Blog – Jeff Carlson

Battlefront, the fourth and final volume of Jeff Carlson’s Europa Series has been published

Jeff — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 17:22:50 +0000

Battlefront is available on Amazon as both an eBook and paperback. Jeff’s manuscript for Battlefront was nearly complete at the time of his death in July 2017, and the final editing and assembly was done by his father, Gus Carlson, as a tribute to Jeff and a service to his many fans.

Killer new sci fi from Anspach & Cole

Jeff — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 22:10:08 +0000

Check it out!

The Galaxy is a Dumpster Fire…

A hot, stinking, dumpster fire. And most days I don’t know if the legionnaires are putting out the flames, or fanning them into an inferno.

A hostile force ambushes Victory Company during a reconnaissance-in-force deep inside enemy territory. Stranded behind enemy lines, a sergeant must lead a band of survivors against merciless insurgents on a deadly alien world somewhere along the galaxy’s edge. With no room for error, the Republic’s elite fighting force must struggle to survive under siege while waiting on a rescue that might never come.

When you think you’ve surrounded the Legion… you’ve just made your last mistake.

Legionnaire is the thrilling introduction to Nick Cole & Jason Anspach’s Galaxy’s Edge series!

I Don’t Understand

Jeff — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 23:14:53 +0000

A few days ago, we saw this sticker on the freeway. Please tell me what I’m missing? Is this person trying to imply that their offspring are, at times, aggressive or dominant or superior? If so, why not say that instead of saying their kids are assholes? Huh????

Cover reveal for FS4: Battlefront

Jeff — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:59:41 +0000

As usual, I am late again, but the inestimable Jasper Schreurs is not! Me, I cracked my rib skiing. Yes. Again. Could I *be* more stupid?!? Muscle spasms and doctor visits and stretching and resting are eating up my days.

Fortunately, Genius Jasper knows what he is doing. Look at this!!!!

South Park meets Reality

Jeff — Fri, 05 May 2017 21:26:15 +0000

I cut this article out of the paper (weeks ago) to entertain my wife. Of course I’m just now getting to it. Somewhere, Al Gore is AFRAID!

World’s Greatest Book Reviews

Jeff — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 23:21:52 +0000

Like many writers, I have a habit of checking the Amazon pages of my books to see how they’re ranked from week to week. I’m also intrigued by reviews not only on Amazon but on Goodreads, Kobo, Nook, blogs, everywhere. It’s interesting to see what people say. Writing is a lonely job, so I always perk up when I see there are real live people out there in the world who like my work.

Fan mail and positive reviews are uber freaking cool. Each new book is a marathon. Every thumbs-up keeps me going.

Sometimes I agree with negative reviews, too. Day by day, I try to learn and improve, and I’m very much aware that I’m not perfect. On the other hand, on occasion a negative review is just frustrating.

Lately, FS1 has seen a steady stream of new posts on Amazon. Here is the most awesome review I’ve ever seen! Thanks, man!! “Unique, creative, fantastic”…
…followed by a one-star review by somebody who was bored before the end of the first chapter.

Dude, the first chapter is, like, five pages long????

Next here are some older reviews for Plague Year on Amazon.ca, where a Canadian fan recently pointed me to what can only be described as the World’s Greatest Negative Review EVER!!!!

Check this out…
Okay, look. It’s been a while since I read Plague Year, but I did write it. I remember there are a few sequences in which our heroes are so overcome by pain and adrenaline and grief that they stagger like drunks through the ruins post-apocalyptic California. In this extreme, Cam briefly experiences visual and auditory hallucinations. I guess those are the “dream sequences”?”

There is not a single dog (or any kind of pet) in the story. They ate the pets! There definitely isn’t a talking dog. Color me confused!!

And thank you to everyone who enjoys the books!

The Motherlode of Sci Fi

Jeff — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 20:38:53 +0000

This week I’m part of a brain-croggling adventure for any fan of science fiction. The road is short and the treasure is great! Aha ha ha. Here’s the scoop…

Sci-Fi Bridge is dedicated to bringing you exclusive deals, new releases, and other exciting news from your favorite Sci-Fi authors straight to your inbox! In order to celebrate the Bridge’s recent launch, its Captains are excited to bring you the third of four massive book giveaways! There are FREE Prizes available for all who enter between April 20 and 27, plus the chance for 5 winners to receive 30+ e-books from Sci-Fi authors of every stripe.

1 Lucky Grand Prize Winner will also receive 20+ signed books, including Cyberstorm by Matthew Mather, Aye Robot by Robert Kroese and full series from Tom Reynolds, Rachel Aukes, M. Pax and Nathan Van Coops!

Enter here.

I’m Peaking As We Speak !!!

Jeff — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 22:44:51 +0000

Good friends of ours opened a float therapy business called Peak Performance Float Inc. Here is their website. The address is 311 Lennon Lane Ste #A in Walnut Creek, CA 94596. You can call them at 925-899-87761.

For a sci fi guy living in the future, I don’t get out much. I’d never heard of floating… but it is the in thing, kids! It’s also relaxing. You get into this crazy space pod by yourself, the water is warm and incredibly buoyant, the lights go out, it’s just you and the universe in near-total sensory deprivation. Suspended gravity! Silence! Healing!

Diana and I both tried it. Thumbs up.

New sci fi anthology !!!

Jeff — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 21:05:08 +0000

Today I’m actually on time! Amazing!

My short story “Pressure” leads off a new sci fi anthology called At The Helm, which is for sale on Kindle today. Below is the snappy description. Here is the space battle cover art.

Interstellar journeys. Epic battles. Artificial Intelligence’s longing for meaning. Life as we know it, ending…

Sci-Fi Bridge is thrilled to present its first collection from bestselling authors and newly emerging writers. These stories span the near and far future. They transport you to worlds unknown. They examine today’s fears amid tomorrow’s technologies. From the far corners of the galaxy to the inner reaches of the human heart, the exciting stories in At the Helm will thrill, inspire, and make you wonder–do humans have what it takes to build a better future? Or are we doomed by our own failings?

Foreword by Samuel Peralta.
“Pressure” by Jeff Carlson. First published in Strange Horizons.
“This Long Vigil” by Rhett Bruno. First published in Perihelion Science Fiction Magazine.
“Gao Yao Engine” by Rachel Aukes.
“Brood Company” by Steve Beaulieu & Aaron Hall.
“Life” by Daniel Arenson.
“I, Caroline” by David Bruns.
“Unconditional” by Chris Pourteau.
“Lara QR” by Bob Mayer.
“Carindi” by Jennifer Foehner Wells.
“Into the Dark” by Robert Kroese.
“Pete, Popeye and Olive” by Jamie McFarlane.
“Codename Delphi” by Linda Nagata. First appeared in Lightspeed Magazine.
“Patchworker” by M. Pax.
“Dark Space: A Chance Encounter” by Jasper T. Scott.

Want to know more about Sci-Fi Bridge? Visit our site at www.scifibridge.com and subscribe.

The Dramatic Return Of Jeff! :)

Jeff — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:41:08 +0000

As usual now, it’s been a very busy stretch of days in Camp Carlson. Mostly good news, hard work, progress… but my wife’s cinnamon-sugar shaker has defeated me once again in mortal combat!