Former Introduction Thread Showing 3,401-3,450 of 6,846

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Matthew]

Hi everybody,

I'm really siked to join this club. After reading some of the other members' comments, I find myself wowed and intimidated by the reading experience by you all in the genre.

I'm young (18) and have only been seriously reading sci fi/ fantasy for three years now. I hope to get the most out of this club by reading many of these books which I've never heard of.

Thus far I've read the Dark Tower series, A Song of Ice and Fire series, first three Wheel of Time, Neuromancer, a couple Heinleins, A Canticle for Leibowitz among others. If anyone has any book suggestions to get started, I'd be glad to take them into consideration.

Thanks!

[Alicja]

Hi! I'm Alicja and I grew up in a Star Trek family which I think cultivated my love of sci-fi. I pretty much read anything these days that sounds interesting and not just sci-fi stuff. Anyhoo, hi all!

[Patricia]

Hello, I am new to this group but not new to sci-fi/fantasy. I started reading fantasy in 1987 when my aunt gave me her Anne McCaffrey collection. In high school, I started reading Arthur C. Clarke and I couldn't get enough after that. Unfortunately, my new reading addiction was ill supplied, because I didn't know that the library carried so many books in this genre. It wasn't until graduate school that I was finally able to start an in-depth journey into sci-fi/fantasy. I still haven't made it through all the books in the library, but I am working on it.

Some of my favorite authors -
Guy Gavriel Kay
Orson Scott Card
Melanie Rawn
Robin McKinley
Peter Brett
Patrick Rothfuss
Ray Bradbury

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome...and good luck. Of course we here will do our best to pile so many "to be read" books onto your list that can't possibly ever read them all in one life time.

It's our calling.

[Doctor]

Hello, all. My fake name is Doctor MC, Mad Scientist, and I am a pornographer.

More to the point for this group, I am an author of porn that's set in a fantasy or science-fiction world.

If this offends you, feel free to GOTO end of post.

Else continue reading, and I promise you an interesting tale.

Knowing that I am a pornographer is sometimes hard for me to wrap my brain around. When I as a youth first understood what the word 'pornographer' meant, I imagined a drooling man with three days' growth of beard and wearing a trenchcoat, who is pecking away at a manual Underwood typewriter, as a smelly cigar burned in a nearby ashtray.

Now I've found out that the reality of being a pornographer is very different--for one thing, the typewriter in my closet is a Smith-Corona. ;-P

How I got to this place is unexpected.

Starting in 2009, I started writing stories for a story-porn site that I visit weekly. I wrote two novel-length stories that were particularly well received.

In 2011 I discovered that Amazon was selling self-published paperback novels and ebooks. I had a mainstream novel (written under a different name) that I had tried for years to place with a publisher; I decided in 2011 to self-publish that novel.

The reality of self-publishing a novel for Amazon means doing lots of things for the first time: formatting a manuscript in Word 2010 to be printed as a 6 in. by 9 in. paperback; designing a wraparound cover for the paperback book; formatting the book for Kindle, and formatting the book for EPUB.

I never expected this first mainstream novel to sell well; I was mainly putting it up as a learning experience to benefit future novels. My idea in 2011 was, when I get ready in 20XX to publish a "bestseller," I'll know how to do it.

But then in 2011 it occurred to me: Instead of publishing only the one mainstream novel I'd written, why not publish also my two porn novels that I'd serialized at that story-porn site? Three novels published instead of one would mean three times the technical experience.

This is what I did, publishing all three novels in Spring 2012. I considered my two porn novels to be only "practice swings"; it wouldn't have hurt my feelings at all if I'd never sold even one book.

But that's not what happened. Only people who were members of my high-school-alumni Facebook page bought my mainstream novel, but strangers started buying my porn novels. By the end of 2012, I'd received twenty-nine dollars in royalties for my mainstream novel, and twelve hundred dollars for my two porn novels.

In 2013, I've come out with another porn novel (a Star Trek parody) and a women's-erotica short story. I'm really proud of my Star Trek parody.

Now that my three porn novels and one erotica short story are earning me decent money, I'm writing another mainstream novel.

Anyway, that's me as a writer. What about as a reader? I generally don't go for hard science fiction--the exception being Dragon's Egg. I generally go for soft science fiction, fantasy, and time-travel/parallel-worlds/alt-history. I agree with Stephen King that vampires should be deadly, not sparkly.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

...okay, well that's life. No not offended by what you do, just not a fan so to speak. Welcome to the discussion group.

[Nigel]

Hi, my name is Nigel, and I'm a scifi addict. Really, it's hard for me to read something that isn't scifi. I'm not as big a reader as I used to be, since I discovered the Internet. Still, I love a good scifi novel, and I'm in the process of reading several.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, I still consider myself a New Yorker. However, the other day I was shocked to realize I've lived in Phoenix, AZ longer than I lived in NY. Twenty three years, to be exact. I just moved here with my Mom when I was eighteen, expecting to move somewhere else when I got older. I hate the heat with a passion. Yet somehow I found a job, met my wife, and I've been here longer than I expected.

Douglas Adams is, I think, my all-time favorite author. He taught me it's possible to tackle real issues of scifi, but not to take them so seriously. Second place goes to Michael Crichton, and I'm not just talking "Jurassic Park." He re-defined science fiction by writing it in a way that felt more like a modern thriller than scifi.

I'm also a writer, but I won't shill that here.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Penny]

Welcome everyone!

Matthew wrote: "If anyone has any book suggestions to get started, I'd be glad to take them into consideration."

Matthew I'd highly recommend checking out the club bookshelf for some great reads! I'm still working my way through the list but I recently read Dune and The Dispossessed as part of my "read 50 of the book club books by the end of the year" personal challenge and I thought they were both amazing! You can find the books the club has read here: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/34...

[Jim]

Matthew wrote: "Hi everybody,

I'm really siked to join this club. After reading some of the other members' comments, I find myself wowed and intimidated by the reading experience by you all in the genre.

I'm yo..."

Add some Douglas Adams and Jack Vance to your reading list :-)
Then dabble in a little Matthew Hughes, I'd recommend his archonate stories

Find what you enjoy and enjoy it :-)

[Jim]

Alicja wrote: "Hi! I'm Alicja and I grew up in a Star Trek family which I think cultivated my love of sci-fi. I pretty much read anything these days that sounds interesting and not just sci-fi stuff. Anyhoo, hi all!"

reading is about stuff you enjoy, if you're not enjoying it, it's probably a waste of time reading it

[Cheryl]

Hello everyone! I'm new to Goodreads and I'm happy to have found this group. I enjoy sci-fi/fantasy books and am looking forward to participating. :)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Aaron]

'ello all.

I guess my name is evident. I published my first book almost a year ago and am cranking out a second (and a third and fourth and fifth, etc. It's said that Isaac Asimov wrote upwards of 12 books at a time so I suppose I'm not entirely out of my mind). I try to take a hands-off approach to the marketing bit, despite the obvious downside. I simply don't have the time it takes to engage in all the marketing suggestions put out there for self-pubbers. I also like to think my story will speak for itself (or will speak for themselves) and that my profit comes in the form of readership, not sales. For now I'm willing to let that organically grow.

My favorite authors of the sci-fi variety are Asimov, Sagan, Crichton, Herbert; although, I'll admit lately I don't have much time to read. I'm not sure how all these other authors find time to read so much. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. However, I've been carrying around the current series in my head for about 7 years and just now getting it down onto paper. Maybe once I get it all out my mental energy won't be so tapped. Guess we'll see. Mostly, I enjoy books (and authors) that have a somewhat existential thread running through them, and that's what I'm leaning toward when writing.

About me - I have a 19 year old son and was a social worker for chronically mentally ill adults for 10 plus years. Also did crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Didn't get "burnt out" so much as I decided to finally do what I felt I was built to do, which is to write. That's pretty much what I do now. I'm lucky enough to be in a situation right now that allows me to be a "starving artist."

Oh, I also work for the Estate of Nina Simone.

That's about it for now.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

Hi, I'm Lit Bug - I stumbled upon this group while searching active groups focused on science fiction. I'm beginning my Ph.D. on feminist cyberpunk, and I'm relatively new to the genre of SF. Which is why I'm seeking groups where I can interact about SF and get recos and read good stuff.

Thanks!

[Jim]

Lit Bug wrote: "Hi, I'm Lit Bug - I stumbled upon this group while searching active groups focused on science fiction. I'm beginning my Ph.D. on feminist cyberpunk, and I'm relatively new to the genre of SF. Which..."

It's certainly a specialist branch of the literature. One question that strikes me is why are genres splitting off into so many subgenres now?

[[deleted user]]

Hi, My name is Holly. I am 46 and grew up in NC where I still live. My reading background is quite diverse. When I was young, I hated reading. Growing up in the back woods of NC, the only books my mom read were romance so I did not know that there was anything out there besides love stories which I detested. During college, I took an English course in Science Fiction where I discovered a whole new world. From there, I found Anne Rice and Stephen King and my reading world exploded. I currently read a lot of scifi/fantasy with a little mystery/thriller thrown in. My favorite authors are:

Anne McCaffrey
Charlaine Harris
Patricia Briggs
Kathy Reichs
Dean Koontz
Orson Scott Card
Anne Rice (older works)
Piers Anthony
Rick Riordan
James Rollins
Terry Brooks
James Patterson
JK Rowling

I also prefer scifi/fantasy and action/adventure movies too.I am not into chick flicks although I do like the Vampire Diaries. But I much prefer True Blood and I can't wait to see the Game of Thrones although I plan to finish the books first.

I am always looking for new exciting books to read so any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Holly. Welcome.

I grew not far from you I imagine. I grew up in TN on the other side of the Smokies from you. We used to occasionally take "day trips" to places like Bowing Rock and Chimney Rock. I lived on a farm to but discovered I loved reading, mostly through the school library. My dad had a collection of Zane Grey and those weren't bad. I got a couple of books as gifts as a kid, one was a Tom Swift. I also used to lay in the floor and just read the encyclopedia, LOL.

I live in Nashville now, think you'll like it here. Welcome again.

[Jim]

Hi Clive, good to have someone else along who's old enough to have read widely :-)

[[deleted user]]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi Holly. Welcome.

I grew not far from you I imagine. I grew up in TN on the other side of the Smokies from you. We used to occasionally take "day trips" to places like Bowing Rock and Chimney Ro..."

I actually grew up near the coast but live in central NC now. My inlaws live in the NC mountains so I go to that side quite often.
As for the school library, in elementary school I would go to the library, check out books and never read them. In high school,I only remember going to the library three times. The only books I was required to read for English class were books that we read together and there was only one of the in 9th, 10th and 11th grade. My school was not very good as far as the English curriculum.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I guess it depends on how you get "aimed" when young. My parents weren't big readers as such. I learned to read in the first grade, but I also learned how to sound out words and never looked back. Where we lived I could never get to a "public library" (till I was in high school, we moved) but I read whatever I could get hold of.

I'm glad you found reading whenever it happened . We'll all do our part to get a "to be read list" that you can't possibly complete...ever. :)

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

it's certainly a specialist branch of the literature. One question that strikes me is why are genres splitting off into so many subgenres now?

Guess it makes it easy to explain in a few words what we are exactly talking about - and it makes a genre systematic too.

[Jim]

Lit Bug wrote: "Guess it makes it easy to explain in a few words what we are exactly talking about - and it makes a genre systematic too. "

I don't know whether you're covering it but steam punk and cyberpunk have both branched out into clothing and design, and that is one area where a lot of Women have a lot of experience, skill and flair, and are rather dominating those fields

[Joy]

Hey. I'm Joy. I'm fifteen years old, and read at a College level, although most of those books are arduous. I prefer the fictional world of magic and Fae to anything. When I was in first grade, when they gave me tests, I was in the third grade reading level. The first book I ever read by myself was 'Henry the Owl.' It was one of the children books where there was actually a full sentence on each page. And awesome pictures. I loved those pictures. I was introduced to the world of fantasy when I was in second grade, when I read Harry Potter for the first time. That was when I was plunged into the fantastic world of magic. I soon discovered other books that had awesome things like unicorns, and faeries. It wasn't long before I discovered steam-punk, and sci-fi. I love reading. and bunnies. bunnies are amazing. If you ever want to write a short story with me, I'd be happy to! I love writing!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome, enjoy.

[Ms. Nikki]

Hello, all. My name is Nikki and I've been lurking around for a while now, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time I introduced myself. I read a bit of everything except non-fic and can't wait to spend more time with this group.

Questions: Is there a place for Buddy Reads?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Nikki, welcome. I don't think we've started Buddy reads here...yet, though if I'm wrong someone will correct me.

Just suggest a book and get a group together and start a thread. Should catch on, it has elsewhere.

[Ms. Nikki]

Thanks, Mike. Sometimes a book is better read with friends *big smile*

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I know.

[Penny]

Welcome everyone!

Nikki wrote: "Questions: Is there a place for Buddy Reads?"

Hi Nikki and welcome :) I was about to direct you to our Side Reads folder but I see you've already found it! The Way of Kings is a great choice for a buddy read and I imagine there are bound to be some people who haven't read it yet.

[Ms. Nikki]

Thanks, Penny :)

[Mike]

Hello everyone. My name is Mike. I love genre fiction in general and SciFi/Fantasy/Horror in particular. I look forward to discovering some great stories that I may have missed along the way.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Natalie]

Hello, I'm Natalie. I have always loved fantasy, but I recently got started on SciFi. I am still struggling with it, but I am making my way through and I am enjoying what I am reading (even if I do not always understand what is going on). I will read pretty much anything, but you will not find me with a Stephen King novel (I cannot even watch Scooby-Doo at night! I am such a scaredy cat!), and my life is pretty much books, books, books (and watching sports). I am not really sure how these groups work, but over the past few days I have joined a few and hope to figure out what the heck I'm doing.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome. Maybe you would want to try some "space-opera" type stuff, sort of "science fantasy"? There are some good ones out there as well as some straight science fiction that's not quite so technical. Anyway, welcome again. Enjoy.

[Natalie]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi, welcome. Maybe you would want to try some "space-opera" type stuff, sort of "science fantasy"? There are some good ones out there as well as some straight science fiction that's not quite so te..."

What counts as "space-opera"? I have never heard of that. I am open to finding new books, genres, etc. Thank you for any suggestions!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Well, let's see...Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series (Trading in Danger is the first) would be a good example. There's also her Serrano Legacy series (Hunting Party is the first). Some older ones would be the Lensman series Triplanetary is the first. It's by E. E. Smith. He also wrote the Skylark series, The Skylark of Space is the first of that one. There's The Planet Pirates Series by Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Moon & Jody Lynn Nye.

For a slightly more serious type "space opera" sort of read there's The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell (John G. Hemry). These are among my favorite reads, the first is Dauntless.

You can always get book recommendations here, we love to help people end up with unmanageable "to be read lists". LOL

[Alan]

Just found Jack Vance's obituary in today's Guardian. Sad loss!

[Jim]

Actually Jack Vance would be a good SF author for Natalie to start with :-)

[Natalie]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Well, let's see...Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series (Trading in Danger is the first) would be a good example. There's also her Serrano Legacy series (Hunting Party is the first). Some older ones..."

Haha, trust me, my to-read list is already past "unmanageable." But hey, I'm an overachiever, so let's make it even more so! :D
I have never heard of any of those, but I will definitely look into them, thank you!

[Natalie]

Jim wrote: "Actually Jack Vance would be a good SF author for Natalie to start with :-)"

Thank you! I will look into that as well :)

[Joshua]

Hello. Im Joshua. Im still a noob when it comes to reading. I just started reading as a hobby about 3 years ago. I like to read SF and fantasy but lean more towards SF. I feel a little overwhelmed by how much good stuff is out there to read. Plus, I am still trying to read the classics I have missed out on. I am looking forward to joining in the discussions. See you around.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Antonio]

Hi, i'm new to the group and relatively new to Goodreads.
I'm here to try and familiarize myself a bit more, if possible, with SF. Recently, I've set a goal for myself to read as much SF as possible, and preferably chronologically.
I'm at E.R. Burroughs atm, and plan to read everything except his Tarzan novels (let's be frank about it, all his novels have near identical plot and I'm not that much into Tarzan anyway).
I prefer paperbacks because I can fit them in my jacket/jeans more easily - wouldn't want to be somewhere without anything to read. As of late I started to read eBooks via my smartphone.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Don]

Hi! My name is Don and I live in Minnesota. My love of books mainly lays with science fiction, but I also love historical fiction. I am looking forward meeting a great group of people and hopefully learn of quite a few new novels I hadn't read before. I been reading a lot of the Hugo and Nebula award winners, but have been reading a lot of older books more recently. Some of my favorite books are Dune, Ender's Game, Alas Babylon, and Eyes of the Dragon.

[Ceri]

Hi there. I'm a piano tutor following a career in IT management, but have enjoyed writing sci-fi / fantasy from the moment computers arrived in the home. I remember typing up my finals science project on my mother's typewriter. When (in the early years of marriage) we got our first computer (Amstrad), it unleashed a burst of creativity but only years later am I now brave enough to unleash my newest story on the world. The rest would need a lot of work to make fit for public consumption, but I've worked hard in the last few years to improve my writing.

Naturally, I love sci-fi and I devoured Asimov's Foundation series and Frank Herbert's Dune series in my twenties. Then Anne McCaffrey (except the Dragon series for no reason other than I preferred her other books). Stephen Donaldson's Gap series was a darker read but most of it outstanding. My husband got me into David Eddings' Belgariad series but for some reason I never got into Tolkien.

I'm not the most natural online discusser in the world but I'm enjoying Goodreads and seeing all the groups and look forward to participating in discussions here. And finding new books to read!