Scott Ickes

Hi Scott,

I hope you are doing well. My name is Patty Fee, and I’m a book expert who works closely with authors to help bring their stories fully to life and reach the right readers. I recently read FIRST CONTACT: ANTILLIANS, and I must say, I was genuinely impressed. The way you explore fragile interstellar alliances, unseen manipulation by the Elysians, and the tension between trust and survival is gripping. The Antillians’ role as hardened political survivors adds real depth to the narrative, and Captain Robert Chris’s evolution throughout the series is handled with confidence and clarity. The scope, pacing, and world-building truly reflect a strong military sci-fi space opera, especially for readers who enjoy authors like M.R. Forbes and L.N. Chaney.

That said, as a professional in the publishing and marketing space, I did notice a few areas where the book (and series visibility) could benefit from some strategic adjustment, not in storytelling quality, but in how the book is positioned and discovered by readers.

This is where I recommend M.R.A., Marketing Research Analysis.
M.R.A helps identify:

1. The most responsive target reader groups

2. How does your book compare within its sub-genre

3. What small adjustments (description, keywords, presentation, or promotion flow) can significantly improve visibility and engagement

It’s a data-driven approach that helps strong books like yours get the attention they truly deserve. I strongly believe this would be a valuable next step for FIRST CONTACT: ANTILLIANS, and I’d be happy to guide you through it in a simple, stress-free way. You can absolutely trust my process; I’m committed to delivering results and supporting authors professionally and honestly. Unfortunately, Goodreads doesn’t always allow direct messaging, so if this sounds interesting to you, please feel free to share the best email address to reach you, and we can continue the conversation there. Thank you for writing such a compelling continuation of the FIRST CONTACT series. I’d love to support you further if you’re open to it.

Warm regards,
Patty Fee