From Steel Structures to Plot Structures

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- N.J. Donner didn't set out to build a company that makes the structural steel that supports schools, hospitals and hotels. But he started welding part time in college, and that grew into Donner Steel Works. Today, Donner's Nebraska-based business fabricates hundreds of tons of structural steel each month.

Donner didn't set out to write a YA novel either, but began jotting down ideas to keep his busy mind occupied. He imagined how they might work in the alternate worlds he conjured. He pictured the people who would live there, and soon a story began to take shape. The Blue Moon Narthex, the first book in Donner's Karmanic Sovereign Legion series, will be released today.

"I've always been fascinated by the way things work," Donner said. "From the structures of buildings, to machines, to business, to how the world itself functions."

The Blue Moon Narthex tells the story of 13-year-old Cole McCarthy, who is suddenly thrust into the battle to keep the balance of good and evil in check. Donner's story is set while World War I rages. Cole and two friends find themselves at the secret headquarters of the Karmanic Sovereign Legion, a group that works behind the scenes to assist Karma. "The idea that people might be able to influence Karma is something I have been thinking about since college," Donner said.

"I was born and raised in Hartington, Neb., a town of about 1500 people," Donner said. "There wasn't a lot of diversity, but luckily I became part of a college band where I was able to travel. The give and take of traveling and seeing the world as it is, exposes the true nature of both good and bad people. I've always had a hope people will truly get what they deserve, and that I can return the good deeds of complete strangers toward me."

Creating an alternate world that co-exists with ours to help keep good and bad Karma in balance appealed to Donner's design and building instincts. He used 3D modeling, made hundreds of drawings, and imagined dozens of gadgets and tools, all while figuring out how they might work in his alternate world.

Donner discovered that the storytelling business is much like the steel business. When he built his company, he juggled the roles of fabricator, estimator, salesman, and boss. He learned the art of networking and of being prepared for opportunities.

"I always had a dress shirt, tie, and nice shoes with me so I could make a sales call or go to a meeting at a moment's notice," Donner recalls. "I learned how to be ready for anything."

He approached building his book much like his business. He connected with resources for editing, design, and distribution. He met authors, attended conferences, researched the art of world building, character development, and plot structure.

"It's actually building a business," Donner said. "You have to find out what you don't know or don't do well, then look for the people who do know and get them on your team."

The Blue Moon Narthex can be ordered now through Amazon or any bookseller, and the audiobook will be released next month. Donner is currently writing the second book in the series and plans to release that later this year.

MEDIA: Desk copies are available for review upon request in both paperback and ebook formats. To schedule an interview, send your request to [email protected] or call (402)770-4937 or visit steelpagepress.com.

Steel Page Press
3900 Old Cheney, Suite 201-285
Lincoln, Nebraska 68516

SOURCE Steel Page Press

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