Over 600 pages of hardbound rules for the Ephemeris RPG, and we're
talking full size 8 1/2 X 11...a must have for any Ephemeris game master
or player.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/113551/The-Ephemeris-Omnibus-2013
The
Ephemeris Omnibus 2013 features the Ephemeris core rulebook (with some
rule changes, including mutli-classing), and all of the rule supplements
that have been released as of the end of 2012. All of the species and
class supplements have been blended into the core rulebook to create a
massive (over 200,000 words) rulebook that will allow you to play the
most extensive Ephemeris game you'd ever want to play.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
New print versions of Ephemeris titles
We've released print versions of two more Ephemeris titles. You can get The Ephemeris Omnibus 2013 at
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/113551/The-Ephemeris-Omnibus-2013?manufacturers_id=2805
and you can get The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica; Colonized Space
at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127376/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Colonized-Space?manufacturers_id=2805.
Monday, March 24, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors 1, 2, & 4
A new supplement in the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica is now
available. We're starting to look at "Near Space." These are systems
that are close to the main systems of the six species, but actually
aren't under their control. In many places, you'll find worlds that
have been colonized by one of the six species, or you might find worlds
that had been colonized by an ancient species, or you might find
something even stranger.
This supplement looks at three of the sectors of Near Space.
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sectors-1-2-4/
or
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127723/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-One-Two--Four
This supplement looks at three of the sectors of Near Space.
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sectors-1-2-4/
or
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127723/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-One-Two--Four
My Writing Process-Blog Tour
Today I’m participating in a blog tour where authors discuss their
writing process. My friend, the extremely talented David Lee Summers, posted last week.
You can learn about his writing process here: http://dlsummers.wordpress.com.
So, sit back, and you'll get a chance to learn something of how I write...
What am I working on?
After spending a lot of time working on novels, I'm taking a bit of a break and going back to writing short stories. This is where I cut my teeth as a writer, and as much fun as I think novels are to write, I enjoy short stories even more. I think trying to condense a great deal of detail into a very small number of words is every bit as challenging as writing a novel, but in a very different way.
I've also been spending a great deal of time writing supplements for the Ephemeris RPG, which is a very different kind of writing, but just as challenging and just as fun.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
While you can definitely see the influence of writers like Asimov and Heinlein on my work, I think my work tends to focus a lot more on the individual as opposed to the "big" idea. Much of my work centers around the idea of the individual oppressed by society, or technology. Although I often try to paint an optimistic picture of the future, much of my work is pessimistic. I also think I focus a lot more on dystopias than many other writers.
Why do I write what I do?
I think the answer that "I have to" is a pretty good reason. I've been fascinated by science fiction since I was a very young boy. I first saw Star Wars when I was seven, and yesterday was probably the 50th time that I've watched it (or maybe it's more), and I've loved everything SF ever since. Science Fiction also gives me the opportunity to express some of my concerns about society in a way that isn't necessarily preachy. Authors have been using SF to talk about the ills of society for decades, and I'm just following their lead.
How does your writing process work?
Much of my writing is done in my head before I even sit down in front of a keyboard. Since I have three kids, ages 3-13, actual writing time can be difficult to come by, so I more or less have to write whenever I have time..
If I'm working on a hard SF piece, I will also spend a great deal of time researching the science I'm going to use because I want to make sure I get it right.
Once I start writing, I'm not the revise as you go type. I tend to plow through a story until I get to the end. Once I'm done, I let it sit for a bit and then go back and do massive revisions. A lot of times my rough drafts are deficient in description, so I go back and add that in the second draft. Once that's done, I let it sit again for a while before I do a third draft. After that, I hope the story is done, and I move onto the next story I want to write.
Next week:
On Monday, March 31st, please visit the following blogs to learn about these wonderful authors:
Ian Brazee-Cannon - Ian Brazee-Cannon is a writer, film maker, game designer, podcaster as well as a husband and father. His short stories have been published in The Fifth Di..., Wondrous Web Worlds, Forgotten Worlds, Tales of the Talisman and May-December Publications' anthology 'Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy'. Ian has been working with Nomadic Delirium Press on supplements for the Ephemeris RPG. He is one of the founders and regular co-hosts on the Amateur Skeptics podcast. Ian has also involved with Dangling Carrot Films, Running Riot Productions and Ijin Productions as a writer and director on their projects.
Michael Merriam -
Michael Merriam is a science fiction and fantasy author living in Hopkins, MN with his wife and an overly energetic Maine Coon. Like most writers, Michael has done a variety of odd jobs over the years including: actor, late night disc jockey, short order cook, bassist, and booking agent for a puppet troupe. Michael is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa. He has published three novels, two short story collections, three single-title novellas, and over 80 pieces of short fiction. Michael is also an active blogger and spoken-word performer who enjoys burgers, single-malt scotch, and attending SF conventions. Visit his website at www.michaelmerriam.net
So, sit back, and you'll get a chance to learn something of how I write...
What am I working on?
After spending a lot of time working on novels, I'm taking a bit of a break and going back to writing short stories. This is where I cut my teeth as a writer, and as much fun as I think novels are to write, I enjoy short stories even more. I think trying to condense a great deal of detail into a very small number of words is every bit as challenging as writing a novel, but in a very different way.
I've also been spending a great deal of time writing supplements for the Ephemeris RPG, which is a very different kind of writing, but just as challenging and just as fun.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
While you can definitely see the influence of writers like Asimov and Heinlein on my work, I think my work tends to focus a lot more on the individual as opposed to the "big" idea. Much of my work centers around the idea of the individual oppressed by society, or technology. Although I often try to paint an optimistic picture of the future, much of my work is pessimistic. I also think I focus a lot more on dystopias than many other writers.
Why do I write what I do?
I think the answer that "I have to" is a pretty good reason. I've been fascinated by science fiction since I was a very young boy. I first saw Star Wars when I was seven, and yesterday was probably the 50th time that I've watched it (or maybe it's more), and I've loved everything SF ever since. Science Fiction also gives me the opportunity to express some of my concerns about society in a way that isn't necessarily preachy. Authors have been using SF to talk about the ills of society for decades, and I'm just following their lead.
How does your writing process work?
Much of my writing is done in my head before I even sit down in front of a keyboard. Since I have three kids, ages 3-13, actual writing time can be difficult to come by, so I more or less have to write whenever I have time..
If I'm working on a hard SF piece, I will also spend a great deal of time researching the science I'm going to use because I want to make sure I get it right.
Once I start writing, I'm not the revise as you go type. I tend to plow through a story until I get to the end. Once I'm done, I let it sit for a bit and then go back and do massive revisions. A lot of times my rough drafts are deficient in description, so I go back and add that in the second draft. Once that's done, I let it sit again for a while before I do a third draft. After that, I hope the story is done, and I move onto the next story I want to write.
Next week:
On Monday, March 31st, please visit the following blogs to learn about these wonderful authors:
Ian Brazee-Cannon - Ian Brazee-Cannon is a writer, film maker, game designer, podcaster as well as a husband and father. His short stories have been published in The Fifth Di..., Wondrous Web Worlds, Forgotten Worlds, Tales of the Talisman and May-December Publications' anthology 'Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy'. Ian has been working with Nomadic Delirium Press on supplements for the Ephemeris RPG. He is one of the founders and regular co-hosts on the Amateur Skeptics podcast. Ian has also involved with Dangling Carrot Films, Running Riot Productions and Ijin Productions as a writer and director on their projects.
Michael Merriam -
Michael Merriam is a science fiction and fantasy author living in Hopkins, MN with his wife and an overly energetic Maine Coon. Like most writers, Michael has done a variety of odd jobs over the years including: actor, late night disc jockey, short order cook, bassist, and booking agent for a puppet troupe. Michael is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa. He has published three novels, two short story collections, three single-title novellas, and over 80 pieces of short fiction. Michael is also an active blogger and spoken-word performer who enjoys burgers, single-malt scotch, and attending SF conventions. Visit his website at www.michaelmerriam.net
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Idioms about idiots
It's a new t-shirt vendor that offers you the chance to express your opinion of some of the truly frustrating people in the world...http://www.cafepress.com/idiomsaboutidiots.
Monday, March 17, 2014
A debilitating sneeze
I had just gotten Lex to sleep on Thursday night when I felt a really powerful sneeze coming on. I wanted to do my best to not wake her up, so I did everything I could to restrain it. Once I did sneeze, I felt my bad ribs pop and move around like crazy. Needless to say, I've been in almost debilitating pain ever since, and have not been getting much sleep. If I had to rate the pain, I'd call it a seven or an eight, and you have to keep in mind that I have a very high threshold for pain. I can't get comfortable unless I'm sitting up, and then it has to be on something soft like the couch...not the best way to sleep.
This made us decide to do some research on possible corrections. One thing we found is that there are very few surgeons that will actually re-do the procedure I had on adults. And of course we also found that in general, insurance companies won't cover it, and the procedure runs $10,000-$30,000. We don't know if a complete re-do would be necessary, because we were having trouble finding surgeons who even had any idea of what they might be able to do for the pain, and the one we did find was a quack and a half. Once I'm insured again, we will renew the search.
Also in our research we began to wonder if my procedure had been screwed up. Even all those years ago, it was typical for a surgeon to insert a bar to support the sternum, and given that I had the worst case my surgeon had ever seen, I'm forced to wonder why this bar wasn't inserted. Yes, it would have been another procedure two years later, but maybe that would have helped me avoid all the pain I'm in now. I'm sure no doctor will say that because they'd worry that I'd sue my surgeon, but he wasn't all that young at the time of the procedure, so I'm not even sure if he's still with us.
For now, I just have to try to deal with the pain. The 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours just isn't doing the trick anymore. No matter what, this is an awful place to be, and so far we haven't found anyone that might be able to help me out of it.
This made us decide to do some research on possible corrections. One thing we found is that there are very few surgeons that will actually re-do the procedure I had on adults. And of course we also found that in general, insurance companies won't cover it, and the procedure runs $10,000-$30,000. We don't know if a complete re-do would be necessary, because we were having trouble finding surgeons who even had any idea of what they might be able to do for the pain, and the one we did find was a quack and a half. Once I'm insured again, we will renew the search.
Also in our research we began to wonder if my procedure had been screwed up. Even all those years ago, it was typical for a surgeon to insert a bar to support the sternum, and given that I had the worst case my surgeon had ever seen, I'm forced to wonder why this bar wasn't inserted. Yes, it would have been another procedure two years later, but maybe that would have helped me avoid all the pain I'm in now. I'm sure no doctor will say that because they'd worry that I'd sue my surgeon, but he wasn't all that young at the time of the procedure, so I'm not even sure if he's still with us.
For now, I just have to try to deal with the pain. The 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours just isn't doing the trick anymore. No matter what, this is an awful place to be, and so far we haven't found anyone that might be able to help me out of it.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Colonized Space
We've combined the first six volumes of the EEG into one tome, and it's now available:
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Colonized Space is a combination of the first six volumes of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. It looks at each sector of space that is controlled by one of the six species. An invaluable supplement for anyone playing the Ephemeris Science Fiction Role Playing Game, especially those that have been looking for campaign settings for their games.
A useful tool for both players and game masters, this supplement will help elevate your Ephemeris game to the next level.
Before ordering, please keep in mind that this supplement contains the same information that was released individually in the EEG for sectors 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, & 21.
Order from Nomadic Delirium Press at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-colonized-space/
or
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127376/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Colonized-Space
We are also working on releasing this as a paperback. More details as they are available.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Colonized Space is a combination of the first six volumes of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. It looks at each sector of space that is controlled by one of the six species. An invaluable supplement for anyone playing the Ephemeris Science Fiction Role Playing Game, especially those that have been looking for campaign settings for their games.
A useful tool for both players and game masters, this supplement will help elevate your Ephemeris game to the next level.
Before ordering, please keep in mind that this supplement contains the same information that was released individually in the EEG for sectors 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, & 21.
Order from Nomadic Delirium Press at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-colonized-space/
or
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127376/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Colonized-Space
We are also working on releasing this as a paperback. More details as they are available.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Insurance company BS
We got a letter from our health insurance notifying us that they aren't going to pay for Alexis' overnight stay after her surgery because they deemed it unnecessary. I'm not exactly sure what their criteria are for "necessary," but I think it's ridiculous that a health insurance company thinks they know more about health care than the actual doctors. From the beginning, it was expected that she would stay overnight. The only reason she wouldn't have is if they only had to remove the cyst, but the fact that they actually had to remove part of a bone from her neck made the overnight stay necessary in the eyes of our doctor. This is the kind of BS that needs to stop.
When I was unsuccessfully trying to get treatment for my chronic pain, the health insurance company wanted to refuse a cat scan for me. I really love these guys.
Based on the rambling letter they sent us, it sounds like they actually aren't going to screw us over, but instead they're going to screw the hospital over. And people wonder why health care is so expensive.
We need a complete dismantling of the insurance industry, not stop gap fixes.
When I was unsuccessfully trying to get treatment for my chronic pain, the health insurance company wanted to refuse a cat scan for me. I really love these guys.
Based on the rambling letter they sent us, it sounds like they actually aren't going to screw us over, but instead they're going to screw the hospital over. And people wonder why health care is so expensive.
We need a complete dismantling of the insurance industry, not stop gap fixes.
Monday, March 10, 2014
The new Cosmos
I watched the new Cosmos series last night. I have to admit that being a huge fan of the original series, I was a bit skeptical about this one. After watching the first episode, I'd have to say that I'm not as skeptical as I was, but I'm also not completely sold on it either. I liked that they made it different enough from the first series that it didn't seem like a rehashing of that series. I also liked that they paid tribute to the original series, especially showing Carl Sagan's planner with the name Neil Tyson on one of the Saturdays...it was a nice way to show some continuity.
Will this show be able to live up to what the original series did? It's hard to say. The original series had a huge impact on a lot of people, especially me. I was only ten at the time, and fascinated by science, so this hit me at the perfect time. That's a little hard for the new series to live up to.
Thinking back to the first series, the first episode was a little slow, just like the new series...more of a tease for both than an actual episode. Suffice it to say that I will tune in next week, and hopefully this one will pull me in like the original did.
Will this show be able to live up to what the original series did? It's hard to say. The original series had a huge impact on a lot of people, especially me. I was only ten at the time, and fascinated by science, so this hit me at the perfect time. That's a little hard for the new series to live up to.
Thinking back to the first series, the first episode was a little slow, just like the new series...more of a tease for both than an actual episode. Suffice it to say that I will tune in next week, and hopefully this one will pull me in like the original did.
Sunday, March 09, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Ten (Human Space)
The Human sector of space has now been charted in the latest installment of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica:
The Humans are the newest species on the celestial block. Some view them as a breath of fresh air, while others view them as being the biggest threat the galaxy has ever seen. Now you can learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems that they couldn’t colonize, and the systems that they hope will lead them to galactic colonization (conquest).
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Ten (Human Space).
Pick up your copy from us at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-ten-human-space
or
Pick up your copy from DriveThruRPG at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127192/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Ten-Human-Space
The Humans are the newest species on the celestial block. Some view them as a breath of fresh air, while others view them as being the biggest threat the galaxy has ever seen. Now you can learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems that they couldn’t colonize, and the systems that they hope will lead them to galactic colonization (conquest).
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Ten (Human Space).
Pick up your copy from us at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-ten-human-space
or
Pick up your copy from DriveThruRPG at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127192/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Ten-Human-Space
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Holy crap! There's a teenager in the house!
My oldest turns 13 today. That's absolutely unbelievable, and something that we're not entirely ready for. We're so proud of the young woman she's becoming, but we hate watching her fall into a lot of the pitfalls that we fell into as teens.
I remember my teen years as a mix of good memories, and truly horrible memories. Being a teenager is never easy, and I think for girls, especially in modern American society, the challenges are one hundred times worse than they are for teenage boys. Still, we're doing everything we can to support her as she grows up, trying to help her avoid the mistakes we made as kids (and often failing miserably.) We hope that she realizes that we will be here for her through the good choices and the bad choices, and we hope that she will come to us, instead of giving into some of the insane things her friends (or boys) might try to talk her into.
Needless to say, the next few years will be interesting...to say the least.
And just in case she's reading this instead of paying attention in class...Happy Birthday, Eryn! I love you.
I remember my teen years as a mix of good memories, and truly horrible memories. Being a teenager is never easy, and I think for girls, especially in modern American society, the challenges are one hundred times worse than they are for teenage boys. Still, we're doing everything we can to support her as she grows up, trying to help her avoid the mistakes we made as kids (and often failing miserably.) We hope that she realizes that we will be here for her through the good choices and the bad choices, and we hope that she will come to us, instead of giving into some of the insane things her friends (or boys) might try to talk her into.
Needless to say, the next few years will be interesting...to say the least.
And just in case she's reading this instead of paying attention in class...Happy Birthday, Eryn! I love you.
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
GM's Day at DriveThruRPG
Now through March 8th all Nomadic Delirium Press RPG titles are on
sale at DriveThruRPG for 30% off. This includes all of the Ephemeris
titles, as well as The Battle for Turtle Island. If you haven't tried
the games, this is a great chance to give them a shot. If you are
playing Ephemeris, then this gives you a chance to pick up some of the
supplements for less than you'd normally pay.
Go to
Go to
Monday, March 03, 2014
E-book sale
March 2nd through March 8th you can get any of Nomadic Delirium Press's e-book titles for 25% off. Simply go to https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/nomadicdelirium
and use coupon code REW25. This sale is good all week on any of their
titles, and you can use it as many times as you might want to.
This sale includes one of my novels, two of my short story collections, all of the Ephemeris products, and several zines that I edited. Grab them while you can!
This sale includes one of my novels, two of my short story collections, all of the Ephemeris products, and several zines that I edited. Grab them while you can!
Sunday, March 02, 2014
The stitches are out
Alexis had her stitches removed Friday. There's still a nasty bump by the scar, but the doctor says that's caused by her neck trying to adjust to the hyoid bone being removed, and over time, everything should go back to normal.
Overall, her health is good, and we've had the best outcome we could for. We're just very glad that this ordeal is over, and we hope to never have to go through anything like it again.
Overall, her health is good, and we've had the best outcome we could for. We're just very glad that this ordeal is over, and we hope to never have to go through anything like it again.
Saturday, March 01, 2014
February recap
EEG pictures
Busy day
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Twenty-One (Arbonix Space)
If only I'd had money
Why there are no black holes in the EEG
Surgery tomorrow
Healthcare in the 21st century
A reprint sale
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Nine (Tulmath Space)
The March issue of The Fifth Di...
Busy day
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Twenty-One (Arbonix Space)
If only I'd had money
Why there are no black holes in the EEG
Surgery tomorrow
Healthcare in the 21st century
A reprint sale
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Nine (Tulmath Space)
The March issue of The Fifth Di...
Friday, February 28, 2014
The March issue of The Fifth Di...
The March issue of The Fifth Di... is now available. This issue: The
Fifth Di… features some of the best science fiction and fantasy fiction
and poetry. In this issue: Henry Brasater, Wayne Carey, G.O. Clark, and
many more.
You can order it from us at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/fifth-di-march-2014/ and if you use coupon code "zines" it will be 20% off.
You can also order a variety of formats from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/411191.
You can order it from us at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/fifth-di-march-2014/ and if you use coupon code "zines" it will be 20% off.
You can also order a variety of formats from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/411191.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Nine (Tulmath Space)
The latest supplement in our Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica is now available:
The Tulmath are the most peaceful of the six species, focusing more on trade than on anything else. They may want to dominate the other species economically, but they aren’t usually the type to go for military domination. Now you can learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they struggle to try to control, and the systems that they hope will launch them deeper into space.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Nine (Tulmath Space).
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-9-tulmath-space/
Order from DriveThruRPG at:
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/126737/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Nine-Tulmath-Space
The Tulmath are the most peaceful of the six species, focusing more on trade than on anything else. They may want to dominate the other species economically, but they aren’t usually the type to go for military domination. Now you can learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they struggle to try to control, and the systems that they hope will launch them deeper into space.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Nine (Tulmath Space).
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-9-tulmath-space/
Order from DriveThruRPG at:
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/126737/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Nine-Tulmath-Space
Monday, February 24, 2014
A reprint sale
I've sold the reprint rights for my story "Origins" to Tales of the Talisman. It will appear in their Winter issue...not this winter, but next winter. This is a great magazine, and I always love when my work appears here.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Healthcare in the 21st century
After having two days of watching the American healthcare system in action, I'd have to say that I'm very disappointed. The people who were responsible for Alexis' care were outstanding, some of them even amazing. Everyone did everything they could to make a scared little girl, and her scared parents, as comfortable as they could. The problem was that the hospital was horribly understaffed. The first time she needed pain meds, they didn't have any of them on the floor, so they had to order them from the pharmacy. That took about an hour and a half...which for pain, especially pain in a small child, is completely unacceptable. The other problem was that there weren't enough nurses in her section of the hospital. They were friendly and seemed skilled, but there were too many patients for them, so we had to remind them often of what she needed. In fact, when it was time for us to be discharged, there was actually only one nurse working. The desk was being run by a nurse who was supposed to be on her lunch break, so she was eating and working at the same time.
So, kudos to everyone for taking care of my little girl, but something needs to be done about staffing in hospitals. I realize that a lot of this has to do with the insurance companies, and whether someone thinks Obamacare is the best thing to ever happen, or the worst, I think most people would agree that there is a desperate need for an overhaul of the insurance companies in this country.
So, kudos to everyone for taking care of my little girl, but something needs to be done about staffing in hospitals. I realize that a lot of this has to do with the insurance companies, and whether someone thinks Obamacare is the best thing to ever happen, or the worst, I think most people would agree that there is a desperate need for an overhaul of the insurance companies in this country.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Surgery tomorrow
Tomorrow will be Alexis' surgery. The surgeon, of course, tells us how it's just a very routine and simple surgery, but there's nothing routine or simple about having your three year old operated on. The surgery is expected to take 45-75 minutes, but I can already imagine that that will be the longest 45-75 minutes of our life.
She's expected to stay overnight, but we will hopefully be bringing her home on Thursday. Obviously we will both be staying at the hospital tomorrow night, while the older girls stay with grandma and grandpa.
Even though she's young, she's expressed some fear about the surgery, so we're doing everything we can to keep her mind off of it. Rebecca will be taking five days off, so we can both be here to help her recover. We'll obviously be watching a lot of movies, especially a lot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...her current favorites.
She's expected to stay overnight, but we will hopefully be bringing her home on Thursday. Obviously we will both be staying at the hospital tomorrow night, while the older girls stay with grandma and grandpa.
Even though she's young, she's expressed some fear about the surgery, so we're doing everything we can to keep her mind off of it. Rebecca will be taking five days off, so we can both be here to help her recover. We'll obviously be watching a lot of movies, especially a lot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...her current favorites.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Why there are no black holes in the EEG
I've had a few people ask me why the volumes of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica don't include things like black holes, pulsars, quasars, nebulae, etc. The answer is pretty simple. When we designed the game we wanted it to be as close to hard SF as we could make it. Yes, we did include hyperspace and yes, all of the species are basically at the same technological level, but those were necessary for the game. All of the stars listed in each of the volumes are all actual stars, and we've done our best to use what modern science knows about those systems to create planets that might be realistic. Granted, when we get to the systems that are more than 200 light years away, we're going to have to create some stars because it's a lot harder to see some of those stars (like G and M stars.)
Having said this, as far as science knows, there are no black holes, pulsars, quasars, or nebulae with a couple light years of us...so we didn't include them. We want the game to be as realistic as possible.
Having said this, as far as science knows, there are no black holes, pulsars, quasars, or nebulae with a couple light years of us...so we didn't include them. We want the game to be as realistic as possible.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
If only I'd had money
Looking back to late 2012, early 2013, I can honestly say that I wish I'd had money at the time. If I'd had money, I think I would have tried to talk Tyree Campbell into letting me take over Sam's Dot Publishing. It was an amazing small press publisher, and when I see what's happened to it after Tyree left, I'm truly sad.
When I first started working for James Baker at ProMart, Tyree was an unpublished author, and then I picked up his first story, and the rest was history for him. When Jim was sick in the hospital and dying of cancer, he'd really wanted me to take over ProMart, but I wasn't able to because of finances, but luckily Tyree stepped in and took the company to the next level and beyond.
Now, I wish I could have taken over and continued the things that Jim and Tyree started. There would have been a lot of authors and editors who wouldn't have been left hanging.
Still, even if I can't save Sam's Dot (which I still wish I could), I'm going to do the best I can to keep Jim's dream alive at Nomadic Delirium Press.
When I first started working for James Baker at ProMart, Tyree was an unpublished author, and then I picked up his first story, and the rest was history for him. When Jim was sick in the hospital and dying of cancer, he'd really wanted me to take over ProMart, but I wasn't able to because of finances, but luckily Tyree stepped in and took the company to the next level and beyond.
Now, I wish I could have taken over and continued the things that Jim and Tyree started. There would have been a lot of authors and editors who wouldn't have been left hanging.
Still, even if I can't save Sam's Dot (which I still wish I could), I'm going to do the best I can to keep Jim's dream alive at Nomadic Delirium Press.
Sunday, February 09, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Twenty-One (Arbonix Space)
The latest supplement in our Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica is now available:
The Arbonix are the only race in the Ephemeris RPG that can fly. They basically want peace, and the chance to colonize, but they’re ready for a fight when they need to be. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems they’ve devoted to their religious need to find out about their origins.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Twenty-One (Arbonix Space).
Order from us: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-twenty-one-arbonix-space/ Use coupon code "ephemeris" to get 20% off.
Order from DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/126131/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Twenty-One-%28Arbonix-Space%29
The Arbonix are the only race in the Ephemeris RPG that can fly. They basically want peace, and the chance to colonize, but they’re ready for a fight when they need to be. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems they’ve devoted to their religious need to find out about their origins.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Twenty-One (Arbonix Space).
Order from us: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-twenty-one-arbonix-space/ Use coupon code "ephemeris" to get 20% off.
Order from DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/126131/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Twenty-One-%28Arbonix-Space%29
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Busy day
Yesterday was quite the busy day. Our middle child, Juliah turned nine, which is almost impossible to believe. When I first met her, she was only two, and now here she is almost a tween. So there was much cleaning, cooking, and baking yesterday...and as I look around the house today...I notice that it's quite trashed. I guess I know what I'll be doing soon...
Yesterday was also Alexis' pre-op appointment. There wasn't much to it. The doctor asked if we had any questions. He explained what was going to happen, and they gave us scrips for antibiotics and pain medication for after her surgery. It's getting closer, and it's getting all too real...
Yesterday was also Alexis' pre-op appointment. There wasn't much to it. The doctor asked if we had any questions. He explained what was going to happen, and they gave us scrips for antibiotics and pain medication for after her surgery. It's getting closer, and it's getting all too real...
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
EEG pictures
I've been asked a couple of times why we're using pictures of stars on the covers of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica when there are so many more dramatic images from space that we could use. The simple answer is that each of the stars shown is actually in that sector...
Sector 3 is Miaplacidus
Sector 8 is AU Microscopii
Sector 13 is Zeta Doradus
We're not sure what the star will be for Sector 21 (Arbonix Space), but we wouldn't be surprised if it was Mizar...
Sector 3 is Miaplacidus
Sector 8 is AU Microscopii
Sector 13 is Zeta Doradus
We're not sure what the star will be for Sector 21 (Arbonix Space), but we wouldn't be surprised if it was Mizar...
Saturday, February 01, 2014
January recap
14 days of '14
A glimpse of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Three (Melanathee Space)
The Nomadic Delirium Press Bookstore
Alexis' surgery
New Year, New Game
EEG Sector 8
A new collection
A preview of EEG: Sector 8
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Eight (Althani Space)
The Ephemeris RPG, a rebirth?
EEG Sector 13
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 13 (Culthan Space)
Really people?
A glimpse of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Three (Melanathee Space)
The Nomadic Delirium Press Bookstore
Alexis' surgery
New Year, New Game
EEG Sector 8
A new collection
A preview of EEG: Sector 8
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Eight (Althani Space)
The Ephemeris RPG, a rebirth?
EEG Sector 13
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 13 (Culthan Space)
Really people?
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Really people?
Today was the first day that I've been back at the OfficeMax I worked at since I left a little more than two months ago. I needed ink and paper, and the main reason I went in rather than ordering on-line was because I had cartridges I could recycle, so I could save money.
Before I left, the place was in trouble. Very few people were doing their work including the assistant manager and some of the other supervisors. It always fell on me or the store manager to finish the work they couldn't get done, and when the district manager came in, he ripped into me and the store manager, basically saying it was our fault the store was in such bad shape. This was one of the main reasons I decided to leave, and then when they transferred the store manager, I decided it was definitely time to go. I never had time to do my work, except when he would take things over and let me have the time...I knew without him, I would never get anything done, so I left.
Now I find out that after I left, a lot of the people in the store, including supervisors that I was constantly bailing out threw me under the bus...saying the store was screwed because I didn't do what I was supposed to do. Anyone who knows me knows that this is not who I am. However, here it is more than two months later, and some of the things I was not able to finish, still aren't done.
But, hey, it's not my problem. I never counted those supervisors as my friends, and all I can say is that I'm much happier being gone. I can honestly say that I've never once missed the place, and I certainly won't now.
From now on, I'll be doing my ordering on-line...probably from Staples.
Before I left, the place was in trouble. Very few people were doing their work including the assistant manager and some of the other supervisors. It always fell on me or the store manager to finish the work they couldn't get done, and when the district manager came in, he ripped into me and the store manager, basically saying it was our fault the store was in such bad shape. This was one of the main reasons I decided to leave, and then when they transferred the store manager, I decided it was definitely time to go. I never had time to do my work, except when he would take things over and let me have the time...I knew without him, I would never get anything done, so I left.
Now I find out that after I left, a lot of the people in the store, including supervisors that I was constantly bailing out threw me under the bus...saying the store was screwed because I didn't do what I was supposed to do. Anyone who knows me knows that this is not who I am. However, here it is more than two months later, and some of the things I was not able to finish, still aren't done.
But, hey, it's not my problem. I never counted those supervisors as my friends, and all I can say is that I'm much happier being gone. I can honestly say that I've never once missed the place, and I certainly won't now.
From now on, I'll be doing my ordering on-line...probably from Staples.
Monday, January 27, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 13 (Culthan Space)
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 13 (Culthan Space) is now available. You can find it at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-13-culthan-space or at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/125624.
The Culthan are known as the mad race in the Ephemeris universe. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems that even they fear to enter. You’ll also learn about just how far their madness has taken them, in good ways and bad ways.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Thirteen (Culthan Space).
The Culthan are known as the mad race in the Ephemeris universe. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems that even they fear to enter. You’ll also learn about just how far their madness has taken them, in good ways and bad ways.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Thirteen (Culthan Space).
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
EEG Sector 13
Working at home is certainly conducive to getting things done. Today I finished the first draft of the new volume of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. This one looks at Sector 13, otherwise known as Culthan space.
It will be a look at just what the mad race is up to in the sector that they'd love to control...
It will be a look at just what the mad race is up to in the sector that they'd love to control...
Monday, January 20, 2014
The Ephemeris RPG, a rebirth?
Over the last couple of years, sales of the Ephemeris RPG and its various supplements have been steady...slow, but steady. Early this year, we started releasing the various volumes of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. This, paired with a wonderful sale at DriveThruRPG, has given us the best month of sales since the release of the game. Apparently people are starting to take an interest in the game, and I'm very glad to see this.
We made a few mistakes with the early game, but we've hopefully corrected those over time, and we are still planning on releasing a lot of supplements in the future. We're hoping that this apparent rebirth will continue, and more and more people will start playing the game.
We made a few mistakes with the early game, but we've hopefully corrected those over time, and we are still planning on releasing a lot of supplements in the future. We're hoping that this apparent rebirth will continue, and more and more people will start playing the game.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Glactica: Sector 8 (Althani Space)
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 8 (Althani Space) is now available. You can purchase it through the Nomadic Delirium Press store at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopeida-galactica-sector-8-althani-space/ or you can purchase it through DriveThruRPG at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/125303/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sector-Eight-%28Althani-Space%29.
The Althani are one of the most aggressive of the six major species in the Ephemeris universe. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems that even they fear to enter.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Eight (Althani Space).
The Althani are one of the most aggressive of the six major species in the Ephemeris universe. Now you can learn about their sector of space. Learn about the planets they’ve colonized, the systems they battle to try to control, and the systems that even they fear to enter.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica will be a multi-volume collection looking at each sector of space. The Encyclopedia continues with Sector Eight (Althani Space).
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
A preview of EEG: Secotr 8
This is taken from the first draft of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Glactica: Sector 8 (Althani Space):
Gliese 832: 16.1 ly M1.5v
The star in this
system may be small, but the trouble in this system is anything but. More than a century ago, the Althani
colonized a moon around the largest gas giant in the system. The colony, called Menk, is currently home to
more than three billion Althani, and they’ve transformed the atmosphere to a
point that they can breathe the air without suits and breathers. The majority of the inhabitants are military
or corps employees.
The colony on
Menk is not the problem. There is a
smallish terrestrial planet about .5 AU from Gliese 832, and this planet and
its moon have been colonized by humans.
The colonization took place 30 years ago, and there are already one
billion humans inhabiting the planet (New New York) and the moon (New
Buffalo). Humans can breathe on the
planet, but they need suits to walk on the surface of the moon, which is why
the colony is built completely underground.
Many of the humans work for the human corps, but a number of them work
for the military, and it’s believed that many of those are working for covert
branches of the military.
The humans have
argued that Gliese 832 should actually be considered a part of their sector,
but the Althani have been here for quite a bit longer. The Althani don’t take well to others infringing
on their space, and there have been several battles fought in this system. So far, both species’ governments have
refused to get involved, instead allowing the military forces assigned to these
colonies to battle it out. So far,
things have stayed at a level of a few ships fighting at a time, but there is
always a chance, and it’s a good chance, that things will boil over and all-out
war will break out in the system.
Gliese 902: 37.1 ly K3V
Although this
system has a planet that could be colonized by humans and a planet that could
be colonized by the Culthan, the Althani have refused to allow outsiders into
the system. Their main reason for this
is that there’s a large moon orbiting the largest gas giant in the system. And on this moon is an Althani prison colony
called Ten-pa. The colony has four large
opaque domes, one in each hemisphere (northeast, northwest, southeast, and
southwest), under which they house some of the most violent criminals, and
while most of them are Althani, there are prisoners from the other species here
as well. The atmosphere outside of the
domes is highly toxic to any sentient species, with much of the atmosphere made
up of methane and cyanogen. The surface
also has winds that typically blow at over 100 kph, and often gust to 300
kph. Each of the domes is so far apart
that there is no way anyone could walk to one of the other domes, even with a
suit.
No one in their
right mind would even try to survive on the surface, and to date, no one has
ever escaped from Ten-pa. A few have
gotten out of the domes, but no further.
Ten-pa also has a highly advanced satellite system that will shoot down
any ship that doesn’t have clearance to be close, and if a ship does go down,
there will be no effort made to try to rescue the crew. Instead, they’ll be left to the atmosphere of
the planet, and if they happen to be close enough to a dome that they might be
able to get to it, they’ll be shot before they can get inside. There are no visiting hours at Ten-pa.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
A new collection
I've just learned that Alban Lake Publishing will be releasing a new short story collection of mine. These are previously published stories about space exploration. It will have stuff from early in my career all the way up to some more recent stuff.
Now, the big question is: What am I going to call this thing?
So far, I haven't come up with a title, but I'm working on it...
Now, the big question is: What am I going to call this thing?
So far, I haven't come up with a title, but I'm working on it...
Friday, January 10, 2014
EEG Sector 8
I've just finished the first draft of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Eight (Althani Space.) This is the second volume in the Encyclopedia, the second of what will probably be many. I'm hoping that if I can arrange the time, that I'll have this ready for players and game masters by the end of next weekend.
So, stay tuned!
So, stay tuned!
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
New Year, New Game
The folks over at DriveThruRPG are having a sale to encourage people to try new games. So, for the next few days, you can pick up the core rulebook for Ephemeris for just $3.98...not a bad deal.
The special sale can be found at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/63664/Ephemeris?filters=0_0_0_0_0_44298.
The special sale can be found at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/63664/Ephemeris?filters=0_0_0_0_0_44298.
Monday, January 06, 2014
Alexis' surgery
I've had several people ask me about the surgery that Alexis is going to have to have, so I figured I'd just answer everything here. The ENT found a Thyroglossal cyst, which apparently formed in utero, because the Throglossal duct did not close as it was supposed to. The cyst itself is not dangerous, but if it becomes infected, it can have some nasty side effects.
The procedure they're going to be doing is called the Sistrunk Procedure, and it involves removing the cyst, and if the duct is still present, they'll take that out as well, which involves removing part of the hyoid bone. If you want the details, which I don't like thinking about, you can find them at http://www.ent-surgery.com.au/thyroid/thyroglossal-duct-cyst-surgery-sistrunk-procedure.
The procedure they're going to be doing is called the Sistrunk Procedure, and it involves removing the cyst, and if the duct is still present, they'll take that out as well, which involves removing part of the hyoid bone. If you want the details, which I don't like thinking about, you can find them at http://www.ent-surgery.com.au/thyroid/thyroglossal-duct-cyst-surgery-sistrunk-procedure.
Sunday, January 05, 2014
The Nomadic Delirium Press Bookstore
Nomadic Delirium Press now has a bookstore. You can find all of their print and e-books there, including a number of titles that I've written or edited.
Please check it out at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop.
Please check it out at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop.
Saturday, January 04, 2014
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector Three (Melanathee Space)
The new supplement for the Ephemeris RPG with the very long name is now available. This started out as a very daunting task, but once I started working on it, I found it to be a lot of fun, and the creativity just flowed...so it's available a lot earlier than we'd expected.
Here's what you can expect:
Here's what you can expect:
Friday, January 03, 2014
A glimpse of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica
I've been working on the first volume of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica for a bit now, and I'm happy to say that in the next few days, players and game masters will be able to get their hands on it.
What can they expect from it?
Here's a glimpse of a couple of the entries. Keep in mind, these were taken from the first draft of the supplement, and they have changed slightly, but hopefully they'll be enough of a tease...
What can they expect from it?
Here's a glimpse of a couple of the entries. Keep in mind, these were taken from the first draft of the supplement, and they have changed slightly, but hopefully they'll be enough of a tease...
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
14 days of '14
For the first 14 days of the New Year, Nomadic Delirium Press will be putting a different e-book on sale each day. To keep track of what's going on sale each day, you just need to visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nomadicdeliriumpress.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The year in review
2013 is about to end, and like every year, this has been a year of ups and downs. The biggest downs we saw were the passing of my grandmother towards the beginning of the year, and then the passing of my brother-in-law Chris, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, just before Christmas.
Another big down we faced, and will continue to face in the year to come is the fact that our three year old Alexis will need surgery some time early in the year. It's not a major surgery, but any time they're going to cut into your child, especially a small child, is quite scary.
The year was also filled with quite a few ups. The biggest being our decision for me to leave my "real" job, and go back to working at home. Even though it has put a huge financial strain on us, it has been good in every other way. I no longer bring home the stress of being the "store bitch," which is basically what I'd become. I also have more time to write, edit, and create games, and I also have more time for the kids. We're already starting to see a change in their behaviors now that there's a little consistency as to who they're going to be seeing each day at home. My staying at home also takes a lot of stress off of Rebecca. She can now focus on just working, while I take care of the cooking and cleaning at home. Some people might say that being a stay-at-home dad is not manly, but if you ask me, there's nothing more manly than doing what's best for your wife and kids.
Some other big ups are that I'm starting to write a lot more and I'm having a lot of time to develop supplements for the Ephemeris RPG. I've also started working hard on getting Nomadic Delirium Press up off of the ground, and we're starting to see an increase in sales and submissions to the various publications.
As always, it's been a mixed year, but I'm looking forward to 2014. I have a good feeling for the year to come...I just hope I'm right.
Another big down we faced, and will continue to face in the year to come is the fact that our three year old Alexis will need surgery some time early in the year. It's not a major surgery, but any time they're going to cut into your child, especially a small child, is quite scary.
The year was also filled with quite a few ups. The biggest being our decision for me to leave my "real" job, and go back to working at home. Even though it has put a huge financial strain on us, it has been good in every other way. I no longer bring home the stress of being the "store bitch," which is basically what I'd become. I also have more time to write, edit, and create games, and I also have more time for the kids. We're already starting to see a change in their behaviors now that there's a little consistency as to who they're going to be seeing each day at home. My staying at home also takes a lot of stress off of Rebecca. She can now focus on just working, while I take care of the cooking and cleaning at home. Some people might say that being a stay-at-home dad is not manly, but if you ask me, there's nothing more manly than doing what's best for your wife and kids.
Some other big ups are that I'm starting to write a lot more and I'm having a lot of time to develop supplements for the Ephemeris RPG. I've also started working hard on getting Nomadic Delirium Press up off of the ground, and we're starting to see an increase in sales and submissions to the various publications.
As always, it's been a mixed year, but I'm looking forward to 2014. I have a good feeling for the year to come...I just hope I'm right.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The first volme of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica
I've just put the finishing touches on the first draft of the first volume of the Encyclopedia. There's still a lot of work to be done, however. The goal of this draft was to just get the very basics down for each star system. Now I'll have to go through and expand on what's already there, and put in some rule notes so that game masters can better tie the information into their games.
No matter what, anyone that is interested in the Melanathee from the Ephemeris RPG should really enjoy this, as it will give them a much better idea of what to do with their sector of space.
No matter what, anyone that is interested in the Melanathee from the Ephemeris RPG should really enjoy this, as it will give them a much better idea of what to do with their sector of space.
The Nomadic Delirium blog
Nomadic Delirium Press now has a blog. There you'll be able to learn about publications that are planned, publications that have been released, and whatever else they feel like posting.
You can find it at http://nomadicdelirium.wordpress.com/.
You can find it at http://nomadicdelirium.wordpress.com/.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Working on the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica
I'm having a blast working on the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. When I first conceived of the idea, I wasn't sure if it was going to be as much fun as I hoped it would...but it is. When I first came up with the idea for the Ephemeris RPG, I wanted to make it as hard SF as I could. Granted, I had to use hyperspace to make it playable, but for the most part, I wanted things to be based on real science, or at least conceivable science.
When I started working on this project, I wanted to continue that. So all of the star systems that will be listed in the Encyclopedia are real star systems. And when possible, I've tried to use real planets that we know are there. Even when I've introduced something that is out of the ordinary, I've tried basing it in science.
To me, this makes the game that much more fun. I may be alone in that feeling, but I've always liked science fiction over science fantasy. When I designed the game, I didn't want it to be Dungeons & Dragons in space...and I hope I've succeeded in that.
When I started working on this project, I wanted to continue that. So all of the star systems that will be listed in the Encyclopedia are real star systems. And when possible, I've tried to use real planets that we know are there. Even when I've introduced something that is out of the ordinary, I've tried basing it in science.
To me, this makes the game that much more fun. I may be alone in that feeling, but I've always liked science fiction over science fantasy. When I designed the game, I didn't want it to be Dungeons & Dragons in space...and I hope I've succeeded in that.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
I love these productive days
Days like today are what make me happy that I left my "real" job. I just about finished up an editing project for a publisher that I'm working with for the first time. In addition, I reworked the short story I finished a few days ago. I think it still needs a little more work, but I hope to have it done very soon. As if that wasn't enough, I added many pages of research to the first volume of the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica, and I'm now ready to sit down and actually start writing the thing.
Yes, it was a very productive day. I'm hoping to have many more like this in the days to come,
Yes, it was a very productive day. I'm hoping to have many more like this in the days to come,
Saturday, December 14, 2013
The Nomadic Delirium Press 12 Days of Christmas
Nomadic Delirium Press is running specials on their titles during the 12 days of Christmas. Each day, a different tile will be on sale. Some of these will be books I've written, magazines I've edited, or RPGs I've designed. Others will be from other authors and editors.
For updates, you just need to go to their Facebook page.
Check back every day for that day's sale.
For updates, you just need to go to their Facebook page.
Check back every day for that day's sale.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
A new story
I just finished the rough draft of a new story. This is the first unsolicited short story that I've written in quite a while, so it's a very good feeling. My skills are still a bit rusty, so it will take several re-writes, but I'm fairly happy with the way this one turned out, even if it went a completely different direction than I'd expected. A lot of times, however, some of my best stories actually are the ones that seem to have a mind of their own.
I hope to have it ready to go, and actually start submitting it before Christmas.
Now for the next story...
I hope to have it ready to go, and actually start submitting it before Christmas.
Now for the next story...
Sunday, December 08, 2013
The words are starting to flow
Three weeks after escaping the "real" work world, the words are really starting to flow for me. I'm not quite back to the point where I could sit down and crank out 5,000 words in one session, but they are flowing the best that they have in many years.
Right now, I'm focusing on cranking out some short stories to kind of get my chops tuned back up, but then I hope to get back into the novels, while still keeping the short stories going.
No matter what, it's a good feeling, and I think once the holiday season is over, things will start to flow even more.
Right now, I'm focusing on cranking out some short stories to kind of get my chops tuned back up, but then I hope to get back into the novels, while still keeping the short stories going.
No matter what, it's a good feeling, and I think once the holiday season is over, things will start to flow even more.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
November recap
It seems like I've started posting more now that I'm no longer trapped in a dismal "real" job. Look for even more posts in the month to come...
I have some big news
The big news
Happy third birthday!
I'm free!
Keeping myself busy
Submitting reprints
Holiday deals featuring my stuff
I have some big news
The big news
Happy third birthday!
I'm free!
Keeping myself busy
Submitting reprints
Holiday deals featuring my stuff
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Holiday deals featuring my stuff
There are two e-book deals from Nomadic Delirium that feature some of my work. First of all, there's the fiction bundle, which has one of my novels, two short story collections, and three titles that I edited. In total, you get 10 titles for $10. Simply go to http://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/65958/2013-NDP-Holiday-fiction-special-%5BBUNDLE%5D?manufacturers_id=2805.
Secondly, you can get e-book versions of both of the RPGS that I created for just $6.50. That's Ephemeris and The Battle for Turtle Island. Just go to http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/122758/2013-NDP-Holiday-gaming-special-%5BBUNDLE%5D.
Both of these deals last through Cyber Monday.
Secondly, you can get e-book versions of both of the RPGS that I created for just $6.50. That's Ephemeris and The Battle for Turtle Island. Just go to http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/122758/2013-NDP-Holiday-gaming-special-%5BBUNDLE%5D.
Both of these deals last through Cyber Monday.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Submitting reprints
As I'm slowly getting back into the swing of working at home, I've started researching markets that accept reprints. I've found a few that are actually open to submissions, so I sent off some stories yesterday. It felt good. I haven't submitted an un-solicted story in quite some time, so it was nice to get back to it.
Hopefully once Thanksgiving is over, I'll be throwing myself into writing some short stories I've been thinking about, and also get to work on one of the novels I've started.
Overall, working at home is MUCH better than working in the "real" world.
Hopefully once Thanksgiving is over, I'll be throwing myself into writing some short stories I've been thinking about, and also get to work on one of the novels I've started.
Overall, working at home is MUCH better than working in the "real" world.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Keeping myself busy
Now that I'm free of the "real" world work, and working at home, I'm keeping myself quite busy. I've started on a series of supplements for the Ephemeris game that will focus on the sectors of space used by each of the species. I'm tentatively calling it the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica. I've also been doing a lot of editing, and formatting of zines and books. I'm working on some new ideas that I might use for books or magazines for Nomadic Delirium Press, and I'm even doing some writing.
I'm also loving having time with the kids and Rebecca. The little one has been so thrilled to have me home with her every day.
Now, I need to get back to work.
I'm also loving having time with the kids and Rebecca. The little one has been so thrilled to have me home with her every day.
Now, I need to get back to work.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
I'm free!
Today was my last day at the "real" job, and it couldn't have come soon enough. I was really tired of people not doing their share of the work, and then catching crap from so called "superiors" when I busted my ass day in and day out.
Hopefully this will work out for us, but I suppose I'd better get to writing...
Hopefully this will work out for us, but I suppose I'd better get to writing...
Friday, November 08, 2013
Happy third birthday
Today is Alexis' third birthday. It's hard to believe that she's turning three. In some ways it seems like she's been with us for so long, but in other ways, it seems like she was just born yesterday.
It's amazing what a little person she's become. She's already trying to read (although with no success), and she often seems desperate to learn everything. There are so many things about her that remind me of myself, and there are also so many things that remind me of my wonderful wife.
We're so happy to have her in our life, and we're looking forward to seeing how much she grows over the year to come.
It's amazing what a little person she's become. She's already trying to read (although with no success), and she often seems desperate to learn everything. There are so many things about her that remind me of myself, and there are also so many things that remind me of my wonderful wife.
We're so happy to have her in our life, and we're looking forward to seeing how much she grows over the year to come.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
The big news
Given the wild speculation going on on Facebook, perhaps this news isn't as big as I'd originally thought. No, we are not expecting. The no-longer-not-so-big-news is that I gave my two weeks notice at my "real" job. I was pretty much tired of having to do extra work because others were either lazy or incompetent, and I was also tired of catching hell for things not being done, when I was busting my butt. So, we talked it over, and I decided to leave.
I will be working as a stay at home dad now, while I'm also working on writing, editing, and publishing. Money is going to be much tighter for us, but we're going to do everything we can to save every penny and try to make this work.
Other than the loss of money, everything else about this arrangement will work out better for us. So, hopefully I will be writing some stories and books that will bring in a lot of money, and hopefully Nomadic Delirium Press will be publishing stories and books that will do the same...
I will be working as a stay at home dad now, while I'm also working on writing, editing, and publishing. Money is going to be much tighter for us, but we're going to do everything we can to save every penny and try to make this work.
Other than the loss of money, everything else about this arrangement will work out better for us. So, hopefully I will be writing some stories and books that will bring in a lot of money, and hopefully Nomadic Delirium Press will be publishing stories and books that will do the same...
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Friday, November 01, 2013
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