Colonisation Day!

It’s with great pleasure today that I am able to announce the general availability of my debut science fiction novel Colonisation on the Kindle store!

I realise that I’d promised to launch Colonisation on March 31st; however, real life got a little in the way and I wanted not to rush the book out at the final hurdle but give it a little bit more time and make sure everything is as I’d like it. I’m a perfectionist so this took a while!

Colonisation

BUY COLONISATION ON THE KINDLE STORE UK OR US!

If you don’t have a Kindle device (they are great; buy one!) you’re not left out! You can read Colonisation using Amazon’s Kindle apps for a variety of mobile platforms!

Colonisation for Smashwords and print versions that will be sold through CreateSpace are incoming at a later date; give me a month or so to arrange those!

I’m really excited to finally get Colonisation out the door and into the hands of actual people! Please be sure to review my book or leave me feedback on my site here! I read every piece of feedback and try to respond appropriately.

UPDATE: Colonisation is undergoing another round of editing in the light of feedback and will return in a Second Edition in early 2014! Keep an eye on the site for news! :-)

Richard Holliday

April 3, 2013

Announcements, Writing

colonisation, kindle, project update, release, sci-fi

21 responses to “Colonisation Day!”

Joachim Boaz

April 4, 2013 at 4:54 am

So, if you had a few sentences to say how this is different than Kim Stanley Robinson’s epic three volume hugo winning series on colonizing Mars — Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars — what would they be? Because that was perhaps the most “realistic” colonization novel out there…. and of course, works about colonies Mars such as Martian Time-Slip by Philip K. Dick take drastically different approaches…

Reply
1. Richard Holliday
  
  April 5, 2013 at 1:06 am
  
  Hello! Can’t say I’ve heard of those books I’m afraid, however, I thank you for bringing them to my attention! I’ll definitely check them out when I get time.
  
  That said, my aim with Colonisation was to simply tell a story; I tried to keep my science based in what I knew about in the time of writing, which I feel gives my book a claustrophobic but intimate feel to it. It really helps further the plight of the protagonists knowing that at any moment their idea of safety could be punctured and death would surely follow.
  
  I’m new to writing on a (semi)-professional level so any criticism or feedback of my work is really appreciated and helpful! Cheers for taking the time to comment also! :-D
  
  Reply
  1. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 1:41 am
    
    Wow…. The most famous sci-fi novels on colonizing Mars and you haven’t even heard of them (and they won the highest sci-fi award and are well known to fans)…. Don’t know what to say — and you write sci-fi? (sorry if that sounds mean but one generally writes in a genre you know at least something about)
  2. Richard Holliday
    
    April 5, 2013 at 1:53 am
    
    That seemed a trifle condescending to be honest. I can only apologise for my lack of an encyclopaedic knowledge of a pretty narrow sun genre; again, thanks for bringing them to my attention.
    
    A good writer is a good reader and I can assure you I’ve not just dived into the sci-fi genre on a whim; I do genuinely enjoy it!
    
    I’d not have read them prior to writing my book to avoid a cross-contamination of ideas. I think my work is certainly competent enough to stand its ground. While comparisons to contemporary or similar work can be useful, they can also be somewhat counterproductive at times.
  3. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 1:57 am
    
    Well, take it as you wish….
    
    I was asking how yours different than some of the classics of the genre on the exact same theme…
    
    But as you say, “A good writer is a good reader” — well, I recommend you go through and read the Hugo Winning Novels — and no, knowledge of Kim Stanley Robinson’s famous opus is hardly encyclopedic in any shape or form. His most recent book 2312 was nominated for both the Hugo and Nebula — one of the giants of the field.
  4. Richard Holliday
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:05 am
    
    I’ll admit I played it a little safe with my first proper novel project. However seeing the summary of the Mars trilogy got my interest, is this “Colonisation” if I’d written it in 20 years?
    
    Mars books are ten a penny, yes; but just because a topic has been “done already” doesn’t mean I can’t have a crack myself. Hence, “Colonisation” exists. I hope it’s a compelling and enjoyable tale that people respond well to.
    
    In time I’ll happily revisit the topic of seeing how my work shapes up against classic contemporaries such as the Mars set. These books look like something I’d like for sure. :-D
  5. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:07 am
    
    Yeah, they’re really good if you like the topic — I prefer sci-fi written before 1980 but I’ve definitely read a lot of post-1980 works.
  6. Richard Holliday
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:14 am
    
    Awesome. Colonisation is inspired quite a lot by the granddaddy of them all – The War of the Worlds.
    
    My aim was to flip the perspective presented in WOTW and see humanity as the invaders of Mars. In the final product this isn’t hinted at as strongly as maybe I’d have liked; the project did by this stage evolve its own distinct personality that, while not quite achieving my original aim, definitely provides some enjoyment and tells a pretty cool, character-based story. :-)
    
    Sorry if I sounded a little defensive earlier; can appreciate you’re trying to help. :-)
  7. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:18 am
    
    Look, I know the genre in and out and sometimes get frustrated when people don’t know the classics — it’s completely my fault.
    
    But yeah, more than happy to provide you with resources.
    
    the best database for publication histories/cover art — (you can search by title, artist, magazine etc)
    
    http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi
    
    John Clute’s massive sci-fi encyclopedia is simply amazing as well… He probably has a multi-page entry on Mars in sci-fi
    
    http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/
    
    And lo and behold
    
    http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/mars
  8. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 1:41 am
    
    Well, my suggestion is to actually read the genre which you’re interested in writing in.
  9. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:09 am
    
    They do fall prey to the way too many characters syndrome — but are eminently readable and enjoyable.
  10. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:11 am
    
    You might find this interesting — a flickr poster who has collated a vast assortment of Mars related science fiction covers :)
    
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/44823747@N02/collections/72157630901346480/
  11. Richard Holliday
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:15 am
    
    Awesome, it’ll give me inspirations for more classic literature to immerse myself in. Thank you. :-)
  12. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:19 am
    
    The sci-fi encyclopedia entry on Mars is probably where you need to go to find out what you should read….
  13. Richard Holliday
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:23 am
    
    Heh, excellent. I suppose my “youth and relative inexperience” can only go so far as an excuse. Don’t worry, you did the right thing in bringing it to my attention.
    
    I’ve actually been interested very lately in getting into more classic works in the genre, so the resources you’ve listed will indeed prove invaluable. It’s too easy to just hit the Kindle store and download whatever’s on the top 100 or similar things. During the latter stages of the edit I let my reading lapse somewhat and I’m intent on getting back on top.
    
    Cheers again!
  14. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 5, 2013 at 2:27 am
    
    Yeah, I refuse to buy a kindle — and I’m not some anti-tech old person (only mid 20s…)
    
    But the Hugos (and the authors who won) are a good place to start. They are given to fantasy novels as well — but predominately sci-fi before the 90s.
    
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Novel
  15. Richard Holliday
    
    April 7, 2013 at 1:49 am
    
    Heh, I’m of a similar age to you yet I love my Kindle and definitely feel I’ve read more with it. From an independent author’s point of view also it’s a pretty major gamechanger. I suppose availability of your preferred works is an important issue with Kindle.
    
    One problem I’ve found with having lots of material I intent to read is that, as a quite linear-minded person, I can only read one book at a time, as I feel that splitting my attention between two narratives does neither any justice. However, I feel spurred onto enjoy a lot more classic (and new) work over the summer! :-D
  16. Joachim Boaz
    
    April 7, 2013 at 1:53 am
    
    I hate looking at screens — with so many manuscripts now digitized (I’m a medievalist) and grading on the computer etc (students often submit answers now) I spent so much time staring at the screen that I desire above all else to hold a book in my hands…. The smell of the old paperbacks, the gorgeous covers… Sitting on the couch, away from technology, with a cat and tea, the entire experience adds to my euphoria when reading a truly imaginative work of sci-fi…
Phillip Berriman

April 4, 2013 at 4:45 pm

Excellent. Really appreciate being one of the people you have dedicated this too. Of course I support you, always will Richard! Look forward to reading this on my Kindle soon! :-)

Reply
1. Richard Holliday
  
  April 5, 2013 at 1:02 am
  
  It was my pleasure to include you. Happy reading! :-D
  
  Reply
Joachim Boaz

April 5, 2013 at 1:43 am

the wikipedia entry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_trilogy

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Richard Holliday – Author