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The Book Builder's Blog

On The Book Builder’s Blog, C. D. Tavenor discusses the art of crafting novels, from the very beginning concepts that form stories to the editorial processes involved prior to publishing. The blog goes beyond just storysmithing; it considers all the pieces necessary to construct a complete book!

Flight of the 500: Inspired by the Indy 500, it’s a bittersweet release weekend.

Flight of the 500. It finally arrives tomorrow, May 25!

I first conceptualized this wild SciFi Racing Adventure one year ago while attending the Indianapolis 500. If you don’t know about the Indy 500, it’s one of the most famous auto racing spectacles in the world. 33 racers around a 2.5-mile circuit.

My family has attended almost every single race since the first in 1911.

So last year, at the 2019 Indy 500, I thought, “This time next year, I’m going to release a space racing novel inspired by the Indy 500 and release it the weekend of next year’s race.”

AKA—the 2020 Indy 500.

AKA—the presently postponed Indy 500, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. There’s no race today, and though the race is currently postponed to the Fall, it’s quite possible there won’t be a race at all this year.

A view down the front-stretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

A view down the front-stretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

As I write these words, my family would be already sitting in the stands, waiting for the race to begin. Plenty of snacks in hand, Gatorade and water to keep us hydrated. My wife and I, my brothers, and my cousins, we’d probably be on our way into the infield to see if we can spot some of our favorite drivers.

Instead, I’m at home, preparing for the release of Flight of the 500 during a pandemic. Very different from what I expected even a few months ago.

Yet in a way, it’s fitting. Instead of a live race, I hope my new novel finds its way to SciFi fans who also enjoy auto racing.

I won’t pretend Flight of the 500 is as great a spectacle as the actual Indy 500, but it has…

Here’s a view from our seats last year!

Here’s a view from our seats last year!

  • fast spaceships

  • pirates

  • a 500 light-year race

  • at faster-than-light (relatively speaking) speeds!

And a stellar cast:

  • Raith: a rogueish SI

  • Carter: a lone adventurer

  • Olive: an enigmatic secret agent

  • Harrison: a trusty mechanic

  • Erika and Donyi: two genius twins

  • Bonta: a free-thinking SI

So I hope you’ll join other readers this week and dive into Flight of the 500 from the comfort of your home as the pandemic continues. I’d hoped to share a few photos from the 2020 Indy 500 to share “inspirational source material,” but I suppose last year’s race will do (see the photos above).

Flight of the 500

Join Raith on the adventure of a lifetime: The QuanCom Five-Hundred Light-Year Classic!

C. D. TavenorComment