Click a book for more information.
A Country of Eternal Light by Darby Harn
All Hope of Becoming Human by Lonnie Busch
Ancient as the Stars by Maya Darjani
Blackthorne by Clayton Snyder
Blood Sacrifice by Q. Turner
Broken Mirror by Cody Sisco
Ceres Station Calling by R. M. Bradley
Chloe’s Kingdom by Gregory Michael
Cosmic Strife: Assault by Steve Gavin
Crystal and Flint by Holly Ash
EAT: The Sum by Jesse Brown
Failsafe by Jeff Sylvester
Flight of the Pangolin by Michael Moutinho
Forward and Back by Michael Pickard
Hi De Ho, Infecterino! by Andrew Marc Rowe
Historian of Future Past by Revis Grey
Mercy Rising by Bowen Greenwood
Mission Beta by
Nothing Larger Than These Stars by E. Marie Robertson
ORION by Aaron Frale
Slipspace: Terra Nullius by Zachary Forbes
The Afterlife Experiment by Sam Weiss
The Areisa by Lorain O’Neil
The City That Disappeared by Cheryl Peña
The Elements of Time: The Winds of Change by Sam Paisley
The Great Ooflan From Corplop by Charlie D. Weisman
The Murder Algorithm by Wilson Kincaid
The Parallels by Keyla Damaer
The Scorching: Just Press Play by Nick Snape
The Wrong Stop by Rex Burke
Tomorrow’s Child by D. G. Barnes
A Country of Eternal Light by Darby Harn
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Content Warnings: Food and drink eating disorders, Grief
Blurb: A rogue black hole tears apart the solar system. Mairead’s life is already in pieces. The Earth has less than a year to survive. Asteroids rain hell; earthquakes rattle cities; manic tides swamp coasts. Mairead intends to give herself to the erratic waves that erode her remote Irish island, the same that claimed her child. When Gavin, an American, arrives to scatter his father’s ashes, she becomes torn between wanting for life and death. Despite the tides, fuel shortages, and closing borders that threaten to trap him on the island, Gavin can’t seem to scatter the ashes. He doesn’t know how to let go any more than Mairead does and they find a strange comfort in their confusion. Their affair draws Mairead back to the world of the living, but the longer Gavin stays, the more it seems there might be a future for them. There is no future. Life closes down around them. The world they know shreds. Life drains into an inescapable abyss. And yet Mairead fights, both the gravity of her grief and the restless, dissonant desire to find some kind of peace no matter how brief.
Subgenres: Dying Earth, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance, Weird
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2021-06-04
Bio: Darby Harn is the author of Stargun Messenger and Ever The Hero, which Publisher’s Weekly called an “entertaining debut that uses superpowers as a metaphor to delve into class politics in an alternate America.” His fiction appears in Strange Horizons, Interzone, and other venues. Full list here. He is a panelist, moderator, and podcaster. He graduated from the University of Iowa and studied at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Irish Writing Program.
Twitter: @Darbyharn
Notes: Thank you!
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All Hope of Becoming Human by Lonnie Busch
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Content Warnings: Explicit sex, Graphic violence/murder
Blurb: The world is about to change in unimaginable ways… Earthquakes rock the planet, revealing massive metallic objects and vast subterranean graveyards. One such location is in the Arizona desert. Scientists believe this incredible discovery may hold answers to the origins of man, but when the site is suddenly shut down due to seismic activity, one researcher knows she must return. Assistant archaeologist Rebecca Duccati sneaks into the compound alone, and will have to dig deep to find clues in these strange underground caves and tunnels. The work is dangerous and frightening, but she feels a connection to this bizarre phenomenon that even she isn’t fully aware of yet. FBI Special Agent Demzey knows nothing about archaeology; his specialty— anomalous crimes, the fringe edge of the aberrant and the unknown. Demzey is investigating a recent rash of vicious and brutal murders, the clues surrounding the killings both disturbing and inexplicable. He and his assistant Connie Wegman catch a break when they discover remains of two monstrous creatures unknown to science, believed to be a race of aliens responsible for attacks on humans across the globe. With the death toll ticking ever higher, scientists and intelligence agencies on every continent search for the source of these vicious creatures, until the combined efforts of Duccati and Demzey begin to unravel the mystery, though what they uncover could spell the end for the human race.
Subgenres: Adventure, Dystopian, First Contact, Genetic Engineering, Horror, Suspense
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-05-14
Bio: Lonnie Busch is an award-winning author whose short fiction has appeared in Southwest Review, The Minnesota Review, The Baltimore Review and other magazines. Among his awards for fiction are the Clay Reynolds Novella Prize for his novella, TURNBACK CREEK, finalist in the Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction, the Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Award, and others. Busch is the author of several novels, THE CABIN ON SOUDER HILL, THE BALDWIN HOTEL, ALL HOPE OF BECOMING HUMAN and CARGO HOLD 4 (Coming 2024). Busch is also a painter, animator and illustrator, and has created artwork for numerous corporations, ad agencies and institutions, including the “Greetings from America” and “Wonders of America” Commemorative Stamps for the USPS.
Notes: If you prefer and audiobook of my entry, I’d be glad to provide a free promo code for either US or UK. Just email me. Cheers, Lonnie
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Ancient as the Stars by Maya Darjani
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Graphic violence/murder
Blurb: One kickass immortal sailship captain. Captain Karenna Yilmaz of the Earth Union Fleet has it all. Adoring husband? Check. The enduring loyalty of her crew? Check. Transformation into a beautiful ageless immortal? Check. Check. Check. But when a dimensional rift brings her low-down, dust-sniffing, no-good younger self hurtling into the present, Karenna’s carefully-constructed life wavers. One snarky dust-addicted loser. Flight Officer Ren Yilmaz is pretty sick of the hand she’s been dealt. Her supervisor is an idiot. Her ex-husband is vindictive and has ruined her career. And now, here’s her perfect future self, who everyone fawns over, while Ren is still ignored and alone. They’re the same person, 60 years apart Both their ships are stranded: one in space, one in time. Karenna needs to get her crew home safe and sound. And Ren has to get back to her reality and out of Karenna’s shadow. Working together would mean literally facing their past–including old traumas and transgressions best kept hidden. But if they don’t, they’ll be stuck with each other until the end of time.
Subgenres: Adventure, Humorous, Military, Space Opera, Time Travel
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: 2024-06-26
Bio: Maya Darjani is a writer, photographer, stay-at-home mother, and former lots of things: counterterrorism officer, legislative correspondent, freelance journalist, and executive assistant. She writes genre-bending fiction about badass women, dual loyalty, and the false promise of patriotism. Maya has been an Author-Mentor Match mentee and a RevPit winner. Her debut indie novel, ANCIENT AS THE STARS–a Firefly x Expanse space adventure with humor, snark, and lots of heart–launches June 2024, and her Vorkosigan-inspired romantic space opera, THE STAR-CROSSED EMPIRE, is slated for November 2024. You can find her at mayadarjani.com and linktr.ee/MayaDarjani and on social media: Twitter (@DarjaniMaya), TikTok/Threads/Instagram (@mayadarjani)
Twitter: @DarjaniMaya
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Blackthorne by Clayton Snyder
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Cannibalism, Drug use, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Non-consensual medical procedures
Blurb: Framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Haunted by the ghosts of his past. Incarcerated in the most notorious prison in the Freeholds. Fate has mauled Mattias Temple, a failed cadre necromancer, leaving him with little hope. Until a rogue military squad kidnaps the governor and threatens the city with a magical plague, giving him a shot to redeem a lifetime of mistakes and be the one thing he never thought possible: A hero. As the body count rises Mattias finds himself neck-deep in trouble and drowning in ghosts. Outnumbered and outgunned, he has one choice left: Cut a bloody swathe through his enemies or die trying.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alternate History/Parallel Universe, Cyberpunk, Fantasy, Military, Weird
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2022-10-01
Bio: Co-author of SPFBO finalist Norylska Groans, which Anthony Ryan (Blood Song) described as “Rich in bone crunching violence and a grimly convincing sense of place and character.”, and the final instalment of the Manifest Delusions series, A War to End All. Several of my other novels have been SPFBO semi-finalists. I’ve also authored numerous short stories, my most recent, Hounds, at Grimdark Magazine. I currently split my time between work and writing. I have worked as a systems admin, chainsaw operator, and once did an ill-advised stint as a bodyguard because I am ‘really tall’.
Twitter: @claytonsnyder2
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Blood Sacrifice by Q. Turner
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Graphic violence/murder, Harm to a child, Sexual violence/rape, Suicide/self harm, Torture
Blurb: Welcome to the Isulum Empire. Inflation is high, trust in the government is low, and unrest is growing. Here, oligarchs live offshore on superyachts with their pleasure androids, far from tax obligations and the crumbling, crime-ridden city center. The rest of the population retreats into the digital world of Parallel, a sanctuary that offers daily respite from the real world. Many of Parallel’s users have rallied around the speaker Rita Shor, who challenges the empire’s class division and the injustices faced by women. Shor and her followers adamantly oppose the radical ideologies of another charismatic speaker, Doctor Gagarin Sokolo, who promotes extreme misogyny in an effort to address the empire’s declining birth rate. Neither Shor nor Sokolo realize that in the depths of Parallel, a team of hackers is working hard to unite their disparate followers under a singular purpose: to dismantle the Isulum Empire. As Shor and Sokolo’s lives become further intertwined, the empire’s fate rests in their hands. But the price of victory may prove far greater than they ever imagined.
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, Cyberpunk, Dying Earth, Dystopian, LGBTQIA+, 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: 2023-11-20
Bio: Q Turner writes science fiction that explores the urgent societal issues of our time, from the existential threat of climate change to the widening gap of economic inequality and the resulting social tensions. Her work challenges readers to confront these pressing problems while imagining potential futures shaped by humanity’s choices. When not writing, Q Turner leads a nomadic lifestyle, working as a marketer for sustainable companies that align with her commitment to environmentalism. The diverse cultures and landscapes she encounters on her travels continuously inspire her storytelling, bringing fresh perspectives to her work. In addition to science fiction, Q Turner writes children’s books under the pen name Quincy Kay, teaching young readers about sustainability and showing that even small actions can have a big impact on the planet. “Blood Sacrifice” is Q Turner’s debut novel, though she has previously self-published smaller works such as essays and a book of poetry.
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Broken Mirror by Cody Sisco
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Explicit sex, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Non-consensual medical procedures, Torture
Blurb: A fractured mind or a global conspiracy? Uncovering the truth can be hell when nobody believes you… and you can’t even trust yourself. “A fantastic science fiction thriller with a sincere and important message.”—Kirkus Reviews “A breathtaking, deeply dark alternate-history Earth with complex characters, layered worldbuilding, and twist after twist after twist.”—Julianna Caro, Reedsy Discovery “Crisply and actively told, Cody Sisco’s Broken Mirror expresses powerful empathy for those suffering from the stigma of mental illness in our own society today.”—IndieReader Broken Mirror is the first volume in a queer psychological science fiction saga that looks at the stigma of mental illness and the hellish distrust and alienation that goes with it. Victor Eastmore knows someone killed his grandfather, the pioneering scientist Jefferson Eastmore. But Victor, diagnosed with mirror resonance syndrome, has been shunned by Semiautonomous California society. Nobody will believe a Broken Mirror. Now Victor must tread the line between sanity and reclassification—a fate that all but guarantees he’ll lose his freedom. With its self-driving cars, global firearms ban, and a cure for cancer, the science fiction world of Broken Mirror may sound like a near-future utopia, but on Resonant Earth, history has taken a few wrong turns. The American Union is a weak and fractious alliance of nations in decline. Europe manipulates its citizens through propaganda. And Asia is reeling from decades of war. Determined to uncover the truth about Jefferson’s murder, pansexual Victor and his trans friend Elena set out on a road trip that takes them across the American Union from Semiautonomous California through the Organized Western States to the Republic of Texas. But Elena is holding something back, and Victor’s condition worsens. Amid shifting geopolitical sands, Broken Mirrors like Victor find themselves at a cyberpunk crossroads: evolve or go extinct.
Subgenres: Alternate History/Parallel Universe, Cyberpunk, LGBTQIA+, Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-08-16
Bio: Cody Sisco is an author, editor, publisher, and literary community organizer. His LGBT psychological science fiction series includes two novels thus far, Broken Mirror and Tortured Echoes. He is a freelance editor specializing in genre-bending fiction and the acquisitions editor for RIZE Press. In 2017, he co-founded Made in L.A. Writers, an indie author co-op dedicated to the support and appreciation of independent authors. His startup, BookSwell, is a literary events and media production company dedicated to lifting up marginalized voices and connecting readers and writers in Southern California and beyond. He serves as a co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Editorial Freelancers Association, as the treasurer for the LGBTQ+ Editors Association, and as a board member at APLA Health.
Twitter: Codysisco
Notes: I am entering the second revised and expanded edition, which was published on Aug. 16, 2024. The first edition was originally published in 2016.
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Ceres Station Calling by R. M. Bradley
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Content Warnings: Drug use, Graphic violence/murder, Suicide/self harm
Blurb: Heartbreak hurts, even in space. When it comes to love, Maeve’s luck has never been great. First, she followed her cheating boyfriend to a clandestine rendezvous, only to be abducted by aliens and sent to a mining colony on Ceres in the asteroid belt. Then, she accidentally fell in love with one of the aliens in her mining unit. It’s really too bad that his heart belongs to another biocarbon and he’s due to be released from Ceres Station. Not that Maeve should be obsessing over anyone. Distractions lead to death on Ceres. Between mining highly explosive ursadium while trigger happy, laser-wielding drones monitor her every move, and defending her unit’s mining position against violent poaching, unrequited love should be the least of her concerns. But the ache in her chest never ceases, and because of this, she’s willing to risk it all to escape Ceres and start a new life among the stars.
Subgenres: Romance
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-07-31
Bio: R.M. Bradley grew up in Connecticut, where she spent her youth reading and daydreaming about magical creatures and hidden worlds, because it required less hand-eye coordination than playing sports. She currently lives in New York City.
Twitter: @bookisasandwich
Notes: I was a judge in SPSFC 1.
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Chloe’s Kingdom by Gregory Michael
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Six Motivated Thieves. One Deadly Heist. Chloe Espinoza is a wild-haired petty thief aboard the Kingdom, a drifting city spaceship. Once rich but now poor, Chloe is determined to break free from the Honeycombs and return to her life in the Gardens. Only one problem: she hardly has enough koin for a burrito, making a lavish apartment seem as distant as the stars. All that might change, however, when Chloe is offered a heist that could make her unimaginably rich. But she can’t break into the impenetrable Koin Vault alone… A young mastermind who can’t let go of her past. A mathematical genius in desperate need of koin. A privileged kid from the Gardens with a debt to pay. A bartender who’s serving revenge. A mischievous raccoon with a bottomless appetite. A battered soul who’s been wronged by the council. Gone are the days of stealing snacks. Chloe’s crew is aiming for the ultimate prize: the Koin Vault. Their plan? To rob the Treasury and bring down the corrupt council. But in a game where the stakes are jail or death, every move could be their last.
Subgenres: Adventure, Crime & Mystery, Space Exploration, Suspense, Heist
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-04-02
Bio: Gregory Michael, a tenured cyber security advisor, has always been captivated by the boundless possibilities of science fiction. With a life long habit of immersing himself in stories, he has dedicated over 10,000 hours to exploring worlds found in books, television, and movies. Now, he embarks on a new journey to share his own imaginative universe, debuting with his first young adult, science fiction heist novel. Gregory Michael resides in Arizona with his wife, daughter, and two dogs. He enjoys tennis and golf in his spare time, but above all, a good book to read.
Twitter: _gregorymichael
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Cosmic Strife: Assault by Steve Gavin
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: The Ragner family name carries weight amongst the United Global Navy. Colyn Ragner had been a hero of the war 15 years ago when he assisted in an attempt to defend the alien world of Casbaria from the evil Luyons. The humans were unsuccessful in fighting off the invaders and Casbaria was lost. The human fleet was able to escape back to Earth, at the heroic expense of Colyn sacrificing his life to make this possible. Colyn’s children are now all grown up and in positions to assist the human plight in an upcoming rematch. Aalin is the eldest Ragner and a senator who is conflicted about re-entering a bloody battle. She is ambitious and morally driven but her anti-war stance is seen as a hinderance to some of her opposing senators, one of which is fully driven to stopping her efforts at all costs. Will she yield her position or hold her ground amidst a growing pro-war sentiment. Nolan is the middle sibling who is looking to pave his own way through the military ranks while at the same time battling peers who would otherwise see his career fail due to his popular family name. Assigned to the legendary Triton battleship Hyperion, he is immediately met with a superior who wishes to see him fail because of his lineage. Vance is the youngest Ragner who chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an elite fighter pilot for the Navy. Vance’s rebellious nature inside the cockpit gets him into trouble and puts his career into jeopardy even before it begins. Will he be sidelined for the biggest fight that humanity has ever faced or will his skillset help win the day for the outgunned Earth Navy. Each sibling must play the role of hero in order to save everyone from certain death. As the battle soon rages, it will test the mettle of the Ragner family. As the humans plan an attack to go back and liberate Casbaria from the Luyons from its capture many years ago, the seemingly distant threat may be looming much closer than anyone realizes. There is an additional unknown malicious force dead set on hindering the Ranger family as they try to combat their individual plights. Follow the events of this cosmic strife as the characters fight for human existence against a power hungry Luyon race headed by a ruthless and fear inducing leader. Who will strike first? The fate of all humanity hangs in the balance.
Subgenres: Alien Invasion, Military, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-06-14
Bio: Steve Gavin resides just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his loving wife and children. He works full time for the City of Milwaukee and writes in his spare time, which is unfortunately limited. Besides being a father, Steve enjoys reading books, watching sports and playing the occasional video game. Steve’s favorite books are Refraction by Wick Welker and Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey which is part of the larger “Expanse” series. Steve is proud to complete this work of fiction and hopes that whoever picks up this book enjoys reading it as much as he enjoyed writing it.
Twitter: Steve Gavin
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Crystal and Flint by Holly Ash
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: It’s been 300 years since humans arrived on Neophia and the planet’s intelligent species have yet to agree on how much influence humans and their advanced technology should have on the planet. With the threat of war hanging in the air, Lieutenant Commander Crystal Wolf races to finish construction of the mega submarine, Journey , in order to calm political tensions on Neophia and cement her already stellar military career. Lieutenant Desiree Flint never dreamed she would leave Earth to serve on Neophia, but with the end of her military career in sight she doesn’t see a way around it. Determined to rebuild her reputation on Neophia, no matter the cost, she sets her sights on dethroning Commander Wolf in order to prove her own superiority. When Journey is attacked by someone from Crystal’s past, the two women must find a way to work together to save the ship, liberate an underwater colony from an oppressive government, and prevent a war.
Subgenres: Military
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2018-09-25
Bio: Holly Ash is the author of The Journey Missions series and Cleansing Rain duology. She prides herself on writing smart, sassy female characters that she wished she could have found in books while growing up. She has worked for the last fifteen years as an Environmental Engineer after receiving degrees in Environmental Science and English Literature from Central Michigan University. Holly lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband and two tiny people who constantly want her to do things for them.
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EAT: The Sum by Jesse Brown
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Cannibalism, Graphic violence/murder, Harm to an animal, Harm to a child, Non-consensual medical procedures, Suicide/self harm
Blurb: “A chunk of white rested inside the dip of her collarbone. She fished it out and flicked it away, its rattle echoing as it bounced under a display table, alerting her to the silence. The ringing in her ears had finally stopped. The mask and goggles were long gone; fallen off in her haste. Pointless to wear them now, anyway…” Caede wants to complete her master’s degree, refresh her dating profile, and finally join the land of the living. Instead, she wakes up on a cold, wet pavement, surrounded by dead bodies and ferocious monsters. Kai waits anxiously for his sister to return from the world’s longest night shift. Ravi hides under a desk in his office, and Efia lays unconscious in a garage. Jonathan, recently dumped and drinking himself to death in an empty flat, is waiting for the end to come… until a grizzly attack sends him stumbling into the path of Caede, and all the horrors of an apocalyptic London.
Subgenres: Dystopian, Genetic Engineering, Horror, Humorous, LGBTQIA+, Post-Apocalyptic
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: 2023-10-31
Bio: Jesse is a millennial with an anxiety disorder, a love of comedy, science-fiction and horror, and too many cats. At college they studied Psychology, Philosophy, and English Language and Literature before receiving their degree in 2010. Jesse then worked as a graphic designer, content writer and marketing executive for a number of years, writing product and marketing content for businesses in the South of England before moving to Berkshire in 2017. In 2022, Jesse’s short story, ‘Siren’s Harbour’, an LGBTQ+ tale of self discovery, played on a UK radio station. In October 2023, Jesse published their first ever novel, EAT; a story of genetic engineering gone wrong, set in a near future London. When they’re not training for the zombie apocalypse, they are playing Tomb Raider and writing about genetically engineered lizard monsters.
Twitter: Jesse_j_brown
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Failsafe by Jeff Sylvester
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: The world runs on code, and not all code is safe. This is why Anna Flynn has a job. Matter Manipulation Devices alter the physical world, turning dreams into reality. But some dreams are treacherous, and the streets are filled with mods that manipulate matter in illegal and dangerous ways. As a seasoned MMD agent, Anna fights back against the criminals who misuse these devices and traffic in illegal mods. When she intervenes in a plot to assassinate one of the world’s most respected political leaders, her methods draw the ire of her superiors, and she finds herself under investigation from her own agency. Increasingly isolated and unsure whom she can trust, Anna works to unravel a conspiracy that would unleash the worst potential of matter manipulation technology on the world.
Subgenres: Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? No
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-09-03
Bio: Jeff Sylvester has been a professional software developer most of his life, but also enjoys writing and creating music. He and his family live in Suwanee, GA.
Notes: I don’t have the audio book as one file- I can put it all together, but it will take some time.
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Flight of the Pangolin by Michael Moutinho
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Content Warnings: Brief depictions of alcohol use and abuse
Blurb: Still reeling from its first extraterrestrial incursion, the solar system is attempting to return to normal. Amidst the chaos, a small team of visionaries and misfits hope to move forward with exploration. Their vessel: the Pangolin, a ship whose glory days are long past. But other forces in the system have their own thoughts on the mission. Can the crew of the Pangolin make it out of the system before running afoul of isolationists, megacorporate interests, regime collapse, oligarchs, and space pirates? Flight of the Pangolin is a thrilling sci-fi adventure, where a team of heroes follows their ambition to discover a fresh start out among the stars against improbable odds.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alien Invasion, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Genetic Engineering, Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Exploration, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-04-01
Bio: Michael Moutinho (mo-TEEN-yo) enjoys long walks on the beach, puppies, and single malt scotch. He lives in southern New England with his wife and an indeterminate number of dogs. This is his first published novel.
Twitter: @ThePangolinRep
Notes: Target audience is all ages
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Forward and Back by Michael Pickard
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Content Warnings: Harm to a child
Blurb: At the moment of his greatest professional achievement, renowned physicist Randy Weinberg wakes up eight years in the future. He is legally dead, divorced from his wife, and a stranger to his son. Enemies threaten him for the secrets of time travel. As a victim of his failed experiment, Randy is clueless. Randy must decide whether to invent a tool that could be used to corrupt history, or refuse and see his wife and son murdered. Perhaps there is another way. Turn back the clock.
Subgenres: Time Travel
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2022-01-10
Bio: Michael Pickard’s writing acts as a bridge between his technology-driven profession and his creative passions. He has an impressive body of work, including eleven novels, three children’s books, and a collection of short stories selected through juried processes. Notably, his piece “Hardwired” was honored with the Ray Bradbury Creative Writing Prize in 2005, showcasing his storytelling prowess. His first detective novel, Creative Deductions: Home Run, was a 2023 Soon To Be Famous Illinois finalist. Leveraging his extensive experience in cutting-edge technology, Pickard skillfully constructs captivating fictional worlds and societies in his narratives. His adept use of satire throughout his works engages readers, offering both moments of reflection and humor. In his spare time, Michael indulges his creative side by designing objects for 3D printing, including parts for the tabletop version of his computer game Alien Survival.
Twitter: @gerfnitauthor
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Hi De Ho, Infecterino! by Andrew Marc Rowe
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Drug use, Graphic violence/murder, Martial arts/combat, Raunchy Zombie Horror Comedy
Blurb: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out Larry Evans never asked for this, dude. As the front man for a rock band with the brand spankingest new deal with a major record label, the Irish-born Londoner was on the up and up. Finally, he could cease slinging pot to make ends meet and maybe – just maybe – make his father proud of him. One little ‘accidental’ fire and a faceful of sporulating destiny had another idea… Subject #30452 never really asked for it either. Not the injections from the strange men, not the development of sapience and self-awareness out of his easy-going life as a crow. Not to mention the fact that he was the sole one of his murdermates to have some kind of Cartesian epiphany in the California section of Parasol Industries. Escape – and revenge, served hot – might prove to be the first orders of business as brilliant bird of… opportunism. And what about Willy, the adult book shop worker who is trying to get clean from sex addiction? Or Hester, the brilliant scientist with the aesthetic challenges? Or Hector, the black ops Zen master? Or Constable Sheri Allston, the bobby who just happened to be thrust into a world of… Flesh-eating zombies that may or may not be tripping balls as they feast. There, I said it. Thanks to Parasol Industries, your friendly neighbourhood nefarious corporation on the government teat, some brand-new strain of fungus that is definitely not a derivative of jock itch and Albert Hoffmann’s beloved ergot is bringing humanity to the brink. But the brink of what? Will the monsters destroy us all? Will we use the nuclear option? Or is this all about… Evolution?
Subgenres: Horror, Humorous, Metaphysical/Visionary, Weird, Psychedelic Zombie Horror Comedy
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-01-30
Bio: Born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Andrew Marc Rowe had no idea that the human psyche and the nature of reality were going to end up as his prime fascinations in life. Perhaps he had more than an inkling that he would not wake up one morning as a jock doing sports things, given his penchant for nerdiness like mythology and fantasy and science fiction, but matters of the spirit and philosophy were the furthest things from his mind as an adolescent. More his speed were the most puerile and juvenile expressions of toilet and sexual humour offered up on silver platters by stand-up comedians and nascent Internet peeps. People grow up, though, or so Andrew has been told. His interests expanded, limited world views were shattered, horizons increased in scope. Mental health problems became intractable, psychedelic medicines and following one’s dreams were recognized for their curative powers. Atheism became raving pantheism became ‘wrong question, dude’ as Andrew found himself no longer young enough to know everything or believe anything. Instead, he finds himself writing characters who think they know everything. If you really want to stroke Andrew’s ego, tell him you’ve never read anything like his work before. It makes his writing nearly impossible to market but at least I’ve got chicken, as young Leroy Jenkins once proclaimed to a bunch of nerds in the mid-aughts. What’s that? You want bog-standard biographical info? Lawyer, father of one, man nearing middle age who gets his jollies pushing and bending and licking the literary envelope. Happy?
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Historian of Future Past by Revis Grey
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Sexual violence/rape
Blurb: Alaina is a 26th-century data linguist and a historian specializing in 15th-century Turkey. Working with a quantum computer called Nexus, a machine able to record history in real time, she longs to be like the woman she observes, a red-head warrior temptress. But when an anomaly appears, and a peasant from the past is teleported into the future, anyone involved begins to be reassigned or disappear. Alaina finds herself thrust into the history she’s been studying when her godfather, the Director of Operations, chooses to lose her in time rather than eliminate her. Alaina transports from a culture of peace and abundance to a world of scarcity and violence. She will have to navigate 15th-century strife with the aid of a holographic cohort and a 26th-century mirage of life rapidly fading. Betrayed and wrongly accused of murder, her last hope rests in a crooked dwarf merchant. When a mysterious reflection brings her closer to understanding the future’s past.
Subgenres: Adventure, Artificial Intelligence, Fantasy, Genetic Engineering, Time Travel
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-11-17
Bio: I live in the Midwest and did a ton of sports in school. From there my hobbies took me into reading everything historical and electrical. Weird I know. I found Piers Anthony novels and started coming up with stories about science fiction and historical with the nuances of Piers.
Twitter: @RevisGrey
Notes: Though the bulk of the story is during medieval time period there is a deep science fiction element in the back ground.
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Mercy Rising by Bowen Greenwood
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Content Warnings: Cannibalism, Martial arts/combat
Blurb: A Girl. A Mysterious Power. A Revolution The Archon Dominion crushes all dissent. Mercy Hail wants change, no matter the cost to herself. But freak accidents keep happening around her, and she can’t explain why. So when she lights the fuse on an uprising, it’s not exactly a surprise when everything goes wrong at once. The Dominion sends Dante Matter to Mercy’s world with a simple set of orders: Find the girl with emerging telekinetic powers and put her to work for us. Nobody warned him she’d be beautiful, though. Nobody warned him her gifts would be greater than his own. And nobody warned him that his hunt would be the first battle in an interstellar war. In a world where gifts like hers have been all but extinguished, Mercy must choose sides in a war that will spread across the stars. To survive, she’ll have to learn how to use her power, learn how she feels about Dante, and learn the true story of the past that made her who she is.
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Genetic Engineering, Military, 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: 2023-05-31
Bio: Bowen Greenwood is an Amazon charts bestselling author of thrillers and science fiction. His experience as a police beat reporter and as a court clerk inform his thrillers. His lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy led to the Exile War series.
Twitter: @bowengreenwood
Notes: I have review codes available for the audiobook. They’re on Spotify. The audiobook link provided is to Audible, but I’ll be happy to provide the Spotify stuff on Discord if anyone wants to check out the audio version at no cost. The bad guys in this book are “pig-human hybrids” who eat people, that’s the source of the cannibalism content warning.
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Mission Beta by
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Antigravity propulsion enables humans to venture into the vast regions of space seeking empty worlds to make their own. Plucky journalist Bianca Varian joined the second mission to write the ultimate story, humans arrival to the stars. But when the chosen planet turns out to be already inhabited—by a race evolved from something like a jellyfish, no less—they find that the more they discover about them, the more they realize they don’t know. Tensions between colonists a reach breaking point between those who wish to befriend the aliens and those who don’t. Can humans learn to control their fear and live in peace with alien life forms? Or will fear and violence rule the day? Bianca strives to document the tale of a beautiful, faraway world, and it’s inhabitants but does she become the story and source of the conflict?
Subgenres: First Contact, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Space Exploration
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? No
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-02-12
Bio: Archie Kregear is retired from a career in high tech and teaching and lives on the Kitsap Peninsula with his wife, dog, cat and fish. He is the author of the popular Mountain Gods and the Egress of Humanity sci-fi series. His short stories can be found in four anthologies. When he is not writing, his dog takes him for walks, he kayaks, and plays Magic. Archiekregear@gmail.com.
Twitter: @archiekregear
Notes: This book was written with AIAI – Archie’s Intelligence, Always Imaginative. Each mission in the Egress of Humanity Series is written to be read independently.
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Nothing Larger Than These Stars by E. Marie Robertson
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Faith believed in the benevolence of the Company, until it used her code to frame her lover, then tried to kill them both. On Company planet Home World, Faith uncovered secrets that made her a target in a shadowy game of interplanetary-scale corporate intrigue. She fled to independent Iona, where she’s spent the last eight years tinkering with space junk and keeping a low profile. But her carefully controlled life unravels when a mysterious someone attacks her planetmates with a chemical weapon that drops them into stasis and turns their bodies blue. Then the Company starts making noise about sending a representative to “help,” and all Faith’s alarm bells go off. Proving a connection between the Company and the attacker might save Iona from both, but Faith can’t do it alone and her prospective allies all suspect each other. Should she trust the new arrival whose “nice guy” persona doesn’t quite match up with rumors of a shady past? Or the frosty Company official who’s clearly got an agenda of her own? And then there’s her long-lost lover, who lands on Iona full of secrets but no straight answers about what he’s been up to–or why he disappeared completely all those years ago. Simply making the wrong choice could be enough to doom Iona, but as Faith discovers the hidden truth about the little planet, she realizes the Company may be the least of their problems.
Subgenres: Adventure, Crime & Mystery, Romance, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-06-14
Bio: E. Marie Robertson began her writing career in the 3rd grade by penning an epic that involved a ghost, a cave, and a magical ham sandwich. While perhaps less epic, her current collection of works in progress include science fiction, fantasy, alternate historical, and romantic comedy. She produces an aspirationally-monthly newsletter, Unreliable Narrator, and hosts an even more sporadically-produced podcast for writers, Read Write Geek. When not working, writing, or podcasting (or worrying about working, writing, or podcasting), you’ll find her reading, creating artwork, or making fun things out of paper. She currently lives in upstate South Carolina with her husband and their tribe of rescue cats; they all dream of moving somewhere less humid.
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ORION by Aaron Frale
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Orion is dead… again. Whether death comes from a stab wound, a bullet to the brain, or just plain dumb luck, he always comes back. He is glad to have the opportunity because a princess in each life seems to be in trouble. Whether she’s a nurse in the Vietnam War or medieval English royalty… …Orion is determined to win her over.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alternate History/Parallel Universe, Artificial Intelligence, Humorous
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Not applicable
Is This Science Fiction? Yes, but the blurb isn’t science fiction
Publication Date: 2018-05-17
Bio: On rare occasions, this author creature known as an Aaron Frale can be spotted in the wilds of Montana. This whimsical being screams and plays heavy metal guitar in the indie prog band, Spiral, and sometimes writes humorous Sci Fi novels. Oh no, he’s spotted us. Get back in the jeep! Get back in—
Twitter: AaronFrale
Mastodon: don’t know what that is other than some long dead
Notes: It takes a while for the sci fi premise to become clear, but I promise there will be space marines eventually
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Slipspace: Terra Nullius by Zachary Forbes
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Harm to a child, Martial arts/combat, Torture
Blurb: Two brothers… Two empires… And two definitions of what it means to be alive… Slipp McMahon is a disgruntled veteran of the Terran Straits Republic, having retired from service when mechanical ‘artificials’ slowly took the place of his living, breathing compatriots. He is caught up doing private work in the outskirts of the known galaxy when a strange job falls into his lap. It involves a girl, an ancient oil deposit, and all the money he needs to retire his aging mother. But his brother, Breth, who still works for the Republic, has sworn to uphold the law by any means necessary. A major promotion hangs in the balance, as well as the future of warfare across the galaxy…
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, Crime & Mystery, Galactic Empire/Colonization, Military, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-01-29
Bio: Zachary Forbes is a graduate from the University of Florida, where he studied History, Business, and Literary Fiction. His four years there gave him the opportunity to connect with other writers and authors, whom he exchanged works with for reviews and advice. Now he writes mostly genre fiction with his brother, Joshua Forbes, who has published flash fiction works. Zachary likes to incorporate some elements of literary fiction into his genre work, just as his brother’s experience with the brevity of flash fiction helps him write scenes. Together, they wrote Three Rivers Plague, the first book in the Continuum series. Having a deep love for history, Zachary has spent a lot of time traveling to new places and studying different weapons, both past and present. He lets the ‘lore of the real world’ play a part in his works. Authors he takes inspiration from include Lee Child, Timothy Zahn, Michael Crichton, and Robert Kirkman.
Twitter: @ZachForbesBro
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The Afterlife Experiment by Sam Weiss
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Content Warnings: Body horror, Graphic violence/murder, Non-consensual medical procedures, Torture, Death of a child (offscreen) domestic abuse (off screen)
Blurb: Atra Hart has spent the last seven years locked away in Vanishing Plains Psychiatric Hospital. In that time, her shadow has transformed into its own entity and is growing stronger by the day, threatening to devour her mind. She calls that shadow Dread, and only her missing father knows what it is. When a fire breaks out at the asylum, Atra makes her way to freedom just in time to see an electric-purple rift sunder the sky. Like Dread, the rift is only visible to her. Atra’s already loose grip on reality unravels when she learns the rift is a gateway to the world of the dead. And the Queen, an ancient evil lurking on its fringes, wants Dread for her own. Even worse, Atra can’t tell if any of this is really happening. She might have escaped one asylum, but the closer she gets to unearthing answers about Dread, why her father knows it’s there, and its role in the Queen’s plans, the more she risks getting trapped inside her own mind forever. Maybe some truths are meant to stay buried.
Subgenres: Fantasy, Horror, 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: 2023-10-13
Bio: Sam was named after a dog, a fact her mother disputes to this day. While she’s terrible at writing “About Me”s about her, she’s been told she’s great at writing about what fictional people do. The more miserable she can make them, the better. Her love of horror films from the 80s, sci-fi shows from the 90s, and alternative music from the 00s have inspired her to write what she’s calling “Dark Science Fantasy” although she’s kind of making that up as she goes along. When she’s not ready to pull her hair out after discovering another plot hole she’s created, she goes camping with her husband as far away from society as possible. So far, this tactic has been mostly successful and she’s only had to physically converse with a grand total of nine people this year. Next year, she hopes to get that number down to six.
Twitter: @samwisestrange
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The Areisa by Lorain O’Neil
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: It’s the year 4818 and throughout the Milky Way Galaxy discord is threatening the peace, and worse, the commerce, of Earth and its mega-companies. The solution? Finding …the Areisa. Trouble is, she’s a teenage girl who’s pretty sure they’re all bonkers. And the meddling of long dead Areisas isn’t helping much either!
Subgenres: Adventure, Humorous
Target Audience: Young Adult (YA) – Ages 13 – 18
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2023-11-05
Bio: Self-published author of 14 books (and audiobooks), mostly humorous fantasy.
Twitter: @Lorain_o
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The City That Disappeared by Cheryl Peña
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: For the past ten years, the city of Khonsu, built on the foreign planet Reiddo, has sent a daily transmission home to Earth. Then one day, the transmissions stopped coming. Rebecca Vance fears that something disastrous has happened to Khonsu. She and her friend Mark Wu, the nearest thing there is to an expert on Reiddo, convince the leadership at the AAIR (the American Agency for Interplanetary Relations) to investigate the city’s strange disappearance, eventually making their way to the site of the lost city itself. From the beginning, the expedition is plagued by problems. The city isn’t where it’s supposed to be. There are mysterious deaths among the team members. Rebecca has never trusted easily, but she must put aside her fears and doubts in a frantic attempt to find survivors before they are lost forever. The natives are friendly and seem anxious to help, but they aren’t alone. A deadly secret puts her own life at risk and possibly the lives of the members of her team. It may even spell doom for the entire planet she calls home.
Subgenres: Adventure, Alien Invasion, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-09-17
Bio: Cheryl Peña is a coffee fiend, taco fanatic (with an occasional dalliance with sushi), and knitting enthusiast. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas – San Antonio, earning a BFA in photography in 2000. Her other books include The House of Wynne Lift which won an honorable mention in the 2022 Indies Today Awards, Descent of the Vile, The Blood Hotel, and The Chimera Gambit. Follow her on Threads as Fr.Lutece or on her blog, currently at www.cheryljpena.wordpress.com for the latest news and updates.
Notes: Background image was a free use image from NASA on Canva, but I added elements to it to create the cover
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The Elements of Time: The Winds of Change by Sam Paisley
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Content Warnings: Martial arts/combat
Blurb: Destiny, personal responsibility, what the future holds – common concerns for anyone graduating high school. But usually not because of a cosmic war between timeless beings where you’re the central player. As the end of school quickly approaches, and Cooper Bailey watches his perfect world slip away, his only concern is savouring every last minute of his high school career. For his best friend, Reid Patterson, graduation is a doorway to the future, where his discipline and focus will finally allow him to meet his true potential. When a mysterious mirror-masked man begs for their help to stop a dangerous heretic, Cooper and Reid find themselves thrust into unknown worlds, wrestling with a destiny as old as time itself. As the truths about their roles in the universe unfold, and enemies disguise themselves as allies, their only hope is to trust each other – and learn fast! Far from home and in mortal peril, Cooper and Reid attempt to hone their newfound abilities and come to grips with their purpose for being. Inspired by classic and modern science fiction and fantasy, and drawing upon timeless themes of destiny and personal responsibility, The Elements of Time is a series written for anyone who loves an escape into a rich and deep world. With references to Star Wars (the Original Trilogy), Avatar: The Last Bender, Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, and much more, The Elements of The Winds of Change is fun action-adventure, with it’s own unique sci-fantasy blended magic system, and themes that touch what it means to grow up and take on the challenges of life.
Subgenres: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel
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: 2023-07-25
Bio: Sam was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he lives with his wife, dog, and daughter. Driven by a lifelong passion for storytelling, Sam has made it his mission as an author to create worlds and stories that bring joy and escapism to others. He was raised on a healthy diet of TV, movies, music and pop-culture of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, and he does his absolute best to sneak in easter eggs to his inspirations whenever he can.
Twitter: spaisleyauthor
Notes: The Elements of Time: The Winds of Change is a sci-fantasy blend (similar to Star Wars or Stargate SG-1), with equal elements of both genres throughout. While there is a magic system, much of the “magic” it is rooted and relies deeply on scientific themes and ideas, eg, the relationship between time and space, how non-linear/non-temporal beings view linear reality, etc.
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The Great Ooflan From Corplop by Charlie D. Weisman
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Content Warnings: Alcoholism
Blurb: Charlando is sent to Earth as a baby to escape the clutches of a secret society of cannibalistic Ooflan on his home planet of Corplop. During his long years of isolation with nothing but his spaceship to talk to, he develops a fascination with love and romance. His belief that his soulmate awaits him on Earth is all that keeps him sane. He arrives on a war-torn Earth to find Janet, a newly homeless alcoholic, blacked out on a park bench. Believing this to be his long-awaited soulmate, he pledges his undying devotion to her. Janet, too drunk to understand the profound opportunity with which she has been presented, asks Charlando for a sandwich. The pair depart from one another and embark on their own perilous adventures: Charlando on a mission to reunite with his beloved Janet, and Janet on a quest for inner peace in a world that is crumbling all around her.
Subgenres: Artificial Intelligence, First Contact, Humorous, Romance, Weird
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: 2023-04-11
Bio: Charlie D. Weisman was a bad kid. His teachers didn’t like him, and the other kids thought he smelled bad. In fact, the “D” in his name was often presumed to stand for “disappointment” or “disgusting”. To make matters worse, there was little hope that this disgusting disappointment would ever amount to anything. Little, but not none. In a desperate attempt to scrape together social equity, Charlie became an engineer. He climbed the nerd-ladder, eventually securing a role in the research and development department of a wearable breast pump company. “I was at the cutting edge of boob-technology,” he once said. “I should have been at the top of the world, and yet I felt unfulfilled.” He decided then and there to quit his job and travel the world while living in his car. He went far and wide, telling tales to all who would listen. Upon realizing nobody wanted to listen to his stories, he decided to write them down. And so it was that Charlie D. Weisman became an author.
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The Murder Algorithm by Wilson Kincaid
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: In a not so distant future where lives are broadcast 24 hours a day, how can one man prove he is innocent of a crime the whole world watched him commit? In this frighteningly plausible story, “The Murder Algorithm” thrusts us into a labyrinth of deception, fame, and a society teetering on the edge of destruction at the hands of its own desire for celebrity and approval. Roman Glass, accused of murdering beloved social media icon Starla Devine, must race against the clock to unravel a web of deceit. As he fights to prove his innocence, Social Media Investigator Rae Dettmer unearths a sinister pattern: a series of seemingly unrelated murders connected by the invisible threads of the digital realm. “The Murder Algorithm” is an exciting blend of science fiction and mystery, where the line between private and public is as thin as the pixels on a screen. With each revelation, layers of intrigue are revealed, leaving readers questioning the price of fame, and the lengths the powerful will go to maintain control. Get ready for an adventure where every click, every post, and every like is a weapon. Because in the age of perpetual surveillance, the most dangerous game is the one played in plain sight.
Subgenres: Crime & Mystery, Suspense, Techno Thriller
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-03-12
Bio: Wilson Kincaid is a futurist and novelist living in Los Angeles. He has been in the entertainment industry for decades, and has participated in some of the most groundbreaking and technologically advanced projects to ever hit the small, large and giant screens. He takes that experience and leverages it into fantastic stories that remain firmly tethered to reality and science. Kincaid uses layered worlds which are fully plausible, combined with memorable characters in extraordinary situations to highlight humanity’s interaction with technology. “Science fiction asks the big what ifs, and great stories answer those questions in ways that are entertaining, thought provoking and revealing of our human nature.” Kincaid is originally from the east coast, and has a wide range of personal interests, including music composition and travel.
Notes: Thank you for your consideration!
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The Parallels by Keyla Damaer
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Content Warnings: Graphic violence/murder, Harm to a child, Non-consensual medical procedures, Torture
Blurb: Some people say to never trust a spy A militia officer on the hunt for a murderer. A scientist with the key to humanity’s future. A girl in a glass tank with no memory. One seeking justice. One seeking fame. One seeking answers. With the galaxy on the brink of war, time is not on their side. Join them in their battle for survival.
Subgenres: Dystopian, Space Opera
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Yes
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2020-03-08
Bio: Keyla Damaer has been an independent author since 2017. Her passion for storytelling is evident in her works, which are characterised by their imaginative worlds and complex characters. Born and raised in Rome, Keyla currently resides in the Eternal City with her husband.
Twitter: @KeylaDamaer
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The Scorching: Just Press Play by Nick Snape
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Content Warnings: Harm to an animal, Mental Health, moderate violence/torture
Blurb: Joshua Nkosi, cop, joker, vlogger and octopus wrangler…but Earth’ saviour? “Staggeringly original and timely release from a masterful voice in modern sci-fi” ★★★★★ SPR Review On an Earth devastated by The Scorching climate event, the Drathken land their giant plantships with the promise of healing the planet. Joshua Nkosi vlogs and jokes his way through an easy life guarding a deep-sea mining operation while watching old vids. That is until, he and his modded octopus partner, Marc, get caught up in a plot to steal radiation rich materials from the seabed, fuelling the terrorists’ plan to destroy a Drathken plantship, and ultimately put an end to the alien/human alliance. Nkosi and his sarcastic tentacled buddy are forced to enter the Burnout Zone, only to come face to face with humanity’s stark future when the hunt for the terrorist’s lab takes a devastating twist. As conspiracies deepen and the jokes fly, Nkosi and Marc enter a dark journey of discovery—one they decide humanity desperately needs to listen to. “Absolutely thrilling. But it’s the utter gut punch of a twist that truly got me.” ★★★★★
Subgenres: Alien Invasion, Crime & Mystery, Dystopian, 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: 2024-05-30
Bio: Nick Snape has been steeped in Science Fiction and Fantasy since his friends first dragged him from his schoolwork and stuck a book under his nose. Lost to the world of imagination he became a teacher by accident though he thoroughly enjoyed developing the joy of reading and writing in his pupils. Having retired after thirty years he thought it was high time to practise what he preached.
Twitter: https://x.com/SnapeNick
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The Wrong Stop by Rex Burke
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Content Warnings: None
Blurb: Ready for an adventure that’s out of this world? Hutch has it all planned. College is out – backpacks ready for a summer train trip around the famous sights of Europe. Sure, it means matching party animal, Sully, drink for drink, and dealing with conspiracy nut, Jed, who’s along for the ride. But it’s nothing that Hutch can’t handle – until they meet a mysterious stranger on the way to Berlin. Faced with an extraordinary truth, they are drawn into a life-changing adventure – one that will have repercussions down the years. Off the rails and on the run, they’re pursued from city to city by shadowy forces. In the end, there’s only one place left for them to go. And one chance to escape. But as ancient secrets are uncovered, the next journey might just be a trip too far.
Subgenres: Adventure, First Contact, Humorous, Suspense
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2024-06-12
Bio: Rex Burke is a SciFi writer based in North Yorkshire, UK. When he was young, he read every one of those yellow-jacketed Victor Gollancz hardbacks in his local library. That feeling of out-of-this-world amazement has never left him – and keeps him company as he writes his own SciFi adventures. When he’s not writing, he travels – one way or another, he’ll get to the stars, even if it’s just as stardust when his own story is done.
Twitter: @SciFiRex
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Tomorrow’s Child by D. G. Barnes
View on Amazon | Audiobook
Content Warnings: There are depictions of sex though I hesitate to call them explicit.
Blurb: It should have been easy money: deliver the cargo to the Proxima Colony via the Jump Gate, don’t ask questions, collect the pay cheque. But a freak accident, one that shouldn’t even be possible, sends the tramp freighter Calypso to an uncharted star system. After a forced landing on the system’s only habitable world, Captain Jax Hunter and the crew of Calypso find themselves questioning everything they thought they knew about time and space. Join Jax as she unravels the secrets of this alien world and explores a burgeoning romance, all while struggling to get her ship and crew home.
Subgenres: Adventure, LGBTQIA+, Romance, Time Travel
Target Audience: Adult – Ages 18+
Is This First in a Series? Book is a standalone
Is This Science Fiction? Yes
Publication Date: 2022-12-15
Bio: A 32 year veteran of the RCAF. Now retired and living in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia with his Husky, Ash. A Trekkie and all around Sci-Fi geek.
Twitter: @DGBarnes3
Notes: I’m not sure how to provide a copy of the audiobook.
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