Reading

Why Indie Authors Don’t Appear on “Most Anticipated” Lists — And Why That’s a Good Thing

2 Comments / Out There, Reading, SF Industry /

Why do indie author books never show up on “Most Anticipated” lists? It’s not about quality—it’s about how the indie world works. From short release timelines to direct-to-reader communication, indie publishing plays a different game entirely. Here’s why that’s actually a very good thing for readers who love immersive series, creative freedom, and stories that don’t wait for marketing schedules.

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Farewell to On Spec: A Pillar of Canadian SF Bids Goodbye

2 Comments / Out There, Reading, SF Industry /

After 35 years, On Spec magazine is closing its doors—a loss not just for Canadian science fiction, but for the speculative fiction world at large. Based in Edmonton, On Spec championed stories with a uniquely Canadian voice and offered a home for emerging and established writers alike. Its final issue, The Final Voyage, marks the end of an era and raises the ever-relevant question: is this just another case of magazine churn, or a sign of the times?

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When Bookstores Shrink Their Shelves (Even the Digital Ones)

4 Comments / Reading /

Barnes & Noble has begun quietly removing books from its digital shelves — not because readers don’t want them, but because the retailer wants a “cleaner,” more curated catalog. Overnight, titles vanish. Algorithms shift. Indie books get harder to find.

It’s the same old pattern: as big platforms age, they tighten the gates. The long tail shrinks. Choice narrows. And readers lose access to entire backlists, series, and genres without even realizing it’s happening.

The good news? You’re not trapped in anyone’s walled garden. Buying direct from authors keeps your books permanent, DRM-free, and untouched by corporate inventory purges — no disappearing titles, no algorithmic roulette.

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6 Novelists Who Started In the Pulps…Or Are Still There

Reading, SF Industry /

Why am I talking about pulp fiction? (No, not the movie — which got its name from Tarantino’s inspiration for the story.)

Two reasons: Classic SF got its start in the pulp magazines. And my Ptolemy Lane Tales series was my nod to classic hardcore pulp fiction.

Classic pulp stories are often decried for their simplicity and dependence upon erotic elements to move copies.  The criticism overlooks one of the primary functions of pulp stories:  They were written to entertain.

And my god, they did that in spades.

At their peak of popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, the most successful pulps could sell up to one million copies per issue. In 1934, Frank Gruber (writer) said there were some 150 pulp titles.*

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What Makes a Book a “Classic” in Science Fiction?

2 Comments / Reading, SF Industry, The Future /

There are some books in science fiction that never seem to fade. Dune. Foundation. The Left Hand of Darkness. Decades later, we’re still reading them, studying them, arguing about them. They’ve carved out a permanent space on the shelf—and not just for their fans, but for the genre itself.

So what is it that makes a book a “classic”?

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How to Hack BookFunnel Promos for Maximum Reading Gain

2 Comments / Deals & Discounts, Giveaways, Reading /

Last week, I talked about author email lists, free books, and how to handle them in a way that benefits both readers and authors. This week, as promised, I’m diving into BookFunnel promotions—one of the biggest and best ways to load up your e-reader with fantastic books, discover new authors, and grab deals you won’t

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Amazing Stories: Join the Mission to Bring It Back—One Fan at a Time

Out There, Reading, SF Industry /

As I’ve mentioned before, Amazing Stories is in the middle of an effort to revive the iconic science fiction magazine. After sharing the news about their commitment-based pre-order model, the team has made progress—but they’re asking for a little extra push to reach their next milestone. Currently, 50 fans have signed on to the program—an

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