So, you don't like the fact that Donald Trump is now the president...what should you do next? Let me start out by saying what I think you shouldn't. Trashing his family (especially his kids), they can't help that they're related to him. Liberals didn't like it when conservatives did it to the Obama girls, so don't do it to his kids. Next, stop trashing the people who voted for him and still support him. You're not going to change their minds, so all you're doing is making yourself look stupid. Let them learn in time, what will really happen. It's important to remember that we can be a great country based on our differences, and that in the recent past, we embraced those differences, and we should continue to do so. Third, don't wish for Trump to fail. It's fine to believe that he will, but to actually hope that he will fail is basically saying that you hope America will fail.
Now, what can you do? Keep up the protests, but keep them peaceful. Destroying things is never the answer. All you're doing then is making people lose respect for the protests. When I say keep them up, I mean march as often as possible, boycott events, state your opinion in a civil way, and hell, you might as well follow him on Twitter and rake him over the coals for every tweet that he posts. Will it do any good, probably not, but it will feel good. The other forms of protest can do some good. Our nation was founded in revolution, and now it's time for another one...but this time it needs to be a peaceful revolution. Stop trashing people and property. If someone disagrees with you on Facebook and calls you names for your opinion, you don't have to sink to their level.
As for me, I'm going to write more. I see many dystopias in my future, but that's ok. I love writing and reading them...I just don't want to live in one...
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
The Best of Both Worlds at Amazon
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
For some reason, a lot of people still prefer to buy their books through Amazon, so for those of you that want to use them, you can find The Best of Both Worlds Vol. 1 at https://www.amazon.com/dp/098637055X
For some reason, a lot of people still prefer to buy their books through Amazon, so for those of you that want to use them, you can find The Best of Both Worlds Vol. 1 at https://www.amazon.com/dp/098637055X
Monday, January 09, 2017
Childishness and science fiction
Over the last few years we've seen a lot of childishness in the science fiction field. Most of it started when the "Puppies" started demanding equal representation, and such. I'm not really going to comment on that because I think there's been a lot of questionable behavior from both sides in this debate, and I think this subject has been done to death. Let's face it, the Hugos aren't what they used to be, and they probably never will be again.
What troubles me is some posts I've seen from some of the more "conservative" authors who feel that they've been blackballed by various editors in the SF community. The fact that these authors are saying this isn't what's bothering me. Instead, I'm bothered by the fact that I actually believe this to be true. Granted, I don't have any proof, but from things I've seen, I do think this is a very real possibility. This bothers me because as an editor, we're supposed to be publishing stories and not authors. As an author, I've had plenty of rejections that state that the editor is passing on the story...not on me as an author. So, based on that, why should we pass on an author because of their political views? The simple answer is, we shouldn't. If the author has written a good story, then we should publish the story.
Obviously the one exception to this is if we're publishing a themed anthology. I'm currently reading for an anthology in which global climate change is real. I'm obviously not going to accept a story that goes against that idea, no matter how well-written it might be.
In the past, I've published stories from authors with very different political and religious ideas from mine. The reason I did this is because I enjoyed the stories. I'm an Atheist, but I've published stories with very Christian ideals because the stories knocked my socks off. I've published some very conservative authors in the past, including one who eventually became part of a "puppy slate," and I would publish stories from them again if I enjoyed the stories.
There are times when I cringe reading some of the things posted on Facebook by authors I've published, but again, it's their stories that matter, not their beliefs, and that's what the writing world is supposed to be about.
I hate the idea of blackballing someone for their beliefs. In my opinion (and please make sure you understand this is an opinion before you all get upset), the only reasons for blackballing an author are because they're plagiarists, they continually refuse to follow your guidelines, or because they've assaulted you as a person in social media.
End of rant.
What troubles me is some posts I've seen from some of the more "conservative" authors who feel that they've been blackballed by various editors in the SF community. The fact that these authors are saying this isn't what's bothering me. Instead, I'm bothered by the fact that I actually believe this to be true. Granted, I don't have any proof, but from things I've seen, I do think this is a very real possibility. This bothers me because as an editor, we're supposed to be publishing stories and not authors. As an author, I've had plenty of rejections that state that the editor is passing on the story...not on me as an author. So, based on that, why should we pass on an author because of their political views? The simple answer is, we shouldn't. If the author has written a good story, then we should publish the story.
Obviously the one exception to this is if we're publishing a themed anthology. I'm currently reading for an anthology in which global climate change is real. I'm obviously not going to accept a story that goes against that idea, no matter how well-written it might be.
In the past, I've published stories from authors with very different political and religious ideas from mine. The reason I did this is because I enjoyed the stories. I'm an Atheist, but I've published stories with very Christian ideals because the stories knocked my socks off. I've published some very conservative authors in the past, including one who eventually became part of a "puppy slate," and I would publish stories from them again if I enjoyed the stories.
There are times when I cringe reading some of the things posted on Facebook by authors I've published, but again, it's their stories that matter, not their beliefs, and that's what the writing world is supposed to be about.
I hate the idea of blackballing someone for their beliefs. In my opinion (and please make sure you understand this is an opinion before you all get upset), the only reasons for blackballing an author are because they're plagiarists, they continually refuse to follow your guidelines, or because they've assaulted you as a person in social media.
End of rant.
Sunday, January 01, 2017
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Rot in hell 2016
As years go, 2016 pretty much sucked. Yes, there were good things that happened, but not many.
2015 ended with my family struggling financially. 2016 just increased those struggles. Instead of just living, our main focus most of this year has been how are we going to keep a roof over our heads. There seems to be some light in the tunnel early in 2017...but with our luck, it's just a semi headed our way.
Health issues have also been a problem. My chronic pain is only getting worse, and it's now getting to a point where even normal daily activities are becoming difficult for me. In addition, Rebecca was diagnosed with a chronic disease that will plague her for the rest of her life. All of this has led to more medical expenses...fun, fun, fun.
Overall, the family is doing well, and this is one of the few bright spots of the year.
I didn't do much writing this year, but that picked up some towards the end of the year, so maybe there's hope in the new year. There also wasn't much design work on the Ephemeris RPG done this year. A few supplements were released, and I did start work on a new supplement for the Battle for Turtle Island RPG, but still, not enough work was done on any of these.
I have done a lot of editing this year. Nomadic Delirium Press released several books this year and also several magazines, and while the quality of the work I've included in them has continued to increase, sales have not followed. The publications are growing slowly, but they aren't selling anywhere near the number of copies as they should. There is some great work in these books, and they deserve to be read by more people.
Hopefully 2017 will be a better year, but I'm not making any bets. We thought 2016 was going to be OUR year...
2015 ended with my family struggling financially. 2016 just increased those struggles. Instead of just living, our main focus most of this year has been how are we going to keep a roof over our heads. There seems to be some light in the tunnel early in 2017...but with our luck, it's just a semi headed our way.
Health issues have also been a problem. My chronic pain is only getting worse, and it's now getting to a point where even normal daily activities are becoming difficult for me. In addition, Rebecca was diagnosed with a chronic disease that will plague her for the rest of her life. All of this has led to more medical expenses...fun, fun, fun.
Overall, the family is doing well, and this is one of the few bright spots of the year.
I didn't do much writing this year, but that picked up some towards the end of the year, so maybe there's hope in the new year. There also wasn't much design work on the Ephemeris RPG done this year. A few supplements were released, and I did start work on a new supplement for the Battle for Turtle Island RPG, but still, not enough work was done on any of these.
I have done a lot of editing this year. Nomadic Delirium Press released several books this year and also several magazines, and while the quality of the work I've included in them has continued to increase, sales have not followed. The publications are growing slowly, but they aren't selling anywhere near the number of copies as they should. There is some great work in these books, and they deserve to be read by more people.
Hopefully 2017 will be a better year, but I'm not making any bets. We thought 2016 was going to be OUR year...
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Just a few days left
From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:
There are just a few days left to save 50% off of our fiction titles at DriveThruFiction. Go to http://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press and order now before you run out of time!!!
There are just a few days left to save 50% off of our fiction titles at DriveThruFiction. Go to http://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press and order now before you run out of time!!!
Friday, December 23, 2016
The Best of Both Worlds Vol. 1
Nomadic Delirium and Alban Lake, both publishers of science fiction and fantasy, and all points in between, have collaborated to bring you the very best of what they published in 2015. The selections within come from The Martian Wave and The Fifth Di…, and from Outposts of Beyond and FrostFire Worlds. Their settings might be an inner planet or a world-that-might-be. Their themes are universal, involving choices we all have to make at one point or another in our lives. This is science fiction and fantasy literature at its finest.
This is the first anthology of its kind; it won’t be the last.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-best-of-both-worlds-vol-1/
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Half off sale
My individual short stories, as well as my most recent short story collections are available in PDF format for half off at DriveThruFiction for the rest of the year. You can find all of them at: http://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press
While you're there, you can also pick up titles from Nomadic Delirium Press. All of their fiction titles are also included in the 50% off sale. What a great chance to stock up on reading materials for the cold winter nights...
While you're there, you can also pick up titles from Nomadic Delirium Press. All of their fiction titles are also included in the 50% off sale. What a great chance to stock up on reading materials for the cold winter nights...
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Revamped website
I've made quite a few changes to my website. I've taken out a lot of the useless stuff, and I've taken out a lot of the text...mostly focusing on the stuff I've written and edited. A lot of the text on the website was just copied from this blog, so why bother with it?
There are also fewer pages on the website. Most people only hit one or two pages on a site, so I've gone very bare bones and just kept what I thought was most important. Please feel free to check it out at http://jalanerwine.com/
There are also fewer pages on the website. Most people only hit one or two pages on a site, so I've gone very bare bones and just kept what I thought was most important. Please feel free to check it out at http://jalanerwine.com/
Friday, December 02, 2016
The Battle for Turtle Island continues
It's been a few years since I first created The Battle for Turtle Island RPG, but I'm happy to say that I'm now working on the first expansion for the game. This will be Pueblo Wars, so I'm guessing you'll be able to figure out where it's set.
There's no telling how long it will take me to actually create the rulebook, but I'm hoping to have available in the Spring of 2017.
There's no telling how long it will take me to actually create the rulebook, but I'm hoping to have available in the Spring of 2017.
Thursday, December 01, 2016
November recap
Help NDP get their books back
I voted
Patreon for the Ephemeris RPG
America, America, America
What is Nomadic Delirium Press reading for?
Changes to the NDP Patreon
Would you like free magazines?
Pick up the December issue of The Fifth Di... early
Thanksgiving
Black Friday sale
Ephemeris 50% off sale
The new issue of The Fifth Di... is here
I voted
Patreon for the Ephemeris RPG
America, America, America
What is Nomadic Delirium Press reading for?
Changes to the NDP Patreon
Would you like free magazines?
Pick up the December issue of The Fifth Di... early
Thanksgiving
Black Friday sale
Ephemeris 50% off sale
The new issue of The Fifth Di... is here
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The new issue of The Fifth Di... is here
The December 2016 issue of The Fifth Di... is now available.
The December 2016 issue of The Fifth Di… brings you fiction by Chris Dean, Samuel Van Pelt, Brian “flesheater” Stoneking, and Douglas Kolacki.
In this issue, you’ll find a doctor who manages to improve humanity by changing it, but is change always a good thing? A man whose sole purpose in life is to help people understand that they’re being replaced by robots. A killing machine that’s determined to spread destruction thoughout the galaxy. And a man who finds he might actually get a second chance…
Order from us today at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-december-2016/
Read a sample: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/tfdsample.htm
For other ordering options: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/fifth.htm
The December 2016 issue of The Fifth Di… brings you fiction by Chris Dean, Samuel Van Pelt, Brian “flesheater” Stoneking, and Douglas Kolacki.
In this issue, you’ll find a doctor who manages to improve humanity by changing it, but is change always a good thing? A man whose sole purpose in life is to help people understand that they’re being replaced by robots. A killing machine that’s determined to spread destruction thoughout the galaxy. And a man who finds he might actually get a second chance…
Order from us today at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-december-2016/
Read a sample: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/tfdsample.htm
For other ordering options: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/fifth.htm
Monday, November 28, 2016
Ephemeris 50% off sale
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
Save 50% on many of our Ephemeris Science Fiction RPG titles at DriveThruRPG. Time to stock up on what you don't have, or time to pick up a new game.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press
Sale runs through Sunday the 4th...
Save 50% on many of our Ephemeris Science Fiction RPG titles at DriveThruRPG. Time to stock up on what you don't have, or time to pick up a new game.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press
Sale runs through Sunday the 4th...
Friday, November 25, 2016
Black Friday sale
Starting on Black Friday and running through Cyber Monday, you can pick up titles from my store for 50% off. Just go to http://www.jalanerwine.com/blog/shop, load up your cart with as many e-titles as you'd like...which should be all of them...and then use the code "blackfriday" at checkout.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving
Today is the day to give thanks, and although 2016 has been one of the worst years I've ever known, there are still things to be thankful for. First and foremost, I'm thankful for my amazing wife and my three wonderful daughters. They are the reason for everything that I do in my life, and they give me the strength to carry on when things become overwhelming. I'm also thankful for my extended family and my friends...which are basically the same thing to me. Even though I don't see any of you as much as I'd like, I'm still glad that you're there, and hope to some day find the time to spend with all of you. I'm also thankful for my fans (all two of you). No, I don't really know how many readers I have out there...but I know there are some, and I'm thankful that you find my warped imagination entertaining.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday...don't eat too much...and be careful if you're going to be shopping on Black Friday. The world is getting scarier every day, and I don't want to lose any of you.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday...don't eat too much...and be careful if you're going to be shopping on Black Friday. The world is getting scarier every day, and I don't want to lose any of you.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Pick up the December issue of The Fifth Di... early
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
It may still be a week until the release of the December issue of The Fifth Di…, but you can pick up the e-book version today! Not only can you start reading it today, but you can buy it for just $1.00 through our website at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-december-2016/.
It may still be a week until the release of the December issue of The Fifth Di…, but you can pick up the e-book version today! Not only can you start reading it today, but you can buy it for just $1.00 through our website at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-december-2016/.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Would you like free magazines?
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
If you're interested in reading some of our magazines for free, please visit our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4369995. You don't have to be a Patron to get the free zines, but we certainly wouldn't mind if you support us. By helping out, you can get copies of our future books, and you can even get advertising in The Martian Wave and The Fifth Di...
If you're interested in reading some of our magazines for free, please visit our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4369995. You don't have to be a Patron to get the free zines, but we certainly wouldn't mind if you support us. By helping out, you can get copies of our future books, and you can even get advertising in The Martian Wave and The Fifth Di...
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Changes to the NDP Patreon
We've made some major changes to our Patreon. Instead of just
focusing on the Ephemeris RPG, we're focusing on every aspect of Nomadic
Delirium Press. Supporting us will give you a chance to pick up all of
our future titles, possibly advertise in our magazines, and even
influence what anthologies we choose for the future. That's right, we
plan on posting polls that will allow our Patrons to influence what
titles we read for...and why not? If you're supporting us, you should
have some say in what you want to read.
So, please go to https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4369995 and make the wise choice to be our Patrons.
So, please go to https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4369995 and make the wise choice to be our Patrons.
Friday, November 11, 2016
What is Nomadic Delirium Press reading for?
We are currently reading for several projects, please feel free to submit anything that fits the guidelines...
The Divided States of America: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/dividedstatesguidelines.htm
Ecotastrophe II: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/ecotastropheii.htm
The Martian Wave: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/tmwguidelines.htm
The Fifth Di...: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/fifthguidelines.htm
Spaceports & Spidersilk: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/spaceportsgl.htm
And if you've published with us before, we're accepting submissions for individual stories: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/stories.htm
The Divided States of America: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/dividedstatesguidelines.htm
Ecotastrophe II: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/ecotastropheii.htm
The Martian Wave: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/tmwguidelines.htm
The Fifth Di...: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/fifthguidelines.htm
Spaceports & Spidersilk: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/spaceportsgl.htm
And if you've published with us before, we're accepting submissions for individual stories: http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/stories.htm
Wednesday, November 09, 2016
America, America, America
Oh, America, what have you done? I'm not talking specifically about the election of Donald Trump. No, that's the disease that infects America going into its terminal stage. I'm talking about what has led us to this moment. For most of my adulthood I have been advocating the destruction of the two party system in America because every election more and more people have been voting for the lesser of two evils, and we were finally left with Clinton vs. Trump...two of the most hated people in America were suddenly running for president. If we would have destroyed the two party system in the days of Perot or Nader, we wouldn't have been in this position. The democrats would have nominated someone that democrats could actually believe in and the republicans would have nominated someone that republicans could actually believe in, and the third, fourth, and fifth parties (whoever they might have been) could have put up people that they actually believe in.
Instead, we were left with democrats hating themselves for voting for Clinton and republicans hating themselves for voting for Trump, and the truth is, most of the people that voted for either of these candidates actually were not voting for them, but rather voting against their opponents. How can that possibly be a good way to choose a president? With more candidates in all elections, there are more opportunities for real CHOICE.
What's done is done. We have what we have, and I can honestly say that the future terrifies me...somewhat for myself, but more for my kids and friends. Trump has advocated hate against anyone that isn't white and Christian. I may be white, but I'm also an Atheist, and when it comes to religion, the only group that is hated more than Atheists in America is Muslims...so when the radical Christian Right (and I'm not talking about all Christians) deals with the Muslim "problem," where do you think their eyes will turn next?
Even worse, I have two bi-racial daughters. What kind of a world are these two girls going to have to live in simply because one of their parents was black? They didn't ask for that. It's not a choice, and yet they will face even more racism than they already do, and believe me, they do face it, especially living with two white parents.
My biggest fear is for my friends. I have many friends that are black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. When the radical white folk that Trump is stirring up go looking for victims, where do you think they're going to look?
Although I do have a lot of friends who are Christians, I also have a lot of friends who are Atheists, or Jewish, or Muslim. The world got a lot darker for these people.
I also have many friends who are gay, many of whom recently got married, and now they could face having their marriages annulled by the government...talk about Big Brother. And let's remember that the scariness goes beyond Trump. It was Pence that was advocating jail time for gays that wanted to apply for a marriage license. Gay people in this country already face an enormous amount of prejudice, and it's only going to get worse. One of my very best friends is a trans-female. What kind of crap is she going to have to put up with because of what's coming? And again, it's not just Trump. Shortly after his inauguration he will be able to appoint a supreme court justice and with a republican congress, that person will almost certainly be approved, and I'm absolutely terrified that he's going to appoint his best buddy Rudy Giuliani. Can you imagine what the world will be like if he's allowed to rule on laws for the next decade or two? There's a man who's been drinking in the crazy Kool-Aid for far too long.
Something else we're probably facing is the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act. I know there are a lot of problems with it, but some good things have come out of it...such as the fact that insurance companies have to accept patients even with pre-existing conditions. I've never shopped the market for insurance. We get ours through Rebecca's work, and even though as a family of five with a low income, we actually could qualify for Medicaid, we've always chosen to have private insurance because the coverage is better and it allows us to keep our doctors (whom we love). We've made this choice even though it was a financial burden on us, because we felt the care was more important than the money. Note to some Republicans...not all poor people take "handouts."
If the insurance companies are allowed to go back to what they used to do, they could start denying pre-existing conditions. My chronic pain is a pre-existing condition, meaning that they could deny me my medications, and probably even deny me the surgery that I almost certainly need to correct the problem that is getting worse every day. Where will that leave me? No medication and no treatment available...I can't imagine how I'm possibly supposed to survive that. Even with medications, there are days when I wonder if it's worth it to continue on. If I can't get help, what choices will I have left?
America has survived a lot. It will most likely survive Trump, but will all Americans?
Instead, we were left with democrats hating themselves for voting for Clinton and republicans hating themselves for voting for Trump, and the truth is, most of the people that voted for either of these candidates actually were not voting for them, but rather voting against their opponents. How can that possibly be a good way to choose a president? With more candidates in all elections, there are more opportunities for real CHOICE.
What's done is done. We have what we have, and I can honestly say that the future terrifies me...somewhat for myself, but more for my kids and friends. Trump has advocated hate against anyone that isn't white and Christian. I may be white, but I'm also an Atheist, and when it comes to religion, the only group that is hated more than Atheists in America is Muslims...so when the radical Christian Right (and I'm not talking about all Christians) deals with the Muslim "problem," where do you think their eyes will turn next?
Even worse, I have two bi-racial daughters. What kind of a world are these two girls going to have to live in simply because one of their parents was black? They didn't ask for that. It's not a choice, and yet they will face even more racism than they already do, and believe me, they do face it, especially living with two white parents.
My biggest fear is for my friends. I have many friends that are black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. When the radical white folk that Trump is stirring up go looking for victims, where do you think they're going to look?
Although I do have a lot of friends who are Christians, I also have a lot of friends who are Atheists, or Jewish, or Muslim. The world got a lot darker for these people.
I also have many friends who are gay, many of whom recently got married, and now they could face having their marriages annulled by the government...talk about Big Brother. And let's remember that the scariness goes beyond Trump. It was Pence that was advocating jail time for gays that wanted to apply for a marriage license. Gay people in this country already face an enormous amount of prejudice, and it's only going to get worse. One of my very best friends is a trans-female. What kind of crap is she going to have to put up with because of what's coming? And again, it's not just Trump. Shortly after his inauguration he will be able to appoint a supreme court justice and with a republican congress, that person will almost certainly be approved, and I'm absolutely terrified that he's going to appoint his best buddy Rudy Giuliani. Can you imagine what the world will be like if he's allowed to rule on laws for the next decade or two? There's a man who's been drinking in the crazy Kool-Aid for far too long.
Something else we're probably facing is the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act. I know there are a lot of problems with it, but some good things have come out of it...such as the fact that insurance companies have to accept patients even with pre-existing conditions. I've never shopped the market for insurance. We get ours through Rebecca's work, and even though as a family of five with a low income, we actually could qualify for Medicaid, we've always chosen to have private insurance because the coverage is better and it allows us to keep our doctors (whom we love). We've made this choice even though it was a financial burden on us, because we felt the care was more important than the money. Note to some Republicans...not all poor people take "handouts."
If the insurance companies are allowed to go back to what they used to do, they could start denying pre-existing conditions. My chronic pain is a pre-existing condition, meaning that they could deny me my medications, and probably even deny me the surgery that I almost certainly need to correct the problem that is getting worse every day. Where will that leave me? No medication and no treatment available...I can't imagine how I'm possibly supposed to survive that. Even with medications, there are days when I wonder if it's worth it to continue on. If I can't get help, what choices will I have left?
America has survived a lot. It will most likely survive Trump, but will all Americans?
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