I was reading some author marketing advice and one suggestion was that I check out other authors in the same genre to see what they’re doing.

What I’ve learned is that author blogs in SF generally suck, if they exist at all. I don’t know if I should feel better about that — or worse.

The best one I found was a combination of reviews of other SF books and documentation of just how much being a relatively popular, self-published, award-winning author [a legitimate award, not one of the many ripoffs out there] had cost them. That’s right, cost. The P&L over several years was negative. Not one single year of profit.

I already knew this pursuit has to be a labour of love, but it’s hard to see someone who writes well and is not frivolous with their spending come out underwater by a few grand a year.

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Oh, I've written many. From fantasy to modern day to cyberpunk tales. When the word "battle" comes up, fantasy immediately comes to mind for me, though. Big battles, little ones, psychic or telepathic, etc.

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Oh, I've written many. From fantasy to modern day to cyberpunk tales. When the word "battle" comes up, fantasy immediately comes to mind for me, though. Big battles, little ones, psychic or telepathic, etc.

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In a genre like cyberpunk, they're inevitable.

There are so many things to choose from. Here's one example, though, if you're curious.

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This is a /really/ good question.

My most difficult character at the moment, by far, is Noona from the series. I can't quite see her in my mind, you know? The face hasn't come to me yet. I'm trying to get a handle on her, only because she was never fleshed out (only the personality and backstory in my mind), and it's giving me some trouble. It'll come to me, though. These things just take time.

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They're complete opposites. I can't compare them. They're both brilliant but in vastly different ways. Dr. Death is a scientist, a doctor, and a manipulative bastard. Alexios is the leader of a gang, is rather good at keeping the peace between said gangs, is well-trained in combat, was once a nomad on his own, and fled Dr. Death's ship centuries ago (while the rest of his people died in that man's clutches). They're so, so different, but incredibly good at what they do.

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In a busy city, much like where he currently lives, Alexios would start by questioning people he finds along the way. He would ask for directions, ask for any information he could use, and then eventually find his way. But here's the thing, Alexios has never been bothered by things like this. With everywhere he's lived, it's been this way. He was once lost in every city, on every continent, on every planet.

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I read many things. I'll read stories of any kind, with any level of description. The more you read, the more you grow. For me, though, it depends on the story I'm working on. Some have a lot of description, some don't. But yes, for the most part I do offer as much description as I can in most things. There are always exceptions, but that's my usual style. I'm a rather descriptive writer, but not overly so.

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Although I write a little bit of everything, The City of Opulence is the first novel in the Digital Dystopia series. It's a dark romance series set in a science fiction fantasy (and cyberpunk-inspired) universe.

I'll leave everyone with a quote that sums up this series quite well. It was said by Dr. Arcturius "Dante" Cason in the first novel.

"A better future will come. We need only work for it."

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Although I write a little bit of everything, The City of Opulence is the first novel in the Digital Dystopia series. It's a dark romance series set in a science fiction fantasy (and cyberpunk-inspired) universe.

I'll leave everyone with a quote that sums up this series quite well. It was said by Dr. Arcturius "Dante" Cason in the first novel.

"A better future will come. We need only work for it."

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Alexios: Time for some honesty... I told someone that there was nothing between us. (Not naming names, but it might've been Trick.) The night before, we had sex. For context, he has a brain chip from his days as a prozzie (prostitute), and it alters the brain chemistry of possible clients, making them think and feel like they want to say yes, if you catch my drift. Said chip, which he hadn't yet removed, went haywire and randomly turned on. I was already under the influence, having been drinking. We both were. That bloody chip only worsened things. A day later, I told him it meant nothing, that it was all down to the chip. I told him it couldn't happen again. I lied. It wasn't just the chip. I suppose the inhibitions were gone, that's all. Instead, I should've just told him that I love him. Guilt doesn't even begin to describe how I felt.

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Happy two years, everyone! We made it! 🤍

This is actually my summary:

This is the story of one man, more machine than human, and how he survived the centuries. Something is coming, someone from his past, and it's time to prepare.

Citune is a cyberpunk-inspired world. Alexios is the leader of Destiny's Maelström, a rebel gang and crime circuit. They own various warehouses and other businesses in the city of Ethera. Before forming his gang, centuries prior, he had been a nomad on his own with nothing more than a motorbike, his belongings, and a dark past. Now his gang operates on the black market selling various antiquities, oddities, weaponry, and medical equipment for docs, all while raking in more money than any other gang involved in underground sales.

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Happy two years, everyone! We made it! 🤍

This is actually my summary:

This is the story of one man, more machine than human, and how he survived the centuries. Something is coming, someone from his past, and it's time to prepare.

Citune is a cyberpunk-inspired world. Alexios is the leader of Destiny's Maelström, a rebel gang and crime circuit. They own various warehouses and other businesses in the city of Ethera. Before forming his gang, centuries prior, he had been a nomad on his own with nothing more than a motorbike, his belongings, and a dark past. Now his gang operates on the black market selling various antiquities, oddities, weaponry, and medical equipment for docs, all while raking in more money than any other gang involved in underground sales.

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Whenever Alexios needs a holiday, he takes off to the forest. He enjoys visiting the citrine gemstone cliffs. No one ever ventures out past the city, past the desert, to head into the forest and mountains. It's a beautiful area on Citune. The moonlight make the cliffs sparkle and shine. Alexios would love to take Trick out there with him someday. He wants someone to share the peace and beauty with, despite how unwilling he is to admit that fact to anyone.

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That people aren't slaves and should never be experimented on.

Okay but seriously, let me answer this differently, just as it was intended. He often forgets what day it is. He'll be down in his lab, "working," of course. He won't realize how much time has passed.

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Alexios: Mmm. I was so young and naïve. I'd give just about anything to relive that day, too. I had just graduated from university and there was this lass I fancied in my class... She wanted to see a film together for my birthday. I spent the morning with my parents, helped my mum in the garden, and spent some time with family. I was over the moon that this lass had asked for a date night, said yes, and picked her up around dinnertime. We had a meal, enjoyed the movie and all that. It was a great time. I miss being young. Everything felt so much easier back then, didn't it?

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Let's do this for Dante...

1. The gang, most likely being silly (and drunk) at a party.
2. He and Noona at a diner together, all ridiculous grins and good food.
3. His parents, both smiling and happy.

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22 #YoungAdult publishers that accept unagented submissions https://authorspublish.com/22-young-adult-publishers-that-accept-unagented-submissions/ Not all of these are currently open to submissions but a majority are, so check the sites individually! #WritingCommunity #Publishing

22 #YoungAdult publishers that accept unagented submissions https://authorspublish.com/22-young-adult-publishers-that-accept-unagented-submissions/ Not all of these are currently open to submissions but a majority are, so check the sites individually! #WritingCommunity #Publishing