-, i A rTSWi Venture into novel wri in o*ut-of-this-world expe leà Zajac earns CBC Book Club nomination for his sci-fi social sattire, Major Karnage By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF G ord Zajac needed an awfully long time to complete bis first novel. But once hie did, validation for ir quickly fol- lowed suit. A lifelong storyteller who rcadily admits hiow difficult the process cati bc, the rural Miltonian offers nu hesitancy when divulging how long it took for Major Karnage to go from Uts original concept to the book store shelves. "About 15 years. It took a long Urne to fig- ure out what this book was supposed to be. I kept having these nuggets of ideas here and there," recalled the 37-year-old, a graduate of Sheridan Colleges media arts programt who's worked for sucli storytelling outfits as the Cartoon Network and YTV 'St was hard to pin down the tone." Just a few months after its release, the 334-page tale - put out by ChiZine Publications and aptly characten.zed as a sci- fi social satire - eamned a nomination for Best Character by the CBC's Book Club Awards. Major validation For a writer seemingly filled witb as rnucb self-doubt as passion for bis gift, this acco- lade - wbicb. came in February - was more than a little gratifying. "Once the book finally came out it was neat to, see it in the book stores, but also kind of frightening. Now people could read it and give their opinions; it wasn't just in my head anymore. So yeah, it (nomination) felt great." Set 20 years after 'The War,' Zajacs debut novel centres around a now 'retired' Major John Kamnage, who along witb bis few sur- viving cornrades is deemed unfit to, live in a now happy-happy-joy-joy society of peace and tranquility. Locked up in an insane asy- lum, Karnage soon discovers a new threat is coming frorn beyond the stars. Struggling to adapt to a world hie no longer recognizes and mount a defence, the grizzled major bas an equally daunting task - averting the inner landrnine failsafe device designed to curb bis violent tenden- cies. Plenty of twists and turns Along the way theres plenty of action and dark humour, as fanatical cuits, cartoon cats and alien squidbugs enter tbe picture - offering more than enough components for one wild ride. Said Zajac, "On the one hand it's a satire, but at the saine Urne you want the characters to be taken seriously Yes, you want it to be funny, but not su rnuch that the humour underminda the situation. One review described it as being a roller coaster with short clirnbs and long descents. 1 think thats nice. 1 think it bas a wider demographic than 1 would have expected. I'd say its the type of book that would appeal to people who dont really read much. Its got a sticki- ness to it and is a fun ride." Zajac's 'Bookies' nomination cornes roughly 20 years after another major valida- tion of bis literary talents. Looking back to bis Lrne at Milton District Higli School, the recently-rninted novelist recalîs a merno- rable conservation hie had with drama and English teacher Launie Graham. esee WRMNG on page A43 -~ e * * . * g, *f * ** e GRHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION NOW READ THIS: Lifelong writer Gord Zajac checks out a copy of his f irst novel, Major Krae M~ eér Diane Wolstenholme Ext 212 dianew@ miltoncanadianchampion.com Lori Frechette Ext 218 Ifreclette@ miltoncanadianchampion.com bean miier Colleen Gorman Ext 213 Et 211 smiller@ cgorman@ miltoncanadianchampion,com mîiltoncanadianchamoo.o CIem Scholtz Ext 214 cschlItz@ C L A S I F I E A D E R T I I N G I R E TonrnU IU o N E : 9 0 -8 5 - 3 0 Richard McFeeters Ext 252 mceeters@ t. , Fiona Duke Ext 217