Leon Stevens's Blog, page 8
July 18, 2025
Sci-Fi Friday: Is Science Fiction Funny?
[Note: This is a repost from 2020.]
Growing up, I was fascinated with space and science fiction (if you need a recap: Returning to Roots).
The first thing in science fiction that made me laugh, well, chuckle, was the first two lines of Asimov’s bio:
“Isaac Asimov was born in the Soviet Union to his great surprise. He moved quickly to correct the situation.”
Isaac Asimov had several short stories that had humorous endings or situations. But for sci-fi humor writing, Douglas Adams has to be the benchmark, although I do admit, the Hitchhiker series could have ended sooner than it did. John Scalzi seems to have taken the reins for this. Kurt Vonnegut has written many science fiction stories, and his writing always has elements of humor.
There has been many sci-fi based T.V. shows and movies that either had some elements of humor (Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who), while others went straight for the funny-bone, some more successful than others. I’ll list the ones that I think missed the mark, in no particular order-cuz’—they are both bad: Avenue 5 and Moonbase 8. Similar titles, similar bombs.
Now the hits. In my opinion, BBC’s Red Dwarf takes the top spot-hands down. Brilliant writing and hilarious characters made this a must see for my friends each week (in re-runs). It may have have gone on a bit to long, but it continued to make us laugh.
Galaxy Quest: Because I grew up with Star Trek, I could relate to everything they were poking fun at.
The Orville: I find much of Seth MacFarlane’s humor on Family Guy hard to watch, but he is a funny guy. Like Galaxy Quest, he is able to pick out the situations that lend itself to humor.
Futurama: Gets the award for funniest animated show with the most cancellations.
When I began to write short story science fiction, I knew that humor was going to be involved at some point. This story even made my editor laugh out loud. Now that’s a good sign!
Reasonable Hand-drawn FacsimileI heard a tapping on the window, like the sound of a tree branch in the wind hitting the glass. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but I slowly opened my tired eyes, rolled over, and listened again.
TAP … TAP
I wasn’t going to be able to get back to sleep no matter what it was, so I got up and walked out to the living room. As I stood in the center of the darkened room, barely breathing, I heard it again, coming from the sliding patio door.
TAP … TAP
Slowly, I moved toward the curtain and slid it aside. There, on the patio, was a figure, my height, holding a cup. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. It raised a hand slightly in a gesture that I took to be a greeting.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Can I borrow a cup of sugar?” he asked in a gentle but firm voice. He held out the cup.
“Umm, it’s kinda late, and who are you?” I inquired. I didn’t feel threatened; I felt curious.
I saw in his hand, where the cup used to be, a jerry can. “I meant, can I borrow some fuel for my shi — um, my vehicle,” he said.
As I reached for the light, thinking I should have done so earlier, I said, “I’m going to turn on the light.”
“OK.”
It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the brightness and a few more to adjust to what I was seeing. He was grayish in color, skinny, with large, dark eyes. It looked like he was wearing something, but I couldn’t tell what, as it was somewhat form-fitting and only a slightly different color than his skin. I don’t know what compelled me, but I opened the sliding door.
“Thank you. It was getting cold out there,” he said as he came inside.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” I asked.
“Well, not here, but not far, if that’s what you mean,” he answered. I didn’t know what I meant.
“I mean, you look different. Not human,” I said.
I could see concern in his eyes. “You mean I don’t look like you?”
“Nope.”
He gestured to the kitchen table. “Can we sit?” he asked.
“Sure, can I get you something to drink?”
“Scotch, if you have it,” he replied. It just so happened that I did.
As he took a seat at the table, I grabbed a couple of glasses and the scotch and brought them to the table. Pouring a couple of ounces in each, I slid one toward him. He reached out and with his spindly fingers picked up the glass.
“You know, we can’t really tell you apart from one another.” He took a sip and placed the glass in front of him. “We thought this,” he motioned to himself, “was pretty good.”
I looked at him and said, “It’s generally close. You have the right amount of everything.”
He looked dejected. “We have been practicing a long time. We made a bunch of paintings on some caves, scratched figures in a desert, made some big heads. One time we tried, and it looked like an animal. It’s frustrating.”
“It’s like this,” I got a pad of paper and a pencil from the kitchen and started to draw. “I have a heck of a time trying to draw people, too. It always comes out close, but not quite good enough.” I finished my sketch and turned it to face him. “See, you can tell it’s a person.” His eyes lit up and he looked at me.
“Can I keep this?” he asked as he reached toward it.
My alarm must have been going on for ten minutes before I woke up. I put on my robe and went to make coffee. On the table was an empty bottle of scotch and two glasses.
So, if you see a guy who looks like this:
Don’t let him in. He’ll just drink all your booze.
-Leon
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Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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July 17, 2025
Thursday Thoughts: World Emoji Day
As the world celebrates World Emoji Day by skipping work, having barbeques, and exchanging cards, I thought I’d delve into the history of those little pictures.
The first emoji I ever used was …
Yeah, right. Who knows. but it was probably this one:
or 
Wait! Those aren’t emojis. They’re emoticons!
People began to modify them by using dashes for noses :-), but many stuck with the status quo because they were still paying per character on their cellphone plans.
It wasn’t until the invention of the Blackberry that catapulted the original emojis into use by all the business people, hedge-fund managers, and bank managers.
Well their kids, anyway.
It wasn’t until the invention of the iPhone and unlimited texting plans that allowed those kids to text 
which was the modern equivalent of us older folks using a calculator to key in 5318008 and turning it upside down.
Yeah, you did it. Admit it.
Happy Emoji Day!
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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July 15, 2025
Tuesday Top 10: Dog Facts
I don’t own a dog but am currently house and dog sitting. It’s not like they don’t know me since I walk and look after them quite often. Not often enough, apparently. Here are some things I know:
Dogs sleep a lot.People are not allowed to walk by the house. How dare they!Dogs will forgo a nice comfy couch and lie on the floor beside you if you leave the room.Some dogs love walks. Some dogs will do what they can to get out of one.Dogs listen to you in the kitchen for the tell-tale sound of food prep.Food rules.Dogs love the bed. I mean, really love the bed.That hairbrush you are using? It’s an attacker needing to be subdued.Dogs will convince you that they have to pee but then just bark at anythingDogs have favorite words. The mere mention of any of them will immediately result in rapt attention or unbridled excitement.-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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July 14, 2025
Music Monday: Random Song
Lemongrass, from the 2020 album Bleeding Gums Murphy by Aquakultre & DJ Uncle Fester.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
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July 13, 2025
Songs for a Sunday: Mute Choir
Often I will hear a song from a band I’ve never heard about, then will dig a little deeper into their song list and discover that first song the only one that I like.
Oh well.
Mute Choir is the brainchild of Sam Arion, an Iranian-born producer/songwriter hailing from Ontario.
-Leon
Book sale!
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
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RECEIVE A FREE EBOOK WHEN YOU SUBCRIBE TO MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
July 12, 2025
Weekend Wrap-up July 12: Washing History
I washed my pillow yesterday.
It’s not one of those fancy memory foam ones or the pillows made from down plucked from grain feed swans. What it is, well…I’m not quite sure. I’m now thinking it wasn’t a good idea to wash it.
Let me explain. I don’t know when I got it. It’s that old. You know the one. The one that when you take the cover off (not the pillow case, but the cover that actually keeps the pillow together) and stare at this mass of unknown fiber which looks like a civil war bandage.
OK, maybe it’s not that gross, and in all honesty I’m pretty sure I washed it before because it doesn’t smell bad. I was going to say it doesn’t smell that bad, but it really doesn’t smell…maybe I’m just used to it.
I examined it an decided it was not going to survive being oscillated and spun around in the washing machine, so hand washing it is. After a little detergent, a touch of bleach, hot water, and elbow grease, I was ready to rinse. There was only one problem. That sucker holds a lot of water!
So I roll and squeeze as much out as I can and move on to the rinsing which as you may have guessed, replaced the water I just rang out creating a heavy waterlogged mass. Rolling and ringing it out again, then placing it on a towel to press out the remaining water resulted in not pressing out enough of the water resulting in a slightly lighter waterlogged mass.
I placed it on a drying rack with a fan (I would have put it outside but we have a slight forest fire smoke issue at the moment) and flipped it every hour.
6 hours later I had a not so heavy but still moist mass. Maybe by tomorrow it will be dry.
I love my pillow. It’s flat but easily folded to increase head and neck angle. And it smells like me. Wait…
Not anymore.
-Leon
In case you missed my blog:Songs for a Sunday: Mute ChoirWeekend Wrap-up July 12: Washing HistoryJust for Fun Friday: In Conversation with Author S.D. MillerThursday Thoughts: Guess Who’s…EducatedWeird Wednesday: Character ArtHope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
July 11, 2025
Just for Fun Friday: In Conversation with Author S.D. Miller
Weaving thought-provoking themes into captivating narratives, Miller seeks to challenge norms and ignite imaginations with his storytelling. His novels balance action and social commentary to craft gripping stories that invite readers to explore technology, power, and resistance.
In Conversation With S.D. Miller
Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author S.D. Miller. Thanks for dropping by. Can I offer you anything to drink?
Brought my own bottle, thanks.
What are we drinking?
Forty Creek. Cheers.
That’s a good whiskey choice. Cheers.
It’s nice to talk to a fellow Canadian. Did you grow up in Nova Scotia?
I did, yeah. In Upper Kennetcook, a community kinda between Winsor and Truro. But I’ve lived abroad for the majority of my adult life. I recently moved back to NS three years ago and bought a home near Liverpool.
What got you into writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but had done so for essays for school and stuff. I was a perfectionist. I would complete essays two weeks before they were due in university then let them sit, come back and edit, then rinse/repeat. I learned to be a ruthless editior of my work early on. Especially for my philosophy classes, where the wording had to be so precise.
But as a creative outlet it was very recently. Since graduating from MSVU back in 2002, I went into teaching pretty quickly. I’d always found lesson planning to be a satisfying creative outlet. But in 2019, I became an administrator and no longer needed to plan lessons. I started searching for another creative outlet. Writing came pretty naturally.
What authors influenced you?
How long you got? Ha ha. It’s an interesting question, because I’m tempted to list my favourite authors, but those aren’t necessarily the most direct influences, are they? I’ll start by listing two:
1. Robert Heinlein: I love Starship Troopers! I first read it in a Sci/fi literature course at Mount Saint Vincent, and couldn’t believe how good it was. I had already seen the movie and didn’t like it. At the time I didn’t understand the satire of the film and just thought it was a dumb space shooter. But the book grabbed me. From there I read Stranger in a Strange Land and The Cat Who Walks Through Walls. What I always love about his writing, and what I attempt to emulate in my own, is his blend of fun—sometimes pulpy—action with serious philiosophy.
2. Gart Whitta: I follow a company called Kinda Funny, they do podcasts and shows on video game news and pop culture content. A really great group, and sometimes Gary Whitta will guest host. He has been a video game writer since the 90s and is also a successful screenwriter. He wrote the Book of Eli and was a co-writer on Rogue One.
During the pandemic Hollywood dried up a bit, so he used the time to write a book called Gundog. Of course, I bought it and gave it a read. I really enjoyed the story. It was pretty straight-forward: alien invasion + human resistance with giant mechs. It was a lot of fun. But what I truly appreciated was the way he wrote it. It was like reading a movie. One of the things that always held me back from writing was that I feared my prose would not be flowery enough. That it would be too direct. But reading Gundog, I realized this is how I want to write! I had an avatar of Gary in my head telling me, “Stop trying to be so damn clever and just write your story!”
I started writing Nekonikon Punk the next day.
What was the first book you remember reading that enthralled you?
The Brother’s War, by Jeff Grubb. I was a big Magic: The Gathering player back in the late 90s, early aughts. I picked up this book and couldn’t put it down. I still remember many of the main characters and cool scenes. There is a section where due to time dialation a group of enemies is able to advance centuries in what is only weeks for the heroes. I’ve used that same premise to explain the threat of AGI compared to humans. Imagine trying to win a chess match against an opponent who gets thirty moves to your one.
Did you plan on Nekonikon Punk being a series?
Yeah, pretty early on I knew it was going to be either a very long book or a two-to-three book series. I had the whole arc in my head and knew where it needed to go. But the more I wrote, the further that end point receeded into the distance. By the end of Ctrl+Break, I knew there were two more books. I just finished Ctrl+Alt, and the climax became what I thought would be the end of act II. So, I have plenty to cover in Book 3, but I’m confident that it will wrap up as a triliogy.
Who does your cover art?
A friend my wife went to high school with. His name is Neal Cervantes. He doesn’t have an IG account anymore and he wants me to just credit his name in the front matter of the book, so that’s what I do. He’s a very talented artist, as well as a great and humble guy. I like him a lot, and would promote him as far and wide as I could if that’s what he wanted.
What music do you like to listen to and do you have any favorite bands/artists?
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love The Smashing Pumpkins to my core, especially their first six albums. After Machina, I moved overseas and kinda fell out of the music scene. So much of my music tastes are of the 90s and early aughts.
One thing you’ll notice in the Nekonikon Punk series is that each chapter has a song pairing—kind of like a wine pairing list. There is a QR code in the front of the book that links to my Spotify playlist. I started it by wanting to literally put the “punk” in cyberpunk, but it became a very useful writing tool. Because I only get to write seriously one day per week, listening to the song I paired with the chapter was like a shortcut to get me back in the headspace I was when I wrote it seven days ago.
Many great bands has come out of the Maritimes. Which ones are your favorites and which ones do you wish never made it out?
I don’t begrude any bands their success, even if I don’t personally like them. I was never a big Sloan fan, but I’m happy for them—and Money City Maniacs is a great tune!
I am a huge fan of Old Man Luedecke, esepcially the album Proof of Love. Every song on that one is fire.
The one I’m very happy for is Joel Plaskett. Back in 1996 and 1997 I attended the Canadian Music Conservatory’s summer camp called Summer Rock. It was a two week day camp where they would take teenagers and give them lessons and group them in bands.
Each band had a coach and we would play a show at the end of the camp. Most of the coaches were from the conservatory, but a few were local volunteers. At the time, Joel Plaskett was in a band called Thrush Hermit and they were fairly successful. They even got a track on Kevin Smith’s Mallrats. Anyway, Joel volunteered to teach kids rock music and my group was lucky enough to have him as our coach.
I was bad guitar player and even worse song writer, but he was patient and supportive. We wrote a song together that our band performed at the end of the camp. Solid dude, and I wish him nothing but great success.
Are you ready for the lightning round?
Sure.
Ever been told you look like someone and is so, who?
Samwise Gamgee with a beard.
Magnetic Hill*. Worth the hype?
Nope.
Ever witness a tidal bore?
I grew up pretty close to the Minas basin, so yeah…I’ve seen a few. 
Favorite city?
Chaing Mai was the greatest city I’ve ever been to. I stayed there a week and knew I could have moved there. That was twenty years ago; have no idea if it holds up today.
Move beautiful place you have stood?
The top of Bing Shan (Ice Mountain) over 5000m in the Himalayas after a 3-day horse ride from Songpan, China.
Scariest animal you have eencountered?
A bull chasing me out of a barn. Just made it!
*In case you are curious: Magnetic Hill, NB.
This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Any links you want to share?
Thank you, it’s been fun. I look forward to returning the favor. For more of my writing, check out my blog: https://www.thistoo.ca/
For more information on my work, check out my website: https://www.sdmiller.ca/
Euphrates Vanished (Kindle/KU)A Matter of Sabotage (Kindle/KU)Don’t feel like buying the book? How about reviewing for free?
Sign up to review Euphrates VanishedSign to review A Matter of SabotageSci-fi not your thing?
Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
July 10, 2025
Thursday Thoughts: Guess Who’s…Educated
At the White House, the Liberian President tells Donald Trump that his country wants to improve trade relations. Trump replies:
“Well, Thank you. You speak such beautiful English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?”
The Liberian President chuckles and Trump presses. “In Liberia?”
To which the Liberian President answers, “Yes, sir.”
“Well, that’s very interesting,” Trump replies. “It’s beautiful English.”
To be fair, Joseph Boakai, the President of Liberia, does speak very beautiful English.
Why?
Because Liberia’s official language is… [drumroll] You guessed it: English.
There are somethings you wish you could make up.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
July 9, 2025
Weird Wednesday: Character Art
Character art is popular these days. As good as the author describes the characters, many do enjoy seeing a visual representation.
With AI, this is possible but not always easy to get accurate. I’ll admit I tried a few programs out of curiosity just to see what I would get, and the results were disappointing. Not as disappointing as my artwork, but I couldn’t get anything that matched my vision of the characters I created. And I know it wouldn’t be what the reader did either, so let’s just leave it their imagination.
The controversy with AI generated pictures is that authors will use the free (or cheaper) programs for their illustration needs rather than supporting an artist. There is the counter argument that many people wouldn’t have paid to have artwork done in the first place, so I’ll just leave it at that.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
July 8, 2025
Tuesday Tidbits: Lost in Translation
The greatest thing since sliced bread in the science fiction world is the universal translator. Before the invention of the universal translator, any one who traveled to a new planet was pleased to hear that everyone in the universe spoke English.
I watched re-runs of Star Trek in the 70s and I assumed that all alien races spoke English, and the same goes for Space:1999. Battlestar Galacatica had the same fortune during their flight from the Cylons. Even science fiction books during that time didn’t mention any use of such an incredibly useful device.
It wasn’t until Star Trek: The Next Generation that this concept was mentioned, but even then as viewers, we just assumed it was being used. Star Trek: Enterprise was the first show to actively use it and it often failed as it was in it’s infancy at the time. That’s why you have to enlist linguistics experts.
If you are a sci-fi fan, you know that in order to communicate with an alien race you need to find common ground, and that is more often than not, mathematics.
1+1=2 no matter if you are an Earthling or a Boltarian warrior. So before you get sliced in half by its karlock, you better be doing some quick scrawling in that piece of paper you have in your pocket. What? No pen? Well then, it’s been nice knowing you.
I’ve used this method before, not in real life, but to allow some of my characters to strike up a conversation, but I don’t want it to become a reoccurring theme each time I write a new book, so I try to mix it up and sometimes have to species just fail to communicate or proceed under the assumption that Dr. Ho’s Universal Translator* is operating as it should.
-Leon
*Only three easy payments of $49.99, but if you act now you’ll get a second one for free. Just pay the shipping. Not available on Zortal 4 or Missada Prime.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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