Matthew S. Rotundo's Blog, page 2
September 1, 2016
Petra Goes Wide!
Some of you might have been wondering when the ebook edition of Petra might become available epub (i.e., non-Kindle) format. Wonder no more!
Petra is now available in your most popular ebook outlets, like Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and more. You can even find it in the iTunes store. And of course, if Kindle’s your thing, we’ve got you covered there, too.
And so I continue to build my nefarious media empire . . .
Current Music: "Stone the Crows"--Down
August 25, 2016
Join the Scavenger Hunt and Win a Copy of Petra or Petra Released!
Now that all three installments of my Calico in Conversation interview are live, it’s time for a little game . . . and you could win a free ebook copy of either Petra or Petra Released!
See, it’s a scavenger hunt. All you have to do is correctly three questions about the interview, and you will be entered in a drawing for your choice of either ebook. You only have until August 30th to enter, though, so hurry.
(They’re easy questions, don’t worry.)
And the more people who enter, the more freebies will be available. See here for details and spread the word.
What are you waiting for? Click here to get started!
Current Music: "Wild One"--Thin Lizzy
August 4, 2016
Next Stop on the 2016 Rotundo World Tour: MidAmeriCon II
The 2016 Rotundo World Tour rolls into Kansas City for MidAmeriCon II, aka the 2016 WorldCon. And kids, let me tell you, I’ll be busy. Here’s my schedule:
Wednesday, August 17th
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm Volunteering at the SFWA Table (Convention Center, Dealer’s Room)
Stop by and say hi.
Thursday, August 18th
10:00 am — 12:00 pm Writing Workshop 1B
All sessions are filled.
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm As You Know, Bob . . . : The Fine Art of Exposition (Convention Center, Room 2209)
Exposition is writers giving readers information they need to understand a story. How is it possible to convey the necessary but not at the expense of the enjoyable? We try not to lecture…
3:00 pm — 4:00 pm Launch Pad (Convention Center, Room 2210)
Launch Pad is an annual event whereby a group of invited writers, editors, and creatives learn about modern science, specifically astronomy, so that they can in turn use it in their work and inspire others. Members who have attended Launch Pad discuss how it has affected their writing and ideas.
Friday, August 19th
10:00 am — 11:00 am The New Space Opera Golden Age on the Screen (Convention Center, Room 2503B)
There appears to be a resurgence in space opera on the silver screen, including The Force Awakens, Jupiter Ascending, Interstellar, and Guardians of the Galaxy, not to mention new TV shows like Babylon 5, The Expanse, and the forthcoming Old Man’s War. Is this an encouraging sign that public interest and enthusiasm for science and SF is on the rise? Is this resurgence manifesting in literature as well? What more do we want to see?
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm Why “A Long Time Ago . . . ?” (Convention Center, Room 3501F)
George Lucas set Star Wars in a galaxy far, far away, but also a long time ago. What is the importance of setting his saga in the distant past? How would our perceptions of it have been different if it were set in our time in a galaxy far, far away or if it had been set in the future?
4:00 pm — 5:00 pm 50 Years of Star Trek, Part Two: The Influence (Convention Center, Room 3501H)
Star Trek is fifty years old. It has inspired writers to write, children to become scientists, scientists to become astronauts and fans to write erotica. It has an enormous influence and in this session we take a look at the myriad of ways it has done so for a disparate group of people around the world.
Saturday, August 20th
11:00 am — 1:00 pm SFWA Business Meeting (Convention Center, Room 2205)
Open to SFWA members only.
4:00 pm — 5:00 pm Autographing at the SFWA Table (Convention Center, Dealer’s Room)
I’ll be back at the SFWA table on Saturday to autograph copies of Petra and Petra Released. Note that due to Missouri law pertaining to non-profits, I can’t sell anything at the SFWA table itself. But I will have copies of both books, which you are welcome to purchase from me any other time. If, you know, you’re of a mind.
Sunday, August 21st
12:00 pm — 12:30 pm Reading (Convention Center, Room 2202)
You know my motto: come for a treat, stay for a tale! I always bring treats to my readings.
See what I mean about being busy? And that’s just during the day. At night, I’ll be bopping around the parties and such.
Ah, WorldCon. Can’t wait. Hope to see you there!
Current Music: "Voodoo Chile"--Jimi Hendrix
Calico in Conversation Interviews Your Humble Servant (Me)
The fabulous Shara White is the brains behind the Calico in Conversation interview series, in which she chats with various authors about . . . well, whatever comes up in conversation. And this month, her featured author is, uh, me.
Part one of the interview is here. Part two will go up on the 9th, with part three following a week later. I’ll update this post with the links when I have them. The interview was conducted over several months, and covers a variety of topics. Of course, there’s plenty of talk about Petra and Petra Released. But we also discuss lessons one can learn from karaoke, politics in fiction, and even a bit about Harlan Ellison. Because Harlan Ellison, that’s why.
This interview was a lot of work. But a lot of fun, too. So do check it out.
Current Music: "Tears"--Rush
July 25, 2016
The Wait Is Over: Petra Released Is Now Available!
Petra Released, the second book of The Prison World Revolt series, is now available here!
The prison world is free. Or is it?
A grieving Kane Pythen, exiled on Petra light years from his family, has found a haven among the inmates he aided in a failed escape attempt. But after a devastating attack on their settlement, he must lead a dangerous foray into Bone Tribe territory, in search of a new home before the impending winter finishes them off.
Worse, the expedition uncovers a plot to seize control of Petra that could kill millions, including Kane and his friends. The shadowy forces in Farside are on the move, too, intent on eliminating all enemies. And in Ported Space, the powerful Petra Compact is hunting for the explosive prisoner records that were smuggled offworld—which have fallen into the hands of Kane’s wife, Tayla . . .
The battle for Petra has just begun. Kane and Tayla must brave merciless enemies and unlikely allies to save themselves and all they believe in.
If you enjoy the book, please consider leaving a review for it where you bought it, or on Goodreads, or on your own blog.
And if you still haven’t read Petra, well, now’s the time to get caught up.
So? What are you waiting for?
Current Music: "The Fountain of Lamneth"--Rush
July 17, 2016
Next Stop on the 2016 Rotundo World Tour: Bennington Public Library
The 2016 Rotundo World Tour rolls into Bennington, Nebraska, for an appearance at the Bennington Public Library on July 26th, at 7:00 pm.
By cosmic coincidence, that just happens to be the day after Petra Released drops. Copies of it and Petra will be available for purchase. And if you’d like me to deface your books with my signature, I will be happy to oblige.
Odds are there will be a reading. And some Q & A. And treats.
If you’re local, or if you just happen to be in the area, stop on by!
Cuz, you know, it would be awfully awkward if no one showed up.
Once again, that’s Tuesday, July 26th, at 7:00 pm.
Hope to see you there!
Current Music: "Between the Wheels"--Ruch
July 16, 2016
Coming Soon: Petra Released
Ever since the release of Petra last December, people have been asking me when the next book is coming out. I had originally hoped for sometime in April, but everything takes longer than I think it will. But now I’m confident in making this announcement:
Petra Released, the next book in The Prison World Revolt series, will be released on July 25th, 2016. Read on for details. And check out that awesome cover!
The prison world is free. Or is it?
A grieving Kane Pythen, exiled on Petra light years from his family, has found a haven among the inmates he aided in a failed escape attempt. But after a devastating attack on their settlement, he must lead a dangerous foray into Bone Tribe territory, in search of a new home before the impending winter finishes them off.
Worse, the expedition uncovers a plot to seize control of Petra that could kill millions, including Kane and his friends. The shadowy forces in Farside are on the move, too, intent on eliminating all enemies. And in Ported Space, the powerful Petra Compact is hunting for the explosive prisoner records that were smuggled offworld—which have fallen into the hands of Kane’s wife, Tayla . . .
The battle for Petra has just begun. Kane and Tayla must brave merciless enemies and unlikely allies to save themselves and all they believe in.
Look for Petra Released, the second book in The Prison World Revolt series, on July 25th. And tell a friend!
Current Music: "Dance of the Dogs"--Lynch Mob
July 2, 2016
Petra on Sale! And a Bunch of Other Great Books, Too!
There’s a whole host of science fiction & fantasy ebooks on sale this weekend for 99 cents each. And Petra is among them!
That’s right, folks, the Kindle edition of Petra is only 99 cents this weekend! Click on the image below to see all the titles available.
Thanks to the inimitable Patty Jansen for organizing this. Click through and enjoy!
Current Music: "The River"--Bruce Springsteen
June 28, 2016
Out of the Darkness
Wow. The blog’s been dark for a couple of months now. That’s a long stretch of time. Let me explain.
No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
I’ve been slowly working toward getting Petra Released ready to unleash on the world, and I’m crap at multitasking.
But I thought a brief post to the effect of “I’m not dead” might be in order. In fact, you can expect a flurry of activity soon. News, like winter, is coming.
In the meantime, hi. Hope you’re well.
Current Music: "Under the Radar"--Joe Bonamassa
April 17, 2016
Next Stop on the 2016 Rotundo World Tour: CONgregation
The next stop on the 2016 Rotundo World Tour is CONgregation, April 22-24, here in sunny Omaha. I’m doing a couple of panels:
Saturday, April 22
10:00 am – 11:00 am Writing Workshop (Ballroom A)
Join award-winning author Matthew S. Rotundo for a fun and interactive writing workshop. Bring paper, pen, and imagination!
Sunday, April 23
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Reading (Ballroom B)
Come for a treat, stay for a tale! Matthew S. Rotundo will bring the treats . . . and the tale. There might even be a prize!
I’ll have copies of Petra with, in case by some weird chance you haven’t purchased yours yet. And of course, I’ll be happy to sign them.
Hope to see you there!
Current Music: "I Wonder"--Indigenous
