I just finished reading this, and I can see why you’re excited. There’s an energy to it that feels raw and driven. The pacing moves fast, and it keeps the reader locked in. That kind of momentum isn’t easy to maintain.
I liked how you handled Richard’s desperation. It’s not just about the tech; it’s about survival, addiction, and control. That last interaction with Silas? Chilling in the best way. It makes me wonder. Do you see Silas as a full believer in what he’s doing, or is he just another manipulator playing a longer game?
Your work got me thinking a lot about control, who has it, and who thinks they have it. I write about that too, but through a different lens. More about how we create illusions of freedom when the structure is already set against us. Have you ever explored that angle in your work?
Also, I saw you’re reaching out to publishers. Are you looking for trad publishing, or are you considering indie routes too? I’m always interested in how people approach that side of the process.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! Silas believes in what he's doing, but sort of like chaotic neutral. He's willing to accept the bad with the good so long as it moves the needle in the right direction. I do write a lot about control, but more directly from the standpoint of authorities who abuse it, and not so much about the illusion of control we think we have. This story was a little different in that respect. Richard thinks he has given people control back, but ultimately there were consequences.
I haven't really reached out to publishers too much recently. The field has changed so much, and I'm not willing to wait 3 years to maybe see something published, and then no longer have control over it... there's that illusion of control again 🤣 Although it would be dishonest to say I haven't tried. I never sought out an agent, but I have sent stories to genre magazines for consideration. I just don't think I tick off the right boxes. My stories aren't that literary and feel more like episodes of The Twilight Zone. Readers enjoy them, and I enjoy writing them, but they don't fit the mold for science fiction today. Or, it could be they just don't cut it at that level. I try not to think too much about it.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. It's nice to see fresh faces on Substack.
I just finished reading this, and I can see why you’re excited. There’s an energy to it that feels raw and driven. The pacing moves fast, and it keeps the reader locked in. That kind of momentum isn’t easy to maintain.
I liked how you handled Richard’s desperation. It’s not just about the tech; it’s about survival, addiction, and control. That last interaction with Silas? Chilling in the best way. It makes me wonder. Do you see Silas as a full believer in what he’s doing, or is he just another manipulator playing a longer game?
Your work got me thinking a lot about control, who has it, and who thinks they have it. I write about that too, but through a different lens. More about how we create illusions of freedom when the structure is already set against us. Have you ever explored that angle in your work?
Also, I saw you’re reaching out to publishers. Are you looking for trad publishing, or are you considering indie routes too? I’m always interested in how people approach that side of the process.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! Silas believes in what he's doing, but sort of like chaotic neutral. He's willing to accept the bad with the good so long as it moves the needle in the right direction. I do write a lot about control, but more directly from the standpoint of authorities who abuse it, and not so much about the illusion of control we think we have. This story was a little different in that respect. Richard thinks he has given people control back, but ultimately there were consequences.
I haven't really reached out to publishers too much recently. The field has changed so much, and I'm not willing to wait 3 years to maybe see something published, and then no longer have control over it... there's that illusion of control again 🤣 Although it would be dishonest to say I haven't tried. I never sought out an agent, but I have sent stories to genre magazines for consideration. I just don't think I tick off the right boxes. My stories aren't that literary and feel more like episodes of The Twilight Zone. Readers enjoy them, and I enjoy writing them, but they don't fit the mold for science fiction today. Or, it could be they just don't cut it at that level. I try not to think too much about it.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. It's nice to see fresh faces on Substack.