I decided to start another account.

I don't know how busy Minds can be but I made a backup type thing there as well.

https://www.minds.com/fiannawolf/

Ill just post books everywhere. Comics too. Mostly Sci Fi themed of course. Because that's how I do things.

A Master Link Of Interesting and Fun Things.

Indie Projects/Universes I want to keep my eye on: (Ill probably be updating this one as well. God help me and my special Seagull vision.)

*Yes, I do follow many of these things on twitter. 

• Mythoverse Comics
• Bladenite
• Fallout Miami

Yes, this is going to be interesting. Behold! The avenues that FL woman brain goes towards! None of these listed here are in a specific order.

• Grok Comics
• Adventures of Brisco County Jr
• Audible of Dune
• Babylon 5 Ship Specs -Plus Crusade was KO'd too soon by TNT.
• B5 Encyclopedia  
• The Progenitor Trilogy   ////3rd book here ----The very first e-books I bought with my kindle stuff back in 2014. Has lots of fun ideas in it. Of course its Space Opera. XD 

Let's see how much farther I can go on this cup of coffee:

• https://lousybookcovers.com/
• http://www.b5-dark-mirror.co.uk/

Honestly this was one of the bigger B5 fanfics I first encountered in the baby days of the internet. Pretty interesting "What IF" setup. I still remember messing up grandma's ability to talk on the phone in those days.

• Pointman Comics
• Ballistic
• Two Swords til Mercy  (kickstarter, as of 3-29, has 24 more days.)
• Ill add more things later. Its been a crazy week at work for me.

A Basket

With everything that's happening: Eggs and Baskets are on my mind. Even Easter ones. :P

In comic land, with all areas getting hit, it wouldn't be wise to put all my reading eggs into one basket either. Amazon could have its own crisis with books and comics too. Comixology might not be around forever so in that event:

• Gonna start making flash drive backups of all my digital stuff. (Esp Invincible. A fair amount of comics from my comixology account are DRM free.)
• Put out feelers for alternative book and comic sources. (Use more used book stores/antique shops/hobby shops)
• Plan accordingly with finances to get through this and still support the things I love.

Industries aren't as robust as they claim most times. One hit somewhere usually derails the whole line.

• Get stuff through curb side pickup if needed. (Media/Food/Ect.)  
• Support Alternative Networks (In order to find genres/ect that I enjoy.)
• Direct via the Source

Alterna, Silver Empire Publishing, and soon to be born things like  IndieGen.XYZ

We really are reliving the 1920s in some ways.

At this point, for comic book shops to make it through this mess: (Just my Opinion.)

• Network with each other. Go around Diamond/DC and Marvel if you can. Buying all the garbage from them to get to the 10% that's still passable or worth a damn is killing you and the readership. 
• Alternative Source of Revenue. If you have to become a Hybrid store to meet bills, do it. 
• Offer Tabletop time slots to Hardcore Table Top enthusiasts. Some shops in Tampa FL are doing this. Not just pull boxes but different tier memberships for more perks/deals.
• Collectors: All those Number 1s arent worth it. Unless you have something that is a cultural artifact like Action Comics #1 or an equivalent, buying all the drek because it has a SHINY ONE on it doesn't really help your local shop. It forces them to buy 1000s of comics not worth a damn and that will see the 50 cent bin within a few months. (Because Marvel practices and DC practices too. For industry leaders they sure don't care that all their artists and writers will be out of a job within the next year if this keeps up.)
• The Comics Industry has some of the same issues that Dead Tree Publishing has in my Book Area of Fun. I really hope more shops don't go the way of Blockbuster. Or Borders, or Walden Books.
• Sustainability: Somehow western comics have to bring in new audiences without alienating their established base. I'm already in my mid 30s. And for my area, I'm one of the younger shoppers when I do go to my LCS. 

For the "Big Dogs" of the Industry:

• Unsold stuff from Marvel and DC: 100% returnable. In fact, it should be standard for all comic companies to the stores they ship to. That way it will cut down on the practices Marvel loves to shove onto shops, IE: Get/Buy 100 copies to get a variant. They cant hide the crap within the decent stuff that way.
• Stop forcing these shops to buy duds. Provide products based on area interest. Connecting Patrons with Books/Comics they want to Collect. 
• Find a way to put more comics in places other then hobby shops, then put local ads in those comics to lead them to shops in case a person wants to get even more involved. Growth from multiple sectors.  

 As for me, its time for more work. And more Orange Juice. Gotta get that Vitamin C in.

Nerd Lady Wants: A List of Dreams!

Or what I'd like to call: Operation Please Don't Hurt your Bank Account 2020.

March 27th:

• Ascendant 
• Silver Empire HB Book Club Upgrade 

April 10th:

Ill have to see how that lovely upgrade will go. But its highly likely Ill be re-buying lots of stuff via Silver Empire and tipping via Amazon. But the big stuff for April. Oh and my work is giving us a bonus for current event going on because its been like Black Friday for about 2 weeks at my work. So that's why I am planning bigger for April.

Book Preorders hitting:

• Moar Galaxy's Edge
• The Lesser Devil/SunEater Series
• The Keys to Prolific Creativity

• Sea of Stars  (ends on the 18th of April) So Ill be able to back it before the next cut off.
• Offworlder
• Ember War GN and Star Realms by Mr Del Arroz, because fun stuff deserves shelf space: Get Dynamite Thor if you missed out, Here
• Jack Irons  

Between Jon Del Arroz and Declan Finn, along with most of pulp rev....its like choosing between all your favorite ice creams.

April 24th/22nd: 

• Stars Entwined PB
• *******WHATS THIS? AWWW YEAH! MOAR! *What do these seagull eyes sees?* Right here... its REDACTED for now but me am happy. Update: Colony Launch
• 3 way fight between picking up more Saint Tommy or Von Monocle or Heroes Unleashed. 

These are just the bigger projects.  Busy busy months. July also will be packed. I gotta plan accordingly.

Space Doggos: Must find them all!

A Collection of Doggo related Funtimes.

This area is very underfed. But potential growth is great!

Sci Fi Doggos:

The top contenders!

• Last Dynasty Guardians Advancing Peril 

It has a space doggo that also talks. Plus filled with nice art/ships/planets and an overall interesting space operatic setting/lore.

• Aristillus

Uplifted Doggos! On the Moon! YUUUUUUUS!

• Woof! 

Uplifted Doggo RPG. Don't know if It will get funded in time but Ill still put it up anyway.

•  XK-9 

Uplifted K-9 units with their police partners. Sci fi meets Police Mystery.

I wish there was more sci fi with intelligent doggos in it but alas, this is what I found so far. Ill have to look back through my media feed for some of the other stuff I found...I know I saw one other series that had dogs with a primary role. Ill update this as I go back through or if I find more things to enjoy.

Looked back though my own blog too:

• Wings of Steele 

 More of a Space Opera Meets K-9 Cop angle. I can deal with that. Must have all the doggos. 

• K-9 Corps 

Anything that has humanity's best friend going on space adventures gets my vote.

Indie Observations and Reflections

A quick look into how I view indie projects:

• Online Presence (What the work pro-folio looks like.)
• What Genre or Genres do they work in and is it relevant to my interests.
• Proof of concept, (They have a decent sample of what the project is about.)
• Any history of grifting customers: IE Take the Money and Run or use it for stuff unrelated to a project, cause I understand if excess goes to funding the next entry in a series. Like if you wanted to fund 10 comics in a series and extra milestones go towards making those other issues happen. Or in a book case: Ahh, so that's going towards getting the whole run off the ground.
• Work Ethic. If I work hard for my money, my biggest hope is that the crowd funder I help is also working just as hard. Because even if my hobby money is for fun things, its still a contract between parties. 

Observations and Ruminations:

• Black Listing People, it's why I've got quite a few things muted when it comes to comics mostly. Dear god. Guilt by association. Fair Weather alliances. Really? I see myself as a rather simple woman in the sense of: Give Money to Get Entertainment/Escapism. That means from stuff I even agree with Politically most times. Because its the 24 hr cycle nowadays. What part of "GETTING AWAY FROM PARTISAN BS" do people not understand?
• This revolving door of who vs who only hurts creators and readers/patrons. If you agree to team up with other creators to do things for your customers, then do the thing, don't give into "concerned about X Y or Z association." It burns bridges and creates the very thing most creatives wanted to get away from: Gatekeeping. To keep people apart because of some guilt test.
• SJWs aren't the only Sharks tearing one another apart. If we want to make new and interesting/entertaining IPs or adventures, backstabbing everyone at the table because tribe purity spiraling isn't going to cut the mustard.
• Dogpile Mentality: TO be frank, when conservative POVs don't have a clear and defined enemy, they have a tendency to find someone to pile up on as the "DONT ASSOCIATE WITH X! OTHERWISE YOU ARE NOT REAL TRIBE!" For instance, what JDA and Vox Day have to put up with on a daily basis. You don't have to agree with them 100% on politics. What happened to civility?  Agree to disagree and concentrate on working hard to make actual Escapism happen. 
• These breakdowns always seem to happen, why does someone have to be a leader in anything when it comes to providing something fun and entertaining? 
• Vox's books really are interesting. As a reader I am glad they exist. Because I appreciate the sheer bluntness he has about issues. He doesn't sugar coat things. 
• In the Age of Social Media: Everything is a double edged sword but like Kosh said, "Your side, their side and then the Truth." It's easy to get wrapped up in it all. Because drama sells more social clicks. But somewhere in that whole setup is the Truth.

I've chosen a side: My own. For the sake of my own sanity.

To promote fun books. To help connect readers and writers together. It's the one of the few things that brings a smile to my face everyday. Even if its very nerdy by nature. Puns! I have many of them.

If a book or comic or game is legit entertaining to me, not trying to soapbox at me, then Ill most likely give it a gander.

Read what you want and support it. Esp if it fills a void that converged entertainment left behind. Wasn't that supposed to be the point of all the Gates so far? At this point "concerned parties" are breaking the camel's back of indie comic crowd funding.

No matter what your politics or religion is: If you are a hard working individual, wanting to put entertainment first, then good on you. I'll be looking into your work profolio soon. Consistency is important when building a career as a writer, comic creator, musician, ect.

Do it for yourself and your patrons. Share that love of creating. No matter the medium. Because its obvious "Established Corporate Creations" don't really care about their own medium outlets.

Feels like they live to please their editors or directors more then the people that actually support them at the foundational level. Usually when I'm very angry, I get very curse worthy, but I feel that's a sign of me being more honest with myself.

In any event:

I know outrage gets clicks and even from time to time I vent here but I hope that one of these entries helped someone find a book or comic they have been searching for. Even in the Age of the Internet I try my best to live by this advice from my parents: Treat Others the Way you Want to Be Treated.

It's why I also try to tip writers I enjoy very well. Via rebuys or omnibus collection resells. This patron cares and will continue to follow many people's creative projects. 

In my Case....

via:Texts from Babylon 5

This whole virus event means more hours at work for me. (I will admit, I am slightly kinda tempted by that extra 1,000 dollars thing, if only to buy more hard working writers and comics creator stuff.)

My responsible side says if that does happen, to put it in savings, my nerd side says but "THINK! All those books....." To be honest, I'd probably put 800 in savings then go slightly giddy with 200 or so. Depending on bills and payday, most times I put aside a good 40-90 bucks a pay period to nerdy pursuits.

But like all things, I just plan on working, getting paid that way. 

Cause so far, my pharmacy chain is going on all cylinders and our store hours aren't shifting one bit when it comes to open/closing times. Some local grocery stores here are going 1 hr earlier for closing but that's so they can have more time to restock shelves. Based on what other people working there have said. 

But onward! To the nerdy things I enjoy.

Ill always promote favorite sci fi things:

This is very sudden but space doggo! IT HAS SPAAAAAAAAACE DOOOOOOGO!

• Last Guardians 
• This looks like its gonna be fun space opera. I can feel it in my bones. Plus here's the link to the first 10 pages so you can look for yourself: Here 

Got my pledges in for:

• Kyrie: Here
• Soulbound: Here

Next Pay Cycle:

Silver Empire Book Club Upgrade: (so i can rebuy some books....muahahahaha!) Here
Outworlder: Here
Ascendant:  Here

Well this is a thing that engulfed my seagull brain: Mine? MINE!

Sea Of Stars

Just dayyyyyyyyyum, get me to the choppa, that looks freaking good. Yessum.

Moar RPGs like Yesteryear? YES PLZ.

I think I will do a very unwise thing and look back through my twitter feed to amass more lighthouses on the seas of books and space opera.

And then, Ill get Von Monicle

Because good books should be supported. Especially at times like this. If what we want isnt on the shelves, make it ourselves or support others doing it. That's my simple goal.

A Cast of Characters

So far, here's a collection of the main cast and the significant side characters in my series. It's no wonder I needed a spread sheet and notebooks to keep everything in order. Plus I mapped out events that effected people before Eliza was on the scene. It's a whole lot of fun to make a whole new setting. It's pretty interesting to see how past events end up shaping the timeline by the time the series starts.

Main Team:

• Eliza Murphy/Star-Spangled Banner
• Arthon/Atlantean Muthra
• Guards-The-Stars/Bardaxian Green Defender/SPAAAAAAAAACE DOOGGGOOOO! 
• Horus/Forger Probe Matrix and VI
• Lorain Lanis/Doctor Impossible

Immediate Family That Eliza Knows About: (mostly her dad's side of the family)

• Thomas Murphy (Terran Alliance General, US Army Division)
• Jennifer Murphy (Her Mother*)
• Zachary Murphy (3 year old brother, at the start of the series)
• Samantha Murphy (Half-Sister, Lawyer/Registers Demis with the Legion of Tomorrow.)
• Jacob Murphy (Half-Brother, Mechanic (loves working on antique cars esp.)
• Abraham Murphy (Grandpa)
• Eleanore Murphy (Grandma) 

*Mom's side of the family is gonna be fun for our protag to discover. Yessum.

Dad's Ex wife: *Can of Worms there*  Anna Preston-McGuire (She remarried but still hates Thomas and his newer wife. Cause women do dwell on things they can't change most times. I use myself as an example there. Hell you see it on the blog about mediums of certain nerd qualities. I have a meme name for her: Ascended Karen.) One point in her favor: She does genuinely care about her own children.

• Argus Paxton (Honorary Uncle and Old Army Buddy of Thomas)
• Jonas "Eddie" Olsten (Yes, its tongue and cheek!) One of Eliza's old school friends and basically the TA Reporter attached to Eliza's crew.
• Augustus, the Lanis Family Corgi. (Not a Data Dog but more books need more doggos.)

• Lt. General Patrick Whitehouse (TA advisor attached to her crew. Her civilian ID is basically being a starship pilot/captain for NASA. But I also wanted to get in some of that old school parry white/jimmy olsen/clark kent dynamic for these 3.)

This is just the main people for the first arc of books too. This isn't even including the array of other demis/supers in the setting. Or the antagonists for that matter. I'm having a blast writing all this. +Doggos. Always.

When I was making all the character outlines, one of the world building books I am reading suggested to list five significant events that happened to them before the main series starts. That leads to so many other ideas. Its great. Its why I decided to have an anthology of little side stories to write, 1: For practice, 2: when the time comes, that project is going to either be free to read on my blog here or Ill format it and put it on amazon for free so people can get a feel for the setting.

Or depending on how things go, I might end up doing the whole series as a superhero prose serial. Like that Worm guy did. We shall see.

Trad Publishing

What gets to me the most with Trad: (How I see it.)

• Most trad outlets don't feel like catering to a nerd lady like me. They want more JK Rowlings, Seanan Mcguires, GRRMartins, LKHs, Sarah J Maas types. 
• The very blatant: YOU HAZ BAD POLITICS NO BUY MY STUFF TRUMPER!  In the 80s and 90s, even if some held these kinds of POV, they didn't go up to their customers and say, "EWWW! Stop buying my stuff you X-ism!" 

People and even those who bought books in the past will react with an equally explosive reaction: Ok, fuck you kindly, fine....Ill drop your books like a hot mess. Then watch the Hugos fucking hang themselves. Enjoy shoving that rocket up your ass you hacks. That award used to mean something, now its a clear indicator of who's books I should use as Toilet Paper during a Virus Outbreak, plus I imagine many SJW types feel the same way about books I enjoy. Because they don't have enough "X marks the Spot" diversity they love so much. 

Editors catering to themselves and throwing away tropes they personally disagree with. How will they know a writer will take off if they don't take chances. Baen takes chances. They don't disparage the customer when it comes to politics, they usually just go out and state: "Hey this came out. You interested?"

DAW, promote books based on merit, not check-mark lists you think will attract more unicorn readers. Good books will bring in people on merit alone usually. If the story is good, without political non-sense (IE SJW variety or Hyper Partisan POV) then Ill give the damned thing a shot. But they live and breath on the embers of a once healthy industry.

That pic above screams to me: We dont want white man bad here. We want "diversity". Even if its misery fiction about what people want to escape from but cant if they read our books. OH! You don't want X factor Talking Point Barfed out in this book? Well too bad, its gonna be everywhere! Progress good in any form! YOU MUST COMPLY!

WHEN I READ, 9/10 TIMES ITS CAUSE I WANT TO FUCKING ESCAPE LIFE FOR A DAY OR TWO!

• Trad Pub is in love with Soapbox Misery Fiction. Mundane Manifesto to the max. Most only look at the dirt. 
• Just because I have a vagina doesn't mean I am with a fucking hive mind that hates men. So much "Hear Me Roar" wahmen protags make me want to claw my eyes out. Fuck the Reys and Captain Marvels of the Book, Comic, Show, Media world. They are the reasons why people cringe when someone hears "Strong Female Character" nowadays. Most of Trad Pub loves these ill-gotten developmental retardation characters. 

Trad Pub used to be about merit a good amount of the time. Nowadays that reputation is tarnished. Really fun mid-listers are languishing while land whales akin GRRM get top billing. Because in that circle, those are a sure bet to make some sort of money for their publisher, but dear god....find new material.

It feels like most of them are just giving me lip service. And I hate that feeling. Many SJW infested trad corners create fiction that is dark, oppressive and navel gazing nihilism. Not interested.

There's Light at the End of this Tunnel though:

Baen and some others I enjoy.

We need more Jim Butchers, David Webers, Gini Kochs, D.J Butlers, Christopher Ruocchios, Django Wexlers:

People who care about telling a story. 

How is this fun?

While trying to dig up more Superhero Prose, I came across this:

A smart, imaginative, and evocative novel of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, told with razor-sharp wit and affection, in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower—for good or ill—is a properly executed spreadsheet.

Anna does boring things for terrible people because even criminals need office help and she needs a job. Working for a monster lurking beneath the surface of the world isn’t glamorous. But is it really worse than working for an oil conglomerate or an insurance company? In this economy? As a temp, she’s just a cog in the machine. But when she finally gets a promising assignment, everything goes very wrong, and an encounter with the so-called “hero” leaves her badly injured.  And, to her horror, compared to the other bodies strewn about, she’s the lucky one.
So, of course, then she gets laid off.
With no money and no mobility, with only her anger and internet research acumen, she discovers her suffering at the hands of a hero is far from unique. When people start listening to the story that her data tells, she realizes she might not be as powerless as she thinks.
Because the key to everything is data: knowing how to collate it, how to manipulate it, and how to weaponize it. By tallying up the human cost these caped forces of nature wreak upon the world, she discovers that the line between good and evil is mostly marketing.  And with social media and viral videos, she can control that appearance.
It’s not too long before she’s employed once more, this time by one of the worst villains on earth. As she becomes an increasingly valuable lieutenant, she might just save the world.
A sharp, witty, modern debut, Hench explores the individual cost of justice through a fascinating mix of Millennial office politics, heroism measured through data science, body horror, and a profound misunderstanding of quantum mechanics. 

***** 

This screams misery fiction to me. No thanks. A fascinating mix of Millennial office politics....nope. Plus based on that blurb: She works for a super villain and the "hero" breaks her somehow. Then she goes "hear me roar" woman mode with yet another villain boss. Hard pass.

Its no wonder superhero books aren't more popular: If its crappy preachy shit like this, it wont grow the genre but deflate it. Current Year BS is killing various industries, find stuff that is awesome and support that.

It's probably going to take the rest of the year to finish my series but I want it all done before I go into editing then covers.

Been working back and forth on the anthology and the main series. 

Again, this series is gonna have:

• Family
• Adventures
• Character Virtues will be on display rather then deconstructed
• Basically a massive blend of what I love: Earlier Superman + Buck Rogers +Flash Gordon+Green Lantern+Power Rangers+Babylon 5+Silver Age+Gold Age+Different Kinds of Strength. 
• Space Doggos

How to Write Women.

Since I see this come up on the twitter feed ever so often:

Watch movies, games and shows that have decent character setups. That showcase all sorts when it comes to men and women. (Mainly cause depending on personality, all of these characters will play off one another in different ways.)

• Alien
• Babylon 5 (So many well realized characters!)
• Stargate
• Farscape
• Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. (Yes, its old but it showcases different kinds of strength.) 
• 5th Element (Psychically Formidable but she has a venerable side w/ an innocence I found endearing.)
• Battle Angel Alita
• Sliders
• Terminator I/II
• Honor Harrington and many in her side cast. There's many different ways a character can be active without being a main combat person. 
• Xena and Gabriel *sure its a fantasy but Xena wasn't always the "OMG SO Powerful winner!" She got her butt handed to her enough to make her arc pretty dramatic. Same with Gabriel. 
• Horizon Zero Dawn

What genre is that woman character a part of? If its a western or fantasy or historical setup. Cause depending on that, unless its an alt earth type of thing, if its more historical in nature then you have to account for it.

These characters appealed to me because of their strong characterization. Not because they were Strong "I can beat everyone" Female Characters. The "I don't need no mans" stereotype. They end up super one sided and bitchy.

As a woman, even I don't like it when I get super bitchy. I know its human sometimes but its still annoying if a character is like that 24/7 + super "sassy" and "I can do all the things better then the stupid men" mentality. 

Example of What not to do with Female Characters:

• Rey
• Captain Marvel "Danvers."
• STD/Star Trek: Picard
• Newest Dr. Who
• CW Batwoman

These end up being empty shell characters devoid of any personality or personal goals. The straw heroine basically. Check marks the Spot on "Politics Soapbox for Wahmen." Because they are nothing but cardboard cutouts. They have no soul or gravitas. Not even if they make them "men with boobs" trope.

Just take a character concept, then put your own two cents into it, because that's what's needed most.

Writer Spotlight: Ep 3

Indie:

Someone I've recently discovered, does space opera and superheroes!

• Here 

Van Allen Plexico  
Reading Order of Both Series: Here

Decided to get both series.

Because its also a good idea to study the genres you are writing. Wham!

Mike Baron

• Here
• Lots of comics and books that are quite fun. 

I've been enjoying Nexus and Florida Man immensely.


Mr. Jon Mollison

• Here 

Lots of different genres to choose from. You can't go wrong. :D

Trad:

This is Romance Primary with some Sci fi Undertones: Plus adorable German Shepherd Dogs.

• Alien Series 

 

 Alliflash. Plus this one was set in FL. Yus. This is def. a girl side of brain book. 

The Metal Barons is nuts. Like Out of this Mind Space Opera. What the hell? Get it, kindle or Hardback, just dang man. DAAAAAAAAANG! 


Alexandro Jodorowsky

• Here

Give this man his own universe and he does some really interesting things.

Small Press Highlights:

• https://silverempire.org/ 
• https://www.storyhack.com/ 
• https://dmrbooks.com/

Slight Thoughts:

Again, my biggest beef with romance or any of its sub genres, since its so prevalent, people will tag it with anything to try to get that orange amazon tag. That's why on this blog I strive to tell people what a mediums overall primary genre is along with some sub themes thrown into it.

PS: Still don't care what a writer's politics are. If you tells a story I find interesting, Its gonna go on one of these highlight reels.

I dont really have a set format other then: Is it indie based or trad based.

DC Comics

This sort of pandering isn't gonna cut the mustard anymore.

Have a main universe untouched by stupid reboots or Bendis.

You have a multiverse DC, use it. Don't derail the main universe for shitty writers. Yes, Bendis is shitty with actual legacies and canon. Give him elseworlds scraps. Shoot him into space. Whatever. Fire him like you did Didiot.

It's why I've distanced myself from mainline hobby corporations. They don't care about preserving things then using alternate universe as an experiment. They want to change legacy characters for insert characters that will only upset former fan bases.

All of this is only the underlining symptom though. We must make new properties. It's the only way forward now. That I see at least.

DC is just breathing on the embers now. In terms of keeping their base happy. They can't grow an audience through gimmicks. That's just a temp boost.There's a reason manga is kicking western comics to the curb in terms of popularity and volume.

I think the bigger publishers in western comics constantly shoot themselves in the foot. Just make stories and utilize comic tropes for more flexibility. It's like they take one step forward then 1000 steps back.

TLDR: DC is not gonna win me back with Nostalgia Trains anymore, even recent ones like super sons, they already let Bendis burn that house down. This fan is in "frack all of it" mode. That's why I'm writing my own book series.

Idiots run most media corporations nowadays. Its why I hope that other properties never get a "current year" reboot. Too many of them are out of touch.

PS: Work was nuts. Even busier then 4 Black Friday's Combined.

PPS: AT this point, DC should just put Bendis on everything so they crash and burn faster. That's how much apathy I have for them nowadays. For every good thing they had, they buried it under 100 "What the Frack is this Plotting."

It's like seeing an old toy you used to love loose all its luster all at once. Then as you look upon it now you wonder why you even gave a fuck in the first place.

Love of Reading

What kept Reading alive for me wasn't school. It was my parents. Listen, to get kids reading esp if they are in high school or lower, "literature" masterpieces aren't gonna cut the mustard.

BS I hated Reading in School:

• Tale of Two Cities (bought the cliffnotes from Walden Books for almost all of these.)
• Great Expectations 
• The Grapes of Wrath
• To Kill a Mocking Bird
• The Canterbury Tales
• Crime and Punishment
• Slaughter House Five
• Anne of Green Gables 
• Little Women
• Les EXTREMELY Miserable

The Handful I Remember Actually Maintaining my Attention:

• The Hatchet
• Where the Red Fern Grows 
• Ender's Game
• Lord of the Rings
• Narnia
• Gulliver's Travels

College:

• Too many Papa Oscar Sierra books to even recall. Even in the early 2000s, Lit Courses had stuff that would put you to sleep. Deconstruct this, What did this make you fee fee? BOREDOM! Save me from these boring ass classes that are better as an insomnia cure.

My parents, on the other hand, took an active notice on which books caused excitement. So I got to have my out of school parts filled with:

• Redwall
• John Carter of Mars
• Lensmen
• Honor Harrington

Those were my really really big series way back when. If I was a teacher, I'd get my class reading by finding out what they like. 

Do they love comics? That's alright, let them build their reading through many avenues. Not just what current schooling thinks is "Literary." Sometimes the writer just means, "That bird is black." And that's it.

Covers and Reactions: Ep. 2

In this instance, what knocks me away from a book or two examples, then we can get to the fun stuff.

Lizard Brain Reaction: Why should I care about her or her special needs son. Don't know these characters, so why should I give a fuck. ID qualifiers of "Strong Female Character." So basically trying to sell this on labels.

The Cover: Meh. How is having a special needs son related to kicking dragon ass? Colors are muted and don't really pop out at me.

Sidenote: At least its number one seller in ROMANCE FANTASY category. So they put it were it should go.







 
Lizard Brain: This gives me flashbacks to YA ROMANCE Drivel. Sizzling romance? With what? The whole male cast? All of them super special in some INEXPLICABLE way? Time to click away from this 800 page misadventure. Wherein 1 star reviews tell me all I need to know about this thing:



The Cover: Too much Red, not enough Gold. Where's my eye supposed to go first?

Looks like exposition dumps are frontloaded into this one.

Plus the description gives me the feeling of "She's a SPECHUL girl. Bestest evah!" Oh boy. Now to some good eye popping books. PS: It looks like she might have Gone LK Hamilton. Some of the old fans are quite put off by this book.

Lizard Brain: PULPY SCI FI! Good Color Contrast with the black/purple/blue.

Then the blurb:

Gives me a sense of golden age sci fi meets pulpy horror/comedy. Not all blurbs have to be very on the nose about plot. Sometimes depending on the flavor of book or genre, highlighting the absurd works just as well. :D

Link: Here










It's why when I do get ready for launch, gonna look through lots of those superhero prose blurbs to see what catches my eye about covers, description, ect along with my favorite space operas. I gotta make sure I can invoke the feeling I want.

Ahh, this screams Mil Sci Fi. Ship to Ship combat. The works. Noice.

Lizard Brain Says: The Blurb makes it even more apparent it will have early honor harrington type shenanigans. YES GOOOOD! Plus the Word Font helps with the overall "Yes, this is the military type book you are looking for."

I've noticed if something is more classic mil sci fi, they will go over the fighting spirit of the protag or the crew they have to whip up into shape. Just my observation.






Link Because I loves this series as much as Galaxy Ascendant, Harrington, In Fury Born and The Empire's Corps.

• Here
• Here 

In Fury Born: Here

Hmmm. I know: LOOOK AT THIIIIIIIIIIIS! IT screams Superhero Prose Awesome!

Lizard Brain: YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUS. There's no mistaking this for Paranormal Romance Pretending to be Superhero setting b/c of Shifters or other stupid shit. The color palate makes you eyeball the characters on the cover. They look distinguished from each other.  

Heroes Unleashed: Here

The Blurb: 

Gone Gone the Form of Man.....ok, but its still gives off the same vibe people. Superhero enthusiasts will gobble this blurb up:

Love the Magic Side of Justice League: Here's your new addiction.

WHAT THE HELL IS THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?

Lizard Brain: Is dis space horror on crack? Yus, yes it is. Just on that ship design you know something is frackin up in this setting. The color palate makes you notice the ship first then the gold/orange behind it draws you in further.

Link: Here

Blurb: 

A tireless enemy and spooky things happening. Oh myyyyyyyyyy!

These are all gut reactions to covers and blurbs. Some might have different reactions based on favorite tropes or genres.

Waiting Is Hard.

One, waiting for this big boy to hit my mailbox:

500+ page HardBack. Says it should be here by Thrusday then Ill derp with everyone over it.

It has da Pew Pew and Space Opera and the art looks really interesting.

• Working on Part 1 of Uriel's Revenge.
• Working on Part 2 of One Last Echo and Seekers of Fortune.

Had to re-work it all due to length and spoilers. When I get excited I have a tendency to ramble.

Happy to be putting funds to things that make me happy. So much space opera in books and comics to discover. Its great.

Some favorites:

• Eden 
• Exilium 
• Ascender   ///// Descender
• Cluster
• Trekker
• Tales of Honor Vol 2

Quick Links to Projects/Various Things of Interest:

• The Witch's March ( I wish there was a digital copy option.) I do like some alternate history stuff. Gives off a White Lily Vibe.
• Weber/Holo: Gordian Protocol 
•  Black Tide Rising 
•  Ancient Astronauts 
• Solar Queen
• The Psyche of War (I've been looking into books that have telepaths or people with psi ability as research for my own series.) 

Blast from the Past:

• Babylon 5
• Gargoyles
• Superman Animated Series
• Men in Tights
• Spaceballs 
• Superman I/II
• Rifftrax aka MST3K

Covers and Reactions: Ep. 1

Ok, so since my main bread and butter is sci fi/space opera/mil sci fi/sagas: here's how my lizard brain works

My eye's zeroed in on the awesome armor and twin suns. Then how he was holding his weapon. I'm like: Huh....so a version of what my brother does in the army. Neat! Now what's this about:

Man, based on this blub, these peeps are serious badasses, the galaxy is in enough turmoil that we don't know who's fighting who? Def. Military Sci Fi vibe from this. Alright, Ill gives it a looksee.

Lizard Brain: OMG ITS STAR WARS NOT STAR WARS! YEAH BUDDY! GIMMIE! Robots, Pewpew! Dogfights! HOLY SHIT! THIS COVER GOTS ALL OF IT! 

Its a space opera and military sci fi series! And we get to go back and forth? YUUUUUUUS! SAGA TIME!

These blurbs give you some plot highlights but they have keywords that genre enthusiasts eat up: Mil Sci fi meets Space Opera in this World Spanning Adventure.

Space opera derps like me hone in on: World Spanning.

When I look at this it screams: You want more John Carter of Mars type fun. Here it is! Love how the color's contrast. I love how he has the firearm while she has the sword. Got a fancy looking ship there in the back. It tells me all I need to know about this genre, even without the words. Love the sword/planet symbol too.






Lizard Brain: HOLY SHIT! SHE LOOKS LIKE A WOMAN! AWW MAN! ITS GONNA BE SWORDS AND GUNS TIME! GONNA GIVE ME THAT BARSOOM FEELING! AWWW YISS!

The blurb reinforces this:

Key words: Long Lost Colony World, Love or Honor, bringing up pulp mainstays to give a clear link to what a reader might have read before. (Others might key on different words, this is just an example of my thought process.)

Lizard Brain: OH SHIT! THE SHIPS GONNA GET THEM! WHAT WILL THIS BRAVE TERRAN SCOUT DO?!


Makes you realize that the battle on this planet is heating up. Love the color contrast again. Gives off that old pulp vibe that you expect from sword/planet.

Lizard Brain: AWW THEY GOT MARRIED! HE GOTTA SAVE HER! OH MAN! Tunnels? Rat King! AHHH! GOOD I CAN BOO AT HIM! Like in the Princess Bride!

OH GOOD! THE SCOUT HAS HIS OWN BAND OF MERRY ADVENTURES!

Meanwhile: Yes, the stakes are clear. It is a epic rescue. (The deep dive review for this series is gonna be fun XD)

Who is this lady and why does she have a cat on her shoulder? What? The sheer oddity of that drew my eye's to this series way back when. The cover has been updated a bit but the overall theme stayed the same.

Honorverse Lizard Brain: Nimitz! YOU LOVABLE LITTLE SHIT! 

Here's the First Edition Cover:

Lizard Brain: Wait? Is that Micheal Jackson with a cat? Hmmm, lets see what the burb says? 

Honorverse version: OHHHHH! So that's where that fandom meme came from.

The blurb: Underdog crew gonna kick some ass. Noice. Already know who I can root for. 

Pepperidge Farm Remembers!

Lizard Brain: *flashback*

Brain is pleased! WAHT IS DIS? WEBER MEETS WING COMMANDER. LETS GO!

I know, Wing Commander dates my ass but I loved that shit as a kid.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

That's some damn fine artwork on that cover. The whole series is damned pretty! You want a saga? Grab everyone here.

The Blurb: Look how it opens? Please people give all the people mentioned here some good money. Its great stuff.

A warrior struggles to prevent the collapse of the civilization he swore to protect.
A young grand admiral seeks vengeance.
An emotionless conqueror faces a crisis of conscience...and the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.

I promise: You will fracking love these characters. DONT GIVE FAKE WARS MONEY! These books are the real things to love.

• Galaxy's Edge: Here
• Scout: Here
• Honor Harrington: Here
• Galaxy Ascendant: Here

Gatekeeping

It does come up in streams I listen to so my big basics about gatekeeping:

• Merit is buried under "Person with ID tags we want."
• Who Hates Who, Instead of Promoting Stuff We Enjoy, so the cycle of Outrage Continues
• Editors of Big Franchises that no longer Caretake those Legacies. They too are going for magic money that isn't really there.
• Gatekeeping and Cancel Culture hurt readers because it makes people care more about who is with who "Tribe" mentality then giving the audience a buffet to choose from. 
• We should support outlets that are making things we want to see. Want more of X Y or Z? Find the creatives doing it. Don't spend energy on what you hate. (Imo.)
• When making stories, actual stories and not soapboxes, who gives a shit about that persons politics. Creators that care about their craft will put their own politics in the backseat and try to entertain first.
• Real Talk: Us regular genre readers, most wont bat an eye at the "who hates who" chart. We care about the story people are putting out.

It sucks seeing things you love crash and burn. I want superman to be superman again. Wont happen in the current climate. Alright, Ill write my own series that has tropes I love and want to see. Plus Ill buy old stuff 2nd hand.

Doc Who gone to shit? Star Trek? Star Wars? Find another thing to enjoy that has all those moving parts. Or watch the old stuff, ignore the crap being spewed out, create your own setting with the shit you enjoy. People are in love with hating the corpse of dead franchises. It's getting to be a pattern. Misery Money is what I call it.

Don't feed Misery, feed what you love. Find who's making the next best version of what you enjoyed. 

Now off to work to make that money money for all the things I love in life.

Another Roundup of Projects

On the Radar for Indie Projects

• Ascendant
• Kyrie
• Off Worlder 
• Soulbound 
• Mongoose and Meerkat 
• Napalm Brothers 
• Dynamite Thor 

Those are the most immediate that I still have to throw my hat in with. At least there's still enough time to where I can space things out between paydays.

Ian Douglas. Always enjoyed seeing where the stars take him next:

• Solar Warden 
• I've always found him to be a mix of pulpy and harder sci fi. 

Mr. Kratman is going for another in his series.

• Days of Burning 

It's easy to get into a Baen Whirlpool o' Fun so: Other writers doing fun things.

• Warp Marines cause CJ not only has great Superhero Books, he does mil sci fi splat really good as well. 
• Watching RiffTrax: The Sword and the Sorcerer. Man, I love that the MST3K guys went into their own business of watching/commenting on more movies. 
• DMR Delivering the Goods