I don’t know how I feel about it because it’s a lot of work and I don’t know what it might be worth to do, but if you think they should consider me and you have a Facebook account, you might leave a comment on the discussion there.

It’s an interesting idea…

Seems like I’m not the only one rolling out new fiction this week.

Enjoy.

UPDATE: Wow! That was fast!! A Light In The Dark seems to be available on Kindle already. I messed up the blurb, and it won’t let me fix it yet, but apparently the book is for sale.

UPDATE (Again): Barnes and Noble and Smashwords now available. (Note: The Smashwords meatgrinder put some bullets in front of the chapter headings for some of the formats. I’m working on fixing it.)

When Captain Bjorn Gunderson docks with what he thinks is routine cargo, he embarks on a very different voyage. On a milk run from Welliver to Breakall, a tiny rock punctures his ship, The Wanderer, and leaves the crew adrift twenty-thousand years from home. With food, water, and air running out, a desperate crewman takes a reckless gamble, risking his life in a daring bid to find safety. What he finds instead puts them all at risk.

Join Captain Gunderson and his crew on the final voyage of the Solar Clipper Wanderer in book one of Tales from the Deep Dark — A Light in the Dark.
An award winning producer of science fiction and fantasy podcasts, Nathan Lowell has produced eight novels totaling over 160 episodes and 70 hours of podcast fiction. Since 2008, four of his productions have been finalists in the Parsec Awards and his book–Captain’s Share–won the 2010 Parsec Award for Best Podcast Fiction (Long Form). In 2010, Ridan Publishing began producing his work in paper and ebook formats. Those books are available online from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the iBook Store, and from Ridan Publishing.

A Light In the Dark is the first of a series of novellas set in the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper. The series focuses on the happenings in and around a renegade outpost, a place outside the jurisdiction of the Confederated Planets–a place where the normal rules don’t apply and where anything might happen.

For more information about the books and author, visit the Trader’s Diary at http://www.solarclipper.com.

Novel Nibbles are a series of shorter works offered in ebook only format for those who would like something to read on their phones and other small screen mobile devices. Coming in at around 20,000 words, they’re shorter works for smaller screens. See http://novelnibbles.com for more information and other titles in the Novel Nibbles family.

“Why” is an interesting word. Why do I write? Why do I tell stories? Why do I tell the stories I do?

I believe in the power of the everyday hero. I am tired of the “we have to blow up the world” stories. I remember the wonder and joy I found in Heinlein, Bradbury, and Asimov. I miss those stories and I want them to come back. I figure the only to get them to come back is to write them.

To be clear, I don’t really remember the stories that well. What I remember is how they made me feel. What I know is that, as a kid, I found them strangely empowering, wonderfully engrossing. They were stories about people I could grow up to be — people I might want to grow up to be. I want to tell stories that give those feelings to others. As Hugh McLeod says, “The market for something to believe in is infinite.” I like that idea–that people want something to believe in. If I can inspire them to find it through my story telling, that seems – for lack of a less corny phrase – a worthy goal.

Key to this effort is telling the stories I want to read. A few people are very upset by the ending of Owner’s Share. I understand. It’s an upsetting ending. It’s not a Hollywood ending. It’s not happily-ever-after. It is the story I needed to tell. It’s the story I wanted to read. While some are wondering how this “something to believe in” meshes with the ending of the series, I think it makes perfect sense.

Before I wrote Owner’s Share, listeners made me promise not to kill him. The last Harry Potter book had just come out and there was a great deal of angst over the ending of that book. My listeners didn’t want that to happen to Ishmael. The more I thought about it, the better I liked the idea of continuing on, of telling more stories – different stories – set in this universe with Ishmael doing the exploration. The idea of “something to believe in” kept ringing in my head. How does one pick up the scattered pieces of a shattered life and move on? How do you find something to believe in?

These aren’t trivial questions, but are they questions that we ‘common people’ have to deal with. Ishmael is an Everyman. For all that many find him to be a Mary Sue (or Gary Stu, as the case may be), he’s still a common guy. The ending of Owner’s Share leaves him with something to believe in — and a new course to follow. He has a new guide and a new outlook. He has to do what anybody would have to do. Carry on.

For me, that’s a much more interesting challenge than happily ever after and it’s why I think the next series will be better. I’ve got new stories, and a new outlook to tell those stories with. I’m really looking forward to telling them and I hope you’ll all be with me when I do.

Oh, why do I write?

Because I have to.

I had several meetings with Ridan and we talked about the future. There’s a lot happening and not all of it is mine to share but …

Hardcovers. They are coming. The problem we’ve had is quality and Robin is looking at actually doing a real print run of 250 if she can find an offset printer who will do them with the quality we need. Since we now have two titles that need them, we’ll probably run them both at once. A lot of them will zip out so the warehousing of the remaining few cases won’t be too much of a burden on my basement.

Schedule. I’m moving to a four month release schedule instead of the six month. That means we’re looking to finish the last three share books by this time next year. I know that’s slow if you’re waiting for the books but fast considering all we need to do to make them really work in print. Sad but true.

New works. I’m still thinking about the novellas. Odin’s Outpost is a key element in the universe that we haven’t explored much yet and I want to get into that part of the Golden Age a bit before we turn Ishmael loose again. Then there’s the Ravenwood sequel and Cape Grace — both of which I’ve been promising for far too long.

While you’re waiting, there’s a lot of good stuff out there and coming out in the near future.

Scott Sigler’s Galactic Football League series will release the third book – All-Pro – in a few weeks and his second book, The Starter, is on podiobooks and in print already. If you’ve never run into this series, this is a good time to pick up the first book, The Rookie, on Kindle and get a taste for it. Even if you’re not a football fan, I really do think this might be some of Sigler’s strongest work.

Debora Geary has her sequel to A Modern Witch coming out to beta readers soon (yes, I’m one – yay!) and if A Hidden Witch is half as much fun as A Modern Witch was, you’ll wanna keep an eye open for that.

Also Brand Gamblin’s The Hidden Institute is still looking for an audience. Steampunky with a lot of social commentary, I still can’t recommend it highly enough.

Last but not least, don’t forget D.A. Boulter’s The Courtesan. It’s been doing very well in Kindle sales lately and his fantasy book The Steadfasting was a joy – very much in the flavor of Ravenwood in terms of common people caught up in magic and the fantasy quest.

I need to get back to work now, but I wanted to let you know what’s happening here.

Safe voyage.

5/27/11 7:00 PM Room: Chesapeake Track: New Media

Podiobooks Free Serial Audio
Free audiobooks that are worth it

Let’s face it, most free stuff is crap. However, Podiobooks.com stands out as a gem among the poo. Find out about the authors on podiobooks.com that you know and the ones you don’t who have chosen to release some of their works for free.

5/28/11 7:00 PM Room: Chesapeake Track: New Media

Creating The Brand
Crafting a Recognizable Presence for Your Podcast

Our panel of professionals take you through the perilous journey of creating a concrete presence for their podcasts. Learn what you’ll need, who to hire and what questions to ask. Formulate a sensible budget for your story and create a brand that will attract more listeners than ever before.

5/28/11 8:00 PM Room: Derby Track: New Media

Making Stories Worth Hearing

It’s been over six years since the first podiobook appeared on the internet, and in that time, audio fiction has exploded into a variety of styles and formats. Authors have grappled with the often conflicting demands of story, serial format, audio presentation and immersion. Having just a good story does not always lead to a good podcast, and while expansive voice casts and custom-composed music can help draw the listener in, they come with their own problems. Join some of the best fiction podcasters as they discuss their solutions to making the written word worth hearing.

5/28/11 9:30 PM Room: Chase Track: Readers

Nathan Lowell — Reading

5/29/11 11:00 AM Room: Maryland Foyer Track: Autographings

Nathan Lowell, Phil Rossi, and Roberta Rogow

Autograph Session

Nathan Lowell and Roberta Rogow Autograph Session

5/29/11 12:00 PM Room: Derby Track: New Media

Book Launch: The Empress Sword

The Empress Sword by Paulette Jaxton is a newly published book from Dragon Moon Press. Come meet the author, hear a reading from the novel, try some Trader’s Stew, refreshments served, games and giveaways.

A brave prince, a ferocious dragon, and a magic sword are all familiar elements of the classic adventure story. But for thirteen-year-old Prince Aster of Caledon, the quest for the Empress Sword — the only magic strong enough to defeat the dragon menacing his kingdom — is just the beginning. Even though the royal sorcerer forbids it, the prince sets out on the epic quest alone with only a stable boy as escort. A chance encounter with a lovely shop girl threatens to send the prince on a different sort of quest, one of the heart, but he perseveres and eventually discovers the sword’s ancient resting place. Aster has always been told that wielding great magic requires a sacrifice, but what the Empress Sword demands from him is the last thing he ever expected to lose: his own identity as crown prince and the king’s only son.

5/29/11 3:00 PM Room: Salon C Track: Publishers (Mini-Program)

Ridan Publishing Presents

The Changing Face of Publishing. Meet publisher Robin Sullivan, along with science fiction writers Nathan Lowell, Mashall Thomas, and best-selling fantasy author Michael Sullivan who will explain how ebook and POD technology is permitting indie authors to earn a living writing full time. All three will be signing books (including the launch of Full Share – the third book in Lowell’s Solar Clipper Series), and answering questions. In addition, there will be plenty of door prizes including book giveaways, T-shirts, and Special Edition Coffee Mugs. Come on by and see how publishing has changed — forever.

5/29/11 6:00 PM Room: Derby Track: New Media

Tech for Writers

Does anyone else find it peculiar that Science Fiction authors tend to be technophobic? Well, not all authors tend to feel that way. With gadgets, software, and hardware at their disposal, authors are embracing technology that is not only surpassing what the legends were writing about, but helping them be better writers. Find out what tech toys are appealing to writers out there.

5/29/11 10:00 PM Room: Chesapeake Track: New Media

Geek Parenting and New Media

Our panel of geek parents chime in with their thoughts on raising young geeks. What is the right age to show the kids Star Wars? Do you show them all 6 or only the good ones. What websites are good and safe for kids at what age? How do you teach your kids about Internet privacy? How do you prepare them for “Greifers” on gaming systems? When is it OK for them to use their real name?

5/30/11 10:00 AM Room: Salon C Track: Literary

Network vs Platform: Can you tell them apart?

Most authors know they need to develop a platform but many seem to be building networks instead. Knowing the difference can help sell books. This panel will discuss the difference and explore the opportunities that social media tools provide to foster both.

Full Share –
Ridan has my edits. My editor has been locked in the den with the copy for days and I’m expecting to see those emerge any minute. When they do, I need to respond and get them back to her. I still haven’t seen the cover art but I’m trusting Michael to envision something better than I could imagine myself. At the moment I’m thinking about something like the “reverse” of the Quarter Share cover where we see Lois coming into the frame, but in this case leaving. We’ll see what he comes up with but I trust his eye.

Light in the Darkness -
The Odin’s Outpost novella has a working title. I’ve written two-thirds of it twice now. I think I’m closer to actually doing something useful.

South Coast –
This is the next audio book I’ll be doing. Probably after Balticon.

Talking On My Morning Walk -
For health reasons I have to get more exercise. I’m walking two miles every morning. For the last mile, I use my phone and earbud to record about 15-20 minutes of whatever I’m thinking about. Could be weather. Could be books. Could be anything really. At least one episode has me sniffing a lot and another where I finally remembered a hanky and used it–loudly, apparently. If you’re just hungry for the sound of my voice and want to know what I’m doing today, you can find that at Talking On My Morning Walk.

If you need a lil fix to tide you over, head on over the The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences and look for Episode 03 of Tales from the Archives.

I just listened and I have to say, Tee and Pip did an amazing job mixing this thing together and my hat’s off to Alex White of The Gearheart for the music.

Just. Wow.

Well, I hope I’m not going to continue to be a fool all month, but you never know.

Not much on the news front.

Still waiting for the cover art for Full Share. It should be out this month. I was hoping for *early* in the month but I think we’re looking at mid-month at this point.

I have Cape Grace and a novella in the word processor, altho I’m not making a lot of progress on either.

One thing I’ve had to get serious about is health. I’ve started walking every day again. Every morning at about 5.30 I take a walk around my neighborhood (2 miles) and for the last 15 minutes or so, I record whatever it is I’m thinking about. These are just rambly, whatever I have on my mind, un-edited audio. I put them online at Talking On My Morning Walk so if you want to know what’s going on from day to day, that’s the place to follow.

More news soon, I hope.

Doug Boulter hangs out on one of the writer’s forums that I frequent. I got intrigued by some of his comments and went looking for his books. Courtesan appealed to me because it’s also set in a trade-based universe (no space battles or bug eyed monsters) and his plot is very largely character driven with two of his major plots revolving around the characters (a romance plot and a sibling rivalry plot).

If you’re looking for something to read while I continue to wrestle with my next one, check it out.

(Sorry, it doesn’t appear to be on Smashwords so I’m not sure what other formats might be out there.)