Monday, April 08, 2013

Reviews for "Ember Star"


I've been very pleased to see that Under the Ember Star has been getting some really good reviews. The latest comes from Chris La Tray over on his blog with a post called Keeping it Pulpy:  http://chrislatray.com/keeping-it-pulpy/ Thanks, Chris.

Two things I'm particularly pleased with hearing about the book is that the setting, a planet called Kelmer, is rich, and that the main character, Ginn Hollis, is believable and sympathetic. The name of the planet Kelmer comes from an amalgamation of Kenneth Bulmer, who wrote some really great sword and planet fiction under the pseudonym Alan Burt Akers. Ken also wrote a lot of SF and fantasy as well. The planet of Kelmer, though, owes more to the works of Leigh Brackett, especially her Martian stories, than to Ken's worlds. I put a lot of effort into developing the Kelmerian landscape and societies and I'm glad it seems to have paid off. 

Under the Ember Star also marks the first time I've tried a female protagonist for a long work. I knew I wanted to try it and was happy when Ginn Hollis leaped into my mind. She seemed just right for the setting and background, and I definitely want to tell more stories about her. I'm glad she seems to be resonating with readers.

Here's a (hopefully) funny ad I cooked up for Under the Ember Star

FIRST CONTACT!  I’m sure you’ve heard of SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.  Well, NASA has a new project out now called SETG, the Search for Extraterrestrial Gramlich. Even though they have been working on a shoestring budget of Cheetos and Beer, they got a hit in their first week of operation.  Less than a light year away, they discovered a novella by a “Charles Allen Gramlich” entitled Under the Ember Star.  Both a print version and an electronic version of the work have been detected using sophisticated infrared scanners and a fine toothed comb .  On the Beat for NASA, it’s Graham Charleston reporting for the Deerhaven Excalibur.  Remember, NASA owns space!

If you're interested in reading Under the Ember Star, it is in print (as a double with a military SF novel by Mark Burgess) and in ebook. Both are available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

30 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Charles!
My second book was my first attempt at a female main character. They aren't easy.

jodi said...

How very cool and creative Charles! Gin Hollis is a great name!

Tom Doolan said...

Very cool, ideed! I must buy this soon. Probably in print so I can get the twofer. :)

Adventuresfantastic said...

I'm glad to hear you want to write more about Gin, because I want to read more about her.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I love writing male characters. It just feels right sometimes. Not sure if it works for a reader but I enjoy it.

BernardL said...

Good one! Add that to the inside the jacket comments, Graham. :)

Travis Erwin said...

I haven't picked this one up yet Charles but I will remedy that asap.

Aimlesswriter said...

Very kool! I love it.

Charles Gramlich said...

Alex, thankee. Yes, tough, but fun writing a female protagonist.

Jodi, that was the hardest part of developing that character, coming up with the name. I knew I wanted Ginn but had a hard time finding something that seemed to go with it.

Tom, Battle for Eden has also been getting good reviews. I know I enjoyed it.

Keith, thanks. I think my next Ginn project will be a short story before I go back to the longer lengths. but I don't have the idea clearly in mind yet.

Patti, I enjoyed this. I've been cautious of it for fear I'd step on toes and it wouldn't be well received.

Bernard, thumbs up!

Travis Erwin, hope you enjoy, man.

Aimless writer, thanks, I appreciate that.

Cloudia said...

Nicely done as always, Charles. I'm taking notes for my future efforts.....



Aloha, author

Merisi said...

Congratulations on the good reviews!
You ad is hilarious, can't be beat.
Btw, I always thought that NASA own Space. ;-)

Merisi said...

The cover picture is fantastic!

ivan said...

Oh,

A definite "like."

Lisa said...

Congratulations Charles. I kinda miss Graham Charleston.

Charles, I apologised for choosing that template that made it hard to comment. I have opened up the blog in a better template.

Charles Gramlich said...

Cloudia, you're very kind.

Merisi, have you watched Trailer Park boys? Yes, the cover is excellent.

Riot Kitty, thanks much!

Ivan, thanks, man.

Lisa, yeah, I couldn't figure it out except to reply on someone elses's comment.

laughingwolf said...

wonderfulness :)

Charles Gramlich said...

Laughingwolf, thankee, man

Oscar Case said...

Like to cover, it looks like the mountains around Phoenix yesterday after the wind blew all day. Enjoyed the ad, too.

Oscar Case said...

Liked THE cover, etc.

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations on the positive reviews!

I love the ad.

Ron Scheer said...

Well done, sir. Ursula Le Guin had an interesting experiment with gender in THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by having a planet of humanoids whose gender would change from time to time.

sage said...

Congratulations and if I ever need to bribe you, I'll remember Cheetos and beer!

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Charles, I'm sure the good reviews are going to boost sales of UNDER THE EMBER STAR and I liked your ad a lot — it is, indeed, funny! It should go on your Amazon page.

Erik Donald France said...

Excellent ~ and kewl ~ cheers ~!

Charles Gramlich said...

Oscar, yes, I like it very much myself.

Golden Eagle, thanks!

Ron Scheer, the gender thing gave me fits in writing the story but it was an interesting challenge that I enjoyed.

Sage, Cheezits are preferred even. :)

Prashant, I need to think of ways to get those ads further exposure.

Erik, thankee.

SzélsőFa said...

congratulations on the review!

Charles Gramlich said...

Szelsofa, thanks!

Travis Cody said...

That's a clever ad for the book. Made me laugh.

Charles Gramlich said...

Travis Cody, thanks, man!

Ron Scheer said...

I always appreciate the care that goes into the cover design of your books. This one is especially evocative, exciting the imagination. It will bring you lots of new readers.