Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Writing Tips– Thinking Up Alien Names

Fantasy and Science Fiction have something in common when it comes to names; they gotta sound unearthly. Something from another culture unknown to this Earth or any of its languages. But how to come up with them? There are numerous ways, and often the best is to just start slapping syllables together and see what sounds right. But, if you're having trouble here's one way I came up with to generate names and words that sound like they came from my own world of Maldene.

Take any English word of two, maybe three, syllables tops. then simply swap the first and last syllables and re-spell it more phonetically. An example is a street in my city, called Myrtle Ave.. While biking up Myrtle, doing my usual thing of messing around with things inside my head. I first swapped the first and last syllables, giving me "tlemyr", which is actually pronounced more like "tl-mer". But I thought that a "y" should sound long, so it then became pronounced more like "tl-meer", though still spelled now as "tlmyr". Cleaning it up a bit then gives us "T'lmyr", which later became the name of one of my characters in Maldene XI (the number of Maldene novels is another story).

Doesn't work too well with really long words like "psychiatrist", and while I did try it with a couple of Spanish words they still ended up sounding like Spanish words. At any rate, there you have it. Another little naming technique to put in your bag of tricks.
Mark Anthony Tierno

Mark wrote: "Writing Tips– Thinking Up Alien Names

Fantasy and Science Fiction have something in common when it comes to names; they gotta sound unearthly. Something from another culture unknown to this Earth ..."

Not only would they be of another culture, but likely an utterly different evolutionary path. Were hobbits and elves the same species? After all, we do not, as yet, know how to speak dolphin or finch. I don't see aliens as being any stranger than that. I do expect them to have some mode of communication and identification. Likewise, I expect them to be able to manipulate their environment, to make fire, to build structures and tools.

Most animals on Earth do have some ability to communicate, even if it is only a squawking alarm or which direction a small group start to run. They say that a coyote's tail signals others in the pack. Honeybees have their dances. Elephants hear through low frequency vibrations. Bats see with high frequency sound waves (sonar). We don't have to go too far to find inspiration.

The one time I did have to come up with an alien name, I don't even know how I went about it. I figured it would be a sound (if humans could hear it) that would likely be unpronounceable. (Mr. Spock once stated that his true name was unpronounceable for humans.) So, I made it unpronounceable or gave some letters mushed together stated to be the closest approximation to what his/her name would sound like to us. Saying (or reading) the name would be an exercise left to the reader as so many of my schoolbooks would state when I was growing up.

Cheers!

There is a rather insulting practice often indulged with unfamiliar names of using substitutions such as "Bob", "Jim" or "Karen" instead of the unpronounceable/difficult native original. Additionally frequently truncating anything of length to just the first syllable or letter. I do this myself for one character in the second book. Introduction of names occupies an extended portion of meetings and one person truncates the Directorate leader title to "Bob". Her junior is called "Robert" and advises my characters against shorting his in a similar fashion. Hypocrisy, no?

You can if you want create gibberish, but the reader will not likely care, possibly frustrated make their own abbreviations or substitutions if you do not. As Michael states, vocal is not always the means of communication so unpronounceable might turn to impossible replicate unless you wish to include gestures or other forms of expression. Some things like handshakes or certain gestures can also be considered rude or insulting to some. Light in the infra-red or ultra-violet, hearing in the hundreds of Khz or sub-sonic. Along with scent, touch, heat, dedicated appendages. The EM spectrum extends all the way up-to X-rays, which would be a potentially lethal means of communication. The octopus uses colour not only for camouflage but also communication. Spielberg in Close Encounters uses musical tones.

As a preference I use unusual alternatives or common variations in other languages, never resorting to random or imagined 'alien' languages. There are apparently 6000 currently in use worldwide though most are verbal rather than written. Elvish, dwarfish for Tolkien or Klingon for Star Trek, Dothraki or Valyrain for Martin. Mildly distracting, the effort would be bettering spent entertaining with tales of interest regarding their history for the readers.

Something like the invented Toki Pona distills language down to 120+ words, throws convention under the bus, treats fruit and vegetables as inherently identical with only few words reserved for colour. This compels a way of deconstructing what you are endeavoring to convey then hoping the intended meaning is understood or you compound further elements from the lexicon until they do. One of their early examples in the book is "ni li kili" which they have translated as "this is a banana". However it also applies to every other fruit and vegetable in existence. A better example would "ni li jelo kili", "This is a yellow fruit/vegetable" still not perfect but better. How many additional sub-elements should be added to replace "banana" so that others understand it's not a lemon?

I should point out Michael, as far as I know hobbits and Elves are not related in Middle Earth. Hobbits might be related to dwarfs but Elves are elder creatures relating to the gods and Gandalf is one of the higher forms so he along with the other wizards are. Silmarillion, make of that what you will.

C.C. wrote: "I should point out Michael, as far as I know hobbits and Elves are not related in Middle Earth. Hobbits might be related to dwarfs but Elves are elder creatures relating to the gods and Gandalf is ..."

C.C. Brilliant commentary!
Thank you for clarification. I read The Hobbit when I was very young and have not even seen all the movies, or if I did, I can't remember. The beginning of your statement did raise a very important aspect of names (namely) that this is a highly personal thing. Possessing a name that several (humans) have butchered pronunciation over the years, I bear some of this sensitivity. I have also worked and studied with more than one person from China. It is very common for a Chinese immigrant or student to take a very Anglo name. I have worked with a Helen, Patrick, Nelson and others. One just went with his last name -- Kong. I was told that this is because they would rather be called by a name that they have adopted and hear it correctly than hearing their given names mangled. Upon absorbing this, I took some offense since I was not even allowed to try saying the name. (Not too much, because I appreciated their viewpoint.)

This makes perfect sense. Our names are part of our identity and have had powerful implications over the centuries, such as names not allowed to be spoken (of gods or men). This is a big part of the old practice of shunning for those not up on their history. Think of the silent treatment one might have given to siblings or frenemies. Did that feel good? I did have a difficult, but entertaining, time in my own books playing with the names not only of my characters but also some alien flora and fauna they came into contact with. What I found myself doing was scouring names and words in other languages from Japanese to Swahili. Just as an Anglo will stick to his/her own phonemes when they do not carry over to a foreigner's name, we all stick to what we know when encountering something radically new. Case in point. I once came across a drawing of a hippopotamus made by an old-time Portuguese or Dutch explorer in Africa -- circa 15th or early 16th century. It was an amalgam of various animals that the artist was familiar with. Pieces of cow glued to pig or horse, etc. Needless to say that it looked nothing like a hippopotamus. The artist was going with what he knew how to draw as best he could. I did the same thing in my books. On one planet, they were attacked by a giant animal with two trunks and four tusks. Being under attack, they needed a name and the word snuffalupagous fell out and stuck. Better examples would be the ulfraven (wolf-ravens) large bat-like, wolf-like, raven-like beasts using Norwegian words or the vodadrak (water-dragons) using Czech words. We go with what we know.

I also agree with C.C.s noting of the fact that the reader will gloss over this stuff it if is too tedious and make up their own abbreviations regardless of what the author was going for or so cleverly thought out (as in my case :)). A friend of mine alluded to this as he often tells the story of how his dad wanted him to read growing up and plopped down a copy of War and Peace to a kid not even in the 5th grade yet. He noted the large number of characters -- all with Russian names, of course. Not easy for a 5th grader.

Hey science fiction writers! If you're interested in networking, come join us for a fun time in MtA (meet-the-authors). You can meet and network with fellow authors. We have a 30 minute interview with 2 "premiered" authors (although it's very informal), and a 30 minute general conversation about writing and getting fans - stuff like that. All of that gets rolled up into a YouTube channel that you can share with whomever you like.

It's about building community, really. You can see our previous episode:
https://youtu.be/sxNROKx4ZjQ

And if interested, sign up here:
https://www.andrewsweetbooks.com/meet...
(or you can message me)

-Andrew

Nikolaos wrote: "The World behind Walls Hello everyone! This is my first ever book! It is a Sci-fi, action/adventure story on a futuristic sosciety. Here is a quick sneak peek:

In a world torn asu..."
Now that is a well-written blurb!

Mark wrote: "Writing Tips– Thinking Up Alien Names

Fantasy and Science Fiction have something in common when it comes to names; they gotta sound unearthly. Something from another culture unknown to this Earth ..."

I don't know any fancy linguistics tricks about inventing alien names. I do know that if you GOOGLE (or in my case Duckduckgo) "alien name generator", you will get a pretty good list of sites and such that suggest such names.

I often like to have a point to a name beyond its intended primary use in the novels. So as an example Lillian Ruse is the name of one of the character's mother. This was also happens to be remarkably similar to the mother of Joan Fontaine and Oliva De Havilland in real life, living to almost 90. Full name was Lilian Augusta Ruse, (1886-1975) former actress herself. Factoids for the quiz later. Doubtless other women have had the name before and after, but it was what peeked my interest at the time. There can be no confusion, I inserted an extra 'l' and this is from a fantasy universe, not out to portray an alternate timeline for a real personage. Artistic liberty and whatnot. Unless of course the family wish to contend she was an Admiral in a space-fleet, victor of many a conflict and I have done some disservice by the use. :) I know several real-life John Watson doesn't mean I mistake them for Holmes' sidekick or the racing driver.

I should have added for Michael, not that it matters. Smeagol AKA Gollum and Deagol were considered close relatives of Hobbits. Also Smeagol is a type of air-breathing sea-slug, discovery cira 1980. A tribute no doubt. Ah, the internet what would we do without you. Picked it up from earlier books probably like Tolkien, the man co-opted extensively from the middle ages as opposed to middle-earth.

A final point heat was used as a communication method in an early Star Trek episode with mobile lumps of rock burrowing through a mine. Spock was on hand to mind-meld to pass on the information to the disgruntled miners.

Hi all! Looking to spread the word about my new adult science fiction/fantasy, The Andromeda's Ghost .

Fifty years after humanity desperately sought and found a new home on Jurthaan IV, tension with neighboring planet Palnach necessitates a peace treaty as well as the arranged marriage of Princess Kylee Wen Dao to Palnach’s Prince Maju.

Taren Platinum is the best—now banished—guard on Princess Kylee’s security team. He’s also in love with her. After crashing the royal wedding, rescuing the princess, and fleeing Jurthaan IV in a stolen spacecraft, Taren finds himself on the run with Kylee, pursued by soldiers from both Jurthaan IV and Palnach.

The lovers crash-land on Cartiss, leaving them stranded on a dying planet with targets on their backs. To escape, Taren must repair the ship with the help of a select few trustworthy citizens from the downtrodden city of Hurren. Without an official governing authority, the local gangsters are running Hurren and refusing to spread the wealth.

While Taren’s priority is getting off Cartiss and disappearing somewhere safe, Kylee believes he has what it takes to turn things around in Hurren. Drawing attention to himself is the last thing he wants to do, but his princess is right. If there’s one thing Taren can’t overlook, it’s those who threaten the lives of innocents, even when his own life is on the line.

Hi, am new to the group. Just wanted to say hello. Have a great day!

Writing Tips: Write the Market or Write Your Soul

This tip concerns the dilemma of write the market or write your own. My own take on it is this: if you write what the market currently demands, you will always be behind it, never in front, and never doing your best.

Write what you love, write what you know yourself to be best in, write where your soul lies. Only then will you be doing your best and writing something worthwhile. Write something that you love, and you will enjoy it, do your best, and not get bogged down by depressive "it's just another job" thoughts; the sort of things that will always get in the way of your best. And what's wrong with enjoying yourself? Have fun with the work and it will shine through into something people will enjoy reading and remember for long after.

But write the market, and you may not be doing something that you like, which will show in the decreased quality of your work, and you risk the current fad changing by the time you get that book out. Or you'll have to rush something out to keep up with said current trend, and a rushed work is a bad work. Though ironically, if you're writing what you love instead of the trends, then you may find yourself working harder and faster, getting a really good book out in half the time than if you tried something you didn't like nearly as much.

No, best to write what you love and try and start a trend of your own, or at least a little following. Follow a trend and you'll always be compared to that which started it, but follow your own self, and you'll only be compared to... yourself.
Mark Anthony Tierno

The Workforce Drive FREE

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Last Hope For Hire

Hi everyone, happy to be posting. I wanted to say hello and share info about my upcoming novel, "Last Hope For Hire." Below is an intro about the book, and you can check out my website at https://writerwilcox.com. Thanks again and happy reading!

About Book:
Allen's son is in danger. A rare form of epilepsy is damaging his brain and Allen's insurance is cutting him off. To cover the costs, Allen returns to being a high-tech mercenary. Not exactly ideal for a father who enjoys carbs far more than stomach crunches. After his first mission back, Allen soothes his wounds before getting a message from Eamon Tor, America's first trillionaire. Tor tells Allen about Eden Therapy. It treats terrible diseases but can also drive patients insane. Still, it's exciting news—especially with the offer of complete care for Allen's son as a reward. But Tor has a surprise. It's a choice that puts Allen's conscience, marriage, and abilities to the test, and sends his ragtag team on a dangerous operation halfway around the world.

Carmen wrote: "Hi, am new to the group. Just wanted to say hello. Have a great day!"

Carmen wrote: "Hi, am new to the group. Just wanted to say hello. Have a great day!"

Welcome!

I am pretty new here myself. I also formed a group this month called Author's Review Exchange where authors can meet each other, exchange works and reviews here on goodreads.com. I am a new author who was fortunate to meet with a much more experienced author/publisher who gave me some very valuable advice. I hope that you will consider joining with us.

Michael J Scharen
Https://michaelsbookcorner.com
Fight for the Future

Today is release day for my sci fi mystery, The Halo Conspiracy.

In 2038 solving crimes isn't any easier. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736644610

New author, my first book, First Legion, was released on August 31st 2020. It is first in a series that currently has seven books, I intend for it to be a ten book story.

I am a veteran, a retired submarine sailor, that has read a lot of books over the years, and I mean a lot. If I had to guess a number it would be somewhere in the neighborhood of ten thousand. I decided to start writing when my wife asked me if I was going to, so I did. Unfortunately she passed away about two years before I became published.

This is the description of First Legion

The Legions were created to protect Earth and other planets from a fierce foe known as the Tellnites. The Tellnites's only purpose is to take over worlds. When the Gargans visit Earth, they tell the planet about the Tellnites and the fact that their path of destruction is pointed in the direction of both Earth and Gargan, their home world. Men and women of Earth, of all races, head the call to protect Earth and their new friends, the Gargans. Little do they know that things would change in a drastic way only ten years later. Thus is born the Legion, with its creed: "No slavery in the universe."

https://www.amazon.com/First-Legion-D...

I am a new author. My first book, First Legion, was released on August 31st, 2020. I am a veteran, a submarine that has read a lot of books in my lifetime. If I had to put a number to how many books I have read I would have to guess around ten thousand. I read a lot.

I started writing when my wife suggested that I do. Unfortunately she passed before the release of book one. I have currently written seven books in the First Legion story, but intend to write between eight and twelve.

Here is a description of my first
book.

The Legions were created to protect Earth and other planets from a fierce foe known as the Tellnites. The Tellnites's only purpose is to take over worlds. When the Gargans visit Earth, they tell the planet about the Tellnites and the fact that their path of destruction is pointed in the direction of both Earth and Gargan, their home world. Men and women of Earth, of all races, head the call to protect Earth and their new friends, the Gargans. Little do they know that things would change in a drastic way only ten years later. Thus is born the Legion, with its creed: "No slavery in the universe."
https://www.amazon.com/First-Legion-D...

Eye of the Unicorn

On a dying planet two species complete for survival. The San, a people who have been divided into tribes through war bigotry and hate, their population devastated by a mysterious illness. Their rivals, the Cuc, a hive species who declare all out war on the San.
Born into this world are twin sons of the Chieftain of the Warrior Clan of the Chai, Remruc and Curmer. After the death of their father, they are burdened with the task of saving their people. Together they formulate a radical plan which could untie the divided clans.
Taking advantage of the race weakened by illness and held together by very tenuous bonds, the Cuc, a formidable enemy of the San take them to the very brink of destruction. When all seems lost a secret is uncovered, a secret that may secure the safety of their people but a secret that has a darker side and a high price will be paid for survival.
A fast-paced action packed adventure that will keep you turning the pages to find the answers and leave you breathless as the legend of Remruc and Curmer unfolds.

Hi I'm Morag Higgins and this is the first in the Eye of the Unicorn series. Book two will be released shortly. I hope you enjoy this.

Hi everyone. My name is Billy Dering and I am an author from NJ, but before posting anything about that, I just wanted to say Hello! I have been cruising through this blog and see many interesting books. I look forward to interacting and sharing in the author journey with you all! And what a grueling, yet satisfying, journey it can be.

Writing Tips: Plotting Multi-Volume Epics

There's something to be said about a good epic, the kind that spans several volumes. But for the writer, that involves a lot of planning ahead. For myself, I have written a fantasy ep;ic that spans 13 novels, 5.2 million words, and about 250 characters, as well as a smaller Sci-Fi epic at 5 novels, 1.3 million words, and fewer characters than the other. The point is, I have a lot of experience planning, plotting, and writing epics, and thought I could pass along a few tips to you.

The first thing is to decide how much of your epic needs to be plotted ahead of time, or for that matter how many volumes to divide your epic into. The answer to both questions is the same. You must first make up a very general outline of your entire epic. Just enough details to nail down your beginning, end, and all the key turning points that will happen along the way. No need to completely flesh things out to the least little detail, more in the way of Cliff Notes of what you intend to outline in more detail later on.

At this level, the outline notes you're jotting down could most likely each represent an entire book. Example: Book 1 could be "characters meet, go on their first journey and end up finding out the secret of the Dragon Gem and the real evil in the world." The next note could be "Hunt for the First Dragon," then the next one "The War". In this example, each of these notes represents an entire book, though that last one could actually be two books if you want "The War" two be a two-parter. The point is, you start off with just enough to get an idea how things are going to go and where to draw the boundaries. It may not even take up more than a couple of paragraphs.

The next step then is drawing those boundaries. Decide which notes should belong to which volume in your series. You don't even have to name the books yet, just numbering them is fine. Now you have something to work from. When you start a given book, then you must outline that book in a lot more detail before you begin writing it.

The writing of the individual books is the subject of other posts and well covered across the 'Net; the subject here is the multi-volume aspect of things. One of those aspects is lots of note keeping. Any major plot developments, new characters, some vow one of the characters made, anything that might possibly have an influence upon something later on in the series. Even the minor things, ESPECIALLY the minor things. What makes a good epic is seeing an author who doesn't forget the little things and how they can influence character and plot in sometimes subtle ways. For instance, if someone picks up an annoying habit like burping every time he's nervous then note it down. Anything at all, gets noted down for later reference.

To help this process, a database is essential. Record your characters in one, and along with the standard notes of their description and what not, this is a good place to record any changes that happen to them in the books and makes it easier to reference later on. I use a database as well as a text file for other running notes. Just make sure you record enough information to remind you of the circumstance of the note in question.

There is one last piece of prep-word you should do before starting your first novel in the series. Any and all background details of your world, including a dictionary of local words if you have one, a list of races, whatever you need to at least start out that first book. If there is some background detail that won't be required until a later book, then you can put that off until you need it. Of course you can always add to these details as you go along, but just make sure you have enough to start things off.

The best thing to remember about writing a multi-volume epic is that what you are doing is essentially composing one very long book, with each novel being as like a really large chapter in that book. Look at it that way and even the most voluminous of epics can be handled.
Mark Anthony Tierno

Good morning! My new novel "A Trio of Worlds" is now available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback format. The audiobook will be out soon as well (currently in production)!



A Trio of Worlds: Book One of the Three Worlds Chronicles

Synopsis:

Three worlds fight for survival as a hostile alien menace known as the D'lai threaten to destroy the hard won peace of the galaxy in an all-consuming hatred that has engulfed them for a thousand years. Racing against the clock, each planet fights back in an all-out battle for survival. As alliances crumble and character is tested, each world must face its own past if it is going to have a future.

Mr wrote: "I am a new author. My first book, First Legion, was released on August 31st, 2020. I am a veteran, a submarine that has read a lot of books in my lifetime. If I had to put a number to how many book..."

Welcome!

I am also a new author of sci-fi. I've also started a group called Authors' Review Exchange where we can review and critique the works of other authors with those reviews posted on Goodreads.com. I hope you check it out and maybe we can exchange books! I have a profile page here on goodreads which I strive to make as elaborate as possible -- :)

Hi all. Here is the information about my new book being launched tomorrow:

An apocalyptic event. A simple gift box. A stunning connection and possibly the last hope for humanity...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093T6S653

Synopsis:
After America’s controversial presidential election in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, several decades of escalating civil crises have ensued. The governments of many countries have conspired to develop the ultimate solution for controlling the lives of their citizens. The new society, forged in the secret Utopia Project, provides for all of your needs without cost, promotes recreational group sex, raises offspring without parents and offers a life without stress.

When the project’s true purpose is revealed, a nightmare weapon turns the rest of the world into a mass grave of melted corpses. Inexplicably, not everyone died as planned. On the east coast of America, Sara Hyland and boyfriend Kid Carlson somehow survive. Hunted by the merciless forces of the Utopia Project, a single thread of hope is discovered in a gift box, given to Sara by her military father the night of the destruction. But is it too late to save humanity from extinction?

Reedsy Discovery- 4 star review. Matt McAvoy- 4 star review

Utopiaproject.com

Edward Swing

Gozen Saga
Sci-Fi military mecha.
Captain Tann Danre joins the Red Battalion and its mech company, but finds his time challenging. Though he is a talented mech pilot operating a new prototype Gozen mech, his experiences are far from what he expected. He must fight against an ongoing terrorist conflict, encounter enigmatic aliens, face discrimination from within his own unit, and wrestle against the demons in his own soul.
Dance of the Gozen

The Austin Experiment is my first novella, released in late 2020. It is the first book in a trilogy. Please check it out at this link!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

Newly appointed U.S. Naval officer, Ensign Austin, is about to stumble onto the most powerful capability the world has ever known.
The submarine he has been assigned to is secretly equipped with an experimental government time travel device that the crew will soon be testing, and those in control will stop at nothing to ensure the test goes as planned. If successful, they will have the power to transform our world or destroy it completely.
Things go awry when he is contaminated with a drop of the device’s fuel source, mentally connecting him to the time machine and launching him directly into the heart of the experiment.
Will Ensign Austin be able to gain control of the device and his newfound power in time to save the world?

D. J. Austin is a career U.S. Navy sailor, joining the military soon after graduating from high school. He began his career as an enlisted sailor, serving onboard aircraft carriers in the late 1990s. In the middle of his career, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The Citadel, which led to a commission in the US Navy. He continued serving as a commissioned officer onboard submarines for the next ten years, during which time he earned a Master of Engineering Management from Duke University. D. J. Austin is now retired from the U.S. Navy and lives with his wife and children in a small, New England village by the sea.

Quiero recomendar mi libro de viajes en el tiempo: VIAJEROS DEL TIEMPO. Analiza la realidad de las travesías por el tiempo, de forma singular, pues descarta la posibilidad de hacerlo a través de máquinas, y aclara que sólo hay un modo real de lograrlo, a base de energía especial y directamente por medio de cada uno, a través de nuestro propio Ser.
Cuando un Ser viaja por los tiempos, aún los objetos únicamente pueden viajar con la intervención Suya. Alguien, de hecho, pueda que se encuentre aquí conmigo donde escribo este mensaje, y que yo lo esté mirando precisamente ahora, al llegar un instante siguiente, ya no se ve más, ya que desaparece, y aparece en otro sitio, en un tiempo pasado o futuro.
Mensaje especial de Vladimir Rodríguez para sus amigos:
"Esta es una información Súper Secreta. Soy de los buenos, los buenos tenemos Un Arma Ultra Secreta para ganar en este conflicto (no son los viajes en el tiempo). Confíen, mis amigos. Todo estará Bien".
Vladimir. IR

My name is Alexander, and I am looking for anyone interested in what I hope to be a long series of sci-fi stories. Prime Vanguard: Book 1 of the Trans-Stellar Chronicles. Available for free until May 13th.

It is set in the 36th century, in a galaxy region including humans, whom are but one player species among many that have interacted and warred for hundreds of years. At the story's setting in 3512, there's a period of relative peace, but that is liable to be upset when a secret megaconstruct is found 500 light years from the nearest settled system. Before panic ensues, the expedition vessel that found it is drafted, with other voluntary experts and consultants, to investigate it further. The main characters are primarily alien, only one human, and the level of sci-fi hardness is as adherent to real-life and theoretical technology, with the only exceptions being advanced materials synthesized to generate negative mass effects for extremely narrow wormholes set up like relays in phone lines[communication] and FTL travel [Alcubierre drive method].

I welcome any interested, and I can send pdf or mobi files of review copies, or I can go the extra mile and get a physical copy shipped to you, no charge on either count.

See the synopsis below, thank you.


Prime Vanguard, book 1 of the Trans-Stellar Chronicles
113,000 words
====

In 3512, a probe mapping an uncharted system is disabled, its last recordings revealing an artificial-ringed planet and strange masses surrounding both its stars. Amidst wariness of how easily First Contact events between species turn awry, a secret and hasty expedition is mounted with the mothership of the lost probe.

Assigned as its security commander, Shakrii Dehn-Herensk accompanies the mixed crew to the system, where signs of a much greater power prove daunting, catalyzing tensions within the crew on all fronts.

Things only worsen with the emergence of a pair of machine factions, servants of an ancient colonization effort by a power seemingly delayed, perhaps dead. Soon, revelations ignite a conflict thousands of years in the making, the costs of which Shakrii and the crew cannot under any circumstances let spill beyond the system.

====

Out on Amazon.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJLSWHF

Alexander

To any and all behind obvious troll accounts started in May 2021, around the time EXTORTION emails were sent out.
Whoever's behind these accounts will get NOTHING.
YOU WILL GET NO MONEY, AND YOU WILL NOT MAKE US COWER OR FLEE OR GIVE UP OUR HOBBY, WHICH IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN YOUR ASANINE AND PITIABLE TROLLING.
And by the way...
EXTORTION IS A CRIME, YOU CROSSED THE LINE!

And it seems they're still sending emails, got another last night...

This email was sent via anonymousemail
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YOU DARE POST BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS ON GOODREADS AGAIN EVER YOU'D SEE WHAT WE DO TO THOSE THREADS. HAHA! IF YOU DON'T PAY US WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET NO BENEFIT OUT OF GOODREADS. PAY OR PERISH. YOU ARE UNDER OUR WATCH. TILL THEN, BYE MOTHERF*CKER.

What pathetic fool[s], they're not going to get any money, and every email they post is just more evidence...

Katherine wrote: "Alexander wrote: "My name is Alexander, and I am looking for anyone interested in what I hope to be a long series of sci-fi stories. Prime Vanguard: Book 1 of the Trans-Stellar Chronicles. Availabl..."

A literal copy-paste troll comment.
Do better...

To everyone here, just issuing a heads up warning, the same troll-hordes likely behind the ineffectual extortion attempts of May 10th are back, and what's more embarrassing is that many are using even more obvious copy-pasted reviews or comments disparaging works or posts or the like.
Be aware that those emails have been tracked and government organizations have been alerted by me and other authors affected, the FBI included, and are pursuant of these criminals.

Este comentario es para recomendar a los lectores del grupo, mi libro de Ciencia Ficción: VIAJEROS DEL TIEMPO. Lo que me llama la atención de mi propio escrito, es que menciona tres formas de movimiento en el tiempo: la vida, la profecía y los viajes en el tiempo. Sin embargo, especifica que los viajes directos de los seres por los tiempos (sin máquinas), representan la forma más impresionante de movimiento en el tiempo.
Describe las travesías ya mencionadas, como verdaderas hazañas de los seres, pero, además, nos cuenta que para un personaje existencial lograrlo, necesita energías especiales no fáciles de conseguir. El futuro humano ni siquiera se basa en conocer el futuro proféticamente, sino en viajar allá en persona.
Mensaje especial de Vladimir Rodríguez a sus amigos:
Este resto del año lo pasaremos luchando contra nuestros enemigos cósmicos. La lucha será ardua. Para mediados de año, ya habremos logrado la más importante victoria jamás conseguida: "Le quitaremos al líder de la rebelión, lo que nosotros conocemos cómo "La Perla Negra" que algunos llaman "La Noche Eterna". Cuando termine el año, esta "guerra" ya tendrá ganadores: Nosotros.
Vladimir. IR

Hiya everybody!

I do not know what I'm doing here. But what I do know is that if there are cool sci-fi authors and readers to find, who love irreverent LGBTQ+ fiction with teeth, that's where I want to be.

My name is K. Leigh. I've introduced myself elsewhere but not my series, CONSTELIS VOSS.

CV is gearing up for release of vol.2 and vol.3 shortly. Vol.1 is out now, and in less than a month we're up to 108 sales!

Heckin yes!

Brief synopsis:
Long after humanity reached the stars, and recreated earth in all its vices, one (totally unhinged) man finds himself lost not only in a robotic body, but in the chapters of his prior life (circa 1997). Knowing what came before—and finding familiar faces to help him—is the only way to survive. Not just for him, but for the billions that call this planet-sized ship, home.

Welcome to CONSTELIS VOSS, the anime-inspired, psychological sci-fi trilogy nobody asked for, but everyone (probably) deserves. Karma's a b*tch.

Official Website:
https://www.constelisvoss.ml

Amazon Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Constelis-Voss...

I hope you enjoy the story and I hope to make fellow author and reader friends here as well :)

- K. Leigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC6QO...

Degrees of Science Fiction

Hi everyone. I'm proud to announce the release of my latest novel, A Tremor in the Wings. This is a prequel to my earlier books, filling in the backstory, and is a great starting point for the series. I hope you will check it out. Thanks! Warren Dunn

A Tremor in the Wings


Kidnapped by aliens and relocated to a hostile planet, the crew of the spaceship Avenger struggles to maintain their identity and bonds with their shipmates as they are split apart and thrown into the aliens’ war. Seen as a threat to one faction, the human crew become targets in an internal political struggle, and uncover a conspiracy that reaches beyond their crew -and all the way back to Earth.Return to the origin of the Rykolien Immigrants series, reaching back more than four hundred years before the events of On Alert, when humanity first met the vekorna, in the hopes of bringing stability to the planet Rykol.

Hi everyone, just introducing myself. This is the first in my Sci Fi series, the second book will be released later this year with books three and four completed and pending release. I also write Sci Fi/Horror and Horror as well as factual equestrian training books. If you go to my page you can listen to me reading part of the first chapter of Eye of The Unicorn.

Morag Higgins

Hi all. Striving for the stars

My debut - Striving for the Stars went live this week, and to celebrate it's release and my twenty-seventh birthday today.

I have created a FREE google books Promo. This code is only valid for the first 50 customers and is posted to more then one location! So be quick and get your copy today!

Enter this code - QS03P8EZEW6VM for your FREE copy of Striving for the Stars Or go to https://play.google.com/redeem?code=Q...

My book is also available from Amazon, Kobo, Apple and B&N

Step out of your genre comfort zone.....try a Soft Sci-Fi Thriller with romance, crime, suspense and humor.....you might find you enjoy the story.

Doodlebugs..... A robotic mission to Mars to return samples to Earth. What could possibly go wrong? From a small-town Sheriff, to a soulless corporate CEO, to a survivalist, to nerdy engineers, to escaped felons and terrorists…they all intersect in the gripping page turner that will leave you sleeping with the lights on.

amazon.com/dp/B08BKBRGLV (ebook $2.99 / paperback $11.99)


Review Excerpt.....Doodlebugs is a five-star read!!! Doodlebugs is a superbly crafted fiction of interplanetary terror. Of course, great writing is more than just plot, it is the characters. And Mark Mullane hits a home run by populating Doodlebugs with a rich brew of wonderfully varied, quirky, unpredictable, and imminently believable people.

Heart of the Talisaar

MANY WORLDS. ONE PEOPLE. THE DARKNESS COMES FOR US ALL.

For the past thirty years, the second ‘jal’kharad’—a devastating holy war—has engulfed the human tribes of the Talisaar and the reptilian clans of the Gorraan Qai’dinium. On the distant planet of Arkoaa, Kal’atora Kyrenapur and his allies fight to uncover a nefarious plot to destroy their coalition and threaten the cradle of humankind itself—Earth.

However, an incredible discovery by Kyrenapur sparks hopes for humanity’s beleaguered citizens. Now he must stand his ground on two fronts as factions, religious and political, vie for possession of his newly acquired abilities. Will Kal’atora succeed in preventing the Qai’dinium from striking at the Talisaar’s heart, or will he succumb to his hubris as the power he wields slowly consumes him?

Heart of the Talisaar, available now through Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk in Kindle (Unlimited) and Paperback formats.

They say not to judge a book by its cover but I need you to do just that. If you liked the cover of my book, A Swing in Heaven, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com!

I’m getting closer to clinch the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor! I’d need as much support from you guys. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover here:
Click to Vote!

Good to see activity on this forum as ever.

I'd like to offer my book, a sci-fi debut that already has some reviews to its credit, for anyone interested in hard[er] science space opera.

Here's my book:
Prime Vanguard, Trans-Stellar Chronicles 1.
--
In 3512, a probe mapping an uncharted system is disabled, its last recordings revealing an artificial-ringed planet and strange masses surrounding both its stars. Amidst wariness of how easily First Contact events between species turn awry, a secret and hasty expedition is mounted with the mothership of the lost probe.

Assigned as its security commander, Shakrii Dehn-Herensk accompanies the mixed crew to the system, where signs of a much greater power prove daunting, catalyzing tensions within the crew on all fronts.

Things only worsen with the emergence of a pair of machine factions, servants of an ancient colonization effort by a power seemingly delayed, perhaps dead. Soon, revelations ignite a conflict thousands of years in the making, the costs of which Shakrii and the crew cannot under any circumstances let spill beyond the system.
---
Others who have or are reviewing it have compared it to the sci-fi works of C.J. Cherryh and Ender's game, but it is inspired as much by the first generation great sci-fi works of Jules Verne. Aside from the character tensions, past regrets coming to light when things turn south, it is built upon the exploration of the new, but rife with the tensions of unearthing something trying to stay hidden.
I am currently working as a flight instructor and have used my Master's in History, namely Imperialism and technological developments' effects on macro-politics in its variations, to inform the greater world building this story's world, and that of yet-to-be-published sequels.

My book is available on Goodreads and Amazon.
-
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
-
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/bookshel...
-
One review not yet on Amazon is here, on user MK Queen's website:
https://queensbookreviews.wixsite.com...
-
Contact me if interested, and if you are an author yourself, I'd be happy to take a look at your work myself.

Many thanks,

Alexander

Taniko wrote: "Hi all. Striving for the stars

My debut - Striving for the Stars went live this week, and to celebrate it's release and my twenty-seventh birthday today.

I have created a FREE g..."
Hi, how are you? I would love to read and review your book in exchange for a physical copy, as I don't really have a good way to read ebooks. My review would be published on Goodreads and my book blog. I can also be reached by email at: [email protected]
Thank you!

Khira wrote: "
For sci-fi fans interested in the themes of human-machine union, technological singularity and cyborg evolution, the Goodreads Giveaway for Songbird Ascension will be running until 21 June. You ca..."
Hi Khira, how are you? I'd love to read and review your book in exchange for a physical copy, as I don't really have a good way to read ebooks. My review would be published on Goodreads and my book blog. I can also be reached by email at: [email protected]
Thank you!

Steven's comment with a link might end up helping me get attention from those who'll see their disparagement for what it is, and click on my book.
Free advertising 8D.

Steven wrote: "Robin wrote: "Alexander wrote: "Good to see activity on this forum as ever.

I'd like to offer my book, a sci-fi debut that already has some reviews to its credit, for anyone interested in hard[er]..."

Thanks for the free advertising 8D.

Hey guys, I have a new book up, genre science fiction (space opera). Check it out.Cross Traps Battle of Transoid

Check out Branded by Rayne Polkowski if you like Dystopian or Science Fiction. Join Echo as she traverses the challenges of being Unbranded in a world where the Branded get to escape poverty and live in luxury. With enthralling twists and fun adventures, you will fall in love with Echo and her friends. Buy now on Amazon! If you like Dystopian you’ll love Branded!

Hello all,

Just wanting to let anyone know that I'm giving away Prime Vanguard for free from Monday July 5th today, until Friday July 9th.

Reviews have been given for anyone wanting to see feedback before giving it a read.
___
In 3512, a probe mapping an uncharted system is disabled, its last recordings revealing an artificial-ringed planet and strange masses surrounding both its stars. Amidst wariness of how easily First Contact events between species turn awry, a secret and hasty expedition is mounted with the mothership of the lost probe.Assigned as its security commander, Shakrii Dehn-Herensk accompanies the mixed crew to the system, where signs of a much greater power prove daunting, catalyzing tensions within the crew on all fronts.Things only worsen with the emergence of a pair of machine factions, servants of an ancient colonization effort by a power seemingly delayed, perhaps dead. Soon, revelations ignite a conflict thousands of years in the making, the costs of which Shakrii and the crew cannot under any circumstances let spill beyond the system.
___
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJLSWHF