Introduce Yourself

[Alain]

Cathy wrote: "We've made fun of it in another group here that I'm a member of. We came up with all kinds of ridicilousness. "eye roll" buttons and so on..."

Oh my goodness. That would incredibly useful. My life now feels incomplete without such a button!

Equally important would be the "raise an eyebrow" button.

[Maria]

Cathy wrote: "We've made fun of it in another group here that I'm a member of. We came up with all kinds of ridicilousness. "eye roll" buttons and so on..."
I *need* an eye roll button!!!

[Sandra]

0)? eyebrow raise? 0oOoO ? or (O) ? eye roll? Just playin' around.

[Cathy]

Alain wrote: "Equally important would be the "raise an eyebrow" button. "
Geek! :-)

We also need a "Srsly?"-button.

[stormhawk]

':| for the brow raise?

[Alain]

stormhawk wrote: "':| for the brow raise?"

I like this lol.

The eyebrow raise is such a useful facial expression. When someone says something not so intelligent, a well placed brow raise is usually enough to quell any further dumb remarks. It's extremely effective in making my violin students feel guilty as they list off why they simply could not practice for a week. It's also a good way to react when you see things like an overturned golf cart in your apartment parking spot.

[stormhawk]

I thank Mr. Spock for my ability to do this.

[Jonathan]

Hello,

My name is Jonathan Gould and I'm a Melbourne based writer and reader. I like to read a variety of types of books, ranging from pure sci-fi and fantasy to other different genres - but I always like there to be some kind of fantastic element in there.

As a writer, I'm not sure if what I do could really be termed sci-fi or fantasy - I like to write humorous and entertaining stories and again a fantastic element often creeps in.

I've recently both purchased a kindle and read my first book on it and also published my first ebook via Amazon. I'd love to get some feedback if anyone is interested.

I've only just joined goodreads and am still figuring out things as I go. If anyone's especially interested in humorous fantasy, I'd love to be in touch.

[Tuttle]

Hi. I'm Tuttle, I go by that online even when people know my real name (its hilarious to have my boyfriend talk about my as Tuttle out loud and have confused people). I never introduced myself when I joined. I joined from KindleBoards, and use a kindle 2. I grew up reading primarily fantasy, as a teenager added classic sci fi, and still primarily prefer those. The one club I belonged to in college was the sci fi club. I'm one of those strange math people that many people can't understand.

But I like my books and my kindle and love bringing my kindle into the bathtub, swimming pools, the ocean, or whereever else there's water.

I tend to read

[Tad]

Hey there, I'm Tad and I'm a sci-fiaholic. My friends keep telling me to grow up and read Eat Pray Love. Which I did. It made me want to add a "Drink" part.

I'm a night cops reporter and I occasionally require a reality break. The more gritty and realistic, (rather than pie in the sky Space Opera) the better.

Anyway, greetings all.

[[deleted user]]

Hi all,

I'm John, I'm from Rohnert Park, California, which is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco. Sci-Fi is my favorite genre, whether it's from books, movies, or TV shows. Some of my favorites are Robert Heinlein, Richard K. Morgan, John Scalzi, and Arthur C. Clarke.

I'm using the latest generation Kindle wi-fi only version, which I've had since the end of January and haven't been able to put it down. :-)

[Carl]

Hi, all,
Thanks for admitting me in to this group.
I'm a theoretical physicist as well as a sf author. Although I'm pretty well established as a short story writer (mainly in Analog Magazine), I'm now starting all over as a novelist. I've eight titles up on Kindle/Nook: five novels and three anthologies.
I have a Nook reader, and when our local Borders went under, I picked up a Kobo reader, cheap. For plain reading of books, I prefer the Kobo (e-ink).
I look forward to joining discussions in this most interesting (at least to me) group.

Wizards of Science

[Shane]

Hello! My name is Shane and I have no relation to the five foot nothing cowboy who needed wood blocks tied to his feet to look bigger than the bad guys. I was born in 1982 and showed zero aptitude for math or intelligence in general, although I had an adventurous streak about a mile wide and almost gave my parents a heart attack on multiple occasions. I later graduated with honors with my degree in Physics after pulling a “Good Will Hunting” maneuver, minus the girl. Drawing inspiration from “Forest Gump", I am currently training for the Leadville 100. This is a 100 mile long trail running ultra marathon at an altitude of 12,000 feet. I hope that running myself stupid beyond exhaustion will serve as a midwife to my next novel, since drugs are currently rather expensive. Living in Colorado, I enjoy trail running, sport bike motorcycles, rock climbing, backcountry snowboarding by myself while frolicking in fields of avalanches, Frisbee, backpacking for months at a time and I’m utterly dog deprived. Much of my writing draws from Colorado, adventure, that can-do frontiersman attitude, and physics. When not tempting fate in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, I push my mind by reading, writing, learning more about science, and spellchecking Einstein’s work.
I have written two eBooks, “The Terra Conscripts” and “Earun Frontier: Blasted Band”. Sci fi and fantasy respectively. They are available at Amazon.com and at www.shanelandproductions.com. I look forward to feedback and reviews, so feel free to check out sample chapters and leave your comments. The first is about an alien species that drops off all their convicts and most dangerous predators on near future Earth, then leaves. Pretty much makes an Australia out of the entire planet. The other is about a gunblade toting, spell wielding tattooed cowboy, and set in an environment that draws information from the American Revolutionary war and western expansionism. Cowboys, lycanthropes, dragons and more. Check it out!

[Kelly]

Hi, I'm Kelly, and I love to read sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery novels. I wasn't introducted to sci-fi until college (let's say about 10 yrs ago), so I still consider myself a bit of a noob when it comes to the genre. My favorite authors include Arthur C. Clarke, Margaret Atwood, Connie Willis, Alastair Reynolds, and S.M. Stirling.

In addition to reading, I love a few television shows, most notably Star Trek: TNG, just about anything Joss Whedon, the newer Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG-1. I pretty much give any show with a sci-fi or fantasy theme a chance.

I am very snooty about my Kindle, and I refuse to buy a replacement even though mine lacks color, touchscreen, and wi-fi :-)

[Al "Tank"]

Kelly wrote: "Hi, I'm Kelly, and I love to read sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery novels. I wasn't introducted to sci-fi until college (let's say about 10 yrs ago), so I still consider myself a bit of a noob when it ..."

Welcome, Kelly. You could have color, but then your eReader wouldn't even last a day before it needs a recharge. And who cares? Most adult books are B&W inside, so color is a waste of money AND you wouldn't be able to read outdoors on a sunny day.

[Scott]

Hello, everyone... I'm Scott, originally from the Chicago area now living in downstate Illinois. I've just joined Goodreads today, and I'm still finding my way around here, seeking out groups of interest. I used to be an avid reader and I'm trying to get back into it and hopefully find some good recommendations here. My current eBook reader of choice is my newly purchased Kindle. I also write fiction as a hobby, having self-published a novel and some short stories.

Thanks!

[Samantha]

Hey everybody. My name's Samantha, from upstate NY. I live on a farm and milk cows to pay the bills. When I'm not getting covered in bovine poop, I'm reading, writing, or spending way too much time on Twitter and various forums. I've self-published 4 books so far (1 high fantasy novel and 3 urban fantasy novellas in a series). Right now, I'm working on a series of short stories about a paranormal nanny. Not sure if I'll create a collection for Kindle or just post them on my blog.

[Harper]

Hello, I'm Harper Kingsley.

I live in Washington State and I write. I am hoping that at some point in the future I could possibly just write for a living, but that's all fingers-crossed to me.

I have several books on Amazon and I'm hoping to add more ASAP.

I like reading/writing sci-fi and fantasy. I watch a LOT of TV while I'm supposed to be doing other things ;) I like to cook, and I tend to be a midnight baker.

[Samantha]

Harper wrote: "I watch a LOT of TV while I'm supposed to be doing other things ;)"

That's my downfall, too. I always have the TV on while I'm writing, and it doesn't work out well most of the time.

[Daniel]

Hello,

I'm Dan, currently typing from Maastricht in the Netherlands. I'm a biomedical researcher at Maastricht University where I study all the slimy stuff on the inside of your veins and arteries. I'm from New England, most recently Boston. I have a love/fear relationship with books, as good novels suck me in and trap my brain until I finish them. I'm sure many of you know the feeling, open a book after dinner and the next thing you know its 2 in the morning. :D

My sister gave us a kindle for christmas this past year and suddenly all these english language books are at my finger tips. I adore it and I've read more books in the past six months than I have in five years. My tastes run the gamut of scifi and fantasy, although my current favorite series is the Dresden Files.

I'm a writer/creator myself and my current on going project is comic entitled: Walking the Lethe you can also read it on the web at: http://walkingthelethe.com

Looking forward to exploring more books with you.

[G]

Hi all! I am...what am I, exactly? I do write, but I haven't published anything. (Yet.Yet!) I majored in math, then proceeded to forget everything I learned over the last 8 years or so. (I did find a bunch of old psets the other day, and all I could think was, "I used to be really smart...") I've industry hopped quite a bit. I was raised in NYC, and now I'm NYC adjacent. As a kid I read like every book on the planet had an expiration date, and you had to get your fill before the Great Collective Book Death of Aught Seven, or whatever, but then life kept getting in the way, and stress, and somehow I got to the point where I wouldnt finish anything.

And then I got an ereader.

Eerything is so much easier now! Except for all the catching up I have to do. I, too, love Pratchett, and of course Gaiman is awesome, and I am fond of Hitchhiker, and I have pleasant if vague memories of fantasy books from childhood (David Brin? David Eddings? Many others who's names escape me), and I am psyched to troll this group for more stuff to read.

Thanks!

[Brandy]

Hi, I'm Brandy Hunt. When I was a teenager and in college, I was a big Scifi/Fantasy reader, but then I got interested in Horror and post apocalyptic novels, then college became graduate school where there isn't much time for pleasure reading.

Anyway, I've recently found my way back to Science fiction through the Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde. Looking forward to reading more from him and others in the genre.

Brandy Hunt

[Richard]

Hello,

My Name is Richard Due. I started off as an avid SF&F reader. In 1991 my wife and I opened a brick and mortar bookstore, Second Looks Books. Twenty years later and we're still slinging books!

Most recently, I've started a young adult fantasy series. You can read about that (and read the first two chapters for free) here: http://wp.me/p1BEjH-2U

I enjoy Edward Eager, Jasper Fforde, Andre Norton, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Roger Zelazny, Terry Pratchett, E. Nesbit, Lord Dunsany, Neil Gaiman, and many more.

All the best,

Richard Due

[U.L.]

Hey, guys I'm U.L. Harper. Like many of you I'm an author. Here's the thing. I didn't know my recent novel had anything to do with sci-fi until somebody told me. So I wouldn't consider myself a sci-fi writer though I like reading...the good stuff.

Anyway, I'm hoping to make "friends" through this thread because why not and also it'd be cool if my book was considered for reading and hopefully review. For a limited time it's available at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/... for free using code NN25V Hope to talk soon with you guys. I'll be around.In Blackness

[Neil]

Hi, I'm Neil. I live in NJ with my wife and two kids in a house that has too many books. The majority of those are the remnants of an online SF/F bookstore I ran for about seven years. You can often find me at northeastern SF conventions selling off that inventory.

I'm currently the editor of an online science fiction magazine, Clarkesworld Magazine, which was last year's winner of the Hugo for Best Semiprozine and a 2011 nominee in the same category. I also run Wyrm Publishing and design ebooks for a few small press publishers and magazines. My most recent accomplishment is getting Clarkesworld available for subscription on the Kindle and I'm currently trying to find a way to do the same for the Nook at B&N.

I'm an avid reader and for over twenty years, my day job has been in educational technology. I'm currently the Technology Director a small private school. Yes, ebooks play into the day job as well. Can't escape them.

I own a Kindle, the back of which is covered with signatures. Who says you can't get an ebook signed? :) Can't say I have a preferred device, but I do prefer epaper devices for reading ebooks. Looking forward to trying out a Mirasol device at some point.

[Carl]

Hi, Neil,
Nice seeing you here. Glad to see 'Clarkesworld' continues to do well.

Best,
Carl Frederick
Wizards of Science
The Trojan Carousel
(et. al.)

[Stephanie]

Hi, my name is Stephanie. I joined the group a few months back when I got my Kindle and have been meaning to join in the monthly book club. Today I downloaded the next book, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, so I am ready to go!

In terms of interests, I have definitely been reading a lot of 'epic fantasy' lately. Though as a science-minded lady, I do love a good science fiction novel now and again.

My husband and I share a lot of interest in books, but I am a faster reader (plus after graduating from grad school, I find myself with a lot more time) and sometimes get impatient to talk about my favorite parts with him. :) I am looking forward to reading something new with others and glad I found this group!

[Erika]

Hi All,
My name is Marybeth and I am really exited for this group because I have a kindle and love sci-fi and fantasy. I have just been getting into the genres so I am still a bit new and have lots to learn.

[Sue]

I've been a member for a while, but I wanted to announce that a sequel to Homecoming is out: Tourist Trap. also, in honor of my 500th blog post I am hosting a drawing November 19 for a free copy of Homecoming or Tourist Trap. http://homecomingbook.wordpress.com/2...

[Untreed]

Science-Fiction, Fantasy and eBooks? Sounds perfect! We're Untreed Reads, an indie digital publishing house with two years and 300 titles under our belt.

We believe in DRM-free eBooks, reasonable prices and accessibility to all. Our editor and co-founder has spent the past ten years in the industry, first as a renowned blogger and now as a publisher and distributor.

We also have a soft spot for the fantastic, with a growing collection of fantasy and science-fiction books. Our authors have penned novels but, given the utility of the eBook format, we're also publishing short story serials such as Space: 1889 & Beyond, The Roads Through Amelia by Joshua Calkins-Treworgy and the now complete The Zagzagel Diaries by Bryl R. Tyne.

As new books are released we'll be posting announcements here. We hope you'll come check out our current catalog at our website-- we even have a fantasy/scifi imprint called Orbits. Just to show you what we're up to, here's a quick list of our latest:

Space: 1889 & Beyond: Ghosts of Mercury by Mark Michalowski

Big Red by Lorraine Sears

Merely Players by Blair Dalton

How Genius Girl Saved My @$$ by Garry McNulty

The Clean Slate Accord by Sofia Diana Gabel

Please get in touch if you have any questions about Untreed Reads or the authors who make us what we are. You're invited to come check out our Goodreads group (new but growing) as well as our official blog.

[Trey]

Hello all, I'm Trey.

From the moment I watched my first Star Trek episode-a rerun of "The Enemy Within"-I was hooked on science fiction. Soon after discovering Dungeons & Dragons in the 80s, I folded in a love for fantasy and my adolescent imagination was off and running.

Since then I've stoked my passion for speculative fiction with the greats: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (of course), Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Douglas Adams, Frank Herbert, Tad Williams, Terry Brooks, David Eddings, L. Ron Hubbard, Piers Anthony, Terry Goodkind and many more. The works I admire most entertain while sharing a vision.

I live in Central Virginia with my loving, supportive and patient wife, where we both do our best to prioritize raising our three boys. When not writing, I operate a marketing business focused on creating and selling Internet advertising opportunities for multiple college sports websites.

I am excited to join the group and look forward to being an active participant for years to come.

[Weenie]

Hey all

/waves

My Kindle was a Christmas present last year and I've found that I now make the effort to read more often.

Grew up watching Battlestar Galactica, Blake's Seven, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (no I didn't fancy Buck, I wanted to be Wilma Deering!) but at the time, I wasn't really interested in reading sci-fi.

These days, I read mostly Fantasy, crime/thrillers and sci-fi - in that order - but I'm hoping to read more sci-fi starting from next year.

[D.M.]

Hi all. I'm Danielle, enjoying reading your introductions :)

[Cloey.k]

Hello All, I am Cloey.k and yes I am a SFF geek. My favorite reads are sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy, and mysteries. I live in central New Jersey and love reading with my Nook. My son gave me my first Nook last year for a birthday gift and my Nook Tablet for Christmas this year – sweet! I am looking forward to reading and discussing books with you. Friend me and lets share reading lists – I am reading Karen Chance, Rose Pressey, and Jim Butcher what are you reading?

[Trey]

Weenie wrote: "Hey all

/waves

My Kindle was a Christmas present last year and I've found that I now make the effort to read more often.

Grew up watching Battlestar Galactica, Blake's Seven, Buck Rogers in the..."

I had a huge adolescent crush on Wilma Deering, and I loved the show too;-)

[Michael]

Hello,
My name is Michael and I'm a big fan of ebooks. I've sold about 70,000 copies across 5 titles and my series was recently picked up and republished by Orbit (fantasy imprint of big-six Hachette Book Group).

Just wanted to mention a bit about the books in case anyone might be interested in finding some new stuff to read.

THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS: Unlikely Heroes...Classic Adventure
There's no orphan destined for greatness or ancient evil to destroy…just two rogues in the wrong place at the wrong time. What starts as a simple assignment to steal a sword continues across six individual episodes of ever escalating adventures that puts two ordinary thieves in extraordinary situations which will shape the rule of power in the world of Elan.



I'm anxious to be a part of the group - and am off now to explore!

[Chris]

Hi All,

My Name is Chris and I'm a bookaholic 29 year old from Canberra, Australia. Actually, since I bought myself a Kindle in Mid last-year I have made an effort to read far more than I have in the previous few years combined.

My Favourite Authors in order of preference (at the moment) are Janny Wurts, Ian Irvine, Raymond E. Feist, Katharine Kerr, and George R. R. Martin. I have only just started reading A Game of Thrones though so George R. R. Martin could shoot up my list soon.

As you have probably gathered from my Favourite Authors I tend to stick mostly to Fantasy, and I rarely read Sci-fi, this group should change that a bit though :).

I work in IT as a Systems Admin, and do some Development/Scripting on the side. I have a wife and a (nearly)3 year old daughter. My daughter loves books too, and most nights she gets 4 or more books read to her to get her to bed. I look forward to her being old enough to experience The Secret Garden as I did when my mother read it to me.

This year I hope to cover off reading some more Classics, such as Dickens, Bronte (at least one book per sister), and Jane Austen (I'll try to get through most as my wife loves her works). I hope that this broadens my taste a little before I move on to some harder tasks such as the Three Musketeers and Anna Karenina.

I've pledged to read 26 books this year, though childrens books will probably push me over this threshold pretty quickly, so I will only count novels in my list :).

Cheers, Chris.

[Rosemary]

G'day all, stumbled across GoodReads from Amazon, Kindle and I thought I'd join up and join in the conversations.

So you want to know a bit about me? Well I'm an Aussie author based in Queensland, Australia. I'm married to a wonderful man and we have two 'fur kids'. I've always loved reading, favourite authors being Susan Cooper, Charles de Lint, Mary Stewart, Arthur C. Clarke and Jack Whyte. Am especially partial to fantasy (which is why I write in that genre). Currently am writing a new fantasy novel, and also am a published poet.

http://www.rosemaryfryth.com/

[Rosemary]

G'day all, I've only just discovered GoodReads and thought I'd wander by, join up and join in.

So you want to know a little bit about myself? Well I'm an Aussie lady author and poet who lives in Queensland. I've been a bookworm all my life and especially love the works of Charles de Lint, Mary Stewart, Susan Cooper, Jack Whyte, Jean M. Auel and Arthur C. Clarke. I'm also very partial to fantasy (which is why I write in that genre) and only last month self-published on Kindle my heroic epic fantasy trilogy - 'Riothamus'.

I'm married to a wonderful man and have two 'fur kids' here at home.

http://www.rosemaryfryth.com/

[Janet]

Hi, my name is Janet McNulty. I am new to goodreads and love to read fantasy/sci-fi. I recently bought a Nook and am enjoying it immensely. I love the fantasy genre and am looking for some ggod books to add to my Nook. Anything with a good story and new fantastical world.

I am also an author and am writing my own fantasy series. I published my first novel Legends Lost Amborese, the first in a trilogy, and it is available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble in ebook format. Also, I am writing the second book in this series. Writing is what I do when I'm not reading.

www.legendslosttrilogy.com

[A.J.]

Hello my name is Anderson
I live in the State of Connecticut. I love the movies my favorite movie is the matrix. i like reading scifi and fantasy novels. I am currently reading one about ninjas and assasin called "a dance of cloaks." When I found goodreads.com I thought it would be an awesome website to find people that are like me, like minded folks. Thought I make some friends online and promote my new short story novella called "Cursed by the Chance" which is now available on the kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

Honestly I am looking for people that would review my novella and give some criticism and leave reviews for me.

Hope everyone is having a happy new years so far.

Anderson

[Barry]

Hi, My name is Barry, and I read via kindle apps on my phone/mac, and a Sony reader. Currently reading Embassytown and Hyperion, the writing is awesome in both cases. Also a fan of Iain Banks, David Brin, Asimov, Clarke, Asher, Herbert, and Dick, amongst others.

I'm also a kindle author, having produced two Scifi books and various stories (www.barrykirwan.com), which is how I got into ebooks in the first place.

I love most Scifi TV shows, from Stargate Universe to Fringe, but despite CGI, the silver screen can't compete with a good book and a reader's imagination!

Nice to 'meet' everyone.

[A.J.]

Barry wrote: "Hi, My name is Barry, and I read via kindle apps on my phone/mac, and a Sony reader. Currently reading Embassytown and Hyperion, the writing is awesome in both cases. Also a fan of Iain Banks, Davi..."

Nice to meet you Kindle friend... I think I should add you. http://anderson-martinez-says.blogspo...

[Terry]

Hey, I'm Terry from NYC. I read and write fantasy. I don't do as much Sci fi as I used to when I was younger and in love with Asimov. My favorite authors are Sanderson, Martin, Jordan, Weeks, Sprunk, Lawrence, Arenson, Dalglish, just to name a few.

I own a kindle but I now use my Xoom tablet religiously or my cell phone.

[[deleted user]]

Hi. Karl, from Richmond, California (yes, there is a Richmond in California). Have been reading SF for 45 years, fantasy for a shorter period. Brin, Gaiman, Pratchett, but my new favorite is Patricia Leslie , just out on Kindle (there's a hardcover too). I rate her writing as just below vintage Pratchett, and well above Snuff.

[Markm]

Hi all my name is Mark. I'm from the Dallas Texas area. I am also a huge Star trek fan,LOTR,Thomas Covenant... if I go on I will take up all space in this time continuim Yes also a Dr Who fan.

[Steph]

Hello all,

I've just joined Goodreads, mostly because I've just bought a Kobo Touch and so hope to be reading a lot more on the daily commute. I'm also an author of science fiction with one ebook published so far (more to come later this year). I read mostly sci-fi and I am currently dipping into the works of Alastair Reynolds. Hello Goodreads!

[Janet]

Hi, Steph! Welcome to Goodreads and good luck on your book. I also just published a couple of books. One nonfiction, and one fantasy.

[Jamie]

Hi everyone!
I am Jamie. I joined here to get some more idea's of books to read. I have been reading the Harry Dresden series and like it. I also just finished a number of Steven King novels, The Stand being the most recent.

[Wilco]

Hi, I am Wilco, Living in Almere (near Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
I have read SF and Fantasy from age 8 when i cut my teeth on the Hobbit, never looked back, and now turned 51, i still love the genre. I have a nice collection of books in the attic now gathering dust since i discovered ereading, i still love them, but the convenience of ebooks is just to good. My wife and i both read a lot, although her tastes run a wider spectrum then my do (SF/F and Crime/Detectives). She reads anything with words ;-) I hope i will feel at home here!