Michael J. Edwards's Blog
January 7, 2023
EMISSARY SEQUEL
EMISSARY SEQUEL
No, I haven’t finished writing Qilin (chee-LEEN) yet, but I have finished the first draft, which means the basic story has been written. Now begins the revision process in which I try to make it a whole lot better.
However, I will set it aside for a month to marinate while I finish writing a novella that goes back to Earth to explore what life was like for ordinary people living in the last days of Earth. This is in response to readers who have asked for more about the lives of ordinary people as the end of the world approaches.
The novella is tentatively titled The Last Ark, and explores three perspectives: (1) a young man living outside the Greater Cairo Enclave; (2) a young woman living in a poor section of the Buenos Aires Enclave; and (3) a thirteen year old girl in a middle class neighborhood of the Greater San Francisco Enclave.
I had hoped to publish Qilin in winter 2023, but it’s looking like it will slide into the spring. Writing a scientifically credible and realistic story about colonizing an alien planet, while avoiding the myriad cliches found in similar books, has proven more challenging than I expected. It is written in four acts, and I have finished the first draft of the first three acts and am working on the fourth act. I'm liking what I have so far.
No, I haven’t finished writing Qilin (chee-LEEN) yet, but I have finished the first draft, which means the basic story has been written. Now begins the revision process in which I try to make it a whole lot better.
However, I will set it aside for a month to marinate while I finish writing a novella that goes back to Earth to explore what life was like for ordinary people living in the last days of Earth. This is in response to readers who have asked for more about the lives of ordinary people as the end of the world approaches.
The novella is tentatively titled The Last Ark, and explores three perspectives: (1) a young man living outside the Greater Cairo Enclave; (2) a young woman living in a poor section of the Buenos Aires Enclave; and (3) a thirteen year old girl in a middle class neighborhood of the Greater San Francisco Enclave.
I had hoped to publish Qilin in winter 2023, but it’s looking like it will slide into the spring. Writing a scientifically credible and realistic story about colonizing an alien planet, while avoiding the myriad cliches found in similar books, has proven more challenging than I expected. It is written in four acts, and I have finished the first draft of the first three acts and am working on the fourth act. I'm liking what I have so far.
September 11, 2022
NEW COVER FOR EYE OF CRASIS
I have a new cover for my book “The Eye of Crasis: An Alien Technology Thriller.” I think it looks pretty cool. I am also running a Goodreads giveaway for it, starting Wed 14 Sept.
July 31, 2022
BOOK REVIEW: PERMAFROST, by Alastair Reynolds
I just finished reading the novella Permafrost by Alastair Reynolds. It is a good read. Reynolds likes the science side of science fiction and is known for coming up with original yet plausible ideas. He does it again in this story with a unique time travel concept; at least, unique to me, and I’ve been reading SF for 60 years.
The protagonist is well drawn and stays true to character. Other characters are drawn as well as can be expected in a novella. Dialog is capably handled and convincing. The story line is interesting and keeps you guessing. My mind was challenged by the ideas Reynolds drops here and there, which made it an engaging as well as entertaining book.
My only complaint is that the novella form seems too small for everything he has crammed into it, leaving one wondering what he would have done with a full-length novel.
Recommended.
The protagonist is well drawn and stays true to character. Other characters are drawn as well as can be expected in a novella. Dialog is capably handled and convincing. The story line is interesting and keeps you guessing. My mind was challenged by the ideas Reynolds drops here and there, which made it an engaging as well as entertaining book.
My only complaint is that the novella form seems too small for everything he has crammed into it, leaving one wondering what he would have done with a full-length novel.
Recommended.
July 27, 2022
Eye of Crasis
The Eye of Crasis is on sale for $0.99 on Amazon Kindle for the next three days.
June 14, 2022
THE EYE OF CRASIS IS LIVE
The book has been released on Amazon in Kindle eBooks. It takes a couple days more for Amazon to release the paperback. It may take a few hours for Amazon to index it for their searches, which means Amazon might not be able to find it right away.
Just remember: this is not the sequel to The Emissary. I am currently writing that and am aiming to publish it early next year.
Just remember: this is not the sequel to The Emissary. I am currently writing that and am aiming to publish it early next year.
May 6, 2022
EYE OF CRASIS DELAYED TO JUNE 15
I really thought it would be ready for release on May 15, but I was wrong. It needs one more copy edit pass. I am hopeful that it will be released June 15.
April 8, 2022
THE EYE OF CRASIS GOING LIVE APRIL 15
The Eye of Crasis, the author’s second novel (not a sequel to The Emissary) is scheduled for release on Amazon on April 15.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Jerrod has a powerful alien artifact, and that’s a problem.
Jerrod Max has come into possession of an alien artifact that gives him the ability to see anything anywhere. He thinks it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, until he finds himself pursued by the FBI, the US military, and a team of assassins; all of whom are willing to kill to get the device.
Jerrod will need the help of his two closest friends and some allies in the Secret Service, as well as judicious use of the alien device if he is to thwart a presidential assassination plot, find some missing aliens, and return the device to its proper owners, without getting killed in the process.
He may also find that he cannot go back to his old life, because first contact with an alien civilization changes everything.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Jerrod has a powerful alien artifact, and that’s a problem.
Jerrod Max has come into possession of an alien artifact that gives him the ability to see anything anywhere. He thinks it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, until he finds himself pursued by the FBI, the US military, and a team of assassins; all of whom are willing to kill to get the device.
Jerrod will need the help of his two closest friends and some allies in the Secret Service, as well as judicious use of the alien device if he is to thwart a presidential assassination plot, find some missing aliens, and return the device to its proper owners, without getting killed in the process.
He may also find that he cannot go back to his old life, because first contact with an alien civilization changes everything.
April 5, 2022
SEQUEL TO THE EMISSARY IN WORK
I am currently working on a sequel to my debut novel, The Emissary. The sequel is titled Qilin (pronounced chee-LEEN), and is planned for release in Winter 2023.
Here is the description:
When the Emissary arrives at Qilin (CHEE-lin) with a damaged ark carrying refugees from an Earth that no longer exists, she discovers an indigenous copper age civilization (the Romi) already there, and realizes the colony will have to scrap any ideas of making the planet more hospitable for humans, and instead find a way to adapt to Qilin as it is.
To accomplish this, Holly has to guide the colony toward self-sufficiency on a barely hospitable world, avoid a war with the Romi, and overcome a rebellion by colonists who want to make Qilin more human-friendly.
She will also have to learn about letting go: letting go of the only man she has ever loved, letting go of the colony she has founded, and letting go of the child she has brought into this strange new world.
Becoming the Emissary changed Holly. Qilin would change her again.
Here is the description:
When the Emissary arrives at Qilin (CHEE-lin) with a damaged ark carrying refugees from an Earth that no longer exists, she discovers an indigenous copper age civilization (the Romi) already there, and realizes the colony will have to scrap any ideas of making the planet more hospitable for humans, and instead find a way to adapt to Qilin as it is.
To accomplish this, Holly has to guide the colony toward self-sufficiency on a barely hospitable world, avoid a war with the Romi, and overcome a rebellion by colonists who want to make Qilin more human-friendly.
She will also have to learn about letting go: letting go of the only man she has ever loved, letting go of the colony she has founded, and letting go of the child she has brought into this strange new world.
Becoming the Emissary changed Holly. Qilin would change her again.
