Swift Six Character Interview – Fairchild #Sci-fi #Bundle

Tags

Bundle author, Character Interviews, Classic Sci fi, Sci fiction, Science fiction, Swift Six

Swift Six Character Interview

Character Name (Lady Danielle Cooper) Fairchild

Which book/world do you live in? Fairchild by Blaze Ward

Tell us about yourself:

I just want to fly, man. Nothing else. That adrenaline rush of free-jumping from 20,000 meters with nothing but a bodysuit and thermals, racing to capture a flag fifty kilometres away.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

I suppose my greatest strength is that drive. It got me out of my father’s house, and out from under his thumb. If he cut me off, I have friends, and we’ll have far grander adventures than anyone sitting in a boring corporate boardroom.

Weakness? The darkness. It’s in me. Deep. Infecting my dreams and my days. Sometimes, it gets so close that ending it would only take a few ounces of pressure on a trigger.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).

The Michigan State University Department of Planetology and Xeno-Geology. (Thanks for the ride and the t-shirt, Chike.)

My brother Rudy, who lets me borrow his vintage ground vehicles with internal combustion engines. And doesn’t bitch too much about my driving.

Eleanor, who was programmed to be my minder, and turned into my friend. I’ve alive because she never gave up on me.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

Coming out the darkness on the other side. Not everyone has the will to do that. I’ve known too many friends spiral down into drink, or drugs, or darkness. It scares me that I might follow them.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

When are you going to write the next book, you bastard? I wanna go fly Fairchild’s Golden Eagle.

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

Buy the damned concert tickets and go see your favourite band before they’re all dead.

Links to book

Sci-Fi Bundle – July

Swift Six Author interview – Louisa Swann – #HeroicTales #SFF #Paranormal

Tags

book bundles, Crime, Meet an author, Paranormal Fantasy, Swift Six, vampires

 

Name: Louisa Swann

What attracts you to the genre in which you write?

I tend to write in three genres: mystery, science fiction, and fantasy. I’m drawn to these genres as I’m drawn to the same things in real life: I love a good mystery, am fascinated by science and inventions, and am enthralled by magic and magical creatures.

What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d known when you started your writing adventures?

“Go where your obsessions take you.” (Neil Gaiman)

I still have difficulty with this one. Writing about my obsessions in whatever form means stepping outside my comfort zone, but my best stories come from doing just that.

If you could have dinner with any famous person or character who would you choose?

Neil Gaiman. Not only do I love his writing, he’s had some really interesting “adventures” (i.e. visiting refugee camps). Would love to pick his brain!

 Who has been the greatest influence on your own work?

Dr. Seuss J. Not only did I devour Dr. Seuss books as a child, I channelled that writing style when I wrote my first poems and stories!

 Do you think the e-book revolution will do away with print?

I think ebooks will coexist side by side with print and audio for the immediate future. Personally, if I really like a book, I end up with all three versions. As our dependence on non-renewable resources decreases, however, I believe ebooks and audio will become more prevalent, though I think print books will always be around.

Which 3 books would you take to a desert island and why?

Stephen King’s Duma Key. I love the visuals King evokes in this book as well as the way the main character transitions after his accident.

Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival. Might as well have a book that’s practical as well as being interesting to read!

One of Patrick F. McManus’s books, probably The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw. Love this author’s sense of humor regarding everything outdoors and being on a desert island would probably need a touch of humor or three!

Author bio and book synopsis

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):

I grew up in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada mountains, surrounded by deer and beaver, muskrat and bear, all of which provided ample fodder for my equally wild imagination. As an adult, I spin those childhood experiences into tales that span multiple genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and my newest love—steampunk. My short stories have appeared in Mercedes Lackey’s Elementary Magic and Valdemar anthologies; Esther Friesner’s Chicks and Balances; and several Fiction River anthologies, including the newest Reader’s Choice. I have a new steampunk/weird west novel series, Abby Crumb, debuting this summer.

 

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)

A little background: I am not a vampire fan. Vampires give me nightmares. But another word of writing advice from David Morrel (and Stephen King) has to do with writing about what scares you. So I tried to figure out how I could write about vampires. As often happens to me, my mind went to humor and the ridiculous: What if a bicycle cop was stalked by a vampire dwarf with a fetish for muscular calves? “The Girl With the Candy Cane Legs,” an urban fantasy, is the result!

Summary:

Three months ago, the gates to the Otherside failed, flooding the normal world with creatures both supernatural, demonic, and just plain weird.

Diane Swift, a bicycle cop with thighs of iron, calves of steel, and the ability to see the strange monsters infiltrating her world, keeps the beaches and her city safe from scumbags. Then someone steals her patrol bike along with a bag of fossilized fairies.

And Diane ends up patrolling the beach with a partner straight out of a lunatic’s nightmare.

Fast and furious, wet and wild, “The Girl with the Candy Cane Legs” delivers a rollicking adventure where almost anything goes.

 

Links

http://www.louisaswann.com

 

Social media

https://www.facebook.com/SwannWriter/

 The book also appears in Heroic Tales – Bundle

BundleRabbit https://bundlerabbit.com/b/heroic-tales

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/heroic-tales

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2u33Tfd

I books https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1257100962

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073T45HYB/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073T45HYB/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swift Six – Blaze Ward – #Fantasy #Scifi #HeroicTales #Meetanauthor

Tags

Author interviews, book bundles, Bundlerabbit, Fantasy, Heroic Tales Bundle, Meet an author, Science fiction, Swift Six

Name: Blaze Ward

What attracts you to the genre in which you write?

I mostly write SF these days, but I have been into role-playing-games since I got my first Blue Book (bonus points if you are old enough to know what that is. Double bonus if you still have yours, like I do.) When I turned to professional writing again, I mined a bunch of old campaigns for ideas.

For The Forestal, however, I went back to the really dark, heavy, angry poetry that saved my sanity. These pieces weren’t originally written to be published in this format, but when my Publisher asked about them, I spent some time culling the larger library to assemble these pieces. Even today, I’m amazed at how well the long arc comes together, after wandering. Mind you, I wrote all these over the course of several years, with a number of other pieces that were unrelated.

It is epic and apocalyptic. It fit my mood then, and I’m glad I did it.

What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d known when you started your writing adventures?

“Fuck ‘em. They don’t matter. Just write the damned thing and put it out there for everyone to find. Fans will find you.”

If you could have dinner with any famous person or character who would you choose?

E.E. “Doc” Smith. I have always been a huge fan of his, collecting (as near as I can figure) everything he ever published, going well beyond Lensman and Skylark and down into even some mysteries.

Who has been the greatest influence on your own work?

Doc Smith, David Drake, and Arial & Will Durant.

Do you think the e-book revolution will do away with print?

Nope. Just make it possible for me to connect with fans anywhere on the planet. I just sent a note to another writer asking when one of his ebook-only titles was coming out in print (and offering to do it for him) so I could put it on my shelf with all the rest of his titles.

Which 3 books would you take to a desert island and why?

Fagles’s translation of The Iliad; Dash Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon; David Reynold’s Reflections on the Tao Te Ching.

Author bio and book synopsis

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):

I like grand SF in big universes, but centered on the characters doing things, rather than the technobabble device magical MacGuffin thingee that saves the day with some hand-waving. I write whatever the voices in my head tell me, but the result is a wide swath of cultures and ethnicities exploring the future in a realistic way, without Chosen Ones or epic prophesies (snore).

I like strong, intelligent women, both in my fiction and my real life, and so I tend to write them.

My biggest problem these days with SF is that I once spent three hours crawling the SF/Fantasy shelves at Powell’s Books in Beaverton, Oregon and could not find a single book that looked interesting enough for me to buy it. So I had to go write it instead.  I’m okay with doing that for the rest of my career.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)

The Forestal (Fantary, Poetry)

A long poetry ring, best spoken aloud. (Think Homer’s Odyssey). A dark, epic tale about anger, betrayal, destruction, and the rebirth of the world. I have never encountered anything else like it, in the modern era, but I’m sure others are writing this stuff.

This was rage, distilled. A tale of a journey through deserts and wastelands, before we end up in the darkest forest, moments before the end of the world.

Links

Social media

www.blazeward.com

https://www.facebook.com/KRPBlaze

https://www.amazon.com/Blaze-Ward/e/B00K3X2VFQ/

Heroic Tales

 

BundleRabbit https://bundlerabbit.com/b/heroic-tales

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/heroic-tales

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2u33Tfd

I books https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1257100962

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073T45HYB/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073T45HYB/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swift Six Author Interview – Barbara G. Tarn – Fantasy Secondary Worlds Bundle #Fantasy #Specfic

Tags

Bargain books, book bundles, Fantasy, Meet an author, Spec Fic, Swift Six

 

Name: Barbara G.Tarn

What attracts you to the genre in which you write?

It’s speculative fiction! I can make up stuff! Or so I thought when I started writing. I still write more fantasy than sci-fi because historical research is easier for me than science and technology…

What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d known when you started your writing adventures?

I think I unknowingly followed most of Heinlein’s Rules… I wrote. I finished what I wrote. I moved on. Problem was putting it out there. In the 20^th century and legacy publishing world. Sigh.

If you could have dinner with any famous person or character who would you choose?

Since I’m currently mad with Da Muse who posts pictures of snow in the middle of the hated long hot summer, I’d go back to the previous Muse who lasted some 15 years anyway (but then, they say he’s immortal, LOL)… that would be Keanu Reeves!

Who has been the greatest influence on your own work?

When I grow up I wanna be Dean Wesley Smith. Or Kristine Katryn Rusch. Or both. For the work ethic, mostly, although I have my own! 😉 Stylistically, dunno. I have found my own voice long ago. Even the English voice is now quite established and I don’t know where I got it from.

Do you think the e-book revolution will do away with print?

I doubt it. Probably not. And audio books will rise in the new illiteracy. I’d understand visually impaired, but other people listening to a story? Not for me. I still prefer paper for non-fiction and comics and graphic novels. But fiction? E-book are just fine!

Which 3 books would you take to a desert island and why?

My Kindle Keyboard has a long lasting battery! Besides, I’m afraid I’d use any paper available to write or draw (if I have a pen or pencil, that is). Of course, if it’s a shipwreck, none of this would be possible. And if it’s a willing vacation… it’s even more impossible. You’ll never see me on a desert island willingly! 🙂

Author bio and book synopsis

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):

Barbara G.Tarn had an intense life in the Middle Ages that stuck to her through the centuries. She prefers swords to guns, long gowns to mini-skirts, and even though she buried the warrior woman, she deplores the death of knights in shining chainmail. She likes to think her condo apartment is a medieval castle, unfortunately lacking a dungeon to throw noisy neighbors and naughty colleagues in. Also known as the Lady with the Unicorns, these days she prefers to add a touch of fantasy to all her stories, past and present – when she’s not wandering on her fantasy world of Silvery Earth or in her Star Minds futuristic universe.

She’s a writer, sometimes artist, mostly a world-creator and story-teller. Two of her stories received an Honorable Mention at the Writers of the Future contest. She writes, draws, ignores her day job and blogs at: http://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com.

She can now be found on Patreon, where you can pledge as little as 1$ a month to read exclusive content and sustain her and other creators in their endeavors.

Check her Vimeo channel for book trailers and other funny stuff.

 

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short) (I’ll put both bundles here, and then send a Book Spotlight for both)

The Path of Water (Quests Book 1) also included in the Fantasy Secondary Worlds Bundle with 11 other fantasy novels

Hinrik survives the battle outside the walls of Moriana, battered and hurt. He drags himself to the River Ondan to put an end to his misery.

But it’s just the beginning of a new life of discoveries about himself and the world, a quest for his true calling in life. He is a half-blood and must learn what it means with the help of Bellinda the healer and Keneith the magic user.

The warrior, the healer and the magic user are all outsiders or outcasts looking for a place to call home in a hostile world, away from the aggressively expanding Varian and Blackmore Kingdoms.

A story of the northern kingdoms of Silvery Earth with magic and pain, loss and rebirth.

Star Minds Next Generation also included in the Sci-fi July Fever Fun with 10 other sci-fi novels

A sequel to Star Minds – the Trilogy, it’s the story of Shan-leo, Ker-ris’s son, now no longer an imperial prince.
Raised as imperial prince, Shan-leo doesn’t miss his former status. At twenty-two, he gets to define his destiny without being forced on a path traced by his family. Following his love for calligraphy, he discovers a black market of stolen manuscripts, which starts the adventure of a lifetime.
Aristocratic adventurer on a starship called “outlaw”. The next generation of Star Minds is out in the galaxy.

Links

Social media

blog: http://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraGTarn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4717133.Barbara_G_Tarn

Author Central http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-G.Tarn/e/B0050P0R2G

Where to find everything: www.unicornproductionsbook.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BarbaraGTarn

Vimeo (book trailers): https://vimeo.com/user65901088

SFF Bundles Galore on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sff4bundles

 

Book Spotlight – The Path of Water/Secondary Worlds Fantasy Bundle

Tags

book bundles, book spotlight, Fantasy, Indie Publishing, Science fiction, Spec Fic

Title: The Path of Water (Quests Book 1)

Author: Barbara G.Tarn

Genre: fantasy

Main character description (short).

Hinrik is a warrior and a half-blood trying to find his place in the world. Interview wih Hinrik and Bellinda on author’s blog.

Synopsis:

Hinrik survives the battle outside the walls of Moriana, battered and hurt. He drags himself to the River Ondan to put an end to his misery.

But it’s just the beginning of a new life of discoveries about himself and the world, a quest for his true calling in life. He is a half-blood and must learn what it means with the help of Bellinda the healer and Keneith the magic user.

The warrior, the healer and the magic user are all outsiders or outcasts looking for a place to call home in a hostile world, away from the aggressively expanding Varian and Blackmore Kingdoms.

A story of the northern kingdoms of Silvery Earth with magic and pain, loss and rebirth.

 

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Hinrik’s eyes widened in shock. This couldn’t be. He was already dead and the underworld was underwater.

The man’s hand on his chest calmed his heartbeat. He looked sorrowful now.

“You are my son, Hinrik. And you are badly hurt. But the kingmaker is coming this way and he is with an excellent healer, she will help you.”

Hinrik closed his mouth and gulped. He still couldn’t believe all this was happening underwater. His mother had told him his father was a magical being, but he wasn’t expecting this! She’d been blamed all of her life for having a son outside of marriage and now, twenty-five years later, this… stranger walked, no swam up to him and told him he was his father!

“You are half-Waiora, Hinrik, that’s why water heals you. But what you’ve been through needs more healing power, and only the Genn can give you that. Go back to the surface, the kingmaker is making camp on the river shore with his friends, you will find him easily and they will help you.”

“I don’t want anybody’s help!” Hinrik’s scream was lost underwater. He didn’t want anybody to see him right now. He was naked, bruised and hurt. He wasn’t going to go back to the surface and meet people.

His father hugged him and gently rocked him as he burst into sobs. His tears were lost in the water and he was too weak to free himself from the unwanted embrace.

 

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

A personal, non-heroic quest to find one’s place in the world in the company of other “different” people.

 

http://www.unicornproductionsbooks.com/books/the-path-of-water-quests-book-1/

is also in Quests Volume one http://www.unicornproductionsbooks.com/books/quests-volume-one-the-paths-of-water-and-air/

and the First Glimpse of Secondary Fantasy World bundle along with 11 other authors.

 

Title: Star Minds Next Generation

Author: Barbara G.Tarn

Genre: science fantasy

Main character description (short).

Shan-leo Shermac is the descendant of the last emperor, but he’s never going to sit on his grandfather’s throne. He’s not interested.

Synopsis:

A sequel to Star Minds – the Trilogy, it’s the story of Shan-leo, Ker-ris’s son, now no longer an imperial prince.
Raised as imperial prince, Shan-leo doesn’t miss his former status. At twenty-two, he gets to define his destiny without being forced on a path traced by his family. Following his love for calligraphy, he discovers a black market of stolen manuscripts, which starts the adventure of a lifetime.
Aristocratic adventurer on a starship called “outlaw”. The next generation of Star Minds is out in the galaxy.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Shan-leo got out of bed, showered and dressed, grabbing his bandanna. He went downstairs and found his father and uncle in the living room, seated at the breakfast table side by side as usual.

Uncle Kol-ian saw him first and greeted him. “Good morning, birthday boy!”

“Good morning,” he answered as his father rose to give him a bear hug.

“Already twenty-two… where did time go?” he whispered in Shan-leo’s ear.

“You mean the past twelve years went even faster than the previous ten?” Shan-leo teased, giving the bandanna to uncle Kol-ian who wrapped it around his nephew’s arm with a smile. Shan-leo knew his father disapproved of his showing off the bionic arm – especially when he had on a tank top like today – but Uncle Kol-ian was very supportive, having had prosthetics himself.

“Shan-leo…” his father chided.

Shan-leo smiled at him. It wasn’t his fault if he’d been mind-controlled for all the time he’d been married to Shan-leo’s late mother and had missed most of his son’s childhood.

“I love you anyway, Father.” He sat with them to eat breakfast. “Even if you want to hide my beautiful prosthetic! Why don’t you ever suggest Uncle Kol-ian cover the scars on his back with synthetic skin?”

“Your uncle doesn’t go around bare-chested to show off his scars!” his father protested while Kol-ian guffawed.

 

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

If you loved the Trilogy and the Snippets or if you’re new to the Star Minds universe, you will enjoy this wandering prince’s adventures in space.

.

 

 

Dirty Dozen – Martin Wilsey – SciFi PART 1

Tags

Author interviews, Dirty Dozen Interviews, Sci fiction, scii fi

Author name: Martin Wilsey

 *Please tell us about your publications.

 

What first prompted you to publish your work? The final kick over the edge was when a beta reader said, “You are going to sell thousands of these. Bastard.”

 

What have you found the most challenging part of the process? I love the outlining, the planning, the brainstorming, and the writing. All of that is fun. Editing is more like work.

 

Are you a ‘pantser’ or a ‘plotter’? I  am a big time plotter. HUGE plotter. I develop outlines that will eventually include every scene in the novel. When I outline, I am thinking only about the plot, pace, setting and characters. I am not worried about spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage or phrasing. My outline is conveyed to Scrivener, and then the writing begins. It is absolute proof against writer’s block as well.

 

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey? Finish one thing before moving to the next.

 

If you could have dinner with any literary character who would you choose, and what would it be? Cormoran Strike, from the Robert Galbraith novels. We’d have dinner in a British Pub. I’d order bangers and mash!

 

What are your views on authors offering free books? Do you believe, as some do, that it demeans an author and his or her work? I believe authors should be free to do whatever they like. I have free Kindle promotions. They are effective. I also write and publish free short stories that are related to my novels. It’s the drug dealer model of marketing. Give them a little taste for free. If they like it, they will buy the novels. The key is that your free stories have to be good.

 

What are your views on authors commenting on reviews? I never comment on reviews. What people feel about my stories is none of my business. I always try to reach the correct audience.

 

How do you deal with bad reviews? Bad reviews don’t bother me.  I deal with them by staying focused on my next project. I pay close attention to the reviews of my Beta readers.

 

Sort these into order of importance:

Great characters

Good plot

Awesome world-building

Technically perfect

 

How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at? I research the hell out of everything. I write Hard Science Fiction. I make sure I get the real science right so when I quietly step over the line with artificial gravity or Faster Than Light travel it seems more plausible. The wildest subject was how to cook using a large caldron.

 

What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? The best advice was that writing is work. You have to treat it like a job. Treat it like brushing your teeth or putting on your seatbelt. It is more about discipline than inspiration. You have to write even if you don’t feel like it. It sure does make it easier for the muse to find you if she knows where you will be every day.

 

What’s the worst piece best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? “Your first draft should be your final draft.” Once I gave myself permission to write a crappy first draft, to hammer through without looking back, I was free.

****

 

Bio: Martin Wilsey is a writer, hunter, photographer, rabble rouser, father, friend, marksman, storyteller, frightener of children, carnivore, engineer, fool, philosopher, cook and madman. He and his wife Brenda live in Virginia where, just to keep him off the streets, he works as a research scientist for a government-funded think tank.

 

Links:

 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Wilsey/e/B00VDKLJWE/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinWilseyAuthor

Blog:  http://wilseymc.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/martin_wilsey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13730295.Martin_Wilsey

Audible: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_pd_Sci-Fi_c2_1_auth?searchAuthor=Martin+Wilsey

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/martin-wilsey/id1002190901?mt=11

Website:  http://www.wilsey.org/

Press: http://www.tannhauserpress.com/

Review – The Clone Wars – Animated Series #Starwars #scifi

Tags

Animated shows, Movie Reviews, Star Wars, The Clone Wars

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Season-1-5/dp/B00APGRMRI/

As many of you know I am a geek and a nerd – and proud of it. I love Star Wars – don’t ask how many times I’ve seen the original trilogy. Anyway, I’d seen a couple of these episodes on youtube and on recommendation picked these up.  It took me a while to get into this – (as the first series is a little disjointed) but now I love it. It’s very easy to get hooked on these. And I did. This was my little treat, a couple of episodes before bed and life was good. Seriously this is an EXCELLENT set of animated works and the animation is great.

The individual episodes are short but there are lots and it took us a month or so to work through them all. The stories are ‘canon’ so add a lot to the mythos and storylines of Star Wars.  The characters introduced (such as Clone captain Rex and Ahsoka) enhance the more well-known characters such as Obi-wan and Anakin Skywalker. These compelling and rather tragic characters bring a good deal of life to the stories.

Oh and just because this is a cartoon don’t expect the body count to be low – it’s not. People die – clones, droids, jedi, civilians, aliens, monsters. There is a trail of death and destruction right across the galaxy.  It’s PG rated but if this was a film with ‘real’ people then I’m pretty sure that rating would be upped. The death (and the pointlessness of the unwinnable war) is a key part of the series, and certainly later on the characters question the rationale and the reasons for the war. Of course ‘Senator’ Palpatine is not all he seems. He really is a weapons-grade devious bastard. I found myself wanting to yell ‘don’t trust him!’  He’s evil but not obviously so in the way of say General Grevious or Darth Maul.

This series fills in a lot of gaps in the storylines, showing that Anakin Skywalker’s fall was not as quick as it appears. The Clone Wars are dealt with in the second movie (Attack of the Clones) but it really doesn’t do justice to that side of the story. Thousands, if not millions of clones bred ONLY to fight, and Battledroids wage a war no one can win and few care about the rapidly rising body count. Of course, it’s not that simple – the Jedi are involved, and the Jedi council do not come out of this series especially well. Arrogant, rather partial and often devoid of emotion they ‘peacekeep’ the galaxy against the ‘separatists’ but they are peacekeeping in a war zone where everyone is just a piece in a far greater, and more cunning game. In many places, it’s hard to tell who are the good guys and the bad, but there are some great villains and heroes but the line between ‘good and evil’ is blurred, to say the least.

I felt real pity for Anakin and Ahsoka – certainly, for the former the ‘light side’ wasn’t as squeaky clean as it appears. Good and evil are rather relative and truth is dependent on where you stand. This series answers questions cements relationships with characters and the diverse and complex world of Star Wars. It’s a must for any Star Wars fan.

I wanted more when the series ended and I know I will watch these again regularly.

Returning Author – Robert Eggleton – science fiction

Tags

Author interviews, Indie Publishing, political allegory, Politics, returning author, Science fiction, support an Indie

I’d like to welcome back author Robert Eggleton. Hi Alex. Thanks for inviting me back to your great book blog to update you about my debut novel.

Please recap briefly about your book: Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary fiction with a science fiction backdrop. In a nutshell, it is the story of victimization to empowerment taking readers from tragedy to comedy and satire, including political allegory that predicted the rise of Donald Trump to political power long before he became a household name. Lacy Dawn is a most unlikely saviour of the universe, genetically manipulated for millennia, who builds a team of zany characters to resolve an imminent threat to economic structures, one that could destroy all life – a longstanding feud between the political ideologies of extreme capitalism and democratic socialism.

What has changed since you last visited? Tell us your news! The biggest news item is that the final edition of Rarity from the Hollow was released to Amazon on December 5, 2016. When I last visited with you, my novel was being circulated as an Advance Review Copy (ARC), gathering praise and criticism by independent book reviewers and critics. One book critic had already compared the writing style to Kurt Vonnegut. https://electricrev.net/2014/08/12/a-universe-on-the-edge/ Another, a Retired Editor of Reader’s Digest, found that it was the most enjoyable science fiction novel that he had read in several years. http://warriorpatient.com/blog/2015/05/18/58/ After you interviewed me, Rarity from the Hollow was awarded Gold Medals by Awesome Indies http://awesomeindies.net/ai-approved-review-of-rarity-from-the-holly-by-robert-eggleton/ and Readers’ Favorite https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/rarity-from-the-hollow. A Bulgaria critic named Rarity from the Hollow as one of the best five books of 2015, along with Revival by Stephen King and The Martian by Andy Weir. http://codices.info/2015/12/top-5-for-2015-ventsi/. The ARC received twenty-six five star and forty-three four star reviews by independent book blogger on Amazon. Since release of the final edition, after its political allegory became much more obvious with the election of Donald Trump, a few reviewers took a second look at the novel and have upgraded their findings and ratings.

On January 6, 2017, the first of the final edition was published, five stars. The closing lines were: “…Brilliant satires such as this are genius works of literature in the same class as Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm.’ I can picture American Lit professors sometime in the distant future placing this masterpiece on their reading list.” https://marcha2014.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/5-stars-for-rarity-from-the-hollowby-robert-eggleton/ On February17, 2017, Dan’l Danehy-Oakes, a critic whose book reviews often appear in the New York Review of Science Fiction, published his review, five stars: “…I know this all sounds pretty whack, and it is, but it’s also quite moving. Lacy Dawn and her supporting cast – even Brownie, the dog – are some of the most engaging characters I’ve run across in a novel in some time….” http://sturgeonslawyer.livejournal.com/ On March 8, 2017, the 93^rd book review was published by a book blogger, five stars: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RCL7S5MDYE791?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

I’m continuing to promote Rarity from the Hollow by submitting articles and guest posts, participating in interviews, just about anything that I can think of to get the word out about the novel. As you are aware, author proceeds support the prevention of child maltreatment, so especially since the Trump administration has proposed budget cuts in domestic programs, I believe that any money that I can raise is important and will help a great nonprofit agency. http://www.childhswv.org/

Since the final edition of my debut novel was finally released, I’ve also gone back to work on the next Lacy Dawn Adventure, Ivy. One of my poems won first place in an international competition last year and I’ve submitted another to an online poetry magazine. I’m putting finishing touches on a short story that I plan to submit to a magazine before the deadline on April 15, 2017. Things have been “hopping,: Thanks for the great question.

Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? Maybe some writers can self-edit, but I’m terrible at it. I tend to read what I intended to write rather than what was actually written. One of my pet peeves is finding typos in emails and posts, such as on Facebook, that I’ve sent. My wife will sometimes look over stuff that I’ve written, but I’ve been so prolific that she’s often not available. For something like a novel, I would never submit it for publication without a “professional” edit. That doesn’t mean I have the money to pay for one, so I’m not sure what I’ll do if Dog Horn Publishing, my traditional small press, doesn’t survive in the marketplace. Rarity from the Hollow was first edited by a friend, an English teacher, and then professionally edited by the editor of one press, the Acquisitions Editor for the University of Michigan’s Library system, and then by two affiliates of Dog Horn Publishing. So far, nobody has commented on any editing issues or typos with the final edition of Rarity from the Hollow. I got lucky. I’ve never paid for anything to do with publication of my novel, including its free editing.   

Do you think indie/self-published authors are viewed differently to traditionally published authors? Why do you think this might be? Prejudice against indie/self published authors used to be a lot worse. A book blogger recently published my take on the history of this controversy: “I Found God in Cyberspace.” https://gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/i-found-god-in-cyberspace-by-robert-eggleton/comment-page-1/#comment-755

Some well-known authors, including Stephen King, have more recently turned to self-publishing. https://www.bookworks.com/2015/06/why-stephen-king-j-k-rowling-joe-konrath-and-others-are-switching-to-indie-publishing-at-least-on-some-of-their-books/ However, for authors with little name recognition, this emergence of the traditionally published authors into self-publishing is not particularly encouraging. There have been a few self-published books that have sold well. Perhaps because he’s also a children’s psychotherapist, my personal hero is James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophesy. He sold the first 100,000 copies of his book out of the trunk of his car before it was picked up by a traditional publisher.

I believe that there are good and bad books self and traditionally published. I can’t think of any right off the top, but it used to be common to find typos in books long before self-publishing was available. I feel that the biggest advantage that traditionally published book have over self-published books is the advertising. While not true about small presses which seem to be going down faster than seals in an oil slick, some traditional book are marketed by high salaried publicists who buy reviews printed in popular magazines.

What are your opinions about authors commenting on reviews? How important are reviews? In general, I think that it’s bad form for an author to publicly comment on a book review. As long as it’s done politely as part of a thank you note, I don’t see anything wrong with a private comment by an author about a book review. Of course, book bloggers moderate comments if submitted to their sites rather than by private email, so making an author’s comment would entirely be at the discretion of the book blogger. Competency as a book blogger or as an author, of course, varies. So does ethics. In my opinion, the skill is in the pitch for a book review, as written and as read. In my opinion, some book reviewers are so busy, perhaps overwhelmed by requests, that they may not fully read pitches and may prefer cookie-cutter type novels with which they are already familiar. Others look for those books which fall outside of mainstream releases. Online, I’ve met several wonderful people who have contributed to the promotion of Rarity from the Hollow. I’ve also met a couple who I now wish that I’d never pitched for a book review. In any case, reviews are critical to the potential success of the author and the book blogger, neither of whom are likely to make much money by their contributions to the World of Books.  

When buying a book do you read the reviews? Yes, I always read every review that is available before I buy a book.

What are your reviews on authors reviewing other authors? Perhaps more traditional than full reviews, authors writing blurbs about books have been a standard. Again, this question addresses ethics. I suspect that there are some authors and editors who primarily review books as a strategy to sell their own books or services. Of course, authors trading glowing reviews with other authors would be unethical. So are friend reviews, or, in my opinion, sharing posts on social media simply because of friendships instead of the merits of the posts. While it’s a World Wide Web, our participation on it always involves ethics. But, it’s so hard to compete simply by writing a good book. Many, if not most, traditional publishers definitely have the upper hand, so I’m a little lenient in this consideration. You know the old saying: “What’s fair for the goose is fair for the gander.”

Looking back what do you wish you’d known when you started writing? Looking back, I’m glad that I didn’t know then what I’ve learned since. I was a total novice, and to some extent, that remains true today. If I would have realized that the odds of having a good book ever appear in a book store, much less than 1%, I may have been too disheartened to have written Rarity from the Hollow. I’m very proud of my accomplishment. Especially so by two book review findings that it may outlive me: “…I would even say it could be read in a college setting both for the craft itself and its unique brand of storytelling….” http://tabbyafae.com/rarity-hollow-robert-eggleton/

Do you have any unpublished novels under the bed/in a folder anywhere which you thought were awesome at the time, but now will never see the light of day? No, I don’t have any unpublished novels that fit that description, but I have several short stories that are so dated now that they seem silly. Rarity from the Hollow was my first attempt to write a novel.

How have you progressed as a writer since you started? Technically, I’m somewhat more highly skilled in word processing, and that’s very important to writing. Most of the short stories that I just mentioned were written on a manual typewriter. I’m struggling with the craft of writing and not fully sure if my motivations to change style would be a progression or a regression of my craft. Part of me wants to remain semi avant garde and hope for a niche, while part of me wants to meet more mainstream expectations. It kind of feels like back in junior high when one struggles with wanting to both be unique but to also fit in with the crowd.

What are your views on authors offering free books? It’s a modern marketing strategy that supposedly can be used to build rank on Amazon if done through that company, but I suspect that most recipients of free books never read them or remain loyal to their authors. That’s a guess. I’ve thought about trying it on Goodreads, but since my writing doesn’t fit mainstream expectations I’ve been hesitant. Plus, many of the authors there seem to be much younger – kind of a social club – and, I may not have similar youthful interests or knowledge.

What are your plans for the future? When will we see your next book?  Tell us about it. The next full-length Lacy Dawn Adventure is Ivy. It’s been ready for editing for quite a while but I’ve delayed for a couple of reasons: (1) I’m still promoting Rarity from the Hollow to build improved name recognition; (2) I’m now retired on a low fixed-income, unsure about whether my traditional small press will survive to publish Ivy without me incurring expenses, but even more unsure about the actual costs of self-publishing given my poor skills in technology. Ivy is the story about a unique alien invasion of Earth and asks the question: How far will a child go to save a parent from drug addiction?

Give us a bit of information about your primary character(s). Lacy Dawn is an empowered victim predestined for millennia to save the universe. A good way to get to know her would be to check out a character interview by Lisa the Robot Girl. It’s very funny, and deadly serious: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/rarity-from-the-hollow-on-lisa-burton-radio/

Blurb

Lacy Dawn’s father relives the Gulf War, her mother’s teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in the hollow is hard. She has one advantage — an android was inserted into her life and is working with her to cure her parents. But, he wants something in exchange. It’s up to her to save the Universe. Lacy Dawn doesn’t mind saving the universe, but her family and friends come first.

Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire. A Children’s Story. For Adults.

“The most enjoyable science fiction novel I have read in years.”

—Temple Emmet Williams, Author, former editor for Reader’s Digest

“Quirky, profane, disturbing… In the space between a few lines we go from hardscrabble realism to pure sci-fi/fantasy. It’s quite a trip.”

• Evelyn Somers, The Missouri Review

“…a hillbilly version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…what I would have thought impossible; taken serious subjects like poverty, ignorance, abuse…tongue-in-cheek humor without trivializing them…profound…a funny book that most sci-fi fans will thoroughly enjoy.” — Awesome Indies (Gold Medal)

“…sneaks up you and, before you know it, you are either laughing like crazy or crying in despair, but the one thing you won’t be is unmoved…a brilliant writer.” —Readers’ Favorite (Gold Medal)

“Rarity from the Hollow is an original and interesting story of a backwoods girl who saves the Universe in her fashion. Not for the prudish.” —Piers Anthony, New York Times bestselling author

“…Good satire is hard to find and science fiction satire is even harder to find.” — The Baryon Review

Supporting Information

Purchase links:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/robert-eggleton/rarity-from-the-hollow/paperback/product-22910478.html

http://www.amazon.com/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B017REIA44

http://www.doghornpublishing.com/wordpress/books/rarity-from-the-hollow 

Public Author Contacts:

http://www.lacydawnadventures.com

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32993259-rarity-from-the-hollow

https://www.facebook.com/Lacy-Dawn-Adventures-573354432693864/

https://twitter.com/roberteggleton1

https://plus.google.com/b/108662084126982201049/108662084126982201049/posts

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-eggleton-909b154b?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Spotlight and Blog Tour- Shattered Time Anthology – Sci-fi/Fantasy

Tags

anthology., Blog tour, book spotlight, Fantasy, Science fiction

Title: Shattered Time Anthology

Authors: J.L. Clayton, Carissa Ann Lynch, Niki Livingston, Regina O’Connell, Ashlee Shades, Bradon Nave, Jeremy Simons, Joe Pranaitis, D.A. Roach, Genevieve Moultrie, Grace Charles, and T. Guthrie

Genre: Sci Fi/Fantasy/Time Travel

Release Date: March 13, 2017

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33949356-shattered-time-anthology

Buy Links:

 Amazon.com

Amazon Canada

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon Australia

BLURBS

Lines of Time and Desire

If someone sent you a text saying they’re from the future, would you believe them? Londyn doesn’t know if this stranger with a charming personality is just pulling her leg or telling the truth, but what she does know is that it’s too much fun not to play along. With her heart now on the line and dark secrets looming, will she make the right decision or will she let the love of her life disappear into time? A romantic tale of love, time, and tragedy.

By J.L. Clayton

Homecoming

Astrid finds something at a local witch’s house, something that doesn’t belong there…

It belongs to her baby brother. The only problem with that is…he’s supposed to be dead.

Astrid searches for the truth, learning that sometimes death isn’t final…

By Carissa Ann Lynch

 

A Web Through Time

Meet Alex. Ordinary. Quiet. And she plays by the rules. Until she’s forced into a world where her past becomes her future and the governments of Earth are searching for her execution. Will she embrace her true nature or succumb to the threats of her parents’ enemies?

By Niki Livingston

 

Willow and The Forbidden Portal

Willow, a simple Herb Woman, flees for her life after a child under her care loses his life.

Accused of witchery, she knows the only way to save her life is to find The Forbidden Portal and escape through time.

By Regina Oconnell

 

Cassandra’s Choice

One moment, Cassandra’s driving along in her car to meet her new niece; the next, she’s waking up in the bed of an angry 19th-century Duke. What begins as a battle of wills soon turns into a struggle of emotions as Cassandra finds herself falling in love with the Duke. Will she make it back or choose to stay with the man she has come to love?

By Ashlee Shades

 

The Secrets Crows Keep

Mildred was certain she’d escaped her past…she buried him. So when he showed up at her front door she had no choice but to question everything. As secrets are revealed, she realizes nothing is as it seems and the truth is more bizarre than she’d imagined.

By Bradon Nave

 

Bridging the Gap

A dismantled bridge. A portal into an era time had forgotten. That was all Garrett needed to realize how better the future could be. But at what price?

It isn’t until Garrett sees his ways are destroying the future rather than bettering it that he comes to his senses. But will it be too late?

By Jeremy Simons

 

Time’s Launch

The year is 2363, and the Earth Confederation launched their first time-ship the ECS Andrea commanded by Captain Joseph Dyson, the ships experimental engines move them ten thousand years into the future.  

By Joe Pranaitis

 

The Salesman

Melanie, consumed by guilt over a recent tragedy, struggled to forgive herself and move forward, until one day, when a peculiar salesman offered a remedy to what ailed her.

By D.A. Roach

 

“One Cockroach Left”

A tale of dinosaurs, aliens, time travel, and a really bad day . . . sixty-six million years ago.

By Genevieve Moultrie

 

Time

When tragedy strikes, Vida Morton is given the choice to go back in time, and save the man she loves, Mort Vidal. But love is a tricky game, and so is time. Especially in the face of death.

By Grace Charles

 

Whispers of Forever

A breathless caress, an echo of desire whispering of Forever.

Layla thinks she is from the modern world, but her modern life hasn’t been simple. Plagued with visions of others, Layla always felt as if she belonged in another time with the strangers that haunt her mind. Layla will soon find out if her visions are true. A  deliciously dark serenade of hope filled tragedy.

By T. Guthrie

MEET THE AUTHORS:

J.L. Clayton Bio: J. L. Clayton lives in a small town and works at the local post office, delivering mail every day with a smile on her face. She and her husband, Robert, have a 17-year-old daughter, Shyla. J. L. was inspired by the Twilight series to write A Spark of Magic: Chosen Saga Book One, her first novel. Since her first novel, J.L. has released several books.

 

J.L. Clayton Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2mZJYu3

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/J.L.ClaytonBooks/

Website: http://jlclayton.wix.com/chosensaga

 

Carissa Ann Lynch Bio:

Carissa Ann Lynch is the USA TODAY Bestselling and award winning author of the Flocksdale Files trilogy, Horror High series, Dark Legends, Searching for Sullivan, Things Only the Darkness Knows, Shattered Time, 13, Grayson’s Ridge, and This Is Not About Love. She resides in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.

 

When she’s not writing, she’s reading and collecting books. She has a background in psychology and corrections.

 

Carissa Ann Lynch Social Media Links:

Carissa Ann Lynch Author Page

Facebook

 Blog

 Twitter

 

Niki Livingston Bio:

Niki is the author of the Epic Fantasy series, Theia’s Moons. Today, she lives in Utah with her partner, their four children and two over-sized cats, but dreams of one day living on a beach, where she can spend her days dazzling the world with her imagination.

She enjoys a whole variety of things, including reading stories that keep her on the edge of my seat, having late night talks with her handsome fireman, creating dysfunctional and funny children,all the while making sure they become functional adults, having happy/crappy time at the dinner table, playing in the dirt in hopes to create a bountiful garden and sitting quietly on her back porch, sipping coffee and watching the sun wake up the world.

 

Niki Livingston Social Media Links:

 Amazon Author page

Facebook

Website: http://nikilivingstonauthor.com/

Newsletter: Newsletter

Twitter: Twitter

 

Regina O’Connell Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page: Amazon Author Page

Facebook: Facebook

 

Ashlee Shades Bio:

Ashlee Shades is a Contemporary Romance author.

Ashlee enjoys writing sensual and hot romance stories featuring alpha bad boys (who doesn’t love a bad boy taking control?), role play scenarios, and revenge.

Ashlee enjoys spending her days either reading when she’s not writing…or hanging out on social media. Her reading and writing genre of choice is steamy romance. (Ashlee’s middle name is Isabelle). Who wouldn’t love to escape reality within the pages of a romance book that has a touch of spice?

Ashlee’s goal is to give the reader a sensually, romantic journey as they read her books, and to hopefully inspire them to add a little spice to their life. Her readers have referred to her stories as “hot”, “sensual”, and a “must read”.

Her books are a little bit naughty, a little bit nice – but one fantastic package!

She loves connecting with readers (reading their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions – both good and bad, have helped her grow and learn as a writer) and supporting fellow authors. So please, contact her through the contact page on her website, or follow her on twitter at @ashlee_shades

 

Ashlee Shades Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Website: http://ashleeshades.wixsite.com/author

Twitter

 

Bradon Nave  Bio:

Bradon Nave was born and raised in Oklahoma. He attended a small school during junior high and high school, and graduated with only three people in his class. After graduate school, he decided to devote his spare time to his passion of writing.Bradon currently lives in Piedmont, Oklahoma, with his wife and two young children. He loves running, being with friends, and writing.

Bradon Nave Social Media Links:

 Amazon Author Page

 Facebook

Website

 

Jeremy Simons Bio:

Jeremy Simons is a horror/suspense author with Twilight Terror Press (an affiliate of Celestial Waters Publishing). He is an avid reader of books in those same genres. He has been writing since he was a child. His shorter works have appeared across the Internet with numerous zines and in several paperback anthologies.

Jeremy Simons Social Media Links:

 Amazon Author Page

Facebook

 

Joe Pranaitis Bio:

I grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, and at an early age I was introduced to science fiction by my parents whom I miss. When I was a kid I was introduced to the novel Star Trek: Final Frontier by Diane Carey and later on Babylon 5 both of which have a powerful influence on the stories that I write. For the past 12 years I’ve been working at the Hoosier Theatre in Whiting Indiana, and during my time there I’ve written 13 novels, currently working on my next novel, 2 of which have been published under the title of Infinite Possibilities of which the main title will now be changed to make it more marketable. One more thing about Infinite Possibilities it will continue in its new form. One of my goals is to work with every major studio and I am currently co-writing and co-producing my first theatrical movie. Which is leading me to direct my first short film. I am the VP and Co-owner of the production company Shareef Entertainment.

 

Joe Pranaitis Social Media Links:

 Amazon Author Page

 Facebook

Twitter

 

D.A. Roach Bio:

D.A. Roach has been telling stories since she was a young girl in the suburbs of Chicago. In college she met the man of her dreams, her happily ever after, and married him 2 weeks after graduating. They have 3 kids together and a pet cockatiel named Gimli. D.A. did not find a love for books until after college. Her parents were immigrants from Lithuania and found tv and radio easier ways to hear stories so they did not do much reading or encourage it. But once she finished college and D.A. had free time, she discovered how amazing it was to get lost in a story.

D.A. is a full time mom and wife. When she is not doing domestic things (laundry, bills, etc) she is writing, reading, creating mixed media art, and helping beautify her kids’ school landscape. Oh, and she is ALWAYS listening to music. Her favorite authors include Rebecca Donovan, Richelle Mead, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Meyer, E.L. James, and Sylvia Day. Reading great works from authors like these has motivated D.A. to write her own stories. She hopes to make positive changes in the world with her art and writing.

 

D.A. Roach Social Media Link:

WEBSITE: http://daroachbooks.blogspot.com/

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/DARoachDA/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/daroach12books

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/author/daroach

 

Genevieve Moultrie Social Media Links:

 Facebook

 

Grace Charles Social Media Links:

 Amazon Author Page

Facebook

 

T. Guthrie  Social Media Links:

Facebook: Facebook

Book Spotlight – Tortured Worlds – Science Fiction

Tags

book spotlight, Book spotlights, Indie Promotion, Sci fi, Science fiction

Title: Tortured Worlds: Stories of Science Fiction

Author: Caleb Peiffer

Genre: Science Fiction

Main character description (short). Leon Caval and Nedda Silvio, stars of the first short story, Across Worlds, have never met in person, but each night they meet in a dream world. Leon has led a sheltered, privileged life, and the appearance of the highly evolved, seemingly heroic Supermen aliens is exciting to him. Meanwhile, Nedda, who’s never had a loving home or relationship, is skeptical of anyone with power.

Synopsis:

A post-apocalyptic winter, superpowered aliens, a machine that controls the planets’ movement, immortal love, and voices echoing from nowhere. These are just some of the things that torture the worlds you’ll find in these stories.

The Tortured Worlds collection features five stories of science fiction and fantasy:

Across Worlds – While the Supermen, powerful extraterrestrial visitors, try to save the world, Leon and Nedda, two star-crossed strangers who meet in their dreams, have to save their own world from destruction.

A Pyre for the World on Ice – In a post-apocalyptic world frozen by a nuclear winter, time-traveling Alex Dandes has to track down a bomber in a seemingly lifeless Tokyo.

Receding – Quelorian, Lord of Chaos, sits on the edge of the universe, waiting for it to end, desperate to undo the past mistakes that tore him and the love of his life apart.

Throne of God – In the 26th century, the Neo-Sun gives light and life to the human race, and Samson Arsovi is the newest recruit elected to pilot the machine that controls our solar system.

Voices in the Void – If reality is an illusion, and we’re all the figments of one deranged, schizophrenic imagination, then whose dream are we in?

 

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Nedda Silvio dreamed about a boy. Not the way other girls dreamed, about the nebulous idea of the perfect boy, someone handsome and sexy, sweet with a dark side or dark with a sweet side, who’d treat her like a princess and always say she was beautiful and respect her for her mind too. Nedda Silvio had only ever liked one boy. The one in her dream.

They’d never met in the daytime. Only in the dreamscape. It was a beautiful place, not misty and cushioned with clouds everywhere like she’d always imagined a world of dreams, but something a little like that. Not like Earth, either, but something like that too. It had forests, like Earth, with trees that were thicker and more like clouds than Earth’s. It had mountains, but they were round like giant hills, and sometimes shaped liked spheres that looked as if they should roll but didn’t. There were cities if you looked for them, full of crowds of people who never moved and never spoke. The people were hazy and formless and they didn’t have faces.

They talked about the Supermen, sometimes. The boy thought they were heroes. They scared Nedda, but she thought they were on the humans’ side. Whether or not that was a good thing, she wasn’t sure. The boy didn’t understand how those could be different things. He asked her if she’d read the novel the Superman who called itself Artemis had written. She hadn’t. He told her the story.

Why should readers buy this book?

Tortured Worlds features five sci-fi short stories that put – if you will – tortuous twists on sci-fi cliches. I think there’s something for everyone here. But more than that, it’s my hope that these stories will inspire. Show you that, no matter how tortured your world, dragons can be slain.

 

 

Links etc.

Buy: Amazon Smile

Amazon

Author Website: http://calebpeiffer.com