SEDS & The Oldest Space Science Student Member in the US

Students for Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) is the largest space science student organization in the US. Most members are under 25. Some are under 30. You might be able to count any over 40 on one hand.

As of this year, SEDS had one single member over 50. And that member is me.

I have been an enormous fan and supporter of SEDS since attending the organization’s annual SpaceVision conference in 2013. Seeing as SEDS was not an opportunity when I first went to university–hello, 1983–and seeing as the only way to belong to SEDS is to be a student, I made a bold move this past year: I went back to school.

Like the saying goes, it’s never too late to be a kid. Considering the high regard I have for SEDS, being able to forever more own being an actual bona fide member of SEDS really meant the world to me.

Believe it or not, it just got better.

SEDS’ At-Large Board Members (there are two) support the SEDS Board and the SEDS organization by spearheading new projects and new initiatives. For one reason or another, of the two At-Large Board Members one had to resign midterm. A call went out to members for a fill-in At-Large. And I put my name in the hat.  Interviews of the candidates, including me, took place last week. Results were posted last night.

Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away to learn I am the newly elected At-Large Board Member for SEDS!

When I was a kid, I imagined the world to be a certain way. I imagined it is awesome and filled with infinite possibilities and life gets better and better everyday. 

Now I am a grown-up who has lived and put those ideas to the test. Through fire. And they are true!

So, this year’s SEDS Spacevision conference is in November at Purdue University.* While I may not be on the moon (yet), when you see me at SpaceVision this year I’ll be easy to spot.

I’m the guy walking on air.

Keep up the good work, what a ride,
Mike Mongo

* BTW Purdue University is where astronaut & first human being on the moon Neil Armstrong studied engineering. 

Well, we’ve reached another Monday.

Just a few, brief, early week tidbits before my day starts in earnest.

First off, holy shit! The WHY SO SERIOUS? Syndicate has selected A Beast Requires as their 1st selection!

I’m blown away, and incredibly honored that two amazing humor writers think A Beast Requires is not only funny, but a great book as well. Writing humor is a game of rough shot, and going in, you know that not every joke is going to land. The greatest joy I get from my readers is when they tell me about all the inopportune times they burst out laughing.

Secondly, I will be doing another awkward author video this week, talking about the world building that went into A Beast Requires. I mentioned it briefly forever and a day ago, but I feel it deserves a bit more of an in depth conversation. So stay tuned for that, and hit me up with any questions you have about A Beast Requires, or me, on Twitter @EremiticFool

And the last tidbit, my newest article is up on Killer Moose. This month I’m talking about Guardians of Order’s Game of Thrones RPG, GURPS Discworld, and the Dresden Files RPG. Yea, I go deep into settings, discussing if a game can stay true to its fandom while bringing in new players. So if you’re into tabletop RPGs, definitely check it out.

Also, can I mention how awesome the word tidbit is? So freaking glorious.

- Jay

Hey gang! Inkshares is letting all of the Dragon-nominated books do a flash sale between now and the end of the month. Me and the rest of the published Sword & Laser Shelf is .99 in ebook until DragonCon.

You - probably- already have my book, but this is a perfect time to complete your set with my shelf-brethren.

The Life Engineered – by J.F. Dubeau

An Unattractive Vampire – by Jim McDoniel

The ebooks are DRM free of course - and sent to you in both .epub and .mobi.

This is, of course, part of promoting ourselves towards The Dragon Awards - have you, uh, have you -- voted for...for anyone..in particular...yet?

A bit later than intended, but I’m finally posting that map I promised.  Those of you who’ve been following the project for a while probably remember this one, but since there’s been quite a few new followers over the past two week I decided to share this one again.

Forgive the poor quality, I’m not the best map maker.  This is Pentaz’ homeland, or rather what lies above it, and thus is the starting point of his journey in Exile, Magus.

Known best on the mainland as the home to the reclusive dwarven nation of Thierdenvolgenlund, it was not always so.  Its original inhabitants where goblins and their troll masters.  The surface and closest caves were reserved for the goblins, whereas the trolls dwelt entirely in the cavern complexes beneath the island down to mid-depth.  The deepest depths were the uncontested abode of horrors which even the monstrous trolls dared not challenge.

This balance changed with the coming of the dwarves loyal to the Thierden family nearly 10 millenia ago.  They were quick to claim the island for themselves, both the surface and the caverns.  Both goblins and trolls were quickly pushed down into the depths, with the goblins being entirely eradicated within a few decades.  The trolls lasted longer, but after over a century of warfare they were forced to flee into the depths they had previously feared.  The dwarves presumed their troll enemies to be extinct as well for over 500 years until the trolls returned to harry them.  Their absence had turned them into an even more savage people than before, as survival amid the horrors of the deepest depths had forced them to both become more physically powerful and more fully turn to the worship of their god and supposed creator, Father Death.  The war between dwarves and trolls has continued intermittently ever since.

The dwarves have continued pushing forward, albeit slowly since the return of the trolls.  Their settlements are built into existing caverns, following the natural formations as a foundation and guideline for their carving out of homes and other structures.  They have only one restriction to their delving:  none can dig into or settle beneath Father Mountain, the highest peak in the known world which rests at the center of the isle.

While surface dwellers assume them to be two separate islands, they are actually a single landmass.  The channel between is strewn with rocky outcroppings, the peaks of underwater mountains with caverns running throughout to connect the two parts of the island.  Few dwarves live under the channel or eastern portion, so that this region has become the primary area settled by the trolls once they started returning to mid-depth caverns and above.

I hope you enjoyed that little bit of history from the world of Exile, Magus.  I plan to continue telling you a bit more about the background as the campaign progresses.  As always, thanks for your time and support.  Keep reading and (hopefully) enjoying.

Two weeks in and 58 of you have so far jumped on and backed A Beast Requires! By your powers combined, you’ve pre-ordered 79 books, which is fantastic!

 

This week I also uploaded my first awkward author video, where I break down a bit more of A Beast Requires. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, pop on over to the campaign page. Listening to my attempt at diction makes an ideal companion to refreshing your email or checking the latest Olympic medal counts.

This week is going to be all about the push. To paraphrase the bards, Salt-N-Pepa, we’re going to "push it real good." 

Here’s what I need you to do. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, random strangers on the bus, and everyone waiting for their morning latte about A Beast Requires, and why you think it’s fantastic. I know this book has been tickling funny bones and making many of you laugh, so spread that laughter like a virus. Lie in wait for them to read the sample chapters, because you know what’s coming. Will they snort? Attempt to muffle their grin? Will they burst out with a laugh from their gut that resonates the ceiling tiles? The possibilities are endless. 

A Beast Requires needs to be unleashed, and we can make that happen.

- Jay