Sci-Fi, fantasy and speculative Indie Authors Review discussion

Tell us a bit about yourself; do you write? Are you published or self-published? Favorite genre? Favorite author? Recommendation on a great Indie read (that you haven't written yourself - I don't care how un-biased you are ;p )

I'm Dave, and I write.

I've self-published a couple of novels, love SF/Fantasy of all kinds. Will have to think on recommendations, and favorite authors change with regularity. Always have a soft spot for modern space opera, though.

Hi Dave :) good to have you aboard. I think I have one of your novels downloaded - Price of Imperium? But I have yet to take a peek. I also love all sorts of Scifi, fantasy and speculative fiction. I have yet to self publish anything - though I am considering it with one series of books I'm writing. Otherwise I've had a few short stories and podcasts published/ broadcast. I also have a soft spot for modern space opera. My favorite authors also change often but one book that stays at the top of my list is Dune by Frank Herbert.

That one's mine.

I like Dune, though I think my favorite Frank Herbert is Under Pressure.

I also like heroic fantasy/sword and sorcery, such as Howard and Lieber.

I do read a fair number of self-published books, but most of what I read is good but not great. For what it's worth, I find it's easier to find readable space opera among self-published books than fantasy. I find there's a lot of really bad fantasy out there, though it may just be a numbers game.

Yeah, I tend to agree with you there. Not so much bad fantasy as a sort of 'fantasy bingo' where indie writers are hitting all the threadbare tropes rather than breaking new ground. There's some pretty good indie dystopian sci-fi out there though.
I like Johnny B Truant and Sean Platt's The Beam series - futuristic sci-fi set in a world where everyone is divided into two 'classes', which they're then stuck with until census time every seven years or so. This is all micro managed by a super computer (the beam). You can either be part of the corporation and have some protection in exchange for loss of some liberties, or sink or swim on your own. It's good stuff.
A bit lighter and silly but witty is the 'Unicorn Western' series by the same authors. Does what it says on the tin :)

I don't mind the threadbare tropes, I have simple tastes, but I find the execution on so many of them is bad.

Agreed, a worn topic needs to be treated in a fresh way. I think sometimes fantasy attracts a certain amount of laziness or self indulgence but then get a really good fantasy writer and you have some of my favorite books.

Mine too, the trick is finding that writer.

We have three more members who have yet to introduce themselves. Come on guys, Dave and I are carrying this conversation on our own! Plus we want to know what you write ;)

Hi all - nice group and thanks for the welcome. I am a storyteller myself... an accomplished composer who uses music and voice as a leading edge to my work... my work is therefore a multimedia piece... epic fantasy... called 'Tales Of The Ocean City'... recently slaved learning to make kindle books out of my epub3 version for ipad... the ipad is a wonderful medium... you can attach soundtracks to the episodes! Fun... now have the POD from createspace... okay -- As for my reading... I still love the 'basics'... especially the Lloyd Alexander, whose story as an author is an inspiration... love EREddison, though haven't read him for awhile and Dunsany, Vance!, Have enjoyed Brin, Benford and LeGuin... Tolkien will probably always be my favorite... and Lewis... Lieber... Burroughs... on we go.

Hi Chris,

Interesting to hear about what you're doing, particularly the multi-media aspects. I'm curious to how that works, as I know that for me personally, something like a soundtrack would be an immediate turnoff.

As for Eddison, I'd have to call him an acquired taste. I don't think his style has aged well my modern standards, but that's not to take anything away from what he did in the past.

Hi Dave, thanks for writing and asking... my work is like a glorious audio book... with sweeping world class music...actually the music is part of the syntax of the storytelling. I think of the text as accompanying the sound... However, in the process of diversifying I have developed the 'as recorded text', to use the term of film and tv... into books (Kindle and physical) where the sound is separate... and which read quite beautifully! ... Yes, Eddison is pretty thick going as I recall... but amazing imagination and big fun! Cheers!

Dave - just bought your book! Will check it out this Friday as I have a long subway ride to the Dr.'s office. Best.

Thanks Chris!

That sounds fascinating, Chris. Have you actually published any? I'm trying to imagine how it fits together. I can see it really working - assuming the music and words weave together well. I'd be interested to see some :) When I write, some pieces of music make me think strongly of certain scenes or characters. Sounds like you've gone epically beyond that.

Excuse my ignorance but Eddison? I think I missed that one. Any recommendations? I agree some sci-fi/ spec/ horroe etc doesn't age well but I still have a soft spot for Dennis Wheatley...

Anyway welcome to the group.

Eric Rucker Eddison, E.R., probably best known for The Worm Ouroboros, a very early fantasist, after Dunsany, (I think) but before almost everyone else.

Yes 'The Worm Ourboros... one of the wildest things I've ever read... big fun... and, as Dave said, the language is rather... 'dense' - in a good way...

And yes, Jules Anne - thanks for asking... the first two Books my 'Tales Of The Ocean City' (about an hour each of music and sound... plus the text and art...) - are published on itunes and amazon... the version for ipad has it 'all in one' the Kindle books link people to the accompanying Audio Album... then I have the physical book with CD in a sleeve in the back!...

I'll have to check that out :) and your music and word master piece too.

Just Jules, please. Anne is my middle name. It's all an unfortunate mixture with my surname being Ironside lol.

Okay Jules... thanks and thanks for the welcome to your group... and for starting/moderating... I look forward to many conversations!...

Hi everyone! I'm a horror writer-originally from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, and now living in northern California. I just learned that my debut novel, "Blood Vengeance", has been accepted for publication!

Welcome and congrats, Michael

Dave wrote: "Welcome and congrats, Michael"

Thank you, Dave!

Hi Michael and welcome to the group. Congratulations on your novel. What is it about? ( without any spoilers, obviously) :)

It's about a young man who moves to San Francisco and is drawn into a world of mystery and horror when he discovers the apartment downstairs is haunted by the ghosts of a serial killer and his victims.

Oh, and I'd love for any and all of you to like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michaelcschu...

Thanks! :)

Welcome Michael!

FB page visited and liked... good luck!

Hi, I'm new to the site and this group, got some books indie published and just finding my feet. First book written was Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny and it will always have a soft spot in my heart. I have FB so if anyone wants to come over and join me please do, all new friends welcome. Hope you all have a great day.
Ava
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AKMich...

Hi Ava - FB Page friended... here's mine if you wish...https://www.facebook.com/talesoftheoc...

Thanks Chris, also done, your page looks interesting

Thanks... best luck!

Hi Ava, welcome to the group. Have had a look at some of your books and they look right up my street. I look forward to picking your brain (in a none zombie type fashion) in the near future. Great to have you aboard :)

Thank u so much Jules Anne and for friending me - u r my first lol!

Ava, Michael and Chris - I have liked all your pages on FB. Looking good and best of luck to you all. I don't have an author page (yet) but if anyone wants to chat on twitter sometime I'm at @J_AnneIronside :)

Hopefully the first of many, Ava ;)

Thanks, found u on twitter and followed.

Thank you Jules! I'm now following you on Twitter. Ava, I liked your page, but Chris, I couldn't make your link work. :(

Thanks Michael done the same with yours.

A.K. wrote: "Thanks Michael done the same with yours."

Thank you!

Hi, people. Sounds like some interesting stuff is going on, then. Just introducing myself.

Hi Michelle

Hellokie dokie, Ava.

Shell, that was the most cryptic introduction ever ;)

Hi Michelle, and Ava as I didn't say hi earlier.

Also, Jules, I followed you on Twitter, I'm @dcrwrites :)

Hi everyone. New to Goodreads. Just published my second book "The Displaced". A politically charged sci-fi novel set 50 years in the future. I am on a steep learning curve right now and would appreciate all the tips that I can get.

The first book was a music business help book called "A Career in the Music: the other 12 step program". I have worked in the music biz for 24 years (yikes) and am just starting to get into the writing world. Kind of like entering a parallel universe – the same challenges in many ways, but all the people are different (spooky)…

My favorite classic sci-fi writers are Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert and Arthur C. Clarke. I actually am LOVING the way to discover new writers, like I did with the Wool/Silo series on Kindle. Very cool.

www.adagiomusic.ca

http://www.amazon.com/The-Displaced-c...

http://www.amazon.com/Career-Music-ot...

Hi Bob, and good luck with your books.

Hi Bob welcome, all the best with ur new book

I fail to see anything cryptic in what I said, Jules...

Hi, Bob.

I enjoyed Asimov and Clarke, but Wyndham gets my vote.

Hi, Britta. You found it!