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Andy Giesler

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://thenothingwithin.com

Genre

Science Fiction, Fiction

Member Since

November 2014

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/andy_giesler

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When I was little, I fell in love with science fiction. (Andre Norton and Ray Bradbury: thank you, wherever you are.) In high school, I fell in love with fantasy. (J.R.R. Tolkien: thank you; even though you were a human, I hope you're in Valinor.)

In college, majoring in computer science made me love science fiction even more, and majoring in philosophy made me love reading a curious assortment of things.

Besides reading, I'm a writer. As you probably know, I have to talk about my author persona in third person. Sorry. I don't make the rules.

In fourth grade, Andy Giesler fell in love with writing. His debut novel, Attack of the Dinosaurs, was seventeen pages long: the heart-pounding tale of Alaskan scientists using nuclear bombs to prospect f ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

What is a "dairy science programmer" ??

Andy Giesler Okay. But just remember: You asked. :-)

When you put hay (or other grasses) in a silo, that's only partly for storage. It's also for fermentation. Once…moreOkay. But just remember: You asked. :-)

When you put hay (or other grasses) in a silo, that's only partly for storage. It's also for fermentation. Once the hay is in there, bacteria go to work on it—often the same kind of acidophilus bacteria that we use to make yogurt and pickles. After fermenting, it's called hay silage, or "haylage". (Oat silage is "oatlage.")

When you do it right, silage is more nutritious, easier to digest, and actually tastier to the cows than hay. Happy-health cows = more-better milk.

My summer job through college in the 80s was as a computer programmer for an Ohio dairy science researcher who specialized in that kind of fermentation. I often worked in his offices, but I also spent a good deal of time programming in the dairy barn amongst my bovine friends. I helped researchers to analyze data or, when needed, to pitch hay.

My favorite experiment: They installed sensors at the feed mangers. Every time a cow leaned in to eat, the cow's head pushed a sensor. By analyzing that data, you could see not only when and how long the cows ate, but how eagerly…possibly suggesting how delicious they found that particular batch of silage.

That's also the job where I met my wife—though we wouldn't figure out she was my wife for several years, at which point we got married.(less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Andy Giesler By writing.

(Hrrm. Goodreads won't let me post that answer. Apparently it's too short. But...that's the answer. Maybe my too-short answer will be more …moreBy writing.

(Hrrm. Goodreads won't let me post that answer. Apparently it's too short. But...that's the answer. Maybe my too-short answer will be more acceptable now that I've added a mildly snarky parenthetical comment. Come to think of it, what body of text isn't improved by a mildly snarky parenthetical comment?)(less)

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Andy Giesler’s books

Average rating: 4.28 · 201 ratings · 70 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

The Nothing Within

4.28 avg rating — 201 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions

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7 posts
Andy Giesler's Blog

Audiobook, Awards Finalist, Author Q&A...and Free Stories

It's been a while. Things have happened.

I will tell you them.

Short stories
Over the last few months I've written a half dozen short stories. If you're looking for something quick to read, I'm eager for feedback before sending them off.

Genres are all over the board: general fiction, science fiction, urban fantasy, western, historical, horror, hardboiled detective, and (if I did it right) maybe even Read more of this blog post »

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Published on May 08, 2020 15:04

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Andy’s Recent Updates

Andy Giesler made a comment on his review of The Girl With All the Gifts (The Girl With All the Gifts, #1) " Norm wrote: "Really Andy? 5 stars? Does Emily Sutton-Smith narrate it? (Doesn't matter, I'm getting it on your rating.)" I hope you enjoy it. And thank ...more "
Feb 15, 2021 02:01PM · see review
Andy Giesler and 2 other people liked Jay Brantner's review of The Nothing Within: "This is a very good book, and I’m honestly not sure how it hasn’t picked up more momentum at this point. I’m learning that I’m a sucker for a first-person narration with a strong voice, but this one switches back and forth between first and third, sp" Read more of this review »
Feb 11, 2021 06:49AM · see review
Andy Giesler and 1 other person liked Lindsey Roberts's review of The Nothing Within: "Full Review Here The Nothing Within is a futuristic dystopian novel. It explores humanity reverting to before technology, where being different means being feared – and condemning you to the pit to be cleansed by fire. Nothing unique is allowed to eme" Read more of this review »
Jan 07, 2021 02:13PM · see review
Andy Giesler and 1 other person liked Stella Jorette's review of The Nothing Within: "A dramatic 'solution' to a biotech disaster leaves a portion of Ohio, including Amish settlements, isolated from the rest of the planet. I especially enjoyed the folksy voice of the main character, Root, who many generations into the post-apocalyptic" Read more of this review »
Jan 07, 2021 02:13PM · see review
Andy Giesler and 1 other person liked Burma Turner's review of The Nothing Within: "I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. The world building was amazing. The characters were so real, I felt like I was right there with them. Root goes through so much, and yet never gives up. The ending was perfect. Fanta" Read more of this review »
Jan 07, 2021 02:12PM · see review
Andy Giesler made a comment in the group Apocalypse Whenever — Bossy Book Challenge 2021 Q1: Set in a country you don't live in topic " Jennifer wrote: "Its not until March I think. You can plan for March right?" A reasonable question. 🙂 For various reasons I’m having trouble finding ti ...more "
Jan 07, 2021 06:51AM
Andy Giesler finished reading House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 15, 2020 09:47AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Andy Giesler rated a book liked it Circe by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 09, 2020 07:20AM · 5 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Circe by Madeline Miller. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Circe by Madeline Miller <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Andy Giesler marked as dnf The Dawnhounds (Against the Quiet, #1) by Sascha Stronach (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 09, 2020 07:19AM · 1 like · like
Andy Giesler rated a book liked it Circe by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 09, 2020 07:18AM · 5 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Circe by Madeline Miller. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Circe by Madeline Miller <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">