A.L. Kaplan's Blog: A. L. Kaplan, page 2
September 17, 2025
Book Review – Gold Dust
Gold Dust, by Catherine Assaro, is the second Dust Knights novel. This is an exciting standalone story with a large cast of characters that centers around the Undercity kids who have joined the Raylicon Olympic team and their teammates. There is Bahaaj, a retired and decorated military officer turned private investigator and track and field coach. Mason, the city of Cries coach who discovers that the Undercity people are athletic prodigies. Angel, a strong psychic from the Undercity who is constantly underestimated by her city instructors. Ruzi, Angel’s husband and a great distance runner. Dice, heir to the Undercity’s Vakaar crime syndicate. Shiv, heir to the Undercity’s Kaja crime syndicate. Tam, a talented trans Undercity runner who is targeted multiple times because of her origin. Kiro, an incredibly strong empath from a wealthy and privileged family in the city of Cries. Hyden, an arrogant runner from another wealthy family who scorns all Undercity runners as beneath him, and Zee, Lamp, and Strider, Undercity runners who are drawn to Kiro and accept him into their family.
These kids just want to run, (and get food and clean water for their families) but are hit with prejudice and obstacles at multiple turns. Everyone “knows” that people from the Undercity are all no good, lazy, and stupid criminal thugs. At almost every race, the Undercity athletes are underestimated and ridiculed, accused of cheating when they win.
But this story is about more than that. There are surprising twists and revelations, power plays between two major corporations, all with family ties, interstellar intrigue, and a pair of star-crossed lovers. Can the city athletes look beyond their preconceived notions? Can the Undercity athletes overcome their many disadvantages and find acceptance? You’ll need to read to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series.
Gold Dust releases on October 7, 2025
September 11, 2025
September 9, 2025
Come see me at the Baltimore Book Festival
Looking for something fun to do this weekend?
Come the the Baltimore Book Festival
I’ll be at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Association table most of the weekend.
Come say hi and pick of some new books.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.
Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.
A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret
Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.
But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.
August 16, 2025
My Sunday Worldcon Schedule
Animal Companions in Middle Grade/YA
Young Adult Fiction
Room 320, Sun. 4:30–5:30 p.m.
It’s dangerous to go alone! The loyal animal (or monster) companion is a common feature of kids’ stories. These companions do more than tag along—they reveal character, deepen world-building, offer emotional support (or challenge), and sometimes even steal the show. Let’s discuss our favorites and find out what makes these furry (or scaly) friends so great.
Deva Fagan (M), A. L. Kaplan, Jenna Lee-Yun, Kathryn Sullivan, Maya Prasad
August 14, 2025
My Friday Schedule at Worldcon
Teen
Room 347-348, Sat. 3–4 p.m.
Decide who will win each contest from our bracket of various characters and determine who will take home the crown!
A. L. Kaplan (M)
August 13, 2025
My Thursday Schedule at Worldcon
Meet the Authors—YA and Middle Grade
Teen; Young Adult Fiction; Youth
Room 347-348, Thu. 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Come meet the writers who are crafting the stories for you! A selection of YA and middle grade authors are available to answer questions and talk about stories.
Marta Murvosh (M), A. L. Kaplan, CJ Hosack, Kate Ristau, L.J. Melvin, Shana Targosz
August 12, 2025
My Wednesday Schedule at Worldcon
Prop Up That Costume with a Prop
Costume
Room 335-336, Wed. 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Props can often make or break a costume. Learn what works and how to make those little special items, hopefully without breaking the bank.
Selena A. Naumoff (M), A. L. Kaplan, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.
Readings
Room 428, Wed. noon–12:30 p.m.
A. L. Kaplan
August 8, 2025
Come see me at Seattle Worldcon 2025
Seattle Worldcon 2025!Building Yesterday’s Future–For Everyone
August 13–17, 2025
Here is my Schedule:
Prop Up That Costume with a Prop
Room 335-336, Wed. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Props can often make or break a costume. Learn what works and how to make those little special items, hopefully without breaking the bank.
Selena A. Naumoff (M), A. L. Kaplan, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.
Room 428, Wed. noon–12:30 p.m.
A. L. Kaplan
Meet the Authors—YA and Middle Grade
Room 347-348, Thu. 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Come meet the writers who are crafting the stories for you! A selection of YA and middle grade authors are available to answer questions and talk about stories.
Marta Murvosh (M), A. L. Kaplan, CJ Hosack, Kate Ristau, L.J. Melvin, Shana Targosz
Teen
Room 347-348, Sat. 3–4 p.m.
Decide who will win each contest from our bracket of various characters and determine who will take home the crown!
A. L. Kaplan (M)
Animal Companions in Middle Grade/YA
Room 320, Sun. 4:30–5:30 p.m.
It’s dangerous to go alone! The loyal animal (or monster) companion is a common feature of kids’ stories. These companions do more than tag along—they reveal character, deepen world-building, offer emotional support (or challenge), and sometimes even steal the show. Let’s discuss our favorites and find out what makes these furry (or scaly) friends so great.
Deva Fagan (M), A. L. Kaplan, Jenna Lee-Yun, Kathryn Sullivan, Maya Prasad
August 5, 2025
New Story in Pen In Hand Literary Journal
I’m thrilled to announce that my short story, High Time, is in the July 2025 Pen In Hand Literary Journal.
July 23, 2025
Perseid Meteor Shower
It’s that time of year again! The annual Perseid meteor shower is happening now! The best viewing time is midnight to dawn. This amazing meteor shower runs through late August, with peak viewing on August 12-13, 2025.
There are several meteor showers throughout the year, but the Perseid meteor shower is my favorite. It’s one of the reasons I used is as a base for some of the events in Star Touched.
Look north toward the Perseus constellation (just below Cassiopeia)
Pull out a chair.
Slather on some bug spray.
And camp out under the night sky.
Enjoy the show.
But don’t worry, none of the meteors are big enough to cause a cataclysm.
Then make sure you pick up a copy of Star Touched.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
