As soon as I finish sending this newsletter, I’ll be on my way to watch Transformers: Rise of the Beasts with my family. I’ve always been a casual Transformers fan. I watched the original cartoon when it aired back in the 80s but with nowhere near the enthusiasm I had for Voltron or Robotech. I even watched the original animated movie in the theater when it first came out and enjoyed the Michael Bay movies for the summer blockbuster popcorn movies they were. But if I missed something Transformers related, it wasn’t a big deal. My youngest son, on the other hand, is a huge Transformers fan. From the first time he watched the movies, he was hooked. He’s obsessed with the movies, animated series, toys, video games, and probably some things I’m forgetting. It was conversations about the Transformers movies that sparked some of the original ideas I had for Mechhaven! Whether the movie is good or bad, I’m looking forward to our post-viewing discussions that will probably go on for weeks!
In other news, last weekend I watched Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. If you enjoyed the first Spider-Verse movie, I think you’ll enjoy this one. Along with unique animation styles, the story is very strong.
I also finished watching Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard. I wasn’t a fan of the first two seasons, but Season 3 was superb. It is a great example of how to treat legacy characters while introducing new ones. Star Wars sequel trilogy, I’m looking at you.
Mechhaven Missives
- I’m making progress reviewing my editor’s comments and suggestions on Mechhaven Book 4: Rally Point. So far, there’s been nothing major. On my own, I’ve made a couple of updates for clarity. The trick at this point is if I make any additional changes, to make sure I don’t introduce any new errors.
- At my current rate, I should wrap up the review by the end of this month. Once that is done, I’ll need to format the ebook/print versions and set up a promotion schedule. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll release Rally Point in mid-to-late August!
- Author Appearances! I’m planning on making several appearances over the next year. The first one I have locked in is the Reader & Author Vegas Event (RAVE) on November 10th, 2023 from 10:00am to 4:00PM. I’ll also be doing a 5-minute reading from Pax Machina at 12:55PM! If you’re interested and going to be in Las Vegas on November 10th or know anyone who is, please check it out. There will be hundreds of indie authors from newbies to best-sellers covering all different genres on hand sell and sign their books. For more information, click the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ravevegasauthorsigning
Mech of the Month
To celebrate the release of the new movie. I’ve chosen the Transformers as Mech(s) of the Month for June. I mentioned the Transformers in my musings above and how much they mean to my son and some of the influence they’ve had on Mechhaven, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the effect they’ve had on pop culture as a whole. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, the Autobots, and Deceptions, if not household names, are certainly well known. From the toys, cartoons, movies, comic books, and video games, it would be difficult to find another mech/robot-based franchise that is as prominent as the Transformers.
I have a special fondness for the animated series Transformers Prime (Netflix), as that show played constantly in my household while my kids were younger. The show has a solid storyline and great voice acting. If you want to learn more about the Transformer toys and how they became so big, check out The Toys That Made Us Season 2, Episode 2 on Netflix.
In all the various incarnations of Transformers, there are hundreds (perhaps over a thousand?) unique characters. The picture above is of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobot faction, and probably the most famous Transformer. Voiced by Peter Cullen in the movies and most of the cartoons, he is such an iconic character. I personally like Grimlock of the Dinobots, Jetfire (who’s literally a Robotech Veritech fighter), and any of the combiners (because, Voltron).
Do you have a favorite Transformer? Or Transformers series? If so, let me know!
*Disclaimer…yes, I know Transformers are not ‘technically’ mechs…but remember in my definition of mechanai, from the Mechhaven books, anything from piloted mechs to sentient robots fall under the category of mechs…therefore the Transformers qualify.
Featured Authors
This week’s featured authors are Waldo Rodriguez and Dylan McFadyen!
by
Waldo Rodriguez
From the ashes of a dying world, a god will rise.
As an out of shape nerd, Gabriel Rivera had more pressing issues than outlandish things like godhood: Evacuating the city, joining the military, and protecting his family. Simple right?
Everything changed when the PAC invaded.
When the grim fate of his world is revealed, Gabriel joins the Reclaimer Project to save his family. A lowly F ranker, he’s weaker than even the worst recruits. Good thing he’s too stubborn for his own good.
Through blood and sweat Gabriel aims to grow stronger and rise above the rest.
Deadly traps lurk around every corner, mysterious factions move in the shadows, and dormant powers within him manifest in wild and dangerous ways.
by
Dylan McFadyen
Humanity is on the verge of extinction.
Earth’s civilization has immolated itself in nuclear fire, ending a century of chaos and environmental decay. The last survivors of the human race watch helplessly from space as their homeworld burns, and with it, their only chance of survival.
Until Tomasz Dabrowski, an astronomer abandoned on a distant space station, detects a mysterious alien signal. Humanity’s long awaited first contact with another intelligence has finally come, at the end of the world. Now, Tomasz has to decide whether to respond to the signal; because there’s no way of knowing whether the aliens will be our saviors… or our destroyers.
Featured Promotions
I’m starting the summer off with a bang and a lot of group promotions. Please take a look and support any of the authors you can. I’ve already seen a number of new subscribers this week due to these promotions!
Summer Sci-Fi: Kindle Unlimited
Fantasy & Science Fiction Book Fair
SciFi and Fantasy MegaGiveAway
Until next time, have fun and read a lot of books!
Greg Sorber