Aurora Springer's Blog, page 47

What the Styx! Snippet from WIP for #WeWriWa #SciFi #amwriting

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories.
Okay, I’m biting the bullet and offering snippets from my WIP. It’s at 59k words and I’m editing. Among other things, I have to deal with killing off one minor character and rewriting him out of later scenes. This story has several deaths.
Current Tag line: What alien creatures lurk under the ice crust of Europa?
Here are the next few lines of Chapter one. Dr. Nikki Bell is traveling to Europa to study the alien life in the ocean. It’s not a final version and any suggestions will be especially appreciated. You can read last week’s snippet here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/08/partitions-clanged-shut-snippet-from.html
   The ship’s layout fixed in her mind, she kicked off, traveling diagonally from wall to wall to propel herself through the empty corridor to the nearest life craft.    Overhead lights flickered and faded to black, leaving only the line of red arrows marking the direction of the exit. The corridor bucked. She banged against the wall and stumbled onto her knees, cringing at the creak of overstrained metal.     The siren’s whine cut to silence.    What the Styx did that mean? She had to get out. Nikki struggled upright and flipped on her headlamp. The bay with the lifepod was a few steps ahead. Its door was shut and no one was visible in the annex.

I will probably miss one or both of the next two weekends due to traveling in Europe. So, here's a freebie to keep you amused - 


FREE August 20-22nd - Grand Master’s Cat -Short Prequel to the Grand Masters’ Galaxy When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans. Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHSVHFSInternational http://authl.it/B01IHSVHFS?d
As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.
Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the otherwriters. 

Partitions clanged shut - snippet from WIP for #WeWriWa #SciFi

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories.
Okay, I’m biting the bullet and offering snippets from my WIP. It’s at 56k words and I’m editing. Among other things, I have to deal with killing off one minor character and rewriting him out of later scenes. This story has several deaths.
Current Tag line: What alien creatures lurk under the ice crust of Europa?
Here are the next few lines of Chapter one. Dr. Nikki Bell is traveling to Europa to study the alien life in the ocean. It’s not a final version and any suggestions will be especially appreciated. You can read last week’s snippet here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/08/blasted-bad-timing-snippet-for-wewriwa.html
Her arms flailing for a grip, Nikki struggled to catch hold of the handrail. Her emergency training kicked in. Primed by drills every third day of the voyage, she knew what to do. She dived for the nearest oxygen canister. Working one handed while grasping the rail, she fastened the mask around her mouth and nose. Her mind cleared, clicking into logical mode. The spaceship was damaged, possibly hit by a stray asteroid on the outer fringes of the belt. Heavy partitions clanged shut, separating the damaged sections of the ship. The nearer set slammed closed, and a second, fainter clunk, sounded in the opposite direction. Her section was isolated from the rest of the ship.


You can find a selection of 99c and Free eBooks, as well as two giveaways, at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/08/romance-scifi-fantasy-99c-free-ebooks.html
As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments. Please return to www.wewriwa.comto sample the works of the otherwriters.

Romance, SciFi & Fantasy - 99c & #FREE eBooks Plus #Giveaway

Aug 7-13: Speculative Fiction Romance Sale 99c http://smschmitz.com/dominion-rising Love Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-fi & Fantasy Romance? Then check out this great sale. Even heroes and heroines need a little romance at the end of a long day of saving their corner of the galaxy. 40+ books only 99c for a limited time.
Aug 11-14: 70 Books FREE or 99c in Book Fair/Book Blast http://www.bookandblogservices.com/free-and-99-cent-ebooks-august/
Aug 6-13: Instafreebie Romance Giveaway http://SecretWoodsbooks.com/promo 

Aug 10-24: Readers’ Realm Fantasy & SciFi Instafreebie http://thereadersrealm.com/free-books/
Giveaway for Kindle Fire
Aug 1-31: Enter "Back-to-School" Blast Giveaway for KindleFire Plus SciFi & Fantasy ebooks http://www.newadultnoir.com/giveaways/win-a-kindle-fire-hd-tablet-21-young-adult-new-adult-sci-fi-fantasy-novels/

Reader Answers to 4 Questions about Book Choices #IndieAuthors #WritingTips

Results of Reader Survey
Last weekend, I asked my newsletter subscribers to participate in a short survey. I was pleasantly surprised when 99 people responded. This number is probably not a statistically significant sample, nor was the survey designed scientifically, however, the results are still valuable.
Note the caveats. Many of my subscribers joined to get a free ebook or to enter a giveaway. Also, I join promotions and giveaways in science fiction, fantasy and romance because my stories are in those genres.  
I have listed each of my questions followed by the answers and my comments.
Questions for ReadersIf you would like to help me by doing a short survey, please answer these questions:
1. Where do you buy ebooks: Amazon, Apple, Barnes&Noble, Kobo or GooglePlay? Answers: Amazon 92%; Kobo 12%; B&N(Nook) 9%; Apple(iBooks) 10%; GooglePlay 7%; Other: Smashwords, Instafreebie, BookFunnel, AuthorsAlthough the majority buy from Amazon, many use multiple sources for books.
For Amazon, do you use Kindle Unlimited? Yes: 17%
2. What is your favorite genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction etc?Answers: Fantasy 64%; SciFi 51%; Romance 33%; Mystery 23%; Horror 7%Other: PNR, UF, SFR, Thriller, HistoricalMany read all or a variety of genres.
3. Do you prefer a story written in the point of view of one character or more than one? Answers: One POV 23%; 2 or more 31%Many readers did not care as long as the POV was obvious. A few complained about confusing switches in POV for some stories. 
4. Do you like stories that emphasize adventure or romance? AnswersAdventure 83%; Romance 32%; 26% of readers said “Both” (included in separate categories). Other readers said they enjoy adventure with a little romance. 

Are these answers helpful to you? Please comment. Aurora
You can subscribe to my newsletter - SignUp and receive a FREE copy of Grand Master's Pawn. 


Or Have a Look at My Other Books - http://www.auroraspringer.org/p/my-books.html

Blasted bad timing - snippet for #WeWriWa #SciFi #amwriting

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories.
Okay, I’m biting the bullet and offering a snippet from my WIP. It’s at 53k words and I’m editing. Among other things, I have to deal with killing off one minor character and rewriting him out of later scenes. This story has several deaths.
Current Tag line: What alien creatures lurk under the ice crust of Europa? See NASA's artist's concept of the setting.  

Here is the beginning of my story. It’s not a final version and any suggestions will be especially appreciated. [Note, slightly irregular punctuation to fit.]
The Solar Spirit shuddered, slamming Nikki onto the steel floor of the passage. Alarms wailed; red lights flashed warnings. Biting back a scream, Nikki scrambled onto her feet. A second jolt tipped the floor into an awkward angle. Her boots lifted from the tilted floor and she spun slowly in midair. Styx; the ship’s artificial gravity had failed. What next? No life support? She groaned inwardly; what blasted bad timing. The Solar Spirit had begun decelerating and she had expected to reach Europa in less than two days.
Sorry - no cover yet. 

For the first time in 2017, Books 1-3 of Grand Msters’ Galaxy are 99c until August 16th. Read about this Epic SciFi Fantasy Series with Adventure & Romance here:  http://www.auroraspringer.org/p/grand-masters-galaxy.html
Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1:   Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   B&N   GooglePlay Grand Master’s Game, Book 2:  Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   B&N   GooglePlay Grand Master’s Mate, Book 3:  Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   B&N   GooglePlay
You can also pick up 99c and Free eBooks in Science fiction, Fantasy and Romance, or enter a giveaway to win a KindleFire. See previous post - https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/08/weekend-sale-160-x-99c-scifi-fantasy.html


As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments. Please return to www.wewriwa.comto sample the works of the otherwriters.

Weekend Sale - 160 x 99c #SciFi & Fantasy eBooks - Plus #FREE

Weekend DealsAug 5-6: 100 SciFi & Fantasy eBooks at 99c each! http://pattyjansen.com/promo

Aug 5-7: Big Sale >60 #SciFi & #Fantasy #99c eBooks http://www.tgermann-sf-guy.com/our-august-big-sale
Sign up for FREE Stories

July 30-Aug 5: Instafreebie Sci-Fi & Fantasy Plus GiftCard Giveaway - http://ccekeke.com/august-promo

Aug 6-13: Instafreebie Romance Giveaway http://SecretWoodsbooks.com/promo 
Giveaway for Kindle Fire
Aug 1-31: Enter "Back-to-School" Blast Giveaway for KindleFire Plus SciFi & Fantasy ebooks http://www.newadultnoir.com/giveaways/win-a-kindle-fire-hd-tablet-21-young-adult-new-adult-sci-fi-fantasy-novels/

Series Special: First 3 Books of Grand Masters’ Galaxy at #99c Each #IndieSFF

Are the Grand Masters the guardians of the galaxy or a threat to civilization? Empath Violet seeks the truth. Explore a world with aliens that slither, rattle and fly. Enter a universe where psychic powers are real. Teleport across a galaxy ruled by the mysterious Council of twelve Grand Masters. Start this thrilling SciFi Fantasy series with Grand Master’s Pawn.
Read about the series here - http://www.auroraspringer.org/p/grand-masters-galaxy.html
Sale runs for first two weeks in August. 

Grand Master’s Cat, Prequel noveletteWhen Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans.  99c at Amazon

Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1One woman challenges the super psychics ruling the galaxy and finds an impossible love. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, young empath Violet must battle the most powerful beings in the galaxy.Available for 99c at  Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   B&N   GooglePlay

Grand Master’s Game, Book 2Psychically linked lovers fight the powerful Grand Masters dominating the galaxy. The Griffin devises a risky plan using Violet as bait to uncover the culprits bent on destroying the galactic portal web.Available for 99c at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay

Grand Master’s Mate, Book 3Young empath, Violet Hunter, and crafty Athanor Griffin tackle the villains threatening civilization. Their worst enemy rampages across the galaxy, while blocked portals prevent normal interplanetary communications.Available for 99c at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay

Cosmic Rift, Book 4Empath Violet embarks on a new and desperate mission to find her missing lover. She must risk her son, her psi-powers, and her life to rescue her beloved mate in the hope they can unite to fight the new menace threatening the galaxy.Available for $3.99 at  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay

Dot and Misty - snippet from Gargoyle Hunt for #WeWriWa #UF

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors . Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories.
This week, I’ll continue the scene from Gargoyle Hunt, Book 3 in my Secret Supers series. Gargoyle Hunt is set in England and has scenes in some of my favorite places.
BlurbDanger is the last thing on Estelle’s mind when she visits the University of Oxenford for a summer course. But, mysterious thefts from the archives and shadowy figures on the ancient walls propel her into action. With Toby five thousand miles away, Estelle and her winged horse must hunt for the culprits alone. Soon they are embroiled in a mixed bag of aliens and ancient magic. Toby’s unexpected arrival throws her into turmoil and spurs events into a climax. Under pressure from his family to succeed, Toby is trapped in a web of deceit. The two supers have less than two weeks to catch the crooks and salvage his reputation. 
Setting for snippet: Estelle (aka Super Starrella) is visiting West Kennet Long Barrow near Avebury stone circle as part of her summer abroad at Oxenford University. The mound and chambered tomb of the Long Barrow are popular with new age visitors. Estelle’s winged horse, Rockette, is with her in her pigeon disguise. Italics indicate their telepathic communications. When Estelle climbs on top of the mound, she sees two middle aged women with four small dogs. Note: Farleons are aliens with superpowers who live in secret among us.
You can read last week’s snippet here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/07/meeting-on-burial-mound-snippet-from.html(Apologies for slightly irregular punctuation to fit 8-10 sentences.)
If the mare could hear the dogs, Estelle guessed they must be Farleon animals. She sat on the grass and the dogs lay down and licked her bare legs, “Thanks, I’m visiting Oxenford for a summer course.” Nudging her companion with an elbow, the plump woman said, “I’m Misty Tibbit and my partner is Dot Farthingale.” “Estelle Wright; I’m from Atalanta in the United States.” The pigeon waddled closer. “And who is the bird that isn’t?” Dot asked in her astute fashion. “Are you British Farleons?” Estelle breathed. Misty nodded, “I am on my father’s side. Dot is something else.” The dark haired woman blinked and stared across the fields into the distance.

Gargoyle Hunt is 99c until Monday!US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDT6Y7Y/International: http://authl.it/B01MDT6Y7Y/?d(FREE with Kindle Unlimited)You can see some photos from my trip to Avebury and Kennet Long Barrow early in July at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/07/avebury-and-associated-neolithic-sites.html

Super Starrella, Book 1, is 99cUS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/International: http://authl.it/B01C7WC8R6?d

Starrella Falls, Book 2, is 99c until 31stUS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT1W8AW/International: http://authl.it/B01HT1W8AW?d
As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments. Please return to www.wewriwa.comto sample the works of the otherwriters.

99c and FREE #eBooks - This week's Deals in Multiple Genres

Secret Supers series on Special this week - http://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2017/07/secret-supers-series-5-days-of-special.html

July 24-28: Show Me the Muscle - 99c Books - erinbedford.com/promo

July 10-31: Kickass Female Leads! Multiple Genre - FREE eBooks http://www.lincolncole.net/freebies

July 24-30: Lose Yourself in Free Books - http://www.andreadomanski.com/promo 


July 1- 31st: IF Fantasy Preview - FREEbies at https://dechapmanauthor.wordpress.com/giveaways/

Secret Supers Series – 5 Days of Special Prices #Superhero #YA

Praise for the Secret Supers“Super girls and flying horses. What more do you need?”
“the world building is fabulous, the characters well-rounded, and this plot is just FUN!”“interesting, intriguing, and fast moving action.”
July 24-28th
Super Starrella – Free 

The quiet summer before her freshman year turns frighteningly weird after Estelle Wright trespasses onto an Army base. Blown into the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Not to mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own. Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting the students at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classes with sneaking out of the house after dark to battle alien monsters. Estelle’s life is in danger, but who can she trust: handsome Mark Copper from military intelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike? Both men have secret agendas, but falling in love is not in their plans.
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7WC8R6/International: http://authl.it/B01C7WC8R6?d


Starrella Falls - only 99c 



College freshman Estelle Wright has it all: a superpower, a flying horse, and a hunky boyfriend. All is threatened when her old enemy swears revenge, ruthless killers target Atalanta, and Toby is under pressure to dump her. But, Estelle’s knack of finding trouble scuttles his plans. Their lives are at stake and they face agonizing decisions where the wrong choice will lead to disaster. 
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT1W8AW/International: http://authl.it/B01HT1W8AW?d





Gargoyle Hunt – only 99c 

Danger is the last thing on Estelle’s mind when she visits the University of Oxenford for a summer course. But, mysterious thefts from the archives and shadowy figures on the ancient walls propel her into action. With Toby five thousand miles away, Estelle and her winged horse must hunt for the culprits alone. Soon they are embroiled in a mixed bag of aliens and ancient magic. Toby’s unexpected arrival throws her into turmoil and spurs events into a climax. Under pressure to succeed, Toby is trapped in a web of deceit. The two supers have a week to catch the crooks and salvage his reputation.  
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDT6Y7Y/International: http://authl.it/B01MDT6Y7Y/?d