Got a promo email from Joseph Robert Lewis yesterday I wanted to share with you. I’ve been bragging on this guy’s writing, and now you can see for yourself for cheapers.

Hello friends and readers,

I’m pleased to announce the release of Heirs of Mars: Preludes. This short story collection explores the world of the novel Heirs of Mars before the events of the novel itself. These three stories present three new perspectives on Venus, Earth, and Mars in the years and days before the novel begins. This collection also includes the complete first chapter of the novel.

To Reign in Heaven (19 years before the novel) – India is a synthetic woman in love, passing a blissful year studying Venus and reveling in a shared dreamspace with her silksteel lover. But when her Mother chooses to sacrifice her children, India’s memory of love is her only weapon to save her brothers and sisters.

To Walk the Earth (18 years before the novel) – Victoria is ready to move into the wilderness, far away from the manufactured monotony of modern life. But her boyfriend decides to go to Mars instead, leaving her to enjoy one last motorcycle ride all alone.

To Serve in Hell (1 day before the novel) – Neil is just a man struggling to get through another day on Mars: lousy food, cramped quarters, and a child who doesn’t understand why he can’t have a puppy. But when a cloner arrives, Neil has a chance to take control of something for once in his life, and to avenge the death of his parents.

This will probably be my last announcement until the completion of The Broken Sword (the sequel to The Burning Sky) around May or June.

Other News

I’ve recently made the decision that all of my novels that are the first installments in a given series will be priced at discount rate of $0.99 for the foreseeable future, with sequels priced at the standard rate of $2.99. This means that The Burning Sky and Heirs of Mars are now (and will remain) $0.99. Tell your friends!

Easter Egg: This also means that Heirs of Mars has a sequel in the works!

So go get yourself some good books for less than I paid for one of them!

Meanwhile, I’m invigorating my prose in FORCE OF HABIT and reacquainting myself with the world and the characters. Only one character from the book–so far–is appearing in the short story I’m working on to promote the novel. Pel Darzin, of the Meadow of Flowers precinct constabulary, who looks like a young Peter Lorre, is in both book and story. I’m eager to finish my edits so I can get back to the story. New! Shiny!

WRITING PROMPT: If you’ve written or are working on a novel, think of a short story you could connect to it.

MA