A while back, I wrote about how I had four cats, and why. Well, it’s been a while, and things have changed. I still have four cats. But different cats! Fletcher, like his brother Caisha before him, came down with cancer, and the tumor was inoperable, so we sniffled and wept as we put himContinue reading “The Current Cat Situation”
Author Archives: Michael R. Johnston
Why “Waiting to see it complete” kills careers
I belong to a group of writers who all had our debut novels (traditionally) published in 2019. NONE of us have had massive success. ALL of us–some from small publishers, like me, others from Big 5 houses like Tor Books–are basically still languishing in obscurity. Now, I haven’t read ALL of the books written byContinue reading “Why “Waiting to see it complete” kills careers”
I am Mr. Darcy
I mean, not really–except, kind of. I’m currently in the middle of teaching Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to my AP Literature students, and one of the things I’m realizing on this–counts on fingers–17th time reading this is how close to Mr. Darcy I really am in temperament. I mean, of course I’m not reallyContinue reading “I am Mr. Darcy”
The Pandemic’s Effect on (my) Book Sales
My debut, The Widening Gyre, was released in 2019. In the first two quarters of the book’s life, I sold over 1000 copies. That’s relatively good for a no-name author published by a small press. It’s gone on to sell more since. The sequel, The Blood-Dimmed Tide, was published in February 2020, just before everythingContinue reading “The Pandemic’s Effect on (my) Book Sales”
Why Backups are Important
Once, there was a writer who’d completed his first novel. It was decent. It was ready to go out, or at least as good as he could make it. And then his computer’s hard disk died. Completely. And it took the novel with it. “That’s okay,” he said. “We have a backup.” No, he didn’t.Continue reading “Why Backups are Important”
Star Trek and the Echo Chamber of ‘fandom.’
I came across an announcement that Star Trek: Picard had been renewed for a season 2 already. Attached to that article was this comment: And, well… sigh. Talk about wishful thinking. This is right up there with NeoCon talking points. This is the kind of viewer who is so ensconced in his echo chamber thatContinue reading “Star Trek and the Echo Chamber of ‘fandom.’”
Rise of Skywalker: What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Star Wars fan. I watch the movies and the shows, I read the books, I wear the costumes, I spent more money than was perhaps warranted at the time for a custom lightsaber for my costumes, I wrote a book heavily influenced by Star Wars. So how didContinue reading “Rise of Skywalker: What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like”
Rant: Self-Checkout Machines and Why I Hate Them
When self-checkout registers first showed up, I thought “This is amazing; I can check out without annoying small talk about random crap in my basket!” I happily got in line. Now? Now I hate the things. I want to like them. I want to use them. But the bloody things were programmed by enemies ofContinue reading “Rant: Self-Checkout Machines and Why I Hate Them”
Author Interview: Reese Hogan
Today I’m presenting an interview with my fellow Debut 19 author Reese Hogan. Her novel, Shrouded Loyalties, comes out August 13th from Angry Robot books. Naval officer Mila Blackwood is determined to keep her country’s most powerful secret – shrouding, the ability to traverse their planet in seconds through an alternate realm – out ofContinue reading “Author Interview: Reese Hogan”
My First Drop-in Bookstore Signing!
Today’s my birthday, and I decided that if I couldn’t get the local bookstores in my area to stock my book, I was going to go to a place that did and see it on the shelves for myself! So the family jumped into the car and drove the 65 miles to Dublin, CA, whereContinue reading “My First Drop-in Bookstore Signing!”