James Siewert's Blog
August 8, 2025
ARC CALL! Captains of Oartheca
Hello, fine readers!
I’m thrilled to announce that the third instalment of the Oarthecan Star Saga, Captains of Oartheca , will launch this November 2025!
But for all of you eager souls who’ve been so patient during its creation, I have something special: an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) giveaway right here on Goodreads.
Here’s the deal:
The first 10 fans of the Saga to message me on Goodreads will receive a free ARC of Captains of Oartheca (.pdf or .epub—your choice). If you’re quick, I’ll email your copy straight to you. Your email will remain completely private and will never be used for any kind of solicitation.
Missed the Goodreads giveaway? No worries—you’ll have another shot over on Booksprout, where I’ve also set up an ARC call. Hopefully, one way or another, you’ll get to dive into Captains early!
While reviews are never required, they are always deeply appreciated—and I’m happy to chat any time about the book, the series, or the world of the Oarth.
Thank you, as always, for your interest in my stories. Sharing Oartheca with you is a joy, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of Captains of Oartheca James Siewert Captains of Oartheca !
I’m thrilled to announce that the third instalment of the Oarthecan Star Saga, Captains of Oartheca , will launch this November 2025!
But for all of you eager souls who’ve been so patient during its creation, I have something special: an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) giveaway right here on Goodreads.
Here’s the deal:
The first 10 fans of the Saga to message me on Goodreads will receive a free ARC of Captains of Oartheca (.pdf or .epub—your choice). If you’re quick, I’ll email your copy straight to you. Your email will remain completely private and will never be used for any kind of solicitation.
Missed the Goodreads giveaway? No worries—you’ll have another shot over on Booksprout, where I’ve also set up an ARC call. Hopefully, one way or another, you’ll get to dive into Captains early!
While reviews are never required, they are always deeply appreciated—and I’m happy to chat any time about the book, the series, or the world of the Oarth.
Thank you, as always, for your interest in my stories. Sharing Oartheca with you is a joy, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of Captains of Oartheca James Siewert Captains of Oartheca !
May 8, 2025
Captains of Oartheca: First Draft Completed!
Hello there!
It is with the greatest pleasure that I share with you that the first full draft of Captains of Oartheca is now finished!
It's been a long, long journey with many hiccups along the way, but I've pushed these past few months to get the the story out of my head and on to paper. I'm proud of the result, but there are still some final touches that are needed before publishing.
What happens next?
Edits. Chapter by chapter, line by line. A lengthy process that will take at least six or so weeks, given the length of the story. Again, I'm going to push to get this done as soon as possible—I am so eager to share this story, but there's always a chance for improvement.
Once the edits are finished, it's off to a beta-reader to make sure there's nothing wonky about the story, and when that comes back, I'll send out a call for an ARC team to get their hands on it!
If all goes well, we're looking at mid-July for the final version to be finished. From there, I'm going to run a book launch tour, and so I am hoping by September the book is published and available exclusively on Amazon!
Can I be a part of the ARC Team?
Hopefully, yes! After I'm satisfied with the edits and the beta-reader feedback, I'm looking to form a five-person Goodreads ARC team for the polished version. Please stay tuned for the ARC call, some time (hopefully) by August.
In addition to that, I will post an ARC call on Booksprout. Between those two sources, if you're keen to get your hands on Captains before its official release, that will be your chance.
What's the story like?
Currently, Captains clocks in at around 190,000 words (39 Chapters). It's told in three major acts, and, like the first two books, it takes our heroes across the galaxy and back again.
Expect high adventure, touching romance, a little bit of naughty stuff, but also drama and conflict. There's a lot going on in Captains, and it's all told in loving detail.
When do we get to see the cover?
After the beta-read is done, when I will have a better understanding of how physically 'thick' the story is, which affects how the cover is designed. I'm going to ask the same artist, Ryan Carriere (here on Goodreads) to design the cover in the same theme as Allure and Barons, so hopefully he's available!
Will there be an audio version of the story?
That would be a dream, eh? Due to costs, there's no plans at this time to release an audiobook, as much as I'd like. Maybe, just maybe, a major media company (*cough* Tantor *cough*) will pick up the rights to the audio version of the story, and we can hear Toar's sing-song voice in real-life.
That's all for now but keep checking this blog for future updates and timelines. And as always, thank you so much for your interest and being a fan—this story is for you as much as anyone, and you've all been a major reason it's been written.
Cheers and all the best,
James
It is with the greatest pleasure that I share with you that the first full draft of Captains of Oartheca is now finished!
It's been a long, long journey with many hiccups along the way, but I've pushed these past few months to get the the story out of my head and on to paper. I'm proud of the result, but there are still some final touches that are needed before publishing.
What happens next?
Edits. Chapter by chapter, line by line. A lengthy process that will take at least six or so weeks, given the length of the story. Again, I'm going to push to get this done as soon as possible—I am so eager to share this story, but there's always a chance for improvement.
Once the edits are finished, it's off to a beta-reader to make sure there's nothing wonky about the story, and when that comes back, I'll send out a call for an ARC team to get their hands on it!
If all goes well, we're looking at mid-July for the final version to be finished. From there, I'm going to run a book launch tour, and so I am hoping by September the book is published and available exclusively on Amazon!
Can I be a part of the ARC Team?
Hopefully, yes! After I'm satisfied with the edits and the beta-reader feedback, I'm looking to form a five-person Goodreads ARC team for the polished version. Please stay tuned for the ARC call, some time (hopefully) by August.
In addition to that, I will post an ARC call on Booksprout. Between those two sources, if you're keen to get your hands on Captains before its official release, that will be your chance.
What's the story like?
Currently, Captains clocks in at around 190,000 words (39 Chapters). It's told in three major acts, and, like the first two books, it takes our heroes across the galaxy and back again.
Expect high adventure, touching romance, a little bit of naughty stuff, but also drama and conflict. There's a lot going on in Captains, and it's all told in loving detail.
When do we get to see the cover?
After the beta-read is done, when I will have a better understanding of how physically 'thick' the story is, which affects how the cover is designed. I'm going to ask the same artist, Ryan Carriere (here on Goodreads) to design the cover in the same theme as Allure and Barons, so hopefully he's available!
Will there be an audio version of the story?
That would be a dream, eh? Due to costs, there's no plans at this time to release an audiobook, as much as I'd like. Maybe, just maybe, a major media company (*cough* Tantor *cough*) will pick up the rights to the audio version of the story, and we can hear Toar's sing-song voice in real-life.
That's all for now but keep checking this blog for future updates and timelines. And as always, thank you so much for your interest and being a fan—this story is for you as much as anyone, and you've all been a major reason it's been written.
Cheers and all the best,
James
August 7, 2024
Update on Captains and sneak peek pic!
Hey Everyone!
So pleased to share that I am working on the last few chapters of the first draft of Captains of Oartheca. It’s been a long journey and there’s still more to come, but progress is being made and the story is one that I am proud of, and sincerely hope you enjoy
What can you tell us about the story so far (no spoilers)?
- It is, by far, the longest instalment of the series to date.
- The story is told in two major parts (or ‘acts’). Both parts will be released together as one novel.
- There’s the action, romance and classic space adventure you’ve come to expect from this series, but also political complexities and moral conundrums we’ve not seen in previous instalments. Oartheca is not for the weak willed.
What happens next for the release?
- I need to wrap up the final chapters, and then launch the arduous process of first draft revisions. Thankfully, I’ve have some help with that, and the first few chapters are already undergoing double-checks and edits. While this process will take more time, I want to deliver a top-notch story free from silly mistakes as much as possible.
- After the edit is complete, I begin my Advance Reader Copy (ARC) cycle – and I’ll be looking for a couple of volunteers to join in on my ARC team! Stay tuned for the announcement!
What’s taken/taking so long?!
- (sigh) Work. 100% to blame. In order that I stay ‘relevant’ and ‘operating at my optimal capacity’, I’ve had to take a series of training courses and certifications for the past year, involving a lot of studying and exams. It’s robbed huge amounts of my personal time. I wish I could say it’s been worth it, but I’m a little resentful that I’ve had to invest so many weekends and late nights, just so I don’t risk losing my job. It’s the way of my industry though – stay kept up or get kicked out. I am grateful I have employment however, and my courses are going to wrap up eventually, and I will have a lot of new bells and whistles to add to my résumé – so it’s not all bad by any stretch.
When can we expect the release of the book?
- Sad to say, but stand-by for further updates in the next couple of months. Trust me, I am just as excited and eager as anyone else is for this book to get published!
What’s the sneak peek pic?!
- Just like the first two instalments, I open the book with a picture of spaceship (done by an amazing artist named Kokln K on Fiverr). Some of you may have guessed these ships are the incarnation that Blue Boy takes for the book.
As a way of thanking you for your patience, I’ve included a minor spoiler of Blue Boy’s new look for Captains. Please look at my Pictures page for the picture!
- Would anyone like to take a stab at guessing the former name of this ship? I'd love to hear your replies!
So that's all for this update, except to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone who is a fan of this series and wants to see what's next in store for Rowland and Toar. Please know that your interest and enthusiasm means the world to me, and drives me to get Captains to you as soon as possible.
All my best to you,
James Siewert
So pleased to share that I am working on the last few chapters of the first draft of Captains of Oartheca. It’s been a long journey and there’s still more to come, but progress is being made and the story is one that I am proud of, and sincerely hope you enjoy
What can you tell us about the story so far (no spoilers)?
- It is, by far, the longest instalment of the series to date.
- The story is told in two major parts (or ‘acts’). Both parts will be released together as one novel.
- There’s the action, romance and classic space adventure you’ve come to expect from this series, but also political complexities and moral conundrums we’ve not seen in previous instalments. Oartheca is not for the weak willed.
What happens next for the release?
- I need to wrap up the final chapters, and then launch the arduous process of first draft revisions. Thankfully, I’ve have some help with that, and the first few chapters are already undergoing double-checks and edits. While this process will take more time, I want to deliver a top-notch story free from silly mistakes as much as possible.
- After the edit is complete, I begin my Advance Reader Copy (ARC) cycle – and I’ll be looking for a couple of volunteers to join in on my ARC team! Stay tuned for the announcement!
What’s taken/taking so long?!
- (sigh) Work. 100% to blame. In order that I stay ‘relevant’ and ‘operating at my optimal capacity’, I’ve had to take a series of training courses and certifications for the past year, involving a lot of studying and exams. It’s robbed huge amounts of my personal time. I wish I could say it’s been worth it, but I’m a little resentful that I’ve had to invest so many weekends and late nights, just so I don’t risk losing my job. It’s the way of my industry though – stay kept up or get kicked out. I am grateful I have employment however, and my courses are going to wrap up eventually, and I will have a lot of new bells and whistles to add to my résumé – so it’s not all bad by any stretch.
When can we expect the release of the book?
- Sad to say, but stand-by for further updates in the next couple of months. Trust me, I am just as excited and eager as anyone else is for this book to get published!
What’s the sneak peek pic?!
- Just like the first two instalments, I open the book with a picture of spaceship (done by an amazing artist named Kokln K on Fiverr). Some of you may have guessed these ships are the incarnation that Blue Boy takes for the book.
As a way of thanking you for your patience, I’ve included a minor spoiler of Blue Boy’s new look for Captains. Please look at my Pictures page for the picture!
- Would anyone like to take a stab at guessing the former name of this ship? I'd love to hear your replies!
So that's all for this update, except to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone who is a fan of this series and wants to see what's next in store for Rowland and Toar. Please know that your interest and enthusiasm means the world to me, and drives me to get Captains to you as soon as possible.
All my best to you,
James Siewert
September 23, 2023
Captains of Oartheca: We're half way there!
Hello Everyone!
Just wanted to share that the first half of the next instalment in the Oarthecan Star Saga, Captains of Oartheca has been completed!
Granted it's the first draft and there's still part two to write, but it's a solid start and I'm seriously surprised of the direction this first part took. There's action, intrigue and adventure as Captain Rowland Hale visits the home world of his beau, the big and burly Toar Grithrawrsion, for the first time, and comes face-to-face with the world of the Oarth, where Barons rule and drones obey.
Due to real-life work constraints (ugh), I'm not able to provide a solid timeline for completion of part two, but know that squeeze every opportunity to work on this third chapter of the Saga at every chance! I'm hoping a mid-spring 2024 release, but stay tuned for further updates!
Also, I've nominated Allure of Oartheca for the LGBTQ/GSM Fantasy & Science Fiction October book of the month, so stop by the poll and cast your vote!
Thank you for being a fan of my stories, and looking forward to sharing future updates soon!
My best to you,
James Siewert
Just wanted to share that the first half of the next instalment in the Oarthecan Star Saga, Captains of Oartheca has been completed!
Granted it's the first draft and there's still part two to write, but it's a solid start and I'm seriously surprised of the direction this first part took. There's action, intrigue and adventure as Captain Rowland Hale visits the home world of his beau, the big and burly Toar Grithrawrsion, for the first time, and comes face-to-face with the world of the Oarth, where Barons rule and drones obey.
Due to real-life work constraints (ugh), I'm not able to provide a solid timeline for completion of part two, but know that squeeze every opportunity to work on this third chapter of the Saga at every chance! I'm hoping a mid-spring 2024 release, but stay tuned for further updates!
Also, I've nominated Allure of Oartheca for the LGBTQ/GSM Fantasy & Science Fiction October book of the month, so stop by the poll and cast your vote!
Thank you for being a fan of my stories, and looking forward to sharing future updates soon!
My best to you,
James Siewert
October 15, 2022
Sparks in the Dark is available today on Amazon!
Hi Everybody! So very happy to announce that Sparks in the Dark is now available on Amazon, in either ebook format or paperback!
Sparks tells the story of butch ex-marine Albert 'Buzz' Buchanan and the studly star-ship-engineer-with-a-secret Thomas Cutter. Together, our two heroes launch their first journey together to a mysterious location waaaay out in uncharted galactic space, where danger and excitement ride hand-in-hand.
Hope you will join in the adventure with Sparks in the Dark !
Want to know a little more about there story? Here's a 5 star review from Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
"Sparks in the Dark is the first episode of the Buzz and Cutter Series by James Siewert. Albert 'Buzz' Buchanan, a mercenary, has a lucrative offer for a freelancing job that requires him to travel to the edge of the universe. Accompanying him on this mission is his newfound love interest Thomas Cutter, a sentient Vortycian AI who is also a starship engineer. Buzz, Cutter, and the crew of the spaceship Hassrethall are to recover the starship N'Neclor, with which contact had been lost three years before. The Hassrethall soon locates the N'Neclor, but upon boarding the ship, Buzz and the rest of the crew discover a mysterious entity that might be responsible for the death of all those aboard. Buzz and Cutter must now find a way to neutralize the entity or risk being stranded in the vastness of interstellar space.
For readers who love sci-fi space sagas such as The Expanse or Battlestar Galactica, Sparks in the Dark is a gem of a book. James Siewert builds a believable world set hundreds of years into the future where humanity has colonized planets all across the cosmos. The book is all the more special because it is one of the very few sci-fi stories where the main characters belong to the LGBTQ community. It feels like a breath of fresh air. Buzz and Cutter's chemistry is palpable, and every scene involving the two of them together is full of romantic tension and intrigue. If you're a sci-fi lover, don't miss out. "
August 6, 2022
NEW RELEASE & ARC for Sparks in the Dark!
Sparks in the Dark
Hello Everyone!
I am so thrilled to share with you that my new sci-fi adventure novel Sparks in the Dark, the first episode in my new BuzzCuts series, is going on sale on Amazon on October 15, 2022!
Set in the same universe as my Oarthecan Star Saga, but with entirely new characters in an entirely new adventure, Sparks in the Dark is a rip-roaring ride across the stars! Find out what shenanigans our two new heroes face: Albert 'Buzz' Buchanan, a sexy space marine, and Thomas Cutter, a space-ship engineers who's a lot more than he first appears.
But you don't have to wait until October for your chance to read Sparks in the Dark: I am launching an exclusive Advance Reader Copy giveaway, just for you guys! The first 20 of my blog followers who send me a message will get a free e-copy of the story (epub, mobi or pdf), all for you to enjoy without any obligation (I of course would love a review, but it's entirely optional).
I can't wait to share this new story with you, and for you to find out exactly what trouble a space marine and a star-ship engineer can get into in the deep darkness of unknown space (and the comfort of their own quarters, too ;) ).
Thanks for being a fan, and all the best to each of you!
Fondly,
James W. Siewert
Hello Everyone!
I am so thrilled to share with you that my new sci-fi adventure novel Sparks in the Dark, the first episode in my new BuzzCuts series, is going on sale on Amazon on October 15, 2022!
Set in the same universe as my Oarthecan Star Saga, but with entirely new characters in an entirely new adventure, Sparks in the Dark is a rip-roaring ride across the stars! Find out what shenanigans our two new heroes face: Albert 'Buzz' Buchanan, a sexy space marine, and Thomas Cutter, a space-ship engineers who's a lot more than he first appears.
But you don't have to wait until October for your chance to read Sparks in the Dark: I am launching an exclusive Advance Reader Copy giveaway, just for you guys! The first 20 of my blog followers who send me a message will get a free e-copy of the story (epub, mobi or pdf), all for you to enjoy without any obligation (I of course would love a review, but it's entirely optional).
I can't wait to share this new story with you, and for you to find out exactly what trouble a space marine and a star-ship engineer can get into in the deep darkness of unknown space (and the comfort of their own quarters, too ;) ).
Thanks for being a fan, and all the best to each of you!
Fondly,
James W. Siewert
April 30, 2022
Barons of Oartheca Release Day!
So pleased to announce that Barons of Oartheca, the sequel to Allure of Oartheca is now available for purchase on Amazon, in both eBook and paperback formats!
And to celebrate the release of Barons, the eBook for Allure of Oartheca will be going on sale for just $0.99 on Amazon.com for the next 7 days!
Come join in the high stakes adventures of Rowland and Toar in the epic sci-fi/men-who-love-men star saga that crosses the galaxy!
James Siewert's Barons of Oartheca is a smart solarpunk explicit romance; it's a deep alien ethnographic study wrapped in a rollicking space adventure; it's a shining example of authentic and hopeful sci-fi for open-minded modern readers. -- Reviewed By Matt Lebois for Readers' Favorite
March 21, 2022
Cover Reveal & Pre-Order: Barons of Oartheca
Hi Everyone!
So excited to announce that Barons of Oartheca, the action-packed and spicy sequel to Allure of Oartheca is now available for pre-order on Amazon's Kindle Direct!
Release date for both the Kindle version and the paperback is April 30, 2022.
Hope you enjoy the cover and that you'll join in on the next adventure of Rowland and Toar!
