Author: jspeet

Occasionally I’ll take time out to see what readers are thinking when they post reviews. I may (or may not) incorporate some of those thoughts in my novels. For example, someone opined that they just finished the Corps of Discovery trilogy and was hoping it would be a longer series. Short answer, it is (working on Book 4, but mostly focusing on Book 1 of the new Chronicles of Hayek series (set in the time when Tim Bowman first opens the gate).

Somebody else suggested that having a spin-off series with Drew in it would be interesting (taking that one into consideration, but I’ve got a huge backlist of stories I’m working on).

Then again, there are those readers who find fault with me at the personal level, such as I’m unpatriotic (not really – I love my country but hate our politics), I don’t know anything about firearms (I’m sure those Expert and Sharpshooter medals I have, the fact that I was on my college’s rifle team, along with a confirmed 1,200 yard hit on a target after some intense precision rifle training I undertook, belies that), I hate the military (again, not really – I’m married to a war veteran and have many friends in the military whom I respect, and I support a strong national defense – I’m actually just against war and using our military frivolously), and that I never lived in the south so my version of the South in Explorer is all wrong (again, not really – I lived in Virginia and Georgia for approximately 8 years, so, yeah, I have lived in and traveled throughout the south). Besides, my version of an independent south is what we call speculative fiction, with the operative word there being speculative.

Just a thought to those posting their thoughts on how they think I feel about things- get to know me before posting something about me (or posting your projections), and remember, I write speculative fiction, not memoirs. If you actually think I feel a certain way about something, shoot me a message. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. But, you won’t know unless you actually ask.

Interesting news in the world of firearms (if you follow that kind of stuff). True Velocity’s 6.8x51mm polymer case turns out to work quite well with legacy firearms (machine guns and SAWs), simply by switching the barrel. For those unfamiliar, the 7.62x51mm (which is the NATO dimensions) has the same length as the new 6.8mm, so they fit the chambers quite nicely. https://www.tactical-life.com/news/us-army-6-8mm-weapon-systems/

Not saying I called it, but does anyone remember the caliber used in the Militia issue rifle on Hayek? Hint, hint: 6.8mm, but longer than the 6.8SPC.

For those that missed it, I gave away Explorer yesterday in a free frenzy of eBooks. Thanks to a little advertising and all you new fans, I hit #1 in the Free Book Sales (not sure why they call them “sales” when I’m giving them away) in the Science Fiction genres of Alternative History, Science Fiction Adventure, and Space Exploration Science Fiction. Thank You!!!

Yes, I’ve decided to join the whole technology movement. I now have QR codes so those attending the Las Vegas book signing won’t have to carry cash (hopefully, there’ll be sufficient wifi/cell reception).

If you want to order a book, just let me know; I’ll sign it, notify you of the amount, you pay through Paypal.me, then I ship. Pretty danged simple.

Here’s the PayPal link https://paypal.me/AuthorJamesPeet?locale.x=en_US.

Send legal representation, firearms, and legal tender!

I’ll be in Las Vegas attending an indie writer’s conference in November. There’s a huge book signing planned on November 12th at Balleys. So, come on by and meet me and hundreds of other authors.

If you’re interested in actually meeting an author (hint – me), our little town of Enumclaw is hosting a Street Fair today (Saturday, 27 July) from 10 AM to 7 PM. I’ll be there sometime in front of the Arts Alive store signing books. Unfortunately, I’ve only got a lone copy of Surveyor left (the store has a couple, so it won’t be a complete loss), but plenty of copies of Trekker and Explorer.

In November, I’ll be in Las Vegas attending the 20BooksVegas conference (a conference for indie authors) and there will be a rather large book signing on the last day, Friday, 12 November. I’ll be there with plenty of books and swag, as will hundred of other authors. Be sure to swing by and say hello.

If you’re interested in autographed copies of Surveyor or Trekker, you can now order them here. For a small fee of just $25.00 US (plus $5.00 US for shipping and handling) you can get a personalized, sign copy of one book. Double the price, double the books! Amazing!

If you think you might want an autographed copy of either of the book covers, let me know.

If there are any Mystery readers amongst my fans, you should check out Harry Bryant’s books – the first in his Butch Bliss series is free on Amazon. Full disclosure – the author is a friend of mine and has provided me with valuable information on writing and publishing (along with some fine Irish whiskey).

So, the other day, I was surfing Amazon looking for some good books to read (which I do, occasionally) and came across a new Alt-History book, The Eyes of Courage by James A. Fisher. This is how a good book catches your attention – a great cover followed by a good blurb. I decided to give it a chance and enjoyed it.

The plot opens with what I consider a standard trope – guy from our timeline steps through a portal to another timeline. From there, it becomes really interesting. Like Surveyor, it starts a bit slow, but it’s also hard to put down (too many nights I wound up reading until midnight). I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the second installment.

As most of you who follow me (I’m looking at all three of you!) know, I generally read science fiction (or, as my wife calls it, Space Trash). I’m mostly into alternative history/multiverse stuff (duh!) and military sci-fi/space opera, along with historical fiction (usually related to WW2), along with contemporary cultural stuff (such as the Robert E. Lee and Me book I mentioned in an earlier post, or American Nations which is mentioned in Explorer, and just about anything by Peter Zeihan). Occasionally, I’ll delve into police procedural/fiction, or mystery, such as Apprehension by Mark Bergin or just about anything by Joseph Wambaugh.

So, what the heck does the title mean, New Author/Old Friend? Well, today, I found a new author who just so happens to be an old friend. Back in the ’80s, when I attended the University of Miami, my RA was an aspiring writer (more a screenwriter, I thought, but…). The other day we connected through LinkedIn, and it turns out he’s no longer an aspiring writer, rather he’s a writer – a mystery writer, to be specific. It turns out he has a series of books out, which I’ve just bought the first of (not sure when I’ll have time to read it). Anyhow, if you’re into mysteries, check out H.B. Berlow‘s books on Amazon. The first in the series is Ark City Confidential.