Raymund Eich

Science fiction and fantasy - from Middle America to the ends of the Universe

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hi ,

Raymund Eich here. 2020 is finally over. Hurrah! I hope you were able to spend Christmas or your preferred year-end holiday with people you love. My family had a cozy Christmas, thanks for asking. And, no, we don't go overboard on Christmas lights. What gave you that idea?

Publishing News

My story "Riddlepigs and the Cryla," the first in a series about Portia Oakeshott, dinosaur veterinarian, is in the Jan/Feb issue of Analog. In ebook stores and on magazine racks now.

I also contracted with Analog for them to publish a second Portia Oakeshott story, an unrelated science fiction story, and a speculative fact article. Those should be appearing later in 2021. I'll update you when they appear.

Turning to novels, my latest, Azureseas: Cantrell's War, will be available January 28, 2021.

Azureseas

A world of sandy beaches under a yellow-orange sun. Human developers could turn it into the next great tourist world of the Consortia... except for its large, dangerous native animals.

Ross Cantrell joined the animal control mission on Azureseas to earn the money he needed to marry and start a life together with his girlfriend. Dirty work, but necessary to keep people safe. Like plinking tree cats back home.

Then Ross discovers the truth about the planet's "animals."

Cantrell's War

His former plans no longer matter. Against high-tech soldiers, illicit brain-hackers, and the billionaires backing them both, he puts everything at risk. Money. Love. Even his own life. All to do the right thing for humans and aliens alike.

Want to read an advance reader copy (ARC) before it goes on sale?

Click here. You can download the first 3 chapters to whet your appetite, or request the full ARC. In exchange for the full ARC, I ask that you leave a review at a major online bookseller or book review site. Thanks!

Patently Curious

I've read thousands of patents in my career. Some are more memorable than others.

In keeping with our Christmas theme, many a parent has had the problem of small children doubting the existence of Santa Claus. The milk-and-cookies trick has been around a long time, but kids get suspicious when they're told Santa likes the same type of cookies that Mom does, or that instead of milk, he'd rather warm up with a glass of Dad's single-malt Scotch.

Luckily, Thomas Cane of Rafael, California solved this problem in 1994. Here are Figures 1B, 2, and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,741, "Santa Claus Detector."

When Santa breaks the bow 40 across the chimney opening, the bow tugs on stocking loops 42, thereby lighting up stocking lights 18.

No child need doubt Santa is real ever again.

Other books you might like

Because you can read them faster than I can write them. This time, it's a year-end two-fer.

Dekker's Dozen

The Armageddon Seeds

The Complete Cycle

by Christopher D. Schmitz

Christopher D. Schmitz is a prolific writer of science fiction and fantasy. Dekker's Dozen combines space opera and alternate timelines. Two great tastes that taste great together. The only drawback is that this book is exclusive to Amazon.

Get a free copy of "Dekker's Dozen, the Armageddon Seeds" by signing up for Christopher D. Schmitz's mailing list here.

Cynetic Wolf

(Chapters 1-5)

by Matt Ward

A novel of coming-of-age dystopian rebellion by the host of the Disruptors.FM tech podcast. Reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Divergent series. (Serieses?)

Get five free sample chapters of "Cynetic Wolf" by signing up for Matt Wards's mailing list here.

Before I go, one last thing: are my emails giving you what you want? If they aren't, email me at newsletter@raymundeich.com or take a short online survey to tell me what you'd like to hear more about.

No longer want to be part of my Readers Club? No worries. There's an unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

I hope you, your family, and your loved ones have a Happy New Year.

I'll be back in a couple of months with more news. And I'll bring you a special bulletin when publishing news breaks.

Happy reading!

Copyright © 2020 Raymund Eich, All rights reserved.

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