Project Update

Posted on October 1, 2019 by J. C. Conway

The following projects are nearing completion. The games will be released first. The order of release thereafter is not yet determined.

Two Novels. These are both science fiction stories featuring adult protagonists. One is set in the near future and was previously slated for release. I delayed that release to avoid rushing some final important revisions. In this near future, the main character is frustrated by humanity’s abandonment of the SETI dream of discovering other life and civilization. She attempts to solve the apparent silence of the stellar void, with unexpected consequences. The other is set in the far future, after humanity’s first expansion to the stars and the collapse that followed. The second expansion is well underway. Physics as we understand it hasn’t changed much, although technology has advanced. However, there is a paradigm-shifting secret in the outer stellar provinces–a mystery some would kill to protect. The main character prefers to avoid such struggles. But he is in the center of it, and must learn why, or else he and many others may perish.

An Anthology. It has been several years since my last short-story anthology. The new one is ready to go with a mix of new and previously published material.

Two Card Games. I’ve developed two science-fiction themed card games — one strategic and one tactical. The strategy card game is Open Worlds. With extensive testing complete, the first edition will be ready for the market in short order. It’s for two or more players and involves the development and/or exploitation of exoplanets. The mechanics are solid, the pace is good, and the two-player format takes no more than about 15-30 minutes to play. Open Worlds is expandable, but in a way that spares players from the common collectible card game conundrum of sinking a small fortune into endless random expansion packs or secondary market trading. The tactical game is for 2-6 players. Each player has a starship (represented by a card) and the game is essentially a dogfight in space. It’s fun and quick, and testing is nearly complete. The two-player version takes only about 10 minutes to play.

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Open Worlds™ — Game Development Update

Posted on November 17, 2018 by J. C. Conway

I’ve dedicated a good part of this year to the development of a new card game. Open Worlds: Battle for Extra-Solar Planets™ is an expandable strategy card game set at the brink of human star travel. Future space-faring coalitions compete for control of undeveloped extra-solar planets (aka the “Open Worlds”).

Players represent these coalitions with the goal of claiming as many extra-solar planets (planets far beyond Earth’s solar system). As a player, you draw cards from a 54-card deck of resources, including facilities (to develop the worlds and generate income), space vessels (for attack and defense), ground forces (to secure planetary control), catastrophes (to suppress the competition), and various utilities (to enhance or inhibit actions in the game to your advantage). Open Worlds™ is fast-paced, easy to learn, and well balanced. Each game is different, and there are cards and decks available to suit a variety of player preferences and strategies.

In the two-player game, five unclaimed planets are at issue, each with its own characteristics affecting the desirability and ease or difficulty of developing the world. One game generally takes about 10 to 20 minutes. The disputed worlds change from game to game, drawn from a 36-card deck of unique extra-solar planets. With more than 2 players there are more worlds and the game takes a longer.

Open Worlds™ is in the final stages of playtesting and development.

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The 2018 Hugo Nominated Novels

Posted on April 7, 2018 by J. C. Conway

The Hugo Award nominees were announced in March, and interested readers of science fiction and fantasy can find information about each of the nominations in each of the categories HERE and in many reviews and commentaries across the internet and other media. The Hugo Awards are trademarked by the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society that sponsors the annual World Science Fiction Convention and the Hugo Awards. You can find out more about each HERE.

Below are each nominated novel’s cover and blurb as it appears on Goodreads. They appear in the order they are listed on the Hugo Awards announcement page. Clicking on the image of each cover will take you to the Goodreads page for the novel. (Goodreads is a site for readers and book recommendations. It’s stated mission is to “help people find and share books they love.”) From there, you can find links to each author’s other works, as well as buy links to many major outlets. These books are available in multiple formats, including hardback, softback, e-book, and audio.

I have not read all of these yet, but I look forward to finishing the list. It appears to be a great collection. This year’s slate leans in the SF direction rather than Fantasy. Follow the links, explore the works.

The Collapsing Empire, John Scalzi
(Tor Books 2017)

The first novel of a new space-opera sequence set in an all-new universe by the Hugo Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Redshirts and Old Man’s War.

Our universe is ruled by physics and faster than light travel is not possible — until the discovery of The Flow, an extra-dimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transport us to other worlds, around other stars.

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It’s a hedge against interstellar war — and a system of control for the rulers of the empire.

The Flow is eternal — but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it’s discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster than light travel forever, three individuals — a scientist, a starship captain and the Empress of the Interdependency — are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.

New York 2140, Kim Stanley Robinson
(Orbit 2017)

It is 2140.

The waters rose, submerging New York City.

But the residents adapted and it remained the bustling, vibrant metropolis it had always been. Though changed forever.

Every street became a canal. Every skyscraper an island.

Through the eyes of the varied inhabitants of one building, Kim Stanley Robinson shows us how one of our great cities will change with the rising tides.

And how we too will change.

Provenance, Ann Leckie
(Orbit 2017)

Following her record-breaking debut trilogy, Ann Leckie, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke and Locus Awards, returns with an enthralling new novel of power, theft, privilege and birthright.

A power-driven young woman has just one chance to secure the status she craves and regain priceless lost artifacts prized by her people. She must free their thief from a prison planet from which no one has ever returned.

Ingray and her charge will return to her home world to find their planet in political turmoil, at the heart of an escalating interstellar conflict. Together, they must make a new plan to salvage Ingray’s future, her family, and her world, before they are lost to her for good.

Raven Stratagem, Yoon Ha Lee
(Solaris 2017)

War. Heresy. Madness.

Shuos Jedao is unleashed. The long-dead general, preserved with exotic technologies and resurrected by the hexarchate to put down a heretical insurrection, has possessed the body of gifted young captain Kel Cheris.

Now, General Kel Khiruev’s fleet, racing to the Severed March to stop a fresh incursion by the enemy Hafn, has fallen under Jedao’s sway. Only Khiruev’s aide, Lieutenant Colonel Kel Brezan, appears able to shake off the influence of the brilliant but psychotic Jedao.

The rogue general seems intent on defending the hexarchate, but can Khiruev – or Brezan – trust him? For that matter, can they trust Kel Command, or will their own rulers wipe out the whole swarm to destroy one man?

Yoon Ha Lee’s critically acclaimed Machineries of Empire trilogy continues with Raven Stratagem, coming from Solaris Summer 2017.

Six Wakes, by Mur Lafferty
(Orbit 2017)

A space adventure set on a lone ship where the clones of a murdered crew must find their murderer — before they kill again.

It was not common to awaken in a cloning vat streaked with drying blood.

At least, Maria Arena had never experienced it. She had no memory of how she died. That was also new; before, when she had awakened as a new clone, her first memory was of how she died.
Maria’s vat was in the front of six vats, each one holding the clone of a crew member of the starship Dormire, each clone waiting for its previous incarnation to die so it could awaken. And Maria wasn’t the only one to die recently…

The Stone Sky, by N.K. Jemisin
(Orbit 2017)

THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS… FOR THE LAST TIME.

The Moon will soon return. Whether this heralds the destruction of humankind or something worse will depend on two women.

Essun has inherited the power of Alabaster Tenring. With it, she hopes to find her daughter Nassun and forge a world in which every orogene child can grow up safe.

For Nassun, her mother’s mastery of the Obelisk Gate comes too late. She has seen the evil of the world, and accepted what her mother will not admit: that sometimes what is corrupt cannot be cleansed, only destroyed.

The remarkable conclusion to the post-apocalyptic and highly acclaimed trilogy that began with the multi-award-nominated The Fifth Season.

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Conference Report — Writer’s Digest Novel Writing

Posted on November 6, 2017 by J. C. Conway

The Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference returned to the West Coast last weekend with a great selection of speakers and four tracks of conference sessions for fiction writers at all stages of the novel writing spectrum. Sponsored by Writer’s Digest, the event was held at the Westin Pasadena, a nice hotel close to the civic center of Pasadena. Both Writer’s Digest and the hotel provided a cordial, positive atmosphere and attentive service to the attendees.

The list of speakers can be found HERE. There was a keynote speaker each day, beginning with Lisa See on day one, and then Heather Graham day two, followed by Neal Shusterman day three. Each is an accomplished writer and each shared insights, thoughts, and advice about the writer’s journey, creativity, discipline, and aspects of the publishing industry.

The conference ran as it should. I was able to meet writers and professionals from different walks. The focus in two of the tracks (CRAFT and CHARACTER) was on improving and honing skills as well as sharing approaches and exploring how to make each novel, setting, story, or character deeper, better, richer, and more enjoyable. For each of these tracks, one big takeaway for every writer, regardless of the level of development, is that readers should not struggle. That is the writer’s burden. Diligent mastery of the craft transports a reader into the story/character/world without effort. The struggles the reader experiences are the protagonist’s struggles, not the writer’s. Of course, there are many aspects to reaching this goal. These tracks delivered, and the discussions and presentations were professional and concise.

The GENRE track also delved into these aspects as well as publishing and marketing in each specific niche. The speakers included agents, editors, publishers, and writers. This track helped the genre-writing attendees synthesize the other tracks in the context of their specific genre or genres.

The fourth track (BEYOND) took a look at the market and everything that writing entails beyond the refinement and creation of a story–pitching for publication, the trends in the markets, the reliability and unreliability of such trends, self-publishing versus traditional publishing, the technological and physical tools of the trade, and other things.

As with any conference featuring multiple tracks, one could not pick up everything, but the program was well defined, permitting each writer to select intelligently, and the sessions were recorded so the audio of sessions missed will be available.

One thing missing was pitch sessions. Many writing conferences organize time-limited time opportunities for writers to pitch their current work to professional agents and editors. If the agent or editor finds the pitch intriguing, then the writer is asked to send a partial or full manuscript for the agent or editor to consider. These submissions fall into the category of “requested” manuscripts and usually receive a prompt review. “Acceptance” is certainly not guaranteed, but most would agree that the submission has a fairer chance than an unsolicited submission into the slush pile. I did not ask why there were no scheduled pitch sessions. It was clear going into it that this conference would not include them, so I accepted the focus as it was and the conference met my expectations. Also, there were plenty of agents and editors at the conference, so the opportunity for an “elevator pitch” was ever present and many writers availed themselves of that opportunity.

If you are a writer and have not attended a writer’s conference, you should consider it. Even if your skills are well-honed, you understand marketing, and you are published. It is encouraging to confirm your understanding of craft and market, it is refreshing to meet other writers at different stages of development, and there is always something to learn or new perspectives to consider.

 

 

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Why Read?

Posted on October 21, 2017 by J. C. Conway

“The movie is not as good as the book.” Readers say this often. Booksellers probably say it more. It might not always be true. Generally, I think it is, although this is not a condemnation of film. They are different art forms. I love good movies (and some bad ones); so why are novels better?

It’s subjective. But novels provide a whole lot more information while simultaneously relying on the reader’s imagination to fill in everything that is not stated. Some novels delve deeply into a protagonist’s mind. A well-written train of thought can be exceptionally engaging and sets the stage for conflict that can only be hinted at through visual and auditory stimulus. The same is true of backstory. In contrast, description in a novel, which can be detailed or sparse, necessarily requires each reader to draw an image that works, breathing life into the story. No two readers will see the exact same thing in their mind’s eye. This, in my view, creates an intimate relationship between reader, author, and story that is unique and fulfilling.

In other words, reading is active. It stimulates the imagination. Also, many writers have a subtle sense of humor that manifests only in the carefully crafted phrasing of text, subtext, and frame.

There are lots of other reasons to read. Brain scans show activity in parts of the cortex that are beneficial. Psychologists suggest empathy rises with deep reading of literature, as well as intelligence and understanding. Readers are generally thought to write better. The scorecard goes on, but the reward, to me, is emotional. I remember the stories I’ve read. I take a journey and I feel it.

So take time to read (or read more). Generations of readers attest to the wonder and joy of the experience. Take your own journey. Feel the pain, sorrow, and triumph. Face the questions and uncertainties. Breathe life into tales that await and find your unique reward.

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SETI, the “Wow!” Signal, and the Ongoing Search of the Sky

Posted on June 7, 2017 by J. C. Conway

It appears that an explanation for the “Wow!” signal might have been found. According to a recent experiment by a team of researchers with the Center for Planetary Science, which is pending peer review, it may have been a passing comet. You can see last year’s proposal for the recent experiment HERE, and the 16-page report of the results HERE. The comet suspected of causing the signal was unknown in 1977 when the “Wow!” signal was received.

As a reminder, the “Wow!” signal was an exciting discovery for fans of SETI. At the time (1977), SETI had the Ohio state University Big Ear radio telescope searching for a signal within the frequency of hydrogen, 1420 megahertz, on the theory that it would be used by a civilization intending to be heard. Nothing out of the ordinary was detected until August 15, 1977. The signal received was a massive burst of exactly the haystack-needle signal being sought.

Of course, the problem with the “Wow!” signal, in SETI circles, has always been that it never repeated, so it was probably not an alien signal. However, all known other sources for the signal were ruled out at the time. It was not of Earth origin, and there is nothing in that part of the sky to account for the signal. So the new experiment offers a plausible explanation for the event.

But SETI enthusiasts should not be discouraged. The “Wow!” signal was detected with limited technology by today’s standards, it neither proved nor disproved anything, and it has always been viewed with appropriate skepticism by SETI scientists. For instance, this 2015 Astrowatch.net interview, published on Phys.org, about SETI, the signal was discussed as dubious evidence of extraterrestrial civilization. The interview participants were key figures in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI’s Seth Shostak, Paul Shuch, Douglas Vakoch and Gerry Harp). Although the “Wow!” signal is relatively famous, the interviewees make clear that the signal never met a critical indicator of intelligent origin—it did not repeat. Without that, according to Vakoch, “we have no basis for thinking it was really from an extraterrestrial civilization.” Moreover, the signal is not particularly extraordinary by today’s standards. SETI now uses the Allen Telescope Array. Compared to current surveys, the “Wow!” signal “isn’t at all special or different from signals that we observe every day at the ATA,” Harp said.

It is also worth noting that with present technology immediate follow-up is possible with any interesting signal. With improved detection capabilities and every-increasing computer power, the search grows stronger every year, and the likelihood increases that something extraordinary will be found.

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One Scene at a Time

Posted on June 5, 2017 by J. C. Conway

This gallery contains 4 photos.

“How do you find the time to write a book?” As a working stiff who also publishes novels, this is a natural and frequently-asked question. The immediate answer is usually the very true necessity that “I make time.” Countless weekends … Continue reading →

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Audie Awards 2017 Winners

Posted on June 2, 2017 by J. C. Conway

The AUDIE AWARDS have been announced for 2017. These awards are sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (“APA”). The APA was formed in 1986 as a not-for-profit trade association that advocates the common, collective business interests of audio publishers. It consists … Continue reading →

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Towers of Earth Eligible for Nomination for 2017 Dragon Award; Nominations Open Until June 24, 2017

Posted on May 30, 2017 by J. C. Conway

This gallery contains 1 photo.

If you have enjoyed Towers of Earth, and believe it should be nominated for a science fiction award, The Dragon Awards is presently open for nominations by fans free of charge. The Dragon Awards is a fan-based award for the best … Continue reading →

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A Look at the Recent Nebula Winners

Posted on May 28, 2017 by J. C. Conway

The Nebula Award Winners were announced last week by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (“SFWA”) at the SFWA Nebula Conference. Naturally, the two awards that generally receive the greatest attention are the Best Novel and the Ray Bradbury … Continue reading →

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