Parvus Press LLC, announced today that it has acquired world english rights to Michael R. Underwood’s forthcoming novel Annihilation Aria, a powerful and exuberant space opera brimming with adventure, humor, and heart. Annihilation Aria will be available for pre-order on February 5, 2020 with wide release on May 5, 2020.

Max is a cheery xeno-archeologist from Earth, stranded and trying to find a way home.

Lahra is a stern warrior of a nearly extinct race searching for her people’s heir.

Wheel is the couple’s cybernetic pilot running from her past and toward an unknown future.

On Wheel’s ship, the Kettle, the trio traverses the galaxy, dodging Imperial patrols and searching ancient temples and ruins for anything they can sell. Back on the Wreck, their home and base of operations, the crew of the Kettle are deeply in debt to the drifting’s city’s most powerful gangster, and she wants her money back.

So when a dangerous but promising job comes their way, Max, Lahra, and Wheel have little choice but to take it if they have any hope of keeping their ship, and themselves, afloat. But the crew of the Kettle gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact, one that puts them in the crosshairs of the Vsenk, the galaxy’s ruthless and oppressive imperial overlords.

Before they know it, Max, Lahra, and Wheel are pulled into a web of galactic subterfuge, ancient alien weaponry, a secret resistance force, lost civilizations, and giant space turtles. The Vsenk will stop at nothing to recover what the crew of the Kettle has found and Max’s brains, Lahra’s muscle, and Wheel’s skills may be all that stand between entire planets and annihilation.

Can they evade space fascists, kick-start a rebellion, and save the galaxy, all while they each try to find their own way home?

Publisher Colin Coyle was the driving force behind adding Mr. Underwood’s novel to Parvus Press’s catalog. “I’ve been after Mike to work with us for three years and if he was going to make us wait for a book, this is the book. Annihilation Aria isn’t just a space opera, it’s a Mike Underwood-style social examination via the lens of badass space adventures and characters I don’t know how I’ve lived without for so long.”

Indeed, one of the many things that made Parvus so eager to work with Mr. Underwood is his skill at telling a fantastic and gripping story while seamlessly weaving in thought-provoking commentary throughout. Mr. Underwood commented, “Like many creators, Guardians of the Galaxy and the new STAR WARS movies rekindled my life-long love of space opera adventure. With Annihilation Aria, I’m doing my best to inspire that same joy through a story focused on strong character relationships, high-stakes adventure, and intentionally over-the-top conceptual design. I also really wanted to present the story of a married couple having adventures long after most stories roll credits and say “Happily Ever After”. In Aria I am my most extra self as a writer, with choral battle-magic, giant swords that shoot lightning, immense space turtles with cities on their backs, twenty-foot tall monster-tyrants, and more. You know, that good space fantasy bullshit. I’m delighted to be working with Parvus Press to bring the story of Max and Lahra to readers everywhere.”

Parvus brought together a world class team to fully develop Annihilation Aria. The cover art was created by Tom Edwards Design, based in the UK. “Parvus has previously worked with Tom on the cover art for the Union Earth Privateer Series and we were consistently blown away by his work. When we were considering artists for Aria, it was no contest, Tom’s creative vision was exactly what we needed,” said Mr. Coyle.

Annihilation Aria was edited by Kaelyn Considine, who was especially drawn to the novel’s setting and characters. “As soon as I met Lahra, Max, and Wheel, I was hooked. Mike does truly remarkable work in bringing these characters to life and immersing the reader in their world without sacrificing story. Annihilation Aria grabs you on the very first page and takes you across the galaxy on a heart-stopping adventure without ever letting go. Readers will find themselves right there with the crew of the Kettle, laughing, holding their breath, cheering them on, and being constantly worried for their safety.”

Mr. Coyle expressed Parvus’ excitement for the novel’s release, saying, “We are very proud of Mike’s work and can’t wait for readers to get their hands on ARIA. From cover to cover, this book represents who we are as a publishing house and the quality of the stories we put out into the world.”

Annihilation Aria will be distributed by Baker & Taylor Publishing Services and available through all major digital distribution channels. Review copies will be available November 2019 via the Publisher.

For review copies please contact:

Kaelyn Considine

Editor, Parvus Press

PO Box 224

Yardley, PA 19067-822

kaelyn@parvuspress.com

For inquires and requests for Mr. Underwood, please contact:

Kim-Mei Kirtland

Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc.

30 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn, NY11201

kimmei@morhaimliterary.com

About Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood is an author, podcaster, and publishing professional. His works include the Ree Reyes Geekomancy books, the Stabby Award-finalist Genrenauts series, and Born to the Blade. He’s been a bookseller, sales representative, and the North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. He is also a co-host on the podcast Speculate and a guest host on the Hugo Award-finalist The Skiffy and Fanty Show.

When not writing, he geeks out with games, comics, and making pizzas from scratch. Mike lives in Baltimore with his wife, their dog, and an ever-growing library.

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