science fiction books

new book in the Meniscus Series – Meniscus: Reckoning

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The next book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series is now available: #13 … Meniscus: Reckoning. The series tells the story of humans who are brought against their will to the planet Meniscus and are determined to build new relationships, new lives, and new communities. Meniscus: Reckoning continues the story begun in the Rosetta Stone trilogy of how the Humans discover a way to overthrow the dominant alien Dock-winders and their cruel ways.

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Meniscus: Reckoning takes the Humans of Themble Hill on an adventure like no other. In Reckoning, a small group begins the arduous journey to El’ban where Dock-winders are still in control and have captured James, the leader of the Resistance Movement. With them is the Dock-winder child, Don’est, who continues to mystify the Humans with her false-empathy and strange logic. Others in the Resistance Movement, the brilliant Bleth’nan triplets, become part of the group and part of Don’est’s Human family.

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the adventurers travel across the El’ban Elevations

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In the book, you will travel across the El’ban Elevations, and into the Hollows (a landscape made from the discarded cocoons of alien insect pupae). Then, the group must find a way to rescue James from the layered city of El’ban and its inescapable prison.

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a map of the El’ban area of planet Meniscus

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Many of the main characters of the first twelve books in the series have returned to this story: Odymn, expert at parkour, Daniel, the Slain (a genetically enhanced Human), Belnar and his ridiculous ways, Kotildi, wolf-like and loyal, and the evil Dock-winder Garg who has antagonized the Humans of Themble Hill though all their adventures.

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Daniel, the Slain

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Meniscus: Reckoning is available on Amazon.ca (click here) and from me, as I travel the three upcoming Book Fairs in Moncton (July 27, 2024), Saint John (September 14, 2024), and Fredericton (October 19, 2024). And the e-book will be available soon.

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Enjoy the upcoming days of summer when reading is one way of escaping the black flies and taking yourself on an adventure out there among the stars.

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All my best!

Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)

Coming Soon!!!! Meniscus: Reckoning

jane tims2 Comments

Today, after many hours of editing and formatting, I sent for a proof of my new book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series. Meniscus: Reckoning will be out in early May. This will be the story of a perilous journey to a distant city, over difficult alien landscape, to rescue a member of the Human Resistance. The book is set in the El’ban District of Meniscus, a city mentioned but not visited in other books in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series.

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map showing the landscape of the El’ban District and the path the people of Themble Hill must follow (dotted line)

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Preparing for independent publishing of a book involves many steps. After finishing the final draft of a book, there is still a lot of work to do.

  1. incorporate the editorial comments of my editor Lee Thompson. He has been with me since Meniscus: Crossing The Churn and through the next twelve books in the Series. He understands what I am trying to accomplish with these stories and has taught me to write my alien characters without using words that feel too Human. For example, when one of my aliens is hungry, he should not want ‘his supper’ but ‘his evening meal,’ his athlan-doe. Lee has also taught my characters to frown less;
  2. read through the entire draft, making minor changes to small words and phrases, looking for inconsistencies;
  3. do a final revision of the Meniscus map and make sure location names match those in the text. I also check the east, west, north and south references to make certain they sync with the map;
  4. add page numbers — very challenging for me. I have learned how to remove page numbers from blank pages and pages with illustrations. However, starting the numbering on the correct page and separate numbering of the front matter (the first section of any book) always gives me trouble. Some of the last edits – to make certain all illustrations are on an even-numbered page (the left side of an open book) and all Chapters begin on an odd-numbered page (the right side of an open book);
  5. position illustrations consistently on the pages;
  6. create a pdf version of the manuscript and follow the steps to download the book to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing where I self-publish my books);
  7. create the main cover in GIMP and download to KDP. For the proof, I am using a black and white drawing. This week I will create a painted version of the chosen drawing in acrylics for the final book cover;
  8. use the KDP tools to merge the cover and pdf document into a print-ready virtual book. This virtual version of the book shows me what the paperback book will look like. In spite of its usefulness, I still need a proof, in real book form, to be sure everything is the way it should be;
  9. fix any final edits; 
  10. send for the proof!!!!
the adventurers rest by the fire

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Here is a first glimpse at what the final book will look like:

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When the proof arrives I will have another chance to scout out any problems before I finally push ‘Publish’ !

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All my best!!!

Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)

the Meniscus Science Fiction Series: updates

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I haven’t posted here in a while and lots has been going on. Since I introduced Meniscus: Rosetta Stone, I have finished two more books in the trilogy: Meniscus: The Struggle and Meniscus: Return to Sintha.

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Meniscus: Rosetta Stone … On Meniscus, Humans live under the rule of the cruel Dock-winders, and are unable to have families or Human communities. Abra, an historian, wants to change all that. She finds, by accident, a kind of Rosetta Stone, a mysterious document in the unknown Dock-winder language and the better-known Gel-speak. She hopes the manuscript will provide a clue to the downfall of the Dock-winders and sets out for the hamlet of Hath’men, the centre of the Resistance movement. But the way through the woodlands of Meniscus is not easy for a Human travelling alone.

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Meniscus: The Struggle … In the rebel village of Hath’men, on the alien planet Meniscus, expectations are stirring. Abra, historian, has found a secret document that may prove the downfall of the evil Dock-winders. Abra is stalled in her efforts, but her hope is renewed. when her husband Trath, thought dead, arrives in the village. Then, some of the Humans of Themble Hill come to help. As an incredible truth about the Dock-winders is about to be revealed, the loyalty of the Don’est, the Dock-winder child, is tested and the valuable manuscript goes missing.

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Meniscus: Return to Sintha … After translating a secret Dock-winder document, Abra discovers a hidden truth that could mean the end of the evil Dock-winder rule. With a plan to tell all Prell-nan District the secret, Abra and Drag-on, and Rist and Tagret, set out in opposite directions to spread the word to all the major cities. On their way, they encounter the various members of The Resistance and discover that all friends cannot be trusted. And, in the end, what changes will knowledge of the secret mean to the lives of the inhabitants of Meniscus?

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The next book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series will be released later this spring.

Meniscus: The Reckoning is in final format with all the illustrations complete. I have to incorporate my editor’s comments and paint the cover art before it is published. In this book, several of the characters introduced in the previous novels take a perilous journey to rescue the leader of the Human Resistance.

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In order to begin a new Meniscus project, I have been re-reading the series. You would think that, as author, I remember every word, but reading them after some time away, I found them new and a little mysterious. I loved meeting each new character and was able to see the gradual development of Don’est from story to story. I had forgotten that the Humans of Themble Hill had started a school to help Don’est learn good behaviour!!

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Next post, I’ll tell you about that new Meniscus project.

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All my best!

Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)

Reminder: Free e-book science fiction

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Get your free e-ook copy of Meniscus: Oral Traditions on Amazon.com from December 7 (Monday) to December 11 (Friday). The book is written in narrative poetry and is illustrated with my drawings. It is a quick read and includes maps, a glossary and a Gel-speak dictionary. Just click here.

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This is a story about Tagret who is waking on the alien planet Meniscus for the first time. Perhaps strangest of all her encounters is with the Slain, Rist, who saves her from an unsavory attack by a Gel-head. Rist is likeable and someone Tagret thinks she could make a life with. But Rist has a secret.

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All my best. Hope you enjoy the story!

Alexandra ( a.k.a. Jane)

Free E-book Promotion: Break into the Science Fiction Series Meniscus

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Want to give yourself a free gift during this Christmas season? If you are staying at home and would love some down-time with a good book, here is your opportunity.

The Meniscus Science Fiction Series follows the adventures of humans trying to build a life and a community in an alien, dystopian world. The first five books focus on Odymn and Daniel the Slain as they flee from the Dock-winders and find love in the strange Meniscus landscapes. Book 6 … Meniscus: Oral Traditions … introduces two new characters and the unique problem they encounter as they get to know one another in the streets of the alien city Sintha.

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The story focuses on Tagret, newly kidnapped from Earth, as she opens her eyes on Meniscus and tries to understand the weird world she discovers. A world where taking a drink of water is a challenge and the local sentients are purple Dock-winders and transparent green Gel-heads. Then she meets the Slain, Rist, and comes to understand what those tattoos on his arms really mean.

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Get your free ebook copy of Meniscus: Oral Traditions on Amazon.com from December 7 (Monday) to December 11 (Friday). The book is written in narrative poetry and is illustrated with my drawings. It is a quick read and includes maps, a glossary and a Gel-speak dictionary. Just click here.

Enjoy your reading.

All my best,

Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)

Meniscus: The Knife now available in e-book

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Meniscus: The Knife, next book in the science fiction series about planet Meniscus, is now available in paperback and e-book. Just click here to order the book on Amazon.

This is the story of Tagret and her quest to save Rist, the man she loves, from certain death at the hands of the Brotherhood.

On her journey, Tagret will encounter dangerous geysers and the half-inundated city of Nebul-nan. As always, the book includes maps, a glossary, a Gel-speak dictionary, a character guide and my original illustrations.

a map of Tagret’s travels

I hope you enjoy the book!

All my best,

Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)

Meniscus: The Knife available today!

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What is a Hooplore? Find out how the Hooplore help Tagret in her quest to find and save Rist. https://www.amazon.ca/Meniscus-Knife-Alexandra-Tims/dp/B08M2KBKN5

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Meniscus: The Knife science fiction adventure is available today from Amazon in paperback.

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I will have copies to distribute in the Fredericton, New Brunswick, area by November 20. If you prefer e-books, the Kindle version will be available by November 4.

All my best,

Alexandra Tims

a.k.a. Jane

New book in the Meniscus Series – available soon

jane timsLeave a comment

The next book in the Meniscus Series will be available in six days. Meniscus: The Knife continues the story of Tagret and Rist. Tagret goes on a quest to rescue Rist from the Brotherhood.

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Tagret is brave and resourceful … armed with her knowledge of chemistry and her love for Rist, she will overcome the dangers of Meniscus and seek the help of some very unlikely allies to rescue Rist and bring him home.

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In this book you will get a better look at the Hooplore. Shaped like forkfuls of spaghetti and able to communicate telepathically, the Hooplore will show up just when circumstances are desperate.

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Meniscus: The Knife is the 8th in the science fiction series.

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Meniscus: The Knife will be available October 30, 2020 on Amazon. The countdown is on!

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All my best,

stay safe,

Alexandra ( a.k.a. Jane)

Next book in the Meniscus Series… Meniscus: The Knife

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The next book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series is in production. Meniscus: The Knife has been written and edited and is in the process of illustration. The book will be available by October 1, 2020.

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first eight books (2)

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Meniscus: The Knife continues the story of Tagret and Rist. Tagret sets off on a dangerous and deadly mission to rescue Rist who she knows is in trouble. Only her skills as a chemist will make Tagret’s journey possible. And if she finds Rist, can she save him from the terrible justice of the Fraternity?

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knife romance split ~

Keep checking, as I will be publishing some of the illustrations for the story here at offplanet.

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All my best, Alexandra

Book Release . . . Meniscus: Encounter with the Emenpod

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The next book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series is out!!!! Meniscus: Encounter with the Emenpod is available in paperback and e-book here.

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emenpod fine-tuned cover kindle

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Told as narrative poetry, Meniscus will take you on a new kind of science fiction adventure. The story is illustrated with my pencil drawings. In each book you will also find maps, a glossary of alien plants and animals, and an alien language dictionary.

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… In the seventh book of the Meniscus series, Encounter with the Emenpod tells the story of the reconstruction of Themble Hill after a sink-hole devastates the community.

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'hovel on the edge of the sinkhole'paperback

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After a sink-hole forms beneath the Village of Themble Hill, the Humans must find a way to mourn the dead, help the injured and re-build the stricken community. When the Dock-winder child, Don’est, disappears, those who are able join in the search, leaving the task of re-building to the future. However, the Humans are not alone in their endeavors. Mysterious lights suggest the ancient Builders have returned. As the Humans watch, the Village is re-constructed, wall by wall. But it will take the Human heart to turn these marble houses into homes.

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The story is partly adventure (Don’est the alien child has disappeared and must be found) and partly love story (Tagret and Rist love one-another, but Rist has taken a vow).

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'Don'est in State of Lament'paperback Rist and Tagret foregroundpaperback

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I know you will enjoy this book, even if it is your first read in the Meniscus Series!

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Click here to have a better look.

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All my best

 

Alexandra