A Glimpse Into the Future

If nothing interferes with my plans, I'm hoping ---hope, hope!---that Ransom of Tartarus will be ready to send to the publisher by the end of this year. But at the rate the publication process moves, Ransom could possibly be published in May of 2012, maybe if I'm lucky, a bit before! I'm looking forward to the completion of The Tartarus Trilogy.

But the other day my daughter Sharyn asked me what I intend to do when all three books have been published. My answer: "Get Galaxy Rand ready for publication!" That novel is sheer, unabashed space opera with a cast of quirky characters. I've been working on Galaxy off and on for quite a few years now. I frequently manage to lose the whole manuscript---buried under piles of other writing or swallowed up by the Twilight Zone. So only the first two chapters have actually been typed. Then when I rediscover what I've written, I get excited all over again!

Of course, since Galaxy's still in a pretty rough stage, the ms is going to require a lot of work for some time to come. But writing it is great fun; it's a radical departure from the "soft" SF of my Tartarus books; it gives me a break so I don't get bored with those characters and that world.

And I hope my readers will never get bored with them either!

All for now,

MRTighe

Onward and Upward

I find it really hard to believe that True Son of Tartarus is finally finished ( at least as far as my writing and editing is concerned. ) Shortly, it will be on its way to the printer. After living with a book night and day for so long, it's rather an odd, empty feeling, sending it out into the world all by itself without me there to protect it---sort of like sending your baby off to school for the very first time!

But, fortunately, there'll be no "empty nest syndrome" here. Ransom of Tartarus is patiently waiting to be edited, pored over with a fine-tooth comb! When all three books of my trilogy have finally been published and are off my mind for the first time in over twenty years, now that will be a truly odd experience!

After taking a breather in order to recharge my batteries and mentally readjust, I intend to continue working on my space opera, to be titled "Galaxy Rand". Can't give you much more info at this point---ideas are, after all, a writer's stock-in-trade. I've been working on this book off and on for several years. As most writers do, I've started two or three other books that just didn't make the grade. The idea, the characters, the plot all have to latch onto you and cling like a blankedy-blank leech long enough to finish a book. Fact is, I've grown to love the two major characters in "Galaxy" and enjoy telling their story.

This one will be space opera, a good old, rollicking adventure story and a far cry from my Tartarus Trilogy. But I'm hoping that someday my readers will enjoy it as well.

All for now,

MRTighe

Genre Upon Genre

Although I usually categorize the Tartarus Trilogy as science fiction, I tend to think of those books more as "space adventure", maybe a sub-genre of science fiction that is not quite "space opera" and not as literary as most "soft" SF. They definitely aren't "hard" SF. That genre is defined as heavily dependent on science to carry the story: physics, chemistry, etc. Nothing impossible can take place, as least as projected into the future, ie: nanotechnology. Writing hard SF requires at least some scientific background, an understanding of the principles the cosmos operates on. "Mission of Gravity" by Hal Clement ( Harry Stubbs ) would be one example of hard SF.

In "soft" SF or "sociological" SF, writers create worlds that spotlight the human condition and its inherent problems. It's not as concerned with true science, for example "Dune" by Frank Herbert. Soft SF tends to be fairly literary.

"Space opera" is probably what most people these days associate as science fiction---lasers and rocket ships and light-sabers. These stories are seldom concerned with scientific accuracy; the tale is told for the sheer adventure of it, the fun! "Star Wars" is a great example of space opera. ( Some SF actually crosses genres---you usually get a taste of fantasy in your space opera. )

In my books I've tried to maintain scientific accuracy as closely as possible, although I've had to cheat a bit in places. Hyperspace and hyperdrive are theoretical concepts that are quite probably impossible; however, SF stories that wish to deal with space travel to distant places have to invent a plausible means of such travel. ( Travel to other galaxies is, at this point, highly implausible and would tend to push a book into the "science fantasy" genre. )

And I realize that concepts such as an "ice-planet" or an "idyllic planet" are implausible, but I chose to use them to get a point across, more as metaphors than reality. Hopefully, people will read and enjoy my books, rather than spending time judging or categorizing them. To me, the story is everything.

MRTighe

A Hot Spell

The heatwave that hit the East Coast wasn't fun. Temperatures shot up over 100 degrees, even in my backyard, which is shaded by a good many tall trees. Since it was too hot to work outdoors, I was forced to stay inside. And being a dyed-in-the-wool writer, what did I do? I wrote, naturally.

First, I worked on a short story I wrote several years ago and promptly lost. As usual, I had stumbled across the first draft while searching for something else---which, of course, I didn't find. Is there some kind of unwritten law about this?

Anyway, the short story is a vampire-themed urban fantasy, not horror. And no, it's nothing like Twilight! After writing a second draft of the short, I started working on another novel, this time a space opera, also begun several years ago. The title is Galaxy Rand, and this book is going to be a far cry from my Tartarus books. But I think Galaxy will end up being a fun read in itself.

The rough draft of Malkis of Tartarus, the first prequel to the Tartarus Trilogy, is finished, and as usual, I'm letting it "marinate" for a while. When I get back to it, I should be able to evaluate the novel with fresh eyes: add, delete, correct, etc. I may go through several drafts before I'm entirely satisfied.

So a spell of intense summer heat can lead to a spell of productive writing---as can winter snowstorms! But at least I don't have to go out and shovel heat.

All for now,

MRTighe

Surprise!

Hello there!

Got an unexpected e-mail yesterday from my publisher telling me my Author's Sample copies had shipped and were on their way! Wow! I really expected it would take at least two more weeks--glad I don't have to wait. I am not exactly a patient wait-er. So in the meantime I'm trying to accomplish something while waiting for the UPS truck.

Hoping I won't be severely disappointed,

MRTighe

Sneak Peek

Hi, again!

About two weeks to go and counting! It's so hard to rein in my excitement---trying to concentrate on other things---like Christmas decorations, feeding the multitude of ravenous birds and squirrels in my backyard, um---ah, where was I?

So, as promised, here's a sneak peek at the back cover copy of Judgment on Tartarus:

     Newly assigned to the space cruiser Astrella II, captained by the legendary "Hero of the Gorgonian Wars", Richard Hughes, Ensign Corona Scott fears her long-dreamed-of career is about to be deep-sixed! She runs afoul of her new CO's volcanic temper, and Med Supervisor Johann Weiner warns her that Astrella's ExO, Malkis of Tartarus, is going to make her life a living Hell. He hates Terran females! Rona's ideals are put to the test as the shocking bigotry and hatred she finds aboard Astrella culminate in sabotage and murder and, ultimately, in a serious rift between Hughes and his ExO. Without warning, Astrella is mysteriously dispatched to the enigmatic planet Tartarus, where Rona Scott encounters an unsought destiny far beyond her wildest dreams, and where the fate of Astrella's crew rests upon the outcome of a barbaric, bloody duel to the death!

So what do you think? Does this make you want to read the book---or not? Would you recommend a book  like this to your friends who read? Comments are more than welcome. If you have trouble commenting on my blog, I'm also on facebook as M.r.Tighe; leave me a message there. You can also view a tiny pic of my cover using the info in my last blog. Thanks!

Trying my best to wait patiently,

MRTighe

More Good News!

Hello, all!

I was very happy to hear today that Judgment on Tartarus is now available for pre-order on my publisher's website: http://www.wheatmark.com/bookstore/

You can search for my book by a word in its title, by my name, or by the ISBN #:  9781604945225

In the next few weeks, Judgment should also be listed on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Borders.com, and other online booksellers ( probably at a discount! ) I'm overjoyed at reaching yet another milestone in the publication process! This is all new to me, and I've experienced a fair share of trepidation about this whole thing. Can't wait to get the first copy in hand.

I hope to give you a bit of a sneak peek in my next blog.

MRTighe

The Joys of Laptopping

Hey again!

After getting my first laptop not so long ago, I was soon ready to toss the dang thing out the window! It was so much different from working on the electric typewriter or word processor that I was used to. Took me some time to get the hang of it, and there are still things that are mysteries to me. Fortunately, I have a lot of help from my family, especially my computer-savvy kids! Without their help I probably would've given up --or quietly gone insane. Well, maybe not so quietly.

I still have trouble with some aspects of "laptopping"--like when the bloody machine insists I didn't really mean to use a certain word and changes it on me!!! ( I find my own vocabulary tends to de-volve rapidly whenever that happens! ) However, I've been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and it looks like I'm here to stay. Well, back to the laptop! I'm in the process of editing Book Two: True Son of Tatrtarus, which is next up on the schedule.

All for now,

MRTighe

Latest Info

Hi again,

The latest word I've received is that it takes about three weeks from the time my file goes to the printer until I'll be sent hard copies of Judgment on Tartarus. The better news is that people can preorder my book from my publisher's website http://www.wheatmark.com/ a day or so after it's uploaded to the printer. After the release date, the book can be ordered directly from the publisher. Two or three weeks later, my book will appear on most online publisher's lists. ( Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc. ) I'm not sure about overseas orders yet. I'm hopeful that our many friends in Cambodia will also have access.

Meanwhile, I am finishing up editing Book Two: True Son of Tartarus, which is a continuation of the same story. If anything, I think it may even be a bit better than Book One. I've already had some good feedback on it---and,no, not just from relatives! After all, who in your family is going to tell you they hate your book? Hmmm--now that I think about it...!

In the near future I'll probably let you know my reading tastes--more specifically than science fiction and fantasy. That might give you a good idea of whether or not you're going to like my book.

Thanks,
MRTighe

Categorizing my writing

Hello, again!

What kind of fiction do I write? Well, I surely am not a scientist, therfore I don't write "hard" science fiction. I read it, and I've known a few hard SF writers such as Isaac Asimov and Hal Clement (Harry Stubbs).And at one point in my life, I did seriously consider becoming a biology teacher---biology was always one of my favorite subjects.

But what appeals most to me is the way people will interact in the future, especially if we are forced to deal with "aliens" of some kind. I'm not convinced this will happen in my lifetime so I have to imagine it.My writing deals with characters in the future, their challenges and problems---will they get along or conflict? Will Terrans ever get over their bigotry and prejudices? Probably not entirely.

I realize that some people are going to categorize my writing as "space opera", and I have no problem with that. At least one of my upcoming novels is blatant space opera, and I find it fun to write.But whatever genre I'm writing, I do try to stick to scientific principles, even though some of them are still highly theoretical.

In addition to the SF elements in  my work, there's also a strong love story, a little violence, and a dash of mystery---what would a good story be without them? As I've said before, Judgment on Tartarus, especially, is a fun read, and I think a lot of people will enjoy it.Long-winded enough.

MRTighe

Technical difficulties

Right now things are not going well. My computer is being finicky and won't download files I need. So what else is new? Having some creative differences with my publisher---to be expected, I'm sure. I decided to go the self-publishing route because traditional publishers don't take manuscripts from new authors seriously. And even when they do, they take their sweet time making decisions. When I sent my second novel, True Son of Tartarus to DAW, they kept it for two whole years before returning it to me with a polite rejection!
Fortunately for me, I kept on writing in that time and by that time had a trilogy.

Some people might argue with my assessment, but I heard a well-known publisher say with her own lips that she only accepted manuscripts from a stable of eight or nine established authors! This was at a panel deploring the lack of new blood in the publishing industries.  Thought my husband was going to go ballistic!

Anyway, I'm well aware that publishers have to sift through a lot of chaff to get to a little wheat. But I believe my books are in the latter category. I'll probably discuss the type of science fiction in which I specialize at a later date when I'm in more of an up mood.

"Til then,
MRTighe

Bumps in the road

Well, I sent in the necessary corrections to Judgment on Tartarus and now have to wait and see what happens next.  The good thing is that I am learning as I go, and getting my next book published should be somewhat easier.

Things got slowed down a bit due to illness--almost every member of my family was down with it! And I expect the holidays which are upcoming to interfere with the schedule a bit, but I still hope to have an actual book in print before the end of the year.( I have enough manuscripts written or in progress to publish at least a book a year from now through 2013! )


All for now,
MRTighe

Second author's proofs

Hello again,

We are getting down to the wire in the publishing process.  I'm reviewing my proofs for corrections and have found a couple that somehow slipped by the corrections editor from last time.  But I'm not happy with this rendition of the back cover text; you know that stuff on the back of the book that you check out before you buy it.  Very important.  But somehow this latest version missed the boat and will have to be corrected before I sign off on it. When that occurs, the whole file will be sent to the printer, and about three weeks later---ta-dah!---I should have a printed copy of Judgment on Tartarus at last!

Of course, I'm excited, but I'm also anxious to get on to Book Two: True Son of Tartarus, which takes up the story where it leaves off.  Although each book in my trilogy is capable of standing alone---True Son was almost published by DAW as a stand-alone---I'd rather tell the entire story in the correct sequence.

My publisher's link is http://www.wheatmark.com/. My book will be listed on their website as well as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Wish me luck!

MR Tighe

Proofing Judgment on Tartarus

Just finished "proofing" my author's review copy of Judgment on Tartarus. I was very happy to find corrections needed on only 25 pages out of 234---not a bad percentage! And most of the needed corrections are minor---incorrect punctuation and a couple typos. So I am eager for the next step in the publication process and feeling very encouraged. Not much else to add right now until the book is out (soon I hope! ) and I can start getting some feedback on it.

'Til then,

M.R. Tighe