Cameron Cooper's Blog, page 14
June 23, 2022
Writing Myself Into a Corner
Prompted from one of my journal entries around the time that Star Forge was released. — C.
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Particularly in traditional publishing, it’s a custom for writers to write the first book of what they suspect could well be a series, and sell it as a standalone book.
The traditional publishers also market the book as a standalone, until and if there are enough sales of the first book to justify acquiring the second book in a series…and because of their deplorable habit of printing to net, quite often the sales of that second book fail to live up to expectations and the rest of the series is never published.
If you’ve ever wondered why a series you’ve enjoyed never has more than a book or two published, there’s your answer.
Indie publishers don’t have that restriction (thank heavens!), but there is still a risk in publishing a brand new series.
So when I published the first book in the Imperial Hammer series, Hammer and Crucible, I wrote it as if it was a standalone book, even though I fully intended to write a series. But I didn’t plot out the series as I normally do. I just figured out the first book, and made it as cool and interesting as I could. I made it a book I would want to read.
My intention was to see what feedback I got. It was always possible that I could get paper wads thrown at me, or the publishing equivalent of them, at least. And I was also thinking that if there was an aspect of Danny’s world that people objected to, or a character they didn’t like, I could adjust with the next book, when I got to writing it.
Feedback was very good, though. I found myself staring at the blank page, having to plot the second book, Star Forge.
And that was when I learned that I had written myself into a couple of corners with the characters. The biggest corner involves discussing a hug spoiler, so I won’t mention it here, in case you haven’t yet started the series.
If you’re curious to know what corner I had to write myself out of, and you don’t mind spoilers, or you’ve read the first or both books, ask me or leave your question in comments. I’ll share details with you directly.
Once I had figured out how to get rid of the boxed-in corner I was in, the book spat out in about ten days. I was starting to get the idea that this series was exactly right for me.
This was yet another reminder to me that some of the most creative work ever completed came about because of restrictions and limitations. Artists and writers who have suffered injuries or chronic conditions that limit their abilities have found amazing ways to express themselves that incorporate those limitations. Johan Sebastian Bach, for instance.
Or there are the artists who deliberately invoke limitations to experiment, such as Austin Kleon’s newsprint blackout poetry.
Writers can hew to severe word limits, too. Perhaps the most famous example of that is Ernest Hemingway’s six word story: “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Science fiction may seem like a no-holds-barred genre, but there is a limitation that authors must deal with, that underlines nearly every story in the genre, and most especially in space opera: How the author chooses to deal with faster-than-light travel (or not) and transportation between worlds. That choice impacts every facet of their story.
June 16, 2022
AI Sentience. Is it here already? You tell me.
There was a post on HuffPo on Sunday that went viral. “Google Engineer On Leave After He Claims AI Program Has Gone Sentient” was sent to me by three different people.
I’m not surprised so many people thought to send me a copy, as I tend to write about sentient AIs a lot. They’re scattered throughout The Imperial Hammer and The Iron Hammer. The Indigo Reports is written from the perspective of a sentient android, Sang.
And the entire twist in the concept for the Ptolemy Lane Tales series is that everyone is a sentient android. Sort of. Kinda. With a twist of its own. (I’m not spoiling anything. This twist emerges in the very first story and is explored from there on.)
The Huffington Post article is sorta click-bait-y, and I didn’t really fall for the premise: that AI sentience has already arrived from the future. However, it turns out there was some solid science at the base of the article, which I tripped over today (as I write this).
The Medium post is by a science writer, Clive Thompson: “One Weird Trick To Make Humans Think An AI Is ‘Sentient’“. If you read the HuffPo post, you should also read Thompson, for a more sobering and thoughtful perspective.
We humans are a gullible lot, apparently.
Do you like SF and space opera that features sentience AIs and androids? Are you sick of them yet? What’s your favourite series featuring them (and not just mine, here — I’m always looking for my next read).
Let me know in comments. If you’re reading this in an email, you can click on the headline at the top to get back to the post, or just hit reply if you’d rather your opinion stay private.
Cheers,
May 30, 2022
Monthly SRP 20% Off Sale–On Everything!
It’s the second last day of the month, which means it’s time for our monthly 20% off sale at the Stories Rule Press site.
As usual, absolutely every title on the site is discounted. That includes boxed sets, even the full series boxed sets, and all books that are already on sale, and also preorders.
To take advantage of the discount, browse and select the titles you want, and when you check out apply the coupon code to get your 20% off.
You can use the coupon code as often as you want in the four days the sale continues. You can also pass the code on friends.
The code does not work on any other site but Stories Rule Press. It expires at midnight at MDT, on June 2, 2022.
Here is the coupon code: YDJNRTM8
To start your browsing, head here: https://storiesrulepress.com/shop/
On this page you can filter the books by genre and various other categories, to help you narrow down your choices.
Enjoy your browsing!
Cam
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Four Space Opera Series in One Box
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I can’t believe that I have four series out–enough to build a sample series starter boxed set….
There’s quite a range in this set. If you’ve only read one series of mine, this is a great way to check out the rest.
The Space Opera Firsts boxed set was released this morning.
Four First in Series Books in One Sample PackSavings of over 50% compared to buying separately!Here is the perfect chance to dip into four of Cameron Cooper’s space opera series–the first stories in each series, in one set.
Hammer and Crucible
The interstellar array which links worlds together wakes to find it has enemies…
Danny Andela, once known as The Imperial Hammer, withdrew from the Imperial Rangers decades ago, her reputation in tatters. She lives on her family’s star barge, waiting to die of a rare disease: old age. Then Danny learns that the military disaster which essentially ended her life might possibly have been arranged by the Emperor himself…
New Star Rising
Be careful what you ask an android to do…
Bellona Cardenas Scordina de Deluca, daughter of the primary Cardenas family, went missing ten years ago. Reynard Cardenas, Bellona’s father and head of the family, receives anonymous, unsubstantiated news that she has been found. He sends the most disposable person in the family to investigate—Sang, the family android. Sang’s investigation trips off chain reactions which shift the generations-old lukewarm war between Erium and Karassia into a galaxy-wide conflagration…
Galactic Thunder
Danny and her crew learn that humans may not be alone in the galaxy.
When the wildcat ship Ige Ibas goes dark and silent, Dalton comes to Danny for help. But the Ige Ibas has gone dark for a reason, and Danny’s investigation rouses the ire of a new enemy, one that emerges from beyond any worlds known to humans…
The Body in the Zero Gee Brothel
Meet Ptolemy Jovan Lane, a unique peacemaker.
Laws are hard to hold, out in the fringes of known space, but Ptolemy Lane is charged with maintaining peace under the dome of Georgina’s Town. When a body is discovered in the local casino’s brothel, Lane is reluctant to get involved. Only, the body is the casino’s owner, Guisy Oakmint, and Doc Lowry is insisting Lane investigate. Lane soon learns why…
Space Opera Science Fiction Boxed Set
Enjoy!
May 4, 2022
May The Fourth Be With You
I simply couldn’t let this day pass without comment, especially as Star Wars is the reason I’m a writer.
The May Fourth and Fifth (Revenge of the Fifth) memes will fly thick and fast for a couple of days, I’m sure. I get a silly grin over all of them.
If you have a Spotify account, did you know that when you play a Star Wars related track, the progress bar turns into a light sabre?
This happens every day of the year, not just May 4th. It also makes me smile, every time I see it.
And I’ll add to the meme-flood before I go. Have a great day!
April 29, 2022
It’s here! The 20% Off Sale on Absolutely Everything
It’s two days before the month ends, which means it’s the start of the Stories Rule Press monthly 20% off sale.
The sale runs for 4 days each month — the last two days and the first two days of the next month.
The coupon code will apply to your total SRP basket. You can include boxed sets, anthologies, whole series, even books already on sale. You can also use the code for pre-orders and new releases.
The coupon code won’t work on any other retail site, or for books that aren’t directly available on Stories Rule Press.
You can share the code and use it multiple times during the sale.
Here’s this month’s code: 6R6HDWE7
You can start your browsing here: https://storiesrulepress.com/shop/. On that page you can sort by various categories and genres.
Enjoy!
The Authors at Stories Rule Press.
(Including me!)
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Last days for the ALIENS AMONG US Story Bundle!
This bundle of books, anthologies and collections closed in a couple of days.
Don’t miss out!
Check out the details here: https://storybundle.com/aliens.
Cam.
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The Entire Imperial Hammer series prices slashed
Pretty much the entire world economy is hurting right now, thanks to the pandemic, wars and more. It’s going to take a while to climb out of the pit, I suspect.
During the two world wars in the 20th century, entertainment became one of the most sought after commodities, but no one had the money to pay for it.
That’s pretty much where we are now, too.
So I’ve dropped the prices on the Imperial Hammer series, to give those most in need of entertainment a chance to buy some. The discounts apply across every bookstore, including mine.
Cam.
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Science Fiction Story Bundle: Aliens Among Us – One Week to Go
I’m in a Story Bundle! And the Aliens Among Us StoryBundle has only a week to go!
Here’s the details from the curator, Dean Wesley Smith:
All Fun!
One thing science fiction fans think about when you say “Aliens Among Us” is aliens like body snatchers, or Grays flitting around Area 51. None of that in this group of great novels and stories. Just great books with great takes on aliens.
And the title of this bundle comes from a Pulphouse Fiction Magazine anthology of ten short stories by ten different authors of very, very twisted and strange alien stories.
So ten novels and a collection and an anthology. I can say this: That’s a lot of entertaining aliens of just about all types. And all worth reading about.
I would suggest you start off with Robin Brande’s three book Dove Season Bundle. That’s right, three novels in one book. Basically X-Files meets the X-Men and this bundle of three books is exclusive only to this StoryBundle. As Robin says, “These three books will take you on an unforgettable journey – both here on our home planet and to the galaxies beyond.”
Again, the Dove Season Bundle is exclusive to this StoryBundle.
Next, bestselling writer Cameron Cooper gives the bundle Galactic Thunder, the very first book in his new space opera series Iron Hammer. The series is a spin-off of his acclaimed Imperial Hammer series. In this book, the crew learn that humans may not be alone in the galaxy. Super fun space-opera read.
Rebecca M. Senese takes readers on a ride to stop an alien murderer in The Soul Within. The thriller search threatens the entire planet and the great writing and characters makes it almost impossible to put down.
In Azureseas: Cantrell’s War, Raymund Eich takes us all to a tourist world with only one problem: Large, dangerous native animals that turn out to be sentient. Great characters and a fast-moving plot makes this alien’s book a must read.
In this short novel, Restricted Species, Kari Kilgore takes us to a xeno-farming planet. Amazing how many things can go wrong on a simple farming planet when aliens get into the mix. And Kari keeps us reading right to the last detail.
In The A’lle Mutation, award-winning writer Marcelle Dube gives us an amazing place in Canada set in 1912 when an alien ship crashes and the humans and the aliens must learn to work and live together. This book gets you thinking almost from page one and won’t let you put it down. Stunning story.
As only New York Times bestselling writer, Robert Jeschonek can do, Universal Language gives us a short, powerful novel about language and different alien speech. Robert actually sets up a “war of words” to decide language dominance. Stunningly entertaining, you will be glad you read it, just for the head-shaking realizations it shows about our own world.
New York Times bestselling writer, Kristine Kathryn Rusch offers up one of the most compelling of all alien novels with Alien Influences. Maybe the best novel about alien and human interaction ever done in science fiction. It will grip you.
I decided that after the ten great novels above, I needed to toss in Alien Vibrations, a six-story collection of mine all focused in different very whacked out ways on aliens. And then for real spice to the mix, add in Aliens Among Us, a ten-story anthology with ten great short story writers all focused in one fashion or another on aliens. A really, really fun read.
I sure hope you like all twelve of these books in this bundle. I sure do. Get them all for one price and enjoy a few weeks of great science fiction reading.
– Dean Wesley Smith
* * *
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE.
Aliens Among Us edited by Dean Wesley Smith
Galactic Thunder by Cameron Cooper
Universal Language by Robert Jeschonek
The Soul Within by Rebecca M. Senese
If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all four of the regular books, plus SIX more books, for a total of 10, including a StoryBundle exclusive!
Alien Vibrations by Dean Wesley Smith
Alien Influences by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Dove Season Books 1-3 by Robin Brande (StoryBundle Exclusive)
Azureseas: Cantrell’s War by Raymund Eich
The A’lle Mutation by Marcelle Dube
Restricted Species by Kari Kilgore
This bundle is available only for a limited time via https://storybundle.com/aliens. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (.epub, .mobi) for all books!
It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.
Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.
Get quality reads: We’ve chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that’s fine! You’ll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there’s nothing wrong with ditching DRM.Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to AbleGamers!Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you’ll get the bonus books!StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.
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Enjoy!
Cam.
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End of Month/Start of Month 20% off Everything Sale
And we’re back to our normal monthly sale, this month.
From today, March 30th, through to the end of day April 2nd, you can get any book, any boxed set, any title available via Stories Rule Press, at 20% off.
There are no restrictions. Use the coupon as often as you want. Share it with friends.
Books that are already on sale are included–giving you a further 20% off.
You just have to make your purchase between now and the end of day April 2nd (midnight MDT).
The coupon code is ZRXHRH9X
To start browsing, go here: https://storiesrulepress.com/shop/
Also, don’t forget to check out the books on pre-order https://storiesrulepress.com/product-category/publication-status/pre-order/ and new releases https://storiesrulepress.com/product-category/publication-status/new-releases/.
Enjoy!
Cam, and the authors at Stories Rule Press.
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