Stocking stuffers, the gift of imagination

Here is a list of my 2016 releases. These are epic, intensely personal works, created and written to entertain, enlighten, and transport you beyond anything you could have possibly imagined. I hope you or someone on your Holiday shopping list enjoys them.

"The B Girl"

A queen bee takes human form in this spectacular, heartfelt, dramatic science fiction adventure.

"Caitlin Star: The Trilogy" 

Part animal. Part legend. All woman. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, is a collection of the first three action-packed books in the controversial Caitlin Star series, collected in one volume for the first time ever. All three books are newly edited and contain brand new, never before read scenes. Also included is a ten page sketchbook of illustrations by the author, all exclusive to this special-edition collection. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy is an addictive, riveting, hard-edged, YA dystopian action adventure that will blow you away and leave you begging for more.

An illustrator at an ad agency creates a drawing of a woman taking a selfie for a smart phone ad campaign. Then, he comes across a real-life, living version of the exact same woman and image. 

In the tradition of "The Twilight Zone", "The Outer Limits", and "Amazing Stories", "The Selfie" is a bold, shocking, romantic, unforgettable short story from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and “Caitlin Star: The Trilogy.” 

Angela is seeing things. Strange things. Dangerous things.

Angela relocates to Pittsburgh and is haunted by intense visions of a menacing attacker clad in a welding mask who abducts her and takes her to an abandoned steel mill. The visions escalate, crossing the line into reality, and she soon learns the secret to stopping this Steel Phantom, may be buried in the dark mysteries of the forbidden past of her new home town.

“Steel Phantom” is an award-winning 2002 supernatural horror screenplay from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and the “Caitlin Star” series. 

Kronos is one of the last of his kind. A descendant of the Neanderthal who once thrived throughout Eurasia, his people crossed the same ancient land bridge as the original Native Americans. They have roamed Pacific Northwest forests for thousands of years, and their occasional sightings by humans have become the mythic stuff of the Bigfoot legend.

One day Kronos spots a helicopter with hunters, swarming down upon a family of wolves, including his friend Lucca. Kronos runs to the scene, trying to stop the slaughter. But then, the guns of the humans turn upon him. He is wounded, cut off from the rest of his family, and pursued by the hunters.

All seems lost, until he comes upon a human teenage girl Ella Marshall. Ella and her family want to help Kronos, and a deep, emotional bond forms between them. But soon, the danger becomes even more deadly as trigger happy hunters, weekend warriors, and even the government itself, begin to move in from all sides.

The Last Neanderthal is a harrowing and heartfelt adventure from the vivid imagination of James J.Caterino, author of Steel Phantom, The B Girl, and the Caitlin Star series.

Books, 2016 releases (video)

Video recap of my five 2016 releases; "The B Girl", "Caitlin Star: The Trilogy", "The Selfie", "Steel Phantom", and "The Last Neanderthal".



Here is a list of my 2016 releases. These are epic, intensely personal works, created and written to entertain, enlighten, and transport you beyond anything you could have possibly imagined. I hope you enjoy them.

"The B Girl"

A queen bee takes human form in this spectacular, heartfelt, dramatic science fiction adventure.

"Caitlin Star: The Trilogy" 

Part animal. Part legend. All woman. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, is a collection of the first three action-packed books in the controversial Caitlin Star series, collected in one volume for the first time ever. All three books are newly edited and contain brand new, never before read scenes. Also included is a ten page sketchbook of illustrations by the author, all exclusive to this special-edition collection. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy is an addictive, riveting, hard-edged, YA dystopian action adventure that will blow you away and leave you begging for more.

An illustrator at an ad agency creates a drawing of a woman taking a selfie for a smart phone ad campaign. Then, he comes across a real-life, living version of the exact same woman and image. 

In the tradition of "The Twilight Zone", "The Outer Limits", and "Amazing Stories", "The Selfie" is a bold, shocking, romantic, unforgettable short story from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and “Caitlin Star: The Trilogy.” 

Angela is seeing things. Strange things. Dangerous things.

Angela relocates to Pittsburgh and is haunted by intense visions of a menacing attacker clad in a welding mask who abducts her and takes her to an abandoned steel mill. The visions escalate, crossing the line into reality, and she soon learns the secret to stopping this Steel Phantom, may be buried in the dark mysteries of the forbidden past of her new home town.

“Steel Phantom” is an award-winning 2002 supernatural horror screenplay from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and the “Caitlin Star” series. 

Kronos is one of the last of his kind. A descendant of the Neanderthal who once thrived throughout Eurasia, his people crossed the same ancient land bridge as the original Native Americans. They have roamed Pacific Northwest forests for thousands of years, and their occasional sightings by humans have become the mythic stuff of the Bigfoot legend.

One day Kronos spots a helicopter with hunters, swarming down upon a family of wolves, including his friend Lucca. Kronos runs to the scene, trying to stop the slaughter. But then, the guns of the humans turn upon him. He is wounded, cut off from the rest of his family, and pursued by the hunters.

All seems lost, until he comes upon a human teenage girl Ella Marshall. Ella and her family want to help Kronos, and a deep, emotional bond forms between them. But soon, the danger becomes even more deadly as trigger happy hunters, weekend warriors, and even the government itself, begin to move in from all sides.

The Last Neanderthal is a harrowing and heartfelt adventure from the vivid imagination of James J.Caterino, author of Steel Phantom, The B Girl, and the Caitlin Star series.

'The Last Neanderthal', a Bigfoot story from author of the 'Caitlin Star' trilogy

Three contemporary mythic legends have fascinated me since I was a child; UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, and Bigfoot.

I have written short stories about the Bermuda Triangle and had a UFO project in development for years. But now, I am absolutely elated to announce by Bigfoot story has just been released (as of Tuesday Nov. 4th 2016) in both paperback and  on Amazon Kindle.

"The Last Neanderthal" is my take on the Bigfoot legend and represents my most complete and balanced work to date. It has the action and philosophy of "Caitlin Star" and the emotional character interaction of "The B Girl". In movie pitch lingo it could be described as "King Kong" meets "Harry and the Hendersons", by way of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes".

I hope you enjoy this brand new, deeply personal work. 

From the back cover:

Kronos is one of the last of his kind. A descendant of the Neanderthal who once thrived throughout Eurasia, his people crossed the same ancient land bridge as the original Native Americans. They have roamed Pacific Northwest forests for thousands of years, and their occasional sightings by humans have become the mythic stuff of the Bigfoot legend.

One day Kronos spots a helicopter with hunters, swarming down upon a family of wolves, including his friend Lucca. Kronos runs to the scene, trying to stop the slaughter. But then, the guns of the humans turn upon him. He is wounded, cut off from the rest of his family, and pursued by the hunters.

All seems lost, until he comes upon a human teenage girl Ella Marshall. Ella and her family want to help Kronos, and a deep, emotional bond forms between them. But soon, the danger becomes even more deadly as trigger happy hunters, weekend warriors, and even the government itself, begin to move in from all sides.

The Last Neanderthal is a harrowing and heartfelt adventure from the vivid imagination of James J.Caterino, author of Steel Phantom, The B Girl, and the Caitlin Star series.

'The Last Neanderthal' just released

Three contemporary mythic legends have fascinated me since I was a child; UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, and Bigfoot.

I have written short stories about the Bermuda Triangle and had a UFO project in development for years. But now, I am absolutely elated to announce by Bigfoot story has just been released (as of Tuesday Nov. 4th 2016) in both paperback and  on Amazon Kindle.

"The Last Neanderthal" is my take on the Bigfoot legend and represents my most complete and balanced work to date. It has the action and philosophy of "Caitlin Star" and the emotional character interaction of "The B Girl". In movie pitch lingo it could be described as "King Kong" meets "Harry and the Hendersons", by way of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes".

I hope you enjoy this brand new, deeply personal work. 

From the back cover:

Kronos is one of the last of his kind. A descendant of the Neanderthal who once thrived throughout Eurasia, his people crossed the same ancient land bridge as the original Native Americans. They have roamed Pacific Northwest forests for thousands of years, and their occasional sightings by humans have become the mythic stuff of the Bigfoot legend.

One day Kronos spots a helicopter with hunters, swarming down upon a family of wolves, including his friend Lucca. Kronos runs to the scene, trying to stop the slaughter. But then, the guns of the humans turn upon him. He is wounded, cut off from the rest of his family, and pursued by the hunters.

All seems lost, until he comes upon a human teenage girl Ella Marshall. Ella and her family want to help Kronos, and a deep, emotional bond forms between them. But soon, the danger becomes even more deadly as trigger happy hunters, weekend warriors, and even the government itself, begin to move in from all sides.

The Last Neanderthal is a harrowing and heartfelt adventure from the vivid imagination of James J.Caterino, author of Steel Phantom, The B Girl, and the Caitlin Star series.

The story behind "Steel Phantom"

“Steel Phantom” is a supernatural horror script I wrote in 2002 and pitched around Hollywood. The screenplay did receive some good coverage, and garnered some interest from several producers and production companies.

But ultimately the script was deemed too “intense”, far too sexual and violent, and the S&M content was way too risqué for the time. You must remember, this was just after 9/11. PG-13 horror was in and nobody would touch an R-rated horror script with a ten foot pool. Of course, that all changed in the next couple years as torture porn took over the genre. But then the remake obsession began, especially for horror. Hollywood only wanted “sure things”, not original material, and “Steel Phantom” was doomed to go unproduced.

Now, this scary, sexy, suspenseful, supernatural story is available for the first time ever as a published book in the screenplay format.

From the back cover:

Angela is seeing things. Strange things. Dangerous things.

Angela relocates to Pittsburgh and is haunted by intense visions of a menacing attacker clad in a welding mask who abducts her and takes her to an abandoned steel mill. The visions escalate, crossing the line into reality, and she soon learns the secret to stopping this Steel Phantom, may be buried in the dark mysteries of the forbidden past of her new home town.

“Steel Phantom” is an award-winning 2002 supernatural horror screenplay from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and the “Caitlin Star” series. 

Introduction to “The Selfie”

A long time ago—many decades in the distant past—before I was an illustrator or a novelist or a screenwriter—before I was a stockbroker or a football player or a screenwriter—really, before I was much of anything else—I was a short story writer.

I wrote my first short story at seven years-old, a handwritten mega opus along the lines of, "How I spent my summer vacation". It garnered rave reviews from the teacher and fellow pint-sized classmates who sat at full attention as I stood before the class delivering my debut masterwork. Of course, it wasn’t really how I spent my summer. It was bullshit—or to use the more proper terminology, it was fictionalized drama. It was the first (and ONLY) time in my life where I realized that, “Hey, this might actually be something I am good at.”

And I did keep writing those stories in one form or another, although somewhat sporadically, all the way through the adolescence and into the college years where I took every creative writing class I possible could while still keeping my major “practical”, (Economics...yeah I know, bleh).

Recently I went on a Harlan Ellison binge, arguably one of the greatest short story writers ever. It made me want to go back and revisit some of those astonishing tales I spun so many years ago. While the search for many of them goes on (these were handwritten by me and the typed out by my Aunt in manuscript form, and nothing I wrote back then ever sniffed what would have been a very primitive computer at the time). But I did manage to uncover quite a few of these gems. And you know what? I have to admit, I was impressed.

How I managed to write all these stories with everything else I had going on is beyond me. But it inspired me to get back to my roots, to let go of my now fully-ingrained feature/epic mentality, and try to once again tackle the fictional form that was once the place for me to escape to and write the stories that I wanted to read, and nobody else had written.

So "The Selfie" is the first of many. Even if nobody else ever reads it (a very likely possibility), it will still be the first of many. Because you know what? I want to read them. Sometimes you have to write for an audience of one. And just like my seven year-old self said to himself those many decades ago, I really am pretty good at this.

Brand new, exciting short story on Amazon, "The Selfie"

An illustrator at an ad agency creates a drawing of a woman taking a selfie for a smart phone ad campaign. Then, he comes across a real-life, living version of the exact same woman and image. 

In the tradition of "The Twilight Zone", "The Outer Limits", and "Amazing Stories", "The Selfie" is a bold, shocking, romantic, unforgettable short story from the lurid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of “The B Girl” and “Caitlin Star: The Trilogy.” 

Two from the heart

Here are my two 2016 releases. Two personal works created and written to entertain, enlighten, and transport you beyond anything you could have possibly imagined.

"The B Girl"

A queen bee takes human form in this spectacular, heartfelt, dramatic science fiction adventure.

"Caitlin Star: The Trilogy" 

Part animal. Part legend. All woman. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, is a collection of the first three action-packed books in the controversial Caitlin Star series, collected in one volume for the first time ever. All three books are newly edited and contain brand new, never before read scenes. Also included is a ten page sketchbook of illustrations by the author, all exclusive to this special-edition collection. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy is an addictive, riveting, hard-edged, YA dystopian action adventure that will blow you away and leave you begging for more

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, now available on Kindle

Part animal. Part legend. All woman.  


Three spectacular, amazing adventures, all in one exclusive book, for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, is a collection of the first three action-packed books in the controversial Caitlin Star series, collected in one volume for the first time ever. All three books are newly edited and contain brand new, never before read scenes. Also included is a ten page sketchbook of illustrations by the author, all exclusive to this special-edition collection. 

Caitlin Star (book 1) 

Gunner Star takes on Caitlin as his protégé and trains her in the ways of the Bull Mongoni, a mythic species of hominids that lived long ago. An exciting, brave new world opens up for Caitlin as she discovers a new philosophy, and begins to see the world around her from a new perspective. This is the origin story you have been waiting for. 

Caitlin Star and the Guardian of Forever (book 2) 

Caitlin is called into action by Azrael—a.k.a. the Black Knight—a fellow Bull Mongoni warrior with roots in the Congo. Now she must defeat the White Hand, battle the militia of a ruthless Uganda dictator, and face down a mysterious figure who is manipulating everything behind the scenes for a devious purpose that will threaten every living thing on earth. 

Caitlin Star and the Rise of the Barbarians (book 3) 

Caitlin now lives a life of peace and tranquility deep in the rain forests of the Congo among her ape friends, free from the evil and destructive species known as Homo sapiens. All is well until one day a massive cruise ship shows up on the shore carrying hostile invaders commanded by an old arch enemy of Caitlin’s who will stop at nothing to destroy her and the last remaining paradise on earth. 

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy is an addictive, riveting, hard-edged, YA dystopian action adventure that will blow you away and leave you begging for more.

'Caitlin Star: The Trilogy' now available in paperback

Part animal. Part legend. All woman.  
 
Caitlin Star: The Trilogy, is a collection of the first three action-packed books in the controversial Caitlin Star series, collected in one volume for the first time ever. All three books are newly edited and contain brand new, never before read scenes. Also included is a ten page sketchbook of illustrations by the author, all exclusive to this special-edition collection. 
 
Caitlin Star (book 1)  
 
Gunner Star takes on Caitlin as his protégé and trains her in the ways of the Bull Mongoni, a mythic species of hominids that lived long ago. An exciting, brave new world opens up for Caitlin as she discovers a new philosophy, and begins to see the world around her from a new perspective. This is the origin story you have been waiting for. 
 
Caitlin Star and the Guardian of Forever (book 2) 
 
Caitlin is called into action by Azrael—a.k.a. the Black Knight—a fellow Bull Mongoni warrior with roots in the Congo. Now she must defeat the White Hand, battle the militia of a ruthless Uganda dictator, and face down a mysterious figure who is manipulating everything behind the scenes for a devious purpose that will threaten every living thing on earth. 
 
Caitlin Star and the Rise of the Barbarians (book 3) 
 
Caitlin now lives a life of peace and tranquility deep in the rain forests of the Congo among her ape friends, free from the evil and destructive species known as Homo sapiens. All is well until one day a massive cruise ship shows up on the shore carrying hostile invaders commanded by an old arch enemy of Caitlin’s who will stop at nothing to destroy her and the last remaining paradise on earth. 
 
Caitlin Star: The Trilogy is an addictive, riveting, hard-edged, YA dystopian action adventure that will blow you away and leave you begging for more.

Megacon 2016 pictures

Me with the luminous and statuesque Katie Cassidy (from "Arrow"). She would make an awesome Caitlin Star.

I liked this Ivy so much I ended up drawing her.

Getting my game face on for day 1.

Setting up my table.

Me and Katie again. 

Loved this "Fifth Element" ensemble.

Getting my "Supergirl" fix. Her costume was the real deal, right down to the texture. It looked like exactly like Colleen Atwood's design used for the show.

Author J.J. Jojola, cosplaying as her character. Sensational costume. Looking forward to reading her book.

Best after party ever!

Author book signing at Megacon

Come and meet me at ‪Megacon‬ next week in Orlando

I will be there to sign books, with exclusive prints, and t-shirts available.

Date: May 26-29 2016

Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando Florida,

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, The United States

Description: Come and meet me at one of the largest pop/comicon culture events in the world. I will be at table A288 in the Artist Alley section.

Caitlin Star: Sketchbook and Concept Art

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An old-school action pulp adventure with a modernistic edge, "Caitlin Star and the Rise of the Barbarians" is an epic, spectacular, stand-alone sequel to the riveting "Caitlin Star and the Guardian of Forever" and is book number three in the iconic character’s series. 


Caitlin is a warrior trained by Gunner Star in the ways of the Bull Mongoni, a mythic species of hominids that lived long ago. The Bull Mongoni philosophy is to strengthen the mind and the flesh, to protect the earth and its creatures, and to fight for those who have no voice. 

"Rise of the Barbarians" opens up five years after a devastating WW III apocalypse. Caitlin now lives a life of peace and tranquility deep in the rain forests of the Congo among her ape friends, free from the evil and destructive species known as Homo sapiens. All is well until one day a massive cruise ship shows up on the shore carrying hostile invaders commanded by an old arch enemy of Caitlin’s who will stop at nothing to destroy her and the last remaining paradise on earth. 

Filled with mythic heroes, sinister villains, political intrigue, relentless action, humor, heart, and even time travel; "Caitlin Star and the Rise of the Barbarians" is an addictive, jam-packed, page-turning thrill ride with an unforgettable ending.