As the year draws to a close, I once again find myself reflecting back on the things that I have achieved during the last twelve months. Though this year has certainly been busier and more productive than previous years, I feel like I still could have pushed myself to accomplish more. Let's take a look at what I completed during 2017.
#1: Against Atlantis has been on my list of projects to finish since I first started working on the concept in April of 2015. Through all the craziness of 2015 (and part of 2016) I kept trying to revisit this "Steampunk Serial," but it wasn't until this year that I really pulled my boots on and got into this piece again. If you're open to some radically different, totally out-there steampunk, then you should totally check out Against Atlantis here: http://www.thunderune.com/2017/06/against-atlantis.html
#2: Another book project that came to completion this year after a long haitus was "Stealing Wings: A Novel of the Cygnus War." For those unfamiliar with The Cygnus War, it was one of my first major projects. Conceived of in 2005, the Cygnus War was a free-to-read online sci-fi series that followed the naval career of a tough-as-nails female fighter pilot named Tessa Eisenherz. In total, the series ran for almost 160 episodes (now available in an omnibus edition here: http://www.thunderune.com/2011/03/cygnus-war-omnibus-edition.html) and has spawned several novella-length sequels in the years since (Dark Salvage, Voyage of the Tereshkova, and the latest installment, Stealing Wings.) Unlike the other two sequels, which take place after The Cygnus War, Stealing Wings chronicles Tessa's life before the Navy, in the early days of the war, when her biggest concern was getting out there, off the ground and into space, to make a difference in the galaxy in any way she could, to prove, even if only to herself, that people with genetically modified ancestry are worthy of equal rights, equal treatment and equal pay. If you're new to The Cygnus War, or even if you've read everything in the series, this book makes a great place to start and ties nicely into the existing canon. Check it out here: http://www.thunderune.com/2017/09/stealing-wings.html
#3: This year also marked my foray into transgender issues, rights, activism and artistry. As part of this, I wrote two poetry books that carry transgender themes to them (check out Trans Physical Dynamics here: http://www.thunderune.com/2017/01/trans-physical-dynamics.html and Red Gender here: http://www.thunderune.com/2017/06/red-gender.html) and I've also written almost 50,000 words worth of informative and activist articles on what it means to be a transgender invidual. (You can read those on my blog here: http://www.eswynn.com/search/label/activism). I have a book in progress (utilizing these articles and some additional new material) called "A Safe Degree of Trans" which I'm hoping to complete and release in 2018.
#4: Another project I completed this year that has been on the back burner for longer than I'd like to admit was my "meat monster" short story collection entitled "Devoured From Within." This horror sci-fi book features a great deal of new, never-before-seen stories along with some that were originally published as part of magazines or book collections released by "Schlock!", Horrified Press and other publishing houses. If being eaten alive or assimilated into something against your will terrifies you, then this is the book for you. Check it out here: http://www.thunderune.com/2017/06/devoured-from-within.html
#5: I've also explored a number of new ways to express my creativity this year. Among these are about a dozen minimalist art pieces done in the style of one of my favorite artists, Patrick Nagel. I've also tinkered in leather work and dice engraving. In addition to that, I've built and painted seven new battle jackets (see them here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EllieValkyrie) and I'm currently in the process of designing and building a casual game with RPGmaker MV.
#6: Last but certainly not least is, of course, my work with Immanion Press and my contributions to Storm Constantine's Wraeththu Mythos. Though I completed the rough, initial draft for Echoes of Light and Static last year (as a Yule gift to my partner) revisions and the official launch of this second book in the Gold Country trilogy were all done during this year. The fanbase response was impressive, and many people have asked when they could expect the third book in the series. Well, as of this writing, I'm about 16,000 words into the rough, initial draft of the third and final book in the Gold Country Wraeththu series and I plan to finish it sometime this year. To read the other two books in the series, check this link: http://www.immanion-press.com/info/books.asp?authorID=127
In addition to my work on the Gold Country series, I also have a story out this year in Storm Constantine's seasonal Wraeththu anthology, "Songs To Earth and Sky." Check that one out here: http://www.immanion-press.com/info/book.asp?id=513&referer=Hp
And hey, this year I also got engaged! By late June 2018, I'll be married! I'm excited!
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