Beginning September 7, 2023, Marty Allen began releasing one new chapter of the first novel in his book series, Theodore & the 7 Layers of Space.
Book 1 is called Brick & Bird. For now, there are three ways to read it:
Theodore & the 7 Layers of Space Synopsis
Enter a strange and amazing new world you've never seen before, but you most likely already live inside. Follow Theodore, a lonely kid who has to Travel through the 7 Layers of Space in order to find a Brick and probably save the universe. Unfortunately he has no idea what he's doing or how to do it. While on this adventure, among other things he: hangs out with some Old Timey Automatons, a Magician Detective, several sock puppets (while temporarily becoming one himself), has a deep conversation with a dragon who exists outside of time, has a wild ride on the back of a giant rescue dog, rides a bug rollercoaster with Amelia Earhart's long-lost daughter, and has a root beer with a monkey who is also a ghost.
It's YA Fantasy that dips its wonky toe in tones found in books and spaces like Neil Gaiman's Coraline and the film Spirited Away, with a zesty dose of The Hitchhiker's Guide thrown in for good measure. And it is, I hope, at its base and in its bones, a good and meaningful adventure story. It is about saving the day, but it also about learning to accept ourselves for who we are, and finding our family as we go.
By the way and secretly… even though the book stands on its own, ALL of the work that Marty does as a creator, from small Sock Puppet Portraits to songs to theatrical plays to books, has a story to tell, and all of it comes from this one big world of stories - The 7 Layers of Space! You’re there, too!