New member... military sci-fi writer

[the-isz]

John Forsberg, Michigan.

Came across this site a few weeks ago. Great resource.
I've been writing for years, primarily for commercial biz pubs. Back in 2010 I finally buckled down and started on a military sci-fi book project. February of this year I completed the first draft.

I also created a website around the project:
www.solwarone.com

The site has the first chapter, as well as a ton of background information.

If you're interested, check it out. Feedback (especially this early in the game) is always welcome.

Thanks!

[Dave]

Hi John -

Welcome to SFReader and thanks for joining!

[Mike Griffiths]

Sounds good

Have you ever read the Dorsai by Gorden Dickson? Right up there with powerful Military Sci Fi, I'd say.

Mike

[luci2also]

I agree with Dorsai being good.
I prefer David Weber's Honor Harrington series though.

[the-isz]

I had heard of Dorsai but haven't read it. Will have to check it out.

Enjoy several of weber's books. The Shiva Option was a favorite.

[Jaqhama]

Hi John

I read and write MilSF myself.

I'm more into first person, individual soldier's tales, such as the Takeshi Kovacs trilogy by Richard Morgan and the Death's Head trilogy by David Gunn.

I'm got my own completed MilSF novel on option to a couple of agents and a publisher even as I write this. The process is on-going and seemingly endless.
So much so that I've switched to writing modern day military based thrillers instead. I'm waiting to hear back from a publisher on my completed thriller as well now.

Welcome to SF reader...I trust you found the Military SF section?

Cheers: Jaq

[the-isz]

Hi Jaq,

I had not seen the military scifi section. Thanks for the heads up!

Good luck on your writing projects. I'll be finding out soon just how endless the process is, as well.

[Dave]

Jaq wrote a review of Armor, another worthy mention when it comes to mil sf.

If you're willing to stretch a bit, check out Glenn Cook's Black Company series - military fantasy and a lot of fun.

The Forever War is a classic. I prefer the original over the revised.

Old Man's War

I've heard raves for Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga, but never tried it.

The Temeraire series is set in Napoleaonic times... with dragons!

Gemmell's Legend and Lion of Macedon

[the-isz]

Armor sounds very interesting. I'll be picking that one up soon.
Old Man's and Forever War were both great. Enders Game is also one of my favs.

I've also been following the Lost Fleet series, which I've enjoyed.

[Dave]

Also Seafort Saga by David Feintush from the 90s

I actually met him at the Baltimore WorldCon, '97 I think....

[che2000]

If you want to stretch it further past The Black Company, then H. Beam Piper's Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen (sometimes known as Gunpowder God) is an excellent read - alt world sf roughly analogous to Renaissance Europe, quite grim and gritty in places particularly in terms of combat, with lots to say about the nature of religion, too.

[Dave]

I read Lord Kalvan (many) years ago - I enjoyed it.

I can't believe I forgot to mention the Horseclans books, which I've been slowly working through.

[the-isz]

I purchased the Seafort Saga yesterday and am plowing through the first book. Enjoying it, so far.

[Mike Griffiths]

I've always been a Black Company fan. Read a lot of Glenn Cook both times I was Africa for some strange reason. It fit in well.

[Dave]

After Black Company, I tried another Cook book (can't remeber the name) but couldn't get into it.... I remember the first few Black Company books being a lot better than the last few.

Along the same lines, try King's Blades books by Duncan - I enjoyed them quite a bit.