Triton Cometh: A Release Date Has Been Set!

On November 3, 2008, Spinward Fringe Triton will be released on Mobipocket.com. No other site has provided a better home from these books, so it's only fitting that the most anticipated book in the series is available there first. I also like the fact that hundreds of people are reading these books on their own versions of Command and Control units; their cell phones, PDA's and eBook readers. Now if only someone would build one with a holoprojector...

I believe Triton has the depth of a novel and the scope of a space opera film. Now that a very well respected proof reader has had time to go through it and give me the thumbs up, I feel comfortable releasing it as everyone recovers from their October 31 sweet tooth fulfillment hangovers. This is the most serious book in the series, it answers some questions head on and brings some plotlines to a conclusive end. As those plotlines close out others strengthen, deepen and the epic plans I had for this series finally start coming together.

The little universe I created for this series grows and starts to shake in the most abrupt and violent ways in this book. Just what the story needed.

Thank you to everyone who has read the series thus far, I wish I could tell you more about the story in Trition, but I honestly can't because of all the new readers who have been hopping on board. I'd hate to give anything away.

RL

Thank you for following me on this journey thus far, you won't be disappointed.

Mobipocket: Aaaaand We're Back...

I'm just not used to a major website disappearing for the weekend without warning. Neither are other eBook publishers I spoke to. We're all happy to have Mobipocket back up and running again though, and I hope they don't have this kind of difficulty again.

I half expected Mobipocket to be back to work on Monday morning, and I'm glad to see it back up, especially since Spinward Fringe Triton will be released with Mobipocket before any other retailer. I know there are Mobipocket users watching for it and I'd hate to let them down just because their servers are having issues.

Anyway, it's back to business as ussual as they say. This weekend I worked on the Spinward Fringe book following Triton, and I have to say I'm quite happy with it so far. Things keep moving on my end uninterrupted for the most part, so there's a lot to look forward to.

More to come on Triton and the book following it soon!

RL

Mobipocket's Site Is Down! Day 2

First two of my books disappear from the top 400 only to reappear as one of their customer service reps simply say; "Look, there they are, you must have been viewing our site in the wrong language or something," the next morning. (Trust me, I would have noticed), and now their eBook servers, back end and retail sites are all down.

This happened before in 2007 according to many well known eBook forums and news sites, and I hope it's just a hiccup that will be corrected by the end of the weekend.

I'm surprised though, Mobipocket has been a fantastic partner for months now, this last week just seems like one issue after another, at one time I thought that was unusual for a site owned by Amazon.com. Sadly, I've had serious issues with another subsidiary of Amazon.com over the last few weeks, so I'm starting to get the impression that when Amazon buys another company that entity's quality of service takes a dive.

Suppositions aside, I apologize to any of my readers who find themselves inconvenienced by this down time. If you're in the middle of the Spinward Fringe series or were looking for something else to read, be aware that I offer all my books through Lulu.com as well (check the links to the right), DRM free and in eBook or print format. The shipping is actually quite reasonable if you live in the US.

Here's hoping that Amazon and Mobipocket get their act together and we're back to normal by the end of the weekend. I have a book realease coming up and a few hundred people who have been waiting for it...

RL

Sweeping Improvements to All Books!

After receiving a great deal of advice from many of my eBook readers, I've made a number of changes to all the eBooks offered on Mobipocket. Here's a list of the changes.

The First Light Chronicles Freeground eNovella is once again free through Lulu.com. Mobipocket administration has informed me that they don't allow free eBooks to be added to their Freebooks program any longer, so I've reduced the cost of Freeground to $0.10 there.

All of the First Light Chronicles books (including the Omnibus), and the Spinward Fringe books now include links by chapter so Mobipocket readers can easily navigate through them. This is something that wasn't in place before because I honestly didn't expect to do so well in the eBook market. Now that so many of you have proven me wrong (thank you!), the table of contents are in place.
When the Spinward Fringe Triton novel is released there will be a new Afterword added to the First Light Chronicles Omnibus. In the afterword I discuss how the books came about, some of the more drastic twists in the novels and some of the surprises that crept up on me while I wrote them.

In the book Spinward Fringe Triton there's a preview of the following novel, the fourth book in that series. (eBook version only, sorry. I just have to save paper).

I'm also working on getting the First Light Chronicles Omnibus listed on Amazon.com. I'm hoping to make the printed copies available through their site (supersaver shipping, yay!), by Christmas. Other than that I'm looking for popular places to review my work, so word can spread beyond Mobipocket, SomaCow and this site. I love you guys, but for me to make a career out of this I need a few thousand more readers.

These changes and improvements have all come about thanks to you, dear readers, and I'm happy to make them. I've had a fantastic time writing these books and meeting people who are interested in the world I'm creating and expanding. I truly hope it never ends.

RL

Mobipocket: The Spinward Fringe Novels Make a Sudden Reappearance

Just as suddenly as the Spinward Fringe Resurrection and Awakening books disappeared from the top 400, they pop back into the 2nd and 3rd places.

To be honest that's a better result than I expected, much better! I was sure to thank the administration there for adding the books back into the Science Fiction category.

A few publishers have had bad experiences with Mobipocket, but I've never had an issue go unresolved for more than 24 hours, so other than the little hiccup yesterday, I have to say my experience with this company has been very good. Better than a few others I could mention but won't.

In conclusion; sometimes flipping out and bringing your concerns out into the open does actually get something done, but now we return to our regularly scheduled programming...

Later today I'll be posting all about the changes that have been made to the eBooks and some of the print books. Don't worry, the plotlines have been left untouched, but there are a lot of other differences worth noting.

See you then!

RL

Mobipocket Buries the Spinward Fringe Series! A Call To Action!

Over the past few months Mobipocket has been a fantastic channel for me to get my work out to Science Fiction Fans across the globe. Up until this morning I've been very happy to see that the books that sell well climb the science fiction genre charts proportionately and I've been very fortunate that people have discovered and enjoyed my work.

Sadly, that's come to an end it seems. The First Light Chronicles Omnibus still sits in the coveted first place in the Science Fiction section, which I'm thankful for, but the Spinward Fringe Resurrection and Awakening books aren't listed in the top 400. That's very strange, considering both of those books have been selling as well as, if not better than the Omnibus for a few weeks now and they've had places in the top ten for almost as long. I'd understand if something came along and out sold them, moving them down a few places, but it doesn't makes sense that they just disappear.

Here's what really irritates me about all this; the Spinward Fringe Series sells primarily to people who enjoyed the Omnibus, and you're the most important group of people to me, the true fans who continue following the story I enjoy telling so much. It's thanks to you that the Spinward Fringe Series has done so well, your support and your support alone got the books into the top ten. I honestly think Mobipocket his dishonoring that spirit of support by burying the Spinward Fringe series, and if you agree please post your objection on their forums under the topic: Spinward Fringe Resurrection and Awakening gone missing!!

Thank you very much for your support so far, and I hope you stick around for the release of Spinward Fringe Triton and the novel that follows, I'll keep putting these books out for the length of this plotline and longer if the demand is there!

RL

"I aim to entertain!"

Spinward Fringe Triton: Update

Triton is twice the size of Spinward Fringe Resurrection, it's also a very different kind of story. It took a while to write, I'll admit. After that it took a little while to edit, and I'm afraid that due to a family emergency things have been set back a bit.

I can say that even though things have slowed down on the finalizing of this book, it's still coming.

While this family matter is going on I'm writing the book following Trition, so once the air clears things should be right back on track.

The popularity of this series continues to rise, and thankfully I had plenty of ideas stored up long before I started writing it in January of this year, so there's more to come. I thank everyone whose supported me, enjoyed reading and donated to the cause or purchased my work. I can't say how much I appreciate your patience, it'll be worth the wait.

RL

True Romance: An Often Overlooked Classic

To my knowledge, True Romance (released in 1993), is the first screen play Quintin Tarantino sold. He didn't direct the film or even visit the set. Directed by Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Michael Rapaport, and featuring actors like Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson and other memorables, this is a fun, powerful film.

My recent reviews have been terribly negative, so I thought I would post an article about something I believe to be one of those forgotten classics. A classic that I think should inform the writing choices of many a screen writer, director and performer.

When I first rented this film shortly after its initial release I was beyond surprised. The dialogue didn't just pop, it exploded. The performances weren't convincing, they were downright incredible. The plot wasn't just interesting or funny, it was quirky, entertaining and balanced. To this day there truly is nothing like this movie. Of all of the films Tarantino had a hand in, this is my favorite, which figures since he only wrote the screen play. To me, Pulp Fiction is a close second and another classic worthy of consideration.

Quintin Tarantino's incredible enthusiasm and in your face dialogue is balanced by Tony Scott's directing prowess and with the support of incredible actors this film takes the viewer on a journey though gun fights, fist fights, drug dens, as well as other events and places you might find surprising. I honestly think this film would have a higher status as a classic if the title were different, but on that point the title is perfect. Regardless of the body count, the seedy locations and characters this movie is still about two people in love. The pair are quirky, fun, and colourful, a better duo I've rarely seen. It's a good love story about a fellow who works in a comic book store and meets a very interesting woman on his birthday. The couple try to make things better for themselves while staying together and navigating unfamiliar territory.

The dialogue is incredible, far beyond what you'd see in any typical movie filled with convincing colour and perfect conversation.

I suggest this to anyone who enjoys a good action flick with a real plot and heart. I've also suckered many ladies who were looking for a "chick flick" into watching this, and invariably they find themselves liking it, but then, I typically date ladies who are at least half as nerdy or strange as I am.

RL

See? I don't hate everything...

Somacow: The Spinward Fringe Resurrection Review

Geoff took the time to review Spinward Fringe Resurrection, the first book of that series. He and the other fellows at the Somacow Radio show (J and Ross), have already reviewed the First Light Chronicles series (Freeground, Limbo and Starfree Port), and did a good, entertaining job of it.

With the Spinward Fringe series going strong, I'm glad to see that the guys are interested and that Geoff is continuing with the reviews. Apparently, Geoff is very happy to continue them as well, give it a listen!

For the rest of the reviews you can check the links on the right (under Reviews and Interviews) and for more SomaCow as well as other radio shows on the network visit www.somacow.net To hear their show live, report to Ustream and do a search for Somacow between 1pm and 4pm on Saturdays. I'll invariably be in the chatroom unless I'm on a golden writing streak.

RL

Spinward Fringe Triton: Now We Wait

What's with the title you ask? Well, I've finished my editorial pass on the newest book and all of you get to wait on my Editors final word.

Anyone who has read the First Light Chronicles and Spinward Fringe thus far know that I'm the master of answering a (plot) question with another question. That's how I do things in general, give you just enough to feel informed while you follow the characters along on a journey that could take you anywhere. In the end there's always a payoff, however.

Triton is different. The location is different, the story is vastly different, even the main characters we follow around are dealing with things that they've never faced before. I've taken great risks in the telling. The major risks involve answers that don't pose questions. Many of the answers to long running plot lines (even going as far back as the First Light Chronicles), are final and satisfying, or at least that's my intention. My Editor will tell me whether I've accomplished my goals and told a good story.

Triton ties up a number of important plot lines because it's time to move on to the bigger story that's been developing in the background ever since the first page of Starfree Port. In Spinward Fringe Broadcast 4 (I can't tell you it's proper name until my Editor has signed off on Triton), the big picture story comes into play and I can't wait to tell it.

Triton is a much more serious book than anything that's come before, and now that I look back on the story I've told I can honestly say I'm proud of the work.

So, like I said before, we get to wait a few days while my Editor makes her educated, well read assessment of the book. Here's hoping I've done my job exceptionally well.

RL

[While you're waiting you could always check out Fate Cycle Dead of Winter or Fate Cycle Sins of the Past if you're looking for a more epic style of fantasy. They're both available at a reduced price on Mobipocket.com]

Valentine: Cancel It

I made the mistake of watching the new television show: Valentine the other night.

The only special actress in this show is Autumn Reeser and she plays a relatively minor role. The actor behind the Cupid character isn't bad either, but the lead actress, Jaime Murray is about as diverse and adaptable as a pet rock.

I loved to hate her when she played the mildly insane, obnoxious twisted love interest in the last season's Dexter. In this series she is singularly responsible for completely stripping this show of what very little merit it has. For someone who has a real English accent, it sounds pretty fake. I've met quite a few people from Britain, none of them sounded like that.

Anyway, on to some of the core problems with this terrible hour of television. The show is about a family of Gods who live on earth in a classic Greek style house who get soul mates together. That's about as original as a Night Rider remake. The acting and production quality is barely par with network fare, there's no chemistry between this "ensemble cast" and visually the show is stylistically barren. The set design, costuming, directing and lighting decisions made for each and every scene are boring, standard and I'd love to see what a pair of film school graduates could have done to make this fun to watch.

As for the writing, well. Embarrassing. Aphrodite gives a character an orgasm by touching her (that was the only funny part of the show), but then she goes on to call it "a straight shot of unconditional love." Pardon me, but unconditional love has very little if nothing at all to do with orgasms. I have to give a few of the younger actors credit, by the way, they managed to perform admirably through very wooden dialogue.

Again, things come down to the lead actress, who will be in our faces for the whole run of the show, picking the missions (yes, these love matches the family make are assigned like missions), for the whole gang is a terrible choice. Look, Jaime Murray has a great body (Aphrodite traditionally does, but it would have been more interesting if they had chosen someone with curves, not near anorexia), and her accent is constant enough not to irritate most viewers, but there are literally thousands of actresses that would have been a better choice.

Valentine: Cancel the damn thing, let the few good actors in this series find work we can enjoy them in.

RL

Hey Kids! It's Survey Time!

I know, you're asking yourself; "will the fun never end? Will the excitement never cease? Will they ever make a third Men In Black movie, so we have a proper trilogy?"

Those are interesting questions, and though I can't answer them all, I can answer them with yet another question in the form of an important survey. I'm trying to figure out where all you folks who are buying my books are coming from. I'm very happy you're all here, don't get me wrong, but much like I once wanted to know where babies come from and how many licks it took to get to the center (thankfully unrelated questions...), I'm wondering how everyone heard of my work.

So please scroll down and click one of those options or leave a comment telling me where you heard of my work if it was outside the options provided.

Thanks in advance!

RL

SomaCow: The Spinward Fringe Resurrection Review Cometh!

The Sacred Cow has received copies of Spinward Fringe Resurrection and Awakening, the first two books in the Spinward Fringe Series. Geoff, J and Ross recently figured out where oh where the copies went and will (time permitting), review Spinward Fringe Resurrection this weekend.

More people who read the First Light Chronicles Omnibus are following through to the Spinward Fringe books every day, and I couldn't be happier. People are really enjoying the story I'm telling with both sets of books.

Knowing that I have something to offer in return for the guys at SomaCow entertaining me every Saturday is also a pleasure. Here's hoping Geoff and his cohorts (yes, I said cohorts), enjoy these books as much as The First Light Omnibus.

SomaCow aires live on Saturday between 1pm and 4pm here: somacow.com for the live video click on the UStreamTV link on the right hand side of the page. If you miss it they do post the three hours as one hour episodes later in the week, so check back.

See you on SomaCow's UStreamTV this Saturday!

RL

For more information on SomaCow and to check other shows on the SomaCow network check out www.somacow.net