First off, I have to toss out a quick thank you to Margret “Crashie” Treiber for helping me get the unsubscribe page working. 

          Now, welcome back to another exciting email. Since you’re such an amazing audience the nice people over at Azoth Khem Publishing have set up a lovely treat for you. Just CLICK HERE to get a free copy of Book One of The Brittle Riders. The story behind the book is almost as much fun as the book itself.

          Shortly after it was released on my birthday in 2016 it was bootlegged by a Russian website which proceeded to sell about 35,000 digital copies before we could get them to stop. Then things got odd. The Russian representative we talked to disavowed any knowledge of any wrongdoing, it’s Russia so that was expected, then noted that, since the book was in favor of equal rights, pro LGBTQIA+, anti-authoritarian, and so on, that I was in violation of Russian laws and customs and could face arrest if I ever set foot there.

          So I could go to jail for letting them steal my book. Sure, it fits my general world view. One more fun fact. They were selling their copies for $3.99 a crack when the legal version was $1.99 at that time. And, you knew this, we never saw a dime.

          Anyway, I’ve been to Russia already and have no need, or desire, to return. I can get vodka near me just fine. 

            Lord of the Rings meets Tank Girl – S. Shane Thomas. If David Brin came off a three day tequila bender and dropped acid, he would have written The Brittle Riders. After the death of every man, woman, and child on the planet things get a little weird. Apocalypses are funny that way. 

             If the FREE COPY of Book One doesn’t seem like it’s enough to sate your voracious literary appetite, you can always CLICK HERE and get the entire omnibus. Of course, you have to pay for that.

            BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

             If you want the entire trilogy, but not the omnibus, Amazon has you covered. Kind of. You can order it that way only if you live in Japan. Yes, clicking that link will take you to Amazon Japan and you can buy the trilogy with one click. Of course shipping’s going to kill you so you probably don’t want to do that.

            Because of the amount of world building in The Brittle Riders I was invited to participate in a conference about creating alternative economies. Since the conference had city planners, economics professors, government economists, and so on, they were looking for real world solutions for our world. Using science fiction writers to help achieve that goal isn’t as odd as you might think. 

            In The Brittle Riders I created two parallel, yet symbiotic, economies. A global gold standard for businesses and such, and a barter based one for local use. It’s not all boobs and bombs in my world, I do some of that thinking stuff too.

            If you’d like to dive into this some more, head over to Edge Ryders and start clicking. There are some very smart people hoping to make the world a better place.

            Don’t forget, if you or someone you loved wants McSciFi gear, we now offer over one hundred and thirty items for each design ranging from infant wear all the way up to artisan aprons. If you CLICK HERE to place an order delivery by Christmas is guaranteed. 

            Finally, I know you’re all tired of your spouses making Greek/Asian fusion dinners or whipping up a casual flaming duck l’orange. Sometimes you just need a little something that’ll keep your insides warm and your mouth happy.

            Chili McSciFi

1 lb Ground Beef (80/20)
15.5 oz Kidney beans (drained)
15.5 oz Black beans (drained)
15.5 oz Chili beans
14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes (juice included)
6 oz Tomato paste
3.75 oz Red Onion (diced small)
3 oz Mushroom (ripped small)
2 oz Min-sweet peppers (diced small)
1.5 oz diced garlic
1.25 oz Stone Mill Hot Chili Powder
2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
2 tbsp A1 (Bold and Spicy)
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Lime juice
1 tbp Chili habanero sauce
1 tbsp Habanero Chula

You can add a diced Habaneo or 2 if you wish extra heat.

All in a single pan.

Drain and rinse all the beans except the chilis. Sautee the vegetables over a medium heat for about 10 minutes or until soft. Add in all the hot sauces and spices and stir thoroughly. Then add in the meat, Worcestershire , A1, and lime, cover, stir well and let cook for another 10 minutes. Add in the beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir well, cover, and let simmer over a low/medium heat for half an hour, stirring occasionally. Pairs well with any alcohol, croutons, and shredded cheddar.

Until next week, stay safe, sane, and inside.