This is where it begins;

Posted in Grumblings on February 23, 2010 by chemiclord

It’s not exactly a long, long time ago (I have actually intentionally avoided even unconsciously attaching it to anything relative to our present time).

It’s not exactly a galaxy far, far away either (the galaxy that hosts all these happenings is actually inspired by the sight of M31 in the night sky over Fremont, Michigan… more commonly known as the Andromeda galaxy).

But it is a science-fiction fantasy hybrid story akin to that very famous universe crafted (for good or for ill) by George Lucas, and I can’t deny the influence it had… an influence that will probably be rather obvious.  I’m not sure you really can make such a hybrid genre without touching on the themes and the feel it created and shaped.

Anyway, if that hasn’t scared you away yet… the first novel of this series The Second Gate, will be posted on a chapter by chapter basis, hopefully every Monday.  I don’t foresee any delays in that score once it actually starts posting, but there are still some small details that need to hammered out before they start appearing (like where the chapters will be hosted, what formats they will be in, and the like).

However, as those things are straightened out, I will post a group of short stories that serve as setting the table for the novel itself, in the near future.  Stay tuned.

So, why am I doing this?

Posted in Grumblings on February 23, 2010 by chemiclord

I’m sure you’re wondering… why should I care about this?

Surely, if this fellow was any good, he’d already be published and I’d be buying his works off the bookshelves.

To an extent, you’d be right.

Truth is… I probably could have been a published author already.  It wasn’t from lack of interest… but for one reason or another, it never fully manifested.

Either my work was too risky to invest on a new author (Tor)… or the manuscripts were too long for their press (EDGE)… or it didn’t have enough “mass appeal”; aka sex and drugs and rock and roll (Baen).  Another common sticking point was that I refused to sell the copyright to them outright (pretty much all of them).

I insisted it wasn’t about the money, and that I simply wanted to maintain creative control.  Finally, a good friend of mine told me if that was the case, to put my money where my mouth is.  She’s probably right; a lot of people helped me put together the works I’ve written… they deserve more than my thanks, and while I probably can’t pay them for their time, at least I should put forth what they helped me write.

It should be read… whether you like it or not is entirely your prerogative.

Let’s see what happens from here, shall we?