Introduce yourself and say 'Hi'. This is the thread to say 'Hello' in (v3)!

[Richard HR Penn]

Hello All,

Years ago I started to write and found I had a knack for it. I was on a different forum back then. Unfortunately, events took me away from writing. It was a few years ago when the bug came back and I started to write again. So, what did I write? My mega novel that every new writer usually starts off with as a story! Since then I have come up with a number of other stories and I am working to get them out there on the market.

What I miss though, is the interaction with other creative people and hope this might suffice. I also hope there is opportunity here to explore short stories or other types of stories that I have no intentions of publishing. Already, what I have seen on some of the threads is good advice and discussion on the topic of writing. I look forward to participating in the forum.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

Hello All,

Years ago I started to write and found I had a knack for it. I was on a different forum back then. Unfortunately, events took me away from writing. It was a few years ago when the bug came back and I started to write again. So, what did I write? My mega novel that every new writer usually starts off with as a story! Since then I have come up with a number of other stories and I am working to get them out there on the market.

What I miss though, is the interaction with other creative people and hope this might suffice. I also hope there is opportunity here to explore short stories or other types of stories that I have no intentions of publishing. Already, what I have seen on some of the threads is good advice and discussion on the topic of writing. I look forward to participating in the forum.

Welcome to SFF World's Forums! I think you'll find some support over at the Writing Forum. There are a number of aspiring and professional authors on this site with whom you'll no doubt find things in common. There's a lot of other discussion as well, from the music you are listening to, to the last movie you watched. I look forward to seeing you in the threads!

 

[smellincoffee]

Hello, all! I'm here more for science fiction than fantasy, since LOTR and Harry Potter encompass my interest in the realm of the fantastic. I cut my SF teeth on Star Trek and Star Wars novels, which aren't really SF but still got me interested in the genre. I read the classic authors like Wells and Verne in school, of course, and in recent years have been reading more Haldeman and Heinlein. I have a marked preference for near-present SF, so I've a weakness for techno-thrillers -- again, not really SF but very close depending on the author. I'm especially interested in books on the future of the internet, machine learning/AI, and human bio-engineering.. Favorite SF author is Isaac Asimov...I've read everything by him except for End of Eternity.

I work in a library, but after six years that's proved to be more about babysitting than books, and am considering getting training in telecommunications or networking.

 

[T.K.]

Hello.

When I was younger I was never much of an avid reader. But when I was in the military I was in the sickbay for an extended period of time and one of the books they offered me to pass the time was Neuromancer which I liked a lot. ( plus it was either that or play board games against a guy who was terrible at them ) And reading The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress and Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said got me seriously interested in reading science fiction.

Recently I've started writing short stories. I think it's a format that suits me the best.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

Hello.

When I was younger I was never much of an avid reader. But when I was in the military I was in the sickbay for an extended period of time and one of the books they offered me to pass the time was Neuromancer which I liked a lot. ( plus it was either that or play board games against a guy who was terrible at them ) And reading The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress and Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said got me seriously interested in reading science fiction.

Recently I've started writing short stories. I think it's a format that suits me the best.

Welcome T.K.!

SFF World has lots to offer readers, most of the forums and reviews seem to be about books and the written word. However, there are some others dedicated to other media. I am currently involved in one where the topic of discussion is rewatching Star Trek TNG.

Since you are a writer as well, you might want to visit SFF World's Writing Forum which is home to many writers from aspiring to fully professional.

 

[Hobbit]

I work in a library, but after six years that's proved to be more about babysitting than books,

Not the first time I've heard that said, smellincoffee, Sadly. (Welcome, btw.)

 

[R.J. Pierson]

Hello! I am very happy to have found this community! I just finished my first book, but have been trying to figure out, as a new author, how to get some critiques other than those closest to me who don't really claim to be "readers". This seems like a great opportunity to see what others are working on and get some reads and advice for my first book. I'm really looking forward to paring down my time spent (wasted, really) on other internet arenas and concentrate on the places that will push me forward through writing more.

 

[Eldarin]

Heya. I just signed up, only to realise that I chose almost exactly the same username as one of the current members. Apologies to Hobbit. I think the registration page said that I wouldn't be able to change the username once I had chosen it...

 

[Hobbit]

Apologies to Hobbit.

Not needed, but thank you. You should find that it has now changed, though!

 

[inatheblue]

Hello there!
What do you do if you are a published author from another country, and looking for the publishers that take on translations, and you don't know where to start?
You hit a random forum in the internet where fandom gathers.
I'm actually a representative of a larger group of Polish (traditionally published) authors and perhaps some of You has any history of publishing out there, or at least knows someone, who knows someone, who knows where to ask. I've been to London Book Fair, but there, the publishers are not focused on SF&F at all, and it seems there is a double ghetto problem: our sf-f is not considered serious literature by our mainstream media, and yours vice versa, so going through mainstream book venues to reach your fandom seems to be something of an echo chamber.
I've tried to register on SFWA forums, but they seem to be as impermeable for a person from outside as anything else. Also, the whole agent-author issue seems to be different in the sf-f environment.
So, where to start googling/asking?

 

[Prairie_Dog]

Hello there!
What do you do if you are a published author from another country, and looking for the publishers that take on translations, and you don't know where to start?
You hit a random forum in the internet where fandom gathers.
I'm actually a representative of a larger group of Polish (traditionally published) authors and perhaps some of You has any history of publishing out there, or at least knows someone, who knows someone, who knows where to ask. I've been to London Book Fair, but there, the publishers are not focused on SF&F at all, and it seems there is a double ghetto problem: our sf-f is not considered serious literature by our mainstream media, and yours vice versa, so going through mainstream book venues to reach your fandom seems to be something of an echo chamber.
I've tried to register on SFWA forums, but they seem to be as impermeable for a person from outside as anything else. Also, the whole agent-author issue seems to be different in the sf-f environment.
So, where to start googling/asking?

Welcome inatheblue! We have a number of professional writers on the site that might be able to provide some advice. We have forums for "Writing" and the "Promotion Zone" that you might want to check into.

 

[svonglaubitz]

Hello everybody!
I'm very excited to have found a website that caters to my style of nerdiness. I'm also pleased to find a community for writers. I've been an aspiring author since I learned how to read, and now I'm finally so close to publishing my first book! It'll be great to get some motivation and advice from others who are in my shoes or more successful than me! Anyway, greatly looking forward to perusing the forums and book recommendations etc. It's easy to find comic book fantatic outlets on the internet (not as much my thing), harder to find fantasy outlets. I need more dragons in my life, always.
Nice to meet you all!
~ von G

 

[inatheblue]

Welcome inatheblue! We have a number of professional writers on the site that might be able to provide some advice. We have forums for "Writing" and the "Promotion Zone" that you might want to check into.

Thanks!
I will read up and then ask for advice.

 

[J.O'Hanley]

Hi I'm new here (obviously).

I'm a budding author and a massive fan of all sorts of genres sci-fi/fantasy/steam punk etc...

I'm a musician or rather a self styled wandering minstrel.

I'm also quite fed up with using Amazon as the main source of my book recommendations. I have been suckered by the hoards interesting looking new sci-fi books that are basically just space erotica one too many times.

Also fairly recently diagnosed as quite dyslexic and have been told my brain doesn't make sense to a lot of people.

Looking forward to some interesting discussions on here!

 

[Hobbit]

Welcome, J!

I have been suckered by the hoards interesting looking new sci-fi books that are basically just space erotica one too many times.

Oh, we get a few of those offered for scrutiny here, too.... but we usually have a more discerning bunch of readers, I think. (But then, I'm biased.... who knows what I think?)

 

[J.O'Hanley]

Welcome, J!

Oh, we get a few of those offered for scrutiny here, too.... but we usually have a more discerning bunch of readers, I think. (But then, I'm biased.... who knows what I think?)

I have nothing against space erotica in principle, it's just that the supposed sci-fi top 100 is about 60% erotica shorts most of the time so you have to really dig to get to the really good indie stuff which I know is out there!

And thanks for the warm welcome hobbit!

 

[Rocket Sheep]

Hi Hobbit and old friends. It's me again! I've been here so long I'm a secret mod! Except I'm never here, especially the last few years when I've thrown myself into writing and working and riding motorbikes around the world and not socialising online. It's a good formula because I have two novels out this year with two major publishers. Funny thing though... when I logged back in here, I got awarded like a thousand trophies. Who awarded me a thousand trophies??

 

[Hobbit]

Ah, welcome back, B! Always good to see an old face, so to speak. Of course, we are not allowed to speak of your secret modding mission.... but it is great to see you... BAAAAAACK.

 

[Rocket Sheep]

Ah, welcome back, B! Always good to see an old face, so to speak. Of course, we are not allowed to speak of your secret modding mission.... but it is great to see you... BAAAAAACK.

Yes, first rule of secret modding mission is, 'there is no modding mission', and please don't mention my old face.

 

[Nymirah]

Hello all!

I'm a nature loving, harp playing, Canadian female and I've been writing (somewhat) seriously since I was thirteen and thank heavens I've long since left those teenage years of cringe-worthy poetry, pretentious pen names and hormonally charged, angst ridden storybook characters behind!

After not so successfully trying to pursue several of what you would call "more practical" careers (you just can't push a square peg through a round hole without seriously damaging it can you?) I've decided to setup a nice home office and pursue writing full time.

I have a high fantasy saga in the works which I recently decided to restart after I was already nearly a million words in because, well, my new idea was just better (and I'm a little silly like that I suppose.) I also have an outline and plans for a short children's series that plum full of whimsy and weirdness. Past that I have quite a few ideas for some standalone fantasy and science fiction novels and I I'm feeling a little overwhelmed trying to chose where to start.

I look forward to getting to know you all better and in time hopefully receiving some rather unrestrained critique. (Don't worry, I'm a big girl, I can take it.)

In the meantime now if only I could find a way to stop overusing brackets.