The Science-Fiction-Create monthly newsletter
In this month's issue:
Welcome | Science-Fiction-Create Recap | More in SciFiNews | The Goods
Welcome
Hey SciFiFriends. This month I am doing something a little different. The first few issues of SciFiMonthly have been a total mind-dump. Maybe too much. Instead, this month I am trying a little lighter approach with only three main sections. I'll provide links to a few of my better-received stories. I will highlight a few newsworthy events in science and sci-fi from the last month. And as always, I will introduce a few of my likes and recommendations in "The Goods."
That's it.
As with anything new, we'll try this on for size. If you like the format, let me know. Want to see more/different/better content from me? Be sure and say so in the comments or send me a message here.
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Science-Fiction-Create Recap
May was a busy month here at Science-Fiction-Create. My goal has been to share stories that cover a full breadth of science and science fiction topics. I've settled into a good routine:
Free stories every Friday.
Subscriber-only content on Mondays.
SciFiMonthly newsletter at the beginning of the month.
Occasional SciFiNews stories as cool things happen.
Here are a few highlights from this last month:
For Mother's Day, I shared a story on why the films Alien and Aliens are arguably the perfect tribute to hard-working moms everywhere. Sure, these fright-fests are not for everyone. But they are two of the best films ever made - not just the best sci-fi-horror movies made. If you can handle the scares and gore, find a copy of each and watch both back-to-back. You won't be disappointed.
For subscribers, I shared an anecdote on star-gazing with my son from our roof here in SoCal. It was a magical experience; one of those father-son moments that makes life worth living. If you are curious about my subscriber-only content, send me a note, and I'll give you a link to this one, on the house. Better still, join now and get all my stories any time you want.
May started with SciFiMonthly No. 3. Yes, it was a lot. But if you haven't taken the time, do have a look. I share a summary of my "brand" and detail how I use Substack, my website, and social media. I also had a few sweet recommendations in "The Goods" you don't want to miss.
There wasn't much news-worthy science last month, was there? Well, unless you count the SpaceX-NASA launch of the Crew Dragon DM-2 on May 30th. Holy smokes that was huge. The event inspired me all week right down to launch day...both launch days. It was a significant event for all humanity. As my buddy, Andy, shared, "So great to have something so positive and future-oriented to be uniting us globally." Agreed, my friend.
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More in SciFiNews
The hottest story in film right now: Tom Cruise will star in the first film shot aboard the International Space Station. That's right; Tom Cruise gets to go to space to make a freakin’ movie. Tamping down my overwhelming jealousy, I'd say this is one of the coolest things ever. It means that space is that much more accessible. When a movie star blasts into orbit, all of humanity is one step closer to the stars.
In last week's Science, Prof. John E. Dowling summarized the state of the science of restoring sight to the blind. Everything from retinal transplants to gene therapy is transforming how we approach the science of vision. And with the advent of retinal prosthetic devices, yet another line between human and machine is blurred.
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The Goods
Each month I share a few of my likes as a fan of science, sci-fi, horror, and art.
Books - Star Wars – The Mandalorian Armor (Book 1 of The Bounty Hunter Wars) by K.W. Jeter. 1998. Available from Del Rey. "He's the most feared and successful bounty hunter in the galaxy. He is Boba Fett, and even the most hardened criminals tremble at his name. Now he faces the deadliest challenge of his infamous career--an all-out war against his most dangerous enemies." Why I like it: Okay, I'm a Star Wars fan. Maybe you aren't, and that's fine. But if you have even a passing interest in this galaxy far, far, away, then you know the name, Boba Fett. And you probably think he died in Return of the Jedi (ROTJ). News flash - he didn't die! Boba Fett will make a return in the upcoming Season 2 of The Mandalorian television series this fall, events of which take place five years after ROTJ. Want to know how Fett survived? Read this book and the other two in the trilogy, Slave Ship and Hard Merchandise. Written by the father of "steampunk," Jeter has a stark and relentless writing style. Not just for Star Wars geeks - these are good stories for any sci-fi fan.
Independent Film - Greywood's Plot (2019) by Josh Stifter (with Daniel Degnan), Flush Studios. From their website: "After finding a tape of what appears to be a monster, two friends journey into the woods to uncover if the video was a hoax." Why I like it: I was invited last night to a private online screening of this film. It's a campy but dark, black & white homage to "creature in the woods" horror films. Josh wrote, stars and directs - and does most everything else. It's a labor of love, and the result is admirable. He generates real suspense, and the filming and effects are just plain fun. The film is a surprising tale of friendship, and it takes an unexpected turn down a dark and twisted path in the last act. If you've never watched a low budget, talented, independent filmmaker at work, check out the trailer here. Josh is hoping to have it released on Amazon by July 4th.
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That's a wrap for this month's SciFiMonthly. Thanks to all for reading my stuff and sharing my stories. Stay tuned this month for more Science-Fiction-Create content.