Spinward Fringe - The Official Group discussion

Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins
That's where the series begins, you can also get it free from Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

This part of the board is for discussing the Spinward Fringe series without spoiling any surprises or the story for anyone who hasn't read it. If you have anything you'd like to say or ask about the series, or an experience related to the books, feel free!

I read Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0 on a recommendation from a relative and I absolutely loved it. I've gotten completely hooked and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Do you have any concept art of any of the ships in your series? I've always had an affinity for space ships and am curious as to the designs that other people come up with. The ships described in your books are so intriguing and slightly different from the norm, I'm curious as to whether or not you have any visuals for reference.

Purebuggy wrote: "I read Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0 on a recommendation from a relative and I absolutely loved it. I've gotten completely hooked and can't wait to read the rest of the series."
I hope you enjoy the rest of the series just as much as the first one!

I'm working on the last in the bigger story arc now, and it's a blast.

Mycah wrote: "Do you have any concept art of any of the ships in your series? I've always had an affinity for space ships and am curious as to the designs that other people come up with. The ships described in..."

I've hired someone to work with before and ended up with a bunch of steam punk drawings that made it obvious that the artist didn't read the books. I didn't pay him.

I'll be doing a few drawings again the the new year so I can have 3D models of the ships made. The ships are laid out in my head in fairly high details, as I fill portions of them in I make notes in a side document for consistency.

As far as why they might seem a little different, well, most are built practically. A few (the Clever Dream), are laid out like a cross between a racing yacht and a high end sports car. The bigger ships are designed more like buildings who don't have to obey the rules of square, upright structures. A lot of high art buildings are already using new materials to accomplish the same thing.

The ships from Earth are more challenging because they're designed to look more like ocean life, so I make an effort imagining the inside.

I also study a lot of military vessel interiors and industrial structures. I'm still looking for photos of a drilling rig interior and military vessels.

That probably covers your question and then some. Thanks for asking!

RL

Randy,

I'll see what I can do to come up with some drilling rig and military ship general arrangements.

DS

When the Triton was first described as being designed to look like a manta ray, the first visual that came to mind was the Boron style of ships from X3: Reunion. They have a very organic and oceanic design.

I haven't actually seen the Boron ships, but they must look cool, because anything that looks like a manta ray would.

To be honest, the exterior design of the Triton is probably my least creative idea, but it really stuck and it makes sense for what the ship's original purpose was.

Since I wrote the description of the Triton, I've seen a cover from a 1940's or 1950's (not sure), space adventure novel with a stingray type ship on the cover. I've also been patted on the back by a few car lovers who were glad I did it, because they have or want to have the classic cars that were based on the curves of the creature in their garages.

If I've learned anything about the manta ray since I started writing science fiction, it's that they're very popular.

Eventually I'll have to base the shape of other ships on ocean life, and I'm still trying to figure out what would be as interesting, or as cool to imagine. I'll get there though.

I just can't use the squid, because they were so well used in Babylon 5. The shark is out, because that would look just silly. Jellyfish wouldn't work either, even though they did it brilliantly in Star Trek TNG. A whale would probably make for a boring looking ship... even though I know I've seen that done somewhere...

I'll stop thinking through the keyboard now...

Ahhhh, Babylon 5...sigh, now that was a very well done show. I kinda miss it. :) As for a whale type ship, maybe a blue whale, you could class is as a super carrier or flag ship. Just my thoughts. :)

Speaking of Star Trek & Babylon 5, I'm not sure if it's been asked in another thread, but have there been offers to create a Spinward Fringe movie or TV series?

That would be great!

Gabe wrote: "Speaking of Star Trek & Babylon 5, I'm not sure if it's been asked in another thread, but have there been offers to create a Spinward Fringe movie or TV series?

That would be great!"

You're absolutely right, a TV show would be a natural leap for Spinward Fringe.

Spinward Fringe is a very young series of books though, it's only been out for about two and a half years now and, last count, there are fewer than three thousand readers. There is hope, however. If the series continues to grow in popularity the chances of it getting noticed will grow.

I'm also beginning the slow ramp up to testing visuals with the purpose of developing the look of the series in more than one way. I plan on doing this for the next few years so if and when an interested party comes along there will be a proposal waiting for them. If that never happens, I'll have a great deal of prep work done so I can start a movie / television show myself. Sounds crazy, but much nuttier things are happening in entertainment right now.

The official TV thread is here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

I really am looking for you guys to weigh in on what's going on.

Thank you for asking, Gabe!

The first mock-up for the cover of Broadcast 7 is here. Here's the link: http://yfrog.com/gz1tjpfj

I went with the simplest idea I could find that represented the book without spoiling anything past chapter 3. Also, the rights for the photographic elements in this cost less than $9.00.

Any thoughts?

RL

Not bad... more more more!!! :D
and good price on the stock art

interesting....I have a few questions but then again, maybe just have to read the book to get them answered!

Very interesting cover, very suggestive, but can't wait to read the book! cheers John

If you weren't so green with your books and had to destroy a few trees, how many pages on average are each Broadcast?

Well, the minimum I go for now is about 245 pages, the same size as Broadcast 3: Triton.

I'd love it if each book was 470 pages long like Broadcast 4: Frontline, but I find that book has a lot of its own characteristics that, for right or wrong, aren't in the rest of the series. Frontline was really three stories that came out to roughly the same size as the whole First Light Chronicles Trilogy.

A pattern with trilogies has started forming too. It seems the first book in both the trilogies (Broadcast 0: Origins and Broadcasts 5-7: Rogue Element) are punchy and short [Freeground 111 pages/ Fracture 125 pages]. The middle book is longer and takes time to expand the characters a little more [Limbo 145 pages / Fragments 320 pages (the easy reading version is 410ish)], while the third is generally the longest [Starfree Port 190 pages / Framework ?].

Oh yeah, and on the topic of printed books, it looks like you're sliding up the winner's list for the Holiday contest because more than half the winners haven't registered via email (sent me their physical address and T-Shirt size). Everyone who did register will probably get bumped up to the top of the list except for Dave. He's already the grand prize winner and was the second one to register.

I don't know about the holiday Triton skull shirt though... I'll have to look into it a bit more.

RL

While we're on the subject of sea life as inspirations for vessel architecture, on the show SeaQuest DSV, the titular submarine for the series, the SeaQuest was a very squid-like vessel.. even down to having rear "arms" that could open/separate a bit when cruising and close/narrow to compress their propulsive energy.. (or at least that's what I seem to remember about the show LOL)

I tried searching and reading through the posts and I am fairly certain I am not asking the same question twice.

Can you give a ballpark as to what year the series takes place, e.g. "Old Earth dating?"

ah, you don't have to search very hard for a previously asked question here, it's not a very strict forum (except where spoilers are concerned). At worst someone will answer your question before I can get to it, or they'll refer you to the post.

As for the old earth calendar date, well, that's something that I plan on revealing in Broadcast 7. Mostly because the BIG holiday takes place in that book - New Year's Eve. Should be fun.

RL

Randolf has posted an update at his blog about the timing of the release of Broadcast 7. Check it out!

Wasn't it nice of Lewis to sneak us the first 2 chapters of Broadcast 7. Alice would be proud of him. I really recommend you all have a listen to Crewcast Radio, if you haven't already, you will be amazed by the wealth of information you get and you are guaranteed a laught. Randy and Ray are natural entertainers.