Matthew Ledrew's Blog, page 60
March 22, 2016
Sci-Fi from the Rock full lineup!
It’s been a long time coming, with information slowly being leaked here, on Amazon, Indigo, and Facebook, but we finally have the full, impressive list of the authors and stories featured in Sci-Fi from the Rock 2016!
In addition to editing the collection as a whole, Ellen Curtis has penned a heartfelt Forward chronicling her long and personal relationship with Sci-Fi on the Rock over the last ten years.
Kenneth Tam, a name familiar to all fans of science-fiction in Canada and known as the first guest ever to appear at Sci-Fi on the Rock returns for the landmark 10th year, bringing with him a prologue to Whitecoat, the first novel in his Champions series.
Jennifer Combden has given permission for us to reprint Sunny Days and Immune, out of print since a 2010 anthology collection. Jennifer is a meteorologist living in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is a sponge for knowledge, and her love of learning is second only to her love of sharing that knowledge. She prefers to write science fiction, with a strong emphasis on the science, as a medium by which to explain complex ideas.
Engen founder and author of over 15 novels Matthew LeDrew brings three of his classic short stories, The Show, Invasion, and The Chair. Each is very brief and focuses on his strong interest in anthropology and inter-personal dynamics, and myths.
Samuel Bauer brings his story, The Locket. Bauer says he “is a young writer from St. John’s Newfoundland. He gets his ideas from eating too much sugar-laden food, reading the works of H. P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe until 4 am, and transcribing the ensuing nightmares.”
Tara Murphy brings her short story Hag Ridden, originally presented in a 2013 out-of-print collection from Engen and back by popular demand.
Scott Bartlett brings his newest story, Flight from Dodge, the first in a new series Flight or Fight. Bartlett’s medieval comedy novel, Royal Flush, won the H. R. (Bill) Percy Prize, and his contemporary novel Taking Stock, about a young writer struggling with depression, won the Percy Janes First Novel Award, as well as the Lawrence Jackson Writers Award. Taking Stock was also a semi-finalist in the 2014 Best Kindle Book Awards. Bartlett recently caught the sci-fi bug, and he’s writing new novels at light speed. He especially enjoys writing dystopian sci-fi. Expect releases from him soon in two brand new series. To get an email whenever the author releases a new title, sign up for the VIP newsletter by clicking this link (opens a secure signup form in a new window).
Jay Paulin has brought a prose continuation of his epic graphic novel series Super Galactic Space Explorers titled Spooky’s Gambit.
Lead Engen Editor Erin Vance makes her fiction-writing debut with Cast, Clutter, Pack, Murder, which she describes as “Basically what would happen if a Force-less Darth Vader was put in charge of a group of cybernetic animals.”
Melanie Collins returns her short story Woven by the Thief to print. One of the reasons for the success of the first Sci-Fi from the Rock collection in April 2010 (and the Engen Anthology program as a whole) was the skillful and powerful prose of Melanie Collins, who proved to us that there were amazing authors out there without a venue that needed a place to shine and reach their fandom.
Peter J. Foote makes his fiction-writing debut with The Silence Between Moons. Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, the son of an apple farmer, Peter Foote studied archaeology in university, is employed as a boiler and refrigeration operator, and runs a used bookstore out of his basement in his spare time.Believing that an author should write what he knows, many of Peter’s stories are a reflection of his personal life. Despite not being from the Rock, Foote has graciously lent us this incredible story to help celebrate Sci-Fi on and from the Rock!
Stacey Oakley is an avid reader and writer, especially of fantasy. She has a BA in Art History & Visual Studies with a minor in Social Justice Studies from the University of Victoria and is currently in the process of completing a post-grad diploma in Cultural Resource management by distance, also from Uvic. She brings with her the short story, The Sorrows of War.
If you attended the open-source book launch for Scott Bartlett’s Finished with Life But Unable to Die, you’re sure to remember Matthew Daniels’s short story about a woman buried alive that brought down the whole house! Matthew brings with him his new short story, Healer’s Hoards.
Renaissance man and Sci-Fi founder Darren Hann has graciously allowed us to reprint his seminal short story Holy Troll, which was originally featured in Sci-Fi from the Rock Returns.
Also joining the cast is award-winning author Larry Gent, who brings his short story Mirrored Blade.
Christopher Walsh, author of the soon-to-be award nominated (we’re sure) fantasy series Gold and Steel contributed a prequel to his April 1 releasing novel, titled Stealing Back Freedom.
Finally, Alison House introduced us to her new universe, with a novel in late 2016, with her short story Twenty-One.
All this is contained (barely) by a wrap-around cover by the astonishing Kyle Callahan Photography to make a collection a must for anyone who attends and loves Sci-Fi on the Rock or is a fan of science fiction in general!
March 15, 2016
KENNETH TAM the final Sci-Fi author!
Kenneth Tam, a name familiar to all fans of science-fiction in Canada and known as the first guest ever to appear at Sci-Fi on the Rock returns for the landmark 10th year and in the final contributor to the Sci-Fi from the Rock 2016 collection!
Tam brings with him a prologue to Whitecoat, the first novel in his Champions series.
Since 1881, Britain, Canada and the United States have been colonizing another planet. Now it’s 1940, and tensions between the world’s Empires are mounting because the English-speaking nations enjoy exclusive control over a uniquely powerful resource: genetically-enhanced humans known as ‘Champions’. Lady Alex Smith is the newest Champion, and her best friend Stephanie Shylock has joined the British Army so they can work together. Along with Sergeant Mike Strong, a veteran soldier with a colorful reputation, these two must follow in the footsteps of their famous parents, and save the world… perhaps both worlds. For more, visit Championsof1940.com
Kenneth Tam (born 1984 in St. John’s, Newfoundland) is a Canadian science-fiction author. His best-known works include The Equations Novels and the Defense Command series. He is the son of fellow Canadian author Jacqui Tam. He is a graduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Ontario. Kenneth has been an author guest at the Polaris Science Fiction Convention for six consecutive years, and a guest at the Sci-Fi on the Rock convention for its first three years.
He is the author of over 40 books spread over 4 different science-fiction series, and Engen Books is proud and honored to have his work represented here.
March 12, 2016
Melanie Collins returns to print
Melanie CollinsOne of the reasons for the success of the first Sci-Fi from the Rock collection in April 2010 (and the Engen Anthology program as a whole) was the skillful and powerful prose of Melanie Collins, who proved to us that there were amazing authors out there without a venue that needed a place to shine and reach their fandom.
One of the greatest heartbreaks of the last six years for Engen Books has been seeing that title, and specifically that story, fall from print. In April 2016 that error is being rectified when Melanie Collins’s fantasy masterpiece Woven by the Thief returns to the printed page as a part of our 10th Anniversary Collection.
We thank Melanie for the privilege of working with her again.
The incredibly funny and talented Melanie Collins seems to excel in all the diverse things she does. Melanie is an avid lover of science fiction, fantasy, cosplay, and gaming; and in 2005, co-founded Sci-Fi on the Rock.
In 2010, this down-to-Earth pet groomer added author to her list of credits when “Woven by the Thief” appeared to critical acclaim in the original Sci-Fi from the Rock anthology.
Since then, Melanie has continued trailblazing along the path of cool girl geekdom, kicking butt with 8 Limb Muay Thai in St. John’s, and doing some serious good for charity with local non-profit Sandbox Gaming.
We have one more announcement to make guys…
March 11, 2016
Top 5 Anticipated Releases of 2016
When it comes to distractions (and that is the name of this blog after all) nothing eats up more of my time than anticipation: that time spent waiting for the next novel in a series or the next season of a show of the next movie in a franchise. Follow my train of thought here: if the next movie in my favorite franchise was out I could just watch it, a distraction from my work of no more than 3 hours. But waiting for it, wondering about it, watching trailers, reading predictions, fixating on it, and then watching it: that’s a much heavier time commitment that I should be using to write and edit.
With that in mind, here are my Top 5 most anticipated book releases of 2016. These are the books that have left me sitting in my chair wondering rather than sitting in my chair working, and time can’t tick by fast enough for them to arrive!
Devious Minds by Colleen Helme
The eighth novel in the Shelby Nichols series continues the adventure one of the best female action heroes of the 21st century (and that is some stiff competition). It’s been almost a year since a near-fatal gunshot wound left Shelby Nichols with the ability to read minds. In that time she’s faced one problem after another. She’s been shot at, framed for murder, and targeted by a serial killer, just to name a few. Now she’s trying to help her lawyer husband win a murder trial that will enable him to become a partner in his law firm. Sounds easy, right? But nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to Shelby Nichols.
This series hooked me with its first entry, Carrots, and it have been one of my can’t-miss titles since. It’s available in physical print, eBook, and audiobook. Pick your favorite method to enjoy and I bet you’ll be feeling the anticipation too.
As Fierce as Steel by Christopher P. Walsh
An imaginative and eclectic mix of , JRR Tolkien & George RR Martin; Walsh is a part of a new breed: he grew up on the fantasy of his generation and has decided what of it works and what of it doesn’t, and has produced his own spin on things. This is a unique novel in the fantasy genre, a genre which has not seen innovation since the last crop of visionaries came through the pipeline in the late 80s. Will Walsh be counted among those greats? We’ll need a few more books to tell for sure, but this book certainly has him off to a good start
This book, and a lot of others, are launching at Sci-Fi on the Rock 10 on April 1, 2016: be sure and pre-order the hardcover edition now as it’s going to be in demand.
Flight or Fight by Scott Bartlett
Scott Bartlett is fast becoming the author with the most amount of “auto-buy” fans in the province, and it’s easy to see why. He has hit after hit on his hands with Taking Stock, Royal Flush, and Finished with Life. Now he’s starting another epic sci-fi series, this one set in a dystopian future. With Bartlett’s sharp wit, ear for dialog, and biting social commentary, this book is one I’m watching for and should be on everyone’s want-to-read list on Goodreads.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
Well I mean of course “The Cursed Child” is going on this list. How could it not be? This is easily the most anticipated book of the decade, let alone of 2016. But a lot of people have been waiting for this book for the majority of their adult lives… I only read the original seven Harry Potter books in 2015! I was very late to the game I know, but I finished them all in one week and it left me wanting more… and not a week later “The Cursed Child” was announced! Hmmm…. maybe I should make more wishes…
Sci-Fi from the Rock by Erin Vance & Ellen Curtis
This book actually holds a special place for me: this will be the first Engen Book I will have ever read for the first time when it’s in print.
Because you have to understand, typically as manager I read every book that comes through here 10-20 times at least before it hits the stands. But we’ve got a stellar staff with Erin Vance and Ellen Curtis editing this collection so I was hands off, and now this April 1st I’m looking forward to reading this right along with everyone else! Featuring the talents of over fifteen amazing Canadian authors including some of the authors on this very list, Sci-Fi from the Rock has been a long time coming and now I’m full of anticipation.
Well those are the 5 books I’m really looking forward to in 2016, be sure to check them out as well and let me know if you thought my anticipation was worth it. What are your most anticipated titles?
Hopefully with this exercise, I can get back to real work now… :)
March 10, 2016
Larry Gent pens for Sci-Fi from!
Award-winning author Larry Gent joins the cast of Sci-Fi from the Rock!
A Perth, Ontario native, Larry Gent currently resides in Halifax where works as a freelance writer.
Larry studied Math and Computer Science at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He now runs the review site called 42Webs.com, which act as a testament to his hobbies and interest in all things geekdom.
Larry Gent has written 7 titles for Engen Books and its partners, including novels and short-form stories.
Never Been to Mars by Larry Gent
Series: The Benedict Forecasts, #1
The Pitch: Benedict hasn’t been the same since he returned home from Iraq. He’d seen horrifying things, had his leg pumped full of shrapnel and watched friends vanish before his very eyes. To make matters worse he returned home to find he’d developed psychic visions that he can’t control.
Now he lives his life alone in his house, hobbling to and fro on a cane, doing little else but watching endless streams of TV and movies. He doesn’t want to talk to people, he doesn’t want to see anybody; he just wants to be left alone with his TV until reality develops a laugh track.
But when his nephew goes missing, and the FBI starts calling it a kidnapping, Ben hobbles into action and uses the powers he loathes to save his family and find himself in a seedy world of other with powers, child kidnappings and murderous celebrities.
He already misses his TV.
To Money and a TV by Larry Gent
Series: The Benedict Forecasts
The Pitch: Benedict has never been the same since coming home from Iraq but he’s getting better. He’s rejoined the lives of his family, he’s keeping busy with work, he has a kinda-sorta-but-not-really girlfriend and his Netflix queue has just expanded. Everything’s coming up Benedict.
When an evil movie quoting sniper starts taunting him over the phone, Benedict gets worried.
When the sniper starts killing people and leaving items from Benedict’s past at the crime scene, Benedict gets scared.
When his kinda-sorta-but-not-really girlfriend wants to have the relationship talk, Benedict get terrified.
Benedict already misses his TV.
Light-Dark by Matthew LeDrew
Series: Infinity (prologue), Black Womb (prologue), Benedict Forecasts (prologue)
The Pitch: Eight new stories from within the Engen Universe, featuring the talents of Larry Gent, Jay Paulin, Andrea Edwards, Matthew LeDrew, Sarah Thompson & Ellen Curtis!
Bluenose Paradox by Larry Gent
Series: Bluenose Paradox, #1
The Pitch: The masters of science-fiction and fantasy in Atlantic Canada unite to bring us Bluenose Paradox: 10 amazing short stories geared to excite and amaze, focusing on the wealth of talent present at Halifax’s largest science-fiction fantasy convention, Hal-Con!
Sci-Fi from the Rock Returns by Steve Lake
Series: Sci-Fi from the Rock, #3
The Pitch: Nine new stories from Newfoundland’s best in science-fiction literature. Featuring stories by Darren Hann, Mark Todd, Larry Gent, Tara Murphy, Jay Paulin and Matthew LeDrew, plus the new sequel to the 2010 hit Legacy of the Full Moon, Shadow of the Full Moon by Steve Lake. Pick up your copy today, you won’t regret it!
Fearsome Fables by Jay Paulin
Series: Ink’d Well Charity Books, #2
The Pitch: A collection of spooky, all-ages tales to chill your bones. Net proceeds benefit Child’s Play.
Fearsome Fables 2 by Jay Paulin
Series: Ink’d Well Charity Books, #2
The Pitch: A brand-new collection of charity chillers, for ages 10-100. Net proceeds benefit Free The Children.
March 5, 2016
Ali House brings her new universe to Sci-Fi from the Rock!
Alison HouseAli House returns to pen a short story for Sci-Fi from the Rock!
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Ali House spends most of her time scribbling stories and ideas in notebooks. After graduating from MUN with a BFA, she moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she works in arts administration and moonlights as an actor, director, stage manager, and playwright. She is an avid traveler, foodie, and fan of the Oxford comma. Her work has previously appeared in the anthology Bluenose Paradox.
This time Ali’s short story, “Twenty-One,” will be the first short to be set in a new fictional universe which will be expanded into a novel in late 2016: already optioned by Engen Books after the success of this story at her work with Bluenose Paradox! Get on the ground floor and pick up her story in April!
Congrats Ali!!
March 3, 2016
Erin Vance writes for Sci-Fi from!
Making her fiction writing debut in the April 2016 collection is Engen Books’s own senior editor Erin Vance, with her short story Cast, Clutter, Pack, Murder, the first story in a new and exciting science-fiction universe!
Erin Vance, EditorErin Vance is an editor and a graduate of the Memorial University of Newfoundland English Honors Program.
Erin wrote her Honors thesis paper, The Song of the Mockingjay, explored the nature of Katniss Everdeen’s agency in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series. She is creative, spiritual, and loves reading, writing, and anything to do with words.
Erin is an editor for Engen Books on a work-for-hire basis and is currently accepting proposals from more editing work in both copy and content from authors of all backgrounds and skill sets, subject to right-to-refusal and prices to be negotiated based on the amount of time each project is estimated to take. Potential authors wishing to work with Erin should write erinvance@engenbooks.com and allow up to four weeks for a response.
Erin Vance is an editor for Engen Books on a work-for-hire basis and is currently accepting proposals for more editing work in both copy and content from authors of all backgrounds and skill sets, subject to right-to-refusal and prices to be negotiated based on the amount of time each project is estimated to take. Potential authors wishing to work with Erin should write erinvance@engenbooks.com and allow up to four weeks for a response.
Editor
Smoke And Mirrors by Matthew LeDrew
Series: Black Womb, #2
The Pitch: The approaching execution of Adam Genblade brings closure to the men and women of Coral Beach… until people start showing up dead in the same manor they did when he was at large. Now his victims are forced to keep him alive in order to get their answers… or accept that it may not have been him to begin with.
Note: Erin edited the 2015 international edition of Smoke and Mirrors only.
Cinders by Matthew LeDrew
Series: Xander Drew, #1
The Pitch: Thomas Horton is a good cop. Focused and unyielding, he has one of the highest solved-case rates in Los Angeles, a city with the highest unsolved murder rate in the whole of the United States. Despite his record, his resolve is questioned by the appearance of a young man named Xander Drew: a man equally as focused and determined, but who refuses to operate within the confines of the rigid California legal system.
When the egos and obsessions of both men collide, Horton enters a violent and dangerous world he didn’t know existed beneath the veneer of order and structure that he has based his entire deductive method around, forcing both men to question everything they knew… until they are both threatened to be dragged down to a place where everything burns, until all that are left, are Cinders.
To Money and a TV by Larry Gent
Series: The Benedict Forecasts
The Pitch: Benedict has never been the same since coming home from Iraq but he’s getting better. He’s rejoined the lives of his family, he’s keeping busy with work, he has a kinda-sorta-but-not-really girlfriend and his Netflix queue has just expanded. Everything’s coming up Benedict.
When an evil movie quoting sniper starts taunting him over the phone, Benedict gets worried.
When the sniper starts killing people and leaving items from Benedict’s past at the crime scene, Benedict gets scared.
When his kinda-sorta-but-not-really girlfriend wants to have the relationship talk, Benedict get terrified.
Benedict already misses his TV.
March 1, 2016
Christpher Walsh writes for Sci-Fi from the Rock!
Our second author to be featured in April 2016’s Sci-Fi from the Rock has been announced: Christopher Walsh, with his short story, “Stealing Back Freedom”!
Christopher Walsh is an author from Brigus South, Newfoundland. Stealing Back Freedom is a prequel story from his fantasy series Gold & Steel, the first, full-length entry of which is titled As Fierce as Steel and is to be released in early 2016.
Over the past four years, Chris has been crafting the massive world of Gold & Steel and putting together what will be his first entries into the even bigger world of publishing: As Fierce as Steel and Stealing Back Freedom.
When not writing, Chris works as an apprentice carpenter and enjoys reading a variety of material with particular interest in other fantasy works. He’s also an avid video gamer and hiker.
There’s going to be 110 copies on sale at Sci-Fi On the Rock and if you want a copy you can ensure you do by reserving one. If you want a reserved copy, you can send me a private message via Facebook or email thegoldandsteelsaga@gmail.com.
When asked about his accomplishment, Walsh said via social media: “And yet, this is just another step, this is not the end goal, not by a long shot. Having a book in hand that I wrote is a major step, I’m ridiculously happy right now just looking at it. However, the next step is to get the first part of the Gold & Steel story out there so that I can continue to write the rest of it.”
Both “Stealing Back Freedom” and “As Fierce As Steel” are on GoodReads now! Sign in and select “Want to Read” to get all updates and even be alerted when giveaways approach!
“Stealing Back Freedom” : Sci-Fi from the Rock by Christopher P. Walsh
Nineteen short stories written by an eclectic mix of some of the best science-fiction and fantasy authors in Atlantic Canada, some of them award-winning veterans and some of them new to the craft for the first time.
As Fierce as Steel by Christopher P. Walsh
As Fierce as Steel is the inaugural entry into the world of Gold & Steel, a new fantasy series from Canadian author, Christopher Walsh. It is centered around the lives of two women, those of the Lady Orangecloak and Lady Marigold Tullivan. One is the leader of a brave group of young men and women in open rebellion of their government. The other was born into that patriarchal world and destined for greatness, as a trophy wife, a fate she will do anything to alter.
February 28, 2016
Stacey Oakley to write for Sci-Fi from the Rock!
In another welcoming announcement, Engen Books is proud to introduce Stacey Oakley and her short story, The Sorrows of War.
Stacey Oakley is an avid reader and writer, especially of fantasy. She has a BA in Art History & Visual Studies with a minor in Social Justice Studies from the University of Victoria and is currently in the process of completing a post-grad diploma in Cultural Resource management by distance, also from Uvic. While originally from Moncton, New Brunswick she’s lived on both sides of the country having spent a number of years in BC and only recently moved to Newfoundland.
Welcome aboard Stacey! :)
February 25, 2016
Cover revealed: Exodus of Angels!
In all the hype leading up to 2016’s hotly anticipated collection Sci-Fi from the Rock and its many authors, it’s easy to overlook the other great titles being released in April: such as Ellen Curtis and Matthew LeDrew’s Exodus of Angels.
After 3 and a half years, readers will finally be able to check back in with Victor, Jaycee, Theo and Leigh this April with a story that will touch the hearts and minds of anyone who reads it — as well stoke the fire of anyone who believes there to be a common thread running through all of the Engen Universe titles, including the Black Womb, Xander Drew, and Benedict Forecasts series.
Led by series creator and show-runner Ellen Curtis, the novel will delve into Theo’s troubled past first glimpsed in the short story “The Theogony” and introduce startling new characters within the walls of the Black Springs Psychiatric Ward.
Pick up your copy on April 1, and if you haven’t tried out the Infinity series by Ellen Curtis and Matthew LeDrew yet, the e-books are on sale now with links below!
Infinity by Ellen Louise Curtis and Matthew LeDrew
Series: Infinity, #1
The Pitch: Faced with a destiny he’s uncertain of, the enigmatic Victor must bring together four unique people with very special abilities… or face the tasks ahead alone. Guaranteed to excite!
The Tourniquet Reprisal by Ellen Louise Curtis and Matthew LeDrew
Series: Infinity, #2
The Pitch: There is a man living in Atlanta Georgia that people don’t talk about, but everyone knows he’s there. He arrived a year ago and turned a gaggle of uneducated and uninterested youth into a force to be reckoned with; something to fear more than any demon or violent act: something new.
