Gregeration X Newsletter August 5, 2023-August’s Mech of the Month!

With the transition to my new computer complete, I’m plowing full-speed ahead with the final prep for Rally Point and a few other projects (see Mechhaven Missives below).

This time of year is super busy with my day job and once I send out this newsletter, I’ll be working through most of this weekend to prep for leadership/strategic planning meetings next week. Wish me luck!

Mechhaven Missives

I’m looking forward to releasing Rally Point and getting back to writing Mechhaven Book 5. Thanks to all of you who’ve already pre-ordered Mechhaven Book 4: Rally Point. If you haven’t yet, but would like to, please click here.

Also, if you haven’t read Books 1-3 yet, they’re available on Kindle Unlimited, so you can start anytime. Or, if you prefer to purchase them, you may want to wait until August 24th, since I’ll have some promotions running at the same time as I release Rally Point.

Early in Rally Point’s editing process, I removed two chapters that were very interesting, but made it take too long to get to the meat of the story. I’ve decided to release those “deleted scenes” as bonus material for subscribers of this newsletter. In early September I’ll release the details on how to access that content.

Have you ever wanted to listen to the Mechhaven series in audiobook format or know someone who does? Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks and months! Exciting news coming soon!

Mech of the Month

Everything is SUUUUPPEEERR with August’s Mech of the Month! In a surprise move, The Iron Pirate “General Franky” cut to the front of the line and usurped my previous choice, ______ ______. Such is the way of mechs!

(Minor-ish spoilers for One Piece below)

I’ve posted about my growing fondness for the longest running manga and anime, One Piece. The Iron Pirate “General Franky” the mech form of Franky, the Straw Hat’s (the good guys) kind-hearted speedo-wearing cola-powered cyborg shipwright. In a forced two-year separation from the rest of the group, Franky takes the time to upgrade his own cybernetics and develops a mech form known as The Iron Pirate “General Franky”.

How does a cola-powered mech fit into a world of pirates? Well, pretty good actually. Though One Piece is ostensibly about pirates whose technology level you’d think would be that of 17th/18th century real-world pirates (some are like that). But in One Piece, it makes perfect sense, since technology runs the gamut from stone/bronze age, to steampunk, to downright science fiction level lasers and chemical weapons. So in a world as crazy as this, Franky fits in just fine.

Franky’s transformation into mech form is often used for comedic effect with some of the male crew and bystanders enamored and excited by it, to most of the female crew indifferent to it, but once the transformation is complete “General Franky” is ready for action and possesses enough firepower help the Straw Hat’s face their many enemies.

Here’s a fun clip of one transformation from Episode 1000: Transformation.

I hope you enjoy the Iron Pirate “General Franky” as much as I have!

I’m always looking for more ideas for Mech of the Month. If there is one you’d liked featured, feel free to send me a message.

Featured Authors

This week’s featured authors are Troy Young, C.G. Harris, and Christopher Francis! Please check out their books and support them if you can!

The Seeker of Solace

Troy Young

“Get up, scum. Time to die.”

The gallows await notorious outlaw Orlan Bazhaev in a small backwater town on a Neg world until a Frontier Marshal intervenes and spares his life. The price for this freedom? He has to hunt down his former gang and kill his mentor.

Orlan hunts the gang systematically, using his intimate knowledge of them to his advantage, all the while struggling with his choice. Ready to leave this murderous life behind, he questions if he deserves to return to civilized life.