PSSST!
Want to get a signed copy of Alien: The Cold Forge, or perhaps Every Mountain Made Low?
Come down to the Huntsville Books-A-Million this Saturday, May 19th, 7-9pm to grab a copy!
#AlienDay Rave Reviews for THE COLD FORGE!
Happy AlienDay, everyone! My latest novel, Alien: The Cold Forge, is out–and it’s getting rave reviews! Below, you can find a rundown of all the press so far.
“[…] author Alex White has his head in the right place with The Cold Forge, crafting a story that could almost be entirely divorced from the Alien franchise but still tonally feels consistent with the films that inspired it.”
“The character interplay is what makes the story feel fresh, and not just another boilerplate tale about aliens stalking victims and Weyland-Yutani once again conducting messy experiments.”
“Alien: The Cold Forge might include all the typical tropes of an Alien story but Alex White just turns them all on their head. All of them.”
“[The Cold Forge] probably stands as one of the best Alien stories currently in print: reflecting the older traditions of writing in this universe, and harkening back to such classics as Labyrinth, Stronghold and Rogue.”
“The Cold Forge, now the tenth Alien tie-in novel, proves if anything how much of a goldmine publishers have previously missed in telling stories within the universe Ridley Scott created. Alex White’s story would make a damn fine movie in itself.”
“White gives this particular Alien story a score of various and compelling layers that help set it apart from the more traditional franchise fare, and it’s all the stronger because of it.”
“White clearly loves the Alien universe, and there are some well-thought through and described encounters between humans and Xenomorphs – including one of the best descriptions I’ve yet seen regarding the way that the aliens can fold themselves into the tightest of corners.”
Interviews
Sweet, Sweet Publicity
There it is, right there in the middle. A BIG SHIP AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE (Salvagers #1) is on a Barnes & Noble article, recommended by none other than Nicholas Eames!
Mind Meld: Our Best of 2017 Authors Tell You What Books They Can’t Wait to Read This Year
Your Shower is Awful – A Rundown
Photo by Karla Alexander on Unsplash
In case you all didn’t know, I travel a lot. In my day job, I’m a User Experience guy, and that never quite switches off. It’s my job to make products clear, empowering and delightful.
- Clear: Users can correctly intuit what to do with the system.
- Empowering: The system serves the reasonable needs of the users in a naturalistic way.
- Delightful: The system delivers unexpected delight.
I’ve discovered in my travels that, aside from forks, knives and spoons, most of our everyday objects are poorly designed. It’s almost like the manufacturers have no idea what it’s like to actually live with their products.
The humble shower faucet has more bad variations on this theme than anything else, and I’ve become a little obsessed because they’re non-electronic systems that totally suck. A shower is a two-dimensional interface (pressure/temperature), and in theory, it should be simple, right?
Have a look at some of my favorites.
Mental model mismatch: the system appears to be using one control methodology, but is using another.
I have no idea what I’m doing
Photo credit Andre Benz, Unsplash.com
Friends often send me texts: “I want to apply for this job, but I don’t fit the qualifications. Do you think I should go for it?”
That’s really similar to, “I want to write this book, but I don’t think anyone will take me seriously.”
A few years ago, I went to New York City for the first time (as an adult). I was there to celebrate my 10th anniversary with my amazing wife, and we were on our own dime. We couldn’t afford to take cabs, so it was time to learn to use the subway. We’d never done it before. Without asking anyone, we started trying to get around, checking maps and cross-referencing. Before long, we ended up in Brooklyn as we tried to hit Times Square.
For those who know New York, that’s a Super Subway Fuck Up™.
New Photos
I like taking photos. Here are some recent photos I took.
This is Kelsey Prater. She does the best Jillian Holtzmann I’ve ever seen. Don’t believe me? Go check out the rest of the album.
A VERY NICE book deal: We did it again!
Once more, I am in awe of Connor Goldsmith, who sold my three-book series, “The Salvagers,” to Orbit, a major SF publisher.
I’m extremely grateful for his help, as well as to Brit Hvide, my new editor, who sees my story with the same eyes I do. I know we’re going to make some brilliant books together.
And for those fans who loved The Gearheart, get ready! While the book isn’t in the same universe, it’s a spiritual successor. Kind of like Xenosaga to Xenogears, to quote my PS1-literate agent. If you’re ready for magic, adventure and gunfights (in space), you came to the right place!
I’ll keep you all in the loop over the coming year about our progress and when you can expect to read it. For more about the first book, go here!
When to Bar Con – A Primer
So you’re thinking of going to a con, but you’re not sure if you want to buy a ticket! Have you considered… the humble Bar Con? You could just go, get a room and hang out in the bar!
I was inspired by Piper J Drake’s excellent post on the subject, and wanted to add my own two cents. She’s seen a lot of shitty behavior in the con scene, and has some totally valid issues. That’s why I figured I’d write this primer.
There are a few good reasons to Bar Con:
A Traditional Publishing Timeline
“My book came out yesterday!”
“Oh yeah? How do you get published?”
First, you get an agent.
In 2006, I finished my first novel. I started querying. By 2007, it became clear that no one wanted it. Barbara Lowenstein sent me my first form rejection letter.
In 2009, I finished THE GEARHEART. Again, I started querying. The only real response came from Laurie McLean, then of Larsen Pomada. I met her through Philippa Ballantine.
Laurie said, in a nutshell, “Great imagination! Your craft sucks!”
I spent 3 years wasting time on that book, trying to get it right, rewriting it from scratch. I never did.
Lovely, Dark and Deep
I created this new piece for KT Bryski, an award-winning author. Have a listen!
This piece was commissioned for Six Stories, Told At Night, made possible through funding by the Ontario Arts Council.