Pete Aldin's Blog

I swear. I can't just sit down and read one book at a time, one book start to finish.

I need to have at least three on the go, and usually 12 or more. It has nothing to do (usually) with whether or not I'm finding the book interesting/dragging. I think there's some neurodivergence at work. Either that or I just want ALL THE THINGS at once.

Maybe I need help. Is there such thing as a Reading Pyschologist out there? :)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... is the page to head to so you can chase down LAST AMONG EQUALS.

In a world where old grudges run deep, ancient magicks clash, and new horrors emerge, a warrior, a healer and a thief must learn to trust each other—or else bear witness to the destruction of their homelands. For fans of John Gwynne, Leigh Bardugo, Robert Jordan, and Jennifer Fallon.

I'm so excited about this book that's been 14 years in the making. Would love to get a copy into your hands or onto your Kindle.

Pete out!

Pete says: “I’ve read three of Chris’s books and loved ’em. Diverse subject matter but all featuring grit and terrific world-building. Chris writes here about the most influential SFF stories for him, growing up…(and I particularly love his comments on Battlefield Earth!)”

What were the top five stories that influenced me and my decision to become a writer? It all started when I was a wee sapling…

Star Wars

I saw Star Wars when it came out in cinemas (yes, I was born in the hipp...

James ‘Remo’ Jackson is a former US Navy Chief Petty Officer with almost two decades of military experience. During his time in the Navy, most of it spent as a tactical instructor, he took part in fielding teams, Mobile Training Teams, and operated with other branches of the US Military.

As a contributing author to a few non-fiction works, short manuals and procedural text books, Up From the Depths was his first venture into fiction but certainly not his last.

And he was my advisor on all...

Trust me. You want the shiny, pretty bonuses you'll get with this early and exclusive edition of Last Among Equals.

We smashed our goals during the campaign. And there's still time until the 13th to claim paperbacks, ebooks, companion coffee mugs, + those bonuses.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Check it. Share. Get some.

I’ve no doubt laboured this point (apologies), but Last Among Equals is a novel I’ve worked on for a LOOOOONNNGGG time.

And spent considerable $$s developing.

So. I’m kind of invested in it.

Thus, to watch crowdfunding backers invest in it, get behind it, and claim early copies so quickly and so emphatically has been ultra-satisfying.

On Kickstarter, we hit $AUD1000 in pledges in just under 3.5 hours. And hit $1500 four hours after that.

I’m mostly just excited that this book w...

Sometimes it’s the outsiders who have the most to offer…

…and the most to lose!

If you’ve ever enjoyed one of my books, you will NOT want to miss this one. It’s attracting global interest already.

The best (and quickest) way to get one is via the Kickstarter Campaign launching March 28. Bonus content, limited edition versions and merch are only available via this crowdfunding campaign.

In the back of the book I explain why it took over 14 years from inception (as a November 201...

A story 14 years in the making -- and we need your help to bring it finally to life!

I've written and sold fantasy short stories before But this is my first full length epic fantasy novel.

And we're launching it via Kickstarter long before it will appear on Amazon.

Kickstarter campaigns are a hoot...

You get to bring something to life by backing it financially, you receive exclusive rewards, and you help make the book more visible to other backers and readers.

You also get the 'product' (in this case, a novel) months before retail buyers do.

This Kickstarter will deliver a special edition with exclusive, bonus content.

Backers will also have the opportunity to get the limited edition hardcover and limited edition merch.

For more (including how to register to be notified when the campaign is about to go live), head here: https://petealdin.com/library/last-am...

I am SUPER-excited about this novel. My heartfelt thanks go to all the incredible authors and editors who helped Last Among Equals during its workshopping phase: amazing authors including Beth Cato, Kevin Ikenberry, Ian Welke, Jason Nahrung...to name but a few!

You will not want to miss this one!

Last Among Equals

I mean, hey. I’ve read great books, and I’ve read many.

And I know personally some terrific authors who’ll be heartbroken to not see their book here.

This list is nothing against those thousands of astounding books out there. It’s simply that these 10 are the books I keep coming back to. They sit with me constantly, call to me, represent aspects of writing craft I aspire to, and/or I keep loving to reread them.

In no particular order, here they are…

1 Gilead Massively beautiful boo...

Guest author Michael Parkes takes a deep dive into what this genre is and why he loves it so much, he wrote a story in it…

Eldritch horror is called a lot of things. Lovecraftian horror. Weird horror. Cosmic horror. Sometimes even just “the tentacle”. It tends to emphasize the incomprehensible, the unknown, and the alien, usually with elements of psychological horror and forbidden knowledge tossed in as well. It’s not uncommon for the protagonist to go insane, access ancient and horrifying ...