The Gates to the Galaxies: The Dead Ship by J. Dalton

1/3/2026

Multi-volume, multi-genre author John Dalton introduces us to “The Dead Ship” part of his series: The Gates to the Galaxies:”
Traveling through the vast nothingness of space, Jessie never expected her ship to hit a dead body, let alone that of a giant.
But, when it does, it sets in motion a series of events that Jessie, Patrick, Kreig and Amanda will never forget.
The body bouncing off their ship’s shields is just the first clue to them finding an ancient wounded ship, floating aimlessly in space. It’s crew of giant beings, all dead for centuries.
Everyone thinks it would be a good idea to bring the dead ship back to life.
Everyone that is except Kreig.
Kreig thinks bad things will happen if they mess with the dead.

He may be right…

This is such a fun story! I loved the variety of characters and species. One of my favorite characters was Kreig. His blatant honesty and deep feelings were a nice surprise! Proving that you can't judge a character by their looks or vocabulary.
I don't give spoilers, but I will say that an innocent fender bender turns into something bigger than anyone would have thought.
Get ready for an exciting trip with some nice twists for the readers, but not necessarily for the crews. I award four point five stars because I am picky about certain things.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Gates-Galaxies-Dead-Ship-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-gates-to-the-galaxies-the dead-ship

You can connect with the author:
https://x.com/JDaltonAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/j-dalton-author

In October of 2023, my wife was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of lung cancer that had spread to her bones. The doctors gave her three months to live.
On Christmas Eve, she went in for a nap and when I went in to check on her, she was lying crossways on the bed and couldn't move or speak.
She was rushed to the hospital, where they finally discovered the cancer had messed up her electrolytes. Three days later, the insurance company told the hospital they wouldn't continue to pay for her care if she wasn't getting treatment, and we had to take her home. There were no beds available in any nursing home or any nurses available for home care. So, for three days, my son, daughter and I took turns sleeping on the floor so she wouldn't fall if she tried to get out of bed.
How do you, as an individual, take care of a terminally ill person who needs around-the-clock care?
Then, we found Charlotte House, or rather through friends on Facebook, they found us. They came to our house and did an interview, then made arrangements with our doctors to transfer their care to them.
They couldn't save my wife, but they saved our family.

I can never repay the love and care they gave to us all, but I have dedicated all the royalties and signed-book fees I get for my books to support them and "Pay it Forward" for others in need.
They have truly become part of my family.
My Mafia, so to speak.

Charlotte House is a comfort care home, located in Wyoming County, N.Y., for individuals who are diagnosed as terminal with less than (3) months to live. Residents at Charlotte House receive quality care and support from staff, family and trained volunteers.
There is never a charge to a resident or their family for resident care thanks to the support of a wonderful community and generous donors. Charlotte House is completely supported by fundraisers, donations, grants, memorials and bequests. A large portion of care is provided by community members that donate their time. Without this support, Charlotte House could not exist.

Interested people can also get free autographed copies when they make a donation to charity by emailing me: [email protected].
I will give them instructions on how they can make the donations. I pay postage anywhere inside the continental US.

J Dalton

Copyright © 2026 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction and the charity statement.

75 Comments

J. Dalton

1/5/2026 10:05:47 am

Good morning Mark. Hope your day is going well.

Mark

1/5/2026 10:28:40 am

Good morning to you, John. My day has started well.

First question.

Please tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

1/5/2026 10:39:50 am

Good question Mark.

I love the snow. I used to ski, until I wrecked my knee doing that, but I have been a snowmobiler since 1969! I have two older sleds, one for me and one for my kids and grandkids to use.

I love giving back, especially for kids.

If I get involved in something, I go all in.

1/5/2026 12:30:53 pm

I do think I'm a decent person. After all, dogs, cats and most babies seem to like me when we first meet.

1/5/2026 12:52:17 pm

There is no doubt in my mind about you being a good man! You most certainly are a good man!

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Mostly on a small, non-working farm of 35 acres on the side of a small mountain. I enjoyed winter activities a lot. In my college years, I learned cross-country skiing. I really enjoyed it and never got around to downhill skiing.

New questions.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?

What kind of work do you do if you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question if you would rather not answer.

1/5/2026 01:17:22 pm

After being diagnosed with Leukemia, I was forced to retire.

As for being a full or part time writer, I consider myself what I call a dream writer.

All my stories come to me in my dreams. They play out just like watching a full color movie, one or two chapters a night.

I see each character pretty close to what I've done with creating them in my books, and they each have their own accents and quirks.

I just wake up and write what I saw.

That being said, Sometimes the dreams come to me night after night after night like my book, "The Phoenix Experiment!" where it only took me thirty days to write.

Then, there are times where I start out like gangbusters, then nothing for six or seven months like "Planet of Diamonds".

I've learned for me, it makes no sense to try and force it. That's when I waste my time by writing junk that just gets cut.

When the story comes to me, it comes to me and I trust that process.

I'm seven chapters into my latest WIP, and haven't written anything in four months. I know it will happen., just not when.

I couldn't work under a deadline like some other authors, and that's OK.

1/5/2026 02:42:05 pm

I haven't heard the term "dream writer" before, but it makes a lot of sense in your case. Every writer has to develop their style of writing, including where or how they find inspiration for their stories. Your method works well for you.

New question.

Do you work on other projects while waiting for the next dream to continue the current WIP? This is something I have recommended to many authors to maintain contact with their muse.

If you don't work on other projects, what do you do?

1/5/2026 04:05:13 pm

I have three friends from a writing group I belong to that are new to writing, and I'm trying to help them as a beta reader, plot hole fixer and amateur editor.(Emphasis on amateur!)

I have gotten one of them published on Amazon. (Robert Vossler's book, "My Stories, from my mind to yours). and I am trying to complete a half finished murder-mystery a friend gave to me. This is harder than I thought as it's so far out of my genre. Trying to write without dreaming about the story is really different for me. What he's written is very good, but he has no idea where he wanted the story to go when he gave it to me. I may have to go back and insert a chapter or two just to give it somewhere to go.

1/5/2026 04:51:05 pm

In my previous career in construction, I was a journeyman sheet metal worker and HVAC technician. I had apprentices with me most of the time. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge.

You are the journeyman with three apprentices. It sounds like you are doing a good job. Even a journeyman has things that can be learned, as you discovered. I found that out also. I never knew it all.

Dreaming your stories sounds easier than plotting out a story. Consider outlining the murder-mystery if that isn't already done. It will give you a bird's-eye view of the story, and it might be easier to deal with. If nothing else, it will be easier to find things in the story with an outline.

New questions.

What are your three favorite genres to read for pleasure?

Has writing changed the pleasure of reading for you?

J. Dalton link

1/5/2026 06:04:19 pm

Obviously, Science Fiction. Then murder mysteries. I grew up with horses, so I also like westerns.

Being a writer does make a difference now when I read. I often think to myself, why did they say it that way, and not like this. Are they setting this scene up for something later, or is it going to happen now? (It's very aggravating and distracting). I have to remember to just sit back and enjoy the story as it's written and not think like a beta reader. When I do that, I do enjoy most books I read.

I've also found I think a lot about how different writers pace their stories.

I've tried to tweak my writing to do the things I find I enjoy from other authors, like never let your characters catch their breath, and to make them seem more human, (or in some cases alien) by having to do normal things like go to the bathroom or eat.

1/5/2026 07:14:17 pm

Science fiction was and is my first favorite genre. I discovered fantasy in high school, when I was given a paperback set of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. I read the set three times before graduating from high school. I read The Hobbit twice, I think. That cemented fantasy as my second favorite genre. Now, historical fiction is third and cozy mystery is fourth.

Many authors report that reading enjoyment is diminished because they find themselves analyzing the book. They and you want to improve your writing craft.

New questions.

Why do you write?

Do you also journal?

1/5/2026 07:33:04 pm

When I was diagnosed with Leukemia in August of 2016, I was told I probably wouldn't make it to Christmas.

I wanted to leave something for my kids and grandkids to remember me by, so I wrote a little story I originally called, "The Gates to the Galaxies!"

I included my grandkids as characters in that story, and when I finished, I realized I liked doing it,, A lot. (I have since re-named the book, "An Unexpected Trip Through Time and Space" so I could use the original title for the first book I wrote for me and then use it as the series tag.

Now, I have these stories that come to me and I have to get them out of my head and onto paper. It's like I have to share them with someone, or I will explode. (I know. It's the damn Grey aliens messing with my head again)

I don't journal. There's too many thoughts floating around inside my head for me to start putting those down on paper too! I do however, sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and jot down a phrase or two I want to include in my book. I did that last night. I don't know where I'll use it, but it will show up, somewhere in this next book.

1/5/2026 08:11:01 pm

Leukemia is dreadful! My wife had it in the 90s; we lived in Portland, Oregon, at the time. She qualified for a study of an experimental drug and came through it cured. A year or so later, Gleevic was announced as a cure for certain types of leukemia by Oregon Health Sciences University, in Portland. We couldn't find out if that was the drug in her study. But, when it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....

Many authors have replied similarly; they MUST write! If nothing else, it quiets the voices in their head for a little while.

New questions.

How has writing changed your life?

Does your work, past or present, have any influence on your writing?

1/5/2026 08:29:07 pm

You ask how has writing changed my life?

Well, for one thing, I listen much more closely to the way people talk. Not just their words, but the pace with which the words come out. I think that has made me a better writer, and I'm trying to point that out to my new writers I'm trying to help.

No one (except Data in Star Trek) talks perfectly. We all use contractions and often clip words when we speak. When I write speaking parts for my character Kreig, I have to remember he comes from an underdeveloped planet, similar in progress to the dark ages here on Earth. He is learning the English language, and has a universal translator embedded behind his left ear, but he still struggles to speak the language fluently. I hear him in my dreams speaking like this, but I sometimes have to go back and re-write his words the way he said them in my dream, not the way someone else would say them.

I now look for vendor shows near me, where in the past, I would never go with my wife to any of them. They are my biggest and best opportunity for book transactions, and by transactions I mean I give my books away for free when someone makes a donation to charity.

I now go to open mike nights and read excerpts of my books to the audience. I think this all has brought me out of myself much more than before.

As for my work having an influence in my writing, yes. There are some aspects of my former work that have slipped into my stories. Those who know me, know what parts, but I'll never tell. I have to keep some secrets, don't I?

1/6/2026 08:57:10 am

Writing has benefitted you in multiple ways. Comic cons, book fairs and other events that foster personal contact are great fun! I love attending them to meet authors. I always enjoy talking about books.

Many writers have told me they are now keen observers of people and conversations. You are not alone in that matter.

Kreig is a wonderful character and a perfect foil. I don't think it will be more than a few years before implantable translators become a reality.

An open mic night is a great idea!

Every author gets to hold secrets close.

New question.

What did you believe about writing in the past that you now know is false?

1/6/2026 09:19:39 am

As an indie author, I thought once you published your book and a few people read it, it would sell itself. I NEVER realized how hard it is to market your work. It is a constant, every day job that at times seems like it will never work.

Then, that sale comes, and your joy returns.

On the plus side, I never thought the four and five star reviews would give me so much joy. It's a special feeling when someone reads your book and falls in love with it.

1/6/2026 10:55:58 am

That reality is a shock for nearly every author! Whether self-published or traditionally published at some level. Unless you are one of the top authors in the world, like King, Rowling or Patterson, an author will be responsible for marketing and promoting their book. Traditional publishing has undergone years of industry-wide contraction. There are only five big publishers in America, where there used to be at least two dozen. So many publishers have closed or been bought by a competitor.

Congratulations! You are the owner of a small business.

Good reviews are wonderful! They go a long way to bolster the determination to keep writing for many authors.

New questions.

Who was the first person to inspire you to write something to publish?

What inspired you to write this book?

1/6/2026 11:40:26 am

I suppose this is a strange answer to your question, but my Oncologist inspired me to write the first story after she told me I would most likely not make it.

That inspired the book I wrote for my grandkids, ("An unexpected trip through time and space") where I included them as characters in the story. I never intended for that book to be anything other than a book of memories just for them, but it has sold several dozen copies with very little marketing on my part.

As for "The Dead Ship", I have no idea where that story came from other than my dreams. I make jokes all the time about the aliens messaging me through their telepathic thoughts, but who really knows? I'm as baffled by where these stories come from as anyone.

What I do know, is when they come, I have to get them down and out of my head.

1/6/2026 03:57:32 pm

A sentence of death approaching can be a great motivator. You were propelled into a new adventure. Your fans are grateful you answered the call and that you beat the cancer.

Inspiration comes from many different places, it seems. You may never know where those dreams come from. Knowing they have provided entertainment for a lot of people must be gratifying.

New questions.

Will you keep writing in the genre or will you branch out?

Have you ever seen a UFO or UAP, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?

1/6/2026 04:21:01 pm

I love Sci-Fi because my mind can make up things that aren't real yet, and I don't have to do a lot of research to determine if it's possible.

I remember someone telling me, if you make it seem possible, it is.

As for writing in a different genre, I'm not sure. My writing group did a round robin book, (What Really Happened to Billy Hannigan) where I started the first chapter, and each author then wrote the next chapter in sequence with no set outline. Just write what you think should happen next. This was so much fun and was a mixture of western, mystery and sci-fi. I think I could branch out into something like that at some time.

Have I ever actually seen a UFO or UAP? The answer is no.

That doesn't mean I don't believe in them. With billions of suns and billions of moons and planets in the universe, many of them billions of years older than our planet, how can you not consider the possibility of other life forms out there.

Also, when brilliant scientists like Einstein propose the possibility of a Einstein-Rosen bridge in space, (what we now call wormholes), the possibilities for extra terrestrial life make more sense.

As we see intergalactic objects race by Earth, it makes me think of the theory of trans-spermia, where intelligent life from out there are intentionally sending microscopic life forms to earth on meteors and comets. The Octopus is a possible example of that. A creature with nine brains, (one in it's head and one in each of it's tentacles) who can change colors at will and who's DNA has no relationship to any other species on earth.

I love stuff like that. It makes you think. Really think about what could be out there, and to me, that's exciting.

1/6/2026 05:27:43 pm

That Hannigan book sounds like it was fun to write.

I have done round-robin stories with two of my younger granddaughters. After several rounds, the youngest always wanted to go back and change something important. Since they got their cell phones, they have lost interest in storytelling.

My sisters told me we saw a UFO when we were kids, but I have no memory of that event.

I knew that an octopus has nine brains; their ability to camouflage themselves is extraordinary.

New questions.

Have you ever seen a cryptid, an animal unknown to modern zoologists, or found evidence of one?

Have you ever seen a ghost or had some other type of supernatural experience?

1/6/2026 06:57:11 pm

Cryptids are not something I have seen in real life, although I do create them in my stories like my Sci-Fi trilogy, "The Tales of Mordratha!". Mordratha is the Queen of the Rakshesha, the eaters of man. She was once a cute little 8-year old girl who was exposed to alien spores and she and her mother changed. They are now similar to a flying ant, but human size. They continue to show up in my follow up stories.

As far as seeing a ghost, I believe I have. In what is now the Historical Society's building, there is a suspected ghost who inhabits that building. I was outside the building one day and saw the curtain of an upstairs window move, and a figure appeared in the window. No one was in the building.

When my father passed away, we were trying to find some important papers. We had looked for days and found nothing. One night, my mother, who had been gone for five years, appeared to me in my bedroom at the foot of my bed and told me where to look. Sure enough, the paperwork was exactly where she said it would be.

Why couldn't there be another dimension where our soul goes after we die. Scientists have done experiments with people on their death beds where they lose weight moments after they pass. What was that added weight, and where did it go?

Call me weird, but I believe there are other planes of existence.

1/7/2026 09:09:43 am

Many have seen ghosts. I have seen figures in windows, but I don't know if anyone was in the building or not.

Lucky you! Finding those papers certainly took a miracle of one kind or another.

We know so little about this plane of existence, and even less about other planes. Even the Bible doesn't shed much light on the afterlife.

New question.

How many drafts did your book go through before publishing?

1/7/2026 09:25:18 am

That's a hard question to answer.

When I write from my dreams, it's usually one or two chapters a day, so I let the computer read back what I have written after each session, then make a few changes. After I send it to my betas, there are usually a couple of minor changes each one has suggested, so there is that.

I don't think I could honestly say there are any "drafts" to my books. Just minor tweaks and punctuation changes. I'm usually very happy with what goes down the first time. Like I've said, I don't push to write, because that's when it goes bad. When I wait for my dreams, I'm pretty happy with what comes out.

1/7/2026 09:45:12 am

That is a somewhat unique way to write a book. Many authors go through multiple drafts with beta readers, some use editors, and some use proofreaders, also. Having the computer read the story to you is a good way to smooth the story out, making it easier to read. The process works for you quite well.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a copy-and-paste link if appropriate.

How many drafts did the cover go through?

1/7/2026 10:19:58 am

I designed the cover myself.

I used Net Cafe to create the image, then I saved the image to my downloads and uploaded it to Canva. I think Net Cafe does a better job creating an image, but Canva has the better editing software, and I made the changes to the image there.

I have done all of the covers for my books with the exceptions of "The Saga of the Ones!" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NFS3TV6 (done by Drawn by Bon) and "A search through the Gates!" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YBK8VMT

For "An Unexpected Trip through time and Space", https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073V98NK3 I used a photo of my grandkids my wife took of them walking up our driveway and used that on the cover.

It really was just a two step process that took less than two hours for the finished product.

I'm quite pleased with the results.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2LPFJQ3

1/7/2026 11:21:43 am

You have talent in more than one area. Congratulations. I like your covers.

New questions.

Was it hard to come up with the title?

What was the process?

1/7/2026 11:36:18 am

For me, the titles are easy.

They usually are something mentioned in the story.

In this case, the first time I typed "Dead Ship", I knew that was my title.

1/7/2026 02:02:22 pm

You are quite lucky. Sometimes authors sweat a lot to come up with an appropriate title. Titles are very important, don't get me wrong. They are the first or second thing to catch the eye of a prospective buyer. The best titles are being recycled, it seems. Sometimes, multiple books with the same title are listed in search results. Sometimes that can be avoided, but it isn't always easy.

New questions.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

Anita Dow link

1/7/2026 02:08:16 pm

A really enjoyable conversation - on both sides.

1/7/2026 02:48:23 pm

Thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment. I love chatting with authors.

1/7/2026 04:02:05 pm

Oh, that's an easy question to answer. They already have their names in my dreams. I know them from the moment they appear.

The only names I came up with by myself were Captain T'iebor and Colonel Kat-rynee from my book, "The Phoenix Experiment!" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW9SMDTD). I changed the original names in order to honor the two main persons from Charlotte House.

It was an honor to pay tribute to them for the kindness they showed to my wife and my family.

Once I did that, those two characters in my dreams began to take on their personalities.

I wrote this story in just thirty days after my wife passed. I couldn't get the words out fast enough. It was a healing process for me to pour myself into this book and not have to think about all the terrible things that had just gone on.

1/7/2026 05:55:32 pm

Only 30 days! That is amazing! You did put all your energy into the book, and that makes a lot of sense to me. That is a nice way to honor those people.

Losing your wife was terrible for you and the family.

New question.

Have you entered any writing in a short-story contest?

I have recommended to writers that short story writing contests, especially those that provide feedback from the judges, can help a writer improve their writing skills. I do have a warning: there are a lot of shady contests out there. Some want to extract as much as they can from your wallet, and others want to steal your intellectual property. Here is a copy-and-paste link about those things: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests. You can also use the search box below to find the link. There are other blogs I have links to on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.

1/7/2026 06:04:08 pm

No, I haven't entered any short story contests for just that reason.

I might be too cautious about being scammed, but as an indie author, I think I have to be that way.

However, in my book of poems, "Words from a Broken Heart" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJTKC1RQ) I did include several short stories I did for our writing group just so the book wouldn't be all about loss and be a total downer.

I think there are several really good pieces in it, and there are several silly poems in there too.
.

1/7/2026 07:04:51 pm

Being careful is so important. Anytime it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In the marketing and promotion business, beware of anyone guaranteeing sales. Investigate them thoroughly. That is one good use for AI. I wish I could guarantee sales but honestly, I can only guarantee exposure.

That was a good idea to add some levity to Words From a Broken Heart.

New questions.

What marketing strategy, if any, has had an immediate impact on your daily sales?

Will that strategy work again?

1/7/2026 07:43:15 pm

When I first started writing in 2016,, I joined Twitter, (now X) and managed to get a few hundred followers.

I started posting my book promos on there and the sales took off. I sold several hundred books that way. Then, when Covid hit, something changed and my online book sales hit a wall.

From day one, I have always priced my books as free with Kindle Unlimited, or only $2.99 for the e-books, including my trilogies. I knew I wasn't going to make a lot on e-books because of the cut Amazon takes, but I wanted people to read my stories.

I've shied away from paid advertising mostly because I wanted to raise money for charity, and I figured an advertising budget would eat into the charity money.

I have focused mostly going with one on one autographed "sales" which aren't really sales because I give my books away to people who make a direct donation to charity. (So far, I've raised over $6000 for charity that way)

My son and I had a long talk about my charity work lately and he has convinced me I need to start advertising my books so I can possibly get more reviews. Going the autographed book route, while doing a great job for raising money, has not gotten me a single review.

Writing is my hobby, and my son said, how much would you spend if you were a golfer, or if you were a hunter or competitive shooter? Spend some money on your hobby for once and see what happens.

The Algo rhythm is so unpredictable and changes so often, I might try that.

No matter what happens, I'm very proud of all of my books.

1/7/2026 08:25:04 pm

Your son is pretty smart.

The algorithms on Amazon and other major selling platforms seem a lot like gambling to me. You decide how much you are willing to pay for each click and how much you are willing to pay for the month or whatever time period you choose or is available. You are paying when someone clicks on your book to learn more about it. That person may or may not buy the book. Then the mysterious algorithms take over and start showing your book to potential readers. We hope. The algorithms change frequently. What worked one month may or may not work the next. This is my understanding of the process. I have not tried to sell a book on Amazon or Facebook or anywhere. I think the system is rigged to favor the house.

One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. A copy-and-paste link or search the title in the search box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/

I would add a few tips: seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local-author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Some restaurants or bars have an open mic time.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author', I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities. Always have copies of your books in your trunk or car boot.

New questions.

What do you think of the current controversy regarding AI, Artificial Intelligence and books?

Did you use AI in any of your planning, writing or editing for your books?
I am not including research in this question because most of the major search engines have embedded AI in the browser.

1/7/2026 09:33:04 pm

I do keep copies of all my books in my car. I've sold (given them away free in exchange for donations to charity) in the parking lot of our local grocery store and several other places in town.

I book every event I can, and participate in an open mic night in a neighboring town. I have business cards, bookmarks and I give away kisses for free. (Hershey's dark chocolate kisses, that is)

I do use AI in designing my book covers and character art, but I do NOT use it to write or edit any of my work, ever.

I have mixed feelings about using AI for artwork. I have over 80 character pictures for my books. I would love to be able to afford to use a real artist, but I can't spend that kind of money and expect to have a positive return on investment. Also, when I write, I sometimes do it much faster than an artist could keep up with all the different characters I create. (Like only taking 30 days to write "The Phoenix Experiment!"

I think those who are 100% against it, including using it for cover art etc., need to look at the circumstances of others before they condemn it's use and the users.

1/8/2026 09:15:01 am

You are doing the right things to be a local-author celebrity! Keep it up. I hope that blog will be useful for you down the road.

AI and its use is contentious for many authors and other creatives. There is one thing we know for sure, it's not going away anytime soon. I think it's poor for book writing, it will make all books start to sound the same, and an author's voice will get smothered.

I think India has an elegant solution. It has deemed the training of AI on books written in India as Fair Use. It has also set up a commission to pay royalties based on how successful and profitable the AI companies are. All lawsuits, if any, are dismissed. India is likely to become a world leader in AI.

New questions.

Have you encountered a troll reviewing one of your books?

How did you handle it?

1/8/2026 09:23:47 am

I've been very fortunate regarding trolls.

So far, nothing negative for any of my books.

They all have 4 or 5 stars.

That might be because I haven't taken an aggressive advertising posture, relying mostly on social media and one on one at vendor shows

I wasn't exposing them to the evil and hatred that exists in the form of trolls.

1/8/2026 10:52:18 am

Trolls seem to be so random. Sometimes they leave a one-star rating without a comment. When they do leave a comment, it's uninformed, meaning they didn't read the book, and downright silly. Most prospective buyers can easily recognize the facts and ignore the troll. The one thing a troll craves is recognition. They get off when someone gets angry. The best advice is don't feed the troll, don't interact with them in any way. I hope you never have to deal with one.

New questions.

What was the first paying job you worked as a kid?

How old were you?

1/8/2026 11:09:28 am

Ha, ha...

Great question.

My father had horses and rented space in the barn to others.

When I was about twelve, it became my job to muck out the stalls for $1/hour.

Looking back, I was probably overpaid, because I hated it and took my time.

I loved the animals and I've always wanted to own horses again, but having to shovel their poop made the decision not to, easy.

That, and the fact I couldn't afford them as I was raising my family.

1/8/2026 01:16:52 pm

My earliest paid job was babysitting for a neighbor 1/4 mile down our gravel road. In the sixth grade, I took a Red Cross course designed for young babysitters. At 12 or 13, I picked strawberries and beans for local growing operations during the summer.

Fun times.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

1/8/2026 01:36:26 pm

I was a three time distinguished President of our local Kiwanis club, and hosted several events as the MC.

I now go to open mic night in the town next to ours and read excerpts of my books.

Charlotte House had a fundraiser shortly after my wife passed and I read the passages I wrote about my wife's passing, then signed books to help raise money for them.

I actually enjoy doing things like that, and have no fear of being in front of a group or making fun of myself.

1/8/2026 04:12:03 pm

You know the secret to public speaking! Wonderful! For our visitors, the secret to public speaking is to know your topic better than anyone else in the room. Who knows more about a book than the author? Nobody knows more about a book than the author. When you know your book, you are still going to be nervous in front of people. If you remember that they know you are the expert and they want to hear what you have to say, then the nervous feeling gives you passion about your book as you talk with newfound friends about your book. Chatting with friends is fun.

I like speaking to a crowd also. Saying that means a lot because I had a severe stammering problem all through my school years. I learned the secret when I took a Dale Carnegie course in Effective Public Speaking. I earned several awards, including most improved speaker. I learned to speak slowly. That made a big difference. Don't rush, have fun, enjoy the ride and your audience will enjoy it also.

New questions.

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Among present or past family members and friends, how many are or have been writers or authors?\

1/8/2026 04:26:36 pm

No awards.

Of course, I've never sought that out either.

I've always been suspicious of them, especially the ones where they ask you to pay a fee.

As far as anyone in my family writing, I think I'm the first who has been published.

When we talk about friends being published, I think the word "friends" is a gray area. Longtime, close friends... NO.

Friends I've met recently at open mic nights, there are a few.

Since I've published more than they have (14 as of now) and have been published longer, I don't think they have had any effect on my writing. Maybe in the future as we work more closely together in workshops.

I do plan on participating in a large multi author book signing event in the spring that one of my new friends is organizing.

I'm looking forward to that.

1/8/2026 05:56:45 pm

Many authors have said they are the only one in their family who writes.

That event sounds fun. I love going to signings and chatting with authors.

New question.

Is there anyone you know who might claim you as their inspiration for writing? Outside of your writers' group.

1/8/2026 06:12:43 pm

I have been reading short (2-4 minute) excerpts from my trilogy, "The Tales of Mordratha!" on Tik Tok every night.

Several of my followers have left messages I am inspiring them to write, and some want me to mentor them.

I would love to help them all, and have encouraged them to get the words down, then let a teacher or librarian look at it and give them an honest critique.

I've explained that most first drafts are not good, but that doesn't mean you have to give up. It just means you now know what doesn't work, so your next effort should be more successful

I have too many irons in the fire as it is right now to get involved with all those aspiring authors, but I also don't want to disappoint them either.

I'm certainly NOT famous, but I can't imagine how many people seek help from the big time authors every day.

1/9/2026 09:04:48 am

That's good advice. Telling them to show their first draft to a knowledgeable person, such as a librarian. There are a lot of people who sit down to write a book with no idea of what is involved. Most of them don't even finish a first draft.

To a reader, every author is famous.

New questions.

I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited.

How is that working out for you?

1/9/2026 09:59:33 am

Kindle Unlimited is a strange thing.

Some months, I get lots of page reads. Other months, nothing.

Of course the royalties from that are never anything to write home about. No author is getting rich off KU!

Maybe I'm not marketing the right way, but I try to imitate the book promos of some of the bigger accounts on X, and always include the fact Kindle Unlimited is available.

I want my stories read. That's why I have that option and why I keep the e-book pricing so low.

I know some people say pricing your book too low is counterproductive, but no one shows any real evidence of that.

1/9/2026 01:13:40 pm

I think you are well-positioned with your books on KU. Are they all on there? When people find an author they like, they want to read everything the author has written. I have heard that some people are reluctant to read a book if it isn't part of a series or the author hasn't written other books. I don't know how true it is, but it seems possible.

The alternative is to get your books on as many platforms as possible, Apple, Google, and Walmart to name only a few. Some people refuse to shop on Amazon. Each platform has its requirements for uploading books; it may or may not be worthwhile for your time.

New question.

What is your favorite food and beverage?

1/9/2026 03:27:58 pm

Boy, you ask such easy questions.

Without a doubt, It's medium rare prime rib, with baked potato and real butter.

Wash that down with half regular Iced tea and half raspberry Iced tea, and I'm in heaven!

1/9/2026 04:50:02 pm

Some are easy, and some are not.

I like prime rib just like that, also. Especially if I can get an end piece. I am not a big fan of raspberry-flavored drinks but I would certainly try that also. I am an adventurous eater. I have tried many exotic foods. There are many opportunities to do that in central Florida. This morning, I went into a Venezuelan bakery and got a fluffy-looking roll baked with cheese and a piece of bacon inside. It was pretty good.

Let's have more fun with food.

New question.

What is your least favorite food and beverage?

1/9/2026 05:09:45 pm

Least favorite food?

Most vegetables, especially the green variety.

I'm a meat and potatoes man.

Least favorite beverage?

Diet soda of any kind.

I rarely drink pop/soda whatever you want to call it. I gave it up years ago, and that simple act cut my weight by over forty pounds! I don't like what all the sugar and sugar substitutes do to you. I mostly drink water with a glass of Iced tea for supper.

I know, boring, right?

1/9/2026 06:37:43 pm

Not boring. Like you, I gave up soda around 20 years ago, maybe longer. I have avoided artificial sweeteners for much longer than that. I drink mostly water now. Sometimes I will have fruit juice. I am fond of the watermelon limeade at Chipotle.

Now we diverge in our tastes. I like nearly all vegetables, including the green leafy kind. I am not very fond of turnips, rutabagas or eggplant. There is one food that is popular with a lot of people, but it will not stay in my stomach if I try to eat it. That food is cottage cheese. Just looking at it makes my stomach quiver. I know it is strange. I can keep it down if it is in jello or part of a recipe in small quantities.

New question.

Have you or your publisher purchased an ISBN for your book?

It is a unique number and barcode assigned to a book, similar to a UPC. It is not the same as an Amazon stocking number.

1/9/2026 07:37:04 pm

No ISBN other than that barcode Amazon uses.

Since my books are only available from them or their other company, Goodreads, I never figured I needed one.

1/10/2026 08:39:53 am

If you wanted to sell your books on another platform or a physical bookstore, your books would need an ISBN. I am a firm believer in the don't put all your eggs in one basket maxim.

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

1/10/2026 08:53:25 am

I never even considered going the traditional route.

When I wrote my first book, I was thinking I was going to die soon.

I didn't think I had the time left to find an agent, then get a publisher, then wait for them to publish my book. Plus, these were my stories. I didn't want to let them change anything.

I'm not saying I don't take constructive critiques, I just want my stories to go out as I tell them, and at my pace.

It seems crazy to me when I see people who have been trying to get published for years, then when they do find a publisher, they have to wait another two years to see it out for sale.

That's not for me.

I'm old and no one knows how long we have here. I want my stories to be able to be read while I'm still alive.

1/10/2026 10:51:46 am

You make excellent points about the downside of using a traditional publisher. The traditional publisher can also require you to rewrite any portion of your book or even the entire book. A past client was asked to do exactly that, rewrite the book to remove it from the series she had been writing. When she requested further information from the publisher, there was no response, so she gave up on that idea and kept control of her intellectual property.

If you sign a contract with a publisher and get an advance, the advance must be repaid before you receive any royalties. Creative accounting can suck up most, if not all, of the royalties that might otherwise be due to you. The need for an attorney experienced with IP and entertainment law is very important before a contract is signed.

Here is a copy-and-paste blog with more information about the value of your IP. You can also use the search box below. You Are A Writer. You Create And License Intellectual Property Assets. https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2021/10/27/you-are-a-writer-you-create-and-license-intellectual-property-assets @thecreativepenn More great blogs available on my "Highly Regarded Blogs" page on https://www.wordrefiner.com

New questions.

How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

1/10/2026 02:49:25 pm

I may be biased, but I think my work is on par with most major publishers.

Mine may have a few more punctuation errors, but I've read many books from mainstream publishers that have those too.

I'm very proud of the work I've put out, and the best part of being self published is, when I see a mistake, I can change it within a day. Try doing that with one of the big guys.

1/10/2026 07:00:00 pm

I find spelling errors in 95% of published books, whether published traditionally or independently. They are not bothered by a few spelling errors. Your book measures quite well against what the big guys publish.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up, no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once?

If so, which one?

1/10/2026 07:58:58 pm

Thanks Mark.

It took me a bit before I could answer this question.

Honestly, I can't remember a book I've read more than once.

I think, when I really enjoy a book, I don't want to spoil that experience by going back and re-reading it, knowing the ending.

I do know, several of my readers have told me they have gone back and re-read the entire series.

1/10/2026 08:41:28 pm

I understand about not reading a book more than once. I can also relate to your readers who have read your series more than once. In school and in college, I did read books more than once, but only my most favorite books. They are comfortable like a favorite sweater. You know it's going to fit and feel good. Now, I have too many books in my TBR pile, so favorite books are no longer in play.

New question.

Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?

1/10/2026 08:59:21 pm

I really enjoy Terry Mixon's Sci-Fi books. Reading both he and M. R. Forbes have taught me a lot about writing Sci-Fi and making it exciting for my readers.

So much of their stuff is "never let your character breathe" writing.

While all my stories come from my dreams, I do tweak them sometimes to make a scene more exciting or to include a character or two I want to get in there. I've also been know to switch positions of entire chapters in order to keep the readers hearts racing.

1/11/2026 08:52:25 am

As long as the reader gets a chance to catch their breath, it's okay. I have caught myself holding my breath more than once. It's a good thing I can read pretty fast. I do like exciting stories.

That's a nice thing about being a writer, the first draft is never enough. There are always changes to be made so the story expresses what is intended.

New question.

Did you have a favorite book as a child?

1/11/2026 09:20:22 am

My mother bought me a subscription to a western series. I can't recall the name, or remember the particular stories other than getting excited when the next one came. I do remember they were more like a serialized comic book but the characters were basically the same, you just followed them through their adventures in the west.

I just realized that's a LOT like my Sci-Fi books. We follow the adventures of Captain Chen and the crew of Gibraltar as they travel across the galaxies.

Those early books may have had more of an influence on me than I thought!

1/11/2026 02:40:37 pm

Stories will never stop entertaining us. That is an interesting epiphany you shared with us. I do mean US because we have had lots of visitors.

Depending on who you ask, there are only ten to twenty plots to base a story on. We have thousands of millions of stories based on a handful of plots. Amazon will probably publish at least two million books this year alone. I won't be surprised if the total is three million. Every author has a unique voice when they write a story. At least those authors who are not using AI to write, edit or proofread their book have a unique voice. AI will wreck an author's voice and the story won't be as unique as it could be.

I am certain I would have enjoyed reading those books as much as you did.

New question.

If you could ask every person who has read one of your books, only one question what would you ask them?

1/11/2026 02:44:25 pm

What was your favorite part of my story?

(Then if I was allowed to ask a follow up, it would be ... did it make you laugh, cry or mad?)

1/11/2026 04:24:02 pm

That's a good question and so is the follow-up. Most authors want to know if the reader enjoyed the story. It's a common human desire for validation of efforts.

New questions.

Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you?

Does it energize you or make you feel tired?

1/11/2026 06:05:05 pm

I don't know if I would describe it as any of those feelings.

After I get a chapter or two of one of my dreams down, I think the best way to describe how I feel is complete, then anticipation.

It's like I was supposed to write that, and now, how long will it be before it's on to the next chapter or two.

1/11/2026 08:09:01 pm

Your unusual answer doesn't surprise me because you are an unusual writer. Your answer makes perfect sense in the context of your writing method.

New question.

Since a copyright in America lasts for 75 years after the author's passing, do you have a plan for all of your books and the royalties in your will?

1/11/2026 08:13:23 pm

After my wife passed, I set my daughter up as executer of my estate.

She has access to my accounts and she will equally divide any meager royalties I get between herself and my son.

1/12/2026 02:15:16 pm

I am glad your family will be taking care of your intellectual property. It's not unheard of for someone to want to use a property 30 or 40 years after it had been written. That could produce a nice windfall for your heirs.

Last questions.

Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

Is there more than one way to do that?

1/12/2026 03:24:40 pm

You are telling a story.

One you want your readers to connect with.

What better way than to find that emotional connection with them by using the emotions of your characters?

Put your characters in a terrible situation where they have to make life or death decisions.

Kill off one or two of your darlings to shake them all up, including the readers and the rest of the characters.

Create a love interest that struggles for the characters.

When you show raw emotions in your characters, you connect with your readers.

After all, isn't that what we are all trying to do?

1/12/2026 04:40:48 pm

You really nailed that question, John! That is one of the most succinct and complete answers to that question.

Raw emotion with high stakes says it all.

I have another promotion starting tomorrow; I must bring this one to a close.

Thank you for hiring me to promote your book. I loved the story and the characters. You have been so patient with my questions. You have been a wonderful guest.

Until next time, keep on writing.

The Gates to the Galaxies: The Dead Ship by J. Dalton

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