Monday, 3 October 2011

Books Received in September 2011

With Fate Conspire - Marie Brennan
Marie Brennan returns to the Onyx Court, a fairy city hidden below Queen Victoria's London. Now the Onyx Court faces its greatest challenge.

Seven years ago, Eliza's childhood sweetheart vanished from the streets of Whitechapel. No one believed her when she told them that he was stolen away by the faeries.

But she hasn't given up the search. It will lead her across London and into the hidden palace that gives refuge to faeries in the mortal world. That refuge is now crumbling, broken by the iron ofthe underground railway, and the resulting chaos spills over to the streets above.

Three centuries of the Onyx Court are about to come to an end. Without the palace's protection, the fae have little choice but to flee. Those who stay have one goal: to find safety in a city that does not welcome them. But what price will the mortals of London pay for that safety?

Spellbound - Blake Charlton
In a world where one's magical prowess is determined by one's skill with words and ability to spell, Nicodemus is a wizardly apprentice afflicted by a curse that causes him to misspell magical texts. Now, the demon who cursed him has hatched a conspiracy to force Nicodemus to change language and ultimately use it to destroy all human life. As Nico tries to thwart the demon's plan, he faces challenges from all sides. But his biggest challenge is his own disability, which causes him to create chaos wherever he goes. And the chaos surrounding Nico is affecting the world so profoundly that the kingdom to which he has fled to gather strength is on the brink of civil war, and he suspects that his closest allies-even Francesca, whom he loves more than life itself-may be subject to the demon's vast powers. As Nico tries to forestall the apocalypse,he realizes that he doesn't know if he can fully trust anyone, not even the woman he loves. And if he makes one wrong move, not only will his life be forfeit, he may end up destroying all mortal life as well.

Introducing new twists to the unique magical system of Spellwright, and exploring issues that will bring readers a deeper appreciation of a fascinating world, Spellbound is sure to please Blake Charlton''s fans and increase their number.

Dark Eden - Patrick Carman
Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . .What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?
Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and ultimately immortality.


Before I Go To Sleep - S. J. Watson
Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man.
She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle-aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old,and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.

But it's the phone call from a Dr. Nash, a neurologist who claims to be working with Christine without her husband's knowledge, that directs her to her journal, hidden in the back ofher closet. For the past few weeks, Christine has been recording her daily activities -- tearful mornings with Ben, sessions with Dr. Nash, flashes of scenes from her former life -- and rereading past entries, relearning the facts of her life as retold by the husband she is completely dependent upon. As the entries build up,Christine asks many questions. What was life like before the accident? Why did she and Ben never have a child? What has happened to Christine's best friend? And what exactly was the horrific accident that caused such a profound loss of memory?

Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more unbelievable it seems.

The Prague Cemetery - Umberto Eco (via NetGalley)
Nineteenth-century Europe-from Turin to Prague to Paris-aboundswith the ghastly and the mysterious. Conspiracies rule history. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. Italian republicans strangle priests with their ownntestines. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate Black Masses at night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. From the unification of Italy to the Paris Commune to the Dreyfus Affair to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Europe is in tumult and everyone needs a scapegoat. But what if, behind all of these conspiracies both real andimagined, lay one lone man? What if that evil genius created itsmost infamous document?

Eco takes his readers on an unforgettable journey through theunderbelly of world-shattering events. Eco at his most exciting, abook immediately hailed as a masterpiece.
Translated from the Italian by Richard Dixon.
The Moon Maze Gaze - Larry Niven & Steven Barnes

The Year: 2085.  Humanity has spread throughout the solar system.  A stable lunar colony is agitating for independence.  Lunar tourism is on the rise...

Against this background, professional "Close Protection" specialist Scotty Griffin, fresh off a disastrous assignment, is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to shepherd the teenaged heir to the Republic of Kikaya on a fabulous vacation.  Ali Kikaya will participate in the first live action role playing game conducted on the Moon itself.  Having left Luna--and a treasured marriage--years ago due to a near-tragic accident, Scotty leaps at the opportunity.

Live Action Role Playing attracts a very special sort of individual: brilliant, unpredictable, resourceful, and addicted to problem solving.  By kidnapping a dozen gamers in the middle of the ultimate game, watched by more people than any othersporting event in history, they have thrown down an irresistible gauntlet: to "win" the first game that ever became "real." Pursued by armed and murderous terrorists, forced to solve gaming puzzles to stay a jump ahead, forced to juggle multiple psychological realities as they do...this is the game for which  they've prepared  their entire lives, and they are going to play it for all it's worth.
 
Children of Paranoia - Trevor Shane 
ALL WARS HAVE RULES

Rule Number One: No killing innocent bystanders.

Rule Number Two: No killing anyone under the age of eighteen.

BREAK THE RULES, BECOME THE TARGET

Since the age of eighteen, Joseph has been assassinating people on behalf of a cause that he believes in but doesn't fully understand. The War is ageless, hidden in the shadows, governed by a rigid set of rules, and fought by two distinct sides-one good,one evil. The only unknown is which side is which. Soldiers in the War hide in plain sight, their deeds disguised as accidents or random acts of violence amidst an unsuspecting population ignorantof the brutality that is always inches away.

Killing people is the only life Joseph has ever known, and he's one of the best at it. But when a job goes wrong and he's sent away to complete a punishingly dangerous assignment, Joseph meets a girl named Maria, and for the first time in his life his single minded,bloody purpose fades away.

Before Maria, Joseph's only responsibility was dealing death to the anonymous targets fingered by his superiors. Now he must run from the people who have fought by his side to save what he loves most in this world. As "Children of Paranoia" reaches its heart-in-throat climax, Joseph will learn that only one rule remains immutable: the only thing more dangerous than fighting the War...is leaving it.

Saturday, 1 October 2011

Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Coming in November, 2011

This list is compiled using the Chapters/Indigo website and therefore indicate Canadian release dates for books.  If I've missed a title, mention it in the comments and I'll add it to the list.


Hardcover:

Dr. Who: The Silent Stars Go By – Dan Abnett
Stone Spring – Stephen Baxter
Warhammer 40K: The Emperor's Will – Jon Blanche
Stands a Shadow – Col Buchanan
Spellbound – Larry Correia
A Fighting Chance – William Dietz
When the Saints – Dave Duncan
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan – Drew Karpyshyn
Warhammer: Blood of Aenarion – William King
Endurance – Jay Lake
The Extraterrestrial Compendium – Pat Lee
Firebird – Jack McDevitt
Hitchers – Will McIntosh
Scholar – L. E. Modesitt, Jr. 
Snuff – Terry Pratchett
The Alloy of Law – Brandon Sanderson
Hobbit & LOTR box set (75th Anniversary Edition) – J. R. R. Tolkien
Hobbit Facsimile First Edition box set (75th Anniversary Edition) – J. R. R. Tolkien
Mr. Bliss – J. R. R. Tolkien
The Laughing Magician – Jack Vance
Wolf Among the Stars – Steve White
I, Robot – Reichert Mikey Zucker

Trade Paperback:

Light Speed: Year One – John Joseph Adams, Ed.
Genesis – Bernard Beckett
Automaton – C. L. Davies
The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow – Cory Doctorow
The Human Blend – Alan Dean Foster
New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird – Paula Guran
The Revenge of the Dwarves – Markus Heitz
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon – Mark Hodder
The Multiplex Man – James Hogan
Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriot – Project Itoh
Kafkaesque: Stories Inspired by Franz Kafka – John Kessel & James Patrick Kelly, Ed.
Shadowlaw – Scott Kester
Legends of the Dragonrealm – Richard Knaak
Enormity – W. G. Marshall
Pathfinder Tales: Song of the Serpent – Hugh Matthews
Hearts of Smoke and Steam – Andrew Mayer
The Book of Heroes – Miyuki Miyabe
Somewhere Beneath Those Waves – Sarah Monette
The Griffin Mage Omnibus – Rachel Neumeier
Fleet of Worlds – Larry Niven
Moonsinger's Quest – Andre Norton (2-in-1 volume) 
The Chalice of Death Omnibus – Robert Silverberg 
Winning Mars – Jason Stoddard
Pathfinder Tales: Death's Heretic – James Sutter
Robots: The Recent A. I – Rachel Swirsky
Heirs of the Blade – Adrian Tchaikovsky
Myths of Origin – Cahterynne Valente
The Folded World – Chatherynne Valente
Gambling with Galaxies – Paul Wesson
Land of Hope and Glory – Geoffrey Wilson
Initiates Trial – Janny Wurts

Mass Market Paperback:

Captai Flandry – Poul Anderson
Darkling Fields of Aron – James Anderson & Mark Sebanc
Fate's Edge – Ilona Andrews
Brass Man – Neal Asher
Myth-Fortunes – Robert Asprin
The Sea Thy Mistress – Elizabeth Bear
The Lost Gate – Orson Scott Card
Honor Among Thieves – David Chandler
The Dark-Eyes' War – David Coe
Surrender to the Will of the Night – Glen Cook
Final Crisis – Greg Cox 
Blood of Eden – Tami Dane
Virtual Virgin – Carole Nelson Douglas
Birds of Prey – David Drake
Forgotten Realms: Brmstone Angels – Erin Evans
1635: The Eastern Front – Eric Flint
Courts of the Fey – Martin Greenberg & Russell Davis, Ed.
The Neon Court – Kate Griffin
Killing Rites – M. L. N. Hanover
The Doomsday Vault – Steven Harper
Pale Demon – Kim Harrison
Hellhole – Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
Fire Works in the Hamptons – Celia Jerome
Star Trek: The Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions – David Mack
Broken Blade – Kelley McCullough
Viewpoints Critical – L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Magic on the Line – Devon Monk
All That Lives Must Die – Eric Nylund
Flesh and Blood – Kristen Painter
Star Wars: Shadow Games – Michael Reaves
Theme Planet – Andy Remic
Angel Town – Lilith Saintcrow
Warhammer 40K: Faith and Fire – James Swallow
Warhammer 40K: Hammer and Anvil – James Swallow
Shadowmarch – Tad Williams
Cobra Guardian – Timothy Zahn

YA SF/Fantasy

Darkest Powers Trilogy Omnibus – Kelley Armstrong
The Good Neighbors: Kind – Holly Black
Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite – P. C. Cast
City of Glass – Cassandra Clare
Matched – Ally Condie
Factotum – D. M. Cornish
The Painted Boy – Charles De Lint
Out for Blood – Alyxandra Harvey
Whirlwind – Robert Liparulo
Night Star – Alyson Noel
Three Quarters Dead – Richard Peck
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins – L. J. Smith

Friday, 30 September 2011

Science Fiction and Fantasy Events in Toronto, October 2011

These events are from the science fiction & fantasy calendar I run.  If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar and add it here.  While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.

Thursday October 6

Dr Who Information Network (DWIN) Pub Night

There is a regular Doctor Who Tavern/Pub gathering in Toronto on the first Thursday of each month
Where: Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor Street West (near Bathurst). We meet up at the back near the dartboards.
When: People usually start to arrive around 8:00pm.

Friday October 7 - Sunday October 9

Creation Entertainment's Salute to SUPERNATURAL
Where: Sheraton TORONTO Airport Hotel and Conference Centre (810 Dixon Road, Toronto)
Cost: Varies by pass

It is indeed a great pleasure for us to bring Creation Entertainment's Salute to SUPERNATURAL to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, TORONTO! We're rolling out the red carpet to welcome fans from around the world to join in this first in the area celebration of television's hottest series and we're doing it up in major style by presenting the three sensational headliners that every fan will want to see: JENSEN ACKLES, JARED PADALECKI and MISHA COLLINS! If another TV show boasts better stars than these guys we want to know about it and we thank all three for being so supportive of our events and company over the last several years!

Saturday October 7

1. Toronto Screening of "Stiffs On The Green"
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema 186 Spadina Avenue, TorontoToronto, ON
When: 7-9 PM
Cost: $10

This is a crazy dark horror comedy about a killer on the golf course, murdering the pro players and anyone that gets in his path. It's all up to the staff workers at 'The Chip Off The Old Tee' Golf course to stop him before the big tournament.

Wednesday October 12

Toronto International Film Festival Light Box Presents:
Otherworldly Exhibit Special Talk:
From Concept to Reality: Creating an Extraordinary Creature Called “Dren”
Special guests Amro Attia and Alex Kavanagh
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West)
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 7:00 pm
Cost: Ticket Sales and booking information for the special events will be available at tiff.net in late September 2011.

TIFF presents a rare, intimate salon-style session with creature designer Amro Attia and costume designer Alex Kavanagh, as they take audiences behind the scenes of Vincenzo Natali’s Splice and discuss the process involved in the development of its genetically altered protagonist, “Dren.”

Saturday October 15

Toronto SpecFic Colliquium
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave.)
When: 9 am - 11 pm
Theme: Modern Mythologies
Guest of Honour: Mike Carey
Ticket prices varry by age and purchase date.  Go here to buy online.

Monday October 17

Mike Carey talks at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction
Where: Lilian H. Smith Library, 239 College Street, basement
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Mike Carey, author of numerous graphic novel series including Lucifer, Faker, as well as the Felix Castor supernatural detective novels, will be the guest of the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, speaking in the basement of the Lillian Smith branch, 239 College Street.

Wednesday October 19

Toronto Public Library Author Talk
The Sky's Dark Labyrinth by Stuart Clark
When: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Runnymede Program Room

The first novel in a trilogy which brings to life those turning points in history which forever changed our view of the universe. Acclaimed astronomy writer Stuart Clark This is the story of Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, two men trapped by human ignorance and irrational terror in one of the darkest, yet also enlightening periods of European history.

Thursday October 20 - 27

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
8 nights of horror, sci-fi, action and cult movies
Oct 20-27
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave)
single price tickets $13 ($15 for opening/closing gala screenings), 250 all access passes on sale for $139
screenings are for those aged 19 and older

Friday October 21

Daniel Clowes The graphic novelist is interviewed by Seth Mariko as part of the International Festival Of Authors.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Brigantime Rm, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 8 pm
Admission: $18, stu free

Saturday October 22

9TH ANNUAL TORONTO ZOMBIE WALK
Where: Trinity Bellwood's Park (tentative)
When: 3 pm
cost: free! 
For all ages!  Please observe that there's a NO WEAPONS policy in effect

Get their early for a chance to win fiendtastic prizes, and the Henry’s zombie photo booth, plus a special scaremony, details to be announced soon!!!
The 2011 Toronto Zombie Walk route will be announced at a later date. So keep your eyeballs peeled.
Please register for the walk at:
http://www.torontozombiewalk.ca/2011_registration.php
It’s free!! There will be NO registration booth at the park, but save your registration slips for a chance to win spooktacular prizes.
After the walk, this year’s evening entertainment will be hosted by the the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. From 7pm onwards join us at the screening venue, the Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Avenue, just north of Queen, for a double bill screening of two brand new zombie films, with a special discount for the undead! And then from 11.30pm until late, at Tequila Bookwork on Queen Street, stay feasting until the wee hours with the official after party! Please note evening events hosted by Toronto After Dark including screenings and after party are restricted to age 19+. Complete details on Toronto After Dark Film Festival, 8 Nights of New Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies, Oct 20-27, 2011 here:
http://www.torontoafterdark.com/
Drop by the Henry’s Tent at the 2011 Zombie Walk from 2pm on and get a professional 4×6 picture of you and your Zombie friends for a only $2 each.  All proceeds will go to the Connect Learning Centre.  Check out Henry’s online at www.henrys.com.
2011 Brain Drive
Once again we are running a brain drive to help cover the numerous costs of the walk such as permits and insurance.  Check it out here for a chance to win some fiendtastic prizes!
Weapons Policy
The Toronto Zombie Walk is a weapon free event. This is to avoid confusion and added stress for the city during the walk. We agree to no weapons when we apply for our permits.
Problems arising from weapons and prop weapons can put the walk and everyone’s enjoyment of the walk in Jeapordy, we therefore must stress that NO WEAPONS are permitted on the walk.

Sunday October 23

The Word Doctors Are In A masterclass for aspiring authors is part of the International Festival Of Authors.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Rm, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 11 am
Admission: $18, stu free

Tuesday October 25

Lev Grossman/Erin Morgenstern/Simon Toyne Round table discussion on magic, myth and the forces beyond reason.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 8 pm
Admission: $18, stu free

Wednesday October 26

The Chemistry of Sex, Drugs and the Brain
Where: Toronto Reference Library Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium
When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Professor William J. Pietro will provide an expose of how nerve cells communicate in the human brain through chemical messengers. He will show how molecules designed to mimic these natural substances can be used to treat depression, schizophrenia, and psychosexual dysfunction. Principles of drug discovery and pharmacology will be discussed using the action of street drugs as an example.

Saturday October 29

1. Toronto International Film Festival Light Box Presents:
Otherworldly Exhibit Special Talk:
Curatorial Perspectives Tour 
Where: Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West)
When: Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 am
Cost: Ticket Sales and booking information for the special events will be available at tiff.net in late September 2011.

Sylvia Frank, Director of TIFF’s Film Reference Library and Special Collections and curator of Otherworldly: The Art of Canadian Costume Design, offers an exclusive guided tour of the exhibition and an in-depth look at its creation, including its original conception, the selection process and design parameters.

2. Rue Morgue's Banquet of Blood, 14th Anniversary Halloween Party
Where: Revival (783 College St)
When: 9 pm
Cost: $25 advance / $30 at the door

Featuring Twitch Couvier as The Master of Ceremonies, MiMi Cherry as Countess Bathory, Bon Bon Bombay as The Strangled Bride, Mia Culpa in Flash Flood, the Rue Morgue Go-Go Ghouls, a Midnight Costume Contest and terror tunes courtesy of Manny G. Eric Von Eric and Tomb Dragomir

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must present a PRINTED COPY OF YOUR CONFIRMATION E-MAIL in order to pick up your tickets at the venue. No tickets will be issued without a printed confirmation.

Sunday October 30

8th Annual Canadian Action Figure Expo
Where: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel - Toronto Airport, 655 Dixon Road
When:10/11 - ? (website doean't give closing time)
Cost: Earlybird admission (10am) $20, Regular admission (after 11) $10, Children 5-12 $5, under 5 are free

Huge selection of vintage 80s toys and all the latest releases from today.
Costume contest.

Monday October 31

Halloween!!!

Thursday, 29 September 2011

New Author Spotlight: Lauren Beukes

New Author Spotlight is a series designed to introduce authors with 3 books or less in the different SF/F subgenres.

Today's spotlight shines on Lauren Beukes.

Lauren has won (and been nominated for) several SF awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke, the Red Tentacle, the Campbell (shortlist), BSFA (shortlist), as well as several literary awards in South Africa. See also: SF Signal's recent interview with Lauren.

Lauren Beukes's books include:



  • Moxyland by Lauren Beukes (Angry Robot)
  • Zoo City by Lauren Beukes (Angry Robot)
  • Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past by Lauren Beukes (Struik Publishers)


Here's the cover copy for Zoo City:

Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she’s forced to take on her least favourite kind of job – missing persons.

Being hired by reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a teenybop pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass and their animal companions live in the shadow of hell’s undertow.
Instead, it catapults Zinzi deeper into the maw of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she’ll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives – including her own.

If you like these titles, you might also like:



  • Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Tor)
  • Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy (Luna)
  • Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman (Luna)

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Fantasy Artist: Cindy Grundsten

I found this artist via SF Signal's tidbits page, featured at Amazing Only.  She's a graphic art designer who specializes in reality and fantasy photomanipulation based in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Here's her website, photo site, deviantART site and Art Design site.  And here are a few examples of her work, starting with a before and after shot, showing what she does.

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

Book Review: The Thirteen by Susan Moloney

Pros: psychological horror, good set-up for a creepy climax

Cons: more swearing than I like

Paula Wittmore's mother falls ill after the death of a friend in the close knit community of Haven Woods.  Another friend, Izzy, notifies the young woman and suggests that she and her daughter, Rowan, return to visit.  But a special sisterhood there needs both Paula and Rowan in order to regain their number.  And be their sacrifice.

This is my kind of horror novel, where you're given hints of what's really going on and your imagination is left to fill in the blanks.  Rather than dealing in depth with all of the sisterhood, Moloney focuses on a few - keeping the novel tight and encouraging sympathy in surprising ways.  Paula and Rowan are immediately sympathetic (if not immediately likable), but I hadn't expected to like Marla, Paula's childhood friend who's trapped in a life that's becoming ever more distant from the perfect life she was promised when she joined the sisterhood.

And while I'm definitely a cat lover, this book managed to show the darker side of the animals, making me cheer for the dogs in the book (and I don't generally like dogs).

The only thing I wasn't keen on was the amount of swearing.  The characters cuss easily and often.

The climax is suitably long and dark, given the lead up, but not gratuitous or overbearing.  In other words, if you like psychological horror, this is a good book. 

Friday, 23 September 2011

Author Interview: Patrick A. Vanner


Novels: Ragnarok

> What's Ragnarok about?

Ragnarok is a ‘what if’ story. There are a several stories in books, TV series, and even movies that have to deal with humanity and/or civilized human cultures being destroyed or pushed back by an encroaching enemy. A majority of these stories deal with this premise by having the protagonist fighting back to reestablish civilization or find a new home for civilization. But, what if the heroes of the story realized that the reestablishment of civilization is beyond their ability, but instead, decide to clear the way for someone else? Ragnarok is the expansion of that idea. One ship, one crew, willing to sacrifice everything to eradicate an alien menace by any means necessary, to include genocide, in the hopes that humanity will be able to rebuild itself with the threat of alien aggression severely stunted or outright removed.

> There are several series about female army commanders/ship captains (David Weber's Honor Harrington, Elizabeth Moon's Heris Serrano, etc.), what made you write about a female Marine, ie a 'grunt'?

I am fascinated by other male author’s portrayal of female military members, whether it is in a novel, TV, movie, or game. Both of my parents were Marines, I was a Marine, several of my relatives were Marines, multiple friends of my family were members of all branches of the military, just as many of my own friends and comrades were; in fact the best commanding officer I ever had the privilege to serve under was female. Having spent my entire life around military members, of both genders, I have witnessed the differences in the way the genders approach situations. I wanted to see if I could capture those differences and bring them to life in the pages of my book and portray believable characters of both genders.

> What made you want to be a writer?
I have these characters living in my head, in multiple universes, all with their own lives, experiences, and stories to share. Sometimes, their adventures go in directions I would never expect, but I go with it anyway, it is their story, not mine, and I think those stories need to be shared.

> If you could, would you change places with any of your characters?

Right now, I would trade places with Tracy Clark, the recon marine. I feel more of a kinship with her than I do with most of my other characters, and her personality and zest for life just seems to be so infectious. I can’t but help and be jealous of her sometimes.

> What was the first novel (published or unpublished) that you wrote and how long did it take to write it?

Ragnarok was my first novel, and as to how long it took to write it is hard to say. I originally came up with the concept for it while I was still in the Marine Corps, back in 1998. I played with and poked the idea for quite some time, coming back to visit it over many years. I actually put pen to paper as it were, back in 2005. I played around with the first part of the story for most of a year, but then Alex would not be ignored any longer. In 2006, I pushed out the last 65,000 words in less than three weeks, and began the long process of editing and back and forth with my publisher. There were several life altering events between many of the people involved in the process, so the actual time line was much longer than was anticipated, but I am happy everything worked out in the end.

> What was the hardest scene for you to write?

The scenes between the chief of naval operations and the secretary of war. I had never been privy to those levels of interactions as a lowly (rank), and I had to do a lot of reading and research to even get an idea of how a meeting like that would go.  It wasn't as strong a scene as I would have liked, but I've gained some more experience and insight since Ragnarok so I hope to do better in the future.

> If you still have one, what’s your day job?

My wife hasn't let me become a full-time starving artist yet, so I still slave away to The Man working as as middle management in the telecommunications field.

> What is your university degree in and does it help with your writing?

I majored in Aerospace and Electrical engineering at Penn State, and when I separated from the Marine Corps, I went back to school to get a degree in Network Administration and Telecommunications. It helps less from the “style” side of things, but more from the “technical” side of things. It allows me to come up with some plausible technological ideas, as well as follow the logic in situations that otherwise might be missed.

> When and where do you write?

I don’t really have a “when and where” to my writing. I tend to write on my lap top, but I do it all over the house. As for the when, that is a bit more complicated. Real life obligations can make it hard to be productive without distractions, but it only takes a short period of quiet in my life to let the words flow. I wrote the short story, “The Question”, for the Citizens anthology in just a few hours. Work and life are coming up on an even keel now, so I am hoping for good things in the near future.

> What’s the best/worst thing about writing?

Best: Someone telling me that they are looking forward to what happens next.
Worst: The world conspiring to make things too crazy for me to be able to tell people what comes next.

> What is something you didn’t know about the publishing industry before you had your first book published?

I knew a fair bit about the publishing world going in to this, not because I did inordinate amounts of research, but because several of my friends are authors and publishers. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pick their brains over the course of several years.  What I've learned since having the book published, has really been on a more personal level in how I deal with critiques, and praise, and moving more into the spot light at events instead of just being there to support others.

> Do you have any advice for hopeful authors?

Write something. Everyone has stories to tell, just instead of sitting around with your friends talking about it, put it on paper.Then have someone who will give you honest feedback read it. Don’t kill yourself trying to write a bestseller the first time out, just tell a tale that someone will want to know the ending of. Writing, like anything else in life, will improve with time, effort, and practice

> Any tips against writers block?

I can't think of anything to write for this.  But seriously, It is hard for me to tell the difference between writers block or just not having the energy or creativity to write anything due to outside factors and stressors.  I will tell you that getting the newest video game when it comes out and spending weeks playing it does not help.

> How do you discipline yourself to write?

For me, it is less a matter of disciplining myself to write, as it is disciplining myself to stop. When I am writing, it is not uncommon to see the sun coming up and wonder where the time went, and if I can call off work that day. I will say that I have tried to force myself to stick to a schedule of writing for set times each day, and for me that does not work.  Writing is storytelling, and when I try to force it, it becomes a chore.  I believe that telling a story should never be a chore, but fun.

> How many rejection letters did you get for your first novel or story?

Ragnarok is my first book, and Baen was my first choice in publisher. I am immensely happy that the good folks at Baen took the risk on a new author. With a little luck and a lot of guidance from their wonderful editing staff, I hope to keep my rejection letter count at zero.