Hello,

Summer has arrived here in Montreal and that means having to get my AC fixed for the third consecutive year… This time we’ve had to bite the bullet and replace the furnace and thermopump, which means weeks without AC while temperatures climb as high as 32 °C. Joy.

All the more reason for me to escape into imaginary worlds!

In this newsletter, I want to share: some thoughts on how and what I’ve been reading, a writing update and an excerpt from Apollo Cup.

How Do You Read?

When ereaders first came out, I scowled at the concept. I love everything about books and that very much included the tactile and olfactory experience of holding a physical copy. It was many years later when my girlfriend (now wife) bought me a Sony Reader. As an engineer, I regularly nerd out over gadgets, so I was excited to check it out. But even then, I was sceptical about actually using it regularly. I was wrong!

The E Ink screen blew my mind. I found it nearly indistinguishable from looking at paper, completely different from looking at a computer monitor or smartphone. Yes, I lost the touch and smell of the book, but suddenly I was able to effortlessly carry a dozen books with me wherever I went. No more finishing a book and having nothing to read until I returned home. There was no going back for me.

I’ve since upgraded my ereader a few times and I now boast a Kobo Libra 2 (they even make a colour version now). I love the blue light filtering for reading at night, the fact that it is waterproof for reading by the pool, that I can shop on it directly, and that I can benefit from free digital copies from all sorts of (usually indie) authors.

After re-reading the above, I realize that it sounds like I’m promoting the product, which wasn’t my intention. But since it is genuinely how I feel, I went ahead and added an affiliate link. Why not, right?

I’m currently reading A Healer’s Gift by Tao Wong, on my Kobo, which I got for free by signing up for his newsletter. ????

Are you an ereader fan too? Or are you a paperback loyalist?

Even More “Reading”

A few years ago, I used to have to drive from Montreal to my company’s head office in Lowell, MA every few months. I quickly discovered that listening to music for 6ish hours was not enough to keep me alert, so I decided to try an audiobook. The first one I bought was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, narrated by Wil Wheaton. I was completely engrossed and the long drive just flew by. I highly recommend it. I went on to enjoy many other audiobooks on those drives, which made a real dent in my “to read” pile.

I recently discovered that there is a Ready Player Two audiobook, so I re-listened to book one and then dove into the sequel. I liked it a lot, although perhaps not quite as much as the original. By the way, you can check out all of my book reviews on BookBub.

Have you tried out audiobooks?

Writing Update

I’ve received some highly anticipated feedback from a few close friends on Apollo Cup, so I’m incorporating that into a third draft now. This will be the version I end up sending out to beta readers. Read on for a first glimpse below!

I finished the second draft of Contested Souls: Danse Macabre Book One and sent it off to an editor. I’m expecting that back in a few weeks, after which I’ll have lots more editing to do, hopefully with the benefit of AC .

Despite these loose ends, because I can’t help myself, I’ve also been developing a few new story ideas, but they are not ready to be shared yet. So stay tuned…

Apollo Cup Teaser

James and his team stared tensely at the countdown on their ship's dashboard. His hand hovered over the control panel, his heart pounding against his chest. The numbers ticked down steadily and James shouted as he slammed the ignition button.

"BLAST OFF!"

The Defiant shook as the propulsion system came to life, spewing hot gasses out into cold space. The sudden roar of the engine reverberated through the spacecraft as it broke free from Earth's gravitational pull, hurtling toward the Moon with increasing speed. Their plan, established long before the race, was to keep the main service engine going for five consecutive minutes, a modest burn intended to balance fuel consumption and speed. 

The present challenge was determining what the other teams were doing, and reacting to it in real time. James felt a surge of exhilaration mixed with apprehension as he assumed control of the thrusters. He maneuvered the Defiant, relying on his long months of training in the simulations. Every course adjustment was calculated to be as minute as possible, conserving every bit of fuel he could without putting his ship into danger, as he navigated through the chaotic swarm of racing spacecraft.

As the Defiant surged forward into the crush of other vehicles, James found himself in the midst of a tumultuous ballet of metal and exhaust. Around him, ships jostled for position, their superheated trails weaving intricate patterns in the vacuum of space.

That’s all for now! If you’re eager for the rest, join my beta reading team!