Secret History vs. Alternate History

What is the difference between writing secret history and writing alternate history? How can authors mine the history of science to make feasible predictions about how technology might evolve? Do events unfold in a linear fashion, or is the one constant that history always throws curve balls? We endeavor to…
October 30, 20172 Comments
The Final Curtain

The Final Curtain

Film industry sources are reporting that major studios have resorted to pulling underperforming movies from theaters in what continues to be the worst year at the box office in decades. It’s a bizarre season in Hollywood. Almost nothing is “working,” and the studios can’t afford to waste any more money hoping…
October 26, 201712 Comments
The Fire Rises

The Fire Rises

A picture speaks a thousand words, so I gave Astlin the floor for today's introductory remarks. I think she makes a good point. How about you? Today's headline image depicts perennial fan favorite character Astlin of Tharis (formerly of Keth) in an updated Zadokim design. My promo artist Ashion did…
October 25, 20173 Comments
Halloween Sale

Halloween Sale

In honor of Halloween, I've put my debut space opera/horror novel Nethereal on sale for $0.99. And to help new readers prepare for the release of the fourth and final Soul Cycle Book The Ophian Rising, both of my Dragon Award-worthy novels Souldancer and The Secret Kings are just $3.99. That means right now…
October 24, 2017
Fools’ Gold

Fools’ Gold

A Twitter user chronicles his blocking by author Marko Kloos over a disagreement about the current and former state of science fiction. Not only was the Golden Age better written, it was not the age Kloos is thinking of. Kloos has fallen for the post-1980 memory holing of the Pulp…
October 23, 20179 Comments
Space Opera vs. Mil-SF

Space Opera vs. Mil-SF

Picking up form yesterday's post about picking the right science fiction niche, Injustice Gamer Alfred Genesson names some successful indie authors who are peeling off readers from underserved or poorly served fandoms: Brian brings up Galaxy's Edge, which is an interesting study as it's by Nick Cole and Jason Anspach,…
October 20, 201711 Comments
Fanfic to Pro Fic

Fanfic to Pro Fic

Today at 4:00 PM Eastern, join me and author Lucas Flint for the fun and informative season finale of Geek Gab: On the Books! Lucas will be dropping by to share his experiences as a former fanfiction writer who made the jump to professional author. Catch the show live and…
October 18, 2017
Knight on a Mission

Knight on a Mission

Author Justin Knight offers heartfelt thanks to readers of his new science fiction novel Praxis. Thank you for giving an independent author like me, someone totally unknown to any of you, a chance to show you what I can do. For those interested, the paperback version of Praxis will be…
October 17, 20171 Comment
Indies Anonymous

Indies Anonymous

A piece of common book industry wisdom frequently cited by self-publishing proponents such as myself has it that there's an anonymous cadre of indie authors quietly making millions on Amazon. This popular bit of publishing lore happens to be true. It also presents indie authors--and the emerging New Scheme of…
October 16, 20176 Comments
Work for Hire Pros and Cons

Work for Hire Pros and Cons

Over at Walker's Study, Bradford Walker informs authors about the pros and cons of work for hire projects. Here's Bradford: I'm talking about this because, if you are at all serious about paying bills by writing fiction, then you're going to consider taking Work For Hire contracts. That's you as…
October 14, 201711 Comments