It’s a special pleasure to announce the launch of Hope Is Not a Strategy, the latest anthology in Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey’s best selling Four Horsemen Universe!
Why am I especially pleased? Because my own psychological cyberpunk adventure story “The Problem of the Qualis” appears in this very collection!
From the Amazon description:
It’s the Twenty-Second Century. The galaxy has opened up to humanity as a hyperactive beehive of stargates and new technologies, and we suddenly find ourselves in a vast playground of different races, environments, and cultures. There’s just one catch: we are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain, and there’s only one way for humanity to move up—by becoming mercenaries.
In every mercenary’s life, though, there comes a time when things go wrong and even the best laid plans go awry. When they do, though, the best mercs fall back and work out new plans, and you can bet on one thing—hope is not their strategy. Whether you’re a kid looking to get off your planet, or an unarmed merc facing an overwhelming force, or even the sole survivor of a pirate attack, there’s always an edge—and it’s up to the merc to find and exploit it!
Edited by bestselling authors and universe creators Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey, “Hope is Not a Strategy” includes all-new stories in the Four Horsemen universe by some of the bestselling Indie authors currently in the business. These authors take on various aspects of the universe, giving you additional insight into a galaxy that isn’t at war…but definitely isn’t at peace. There’s only one thing for sure in the 4HU—anything’s possible…for a fistful of credits!
Inside, you’ll find:
Preface by Chris Kennedy
Golden Ticket by Jonathan P. Brazee
The Tide Changes by Craig Martelle
Something You Are Not by Kevin Steverson
Hijacked! by Terry Mixon
The Wagner Method by Josh Hayes
Paying the Price by Scott Moon
Without a Shot by Chris Fox
Raid by Mark Wandrey
Second Chances by Kevin McLaughlin
The Problem of the Qualis by Brian Niemeier
Eye on the Prize by Nathan Hystad
Earworm by Robert E. Hampson
A Guilded Affair by Chris Kennedy
Sunset by A.K. DuBoff
Survivor by Kacey Ezell
That’s a stellar lineup in any universe. I’m deeply honored that Chris invited me to contribute a story alongside these contemporary sci-fi luminaries. It’s a particular honor to learn that my story is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with offerings from the industry giants. I don’t mind telling you that at least one of the authors involved suggested nominating “The Problem of the Qualis” for a Nebula Award. I’m not a SFWA member, and am thus ineligible. Happily, I’ve got my Campbell pin and Dragon Award to console me. But thanks for the nod, brother–you know who you are!
All of which is a long-winded way of saying the anthology is great, and you should buy it. Your book purchase helps to support indie authors so we can keep bringing you fun stories free of PC agitprop.
And if you like psychological space thrillers that read like a Nick Cole adaptation of an unpublished Philip K. Dick romp, more’s the better!
Bonus: Cartwright’s Cavaliers, the very first Four Horsemen book by Mark Wandrey, is free all weekend!
I started reading the Tales series (and bought them) before I realized it wasn't the main series!
Now I have the beginning of it, and this latest anthology, and I can finally start.
Thanks for reading!
DJ
I have several anthologies as well. What's the first book in the series? I can also start in order as well.
xavier
Brian,
Congrats! I bet it's a kickass load of fun.
Xavier
1. Legend
2. Weaver
3. The Colchis Job
4. Tales From the Lyon's Den
5. When Eagles Dare
6. Luck is Not a Factor
7. Free Bird Rising
8. Hope is Not a Strategy
Thank you!
DJ
Thanks!
xavier
Yessss! I really enjoy the 4HU (there's a couple of books that are only "OK") and I'll be very pleased to read your take on the universe
!
Glad to hear it. Getting to play and Chris' sandbox was loads of fun. I'm grateful he let me do it.
Excellent! Congrats, Brian!
Many thanks 🙂
Gotta say, it's a pleasure being in an anthology featuring a story with an exclamation point in the title.
Congrats!
Thanks!
So if you'd like to see, Mr. Niemeier and fans, this is the poem Brian will be joining us to discuss tomorrow night (discussion likely posted Wednesday morning): Tailgunner Joe by Tom Riley.
Where is he joining you? A blog? Youtube? Elsewhere?
Sorry that I failed to make that clear. In addition to performing poetry on my YouTube channel, I also hold discussions on the poems I perform. Typically, it's been me + one or two friends, but I've also had special guests on sometimes, including John C. Wright, Tom Simon, Ben Zwycky, and Rachel Fulton Brown.
The complete playlist is here. The discussions tend to wander a bit from the original subject matter, but if you like the poem, you're likely to find the talk interesting.
We're holding the talk tomorrow night. The video should go live Wednesday morning. If Mr. Niemeier has no objection, I'll post the link in the comments then. Please stop by. I hope you enjoy it.
No objections here.