Click a book for more information.
309 by Michael Shotter
A Universe Upon Us by Marc B. DeGeorge
Afterburn by D. Andrews
Battle Calm by W. D. Kilpack III
Beautiful World Part 1 by Bill Sharrock and Eduoard Artus
Chasing Naomi by Mark Bossingham
Children of the Fall by H. S. Down
Da Vinci on the Lam by B. D. Booker
Devil to Pay by R. M. Olson
Embargo on Hope by Justin Doyle
Embers of Esper by Tyler Aston
Eye of Destiny by Tommy-Lee Sexton
Hauler by Eric Kruger
Horizon by David W. Adams
In the Valley, A Shadow by Samantha Tano
Mendel’s Ladder by E. S. Fein
Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson
Non-Conscious by Andi van Houten
Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz
The Dark Heart of Redemption by Darran M. Handshaw
The Dream of the Forest by Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
The First Herald by Carol T. Luna
The Forsaken Planet by Bryan Wilson
The Ghost Gun by Gareth Lewis
The Sakura Element by S. C. Vincent
The Widow’s Tithe by T. R. Peers
To Spy a Star by Jonathan Nevair
Transference by Ian Patterson
Use of Emergency by Kate Kyle
Wakers of the Cryocrypt by Nathan Kuzack
Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill
309 by Michael Shotter
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Meet Lisa Hudson, a dedicated journalism student, on a beautiful, spring morning in Pittsburgh that proves to be the last ordinary day of her life. As she struggles to survive in a new reality, forged from catastrophe, Lisa confronts its mysteries and dangers with the aid of intriguing and unlikely companions. For her, the world will never be the same. For you, the journey is just beginning. Michael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship. “309” represents his most ambitious effort to date and is sure to thrill fans of both science fiction and high adventure.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alien Invasion, First Contact
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone set in the same universe as other books
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2018-09-21
Bio: Michael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship.
Twitter: @shotterwriting
Mastodon: @michaelshotter@universeodon.com
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A Universe Upon Us by Marc B. DeGeorge
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Harm to a child, Suicide/self harm, Torture
Blurb: When Ceri boarded the colony ship with her parents, they were escaping the destruction on Earth. They’d sleep in stasis for a thousand years, then wake on their new home, free from the ravages of war. But for Ceri, it was not to be. The adults of the Stratford stole her childhood and replaced it with terror. For seven years, they forced her and her squad to fight against a rival faction. They were called the enemy, but just like her, they were children, trying to survive. One day, Efa, her squad mate and friend, confesses a forbidden love that can only be considered treason. Ceri is furious, but also confused. They were like sisters. Why had Efa kept this from her? The reason forces Ceri into a choice. Should she do what Efa asks, or risk losing the only person on the ship she could trust?
Subgenres: Adventure, Dying Earth, Dystopian, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Military, Noir, Romance, Space Exploration, Space Opera
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-04-13
Bio: Amazon bestselling author Marc B. DeGeorge has always wanted to be an astronaut, but since he failed his mission at Space Camp, he now writes science fiction stories with a human focus. In his spare time, Marc works a full-time job for a major manufacturer of professional audio equipment and has taught audio technology at the college level. He’s also been studying the shamisen for over sixteen years and performs regularly around the Eastern US.
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Afterburn by D. Andrews
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Sexual violence/rape, Torture
Blurb: Kara is an outcast. A freak. A non-telepath. The only person to ever show her any kindness − Caethiid, is dead. Ever since the state informed her of Caethiid’s death, Kara’s life has been bleak, consisting of a tedious job, a small book collection and the painful memories of a love that never was. But Kara also harbours a dark secret. Within her is a terrible power, one that’s manifested in times of great danger, with devastating consequences. When Caethiid miraculously reappears, Kara’s joy is short-lived. From across the galaxy, Caethiid has been listening to Kara’s thoughts. He knows her secret and he wants to use her power to overthrow the state. Kara finds herself trapped in his twisted game of psychological manipulation. As Caethiid’s ruthless nature is revealed, Kara realises the man she once knew may no longer exist. With Caethiid’s grip tightening, Kara begins to wonder whether she can trust her own mind, or whether everything she thought she knew was part of his plan all along.
Subgenres: Galactic Empire/Colonization, Noir, Weird, psychological
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-03-01
Bio: I’m an Irish author, living in London. Lover of everything sci-fi.
Twitter: @DAndrewswrites
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Battle Calm by W. D. Kilpack III
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: When Badger succeeded his father, Red Skin, as Keeper Base Leader, he was well prepared, raised to handle anything the enemy threw at him. He was the best killer and the most respected tactician. He knew Red Skin’s Laws like he wrote them himself. Most importantly, he was always calm, no matter how frenzied the combat. These were only some of the reasons why he still had all his original parts. Trinity would die for him. Korry would follow him without question. They were Keepers. They fought, they killed, they lived to kill another day, even when it meant bugging out to another Base … and another. That was life when life was war. They knew nothing else. But even war cannot last forever, regardless of the infallible truth of Red Skin’s Law #35: “Under conditions of peace, men attack themselves; thus, there never has been, and there never will be a time without war. It is the greatest, most perfect thing men can do.”
Subgenres: Dystopian, Hard SF, Military, Post-Apocalyptic
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-05-09
Bio: W.D. Kilpack III, MPC, PSMC, is an award-winning and critically acclaimed science-fiction and fantasy author who was first published at the age of nine. His six novels have , when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, his first three novels, Crown Prince, Order of Light, and Demon Seed each received the International Firebird Book Award and the The BookFest Award, while Crown Prince won the International Impact Book Award. Demon Seed and Rilari were both Editor’s Choice on BooksShelf and, Order of Light and Rilari were Top Picks. He also received Honorable Mention from L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest for his novella, Pale Face. In total, his books have received 24 awards. He has been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. His sci-fi novella, Pale Face, is currently in movie development. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Westminster University. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. For 25 years, he was a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is an accomplished cook and has cooked nearly every type of food on a grill. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, consult and educate.
Twitter: @wdkilpackiii
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Beautiful World Part 1 by Bill Sharrock and Eduoard Artus
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Content Warnings: Martial arts/combat, None
Blurb: Beautiful World is a take on modern society’s image culture told through a dystopian medieval sci-fi showdown. It tells the story of how people lose their individuality in exchange for a recipe of beauty and popularity. In a broken future, ink-like stains have appeared on people’s skin splitting the world in two. Now the beautiful people all wear masks and live in a luxurious haven kingdom where strict beauty laws are enforced. The others, ‘stainers’, are segregated to a lawless life in the Outlands ruled by chaos and warlords. But when Chesterman, a mysterious, ruthless leader from the north rises to power with plans to bring the kingdom to its knees, people will have to find out what they truly want to live for beneath their masks. Beautiful World is a grand scale story of Anna, Barvarik, Talessa and the individuals who will shape destruction, hope, terror and change to a broken future where only the most beautiful can sit at its apex.
Subgenres: Dystopian, Military, Post-Apocalyptic
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-03-10
Bio: Bill Sharrock is a historical fiction writer and has published books such as The Bow, Chevalier and Moon Stand Still… His experience as a history teacher and passion for military history serve the series well as he knows how to tell the stories of world changing events and the people who were behind them. Edouard Artus is an independent graphic designer based in France. He has worked in the past for luxury and cosmetics brands such as Chanel, Dior, l’Oreal, Rolex… This serving as core inspiration for the Beautiful World artwork and some of the themes of the story.
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Chasing Naomi by Mark Bossingham
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Content Warnings: Martial arts/combat
Blurb: July 1969. Clive, Iowa, Earth. Sixteen-year-old Allie has a big decision to make: Watch the lunar landing with her mom in their run-down double-wide trailer or boost to the stars aboard a grumpy, sentient deep space exploration vehicle (DSEV-424) buried in her backyard for 5,000 years. Accompanied by Gem, a dead space captain, now a glitchy hologram, Allie stops on the moon and surprises Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin aboard the Eagle lunar lander. (Neil never mentioned the encounter to Houston). With Gem as her guide, Allie survives her first space battle and drops Gem off at a military regrow center in the middle of a spaceport casino. The teen’s adventure lifts off at a military space academy, where she faces danger, makes friends, battles enemies, and discovers her own surprising abilities. Along with Rin, Sky, and Gem, Allie sets out on a mission to locate and defeat a rogue fleet led by Naomi, a mad-as-a-hatter warship, all while navigating the complexities of growing up and finding her place in the galaxy.
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Genetic Engineering, Military, Space Exploration, Space Opera
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-01-26
Bio: Born San Francisco, UC Davis grad, US Navy, US Merchant Marine (Ocean-going tugboats), Newspaper editor/writer/photo editor/sports editor
Twitter: @ChasingNaomi
Mastodon: None
Notes: Also published as Allie and Naomi on X with art over 308 consecutive days. https://x.com/ChasingNaomi/status/1792671431358366070
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Children of the Fall by H. S. Down
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Harm to an animal, Martial arts/combat, Implied sexual violence, but never actually explicitly or graphically written.
Blurb: Hypatia is a companion child, a cyborg with the consciousness of a child, designed to help her non-verbal human sister, Alexandra, navigate the world. When a flash knocks out the power and a civil war erupts, the sisters are forced to travel through powerless cities and dangerous country roads in search of refuge on the eastern coast of the United States. Realizing that without access to a charging station it’s only a matter of time before her battery fails, Hypatia must deliver Alexandra to safety before it’s too late. Yet, as Hypatia and Alexandra encounter other companion children that have gone berserk, Hypatia begins to suspect the flash may have done more than just take out the power. Can Alexandra trust her sister, and is Hypatia exactly what she seems?
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Dystopian, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone set in the same universe as other books
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-02-25
Bio: H.S. Down’s novels wrestle with the human drive to live forever, both figuratively and literally, amidst widespread ecological extinction and social collapse. H.S. Down lives in Ottawa with his wife and two daughters.
Twitter: @TheShareholder1
Notes: I am really excited to be in this contest, thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to connecting more with the Indie Science Fiction community.
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Da Vinci on the Lam by B. D. Booker
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: One week. One chance. Earth is dying as a fungal ‘grit’ and dust storms smoother crop lands and destroy the oceans. The rich flee into space, leaving the poor to die off. If gunslinger Artis Quinn delivers a priceless da Vinci artwork to an offworlder hub on the other side of the country, his kids get tickets off-world. But he’ll have to fight his way through the ruthless Onyx Group and a civilization-ending grit storm to succeed.
Subgenres: Adventure, Dying Earth, Dystopian, Noir
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2022-06-07
Bio: I love traveling and writing. Fantasy and Science Fiction are my favorite genres.
Twitter: @bdbooker99
Notes: Thanks for putting this on!
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Devil to Pay by R. M. Olson
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: In a world of pirates and murderous ghosts, one naval cadet must choose between loyalty and survival. In the Level’s Naval Academy, officer candidate Silas Hunt stumbles across a secret that could get him hanged for treason. The only hope he has to save his own life and to find justice is to join up with a ruthless pirate captain, a woman known as Mad Dog—even if it means sacrificing everything he’s spent his life working for. The Verity is just a ship of the line, but for Stacks-born Captain Hollis Ives, it’s not just her first command. It’s her one chance to prove that a woman from the slums can handle a high-ranking naval position—even if it means accepting a posting that’s likely to be a death sentence. Treasure Island meets Master and Commander with a science-fiction twist in R.M. Olson’s thrilling new space opera series, The Devil and the Dark.
Subgenres: Adventure, LGBTQIA+, Military, Space Opera, Steampunk
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-09-06
Bio: R.M. Olson writes feel-good space opera featuring diverse casts, found families, and loads of action. R.M. has ridden the Trans Siberian railway, jumped off the highest bungee jump in the world, gone cage-diving with great white sharks, faced down a charging buffalo bull, and knows how to milk a goat. Currently they reside in Alberta, Canada with their four children, three cats, and a dog the size of a small bear. R.M. goes hiking and skiing more often than they probably have time for, eats more chocolate than is probably good for them, and reads more books than is probably prudent.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RMOlsonauthor
Mastodon: N/A
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Embargo on Hope by Justin Doyle
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Even gods have secrets… On planet Vastire, worth is set by the sins of one’s ancestors. Good families rise to the elite and the wicked fall into poverty. Unfortunately for sixteen-year-old Darynn Mark, his father incited a revolution. Now, Darynn scrounges his way through life in the slums. When Vastire is surrounded by an embargo, it gets even harder to survive. That all changes when an alien ship slips through the embargo, seeking Darynn with an offer: finish the revolution and the embargo ends. He might have a chance thanks to mysterious magic powers, and his two companions: clairvoyant crush Fyra and soldierly alien Kaylaa. Cutthroat killers, mystical beasts, Vampires, power-hungry priests and lords, and self-serving spies stand in their way. If the three of them can crack his father’s secret, maybe they can end the embargo and save the poor. If not, another poor orphan will be added to the growing piles of dead.
Subgenres: Adventure, Fantasy, Space Opera, Young Adult
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2021-08-20
Bio: Justin was born in Galveston, TX and raised in the Houston area. In middle school, he fell in love with two life-long pursuits: space and writing. He knew he wanted to work at NASA and write science fiction/fantasy on the side, and lo and behold, that’s exactly what he ended up doing. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and an M.S. in Systems Engineering. He now works for Barrios Technology as a project engineer for the next NASA space station, the Gateway, after previously working on commercial avionics, International Space Station (ISS) flight and manifest planning, and ISS research planning. He lives in the Houston area with his wife, daughters, and various small mammals. Check out his website starmarked.mailchimpsites.com for more information on him, bonus material in the Star Marked universe, and upcoming releases. Sign up for his mailing list to receive news and free short stories!
Twitter: JustinD_n_Space
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Embers of Esper by Tyler Aston
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: Kyra groaned as she uncoiled the swords from her waist. It looked like she was about to spend another night shampooing entrails out of her hair… Tristan is on the verge of becoming a Warden. It is one of the greatest honours the galaxy can bestow – not bad for a scrawny kid from Earth. With it comes a new life of responsibility, dedication and sacrifice. But after a lifetime on the run, the rainbow-haired mercenary Kyra has a problem. Her past, it seems, has finally caught up with her… And innocent people are paying the price. Her family are in danger. Her home planet is under attack. She is the only one who can make things right – but she can’t do it alone. Join Tris and Kyra on a desperate mission to the furthest reaches of space. Together they must confront an enemy that has haunted Kyra’s dreams, and pursued her across the stars since she was a child. But you can’t fight the past. Or can you? Find out now, in this fast-paced and explosive space opera – perfect for fans of Firefly, The Expanse and Killjoys.
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Humorous, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is an alternative entry point to a series
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2021-12-08
Bio: Tyler Aston has spent his life traveling the world, but his head has always been amongst the stars. That’s probably why he gets hurt so much. His love of all things sci-fi has resulted in him creating his own fictional universe, populated by the kind of characters he loves to read about – ass-kicking chicks with swords, tough-talking mercenaries, quirky robots and deadly assassins. The Earth Warden Saga is his first attempt to write the epic space adventure he’s always dreamed about – blending an old-fashioned shoot-em-up with flashes of wicked humour… and of course the odd decapitation. Wouldn’t be any fun without those, right?
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Eye of Destiny by Tommy-Lee Sexton
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Martial arts/combat, Character death
Blurb: In an invasion turned all-out war against humanity, can three brothers save the world and discover what’s been hiding on Earth all along? Malcolm, Walker, and Calvin are three brothers living vastly different lives. Malcolm loves to party and be a jerk to his siblings, Walker is the front man for a band, and Calvin is just trying to survive being bullied while wrestling with his unrelenting anxiety. They never expected to become superheroes. Things change when the Ekronian Empire makes Earth their next target for conquest. Their leader, Reyin, will kill as many people as it takes to get the job done and make Earth like his home planet—a world where children become soldiers, the unemployed become slaves, and those who voice disagreement are cruelly silenced. But Reyin has come for more than that. He’s seeking the Eye of Destiny—an ancient artifact that could bend reality to his will. Unexpectedly armed by a clandestine organization with the only technology in the galaxy that can withstand the Ekronians, it’s up to Malcolm, Walker, and Calvin to stop him. Can they navigate life, high school, and their personal demons while working to save humanity? Or will their family fall apart along with the rest of the world?
Subgenres: Adventure, Alien Invasion, Super Hero
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-11-07
Bio: Tommy-Lee Sexton has spent his life fascinated by science fiction and superhero stories. These themes have lived in his head as original tales and daydreams for as long as he can remember. He lives in South Carolina with his wife and two children.
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Hauler by Eric Kruger
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Governments have fallen. Corporations control the world. Now their eyes are on Mars. But Benjamin Drake is about to ruin everyone’s plans. Earth is no longer made up of countries and nations. Every bit of land has been privatized, and most of it is owned by five big corporations. Life is hard, and people are struggling. Crime is rampant, and they send serious offenders to Mars to help with the terraforming. Benjamin Drake is a happy-go-lucky truck driver (or hauler) with an uncomplicated life, hauling cargo around the world in his Hydrostar, until a run of bad decisions leaves him without work. Down on his luck and desperate for a contract, he makes a decision that he instantly regrets. As Drake gets caught in a tug of war between a mining mogul and the world’s most ruthless security force, he suddenly finds himself with a truck full of stolen cargo, and decisions need to be made. But who can he trust? After a big professional blunder, Lt. Lily Wells plots a way to get her career back on track as one of Penta Corporations’ top security officers. But when Wells ends up on a murder case, she uncovers something much bigger. One on the run and the other on the hunt, Drake and Wells cross paths, at odds and supposedly enemies. But could their alliance be the only way out alive? Set in the near-future, Hauler is the first book in the Benjamin Drake adventure series, filled with witty dialogue, flawed heroes, and plenty of bad decisions.
Subgenres: Adventure, Crime & Mystery, Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Suspense, Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2020-12-13
Bio: Eric Kruger was born in Welkom, South Africa. Before turning his attention to writing books, he tried waiting, Pizza making, selling CD’s, photography and a department manager in a motorcycle shop. He is presently working on the Benjamin Drake series. Eric lives in Australia with his wife and two young children.
Twitter: @Eric_K_Author
Notes: No, just that I hope whoever reads it enjoys it!
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Horizon by David W. Adams
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Graphic violence/murder
Blurb: There is no salvation among the stars… With every known planet, colony or settlement mostly ruined or completely destroyed, a desperate crew of humans onboard the starship Odyssey, hear rumours of a mythical phenomenon called the Horizon. This magical place on the edge of known space is believed to transport those who traverse it, back in time to the moment they were at their happiest. With only death, heartache and baron wastelands surrounding them, the crew head toward the Horizon. However to reach this phenomenon, they must cross the Expanse – a 30 day trip through entirely empty space. No light, no stars, no planets… nothing. At least that’s what they think.
Subgenres: Cosmic Horror, Dystopian, First Contact, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Exploration
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-12-18
Bio: I live on the island of Portland, Dorset with my wife Charlotte, and 2 year old daughter Molly. I began writing 20 years ago but first published in January 2021. I wrote a collection of dark fantasy and horror stories called The Dark Corner. That book began a series compiled of novels spanning multiple genres across a connected universe, which will end next year with its 13th book. Since then, I’ve expanded into scifi/scifi horror with the Frozen Planet Saga, starting with Horizon. This quickly became my best received work to date. The third in the series releases Sept 28th with the series concluding next Summer.
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In the Valley, A Shadow by Samantha Tano
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: An action-packed sci-fi western tale of revenge, love, and identity. The frontier planet Celestine, millennia from now. It was supposed to be the furthest Alix could get from the Xypha Corporation, that all-consuming entity at the heart of humanity’s interstellar expansion. After the Xypha forward station arrives in orbit, Alix, a transgender pilot, finds herself out of work and her ship grounded. She’ll do anything to pay off her mounting debts so she can fly again—even if it means killing for the meanest crime boss in the Isidis Valley. As Xypha’s influence grows, Alix is trapped in a web of betrayal and politics that threatens more than just her life. Armed with a pair of Plasveld-7s, a sharp wit, and with the love of her life by her side, Alix embarks on a deadly path across the valley. Can she flee Xypha’s creeping shadow, or is it time to stop running and stand her ground?
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Galactic Empire/Colonization, LGBTQIA+, sci-fi western
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Bio: Samantha Tano is a science fiction author based in Rhode Island. After starting out in journalism as an award-winning reporter, she moved to Denver, Colorado, and worked as an award-winning development editor for a non-fiction press. Writing has always been central to her life through short stories, microfiction, fan-fiction, and novels. Her microfiction has appeared online in Deep South Magazine.
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Mendel’s Ladder by E. S. Fein
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Torture
Blurb: Outlast. Outgrow. Outlive. In the ashes of Earth, evolution is the ultimate weapon. The Earth will never be the same. Ravaged by climate destruction, nuclear devastation, and other cataclysmic events, the planet and its people continue to undergo radical changes to survive. A portion of humanity now lives aboard the city-size utopian space station Astrea—the lucky few. Most who fend for themselves on the Earth’s surface have become Nomads: plant/fungus hybrids connected to the growing planetary mind of Earth. The few remaining human societies on Earth survive through incredible cunning, calculation, and courage. Shira and Myriam, cybernetically enhanced warriors hailing from the now destroyed Matriarchy of Wintersvilla, travel across the world in search of a way to protect two human-like girls with seemingly impossible powers. As the women clash with giant mutated beasts and a diverse array of deadly flora, they are intercepted by a Huntress and Hunter—catastrophically lethal creations of the old world thought to have gone extinct over a decade earlier. While these characters’ paths intersect in surprising and explosive ways, ancient powers lurk in the shadows, wielding god-like influence over their lives. Will Shira and Myriam be able to overcome their nightmarish adversaries, or will they succumb to the endless perils of the neoevolved Earth? Dive into Mendel’s Ladder, book one of this epic series, and prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey set on a post-apocalyptic future Earth, brimming with high-stakes action, adventure, and mystery.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alternate History/Parallel Universe, Dystopian, Fantasy, Genetic Engineering, Hard SF, LGBTQIA+, Post-Apocalyptic, Weird
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-10-24
Bio: E. S. Fein is the author of the Neoevolution Earth Series, two standalone novels (A Dream of Waking Life and Points of Origin), and two short story collections (Ascendescenscion and The Process is Love). More than anything, he enjoys writing strange stories about strange characters in strange situations. Some people refer to him as a lucid dreaming expert. Others know him as a rapper. But E. S. Fein just thinks of himself as a dude who likes to think about what it means to be a dude thinking about being a dude. When he isn’t hanging out with his partner and son, you can usually find him reading, playing DnD and video games with his friends, going for walks while writing stories in his head before putting them on paper, or practicing yoga. Check out some free short stories on his site, Officialesfein.com.
Twitter: AuthorESFein
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Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Drug use, Graphic violence/murder, Harm to a child, Torture
Blurb: ENTER THE FUNGALVERSE. BEAT THE WINTER BLUES. Blade Runner, True Detective and District 9 meld with the weird worlds of Jeff VanderMeer, Philip K. Dick and China Miéville in Adrian M. Gibson’s hallucinatory, fungalpunk noir debut. Two years after a devastating defeat in the decade-long Spore War, the island nation of Hōppon and its capital city of Neo Kinoko are occupied by invading Coprinian forces. Its fungal citizens are in dire straits, wracked by food shortages, poverty and an influx of war refugees. Even worse, the corrupt occupiers exploit their power, hounding the native population. As a winter storm looms over the metropolis, NKPD homicide detective Henrietta Hofmann begrudgingly partners up with mushroom-headed patrol officer Koji Nameko to investigate the mysterious murders of fungal and half-breed children. Their investigation drags them deep into the seedy underbelly of a war-torn city, one brimming with colonizers, criminal gangs, racial division and moral decay. In order to solve the case and unravel the truth, Hofmann must challenge her past and embrace fungal ways. What she and Nameko uncover in the midst of this frigid wasteland will chill them to the core, but will they make it through the storm alive?
Subgenres: Crime & Mystery, Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Fantasy, Noir, Suspense, Weird
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes, but the blurb isn’t science fiction
Publication Date: 2024-03-19
Bio: Adrian M. Gibson is a Canadian speculative fiction author, podcaster and illustrator (as well as occasional tattoo artist). He was born in Ontario, Canada, but grew up in British Columbia. He studied English Literature and has worked in music journalism, restaurants, tattoo studios, clothing stores and a bevy of odd jobs. In 2021, he created the SFF Addicts podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow author M. J. Kuhn. Mushroom Blues is his debut novel.
Twitter: @adrianmgibson
Notes: Nope, but thank you for the opportunity to enter this competition!
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Non-Conscious by Andi van Houten
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Content Warnings: Explicit sex
Blurb: In a post-cybernetic world where most have abandoned their neural enhancements, seventy-year-old Herbert Ferris clings to his outdated tech—and the troubled legacy it carries. Once a rogue hacker, Ferris now clocks in at Re/Live Corporation as a digital ecologist, crafting biomes for the popular fantasy game world, New Europa. But when a glitch starts turning players’ avatars pink, triggering an online uproar, Ferris is thrust into the heart of a spiraling corporate crisis. Ferris is ordered to clean up the mess alone. Fed up, he decides to go non-con, using his neuromod to become the perfect corporate zombie until the storm blows over. But when he reawakens, the chaos has only escalated: protesters are picketing Re/Live’s head office, his job is on the line, and, to make matters worse, an innocent schoolgirl has gone missing. Gripped by a paranoia he hasn’t felt in decades, Ferris races to uncover the truth, clashing with police, protesters, ruthless rivals, and—worst of all—his vindictive ex. Non-conscious is a darkly humorous journey of one man’s battle to reclaim his dignity and sanity in a world where the line between fantasy and reality has blurred beyond recognition.
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, Crime & Mystery
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Bio: Non-Conscious is my second novel. My first book was a fantasy novel called Seven Circles, which I envisaged as a trilogy but haven’t got around to finishing. In addition to my writing endeavours, I juggle roles as a part-time academic researcher, stock trader, and stay-at-home dad. In a previous chapter of my life, I earned a PhD in Economic Geography and worked for several years in academia. Having lived most of my life in Australia, Non-conscious is infused with Australian slang and an irreverent sense of humour
Twitter: @AShotauro
Mastodon: NA
Notes: No
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Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Sexual violence/rape, Torture
Blurb: Ser Edward, an experienced sailor, embarks on perhaps the most daring expedition of the Kingdom of Esenworth so far. His mission is to try to earn the blessing of the Reverend Sven, who is none other than his love’s father, probably the most influential man in the realm. But on his journey beset by fierce storms, he and his men encounter something that could shake to the core not only their faith, but their very concept of the world as well. Meanwhile, far from the oceans, his love, Emma, is trying to disentangle herself from the spider’s web of intrigue and scheming, into which she is being drawn ever deeper by Erick the new king. And the dark clouds just keep gathering above – ancient beasts, stranger than ever, appear at sea, on land and even in the skies more and more frequently. They roar with a metallic screech, their eyes glow with an unnatural light, their skin hard and rigid as armor. Can order be upheld in this age blind to divine prophecy, in the largest kingdom of the North, where the monarch’s mind is coming undone just like reality itself? Our heroes must struggle ceaselessly to understand the hidden secrets of their world and their own origins. But what are they going to do once they have the answers?
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Crime & Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance, Weird
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes, but the blurb isn’t science fiction
Publication Date: 2021-09-01
Bio: I’m a Hungarian-born SFF author who lives in London, UK for almost 10 years now. My first book Sealed Empire is won the best Fantasy Choice Award in Hungary in 2022 and was a SPFBO9 particicipant in 2023. My book is a genre mix with hard sci-fi elemnts which why I ofen refer it as a sci-fi novel. At the moment I working on the SE sequels and some other sci-fi, fantasy scripts for Streaming. Next year my book will be published in Italian as well.
Twitter: authornorbert
Notes: Jóhan – Library of a Viking made a great video review on YouTube, worth watching it 🙂
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The Dark Heart of Redemption by Darran M. Handshaw
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Content Warnings: Cannibalism, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Torture
Blurb: “Some secrets are best left undiscovered.” Pyramid, the great heart of Redemption, lies under siege by tribal invaders that threaten to destroy the very civilization that the Dominions have created. The Engineer, Actaeon, leads a force of Raedelleans from the south, where they pause to investigate the secrets of abandoned Travail in search of aid for the battle to come. At the same time, the new Princess of Raedelle, Eisandre, sails down the River of Arches with her Thyrian allies to attack from the Great Sea to the west. Travail’s secrets are darker than expected, and the reason behind the Loresworn evacuation may soon spread to the rest of the city. Meanwhile, far to the north, Ajman and Shield fight over the lands of Czeryn, left desolate by an artifact that just might extinguish all life in the city at the hands of an unseen enemy known only as the Veiled One. In his quest to save Redemption, will Actaeon be able to overcome the old enmity between the Dominions to unite against these threats? Or will all civilization fall, just as the Ancients had ages ago? One thing is certain: in Redemption, everything comes with a cost.
Subgenres: Adventure, Dying Earth, Fantasy, Hard SF, LitRPG, Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Engineering
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone set in the same universe as other books
Is This Science Fiction? Yes, but the blurb isn’t science fiction
Publication Date: 2022-09-17
Bio: Darran M. Handshaw is the author of The Engineer and The Dark Heart of Redemption. In addition to writing, Darran works as an R&D Engineer at a technology company. There he invents and designs new products. He holds more than 90 patents in data capture, vision systems, and emergency services. Darran also volunteers as a firefighter and EMT with his local fire department, where he served as the Chief of Department in 2021 & 2022. Darran hails from Long Island, NY, where he lives with his wife, Stefanie, and son, Corwin, who fill his life with love, wisdom, and endless adventures.
Twitter: Engineer7601
Notes: The Dark Heart of Redemption was written as a standalone novel in a series. Though it has a short recap at the beginning of the previous novel to aid previous readers in remembering the events, it isn’t necessary to read in order to enjoy the book.
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The Dream of the Forest by Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
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Content Warnings: Cannibalism, Sexual violence/rape
Blurb: More than one hundred years have passed since the cataclysm. The year is 2197 and Earth’s surviving inhabitants now live in heavenly cities above the clouds, unwilling to descend back to the unstable surface. Helen is a lawyer whose life is seemingly perfect, complete with career, partner and plans for a family. But she soon discovers that it is all an illusion. A car accident turns her life in a different direction and she finds herself on the Earth’s surface, in a forested world utterly foreign to her. Is it true that Earth cannot sustain life? What if the truth was entirely different? What if there were survivors — and how would Helen return to her own world?
Subgenres: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2018-07-14
Bio: Stjepan was born on September 12, 1965, in Split, Croatia. He has published the poetry collection “The Child of Happiness” in 2015, the science fiction novel “Godeena” in 2015, the science fiction short story “Butterfly” in 2016, and the poetry collection “When the moon takes over the dream: Love Poetry” in 2016, the poetry collection “The flaming horses: Collection of poetry” 2017, Sci-Fi novel “The Dream of the Forest” in 2018, the science fiction short novella “The Collector,” fairy tale for children “Magic Clogs,” “Joseph, The Good Giant,” the poetry collection “Twitter of Night Nightingale” in 2019, Sci-Fi Novelle “Black Seeds” in 2020, the poetry collection “Golden treads” in 2021 and SF Novella “2025” in 2022.
Twitter: https://x.com/VSCobet
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The First Herald by Carol T. Luna
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Non-consensual medical procedures, Torture
Blurb: What price would you pay to protect your country? When his city burned around him, Zacharias Eld swore on his life it would never happen again. Sworn in as the First Herald, there is no camera he cannot access, no idle chatter he cannot hear. No secrets he cannot unearth. But a break-in at a lab reveals the hole in the network he spent seven years to build. Worse, the evidence is contaminated, the suspects missing, and the innocent refuse to speak. Zach soon finds himself in a world he thought he had purged years ago, festering in the shadows he once scoured. As the layers of the conspiracy peel back, so too, does the safety of Zach those around him. Either Zach finds the culprit or he will witness the fall of the city he’d spent his life to protect.
Subgenres: Crime & Mystery, Dystopian, Fantasy, Genetic Engineering, Post-Apocalyptic, Suspense
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone set in the same universe as other books
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-08-14
Bio: Carol T. Luna is a pharmacist, writer, and full-time nerd. She tore up her first novel at fourteen, got a “real” career, then fell through seven jobs before finally returning to writing. As the author of the Project Blue series, she probes the depths of idealism, friendship, family, but mostly, what it really means to be an adult.
Twitter: @Writing_Scrub
Notes: It’s my first time entering! Finally have the confidence that it might do well! There’s also more to the ending if one cares to take note of the clues peppered in the story and puzzle it together. It makes the transcripts make a lot more sense and why they are included.
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The Forsaken Planet by Bryan Wilson
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: -The Power of the Stars- “With it, we are capable of greatness or are a weapon that will only bring suffering to the universe.” When mysterious aircraft wreak havoc across Earth’s skies, it is revealed that there are clusters of other planets where humankind resides, distant worlds where the people wield the power of the stars themselves. It is an energy force that can bring about miracles or, as the alien fleet’s ruthless leader displays, unleash horrors beyond imagination. After experiencing a loss during the onslaught, Colton Samson, an ordinary college student, vows to protect his loved ones at any cost. But to learn the power to do so, he must enlist into the Army of the Universal Throne—a second alien force with its own agenda. With the revelation of a secret prophecy foretelling humanity’s demise and Colton’s improbable role in preventing it, he embarks alongside a diverse group of friends to the Throne’s capital, the planet of Vintara. There he faces prejudice from supposed allies, lifelike combat simulations that test him to his core, and the looming threat of a universal war. Only by embracing his true potential can Colton hope to secure the safety he seeks, in a universe that views him as nothing more than Forsaken.
Subgenres: Adventure, Fantasy, First Contact, Military, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-06-13
Bio: I am the author of the Power of the Stars series. It consists of two installments thus far, and a standalone novella set in the universe. I have been an avid reader of SFF for twenty-six years and have written in the genres as a hobby for twenty of those. I took the plunge and self-published my first book in 2023.
Twitter: BWilsonAuthor
Notes: This is a resubmission from last year, but I did not progress past the first round. I saw that they opened today for resubmissions and hope this same author form was the correct place to submit. Thank you.
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The Ghost Gun by Gareth Lewis
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: The Ghost Gun kills what it hits, its ghost bullets ensnaring the victim’s soul to their killer. Except nothing is that simple. Certainly not an apparently simple theft that leads detectives into a war between secret societies over artifacts which have been around for millennia, their origin unknown, their abilities inexplicable. Demoted to Vice due to departmental politics, Detective Cassie Kinsala sees an opportunity to restore her career path. But what looks like it might offer a decent arrest soon turns into a quagmire the law might not cover, and might not protect her from. Jimmy Bancroft used to be a cop. Working for the other side lets him avoid paperwork. Investigating rumours of a competitor moving in on his employer’s interests, he becomes entangled in a war between criminals and a secret society. And someone might be trying to set him up.
Subgenres: Crime & Mystery
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-07-31
Bio: Gareth Lewis has written a number of novels and shorter pieces in a few genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. A programmer, he has a degree in computer studies, and lives in South Wales.
Twitter: gdlewis23
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The Sakura Element by S. C. Vincent
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Content Warnings: Martial arts/combat, Bullying
Blurb: When tradition means damnation, and the future is the past… Alia Academia – school for the elite. Genetically modified Oka Latellay faces discrimination orchestrated by fellow student Allen Debois. Allen enforces a caste system by the Purveyors of Tradition, keeping modified people in the bottom rung of society. But Oka’s gumption inspires him to start a fencing tourney where everything is at stake. If she loses, her life in high society is over. But if she wins, so ends the bullying of all mods in the school. Oka struggles with her fencing bouts and growing feelings for Allen as he reveals there is more to him than the cold cruelty he portrays. Simultaneously, Allen is torn between adoration for Oka and the Purveyors of Tradition influence. Choosing the former could risk his family’s wealth and good name. Little do the two know how much their struggles intertwine when Allen’s friend begins to vie for Oka’s affections, and Allen finds himself blackmailed about his family’s past. In a post-World War world where society functions on sleight of hand and discrimination, Oka and Allen must find the one thing that will save them. Love.
Subgenres: Dystopian, Genetic Engineering, LGBTQIA+, Romance
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? No
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-03-16
Bio: S.C. Vincent is an author of horror and SF/F.
Twitter: @scvincent4
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The Widow’s Tithe by T. R. Peers
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: Sasha Michaels has it all. She’s got the looks, some natural, some bought-and-paid for. She’s got the fame, with over one-hundred million Omniverse subscribers and a shot at breaking into the coveted Top 100. She’s got the wealth that comes with both. And she has the ultimate accessory, an even more famous husband. Alex Michaels is a HotDropper, a cybernetic corporate mercenary whose missions are streamed worldwide. But when Alex is killed on only his second mission, Sasha soon finds out that everything she thought she owned is now property of his paymasters, who invested hundreds of millions in him and intend to collect on the debt. Now she must serve as a rank-and-file trooper in the militia of the LifeWise corporation, until she pays off or she dies. Some people call it indentured service, but the troopers know it by a different name. They call it the Widow’s Tithe.
Subgenres: Military
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is an alternative entry point to a series
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-04-05
Bio: Tim Peers is an author, blogger and occasional dustman from Norfolk, England. Born in 1974 to parents who had no idea what they were letting themselves in for, he is a man of many talents, which regrettably do not include focus. He has been a singer in several bands, most notably Last Paradigm, and enjoys music, writing, and miniature war-gaming, along with following a rigorous exercise plan known as “The Kettle Is Downstairs.”
Twitter: Majere613
Notes: Previously a ‘Quarterfinalist’ with Sciencefiction.news which AFAIK means I’m eligible for a resub. I hope!
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To Spy a Star by Jonathan Nevair
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Torture, hostage
Blurb: Mission: Impossible meets The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet in this fast, fun, and action-packed spy-fi adventure. One star can break a galaxy. Agent Renault plays cloak and dagger against her most formidable opponent yet – a ruthless and cunning expert at cards and more deadly arts besides. Her mission: retrieve a stolen asset known as the Star Eye. Aided by her eccentric agency team and armed with state-of-the-art gadgets, she races to solve a devious conspiracy and bring down her elusive foe. But a specter haunts the agency’s halls, whispering secrets from its past. Allies and enemies alike wear masks in the espionage game. Lilline must decide who to trust if she hopes to take down a sinister and vengeful mastermind before a wave of terror crashes across the stars.
Subgenres: Adventure, Space Opera, spy-fi
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone set in the same universe as other books
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-12-05
Bio: Jonathan Nevair is an award-winning science fiction writer and educator originally from Long Island, NY. After two decades in the classroom, he finally got up the nerve to write fiction. His character-driven space operas and spy-fi thrillers have been nominated for, and won, multiple awards. To Spy a Star is the 2024 National Fantasy Fan Federation Laureate Award winner for Best Novel and Stellar Instinct was awarded 2nd Place in this year’s Valorious Awards (2024). Nominations include: the NF3 Laureate Award (Stellar Instinct) and the Indie Ink Awards (Wind Tide). Jati’s Wager was the 2022 Indie Ink Awards runner-up for the category, Writing the Future We Need: Non-Binary Representation. His short fiction is published in sci-fi journals, including Simultaneous Times and Eldritch Science. Jonathan lives in southeastern PA with his wife and rambunctious mountain feist, Cricket. When not writing and teaching, he spends his time chasing his dog through the woods and stargazing with dreams of walking in space. (SFWA full member)
Twitter: @JNevair
Notes: Audiobook should be finished and available by end of October!
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Transference by Ian Patterson
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Explicit sex, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: Nicholas Fiveboroughs is a Sicko, someone that takes on others’ illnesses. In a city where diseases can be transferred, the rich buy longer lives without pain, and the poor get a short life of constant sickness. Maybe it was fate, or maybe someone is looking out for him, but after Nicholas barely survives his latest affliction, he gets the chance to try and change things. To finally stop the whole disease transfer network. Tensions escalate as Nicholas infiltrates a higher society he doesn’t understand, and starts to fall for the very person he needs to manipulate to be successful. And between run-ins with a talking animal and genetically modified humans, the world around him just keeps getting stranger. Can Nicholas tear down the disease transfer architecture? And can he do it without losing his own humanity along the way?
Subgenres: Adventure, Dystopian
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Bio: Ian Patterson is many things. Importantly here, he’s the author of Transference, Book One of the Narrator Cycle. He’s also an engineer, cyclist, foodie, coffee lover, cat dad, human dad, and reader of books. Preferably, thick books that deal with strange things and big ideas. He’s dreamed of being an author for decades, but finally began the journey with the birth of his first daughter. This is an objectively terrible time to start work that requires quiet concentration, and he knows it, but he loves the chaos nonetheless. He lives in Colorado with his wonderful family.
Notes: Thanks for running the contest! It’s been a goal of mine to get this book ready in time to enter.
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Use of Emergency by Kate Kyle
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: A newbie pilot with a secret, broken comms, alien artifact, viral code, empty space. What can go wrong? Jax, a freshly minted spaceship pilot had a simple job: taking a group of sick people to Rebels’ Republic space station to have their brain implants fixed while keeping her secret – secret. She had a smart plan to get it done: just some tweaking of the comms to make it look like an accident. But her ship had some surprises aboard: two healthy passengers, who weren’t who they claimed to be, a real emergency, and a piece of virally spreading rogue code. Then… came some more problems… Can a loner learn teamwork to survive and save the solar system from collapse?
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, First Contact, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Space Exploration, Space Opera, Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2021-07-08
Bio: Kate Kyle always wanted to live in the future: somewhere in a galaxy far, far away, or in a techno-world of AI, computer-brain interfaces and consciousness that can be uploaded into virtual reality. As soon as she realised that the fastest way to make this happen was to write about it, she jumped right into it. Of course, her biological form currently lives somewhere on Earth, together with her family, including three cats and an ever-growing collection of sci-fi and science books. Kate writes science fiction stories, mainly in the space opera/space adventure subgenres, with some first contact, space exploration, AI/futuristic technologies, and mystery thrown in. Her stories are character-driven and sit somewhere on the spectrum between hard and soft sci-fi. You will find quite a lot of social and political issues there, some neuroscience, but definitely no magic.
Notes: Since the Q about AI is not 100% clear: My book was NOT authored by AI. Please, use only my pen name in any announcements/blog posts etc. For a variety of reasons, I keep my real name secret. Thank you.
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Wakers of the Cryocrypt by Nathan Kuzack
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Content Warnings: Descriptions of nuclear holocaust/mass death/starvation/illness, etc.
Blurb: The future. The human race is extinct. Earth is ruled by “eltecs”, descendants of the AIs humans created before their demise. While searching for prehistoric cave paintings, two eltec explorers discover a hidden cryogenic crypt containing 23 perfectly preserved human bodies frozen inside crystal columns. As eltec society argues over who might have built the crypt and what to do with it, one of its occupants is restored to life. Human beings are no longer extinct, but, for reasons of their own, not every eltec wants to see them come back. The only living man on Earth is in terrible danger.
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, Hard SF, Metaphysical/Visionary, Post-Apocalyptic, Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-06-21
Bio: Nathan Kuzack writes predominantly in the science fiction and horror genres. His novels include Doomware (2014), The Anguisher Creature (2015), Void (2016) and Xeno (2019). He has published two collections of short stories.Having grown up in the West Country of England, he worked in the City of London for several years, subsequently transferring his skills to the voluntary sector. Other writers who have influenced him include Arthur C. Clarke, Michael Crichton, Daphne du Maurier, Alan Dean Foster, James Jones, Ursula K. Le Guin, Richard Matheson, Cormac McCarthy and Franz Kafka. He currently resides in the West Country once again.
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Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder
Blurb: Running on caffeine and spite with nothing left to prove. GOLDEN GIRLS meets FIREFLY in this rollicking space opera adventure. Maryn Alessi retired from mercenary service after her last assignment went horribly sideways and settled down on a quiet planet with the love of her life. Unexpectedly widowed, Maryn must fulfill a promise to return her mate’s ashes to zer home planet for funeral rites, but a brutal civil war has destabilized space travel. Former Artemis Corps sisters-in-arms and their sassy ship, the Golden Girl, are up to the task, counting on luck and their rather sketchy cargo business to get Maryn passage through the contested star lanes. But when the crew of the Girl rescues survivors of a ruthless war crime, Maryn and her ride-or-die friends must take up their old profession to save the lives of innocents from a genocidal dictator.
Subgenres: Adventure, LGBTQIA+, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-09-15
Bio: Elisabeth “E.M.” Hamill is a nurse by day, unabashed geek, chocoholic, sci fi and fantasy novelist by nights, weekends, and whenever she can steal quality time with her laptop. She lives with her family, two dogs, and a cat in the wilds of eastern suburban Kansas, where they fend off flying monkey attacks and prep for the zombie apocalypse.
Twitter: @songmagick
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