Dear friends and family,
As many of you know, I've been working the past year -- that's right, I said year -- on the screen adaptation of my upcoming Talanov thriller, DRAGON HEAD. And I am proud to present the official book cover to you here and now. The same artist who designed the gold-medal-award-winning cover for November Echo also designed this one. Her name is Frauke Spanuth and her work is absolute genius.
Needless to say, I am very proud of the Dragon Head cover. I think it rocks. Naturally, this means I have to produce a story that matches expectations generated by Frauke's cover, so the pressure is definitely on! It's all good, however, because pressure like this makes me dig deep and work hard. If I'm asking you to invest a few bucks and your time in one of my books, it is my responsibility to provide you with a story that honors that investment. For me, such a task is a privilege. Thank you for allowing me that privilege.
As far as the film is concerned, like I said earlier, the screenplay is completed after a very long year of editing (and editing and editing!). We also have a line producer's budget, which currently sits at twelve million dollars. We have money budgeted for a major star to play the part of Talanov. We have money budgeted to attract major supporting actors, as well as provide the film with some cool visual effects. But VFX is not what this film is about. Action thrillers often rely on the "shock and awe" of special effects to masquerade a weak story. I have worked hard to make this a dynamite story that will be enhanced by a few visual effects. You, of course, will be the final judge as to whether or not we succeeded (assuming everything goes according to plan and this film gets made the way we want it to be made).
So, what is the story about? In short: Talanov finds himself caught between a ruthless triad leader -- Dragon Head -- and a kill squad sent by the CIA when he tries to save the lives of three trafficked orphans. The story has already been described as "Bond-meets-Bourne-meets-Taken" in a visual sweep from the grim shantytowns of South Africa to the corridors of power in Washington to the neon chaos of Hong Kong. At its heart is a Bible verse -- Hebrews 13:5 -- I will never desert you. And Talanov discovers just how costly a promise it is when he makes such a promise to these kids.
We've set up a Dragon Head Facebook page, which I hope you will visit and "Like." Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/dragonheadthemovie.
Plus, if you're on Facebook, please share the Dragon Head page on your own FB page.
As for my ambitions for this film, I've already partnered with some relief groups digging wells and building schools and houses around the world. I want this to be more than just a film. I can't speak for others involved in the production, but I will be directing some of my money toward helping provide some of life's basic necessities with those in need. So the more you can help by spreading the word, the better chance I have of making a difference with needed essentials like clean water, housing, schools, teachers, food, clothing, and medical supplies -- activities that helped create Talanov in the first place.
For those of you who know my story, Talanov the fictional hero was an outcome of an heroic act by an actual KGB agent who once leaked word out of Moscow that I was on a KGB watchlist for my smuggling activities behind the old Iron Curtain. What he did for me -- someone he had never met -- inspired the idea of a good-guy KGB agent who became a deep-cover spy for America during the Cold War ... a man whose past will not leave him alone now, when he's trying to atone for his old life in the KGB. So I hope you'll lend your support by visiting the Dragon Head page. To show my appreciation, down the road there will be free copies of books as well as movie tickets.
I also want to acknowledge the "5x Team" -- a group of totally awesome Christian family who faithfully pray for me, as well as support me with emails of encouragement. THANK YOU for helping me get to this point. (If anyone else wishes to join the group -- it's simply a prayer team helping underpin me with the wisdom and stamina needed to get this job done -- just let me know and I will add you to the list.)
Well, my friends, that is it for now. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll be back in touch again soon with more Talanov news.
Blessings to you all,
Jim
