fiction Archives - Larry Cockerham https://larrycockerham.com/tag/fiction/ Pastor, Author, Entrepreneur Sat, 23 Sep 2023 16:41:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 89816878 The Pros and Cons of Entering Writing Competitions https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-entering-writing-competitions/ https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-entering-writing-competitions/#respond Sat, 23 Sep 2023 16:41:51 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?p=290 There are a number of pros and cons to entering writing contests. There are many out there, some more legitimate than others, and some with some very strict rules you need to follow.

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]]> The Pros and Cons of Entering Writing Competitions

There are a number of pros and cons to entering writing contests. There are many out there, some more legitimate than others, and some with some very strict rules you need to follow.

There are four main points you should consider when thinking about entering a contest:

* Is it in a genre I want to write?
* What is the cost to enter (if any)?
* What prize will I win?
* Would I be proud to list it in my writing credits if I won?

This is the best way to start considering the pros and cons of entering any contest in particular, but here are some of the pros and cons in general.

PROS

1. Making you write to a deadline

There’s no time to waste, so the deadline can help you get more done.

2. Stretching you as a writer

The topics and themes can often be interesting and make you try new things.

3. Increase your prestige

There are a lot of writers out there. Winning a prize in a contest can help you establish credibility as an author.

4. Money and other rewards

It’s always nice to be paid for your work. Plus, even if you don’t win cash, you might have the kernel of an idea you can expand on or use in a full-length work.

5. Getting a publishing credit

If the winners are printed, there is nothing quite like the buzz of seeing your name on the page.

6. Having the chance to submit multiple entries

If you really love the topic and can think of all sorts of ways to go with it, a contest that allows multiple entries allows you to write what you love, plus have more chances of winning.

CONS

1. Some really are cons

Watch the fees. They can really all start adding up if you are not careful, with little to show for your efforts.

2. Exclusive submission requirements

Some contests insist that you can’t submit your work anywhere else during the contest, or sometimes even if you win a prize. You should always maintain your rights over your own work whenever possible, and not tie it up for weeks or months on the off-chance you might win.

3. Less than prestigious contests

Some contests are recognized in the writing world, while others are more interested in grabbing your fee. Do your due diligence before writing a single word or paying a penny.

4. Too many rules and regulations

It can be really frustrating to find a contest with a topic you would love to write about, only to discover that for some reason you don’t meet the eligibility requirements. Read the fine print before writing a word. But if the topic really excites you, write it for yourself anyway. Anything that gets the creative juices flowing is always a good thing.

5. Too much formatting, copying or other picky requirements

If the rules about formatting are more than a couple of paragraphs long, skip it. You’re supposed to be judged on your ability as a writer, not a typist/word processor.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-entering-writing-competitions/feed/ 0 290 The Basics of Writing Fiction https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/22/the-basics-of-writing-fiction/ https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/22/the-basics-of-writing-fiction/#respond Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:38:07 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?p=274 The Basics of Writing Fiction There are several basic rules when it comes to writing fiction. 1. Character Is Key You need to have a main character that readers can identify with. They don’t have to be perfect. To make them interesting, they do need to have some issues to work through in the course of the novel. 2. Outline Your Plot Write an outline of what is going to happen in the beginning, middle and end of the book. This will give the characters some direction in your novel. It’s okay to change things if your characters or situations…

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]]> The Basics of Writing Fiction

There are several basic rules when it comes to writing fiction.

1. Character Is Key

You need to have a main character that readers can identify with. They don’t have to be perfect. To make them interesting, they do need to have some issues to work through in the course of the novel.

2. Outline Your Plot

Write an outline of what is going to happen in the beginning, middle and end of the book. This will give the characters some direction in your novel. It’s okay to change things if your characters or situations in the book take on a life of their own, but have a general idea of the point of the story.

3. Start in the Middle of Things

“In media res” is a common literary term. It is Latin for “into the middle of things”. It helps get the novel off to an active start. Then you can fill in the back story as you go along.

4. Choose a Point of View That Makes the Most Sense for Your Novel

Some write in the first person (“I”), while others use the third person (“he” or “she”). The narrator can be limited or omniscient (all knowing), giving us information about what is going on with other characters in the book. A third person-limited narrator might not know the whole story, but this can be a good thing for certain genres, such as mystery or horror, with the story unfolding for us as it does for the main protagonist.

5. Use Dialogue to Move the Character and Story Along and Fill In the Back Story

Dialogue can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to drawing a character, advancing plot, suspense, tension and so on. The conversation between characters can also give us a sense of their past and make them more well-rounded and three-dimensional.

6. Show, Don’t Tell

Here we are referring to descriptions of people, places, and emotions, not to dialogue. When you are showing, you are giving details that all add up to the reader drawing a conclusion about what they are reading.

For example, if you describe a person as, “scowling, fists clenched, panting with fury”, you won’t need to say, “He was angry”. If you say, “The snow was thawing and the first daffodils were just starting to peep through the ground as Amy hurried home to get ready for her Valentine’s date”, there is no need to tell us it’s February in the northern hemisphere.

7. Give the Characters Motives

What drives your characters to do what they do? Even a villain will have some reason. Motiveless evil gets pretty dull after a while.

8. Engage the Emotions

Feel the emotion as you write and your readers should feel it as they read. Don’t make it all about plot. Make the characters real people with believable feelings and reasons for all they do.

9. Write What You Know

Don’t make your character a rocket scientist if you flunked science. Don’t write about a painful divorce if you are happily married with three kids, unless you have a friend who is spilling her guts to you every night on the phone about the terrible time she is having.

10. Revise Carefully

Try to make your work as error-free as possible.

Use these tips to ensure that your writing is as good as it can be. Perhaps your novel will become the next bestseller!

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/22/the-basics-of-writing-fiction/feed/ 0 274 Questions to Ask Yourself before You Start Writing Fiction https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/21/questions-to-ask-yourself-before-you-start-writing-fiction/ https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/21/questions-to-ask-yourself-before-you-start-writing-fiction/#respond Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:18:57 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?p=247 Since product is what it’s all about, you need to consider writing something with broad appeal. A lot of people aspire to write the great American (literary) novel, but the fact is that literary fiction is a small percentage of the book-buying market.

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]]> Questions to Ask Yourself before You Start Writing Fiction

If you’ve been thinking about writing fiction, there are a number of questions to ask yourself before you start.

  1. Can I write what people want to read?

There are two key aspects you need to think about:

  • Are you a great reader?
  • Are you familiar with the bestsellers in the genre you want to write?

If you are a reader, you should have a good idea of what you enjoy. Chances are that other people will have similar tastes. If you tend to read the top bestsellers in your favorite genre, such as romance, mystery or horror, you will also have a pretty good idea of what sells.

It may sound crass to talk about bestsellers and money, but the fact of the matter is that publishing is a business. You might be disappointed to find out that it has very little to do with creativity or even talent and everything to do with providing a “product” that people want to buy.

  1. Can I write something with broad appeal?

Since product is what it’s all about, you need to consider writing something with broad appeal. A lot of people aspire to write the great American (literary) novel, but the fact is that literary fiction is a small percentage of the book-buying market. If you want to be successful as a writer, a better strategy would be to aim for one of the top genres mentioned above, such as romance (55% of the US market) or mystery (27% of the market). Horror and fantasy are around 10%.

Each of these genres have avid fans, but they also have top writers who command attention every time they release a new book. Nora Roberts is synonymous with romance, but she is also associated with mystery and suspense under her pen name J. D. Robb. Stephen King is the master of horror, but he used to write other novels as Richard Bachman.

  1. Am I prepared to be my own brand?

Even if you use a pen name, you will still have to be prepared to be your own “brand” and take the criticism along with the adulation. It can be intrusive sometimes. Success can actually make it tougher to find the time to write. It can be difficult to write a book and market it, and to not earn a lot of money, but sometimes it can be even harder to suddenly make it big and become the center of attention.

  1. Am I a good writer?

If you haven’t picked up a pen to write a story since high school English, you might want to start small, with short stories and creative blogging, and get some feedback on your work.

  1. What am I prepared to sacrifice to become a writer?

Most aspiring writers think about fame and fortune. They don’t think about the many hours alone working on their novel. Writing can be a lonely business. It can be even tougher if you have a family. You might have to sacrifice sleep, TV time and more to make your dream come true.

Be realistic rather than starry-eyed, and you should soon determine whether or not writing a book is the right move for you.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/21/questions-to-ask-yourself-before-you-start-writing-fiction/feed/ 0 247 It’s Not Just about the Writing When It Comes to Fiction https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/20/its-not-just-about-the-writing-when-it-comes-to-fiction/ https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/20/its-not-just-about-the-writing-when-it-comes-to-fiction/#respond Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:56:22 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?p=245 Whenever a fiction writer decides to self-publish their work, they can be so excited at the prospect that they slip up on some of the most basic details.

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]]> It’s Not Just about the Writing When It Comes to Fiction

Whenever a fiction writer decides to self-publish their work, they can be so excited at the prospect that they slip up on some of the most basic details. These details can make all the difference between success and failure. Here’s a checklist of essentials which go beyond the mere writing and contribute to the bestseller status of a book.

  1. The Cover

People really DO judge a book by its cover. It has to be as good as anything you would see on a store shelf, or side by side with your book on Amazon. Don’t skimp. Unless you are a professional artist and book designer, hire a pro on Fiverr.com. Check out their portfolios to make sure their style is in line with your vision of what your cover should look like. Discuss your ideas, and make sure your contract allows for revisions.

  1. The Proof-Reading

The book should be as error free as possible. Make sure you have at least one person other than yourself read over a printed copy of the book, not just a digital one. Word’s spelling and grammar checker are useful, but not perfect.

  1. The Editing

It can be tough to judge your own novel, especially if you have been slaving away over it for months. A professional editor, or a friend who loves to read, can make sure you have a powerful beginning and ending. They can also look for inner logic in the novel, such as characters, situations and settings. You would be amazed at how many characters’ eyes start out brown and end up green by the end of the book!

  1. The Marketing Copy of the Book

There are two forms of marketing copy that will appear on or in the book:

  • The “Blurb”
  • The teaser copy

The “blurb” goes on the back of the book and sometimes on the first page inside the book as well. It is like a summary of the story and should entice people to read it.

The teaser copy can be on the back as well, and/or on the first page inside the book. It should be a dramatic excerpt from the novel that draws the potential reader into the story.

  1. The Marketing Copy for the Book

A lot of different marketing copy can surround the book. For example, the blurb and teaser will appear online in most cases. You might even include them in a promotional package to a book reviewer. Once the reviews start to come in, if they are good, you can quote from them to help market your book.

If you know any prominent authors or agents who might be kind enough to take a first look and write a comment or two, or even a foreword, this would also be incredibly useful for selling more books.

  1. A Great Author Biography, Website/Blog, and Social Media Presence

Readers love to feel they “know” authors and that they are accessible, not hiding in a cave writing all the time. In order to convey that you are a real person, write a great biography, include a professional headshot to use as a promotional photo anywhere you need one, and create a great website or blog to showcase your work.

Have a page at all of the most important social media sites and interact with fans regularly, and you should have no trouble making sales.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/20/its-not-just-about-the-writing-when-it-comes-to-fiction/feed/ 0 245 12 Marketing Tips for Fiction Writers https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/19/12-marketing-tips-for-fiction-writers/ https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/19/12-marketing-tips-for-fiction-writers/#respond Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:10:53 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?p=239 12 Marketing Tips for Fiction Writers There are a number of ways to market fiction effectively. Here are some of the top ways to sell well: People really DO judge a book by its cover, so make sure yours is as good as anything you would see on a store shelf. Hire a freelancer at Fiverr.com to turn your vision of your cover into a work of art. The “blurb” is what goes on the back of the book. The teaser copy can be on the back as well, or on the first page inside the book (you can put…

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]]> 12 Marketing Tips for Fiction Writers

There are a number of ways to market fiction effectively. Here are some of the top ways to sell well:

  1. A Great Cover

People really DO judge a book by its cover, so make sure yours is as good as anything you would see on a store shelf. Hire a freelancer at Fiverr.com to turn your vision of your cover into a work of art.

  1. A Great Blurb and Teaser Copy

The “blurb” is what goes on the back of the book. The teaser copy can be on the back as well, or on the first page inside the book (you can put the blurb there too). These pieces of content are both designed to encourage the browser to read more.

  1. A Great Author Website and Webpage

Be proud of your work and showcase it on your site. Also make it a place where you are accessible, and interact with people through comments, questions and so on.

  1. See Yourself as a Brand

Brands like Coke, Nike and McDonald’s all have a unified marketing plan, in which every ad or other material build on the brand’s image and reputation. In a similar way, see your author name (or pen name) as a brand you wish to present in a certain way, and don’t want to damage or dilute.

If you want to write a different genre, create a different pen name and website or blog for it. For example, writer Nora Roberts is a brand synonymous with romance, and J. D. Robb, her second pen name, is synonymous with mystery and suspense.

  1. Give Interviews

People always wonder what it is like to be a writer. Give interviews and post them at your site.

  1. Attend Publishing Conferences and Writing Groups in Your Genre and Geographical Area

People do business with people they like. Attending live events and networking with publishing professionals, other authors, and aspiring authors, can lead to all sorts of promotional opportunities. It also makes you more visible and shows you are someone who cares about your craft.

  1. Be Charitable

Giving things away may seem an odd way to make money, but “giving back” to new writers or donating your profits to a worthy cause can create a lot of goodwill and show you are a good person, not just a “greedy author”.

  1. Join Writer-Related Organizations

Romance Writers of America, The Author’s Guild and so on can all help raise your profile.

  1. Leverage Social Media

Have a social media account for your writing at all of the top social sites, such as:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Keep fans up to date on all your news.

  1. Create a Facebook Contest

Contests are a great way to grab attention.

  1. Give a Webinar

Host a webinar about how to become a better writer, and give attendees a special discount on your books. You can do this through PayPal or create a store for yourself at a site like Gumroad.

  1. Get Book Reviews

As soon as your book is done, start gathering reviews for it. They can really make a difference when it comes to sales.

  1. Organize Book Signings

If you have a paper book, organize book signings at bookstores, your local libraries and so on.

Follow these marketing tips and see your sales increase as a result.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/2023/09/19/12-marketing-tips-for-fiction-writers/feed/ 0 239 Sanctuary of the Damned https://larrycockerham.com/books/sanctuary-of-the-damned/ https://larrycockerham.com/books/sanctuary-of-the-damned/#respond Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:34:02 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?post_type=books&p=98 “Paul knew his job was dangerous.” “Twenty years before, two of his team members had been killed by a large pyroclastic flow from an active volcano. Haunted by the incident, he was determined to keep it from happening again.” Three teams of volcanologists arrive on an uncharted island in the Indonesian archipelago to monitor an active volcano. After a series of strong earthquakes, a cave opens up giving an avenue of escape for vicious demons to possess and attack the local villagers. Pursued by the killers, Dr. Paul Martinez and his team flee to a mountain monastery run by Father…

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]]> “Paul knew his job was dangerous.”

“Twenty years before, two of his team
members had been killed by a large pyroclastic flow from an active volcano.
Haunted by the incident, he was determined to keep it from happening again.”
Three teams of volcanologists arrive on an uncharted island in the Indonesian
archipelago to monitor an active volcano. After a series of strong earthquakes,
a cave opens up giving an avenue of escape for vicious demons to possess and
attack the local villagers.
Pursued by the killers, Dr. Paul Martinez and his team flee to a mountain monastery run by Father Joseph Antonio who allows them to stay there for protection. They reach the ferry that is coming to rescue the villagers, but things don’t turn out as expected. Follow his people as they try to escape certain death and make it to safety.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/books/sanctuary-of-the-damned/feed/ 0 98 The Mortalis: Beyond the Realm https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-realm/ https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-realm/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:15:11 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?post_type=books&p=89 In eternity, there was no hurry. Humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements. “For three hundred years we’ve enjoyed a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Without question, we would have continued enjoying the fruits of our labor, but human nature never changes.” It was three hundred years since the Mortalis first began colonizing other worlds…

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]]> In eternity, there was no hurry.
Humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements.
“For three hundred years we’ve enjoyed a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Without question, we would have continued enjoying the fruits of our labor, but human nature never changes.”
It was three hundred years since the Mortalis first began colonizing other worlds across the stars. Stand with Marion, who is now the Supreme Galactic Commander overseeing five hundred colonies between eighty-six- star-systems and commander of an entire battalion of Black Warrior soldiers. Not a woman to be messed with (or to ask what age she is). It has taken much love, loss, blood, and tears to keep the alliance peaceful. Until new enemies threaten to destroy that peace.
“The enemy threatens to destroy our way of life. We cannot let this happen. Shortly we’ll be boarding our transports and heading into battle. I will be there to lead you to victory. There will be no mercy because our enemies have shown no mercy!”
No prisoners. No begging. No mercy.
And in Marion’s case – no control.
“Oh, I remember everything… Every wound, every cut, every disappointment. I may heal physically, but emotionally the pain is still there.”
Blood for blood. Especially when everything she’s fought so hard for is in danger.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-realm/feed/ 0 89 The Mortalis: Beyond Eternity https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-eternity-volume-3-paperback/ https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-eternity-volume-3-paperback/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:07:05 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?post_type=books&p=84 In eternity, there was no hurry. Humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements. “For three hundred years we’ve enjoyed a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Without question, we would have continued enjoying the fruits of our labor, but human nature never changes.” It was three hundred years since the Mortalis first began colonizing other worlds…

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]]> In eternity, there was no hurry.
Humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements.
“For three hundred years we’ve enjoyed a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Without question, we would have continued enjoying the fruits of our labor, but human nature never changes.”
It was three hundred years since the Mortalis first began colonizing other worlds across the stars. Stand with Marion, who is now the Supreme Galactic Commander overseeing five hundred colonies between eighty-six- star-systems and commander of an entire battalion of Black Warrior soldiers. Not a woman to be messed with (or to ask what age she is). It has taken much love, loss, blood, and tears to keep the alliance peaceful. Until new enemies threaten to destroy that peace.
“The enemy threatens to destroy our way of life. We cannot let this happen. Shortly we’ll be boarding our transports and heading into battle. I will be there to lead you to victory. There will be no mercy because our enemies have shown no mercy!”
No prisoners. No begging. No mercy.
And in Marion’s case – no control.
“Oh, I remember everything… Every wound, every cut, every disappointment. I may heal physically, but emotionally the pain is still there.”
Blood for blood. Especially when everything she’s fought so hard for is in danger.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-eternity-volume-3-paperback/feed/ 0 84 The Mortalis: Beyond the Cosmos https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-cosmos/ https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-cosmos/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:53:58 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?post_type=books&p=81 In eternity, there was no hurry. In the year A.D 3198 humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Preparations to travel to the stars are in its second phase. Follow three hundred-year-old (or so) Lieutenant Colonel Marion Stefanova on her latest mission to Helion 3, a class M planet in the Proxima Zetauri System. “It’s just that my emotions are still a little raw.” Marion is a seasoned commander; she is also seasoned in…

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]]> In eternity, there was no hurry.
In the year A.D 3198 humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested.
Preparations to travel to the stars are in its second phase. Follow three hundred-year-old (or so) Lieutenant Colonel Marion Stefanova on her latest mission to Helion 3, a class M planet in the Proxima Zetauri System.
“It’s just that my emotions are still a little raw.”
Marion is a seasoned commander; she is also seasoned in loss. Her assignments are to shuttle back and forth between the developing colonies in Helion 3 and Roma 2 system. Pleased with the progress, Marion takes a solo shuttle to Roma 2 for a little break.
“Little by little, the shaking grew more intense, alarms began sounding, and Marion awoke to the realization that the shuttle was out of control.”
Her shuttle sinks into a time-space wormhole that crash lands her back to the nineteenth century. Found by a Lakota tribe who are suspicious of her, Marion helps them against the diseases that have struck them, before setting off in the search for her ship.
“…you’re such a long way from home.”
“I’d say that’s an understatement,”
Between language barriers, capture, social suspicion, imprisonment, and being defenseless in ways that she isn’t accustomed to – Marion struggles to retain her composure in a time that lacked the advanced technologies that she’s accustomed to using. She is relentlessly pursued by Union Officer, Major Thomas Conrad for her futuristic knowledge. One thing is for certain, Marion will do anything to secure her ship and escape back to her allies. It just boils down to her survival skills – and a matter of leverage.

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-cosmos/feed/ 0 81 The Mortalis: Beyond the Stars https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-stars-beyond-the-stars-paperback/ https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-stars-beyond-the-stars-paperback/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:28:13 +0000 https://larrycockerham.com/?post_type=books&p=75 In eternity, there was no hurry. In the year A.D 3196 humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements. Follow Lieutenant Colonel Marion, a two-hundred and something (friendly warning: never ask her real age!) woman about to lead an expedition across the stars to scout and colonize planets. “When angered, her eyes flashed; with a black vengeance…

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]]> In eternity, there was no hurry.
In the year A.D 3196 humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements.
Follow Lieutenant Colonel Marion, a two-hundred and something (friendly warning: never ask her real age!) woman about to lead an expedition across the stars to scout and colonize planets.
“When angered, her eyes flashed; with a black vengeance that struck her enemies with dread.”
She is the third centennial officer and the commander of the famed Black Warrior Battalion, a small squadron elite skilled in every art of battle. And she runs a tight ship.
“I want everything to run smoothly once we reach Midway Station. We don’t have room for mistakes on our mission.”
But the stars harbor dangerous exotic worlds and alien kingdoms on the brink of war. Soon Marion finds herself and her crew caught up in this political whirlwind, with betrayals, gunshots, loss, and death at every turn. It isn’t long until Marion begins to question her faith and life purpose.
The Mortalis can live a long life, but that doesn’t make them immortal.
All hands! Battle Stations!

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]]> https://larrycockerham.com/books/the-mortalis-beyond-the-stars-beyond-the-stars-paperback/feed/ 0 75