,” along with well-known illustrator Duncan Long.
Chadwell also is a self-described history buff, so it makes sense that his first novel encompasses a 900-year history, culminating in modern times and in San Benito County. Of course, he focuses on a more fictional perspective on things – werewolves and demons are the main characters – as the book’s setting dates back to the 11th Century.
Without giving away too much, here is how the writers described the opening of the book on a website, www.werewolvesofnewidria.com, set up to promote it.
“Spanish knight Roberto Aceves de Burgos fought beside El Cid against the Moors in 1063. On his journey home, his life was changed forever after he was attacked and bitten by a werewolf. More than nine hundred years later, in 2010, he and his family of warrior werewolves were in a battle for their existence against a demon determined to exact revenge.”
Fast-forward many centuries, and the book picks up in San Benito County. Ultimately, it revolves around what Chadwell called a “Christian theme” focusing on personal choice, and it plays out as a battle between demon bikers and werewolves, who are the “good guys.”
Chadwell said the idea’s evolution started years back while he was active in the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and its film commission, which has a goal of promoting movie making to use the area.
“I was very interested in helping the city bring some business here,” he said.
He decided to come up with his own project.
Besides his first unpublished novel – “Hunt of the Sea Wolves,” which he calls a political thriller and modern-day pirate story and noted it is sold at the Kindle store – he also had helped to doctor a script with Shusett having to do with zombies.
With the “werewolves” concept, they wrote the story over six months and it came to about 26,000 words, or 80 pages. But they connected with Long using social media and, from there, successfully pitched the graphic novel idea to Moonstone Books.
The graphic novel – which includes 80 illustrations – is set for release in August.
He already has posters hanging at local shops. And Bill’s Bullpen has agreed to host a book signing once it comes out.
Customers also can pre-order it at the downtown Hollister store and receive it Aug. 1.
“It’s a local artist, and those don’t pop into my store very often,” said owner Bill Mifsud, adding that Moonstone Books is well known in the comic industry.
