CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

 The day before yesterday, I started a work-for-hire (WFH) project, so my routine got adjusted - which I always find hard to adapt to. So, the day before yesterday, I managed 2,000 words on what I will call WFH01. I can't share any of those. Yesterday, I reached my word minimum for that project (4,000) and then fitted in another 2,000 words on Andromeda's Pledge . Here are some of them: Words from the 10th: Andromeda's Pledge (Chapter 7):  Back on the command deck, her father bowed his head as the crew briefly applauded. “Nice work, Adriksson. Now, inform the ship we are jumping and strap down.” “Yessir,” Stanik replied, hearing the captain speaking to the pilot and engineers as he did as he’d been asked. “Ready?” Poulsson asked, as he finished the broadcast. “Ready, sir,” came the steady answer. As the pilot and engineers started the warp, the captain’s eyes drifted to his console, and the image of the skyfighters still pursuing them. Two of the small craft w...

This week’s verse moves from a science fiction poem about colony oversight to a science-fantasy poem about alien allies. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2019. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   Winged Salvation Long-lived, the Rogel call Their voices echo from the sky Migration has arrived. And we are waiting for their call, for their wingbeats’ rise and fall. The Rogel shine so bright we can see them in darkest night Their eerie song delights We rush to meet them on the sands For between us and death they stand Our shining armoured knights they swords of lightning wield for us Driving away the shades Our foes from landing’s dawn when we first came between the shadows and the sea. ---------------------------------------------------------------...

This week’s verse moves from  a poem about city traffic to a science fiction verse about colony oversight. It is taken from 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2014. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   Taking Care They live within the star-filled dark, fearing neither night nor day. They sing their songs in voices stark, teaching us their way. Teaching us their way, as tirelessly as suns, repeating every lesson until they know we’ve learned. Until they know we’ve learned just how to live and give the planet care, so that long upon this world we’ll dwell, beneath their unforgiving stare. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find the first two poetry collections at the links below - although there are plans to reissue them with more genre-appropriate co...

River’s Edge released on August 10, 2018. It is a stand-alone science-fiction short story about first contact and colonisation. What’s it About? When my mother told me to run, I ran. I ran all the way to the river and then stopped—because the river was a frightening place, and forbidden by the raiders who came to take their annual toll of settlers. Faced with the choice of being taken, or taking my chances in the river, I took a step back, and hoped that somewhere, across the river I’d find help. Here are the first 500 words of that story: River’s Edge First 500 Words I stood at the edge of the river, both feet firmly planted amidst the sweet meadow grass, the toes of my boots scant inches from the water. What would it be like, I wondered, to take that one step more? Behind me bugles rang, and I glanced back, trying to see through the cover of the trees, trying to gauge if I really had a choice about the river, or if I was honestly thinking of facing the fate roa...

Yesterday, I posted where I’d appeared as C.M. Simpson – today, I’m putting down the interviews I did as Carlie Simonsen. Here you go:     June 21, 2018 Promote Me Please: Rocky & the Raptors by Carlie Simonsen : an interview with Carlie Simonsen about the story and the characters of Rocky & the Raptors . Promote Me Please: Dear Tiger Series : an interview with Carlie Simonsen about the Letters Across Space series, and, in particular the last two volumes in that series.