I often notice the passage of time when I sit down to write this newsletter. Case in point, last weekend was the 2023 Autumnal Equinox (in the northern hemisphere), and I was completely oblivious to it. It didn’t even register that we had changed seasons until mid-week when I started writing this week’s newsletter. I guess I have been too busy to notice that we slipped from Summer into Autumn. This is one of my favorite seasons, so I’m usually aware of the change. Even though I live in Southern California and we don’t get the full-effect leaves changing color until November or December, there are some trees that lose their leaves earlier. The main thing that clued me in to the season change this time was the weather has been a little cooler in the mornings and evenings. So much so that I now have to ask myself whether I need to bring a light jacket when I’m leaving for work or going out in the evening. I guess now I need to partake in the fun of the new season. Time for a Pumpkin Spice Latte (Just kidding! I’m staying away from sugary drinks…). This weekend I’ll be pulling our Halloween decorations out of storage and helping my wife and kids put them up. What are your favorite ways of enjoying Autumn? Let me know!
Mechhaven Missives
- Writing on the Mechhaven-related novella is progressing, but slowly. I just finished a fun scene earlier in the week, but I’m only a little more than halfway day. I’m hoping to get some solid blocks of writing time in this weekend to move me further along. As mentioned above, Autumn is my favorite season, and the cooler weather often puts me in the ideal frame of mind to write!
- If you’ve finished Rally Point, or at least made it through Chapter 8, you can check out “The Hub” some bonus/deleted scenes that were in the first draft of the book but that I removed to increase the pace of the story. I think the scenes are fun and they help fill in some details of events that otherwise happen offscreen, but they’re not critical to your enjoyment of Rally Point. These scenes are free and only available to readers of this newsletter. If you decide to read them, please be sure to read the introduction first.
“The Hub” Bonus Scenes From Rally Point
Mech of the Month
Since there were three newsletters this month, I’m pushing October’s Mech of the Month into…well…October. Please check back in the next edition. Also, I’m always looking for ideas for Mech of the Month, so if you have a favorite mech/robot/android, let me know so I can complete the research to add them in a future newsletter!
Featured Authors
I have five featured authors this week! Please take a look and support them if you can!
by
Tom Dell’Aringa
Quick-paced, primal, and full of suspense…
A thrilling sci-fi short with an “Aliens” feel.
As his warship comes under attack by a devastating alien horror, a drug-addicted recruit stumbles upon a secret super soldier compound. In his hand is the one hope to save the ship. But to do it, he’ll have to face his crippling fear of the alien on the other side of the hatch.
by
Warwick Eden
The sci-fi adventures of a down-and-out cyborg, his uploaded dog and their AI-run colonial outpost.
Meet Jessie Coben, your typical cyborg dude — brassy on the outside, sensitive on the inside, 91.77% machine, but ‘all man’ (so he says).
Ex-army, he gets by as a trade consultant (aka glorified delivery guy) and occasional smuggler whilst evading a government hell-bent on recalling the 91.77% of him for salvage.
by
Leon Stevens
Lose everything. Save everyone.
Kara Syung leads a life of privilege on the ringed world Hokkaido until her brother whispers his final warning: “They’re going to burn it all. Be a soldier.”
His death sets Kara on a mission for justice and the truth. Yet powerful forces stand in her way – starting with her family and others who control the planet’s food supply. She has few weapons: A lifelong best friend, a murderous immortal on a crusade of his own, a rogue from an old galactic empire, and a snub-nose laser pistol. Moreover, time and conscience works against her.
by
Richard Rimington
A struggle for the fate of humanity
In this tale of space opera and cosmic adventure, the Ambassador of a mysterious and ancient family must forge a path through chaos to overcome the terrible enemies that desire humanity’s destruction.
Her plan to avert galactic catastrophe will unite a band of survivors who have faced every imaginable danger and disaster.
by
Rayner Ye
Fighting a War on a Red Sun World
A marine sent to fight a war on a red-sun world. A slum boy taken under the wing of a terrorist. Both must betray their protectors to rescue the victims of war.
Oshun is bribed to fight a war on a red-sun world. During VR war gaming in cryosleep, she is best. But she isn’t prepared for the catastrophe on that spaceship.
Featured Promotions
I have two new promotions this week. Please take a look and support these authors if you can!
Other Worlds-Kindle Unlimited
Until next time, have fun and read a lot of books!
Greg Sorber