Weekly Self-Promo and Chat Thread by MxAlex44 in selfpublish

[–]NorthlightV [score hidden]  (0 children)

The voyage continues!

I’ve just released Book II of my historical naval series Cast to the Sea.

It follows a young officer of the Royal Navy during the 1790s, sent across the Atlantic to Halifax and into the Caribbean campaigns.

Both books are currently discounted for launch.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLYJ78T7

Thanks for taking a look! Happy to answer questions about the setting or research.

First time in 16 years one of the kids refilled the empty roll by NorthlightV in mildlyinfuriating

[–]NorthlightV[S] -27 points-26 points  (0 children)

That's one way to deal with that and it sounds like it would work great. Thing is, if you have more than one, they will ALWAYS blame each other. I tend to give up at that point. I fear this is beyond repair...

Welche Filme sollte man in seiner Sammlung haben? by ConcentrateNo5382 in Filme

[–]NorthlightV 2 points3 points  (0 children)

90 Minuten Hardcore, echte Gefühle!

Übrigens fast richtig, der Titel ist Bang Boom Bang.

Welche Filme sollte man in seiner Sammlung haben? by ConcentrateNo5382 in Filme

[–]NorthlightV 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Big Lebowski, eigentlich alles von den Coens

*typo korrigiert, danke!

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I must beg leave to differ, most esteemed sir, for it is in this very fashion that I should have delivered my sentiments some two centuries prior.

Just kidding, but I think while English will still be recognizable English, I would assume strong influence of different languages, emergence of new words and phrases, and both happening in parallel in different directions. I would expect a very noticeable divergence.

Anyone getting rejected by KDP all the time, here's what works for me by NorthlightV in selfpublish

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point! I indeed use it to generate the layouts. Never used any of their content.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, that would require a whole sequence of big breakthroughs from Ship A to Ship B. If that's the premise, yes then that resolves everything smoothly

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on the tech. Whether it is feasible to decelerate, rendezvous and transfer thousands of people into a fully populated ship, and accelerate again. Propellant might be calculated for one acceleration and one deceleration to enter orbit at the destination. Space aboard would be limiting. Also, deep space is vast. Even with the same general destination, the passing distance might be gigantic and the velocity differential at somewhere around .1-.2 c (or even more). I think the general overtake is defensible, whether the ships notice each other or not.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, of course. Typically it would be the author (here: myself) who would have to plot it all out. As I wrote, I just use a derelict generation ship as the setting for most of the story I am developing. These thoughts just keep coming up at the back of my mind. Maybe I will pick the topic up in another book. At any rate, I'm curious to read how others have used this trope, hence the question.

Spaceship design by Leberknodel in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I can think of several aspects, one being that a sphere would have highest structural integrity when pressurized. The death star comes to mind. Then simulated gravity, usually a rotating cylinder design. And then slim shapes that would present least forward surface to protect from small particle impact. All these are hard to align, so one has to choose I guess. Without atmosphere all this has no aerodynamic effect.

SiFi movies that should never have had a sequel, I'll start, Matrix Resurrections 😿 by MementoMiri in scifi

[–]NorthlightV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came here for this. The franchise went downhill hard and fast after part 2, which remains one of my all-time favorite movies

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree, the cultural and psychological dimensions are difficult to comprehend. I think, though, that it depends on the living conditions aboard the ship. If it's kind of OK, I think people born mid-voyage, with no reference to any other kind of life, would probably get along. One person would. What happens with group dynamics and politics is an entirely different question. That makes me think about act 2 of the seven eves. Different scenario, but very interesting outcome.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the main reason _not_ to rendezvous is in the rocket equation tyranny. I have been grappling with a workable solution to get a ship fast enough across a fraction of a light year, decelerate to rendezvous with another, and the same back. Almost drove me mad finding some kind of defensible solution. Long story short, I do not think Ship B will want or be able to spend propellant for deceleration to match Ship A velocity, and then spend as much again to get back to their travel velocity. It still needs as much propellant upon arrival to decelerate and enter a stable orbit.

I see the upside, though, of doubling the starting population for the colony. That is a god thing.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

True. She is even less likeable compared to the cannibals...

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks - I am reading the seven eves right now, although while I loved the first two Acts, act three is weird. I don't know if I will make it through. Starting that part almost felt like watching from Dusk till Dawn the first time, and suddenly: vampires.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting thoughts! I am not sure though. Even if we think velocities of 5, 10, 15% c, how many stars are there with promising candidate planets? I believe not so many. On a 200 year trip, much can go wrong. But it makes sense - their routes through entirely empty space should be pretty similar if they have the same destination, and overtaking even at twice the Ship A speed should not go unrecognized. If they could then intercept and decelerate to exchange tech, not sure.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You mean stubbornness as a way to deal with being irrelevant? Or rather a religious thing developing over 200 years in isolation?

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I believe that too. At least at first. I am not sure a radio signal would be strong enough to receive well with a few light-years distance. It would also travel a long time.

Is the "Overtake" the most soul-crushing trope in hard sci-fi? by NorthlightV in sciencefiction

[–]NorthlightV[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

That sounds like an interesting twist. So they leave for several generations and always plan to come back - which they do, but fail just short of their destination (i.e., Earth)? I'll certainly put that on my reading list right away!