HIGH AZTECH REVIEWED AGAIN

The reviews for High Aztech keep coming in! The latest is in the Rio Grande Valley Monitor by David Bowles, as part of a series of 11 science fiction classics. 

David Bowles is the author of the Garza Twins YA series, The Smoking Mirror and A Kingdom Beneath the Waves. I highly recommend them to readers of all ages who enjoy fantastic adventures.

Do you have an opinion about High Aztech? Review it! Even if you don't think it's the best thing since humanoid tacos. 

CHICANONAUTICA CONSUMES MEXICO WITH BERNAL DÍAZ DEL CASTILLO

Come consume Mexico with conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo in Chicanonautica, over at La Bloga!
 

It's a bizarre, and important historical document:

There's cannibalism:
 

And human sacrifice:




Though, some people may prefer Diego Rivera's version:

NOTES FROM THE “UNDERGROUND”

I keep saying it: I've kept one foot in the underground so when the going gets tough, I'll have a place to stand.

I've always liked “underground” culture. Way back in my youth, it was the only place you could find science fiction, fantasy and horror. Not to mention stuff that expressed the weirdness of my unnatural environment that just didn't come through – and wasn't allowed – in “real” culture (y'know the kind they give academy awards to).

My favorites tended to be the sort of things that caused teachers to twist their faces like the just smelled something rotten while they tried to talk me into something they considered classy. Meanwhile, most of my favorite culture, paperbacks, magazine and comics were sold at liquor stores – that these days only sell liquor.

And I would always be delighted to find something labeled underground – books, movies, comix (yeah, they used to spell it that way – we don't need no stinkin' dictonary!), newspapers, radio stations. Sure, what was meant by underground was debatable, but you knew it would get you into some stuff that the establishment was hiding from you, like sex, drugs, rock'n'roll, and a lot of other stuff that a curious young mind could revel in.

Establishment. Another word we've been hearing a lot of lately. Maybe it means something different these days, but I should deal with that some other time . . .

So, now in the 21^st century, my novel High Aztech is being touted as a “Wildly Inventive Underground SF Classic” on Amazon. Most people agree that I'm wildly inventive. Anything from before the year 2000 that still has a following is considered “classic.” And by the way, SF in this case means science fiction, not San Francisco. But is High Aztech “underground?”

A lot of my works have been published in the underground, but this novel was published by a big time publisher from New York City. It was my chance at the big time. Unfortunately, the establishment in New York, as it always has, treated me like a talented leper. Mysterious forces in their midst tried to bury it.

It really is a good thing I had that foot in the underground . .

It's been good in the underground, even though it doesn't really pay much, if anything at all. It allowed me to get my stuff out there, to people who like it. Still, I keep up the struggle to break through the barriers into the overground.

Meanwhile, there's all kinds of political turmoil breaking out over the planet, again. The establishment is getting nervous. Something's in the air. The times they are a-changing. Welcome to the future.

It's scary. Maybe you need some ancient underground wisdom to help you through. I've got some for sale here . . .

CHICANONAUTICA RECALLS VISIONS IN OAXACA AND BEYOND

It's more Mexican visions, scribbled and sketched on location in an old, travel-scared sketchbook, in Chicanonautica, over at La Bloga.

From Oaxaca:

Palenque, the town:

And the Mayan ruins:

And Mérida:

DISPATCHES FROM THE HIGH AZTECH FRONT

Things are happening with High Aztech! Here's the latest developments:
 

First, there's a book trailer featuring me reading the first chapter!

Then, there's part one of a tell-all interview.

Finally, we have the latest version of the official press release:

 

DIGITAL PARCHMENT SERVICES

Is Proud To Announce The Republication of Ernest Hogan's Wildly Inventive Underground Chicano SF Classic

HIGH AZTECH

For Immediate Release

"A high-energy adventure peppered with great ideas, well-imagined unusual settings, outlandish characters, and a wicked sense of fun." –Locus

Digital Parchment Services through its Strange Particle Press science fiction imprint, and Ernest Hogan, are extremely proud to announce the publication of a brand new edition of Hogan's chicano science fiction novel, High Aztech

The enhanced ebook version of High Aztech, which contains a new introduction about the writing of this highly controversial novel which introduced Chicano tropes to science fiction, is available now – and a premier trade paperback edition will be coming out in April, 2016.

Hogan, who describes himself as "–a recombocultural Chicano mutant, known for committing outrageous acts of science fiction and other questionable pursuits" has had stories published with great acclaim in publications such as Amazing Stories, Analog, Science Fiction Age, Semiotext(e)SF, and many others.

This re-release of High Aztech by Digital Parchment Services was preceded by Cortez On Jupiter last year – will be followed by Ernest Hogan's Tezcatlipoca Blues, and a collection of Ernest Hogan's short stories: Pancho Villa's Flying Circus.

High Aztech takes place in 21st century Mexico, Tenochtitlán, the metropolis formerly known as Mexico City, is the most exciting place on Earth. Stainless steel pyramids pierce the smoggy sky. Human sacrifice is coming back into fashion, especially on the new Aztechan TV channels, and everyone wants an artificial heart. Xolotl Zapata, celebrated poet, skeptic and journalist, starts receiving death threats from a cult he's lampooned in a comic book. But soon he will have much worse problems and be running for his life. The government, the Mafia, street gangs, cults, terrorists, even garbage collectors will be after him. Why? He has been infected with a technological development that will changing human life as we know it Zapata is carrying a virus that can download religious beliefs into the human brain - a highly contagious virus that is converting everyone he meets, and everyone they meet, to the Aztec religion. This is Witnessing with a PUNCH! Since he's a virulent carrier he infects a large part of the city all by himself, and the masses, filled with visions and portents, await the End of the World.

#

"The plot twists and turns, bouncing between the horrors of a police state with high-tech weaponry and eavesdropping equipment and the feverish hallucinations that the protagonist endures as he is captured first by one enemy then another. Those who enjoy science fiction will probably find pleasure in this book. I found the book entertaining and clever in the complexities of its plot ... an example of what might be called Latin American sci-fi magico-realism." – Nahua Newsletter

"Cyberpunk is the combining of science fiction and technology with a future society on the brink of self-destruction. Ernest Hogan takes the concept a step further, blending in his love of the Aztec’s ancient beliefs and civilization to produce very unique and gripping stories. When it comes to science fiction of a different breed, Hogan is definitely sitting in the front row. One reviewer aptly referred to Hogan as a 'mad Mexican Hunter S. Thompson.'" – Wicked local.com

"Chicano writer Ernest Hogan bridges the gap between hard science fiction and cyberpunk … interweaving Pre-Colombian mythology and Spanish, Spanglish, and Nahuatl language into a humorously dystopian sci-fi context … exploring the intersection of religion, technology, pop culture … with a distinctly Latino twist." – The Routledge Companion to Latino Literature

"...a delirious mosaic of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, post-cyberpunk savvy, linguistic fun and Aztec myth." – January Magazine

ebook (FREE on Amazon Unlimited!)

http://amzn.com/B01B5BE7GU

$2.99
ISBN: 9781615085804

Trade Paper (coming soon)

Ernest Hogan's Sites:

http://ernesthogan.blogspot.com

http://www.mondoernesto.com

Distributed by Futures-Past Editions

https://futurespasteditions.com

Twitter: @futurespasted

Facebook: Futures-Past-Editions

For Review Copies Contact:

M.Christian, Publisher

Digital Parchment Services

m.christian@digitalparchmentservices.com

Digital Parchment Services is a complete ebook and print service for literary estates and literary agents. The founders of Digital Parchment Services are pioneers in digital publishing who have collectively published over 2,500 ebooks and PoD paperbacks since 1998.

DPS clients include the estates of multiple Hugo winning author William Rotsler, and science fiction legend Jody Scott; authors such as Locus Award finalist Ernest Hogan, Hugo and Nebula nominee Arthur Byron Cover, prize winning mystery author Jerry Oster, psychologist John Tamiazzo, Ph.D., award winning nutritionist Ann Tyndall; and Best of Collections from Fate Magazine and Amazing Stories.

http://digitalparchmentservices.com

Twitter: @DigiParchment

Facebook: Digital-Parchment-Services

¡Ticmotraspasarhuililis!

CHICANONAUTICA REMEMBERS IMPRESSIONS OF TENOCHTITLÁN

Chicanonautica, over at La Bloga, presents memories of La Captial Azteca, torn out of an old sketchbook, from an old trip.

Tenochtitlán, the largest urban center on the planet, was founded by the Aztecs:

Of course these days, people think of it as a Hollywood/James Bond backdrop:

When I get nostalgic for Mexico City, I watch Jodorowsky's The Holy Mountain:

And it's good to see some of the old ways coming back:

HIGH AZTECH: THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

So here it is, the official press release for the new edition of HighAztech. Feel free to quote or even reproduce and republish the whole enchilada! And any and all reviews would be appreciated even if you don't think it's the greatest thing since humanoid tacos. Buy it! Read it! Live it! Ticmotraspasarhuililis!

DIGITAL PARCHMENT SERVICES

Is Proud To Announce The Republication of Ernest Hogan's Wildly Inventive Underground Chicano SF Classic

HIGH AZTECH

For Immediate Release

"A high-energy adventure peppered with great ideas, well-imagined unusual settings, outlandish characters, and a wicked sense of fun." –Locus

Digital Parchment Services through its Strange Particle Press science fiction imprint, and Ernest Hogan, are extremely proud to announce the publication of a brand new edition of Hogan's chicano science fiction novel, High Aztech

The enhanced ebook version of High Aztech, which contains a new introduction about the writing of this highly controversial novel which introduced Chicano tropes to science fiction, is available now – and a premier trade paperback edition will be coming out in April, 2016.

Hogan, who describes himself as "–a recombocultural Chicano mutant, known for committing outrageous acts of science fiction and other questionable pursuits" has had stories published with great acclaim in publications such as Amazing Stories, Analog, Science Fiction Age, Semiotext(e)SF, and many others.

This re-release of High Aztech by Digital Parchment Services was preceded by Cortez On Jupiter last year – will be followed by Ernest Hogan's Tezcatlipoca Blues, and a collection of Ernest Hogan's short stories: Pancho Villa's Flying Circus.

High Aztech takes place in 21st century Mexico, Tenochtitlán, the metropolis formerly known as Mexico City, is the most exciting place on Earth. Stainless steel pyramids pierce the smoggy sky. Human sacrifice is coming back into fashion, especially on the new Aztechan TV channels, and everyone wants an artificial heart. Xolotl Zapata, celebrated poet, skeptic and journalist, starts receiving death threats from a cult he's lampooned in a comic book. But soon he will have much worse problems and be running for his life. The government, the Mafia, street gangs, cults, terrorists, even garbage collectors will be after him. Why? He has been infected with a technological development that will changing human life as we know it Zapata is carrying a virus that can download religious beliefs into the human brain - a highly contagious virus that is converting everyone he meets, and everyone they meet, to the Aztec religion. This is Witnessing with a PUNCH! Since he's a virulent carrier he infects a large part of the city all by himself, and the masses, filled with visions and portents, await the End of the World.

#

"The plot twists and turns, bouncing between the horrors of a police state with high-tech weaponry and eavesdropping equipment and the feverish hallucinations that the protagonist endures as he is captured first by one enemy then another. Those who enjoy science fiction will probably find pleasure in this book. I found the book entertaining and clever in the complexities of its plot ... an example of what might be called Latin American sci-fi magico-realism." – Nahua Newsletter

"Cyberpunk is the combining of science fiction and technology with a future society on the brink of self-destruction. Ernest Hogan takes the concept a step further, blending in his love of the Aztec’s ancient beliefs and civilization to produce very unique and gripping stories. When it comes to science fiction of a different breed, Hogan is definitely sitting in the front row. One reviewer aptly referred to Hogan as a 'mad Mexican Hunter S. Thompson.'" – Wicked local.com

"Chicano writer Ernest Hogan bridges the gap between hard science fiction and cyberpunk … interweaving Pre-Colombian mythology and Spanish, Spanglish, and Nahuatl language into a humorously dystopian sci-fi context … exploring the intersection of religion, technology, pop culture … with a distinctly Latino twist." – The Routledge Companion to Latino Literature

"...a delirious mosaic of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, post-cyberpunk savvy, linguistic fun and Aztec myth." – January Magazine

ebook

http://amzn.com/B01B5BE7GU 
$2.99

ISBN: 9781615085804

Trade Paper (coming soon)

Ernest Hogan's Sites:

http://ernesthogan.blogspot.com

http://www.mondoernesto.com

Distributed by Futures-Past Editions

https://futurespasteditions.com

Twitter: @futurespasted

Facebook: Futures-Past-Editions

For Review Copies Contact:

M.Christian, Publisher

Digital Parchment Services

m.christian@digitalparchmentservices.com

Digital Parchment Services is a complete ebook and print service for literary estates and literary agents. The founders of Digital Parchment Services are pioneers in digital publishing who have collectively published over 2,500 ebooks and PoD paperbacks since 1998.

DPS clients include the estates of multiple Hugo winning author William Rotsler, and science fiction legend Jody Scott; authors such as Locus Award finalist Ernest Hogan, Hugo and Nebula nominee Arthur Byron Cover, prize winning mystery author Jerry Oster, psychologist John Tamiazzo, Ph.D., award winning nutritionist Ann Tyndall; and Best of Collections from Fate Magazine and Amazing Stories.

http://digitalparchmentservices.com

Twitter: @DigiParchment

Facebook: Digital-Parchment-Services

CHICANONAUTICA GETS HIJACKED BY HIGH AZTECH

Help! High Aztech is taking over my life! Read all about it in Chicanonautica, over at La Bloga.

And while you're at it, take a chance on High Aztech.

   
 Try the ancient Aztec acne cure.
 

An Aztec death whistle may come in handy.


Not to mention legal advice.

 

HIGH AZTECH IS BACK & READY TO BLOW YOUR MIND

 

Look out, civilization-as-we-know-it, High Aztech, "The Wildly Inventive Underground Classic . . . is back and ready to blow your mind wide open" via Kindle in a new Strange Particle Press edition produced by Digital Parchment Services.

There's a new cover and an introduction where I tell where it came from and reveal the controversy it spawned. With three illustrations by yours truly.

It's only $2.99, and free through Kindle Unlimited.

If that wasn't enough, a new paperback edition is in the works!

¡TICMOTRASPASARHUILILIS!

CHICANONAUTICA LOOKS BEHIND THE NEW HIGH AZTECH COVER

Chicanonautica gets into the artists and influences of the new High Aztech cover, over at La Bloga.

 Damn right, Diego Rivera was a BIG influence, on both the cover and the novel!
 

It's Aztec revival time, all over again!

And it's really happening, now!

 

Even in Australia . . .

  

 So, ticmotraspasarhuililis, amigo/as!