Lincoln Shand's Blog
August 17, 2025
The Root of Infinity: Advanced Reader's Copies Available... [and a Brief Rant on Creating Novels with AI]
Hooray!
The Boundless has been passed off to my editor, Oren Eades. I have to admit that for a bit there, I was worried that he might be too busy to work with me this go around. The thought of having to work with an editor who was unfamiliar with my work was nerve-wracking. I like Oren. He’s the type of editor who doesn’t let you get away with anything, and believe me, I’ve tried. Plus, he pushes me to be a better writer, to strive for excellence. He has the right combination of kindness, encouragement, and firm feedback that I need. Now that his services are secure, I can feel confident that my work is in good hands.
The result is that I may be able to get the Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) of book two out the door at some point in September.
Which brings me to my offer: I have some ARCs to hand out. You can find out what the books are about at: Lincoln Shand Author. Please reach out to me at lincolnshandauthor@gmail.com, and I will send these to you once they are ready.
Conjunction Born: Digital Copies = 20
Conjunction Born: Paper Book = 6 (4 paper copies are already spoken for)
The Boundless: Digital Copies = 20
The Boundless: Paper Copy = 10
All I’d ask from you is your honest feedback when the books finally get published*.
*A note on publishing: unless I can land a publishing deal within the next 5 months (by the end of 2025), I will self-publish Conjunction Born in Jan 2026 and The Boundless in July 2026. Either way, it’s time to hand these off to you, the reader. So, agents, publishers…I’ll be sending my queries your way.
[And...I’m interrupting this blog for a not-so-brief rant… You can skip past the text in the square parentheses to the final paragraph if you’d prefer. It’s more of an acknowledgement of where we are with AI and story writing than a rant.
Publishers, yes, I know that you have a lot of novels to weed through. Only less than 2% of books get published. Added to that, we are starting to encounter some AI-generated books that are crowding the market. If you've read my blogs, you’ll know that my day job involves working in the AI field, focusing on the integration of AI and human capability.
If you're using an AI to create a book for you in one click… why?
I’d argue that the best novelty, unexpected twists, and creative surprises are still in the realm of humans. Do yourself a favour and read what these AI bots are producing. There are patterns to their work that, as of this writing (yes, things are still changing super quickly), if you look closely enough, are repetitive and safe. LLMs' sentence structures are overly symmetrical in their composition and don't take risks. A human storyteller would have the unpredictability, originality, depth, and creative twists that an LLMs are trained to avoid, as that would jar the reader. Do yourself a favour and don’t trade the intricacy of your personal style for the shallow, predictable convenience that an LLM would bring.
At the very least, I’d recommend this approach…Write the initial story yourself, and then use AI (as you would a spell or grammar checker) to go over your work. The creative suggestions should be ones that you fully decide on so that the story remains in your voice.
I still fully enjoy creating stories on my own. Yes, I can see how an LLM can be helpful for research and for working through concepts. But I’d argue that, as of this writing, unless you’re doing most of the heavy lifting yourself, your use of an LLM is not only identifiable as LLM-generated content, but it is weakening your creative muscle. There is mounting evidence out there that AI is changing the way we think, including sapping our thought processes and ability to conceive of unexplored and unique concepts.
By the way, if you’re a writer who is using AI to write your novel, I’d love to discuss this with you.
Okay… rant over.]
I’ll leave you with this good news from my end. I’ve started writing book three of my four-story arc, and it’s titled… drum roll please … The Root of Infinity: Pillars of Time. Pillars of Time is expected to be available in 2026.
Thanks for reading, and please...lead with kindness.
The Boundless has been passed off to my editor, Oren Eades. I have to admit that for a bit there, I was worried that he might be too busy to work with me this go around. The thought of having to work with an editor who was unfamiliar with my work was nerve-wracking. I like Oren. He’s the type of editor who doesn’t let you get away with anything, and believe me, I’ve tried. Plus, he pushes me to be a better writer, to strive for excellence. He has the right combination of kindness, encouragement, and firm feedback that I need. Now that his services are secure, I can feel confident that my work is in good hands.
The result is that I may be able to get the Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) of book two out the door at some point in September.
Which brings me to my offer: I have some ARCs to hand out. You can find out what the books are about at: Lincoln Shand Author. Please reach out to me at lincolnshandauthor@gmail.com, and I will send these to you once they are ready.
Conjunction Born: Digital Copies = 20
Conjunction Born: Paper Book = 6 (4 paper copies are already spoken for)
The Boundless: Digital Copies = 20
The Boundless: Paper Copy = 10
All I’d ask from you is your honest feedback when the books finally get published*.
*A note on publishing: unless I can land a publishing deal within the next 5 months (by the end of 2025), I will self-publish Conjunction Born in Jan 2026 and The Boundless in July 2026. Either way, it’s time to hand these off to you, the reader. So, agents, publishers…I’ll be sending my queries your way.
[And...I’m interrupting this blog for a not-so-brief rant… You can skip past the text in the square parentheses to the final paragraph if you’d prefer. It’s more of an acknowledgement of where we are with AI and story writing than a rant.
Publishers, yes, I know that you have a lot of novels to weed through. Only less than 2% of books get published. Added to that, we are starting to encounter some AI-generated books that are crowding the market. If you've read my blogs, you’ll know that my day job involves working in the AI field, focusing on the integration of AI and human capability.
If you're using an AI to create a book for you in one click… why?
I’d argue that the best novelty, unexpected twists, and creative surprises are still in the realm of humans. Do yourself a favour and read what these AI bots are producing. There are patterns to their work that, as of this writing (yes, things are still changing super quickly), if you look closely enough, are repetitive and safe. LLMs' sentence structures are overly symmetrical in their composition and don't take risks. A human storyteller would have the unpredictability, originality, depth, and creative twists that an LLMs are trained to avoid, as that would jar the reader. Do yourself a favour and don’t trade the intricacy of your personal style for the shallow, predictable convenience that an LLM would bring.
At the very least, I’d recommend this approach…Write the initial story yourself, and then use AI (as you would a spell or grammar checker) to go over your work. The creative suggestions should be ones that you fully decide on so that the story remains in your voice.
I still fully enjoy creating stories on my own. Yes, I can see how an LLM can be helpful for research and for working through concepts. But I’d argue that, as of this writing, unless you’re doing most of the heavy lifting yourself, your use of an LLM is not only identifiable as LLM-generated content, but it is weakening your creative muscle. There is mounting evidence out there that AI is changing the way we think, including sapping our thought processes and ability to conceive of unexplored and unique concepts.
By the way, if you’re a writer who is using AI to write your novel, I’d love to discuss this with you.
Okay… rant over.]
I’ll leave you with this good news from my end. I’ve started writing book three of my four-story arc, and it’s titled… drum roll please … The Root of Infinity: Pillars of Time. Pillars of Time is expected to be available in 2026.
Thanks for reading, and please...lead with kindness.
June 29, 2025
What Creative Writing Teaches Me About Designing For the Future
Can writing science fiction and fantasy novels make you better at navigating complex systems, AI, and human dynamics? From building fictional worlds to shaping real ones, it turns out, yes, absolutely — especially when the story becomes the strategy.
I wrote this blog for my LinkedIn page, but I realized it also works well for my writing blog.
One of the things I love is mentoring individuals, especially those just beginning their careers. During a recent conversation with someone I’ll call M, he asked how my hobby as a science fiction and fantasy writer intersects with my day job in Organizational Strategic Design, particularly in the AI space. (Oops, couldn’t make it two paragraphs without circling back to AI — oh well.)
I began writing my first novels in the early 2000s, but my love for sci-fi and fantasy dates back even further. My brother George, once an avid reader himself, introduced me to the genre in the 1980s. By the time I finished university in the '90s, I’d devoured Dune (Frank Herbert), The Belgariad (David and Leigh Eddings), and the Hyperion series (Dan Simmons) among seven bookshelves of other titles. Did I mention I was a massive Star Trek fan? (And yes, Star Wars too — but Trek was more inspiring to me. Yes, I went there, don’t come at me, people.)
It’s no surprise, then, that by the time Watson played Jeopardy in 2011, my curiosity about AI had been fully awakened. After watching AlphaGo make its infamous move 37 in 2016, I was hooked. That passion followed me into grad school, where I focused much of my Master’s research on how AI and people might meaningfully intersect.
Still, my writing remained on and off (mostly off) until the pandemic lockdowns — and a helpful nudge from a friend (thanks, Kristen) — got me writing again. And when I did, something shifted. My work deepened.
Back to M’s question: I shared that my day job makes me a better writer, and my writing makes me better at my job. Here’s how — in three big ways:
1. Writing and work both strengthen my systems thinking.
Crafting a story means understanding how one character’s choices — even small ones — ripple across time and space to affect others. Nothing happens in isolation. Likewise, in my strategic design work, every decision has a broader impact on the ecosystem. Writing keeps me attuned to how actions cascade, how patterns emerge, and how unexpected consequences unfold.
2. Writing keeps my emotional intelligence sharp.
I’ve been told my stories “hit you in the feels,” and I take that as a compliment. Like real people, my characters are never all good or purely evil. We exist in the grey, driven by complex motives. That mindset carries over to my work. Everyone — from senior leaders to interns — brings their full, messy humanity to the workplace. Writing reminds me to assume good intent, to look for the story behind the behaviour, and to lead with empathy and kindness.
3. Writing helps me imagine — and design — better futures.
One of my favourite creative challenges is writing myself into a corner. My partner teases me when I solve problems with “magic” or high-tech interventions (he’s not wrong). But here’s the trick: if I use magic, I still have to justify it. What in the world that I’ve built makes that spell possible? Then I go back and create those conditions. Work is like that, too. I often ask myself: What needs to happen for this future to be possible? That’s the beginning of strategic design.
The Story is the Strategy
Ultimately, while AI is a major disruptor, negative consequences aren’t inevitable. Through foresight practices, I don’t try to predict the future — I work to shape it. I search for signals, train others to think in systems, and use creative design to mitigate harm and push toward what’s possible. We can’t predict the future, but we can write it — in our choices, our designs, and the systems we shape every day. Whether I’m building fictional worlds or navigating real ones, one truth holds steady: the story is the strategy. And if we can craft better stories — ones that embrace complexity, empathy, and possibility — then maybe we can shape better futures, too.
As a writer, my job is to take the chaos of character, circumstance, and conflict and shape it into a future that, while imperfect, still feels earned — still feels right. That’s the same mission I have in my day job. The worlds may look different, but the strategy is the same.
So ask yourself: What future do you want to help write? And what needs to happen today to make it possible?
I wrote this blog for my LinkedIn page, but I realized it also works well for my writing blog.
One of the things I love is mentoring individuals, especially those just beginning their careers. During a recent conversation with someone I’ll call M, he asked how my hobby as a science fiction and fantasy writer intersects with my day job in Organizational Strategic Design, particularly in the AI space. (Oops, couldn’t make it two paragraphs without circling back to AI — oh well.)
I began writing my first novels in the early 2000s, but my love for sci-fi and fantasy dates back even further. My brother George, once an avid reader himself, introduced me to the genre in the 1980s. By the time I finished university in the '90s, I’d devoured Dune (Frank Herbert), The Belgariad (David and Leigh Eddings), and the Hyperion series (Dan Simmons) among seven bookshelves of other titles. Did I mention I was a massive Star Trek fan? (And yes, Star Wars too — but Trek was more inspiring to me. Yes, I went there, don’t come at me, people.)
It’s no surprise, then, that by the time Watson played Jeopardy in 2011, my curiosity about AI had been fully awakened. After watching AlphaGo make its infamous move 37 in 2016, I was hooked. That passion followed me into grad school, where I focused much of my Master’s research on how AI and people might meaningfully intersect.
Still, my writing remained on and off (mostly off) until the pandemic lockdowns — and a helpful nudge from a friend (thanks, Kristen) — got me writing again. And when I did, something shifted. My work deepened.
Back to M’s question: I shared that my day job makes me a better writer, and my writing makes me better at my job. Here’s how — in three big ways:
1. Writing and work both strengthen my systems thinking.
Crafting a story means understanding how one character’s choices — even small ones — ripple across time and space to affect others. Nothing happens in isolation. Likewise, in my strategic design work, every decision has a broader impact on the ecosystem. Writing keeps me attuned to how actions cascade, how patterns emerge, and how unexpected consequences unfold.
2. Writing keeps my emotional intelligence sharp.
I’ve been told my stories “hit you in the feels,” and I take that as a compliment. Like real people, my characters are never all good or purely evil. We exist in the grey, driven by complex motives. That mindset carries over to my work. Everyone — from senior leaders to interns — brings their full, messy humanity to the workplace. Writing reminds me to assume good intent, to look for the story behind the behaviour, and to lead with empathy and kindness.
3. Writing helps me imagine — and design — better futures.
One of my favourite creative challenges is writing myself into a corner. My partner teases me when I solve problems with “magic” or high-tech interventions (he’s not wrong). But here’s the trick: if I use magic, I still have to justify it. What in the world that I’ve built makes that spell possible? Then I go back and create those conditions. Work is like that, too. I often ask myself: What needs to happen for this future to be possible? That’s the beginning of strategic design.
The Story is the Strategy
Ultimately, while AI is a major disruptor, negative consequences aren’t inevitable. Through foresight practices, I don’t try to predict the future — I work to shape it. I search for signals, train others to think in systems, and use creative design to mitigate harm and push toward what’s possible. We can’t predict the future, but we can write it — in our choices, our designs, and the systems we shape every day. Whether I’m building fictional worlds or navigating real ones, one truth holds steady: the story is the strategy. And if we can craft better stories — ones that embrace complexity, empathy, and possibility — then maybe we can shape better futures, too.
As a writer, my job is to take the chaos of character, circumstance, and conflict and shape it into a future that, while imperfect, still feels earned — still feels right. That’s the same mission I have in my day job. The worlds may look different, but the strategy is the same.
So ask yourself: What future do you want to help write? And what needs to happen today to make it possible?
May 4, 2025
An Update from the Edge of Infinity
Hello again, friends, readers, and fellow dreamers. First off, thank you. The additional responses and feedback to the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Root of Infinity: Conjunction Born have been more than I could have hoped. Your thoughtful messages, glowing review, and impassioned reactions have not only affirmed my belief in this story—they’ve reinvigorated me as a writer. You’ve seen the heart of this book, and that means the world to me.
Querying and receiving rejections is a humbling experience. It reminds me of my performing arts days and the disappointment that came from multiple auditions. Yet, when I landed those gigs and ended up on stage or in film… well, those made it all worthwhile. I’m constantly reminding myself that pursuing a traditional publishing deal is a longer road, with less than 2% of authors going on to land a publishing deal. There are countless examples of successful authors who, through perseverance and multiple querying (and dozens of rejections), eventually landed a contract. The support of an agent and publishing house would bring this story to a broader audience. I want Conjunction Born—and the whole series—to have the reach and staying power it deserves.
In the meantime, I haven’t been idle. The second book in the series, The Root of Infinity: The Boundless, is almost finished. Once it’s done and edited, I’ll be relaunching my search for an agent—this time with not just one, but two books from the series in hand. Hopefully, this will put me in a stronger position, showing not just promise, but proof that I’m building something expansive, layered, and with emotionally deep, complex characters, and will demonstrate that I’m in this for the long haul. I want to do this right, not just fast.
In the meantime, if you haven’t yet read my first series, The Mage’s Cradle, I’d love for you to dive into that world. And if you’ve already read it, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could leave a rating and an honest written review—your words help others discover my work and make a real difference.
When the time comes, when I finally get to announce the book deal or share a release date, you’ll be the first to know. Until then, thank you, truly, for walking beside me on this journey through the infinite.
Querying and receiving rejections is a humbling experience. It reminds me of my performing arts days and the disappointment that came from multiple auditions. Yet, when I landed those gigs and ended up on stage or in film… well, those made it all worthwhile. I’m constantly reminding myself that pursuing a traditional publishing deal is a longer road, with less than 2% of authors going on to land a publishing deal. There are countless examples of successful authors who, through perseverance and multiple querying (and dozens of rejections), eventually landed a contract. The support of an agent and publishing house would bring this story to a broader audience. I want Conjunction Born—and the whole series—to have the reach and staying power it deserves.
In the meantime, I haven’t been idle. The second book in the series, The Root of Infinity: The Boundless, is almost finished. Once it’s done and edited, I’ll be relaunching my search for an agent—this time with not just one, but two books from the series in hand. Hopefully, this will put me in a stronger position, showing not just promise, but proof that I’m building something expansive, layered, and with emotionally deep, complex characters, and will demonstrate that I’m in this for the long haul. I want to do this right, not just fast.
In the meantime, if you haven’t yet read my first series, The Mage’s Cradle, I’d love for you to dive into that world. And if you’ve already read it, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could leave a rating and an honest written review—your words help others discover my work and make a real difference.
When the time comes, when I finally get to announce the book deal or share a release date, you’ll be the first to know. Until then, thank you, truly, for walking beside me on this journey through the infinite.
March 13, 2025
A Dedication ...
First, I’d like to thank my readers who patiently wait for my next series,
The Root of Infinity: Conjunction Born
, to be released. I’m waiting for that, too. As any other emerging author would recognize, publishers and agents could take weeks and sometimes months to get back to a writer. So far, I’ve received two rejections from agents and two similarly kind, but a rejection nonetheless from publishers. That still leaves the bulk of my submissions I’m awaiting a response from. I’m just thankful that I have options, and we shall see what happens over the next few weeks.
As for the question of whether I would self-publish if nothing pans out, the answer is probably. However, I promised my editor I’d at least try to go through traditional publishing roots first. By the way, it’s nice to have such incredibly positive feedback from my editor and the Advance Reader Copies (ARC) I’ve sent out. It gives me confidence that I should continue to hold out for a publishing deal. Add to that the average reviews of 4.53 / 5.00 from my first series, and I hope that publishers and agents see my potential as well.
Secondly, for anyone who has read my LinkedIn posts, I use systems thinking to write my novels. Systems thinking refers to the interconnected nature of things, people, and plotlines. Nothing happens in isolation, as seemingly unrelated storylines are a part of an interwoven puzzle where the character’s actions would have a direct impact on others far away from them—which mirrors what happens in real life. I can write my next blog on Systems Thinking from a writer’s point of view and give you more insights into my process.
Finally, as I write this blog, I have to acknowledge that I’m doing so with a heavy heart as I deal with the passing of a dear loved one in my family. Death comes for all of us eventually, but Cancer is incredibly harsh. I wish you could have known her. In a way, you may have gotten a glimpse into her character as I’ve weaved bits of her personality into the character of Sonna in The Mage’s Cradle: A Sister’s Sacrifice. Today, I’ve taken a brief pause from my day job (which my company has graciously granted me) to reflect, cry a lot, escape my sadness through YouTube videos (side note, Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra video is a work of pure art), cry some more, and try to distract myself through writing. For those who have lost someone dear to you, you know exactly what these raw, first few days are like. I know that I need to pick myself back up soon and get back to life as I need to be there to support my family. But for today, at least, I just cry.
This blog, like the character of Sonna, is dedicated to you, my dear loved one.
My wish for you, my dear readers, is that you hold your loved ones close, and please tell them how you feel before it’s too late.
I’ll leave it there for now.
As for the question of whether I would self-publish if nothing pans out, the answer is probably. However, I promised my editor I’d at least try to go through traditional publishing roots first. By the way, it’s nice to have such incredibly positive feedback from my editor and the Advance Reader Copies (ARC) I’ve sent out. It gives me confidence that I should continue to hold out for a publishing deal. Add to that the average reviews of 4.53 / 5.00 from my first series, and I hope that publishers and agents see my potential as well.
Secondly, for anyone who has read my LinkedIn posts, I use systems thinking to write my novels. Systems thinking refers to the interconnected nature of things, people, and plotlines. Nothing happens in isolation, as seemingly unrelated storylines are a part of an interwoven puzzle where the character’s actions would have a direct impact on others far away from them—which mirrors what happens in real life. I can write my next blog on Systems Thinking from a writer’s point of view and give you more insights into my process.
Finally, as I write this blog, I have to acknowledge that I’m doing so with a heavy heart as I deal with the passing of a dear loved one in my family. Death comes for all of us eventually, but Cancer is incredibly harsh. I wish you could have known her. In a way, you may have gotten a glimpse into her character as I’ve weaved bits of her personality into the character of Sonna in The Mage’s Cradle: A Sister’s Sacrifice. Today, I’ve taken a brief pause from my day job (which my company has graciously granted me) to reflect, cry a lot, escape my sadness through YouTube videos (side note, Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra video is a work of pure art), cry some more, and try to distract myself through writing. For those who have lost someone dear to you, you know exactly what these raw, first few days are like. I know that I need to pick myself back up soon and get back to life as I need to be there to support my family. But for today, at least, I just cry.
This blog, like the character of Sonna, is dedicated to you, my dear loved one.
My wish for you, my dear readers, is that you hold your loved ones close, and please tell them how you feel before it’s too late.
I’ll leave it there for now.
January 1, 2025
A Blank Canvas Before Me
“This is my year.” I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve said that. Like many people, I’m not into making New Year's resolutions. Every day provides an opportunity to start something new. I’ve been setting milestones as I go: My fourth novel is ready for publication, with the advanced reader's copies sent out; my fifth novel’s manuscript has been edited, and I’m neck deep in revisions; my literary agent search is in full swing; and what else … I’m doing a better job at self-care.
Still, this year will be challenging, as there are a multitude of pressure points that could go sideways—both professionally and personally. Some of those factors will be out of my control, and I just need to deal with them as best I can. However, there are some things that I can nudge in the right direction. If there is one thing I’ve learned about myself over the years—I have more control over what happens around me than I realize.
So here goes. 2025 is like a blank canvas before me to house my creative goals. As long as I’m creating, have loving family and friends around me, and can help others along the way who may struggle, then I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.
Finally, this statement will not surprise you; when it comes to writing, my milestone for 2025 is to publish books one and two of The Root of Infinity this year.
2025, here goes …
Still, this year will be challenging, as there are a multitude of pressure points that could go sideways—both professionally and personally. Some of those factors will be out of my control, and I just need to deal with them as best I can. However, there are some things that I can nudge in the right direction. If there is one thing I’ve learned about myself over the years—I have more control over what happens around me than I realize.
So here goes. 2025 is like a blank canvas before me to house my creative goals. As long as I’m creating, have loving family and friends around me, and can help others along the way who may struggle, then I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.
Finally, this statement will not surprise you; when it comes to writing, my milestone for 2025 is to publish books one and two of The Root of Infinity this year.
2025, here goes …
September 8, 2024
The Rigamarole and a Potential Offer For You
This is a long one, but if you make it to the end, I just may have a treat for you. Grab a coffee and maybe some toast with jam, and allow me to share a personal story.
When I was younger, I had dreamt of becoming an actor. I took classes, honed my craft, got a few roles, received some rejections, took more lessons, and went on more auditions. I landed a few amazing shows in the early 2000s--one of which turned into an incredibly fun to perform short film (A Day at the Office: The Runner. Directed by Robert DeLeskie) featured in the Toronto International Film Festival. I got to perform in an extraordinary musical theatre production by Djanet Sears. I toured the world in dance productions with the Kaejas, Corpus, and my own work with some fantastic friends.
Around that time, I also started writing. A talented friend (you know who you are) and I began a writers’ circle. I started my first fantasy novel in 2002 (which incidentally evolved into the series The Mage’s Cradle). He stopped to deal with life, and I kept on going.
However, as any person in the arts will tell you, having a career as an actor or professional dancer is tough. I almost had my big break once or twice. And yet, I never quite broke the barrier to become an established performer. One day, I had a casting director in Toronto tell me that even though she thought I was talented, there weren’t that many roles for someone of my…a-hem…darker skin tone. Wait...what? After the initial shock, I actually found that comment, in a weird way, refreshingly honest. It had confirmed, directly from the mouth of one of the top casting directors, what we had been perceiving with our own eyes. By the way, I hold no grudge toward that casting director. I honestly felt that she, without any malice, was expressing the state of the world at the time. She seemed, to me anyway, as frustrated by the system as I was. No matter how much she or I wished things were a certain way, we had to deal with a world not as we desired it to be but how it was in reality. Oh, I’ve since learned that she eventually found the courage to push back against the producers and began casting based on talent, not on stereotypes.
Still... I’d never forgotten the reality check from the casting director. It lingered, and subconsciously, it did have a chilling effect on my desire to push against the status quo. Not too long after that, I quit acting and put down my pen. I had my fifteen minutes of fame and had settled into a new and surprisingly fulfilling life in the corporate world.
The world has grown since then, although I’m not blind to the challenges that still exist in 2024. There will always be barriers to overcome.
As you may know, writing has become a mental health lifeline during the pandemic lockdowns. It allowed me to re-engage with my creative roots and pick up the fantasy series I had started in 2002. I was thrilled to finish The Mage’s Cradle series last year, and although I was trying to get an agent and publisher, it was not “ready for prime time”. I self-published the series, and after making some initial mistakes, I learned a lot about what's needed to craft a product that others would want to read—including finding a professional editor (Oren Eades) who helped me revamp the series. I’m happy to have that initial work as a testament to my writing journey. Combined with all formats (book sales, Audible, Amazon’s Kindle Edition Normalized Pages Read (think of it as a library where you have a subscription and borrow an ebook to read)), I’ve so far sold over 2750 copies, with overall positive reviews. The Mage’s Cradle has provided me with the start of a portfolio of work that I hope to reference as an example of what I can accomplish.
The revisions are finally done for book one of The Root of Infinity series. It’s now back to my editor for the next round of review. In the meantime, the rigamarole of trying to get my new series published has begun. I’m researching agents, have my blurb nearly ready, and am revising my book one's synopsis. Wish me luck. I hope to get an agent and publisher for The Root of Infinity.
Incidentally, book two’s initial manuscript has already been completed and has undergone Oren’s first round of edits. I’m now working on those revisions. Book two should be ready to go by the spring of 2025.
I’ve developed more resilient over the years and, with age, find myself more willing to push through the cycle of rejections and societal norms. My dreams of being an actor have faded, but my passion for writing has only grown over the past few years. The world still has its challenges. We still need to face the world as it is today and not how we wish it to be. What you will see in my work is the product of the mental toughness, discipline, and resilience that we all need to develop in order to push through the challenges placed before us. I hope I’ve woven the complexity of the human condition into a story that allows readers to lose themselves in the intricate lives of some fascinating characters.
Right ... so you made it to the end of this blog, and I did promise you a reward. If anyone wants an advanced copy of book one of The Root of Infinity: Conjunction Born, please reach out. Once ready, at some point in November. I’d happily share an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) with the first ten people who ask. You can send me a message at Lincoln Shand (Author)
Peace,
Lincoln
When I was younger, I had dreamt of becoming an actor. I took classes, honed my craft, got a few roles, received some rejections, took more lessons, and went on more auditions. I landed a few amazing shows in the early 2000s--one of which turned into an incredibly fun to perform short film (A Day at the Office: The Runner. Directed by Robert DeLeskie) featured in the Toronto International Film Festival. I got to perform in an extraordinary musical theatre production by Djanet Sears. I toured the world in dance productions with the Kaejas, Corpus, and my own work with some fantastic friends.
Around that time, I also started writing. A talented friend (you know who you are) and I began a writers’ circle. I started my first fantasy novel in 2002 (which incidentally evolved into the series The Mage’s Cradle). He stopped to deal with life, and I kept on going.
However, as any person in the arts will tell you, having a career as an actor or professional dancer is tough. I almost had my big break once or twice. And yet, I never quite broke the barrier to become an established performer. One day, I had a casting director in Toronto tell me that even though she thought I was talented, there weren’t that many roles for someone of my…a-hem…darker skin tone. Wait...what? After the initial shock, I actually found that comment, in a weird way, refreshingly honest. It had confirmed, directly from the mouth of one of the top casting directors, what we had been perceiving with our own eyes. By the way, I hold no grudge toward that casting director. I honestly felt that she, without any malice, was expressing the state of the world at the time. She seemed, to me anyway, as frustrated by the system as I was. No matter how much she or I wished things were a certain way, we had to deal with a world not as we desired it to be but how it was in reality. Oh, I’ve since learned that she eventually found the courage to push back against the producers and began casting based on talent, not on stereotypes.
Still... I’d never forgotten the reality check from the casting director. It lingered, and subconsciously, it did have a chilling effect on my desire to push against the status quo. Not too long after that, I quit acting and put down my pen. I had my fifteen minutes of fame and had settled into a new and surprisingly fulfilling life in the corporate world.
The world has grown since then, although I’m not blind to the challenges that still exist in 2024. There will always be barriers to overcome.
As you may know, writing has become a mental health lifeline during the pandemic lockdowns. It allowed me to re-engage with my creative roots and pick up the fantasy series I had started in 2002. I was thrilled to finish The Mage’s Cradle series last year, and although I was trying to get an agent and publisher, it was not “ready for prime time”. I self-published the series, and after making some initial mistakes, I learned a lot about what's needed to craft a product that others would want to read—including finding a professional editor (Oren Eades) who helped me revamp the series. I’m happy to have that initial work as a testament to my writing journey. Combined with all formats (book sales, Audible, Amazon’s Kindle Edition Normalized Pages Read (think of it as a library where you have a subscription and borrow an ebook to read)), I’ve so far sold over 2750 copies, with overall positive reviews. The Mage’s Cradle has provided me with the start of a portfolio of work that I hope to reference as an example of what I can accomplish.
The revisions are finally done for book one of The Root of Infinity series. It’s now back to my editor for the next round of review. In the meantime, the rigamarole of trying to get my new series published has begun. I’m researching agents, have my blurb nearly ready, and am revising my book one's synopsis. Wish me luck. I hope to get an agent and publisher for The Root of Infinity.
Incidentally, book two’s initial manuscript has already been completed and has undergone Oren’s first round of edits. I’m now working on those revisions. Book two should be ready to go by the spring of 2025.
I’ve developed more resilient over the years and, with age, find myself more willing to push through the cycle of rejections and societal norms. My dreams of being an actor have faded, but my passion for writing has only grown over the past few years. The world still has its challenges. We still need to face the world as it is today and not how we wish it to be. What you will see in my work is the product of the mental toughness, discipline, and resilience that we all need to develop in order to push through the challenges placed before us. I hope I’ve woven the complexity of the human condition into a story that allows readers to lose themselves in the intricate lives of some fascinating characters.
Right ... so you made it to the end of this blog, and I did promise you a reward. If anyone wants an advanced copy of book one of The Root of Infinity: Conjunction Born, please reach out. Once ready, at some point in November. I’d happily share an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) with the first ten people who ask. You can send me a message at Lincoln Shand (Author)
Peace,
Lincoln
June 30, 2024
Life Finds a Way
It wouldn’t take an astute observer to notice that I intended to release my next novel in the fall of 2023. Someone once asked me why authors sometimes take so long to release their work. Now I have a better understanding of why. Life gets in the way.
I’m not going to fill this blog with excuses. True, my day job, family life, and responsibilities have made it so the time I have to focus on my writing is less than an hour each day. However, I must admit that I’m rather enjoying the editing process. It’s true. As I work through my editor’s comments, I find myself doing more research. What a joyful rabbit hole of discoveries that has been. Neil Degrass Tyson was on a talk show recently where he said about science fiction novels: ‘Get the science right, and then you can be creative on top of that,’ or something like that. That wasn’t a direct quote. But it is something similar to what I apply to my day job in organizational strategic design--get to know the rules, and then you’ll understand which rules you need to keep and which you can disrupt while you innovate. I believe all this added research is making for a richer body of work. You will be the judge of that once you read it.
I’m roughly four-fifths of the way through the rewrites. I will send the updated manuscript back to my editor at the end of July. Then, the rigamarole of trying to get a publisher continues. It’s coming along, but slower than we’d all hope. You’ll probably not hear from me again until book one of the novel is complete.
Now, I have some editing to do. Speak again soon.
I’m not going to fill this blog with excuses. True, my day job, family life, and responsibilities have made it so the time I have to focus on my writing is less than an hour each day. However, I must admit that I’m rather enjoying the editing process. It’s true. As I work through my editor’s comments, I find myself doing more research. What a joyful rabbit hole of discoveries that has been. Neil Degrass Tyson was on a talk show recently where he said about science fiction novels: ‘Get the science right, and then you can be creative on top of that,’ or something like that. That wasn’t a direct quote. But it is something similar to what I apply to my day job in organizational strategic design--get to know the rules, and then you’ll understand which rules you need to keep and which you can disrupt while you innovate. I believe all this added research is making for a richer body of work. You will be the judge of that once you read it.
I’m roughly four-fifths of the way through the rewrites. I will send the updated manuscript back to my editor at the end of July. Then, the rigamarole of trying to get a publisher continues. It’s coming along, but slower than we’d all hope. You’ll probably not hear from me again until book one of the novel is complete.
Now, I have some editing to do. Speak again soon.
April 3, 2024
A Sister’s Sacrifice Now Available on Audible and Let it rain: A note on Artificial Intelligence and Creativity
A Sister's Sacrifice Now Available on Audible:
Let me start with some great news: The third audiobook of The Mage's Cradle—A Sister's Sacrifice—is available on Audiobooks as of today. The link can be found here. A huge thank you to my narrator, Zac Katz-Stein. You can reach Zac via his website or on his social media platforms, including Zac Katz-Stein Instagram.
Let it rain: A note on Artificial Intelligence and Creativity
I love the rain, and part of me always has. Granted, my ability to find the positive behind a good rainstorm is from the safety of being indoors and listening to the rain bounce off my windowpane. My mom could tell you other stories of flood waters washing a section of our ancestral house away …
Yet as I sit here on a restful day off work, I find my imagination drifting to wild places as the melodic rhythm of the rain soothes my often racing thoughts. I love the rain because it places me in a meditative state where stories pop into my mind at a pace faster than my hands could type. Rain fuels my creativity and frees my imagination to soar.
That said, I will answer a question directly because I've been asked directly: No, none of my novels have been written by AI. For those who know about my day job, it's not an odd question. Yes, I spend my time as an Organizational Strategic Designer helping my workplace and society as a whole adapt to an accelerating AI world. Using a Responsible AI framework, I focus on the human factors that must be addressed to help people thrive in an AI-augmented environment.
While I've encountered people who can now utilize AI tools to create visual arts, music, poetry, and, yes, whole novels, I still find the thrill of creating something from nothing to be an activity that feeds my soul. AI is opening some possibilities. One person I've spoken to finds it thrilling that he's now able, using tools like Midjourney, to generate text-to-visual work that had been inaccessible to him as a child. His parents had forced him to study the 'sensible path of engineering'. He has found the ability to use AI as a co-creator to spark ideas and help him refine his artistic pursuits, which has opened up a world of opportunity.
Or has it opened up a Pandora's box? Opposite sides of the argument could point out that works by visual artists, authors, musicians, and creative fields are being stolen and used as the training data that underpin those AI algorithms. From my professional observations, most companies understand their duty to humanity. They know what it means by the Z Responsible use of AI principles and act accordingly. However, there is a minority of developers who would act on the edge of what's ethical until an explicit law or regulation tells them they shouldn't do specific actions.
My current, evolving opinion is more akin to a "wait and see" approach. I'd like to hope there will still be a place for true, authentic art that is not AI-generated. My ideas are still wholly my own and fueled by the soothing rhythms of a rainy day. Still, when The Root of Infinity (I'm working my way through my editor's comments) gets published, I'll need to add 100% AI Free Created Content in the declaration.
Until next time,
Lincoln
Let me start with some great news: The third audiobook of The Mage's Cradle—A Sister's Sacrifice—is available on Audiobooks as of today. The link can be found here. A huge thank you to my narrator, Zac Katz-Stein. You can reach Zac via his website or on his social media platforms, including Zac Katz-Stein Instagram.
Let it rain: A note on Artificial Intelligence and Creativity
I love the rain, and part of me always has. Granted, my ability to find the positive behind a good rainstorm is from the safety of being indoors and listening to the rain bounce off my windowpane. My mom could tell you other stories of flood waters washing a section of our ancestral house away …
Yet as I sit here on a restful day off work, I find my imagination drifting to wild places as the melodic rhythm of the rain soothes my often racing thoughts. I love the rain because it places me in a meditative state where stories pop into my mind at a pace faster than my hands could type. Rain fuels my creativity and frees my imagination to soar.
That said, I will answer a question directly because I've been asked directly: No, none of my novels have been written by AI. For those who know about my day job, it's not an odd question. Yes, I spend my time as an Organizational Strategic Designer helping my workplace and society as a whole adapt to an accelerating AI world. Using a Responsible AI framework, I focus on the human factors that must be addressed to help people thrive in an AI-augmented environment.
While I've encountered people who can now utilize AI tools to create visual arts, music, poetry, and, yes, whole novels, I still find the thrill of creating something from nothing to be an activity that feeds my soul. AI is opening some possibilities. One person I've spoken to finds it thrilling that he's now able, using tools like Midjourney, to generate text-to-visual work that had been inaccessible to him as a child. His parents had forced him to study the 'sensible path of engineering'. He has found the ability to use AI as a co-creator to spark ideas and help him refine his artistic pursuits, which has opened up a world of opportunity.
Or has it opened up a Pandora's box? Opposite sides of the argument could point out that works by visual artists, authors, musicians, and creative fields are being stolen and used as the training data that underpin those AI algorithms. From my professional observations, most companies understand their duty to humanity. They know what it means by the Z Responsible use of AI principles and act accordingly. However, there is a minority of developers who would act on the edge of what's ethical until an explicit law or regulation tells them they shouldn't do specific actions.
My current, evolving opinion is more akin to a "wait and see" approach. I'd like to hope there will still be a place for true, authentic art that is not AI-generated. My ideas are still wholly my own and fueled by the soothing rhythms of a rainy day. Still, when The Root of Infinity (I'm working my way through my editor's comments) gets published, I'll need to add 100% AI Free Created Content in the declaration.
Until next time,
Lincoln
February 11, 2024
Highs and Lows
This winter has been odd, and I’m not just referring to the weather. I’ve had incredible highs coupled with tragic lows.
Let’s start on a positive note.
The Root of Infinity:
My editor (Oren Roberts) did a thorough job of finessing the language and the story of my 4th novel. He didn’t allow me to get away with anything--lol. It’s one of the first lessons I’ve learned upon launching my writing career--find a good editor that calls you out when things aren’t clear. I’m taking the time to do some re-writes and smooth out the story. I’m also going to take Oren’s sound advice and split the behemoth of a novel into books one and two. There will likely be a four-novel arc to the story. Not to fear. Books one and two will come out in quick succession.
Stay tuned for a realistic timeline. That is another lesson learned--don’t overpromise and underdeliver when setting book release timelines.
The Mage’s Cradle (Book Three Audible Version):
Also, for any The Mage’s Cradle fans, my narrator (Zac Katz-Stein) will complete the Audible version of book three, A Sister’s Sacrifice, by the end of this month. It should be available on Audible--roughly around the middle of March--just in time for spring.
-------------------------------------------
Okay, the tragic lows …
I don’t have the right words … not really. I sit powerless as life creeps to an end for a dear family member whom I’ve known since the day I was born. Even as we all cling to hope, we cannot help but weep at the probability of a life that will be cut away from us way too soon. All we can do is wait. All I can do is wish, in vain, that I could create a different ending to her story.
As the other insanities of the world crash against our mental walls, give those you love a comforting hug. They may need one just as much as you.
Let’s start on a positive note.
The Root of Infinity:
My editor (Oren Roberts) did a thorough job of finessing the language and the story of my 4th novel. He didn’t allow me to get away with anything--lol. It’s one of the first lessons I’ve learned upon launching my writing career--find a good editor that calls you out when things aren’t clear. I’m taking the time to do some re-writes and smooth out the story. I’m also going to take Oren’s sound advice and split the behemoth of a novel into books one and two. There will likely be a four-novel arc to the story. Not to fear. Books one and two will come out in quick succession.
Stay tuned for a realistic timeline. That is another lesson learned--don’t overpromise and underdeliver when setting book release timelines.
The Mage’s Cradle (Book Three Audible Version):
Also, for any The Mage’s Cradle fans, my narrator (Zac Katz-Stein) will complete the Audible version of book three, A Sister’s Sacrifice, by the end of this month. It should be available on Audible--roughly around the middle of March--just in time for spring.
-------------------------------------------
Okay, the tragic lows …
I don’t have the right words … not really. I sit powerless as life creeps to an end for a dear family member whom I’ve known since the day I was born. Even as we all cling to hope, we cannot help but weep at the probability of a life that will be cut away from us way too soon. All we can do is wait. All I can do is wish, in vain, that I could create a different ending to her story.
As the other insanities of the world crash against our mental walls, give those you love a comforting hug. They may need one just as much as you.
December 21, 2023
Everything Will be Better in 2024, Right? And A Sister's Sacrifice Audible Version
Everything Will be Better in 2024, Right?
My friends and I sat over a glass of wine at their dinner table. “When was the last really good year?” Pat asked. The automatic response at this point was 2019. In 2020, the world shut down, but were 2021, 2022, or even this year any better? In hindsight, was 2019 even that good? Already, 2024 seems to be gearing up to be a jerk.
My family is deep into the holiday preparations at this time of the year. After a hectic year, I’m just happy to be able to lounge in pajamas at twelve noon -- yes, I’m lucky enough to be on vacation. This is a far cry from years ago when I spent Christmas Day working while the rest of my family were preparing for dinner. This precious time to recharge mentally is golden. Today is the first day of winter, the winter solstice, and the shortest day of the year. But it also means that the days will be getting longer from here on in. I’m a ‘the glass is one-quarter full’ kind of guy.
Nonetheless, I find myself anxious as I work through the editing stage of The Root of Infinity. As I lay in bed this morning (yes, it was after 10:00 AM -- don’t judge), I realized that driving my anxiety was not being able to get that book out in the fall of 2023 as I had hoped. Still, the manuscript has been completed and sent out into the world for the feedback/editing cycle. Also, I’ve started to write the second -- and most likely final -- book in The Root of Infinity series. I need to be happy with that. Although, I would have been happier if I had gotten my latest novel out to the readers. Well, that’s what 2024 will bring. Nothing bad can happen in 2024, right?
With that said, between wars, injustices, famine, the climate crisis, and further political upheaval, for those who cannot escape their reality, you are in my thoughts. May you find peace, kindness, safety, and freedom to love who you want.
Like millions of people who have the privilege to do so, I enjoy turning to the escapism that storytelling can provide. I’ll add at least one more source of escapism in the new year. As a writer or a reader, exploring stories has been my mental balm. They may not necessarily solve the world's problems, but stories help us make sense of the craziness that has been, and that will be … I’m looking at you, 2024.
The Mage’s Cradle: A Sister’s Sacrifice Audible Version: February 2024
That’s right, book three is under development and will be released in February 2024. Thanks for your patience.
My friends and I sat over a glass of wine at their dinner table. “When was the last really good year?” Pat asked. The automatic response at this point was 2019. In 2020, the world shut down, but were 2021, 2022, or even this year any better? In hindsight, was 2019 even that good? Already, 2024 seems to be gearing up to be a jerk.
My family is deep into the holiday preparations at this time of the year. After a hectic year, I’m just happy to be able to lounge in pajamas at twelve noon -- yes, I’m lucky enough to be on vacation. This is a far cry from years ago when I spent Christmas Day working while the rest of my family were preparing for dinner. This precious time to recharge mentally is golden. Today is the first day of winter, the winter solstice, and the shortest day of the year. But it also means that the days will be getting longer from here on in. I’m a ‘the glass is one-quarter full’ kind of guy.
Nonetheless, I find myself anxious as I work through the editing stage of The Root of Infinity. As I lay in bed this morning (yes, it was after 10:00 AM -- don’t judge), I realized that driving my anxiety was not being able to get that book out in the fall of 2023 as I had hoped. Still, the manuscript has been completed and sent out into the world for the feedback/editing cycle. Also, I’ve started to write the second -- and most likely final -- book in The Root of Infinity series. I need to be happy with that. Although, I would have been happier if I had gotten my latest novel out to the readers. Well, that’s what 2024 will bring. Nothing bad can happen in 2024, right?
With that said, between wars, injustices, famine, the climate crisis, and further political upheaval, for those who cannot escape their reality, you are in my thoughts. May you find peace, kindness, safety, and freedom to love who you want.
Like millions of people who have the privilege to do so, I enjoy turning to the escapism that storytelling can provide. I’ll add at least one more source of escapism in the new year. As a writer or a reader, exploring stories has been my mental balm. They may not necessarily solve the world's problems, but stories help us make sense of the craziness that has been, and that will be … I’m looking at you, 2024.
The Mage’s Cradle: A Sister’s Sacrifice Audible Version: February 2024
That’s right, book three is under development and will be released in February 2024. Thanks for your patience.
