YA #CoverReveal~BLACK & WHITE by Nick Wilford

Ever wonder what it would take to create a perfect society? My next YA feature explores just that! Let's take a peek at the book's cover reveal and then meet the author.

 Amazon US / Amazon UK / Smashwords

BLACK & WHITE

by Nick Wilford

Release Date: September 18, 2017

Genre: YA Dystopian

Extra info: Black & White is the first in a trilogy that will also be complemented by a prequel novella.

Description: What is the price paid for the creation of a perfect society?

In Whitopolis, a gleamingly white city of the future where illness has been eradicated, shock waves run through the populace when a bedraggled, dirt-stricken boy materialises in the main street. Led by government propaganda, most citizens shun him as a demon, except for Wellesbury Noon – a high school student the same age as the boy.

Upon befriending the boy, Wellesbury feels a connection that he can’t explain – as well as discovering that his new friend comes from a land that is stricken by disease and only has two weeks to live. Why do he and a girl named Ezmerelda Dontible appear to be the only ones who want to help?

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As they dig deeper, everything they know is turned on its head – and a race to save one boy becomes a struggle to redeem humanity.

What says you about the cover??? For me, it's intriguing and makes me want to peek into this strange world. 

Okay Alleywalkers, let's hear a warm hello for YA Author Nick Wilford!

Hi Nick! It's wonderful you stopped by for a visit. Give us a little insight into this dystopian world you've created.
Well, this world came about from an idea I had; what if all disease was eliminated? Of course, such a society would be a bit too perfect, and that's certainly how it comes across in the book, at least in the location we start out in. The people who created this world have gone to some pretty dark lengths to keep it squeaky clean, and the reader finds out more about this alongside my protagonist, Wellesbury. I think what marks Harmonia out from other dystopian worlds is that the problems aren't so immediately apparent. In the Hunger Games you've got, well, hunger, and the terrorisation of the population, but in my world everything seems pretty rosy on the surface. My favourite aspect of the world is gravball, which is kind of like a 3D version of football where players can run along the walls and ceiling of a cuboid-shaped room thanks to specially installed gravity fields. That's probably the coolest thing that's going on!

You know, I've wondered what it'd be like to live in a world where no disease existed. Very thought-provoking!

To give your readers a better feel for the story, what two super heroes adequately describe your main character? What two villains adequately describe your main antagonist?
I would say that Wellesbury could be represented by Superman, as he has capabilities that can't be seen on the surface - not physical but mental - and always tries to do the right thing. Maybe a bit of Flash Gordon in there, pitting himself against an evil tyrant. As for my antagonist - Lord Hubert Histender, the Supreme Grand Ruler of Harmonia - let's go for Big Brother. Never actually seen, his virtues are extolled in government-issued newsfeeds, and although citizens aren't physically watched in their homes, their lives are pretty regimented with standardised mealtimes and daily activities. And then Randall Flagg from Stephen King's The Stand. Doesn't seem quite as bad at first, but anyone with a bad word to say against the government mysteriously disappears.

Ooh, Randall . . . I remember him! What aspect of this story do you hope will resonate with your readers most & what element(s) do you believe will draw them into this story?
The aspect I hope will resonate most is the importance of thinking for yourself and not just going along with the crowd. I think that's a problem that's seen to an increasing degree in our current society, sometimes with frightening consequences. Social media has accentuated this; it should be a space wherein people can express their individuality but most just jump on whatever bandwagon is passing or whatever is going viral. I hope people will be engaged by my young teen protagonists; there's three of them to root for, against this evil machine that is the government.

Being comfortable in your own skin is so important. It can be so hard to live up to, though, especially during the teen years. Love this lesson. 

Fun question: If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

I'd be the Librarian from the Unseen University on Terry Pratchett's Discworld, who's famously an orangutan. He hangs out with books all day, he can scale tall shelves using his arms and legs, and he's strong enough to break the neck of anyone who threatens the books!

Haha! That's great! Thank you so much for sharing your literary roots with the Alleyway! Best of luck with this project and any in the future.

~About the Author~

Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those early morning times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and formatting thrown in. When not working he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine, which were later included in his collection A Change of Mind and Other Stories. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew. Blog / Twitter / Amazon Author Page / Goodreads

Want to help Nick spread the word about his upcoming release? Great! Here's a premade tweet for you to share wherever. Please & thank you ...

#Black&White Cover Reveal! Take a trip to a world that's not as perfect as it seems. @NickPWilford #YA #dystopian http://amzn.to/2h9SaFP

What are your thoughts on a world where disease is eradicated? What sacrifices would you be willing to make in society?