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Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry May 28
Critter Notices
Books from Critters!
Check out Books by Critters for books by your fellow
Critterfolk, as well as my list of recommended books for writers.
The Sigil Trilogy
If you're looking for an amazing, WOW! science fiction story, check out THE SIGIL TRILOGY. This is — literally — one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.Space Travel for SF Writers
Hot off the presses from ReAnimus Press! Space Travel - A Science Fiction Writer's Guide— An indispensible tool for all SF writers that explains the science you need to help you make your fiction plausible. (Also via Amazon)
Interviewed!
I was interviewed live on public radio for Critters' birthday, for those who want to listen.
Free Web Sites
Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.
ReAnimus Acquires Advent!
ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!
Book Recommendation
THE SIGIL TRILOGY:
The universe is dying from within...
"Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock
Announcing ReAnimus Press
If you're looking for great stuff to read from bestselling and award-winning authors—look no further! ReAnimus Press was founded by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]
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FEATURED BOOK
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Weekly Notes
Notes for 04-Sep-2024...
New Release! Helping the Critters Fund Drive this week are sales of the just released...
SMALL MIRACLES by Edward M. Lerner - $7.99
ReAnimus Press Store: www.ReAnimus.com/1743
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/_A/?tag=critters3a-20
(available in ebook + hardcover + paperback)
When the gas pipeline exploded, it took a small miracle--or rather a myriad of them--to save Brent Cleary's life. Only now the small miracles have a mind of their own. And an agenda.
Garner Nanotechnology is prototyping nanotech-enhanced protective suits and autonomous first-aid nanobots. It's cutting-edge stuff, and when it saves Brent Cleary from a pipeline explosion that killed hundreds, the Army takes notice.
Near-death experience changes a person, so no one is entirely surprised when easy-going Brent turns somber and studious, focused and cold. Not at first. But Kim O'Donnell, Brent's best friend, cannot get past some of the changes. This just isn't her friend, and she wonders what's gotten into him.
With an Army field trial imminent and the company's future at stake, possible nanotech side effects aren't something anyone wants to discuss. The bad news is, Kim's right. Something has gotten into Brent--and he isn't the only one changing.
If Kim can't stop them ... maybe we'll all change.
"I was royally entertained. For the duration of the book, I was convinced I understood nanotechnology."
--Larry Niven, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of Ringworld
" `Miracle: an event or act that breaks a law of nature--especially one attributed to a deity.' Well the miracles in Edward M. Lerner's new book may be small ones but they fit the definition in that they definitely aren't natural--which could be a problem. When God makes a miracle it is a wonder; but a man-made miracle can as easily be a blunder. We are only human after all ..."
--Brian Lumley, Grand Master of horror and author of Necroscope
"Edward M. Lerner's Small Miracles is a splendid combination of hard SF and a technothriller about nanotechnology gone really, really wrong."
--Eric Flint, New York Times bestselling author of the Ring of Fire series
"Lerner shows what it might be like to live in times of artificial intelligence. An entrancing and frightening novel."
--Jerry Pournelle. NY Times bestselling author
"Suspense and action enough to fuel any thriller, and even to drive it to the big screen."
--SFrevu (Tom Eastman)
"From its explosive beginning to its explosive finale, Small Miracles is fast paced and very high tech and reads like a Michael Crichton novel. It is extremely intriguing and provocative; I couldn't put it down, especially during the last fifty pages when so many lives were in danger. The epilogue is wonderfully downbeat and open, letting the reader know that the real nightmare has just begun."
--SFrevu (Joseph B. Hoyos)
"A very powerful argument for deliberation with experimental techniques as well as a suspenseful story--a modern day Frankenstein with the potential for global tragedy."
--Critical Mass (Don D'Ammassa)
"I highly recommend Small Miracles to anyone interested in relatively near future SF, and in the fascinating possibilities of nanotechnology."
--Bookloons
"Held my attention all the way through, and kept me awake way past my bedtime as the tensions mounted ... This book was smart, engaging, and tight, with all the little pieces fitting together in the long run. Highly recommended."
--Intergalactic Medicine Show
"A solid SF novel and we don't see many of them these days."
-- SF Crowsnest
"[Lerner] has proven himself a master of weaving intricate tales about future possibilities. Be ready to curl up with this great book and not put it down until it's done.
--Curled Up with a Good Book
"Lerner definitely knows how to tell a story. His characters are well drawn; and, like the late Michael Crichton, he uses them to sell the more imaginative aspects of the story ... an intelligent blending of science fiction and horror themes."
--Winnipeg Free Press
"Subtle and nuanced ... A tight and solid read."
-- Foundation (The International Review of Science Fiction)
[Disclaimer: Ye Olde Critter Captain also runs ReAnimus Press, sales from which help him keep Critters going as a free site.]
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Thanks for the donations, folks!
(No donations this past week, sad minion face.) :[
[See http://www.critters.org/donate.php for more information.]
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Woohoo! Congratulations to...
- Dwayne Minton, who sold his (Critter'd) short story, "Red and
Hank vs. the Zombie Acowpolypse" to Humour Me Magazine. {Thank
you to everyone who critiqued this one. Your feedback made this
a better story. }
- Renan Bernardo, whose short story, "A Theory of Missing
Affections" is now out in the current issue of Clarkesworld
Magazine.
- Jason Gale, whose novel, "Volywr's Reign" is now out from
Amazon Direct Publishing.
Please report your Woohoo!s via the www.critters.org/telldaworld.ht web page.
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This week's Most Productive Critter award, for 3 critiques (at time
of judging), averaging over 600 words each, goes to...
Mya Gaede
To redeem an MPC, visit: www.critters.org/usempc.ht
Congratulations! To everyone else -- Crit early and often!
(For an explanation of the MPC award, see the www.critters.org/award.ht page.)
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Recommended Reading...
One of the best writing books - Secrets from the 6-time Best Editor
Hugo Award Master, Ben Bova: THE CRAFT OF WRITING SCIENCE FICTION THAT SELLS
https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
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Critters Workshop
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This week we have... [get from https://www.critters.org/private/mss.php ]...
Title Author
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Week of 4-Sep-2024 (Crits due 11-Sep-2024):
SF The Last Luddite Jeffrey Steven Abrams -#31549
F No Man's Daughter Ch1-3 Justine Lombardi -#31550
F The Enchantress and the Scholar, Ch 3 Lawrence A. Clough -#31551
F Callous Wage Stephen Shewmake -#31552
F Awakened, Chapters 1-2 Kate Ferraro -#31553
F The Doyen Trials, Chapter 1 Charity Butcher -#31554
H Masking Chapter 1 & 2 Stephanie J Ryan -#31555
F The Oblate of Darden, Chapter 1 David Morel -#31556
H Ekphrasis Tiffany Ogunsua -#31557
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Recommended books on writing:
THE CRAFT OF WRITING AND SELLING SCIENCE FICTION by Ben Bova
ReAnimus Press Store: https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
Amazon: https://Amazon.com/dp/B006MAZPEI
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION OPENINGS By (Critter member) Robert Qualkinbush
https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1184 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007O272ZI
STAYIN' ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad
How things really work in the art and commerce of publishing
https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1179 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007SIC4I8
EXPERIMENT PERILOUS: THE 'BUG JACK BARRON' PAPERS by Norman Spinrad
(A 99cent essay on SF and writing)
https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1180 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007MF3MS8
Because you might enjoy it... SECRETS OF THE SANDS by LEONA WISOKER
On the sands the harsh sun reveals more about the world - and themselves - than they ever wanted to know.
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1449
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Pieces up for critique in other workshops...
In the lit workshop - https://critique.org/lit :
L My Little Dreaming Girl Silvana Milenova -#31541
In the nonfiction workshop - https://critique.org/nonfiction :
NP I *Experience*, Therefore I Am Robin niCathain -#30061
In the script workshop - https://critique.org/script :
SC Cupidity Kathleen C -#31276
In the kids workshop - https://critique.org/kids :
YS The Adventures of Sam and Jaeger Sandra Tregaskis -#31547
In the comics workshop - https://critique.org/comics :
CG Magna. logline/ synopsis Brent Claridge -#28885
In the western workshop - https://critique.org/western :
W Currently Untitled Aleksandr Vincente Hoang -#30472
In the romance workshop - https://critique.org/romance :
R Freyr Chapter 1 Jetaun Frazier -#31548
In the video workshop - https://critique.org/video :
VS The Gallery of Henri Beauchamp Jay DeTalente -#21424
In the music workshop - https://critique.org/music :
MP The Shade Riders and Nocturnal Ned song Beth Zurkowski -#21675
In the photo workshop - https://critique.org/photo :
PH Tea and Gossip Sandy Kulhavy -#30875
In the art workshop - https://critique.org/art :
AH Peppermint Girls Brian Sellnow -#31527
In the website workshop - https://critique.org/website :
WW Franklin's Palindromedary Ray N. Franklin -#29498
In the critters workshop - https://critique.org/critters :
SF The Last Luddite Jeffrey Steven Abrams -#31549
F No Man's Daughter Ch1-3 Justine Lombardi -#31550
F The Enchantress and the Scholar, Ch 3 Lawrence A. Clough -#31551
F Callous Wage Stephen Shewmake -#31552
F Awakened, Chapters 1-2 Kate Ferraro -#31553
F The Doyen Trials, Chapter 1 Charity Butcher -#31554
H Masking Chapter 1 & 2 Stephanie J Ryan -#31555
F The Oblate of Darden, Chapter 1 David Morel -#31556
H Ekphrasis Tiffany Ogunsua -#31557
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You might also like... THE WAR MINSTRELS by KAREN HABER
The further adventures of Kayla and the galactic free traders
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1393
Standard notes:
HELP:
If you need help with anything, see https://www.critters.org/help -- there
are FAQs and a form to ask questions.
HELPING CRITTERS:
Critters is donation funded & volunteer run, so if you'd like to
help out with our current fund drive or otherwise, please visit
https://www.critters.org/donate.php -- Thanks!!
HOW TO SEND CRITIQUES:
Remember to send the critiques directly to me, critters@critique.org, so
I can forward them to the authors _and_ give you credit for your effort.
Please send only one critique per mail message (makes it easier to
archive). Please make sure the "#" symbol and manuscript number are in
the email Subject: line, like Subject: #1234. (Conversely, if you want
ol' Aburt to personally read the message, i.e., it's _not_ a critique,
don't put a "#" in the subject or I won't see it. Also -- put my current
anti-spam code word in there: see https://www.critters.org/antispam.ht .)
You may also send your critiques via https://www.critters.org/webcrit.ht .
Note that all critiques will be available to everyone to read the next Saturday.
DIPLOMACY:
Remember, authors and critiquers, we're all friends here. Be polite. Be
considerate. Be tactful. You can say you thought a story was drivel in a
courteous way. Try to point out the good and the bad; offer alternatives
if you can. Never, ever, attack the author -- only the story. Authors:
Remember that some reviewers may lack tact. Try to be understanding,
but if you get any that you feel are just plain mean-spirited, too short
to be of any use, or too "feel good," let me know and I'll withhold the
reviewer's "credit" for that story and/or cajole them into something
more insightful. See https://www.critters.org/diplomacy.ht for more...
CRITIQUE LENGTH:
If you want to send a short critique that you know is too short for
credit (200 words or less of your own meaningful content) please put
"NC#" in the Subject (NC=No Credit, like Subject: NC#1234) -and- say
something like "not for credit" inside your critique. (Remember also that
for MPC purposes, a critique must be 300 words or more.)
CHATTING:
Comments -other- than critiques (such as discussion of the critiques,
or Woohoo! announcements, or chit chat) should be posted to one of the
official Critters discussion forums (See the https://www.critters.org/newsgroups.ht
web page for full info, guidelines, etc.) Don't post stories or critiques
(mail those to critters@critique.org).
QUOTING:
Please pare the ms. down if critiquing in-line (don't quote the whole ms.!).
Other format rules are at https://www.critters.org/format.ht .
EVERYTHING'S ON THE WEB:
Past reviews are on the web page. The current week's manuscripts are
also there, as are prior mss. and even some rewrites. There's a Master
Page Index (site map) with tons of links to common items.
AUTHORS:
Authors for this week -- if you aren't getting email'd critiques from
me (as they come in) within a couple days -- ask me and we can verify
I'm sending them to the correct address. (Send me a phone# in case I
can't get email to you.) Check the format of your story ASAP to make sure
it's all there and readable.
EMAIL ISSUES:
If you want to change your email address or preferences (# mss. emailed,
SF/F/H type, or whether you get the huge critique batches at week's end),
point your browser to https://www.critters.org/admin.ht . Please don't
ask me to do this by hand, it's quite a chore! (E.g., if you're going
on vacation and want to suspend mail from me -- do this before/after
your trip.)
BACKUP SITE:
If you're unable to reach www.critters.org to get manuscripts, I've set up
an emergency backup site at https://backup.critters.org where you can get the
week's manuscripts (but not much of anything else :-). Speaking of backups --
don't forget to back up your own manuscripts so you don't lose them!
QUITTING:
If you want to quit or go inactive, drop by https://www.critters.org/admin.ht .
DONATIONS:
Critters is funded by donations, so visit https://www.critters.org/donate.php
if you'd like to help out.
Because you might enjoy it... THE BLEEDING MAN AND OTHER SCIENCE FICTION STORIES by CRAIG STRETE
A great collection of Native American Science Fiction. Yes, you read that right. Nebula finalist!
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1485
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