Christian Speculative Fiction discussion
Review Group
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Review Session 9 -- COMPLETED
I think I would like to participate, if I can get the second draft done of book 2 of my series, The Call of the Lorica. I am done with the first draft but it still isn't fit for human consumption. lol. The book is called Draig and it is perfectly okay if you haven't read the first book, Sorrowfish. The story follows my wizard, Dane, who is now a full fledged Majister, as he attempts to recover the refrains of the Lorica from where they have been hidden for safekeeping for 500 years. Dane's first assignment is to recover the refrain from the Draig, a sigil of Chymaera who resemble dragons. (visit sorrowfish.com and read the lexicon to learn more about the groups in the book)I will be happy to read whether or not I finish. I this will be a good push for me to finish! <3!
If anyone would like to read Sorrowfish to prep, it is on KU or you can just message me and I will send you the book. :-)
Mod
Glad you will be part of this session.
I like your ideas for this new format! I'd love to submit my next novel for possible selection. I am finishing up the first draft now, and could use all the beta reading I can get. It's called Blue Diver, and it's a YA/NA space opera about a snarky Canadian test pilot reject who accidentally gets pulled into the Andromeda Galaxy, onto a ship full of quirky loveable alien space pirates who are about to get arrested. The MC gets tangled up with the galactic police, but hatches a plan to secure her freedom by arranging for herself and the pirates - plus one disgruntled police officer chaperone - to investigate the cause of the mysterious warp coordinate errors that brought her to Andromeda. The answer turns out to be more serious than anyone suspected, and they also have to deal with an extragalactic invasion, the officer's mysterious past, and other, less-altruistic pirate gangs on their quest to save the galaxy.
You can read more about it and see my concept sketches for it here: https://www.tkarispe.com/search/label...
It's sort of Star Trek meets the Disney film Treasure Planet, plus giant robots, and it's been a lot of fun to write. I would appreciate any feedback I can get on this first draft before submitting it to my editor.
Mod
Sean wrote: "Sounds great, T.K. Welcome to our 9th Review Session!"Thanks!
I'd like to include my latest book, The Serpent and the Dove, for consideration. It is the second book in my Heretics series, that started with Soul Survivor, and follows a college girl with a talent for languages and a weakness for helping the homeless as she tries to find the path that God has for her. In addition, she gets involved with a band of street-wise Christians whose goal is to help others in dangerous situations. I will drop you an email as well, Sean.
Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Glen
I've really been enjoying a lot of the books I've been reading from the authors on this board! I'd love to participate.I'd also like to include the first book in my novel series for consideration. The series is called Zealot Finale, and it takes place in a fantasy future where the world is ruled by an evil cult. When aliens make peaceful contact, humanity finds itself in wonder at a new galactic community, and in shame at the actions of its own government. Meanwhile, foul play sours a secret coalition formed to create a super warrior, and the threat of an intergalactic war becomes a reality. The main character, a young believer, finds himself in an unforgiving world of conflict where one mistake can mean the end - and finds that a forgiving God can still have a plan in the midst of it all.
Check out @ZealotFinale on Facebook to see some of the art provided by T.K.! Also, Book One happens to be free on Amazon through Friday, so if anyone would like, you can download it now for free!
I'm currently polishing Book Three, but I'm afraid it won't be released in time for this session. Book Two is out, but the story won't make sense unless you read the first book.
I'll send you an email, Sean!
Anne wrote: "I think I would like to participate, if I can get the second draft done of book 2 of my series, The Call of the Lorica. I am done with the first draft but it still isn't fit for human consumption. ..."I've been reading Sorrowfish, and I find myself thoroughly delighted by your creativity Anne! I was actually under the impression your second book was out; I'll definitely be interested in it once it's released!
Mod
If you guys are in any groups (GR, FB, or other) where people might be interested in this review session (authors or readers), please do share and invite. It'll be great to have as many people as possible for this session. Thanks. I'll be doing the same, too.
Mod
Sean wrote: "Violet Perry and Kala Barnett have said they will be joining this session as readers. Welcome"Actually, since physical copies won't be available this time around, I won't be able to join this session. I apologize.
Hi! I do want to be part of this session. I am still torn between offering A Weight of Reckoning (the sequel to The Seven Words series). Here's the Goodreads link:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Or Landers Legacy (book 1 of Stone Sovereigns). Here's the Goodreads link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
I would be willing to have either read.
Sean wrote: "Thanks, Glen and J.K., for joining with us. Your novels are welcome here!If you guys are in any groups (GR, FB, or other) where people might be interested in this review session (authors or reade..."
That's a good idea! I'll be sure to do that!
I am very interested.I have published an apocalyptic visionary sci-fi trilogy, A Quirk of Destiny, Return to Gallanvaig and Destiny of Light. There is a Christian element to the story. I would put forward the first in the trilogy for your session.
Here is a bit about it.
A Quirk of Destiny
Corrupt systems. An evil plot. Can a scientist save humanity from certain
death?
Calum still hasn't recovered from his fiancé's suicide. So, the principled government scientist throws himself into his work, despite his friends’ efforts to pair him off. When he raises concerns that food not adequately tested has already been approved, he is shocked at attempts to silence him.
As a deadly sickness sweeps the world, the natural leader feels responsible for keeping the survivors safe, especially attractive scientist Jessie. But he finds himself in mortal danger as he unearths a terrible conspiracy and mutants with paranormal powers attack survivors.
Can Calum save humanity from annihilation by an ancient evil force?
Based on real science, A Quirk of Destiny imagines the future if we continue headlong on the current path of toxic food and environmental destruction, combined with political and corporate corruption.
Reviews
If you like zombie apocalypse, global conspiracy and intelligently written fiction, then you'll love Catherine Greenall's shocking book.
Acclaim for A Quirk of Destiny
'.. great romp of a novel, populated by a host of well-drawn
characters, and with a gradually emerging, sinister plot twist.'
Brian Page, Editor Mensa Magazine
'This book is rather scary at times as to the scenario it presents and even more so when one considers the author's background.
The reader may be left wondering, and possibly rightly so, I should
say, as to whether this might not be whistle blowing disguised as
fiction. A definite must-read book.' Michael Smith, Editor Green Living
The manipulation of genes places huge powers in the hands of the few and that is why books such as the 'Quirk of Destiny' can be so valuable in sounding the alarm bells in time for people to regain control.' Peter Riley, GM Freeze Campaign Director
'The threat of Genetically Modified (GM) Plants and its impact on our health may be a greater risk than we realise.' Phil Exon, Mensa Science Fiction SIG Editor
'The Best of the Year 2013. Best books (joint number 1) On the
same level we have then "A Quirk of Destiny" - another must read book - a thriller and a novel rather than a memoir.'
Michael Smith, Green (Living) Review.
'For her first fiction novel, Author Greenall has what it takes to keep us glued to the story. Entwining the global conspiracy right into the general populace as a method to control the world by big corporations and evil government infiltrators was masterly presented.
If you want to read something out of the ordinary ..you will love this conspiracy. A Quirk of Destiny will take a bite out of your belief system. I'm hooked and will certainly keep a close eye on the "what if" this really was to happen. That's what makes this book so much fun to read.'
Burntroot Broadcasting, Canada
Thanks for your consideration!
Catherine Greenall
T.K. wrote: "I like your ideas for this new format! I'd love to submit my next novel for possible selection. I am finishing up the first draft now, and could use all the beta reading I can get. It's called Bl..."
That sounds hilarious!
I would love to participate. I just finished a minor overhaul on my book, Heaven's Hunter, and I'm super excited about re-launching it. I also love reading other people's work. So it should be fun all around.
Here's the teaser for my story:
Randall Yung, born into one of the galaxy's elite families, could have had anything he wanted, but he decided to become a detective for the Galactic Fleet. And he's good at his job--so good at it that he's getting bored.
Everything suddenly changes when Randall is assigned to track down the perpetrator of a daring attack on a Fleet warship. This case is dangerously personal.
The closer he comes to his target the more he finds himself trapped by old grudges, an outlawed organization, and a war his grandparents fought. Can he escape from his enemies without betraying everything he cares about?
Marie wrote: "T.K. wrote: "I like your ideas for this new format! I'd love to submit my next novel for possible selection. I am finishing up the first draft now, and could use all the beta reading I can get. I..."
Thanks! :) I've just started writing the climactic battle. I'm so excited to have this first draft nearly finished!
Heaven's Hunter sounds exciting! Congrats on the re-launch!
Mod
J.K. wrote: "Anne wrote: "I think I would like to participate, if I can get the second draft done of book 2 of my series, The Call of the Lorica. I am done with the first draft but it still isn't fit for human ..."oh thank you! Well stick around, you will get to read it!
Sean, my personal trade paperbacks for COVENTRY 2091 have arrived. I'd be happy to send books to whomever is selected to review my entry in Review Session 9. I'm gratified at the enthusiastic response. Thank you for organizing.
Mod
Sean wrote: "Welcome to Catherine and Marie. Glad to have you. Excited to explore these novels. Will speak soon, friends."T.K. wrote: "Marie wrote: "T.K. wrote: "I like your ideas for this new format! I'd love to submit my next novel for possible selection. I am finishing up the first draft now, and could use all the beta reading ..."
Thank you, look forward to hearing more about this and the writers in the group!
Mod
We're almost ready to go!!
Next Saturday evening, 7pm London time, I will share a link here for you guys to watch the live turning of the wheel when the round one novel is chosen for us to read, discuss, and review (either now or in future when published).
To the chosen author, within 2-3 days after your work has been chosen, please be prepared to send an ebook copy of your novel to everyone in the group.
Print editions should not be expected, and rarely sent out for the sake of cost and because some live internationally.
After 14 days, we should be finished reading and ready to delve into the book with 3-4 days discussion.
Once completed, round two will commence in the same manner as the first.
Round three (or four), as I said weeks ago, I will be putting forth my own new novel for reading, discussing, and reviewing (when published). My first draft is almost done.
This is our first attempt at this style of a review session. So, please give extra grace as we work out kinks and adjust to the new format.
If you can include an email address for sending e-book files to you, that would be appreciated.
If newbies come into the review session, they must participate in one round first ***before*** their novel can be added to the random spinning wheel.
Looking forward to this time together. Plan on a good time and allow it to help us become better writers.
Speak soon!
Sean
Sean wrote: "Hello Friends,We're almost ready to go!!
Next Saturday evening, 7pm London time, I will share a link here for you guys to watch the live turning of the wheel when the round one novel is chosen fo..."
Looking forward to it!
Oh, and my email is jkbailey7@verizon.net
This should be interesting. My email is aareadinglady@gmail.com
I can't wait. My email is robinson@swau.edu.
Hello, everyone! I’m new to the group and still trying to navigate my way around. If it’s not too late, I would like to submit my debut for review consideration. Many scribes with ACFW have critiqued my individual chapters, but not the book as a whole. The Ebook was released this month, and the print book goes out 12/12/21. P. W. Stone and the Missing Kingdoms is a modern realistic fantasy rooted in scriptural accounts and told in four parts. Part 1 meets us where we are and is less fantasy except for dreams, visions, and a few angelic encounters. Part 2 and 3 occur in the Land of the Firstborn, the garden paradise known to humans before the fall, and where fantasy elements increase. Part 4 is set in the High Place and in parts of Earth where new fantastical powers emerge for the characters.
Sometimes the planets and stars do align. Enter the Kingdom Realms where the unseen is seen and the battles must be won.
P. W. Stone is a Native American teen who’s losing her seer ability with every passing year. But when she’s reunited with an old friend, she learns the games they once played were real battles fought in the unseen realm, and her training for an upcoming war.
When a total solar eclipse crosses cities named Salem in seven different states, P. W. and a group of six diverse teens travel to the land of their ancestors and stake their claims.
Mod
Mod
I need to delay the wheel spin for Round One from Saturday, 31 July, until Tuesday, 3 August. The time would be 7pm UK time.
Sorry for the adjustment and any inconvenience but my work has asked me to do some overtime this weekend.
I will do the wheel spin on YouTube from my LightWordsToday channel. I'll post a link here approximately 6pm UK time on Tuesday so you can watch. Hope you'll be able to join us and see who will be the first guinea...I mean, author candidate haha.
Sean wrote: "Welcome, S.C. Easley! Glad you could take part with us!"Thank you!
Mod
We will be doing it on Monday evening, 10pm-London time.
Also, I plan on giving each of us a questionnaire where you will give your answers to questions about the work without supplying your name (anonymous feedback).
See you Monday evening. Link to the live video will be given Monday 1 hour before.
Please pray all goes well for the launch. Thank you, friends.
Just back from vacation. My email is pkazmaier@gmail.com.
Mod
Tonight, we do it. We randomly choose the first novel that we'll read collectively, discuss, and review. I will send the questionnaire which I am asking we all complete as much as possible prior to the discussion part of this review session.
See you tonight, 10pm UK time.
Mod
Here is the link to the LIVE YouTube stream:
https://youtu.be/lquIwlItuhs
The Live Vid Thumbnail shows THE LAST FRIEND OF GOD book cover, which I really enjoyed, and which will make it easy for you to know you're in the right place.
Tonight, 10 p.m. UK-time, we choose the novel to be spotlighted during this first session. I hope to start promptly. If you miss it, you should be able to watch the replay.
When you enter the stream, please share your Goodreads name.
This session will be open to the public so perhaps down the road, others will come into the group interested in Christian speculative fiction. To make it private would involve emailing the invite to all of you, so I'll just keep it simple.
(Please feel free to subscribe to my LightWordsToday YT Channel.)
The main thing is that there is a witness to the process so the book choosing is fair and transparent. We'll wait till 10:10 p.m. to do the wheel spin.
The timescale for this first session:
3 days to get a copy of the book sent to all readers (note email addresses shared in the above thread; please share your email if you haven't yet).
14 days to read the book
3 days to discuss the book.
On the last day, I will share the anonymous questionaire info I gathered from readers which is meant to give honest feedback to help the writer do better.
See you at 10 p.m., in just over an hour.
Sean
Mod
My new novel that I will share with the group round 3 (or 4) is entitled, "The Day Jesus Moved Next Door."
I'll post a link to the video for anyone who missed the live stream.
God bless you guys!
Sean
Mod
If new friends have an interest in a future review session, what would be your thoughts about them joining the session? Wait till all 9 of us have had our books discussed?
Give them a spot on the wheel for choosing?
Perhaps give everyone still waiting for their book to be spotlighted an extra slice of the pie on the wheel?
Thoughts are welcome.
Sean
Mod
1. Anne - The Call of the Lorica
2. Glen - The Serpent and the Dove
3. J. K. - Zealot Finale
4. C. S. Wachter - Landers Legacy OR A Weight of Reckoning
5. Catherine - A Quirk of Destiny
6. Marie - Heaven's Hunter
7. Peter - Coventry 2091
8. S. C. - P. W. Stone & the Missing Kingdom
9. Sean - The Day Jesus Moved Next Door
I have email addresses from everyone, except for Catherine and Marie. If possible, please share so it's easier for books to be sent to you.
If your book is published and available on Kindle for free reading, please let us know so we can support you.
Thanks!
Sean wrote: "Question to consider:If new friends have an interest in a future review session, what would be your thoughts about them joining the session? Wait till all 9 of us have had our books discussed?
G..."
My own view is we need to close the session to reading entries until the current books have all been read. At two weeks per book, we're already looking at 18 weeks if we meet the timeline. Adding new names to the wheel may mean some will never get their book read.
I agree with Peter. Finish the books we currently have before adding new ones seems most reasonable.
Mod
Thank you Sean. If everyone is okay with a longer book, I'd like to have A Weight of Reckoning read and reviewed. My email is above but I'll post it here again, aareadinglady@gmail.com. The book is also available on KU for anyone who has that. Otherwise, send me an email with your preferred format and I'll get you a copy. Thanks ahead of time.
And, to follow up on one of Sean's final comments, I think Zoom meetings are a great idea. That way we can have open discussion.
Mod
I'll read in Kindle. Looking forward to it!
I missed the live spin because I was working! Oh well.Congratulations C. S.! I'm afraid I don't have KU, so please send it to my email.
And I agree we should probably go through the books already entered before adding anyone new to the wheel. Unless maybe there's just one person who was a little late to the party?
Anne: redtoadmedia@gmail.comGlen: robinson@swau.edu
J.K.: jkbailey7@verizon.net
C.S.: aareadinglady@gmail.com
Catherine: (???)
Marie: (???)
Peter: pkazmaier@gmail.com
S.C.: sceasley@sceasley.com
Sean: Shilohsrising@gmail.com
I took the liberty of condensing all of the emails into one place. Hope you all don't mind! Catherine and Marie, I'm sorry, I didn't see yours!
Also, is T.K. still participating?
Sometime mid- to late-July, after we've got enough people, we will launch our 9th Review Session. This session, and those that follow, will be more focused on individual author's novels with an aim to help the writer by giving detailed feedback and, as a group, discussing what we've read.
An author can put forth any book, or it could be a work that is soon to be published, but preferably it should be a book that the group hasn't read. However, for the sake of fun factor, no book is off-limits. It's your choice.
I plan to send all of you a feedback survey that you can add to your overall thoughts about the book. An email address is needed to join this session for ease of communication and so I can send you the feedback survey. Please email me at shilohsrising @ gmail dot com ASAP and put Goodreads Session 9 on subject line. Thanks in advance.
Please show your interest in this session by telling us about your book and what it's about. If you're joining as a reader, that's great and welcomed.
Once we have a good number of participants, I will do a live YT video in which you'll be able to see who the randomly chosen author/book is. (As moderator, I have staked out the 3rd session for my new novel which I hope to publish soon.)
Please note that ebook format only will be sent out, not print formats (for logistical reasons).
We will give 2 weeks for each of us to read the book, then give 3-4 days to talk about what we read. This should be great help and fun for all involved.
Reviews would then be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, and other places if the book is 3 stars or above. If the book is to be published soon, we would agree to give reviews prior to the publication which could help sales and Amazon listings.
At the end of week 3, we begin a new round.
Any questions, please let me know.
Sean