Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Interview with Ashley Robertson


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
Death Dealer—A Death Angel Novella Book 1
Death: a word Mia Baron was all too familiar with since the murder of her parents when she was a young girl. Her drive for vengeance was the reason she became a Death Dealer—a soul guide through the spirit realm—signing her life away in her own blood. Pain forged a concrete wall around her heart and no one or nothing would ever penetrate it…until she got what she desired most—revenge.

Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life Mia chose, with the same promise of vengeance dangling just out of reach. His expert training makes him an Elite—one of the few Death Dealers to ever achieve such a status—and no one can shift his focus from the blood he seeks.

But when the two are partnered for yet another job and a heart-shattering case rips open Mia’s heart, Deacon realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay: opening his heart to her. The clock is ticking and her life hangs on the balance of whether he can truly let go or will hold onto his desire for blood.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
At first, I hated the idea of self-pubbing—absolutely hated it. I mean come on, who would love being rejected by countless literary agencies? But it was the few personal rejections I received that actually motivated me to self-publish. Apparently a lot of agents are sick of vampires, and anything to do with them is an automatic “no,” so when a few of the agents responded with, “I like your writing style, do you have something else you can submit to me?” I knew I couldn’t just put my book to the side and abandon it; there had to be others out there just like me that still loved the mysterious, sexy, and sometimes malicious undead. So I moved forward to publish Crimson Groves, learning everything I could about the indie industry along the way. By the time I had my second book, UnGuarded, ready to publish, the whole process was a LOT easier. Thankfully I’ve formed a system to the madness of self-pubbing, and so far, it seems to be working. I have a wonderful editor (Stephen Delaney with Close Reader Editing Services) and graphic designers who do my book covers. Yes, these are additional expenses to your book—but they are essential to your success as an author.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
I’m a team player and I feel like our combined ideas resulted in four fantastic covers. I worked with Stephanie at Once Upon A Time Covers for my newest release—Death Dealer (which came out fabulous!) And Phatpuppy Art created both UnGuarded and Crimson Flames. Before that, I’d hired an artist from Crowdspring to assist me with Crimson Groves.

What is your writing process?
Do you listen to music or do you like silence? Usually I need absolute silence when editing, but when I’m working on first drafts I enjoy listening to house music.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I’m a freestyler for sure—I actually wrote an article for another guest post about this called “Freestylin’.” I’ve never done an outline, and whenever a synopsis is asked of me, I totally cringe. Basically, I just write what’s in my head and that gives me freedom to flow with the characters. However, I do have profiles of places and people so I don’t confuse those details during the story.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
In my opinion, this is one of the most important steps of the publishing process. I have used Stephen Delaney with Close Reader Editing Services on all of my books and he’s amazing to work with.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Yes: Smashwords. Barnes & Noble. iBookStore. Books-a-Million. Shelfari.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?








Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Keeping a good balance between work and other responsibilities is extremely important. For me, I’ve found that creating—and sticking to—a schedule helps.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena? 
I could go on forever here and totally make this question a guest blog post. But in an effort to keep things short, here are a few important bullet points that are a MUST:

Finish your manuscript! Whether you want to publish traditionally or self-pub, you’ve got to have a completed book on your hands before you can do anything else.

Hire a professional editor! Not your friend! You want someone that will shoot straight with you and not give a damn if they hurt your feelings because at the end of the day, you want your book as good as it can be for your readers, right? I use Stephen Delaney with Close Reader Editing Services and he’s pretty badass. 

If you’re not a graphic designer and can’t manipulate artwork on a computer, then hire a cover designer! People really do judge a book by its cover, so you need it to look as good on the outside as it is on the inside. I use Stephanie with Once Upon A Time Covers or Claudia with Phatpuppyart.com.

What’s next for you?
I’m working on the sequel to Death Dealer and hope to have it published fall/winter 2013. The title is Blood Promise—A Death Angel Novella Book 2 and it is packed full of action and sizzling romance.

Author Bio:
ASHLEY ROBERTSON - 2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, and loves writing about anything paranormal. She also composes poems and songs, though she learned long ago she doesn't have a singing voice. When she isn't writing you'll find her spending time with family and friends, sharing personal training and nutrition advice via ExtremeMakeovers.com, traveling and exploring new places, and drinking fine wines and gourmet coffees from her Nespresso machine.

Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Book Tour Blast: DEATH DEALER by Ashley Robertson




Death Dealer

by Ashley Robertson


 Death: a word Mia Baron was all too familiar with since the murder of her parents when she was a young girl. Her drive for vengeance was the reason she became a Death Dealer—a soul guide through the spirit realm—signing her life away in her own blood. Pain forged a concrete wall around her heart and no one or nothing would ever penetrate it…until she got what she desired most—revenge. 

Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life Mia chose, with the same promise of vengeance dangling just out of reach. His expert training makes him an Elite—one of the few Death Dealers to ever achieve such a status—and no one can shift his focus from the blood he seeks. But when the two are partnered for yet another job and a heart-shattering case rips open Mia’s heart, Deacon realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay: opening his heart to her. The clock is ticking and her life hangs on the balance of whether he can truly let go or will hold onto his desire for blood. 

Buy on Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

 

About the Author:

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, and loves writing about anything paranormal. She also composes poems and songs, though she learned long ago she doesn’t have a singing voice. When she isn’t writing you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, sharing personal training and nutrition advice via ExtremeMakeovers.com, traveling and exploring new places, and drinking fine wines and gourmet coffees from her Nespresso machine. *2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST in the Fantasy genre for her book UNGUARDED* 

Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com 

Follow Ashley: FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | LinkedIn | Literary Addicts 

Follow the Book Tour 
 
Ashley Robertson is giving away One: Signed Books Swag Bag (includes Crimson Groves, Unguarded, and Death Dealer. Plus graphic custom bookmark and custom made swag from The Book Swag Shop) Two: $30 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winner can choose). Fill out the form below to Enter 

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Monday, July 29, 2013

#Review: THE LEMON ORCHARD by Luanne Rice



5 of 5 stars

A woman heartbroken by the tragic death of her daughter. An illegal immigrant worker haunted by the decision he made in the desert. These two people, Julia and Roberto, find themselves both tending to the lemon orchard. Julia is house sitting for her aunt and uncle and Roberto manages the orchard. Their interactions and budding friendship throws these two unlikely people together. Can these two fractures souls find some peace and healing in the arms of each other?

This book starts out with a shocking event and pulls the reader into the story. I could feel Julia's pain as she tries to cope with her daughter's death. Their interactions are told in flashbacks throughout the book and with each new revelation, their relationship becomes clear. When Julia meets Roberto, there is something about his quiet ways that begins to break through her grief and bring her back to life. Roberto's story is equally traumatizing, but he has no choice. He must shoulder on so that he can send money back home to Mexico to take care of his ailing mother. This could be any illegal immigrant's story. How many die in the desert before reaching the border? It opens up the all sorts of questions about the depths people will go through to make it to the US. Whatever you feel about the larger issues, the story of Julia and Roberto is haunting and one of tenderness, love, loyalty and bittersweet memories. The ending was a bit disappointing and left me wanting more of Julia and Roberto's story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Book Tour Blast: CUSPIAN by DC Hall


 

Twins, Kendal and Kennedi Myles are the envy of their peers with: a second string spot on the varsity football team, smartass but loyal teammates, miniature pores, and a killer spray tan. They had big plans for sophomore year, until their mother is slaughtered during a botched robbery. Forced to move with their estranged father, Kendal becomes fixated with finding their mother’s killer, while Kennedi tries to settle into life with their dad. After the discovering a trail of unsettling clues, the pair to believe their mother’s death was part of a conspiracy. 

 

As the teens’ investigation digs deeper into their mom’s enigmatic past, a mysterious agency stumbles upon them, and the twosome learns they are Cuspians—individuals gifted with supernatural abilities. Kendal and Kennedi are soon faced with the challenge of staying concealed from the shadowy organization hell-bent on enslaving powerful Cuspians while trying to solve a murder. Family secrets, bloody breadcrumbs, and deadly obsessions guide the twins through tough decisions and awful mistakes. Desperate for their lives to return to normal, the pair found normal is not written in the stars for either one of them.

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

DC Hall is obsessed with argyle socks, the smell of books and believes he is the smartest person in the room. Granted he’s usually alone when he thinks this but it still feels good. When his nose isn’t stuck in a book, DC is usually writing or trying to teach his dog, Brooklyn, how to wash dishes (success remains elusive.) DC is from the south where the teas are sweet, distance is measured in minutes—not miles, and the skies are always Carolina blue. 

If you are interested in learning more about DC: 
Email: dchallauthor@gmail.com 
Twitter | Blog | Facebook 


Follow the Book Tour  

Prize - Summer themed with nail polish, zodiac jewelry, and some other favorites of the main character  

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Sunday, July 28, 2013

#Review: THE MARRIAGE FIX by Sandra Edwards



5 of 5 stars

This story focuses on the only girl in the French de Laurent family. Lecie inherited the bulk of her late uncle's estate including a fabulous ocean front house in California. Now that she's independently wealthy in her own right, she's thrilled that she can finally stretch her wings a bit and get out from under her controlling father's influence. She takes to living in California like bird to water and is having the time of her life. She has even developed a crush on a local hunky bartender, Nick Matthews. The only bad part in the equation is that Nick is set to marry within days. When Nick learns that his so-called "love" has embezzled all his money, he calls off the wedding, but is now in serious peril of losing the one thing he treasures - his restaurant. A young woman with plenty of money and a young man who needs lots of it is the perfect set-up for THE MARRIAGE FIX.
 

I adore Ms. Edward's writing and her latest novel does not disappoint. Nick oozes sex appeal and Lecie can't help but fall for him, but make no mistake, Nick is a good guy. I even fell for him - that's how real his character became for me. The author is masterful at creating sexual tension between these two as well as misunderstandings and longing. The secondary characters were rich and added so much to the story. You can't go wrong reading the Billionaire Games series. Each book is a treat in their own right, but put them all together and you've got swoon worthy characters. Highly Recommended.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

New Release: ETERNAL SUMMER, A Collection of Short Stories

  Eternal Summer - A Collection of Short Stories

Eternal Summer is a collection of eight paranormal short stories. Participating authors include: Olivia Hardin, C.G. Powell, Mandie Stevens, Liz Schulte, Lola James, Tawdra Kandle, Stephanie Nelson and Melissa Lummis.

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble

List of stories:
  
One Bite Paradise by Olivia Hardin - author of the Bend-Bite-Shift trilogy Jill’s wish gave Doc a new chance at life – literally. Almost a decade of years have passed since Jill watched her lover get killed and now that time is like a chasm between them. Can they learn how to make One Bite of Paradise become an eternity?  

Cat Napped by C.G. Powell - author of the Terra Stellar series Tempers fly, when Sarik makes last minute changes to Jael’s and his vacation plans. How far will he go to get back in her good graces? 

Eternally Yours by Mandie Stevens - author of Eva and Thomas series Eva and Thomas are bound by magic and are getting on each others' nerves. Eva is ready for a vacation, but when someone from Thomas' past is in trouble, her holiday comes second to saving a soul from Hell. 

Dark Remnants by Liz Schulte - author of the Guardian trilogy, the Easy Bake Coven series and the Ella Reynolds series. Ella Reynolds and vacations do not mix—but she is willing to give it a try for Gabriel. However, when she stumbles across the ghost of a young woman who needs her help, all thoughts of fun and relaxation vanish from her mind. Can Ella solve this mystery before her vacation ends or will the spirit be trapped in an infinite loop forever?  

 Bound by Fate by Lola James - Author of the Spellbound series Ben thought his trip to New York would be just like any other -- find two random people, nurture their love, and leave before his presence is detected. But when he runs into someone from his past, business as usual becomes complicated.The worlds of the Spellbound Series and the Fate Trilogy blend in Bound By Fate.  

Stardust on the Sea by Tawdra Kandle - Author of the King series Cathryn Whitmore does not want a vacation, not even in beautiful Cape May. But when she encounters a hot college professor at a bed and breakfast with a ghostly mystery, she just may change her mind.  

Cursed Cove by Stephanie Nelson - Author of the Gwen Sparks and Anna Avery series Gwen and Dorian head to Hawaii, but not for fruity drinks or sunbathing. A string of murders taint what the locals are calling Cursed Cove. Haunted by the infamous Captain Clarke, Gwen and Dorian must figure out how to rid the beach of the demonic ghost before more locals lose their lives.  

Daylight Come by Melissa Lummis - Author of the Love and Light series Some fun in the sun was just what Loti needed, but from the moment she and Wolf arrive at the not- so-quaint hotel, they know something's off about the place. Cockroaches, dirty linens and an unkempt room turn out to be the least of their worries. An evil spirit haunts the beach front resort and it has no intentions of letting them check out until it gets what it wants. Can they solve the mystery before daylight comes?

Friday, July 26, 2013

Interview with Paige Pendleton


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
The Keeper and the Rune Stone is the first book in The Black Ledge Series. 

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ...

Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.

Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.

Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Do you have a favorite character?
I have quite a few.  In The Keeper and the Rune Stone, I’d have to say Ralph, the cellar-dweller Hafling who lives in the basement of Black Ledge.  He is grouchy, especially when he is woken from a nap (those scenes almost write themselves).   

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
Gunnr, the Night Elf, stepped onstage in the last third of Book One, and he took over.  I really struggled to keep him in what I thought was his place, but he was quite insistent.  Finally, we compromised, but only if I let him have his way in Book II, The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice. 

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I did.  I thought I had a great query letter but apparently I was the only one. I couldn’t really get anyone to look at the manuscript.  Two agents did, and I received very nice rejections and encouragement. I realized this would be a challenge.  I had great feedback, though, and some other encouraging signs, so I decided to learn as much as I could, and put them out independently. It was the right decision.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
I am so lucky!  Long sordid tale of scheduling mishaps and disappearing team members, and then, at the last minute, I found a super, super book designer, Brion Sausser at Book Creatives, and I feel very fortunate.  Brion knew just what I wanted, maybe better than I did.   

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
Oh, gosh, yes.  I am the newest writer in that fold, which is a fabulous place to be.  The members of my writers’ group have taught me so much. 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
Music helps me a lot. Just the right music — it might take me 15 minutes to find just the right piece(s) for the mood of the scenes I am working on.  Just in the background, nothing that distracts, but the right music definitely contributes.   

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Both.  I have a broad purpose for each chapter, but then I let it happen.  I don’t wring ink.  If it isn’t flowing I walk away. I mull and I ponder, and that always seems to fix it.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
I did.  I had three excellent editors on The Keeper and the Rune Stone, and lots of other help, too.  I had a lot of very helpful critical feedback when I placed the book on Authonomy, a website for writers to critique each other’s work.  I also belong to a couple of excellent writers’ groups, locally and on FaceBook.  Invaluable information, and laugher.
I also have beta readers, friends, and family.  My daughters are ruthless critics.  They have been invaluable. 

There are so many people that have helped me along the way.  It’s almost impossible to name them all, but one very special person is Thomas Block, who is doing the art for The Black Ledge Series. 

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
That I need a maid, a chef, a gardener, a laundress, and a publicist.  Fortunately, my friends help with publicity.  A lot! 

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
All of the above. 

             Blog
             FB                                                                                             
             Twitter
             GoodReads
             Literary Addicts
             Pinterest

And friends! My friends have been huge supporters!

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
I love to sail, ride, garden, read, of course, and cook.  My daughters show cattle, and we love being on the periphery of that. 

What’s next for you?
I have a few things I am juggling. I have the first book of a juvenile mystery series due out later this year, Unattended.  No magic, just murder. Besides the juvenile mystery series, I am plotting two adult fiction projects.

I am consumed with the Black Ledge Series, though.  It’s the most fun, as Thomas Block is doing illustrations for each of the books, and they are magnificent! I catch myself writing things just for him to illustrate.
  
Thank you so much for having me today!  

Thursday, July 25, 2013

#Review: THE KEEPER AND THE RUNE STONE by Paige Pendleton



4 of 5 stars

Set in Maine, "The Keeper and the Rune Stone" is a delightful read. I would suggest middle grade through YA for the target group of the book. The story is well-written as we follow the 4 Driscoll children and their discovery of The Realm. Magical creatures and talking animals are only two of things the children discover. 

Ms. Pendleton draws the reader in with her wonderful descriptions, but not all is wonderful within The Realm. Danger and mayhem are stalking the children and evil has been loosed upon the world. The clock is ticking down to set the world right again or the consequences will be dire. Without giving away any spoilers, I was anxiously turning the pages to find out how things turn out. While this is not the usual kind of book I read, I enjoyed it immensely and have no problem recommending it as a wonderful read for both adults and children to enjoy together.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Interview with Christina Daley


What was your inspiration for Radiant?
I was working on another book called Seranfyll at the time, but I ran out of ideas about 20 pages into it and set it aside. I then came across these random science articles--some were about comets and others were about health, for instance. I can't remember where the possessing idea came from, but I started to wonder what it would be like for a person to almost die and then get possessed by something that wasn't a ghost or an alien. The story grew from there into Radiant. After I got Radiant out of my system, I came back to Seranfyll and finished that as well.
Do you have any other works in progress?
I always have WIPs! I'm working a historical fiction YA that I'm keeping under wraps for now (translation: I haven't gotten very far on it, lol!). And recently, I pulled out some of my old art supplies and started re-learning how to draw. I'm not very good at it, but if you're interested in seeing a sampling of what I've done since April, check out my blog at christinadaley.blogspot.com.

What is your writing process like?
I'm not entirely sure, lol! It's different for each project. I don't outline, but I may write a bunch of notes or even a working synopsis (that ALWAYS changes by the time the first draft stage). Sometimes I write the first few chapters long hand, and other times I'll go straight to the computer and start typing. Sometimes I write at my desk, but I've been favoring my couch lately because it's more comfortable.

Any writing tips you would like to share?
Read well and as often as you can! Certainly read in the genre you write in, but also read in other genres for the sake of enjoyment and perspective. I'm a pretty slow reader, so I don't get to read a whole lot of books each year. But I jump around genres a lot, from kids books and classics to manga. And don't shy away from books you think aren't well done, since those are valuable at teaching how you don't want to write.

The other tip I'd give is to do it for the love of the game. There is a business aspect to be aware of when you decide to publish your work for profit. But at the end of the day, write because you love to tell stories and because this is the medium by which your thoughts flow best. If you write for any other reason, you're probably wasting time.

What are your favorite books? 
That's tough! But at the top of the list is C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I also really loved Ender's Game (looking forward to the movie when it comes out!). And this may be just because I'm learning how to draw right now, but two manga that I really enjoyed are Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa and Bleach by Tite Kubo (although, I haven't read Bleach beyond the anime run).

How can readers contact you?
All my contact information is on my blog (christinadaley.blogspot.com), including my email and links to my Facebook page and Twitter. I tend to get really quiet on social media whenever I'm working on a project (like now!), but if you @ me on Twitter or post something on FB or email me, I'll definitely respond.


Purchase: 

AUTHOR BIO
Christina Daley made her first book with neighborhood friends when she was four years old. They "wrote" out some semblance of lettering with crayons, cut up a cardboard box for the cover, and bound it all together with clear adhesive tape. It was brilliant.

Quite a few years later, Christina is trying her hand at writing "real" books. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with a pet plant named Herb.

Author Links:



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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

#Review: THE UNIVERSE VERSUS ALEX WOODS by Gavin Extence



5 of 5 stars

Alex Woods is an unusual young man. When he was twelve years old, he was hit by a rare meteorite that left him in a coma for two weeks. When he finally wakes, he was not the same boy. This is his story for the next five years as he learns to cope with his resulting "fits" and develops an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly American war vet, Mr. Peterson.

The storyline is told in Alex's unique voice. I was immediately drawn into the story when it opens with Alex being arrested as he tries to cross the border back into England. From there, as only Alex could tell it, we are taken back to the beginning to learn about his life from the moment he wakes up from his coma five years earlier. He is forever changed by that event and must now navigate through life with a fortitude that few individuals could match.

The dynamics between Alex and Mr. Peterson are difficult, frustrating, but ultimately uplifting as these two people share an unique friendship. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Mr. Extence has a gift for storytelling and this is one of the best books I've read this year. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a wonderful underdog story. Not that Alex is an underdog because as he would say, he was only doing what was right and there was no other choice left to him.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
 

Monday, July 22, 2013

From "Alien" to "Pacific Rim": PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN SCI-FI



 “Get away from her, you bitch,” Ellen Ripley cries out, emerging with full tech armor to battle the alien queen at the end of Alien.

It was a seminal moment in film history, watching the Sigourney Weaver character kick some serious alien butt to save the life of a child.

It worked because we were willing to believe in Ellen Ripley, a woman with courage, fighting a monster from hell, adapting her body to the available technology to meet the challenge.

It was innovative because it was forward thinking at the time, having a woman fulfill the traditional, heroic, male role—in space no less. But times change, and now we have many women characters fulfilling the traditional male lead in many genres. Give them a weapon, short hair, and a few surly lines—in effect have them become men in the guise of women’s bodies to suit an already overused archetype. 

Then again: How many women have to rise to the iconic status of motherhood to be counted? As if these women can’t become pregnant with something other than Rosemary’s baby, if not the birth of another Christ-like figure, to save us from ourselves?

It’s all very tiring, even regressive, and unnecessary: having another story written in “code” only men can grok, having another machine achieve consciousness—and have it speak in a women’s voice to give it some cache.

I stopped reading sci-fi when it became so dry and plot oriented that it parched my imagination. As a result, I decided to write something different, a sci-fi series that combines cutting edge science with the tenets of five major religions and highly developed characters—many of whom are women.

During the process, I again realized how intrigued I was writing women characters. It could be that as a man I am forced to use a great deal more of my imagination to think and feel like a woman; it could also be that women tend to be more detail oriented and even more interesting to me.

In any event, I believe I created realistic characters, portraying men and women as they really are, projecting them into the future, without exploiting or sensationalizing their differences. As if women don’t have an equal stake in our future? As if they won’t be joining us in space; as if they haven’t already?

In my sci-fi construct, women are not ascending or over compensating. They are the casual equivalent of the men, doing what is required to meet a given challenge. In this example from The Astral Imperative, Gerta, a gay spaceship engineer, is marooned on Mars with two other male crew members—both Russians who despise each other—all struggling to survive another day: 

“Is it not enough that six are already dead?” Gerta pressed, barely able to contain her anger at Vladimir and Yuri, who nearly came to blows after three months of containment in a small shelter. “Should we become seven, eight and nine because we lack the ability to share ourselves in deeper way, because it is somehow unprofessional?”
Yuri and Vladimir looked at each other before turning their eyes to the floor, embarrassed.
Gerta lowered her voice and continued, “We spend so much time together, then too much time alone trying to avoid each other in this small space. I escape to the grow room to nurture the plants. Yuri spends most of his time writing, also looking within himself and avoiding us. And you, Vladimir, you spend most of your time exploring the surface of this planet and away from us, looking to lose yourself much more than you are inspired to discover something new.
“But six of our comrades are dead. We are all that remain to fulfill the dream of billions on Earth, and we are failing them because we are missing one salient point: We are the aliens on this planet and because we continue to follow old patterns, we are becoming increasingly estranged from one another—which has only compounded our problems. Now we are fighting each other. In the end, we will be killing each other and nothing will be gained, because no one will return to Mars for another hundred years if we cannot survive this madness.
“God only knows how much I wish I could mean more to both of you, more of a friend; even more of a woman,” Gerta concluded, fighting back tears. “If only I were prettier and more desirable. If only I could desire one of you, or even both of you. But this would create even greater problems. We are who we are—chosen by fate—to die from our limitations or to survive them by joining at the depths of our despair, and by learning to respect our differences.”

Excerpt: The Astral Imperative (Vol. II The Machine)

No doubt this is an extraordinary situation—three astronauts marooned on Mars for two years—requiring an exceptional solution, beginning with one strong woman employing reason to quell the misguided emotions of two strong men. 

No ray gun was required to make a point and no vulgar language. Though gay, she is fighting back tears because she loves these two men in her own special way. More importantly, she is devoted to the success of the mission: She has deep feelings, loyalty, and strength, which are expressed within the confines of her character, and not imposed upon her.

She is the future of sci-fi, which can and should be accessible to all women.

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Robert Dresner has written six novels that marry fiction with philosophy and consciousness: from a junkie jazz musician struggling to survive another day, to an obscure old rabbi who finds God in the heart of his worst enemy; to the first manned missions to Mars, wherein great sacrifices and discoveries pose even greater mysteries to a crew struggling with the most basic elements of the human condition. He has studied in ashrams in India and is constantly moved by the soul-deep questions that drive us as a species. Robert lives in Boulder, Colorado, and you can find him online at his website, on Facebook, and Twitter.

THE ASTRAL IMPERATIVE (Virga Press, 2009) is available on Kindle and Nook, and at independent bookstores.

Amazon links:
Robert’s website: http://robertdresner.com/

Contact: Jessica McDonald, jessica@critg.com (publicist)