A surprise in your e-mail every month?

 Everyone likes the surprise of a blind pack, or the surprise of the mystery boxes where you don't know what science fiction item, or Harry Potter trinkets, or whatever you might be getting that month, right? Well, what about a surprise e-book in your mail box every month?

That's right, for just $2 a month, you can get a random e-book delivered from me every month. This could be a novel, an RPG, a short story collection, or even an anthology I've edited. Sounds like a great deal, right? So head over to https://app.gumroad.com/products/bsdkq/edit and start your subscription today.

Aliens and Alien Societies

 

I've decided to start posting about books that have had some kind of influence on me. They might be novels, short story collections, non-fiction books on writing, politics, or books that have just had some kind of emotional impact on me. These will be posted at infrequent intervals...just pretty much whenever I feel like posting them...but it might be a nice break from all of the promotional posts.

This is a book that is an almost must-have for any science fiction authors that want to write about aliens, because let's face it, science fiction readers love to catch authors up in mistakes they might make. There are other books on this subject, but this one is written by Stanley Schmidt and edited by Ben Bova...and any science fiction author should know that they are giants in the field, and so the book deserves some respect just for their names being on it.

The book looks at developing aliens and their societies starting with evolution and moving on from there. The book is a bit science and math heavy, but most science fiction writers should be able to understand it, since let's face it, if you're writing SF, you need to know your science.

Throughout the book, Schmidt uses examples in fiction that demonstrate the concepts he's talking about, and the book features an extensive reference listing at the end that will allow writers to dive even deeper into some of the subjects. The book was written in 1995, so some of the science is a bit dated, but that doesn't take away from the great information that the book will give you.

As a curious aside, you all know that I'm an editor as well as an author, so it shouldn't be a surprise that when I read something, I also read it with my editor's hat on, and I did catch several typos in the book. It does nothing to take away from the book, but if these can get past the likes of Stanley Schmidt and Ben Bova, then it makes me feel better about some of the typos I've missed over the years.

To pick up a copy of the book, head to https://amzn.to/42OuYhP

A Problem in Translation is the Deal of the Day

 

DriveThruFiction has selected A Problem in Translation as the deal of the day for today. A science fiction novel that is normally priced at $2.99 can be yours for just $1.50. Download it today at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/306999

Humanity's first contact with an alien species, the Lemec, is complicated by the fact that the aliens don't use an entirely verbal language…not only that, but the other aliens in their "domain" seem to worship the Lemec as some type of gods, and as they seem to anticipate every move that Captain Shiro Takahashi and his crew make, humanity begins to think that maybe the other aliens know something that they don't.

Hello there

 

Did I just quote Obi-Wan Kenobi? Why, yes, I did. Every once in a while, I figure it's a good idea to introduce myself to some of the people that have found this blog more recently...that way they don't have to go digging through old blog posts to try to figure out exactly who J Alan Erwine is.

So, who am I? I'm a science fiction author and editor, and I'm also a role playing game designer. I've dabbled in fantasy fiction and horror fiction, but science fiction is definitely my main genre. As an author I once had a reviewer refer to me (and I'm paraphrasing) as having the voice of one of the classic science fiction authors, but without the issues of the classic authors. My guess is that they meant that my voice is similar to that of Asimov, Heinlein, or Clarke (which isn't a surprise since they were such a huge influence on me), but that I have a more modern way of writing. And this isn't meaning that they were trying to say (or that I'm trying to say) that I'm as good as those authors. I just think they meant a modern version of their style...but who am I to interpret book reviewers.

As far as my role playing games, I've created, or helped to create three different games...Ephemeris, The Battle for Turtle Island, and Rocks on the Other side. The first is a science fiction game, the second is an historical fantasy game, and the third is a post-apocalyptic game.

If you're interested in checking out my work, you can find it just about anywhere that science fiction is sold, but here are a few places you can check first...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J-Alan-Erwine/author/B0035AMA0A

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaerwine

DriveThruFiction: https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/16618/J-Alan-Erwine

Gumroad: https://jalanerwine.gumroad.com/

Ecotastrophe II will be the deal of the day

 

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For the next 24 hours, Ecotastrophe II is available from DriveThruFiction for 50% off. That means you can download it for just $2.

More than a decade ago, Sam’s Dot Publishing released a small anthology titled Ecotastrophe that looked at the dangers posed by global climate change.

Now, the planet seems in even greater peril, and maybe we are facing Ecotastrophe, but is there time to save ourselves?

Ecotastrophe II features startling fiction from Tyree Campbell, Dan Rice, Melanie Rees, Robert J. Mendenhall, Gustavo Bondoni, and Mike Adamson.

Order now!: https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/216111

 

May's Bestseller

 

Although I don't have access to all of my sales each month until down the road, I can usually still get a good idea of what my bestselling title in each month was, so I'm going to start posting that each month. Not sure why...just think it's fun to keep track of...

The bestseller for May 2023 was my Tales of the Earth and Moon.

Seven stories from award winning science fiction author J Alan Erwine that explore the future of both the Earth and the Moon.
Stranded astronauts, intelligent dolphins being used by the government, a soldier struggling with orders he knows he shouldn’t have followed, lovers waiting for the end of the world, politics even dirtier than what we’re seeing in the modern world (maybe), a man resurrected because he wanted to see the future, but now feeling very much alone, and manipulation on the moon.
These are the stories that are waiting for you in this collection.

Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GNC59GS

Order from Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/641482

Order from DriveThruFiction: https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/313303

The Opium of the People is the Deal of the Day

 

For the next 24 hours, you can download my novel The Opium of the People from DriveThruFiction for just $1.50. That's 50% off the usual price. Download it while the sale lasts at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/306903

The U.S. government has been overthrown! After a near-miss of a giant comet, the American people fall under the control of a radical right-wing fundamentalist Christian government, ruled by the Grand Patriarchs, that slowly strips away their freedoms and establishes a rule of law that even Hitler couldn't have dreamed up. Forced into virtual seclusion, Edward Silverberg, a former professor, finds himself on a path that will lead to either his destruction, or the destruction of the Grand Patriarchs…or maybe both.

Time to play

 

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

Looking for a new role playing game? How about Rocks on the Other Side? If you like post-apocalyptic RPGs, we're pretty sure you'll like this one, and you can download all everything that has been created for the game for just $12.00. You get the core rules, Rocco's Weapon Shop, and Civilization Memorial Hospital. Rocco introduces you to all kinds of new weapons your characters can use, and Civilization Memorial Hospital gives you a low level adventure to start your characters off on. You get all of that for just $12.

Head over to https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/437580 and download everything, and you can spend Memorial Day gaming with your family.

 

You can only taste the madness for a limited time

 

For only a very brief period, my short story collection, A Taste of the Madness Vol. 2, will be available from Amazon...and during this brief period, it's available for free to Kindle Unlimited members. So take advantage of this sale while you can, and head over to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Y63ZNY and download your copy today.

Reviews?

My book sales have increased over the last few months, and I'm really hoping that those of you that have read my books have enjoyed them. Now, I would like to ask that if you have enjoyed the books, PLEASE review them. Book reviews are the best way for an author to increase their sales, and most markets will promote the books more based on the number of reviews they've had...which also increases sales.

Tales of the Earth and Moon is the deal of the day

 

For the next 24 hours, you can get my Tales of the Earth and Moon for half off at DriveThruFiction. That means you can download the collection for just $1.50 and you can start reading immediately.

Head over to https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/313303 and download your copy today!

The Complete Rocks on the Other Side Bundle

 

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

So far, we've released three titles for the Rocks on the Other Side RPG. The core rulebook, Rocco's Weapons Shop, and Civilization Memorial Hospital. Now you can get all three titles together for 25% off from DriveThruRPG at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/437580

Have you had your second taste of madness yet?

Have you had your second taste of madness yet? Six of my short stories in one collection that will only be available from Amazon for a very brief amount of time...and best of all...if you're a Kindle Unlimited member, you can read it for free!

So, head over to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Y63ZNY and start reading today.

 

There's still time to start reading

 

From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:

The DriveThruFiction 25% off sale is still running, so you can download many of our titles today, and start reading immediately. You can save on novels, collections, anthologies, zines, and short stories. Head over to https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805 and start reading today!

 

Still looking for some freelance work

The search for a "real" job to replace the stupid job has been difficult. I'm looking to start working from home so that we can remove my daughter from public school...just getting too dangerous.

As I search for work, I'm still looking to line up some freelance editing or writing, so if you're looking for help with your project or projects, I'm here. You know how to reach me...

It would be great to line up enough work that I could do nothing but freelance editing and writing...but that may be asking too much...

Civilization Memorial Hospital

 

At the edge of a small town, lies a small hospital that is now ironically known as Civilization Memorial Hospital. Before the war, it had a different name, but that name no longer matters. A Rocks on the Other Side RPG adventure designed for 4-6 characters of 1^st-4^th level that will take the characters into the remnants of a hospital. One section is run by medical personnel that are trying to bring back civilization, while another section has been taken over by bandits, and of course, the third section of the hospital has been overrun by undead. A definite challenge for any novice party.

Order from DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/436615

Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47YRZ93

Order from Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1389859

Massive fiction sale

 

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For the next two weeks, you can save 25% off of all of our fiction titles at DriveThruFiction. This includes novels, anthologies, collections, zines, and even short stories. So whatever you've been waiting to buy...now's the time.

Head over to DriveThruFiction at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805 and start downloading today.

 

A Taste of the Madness Vol. 2

 

Now is your chance to get the next volume in my Taste of the Madness collection. As with Vol. 1, this collection will only be available for three months, and if you're a Kindle Unlimited member, it's available for free. So head over to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Y63ZNY and start reading today.

 

Almost out of time

 

You've almost run out of time to save 50% off of my titles at DriveThruFiction. That means you can download novels, collections, and even individual short stories for 50% off, but only for a couple more days, so you'd better hurry over to https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/16618 and buy everything you want right away.

Have you saved yet?

 

You still have time to save 50% off of my titles. This includes novels, short story collections, and even individual short stories...yes, you can read a short story for just 50 cents. You can't beat that. Head over to DriveThruFiction and save today: https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/16618/