The Chessmaster is a fun trope, especially when done well. A good villain is always at least one step ahead of the good guys, so when it turns out that he’s three or four or ten steps ahead of them, it can make for some interesting plot twists. Of course, the chessmaster isn’t always the… Continue reading Trope Tuesday: The Chessmaster
Category: Gaia Nova
Late September update
I am not a pleasant person to be around when I’m struggling to finish a difficult book. Me: There’s just not enough time in the day. Dad: I know how you feel, son. Me: I don’t think that you do. You’ve never been self-employed. Later… Me: I need to quit my job. Dad: But Joe,… Continue reading Late September update
Free and 99¢ books for September!
Hey guys, just a quick update to let you know about some book deals I have going on right now. First, I have a free short story this month! Second, Desert Stars is 99¢ for the rest of September! I believe this is one of my best books, and it won’t be on sale again… Continue reading Free and 99¢ books for September!
Beginning of September Update
It’s September, my favorite month of the year! Maybe I’ll revisit that post in a blast from the past or something. So many reasons why September is awesome. Things are going well on the writing front. I’ve switched up my daily routine to make more writing time, and it’s working well so far. My alarm… Continue reading Beginning of September Update
All of my books and stories, in series order
A friend of mine recently asked me to give him a list of all my books in series order. That was just the kick in the pants I needed to put this page together. For your convenience, I’m putting it up as a blog post too. The links to all the book pages will appear… Continue reading All of my books and stories, in series order
Check out the sci-fi story bundle!
Hey guys! Awesome news: there’s a new sci-fi adventure bundle up on storybundle.com, and Bringing Stella Home is one of the bonus novels! This is a big collaboration with a bunch of really great authors, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. To explain it a little more, here’s the curator Joseph R. Lallo: The… Continue reading Check out the sci-fi story bundle!
Thoughts on series and perma-free
For the last five years, the conventional wisdom among most indie writers has been to write short books in sequential series and make the first book permanently free. It’s a strategy that works, to a certain extent. It’s what got me from making pizza money on my book sales to making a humble living at this… Continue reading Thoughts on series and perma-free
State of the Vasicek 2015
I recently read a post over on Brandon Sanderson’s blog where he did an exhaustive recap on his writing and update on all of his WIPs, and called it State of the Sanderson. Since it’s the end of the year and I’m already looking back in order to make some new resolutions for 2016, it seems like… Continue reading State of the Vasicek 2015
Sick sick sick!
I have been sick for about a week now and it sucks—literally. Got a sore throat right now, and I’m sucking on garlic to try to make it go away. Strangely enough, it seems to be working. It all started with my cute little niece, who apparently is an incubator for the plague. Came down… Continue reading Sick sick sick!
To publish or submit?
Man, I am so sick right now. Caught a stomach flu from my neice, and it has been going through me like a chainsaw through butter. In any case, things are going fairly well aside from that. Heart of the Nebula is now up for pre-order through November 21st, so you can expect to hear a lot more… Continue reading To publish or submit?