Ask the Author: G.S. Jennsen
Answered Questions (27)
G.S. Jennsen
Not at all! Pyper is very much human, and has been narrating my audiobooks for almost 10 years now. If you're referring to Starshine, I'll concede she starts off a little formal, but as she gets to know the characters, she really brings them to life with nuance, emotion and personality!
G.S. Jennsen
I'm so glad you're enjoying the books!
I can tell you that Book 5 is definitely "on its way" to Nextory. I don't have any control over how quickly they process audiobooks, but I will reach out and inquire about why Book 5 is taking longer.
If it's not there when you're ready, you can find my audiobooks at a bunch of other retailers, too. Here's the links for Book 5: https://www.gsjennsen.com/chaotica-audio
I can tell you that Book 5 is definitely "on its way" to Nextory. I don't have any control over how quickly they process audiobooks, but I will reach out and inquire about why Book 5 is taking longer.
If it's not there when you're ready, you can find my audiobooks at a bunch of other retailers, too. Here's the links for Book 5: https://www.gsjennsen.com/chaotica-audio
G.S. Jennsen
You haven't missed anything. When last we see them, the Ch'mshak (the Orc-like creatures) are overpowering the Kich, and it's strongly implied that the Ch'mshak succeed in wiping out the Kich, or at least crushing them enough for the mission to succeed (extracting the valuable Kich webs from the planet. We don't visit them again, mainly because Casmir and ultimately the Primors must divert their full attention to the war we and the Kats kicked off, then...well, the rest would be spoilers!
G.S. Jennsen
I'm so glad you found the books! Just FYI, Riven Worlds will be 6 books; All Our Tomorrows is Book 4. I'm expecting it to be released in October. That's a tiny bit longer than my usual "every 6-7 months," but real life has conspired against me this year. Not to worry, though - AOT is substantively finished and is in editing now.
G.S. Jennsen
No, they aren't related in any way. Book titles can't be copyrighted, so there are always duplicate titles out there in the world, even within the same genre. I know of at least two "Aurora Rising" novels that have been published since after I finished the Aurora Rising trilogy. I hate that it can cause some confusion, but nothing to be done about it!
G.S. Jennsen
2nd question first: It came about in 2 ways. I had a vision (and a plan, and an outline) for a sweeping, epic space opera series from the beginning. But as a new, unproven author, I had no idea whether I would sell enough books to be able to keep writing with any regularity. So I started smaller, with the Aurora Rising trilogy. Then, when STARSHINE broke out and became a hit, I was able to get serious about a lengthier series.
Also, while the AURORA RHAPSODY books tell a single, sequential series, each trilogy has it's own theme, tone and feel. It was a lot of fun to tell these smaller arcs within the context of the larger, overarching story. Collectively, they form a 3-act play in series form. :)
1st question! Short answer: the easiest path is just to start with Starshine, then read the books in order of their AMARANTHE # (15 books so far).
Longer answer:
I'm going to try to embed an image below. If it doesn't work, you can see it at the top of the page here: https://www.gsjennsen.com/amaranthe-u.... In fact, that page on my website should go along way toward clearing up any confusion for you.
The AURORA RHAPSODY trilogies (Aurora Rising -> Aurora Renegades -> Aurora Resonant) should be read in order. Collectively, they tell a complete story. (All the short stories I've released so far take place within the Aurora Rhapsody setting; they aren't required reading, but they do add a lot of context and nuance to the story and characters. They're bundled together in a Collection that I've slid into the Amaranthe series at #10.)
The ASTERION NOIR trilogy takes place in the same metaverse (Amaranthe) as the Aurora Rhapsody novels, but features a new setting and new characters. Asteiron Noir can be read before or after Aurora Rhapsody.
RIVEN WORLDS brings the two settings and characters together for a combined story arc, so you'll want to have read both Aurora Rhapsody and Asterion Noir before starting it. Riven Worlds will be 6 novels, and I've published the first two already.
I hope all this helps, and please feel free to shoot me any further questions. :)
Also, while the AURORA RHAPSODY books tell a single, sequential series, each trilogy has it's own theme, tone and feel. It was a lot of fun to tell these smaller arcs within the context of the larger, overarching story. Collectively, they form a 3-act play in series form. :)
1st question! Short answer: the easiest path is just to start with Starshine, then read the books in order of their AMARANTHE # (15 books so far).
Longer answer:
I'm going to try to embed an image below. If it doesn't work, you can see it at the top of the page here: https://www.gsjennsen.com/amaranthe-u.... In fact, that page on my website should go along way toward clearing up any confusion for you.
The AURORA RHAPSODY trilogies (Aurora Rising -> Aurora Renegades -> Aurora Resonant) should be read in order. Collectively, they tell a complete story. (All the short stories I've released so far take place within the Aurora Rhapsody setting; they aren't required reading, but they do add a lot of context and nuance to the story and characters. They're bundled together in a Collection that I've slid into the Amaranthe series at #10.)
The ASTERION NOIR trilogy takes place in the same metaverse (Amaranthe) as the Aurora Rhapsody novels, but features a new setting and new characters. Asteiron Noir can be read before or after Aurora Rhapsody.
RIVEN WORLDS brings the two settings and characters together for a combined story arc, so you'll want to have read both Aurora Rhapsody and Asterion Noir before starting it. Riven Worlds will be 6 novels, and I've published the first two already.
I hope all this helps, and please feel free to shoot me any further questions. :)
G.S. Jennsen
Certainly! Right now, my aspirational schedule has Inversion being published in early July. So, allowing for Life and Story complications, it should be available between mid-June and early August.
G.S. Jennsen
Asterion Noir is a trilogy. The final book, The Stars Like Gods, will be out in early summer (I should be announcing the release date in a few weeks).
G.S. Jennsen
Let me first say that the biggest contributor to the number of books I've published is being able to write full-time. I am in awe of people who are able to write and publish books around work and child-rearing.
As for my process, I'm a big proponent of outlining. In fact, I *must* know how the story ends before I can begin. The end of the book, the end of a trilogy, even the end of a 9-book series ;). Working from a solid outline means a book rarely goes sideways during the writing. Sure, I need to change smaller events and chapter order all the time, but the thread of the larger storyline and purpose holds everything together well.
This was hard to psyche myself into at first, but I've made peace with a first draft being full of pretty crappy writing. I've learned not to get frozen in horror at how bad, bland and boring the words are and just keep writing them. This has the added benefit of making me very eager to dive into editing and spruce them up once they're written!
Beyond that, it's about being disciplined and remembering that just because working for yourself, wherever you want, is the greatest way to work in the world, you still have to work. When I'm writing a first draft, absent life interruptions I'll write 6 days a week. Once I'm editing, it's usually 7 days a week (1/2 day on Sunday ;) ). When I'm not actively working, I'm thinking about the story - it's what happens when your passion becomes your profession.
As for my process, I'm a big proponent of outlining. In fact, I *must* know how the story ends before I can begin. The end of the book, the end of a trilogy, even the end of a 9-book series ;). Working from a solid outline means a book rarely goes sideways during the writing. Sure, I need to change smaller events and chapter order all the time, but the thread of the larger storyline and purpose holds everything together well.
This was hard to psyche myself into at first, but I've made peace with a first draft being full of pretty crappy writing. I've learned not to get frozen in horror at how bad, bland and boring the words are and just keep writing them. This has the added benefit of making me very eager to dive into editing and spruce them up once they're written!
Beyond that, it's about being disciplined and remembering that just because working for yourself, wherever you want, is the greatest way to work in the world, you still have to work. When I'm writing a first draft, absent life interruptions I'll write 6 days a week. Once I'm editing, it's usually 7 days a week (1/2 day on Sunday ;) ). When I'm not actively working, I'm thinking about the story - it's what happens when your passion becomes your profession.
G.S. Jennsen
Certainly! "Aurora Rhapsody" is the top-level series, consisting of 3 sequential trilogies: Rising, Renegades and Resonant (in progress): https://www.goodreads.com/series/1655.... If you're talking about audiobooks, that's just the novels (the short stories aren't in audio for now), and the order is:
Starshine -> Vertigo -> Transcendence -> Sidespace -> Dissonance -> Abysm -> Relativity (the audiobook for Relativity will be out next month). The audiobooks are available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.
I hope that helps!
Starshine -> Vertigo -> Transcendence -> Sidespace -> Dissonance -> Abysm -> Relativity (the audiobook for Relativity will be out next month). The audiobooks are available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.
I hope that helps!
G.S. Jennsen
Certainly! It's going well - new book coming out in 3 weeks, so busy, but it kind of always is. Hope you're doing well :).
G.S. Jennsen
Overall, my writing "process" has gotten better, and thus faster, with each book. But each book inevitably has its own challenges and quirks that affect the schedule. I've found the first book in a trilogy requires the most work - there are new settings to create (in my case, this often means entire planets, alien species and tech), new characters to introduce, new plot threads to begin carefully weaving into the story, etc. This was true of Starshine of course (as the first "first book," it took 10 months), but also Sidespace and now Relativity.
Conversely, the final book in a trilogy is the easiest (and the most fun) - all the set pieces are in place and ready to pay off and, if I've done the first two books right, the story practically writes itself. Abysm more or less spilled directly out of my brain and onto the keyboard, and I wrote, edited and published it in three months.
That's not typical, though. Given that Relativity is both a "first book" and will be about 30% longer than the Renegades novels, I'm probably looking at 5-6 months for it. But if the pattern holds, Books 2 and 3 of Resonant will be faster!
Conversely, the final book in a trilogy is the easiest (and the most fun) - all the set pieces are in place and ready to pay off and, if I've done the first two books right, the story practically writes itself. Abysm more or less spilled directly out of my brain and onto the keyboard, and I wrote, edited and published it in three months.
That's not typical, though. Given that Relativity is both a "first book" and will be about 30% longer than the Renegades novels, I'm probably looking at 5-6 months for it. But if the pattern holds, Books 2 and 3 of Resonant will be faster!
G.S. Jennsen
Don't feel bad for asking! Unfortunately, I won't have a precise release date ahead of time. It depends on how long ACX takes to finalize the audio, package it and distribute it once the recording is done, which varies (usually 2-10 days).
Pyper is about 75% finished recording, though, so if all goes well, I hope it will be available in about 2 weeks. I'll announce as soon as it is (and provide links) on my website, in my newsletter and around social media.
P.S.: It's fabulous. Pyper dove into the difficult emotional content with zeal and displays a vocal (tonal?) emotional range I didn't know she had. :) I can't wait to get it out there.
Pyper is about 75% finished recording, though, so if all goes well, I hope it will be available in about 2 weeks. I'll announce as soon as it is (and provide links) on my website, in my newsletter and around social media.
P.S.: It's fabulous. Pyper dove into the difficult emotional content with zeal and displays a vocal (tonal?) emotional range I didn't know she had. :) I can't wait to get it out there.
G.S. Jennsen
Yes! I'm working on getting an Aurora Renegades Collection ready, in and around writing Relativity. It will also include the Apogee short story and possibly a few extras. I expect it to be available in September (ebook only).
G.S. Jennsen
Honored to have readers who think of me as such :). Also, excited to bring a bit of a new take on what's always been my favorite genre.
G.S. Jennsen
Happy I could help! I know what you mean about visualization. I have dozens of folders of visual inspiration I've found - for planets and space sights, cities, ships, tech, battles and more. I actually did a blog post not long ago where I shared some of the pictures that inspired the various colonies we visit: http://www.gsjennsen.com/blog/2015/9/.... I said I'd do one that was more ship/tech focused, but I haven't yet ;).
I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! If you're planning your reading calendar, Book Five (Renegades Book Two), Dissonance, should be out in April, May at the latest.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! If you're planning your reading calendar, Book Five (Renegades Book Two), Dissonance, should be out in April, May at the latest.
G.S. Jennsen
The tricky thing about Mnemosyne (and all the Metigens) is that they control their own appearance, which is very fluid and often changing. But I'm betting you mean the ethereal winged appearance :). I don't have any artist renditions created for me (yet), but I have been inspired by art I've seen, such as this piece: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5xxo5gon2ih..., and a lot of fractal art of which this is only one: https://www.dropbox.com/s/oonxlaspc81....
G.S. Jennsen
For me, writing science fiction isn’t just about imagining technological advances, other worlds and aliens. If I’m writing about the future, it should be the future, whole-cloth—not today’s society with cooler toys. I firmly believe that by 300 years from now, we will have moved beyond problems of discrimination on the basis of gender, race or sexuality. If you consider where we as a society were in the early 1700s compared to today, it seems impossible that we won’t. We’ve made a damn lot of progress, and while that progress can at times be uneven, we are getting there.
I’m always surprised when I read science fiction where the author has posited fantastic, mind-blowing technology, but has placed it in a static society little changed from the present day. Societal change is constant for us as a species, and it should be one of the first things any science fiction writer considers.
So, yes, in my books women are well-represented in positions of power in the military, government and business, as well as in the myriad of background, secondary roles. Equally important to me, though, is that in the world of Aurora Rising, this fact is simply not an issue. Not a single character comments on it being a woman in charge of something, either in praise or derision. Same thing with respect to a character’s sexual preference or skin color. After all, they tend to have plenty to worry about without getting caught up in superficial differences!
Shortly after Starshine came out, I actually wrote a blog post on this topic, “The Subversive Notion of True Equality.” The point of it was essentially this: In Starshine, you will find good women and bad women, tough women and weak women, each one tough or weak in their own particular way. You will find good men and bad men, tough men and weak men, each just as unique. There are military personnel who are honorable, and those who are corrupt; the same goes for the criminals, politicians and businesspeople. Many of the people you meet fall at neither extreme, but rather are a complex tangle of motivations and propensities, much like in real life.
To circle back around to the crux of your question: no, I did not set out to have a feminist angle for Aurora Rising. I set out to write a story about individuals, and about the world they inhabit. The 24th century is not going to look like today only with cooler toys, and I hope I’ve captured that sense in the books.
I’m always surprised when I read science fiction where the author has posited fantastic, mind-blowing technology, but has placed it in a static society little changed from the present day. Societal change is constant for us as a species, and it should be one of the first things any science fiction writer considers.
So, yes, in my books women are well-represented in positions of power in the military, government and business, as well as in the myriad of background, secondary roles. Equally important to me, though, is that in the world of Aurora Rising, this fact is simply not an issue. Not a single character comments on it being a woman in charge of something, either in praise or derision. Same thing with respect to a character’s sexual preference or skin color. After all, they tend to have plenty to worry about without getting caught up in superficial differences!
Shortly after Starshine came out, I actually wrote a blog post on this topic, “The Subversive Notion of True Equality.” The point of it was essentially this: In Starshine, you will find good women and bad women, tough women and weak women, each one tough or weak in their own particular way. You will find good men and bad men, tough men and weak men, each just as unique. There are military personnel who are honorable, and those who are corrupt; the same goes for the criminals, politicians and businesspeople. Many of the people you meet fall at neither extreme, but rather are a complex tangle of motivations and propensities, much like in real life.
To circle back around to the crux of your question: no, I did not set out to have a feminist angle for Aurora Rising. I set out to write a story about individuals, and about the world they inhabit. The 24th century is not going to look like today only with cooler toys, and I hope I’ve captured that sense in the books.
G.S. Jennsen
I'm sure I was born on April 2 - and am forever, renewed every year, grateful it wasn't April 1. I say nothing about the year in which such a thing might have occurred, however.
G.S. Jennsen
First off, disclaimer: While I follow astrophysics as a hobby (and for my writing), I am definitely not a physicist, so this is a layman's answer.
If I understand your question correctly, the experiment conducted in March of this year strongly suggests the answer is yes. It's discussed here: http://factor-tech.com/connected-worl..., here: http://mashable.com/2015/03/29/einste... and here: http://www.iflscience.com/physics/uni....
Of course, one of the interesting aspects of quantum entanglement is that, while you supposed the information "would necessarily have to be sent to the entangled particle after the Bell measurement was done," the theory suggests that, somehow, the information isn't actually "sent" at all.
It's a mind-bender, and there's a reason even Einstein couldn't accept the implications :).
If I understand your question correctly, the experiment conducted in March of this year strongly suggests the answer is yes. It's discussed here: http://factor-tech.com/connected-worl..., here: http://mashable.com/2015/03/29/einste... and here: http://www.iflscience.com/physics/uni....
Of course, one of the interesting aspects of quantum entanglement is that, while you supposed the information "would necessarily have to be sent to the entangled particle after the Bell measurement was done," the theory suggests that, somehow, the information isn't actually "sent" at all.
It's a mind-bender, and there's a reason even Einstein couldn't accept the implications :).
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Feb 27, 2024 10:34AM
Jan 10, 2025 05:31PM