This image is the cover for the book The Crucial Step

The Crucial Step

The Crucial Step, the next book in the series after One Step Away, considers the believable reality of a coexistence between worlds and the actions of after-world dwellers as they fight to slow down global warming impact on Earth. As those on Earth struggle to come to terms with the growing evidence of global warming and the dilemma facing nations in competition, those in the after-world watch. They are one step beyond death but realise their immortality is at threat with both worlds being linked in the cycle of life. With earth world dilemmas slowing the progress to reduce climate change, after world dwellers take matters into their own hands. They do so whilst upholding the realm laws, that their existence should remain a secret on Earth. A secret, that if realised, may be even more devastating than climate change itself. James, Alana and their friends, part of an ancient race of Harpies, embark on powerful adventures in between worlds and the dark realms to discover alternative energy sources to provide the Collective, the orchestrator of all world’s balance, with the energy it needs. The unfathomable question driving this, is why the Collective continues to overpopulate Earth, accelerating its demise? A way must be found to distract it.

James Gabrian

James received a diagnosis for bipolar affective disorder in his late teens, when it was still known as manic depression. In addition to the little experiences gained, like sitting cross-legged on a psych-ward floor, too medicated to move and dribbling into his lap, there were psychoses. For some with bipolar, psychosis creates a spiritual dis-ease. Psychosis in bipolar is a mania induced state of mind where reality becomes non-reality. However, for the sufferer, the non-reality appears real. This is a strange world of things seen, heard and tasted beyond that which others can sense. However, it is one which fuels imagination. Drawing on these many experiences through the years, he has channelled them creatively and compassionately into his work. His many internal journeys and brushes with the mental health system stirred a responsibility and a passion to support vulnerable others with complex needs. With many of them affected by mental health and homelessness, he has sought to empower them, so they can find their own voices. Mixing commercial, academic and support type work with the experiences of the unreal, a vision crystallised to write about the existence of many lifetimes towards understanding the relationship and dis-ease between the Earth and after world. And why, the Earth and the after world systems were fashioned in the way they are, making them critically dependent upon each other. Although living in the flatness of Norfolk, in reality, like eagles, he prefers mountains.

Austin Macauley Publishers