Author: admin
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The Dirtiest Word in Fantasy or Science Fiction
If you’re one of those who gets attacks of the vapors, look away now. I’m serious. Last chance. Abort now or be prepared to deal with it. The dirtiest word in science fiction and fantasy is ‘retcon’. Short for ‘retroactive continuity’, it means going back and altering previously published events. Let’s be clear on what…
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How I Respond to Reviews
(1) As a reader what prompts you to leave a review for a book you have read? As a reader, nothing really, just experience. As an author, though, I understand how important they are. But since I’m not being paid, I generally ask ‘would I want this review?’ before I post it. Occasionally, though, something…
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Calmena, the Planet where Preparations For War takes place
Jeppesen Charts Entry: (Earth measurements option) Epsilon Indi A II (Calmena) WARNING: There is a war zone flight prohibition within 1 Imperial hour (1.836 billion kilometers) of planetary surface. Mass .96 Earth, mean radius 6108 kilometers, density 6020 kilograms per cubic meter Imperial: Mass (43).(53)(51) B13, radius (43).(06)(55) s-1 density (36).(15)(00) B2/s-5 Mean Distance to…
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Character Interview: Graciela di Scimtar (at the start of Working The Trenches)
I am Graciela Juarez di Scimtar. 2.Tell us where and when were you born. I was born on Earth, in Riverside, California, United States. It was at the time a Lost Colony, with no knowledge of the Empire I’m a Second Order Guardian. Usually I keep myself around 5 feet 6 inches tall, often called…
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Economics and Resources and Scarcity
I just got done reading a awful science fiction novel. Part of the reason it was bad was because the author did not understand economics, being so eager to mock capitalism that he got caught up in things that capitalism is not, so let’s back up a moment here and look at. Resources are things…
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Character Introduction: Asina di Bernard in Setting The Board
This was an author interview I did that asked me about a character in my WIP. She’s not the viewpoint character, but she’s one of the two main protagonists. My name is Asina di Bernard, or following the customs of my husband’s family, Asina Bernard. 2.Tell us where and when were you born. I was…
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Review of Tales of Magic and Destiny from Inklings Press
Tales of Magic and Destiny Amazon link I’m generally hesitant to read multi-author short story anthologies, because so few are worth reading, but I was asked to accept an Advance Review Copy of this one. and was pleasantly surprised as the stories near the beginning were solid stories with decent twists and characters who think.…
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What Do I Want People To Get From My Books
What will people get from my books? Most importantly, I want them to get a few hours of entertainment. I will drop all other points to get that – to hope they find entertainment value in the book. To believe that the purchase was a good one, and that it’s worth purchasing my books in…
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Advice to Authors About Blurbs
I haven’t read your book. But kill any idea that a blurb is a synopsis. Stake that sucker right through the heart, burn it to ashes, and bury them at a crossroads. A blurb is a sales pitch. A short sales pitch. No more than 30 seconds read aloud in a conversational voice. Shorter if…
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Best Gutpunches in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Let’s try to do this as spoiler-free as possible. A gutpunch is pretty much the opposite of a cliffhanger. It’s a one-liner or short action in a story that turns the entire thing on its head. Many science fiction shorts are built on gutpunches – Arthur C. Clarke’s classic two pager “Reunion” being one where…