SFR Galaxy Award Winner and Giveaway

I was writing away on a B-movie story by L.K. Hatchett, so engrossed with it that I wasn't checking my social media. At some point on Friday, I decided to take a break and what do I do when I'm taking a break from writing? Jump straight on social media, lol. It's such a time sink that I try to stay away from it, but fail.

I have two twitter accounts (one for each penname) and there was a message from Pippa Jay asking, "Have you checked your FB?" on my L.K. Hatchett account. Um, no...So I hop right on over to Facebook and there's this buzz about some sort of writing awards. People waiting and posting as each round of the awards was posted. Then I see it...Then I check the blogs, find websites I didn't know about...

And, OMG, it has taken several days of "Is this really happening?" for it to finally sink in.

'The Stranger,' my short story that was published in "Tales from the SFR Brigade," has won the "Outstanding Debut Story" in the 2014 SFR Galaxy Awards. I am so excited! I am now an award-winning author!

Here is the announcement: SFR Galaxy Awards: Round Four by Laurie A. Green.

This is what it says:

Outstanding Debut Story

 

The Stanger - Kyndra  Hatch (Tales from the SFR Brigade anthology)

There are so many things to love about this short--but very powerful--SFR, the first published work by debut author Kyndra Hatch. It takes place amid a terrible war with an alien species, centering on a battle worn soldier who has sacrificed everything for her cause. This tale of survival artfully blends high stakes, suspense, mystery, heartbreak, duty, and honor in a succinct mix that completely engages, and then delivers a twist that thoroughly satisfies. The Stranger is truly an outstanding debut effort by a "Next Generation" Science Fiction Romance author.

End announcement.

I am completely floored! This story has come a long way from the story that was initially rejected. Thanks to the SFRB Anthology team, I was given the chance to revise the story with advice from published authors. Thanks to my wonderful editor, Diane Dooley, I was given the chance to make it the best story it can be.

I am embarrassed to admit that I am such a newb I didn't even know what these awards were, but I will definitely know from now on. You may be wondering too, so here's a short blurb from the SFR Galaxy Awards website and the link with more information.

"The SFR Galaxy Awards is an annual, multi-award event for science fiction romance books. Launched in 2012 by bloggers Laurie A. Green of Spacefreighters Lounge and Heather Massey of The Galaxy Express, the goal of this event is to honor a variety of standout stories."

Read more here: SFR Galaxy Awards.


This award couldn't be more timely for a special giveaway of a rare print edition of "Tales from the SFR Brigade." Of course, I'm biased, but it's such a beautiful book!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Tales From The SFR Brigade

by J.C. Cassels

Giveaway ends February 14, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

If you're not looking for more paperbacks to clutter your space, or you're a completest and want to collect both, the e-book is always free: Tales from the SFR Brigade.

Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley

"Blue Galaxy" by Diane Dooley is a very enjoyable read. Even though it was short, it didn't feel short. I found that I liked that about the story. The story was fast-paced with no overdevelopment of characters and no unnecessary descriptions in the world building. In fact, there was just the right amount of character development and world building.

The science fiction element to the story is interesting and believable. I loved the sling shot method of traveling and the story behind the testing of that. I liked the air blast method of taking showers; it definitely makes sense that water would be costly. There were a lot of very good ideas like those that tickled my sci-fi fancy just right.

Then there's the romance side, which was very fun and definitely satisfying. You get to know Javan right off the bat. Sola is more of a mystery, and I don't want to give anything away, but she surprised me in the middle to the end of the book. What she did is certainly questionable but, for whatever reason, I couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. Each one of them has a very good balance of strengths and vulnerabilities and I loved how they manipulated each other throughout the story. Again, it was very fun!

I would love to read more stories in this universe. I'm particularly interested in Destin Grady. There seemed to be more to him than what Javan thought of him. I've read the story twice now and my mind keeps wandering to what Destin's story might be...

I will definitely be reading more of Diane Dooley's work and recommend "Blue Galaxy" to anyone who loves a good romance with the bonus of it being set in science fiction.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Galaxy-ebook/dp/B004T4LQ9C