Opinions on possible e-publication

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I've written since childhood, though my completed works could be counted on one hand. As a form of motivation to finalise and publish some (as a free e-book, of course), I'd like to ask your opinions. Would you be interested in reading a collection comprising of short stories summarised below? Imagine them written in a semi-hard classic scifi style (though of course in my own style).

All comments and opinions welcome.

I love old-school sci-fi. These stories are right up my ally. I would suggest putting one out for free and charging for the rest - something manageable. But I would like to see you get compensated for your hard work. Otherwise, you might as well publish it on a fanfic site.

I like stories like these. I'd like to see a little more in the description, so that I can have a taste for how these stories are going to be unique to you. Most sci-fi lovers will have read the dead-lover time travel story before. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to read another, if it has something interesting to add to the conversation. Sci-fi is a very derivative genre. In fact, it can be argued that its all derivative, but the good stuff puts a fresh spin on it. What's your new POV?

I don't know much about the publishing world today, but I would suggest talking to someone who does. Would it make sense to try to get a traditional publishing company to run these first? I know that's a long shot but I also know that not trying will guarantee failure.

When posting the descriptions, I didn't want to reveal to many of the details for spoiler reasons. But I will post below, if that helps you get a better feel of the narrative. In terms of publishing, it's difficult to be paid to publish. An e-platform is the easiest method of distribution and it does allow for monetisation, but that isn't why I'm doing this at the moment. It would be reward enough that people read and like what I've written. Consider that the are short stories, not full epics or anything like that. If there is a clamouring for more, then I would consider charging a nominal fee for any following work.

Now for the hopefully new POV and more detail description...

The Time Project: the man starts off as a caring, if distracted, and is devastated after the death of his partner (well actually, she's in a coma, and he visits while he completes the time machine). He is overjoyed when he goes back and is able to prevent the accident. The more she dies, the less human he becomes, even killing people so that he could go back and prevent her death. Whenever a death is "avoided", she has a fit and it's then added to her nightmares. Spoiler: Miraculously she starts to get better, and he sees it more of an accomplishment, something to be studied, than something good. Then the other timetraveller appears and gives him an ultimatum: stop it, or I'll stop you. He doesn't stop, and then notices his world changing around him in little ways, out of his control. There is a final confrontation between the two.


The second one ("I'd Like To Wake Up Now") is more the exploration of humanity. Remove the environment we know, add obstacles we don't have, and see how they are still human. I've always wanted to tell a narrative through a series of conversations, and this one explains their history, science, and politics (a little bit, it's more of a people story). The initial exchanges between the lead and her radio contact lead to her identifying one body amongst all the others, and having a special burial at the request of the voice on the radio.


When The Thunder Dies Down: The War Minister prepared for war while his wife, an ambassador, tried to prevent it. When she was killed on "enemy" soil, the nation took it that their would never be peace. The demanded that the War Minister attack straight away. He did, and massively. But his children, now grown, question whether it was all a set up and accuse their father of organising the attack that killed their mother, so he could have his war. The son wants to know why, the daughter wants him dead. But any movement in the central capital is difficult when all law enforcement knows your face. They aren't super soldiers, they aren't genius, but they do have a driving force, and that is really their only weapon. To be honest, what makes the story unique is how I write it. And if that didn't matter, the whole chick-flick and Poirot genres would have died out a long time ago.

The whole "exploring what it is to be human" thing is my favorite part of science fiction. Taken out of the context of our own situation, we have a better chance to look objectively at ourselves.

Good luck with publishing! And let us know when you do. I'd be interested in reading it.