Reading from Embers
I’m still recovering. Many thanks to all those who helped organize and execute the official Embers Book Launch.
The turnout was exceptional, with some people standing in the back of the venue. People came from all over. For a book launch. I was humbled.
We did all the standard things: First, I read from the book – just a few pages from the scene where Will discovers the extent of Feral’s injuries. If you’ve seen the cover, you know what I’m talking about here.
Then I was interviewed by the wonderful @Jane Williams. We agreed on some questions ahead of time, and then she made a show of tossing those out. Her questions were better than what we’d discussed, and it helped make my responses more spontaneous. She set everything up perfectly for the Q&A (planned for 10 minutes, went for 30). Lots of great questions, including one that was a great surprise. Here it is:
Was the character, Val, from Spark a reference to Valentine Michael Smith from Heinlein’s work, Stranger in a Strange Land.
Well done, sir. You are absolutely correct. Just for fun, here are a couple of other Easter Eggs from the series:
“Janne” stands for Just Another Neural Network Experiment and is a shout-out to Orson Scott Card’s AI, Jane, from the Ender’s Game series.
“ShaChri” is actually a blend of my daughter’s names—Shannon and Christy.
Spark Vinyards’ Finest
The Mars Climate Orbiter story relayed in Spark is true. I actually got into an argument with a member of my writing group who refused to believe that NASA could do something that stupid.
Yes, “Tiny Universe” is a reference to Disney’s “It’s a Small World” ride. Yes, I enjoy the ride but loathe the earworm that plagues me for days afterward.
Yes, lots of Star Trek references throughout the series.
After the Q&A, I retired to my table to sign books. Many thanks to Chuck Louie for helping out.
Extra thanks to Ardith “Aunt Ardi,” Shannon, and Christy for all of the help they contributed.
I’m about seventy pages into the next book. The working title is Senior Things. Hope to see you all at that launch.