Hilldiggers Cover.

Here’s a first look at the probable cover of Hilldiggers. I like this. Someone has definitely read the book to produce it because this is the ‘massively secure space station’ mentioned in the blurb below. A station called Corisanthe Main.

During a war between two planets in the same solar system – each occupied by adapted humans – what is thought to be a cosmic superstring is discovered. After being cut, this object collapsed into four cylindrical pieces, each about the size of a tube train. Each is densely packed with either alien technology or some kind of life. They are placed in three Ozark cylinders of a massively secure space station. A female scientist, conducting research there, falls pregnant, gives birth to quads, then commits suicide.

By the end of the war one planet has been devastated by the hilldiggers – giant space dreadnoughts employing weapons capable of creating mountain ranges. The quads have grown up and are assuming positions of power in the post war society. One of them will eventually control the hilldiggers.

15 thoughts on “Hilldiggers Cover.

  1. Very nice cover.

    I'm tying to read Gridlinked now but not getting very far since my cataracts are returning again. Eye apointment Wed.

    I'll pick up a copy of Hilldiggers when it's availible in paperback and my vision returns.

    That's what I like about Science Fiction books as to any other genre, great cover art.

    Jim

  2. Can't wait – glad you don't make us wait *too* long! This sounds like it takes place in the same (far future) universe as Cowl?

  3. Hilldiggers is set in the Polity, but well after the events in the other books (nothing to do with Cowl, Matthew). It stands alone, though there are plenty of nods to those previous books. I like to think a new reader can enjoy it as it is, and that those who have read my other books might be able to extract even more enjoyment.

    There is, of course, an irascible drone present. And the Polity Consul Assessor – the main protagonist – is an Old Captain.

  4. On the subject off Polity Agent, I started on that last nght 25/10. When I thought I was picking up Sable Keech, but carried on netherless.

    Was quite excited by page 11, that it was all going to shit already (Will not say anymore incase others have not read book).

    But what was good, was by just page 11 I was getting that warm and cuddly feeling. Death and mayhem was incoming already 😉

    Skar

  5. Skar, you can depend on me for death and mayhem. Somewhere down the line, maybe four or five books from now, I'll probably be rubbing out civilizations and blowing up star systems. Oh…

  6. Harking back to the pub chat about cover art and not judging the proverbial etc etc

    This cover is very visual. Its eye catching and with the correct shelf placement would attract curious potential punters. If your work were an FMCG then that would be considered a positive thing. However, I would never want to be the one to compare your superb art form to that of a tin of baked beans……

    Finished Polity Agent and loved it. More promise of Arach type drones can only be a good thing.

    All the best Neal.

  7. Mark, well there's one in Hilldiggers, but in Line War (about 17,000 words into it now) I'm bringing in a whole bestiary of them. Grand finale. I think I might blow up a sun … or something.

  8. Great cover, & I'm looking forward to lots more of your trademark mayhem and destruction on a grand scale. I like the hilldiggers concept, a deceptively benign, neutral-sounding name for a bunch of gigantic super-weapons that behave like baby Death Stars! Keep 'em coming, Neal!

  9. Neal,

    I was on your website looking for your Polity Time Line you refered to in the pub. While I was in there I looked at the covers for the foreign books.

    FFS The German ones are bloody awful. Ahhhhhhh its like they got left in the past 1960s cover art time warp.

    I think its really time you started exercising some control over the cover art on foreign publications.

    If thats the standard of the general German Sci-Fi book art, then any of your UK covers would stand out like a blazing beacon the book shelf. Which intern would sell themselves.

    I know you like the art work of the French cover…. but its so ahhhh.

    Now the czechs have the right idea.

    http://freespace.virgin.net/n.asher/coverpics.htm

    Rant over.

    Skar

  10. Really enjoyed Polity Agent, have been re-reading the others in the 'saga' again….

    Just hope that there's a memplant involved in the next book (hope that's obscure enough for people who haven't read PA yet!)

    Love the drones too, the Line War sounds like it will be a blast!

    Cheers Neil for some great, entertaining books.

    Regards

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