Raymund Eich

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

Hi ,

I can't be the only adult who misses summer vacation. Now, yes, I was the kid who liked school, but summer vacation meant three months where I didn't have to do what teachers wanted me to do. I had my days to myself. Maybe a chore here or there, throwing hay and grain into the bulls' feed troughs, but otherwise I was free.

Summers in the early '80s... playing Atari 2600 games (my faves were Missile Command and Enduro). Listening to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Watching sci-fi movies like Mad Max and Zardoz on TV, plus Twilight Zone episodes (the b&w original with Rod Serling streaming cigarette smoke) weeknights at 9 and Star Trek at 10:30. (I'll never call it "The Original Series." The original series is Star Trek, and everything that comes later needs a qualifier).

And books! My Sherlock Holmes phase ended around fifth grade, but soon after, I bought a five-book Alastair MacLean omnibus because Iron Maiden had a song entitled Where Eagles Dare. I pored through the Science Fiction Book Club catalog. In hindsight, the freebie edition of the Piers Anthony Proton/Phaze SF/F crossover trilogy was not great, and Valentine Pontifex was a little over my head. Robert Silverberg might be a little much for a 13 year old.

Plus, it was a summer day in 1984 when I bought my first copy of Analog off the magazine rack at the supermarket in my hometown. I'd read outside until 9 pm, when it finally got too dark to read, and then I'd go inside as the whipporwhills started singing.

What are your fond memories of childhood summers? Let me know, I'd love to hear from you. Or if you just want to privately enjoy thinking back, that's totally fine.

Cover Reveal

Here's my latest publishing project. Aiming to drop by the end of June. It's a compilation of my novel Azureseas: Cantrell's War with five short stories. What do they have in common? I'll tell you more when the pre-orders go on line.

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Barnes & Noble Readers Need Love Too

Have a Nook e-reader or app? Tired of all the promos focusing on Kindle and maybe Kobo readers? Then click on this exclusive Barnes & Noble promo. Thirteen sci-fi and fantasy books by a variety of authors. My book Azureaseas: Cantrell's War is 50% off for the rest of this month. Use coupon code BNPJUNE50 at checkout.

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That's it for now. I'll be back soon with pre-order links for Stealing Fire From the Gods.

Till next time,

Happy reading!

Raymund