SPACE JUNQUE -- apocalyptic fantasy romance FREE for Kindle today!

[LKRigel]

I was, but I'm not so sure now, for two reasons.

One, my day job has been super busy lately.

Two -- a better reason -- the story has expanded. I had originally expected this to be about the same length as Space Junque, but it will be at least twice as long. I've gone further into the new religious and political forms of the post-apocalyptic world and the tension between the goddess Asherah and the god Samael.

Also, I've taken to heart the main criticism I'm seeing about Space Junque -- it moves pretty fast, and people wish it was longer.

My hard deadline -- as hard as one can be in indie publishing -- is Christmas Day because I have a Kindle Nation promo scheduled then. But I do have a Book of the Day scheduled here at Kindleboards for December 12 -- wouldn't it be fun to make that the "premier"!!

[StaceyHH]

Two -- a better reason -- the story has expanded. I had originally expected this to be about the same length as Space Junque, but it will be at least twice as long. I've gone further into the new religious and political forms of the post-apocalyptic world and the tension between the goddess Asherah and the god Samael.

Also, I've taken to heart the main criticism I'm seeing about Space Junque -- it moves pretty fast, and people wish it was longer.

Well, given that I am one of the people who wished for more backstory development, the extra story will be worth the extra wait.

[LKRigel]

Well, given that I am one of the people who wished for more backstory development, the extra story will be worth the extra wait.

Oh, are you the Stacey who left the nice review at Goodreads? Given your comment about Dune in another thread, I think (hope) you'll really enjoy Spiderwork.

[Arkali]

Can't wait for Spiderwork - I'm very excited.  Also wanted to say - if you've been thinking about getting Space Junque - grab it while it's .99 cents.  It's a steal at that price

[StaceyHH]

Yep, one and the same. I have a particular fondness for post-apocalyptic fiction, (ever since I read Alas, Babylon in probably Jr. High School,) and your story did not disappoint. It did, however, leave me wanting MOAR STORY.   The idea of Corcovado is an intriguing one. I've read other fiction that dealt with the creation of an Artificial Oasis, in anticipation of some future conflagration, and find it an interesting concept. Given the revealed conspiracy at the end of Space Junque, I'm waiting in some anticipation for more Corcovado-set development in the series.

(tangent)

It's interesting to see this (too short) criticism being repeated in your reviews. I've seen quite a few novellas and shorts that seem that they should/could have been developed into an extended novel. I sometimes wonder why the author doesn't realize this while writing, because in nearly all instances I've read, the story seems remarkably well developed in vision and scope, it just feels like much of the story just didn't make it into the actual writing. I've read other short stories/ideas that could eventually be expanded, but seem quite complete on their own.

I'm currently reading Neutron Star (1968. Larry Niven) which was the lead-in to Ringworld- one of the most detailed world-building sci-fi series, ever. And yet, the short stories are clearly self-contained for the most part. What I mean is, (in this example,) you don't really need to know a lot about the Kzinti, to enjoy "The Soft Weapon," and yet Niven goes back and gives them major play in Ringworld, and amusingly, they again get significant spin-off time by other authors.

It makes me wonder at what point Niven knew these stories needed to be expanded? Was it his readers? his editor? Did he figure it out on his own while writing? He must have had a fully drawn concept in his mind regarding who and what they were, in order to be able to draw such a complete picture with so very few brush-strokes.

(/tangent)

... which is the impression I get with Space Junque. To my way of thinking it seems unlikely that these settings and characters were not well-realized in your mind, in order for you to create their compelling on-page counterparts, in a relatively brief span of writing. Just a few floating and random thoughts that may not require any substantive answer.  

[LKRigel]

It's an amazing and wonderful experience knowing there are actual readers waiting for Spiderwork -- also a bit intimidating!

It's true that Space Junque takes place in a world I had been thinking about for a couple of years before I started the novella. I think one problem or challenge for me, as the writer, is that I know these characters and settings so well that I begin to think in shorthand. For instance, you and I can say Christmas tree to each other without having to say anything about lights and decorations.

I forget that my readers don't know everything I know. I feel I should have gone into Jake and Rani's background more -- I could have told about Rani's time in hiding and how Jake opted out of a fuller participation in society.  Stay tuned, as they say!

Corcovado plays a huge part throughout the series. This statue remains after the great rise, and it's not too much of a spoiler to say the Empani establish a nest on the mountain.  By the time of Spiderwork, all the buildings in this picture are submerged beneath the sea level rise, but the preparations hinted at in Space Junque are preserved -- naturally, since the work had been set in motion by the gods, ha.

[Asphodel]

I took advantage of the opportunity to pick up Space Junque for 99 cents today and I'm glad I did - I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to Spiderwork whenever it comes out. I hope it's soon.

[LKRigel]

I took advantage of the opportunity to pick up Space Junque for 99 cents today and I'm glad I did - I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to Spiderwork whenever it comes out. I hope it's soon.

NEWS OF THE WEEK:

Asphodel, how did I miss this? I'm so glad you liked Space Junque!

Space Junque's sale at 99 cents continues apace but ends in a few days.

This week, Space Junque received another great review! The reviewer was glad to find out SJ wasn't an erotic romance. She pronounced it PG13

[Harvey]

I'm pleased to announce that Space Junque is our next KB Book of the Day! Still available for 99 cents!

[LKRigel]

I'm so happy that Space Junque is the Kindleboard Book of the Day -- and while its 99 cent sale is going on too!

A world dies, and a world is reborn. But is love possible in flagrante apocalypto?

Today I'll share some "clippings" -- snips of reviews and comments from around the web:

Kindleboards' own BTackitt:

           I loved this book! I was left at the end looking for the next book in the series IMMEDIATELY! Do you hear that LK Rigel?

Kindleboards denizen and reviewer at The Romance Reviews Arkali:

           If you like paranormal romance, try this book - the only thing you might regret is having another series to follow ;-)

USA Today bestselling author Anne Frasier/Theresa Weir (and Space Junque's editor):

           Space Junque is a fun, smart read, and I really think people will enjoy it. I hesitate to make comparisons, but I think it has a bit of a Firefly vibe to it.

Kyle at The Romance Reviews:

           Speaking of the world Ms Rigel created, its amazingly fascinating! I was hungry for more when the pages ran out and it being a novella…I was REALLY hungry! I love the idea of ‘ghosts' and DOG (Defenders of Gaia), very well thought out plot points and great world-building. I'm not going to tell you what those are…you'll have to read Space Junque to find out.

Tara at 25 Hour Books:

           I was immensely impressed with the ancient mythology references and the world-building. I’m definitely picking up the rest of the series.

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Wow, I'm giving myself a big head! It's a great day to pick up Space Junque -- the 99 cent price will be gone in a few days!

[foreverjuly]

I'm glad to have my copy! I definitely look forward to starting it. And that statue in Brazil is so cool; I've always wanted to go see it.

[BTackitt]

And I'm still waiting on the next book... and waiting.. and waiting...

[LKRigel]

And I'm still waiting on the next book... and waiting.. and waiting...

hahaha -- no pressure, right?

[Emily King]

Hey, guess what!?  I finished it and left a review!  Wahoo!  I saw the other review that it was too short - I guess I didn't realize it was a prequel or a novella while I was reading it.    I did enjoy the story and look forward to reading the next book... thanks for the opportunity to read it!

[LKRigel]

Emily, that's great -- thank you so much! I went to Amazon and looked, but it's not up yet, ha. I can't wait to read it.

I'm so glad you liked Space Junque, and it's awesome that you left a review.

[Emily King]

I think it's out there, but it's under my mom's name (info that would have helped a little, eh?) - AM Brown.  It's not a fabulous review by any means, but it's a review out there.  I'm not the writer in the family, that's for sure!

[LKRigel]

I think it's out there, but it's under my mom's name (info that would have helped a little, eh?) - AM Brown.  It's not a fabulous review by any means, but it's a review out there.  I'm not the writer in the family, that's for sure!

Oh, yes, I did see that. Thank you! Not only was that a great review, but you gave me some insight into my "spare" style that helps a lot -- so double thank you!

[Emily King]

I also fixed the "JK" to be LK... sorry, fat-fingered that one and should have proof-read.  

I don't know if it's how I read or if it's "spare" - I tried to say something to that effect in the review.  I do read really fast and hubby swears all of us skim instead of processing everything, which is sometimes true.  It's also not my normal genre, so it says something about your writing that I did enjoy the story!

[LKRigel]

JK, LK -- I don't care what you call me as long as you call me! ha.

It's true that a lot of people skim, wanting to get to what happens next. I need to take that into account. I spent so many years writing songs where an entire story gets boiled down into a few lines, that I've subconsciously incorporated that.

Still, it's all about the rhythm, and I need to learn to slow down sometimes!

I'm really glad you liked it, especially since you won it -- that would be a sad prize if it wasn't interesting!

[Harvey]

I'm pleased to announce that Space Junque is our next KB Book of the Day!

[LKRigel]

This is my second Book of the Day day here at Kindlebaords. While I truly wish that you'd pick up Space Junque for your collection, if you're reading this the odds are you already have it.

Therefore, I present:

D a y p a l o o z a            D a y p a l o o z a            D a y p a l o o z a            D a y p a l o o z a            D a y p a l o o z a

--oOo-- an assortment of other books by other authors you might enjoy --oOo--

--oOo--

	I'm sure Peter Pan is a lovely children's story, but the first time I read the actual book I was an adult. I was amazed. I do believe Captain Hook might be the first antihero in the English novel. This book is not a childish fantasy but a sad -- and angry -- indictment of the way society breaks a man's spirit, puts a tie around his neck, and insists that he be pleased with his enslavement. And I do mean man. Wendy, on the other hand, is the novel's hero. And what her character says about the enslavement of women! Peter Pan - read it again for the first time.
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	By Kindleboards author Moses Siregar III. This novella is gathering praise from all over. I have only read the opening [yes, BTackitt, I am working on Spiderwork!!] but I love what I've read so far. "I enjoyed this novella from its opening chapter to its gripping end ... The writing style ... immediately put me at ease in the setting." --Red Adept Reviews, 5 Stars
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	Rediscover Anne Frasier! She's putting her backlist up on Amazon, much to the delight of her fans. (Full disclosure, Anne edited Space Junque.) Hush is the heart-stopping tale of a serial killer who has met his match in Ivy Dunlap, the detective who was once his victim. ...a wealth of procedural detail, a heart-thumping finale and two scarred but indelible protagonists make this a first-rate debut. -- Publishers Weekly
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	I have a love/hate relationship with this book, and I'll tell you straight: I haven't finished it yet either! The punctuation is atrocious. The spelling is at times creative. The stream-of-consciousness style loses me sometimes. And yet... I love this book! The punctuation serves its purpose. The creative spelling is actually appropriate and rare. The stream-of-consciousness style takes me to a world wholly unlike my own. If you'd like something different, this is your book.
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	A mysterious accident transports a professor and his assistant to 1920s Manhattan where they encounter speakeasies, mob bosses, and vampires. What's not to like about this? With the witty banter between Simon Cross and Elizabeth West, Out of Time is the Moonlighting of the vampire time-travel genre! Simon finds the proof he's been looking for -- and the romance that he hasn't. But can he save Elizabeth before the next eclipse? Or will they both be Out of Time?
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	This book is $7.99 on the Kindle, and I can't believe I have an attitude about that. I've been reading The Iron Duke, the latest wonder in Romancelandia, and though yeah-it's-great-and-all and the world-building is fascinating and complex -- I loved Grimspace in a way I cannot love The Iron Duke ($9.99). If you love angst with your kickass romance, this book is for you -- IF you haven't been so spoiled by cheap indie prices that you can't shell out 7.99 for a great read.
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	Anyone who follows his posts knows that Jason Letts is one of the smartest, funniest guys on the Kindleboards. I hate it that I haven't read his books yet -- they are on my Kindle! -- but here's a snippet of a review from Robert J. Duperre: [Powerless: The Shadowing is] a wild romp through the treacherous maze of the teenage mind as adulthood lurks right around the corner. It's about desiring to choose the right path and being able to forgive yourself if you fail to do so. There is pain, there are fleeting moments of joy, and behind it all there's the growing portent of an evil that will surely swallow these brave young people whole if they don't rise up to the challenges ahead of them.
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	David Dalglish edits this collection of fantasy stories from Kindleboards authors David MacAfee, Mike Crane, Daniel Arenson, Robert DuPerre, and a Mike Fitch V, plus Dalglish contributes six stories himself. And you can pick it up FREE AT SMASHWORDS! Lava flows stretch for hundreds of miles. A cloud of ash billows east, burying the Midwest, destroying crops, and falling upon the Pacific Coast like a warm, dead snow. The remnants of the United States flees south as the global temperatures plummet. Amid this total devastation are stories of families, friends, sons and fathers and wives: the survivors. Within are eleven stories focusing on the human element of such a catastrophe, from an elderly couple gathering to await their death to a father sealing his shelter in hopes of keeping the air breathable for his daughter.
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	What can I say? Only one of the greatest social commentaries ever disguised as a gothic romance. "Do you think because I'm poor, plain, obscure and little, that I have no heart? That I'm without soul?" That quote summarizes the book's unrelenting message: Things are not as they appear, and the invisible demand to be seen.
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So there are some interesting alternatives to today's Book of the Day. But if you haven't tried Space Junque yet, give it a try!

		The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both. "Space Junque is a fun, smart read, and I really think people will enjoy it. I hesitate to make comparisons, but I think it has a bit of a Firefly vibe to it." --Anne Frasier Will there be any room for love in flagrante apocalypto?

[Joe Chiappetta]

Free previews are great ideas. Way to go. I wish you the best of success.

[Harvey]

Extraordinary. Nicely done, LK.

[LKRigel]

Thanks Harvey! It's been fun getting it ready!

[Imogen Rose]

AWESOME!!