Former Introduction Thread Showing 3,301-3,350 of 6,846

[T.M.]

Howdy!

I was directed here by one of my recent readers...so still making my way around and getting familiar with the group.

By way of introduction...I write sci-fi short stories and novels (mostly space opera featuring my space pirate Aston West), when I'm not designing aircraft at my day job.

I've really gotten into reading the Jack Campbell Lost Fleet series...have tried some of the others (Orson Scott Card, Alistair Reynolds) and just haven't gotten into them. Being published by small presses and going the self-pub route a few times, I also have a soft-spot for new authors I come across.

Other than that, not much to introduce...

[Vardan]

Hi, I am Vardan. I am 29 and live in Armenia. I am working at a foundation trying to rebuild the villages of my country and in the spare time love to read and write. I am proud to be the first Armenian published post-apocalyptic sci fi book author. I would like to meet new people and get engaged in interesting discussions on a variety of topics!

[Suzi]

Hi, I'm Suzi, and I was born before women were allowed to wear pants to teach in Los Angeles schools. Reading the other introductions reminded me of so many writers I love, it's hard to pick, but here goes, I enjoy the work of Philip K. Dick (who wrote the first science fiction I ever read), Octavia Butler, Orson Scott Card, Ursula Le Guin, Charles DeLint, Marge Piercy, Harlan Ellison, Robert Heinlein, Douglas Adams, William Gibson, Vonnegut, Joanna Russ, Nancy Kress, Philip Jose Farmer and Effinger, to name a few. I know I'm missing tons of names - like Asimov! I've been known to read other things as well, but science fiction is invariably what I choose when I want the most absorbing, relaxing, entertaining experience. I am also a writer, but that is all I'm going to say about that. I live inOakland, CA, with my poet Husband Marc, our cat Girlie, a deeply loved television, and 8 Ikea Expedit book cases full of books, plus more in the rest of the house, and my kindle.

[Mark]

My name is Mark and I am a self published author through amazon and kindle. My first novel "Untoward" is a fantasy novel with LGBT aspects (not erotic). I'm willing to send anyone a free ePub, mobi or PDF file of my book that wishes to read it and lend me their feedback.

I live in Fairfax, Virginia and am a civil servant for the county. I have a domesticated lynx named Thor O'Neill.

I enjoy reading scifi and fantasy, Agatha Christie novels, along with anything having to do with ancient Rome (fiction or non).

[Joe]

Hello! My name is Joe P. I am 61 and teach as a chem adjunct at a ne Ohio college. I am a retired chemist. I started reding scifi many years ago,in college and I come back to every now and than. My favorite authors are Dick, Farmer, Heinlein, and Silverberg. My favorite book is To Your Scatterred Bodies Go. What a great premise for a whole series of books. Only the first 3 are great and the idea kind of peters out after that. Any comments on PJF and the river world series!

Joe P.

[Suzi]

Hi, I'm Suzi, and I was born before women were allowed to wear pants to teach in Los Angeles schools. Reading the other introductions reminded me of so many writers I love, it's hard to pick, but here goes, I enjoy the work of Philip K. Dick (who wrote the first science fiction I ever read), Octavia Butler, Orson Scott Card, Ursula Le Guin, Charles DeLint, Marge Piercy, Harlan Ellison, Robert Heinlein, Douglas Adams, William Gibson, Vonnegut, Joanna Russ, Nancy Kress, Philip Jose Farmer and Effinger, to name a few. I know I'm missing tons of names - like Asimov! I've been known to read other things as well, but science fiction is invariably what I choose when I want the most absorbing, relaxing, entertaining experience.

[D.L.]

Vardan wrote: "Hi, I am Vardan. I am 29 and live in Armenia. I am working at a foundation trying to rebuild the villages of my country and in the spare time love to read and write. I am proud to be the first Arme..."

Wish I had room for that many bookcases! The vast majority of my collection are in various containers tucked under items of furniture or piled on windowsills. Always wanted a real writers study with bookshelves on each wall and a green leather writing desk. I don't think it's too much to ask, unfortunately children want a room of their own these days...

[D.L.]

That was to Suzi!

My reply to Vardan should have been:-

Congratulations on the achievements and for the good work!

[Ali]

Hi, My name is Ali.I born in a rural region in north-east of Iran. There was a small public library that was kind of resort for me to flee from harsh daily life and drown myself in mysterious worlds of fantasy. I was 9 that I had gifted a brilliant novel of Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. And that great author opened the gates of wonderland to me. Then I became a huge fan of sci-fi when I read short stories of Ray Bradbury and Isaak Asimov. However I had not accessed to many sci-fi books (because many of them were not translated into Persian and the library was limited) I grew up with Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Crichton, Stanisław Lem, and Vonnegut. But there were not many people around me who like this specific genre of literature too, actually, there wasn't any. Until I met this amazing website and found out there is a lot of like minded and wonderful people around the world who share their interests and reading experience here on Goodreads. So I really love this place and want to find best friends among you.Recently I tried to improve my English reading skills and started it by 1984. I wish to be able reading masterpieces in the original language and even some day write a novel by myself. What an unattainable dream :) I know...

[Kimberly]

My name is Kim and I've just joined goodreads. I'm all alone, please add me to your friends.

I love Horror, Sci Fi, Fantasy and Classic lit. My older brother introduced me to Horror as a kid and I fell in love with books that scare the heck out of you. I lean more toward Horror in Sci Fi and Fantasy. I'm always happy to get recommends. I don't want to read any vampire romance or YA lit.
I write a poem which I hope to publish, but posthumously because I'm too shy to do it alive!

I just finished G.R.R. Martin's 'The Armageddon Rag' and I've recently started reading Dan Abett's 'The Founding'

[Paul]

Hi My name is Paul.

I'm 31 years old and love Fantasy books and some scifi.

Just finished reading the Hunger games and quite enjoyed those.

Currently reading The Painted Man as I am in the UK.

[Penny]

Welcome everyone! :)

So many new members! Looking forward to hearing from you all in the group discussions and polls and the like.

Happy reading!

[Mike]

Hello fellow readers!

My name is Mike, I was born in March '81.
I go through reading cycles- I spend some time on fantasy, then move to Sci-Fi, which drives me to actual science books (Hawking, Tyson, etc... i'm a BIG science junkie)- then I usually do a biography or political book which gets me upset with the real world and I move back to fantasy again.

Fantasy: I've loved Song of Ice and Fire for years- I was very happy when I heard they were making the HBO show, and it doesn't disappoint. I was very much in to reading Forgotten Realms for a while, but haven't done that in years as now I go for more unique worlds.

Sci-Fi: Orson Scott Card I enjoy, but I get aggravated when there is a conflict on how I see physics actually working and how the author portrays it.
Douglas Adams is brilliant, as is Robert A. Heinlein of course.
I liked I, Robot but I felt it was more of a teenager book and that soured me towards Asimov unfortunately, though Foundation Series is obviously without Peer, I'm not a big fan.

Oh, and I'm used to be addicted to comics, Marvel- and I'm trying to get back in to them as well.

Hope to have some fun and engaging conversations moving forward!

[Vardan]

hi my name is Vardan,,,I am from Armenia, which is a little country on this planet Earth :) I love sci-fi, adventure, thriller, PA, dystopian fiction and am a big fan of Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, Harry Harrison, Alfred Bester, Philip K. Dick and Stephen King. I do some writing myself and have one published novel and another in the pipeline. It is great to be part of the group and I look forward to some quality discussions with the group members! Cheers!

[Gregory]

Hello, my name is Gregory. Like you, I appreciate sci-fi. And probably, like most of you, I enjoy a variety of sub-categories.

I am grateful for the popular and fun action sci-fi works and franchises. They hooked me, leading to a deeper appreciation of the genre.

Lately I find myself seeking out classics. It is amazing to me how relevant the issues are, despite the changing technology. Well, that is human nature.

I am a veteran video game developer, and like some of you, also an author.

I look to good interactions with you in the future.

[Christian]

Howdy. Born in... the previous century. Read a LOT of SF in high school. Then shipped off to Sweden as an exchange student for my senior year. Survived that nicely, thank you. Came back to the states. College for a year. Played in and wrote lyrics for rock bands (highlight: opened for Santana in Omaha). Did some theatre. After 10 yrs, a BA in Journalism. Off to California. Shingled roofs. Hired as a copywriter for Altec Lansing (if you know audio, you've listened to their speakers). Then hired by Disney's home video division. 2 years. Lovely time. Left the Mouse, wrote ads & scripts for video, tv & film. Our house burned in the wildfires of '93. Moved back to my home ground in the Midwest. Bought a farm. Started volunteering with animal rescue groups. Wrote my first novel. Sold it in a two-book deal to a Brit genre publisher. It'll be out in May of '13. Follows the adventures of a novice exoveterinarian specializing in big, dangerous alien animals. In a cloister. On Mars. And now, I'm here talkin' at ya. So.... how's trix?

[Mike]

Christian wrote: "...Wrote my first novel."

Hey congrats man, make sure you keep us posted on how that goes.

[Philip]

Phil M here. Star Trek over Star Wars and its a National tragedy that Firefly was cancelled after 12 episodes...okay, good to go.

[D.L.]

Phil wrote: "Phil M here. Star Trek over Star Wars and its a National tragedy that Firefly was cancelled after 12 episodes...okay, good to go."

Good man and well said.

[Philip]

D.L. wrote: "Phil wrote: "Phil M here. Star Trek over Star Wars and its a National tragedy that Firefly was cancelled after 12 episodes...okay, good to go."

Good man and well said."

"What does that make us? Big damn heroes! "

[Mary]

Hello,

I am 41 year old. I am an mother of two. My daughter is 20 and my son is 18. They are doing good in school. I am very proud of them.
I am most proud of my boyfriend, Author Rusty Nugent. His series Moonwarriors are the very best heroic werewolves vs evil vampires novels. I am as happy as one could be.

Mary

[D.L.]

Stop, you'll have me welling up and singing the ballad of Jayne if you're not careful.

[Camilla]

I'm Camilla, born dec. '93 in Denmark and I'm a great fantasy fan.

I'm trying to write a trilogy as a practice for improving my language as it I'm (judging by my name) obviously not a native speaker. I might publish it on Amazon when I'm done, but for now I will keep on working. (Might start recruiting beta-testers some day - If I can find the courage to show other people my work)

I truly enjoy reading a lot and buying new books (it's a curse by now - my apartment is not that big...), but I recently got into e-books. I bought a kindle yesterday actually, so it might even out the balance between filling up my apartment until there's no room for my boyfriend and filling up my kindle-library.

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing what new books this group will contribute with to my ever-growing library!

[Philip]

D.L. wrote: "Stop, you'll have me welling up and singing the ballad of Jayne if you're not careful."

"A man walks down the street in a hat like that, you know he's not scared of anything."

[D.L.]

Phil wrote: "D.L. wrote: "Stop, you'll have me welling up and singing the ballad of Jayne if you're not careful."

"A man walks down the street in a hat like that, you know he's not scared of anything.""

*laughs* We should stop before someone goes and gets the chain of command. An immense show, though. Made me wonder why science fiction western isn't a more popular genre. Also made me wonder why television executives are allowed anywhere near a schedule.

[Philip]

D.L. wrote: "Phil wrote: "D.L. wrote: "Stop, you'll have me welling up and singing the ballad of Jayne if you're not careful."

"A man walks down the street in a hat like that, you know he's not scared of anyth..."

Yeah, guess the banter isn't really "introduction "material at this point. Oh well. Pleasure meeting you and looking forward to the group. I became a "fan " and added one of your books "to read". See you and everybody around the group.

[D.L.]

I think you may be my first fan! *laughs* Now if only I can tap into everyone else's television preferences, I'm a made man. I've not long joined GR myself, but everyone's been really nice so far. Drop me a line if you come across any space-western novels!

[Rod]

Hi all! I am of course a big science fiction fantasy fan. I am new to goodreads and just looking to get more involved in the site and with other like-minded readers. I'm 28 years old and like I said am looking forward to emersing myself in the goodreads scifi community. Feel free to check out my profile or message me with any recommendations. Look forward to chatting with everyone.
Rod

[Juliana]

Hi everybody. I`m Brazilian and since 2012 I live in Oslo, Norway.
I`ve always been a good reader and love fantasy books. From a couple of year I discovered that I like SciFi books too.
I hope that been in this group can make me discover more interesting stories to read.

[John]

Camilla Mejlby wrote: "I'm trying to write a trilogy as a practice for improving my language...I might publish it on Amazon when I'm done, but for now I will keep on working. (Might start recruiting beta-testers some day - If I can find the courage to show other people my work)
"

Camilla: I am a Goodreads author with a book published on Amazon, B&N, etc. -- eBook, paperback, and hardcover -- and a second one on the way. All I can say is keep writing, and don't be afraid to show your work to others.

I wrote for many years, just for my own enjoyment; but when I finally showed it to some friends, they immediately encouraged me to publish. Publishing is much easier today than ever before, and that's why we have such a wonderful selection of books to read.

[Sooz]

Phil wrote: "D.L. wrote: "Phil wrote: "Phil M here. Star Trek over Star Wars and its a National tragedy that Firefly was cancelled after 12 episodes...okay, good to go."

Good man and well said."

"What does t..."

Phil! D.L.! two men after my heart!

i rewatch Firefly -topping it off with Serenity- at least once a year. so many many good lines ..... as in:
Wash: this landing could get interesting
Mal: define interesting
Wash: oh my god! we're all going to die!

oh and the opening scene .... Wash and his dinosaurs and his classic line:

curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

good to know Firefly is still appreciated. and yeah star trek over star wars any day .... EVERY day of the week. no contest.

[Camilla]

John wrote: "Camilla Mejlby wrote: "I'm trying to write a trilogy as a practice for improving my language...I might publish it on Amazon when I'm done, but for now I will keep on working. (Might start recruitin..."

I really appreciate the encouragement! However, I do think it'll be a while before I'll show it to anyone except my editor/boyfriend. I have a long way to go. But it wouldn't be fun if it was that easy anyway!

[Meg]

Hi everyone!

I'm Meg, I am a young author in South Australia and my catch phrase it I'm a nostalgic romantic that writes action sci-fi, go figure.

I love very specific sci-fi and fantasy books, off the top of my head I've loved The Time Traveller's Wife, White Horse and a Wrinkle in Time best.

My own book is called The Order's Experiments, it's a Sci-fi/action/drama with some Urban Dystopia in the mix. I self-published through Xlibris, however being a student and new to the game, and despite getting a professional editor and more, I published it with typo's and errors, so I am currently working on the second edition of the book.

I have my own blog here - http://megeichmann.blogspot.com.au/
and on it I would love to feature other author, or would love any feedback from my fellows :]

Otherwise, I love archery, bush walking, pens and journals (that I practically collect).

I can't wait to get know more of my fellow readers and writers and look forward to learning my way around the group!

[Peter]

Greetings, my names Peter, guess what I like SF?Fantasy/Horror, hardly original I know but what the heck.

Live on the windswept NE Coast of England.

My favorite authors of the moment are EE Knight, SM Stirling and John Ringo, but I am open to new imputs and thoughts by other group members.

[M.L.]

Hello, everyone.

My name is Matt. I've lived in Central Washington with my wife and son for almost five years now; we're originally from California where I attended the University of California, Davis.

A few of my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury, Raymond E. Feist, Ed Greenwood, and David Eddings.

[Rey]

Hi everyone. I am the king geezer (1953) and a new member of this group and of goodreads. I am retired after a 35 year career at Motorola, and am now semi employed as a solo guitarist and vocalist. I have an interesting upbringing....I was born in Cuba and in 1961 all first graders were tested to determine potential. I was to be shipped to Russia to go to school, and my parents packed me up and sent me to live with a family in Miami...by myself at 6 1/2 years of age!! When they found out I was gone my dad got thrown in jail for two years. We ended up reuniting as a family and moving to new Orleans.
I have been a voracious reader since as a very young kid my grandfather gave me a set of books of fairy tales from different countries. this set the tone and I have always been drawn to the imaginative and fantastical, whether world building, hard science fiction, or full on heroic fantasy. As to books, I have read most of the usual sci fi and fantasy series

Dune (all of them)
Heinlein (most of them,particularly the Valentine M Smith ones)
Bradbury
Asimov
Lord of the Rings (would read the trilogy annually at Christmas time....22x)
Wheel of time (just finishing the last book)
David Eddings
Robert Bakker
Steven Erickson (Malazan book of the fallen is a tour de force)
Robin Hobb
and many many more

Recently I have gotten into a series of books by Michelle West called the House War.....very good as well.

I live according to Heinlein's maxim "....anything worth doing is worth overdoing" and as such I collect music, books, wine, great food and most importantly interesting people. Thanks for having me in the group and I hope that I can exchange views with all of you.
Big Rey

[John]

Rey wrote: "Hi everyone. I am the king geezer (1953) and a new member of this group and of goodreads. I am retired after a 35 year career at Motorola, and am now semi employed as a solo guitarist and vocalis..."

King Geezer? Hey... gotcha beat by eight years (1945). Age is just a number... just published my first SF novel last year...

[Billy]

My name is Billy and my favorite authors are David Gemmell, David Drake, David Farland (I might have something for the Davids lol), Robert E. Howard, Ed Greenwood, and for non-fantasy Steven Pressfield and Donna Gillespie. Basically I go for the fast-paced stuff with lots of action and generally favor warrior characters.

I also write my own books which tend to be about super tough female warriors sort of in the vein of Druss, Conan, or Beowulf. :D I have two books out along with some silly short stories, and have another novel coming out early next month.

[Vikkram]

Hi all,

My name is Vickram E. Diwan and I am a published author from India.

My short stories in the mystery & romance categories have been published by XOXO publishers and I am looking forward to the release of my first Historical Romance novel set in Nazi Germany and next a paranormal/vampire story 'X-files from British India'.

I am happy to be part of your group and hope I will be able to contribute to the lively discussions here.

In case anyone is interested my links are:



You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tBXZG...

Blog: http://vickramediwan.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/vickramediwan

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vickramediwan
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vickram...

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4...

[Doc]

Greetings! I was born in the early 70's and read like a rabbit until I was in my teens. For some unknown reason I stopped as I began my pursuit of the opposing gender's attention.

A few years ago I received a Kindle for Christmas and it spurred my interest once again. My friend was a big sci fi fan and he recommended the Dune series. Loved it. I have read all of them, even the latest terrible gap fillers. I also love mystery/thrillers but my focus is primarily science fiction.

[[deleted user]]

Hi everyone!

Good to be here. I've only recently discovered Goodreads and I'm amazed with what I missed. I wish I found this place sooner.

Anyway, My name is Cody Thomas, and I was born in Idaho in 1989. I grew up in Wyoming, where I served a short stint as a medic in the Army National Guard.

I honestly hated Wyoming. I liked the outdoors, but I hated the cultural isolation. I recently moved to western Washington and I love it here!

I am working on my biology degree and I hope to one day become a physicians assistant.

I'm not going to try to promote my book, but I am an aspiring author of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I thought I read alot, but most members of Goodreads has put me to shame. I'm currently trying to read more (not enough hours in the day!). I love science fiction (good stuff, not the "space marine" unrealistic stuff). I also like my fantasy. What I don't like, however (I don't know why) is when science fiction and fantasy mix. I like 'em separate.

I'm excited to be part of this group!

[Amber]

Hi Cody :) Goodreads is a pretty awesome place!

[Alan]

Cody wrote: "What I don't like, however (I don't know why) is when science fiction and fantasy mix. I like 'em separate..."

You say you don't know why - which is fair enough, but I would like to understand a bit more. Do you have any examples? The ones that come to my mind are McCaffrey's Dragonflight series - and there, the fantasy side was well established as Fantasy before there was any hint of SF coming in - and (sorry) in my opinion the early books are the best, and by the time we saw some SF, the series should have been reaching its natural end, the ideas were pretty well mined out (and that was back when Anne McCaffrey was still writing them on her own, no help from Todd, and J L Nye was not involved).

Another thought . . . the metapsychics in Julian May's "Saga of the Exiles" could be regarded as super-powerful magicians - but the whole saga is dressed up as SF.

Don't get me wrong - I really liked the early McCaffrey and the May - but this mixing needs looking at!

Further comments anyone?

[Billy]

And what about 'space marine' style fantasy? :D

[Dominic]

Hi all. Im 25 born 1988 in devon. From reading a few comments i feel like I'm quite young and inexperience but open to new things as im sure everybody else is. Anyway, i moved around from a young age a lot and never got into reading. Not in till i was 16, there was a book fare on in my library and for a joke to impress my stupid popular buddies, i stole a book. It was stupid and wrong but i cant regret it because that book ended up becoming the first book i ever read. It was "across the nightingale floor" by Lian Hearn and from there i read the entire trilogy. As the years passed i got stuck into historical fiction from the likes of simon scarrow and conn iggulden. An i also dabbled in a few crime books. But nothing felt at home intill my friend recommended me to read dans simmons hyperion last year. It blew me away, since then ive read all four books. Plus read enders game and stars are my destination. And currently reading issac asimov caves of steel. As i hear he is the godfather of sci fi or most probably one of them. So there you have it, im new to good reads And this is my first group im joining so sorry for the newbie traits.

[Gnrevolution]

Hi there name's Dan only stumbled across goodreads a few days ago and this is the first group I've joined. Born in 1975 and living in London I've pretty much been raised on fantasy and sci-fi and read some of the best (and worst) books around. Hope to have some interesting discussions about the genre.

[Geri]

HI!
My name is Geri and I was born in Los Angeles in 1966 Holy Crap! I have spent most of my life in the Pacific NW and I am the mom of a great kid just graduating from college and I am proud to say that I introduced him to all kinds of scifi that I love to read.
My faves are the all the golden age guys
Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Bradbury. I adore Ursula Le Guin, Dan Simmons, Kurt Vonnegut. Hp Lovecraft, and many others. And I working my way through the subgenre of steampunk with K. W. Jeter, China Mieville and Scott Westerfeld. I also am a huge fan of William Gibson and Neil Stephenson in particular. WHen I am not reading and knitting, I'm knitting and listening to Swedish Metal. I plan on writing the knitting and sci fi crossover.

[[deleted user]]

Alan wrote: "Cody wrote: "What I don't like, however (I don't know why) is when science fiction and fantasy mix. I like 'em separate..."

You say you don't know why - which is fair enough, but I would like to u..."

I'll have to check those out. I'm sure fantasy/scifi mixes can be done well. What I was mostly commenting about was a trend I've been noticing with science fiction that ignores the science. I've always thought of science fiction as something that could, one day, be possible, and Fantasy as something that will never be possible. So when I'm reading a science fiction and it's trying to be serious, yet has aliens in it who act like humans (only look different) I'm turned off. When I read something that claims to be science fiction, I want science fiction.

I was also talking about another trend I'm noticeing, about the stereo typical "space marine" mostly influenced by video games like Halo or Mass Effect. I'm sorry, but a book about "space marines" fighting aliens is over used, and should be considered action, not science fiction. I don't think everything set in the future or set in space, should be considered science fiction. If a romance is set on a spaceship, it's not science fiction, it's romance.

That being said, as long as it's well written, anything can be good. I'll check out those books you've mentioned. Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

Dominic wrote: "Hi all. Im 25 born 1988 in devon. From reading a few comments i feel like I'm quite young and inexperience but open to new things as im sure everybody else is. Anyway, i moved around from a young a..."

Hey Dominic. I know exactly what you mean-I feel young and inexperienced as well. I'm only 23.

I don't think a lot of people around our age are into reading enough to be part of a website like this. They are all too busy playing video games or other things (which I do, but reading is still my favorite form of entertainment).

We are rare. But it's up to people like us to help our generation keep the passion for reading and writing alive.

[Rey]

That is a good point. I also would like to find a different description than fantasy for the genre that I will call "occult vampire wolf romance at twilight". Although some of those are better than others (and most are pretty bad tommy taste" I hate having to dig through dozens of them looking for real fantasy. There is a comment here somewhere about Lestat turning over in his grave, but that is bait gratuitous.....