Thomas, thank you so much for reviewing my novel! It really means a lot to me that you took time to read and review my chapters, and the kind words are a huge compliment coming from you.
Much later than intended with this Sunday’s reviews/recommendations (I will neither confirm or deny that this was due to a series of unplanned naps as I sat in my way too comfy chair at this desk or as I prefer to call them “nap ambushes”), which I suppose would technically be Monday reviews/recommendations at this point. I’m sticking with the same format as last week with this one (1 book from my old short list, 1 underdog space opera not currently in the top 10, and 1 space opera currently in the top 10), so I’ll just jump right into it. As always, links are embedded in the bold text.
“Infinity Mind” by Patrick Jamison: Oppressive government? Mars colony? Telepathic assassin? Yes to all three, and the first 2 chapters presented here make me happy to have answered so. The first chapter serves as an excellent pressure cooker, serving to quickly introduce and humanize Mason through his extreme pain, both physical and emotional, during an ordeal which also serves as the hook to draw us into the main plot on hand. Chapter 2 pulls back from Mason to give us a real look at the larger world, or in this instance colony. What we are shown is a significant glimpse into a fully developed world, populated by real people and with a well laid out political structure. I am confident in the promise this glimpse makes, and am eager to continue reading about the El Dorado colony as well as the ordeals and intrigue which both it and Mason are most certainly barreling towards.
“The Inhabitants: An Unremembered Life” by Michael Sebby: Filled with excellent characterization, Mr. Sebby also does a wonderful job of juxtaposing the familiar waking world with the sometimes surreal, sometimes sinister, and often prophetic dreams of the main character, Jacob. Throughout the first 4 chapters presented here we are left to ponder the reality of the dreams as well as the waking world they so often intersect. Are they truly prophetic? Just what are the people/creatures encountered in some of the more unusual dreams? I look forward to reading more and finding out just what is real, unreal, and more importantly where this is all taking Jacob.
“The Lonely Space Lounge” by Gregory Wlasiuk and Venkat Malladi: Told in a series of transmissions from different crew members on the same ship, the narrative proceeds in a non-standard format which I immediately fell in love with. Assigned to the Healthy Beverage Division in the Cosmic Empire, the crew certainly has their individual quirks as they work alongside each other aboard what is best described as a brewery ship. The portions presented here show a wealth of wit, unique voices to each character, and just enough detail to give one the sense that something is not quite right. Delving deeper into that mystery alongside this cast of well-written, unique characters promises to be very much a joy.
Well, hello there...
Wait...what are those words in the corner?
Yes, what you see is really there. It isn’t a figment of your imagination. We have a cover blurb! For those of you that can’t quite see it, here it is in its full glory:
We are gearing up for the promotional/marketing push for the book as well. Hopefully we will be soon locating a great local venue to have an awesome launch party/signing, if you’re into that sort of thing.
For those of you that don’t remember the books publication date is slated for May 3, 2016. But the good news is that the backers will be getting it a bit before that (barring some unfortunate catastrophe). Why is that important, you may be asking yourself... Well, it’s important because that gives us plenty of time to jump start the reviews! In this crowded world of publishing reviews can make or break your book. I will be at your mercy one last time, in desperate need your help. In order for this book to dig its roots in and take hold we must a have a lot of great reviews. What’s a lot? Let’s shoot for a 3 digit number like 100 positive reviews. So that means, about 10% of the people who will be getting a copy. That seems totally doable.
Please, please, please don’t feel obligated to review (especially if you end up less than loving it; email me and tell me how to do better if you feel so inclined). I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to make this a reality.
I’ll leave you with the following (slightly edited) infograph about the importance of reviews borrowed from my fellow Inkshares author, G. Derek Adams, author of Asteroid Made of Dragons.
Dear Readers,
As the weekend ends and we face yet another Monday, I have uploaded Chapter 4. I hope it soothes the transition from weekend to weekday for you all.
It’s come to my attention that the chapters are not in order on my project page. I am still not sure how to fix this, but until I fix it, each chapter is numbered to help with confusion. I’ll probably have to take them all down and upload them again or something...not sure yet, but I’m working on it.
Your support, your reviews, your comments are appreciated so very, very much. Please, keep them coming! I’m currently working on edits throughout the first half of the book (that’s right, you’re looking at some first draft bits), so everything that I’m seeing is helping a lot.
If you haven’t yet, trot over to my author page on Facebook: facebook.com/RHWebster.ScienceFiction. Share it, share the novel, share the posts...sharing is caring, my friends.
Take care, all of you.
- Webster
Happy Friday, Animals.
Are you in between reading stuff? I refer, of course, to that sliver of space-time in which you’ve just finished one book and are considering checking out a new one. If you’d like something to fill that void this weekend, having perhaps two hours to spare… Well, I wrote a screenplay a while back.
Hotline Miami was released in 2012. Made by two very talented indie game developers, it came close to stealing Game of the Year accolades from the likes of triple-A contenders like Halo 5, Xcom, and more. Yet a simple-minded gamer named gamer named Joe Asphahani never paid it much mind until mid-2015. Once he did, however, it blew his godamn mind, fueled his creativity, and inspired him to write a feature-length screenplay as a form of fan service. (There are more details on my portfolio page if you’re into that kind of thing.)
I started writing this screenplay in May, 2015. After several manic bursts of writing, punctuated by some debilitating stretches of writer’s block, I finally finished it in mid-November the day before I got on a plane to Japan for a family trip. ...and as soon as I landed back home in early December, my friend was like, “Hey! Enter your Animal in Man thingie in this Inkshares Sword and Laser thingie!” Now that the contest is all over and I’m dedicating literally every free moment to writing The Animal in Man, I decided to post my Hotline Miami script-homage up on the internet because… why not. What else am I going to do with it? Let the people enjoy!
So, like I said, give it a read if you have time. Please keep in mind I never got the chance to go back and revise it like I’d intended. (It’s what they call in the professional writing industry a “sh***y first draft.”)
Also, it’s ultra violent. Like the video game from which it derives its title, to which it pays mad respect. If you’re not into human shields, neon and hot pink, bullets, Russian mobsters, drills, the 80s, being set on fire, animal masks [yes, maybe I write about what frightens me], katanas, having your testic….. well, you get the picture, maybe. It’s all in there. If you’re not into that, this might not be for you.
Enjoy! Click HERE to read the script.
And by all means, try the game HERE.
I’m back to work on The Animal in Man now.
