Bill McSciFi's Blog

Way back in the land time forgot, I worked for a record company. At one point, I produced a music video for a rapper named Nemesis and his song Grief. Two announcers on BET called it “the most ghetto video ever made.” One meant it as a compliment; the other assuredly did not. I once wrote a short story that was deemed “a waste of 4000 words.” The story, George, went on to be included in an international anthology called Just a Minor Malfunction and received many positive reviews that did not note the word count. I bring this up as a reminder that not everyone is going to like what you do.

As a writer you learn to take the good with the bad. If you can’t, you end up in a rubber room watching soap operas on mute.

All of that leads us to this. I made some changes in McSciFi world. I’ll share them in detail in a moment, but you’d think I’d skinned a cat in church in front of the ladies auxiliary. Or you’d think I was a gallon of awesome sauce waiting to be poured out unto the world. Apparently, there is no middle ground.

The first thing I did was remove all references to The Brittle Riders from all new promos for Goptri of the Mists. I’m led to believe this is blasphemy. The reason is simple: people in India have been reading Goptri as a stand-alone series without any knowledge of The Brittle Riders. I feared they were missing a lot but, upon a recent re-reading, I discovered they’re not missing a thing. The books do well on their own. Now that I have you salivating in anticipation, thanks, Pavlov, allow me to share the new promotional pitch with you.

The Sanskrit word Goptri means “military governor, ruler, or protector.” It can also be translated as “secret” or “hidden.” Both meanings work in Bill McCormick’s latest trilogy. The original Goptri in the series is named Manish. His rise to power begins when an enemy ambassador shoots his wife, Arti.

Spoiler alert: she lives.

Manish becomes a very public leader, but his office is responsible for one of the most secret species in the world, one that contains the memories of the most violent human who ever lived. Discovery of their existence could start another civil war.

All of this is merely the beginning of a galaxy-spanning tale of intrigue, betrayal, and bloody retribution.

Don’t miss out.

The second thing I did was update my website. Brand new splash page, cleaner navigation, and better options for purchasing autographed works and custom gear. These two messages, one edited for spelling, from LinkedIn sum things up nicely.

“REMOVE (the new splash page) OR I’LL CALL THE POLICE AND THEY’LL BRING THE GOVERNMENT AND TAKE YOU AND YOUR UGLY FAMILY TO GITMO WHERE ALL YOU UNDESIRABLES ARE SENT ….”

… and …

“I have had the pleasure of reading some of your short stories and now find I must purchase your long form works. What a wonderfully broken view of the world you have. Thank you for sharing.”

However you feel about my stuff, you can tell me in person this Sunday, November 24, since I will be signing books and telling people how cool they are at the Rock Shop’s Lit Fest at Thorton Distillery Company located at 400 E. Margaret St, Thornton, IL. 60476 from Noon until 5:00 PM. They have homemade booze, something that is now considered posh, and an excellent menu.

Thanks for reading along. Next week, I’ll wrap up the year and introduce you to the brand-new Azoth Khem website which will also introduce you to an exciting new author I’m honored to share a publisher with.

Stay sane and safe.

Yes, I used a noun as a verb in the header. That’s what us cutting-edge writers do. We also drink our coffee black and smoke our smokes down to the filter until we are finally forced to quit smoking. Which I did in March of 2020.

Before I dive in the deep end, allow me to welcome all the new people from the Silver Dagger Book Tour. I’ve done a few of these digital tours before, but this one rocked at every level. The idea is to get eyes on your products, and this succeeded by any metric. From the hundreds of Twitter posts to the online reviews (click the prevoius link to read them all), it’s clear we have begun a new generation of Brittle Riders readers.

For all my cosplay fans, below are drawings of the Succubi from The Brittle Riders. Depending on the crowd you’re in, you may also wish to add some tasteful breast coverings. I will note that, according to the young ladies who cosplayed as Succubi a few years back, tequila can make you uncomfortably hot, and then those breast coverings must be removed.

Yes, there were pictures. No, I’m not sharing.

Also, I’m well aware that store-bought wings can run up to $500 a set. If you click this YouTube link, you’ll find a tutorial on how to make them yourself for a microscopic fraction of the cost. Bonus? You can match the wings’ color to your skin color.

As another bonus, I’ve included other images of characters from The Brittle Riders just in case wings aren’t your thing.

Never let it be said I’m not a giver.

Since the day Legends Parallel debuted back in 2016 cosplayers have been jumping in on the action. A man, his mom, and her lover have to save the multiverse. No one said this shit would be easy. The perfect series for those who think quantum physics isn’t sexy or violent enough. The provocative, wild, characters are fun to reimagine. Granted, if you want to portray Jack of Spades, you have to, as the kids say, be cut like Goku. Oshun’s dedicated dismissal of body modesty opens up a plethora of options. Her most demure costume consists of a red flower bikini. Yes, it’s an itsy bitsy, teensy weensy, red flowered bikini. That’s all she wore when walked out the door.

Marcie’s Marvels has captured the imaginations of young girls across the country. Marcie is a super-powered teen who fights the exploitation and bullying of teens wherever she can. Marcie’s Marvels is based on the life of a young girl named Marcie who killed herself after suffering endless bullying. Her mother decided to use her daughter’s tragedy to provide hope to others. With that in mind, she started the MJG Movement as a Children’s Advocacy organization dedicated to serving as a resource for children and families that are victims of sexual abuse and suicide.

If you send pics, and I hope you will, specify what I can and cannot share. Thanks for being wonderful!

Until next time, stay safe, sane, and clad in all the latest McSciFi gear.

Last weekend I appeared at the Orland Park Public Library Fantasy Con. While, financially, it was not all I’d hoped for, over twenty people signed up for my mailing list. The biggest issue turned out to be semantics. For people well versed in the etiquette of conventions, Artists’ Alley has a specific meaning. It is where you go to purchase original works by and from the creators. But if you don’t have that history, Artists’ Alley is simply a place to go and look at cool stuff. Several people picked up my books and started to walk away, thinking they were free for the taking.

That was awkward.

Since there are many new people this week, and everyone else could probably use a refresher anyway, I’ll keep this short and sweet.

I am an award-winning and critically acclaimed author of several novels, graphic novels, comic book series, and have appeared in numerous anthologies. I began writing professionally in 1986 for the Chicago Rocker Magazine in conjunction with my radio show, The Beat of Chicago on Z-95 (ABC-FM), and went on to write for several other magazines and blogs. I wrote a twisted news & science blog at WorldNewsCenter.org. It provided source material for his weekly radio show on WBIG 1280 AM, FOX!, which aired from 10/2010 to 8/2022. I am a big fan of music and this rainbow haired goddess who married me just so she could keep waking up in my bed. It’s okay. I married her right back. You can find out more about me at BillMcSciFi.com.

Awards:
Sci-Fi Editors Choice 2013- Bewildering Stories
A Letter from an Editor

Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2020 – Critters Readers Poll
SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY

Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 – Critters Readers Poll
The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)

Reviews and Press:
The Brittle Riders
Legends Parallel

Current Titles:
The Brittle Riders Trilogy
Goptri of the Mists Trilogy (3rd book being finished now)
Stuff About Things
SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY

Comics: Legends Parallel, Bob: Sins of the Son, Alokia Kaiju Hunter, Svarozic, and Ruh Roh Rangers

I know you have important stuff to do so I’ll thank you for getting this far and look forward to when we meet again.

It has been my experience, when doing little email only interviews, that things like “I like to teach Sunday School” get printed as “Bill likes to hang out with children and has no adult friends.” Oh well, I did a few more this week since a silly little book tour I signed up for has turned out to be an international kerfuffle of joy. More on that in a bit.

I have no idea what anyone is going to say, but for the next month or so I’ll be finding out. Based on what I’ve seen thus far, an admittedly small sample size, things are looking good. If all goes right I will not be creeping out an international audience of bloggers.

IF

Now that I have your attention – Oh, McNose! What are they McSaying about our beloved McSciFi – I’ll fill in the blanks. I signed up for Silver Dagger Book Tours. Maia Gomez, the lady who runs it, has a comprehensive directory of bloggers. So, if you write sci-fi like me, insert joke here; she sends your info to sci-fi bloggers. The same if you write romance. The only people who will interview you and review your book are vested in what the shirtless pool boy does with the middle-aged housewife. The more detailed the answer, the better.

Levity aside, this is the first book tour I’ve done where everyone seems intent on showcasing the best parts of me. At least those parts that won’t get me arrested in public.

If you click the link for Silver Dagger Book Tours you’ll be treated to info about the book, excerpts from it, an interview with me, and links for purchase and spiritual enhancement.

Actually, those last two are one in the same.

Knowing all that, if you’d like to get close enough to sniff a McSciFi, this is your lucky week. This Saturday, from 10 AM until 2 PM, I’ll be at the Orland Park Public Library for their annual OPPLcon Fest. While this is my first appearance there, I have to admit everyone involved has been so warm and helpful. I’m really looking forward to it. Bonus? I’ll be bringing brand new copies of Goptri of the Mists: Kitaab Do. This will be the first time in the history of time that this book can be seen in public.

Lastly, the book my wife calls “The Gateway Drug to McSciFi,” Stuff About Things, is loose in the world around you, and you should have a copy. It’s a collection of short stories, commentaries on history, and articles that formed the basis for my appearances on Ryan Gatenby’s Big Wake Up Call, which aired for over a decade on FOX Sports WBIG.

I know you’re wonderful, and some of you think I’m tolerable. That’s good enough for me. Thanks for following along, and I look forward to seeing you next time.

For all my cosplay fans, here are the Llamia & Succubi from The Brittle Riders. To make the Llamia book accurate, just add armadillo plating on the flanks. Depending on the crowd you’re in, you may also wish to add some tasteful breast coverings. I will note that, according to the young ladies who cosplayed as Succubi a few years back, tequila can make you uncomfortably hot, and then those coverings must be removed.

Yes, there were pictures. No, I’m not sharing.

Also, I’m well aware that store-bought wings can run up to $500 a set. If you click the first YouTube link below, you’ll see a tutorial on how to make them yourself for a microscopic fraction of the cost. Bonus? You can match the wings’ color to your skin color.

Another note, building the horse part of the Llamia costume is not as hard as you might think. There are numerous YouTube videos showing how. I’m attaching one that shows how to make the horse’s legs move while you walk.

Good luck cosplaying the Rangka.

Never let it be said I’m not a giver. If you send pics, and I hope you will, specify what I can and can not share. Thanks for being wonderful!

Succubus Wings: https://youtu.be/AO15_cwI4NA?si=ivuowKBhnwjpOx-f

Centaur Rear: https://youtu.be/z9bUUg89-Kc?si=SFJ6ALYsQtzelU17

I, like all smart people, belong to a group that focuses on what it’s like to be a librarian. They trade tips on how they deal with library life, the constant threats from domestic terrorists who want this or that book ripped from the shelves, how to create family friendly events on a budget, and, most important to me, how and when to hold fantasy or science fiction conventions.

As I noted on the page yesterday, I haven’t done a “pay for table” sci-fi/fantasy convention in over a year. I’ve exclusively limited myself to libraries and private venues. While my gross take is less, my net is higher since I don’t have table fees, hotel costs, restaurant food, and so on. Also, library cons are full of dedicated readers. “Pay for table” cons have a lot of looky-loos who are just there to meet the celebrity guest.

Since my landlord won’t let me pay rent with celebrity selfies, not even one of Taylor Swift, this is not beneficial to me. My wife prefers them, too, since they tend to be less stressful and more fun.

If your library wants an oversized sci-fi writer based in Chicago who’s won a couple awards to grace your library’s basement, let me know. I’ve got three more cons booked until the end of the year and couldn’t be happier.

I’ve gotten a few leads out of that, so we shall see what we shall see.

This weekend, Hadithi Sambamba Comix will be getting some serious love at the New York Comic Con. Three issues of Legends Parallel and the debut issue of Bob: Sins of the Son will be prominently featured at the Vivid Panel booth. Vivid handles the distribution of numerous titles on the East Coast, and for the NYCC they want to feature the best of the best. It’s an honor to be chosen, and I know the atomic-powered sales bunnies at Vivid will do us proud.

If you read that again, you’ll see that our distributor paid for the table. We’re just along for the ride.

on October 26, I’ll bring my magic tushy to OPPLcon: A Celebration of Pop Culture. Located inside the Orland Park Public Library, this fest will feature a wide variety of artists and authors. Unlike me, this event is family-friendly. Since I’m one of the featured authors, and people can check out my website in advance, forewarned is forearmed.

This year marks the second anniversary of the Thornton Distillary Midwest Lit Fest sponsored by Rock Shop 60430. Last year’s event was a lot of fun. Not only was one of the vendor’s a fan of mine, don’t tell me – my head will swell, but another guy drove in specifically to buy the entire Brittle Riders trilogy. I would like to encourage more people to do that.

PS, just for giggles, I worked with VEED AI to see what a succubus would look like in full flight on her way to battle. While other companies fell pathetically short, one had hre using a parachute instead of wings, VEED knocked it out of the park. Check this out and prepare to be amazed.

Given that we have an amazing tone reel, I’m not sure we need to deep dive into AI for promo materials. But it’s nice to know the option is there

I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can, and thank you for your continued support.

Hi there. Just hopping in to share some quick fun. Thanks to the nice people at Spreadshirt, you can now get Heavyweight Letterman Jackets emblazoned with the Bill McSciFi logo or the logo from Legends Parallel. These are high-quality jackets and, due to people packing on a few pounds for winter, come in sizes ranging from small to 5X. One of them should fit.

As a quick reminder, on Saturday, October 26, I’ll be appearing at OPPL Con, which is held at the ORLAND PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462. I’ll be there selling books, signing autographs, permitting selfies, and generally being that social bon vivant others pretend I am.

Lastly, as you know, we have been giving away FREE PDF COPIES of Book 1 of The Brittle Riders. Due to that, I was able to share this gem on Facebook today.

While dealing with a minor issue with Kim’s car, I fielded three emails from people who downloaded the free version of The Brittle Riders. As has been the case since the nice lady was upset to find out I am not, nor will I be, a black lesbian, there is a subset of readers who assume I’m either just like them or that I’m the right person to share all that deeply intimate stuff they’ve been hiding from their shrinks.

i.e., “You should slide in a little more BDSM.”

Yeah, “Hey, R’yune, we’re in the middle of a warzone. Did you bring the paddle?”

Maybe not.

“When that creature was covered in mud, blood and piss. Was it hot piss?”

Obviously, a plot point I missed.

And on and on it goes.

Still, it’s nice to know they’re reading it and becoming vested in the lore. There are worse things to happen to an author.

You’re all wonderful, so I’ll see you next week.

There are times when I fear for the future of the denizens of our blue dot. As you know, we’ve (Azoth Khem and I) been giving away free copies of The Brittle Riders: Book 1 in PDF format. I recently received an email that stated, “I wanted to get my free copy but saw no way to pay.” Maybe McSciFi isn’t for this person. Maybe many things aren’t for them. I hope they figure it out. They’re not on this mailing list, as far as I can tell, so I guess that makes me feel a little better.

For those of you who need to feel my warm flesh for proof of life, I have some good news. On Saturday, October 26, I’ll be appearing at OPPL Con, which is held at the ORLAND PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462. I’ll be there selling books, signing autographs, permitting selfies, and generally being that social bon vivant others pretend I am.

Some of you have asked why I italicize Kirkus Reviews. The reason is simple. It’s in their contract. If you’re attaching their name to your book, or career, you need to make their name distinct, and italics is the preferred method. I also bold it to separate it from any other text. Since I have gotten nothing but good reviews from them for SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY and The Brittle Riders: Book 1 it seems only fair that I honor their request.

This is where I get to puff up my chest and humble brag that the percentage of good reviews they issue to indie authors is miniscule, and I’m two for two. I may even put a finger on my chin and act cute. Long story short, hard work has its benefits.

So, let’s take a peek at what the universe has to say about my scribblings.

Densely packed, SF-tinged high fantasy that mildly satirizes the genre. – Kirkus Reviews

The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition) was Voted Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 at Critters.org

A very unique tone and world, reminiscent of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY meets a MAGNIFICIENT SEVEN/DIRTY DOZEN – type set up, but with a look, flavor, and lexicon all its own. – Garrick Dion – film producer

A brilliant man hosted a party. It was such a good party it culminated in the death of every man, woman, and child on the planet. That story is boring and oft told. This is not that story. This is the story of what happened next. This is what happens when Frankenstein’s monsters rule the world.

If you want to get your own FREE (I wanted to make it blink, but most email programs prevent that) PDF copy of The Brittle Riders: Book 1, just click the link and have fun.

All I ask is that you send nudes. No, wait, that’s old me. All I ask is that you leave a review, good or bad, on Amazon. When we did the upgrade and re-release of the series, they wiped our pages clean.

If none of this is enough to tempt you, then CLICK HERE to read other reviews from numerous sources, watch a tone reel aimed at potential investors, and see pretty pictures of people who have their copy.

Sorry, there are no nudes.

In the next newsletter I’ll update all the doings at Hadithi Sambamba Comix. We will be well represented around the country and in a major convention. The kind of stuff that makes me go mmmmmmmmm.

As you prepare for Halloween, my wife’s favorite holiday, I hope you manage to stay safe, sane, and avoid being kidnapped by one of the fae folk for their annual human sacrifice.