4/18/2022

Happy April!

After five consecutive weeks of author events, I’m feeling overdue for a break. Conveniently, today (April 18th) is my birthday, and I’m going to give myself the gift of downtime… that is, after I’ve written the newsletter, updated Patreon, and read through [some intimidating number] of backlogged emails. Fortunately, today’s newsletter is mostly about fun photo sharing and some fun new releases.

Travels with Mike Jack

MarsCon in Williamsburg, VA, 3/19

This was my first con selling my books, supported by an awesome reading community, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I met some local authors and creators, including John Hartness of Falstaff Books.

FantaSci in Durham, NC, 3/26 with Casey Moores, Marisa Wolf, and Melissa Olthoff

If it looks like we’re practicing our underbites in order to curse in alien languages, it’s because we were. FantaSci featured a huge number of CKP authors and had several fun, off-the-wall panels, like Swearing in Science Fiction and Alien Archaeology.

Writers of the Future Workshop in Los Angeles, CA 4/3 with the winning authors and illustrators, in front of Author Services and Galaxy Press

Near the middle of the group is Joni Labaqui, who is an amazing supporter of new science fiction and fantasy authors. Closest to the camera is Desmond Astaire, who won the Writers of the Future grand prize with his story, Gallows, coming soon to print in Writers of the Future, volume 38. Also—completely unplanned but very fortunate—lined up behind me are the authors of two of my favorites in that volume: Azure Arther and Michael Panter.

…Speaking of Volume 38, meet illustrator Natalia Salvador, who brought life and color to two stories in the collection: Rebecca E. Treasure’s magical realism tale of a Russian grandmother’s journey to protect her family and my scifi story about a child with an alien symbiote, “The Squid is my Brother.”

Writers of the Future Awards Gala in Los Angeles, CA, 4/8 with the winners, contest coordinators, and judges. I love this picture!

Norwescon in SeaTac, WA, 4/17, with the Predator

I am currently writing this from a suburb of Seattle, and I will be flying back home tomorrow. I’ve unloaded a huge number of books over the weeks, and I shipped the Writers of the Future trophy home in advance, so my luggage is quite a bit lighter.

New Releases from Gama Ray Martinez, Len Berry, and Galaxy Press

God of Neverland, by Gama Ray Martinez, is a reimagining of J. M. Barrie’s classic world from the point of view of a grown-up who has a chance to revisit the land of imagination one last time. I was fortunate enough to be one of the early readers for this novel, and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy portal fantasy adventures.

https://www.amazon.com/God-Neverland-Defenders-Lore-Novel-ebook/dp/B0995YDZNX/

Scars of Shadow is a debut self-published release from Len Berry, and I’m excited to read it. I have read a number of Len’s short stories, and have described his worlds as an anime twist on a Jim Henson nightmare (such as Dark Crystal or Labyrinth). With the curse of unlife and a bleeding wall, Scars of Shadow promises to further that unique style.

https://www.amazon.com/Scars-Shadow-Len-Berry-ebook/dp/B06ZYGKMH5/

Writers of the Future, Volume 38, with 13 “new” authors, including me. I have read all of the stories and am so proud to be part of the collection. It is currently available as an ebook or to pre-order in print. My personal favorites were “Lilt of a Lark” by Michael Panter and “Agatha’s Monster” by Azure Arther.

https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future-ebook/dp/B09VXXCP5T/

In Other News…

If you haven’t had a chance to do so, check out my Patreon for more world-building content, concept art, and other behind-the-scenes work.

Also, Free Books!

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Mike Jack Writes

https://www.mikejackstoumbos.com/

https://twitter.com/MJStoumbos

The Signal Out Of Space (TFC1)

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/942971539745414

Zoom Info:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89602613919?pwd=dlRuVXJadnpXU1BwQm5wT0JDS1NNZz09

Meeting ID: 896 0261 3919

Passcode: 564420

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Villains-Robyn-Huss-ebook/dp/B09T76CK8Y

Recommendations

Jonathan Maberry has written an impressive number of novels across many genres and sub-genres, many of which are marked by thriller pacing, short chapters, and unapologetically direct dialogue. One of his that I recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed was Mars One. It was like revisiting some of the early Heinlein novels to parts unknown, like Rocketship Galileo or Farmer in the Sky. If you want a quick, YA read with a lot of scientific plausibility to satisfy your inner space nerd, check this one out. https://www.amazon.com/Mars-One-Jonathan-Maberry-ebook/dp/B01GD9CP3Q/

In getting to know the local writing scene, I recently had a chance to meet a Richmond author, Thomas Webb, who writes military science fiction among other genres—and we found out we have a high degree of community overlap. I’m looking forward to diving into his Separatist Wars series, starting with the prequel, Enemy Lines. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YL8X2QC/

What Else Is New

New Patreon: Art, World-Building, and Song Parodies

Along with the move to a mailer system and an ebook hosting platform, I’ve put together a Patreon for people who want to see more of the work behind the scenes or commission their own world-building material. I have shared some of the THIS FINE CREW concept art at the book launch events, but there is much more to come, along with dozens of illustrations for other projects I’ve never posted anywhere. Along with that, the Patreon folks will get to see some more stories that aren’t free to the public and to be the first to hear new songs. You can check out the patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/MikeJackStoumbos

THIS FINE CREW Continues…

The first three THIS FINE CREW books out in the universe for all English-reading species to consume. Although we don't yet have a release date, the fourth episode is the works, and not just one but two prequel short stories are on their way. Some people have asked me about the number of additional stories. While I have several planned, the length of the series depends in part on the readers: if people keep enjoying the series, recommending the books, and rating them highly, I will keep writing them.

As for the prequel shorts, here is one of the covers:



As always, if you have any requests or questions, please let me know. I hope this finds you all well and that your springs have started strong (even if they include some last-minute snow).

Cheers,

Mike Jack Stoumbos