That reminds me of a delighful quote:

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.

“Today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favourite day,” said Pooh.

One of my favourite days happened like this. As I puffed, riding my bicycle up a steep Welsh hill 5 years ago I had an original idea. WHat if amnesia was infectious? Then what if no one was immune. I researched like crazy for 4 months to discover a) there was no known medical event of infectious amnesia, and b) that the concept – especially with retrograde amnesia (lose say a year’s worth per day backwards) – hadn’t been used in published stories, nor on TV or film. It took a year to create the first 100k draft. I showed and discussed it with SF luminaries such as Jon C Grimwood, Charles Stross and US writer, Brad Linaweaver, who all endorsed it. Also to pal, Allan Guthrie, who is an agent, editor and author of hard-nosed crime. He wanted me to rewrite and tighten like crazy. So I joined the BSFA Orbiters and it went through SF members that way – very useful. An agent took it on. The 10th one I approached after many rejections on the grounds they liked the premise but it was me who they’d have trouble marketing because I’m not famous. After my second SF novel sold to Double Dragon Publishing, they would take ARIA but there are a few issues and I had hoped for a UK publisher. LL-Publications snapped at it last autumn and ARIA has its release tomorrow – August 1st 2012 – yeay. Signings and official launch yet to happen – probably in September. When LL-Publications sent ARIA to their editors, it went through its 5th revision. A week ago while reading the proof reviewer’s copy, I found a handful more typos! Hopefully it is good to go now. The second volume has gone through BSFA Orbiters and volume three is going through as we speak.

Title: ARIA: Left Luggage 
Author: Geoff Nelder
ISBN: 978-1-905091-95-9
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Date: August 2012
Price: paperback  $14.99 (£9.99) e-book $5.99
Publisher: LL-Publications

Blurb:

Today, Jack caught a bug at work. He catches a bus home. By the time he disembarks in the desert town of Rosamond, all the other passengers and the driver have fuzzy heads. Jack had caught an amnesia bug, and it’s infectious.

Imagine the ramifications:

The passengers arrive home infecting family; some shop en route infecting everyone they meet. The bus driver receives more passengers giving them change for last week’s prices and today’s amnesia.  Some passengers just started work at the power plant, the water treatment works, the hospital, fire station.  All to shut in weeks.

Ryder realizes what’s going on but can he persuade friends to barricade themselves in a secluded valley, hiding from the amnesia bug?

Jon Courtenay Grimwood  – “Geoff Nelder inhabits Science Fiction the way other people inhabit their clothes.”

Robert J Sawyer calls ARIA a “fascinating project”.

“Geoff Nelder’s ARIA has the right stuff. He makes us ask the most important question in science fiction–the one about the true limits of personal responsibility.” – Brad Linaweaver.

“ARIA has an intriguing premise, and is written in a very accessible style.” – Mike Resnick.

Kindle – Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/ARIA-Left-Luggage-ebook/dp/B008RADGYC/

Paperback Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/ARIA-Left-Luggage-Volume-1/dp/1905091958/

Kindle – UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/ARIA-Left-Luggage-ebook/dp/B008RADGYC/

Paperback UK  http://www.amazon.co.uk/ARIA-Left-Luggage-Geoff-Nelder/dp/1905091958/

Publisher’s website with more details and formats. http://www.ll-publications.com/leftluggage.html

Buy it quick before you run out of memory!

There will be signings, yet to be finalised. Watch this space.

Also watch that cover art – brilliantly conceived and executed by award-winning artist, Andy Bigwood.

Celebratory tea tonight!

Here’s the video trailer to beat all trailers Please watch it and tell me what you think?
http://youtu.be/oh0AAXIe8VU