Starter Villain by John Scalzi is a stand-alone novel but uses a high-concept premise like two of the author’s other novels: The Kaiju Preservation Society and When the Moon Hits Your Eye. The concept for this novel is what if a supervillain passes away and leaves his evil empire to his simple drifter relative. The evil genius’s relative is his nephew, Charlie. What will Charlie do with the evil empire his uncle has left him?
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Starter Villain by John Scalzi.
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo, as a Colonial Union ambassador, must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?
Human Division by John Scalzi is the fifth book in the Old Man’s War series. The book is a series of 15 interrelated stories mainly about Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union’s B Team. Harry was a friend of John Perry, the hero of the previous novels in the series. Can the team avoid a war with the Conclave and save humanity?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
The Female Man by Joanna Russ was released in 1975, fifty years ago. Four identical women, separated by chance, come together for a reason revealed only at the end of the novel. The novel explores how their different upbringing shapes each of these women. It was disturbing and thought-provoking.
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Female Man by Joanna Russ.
In December 2025, we did not meet during the holidays at the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call. In January and February, I will write new short stories. Last year I completed the novelette version of Chemithurgy. My plan is to expand the story to novella length in 2026.
I made five posts on my Goodreads account in December 2025.
Events from December 2025.
None this month
Writing Goals for January 2026.
In January 2026, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my Writing Progress Report for January 2026.
I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in January 2026.
In January 2026, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.
In the past, I sent the stories, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.
The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.
Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025.
I plan to submit short stories in 2026.
Planned Events for January 2026.
The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 30, 2026, to February 1, 2025. The conference is located at the Novi Sheraton. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.
The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5
Introduction
Human Division by John Scalzi is the fifth book in the Old Man’s War series. The book is a series of 15 interrelated stories mainly about Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union’s B Team. Harry was a friend of John Perry, the hero of the previous novels in the series. Can the team avoid a war with the Conclave and save humanity?
Summary
The book was originally published online as 13 episodes. The episodes were collected with the addition of two more episode included.
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo as a Colonial Union ambassador must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a dark fantasy satire about the potential coming of the apocalypse. Aziraphale is an angel posing as a rare book dealer in England and Crowley is a demon living like a rock star in England. They like their lives as they are. Crowley learns about the coming of the Antichrist, so he knows the time is near, and he asks Aziraphale to help him. Can Aziraphale and Crowley avoid Armageddon and keep their comfortable lives intact?
Summary of the Novel
There are several Point of view characters in the novel.
The main characters are the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale, who first meet at the Garden of Eden.
Crowley enjoys living in England at the current time. He remembers how bad it was in the 17th century and even worse in the 14th century and is happy now.
The forces of Hell give Crowley the Antichrist to swap with the baby of an American diplomat. The swap is botched unknown to Crowley. Crowley and Aziraphale try to steer the child to avoid Armageddon. But it’s the wrong child, Warlock Dowling.
The Antichrist grows up in England as Adam Young. He and his three friends call themselves The Them. Adam grows in his power as he ages.
Anathema Device is the descendant of the witch Agnes Nutter, who wrote cryptic prophecies. Anathema with the help of Witchfinder Private Newton Pulsifer try to decipher the prophecies and avoid Armageddon.
The four horsemen of the apocalypse arrive, Death War, Famine, and Pollution. All in their human form.
Recommendation
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a great novel if you like British humor, which I do. Twisting the premise of The Omen is inspired and turning it into a comedy is gold. Aziraphale and Crowley are perfect together. The first season of the Amazon Prime Good Omens show adapted this novel. Their second proposed but unwritten novel was the basis for season two of the show. A movie is scheduled to release in early 2026 to wrap up the story. I’m looking forward to watching that to see how it ends.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
My review of American Gods by Neil Gaiman, book 1 of the American Gods series. The Old Gods have lost power. Shadow Moon is caught up in the war between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Will Shadow survive?
Link to my review of Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card. Alvin Miller is the seventh son of a seventh son which gives him special powers in this alternate history tale of America set in 1811. In American Gods and in Red Prophet, the gods are alive and interact with people.
In November 2025, I presented Chapters Seven and Eight of the novelette named Chemithurgy to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call. That completes the novelette version of the story. My plan is to expand the story to novella length in 2026.
I made five posts on my Goodreads account in November 2025.
In the past, I sent the stories, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.
The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.
Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.
Events from November 2025.
None this month
Writing Goals for December 2025.
In December 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my Writing Progress Report for December 2025.
I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in December 2025 for our next meeting in January 2026.
Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus to other short fiction magazines.
Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.
In December 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.
Planned Events for December 2025.
The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 30, 2026, to February 1, 2025. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.
The Gotham Writers Workshop held the Gotham Writers Conference 2023 as a virtual conference on August 12, 2023. I attended the conference at the Ace Hotel in New York City on October 25, 2019. I also attended the virtual conference from October 16, 2020, to October 18, 2020. On August 12, 2023, they held four presentations which I attended. On August 13, 2023, they held three pitching roundtables which I did not attend.
This is the link to the Gotham Writers Workshop, the sponsor of the event.
Dangerous Worlds: Finding the Stakes in Speculative Settings Panel with Susan Breen, George Jreije, Holley Cornetto, and Kemi Ashing-Giwa.
Resist the urge to focus on setting, instead focus on character. If not on first draft, do so in revision.
Figure out your why, the stakes, the message.
Brace for rejection, it is part of the process. Spend time researching writing queries.
Speak to yourself like you would speak to your best friend.
Don’t be too perfectionist. Get out of your own way. Be positive.
Saturday, August 12th at 12:15 PM
Story is the Story: Exploring Real Lives Through Fantastical Plots Panel with Mike Chen, Peng Shepard, Nicky Drayden, and Robert Repino.
The panel started with questions to the panel from the moderator.
How do you find inspiration? Find the quirk to your character to frame how they see the world.
What is your favorite non-protagonist character? The Amnesiac in the Book of M by Pend Shepard.
What is the most difficult part to revision? Don’t let your character off too easily. Up the conflict in the revision.
How are issues conveyed into your fiction? Using vampire blood as analogues as the idea of Universal Basic.
How did your life experiences inspire your characters? Reading and media.
What character tropes do you not want to see anymore? Post-apocalyptic cult,
Then there was a Q and A session with the audience.
How do you build your community? Writing Groups.
Do you research before or during writing? Outline the book, then research by reverse engineering the story.
How do you develop your character? Create character profiles. Listen to people talking at the coffee shop. Learn by writing fan fiction, since the world building is done.
What do you do if the agent likes your novel but says it is too long? Sometimes they are right byt not always.
Saturday, August 12th at 1:30 PM
Publishing GPS: Navigating Pre-Query Research presentation conducted by Sharon Pelletier.
Begin by creating a strong list of prospective agents. It’s not just a numbers game.
A query is a two-way street, just like a job interview.
Publishers Marketplace is a paid website with important information on agents.
Search agents at TOR. Search agents that represented similar books to yours.
Saturday, August 12th at 2:45 PM
Featured Author Interview: Ken Liu conducted by Seth Fried.
We all start out by working from models but break away as soon as you can.
Motivation comes from reading. How can I write it better?
Work hard to recheck your original idea for the story.
Push against the idea of being lazy. Find your voice.
Guard against eternal mediocrity.
Kill your Darlings. Get your butt on the chair and write.
Do what excites you. You will do better work following your muse.
Don’t focus on word count, focus on the story.
Recommendation – Conclusion
I enjoyed virtually attending the Gotham Writers Conference 2023. My star of the Con was Ken Liu because his interview was interesting and insightful. I attended the 2019 conference presentations in New York City. Then I attended the 2020 conference presentations and round table virtually. I attended the 2023 conference presentations and virtually. The conference was well worth the time invested, and I would like to attend next year including the round table.
Links
Recap for the Gotham Writers Conference 2020 from 10-16-20 to 10-18-20 sponsored by Gotham Writers Workshop. It was a virtual conference. I attended six presentations and a science fiction/fantasy pitching roundtable.
Recap for the Gotham Writers Conference in New York City, New York on October 25, 2019, sponsored by Gotham Writers Workshop. There were five panels and presentations at the conference. I did not attend on October 26, 2019, for the pitching roundtables.
I attended the Confluence Pittsburgh 2023 Conference from July 21 to 23, 2023. They held the conference at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel, 1160 Thorn Run Road, Coraopolis, PA. I also attended the conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2025. COVID-19 forced the conference to go virtual in 2020, with the event called C’monfluence, which I viewed online. The Parsec organization of Pittsburgh runs this literary science fiction, fantasy, and horror conference. The events included panels, readings, interviews, writing workshops, and filk concerts. I attended the opening ceremonies, 3 panels, and 2 concerts.
They held the Confluence Pittsburgh 2023 Conference at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport.
Confluence Pittsburgh 2023 Conference Program Guide Cover
Picture of my badge from the Confluence Pittsburgh 2023 Conference
Summary
Friday, July 21st at 5 PM
Rewriting the Future: Hopepunk, Solarpunk, and Optimistic SF panel with Ada Palmer, Vera Brook, Scot Noel, and Susan Kaye Quinn.
The panel looked at optimistic SF and how it could change the future SF images and impact our own future. The panel seeks to break the power in the hands of a few AKA the chosen one narrative. The ideal is community banding people together to elevate them. The question is does rapid social change necessarily lead to authoritarianism?
They held the panel in the Commonwealth West Room with 27 attendees. (a Full House)
Friday, July 21st at 7 PM
The Opening Ceremonies with Ada Palmer and Sassafrass
The con chair Kevin M. Hayes was the presenter. He introduced the writer Guest of Honor, Ada Palmer. He also introduced her A Capella band Sassafrass, the musical Guests of Honor. The musical programmer, Randy Hoffman detailed all the musical guests for the con.
They held the ceremonies in Ballroom 1 with 46 attendees.
Friday, July 21st at 7 PM
A Concert by Rhiannon’s Lark featuring Alyssa Yeager.
She sang twelve selections including Not Today (sung from Arya Stark’s perspective from Game of Thrones), More than just the golden bikini, and Job the armored donkey.
They held the concert in Ballroom 1 with 17 attendees.
Friday, July 21st at 7 PM
A Concert by the Triforce Quartet, a traditional string quartet (three violins and a cello) that plays videogame music.
They played ten selections including the Mandalorian Theme, a Zelda Medley, and highlights of the Lord of the Rings.
They held the concert in Ballroom 1 with 30 attendees.
Saturday, July 22nd at 10 AM
The Social Science of Worldbuilding panel with Charles Oberndorf, Mark Tiedeman, Alan Irvinbe, Marie Vibbert, and Frederic Durbin.
This panel explained how writers build economies, histories, and cultures. They talked about being careful with word choice, staying away from tropes, and how to treat dialects.
They held the panel in the Commonwealth West Room with 22 attendees.
Saturday, July 22nd at 11 AM
The Time Travel Then and Now panel with Joshua David Bellin, Stephen C. Fisher, Mihael Swanwick, and Albert Wendland
Time travel has been a staple of science fiction. Has changes in writing been due to literary reasons or evolving scientific knowledge? The issue in time travel writing is the existence of potential paradoxes. Are they parallel universes or alternate world stories? Use diagrams to keep track of your multiple worlds. The audience and the panelists gave their favorite examples of Time Travel stories. Some examples are The Door into Summer by Robert Heinlein, Kindred by Octavia Bulter, and How to Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.
They held the panel in the Commonwealth East Room with 34 attendees. (a Full House)
Recommendation – Conclusion
I’m glad I attended the Confluence Pittsburgh 2023 Conference. My star of the con was Ada Palmer. She was the writing Guest of Honor and a member of the musical Guests of Honor. I attended the opening ceremonies, 3 panels, and 2 concerts. My other highlights were the concerts by Rhiannon’s Lark and the Triforce Quartet. I also attended the conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. COVID-19 changed the conference to a virtual con named C’monfluence in 2020 which I viewed. I also attended Confluence in 2022. 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Links
Confluence Pittsburgh 2024 Conference Recap from July 26 to 28, 2024, at the Sheraton Hotel. I also attended Confluence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. I attended 2 panels, 1 reading, and a concert.
Recap for the Confluence SF Conference, Pittsburgh, on July 30, 2022, at the Sheraton. I also attended Confluence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. I attended 3 panels, two readings, an improv comedy show, a concert, and the guest of honor presentation
Recap for the Confluence SF Conference, Pittsburgh, held virtually from 10-02-20 to 10-04-20. I attended the opening ceremony, five panels, three readings, one presentation, the guest of honor presentation, and the conference breakdown.
Recap for the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh on July 27 & 28, 20, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I also attended Confluence in ‘16, ‘17, and ‘18. I attended five panels, two fiction writing workshops, and the guest of honor presentation
They held the Confluence Conference from July 27, 2018, to July 29, 2018, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended two lectures, two panels, one fiction writing seminar, one author reading, and the guest of honor presentation.
They held the Confluence Conference from August 4 to August 6, 2017, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended seven panels, one writing workshop, one author reading, and the guest of honor presentation.
Recap for the Confluence SF Conference on July 30 and July 31, 2016, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended 15 panels and the U.S.S. Improvise improv sketch comedy routine.
Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Book #3 of The Culture series.
Introduction
In Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Cheradinine Zakalwe is an operative of the Culture’s Special Circumstances group. The Culture is a human-dominated alliance that attempts to advance its position in the galaxy. Diziet Sma is Zakalwe’s handler who sends him on dangerous missions. Will Zakalwe accept a final impossible mission from her, or will he quit The Culture forever?
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.
In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human-dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human-derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?
A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parents’ spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that has communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, Book One of the Liveship Traders trilogy.
Introduction
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is the first book of Liveship Traders trilogy and book four of the Realm of the Elderlings saga. The novel follows six main plot arcs. The groups are the sailors Althea and Brashen; the Vestrit family, owners of the Liveship Vivacia; Wintrow on the Liveship Vivacia; the pirate captain Kennit and his crew; Paragon, a blinded and derelict Liveship; and a group of sea serpents traveling north. These groups interact leading to a confrontation on the Ship of Magic.
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has one point-of-view character.
Maulkin is a sea serpent. Maulkin rallies his group to go to new waters to discover their past.
Summary–Main Plot Arcs
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb has six main plot arcs.
The hot and cold romance of Althea Vestrit and Brashen Trell. They were sailors on the Liveship Vivacia and later The Reaper, a slaughter ship taking cargo from the barrens with a home port of Candletown.
Wintrow Haven (the son of Keffria Vestrit) on the Liveship Vivacia with home port of Bingtown taking on slaves at Jamaillia City. His father is Kyle Haven, the captain of the Liveship Vivacia.
Kennit is a pirate captain who turns slave ships into pirate ships under his control, but he dreams of capturing a Liveship one day. He is supported by his first mate Sorcor and his paramour Etta.
Drama in the Vestrit family in Bingtown; Ronica, daughter Keffria, and granddaughter Malta involving Rain Wild Traders and the running of the family finances. They own the Liveship Vivacia.
The Liveship Paragon, who is a derelict on Bingtown beach. Mingsley wants to cut him up for the wizardwood. Davad wants to sell him to New Traders as a working ship. Amber wants to keep him the same.
The sentient sea serpents.
Summary–Best Chapters
Five Chapters stand out in Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.
Divvytown is Chapter 4 where Kennit brings his crew to divide their spoils, he pays a visit to a bordelo to visit his favored paramour Etta, and he gets a tattoo to remind him of the sacrifices he has made in his quest to become the Pirate King.
Crimpers is Chapter 20 where Althea and Brashen are almost conscripted to another ship. Brashen tends to Althea’s injuries and things happen from there.
Plots and Perils is Chapter 22 where Etta gives Kennit an idea about how to capture a Liveship, Paragon learns of Mingsley’s plans for him, a sea serpent attacks The Reaper, Wintrow leaves the Liveship Vivacia for good, and Etta misunderstands Kennit’s feelings for her.
Candletown is Chapter 25 where the Reaper’s journey is ended at Candletown. Althea and Brashen must decide what to do next, together or apart.
A Day of Reckoning is Chapter 33 where Wintrow’s actions have gotten him to the point of no return, Malta must make a difficult decision, Kyle is put in a bad position, and Kennit is close to gaining his heart’s desire.
Recommendation
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is a fabulous start to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It is set in the same universe as the Farseer trilogy and there are a few references to those books, but no direct connections. There are many points of view characters. Each chapter has multiple points of view, though there is no head hopping.
I enjoyed the Althea and Brashen romance, Wintrow’s struggle with his past and future, and the mystery of Paragon. The Malta story wasn’t as compelling, but I see how it might be necessary for the rest of the trilogy. The Kennit story was interesting in his horribleness. Is he a protagonist or a villain? The rest of the story will tell. The sea serpents were difficult to read, but I think I know how they relate to the Liveships, so that will be important later. Overall, I loved it and will soon read The Mad Ship, Book #2 of the Liveship Traders.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.
