From the man who brought readers "The McKenzie Files" comes "Assassination Anxiety."
Clairton native Barry K. Nelson's second book in the series was released this month in paperback and eBook through www.barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com .
"I think (my readers) will accept it pretty well," Nelson said. "So I might pick up a big following."
"The McKenzie Files" was published by California-based Leucrota Press in August 2008. It was the first in an anticipated series of three installments by the 1997 Clairton High School graduate.
It features classic sci-fi themes. A deadly virus, the Pandora Simplex, threatens to destroy Earth. A mad scientist, Dr. Howard Fenlow, is hell-bent on destruction and rising to power, and a group of super-powered humanoid weapons known as Reploids is featured. Second-generation Reploids Colin McKenzie, Diane Christy and Kelly Lydton band together to thwart the scientist's evil plans with their respective electric, super strength and fire capabilities.
Nelson's highly anticipated follow-up takes place a few months after the epic battle with Fenlow, his Viperhawk, Succubus and the Deltans.
It chronicles McKenzie, Christy and Lydton's efforts to thwart an evil plan by a band of third-generation Reploids called the Enforcers, which are bigger, stronger and more alien in appearance than the three heroes.
"As a surprise I'm bringing back two characters that everyone thinks are dead," Nelson said. "There's an assassination attempt against the president of the United Protectorate."
One of the villains is a cyborg with telekinetic abilities and the power to become invisible, and another is like a metallic porcupine.
"Assassination Anxiety" also offers a story of self-discovery for McKenzie, Christy and Lydton.
"They're trying to establish themselves as being more human, since they're programmed to think and act like they're human," Nelson said. "Colin is trying to get closer with his human family and trying to blend in. He goes on a family reunion and meets relatives. Diane has her own apartment. Kelly, he's more emotionally withdrawn with the notion of being a Reploid."
Nelson, 52, also adds some local color by naming towns after Pennsylvania municipalities such as Verona, Monroeville, Penn Hills and McKeesport.
Nelson's first book has sold more than 1,000 copies since its release by Leucrota Press. Nelson left that publishing company for Tennessee-based Penumbra Publishing after internal problems surfaced within Leucrota Press. The book was re-released by the new publisher, and sold about 1,000 copies with an altered cover. It is available online, at Barnes & Noble stores in Shadyside and Monroeville, and at a University of Pittsburgh bookstore.
The author said he has not secured a TV or movie deal for his writings.
"Not yet. I'm trying to follow some leads," Nelson said. "That's pretty difficult if you're just starting out. It's a good idea. It's always a good idea."
Nelson said he started working on a third story in the series called "Obliteration," which is so detailed that it will be told in two books. No release date has been set.
Nelson also works at Giant Eagle in West Mifflin and draws inspiration from authors such as Stephen King and Ray Bradbury, as well as from X-Men comic books.
"I got a pretty wicked, wild imagination," Nelson said. "I got several projects I'd like to write and get completed before I kick the bucket."
He took writing classes at Community College of Allegheny County.
More information about the author is available at www.facebook.com/BarryKNelson .
His website, B-nelson.org, is expected to launch by the end of the year.
