Seven Visions of the Metaverse, Including Facebook’s
Reading Time: 5 minutesSeven visions for the metaverse we’ve been hearing about.
Seven Visions of the Metaverse, Including Facebook’s Read More »
Nonfiction
Writing Prompt for the Week – Nov 8
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWhat if you woke up trapped in a stranger’s body?
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Nov. 7
Reading Time: 5 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Nov. 7 Read More »
Steampunk audio drama hits Kickstarter goal
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe Boston Metaphysical Society: The Ghost Ship, an eight-episode steampunk audio drama, has hit its $10,000 Kickstarter fundraising goal with two weeks still to go, and the creator, Madeleine Holly-Rosing, was on MetaStellar’s Life Long Friends YouTube show to talk about the project.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Nov. 5, 2021
Reading Time: 14 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes witches, dragons, more witches, a space opera, giants, and a deal with the devil. Oh, and also an EMP survival book.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Nov. 5, 2021 Read More »
Five Fairy Tale Re-Imaginings With Stand-Out Female Protagonists
Reading Time: 5 minutesFive fairy tale retellings with kickass female protagonists.
Five Fairy Tale Re-Imaginings With Stand-Out Female Protagonists Read More »
Dune: we simulated the desert planet of Arrakis to see if humans could survive there
Reading Time: 5 minutesThree scientists set out to determine if it were possible for humans to survive on a planet like Dune. They say yes — but not where you’d expect from reading the book.
Dune: we simulated the desert planet of Arrakis to see if humans could survive there Read More »
Fall 2021 submission period closes with more than 400 submissions
Reading Time: < 1 minuteMetaStellar’s open submission period for fall 2021 has officially ended. This was our best cycle for submissions yet, receiving over 400 stories in 31 days.
Fall 2021 submission period closes with more than 400 submissions Read More »
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 31
Reading Time: 5 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 31 Read More »
Master list of 200+ free sci-fi, fantasy and horror fonts
Reading Time: 21 minutesMore than 200 completely free sci-fi, fantasy, and horror fonts for book covers, illustrations, and social media posts.
Master list of 200+ free sci-fi, fantasy and horror fonts Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 29, 2021
Reading Time: 16 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes witches, dragons, more witches, a Martian mining operation, and more witches.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 29, 2021 Read More »
Facebook changes name to Meta, embraces metaverse
Reading Time: 3 minutesFacebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook changing its name to Meta in order to focus on the metaverse. Facebook itself will remain, but will now be just one brand in the Meta portfolio, alongside Instagram and WhatsApp.
Facebook changes name to Meta, embraces metaverse Read More »
Blue Origin promises commercial space station by 2030, called Orbital Reef
Reading Time: 3 minutesBlue Origin, Boeing and Sierra Space join forces on new commercial space station, Orbital Reef, to be operational the second half of this decade.
Blue Origin promises commercial space station by 2030, called Orbital Reef Read More »
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 24
Reading Time: 13 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 24 Read More »
New Kurt Vonnegut documentary asks big questions about death, art, and friendship
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe trailer for the documentary Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck In Time, has just been released. The documentary, follows the science fiction writer from 1982 until his death in 2007, and is based on the 25-year friendship between the author and filmmaker Robert Weide.
New Kurt Vonnegut documentary asks big questions about death, art, and friendship Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 22, 2021
Reading Time: 12 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes time travel, EMP survival, and six books in Will Wight’s best-selling Cradle series.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 22, 2021 Read More »
Oh, My Gods! 4 Novels about Greek Gods that will make you glad you are not an Olympian
Reading Time: 4 minutesThese books will make you realize that immortality is really not so great for some people.
Oh, My Gods! 4 Novels about Greek Gods that will make you glad you are not an Olympian Read More »
12 AI Tools to Write your Novel For you
Reading Time: 20 minutesI played around with a dozen AI-writing tools. They can’t write a coherent story, but they can still be useful depending on your writing goals.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 17
Reading Time: 10 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 17 Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 15, 2021
Reading Time: 12 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes time travel, dragons, goblins, fairies, epic fantasy battles, police detectives and zombies.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 15, 2021 Read More »
6 Horror Films for a Fright-Filled Halloween
Reading Time: 6 minutesThis is my top six all-time scariest movies list. Watch them if you dare.
William Shatner’s trip to space shows power of science fiction
Reading Time: 4 minutesEarlier today, actor William Shatner — who played Star Trek’s iconic Captain Kirk on television and in the movies — became the oldest person to ever go to space and helped demonstrate that power of sci-fi to inspire space exploration.
William Shatner’s trip to space shows power of science fiction Read More »
Harder Science Fiction
Reading Time: 5 minutesWe read the top three books on Amazon’s list of best-selling sci-fi books. Today’s list includes a mysterious run-down English cottage, sea pirates, and a dystopian future.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 10
Reading Time: 7 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 10 Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 8, 2021
Reading Time: 15 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes a creepy cult, werewolves, witches, and lots of dragons.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 8, 2021 Read More »
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 3
Reading Time: 9 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Oct. 3 Read More »
How to set up a new author website with DreamHost in 15 minutes
Reading Time: 9 minutesI compare the top website hosting providers, and take you through setting up a Wordpress website with my top recommendation, DreamHost.
How to set up a new author website with DreamHost in 15 minutes Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 1, 2021
Reading Time: 16 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes the daughter of Morgan le Fae, alien lovers, post-apocalyptic creepiness, lesbian space pirates, a crime-solving witch, and a crime-solving vampire.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Oct. 1, 2021 Read More »
4 Ghostly Novels to Spark Your Halloween Mood
Reading Time: 4 minutesHere are four ghost stories that will thrill and chill you as Halloween approaches.
Rival fantasies: Dungeons & Dragons players and their religious critics actually have a lot in common
Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat would lead someone to claim that a fantasy role-playing game like Dungeons and Dragons was a recruiting tool for satan?
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 26
Reading Time: 10 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 26 Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 24, 2021
Reading Time: 13 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes magical academies, vampires, sexy shapeshifters, and a clone of Jack Reacher.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 24, 2021 Read More »
Urban fantasy novels: why they matter and which ones to read first
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe cultural relevance of urban fantasy can be traced back to the time period of its birth — the early nineteenth century — where many were struggling to respond to industrial change and a new economic system.
Urban fantasy novels: why they matter and which ones to read first Read More »
Website basics: How to create a row of books
Reading Time: 25 minutes5 ways to add a row of book covers to your Wordpress website.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 19
Reading Time: 14 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 19 Read More »
Scientists created holograms you can touch – you could soon shake a virtual hand
Reading Time: 4 minutesThese holograms, created with mirrors and jets of air, could be the first steps towards a Star Trek-style holodeck.
Scientists created holograms you can touch – you could soon shake a virtual hand Read More »
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 17, 2021
Reading Time: 15 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes magical academies, space colonies, witches, and, yup, some sexy shapeshifters.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 17, 2021 Read More »
Six Dragons That You Would — And Would Not — Want to Take Home With You
Reading Time: 5 minutesA must-read article for anyone looking to adopt a new dragon.
Six Dragons That You Would — And Would Not — Want to Take Home With You Read More »
Fall submission cycle opens October 1
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe fall submission cycle for original speculative fiction begins on October 1 and closes at midnight on October 31.
‘Dark Souls’ videogame: Themes of ruin harken to images popularized by European Romantics two centuries ago
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe Dark Souls videogame shares many elements with the literature of British artists in the Romantic era such as Lord Byron and others from the early 1800s.
Andy Weir, Jim Butcher win at the Dragon Awards
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe votes for the annual Dragon Awards are in, and Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary won for best sci-fi novel, and Jim Butcher’s Battle Ground for best fantasy novel.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 12
Reading Time: 17 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and YouTube channels and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 12 Read More »
5 Magic Schools You Would Want to Attend–And 5 to Avoid
Reading Time: 8 minutesWould you really want to go to magic school? Here are some magic schools you would — or would not — want to attend.
5 Magic Schools You Would Want to Attend–And 5 to Avoid Read More »
Time to announce your NaNoWriMo project
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIf you’re planning to write a novel during this year’s National Novel Writing Month, you can announce it now.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 10, 2021
Reading Time: 14 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes magical academies, space colonies, witches, and, yup, some sexy shapeshifters.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 10, 2021 Read More »
Free sci-fi and fantasy stories on Amazon
Reading Time: 7 minutesYou can find a lot of free sci-fi and fantasy short stories on Amazon — but the free promotions go fast. Get these books now.
Free author website: initial setup
Reading Time: 17 minutesI show you how to create a free author site that looks like that of the big names in the industry.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 5
Reading Time: 9 minutesI subscribe to dozens of writing advice sites and lovingly pick the best posts from this previous week for your edification.
This week’s top writing advice from around the web for Sep. 5 Read More »
Why I’m blogging my next book
Reading Time: 5 minutesI’m blogging my next book. Every weekday, I post a new installment. It’s all part of my mission to find a writing process that works for me.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 3, 2021
Reading Time: 16 minutesWe read the first chapters of the top ten free spec fic books on Amazon. Today’s list includes a witches, vampires, EMP attacks, aliens, and, of course, plenty of sexy shapeshifters.
Free Friday: Today’s top free Amazon sci-fi and fantasy books for Sep. 3, 2021 Read More »