For edition 1 of my first novel, “Negative Zero”, I used the illustrations drawn by my niece Lindsay. I engaged her early, and sent her the first draft of my manuscript. I asked her for a drawing for each of my 16 chapters. I wanted an illustration for the head of each chapter.

Starting her so early in the schedule was a mistake, since after a long editing process the plot had changes, and it grew to 21 chapters. Some of her original drawings no longer matched the actual story, and the 5 new chapters have no picture. I was flattered that she was willing to do the pictures for me, and they were still mostly relevent. And they allowed me to publish early since my other illustrator busy with other customers at the time.  Thank you Lindsay, most science fiction does not get internal illustrations.

I want to exhibit her pictures in this post, along with explanations where appropriate.

Chapter 1: Tomek in his special suit with synthetic extra arms

The original manuscript started with a ‘chapter -0’, which no longer made sense after new plot changes, so chapter -0 was aborted. In it, Tomek was wearing a suit that had two extra (mechanical) arms that were programmed to do specific things. I used the picture for the current chapter 1 instead, which has Tomek still wearing the suit and helmet, but no extra arms.

Chapter 2: Tomek flying through space.

This chapter 2 picture (for the old chapter 1) still matches the same same spot in the story.

Chapter3: Scod

This picture was Lindsay’s interpretation of Scod, Tomek’s best friend. It could of been used for most chapters.

Chapter 4: Vehicle traveling to the city.

Chapter 6: Mourning Bez

This picture still fits well. Traggie mourning the fatal illness of her husband Bez

Chapter 9: Traggie rescues Tomek.

This still fits. Tomek is stranded on a business roof top and is rescued by Traggie in the air car.

Chapter 10: Visiting the hospital

There are  two chapters involving a visit to the hospital. I put it on the second, the visit to Nannie.

Chapter 11: The rombium addict henchwoman.

I think this one was originally intended to be Nannie. I used this for a new chapter involving a victim of rombiam addiction, who Tomek had to outwit.

Chapter 12: The date at the restaurant.

This is a vehicle parked in front of a nice restaurant where Traggie and Tomek go on a pretend date to spy on the criminal Gat.

Chapter 13: Basdu, the boss

This was originally supposed to be Col I think. But I used it to be Basdu, Tomek’s boss.

Chapter 14: Traggie’s capture

This is Traggie right before she was captured by the bad guys. In the original manuscript I told her viewpoint of her being captured. In the published version, this part of the story was deleted, and I just tell of Tomek learning that she was captured.

Chapter 15: Tomek’s capture

Tomek is finally captured by the bad guys and put in a straightjacket.

Chapter 17: The space ship

Tomek escapes in his spaceship, the ‘Vigilante’

Chapter 19: Alex signalling

Alex, a prisoner of the bad guys, gives a secret gesture to Tomek who expects to rescue him.

Chapter 21: Crash landing on Baktu

The the original manuscript, Tomek crash lands in water on the planet Baktu. The end. In the published story, he gets to the solar system of Baktu, and celebrates his accomplishments onboard his ship, still in space. The end.

What happens on Baktu is another story (speaking of sequels).