science fiction | CW Hawes

Good Storytelling in 2021

2021 — it was a good year for reading. I got reacquainted with old friends and met a number of new ones.

All told, I read 110 works of fiction and non-fiction. The breakdown is:

44 novels/novellas
54 novelettes/short stories
6 screenplays
6 non-fiction

Of those 110 works, 43 were by indie authors. Which makes for 39%.

Eleven storytellers stood out above the rest. Below is a brief explanation of their outstanding merits.

Matthew Cormack

The Piranha Pandemic: From Small Acorns is Cormack’s third book chronicling the events of the Piranha Pandemic. The first two are Don’t Dream It’s Over and Ganbaru.

Cormack’s strengths as a storyteller are his realistic post-apocalyptic worldbuilding, and his vividly realistic characters.

James Patterson once said about himself that he was a lousy writer, but a good storyteller.

Mr Cormack is both a good writer and a good storyteller. Quite honestly, there are few writers who can touch him. He’s that good.

James Vincett

Vincett is one of the very few writers who can give Matthew Cormack a run for his money.

Vincett’s storytelling transports us to highly imaginative worlds. He puts us into exciting space operas that we don’t want to leave.

As of now, he has 3 series going: the Hominim Union, the Independencies, and the Far Frontiers. The books in all three are fabulous. Take a look at his Amazon page.

Suffice it to say, I’ve bought and read all his books and will buy anything he publishes in the future because he knows how to tell a great story. And I love a great story, with memorable characters.

Neil Mosspark

Mr Mosspark burst on the scene a couple years ago and then vanished. Which is a shame. He’s an engaging writer. An imaginative writer. He has, though, left a number of works on Amazon — which is good for us. I recommend you get them.

His Sand Fall Trilogy is survival science fiction. Crash landed on a desert planet, can a ragtag group of humans survive when everything is against them? Very much worth your money and time to read. Pick it up on Amazon.

John F Leonard

John F Leonard tells horror stories which are subtle in nature. The spookiness and the terror hit you after the fact.

Call Drops involves a phone that works, but shouldn’t. The story is about choices and consequences. The ending will get you.

A Plague of Pages explores ownership and vengeance. Hold onto your socks.

Mr Leonard tells good stories. I look forward to reading more of his work in 2022. Pick up his books on Amazon and let them give you goosebumps.

Andy Graham

Andy Graham writes atmospheric horror. His prose is literary. And his stuff is so scary I have to be in the right frame of mind to read it.

His book A Demon Risen is terrifying. Plain and simple. It’s also the third or fourth book of his that I’ve read. And every one is terrifying. Get them at Amazon.

Just remember: his books are best read while the sun is shining.

Terry Newman

A number of years ago I read Detective Strongoak and the Case of the Dead Elf. It was a magical blend of humor, hardboiled detective fiction, and fantasy. And I loved it.

Nicely Strongoak is a dwarf. He’s also a detective and a shield for hire. And he’s one of the most fascinating characters I’ve come across in a long time. Sam Spade meet Terry Pratchett.

Last year I read The King of Elfland’s Little Sister and Dwarf Girls Don’t Dance, the latest books in the Nicely Strongoak series, and was not disappointed.

The books are hilarious, suspenseful, and engaging murder mysteries. All set in a highly imaginative fantasy world. Get over to Amazon for some super great fun.

Lisette Brodey

I’ve read 3 books by Ms Brodey, the latest being The Waiting House; which is a fine example of literary fiction blended with magical realism, humor, and a bit of fantasy.

Ms Brodey’s storytelling is characterized by the vivid and memorable characters that she tells us about. And it’s what keeps me coming back to her fiction. After all, characters are the thing. Pick up a copy of The Waiting House on Amazon.

Garrett Dennis

Port Starbird is my kind of murder mystery. The book is laid-back, cerebral, touched with humor, transports you to the world of the detective, and introduces you to a whole lot of new friends.

I was only partway through Port Starbird, the first of the Storm Ketchum mysteries, when I fell in love with the world Mr Dennis had created and bought all the books. I’m looking forward to reading more of Storm Ketchum’s world this year. And you can get in on his adventure’s via Amazon.

KD McNiven

Ms McNiven writes fast-paced action adventures. One of her most fascinating characters is Detective Brock Scanlin. He’s a hard as nails police detective, yet he’s human. All too human. And that’s what makes Blood Alley and Blood Pool so good. Climb aboard the Brock Scanlin roller coaster today.

Richard Schwindt

Richard Schwindt is no stranger to this blog. I’d buy his grocery list, his writing is that good.

In The Death of Brenda Martin he has tied together all of his various fictional worlds. Quite a feat.

Schwindt is an artist who gives us a world we can see, touch, smell, taste, and feel. He blends mystery, monsters, and real life problems with panache. Enter his world. You won’t regret it.

Caleb Pirtle III

Caleb Pirtle has been writing and telling stories his entire life — and it shows. His fingers dance across the keyboard with the grace and power of a Baryshnikov.

What is undoubtedly the most powerful novel I read in 2021 came from his genius: Last Deadly Lie. The book is a tale of lies, lust, deceit, power, and destruction.

The setting is a church community. But this is not a religious novel. It’s the story of people. People who crave power and control and what they will do to get it and exercise it — no matter the setting, no matter the cost. It’s a tale of lust and secrets and the lies that are told to mask a person’s true intentions.

Last Deadly Lie. A powerhouse of a novel. One you will not forget. Get it from Amazon if you dare.

That’s my cream of the crop for 2021. I’m eager to see what delights 2022 with reveal.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Beyond the Sea — Part 3

Last week, I took a look at 4 stories in Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground. Today, I’m taking a look at the final 4 tales that make up this marvelous collection of short fiction. So let’s begin!

The Perfect Future — Cindy Davis

Every story has a back story. Every person has a back story. Cindy Davis tells us of an episode in the lives of two brothers. The episode is an important contribution to her Zipacna series, a metaphysical journey of adventure and discovery.

“The Perfect Future” reminds me of the saying by the Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius: Life is what you make it.

Moonlight Swim — Kelly Marshall

Have you ever felt insulted to the point where you wished someone dead? I suppose we’ve all been there at some point in our lives.

But what if you could get your wish? Would you actually make it? Do some people deserve to die?

An interesting question that. And Ms. Marshall provides us with an equally interesting answer.

The Girl in the Turquoise Bikini — Linda Pirtle

Writer’s block. One thing all writers fear. For most of us it’s temporary, if it shows up at all. For a few of us it’s permanent.

Each writer has his or her own way of dealing with writer’s block. I write through it. Usually by working on a different story than the one on which I’m blocked.

For Jeb McGrierson, it took a girl showing up on his private beach wearing a turquoise bikini, along with a missing boat.

The lengths some writers will go to to start writing again!

Making Waves — CJ Peterson

Sometimes a family has something of value, usually more sentimental than monetary, that gets passed down through the generations.

Darren and his dad build a boat. Little did either one realize the role that boat would play in their family’s subsequent history. In fact, if it weren’t for the boat perhaps there wouldn’t have been a family history at all.

A touching saga of love, facilitated by a boat.

I’m proud to be a part of the Underground Authors. We value high quality fiction. Because we like reading. It is the best form of entertainment.

Pick up a copy of Beyond the Sea today and give yourself the gift of superb entertainment, and help Team Rubicon help others when disaster hits.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Beyond the Sea — Part 2

Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground is a project of the Underground Authors. We are a group of writers who place a high value on quality fiction. We seek to write it and promote it.

Beyond the Sea was an exercise in creativity. Take one picture and see what stories a dozen writers could find in it. And we found a dozen gems.

Three weeks ago, I blogged about my own contribution, and the three stories that impressed me the most.

Today, and next week, I want to share with you the remaining stories — because all the stories are good. And what’s more, maybe your favorite is one of these eight imaginative tales.

So let’s dive in!

The Diving Bits — Breakfield & Burkey

Xiamara has spent her and Judith’s savings to buy a boat. Judith is furious. The money was for their tuition to learn computers.

However, Xiamara convinces her friend they can make the money back by taking tourists out snorkeling.

But when their best laid plans meet reality, the two women end up in a heap of trouble.

A fun backstory romp in Breakfield & Burkey’s Enigma Universe.

Stranded — NE Brown

This story starts out innocently enough, but gradually you become aware that something isn’t right. And the ending? You have to read it — no spoilers here.

This is a suspense shocker that will have you trusting no one. A story I very much liked.

I’d Rather Drown — James R Callan

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself a prisoner? That’s the situation Darcy finds herself in. Prisoner of a control freak and possible psychopath. All because she accepted a drink and agreed to a game of tennis.

But she has a life, and it isn’t with her jailer! How is she going to escape Donald’s clutches?

James Callan gives us a tense thriller, brilliantly executed. A tale of escape that will have you biting your nails. I know I did!

Regi Vitam — Michael Scott Clifton

Ever wonder if anything you do ever has a good impact on someone else?

Frankie Scott was old and in poor health. He’d found a lot of talent for the Major Leagues in his day, but now he was all washed up. Just existing until his heart, lungs, or liver gave out. Just existing, that is, until Devin Ramos’ baseball breaks his window.

A heartwarming story that brought tears to my eyes.

Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground is a labor of love. All profits go to Team Rubicon to help their efforts to provide humanitarian relief when disaster strikes.

So do yourself and a lot of others a favor and pick up a copy today. You can be a good Samaritan and have fun at the same time!

Buy Beyond the Sea at Amazon

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Beyond the Sea

This past Friday was the official launch of Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground.

The concept was simple: a picture of a boat beached on a spit of sand jutting out into a lake, or a bay, or maybe the sea. Then add the imaginations of a dozen authors. And what do you get? A superbly satisfying collection of short stories.

I’m proud to be one of the 12 Underground Authors contributing to this incredible collection of tales. My story “The Boat”, is my first return trip to the post-apocalyptic world of The Rocheport Saga in 4 years. I took the opportunity to coax out of Bill Arthur a story that took place before The Morning Star, which is Book 1 of the series.

Amazon reviewer J.S. wrote of “The Boat”:

C.W. Hawes wrote a compelling short story that I didn’t want to come to an end. His words came alive and I joined in with the characters in a hair-raising survival journey in a post-apocalyptic world. Great world-building and great writing!

I’m pleased and humbled by that comment. And very glad I wasn’t a drag on the group effort! 🙂

As a reader, I was impressed with the overall quality of the stories. As can’t be helped, some were more appealing to me than others. That’s just how it is in an anthology. Not everything will please everybody. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

Nevertheless, the overall quality is high, and that should please any reader. I’m confident everyone will find a story they’ll fall in love with.

My personal favorites, the ones that especially caught my eye, were “Hemingway’s Boat” by Caleb Pirtle III, “The Encounter” by Ronald E Yates, and “Roses for Grant” by Richard Schwindt.

Pirtle’s story is a superb example of his ability to capture a time and place, people it with true to life characters, throw in a bit of mystery and romance, and come up with a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go. In the short time that I’ve known him, he’s become one of my favorite authors.

I enjoy a good science fiction yarn, and Ron Yates has uncorked a real goodie in “The Encounter”. And when it’s coupled with a touch of slowburn terror, it’s a keeper. His knowledge of Southeast Asia and history adds a strong sense of place and color to the tale.

Richard Schwindt, as readers of this blog know, is one of my favorite contemporary writers. I think I’d buy his grocery lists. His story, “Roses for Grant”, is a beautiful slice-of-life tale about an older middle-aged couple. Their memories and the mission they are on. In some ways, it reminded me of Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” in that the dialogue essentially carries the story. No narrator gets in the way of the couple on whom we are listening in.

Having written the above, I want to emphasize that there is something for everyone in Beyond the Sea — and what are my favorites may not be yours. Pick up a copy and see for yourself.

We the authors are donating the proceeds to Team Rubicon. A worthy organization. Check them out on their website.

You can pick up a copy of Beyond the Sea at Amazon. And when you do, you benefit yourself and the disaster relief efforts of Team Rubicon.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Indie April Suggestions – Part 6

James Vincett

A few years ago, I read that 3,000 new books appeared on Amazon every day. That is quite a number, and I bet it has only gone up.

The other week, someone wrote that there are 8 million books available on the Zon. Eight Million. That is absolutely incredible.

If you’re a writer, the question you’re probably asking is: how do I get people to find my books? And that is a very good question, but one I hope to address in a different post.

If you are a reader, you’re probably asking: how do I find my next good read? And that is a very good question, especially since Amazon has started polluting our search results with sponsored ads.

Nearly half of our search results aren’t search results — they’re advertising.

It is getting to the point where I don’t like searching for books on Amazon anymore. There are just too darn many ads. In fact, I’ve started searching for books on Google. And then I see where they are being sold, and often end up buying the book someplace other than Amazon. The Zon might want to take a new look at their over zealous ad pollution of book pages.

I am both a reader and a writer. And since becoming an independent author-publisher, I’ve consistently sought out those excellent books that aren’t in the top 300,000 on Amazon. And I’ve found quite a few, which I then go on to promote. Hoping they get a wider audience.

One of those serendipitous finds was James Vincett’s highly imaginative Hominin Universe.

Vincett has set three series in his future the universe. I would broadly class his books as space opera, with hefty side servings of military SF and action & adventure. And they will all wet your whistle for more.

Hominin Union

The first series is his Hominin Union trilogy, of which volumes 1 and 2 are out. They are top drawer, first class reading. He combines, space opera, military SF, political intrigue, with lots of action and adventure. Having just finished book 2, The Borrega Test, I’m champing at the bit for book 3.

This series is every bit as good as The Foundation, Star Wars, or Battlestar Galactica. Loads of characters to love and hate, and a tense storyline that has you biting your nails. I’m all in on this one.

You can find The Anuvi Incident and The Borrega Test on Amazon.

The Far Frontier

Two books are out in the episodic Far Frontier series. These are classic SF novellas of space exploration. They are very imaginative and highly inventive. Filled with curious humans, strange aliens, and fantastic worlds.

You can get Hope’s Surprise and The Dreaming Oceans of San Miguel (man, do I love that title) on Amazon.

The Independencies

This series is brand new. Slalom, Inc was just published in March. It’s a longish novelette, or shortish novella, that is the perfect vehicle for telling an ongoing story in easily digestible nuggets.

Slalom, Inc reminded me a lot of Firefly. So if you’re a Browncoat fan, I think you’ll like this first tale of The Independencies in Vincett’s Hominin Universe. And you can get Slalom, Inc at Amazon!

What I like most about James Vincett’s books, and I’ve read them all, is that they are set in a universe that pulls me in. I want to know more about it. I’m intrigued by it. A major plus is that Vincett knows how to people his universe with believable humans, near humans, and aliens.

The science incorporates classic SF tropes that are informed with current day understanding. So you get the best of both worlds: classic and modern SF. All wrapped up in a masterfully told story.

I’d love to see Vincett’s books on the big or small screen. And I’m not much of a movie or TV person!

If you read science fiction, James Vincett is an indie author you just have to meet.

Get his books, read them, and review them. Support this super indie writer. You won’t be sorry.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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For the Weekend 6

Fifty-Seven Years and Fifty-Seven More

From the guy who blew the whistle on the Watercolor-Industrial Complex, and exposed the monsters roaming Canada and the Caribbean, comes Fifty-Seven Years and Fifty-Seven More.

Yes, Richard Schwindt tells us about his travels through time past and time future. For Fifty-Seven Years and Fifty-Seven More is a memoir like no other.

After all, who but Schwindt was given the chance twice to live 57 years, starting at age 20, as a millionaire. And knowing all about his 60-something life, would he be able to do life better starting out as a 20 year old? No spoilers from me. You’ll have to read the book and see for yourself if he was successful or not.

Fifty-Seven Years and Fifty-Seven More will make you laugh, and make you cry. But most of all, the book will make you think about life — your life — and how you can live it better. And that’s very much worth the cost of admission.

But then all of Richard Schwindt’s books are worth the money and the time to read them. His fiction is top drawer entertainment, and his self-help non-fiction is drawn from his many years of experience as a social worker and therapist.

Fifty-Seven Years and Fifty-Seven More is another great addition to his oeuvre. So don’t wait. Spend a few bucks. The price is less than a Starbuck’s.

You won’t regret it! Pick it up at Amazon!

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Bookmans

Tucson has the most wonderful used bookstore. It’s called Bookmans, and this privately owned company is amazing. It’s a used book superstore.

In fact Bookmans is an Arizona treasure, with 3 locations in Tucson, 2 in Flagstaff, and 1 each in Phoenix and Mesa. The company’s been in business since 1976. Check them out at bookmans.com!

The other week I was visiting my dad who lives in Tucson, and set aside one morning to go to Bookmans. Of course I came away with some exciting new gems to add to the library.

The Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs

I like Burroughs. He knew how to write a rousing adventure yarn. In fact, he was the model many editors pointed to when advising new writers on how to write.

The Mad King is new to me and I’m looking forward to the read.

Prisoner’s Base and The Black Mountain by Rex Stout

I love the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout. In fact, the books are among the very few I re-read. Once upon a time I had the entire series. Today I’m in the process of rebuilding my collection. These two are very welcome. Very welcome indeed!

The Lost Wagon Train by Zane Grey

When a kid, I used to watch Westerns on TV. Shows such as Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, Have Gun — Will Travel, and many others. But I didn’t read Westerns until recently.

Zane Grey is still considered one of the kings among Western writers. So I added this one to my growing Western collection.

The Girl with the Deep Blue Eyes by Lawrence Block

Lawrence Block is an incredibly amazing and versatile writer. I very much like his fiction, and his books for writers are nonpareil. Block can entertain you like few others, and teach you everything you need to know about the writing game. Block delivers, so this one I added to my collection and have already started reading it.

Those were my Bookmans “purchases”. I put that in quotes because that day was my very lucky day. I was one of two winners to get my books for free! How can you not love a bookstore that gives away books?

Reading is the best entertainment. Books are portable storytellers who are always with you. I have many hundreds of physical books and over a thousand on my iPad. Plenty of stories to take me to places and times I could never visit in person.

To me, the person who does not read fiction can only experience the here and now. And as wonderful as that can be, it’s a life devoid of imagination — and that’s only half a life.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time — happy reading!

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HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard

Reading has been a huge part of my life. And quite frankly still is. Long before I developed an interest in music, I was reading.

Don’t get me wrong. I very much enjoy music. But I was a reader long before I was a music aficionado.

When I was a kid I frequently got to spend the whole day at my grandparents’s place. My grandmother used to insist that my brother and I take a nap in the afternoon. I suppose she just wanted us out of her hair for an hour or two.

I’ve never been a napper, and I used that “quiet time” to read. I’d rummage around in my uncle’s books and find something to occupy my time. Some of the books, maybe most of them, weren’t age appropriate. But they were there and nobody said I couldn’t read them.

One of the books I treasured was Groff Conklin’s Omnibus of Science Fiction. The book was published in 1952, the year I was born, and has some absolutely fabulous stories within its covers. And it was in the Omnibus where I discovered HP Lovecraft, through his story “The Color Out Of Space”; an amazing tale of sci-fi horror.

Years later, I picked up the Beagle Books reprinting of the Arkham edition of HPL’s works and discovered HPL in full.

My introduction to Robert E Howard occurred somewhat after my purchase of the Beagle HPL paperbacks in the early 1970s.

A friend of mine at the time mentioned that he thought one of the scariest stories ever written was Howard’s “Pigeons from Hell”.

Intrigued, I went out and bought the Lancer paperback The Dark Man and Others, which contains “Pigeons from Hell” and 14 other fantastic journeys into the weird.

I fell in love with Howard. “Pigeons from Hell” is not only an excellent example of Southern Gothic, it is indeed one of the spookiest stories I’ve ever read.

There is an ongoing debate as to which of the two is the real master of weird fiction. In the circles that I traveled in, Lovecraft was acknowledged as the master. However, being the iconoclast that I am, I held out for REH. My argument was that at their very best the two were equal.

However, of the two, I argued that REH was consistently better than HPL. The overall quality of Howard’s weird fiction is higher than that of Lovecraft.

I realize my position is a minority view. And I think the debate ultimately boils down to one of taste.

When Lovecraft was on top of his game, he was the master of slowburn, atmospheric weird fiction. And there is none finer.

There’s nothing slowburn about Howard. He was the quintessential man of action. His finest weird tales are replete with action.

There’s also the differences in the main characters of the two writers. Lovecraft’s narrators often exist on the edge of sanity. They are not known for their physical prowess, and are often bookish intellectuals. Even their names tend to be unknown, or little mentioned.

Howard, on the other hand, wrote about vibrant characters. Characters that were full of life. Characters, even the women, that were physically and emotionally strong. King Kull, Conan, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, Red Sonja. Perhaps this was the case because Howard wrote in series, or at least conceptualized his heroes and heroines as series characters. Lovecraft did not. His main characters for the most part make sole appearances, with the implication that they will not survive. And they don’t. We usually never see them again.

In some ways, my Pierce Mostyn series tips the hat to both of these giants of weird fiction. There is the slowburn, but there is also action. Pierce Mostyn is something of a fusion of HPL and REH. And in that perhaps he’s all CWH.

I owe a lot to HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. The two giants of weird fiction. Both have influenced my approach to the genre, and how I think it should be written. And if Pierce Mostyn comes across to readers as a fusion of those two giants, I will be very satisfied.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time, happy reading!

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Book Review: Your Arms Around Entropy

Every now and then one encounters an extraordinary author. A writer who’s a magician with his or her pen. Last year, I was very fortunate to find several such authors.

This year, with the fourth of the year over, I’ve discovered one: Brian Fatah Steele.

Thus far, I’ve read his short story collection Your Arms Around Entropy and others stories and his novel There is Darkness in Every Room. I’m currently reading his early novel In Bleed Country.

The first story I read by Steele was “Delicate Spaces”. The story that starts off Your Arms Around Entropy. I was immediately struck by his imagination. Building on the foundation of Lovecraftian cosmic horror, Steele bends the sub-genre into a shape that is uniquely his.

Sometime ago I was at an art fair in Elk River, Minnesota. I looked at what the artists were selling. There were glass artisans, potters, painters, woodworkers, the whole gamut. Out of all those artists, one jumped out at me: a potter.

His work captivated me. The miniatures were subtle in their coloration. The shapes were not exotic, but just a bit off the norm to make them unique. I bought several pieces.

It’s the same with Steele’s storytelling. It’s captivating.

Your Arms Around Entropy is a collection of a dozen stories, four appearing for the first time in the book.

A lot of people don’t like short stories. I happen to love them. The main criticism I see is that they are lacking. Lacking in story. Lacking in characterization. My response is, yes, the bad or mediocre ones are. The good ones are fabulous stories, with characters we love, or hate, or love and hate.

Steele draws superbly lifelike characters, who tell us, show us, their lives, and therein lies the tale.

Your Arms Around Entropy contains a little bit of everything. Some cosmic horror, a bit of the surreal, some straight up supernatural horror, a bit of humor. And plenty of trips to places perhaps even you can’t imagine.

My favorite story in the collection was “Bleak Mathematics”. It is a story I will probably re-read — and I don’t usually re-read books or stories. The tale is replete with interesting characters, suspenseful storytelling, Steele’s unique spin on cosmic horror, a touch of mystery, and an ending that takes a moment or two to sink in before it slaps you in the face with the horror of real reality.

I was so impressed by Your Arms Around Entropy — I bought all of Steele’s books. He really is that good.

You can read my Amazon review before you buy. Or you can just plunk down 99¢ and take twelve trips to where The Twilight Zone didn’t dare to go.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time, happy reading!

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Don’t Dream It’s Over

Good Books You Probably Never Heard Of – Part 12

Don’t Dream It’s Over by Matthew Cormack

Every now and then we all come across a stellar book. One that grabs us and resonates with us like few others have.

Don’t Dream It’s Over is a hefty post-apocalyptic novel, coming in at over 700 pages. Such a length is not my normal cup of tea. I don’t particularly like long books. Inevitably there are parts that are just plain old boring and others that are tedious at best.

So imagine my surprise when I didn’t encounter any of those negatives in Mr Cormack’s book, and it grabbed me as few others have. It was a very pleasant and welcomed surprise.

There are many types of post-apocalyptic novels. There’s the very popular zombie apocalypse and it’s aftermath. There are the prepper PA novels. The EMP novels. The pandemics. Alien invasions. Cozy catastrophes (my favorite). And the list goes on.

However, Mr Cormack’s novel isn’t so easy to categorize. It comes closest to being a cozy catastrophe. A cozy is a PA novel that focuses on rebuilding the world to make it a better place than it was before the disaster. They are essentially utopian in character.

Classic examples of the cozy catastrophe are Earth Abides and The Day of the Triffids. Terry Nation’s BBC TV series, Survivors, and the book he wrote later on, also titled Survivors, fit nicely into the cozy catastrophe category, as well.

Yet, Don’t Dream It’s Over isn’t 100% cozy catastrophe either, because there isn’t a lot of focus placed on rebuilding the world. In fact, there is an interesting section where a wise old thinker postulates that the visionaries will die out and it will be the ones who think of nothing but expansion that will survive. A touch of dystopia there.

What Don’t Dream It’s Over primarily is, is an extended character study. A character study of the narrator as he goes about his business of day-to-day survival and trying to figure out what to do with his life. Don’t Dream It’s Over is primarily a novel of self-discovery and personal growth.

Mr Cormack’s book is an engaging story. He grabs your attention, holds it, and doesn’t let it go.

The format is that of the epistolary novel, using journal entries instead of letters. What can be a difficult format, Mr Cormack handles exceedingly well. He knows how to pace the story and knows when to introduce thrills and spills to keep the narrative from getting boring.

I’ve read the book twice, and I don’t usually re-read novels. And I thoroughly enjoyed it both times.

I encourage you to buy a copy (it’s only 99¢ as of this writing and is in Kindle Unlimited). Support this fabulously talented indie author. He has another novel set in the same universe: Ganbaru. It is on my reading list.

Don’t Dream It’s Over is very highly recommended. Don’t miss this one.

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