Hugh Howey is Getting a Bum Rap April 18, 2013
Posted by Al Philipson in Uncategorized.Tags: critics, Hugh Howey, unwarrented attacks
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It happens to many people who achieve success. The Lilliputians who don’t have enough talent or work ethic to make the grade start picking on the giant to make themselves look bigger than they are (at least in their own minds).
For a while after his short eBook story, Wool, went viral and sold a ton of copies, Hugh enjoyed the admiration of most of the literary community and certainly that of his fans. And why not? He seems to be a nice guy and his rags to riches story rings a bell with many who like to see the “underdog” triumph.
Then he scored a paper deal with Random House and a movie deal to boot. After that, it didn’t take long for the snipers to come out of the woodwork, looking for a chink in his armor — even if they had to make one up.
When Hugh posted a story about an abusive woman he met at an event, and labeled her “a bitch” (a better term than she deserved if the details of the story are true), the little people thought they had a good target. After all, if they stretched this out far enough, they could make him look like a woman-hater (and the had to stretch pretty far for that one). Then the snarkey articles started appearing on blogs no one had ever heard of before (I won’t dignify any of them with a mention, nor a link) and the hounds started baying at his heels (perhaps I should say, “the ankle biters started yapping at his heels?”).
Mr. Nice Guy (Hugh) probably hadn’t encountered this level of made-up vitriol before and made the mistake of posting an apology, thus adding fuel to a fire that would have gone out on its own if left alone. Emboldened by his reaction, the ankle biters started criticizing him for the apology (“you can’t win” department).
Now, more of the trolls are coming out of the woodwork and bombarding their 2 or 3 readers with their own versions of “bash Howey” blatherings.
Hopefully, 98% of Howey’s fans and the rest of us will recognize these attacks for what they are: a pathetic attempt to get attention where none is deserved. And Hugh can get back to what he does best, which is write interesting stories that other people want to read.
Post Apoc February 27, 2013
Posted by Al Philipson in Uncategorized.add a comment
I just joined postapoc.net (I think — the signup form didn’t acknowledge anything, just cleaned out all the boxes when I hit their enter button).
If you’re a post-apocalyptic junkie, it might be an interesting place to visit.
2013 and beyond January 1, 2013
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I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying your New Year’s day activities.
This has been a good year for me. The geek (my creator) has allowed me quite a bit of leeway and I’m finally developing my own voice.
Also, it helps that sales of Children of Destruction has been good (not a best-seller — yet, but better than I’d hoped). For that, I have you kind folks to thank. A writer without an audience may as well shout his stories to the ocean for all the good it will do. That would be very frustrating. But those of you who have graciously taken the time to read my scrivenings have warmed my heart and made the work worthwhile.
I don’t make new year’s resolutions. If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing now, rather than waiting on a date to start. However, I will try to crank out another book this year (time allowing). I’m not sure if it will be God’s Assassin or Escape from Earth (working title). Assassin has the best and most exciting start and plot, but Escape, although more sedate in its pacing, is the first book in the series. Any preferences?
Have a great 2013! I hope all your dreams are fulfilled.
God’s Assassin – Notes and Chapter One April 12, 2011
Posted by Al Philipson in God's Assassin Chapters.Tags: God's Assassin Chapters, Work in progress
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I’m working on a new novel, God’s Assassin.
It has a curious beginning. I belong to a science fiction writer’s workshop and one of the members (the President) posted a short “start” as an excersize. We were supposed to take her beginning and write a short story from it.
When one of our members read my entry, he wrote, “when are you going to make this into a book?” or words to that effect. I hadn’t thought of that until then, but it got me to thinking.
So, I got permission from the President to use her beginning and started creating a universe of the future where mankind has migrated to other planets, gone through some wars of consolidation, and settled into four camps. (more…)
The Eighth Day finally published February 16, 2011
Posted by Al Philipson in Uncategorized.6 comments
Faster Than Light finally published Eighth Day. It’s available in eBook format at Amazon, Smashwords, and eventually several other outlets.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NIFSXO
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/42055
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Update 9/30/2011:
Too many people were put off by the title (and it turns out that too many writers have used similar titles). Seems people thought it was a religious book of some sort (unintended consequences of poorly-thought-out choices). While it does have a small element of faith in it (the characters do worry about how their choices will affect their chances in the hereafter), that is hardly the main thrust of the story.
I’ve always thought that authors need to recognize that people (and possibly aliens) DO worry about “higher powers”. Some reject the idea, but they at least think about it. So, just about every society will have some sort of religion either dominant, hanging around, or underground and to ignore that reality is poor writing indeed, no matter what your personal beliefs.
Anyway, I got together with FTL (after a long discussion with some other talented authors and writers) and convinced them to rename the book Children of Destruction.
It’s out under that title now on Smashwords and Barnes & Noble, and will eventually filter out to Amazon (Kindle probably by 10/1/11) , Kobo, and Diesel.
The Eighth Day – Chapter 2 January 31, 2011
Posted by Al Philipson in Eighth Day Chapters.1 comment so far
CHAPTER 2
Wednesday 2:00 am Pacific Time
“Flight 423 heavy, descending to 500 feet. On approach.”
“Flight 423, you are clear to land runway twenty-five R.”
“Roger tower. Turning to …”
“Jesus Christ!” Dr. Herman Proust, PhD yelled as the passenger next to him suddenly disappeared, leaving only his clothing, which settled into a disorderly pile. Frantically, he looked around the cabin of the airplane. All of the seats seemed to be empty. (more…)
The Eighth Day – Chapter 1 June 9, 2010
Posted by Al Philipson in Eighth Day Chapters.Tags: chapter 2, Eighth Day, sample
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CHAPTER 1
Wednesday afternoon, Russia
“Sergei, I need those calculations now!” (more…)
