There are only a few spots left!
In 2006, Sam’s Dot Publishing released an anthology about the effects of global climate change on humanity called Ecotastrophe.
Now that it’s been more than ten years since the release, and global
climate change still seems a possible threat to humanity, Nomadic
Delirium Press has decided to release Ecotastrophe II. Like the original collection, this one will be edited by J Alan Erwine.
What we’re looking for: We
want science fiction stories between 3,000 and 10,000 words that look
at the effects of global climate change (preferably the extreme effects)
on humanity and the other creatures of Earth. We’re not looking for
stories about the change, but rather the effects of the change.
Although we’d love to have a lot of stories that look at the hard
science of climate change, we also want stories that look at the soft
sciences. It’s important that the stories focus on the people, rather
than the science, but we still want the science to be plausible.
What we’re paying: We
will pay $10 for first rights to any story. We will also pay two
contributor copies. If possible, we will increase this payment…but we
can’t guarantee that.
Poetry Submissions: We've
decided that we will be accepting four, and only four, poems for this
collection. They must meet the same criteria as story submissions, and
we will pay $5 per poem for first rights, plus one contributor's copy.
Please keep in mind that we will only accept one poem per poet.
Where to send your little gems:
All submissions should be sent to editor (at) nomadicdeliriumpress
(dot) com. Your subject should be “Ecotastrophe Submission”.
Response times: We will respond to all submissions within two months.
Other questions: If you have any other questions, please send them to the submission address.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Thursday, May 11, 2017
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sector 45 (Alexan Space)
The exploration of “Deep Space” continues.
Welcome to Sector Forty-Five, the home system of the Alexans. Here you’ll find their homeworld, and many of the worlds they’ve colonized. You’ll also find worlds that have been conquered by the Khruntha, and worlds that even the Alexans and the Khruntha won’t get close to.
The Alexans want to be a peaceful species, but some of these systems show that they are clearly preparing for war.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-45-alexan-space/
Welcome to Sector Forty-Five, the home system of the Alexans. Here you’ll find their homeworld, and many of the worlds they’ve colonized. You’ll also find worlds that have been conquered by the Khruntha, and worlds that even the Alexans and the Khruntha won’t get close to.
The Alexans want to be a peaceful species, but some of these systems show that they are clearly preparing for war.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-45-alexan-space/
Saturday, May 06, 2017
Divided States of America sale
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
For the rest of the month, save 25% off of any of our Divided States of America stories. Simply go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop, pick out the Divided States stories you want and use the coupon code "dsa" at checkout.
There are six stories so far:
The Dustbin by Tyree Cambpell
The Wall is Beautiful by Mike Morgan
Green in 2110 by Debby Feo
It's in the Water by J Alan Erwine
What Lies in the Wastelands by Ian Brazee-Cannon
Calivada Dreaming by Debby Feo
For the rest of the month, save 25% off of any of our Divided States of America stories. Simply go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop, pick out the Divided States stories you want and use the coupon code "dsa" at checkout.
There are six stories so far:
The Dustbin by Tyree Cambpell
The Wall is Beautiful by Mike Morgan
Green in 2110 by Debby Feo
It's in the Water by J Alan Erwine
What Lies in the Wastelands by Ian Brazee-Cannon
Calivada Dreaming by Debby Feo
Monday, May 01, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Crazy pharmaceutical companies
Earlier this month we went to pick up one of Rebecca's prescriptions. A prescription that for the last six months, we had been paying $10 a month for. To our surprise, the prescription was $80 this time, and that's with our insurance. Apparently, the reason for this is the discount you can get from the pharmaceutical company only drops it to $10 for three months out of the year. The reason we got it for six straight months was because it was October-December of last year and January-March of this year...thus three months out of each year. There's no way we can afford that.
According to the pharmacy tech, the price for this prescription without insurance is over $1000 a month. Sorry, that's insane. I understand that it takes a great deal of time and money to get a new medication to market, and I have no problem with a company trying to recoup what they invested in time, research, trials, and everything else that goes into creating medications, but I can't seriously believe that they need to charge that much for a medication. They would have easily regained their investment long before a generic can be made of the drug. Given that this medication helps to dramatically reduce the possibility of her disease turning into cancer, the pharmaceutical company basically has her and others like her over a barrel. There are basically only two medications that are available to Rebecca due to the fact that she does not have a mild condition, and the other medication will greatly weaken her immune system, which isn't good considering we have three kids and she works in a hospital. Unfortunately, it looks like there is probably a generic available for this med, so most likely her doctor will have to switch her over to it.
So, now she has to risk getting sick from everything that she's exposed to because we can't afford the one medication. This is one of the many things that are wrong with healthcare in America. The pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies have way too much influence in everything that goes on with us. It's almost like they have the power of the Gods to decide who lives and who dies, and like so many things in America, it's the poor who suffer the most.
That's just beyond insane!
According to the pharmacy tech, the price for this prescription without insurance is over $1000 a month. Sorry, that's insane. I understand that it takes a great deal of time and money to get a new medication to market, and I have no problem with a company trying to recoup what they invested in time, research, trials, and everything else that goes into creating medications, but I can't seriously believe that they need to charge that much for a medication. They would have easily regained their investment long before a generic can be made of the drug. Given that this medication helps to dramatically reduce the possibility of her disease turning into cancer, the pharmaceutical company basically has her and others like her over a barrel. There are basically only two medications that are available to Rebecca due to the fact that she does not have a mild condition, and the other medication will greatly weaken her immune system, which isn't good considering we have three kids and she works in a hospital. Unfortunately, it looks like there is probably a generic available for this med, so most likely her doctor will have to switch her over to it.
So, now she has to risk getting sick from everything that she's exposed to because we can't afford the one medication. This is one of the many things that are wrong with healthcare in America. The pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies have way too much influence in everything that goes on with us. It's almost like they have the power of the Gods to decide who lives and who dies, and like so many things in America, it's the poor who suffer the most.
That's just beyond insane!
Friday, April 28, 2017
It's In the Water for free
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
We're offering five free e-copies of J Alan Erwine's "Divided States of America" story, "It's in the Water." The first five people to go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/its-in-the-water/ and use coupon code "dsa" at checkout get the e-story for free.
So, what are you waiting for...they'll go quick!
Richard hated being a corporate drone, but what else was there to be in Corprotopia? After losing his girlfriend to the government, Richard struggled with just surviving, but when he learns a deep secret, a secret of resistance, he suddenly finds a reason for his life…or does he?
We're offering five free e-copies of J Alan Erwine's "Divided States of America" story, "It's in the Water." The first five people to go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/its-in-the-water/ and use coupon code "dsa" at checkout get the e-story for free.
So, what are you waiting for...they'll go quick!
Richard hated being a corporate drone, but what else was there to be in Corprotopia? After losing his girlfriend to the government, Richard struggled with just surviving, but when he learns a deep secret, a secret of resistance, he suddenly finds a reason for his life…or does he?
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Two week sale
For the next two weeks, you can pick up e-titles from my store and save 50% off of your entire order. Simply go to http://www.jalanerwine.com/blog/shop and start ordering titles. When you're done, use the code "sale" at checkout to get your savings.
This includes stories, magazines, novels, anthologies, collections, and more. Basically, it includes almost everything that I've written or edited over the many years of my career.
So, order today, and be sure to tell all of your friends...
This includes stories, magazines, novels, anthologies, collections, and more. Basically, it includes almost everything that I've written or edited over the many years of my career.
So, order today, and be sure to tell all of your friends...
Monday, April 24, 2017
Why you should buy from the publisher
I'm not sure how it works with the large publishers, but with the small press, it's always best to buy your print and e-books directly from the publisher, as opposed to buying from an online retailer like that "A" store. The simple reason for this is money. Most small press publishers are doing it out of love...the majority of them don't make enough money to keep them from needing a day job, and the retailers, especially the "A" store take a big percentage from each sale.
As an example, at Nomadic Delirium Press we're now doing a line of stories around an idea I came up with called "The Divided States of America." Most of these shorter stories are selling for 99 cents, not an amount that's going to allow us or the authors to retire, but still, we're all in this to at least make a little pocket change. With the DSA stories, we have an agreement that we divide the profits in half. Nomadic Delirium takes half, and the author gets half. Now, if one of these stories sells through the NDP bookstore, the profit from that is usually around 66 cents. However, if one of these stories sells through a retailer, the profit is usually around 35 cents. Looking at one story, it's not a huge difference, but if 100 of these stories sell it starts to become significant, and if it's 1000 stories sold, then we're definitely talking about a big difference.
Now, if you take this up to an anthology that sells for $14.95 or a similar amount, you should suddenly be able to see the difference. Even if you just multiply 66 or 35 by 15, you can see that the publisher, and thus the author are making a lot more money when the sale goes through the publisher's store.
So, if you're thinking about buying from the small press, please think about buying directly from them...as opposed to going to one of THOSE sites...
As an example, at Nomadic Delirium Press we're now doing a line of stories around an idea I came up with called "The Divided States of America." Most of these shorter stories are selling for 99 cents, not an amount that's going to allow us or the authors to retire, but still, we're all in this to at least make a little pocket change. With the DSA stories, we have an agreement that we divide the profits in half. Nomadic Delirium takes half, and the author gets half. Now, if one of these stories sells through the NDP bookstore, the profit from that is usually around 66 cents. However, if one of these stories sells through a retailer, the profit is usually around 35 cents. Looking at one story, it's not a huge difference, but if 100 of these stories sell it starts to become significant, and if it's 1000 stories sold, then we're definitely talking about a big difference.
Now, if you take this up to an anthology that sells for $14.95 or a similar amount, you should suddenly be able to see the difference. Even if you just multiply 66 or 35 by 15, you can see that the publisher, and thus the author are making a lot more money when the sale goes through the publisher's store.
So, if you're thinking about buying from the small press, please think about buying directly from them...as opposed to going to one of THOSE sites...
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Calivada Dreaming
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
Our latest "Divided States of America" story is now available..."Calivada Dreaming" by Debby Feo.
Fred Selkerson has left the Green States of America to start his exploration of what had once been the United States. Along with his android assistant, Pat37, Fred heads south, where things are somewhat different, but still recognizable…and it’s not long before Fred finds himself Calivada Dreaming.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/calivada-dreaming/
Our latest "Divided States of America" story is now available..."Calivada Dreaming" by Debby Feo.
Fred Selkerson has left the Green States of America to start his exploration of what had once been the United States. Along with his android assistant, Pat37, Fred heads south, where things are somewhat different, but still recognizable…and it’s not long before Fred finds himself Calivada Dreaming.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/calivada-dreaming/
Friday, April 14, 2017
What Lies in the Wastelands
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
The newest title in The Divided States of America series is "What Lies In the Wastelands" by Ian Brazee-Cannon.
An exploration group from the Rocky Mountain States of America comes to the Wastelands to learn what they can, but when they’re captured by natives, they begin to wonder if their advanced technology can save them.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/what-lies-in-the-wastelands/
The newest title in The Divided States of America series is "What Lies In the Wastelands" by Ian Brazee-Cannon.
An exploration group from the Rocky Mountain States of America comes to the Wastelands to learn what they can, but when they’re captured by natives, they begin to wonder if their advanced technology can save them.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/what-lies-in-the-wastelands/
Saturday, April 01, 2017
March recap
GM'S Day sale
E-book week at Smashwords
Read a sample of the new issue of The Fifth Di...
The Divided States are here
Good news for Kindle readers
Green in 2110
Get the April 2017 issue of Spaceports early
Back issues for just 75 cents
It's In the Water
The Divided States of America Bundle #1
Divided States RPG
E-book week at Smashwords
Read a sample of the new issue of The Fifth Di...
The Divided States are here
Good news for Kindle readers
Green in 2110
Get the April 2017 issue of Spaceports early
Back issues for just 75 cents
It's In the Water
The Divided States of America Bundle #1
Divided States RPG
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Divided States RPG?
As many of you know, I'm spearheading a project at Nomadic Delirium Press called "The Divided States of America." As Tyree Campbell puts it, it's about the Balkanization of the United States. Basically, the US government slowly falls apart over time, and what we're left with is a bunch of nation-states. Since I came up with the project, I'd been thinking about creating an RPG based off of the idea, and now that the first four stories have been published, I'm thinking it might be a really good idea, since the authors have created some great stories.
And for those authors who have contributed to the project, or for those of you thinking about contributing, there will be profit sharing for all of you if we do go forward with this project.
And for those authors who have contributed to the project, or for those of you thinking about contributing, there will be profit sharing for all of you if we do go forward with this project.
Monday, March 27, 2017
The Divided States of America Bundle #1
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
This bundle brings you the first four stories of The Divided States of America for just $3.
You get “The Dustbin” by Tyree Campbell, “The Wall is Beautiful” by Mike Morgan, “Green in 2110” by Debby Feo, and “It’s In the Water” by J Alan Erwine.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-divided-states-of-america-bundle-1/
This bundle brings you the first four stories of The Divided States of America for just $3.
You get “The Dustbin” by Tyree Campbell, “The Wall is Beautiful” by Mike Morgan, “Green in 2110” by Debby Feo, and “It’s In the Water” by J Alan Erwine.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-divided-states-of-america-bundle-1/
Sunday, March 26, 2017
It's In the Water
My latest short story, "It's In the Water" is now available. This is part of Nomadic Delirium Press' project called "The Divided States of America," which looks at an America that has been torn apart and has become several separate nation states.
Richard hated being a corporate drone, but what else was there to be in Corprotopia? After losing his girlfriend to the government, Richard struggled with just surviving, but when he learns a deep secret, a secret of resistance, he suddenly finds a reason for his life…or does he?
Now available at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/its-in-the-water/.
Richard hated being a corporate drone, but what else was there to be in Corprotopia? After losing his girlfriend to the government, Richard struggled with just surviving, but when he learns a deep secret, a secret of resistance, he suddenly finds a reason for his life…or does he?
Now available at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/its-in-the-water/.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Back issues for just 75 cents
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
We've lowered the price on the 2013 and 2014 issues of The Fifth Di... and Spaceports & Spidersilk. You can download them from our bookstore for just 75 cents each. Go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop" target="_blank">
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop and start reading today.
We've lowered the price on the 2013 and 2014 issues of The Fifth Di... and Spaceports & Spidersilk. You can download them from our bookstore for just 75 cents each. Go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop" target="_blank">
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop and start reading today.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Get the April 2017 issue of Spaceports early
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
The April 2017 issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk won't officially be released until April 1st, but you can download it from our store today! And not only is it available early, but it's also available for just 75 cents! No fooling!
Like all of our titles, you can download it in EPUB or MOBI format, so get your copy today at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/spaceports-spidersilk-april-2017/
The April 2017 issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk won't officially be released until April 1st, but you can download it from our store today! And not only is it available early, but it's also available for just 75 cents! No fooling!
Like all of our titles, you can download it in EPUB or MOBI format, so get your copy today at http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/spaceports-spidersilk-april-2017/
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Green in 2110
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
Our third "Divided States of America" story is now available. We give you..."Green in 2110" by Debby Feo.
Fred Selkerson often heard his grandmother talk about how life had been different in the old United States, but he never understood, because all he knew was what life is like in the Green States of America. Now that he's approaching 18, maybe it was time for him to find out for himself…
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/green-in-2110/
Our third "Divided States of America" story is now available. We give you..."Green in 2110" by Debby Feo.
Fred Selkerson often heard his grandmother talk about how life had been different in the old United States, but he never understood, because all he knew was what life is like in the Green States of America. Now that he's approaching 18, maybe it was time for him to find out for himself…
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/green-in-2110/
Monday, March 20, 2017
Good news for Kindle users
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
We've now made all of our titles available in "mobi" format, which is the format used by the Kindle. Now, all you have to do is buy your favorite Nomadic Delirium titles, download the "mobi" format and transfer them to your Kindle...and you're ready to go.
Check out all of our titles at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
We've now made all of our titles available in "mobi" format, which is the format used by the Kindle. Now, all you have to do is buy your favorite Nomadic Delirium titles, download the "mobi" format and transfer them to your Kindle...and you're ready to go.
Check out all of our titles at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
Monday, March 13, 2017
The Divided States are here
Nomadic Delirium Press has released the first two stories in the "Divided States of America" series, which focuses on a future America that has broken into several independent countries.
The first two selections are...
The Dustbin by Tyree Campbell
Pierce had had enough. He’d finished his five year mission, and he was done…done with what was left of society, done with people, done with everything. He was ready to give up on all that was left of the United States until he meets Jenny Lee.
Suddenly, Pierce realizes there may still be things left to fight for.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-dustbin/
The Wall is Beautiful by Mike Morgan
Rick Moreno always felt out of place in the Republic of Texas. Being one of the few non-Anglos left in Texas left him facing racism and hatred, but he had to stay for his sick madre. He had to stay at a border patrol job that he hated, with a partner who hated him, but neither he, nor his Anglo partner Mitch are prepared for what they find, and what it might mean to each of them as individuals, and to the Republic of Texas.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-wall-is-beautiful/
The first two selections are...
The Dustbin by Tyree Campbell
Pierce had had enough. He’d finished his five year mission, and he was done…done with what was left of society, done with people, done with everything. He was ready to give up on all that was left of the United States until he meets Jenny Lee.
Suddenly, Pierce realizes there may still be things left to fight for.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-dustbin/
The Wall is Beautiful by Mike Morgan
Rick Moreno always felt out of place in the Republic of Texas. Being one of the few non-Anglos left in Texas left him facing racism and hatred, but he had to stay for his sick madre. He had to stay at a border patrol job that he hated, with a partner who hated him, but neither he, nor his Anglo partner Mitch are prepared for what they find, and what it might mean to each of them as individuals, and to the Republic of Texas.
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-wall-is-beautiful/
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Read a sample of the new issue of The Fifth Di...
Stop by http://www.nomadicdeliriumpress.com/tfdsample.htm and read a
sample of the new issue of The Fifth Di...
There's some great stuff in there!
There's some great stuff in there!
Sunday, March 05, 2017
E-book week at Smashwords
This is e-book week at Smashwords. You can save half off of my collections that are listed there. In addition, I've added some new freebies that will only be available this week! Find all of the titles at: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaerwine.
In addition, many of the titles I've been involved with at Nomadic Delirium Press are also available for up to 50% off at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/nomadicdelirium.
In addition, many of the titles I've been involved with at Nomadic Delirium Press are also available for up to 50% off at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/nomadicdelirium.
Friday, March 03, 2017
GM's Day Sale
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
For the next 10 days, you can save 30% off of a variety of Ephemeris products, as well as the core rulebook for The Battle for Turtle Island. The sale is going on at DriveThruRPG and you can order your titles at: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/rpg_gmsday.php?manufacturers_id=2805&filters=0_0_0_0_0_31817#selectpub
For the next 10 days, you can save 30% off of a variety of Ephemeris products, as well as the core rulebook for The Battle for Turtle Island. The sale is going on at DriveThruRPG and you can order your titles at: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/rpg_gmsday.php?manufacturers_id=2805&filters=0_0_0_0_0_31817#selectpub
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
The March issue of The Fifth Di... is now available
The March issue of The Fifth Di... is now available. Unfortunately,
due to a recent "upgrade" required by our webhost, we can no longer
upload e-books to our store. While we're working on this problem, you
can always order copies from https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/706648 or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBGFWXD. Print copies should be available from all of the usual sources in the days to come.
The March 2017 issue of The Fifth Di… starts yet another year of wonderful science fiction and fantasy fiction.
This issue brings you fiction from Daniel C. Smith, Melanie Rees, Kate Runnels, and Eamonn Murphy. These stories will have you questioning reality, questioning what’s right and wrong in the world, and maybe even questioning what we should tolerate as the world changes around us.
The March 2017 issue of The Fifth Di… starts yet another year of wonderful science fiction and fantasy fiction.
This issue brings you fiction from Daniel C. Smith, Melanie Rees, Kate Runnels, and Eamonn Murphy. These stories will have you questioning reality, questioning what’s right and wrong in the world, and maybe even questioning what we should tolerate as the world changes around us.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Refined Patreon page
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
Realizing that we tend to sell to two different groups of individuals...readers and gamers, we refined our rewards for becoming a patron on our Patreon page. This now allows you to pick between a fiction or RPG type of reward. It also makes it easier to pledge at a lower level to start getting rewards. We've also set two goals that we would love to achieve.
Please visit https://www.patreon.com/nomadicdeliriumpress and support us today. We have great things planned for the future, and with your help, we can make those things happen!
Realizing that we tend to sell to two different groups of individuals...readers and gamers, we refined our rewards for becoming a patron on our Patreon page. This now allows you to pick between a fiction or RPG type of reward. It also makes it easier to pledge at a lower level to start getting rewards. We've also set two goals that we would love to achieve.
Please visit https://www.patreon.com/nomadicdeliriumpress and support us today. We have great things planned for the future, and with your help, we can make those things happen!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Feedback on the NDP Patreon
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
Our Patreon page has been up and running for a while, and we'd like to ask people for feedback. Specifically, do you think the rewards are fair? Also, do you think that maybe we should divide up the rewards between fiction and RPGs? Any other feedback would also be appreciated.
Please check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/nomadicdeliriumpress
Our Patreon page has been up and running for a while, and we'd like to ask people for feedback. Specifically, do you think the rewards are fair? Also, do you think that maybe we should divide up the rewards between fiction and RPGs? Any other feedback would also be appreciated.
Please check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/nomadicdeliriumpress
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Long silence
I've still been having computer problems, and on top of that, I've picked up some nasty virus that has been making me beyond miserable for more than a week now. That is the biggest reason for the long silence of the blog. I am slowly recovering, and hopefully the computer will be too, so you can expect more promotional posts as well as my usual crankiness to return soon.
I have quite a bit to say about politics...but that will have to wait...
I have quite a bit to say about politics...but that will have to wait...
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
January recap
I did very little blogging this month...in fact I did very little of anything when it comes to work because I've been having major computer problems. Hopefully they'll resolve soon...
Childishness and Science Fiction
The Best of Both Worlds at Amazon
Where to from here?
Childishness and Science Fiction
The Best of Both Worlds at Amazon
Where to from here?
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Where to from here?
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...
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...
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.
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