SFFS - A Snippet From "Sacrifice" (formerly "Reciprocity")

After taking a week off for my time at ConQuest 45, it's time for another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. This week, we're getting back into the WIP vault. Over the weekend, I completed my final draft for my short story "Reciprocity" (check out the link for the original excerpt) and decided it was time to make a name change (it happens from time to time...the most notable exception being that Heroes Die Young is actually the second name for that novel). So, my new story "Sacrifice" should be slated for my next Triple-Shot, once I finish one more short story. I've included a cover for the second of my (currently) three Triple-Shot collections below, but you can also check all of them (and more) out on my Collections page. And now, here's a continuation snippet from "Sacrifice" for you to read and enjoy:

 

 

Braking took a bit more skill than I’d been expecting, where a trio of landing skids dropped from the cycle’s body to the ground, slowing me down. Eventually, I made it onto the main drag through town, and pulled into a spot along the side of the street. The hover-quad settled onto its skids and I shut it off.

Surrounding me was a setting that seemed to come out of those western holographic projection films that I never had the time to completely watch. All I needed was a set of spurs on my black boots and a huge hat on my head. I already had my Mark II blaster, but it was holstered under my leather jacket instead of openly carried on my hip.

But what I really needed was a drink, preferably Vladirian liquor. Then it would be time to find some buyers and take care of business. I glanced at the various buildings while I walked down the dusty street. Most looked uninhabited, although at least one had a bit of promise. The building on the far corner of this first block had huge plate glass windows, through which I saw several adults sitting at tables. Along the far wall was a long slender wooden counter. There weren’t any patrons up there, nor any stools that I could see. But since it was my best shot, I walked down to the corner and pushed open the two wooden slat doors, entering into the dimly lit room.

And of course, as always, if you like what you see, pick up a copy of all of my other short story collections through the links above.

Weekly Goals - May 28, 2014

A day late, but better late than never. Didn't actually get anything started on Resurrection, but still completed some writing work, which was surprising since my weekend was taken up with ConQuest activities. Here's the weekly recap:

 

1. "Just Rewards" editing completed (title renamed to "Trust and Obey").
2. Edited final draft of "Sacrifice" (formerly "Reciprocity")

 

Progress toward my monthly goals for May:

 

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words) - completed, and final draft completed.
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards" (now "Trust and Obey") - completed
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection - not yet started
 

Now for this week's goals:

1. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection

ConQuest 45 Recap

Just returned from another installment of ConQuest up in Kansas City. Had a fun time, even though for some reason, my name was left off the list of panelists this year (hopefully that gets corrected next year). Once more, I shared table space with Patrick Stutzman and had a good time at it. I would have preferred to have more sales, but every little bit helps. Granted, last year's event was well attended because of its attendees, so this year's had a lot fewer attendees. (Side note: George R. R. Martin is listed as editor guest of honor for next year, so hopefully that leads to a boost in sales)


Friday night, I attended a room party, where they were selling copies of the Raygun Chronicles anthology (in which I have a short story included). Great news was that over two dozen copies were brought in and all of them sold out. Thanks to everyone who bought a copy! (and if you haven't bought a copy, click the cover below to get one of your very own)

In a couple of weeks (June 7), I'll be attending the annual Author Extravaganza at Town Crier Books in Emporia. Hope to see everyone there!

Weekly Goals - May 21, 2014

Finally gaining a little traction on the writing goals this week (and month). Here's the weekly recap:

 

1. "Just Rewards" editing completed (title renamed to "Trust and Obey").

 

Progress toward my monthly goals for May:

 

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words) - completed
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards" (now "Trust and Obey") - completed
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection - not yet started
 

Now for this week's goals:

1. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection

SFFS: A Snippet From "Reciprocity"

Greetings, everyone! It's good to be back for another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. This week, we're heading into the WIP vault, where I recent finished the first draft of a new Aston West short story, "Reciprocity." I expect that this story, once it goes through a few rounds of editing, will be slated for my next Triple-Shot. I've included a cover for the second of my (currently) three Triple-Shot collections below, but you can also check all of them (and more) out on my Collections page. And now, here's a snippet from "Reciprocity" for you to read and enjoy:

 

 

The wind whipped through my hair as I sped along. Ordinarily, I’d have much preferred to be in an actual vehicle instead of this hover-quad, but this was the only thing they were renting at the space dock. And I certainly wasn’t paying the exorbitant fees they were asking to be driven around in a stretch limousines.

Given the sleek, polished vessels I’d landed by earlier, I figured I was the only one who’d had such an aversion. 

This wasn’t one of my regular stops, and had I not been here for a specific purpose, I would have kept on flying for the next spaceport. But unbeknownst to all of the prim and proper visitors to this planet, my four holds were filled to the brim with illegal weapons. At least all of those people would take small comfort in the fact that while they were all no doubt traveling west to a small beach resort town, I was headed in the opposite direction.

I did have to admit, riding this contraption did bring back old feelings of exhilaration I hadn’t felt since my time flying jets for the Gryphon Defense Force. That said, there was a limit to how much danger I’d subject myself to, explaining why I’d chosen a vehicle with four field generators surrounding the elongated body of the cycle versus the model with only two, one forward and one aft.

I rotated the handle and the propulsion unit under my rear pulsed faster in response, jetting me toward a few handfuls of buildings in the distance, kicking up a trail of dirty dust in my wake.

And of course, as always, if you like what you see, pick up a copy of all of my other short story collections through the links above.

Weekly Goals - May 14, 2014

Been way too long since I've actually posted the weekly goals, but finally picked up a little momentum, so here's hoping. Here's the recap of what's been done this past week:

 

1. First draft of "Reciprocity" completed.

 

Progress toward my monthly goals for May:

 

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words) - completed
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards"
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection 
 

Now for this week's goals:

1. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards"

2. Write 1,500 words on Resurrection

Monthly Goals - May 2014

For those who missed it back in January, I set up the writing goals I aim to accomplish in 2014. Right after writing that post, I then read Dean Wesley Smith's post about how to be successful at your writing goals.

Unfortunately, nothing was done this past month to speak of, so my May goals are no different than my April goals:

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words)
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards"
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection

Here's to everyone striving to accomplish their writing goals for 2014!

SFFS: A Final Snippet From Escape

Welcome back, everyone! For those who haven't kept up with my latest releases in the past several months, Escape is a brand new novella I have out (a collaboration with Lyndon Perry), the first in a young adult steampunk alternate history series. In fact, I posted up the first except just last week. It's been a while since I've written anything outside of the Aston universe, so I'm excited to see how my fans react to this new title. And now that it's finally out over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can pick it up today (of course, you can also get a paperback too). Be sure to check out all of the wonderful authors on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blogroll. And now, here's a snippet from Escape:

Taking a deep breath, then letting it ease out, I gently peeled back the flap and slid the note out. Hands trembling, I held it up and read the words written in an old familiar style. At the contents, tears flowed from my eyes until my tender moment was interrupted by that scoundrel Tommy.

“Look at the big ol’ baby!”

I blinked away the tears and stared him down. He started to say something else about diapers, but I barely understood him before I jumped across the table and pummeled his face. I kept going at him until I was finally pulled off by two of the male staff members. Blood flowed from his nose, and his eyes had that dazed, not-quite-there look.

“Send him to the headmaster!” Mrs. Tittlesworth exclaimed over the heads of all the gathered children, who sat in shocked silence.

Not to worry, I do plan on coming back to post another snippet from this one next week. But why wait? Pick up a copy of Escape using the links above!