Author: jspeet

If you were ever in ROTC, then the latest paperback release by Kevin Ikenberry, The Crossing, should be an interesting read to you. I found it fun and took me back in time a bit. It’s part of Eric Flint’s 1632 series.

The Touratech Rally begins in four days – going from Thursday through Sunday in the thriving metropolis of Plain, WA. For those unaware, it’s a gathering of Adventure Motorcyclists (ADV Riders) who come together to learn how to ride off-pavement and on trails, and the tricks involved in traveling long distances on motorcycles with little gear on such roads (watch Ewan McGregor and Charley Borman’s Long Way Round or Long Way Down movies/documentaries to gain a better understanding of what this is like.

As most of you know, I rode my ADV Bike, a 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan cross country last summer, spending about three weeks on the Trans-America Trail. Quite the ride (with many spills). So this week, I’ll be talking about that at the Rally, giving my Tips for the TAT to those interested in doing the same thing.

If you’re in/near Plain or Leavenworth, WA, let me know. Always glad to hook up with readers/fans for coffee or something similar (sorry – no adult beverages while I’m riding).

So far I’ve produced two long videos (about 12-14 minutes) and two shorts on YouTube. Be sure to check them out, subscribe to the channel, and if you like the videos, click on that silly like button.

If you’re a writer/content creator, do me a favor and share the channel. The goal is to ensure content creators get it right when writing/creating content (this includes novelists, non-fiction writers, script writers, game developers, film directors, and the attendant support staff of editors and audiobook narrators.

https://www.youtube.com/@ActionandAdventureTips-qg4co

That’s the title of my new YouTube Channel, which (hopefully), the first video will be visible today.

So, what’s this channel about? Educating content creators! Lot’s of content creators, be they novelists, scriptwriters, film directors, and game developers, along with their support (audiobook narrators, editors, and artists), don’t always know the specifics of some things on what they’re creating content. Case in point, the Glock Safety. Check out the channel, subscribe, and if you’re a content creator, please spread it around. The goal is a tip a week.

As if I didn’t have enough to do (yeah, I know, you don’t care about new stuff – where’s the next book?), I’ve decided to start a YouTube channel. With any luck, I’ll have things out starting next week. Ran my first test yesterday and today. Definitely have some kinks to work out (hence the tests). I think it’ll be interesting. Stay tuned.

With all the gnashing of teeth and wailing by writers and artists, I’m going against the flow by embracing Artificial Intelligence. Not in the aspect of actual writing, but for translation purposes.

Using an AI software program, I’m able to translate my works into other languages, thereby reaching more readers in other countries. Is it perfect? No. I have to have people proofing and copy editing to make it so. Is it costing me money? It most certainly is, but far, far less than paying a human to translate things. Think about it – a translation of just one of my books into one language would cost about $12,000 (yes, there are three zeroes after the 2!). I’m doing this for a fraction of the cost. Four books translated into German and one book translated into Spanish has cost about $100 so far. And, I’ll be able to do another 54 books this year on that single payment!

First up, Germany (thanks to having my books be compared to the famous German novelist Karl May). Second up, Spanish, then French, and then, who knows?

Change is coming people – best to either embrace it and adapt or be considered extraneous to the economic system.

BTW, any work derived from my original work is considered derivative works protected under copyright laws.

If you’re anywhere near Yakima (the location of my stories), come on by and see me at Inklings Books where I’ll be setting up a table on June 3rd between 1 and 3 (I’m sure it’ll be one of those Eastern Washington late Spring days with the temps in the 90s – I’ll be wearing my Tilly hat).

So, after decades of wanting to visit New Zealand (and having Covid cancel our 2020 trip), I finally made it to New Zealand. Been here a couple of weeks, driving around the South Island, mainly. Here are some quick observations.

Kiwis are nice. Really, you can’t stop in a pub or store without somebody striking up a conversation or offering up some assistance. Even before we arrived, a fellow Peregrino (El Camino de Santiago pilgrim) offered to pick us up at the Airport when we arrived. Donut Doug (his nom de plume) not only picked us up, but gave us a tour of Auckland, including the highest hill in the city, the waterfront, and an ice-cream store! He then gave a ride back to the airport when we left to fly to Christchurch (on the South Island).

They drive on the wrong side of the road (as evidenced that most of the rest of the world not previously colonized by the British drive on the right side of the road). Fortunately, Donut Doug’s rides allowed me to sit behind him in the rear seat, so I acclimitized fairly easily. The only real problem I have is confusing the windshield wipers with the turn signals. It turns out this is because many of the imports are used Japanese cars, where they not only drive on the wrong side of the road, but they also have all the controls reversed (fortunately, the gear shift has the same pattern, as do the pedals).

The country is not only scenically spectacular, but also amazingly clean (unlike Washington State, where people seem to think the side of the road is a good spot for their garbage). I’ve only seen a few bits of litter, and they really stick out!

Animals: Lots of critters. The domestic variety include cows, sheep, deer, sheep, and more sheep (it’s like it’s the national export or something). Wild animals are limited to birds, seals, and sea lions. We’ve seen penguins, sea lions, parakeets, wekas, and even albatrosses (but no Kiwis 😦 ). Of course, as with any British settlement, there are invasive species, such as deer, rabbits, feral cats, and imports from Australia (wallabys and possums – a completely different critter than the Virginia Opposum, but like our North American marsupial, the only time one gets to see this possum is when it’s dead on the side of the road).

Water – lots of water, Everywhere. All the time. It seems it rains almost daily (he types as raindrops are falling on the campervan). Of course, New Zealand is surrounded by oceans, so it makes for interesting weather, views, and rides. We’ve only been on one ferry so far (to and from Stewart Island, the third largest island of New Zealand). The trip out was pleasant, the trip back in 32 knot winds and 5-6′ swells wasn’t – it was more like a splashing, crashing roller coaster ride. Fortunately, my stomach contents remained where they were and didn’t go projectiling across the boat.

It’s official – I am now a Prometheus Award Nominee! Other than Neal Stephenson, I haven’t heard of the other authors, but I’m sure they’re all good.

Had a fun time being interviewed by Edward Willett on The World Shapers Podcast before I took off for New Zealand. You can listen to here, at The Worldshapers website.