My Author Goals this Year:
Authors and Book reviewers are putting out their 2024 ambitions for all to see, so I thought I’d join the party. This year I’m working on book 4 in my Galactic Civilizations series. The book is titled, Across the Unending Ocean, and continues the story of Dash, Felan, Sandra, Shira and the entire crew of the Prometheus.
The one sentence pitch: 2 species have developed separately on 1 planet, an ocean apart… When 1 is subjugated by the other the Galactic Community must contemplate its moral obligations to both.
I’m about 25,000 words into the novel that right now I’m estimating will be between 90,000 and 100,000 words.
Another major goal this year is to revamp the Felan’s Rescue and Descendants of Prontoth covers. I like both, but I love the cover to Seventh Contact and hope to add a little more cohesion to the covers. But before I do that I’d love get some additional blurbs from authors/reviewers. If any are interested in reading these novels or listening to the audiobooks (narrated by the exceptional Kyle Snyder, who narrated T.A. Bruno’s Down Below Beyond) I’m happy to send you a copy or an audiobook code. No pressure to review it or send a blurb, but if you like it and want to… you may make the cover!
My Reading Goals This Year:
Between my full time job running my solo law practice, my two young children, and trying to find writing time, I’ve managed to only read about 1.5 books a month the last couple of years. I’d love to get that back over 2. So this year’s goal is 25 books. Some of the books I hope to read this year:
Currently Reading: Eclipse, by Herman Steuernagel. I’ve had it on the TBR for a while, but @monteroauthor’s recently moved it to the top. I’m flying through this one.
Near Future Reads:
The Will of the Many, by James Islington. I’ve been seeing this book pop up everywhere, but it was @craigbookwyrm’s strong recommendation that moved it up the list.
Battle Mage, by Peter Flannery. Excited for this one as @Undertheradarb2 has been adamant about it.
Empire of Silence, by Christopher Ruocchio. The great @PetrikReads said “Empire of Silence is the best sci-fi debut I have ever read.” I don’t need anything more than that to get fully on board.
A Radical Act of Free Magic, by H.G. Parry. I read the first book in the series a couple of years ago. My delving into a lot more indie stuff the last couple of years (and not really reading any sequels) has pushed this one back though I’m anxious to finish as I loved the first book.
No Heart for a Thief, by James Lloyd Dulin. Added this one to the list early last year after a review from @In2theHeartwyld, but mainly read science fiction this past year. Going to read a little more fantasy again this year and this one is high up the list.
Jade War, by Fonda Lee. Another sequel I haven’t gotten around to yet…mainly because I normally read at bedtime when my wife is sleeping…which typically means kindle reading (and I have this book in paperback).
Barrayar, by Lois McMaster Bujold. I really enjoyed my first foray into Vorkosigan with Shards of Honor, but this is the one I know many swear by.
Those Once Forgotten / Those Who Resist, by N.C. Scrimgeour. Decided to read the first based on countless SPSFC reviews. I loved it. My favorite indie novel I’ve read to date. It’s a spiritual successor to Mass Effect and The Expanse. Can’t wait to finish the series.
The Fractured Dark, by Megan E. O’Keefe. My favorite book I read in 2023 was book one in this series, The Blighted Stars. It was based on the adamant recommendations of @dshaggyshepherd. It’s loaded with things I like in science fiction: great action, compelling characters, complicated worldbuilding that isn’t spoon fed to the reader, and a mystery where the stakes just get bigger and bigger. It’s a five star and will undoubtedly find a place in my 100 favorite SFF novels list when I revisit the rankings. There is no book I’m looking forward to more in 2024.
Duckett and Dyer: Dicks for Hire, by G.M. Nair. Another book from the initial SPSFC that caught my interest, but this one moved up the list because I heard T.A. Bruno talk about it on a podcast.
Titan Hoppers, by Rob J. Hayes. Rob is huge in the indie world, and this one grabbed my attention. A review from @wolfmantula moved it up the list.
Felan’s Rescue is available in Ebook form (and Kindle Unlimited), Audiobook, Hardback, and Paperback!
The Descendants of Prontoth is available as an Ebook (and Kindle Unlimited), Audiobook, hardback and paperback!
Seventh Contact is now available!