While it’s unlikely that the Galaxy Ascendant series will ever be adapted for film, for numerous reasons (though one never knows for certain!), I’d be a liar if I said I never thought about what that might look like. I’m sure pretty much every author has. So, as I’ve seen several others do, I’m going toContinue reading “Fantasy Casting: A Greater Duty”
Author Archives: yakovmerkin
The Galaxy Ascendant
As my regular readers here are no doubt aware, earlier this week I released A Looming Shadow, book 2 in the Galaxy Ascendant series. I first talked about it a while back in relation to the space opera genre. But now that there is more than one book out, I think it’s an appropriate time to moreContinue reading “The Galaxy Ascendant”
New Release: A Looming Shadow
It’s finally time! A Looming Shadow, book 2 in the Galaxy Ascendant series, is officially available on amazon in ebook format (print version to follow soon.) It’s been an awesome process, form start to finish, albeit a very different one from A Greater Duty. With that, the book had been in progress, to one degree or another, for almostContinue reading “New Release: A Looming Shadow”
Some Thoughts on Writing Sequels
(Note: I will do my utmost not to spoil anything from A Greater Duty, book 1 in the series, for anyone who has yet to read it, but it is possible that due to the fact that I am talking about the sequel, there may be some minor spoilers.) It’s important, for a writer, to regularlyContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Writing Sequels”
Writer’s Ramble: On the Reality of Fictional Characters
For reasons I’m not quite sure of, the late, once great Mass Effect franchise has been on my mind lately. I’m not here to lament the decline and, essentially, the destruction of a great franchise and setting–the Mass Effect universe is second only to my own sci-fi universe in my list of fictional sci-fi universes in which IContinue reading “Writer’s Ramble: On the Reality of Fictional Characters”
Cover Reveal: A Looming Shadow
After much time and work, my second book A Looming Shadow, book 2 in the Galaxy Ascendant series will be releasing very soon. So it is my distinct pleasure to reveal the cover of the book, done, once again, by the amazing John Zeleznik. It was great to work with him again, and the cover cameContinue reading “Cover Reveal: A Looming Shadow”
Book Review: Star Wars: Thrawn, by Timothy Zahn
Those who follow me here and elsewhere will know that I haven’t pulled my punches when it comes to criticizing modern Star Wars. Problems range from a lack of creativity to Mary Sue characters, to diversity being the focus, to the apparent need to give literally EVERYTHING its own spin-off or backstory, even when totally unnecessary.Continue reading “Book Review: Star Wars: Thrawn, by Timothy Zahn”
Some Personal Thoughts on Self-Censorship
Jon Del Arroz is really hitting it out of the park this week (pun intended). His recent article on the national anthem controversy and baseball has really blown up, and he’s been receiving a lot of hate for it. Check out a Best Of compilation of those comments over on his site. I’d like toContinue reading “Some Personal Thoughts on Self-Censorship”
An Inside Look at the SJW Convergence in Science Fiction Publishing
Almost two months ago, author Jon Del Arroz wrote an article exposing an endemic anti-male bias in the publishing industry. For this, he was viciously attacked by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). Not only was he attacked online, but a this spilled over into real life. Today, he released anotherContinue reading “An Inside Look at the SJW Convergence in Science Fiction Publishing”
The Problem of Social Justice Mobs in the Speculative Fiction World
As many of us who follow the news in the speculative fiction writing world are well aware of, the problem of mobs of the perpetually offended attacking authors is a pervasive one. The targets of these attacks are not only those of us on the political right, but also even those who are ideologically inContinue reading “The Problem of Social Justice Mobs in the Speculative Fiction World”
Writing, Ascendant 