Torn MacAlester's Blog, page 14
October 29, 2021
Torn MacAlester Firebird Book Award Winner133 AUTHO...
Torn MacAlester Firebird Book Award Winner
133 AUTHORS JOIN THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARD CIRCLE OF WINNERS
October 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2021’s third quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest.
One of the winning entries was from Montana author Torn MacAlester whose book titled Thunder Moon Tussle won in the Science Fiction category.
Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. Two judges from a select panel of 17 judges read each book in its entirety and independently scored each entry. All judges committed to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores were awarded the coveted Firebird.
Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “ we received nearly double the amount of entries this quarter and we recruited more qualified judges from the publishing and writing world. Our judging panel includes a diverse group who represent a cross section of ages, cultural heritage, race, religion, gender, and experience. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer authors a welcome place to promote themselves and their books via book awards, radio interviews, audiobook production, voiceover marketing tools, and podcasting services. We love to support those who dare to share their innermost thoughts with the world. Just one sentence in one book can very well make a difference in a reader’s life. I can’t think of anything better than that.”
Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and colorful pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors get notoriety for their work while helping to transform homeless shelters into bright and happy homes. It is a rewarding venture for everyone.”
The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. For additional winning authors, titles, and entry information:
https://www.speakuptalkradio.com
Firebird Book Awardhttps://www.speakuptalkradio.com/torn-macalester-firebird-book-award-winner/The post appeared first on Torn Macalester.
September 9, 2021
Thunder Moon Tussle by Torn MacAlester
My novel Thunder Moon Tussle is available in kindle unlimited, kindle, and paperback on amazon.com.
Nils Carmike, a fallen from grace astronaut turned smuggler, forges a new life on the lunar frontier. Harassed by the strikingly beautiful and demanding Deputy Miller, he is faced with fines and conflict, resulting in a tumultuous relationship and ultimatum he can’t refuse. Running for their life they struggle against their pasts, hoping to outsmart the common faceless enemy and forced to focus on the only rule that matters: survive!
Cover graphic by Shannan Albright
September 6, 2021
Yellowstone and Timeline of Events
The key background event of my storyline is the eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano. This eruption forms the basis for the calendar where the year of the eruption is designated Y+0.
I try to set each of my stories or vignettes on this timeline, though there are some exceptions. The vignette Cold Contact is not on the timeline. The short story Morgan's Road is on the timeline to indicate the year in which Nils Carmike tells the story for the first time.
The Yellowstone eruption plays into some of the motivation or emotional state of the characters. It serves as a focal point event where almost everyone relates to it. It has the same affect as the attack on Pearl Harbor or 9/11 had on their respective generations.
September 4, 2021
Science and Technology in Morgan’s Road
Being a scientist and engineer, I enjoy adding as realistic elements as possible to my stories. For example, I wrote this article to discuss the science and technology that I referenced in writing the story Morgan's Road.
There are certainly some spoilers in that article. If you haven't read Morgan's Road, now is the time:
Morgan's Road by Torn MacAlester.
The Morgan's Road Cover Graphics are by Shannan Albright.
Morgan's Road is related to the sci-fi novel Thunder Moon Tussle by Torn MacAlester , available at amazon.com in Kindle unlimited, Kindle, and paperback.
The post Science and Technology in Morgan’s Road appeared first on Torn Macalester.
Science and technology
Being a scientist and engineer, I enjoy adding as realistic elements as possible to my stories. For example, I wrote this article to discuss the science and technology that I referenced in making Morgan's Road.
There are certainly some spoilers in that article. If you haven't read Morgan's Road, now is the time:
Morgan's Road by Torn MacAlester.
The Morgan's Road Graphics are by Shannan Albright.
September 3, 2021
Thunder Moon Tussle and Morgan’s Road
Among other things, Nils Carmike is a story teller. This is something his friend Milton finds ridiculous.
Your Next Read: Thunder Moon Tussle
by Torn MacAlester (@Torn_MacAlester)
Website: https://t.co/ZyJJN7navM#science #scifi #sciencefiction #Torn #WritingCommunity
Buy Direct: https://t.co/HZxfQfrqCW pic.twitter.com/Bz6HIRtzKQ
— Author Overlord (@authors_ol) September 3, 2021
Take a look at one of Nils's favorite stories: Morgan's Road by Torn MacAlester.
Then read the story that Nils didn't tell: Thunder Moon Tussle by Torn MacAlester.
Cover for Thunder Moon Tussle and graphic for Morgan's Road by Shannan Albright.
September 2, 2021
Free Short Science Fiction Story by Torn MacAlester
Free short science fiction story: Morgan's Road by Torn MacAlester
Making a living on the Moon is not for everyone, but Nelson Carmike actually preferred the airless basalt plains over Earth’s windy prairies.
Unfortunately, three years of Moon prospecting left him penniless, and without funds for supplies he was doomed to face a forced flight home. Out of options, Nelson had all but given up until a prospector, presumed dead for twenty years, arrives on his doorstep with a secret.
Can Nelson figure out how the man survived on his own, and learn to do the same before his supplies out?
Check out this free short science fiction story. Afterwards, take a look at the novel Thunder Moon Tussle by Torn MacAlester.
Cover Design by Shannan Albright
The post Free Short Science Fiction Story by Torn MacAlester appeared first on Torn Macalester.
Free Short Story by Torn MacAlester
Morgan's Road by Torn MacAlester
Making a living on the Moon is not for everyone, but Nelson Carmike actually preferred the airless basalt plains over Earth’s windy prairies.
Unfortunately, three years of Moon prospecting left him penniless, and without funds for supplies he was doomed to face a forced flight home. Out of options, Nelson had all but given up until a prospector, presumed dead for twenty years, arrives on his doorstep with a secret.
Can Nelson figure out how the man survived on his own, and learn to do the same before his supplies out?
Cover Design by Shannan Albright
