Catherine Asaro's Blog - Posts Tagged "scifi"
Chapters 1-5 of Lightning Strike, Book II
I've posted Chapters 1-5 of Lightning Strike, Book II now on my patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/33102817
If you do Patreon, I invite you to come to the page. Patrons at any level get these five chapters, and also some short stories and pictures. Eventually I will set up a tiered structure for new chapters, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Once a patron has access to the material, they won't loose that access even if I change to the tiered structure.
The picture above is of Dehya (Dyhianna) Selei, the Ruby Pharaoh and mother of Author, the male lead in the book.
Credit: Shutterstock, Subbotina Anna
Lightning Strike, Book II, Chapter Five
I've put up Chapter V, a new installment in my novel Lightning Strike, Book II. It's here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/33955017
Art credit: Artwork by heise (lian yan fang) deviantart.com/heise/art/Snow-wolf-22.... For more information, please see her website. She's an amazing artist, with gorgeous work.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/33955017
Art credit: Artwork by heise (lian yan fang) deviantart.com/heise/art/Snow-wolf-22.... For more information, please see her website. She's an amazing artist, with gorgeous work.
Lightning Strike, Book II, Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight of Lighting Strike, Book II is now up on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/posts/35829029
Also, the comments for the previous covers we talked about were very helpful to me. So I've included the covers on the Patreon page (if you have access) for both Lightning Strike Book I and Lightning Strike Book II. I never liked the font for Lightning Strike Book I. So this new cover has a new font. The cover with the smaller font is the original cover and the larger font is the new cover. If anyone has any comments on the anything about the cover, they are welcome.
I don't know what the cover for Lightning Strike Book II will look like yet. I have an artist looking at it, and I'm open to suggestions. Here is a rough mock-up using the background that will be on the cover. Comments welcome.
Also, the comments for the previous covers we talked about were very helpful to me. So I've included the covers on the Patreon page (if you have access) for both Lightning Strike Book I and Lightning Strike Book II. I never liked the font for Lightning Strike Book I. So this new cover has a new font. The cover with the smaller font is the original cover and the larger font is the new cover. If anyone has any comments on the anything about the cover, they are welcome.
I don't know what the cover for Lightning Strike Book II will look like yet. I have an artist looking at it, and I'm open to suggestions. Here is a rough mock-up using the background that will be on the cover. Comments welcome.
Lightning Strike, Book II, Chapter Eleven
I posted the first part of Chapter 11 for Lightning Strike Book II on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/posts/36997166
art credits: Maya calendar and Tina picture: shutterstock
art credits: Maya calendar and Tina picture: shutterstock
The Last Hawk, Chapter 7
I've posted Chapter Seven of the new and revised version of my book The Last Hawk. Also, as a plus, the page starts with a guest post by Susan O'Fearna about her dog Ada and the last hawk Ada interacted with.
www.patreon.com/posts/37511260
The full text of revised The Last Hawk is available as an eBook at the following sites:
Kindle: amazon.com/Last-Hawk-Catherine-Asaro-...
Nook: barnesandnoble.com/w/last-hawk-cather...
Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/the-last-hawk...
www.patreon.com/posts/37511260
The full text of revised The Last Hawk is available as an eBook at the following sites:
Kindle: amazon.com/Last-Hawk-Catherine-Asaro-...
Nook: barnesandnoble.com/w/last-hawk-cather...
Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/the-last-hawk...
Aly Parsons, 1952-2020
In memory of Aly Parsons
A pillar of the science fiction and fantasy community.
I always knew Susan by the name Aly, which was how she introduced herself when we first met. It took years before I realized many people called her Susan. By either name, she will always hold a special place in my heart. We met so long ago, I’m not sure of the exact date, though I think it happened in 1997. She invited me to her writers’ group or perhaps I asked to join; after more than two decades, I no longer remember which of us approached the other. This much I know; that day began an immensely rewarding friendship that lasted decades, as we bonded over our shared love of science fiction and fantasy. Aly’s workshop became a staple in my life, its members some of my most valued friends in our writing community. Over the decades, several times I had to leave the group, unable to manage the format and schedule with my own work. But Aly always left the option open for me to return, and so, every time, I found my way home.
Aly created an atmosphere in our group that felt friendly, relaxed, and valuable. She somehow managed to keep a group of professional writers on track and coming back each month for years, a feat akin to herding cats. At first we met at the house she shared with her husband Paul, and then later, after his passing, we met more and more often at the Weidler home of her family. Over the years, I had the pleasure of meeting her father, her sister Wendy, her brother-in-law Carl, and the rest of her extended family. Although our group rotated among the homes of other members, the place where Aly lived served as our main location. Her family was good-natured with our monthly trek to their home and always made us feel welcome. Although I’ve been fortunate to join a number of excellent writing groups, I’ve never found another like the one Aly put together. It is a testament to her people skills, her ability to organize, and her good nature that she achieved such success with the group. It has lasted decades, included so many accomplished writers, and offered such great benefits.
Aly also places among the best critiquers I ever hired for my writing. She worked as an editor for me almost up to the end, reading my work even in those last few months. She read more—and let me get away with less—than any other reader. She understood my way with words; the writing awards I’ve won owe a debt to her editing. She had a gift for seeing what I wanted to do, showing me where I failed to achieve it, and helping me find the way to my goals. I will sorely miss her wisdom and insight, and also her kindness.
I have fond memories of visiting with Aly outside of the workshop. We often worked on her novels or talked more generally about writing. After her sight began to fail, I’d read passages to her from books she liked or from her own work. We talked about everything from the nitty-gritty of rewrites to world-building to her wide-ranging dreams for her fiction. Sometimes we went for jaunts, to see a movie or have lunch together, trying out different cafes. One of the last times we met for a meal, she showed me a wonderful Asian restaurant tucked away in a lot, hidden behind buildings that faced on the street. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but going inside was like being transported to a different place, with excellent food, service, and company, and a wonderful meal all around.
The last time we hoped to meet for lunch, I received an invitation to read my work that day at an event sponsored by Galactic Philadelphia. I asked Aly if she’d like to come. I feared she might have to say no, since she was on dialysis then, but to my delight, she said yes. So she, my daughter, and I hopped in the car (well, okay, maybe we slid sedately onto the seats) and set off for our adventure in Philadelphia. We had quite the time, driving around the city looking for a place to eat. We finally found a Greek café, but it couldn’t hold a candle to the places we’d tried in Maryland. Then we went to the Philadelphia Free Library for the reading, where they treated us wonderfully. By the time we returned to Maryland, it was late, so we said goodnight and talked about arranging for another lunch some time in the future.
We never had that next lunch date. The trip to Philadelphia was the last time I saw Aly. Although I moved not long after to New York, I’d intended to come back to visit. But it wasn’t to be. So I will always especially treasure our last outing.
The final time I spoke to Aly came just before she went to her rest. She asked if I was still willing to finish her books, as we had discussed long ago. I had offered to complete her work if she ever needed the help, but I never expected—or hoped I’d never need to expect—that a day would come when she asked me to carry through on my promise. She honored me by trusting me to complete her work. And so I inherited her brilliant, wonderful novels, the first two of which she had almost finished and the last which exists in her notes and our final discussion. That final conversation offered a fitting tribute to how our friendship began: with our writing and our dreams for our books.
Aly, I miss you. I wish we’d had more time. If somewhere your spirit is watching, please know that you live on in the enduring impact you made on all of us who were fortunate enough to join your writers’ group. I promise I will do my utmost to finish your books and see them through to publication. Your spirit will live on in the genius of your imagination and your gifts as a storyteller.
-- Catherine Asaro
A pillar of the science fiction and fantasy community.
I always knew Susan by the name Aly, which was how she introduced herself when we first met. It took years before I realized many people called her Susan. By either name, she will always hold a special place in my heart. We met so long ago, I’m not sure of the exact date, though I think it happened in 1997. She invited me to her writers’ group or perhaps I asked to join; after more than two decades, I no longer remember which of us approached the other. This much I know; that day began an immensely rewarding friendship that lasted decades, as we bonded over our shared love of science fiction and fantasy. Aly’s workshop became a staple in my life, its members some of my most valued friends in our writing community. Over the decades, several times I had to leave the group, unable to manage the format and schedule with my own work. But Aly always left the option open for me to return, and so, every time, I found my way home.
Aly created an atmosphere in our group that felt friendly, relaxed, and valuable. She somehow managed to keep a group of professional writers on track and coming back each month for years, a feat akin to herding cats. At first we met at the house she shared with her husband Paul, and then later, after his passing, we met more and more often at the Weidler home of her family. Over the years, I had the pleasure of meeting her father, her sister Wendy, her brother-in-law Carl, and the rest of her extended family. Although our group rotated among the homes of other members, the place where Aly lived served as our main location. Her family was good-natured with our monthly trek to their home and always made us feel welcome. Although I’ve been fortunate to join a number of excellent writing groups, I’ve never found another like the one Aly put together. It is a testament to her people skills, her ability to organize, and her good nature that she achieved such success with the group. It has lasted decades, included so many accomplished writers, and offered such great benefits.
Aly also places among the best critiquers I ever hired for my writing. She worked as an editor for me almost up to the end, reading my work even in those last few months. She read more—and let me get away with less—than any other reader. She understood my way with words; the writing awards I’ve won owe a debt to her editing. She had a gift for seeing what I wanted to do, showing me where I failed to achieve it, and helping me find the way to my goals. I will sorely miss her wisdom and insight, and also her kindness.
I have fond memories of visiting with Aly outside of the workshop. We often worked on her novels or talked more generally about writing. After her sight began to fail, I’d read passages to her from books she liked or from her own work. We talked about everything from the nitty-gritty of rewrites to world-building to her wide-ranging dreams for her fiction. Sometimes we went for jaunts, to see a movie or have lunch together, trying out different cafes. One of the last times we met for a meal, she showed me a wonderful Asian restaurant tucked away in a lot, hidden behind buildings that faced on the street. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but going inside was like being transported to a different place, with excellent food, service, and company, and a wonderful meal all around.
The last time we hoped to meet for lunch, I received an invitation to read my work that day at an event sponsored by Galactic Philadelphia. I asked Aly if she’d like to come. I feared she might have to say no, since she was on dialysis then, but to my delight, she said yes. So she, my daughter, and I hopped in the car (well, okay, maybe we slid sedately onto the seats) and set off for our adventure in Philadelphia. We had quite the time, driving around the city looking for a place to eat. We finally found a Greek café, but it couldn’t hold a candle to the places we’d tried in Maryland. Then we went to the Philadelphia Free Library for the reading, where they treated us wonderfully. By the time we returned to Maryland, it was late, so we said goodnight and talked about arranging for another lunch some time in the future.
We never had that next lunch date. The trip to Philadelphia was the last time I saw Aly. Although I moved not long after to New York, I’d intended to come back to visit. But it wasn’t to be. So I will always especially treasure our last outing.
The final time I spoke to Aly came just before she went to her rest. She asked if I was still willing to finish her books, as we had discussed long ago. I had offered to complete her work if she ever needed the help, but I never expected—or hoped I’d never need to expect—that a day would come when she asked me to carry through on my promise. She honored me by trusting me to complete her work. And so I inherited her brilliant, wonderful novels, the first two of which she had almost finished and the last which exists in her notes and our final discussion. That final conversation offered a fitting tribute to how our friendship began: with our writing and our dreams for our books.
Aly, I miss you. I wish we’d had more time. If somewhere your spirit is watching, please know that you live on in the enduring impact you made on all of us who were fortunate enough to join your writers’ group. I promise I will do my utmost to finish your books and see them through to publication. Your spirit will live on in the genius of your imagination and your gifts as a storyteller.
-- Catherine Asaro
Lightning Strike, Book II, the rest of Chapter Eleven
I've posted the second half of Chapter 11 for Lightning Strike, Book II on my Patreon page. www.patreon.com/posts/37828229
Credit, first picture: wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=910357 This is a wall paper, and I couldn't find the name of the artist. If anyone else can find their name, I would much appreciate your posting here.
I'm not sure the picture fits the story. For one, the setting should be a desert. For another, Bhaaj probably wouldn't carry a spear. I've no objection to her with one; I just never had her do it in any book. She does have a big knife, though. The character looks a bit like Bhaaj, but not as rugged and weathered, and Bhaaj is darker (she's Maya). In any case, I like the picture.
Edit: Lee Thomson writes: "I believe the first image is promo/official/wallpaper art for the game ARK: Survival Evolved (ironically game developers rarely credit the individual artists)." My thanks to Lee!
Here is a link to the game ARK. It looks like a really cool game. If I'm not careful, I might get drawn in (I play far too many online games). store.steampowered.com/app/346110/ARK....
Art credit, second picture: Dino and Rider, by Sandara. www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Dino-a...
The second picture I thought was cool. This one is even less like a desert, but something about it reminded me of Tina. I can't tell for certain from the picture if the influences are Maya, Aztec, or both.
The second thing I thought when I saw this picture, though (after my "That's beautiful" reaction), was, "Wow, it would really hurt to ride that dino dressed like that." I mean, I get it, the picture is gorgeous and she's gorgeous. But still. I grumbled.
I do like the picture, though. The artist has a lot of talent. You can see more of her work here: www.deviantart.com/sandara
Credit, first picture: wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=910357 This is a wall paper, and I couldn't find the name of the artist. If anyone else can find their name, I would much appreciate your posting here.
I'm not sure the picture fits the story. For one, the setting should be a desert. For another, Bhaaj probably wouldn't carry a spear. I've no objection to her with one; I just never had her do it in any book. She does have a big knife, though. The character looks a bit like Bhaaj, but not as rugged and weathered, and Bhaaj is darker (she's Maya). In any case, I like the picture.
Edit: Lee Thomson writes: "I believe the first image is promo/official/wallpaper art for the game ARK: Survival Evolved (ironically game developers rarely credit the individual artists)." My thanks to Lee!
Here is a link to the game ARK. It looks like a really cool game. If I'm not careful, I might get drawn in (I play far too many online games). store.steampowered.com/app/346110/ARK....
Art credit, second picture: Dino and Rider, by Sandara. www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Dino-a...
The second picture I thought was cool. This one is even less like a desert, but something about it reminded me of Tina. I can't tell for certain from the picture if the influences are Maya, Aztec, or both.
The second thing I thought when I saw this picture, though (after my "That's beautiful" reaction), was, "Wow, it would really hurt to ride that dino dressed like that." I mean, I get it, the picture is gorgeous and she's gorgeous. But still. I grumbled.
I do like the picture, though. The artist has a lot of talent. You can see more of her work here: www.deviantart.com/sandara
Catch the Lightning, Book II, Final Chapter!
I've posted the final chapter of Lightning Strike, Book II on my patreon page. Yay! Patrons now have the complete book to enjoy. www.patreon.com/posts/38067916
The photo is Althor's mother, Dyhianna (Dehya) Selei, the Ruby Pharaoh.
Photo credit: Subbotina Anna, shutterstock.com
The photo is Althor's mother, Dyhianna (Dehya) Selei, the Ruby Pharaoh.
Photo credit: Subbotina Anna, shutterstock.com
Article at Tor.com
Ho! A friend of mine just sent me this link. I am flattered. Who woulda thought I'd be described as writing classic sf? It does indeed seem like just yesterday I was the new kid on the block.
www.tor.com/2020/07/02/space-opera-do...
www.tor.com/2020/07/02/space-opera-do...
The (new) Quantum Rose, Chapter III
I've put up chapter III of The (new) Quantum Rose on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/posts/43979714
I hope to get all of the chapters posted for patrons in the next few months, before the rewritten book goes on sale as an eBook.
Art credits: Prince Havyrl: conmyth.fandom.com/wiki/Triston_Matth...
This one I found for a character on the con myth fandom wiki. He looks like the character Prince Havyrl in The Quantum Rose, but he is actually a character called Triston Matthews III in the game. For more details on the game and the character(s), see the details at the site and on the pictures itself. They have a lot of great stuff there!
Kamoj Argali. Desktop wallpaper. I couldn't find the artist name, but if anyone knows, please post! abstract.desktopnexus.com/get/2230795/
I hope to get all of the chapters posted for patrons in the next few months, before the rewritten book goes on sale as an eBook.
Art credits: Prince Havyrl: conmyth.fandom.com/wiki/Triston_Matth...
This one I found for a character on the con myth fandom wiki. He looks like the character Prince Havyrl in The Quantum Rose, but he is actually a character called Triston Matthews III in the game. For more details on the game and the character(s), see the details at the site and on the pictures itself. They have a lot of great stuff there!
Kamoj Argali. Desktop wallpaper. I couldn't find the artist name, but if anyone knows, please post! abstract.desktopnexus.com/get/2230795/
