Tag: Worlds Like Dust

Is this the first unprompted story written by a computer?

This was created by an iPad

While on Holiday in Spain more than a year ago now, my partner’s iPad appended a story manuscript with this at the end of the file, gradually adding to it over a period of weeks:

Lopressor
Copyright © 2013 by my partner’s iPad (Serial Number on Enquiry)
All Rights Reserved

Hello again hello hello we’re just now hello hello hello how are you doing my dear Lopressor

I named it Lopressor for copyright reasons (I want to protect the iPad!).

Just look at this masterpiece of fiction, assuming it is fiction! Not only has it constructed a full sentence but it has created a name from nowhere. Lopressor is not a name used in the work of fiction in the rest of the file. This is a completely new name. Not only has the iPad created a story, but has invented a name. It’s also interesting that the name ‘Lopressor’ is almost an anagram of ‘Processor.’ Continue reading “Is this the first unprompted story written by a computer?” →

Will Jake Nanden’s Soul Survive the Battle for Earth?

Well, the day has finally arrived. The final installment of the Iron Series is here!

Remember this? Now I can reveal the identity of the object. Below is the cover of Worlds Like Dust – Part 1. The ship with the yellow stripes in the background is the giant and formidably armed Ischian Battleship, the Lu-kshîa.

The climax of the series is called Worlds Like Dust and is published in 2 parts. The first part is published today:

Iron III - Worlds Like Dust - Part 1 cover — Iron III – Worlds Like Dust – Part 1 cover

Worlds Like Dust – Part 1 on Amazon
Worlds Like Dust – Part 1 on Smashwords
Worlds Like Dust – Part 1 Google Play

And the paperback will be available for the introductory price of $9.49 for just two weeks on Amazon.

Worlds Like Dust – Part 2 will be published shortly.

Below is the book blurb for Part 1 and below that is the book trailer video. I hope you buy a copy and let me know how you like it!

Domes now cover Earth’s big cities and soon a force field will trap Earth inside!

The jackal-headed Ischians are here! When General Jake Nanden retired from the USAC, he could never have guessed that his greatest battle was still to come. Continue reading “Will Jake Nanden’s Soul Survive the Battle for Earth?” →

Tales of Lazlo Ferran, Freelance Editor. What are yours?

Some people have asked me to write about my editing experiences so here goes:

I haven’t edited a book for another writer since Amit Bobrov’s The Journals of Raymond Brooks. Editing is a marketplace starved of money but I am determined to find more work to fund my writing.

Consequently, a few days ago I joined an editing group on LinkedIn and posted a link to my editing page and asked for feedback. It was a baptism of fire! I must say that editors are a tough bunch! They didn’t hold back and told me the page was too chatty and unprofessional. If you are looking for an editor, I think you will approve of the new page. I have reduced my rates somewhat because of the tough market conditions at the moment. However, even these prices are only a guide; I am open to negotiation. So if you are looking for an editor for your new book, please contact me. Continue reading “Tales of Lazlo Ferran, Freelance Editor. What are yours?” →

This week’s Blog – Mars Attacks!

Hot off the Press!

Hot of the press replaces previous ‘Excerpts’. It will be excerpts that I have just written; little tasters of what I am up to, but not too much. I think I can just about manage this final one from Iron III: Worlds Like Dust.

Worlds Like Dust

“Good thinking, Caron. However that still doesn’t help much. I don’t think any of us would get far … wearing a suit outside the port is gonna look pretty strange … And I don’t even speak Ischian!” After half hour deliberating they still had no decent plan. “Anyways, I am gonna get some kip. Bryant, you are on watch. Wake me in one hour. I’ll sleep on it!”

When they drifted cautiously into Dock 422 in Mars Space Port, they still had no plan beyond the inchoate one suggested by Caron. Continue reading “This week’s Blog – Mars Attacks!” →