IAIN KELLY

A- Z CHALLENGE 2021 – THEME REVEAL

This year, for the month of April, I will be taking part in the A to Z Challenge for bloggers. The challenge is to post a blog everyday through April on a particular theme.

This year my theme will be an A to Z guide to my trilogy of novels, ‘The State Trilogy’, covering topics including the main characters, settings, themes and plotlines, as well as looking at the writing and publishing inspirations and challenges I encountered while working on them.

An overview: ‘The State Trilogy’ consists of three novels – ‘A Justified State’, ‘State Of Denial’ and ‘State Of War’ – set in an unnamed island country known only as ‘The State’, in the imagined near future. It follows the intertwining story of a number of characters, principally a State police detective named Danny Samson and an assassin, Gabriella Marino, over a period of six years. Their story begins with the assassination of an elected official and spirals into revolution and civil war. Part political thriller, action story, war story and dystopian science fiction, the trilogy took three years to complete and the books are available to read now – you can find links to purchase them HERE.

I hope you will enjoy learning a bit about them, the background to them, and my journey towards creating them. And perhaps be inspired to give them a read!

First up on Thursday April 1st will be: A is for: Assassin, Amazon, Appalachia, Archie Cancio, African Union, Architecture and Advertising

91 responses to “A- Z CHALLENGE 2021 – THEME REVEAL”

  1. Emine L.A. Beasley Avatar

    Good luck with the challenge!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Emine, hope you are able to stop by and read some of the posts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Tamara Avatar

    Congratulations on publishing your books!
    I remember your A-Z short stories a few years ago, they all took place in a different European city!

    Read you soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Well remembered! So nice to know someone was reading and enjoying. I’ve missed A to Z since then, busy writing these books, good to be joining in again this year 🙂

      Like

  3. kristin Avatar

    I look forward to reading about your trilogy, behind the scenes so to speak.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, that’s the idea, a little guide and a bit of the writing and publishing process 🙂

      Like

  4. Anne M Bray Avatar

    Hi Ian!
    Thanks for joining my Linkup Party!
    Can’t wait until April…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anne, me too! 🙂

      Like

  5. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Love this idea, Iain! Looking forward to reading all about The State.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet. Good to be back involved in A – Z, looking forward to reading what others are up to as well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. eschudel Avatar

    Oh – looking forward to it!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Like

  7. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar

    Hari OM
    Seeing it through the author’s eyes is always a good trip! YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope you will be back to enjoy some of it! 🙂

      Like

  8. josna Avatar

    Returning to the Challenge should be sheer fun after having completed an entire trilogy! Congratulations! I look forward to visiting over the course of the month and learning more about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, I hope you will enjoy it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. jazzfeathers Avatar

    Oh wow! Your story souds great! Can’t wait to learn more about it 🙂

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter – Theme Reveal – The Great War

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much – hope you will find it informative and entertaining!

      Like

  10. AJ Blythe Avatar
    AJ Blythe

    Iain, that’s a fabulous idea for a theme. Look forward to learning about your process and books.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much, hope you will enjoy the posts 🙂

      Like

  11. Martha Avatar

    A look at your journey to these books sound interesting, I’ll be popping in to visit along the way. Good luck with the challenge and congrats on getting the books published!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Martha, look forward to it 🙂

      Like

  12. Weekends in Maine Avatar

    It will be fun to learn more about your trilogy and the process you went through to create them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, hope you find it entertaining and informative 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Great idea Iain. Having read 1 and 2 (3 is on my must-read list!) I’m sure I’ll find this very interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ah great, I knew you had read the first one, thanks for sticking with it! Hopefully you will enjoy reading a little bit extra about it!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. ahtdoucette Avatar

    What a creative take! It’ll be interesting to learn more about your books.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anne, hope you will enjoy it!

      Like

    2. Deborah Weber Avatar

      I’ll definitely be reading your posts Iain, and I’m happy to report I’ve just purchased your trilogy. Sounds great and I look forward to digging in.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        That’s fantastic Deborah, thank you so much, it’s really appreciated and do let me know what you think of the books as you read them! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Allison Avatar

    Very cool theme! I’d love if all writers did this so you’d get bonus materials and a behind-the-scenes approach to their books.

    – Allison (https://lightningflashx.blogspot.com/)

    Like

  16. Cathy Kennedy Avatar

    Iain,

    Your book trilogy sounds like it would make an exciting movie series. The best of luck to you in April. It’s going to be a wild ride…well, it will be for me. I feel so disorganized going into the challenge this year. Thanks for dropping by learn about my theme for next month. Have an awesome day!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Writing Sparkle Avatar

    Great theme and I can’t wait to follow along. Given my writing goal this year I am excited to learn about the novels themselves as well as the background and journey. As a side note, great cover images for all three novels!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope you will enjoy the posts and they might provide a few hints and tips as well as interest you in the books 🙂

      Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh, and thanks – I design the covers myself too – it’s as much fun – if not more fun – than the actual writing 🙂

      Like

  18. OIKOS™-Editorial Avatar

    Good luck, and thank you for your the efforts! Will try to stop by every day, Iain! Have a nice day! Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Michael, always appreciate your support 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OIKOS™-Editorial Avatar

        You as well, Sally! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Cathy Kennedy Avatar

    Iain,

    I just want you to know I came by on Tuesday or Wednesday for a visit and left a comment but I’m not seeing it. You may need to check your spam folder. Sometimes WordPress does strange things like that. I remember commenting that your book trilogy sounds like it would make an exciting movie series. Best of luck to your next month in the A2Z Challenge and thanks for the visits!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Cathy, if you know anyone who wants to buy the movie rights from me, I am willing to sell! 😉 Hope my posts will be of interest to you and maybe persuade you to give the books a read.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Shirley Dietz Avatar

    I like your idea, and I’m sure it will be a good marketing tool. I know I’ll have to buy and read the books as well as your A to Z posts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Shirley, that’s the idea to try and drum a some interest, but also by the end it will sit on my blog as a handy guide. Hope you find it interesting 🙂

      Like

  21. Shirley Dietz Avatar

    I like your idea, and I’m sure it will be a good marketing tool. I know I’ll have to buy and read the books as well as your A to Z posts.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. SASiety Avatar

    Very interesting theme! I’m looking forward to learning more about your book series!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  23. debscarey Avatar
    debscarey

    So great that you’re back again this year Iain – looking forward to seeing what you share with us, especially having read all three.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Debs 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    This sounds like an interesting topic. I look forward to your posts and then reading your novels! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha, I know you’re an avid reader, would be very flattered if you gave my books a look 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sascha Darlington Avatar

        Will do! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  25. Frédérique Avatar

    Sounds like a very interesting theme, even if I’m not a writer, I will love to read your posts!
    My 2021 AtoZ Reveal

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, I hope they will be of interest to you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Donna Avatar

    Sounds like a great way to keep your regular fans interested AND maybe pick up some new fans. I’m challenging myself to microblog about books on our Instagram channel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, that was my thought. I enjoy doing it and would be great if I could pick up even a couple of new readers along the way 🙂

      Like

  27. Shari Elder Avatar

    Great theme. I look forward to getting to know your books. Thanks for visiting my theme reveal.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope they will be of interest to you 🙂

      Like

  28. Pamela J Avatar

    Good luck with the challenge. I’m looking forward to hearing about the experience of writing your books.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Pamela, hope the posts will be of interest to you 🙂

      Like

  29. Stu Avatar

    Hey Iain
    This sounds great. I love behinds scenes works of art.
    Looking forward to reading

    Stu
    Tale Spinning

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Stu, hopefully it will be of interest to you!

      Like

  30. msjadeli Avatar

    Great idea for a theme and to promote your series, Iain. Looking forward to learning more about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope it will be of some interest 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Carrie-Anne Avatar

    It’s always fun to learn about the story behind the story. Good luck with the Challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Carrie-Anne 🙂

      Like

  32. Jamie Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day. Good luck on the A to Z.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jamie

      Like

  33. Aseem Rastogi Avatar
    Aseem Rastogi

    Wow! Your trilogy seems quite amazing :D. And that’s quite an interesting theme for the challenge. All the best :).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Aseem

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Book Doctor Dara Avatar

    Good luck! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. galeriaredelius Avatar

    I see that I’ll be learning a lot of new things over here in April – looking forward! Good luck!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  36. Regina Martins Avatar

    I’m looking forward to your posts on your books.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Regina

      Like

  37. […] next. As we plan at least 26 stories, it’s great to know this! For the A to Z challenge Iain will write about ‘The State Trilogy’, of uprising, civil war in a dystopian political […]

    Like

  38. Nandhini Chandrasekaran Avatar

    What a great opportunity to reflect on your own work everyday for 30 days! Good luck Iain, we’ll catch up in April 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, hope it will be of some interest to you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Dara McGivern Avatar

    Best of luck with the challenge, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dara 🙂

      Like

  40. Mint Girl Avatar

    This is such an interesting topic! I can’t wait to learn more about your books!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope it will be of interest to you 🙂

      Like

  41. Jeanne Bryan Insalaco Avatar

    I’ll be checking you out in April

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, hope it interests you!

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Pradeep Avatar
    Pradeep

    Hi Iain — Interesting theme for the Challenge. I will be looking forward to it, to know more about the Trilogy.
    Do drop by on my blog as well. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, look forward to April 🙂

      Like

  43. Frewin55 Avatar
    Frewin55

    I am attempting to use the 2021 challenge to complete a novel and will be looking to your blog for inspiration in the writing craft…
    https://how-would-you-know.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-big-reveal.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, I hope my posts will help in some small way. Good luck.

      Like

  44. DOING YOUR DUTY – Iain Kelly Avatar

    […] For the month of April (starting tomorrow) I will be taking part in the A-Z blogging challenge, and will be posting about my State Trilogy novels each day, including plots, themes, characters and the writing and publishing process. So if you’ve read the books, or haven’t but might be interested in them, I hope it will be of interest to some of you. My Theme Reveal post can be read HERE. […]

    Like

  45. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    I really enjoyed “A Justified State” and look forward to reading the other two books, Iain. Good idea for the Challenge!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda, hope you get the chance to enjoy them, and the posts might help to pique your interest!

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Deepa Gopal Avatar
    Deepa Gopal

    Good luck to you too. Thank you for your visit!
    Deepa / HuesnShades
    https://deepazworld.blogspot.com/

    Liked by 1 person

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