The Rise and Fall of Radius

After years of a small but loyal audience, Robert Pennington’s latest novel is a massive bestseller. The problem is he’s having trouble adjusting to his new-found fame. The horde of sci-fi geeks lined up outside his bookstore signings dressed like three-headed Martians aren’t helping. When British progressive rock band Radius (whose best days are behind them) invite Pennington out for drinks and present him with a wackadoodle proposition to write lyrics for their upcoming album, you’d think he’d politely decline and scurry back to the safety of his apartment. But Pennington’s a huge fan of the band, and their rock star aura is seductive. With visions of sports cars, groupies and metallic platform boots dancing in his head, he warily agrees to hear them out. A little coercion, a lot of flattery and half-dozen vodkas later, Pennington signs on. As the weeks pass, the music and lyrics begin to flow. Pennington discovers there’s more to Radius than billowing hair, fifteen-minute organ solos and (more) cowbell. Underneath the glittery costumes are three aliens who have gotten a taste of fame on Earth. And they’re intent on keeping it at all costs. And if it means risking a war between two planets? Well, hey, man. That’s a small price to pay for rock n’ roll.