Shorts + autographs for the holidays.
How is it almost the holidays? Seems like just yesterday I was scrambling in a panic to get all five of our kids up and running for teleschooling...
Thanks to everyone who checked out FPO, my fictitious design-thinking agency specializing in super-science and the paranormal. And thanks, especially, for the folks who provided feedback on the first short story, there: "MVP: Release Thé, Virgins." Some of the story prompts that came through the site are killer ideas. Look for a new FPO short coming in the new year.
But unlike every other author's newsletter—shilling their books (of course!)—I want to give you something, this season. On o-jd.com, I'm giving away "The Devil’s Own Pet," a free short story set in the same Wilder West Calamity Jane and the Green Man ride through in Calamity.
Take a ranch in 1855 California, terrorized by a massive thunderbird that can turn cattle and men to ash. Add one western legend—Jim Beckwourth, a hardened former slave, ranger, and gambler—and one alien bounty hunter—the mysterious Green Woman who cottons no men in her way except the silent Crow boy ever by her side. Then, when the thunderbird turns out to be too much for either of them to handle alone, mix in an unlikely alliance, a dash of betrayal, a hint of stolen spaceship, and a generous side of mind control.
There is another west, much wilder.
Hope you enjoy the ride.
-me
SOME COOL CONTENT FROM MY FACEBOOK PAGE:
(It's neat. You should like it.)
Signed and personalized books make a great gift.
Over 100 people have already requested free autographed bookplates, this season—don't miss out!
Calamity bookplates are specially-designed stickers you can put in the novel. Just let me know who's getting the book, if you’d like to add a personalized message, and I'll get the signed bookplate to you in time for the holidays.
After the Loop, it's time for the Labyrinth.
Simon Stålenhag's vintage 80s scifi world is back for another moody narrative art book.
The latest from the artist behind "Tales from the Loop" looks as creepy and vintage as we could hope for—and this time playing on our fears of climate change instead of nostalgic wonder. Can't wait!
He's back from the 25 century. Again!
It's time to reboot everyone's favorite spaceman.
Buck Rogers is the only property my lil author heart has ever wanted to reboot. And not only because Colonel Deering was my first true love. Now, Legendary Pictures—the studio behind the upcoming Dune film—aims to bring Buck back to the big screen and the small.
What I'm reading:
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Babylon 5 meets Aztec intrigue with a GOT bodycount.
This 2020 Hugo award winner is a clever and smart mixture of history (with heavy leanings on Byzantine and Aztec histories), a fresh space-opera setting, and political intrigue. And the character names... so good.
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