AFTERWORD

 

Imagine, if you will, that George Lucas (or now, perhaps Mickey Mouse) knocked on your door and asked you to not only co-star in the next Star Wars movie, but also to have carte blanche to play in the creative sandbox and help develop the new direction his universe was going to take. Yeah, that’s kind of how I felt when Jeremy approached me about participating in the very first Jack Sigler Continuum book.

You see, although I’m an author, I’ve been a fan of Jeremy’s stuff from the beginning. It was he, in fact, that inspired me to throw off the shackles of my own fears, forget about ‘dreaming’ about being a writer, and actually pursue my passion full force. After all, he’s come an amazingly long way since his humble beginnings self-publishing at Lulu.com (incidentally, the first place I started as well).

The point is, like so many of you, I’ve been a fan of Jack Sigler since I first read Pulse. I’ve followed his and the Chess Team’s adventures from day one, and I loved them. I thrilled at the other co-authored novellas, loving every word of them and never dreaming that one day, I might be chosen to be counted among them.

Then, one day, it happened. I got that e-mail. Jeremy graciously asked me if I’d be interested in co-authoring the first book of a new Jack Sigler series. Needless to say, I didn’t hesitate.

But here’s the most amazing part. It’s something that many of you might not know about Jeremy. Keep in mind, this is his world. His universe. His creation. His baby. If roles were reversed, I’d be the most ridiculously overprotective ‘parent’ in the world. I’d hover over the co-author, eyeing each word they typed suspiciously. I’d correct. I’d rebuke. I’d reign in any crazy notions the co-author might be considering, for fear that they were about to screw up my universe royally. Well, I have news for you. Jeremy is nothing like that. He was so gracious. So patient. And most importantly, he allowed me absolute freedom to play in his sandbox, however I saw fit. As a matter of fact, as I wrote my portion of this story, he asked me not to tell him anything about what I was doing. He wanted it to be a surprise. Wanted to enjoy the story much the same way as readers would. He allowed me unimaginable freedom to dabble…to torture King and to shape the direction the Jack Sigler Continuum series would take. Let me tell you, as a creative person, this is as mighty a feat as anything Jack Sigler could ever do. The trust he has in his co-authors is truly magnificent and unprecedented. But you know what? I think he knows it will pay off in the end…this trust.

So when you think about Jeremy Robinson, the author, you should also think of Jeremy Robinson, the amazing man. Of all the more influential authors I’ve met during my time as a writer, I can honestly say he’s one of the most humble…most sincere…and most down to earth guys you’ll ever get to know. And you know what else? He truly cares about you—his fans and his readers. He sees his mission as simple and straight forward: Make you smile. Make you thrill. Make you feel entertained and satisfied. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

 

—J. Kent Holloway

March 25, 2014