SWARM: The Pentalogy

Mission accomplished! The manuscript turned out to be so long that I decided to split it into a five-novella series. While the length was a factor in this decision, it wasn't the only one. Self-publishing such a lengthy manuscript on a tight budget proved challenging. Additionally, breaking the story into novellas allowed me to explore the narrative one novella at a time, providing an opportunity to grow as a storyteller and enhance my writing skills. I'm excited to announce that SWARM: The Pentalogy is now available on Amazon. 

SWARM: The Pentalogy is a single book that contains all five novellas. You can read them separately or collect the entire series in one volume.

Nathan and David, two college friends from Berkeley, embark on a duck hunting trip in Michigan with Raymond. However, their adventure takes a surreal turn when they stumble upon a mysterious portal that thrusts them into the distant future. In this future, Earth is a humid, waterlogged world with only a few scattered islands, inhabited by colossal mythical creatures. Humans can only survive in the oceans, on the moon, and in the exosphere.

Elite soldiers from an undersea metropolis guide them through the history of this transformed world as they set out on an epic voyage. As the soldiers' city faces imminent peril, David and his friends are tasked with a mission to alter the course of destiny.

Science Fiction, Magical Realism, Dystopian, Adventure, and Humor.

The Five Series at Amazon.

SWARM was the first manuscript I worked on, and at that time, I was going to title it THE SWARM. However, it was not enough to please literary agencies and traditional publishers.

Therefore, I kept it aside and instead self-published Carbon Planet: Our Destiny Stars. Yet, that too was not pleasing enough when I tried, but it was not adequately edited then, and my query letters were bad. The primary motivation for this decision, apart from the upfront payment and their strong marketing strategies, was the conventional practice in the book industry of submitting raw manuscripts, with literary agencies and traditional publishers handling the rest. So, I decided to give it a try and went for it. In any case, the book was self-published much differently than it was, which was the goal to have it on KDP.

Over time, I learned that there are so many of us storytellers; the book industry has to break it down by experienced authors and by their fame. It only makes sense; the book you made has to be presentable as a newbie, and starting as a self-publisher has a big advantage. First of all, your book is published – it's all a matter of how you wrote it, how you designed your book cover, and how the desired readers are attracted to the story. It can also be costly, including the marketing part, profitable method for the marketers with all kinds of legal tricks getting into that kind of business, especially when there is a swarm of authors who fall for it. I am also a big devotee of that because the excuse of the need is so simple: I want readers. Fortunately, business people also pay to learn at universities where to throw the nets. Some are fair, some are honestly trying, the expensive one works most of the time, and the rest, it is what it is. In any case, even if numerous responses advising against accepting my manuscript were originating from dubious imposters, I was still a beginner and required further development of my storytelling skills.

Initially, b-movies with rough edge titles from the 60s inspired me to pick the title. Nevertheless, I took out “THE” and only used “SWARM” – I had friends who were into Ska and Rockabilly music back in the 90s, and a few of them were also writers for local underground zines—in addition, I had a contract with graphic designers that were also into vintage arts. Somewhere down the line, I found it fascinating to make that concept into my story. At that time, I only wrote pieces of plots of what makes a good, unique film. Perhaps as a comic book. As I mentioned many times before in my blogs, I never expected it to turn it into a book. However, if SWARM: The Pentalogy becomes a success later as Traditional, for instance, besides as a 650 novel and novella series of five, why not turn it into a comic book series as well? Sell it for film afterward. The bottom line is getting it published first. I was not much of a book reader, but I was aware that they turn novels into films, so why not give it a try and write a book?

Writing became my sole creative outlet when I had a stroke, leaving me unable to produce music for over a year. I needed to find a way to uplift my spirits. Therefore, I did, in my cellphone notes, while laying on my bed until weeks of rehab to able to stand right again, with a slight disability on my left, making my speech like a drunkard, then thinking like an old man in his 80s, adding an interesting perspective in my writing. Doing so took away the misery of being partly disabled; I fell in love with designing English literature so much that I had forgotten about the physical world, although I was writing about the “reality” in SWARM, messing with it, adding magical, and adding what made me disabled.

In other words, does that mean I am mad at the world? No, I love this world and the universe, as well as the spiritual aspects and other realms that science talks about. It only makes sense what I don’t like, and I am surviving it, and trust me, it takes a lot of patience to do what I love. In addition, I think they are morons because it does not make sense to contradict my content. I tried to think of why, and I found nothing logical to it except for a shallow-headed mediocrity. A way to ruin celebrating success. This kind of attitude is the root cause of ruined civilizations. You might as well make a scapegoat out of them as Reptilians.

You can do anything in writing. I love it more than watching movies or playing video games, even taking pictures outdoors. The mind is a fascinating place. To reach from the inside and out. I am not saying that I have never touched literacy before; I have always been a blogger since I found out about HTML back in the 90s. My grammar wasn’t as good as today, but thank god I did because it led me to publish books today. It didn’t take overnight, but I learned much about the book industry, making me paranoid of the “Reptilians,” possibly in between. Still, as for now, I am aiming for traditional publishing. I can’t wait for people to see “SWARM” in the big picture. Either way, I left a mark on this planet. That’s fulfilling enough. Maybe I’ll reread it in the next life, inspiring me to make updates until I reach the stars.

What is next now? Currently, I am writing PESTILENT as my ticket to get there as a Traditional Publisher. I will go through the full range of how I typically self-publish a book, plus a few pieces of advice from Beta Readers with multiple editorial re-vision to be as presentable without launching the novel. If I do make it, I will also get my previous books published the same way, and whatever works for them to sell the story but keep the content the same; I am all for it. It only makes sense when the "Reptilians" expect another mass shooting. No, I am not that desperate to purchase an off the grid house in Hawaii and produce music, books, arts, and a collection of photo cuisines worldwide, live with animals, and work out at my private gym for the rest of my life.

Doctor Hans Muller, also known as Doctor Murder, traveled the world until he formulated a formula to bring the dead back to life. Unfortunately, the formula failed miserably and instead turned them into monsters. Muller went crazy and sold the formula to an eccentric general who had a problem controlling his people. The general wanted the deadly recipe to be much more effective so that he could spread the virus more quickly and lethally. However, to do so, they had to hide the experiment in a more secretive location, away from secret agents. The place they chose is a remote place called Stellarville.

Science Fiction, Apocalypse, Fairy Tale, Love Story, Action, Horror, and Humor.

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Available in eBook, Paperback, and Kindle Unlimited at Amazon.

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Izzy Vega  (5 stars)

Avid Reader and Reviewer

5 stars!! 5 large, golden, beautiful, glowing stars for this amazing series! If I could give it more, I would!

The unique world that, from the very beginning, has a reason for what it is like that is gradually explained and expanded, full of mythical and interesting creatures, it is so original, with elements like time travel, technology, adventure, post-apocalyptic, futuristic societies, with a diverse cast characters where all of them manage to have their own individual arcs. They are flawed, they are strong, they are trying so very hard to do what is right. What's really special about this series (and remarkable to me) is the way the author layers in so many threads of them.

There is always something happening, each book has its moment that makes it special, so one does not get bored, it is incredible the way in which Vincent uses all kinds of resources to equip his world, are some of the elements that have made me left speechless.

I have to say I’m genuinely impressed by the scope of his imagination and craftsmanship at detailing such rich plots. I'll definitely be reading more of his work in the future.

The ending gave me a special feeling that only great books provoke. I remembered sitting in bed, thinking about how that whole series ended. It was very cleverly done. Great series!

Jennell Brown (5 stars)

Author and Reviewer

This series has taken me on a rollercoaster ride of time travel, dystopian worlds, and imaginative landscapes. From the very beginning with "The Griffins' War" to the late installment, "Home Sweet Home," this series has kept me glued to its pages.

In the first book, "The Griffins' War," I was introduced to the story of David and Nathan, two college roommates, and their unexpected journey to a future unlike anything they'd ever imagined. The humor and realistic portrayals of the characters drew me in. It was a great start to a thrilling series.

The sequel, "No Man's Land," continued the adventure seamlessly, taking me on a perilous journey through a dystopian world. The world-building in this book was a standout feature, engaging me with its vivid and terrifying environment. Vincent Casil's ability to create such a detailed and imaginative world made this an engaging read.

As the series progressed with "The Five Pairs," I found myself diving deeper into the mysteries of Earth's transformation and the consequences of technological advancements. Casil’s exploration of social issues and complex world-building. 

"Underwater Metropolis" continued to impress with its mystical elements.  The vivid descriptions of futuristic technology and diverse landscapes added believability to the story. The characters were well-developed and the story was multi-layered which kept me hooked from start to finish.

"Home Sweet Home," is a great blend of fantasy and advanced technology, along with the introduction of hybrid creatures. This created an intriguing and action-packed storyline.

Throughout the series, I've been consistently captivated by  Casil’s storytelling skills, the richly detailed worlds, and the relatable characters. He seamlessly blends science fiction, adventure, human drama, and societal commentary. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, the SWARM books are sure to leave you eagerly anticipating more.

Each book offers a unique and engaging experience that will keep you hooked until the very end!

Jihane Kasbi (5 stars)

Beta Reader and Reviewer

Vincent Casil's "SWARM: The Pentalogy" is a sprawling science fiction epic that unfolds across five distinct but interconnected novellas. It's a monumental journey that will captivate fans of intricate world-building and ambitious storytelling.

The series opens in a future Earth where humanity is on the brink of catastrophe, threatened by the relentless advance of self-replicating nanobots known as "The Swarm." The author dives headfirst into a complex and meticulously crafted universe, replete with technology, politics, and moral dilemmas. Casil's attention to detail is admirable, and the depth of his world-building is awe-inspiring.

What sets "SWARM" apart is the multitude of well-developed characters who carry the narrative forward. The series follows scientists, politicians, soldiers, and everyday citizens as they navigate a world in crisis. Each character is imbued with unique qualities and arcs, and their struggles and growth serve as the emotional core of the series. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in their fates.

The narrative is rife with tension and suspense, with Casil masterfully building the stakes and keeping the pages turning. The author doesn't shy away from tackling complex themes, such as ethics, technological advancement, and the consequences of humanity's actions. As the series progresses, it delves deeper into philosophical and ethical questions, inviting readers to ponder the moral dilemmas that arise in a world overrun by self-replicating nanobots. Highly recommend!

Main Website:

WWW.VINCENTCASIL.COM