Month: June 2024

Did we miss something in The Stars, Like Dust?

by J Alan Erwine

If you’re a science fiction fan, then you’ve most likely read The Stars Like Dust by Isaac Asimov. If you haven’t, then you’re missing an important part of science fiction. Yes, the story seems a bit dated, and maybe the writing is too, but then again, this was written more than 70 years ago. I certainly hope my writing holds up this well in 70 years!

If you’ve never read the book, then I’d suggest skipping this post because I’m going to reveal an important plot element as I try to make a point.

Still here? Ok, here we go. Throughout the book, the characters continually make reference to a document from Old Earth that will help save their civilization. A document that can overthrow the tyrants that now rule just beyond the Horsehead Nebula. What is this document? The US Constitution.

How ironic that 70 years ago, this document was viewed as something that could save humanity, and now we have politicians that are willing to bend and even destroy the Constitution for their own personal gains. Where did we go wrong America?

It makes me wonder if we’re viewing the beginning of the fall of the American Empire. This country has been deteriorating for a while, and over the last couple of decades, that decline has seemed to increase. Just once in my life I’d like to be able to vote for a presidential candidate instead of voting against someone. None of these politicians represent what made America great.

The Constitution, and our politics in general, once meant something, but not anymore…

One week til Goatherds & Gods

by J Alan Erwine

You have one week left to pre-order Goatherds & Gods, which is my revised version of the novel by the late James B. Baker. Order today at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D682Q9M5 or at https://books2read.com/u/49OL2w

Joseph was born the son of a goatherd chieftain, destined to do nothing more than lead a small band of goatherds, Joseph quickly becomes disillusioned with his tribe and his life, and when his young wife and child die, Joseph leaves his people behind, having no idea what Yahovah has planned for him.

Joseph meets his new wife, Yasmen, and with the help of an ancient man who only calls himself the Elder Rishni, Joseph becomes the leader of a new group of people, a group that grows in numbers and strength, and eventually grows powerful enough to possibly challenge the mighty Indo-Aryan armies and their mighty leader, the Kzer…possibly…

Half off Ephemeris sale

by J Alan Erwine

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For a limited time, you can download all of the Ephemeris RPG titles for half off at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2805/nomadic-delirium-press.

The year is 2185. The human race has gone to the stars, and found that they’re not alone. Local space is teeming with civilizations, some hostile, some friendly, and some indifferent. This is the universe of Ephemeris.

Ephemeris is a game of galactic trade and galactic conquest; of inter-species conflict and cooperation. Ephemeris is a science fiction role playing game. Here you will be able to take on the role of your favorite alien species and your favorite class. You will be able to trade, fight, negotiate, conquer, whatever you’d like to do with your fellow players. You can play the role of an Althani Trader, or maybe an Arbonix Cyber Wizard, or maybe even a Human Nanist. You can create a party made up entirely of one species and set out to upset the trade routes of a rival species. Or maybe you want to create a party with a variety of species that preys upon the trading routes of the various civilizations. Or maybe you want to explore the ancient ruins on long dead planets, ruins that clearly show that there were other species roaming the spaceways in the past…but where are they now? You can fight in great wars, negotiate grand peace treaties, and explore sections of the galaxy that no sentient has ever explored. Or maybe your party has joined with one of the interplanetary corporations; corporations whose motives are never entirely clear. These are just some of the possibilities open to you.
The universe of Ephemeris is yours to do with as you please. What you now hold in your hands are the basic guidelines for the games. Here you’ll find the races, classes, abilities, skills, weapons, and ships that allow you to create your own Ephemeris universe.

Now, step inside for the greatest science fiction adventure you’ve ever been on…

Free stories

by J Alan Erwine

For the next few weeks, I’m going to be making some of my stories available for free. All I ask is that if you download the story, and you enjoy it, please leave a review. Next to actually purchasing an author’s work, reviews are the best way to help the writers you enjoy.

This week you can download “Choices” for free at https://books2read.com/b/4N8YGY

Ereven is on the run. Having abandoned the dictatorial governor of Ganymede, he now finds himself pushed and pulled in directions he doesn’t want to go as he tries to flee the brutal hands of the governor. Where will he go? The inner solar system seems to be the only choice, but does he have any chance of getting there? He’s never had choices, and now that he does, every one of them seems to lead to death, imprisonment, or both…

Disharmony of the Spheres is on sale

by J Alan Erwine

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For a limited time, you can download Disharmony of the Spheres for just $1.99 at https://books2read.com/u/3L8Lxw

Mental illness is very common in our society, but it’s also very misunderstood. Many view those with mental illnesses as being weak, but there is a great deal of strength in those that must battle their own minds on a regular basis.
Disharmony of the Spheres focuses on characters with mental illnesses that are still able to be successful. They may not completely overcome their illnesses, but they are able to beat them back and succeed.
In this volume, you will find the fiction of Ian Brazee Cannon, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, MH Bonham, David Lee Summers, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Kate Runnels, Michael Morgan, L.J. Bonham, Carol Hightshoe, Francis W. Alexander, and Terrie Leigh Relf.
This book is dedicated to all of the science fiction fans and writers that must battle their own personal demons every day, and half of all of the profits from this book will go to The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Organization, a group that battles teen suicide.

Two weeks til Goatherds & Gods

by J Alan Erwine

We’re just two weeks away from the release of Goatherds & Gods, and you can pre-order your copy today at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D682Q9M5 or at https://books2read.com/u/49OL2w

Joseph was born the son of a goatherd chieftain, destined to do nothing more than lead a small band of goatherds, Joseph quickly becomes disillusioned with his tribe and his life, and when his young wife and child die, Joseph leaves his people behind, having no idea what Yahovah has planned for him.
Joseph meets his new wife, Yasmen, and with the help of an ancient man who only calls himself the Elder Rishni, Joseph becomes the leader of a new group of people, a group that grows in numbers and strength, and eventually grows powerful enough to possibly challenge the mighty Indo-Aryan armies and their mighty leader, the Kzer…possibly…

What do you do when you’ve finished writing a novel?

by J Alan Erwine

Now that I’ve spent more than a year re-writing James Baker’s novel Goatherds & Gods, what do I do next? No, I’m not going to Disneyland. I’ve started a new novel. This one will be a science fiction novel, kind of like what you’d expect from me, but it’s quite different than my other SF novels. You’ll all probably get to learn a lot more about it in a year or so…yeah, novel writing takes a long time!

While you’re waiting for my next novel, go ahead and pre-order Goatherds & Gods, and you can start reading it on July 1st.

Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D682Q9M5

Order from another vendor: https://books2read.com/u/49OL2w

Goatherds & Gods is available for pre-order

by J Alan Erwine

More than a quarter of a century ago, an editor by the name of Jim Baker published my very first story. He then turned me into an editor, and we worked together for years before he passed away. When he did leave us, I became the owner of his works, both complete and incomplete. One of his novels, Goatherds & Gods was a great story in my opinion, although it lacked proper execution. As a result, I never rereleased this book.

As my skills have, hopefully, improved over the years, I finally felt that I had the ability to turn the book into what it should be, and so a little over a year ago, I began rewriting the book. Most of Jim’s original writing is still there, I just hopefully improved on it.

So, without further ado, I give you…

The e-book version of Goatherds & Gods by James B. Baker and J Alan Erwine is available for pre-order, and will be released on July 1st. The print version will be available at the same time.

Joseph was born the son of a goatherd chieftain, destined to do nothing more than lead a small band of goatherds, Joseph quickly becomes disillusioned with his tribe and his life, and when his young wife and child die, Joseph leaves his people behind, having no idea what Yahovah has planned for him.

Joseph meets his new wife, Yasmen, and with the help of an ancient man who only calls himself the Elder Rishni, Joseph becomes the leader of a new group of people, a group that grows in numbers and strength, and eventually grows powerful enough to possibly challenge the mighty Indo-Aryan armies and their mighty leader, the Kzer…possibly…

Order from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xdeYMP

Order from another vendor: https://books2read.com/u/49OL2w

Boxed Sets of magazines I’ve edited

by J Alan Erwine

Over the years, I edited several magazines, and now the issues that I edited for Nomadic Delirium Press are available in three different collections…

For six years, Nomadic Delirium Press published The Martian Wave. This was a magazine that focused on short stories and poems about the exploration and colonization of space, with a special focus on stories about our solar system. Now, all six issues have been gathered into one boxed set for a very low price.

Order from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VBFkBD

Order elsewhere: https://books2read.com/u/47J1Qa

For nearly seven years, Nomadic Delirium Press published the long running science fiction and fantasy magazine, The Fifth Di… Now all 25 issues are available in this one massive tome.

Order today: https://draft2digital.com/book/1528413

The magazines Environmental Holocaust and Mundanities were short-lived magazines at Nomadic Delirium Press, but we are still very proud of them, and we hope to someday bring them back, but for now you can enjoy the single issue of Environmental Holocaust and the two issues of Mundanities in this one issue.
Environmental Holocaust was a magazine focusing on possible futures where global climate change continues on unchecked. Mundanities was the zine of mundane science fiction, and focused on science fiction that was completely believable based on modern science.

Order from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z1OPAY

Order elsewhere: https://books2read.com/u/bWyGXG