An Update from the Moon
A Nearly Random Friday
Happy Friday!
I don't do as many of these posts as I used to. Hopefully, you are interested in how I get the stories done and generally make it through this crazy party we call life.
I'll try to keep this tight.
First, the good news.
Salvager has been one of my strongest launches ever, thanks to you, dear reader. The sales and the reviews are far more than I hoped for, and I can't overstate how grateful I am. This is a story I love, and it should introduce a lot of people to the Tall Boys series that follows. #Winning!
Boots Down, the first book in the trilogy, has been to the editor and back and has been uploaded for the pre-order launch date in late October. I could publish it now, but I want to have the rest of the trilogy ready before I tease anyone.
No one wants to pull a George R. R. Martin.
The Tall Boys series really isn't "written to market." I just went after a story that called to me. In my heart, it is already a success, even if it struggles to be a commercial success.
But you never know. Maybe this is my breakout novel.
Movie Time
Last week, I rewarded myself with a movie after a very good day of writing. I'd wanted to see Aliens: Romulus in the theater after reading some decent reviews. I loved Aliens when it came out and went back and watched the first one recently. (Sadly, I didn’t love Alien as much as its sequel.)
So what did I think?
Aliens: Romulus was well worth the ticket for me. I try not to overanalyze moves on the first viewing. The best parts of this latest addition were the world-building/visuals and some nice character development. I cared about this crew, some more than others.
I really only have two problems with the movie. One, the aliens grow so fast it’s dumb. And, as is the flaw in most modern movies, they take the ending sequence too far. Why does it have to be that over the top?
Maybe I am in the minority on this point. It is what it is.
In short, I liked Aliens: Romulus and would recommend it to my friends interested in sci-fi cinema.
New from L. L. Richman
One of my best and most talented writer friends launched a book today. Please check it out, especially if you love hard sci-fi. The Biogenesis War series won't let you down. Today's release is called Dagger's Edge and wraps up the series. I'll be reading it tonight once I get my daily words in.
My Self-induced Struggles
As a full-time writer and author-entrepreneur, it is my slightly self-destructive habit to embrace the business side of my art. This is always well intended. I recently spent way too much money on a course about marketing and setting up a direct sales business.
It’s scary to think an Amazon bot could instantly end my career. So, as sometimes happens, I got all energetic and decided to treat my livelihood like a business that could survive the whims of Jeff Bezos (or his Amazon algorithm).
I’ve learned a ton. There have been moments when I was pretty proud of myself. Then, when I hit some of the technical walls, my mood… how shall we say… took a turn toward Rantville.
Business stuff is hard.
But I’m learning.
Until Next Time
I learned something from going down the direct sales rabbit hole. Writing and self-care must come first, so I will focus most of my effort on them. My Shopify store is live, though there isn’t much in it. Please be warned that I haven’t worked out all of the paperback fulfillment bugs, so if you want physical copies, Amazon is still the best place to get them.
Thanks for reading!
Stay safe,
Scott
Have you read and reviewed Salvager?
Thanks in advance! Every review helps so incredibly much.