Comments on The Galaxy Express: Exclusive: Covers & Story Blurbs from Samhain Pub...

The relationship with the vulcan chick and the eng...

2009-11-06T20:31:17.537-05:00

The relationship with the vulcan chick and the engineer was just about the only thing I liked about Entreprise.

Like I said before, it takes all types.

SG Universe - trying too hard to be BSG and not getting there. Also they have completely forgotten the Humor and tounge-in-cheek writing that made SG such a good show. Plus there is absolutley no cast chemistry. SG got a way with a lot because the cast was just so fun to watch work together.

Glad to see you many people enjoying the covers! S...

2009-11-06T17:15:25.455-05:00

Glad to see you many people enjoying the covers! Sasha, I did that little dance too when I first saw mine!

Moonlust was a ton of fun for me to write because back when I started writing, long before I fell into supernatural stories, my first love was sci-fi. Coming back to it was a delight, as was getting to know my three characters.

"Happily, so far it's not T&A" Exactly! That so b...

2009-11-05T12:32:23.952-05:00

"Happily, so far it's not T&A"

Exactly! That so bummed me when Star Trek: Entreprise started disrobing that Vulcan chick. The "decontamination" scenes, I could deal with because everybody was doing it. But when it started with her and the engineering officer, some lame excuse that she had to help him get in touch with his inner-stud, or something (or was it therapy?...I can't remember!), then I stopped watching the show. Maybe that, too, was some clueless dude's idea of romance? It didn't work for me, anyway. Too bad, because I loved that geeky weapons officer with the British accent.

I wouldn't call what they're doing on Stargate Uni...

2009-11-05T08:56:37.522-05:00

I wouldn't call what they're doing on Stargate Universe as "romance". Maybe it's some clueless dude's idea of how a "romance" is supposed to work (in space!) but...no. Happily, so far it's not T&A, either, so at least they have that going for them.

Can you imagine, just ten years ago, such an antho...

2009-11-05T07:34:14.576-05:00

Can you imagine, just ten years ago, such an anthology ever taking flight? I mean the magnitude of it? Six stories, back to back to back? ALL scifi romance, ALL the time? AND gay romance in there, too? It's so exciting.

And I'm so stoked it's finally coming. Heather's blog is the perfect vehicle for the unveiling. The Galaxy Express...dude, hear our boosters roar!

I wonder...Sasha? Are you here? How many submissions did you receive for this project? All total?

Thanks for visiting, everyone! Always great to see...

2009-11-04T23:44:46.364-05:00

Thanks for visiting, everyone! Always great to see new folks here. Needless to say, I was stoked to host the unveiling of the anthologies. Looking forward to reading them very much.

@Sasha I'm biased, to be sure, but to me the release of the anthologies is a very momentous occasion for SFR. For a long time I wasn't sure I'd be into SFR novellas, but since starting this blog I've developed a taste for them. And it'll be a long time before we see an SFR anthology from a mainstream print publisher. I need my fix now, lol!

AnnaM wrote: They've apparently never heard of this blog

Nice of you to think of this blog in that way, but I rather think TGE is small potatoes to the likes of them.

They *seem* to assume that's the part that's hurting the shows

I agree, it's not--it would be so many other factors such as the writing, marketing, the production values, etc. Mainly the writing and the ability to tell a story. They zero in on the romance because they need something to blame other than themselves or the network.

Warning: Space invaders were seriously harmed in the making of this story.

I'm partial to that one, too!

What fun covers. The colors, the graphics, very co...

2009-11-04T20:41:52.178-05:00

What fun covers. The colors, the graphics, very cool. This was such a fun post, thanks Heather. I mean really, IMPULSE POWER & MEN IN SPACE, what is not to love?
Plus, REALLY loved this, lol: Warning: Space invaders were seriously harmed in the making of this story.

The other was about Stargate Universe. One of the ...

2009-11-04T17:21:14.419-05:00

The other was about Stargate Universe. One of the creators/head writers, Joe Mallozzi, said in an interview that the reason for the negativity about the show is people apparently don't like the "romance" in the sf. That's not why *I* don't like it, it has no humor or characters that engage me but the Romance is a plus.

OMG!

Head desk. Head desk. Head desk. Head desk.

I don't even know where to start on Stargate Universe. One, what romance? Maybe a sex triangle. But, romance? Huh.

Two, somehow they've managed to take an established SF universe from two previous series and completely forget every bit of continuity that ever existed.

Three, and that add totally clueless characters who not only know nothing about said universe but don't even seem to have a purpose or reason for being there in the first place.

What's to like?

Oh, and the books in this post look great. :D (Just had to vent there or pop a gasket.)

I love the cover tapestries. Great idea :D

2009-11-04T16:53:17.253-05:00

I love the cover tapestries. Great idea :D

There's plenty of sword fighting in "Hearts and Mi...

2009-11-04T13:28:47.349-05:00

There's plenty of sword fighting in "Hearts and Minds" for you folks who need it. It's no laser sword, but it'll fit the bill. It's a perfect weapon for fighting in ship corridors, especially for someone like Syna--she likes to get up close and personal.
Seriously, as the others have said, I couldn't be more pleased with these covers or the fine folks at Samhain--they really are a dream to work with. I can't say enough nice about them.

All righty, you sold me on the Impulse Power stori...

2009-11-04T13:23:01.603-05:00

All righty, you sold me on the Impulse Power stories. Guess I need to get reading to make room in my wip pile. Hubby says no more buying until I "get rid of" a few. LOL. Hey, I only have to read a few...hundred. LOL.

I recently read two interviews with men in TV Production in Hollywood that relate to the prevailing mentality about SFRs. If I can find the links again I'll post them. In one, the creator of Defying Gravity James Parriot, mentions the reason someone attached the "Grey's Anatomy in Space" label to the show was to attract women to science fiction because they don't watch it. (Uh, what am I then?)

The other was about Stargate Universe. One of the creators/head writers, Joe Mallozzi, said in an interview that the reason for the negativity about the show is people apparently don't like the "romance" in the sf. That's not why *I* don't like it, it has no humor or characters that engage me but the Romance is a plus.

But both interviews made me wonder if these guys were still in the dark ages. They've apparently never heard of this blog or the increase in SFRs in book form. Both shows do have romance mixed with SF and that's good. They *seem* to assume that's the part that's hurting the shows but I really don't think so.

Dig the blurbs. LOVE the cover tapestries. I sta...

2009-11-04T11:13:46.602-05:00

Dig the blurbs. LOVE the cover tapestries.

I started writing "The Mythmakers" with Firefly in mind, but it quickly evolved into something all its own. It has touches of Mike Resnick's "Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge", but here we're talking deep space, deep trouble and X-Files by the shipload.

Think there's no room left for a sexy romance? Steffi and Arne might have something to say about that! Cue dodgy Danish crooning and full English breakfasts. Mmmm.

@Kimber An - Unlike a lot of romances, "Crimson" d...

2009-11-03T23:16:55.438-05:00

@Kimber An - Unlike a lot of romances, "Crimson" doesn't depend on love/lust at first sight. It is the story of two men--one alien and one human--who have worked side by side for years before the story commences. You'd think that would decrease sexual tension, but an uncover mission in a BDSM club raises the heat.

@ Mfitz. You're right. It takes all types. @ Kimb...

2009-11-03T23:10:43.686-05:00

@ Mfitz. You're right. It takes all types.

@ Kimber An. These stories are special because they're romance. In space. With cool weaponry (but no laser swords). And they're being hosted on the GE blog.

@ CC-Bridges. Eight-legged robots? Bring it on.

I just couldn't fit the laser sword battles in, @N...

2009-11-03T21:43:17.613-05:00

I just couldn't fit the laser sword battles in, @NathalieGray! ;)

And @Kimber An, I think there are a few things that make "Beyond Meridian" special. It's good old-fashioned adventure, in a lively, well-realized universe with two main characters who literally come from different worlds and yet somehow manage to fall in love despite everything.

All that and eight-legged robots too!

Cool title. The cover art colors hurt my eyes and...

2009-11-03T21:09:00.966-05:00

Cool title.

The cover art colors hurt my eyes and makes me think they're Erotic Paranormal. The beauty of blogs like this is the chance to snag readers in other ways though.

So, what makes these stories special?

Yeah, those are some seriously cool covers. I lov...

2009-11-03T21:00:16.895-05:00

Yeah, those are some seriously cool covers. I love that they poster together like that. That is awesome.

Someone put a wooly jumper on those folks! Don't t...

2009-11-03T20:19:48.726-05:00

Someone put a wooly jumper on those folks! Don't they know that space is COLD?

*giggle*

Actually, the covers are gorgeous. Kanaxa's name is duly noted. I'm looking forward to reading these stories.

Congratulations, Nathalie!

As the author of "Crimson," part of the MEN IN SPA...

2009-11-03T20:18:25.323-05:00

As the author of "Crimson," part of the MEN IN SPACE anthology, I am extremely pleased with these covers and Samhain's overall quality. This was my first experience with them, and I hope it won't be my last.

(whoops, I hit submit too early on my last comment...

2009-11-03T19:12:29.001-05:00

(whoops, I hit submit too early on my last comment.) I wanted to add a special thanks to Heather, for all her support of this genre and of these two anthologies, as well as all the support she's shown for Samhain Publishing and me. I couldn't be happier to have the premiere of these covers and blurbs on her site.

I love all six of these stories, and when Kanaxa s...

2009-11-03T19:08:59.138-05:00

I love all six of these stories, and when Kanaxa sent me the cover drafts I squee'd and did a happy jig and showed everyone within shouting distance these gorgeous covers. I can't say enough great things about this anthology. It's been a dream to work on. I couldn't be more excited for these books to be in readers' hands. Just a few more months...

Just goes to show it takes all types. I'd avoid b...

2009-11-03T17:19:19.906-05:00

Just goes to show it takes all types. I'd avoid books with those sort covers as too over the top sex as object sort of stories for my taste. I really find the bare midrift/torso with the rest of the body cropped off a turnoff on book covers, especially when mixed with the oddly impersonal sexual body language and the guns. Looks more like gun-porn than Romance or SFR to me.

But that is just my take.

Have you read the warnings? Check out C.C. Bridges...

2009-11-03T16:57:44.764-05:00

Have you read the warnings? Check out C.C. Bridges'

"and a sad lack of laser sword battles"

Mfft!

Fabulous covers!

2009-11-03T16:32:21.324-05:00

Fabulous covers!

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!! I'm so excite...

2009-11-03T16:27:09.815-05:00

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!! I'm so excited about this.