A more commercially-focused dataset. Essay. 800 words, 4-minute read. A few months ago I posted an essay which looked at the word counts/page lengths of novels over the past century, or so. (https://raytabler.substack.com/p/novel-lengths-over-the-years) This was an effort to verify (or disprove) the anecdote that novels used to be a lot…
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The Diesel-Powered Starship, Incoming!
My latest novel releases soon. Early copies of my latest book, The Diesel-Powered Starship arrived yesterday! She’s not out officially until September 30. But you can order ahead from here: https://histriabooks.com/pro…/the-diesel-powered-starship/ As a bonus, the good people at Histria Books have featured The Diesel-Powered Starship in their ad on page…
Booze in Space!
Notes from an Archon 47 panel, Essay, 1000 words (5-minute read) Can’t believe I neglected to post this essay here on my website until now. Well, here it is, almost a year behind the times, but still jam-packed with useful info. 😉 Booze In Space! by Ray Tabler This past…
Rogue Moon
A review. 700 words, 4-minute read. Rogue Moon, A Review By Ray Tabler Rogue Moon is a 1960 science fiction novel by Algis Budrys, and a very strange read from the perspective of 65 years after publication. I’m not a scholar of Budrys’ work, and have only sipped at his…
Reactionless Drives
Fiction & Fact. Essay. 1900 Words, 10-minute read. Reactionless Drives By Ray Tabler A staple of science fiction is the reactionless drive. That is, a means of propulsion which moves a space ship without the use of rockets or jets. As Matthew McConaughey said in the movie Interstellar, “Newton’s third…
Sci-Fi on Broadway
Who says music and science fiction don’t mix? Essay. 800 words, 4-minute read. Sci-Fi on Broadway By Ray Tabler Science fiction, and fantasy, are usually associated with serious media. Whether hard SF, dystopia, cyberpunk, epic or dark fantasy, tough subject matter, dealing with the perils of new technology or the…
Ray’s on the Hidden Gems/Fully Booked podcast!
A discussion about writing positive science fiction. I recently spoke with Craig Tuch and Roland Hulme of Hidden Gems about writing positive science fiction. You can be access the video and audio here: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast/sci-fi-crafting-positive-futures I hope you tune in, and enjoy the conversation. —- Ray.
Art As a World Building Tool
The finish carpentry of world building. Essay. 1600 words. 8-minute read. Art As a World Building Tool By Ray Tabler When telling a science fiction or fantasy tale, there are any number of tools which can be employed to set the scene for the reader/viewer. Flying cars, elves, robots, dragons,…
Containment Protocol Postmortem
Containment Protocol Postmortem By Ray Tabler Containment Protocol is my first serialized novel on Substack, and it ought to have taught me a thing or two. Time will tell if the lessons sink in, or sail in one ear and out the other like so much of my education. Never…