Reciprocal Paranoia (Contact IV) is available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Apple iBooks and kobobooks.
To celebrate the release of the new books, Redemption Protocol is currently free on Apple iBooks and kobo. My understanding is that Amazon will price match (to make it free on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk) as soon as their systems notice.
Thanks so much for buying my books. I hope you enjoy the new additions to the series, and I look forward to your comments!
Yours aye!
Mike
42 comments:
Free would be cool but I need to finish this series.
I'm glad to hear it, Mike! Hope you enjoy the books.
Been 6 months, what's up with next book?
Hi Mike
Working on it day and night, think it will be October. Thanks for the interest, it's always great encouragement.
best
Mike
Hi Mike, I must say that it is really annoying how you are not getting lots of recognition for these books. Ive read lots of sci fi and I cant remember ever reading five books back to back before. I stayed up until 5am reading Raptuous Perjoration and I was gutted to see the series unfinished, but nevermind. I'm absolutely hooked so keep up the great work!!!
Owen
P.S: The only negative I'd mention, which isn't even a major problem IMO, is that some of Fournier and Weavers technology descriptions were very long and nigh on incomprehensible to me!)
P.P.S: I LOVE DARKWOOD!
Owen!
Thanks so much for your great comments. Delighted to hear that you’re enjoying the books, though I shall certainly have a stern word with my characters for being incomprehensible (thanks for the feedback, much appreciated).
If you haven’t already, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d review the books on Amazon/ Goodreads (many, many thanks if you have already) since this seems to be the best way to get the word out/ get recognition for the books you mention. Thanks again for taking the time to comment, it’s great encouragement.
best regards
Mike
Hi Mike, as you planned I found the first book on Kobo for free and of course bought all the rest. What a great story so far. I'm unsure about how I see the story progressing as there seems to be a lot of opportunity to have our Hero's "solve' this problem and then have them off to save the universe in a whole new story. What I would be a bit disappointed in is a 10 volume "never ending" story similar to a few other story tellers out there. But "Hey" its your to tell and mine to read whether I like it or not. I do have 2 cents worth of comments if you are interested. Cheers
Luke
Luke!
Great to hear you’re enjoying the series and also – please indulge me here – that the marketing offer of the first book worked. It took me two and a half years to write the first book, so offering it for free was a tough decision! It’s great to hear it’s drawing people into the series.
I hear what you say about the ‘never ending story’ and can confirm that isn’t and was never my plan or intention. I have a story in mind (that arcs and finishes) for this series, though you are right to say that in such a complex and wide ranging story universe things inevitably carry on beyond the series itself. I don’t want to milk/ unnecessarily prolong anything, to be honest it’s quite the opposite: I have so many other stories that I’d like to tell! Right now though, there is loads more story in the Contact Series and I can’t wait to share it.
I’ve just reached back in time, into my first sprawling 2,400 page lore document (the first of many such documents), for part of the preamble/ preface that I put into the first book, but subsequently cut during editing. It’s rather rough and indigestible, but perhaps it would have given a sense that the series has a defined beginning, end, and place in the history of the story universe:
“This sense package describes, over several volumes, what historians have come to refer to as the first of the Tellurian missions; though naturally it was not, indeed, could not have been, known as such at the time. We shall not repeat the wide criticism of this flawed nomenclature here – the terminology has, for better or worse, stuck. As the sensor is most likely aware, the Tellurian missions are widely regarded as, if not definitively determinative, certainly the most significant contributory catalyst to the Great Reversal. In reconstructing these events for the historical record, it is fortunate that a number of the humans involved in the first mission were, consciously or otherwise, True Recorders.”
I originally planned the Contact series as a five volume story. As it turns out, I haven’t yet finished what I planned to be in the first book (I like to think I’ve improved at estimating since then; now if only I can keep both shoulders in their sockets!). The next book 6: Rabid Penitence, is planned to be the finale of what would have been the first book as the series was originally conceived. Unfortunately, and I sincerely apologize for this, book 6 is going to come out later than I’d planned, due to injuries/ operations and their subsequent rehabilitation, which has been more complex and prolonged than I or my medical staff foresaw (and meant that, for a long period, I couldn’t write - purgatory). That said, I still hope to beat George R. R. Martin to the punch!
I welcome all comments on the series, Luke: characters, plot, structure, pacing, typos, what you liked, what you didn’t – specific or general, anything and everything. If you have thoughts I’d love to hear them, that goes for all my readers. My email address is in the books and here in my blog profile: simply click on the ‘About Me’ pic of my sunburned face.
Thanks again for your interest and for supporting the series.
Best
Mike
Hi Mike, Owen again, still looking forward to Rabid Penitence, pity about the delay. Re-reading the last book again now.
Love all the tech and battles and the Talmas is bad ass. Keep it up.
Owen!
Great to have you back again. Hope you find some good stuff to keep you occupied while I'm cooking up Rabid Penitence - I'll post a blog when I finally nail a draft I'm happy with.
I'm keeping it up, as you say, and thanks again for the support!
All the best
Mike
Hi Mike,
Just wanted to say that I am enjoying the books all the way in Russia.
Looking forward to the new book in the series !
All the best,
Alexey
Alexey!
That's great to hear! Regards to you in Russia, thanks for stopping by.
All the best
Mike
Really enjoyed the series so far all the characters are well created and thought out the various twists turns and barrel rolls in the series are well planned and executed flawlessly i do enjoy how the story doesnt just stay with one character only but gives differing points of view. My only negative comment is i have to await the 6th ebook but am sure it will be worth the wait .
keep up the great work.
Jason!
Thanks so much. If you get the chance to leave a brief review I'd be truly grateful (if you have already then thanks a million).
All the best to you and yours at new year.
Mike
Hi Mike, I've absolutely loved the story so far and can't wait for the 6th book. I was a little worried at first when no book had been released yet and then I check your blog to see the last update from 2013! I was almost convinced you'd died and left us hanging ! I've absolutely loved the technology you've come up with and the augmented people.
Toshio
Please give us an update on when you think the next book might be out.
I can only agree with my fellow Anonymous. Wonderfull stories and have been checking in over the past year to see how the 6th volume was progressing.
Hope to see it in the near future!
Beginning to think the next book aint coming. What a shame, really enjoyed it till the end (so far).
Just posted five-star reviews of the series on Amazon and Goodreads. Hope the surgery rehab is going well. Any news on progress on book 6? I'm running out of quality sci-fi to read.
Hola!
First, thanks so much for the wonderful comments and messages of encouragement (rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated). Velcrohead85 your comment made my day - thanks so much for posting your reviews.
Second, book 6.
Just to repeat what's been said in earlier comments, in late 2013 I had a shoulder reconstruction (my arm was ripped from its socket). The rehab went sideways and the following year was tough. Afterward, I made some great progress with book 6 but then ran out of money to write. I'm lucky enough to have landed a contract that enables me to save up and try again, but it's not the kind of work that let's one write, or indeed have any kind of life whatsoever, while doing it.
My contract finishes late this year, and after that, it's time to finish what I started. In summary - it's not over for Havoc and the crew yet, not by a long chalk.
Sorry it's frustrating but I'll get there. I can't tell you how keen I am to finish what I started.
Thanks for staying with me.
Yours aye!
Mike
Mike, it's absolutely awful that you've had to go through all that. I'm really glad to hear that you're getting back on your feet, and that you're still pursuing your writing, even with all the rubbish you've had to deal with. You'll get there, and it will be worth it.
How is the shoulder rehab going? Is there any particular part of it that needs lifting up in prayer?
Hi
i really do hope you continue to get better and that things go well for you .
Big things all have a begining
remember take each day as it comes .
all best
Mike,
Keep at it. When folks ask for a good sci-fi series i point them in your direction.
You have a lot of hungry readers out here. I wonder, ever tried a transcription software? Dragon? Something you could just talk to?
Hope you are up and running soon. Love your work.
Sincerely,
John D
Looking forward to reading next novel am sure it will be worth the wait Rome was not built
in a single day.
All best
Hi Mike,
I think that the Contact series is up there with the best books I have ever read. It is best space opera I have read by far! Mike for the love of all that is holy, keep writing!!! You have a rare talent please continue to unleash it on the world!
Wishing you all the best with the rehab, the writing and just in general!
A big fan!
Mike? Are you there?
It's been over a year since your last post!
We're all a bit worried...
Roll your face on the keyboard and bash enter with your forehead so we know your OK!
Hope all is well!
Ben
Mike! Like the Talmas I am craving new material to consume... I hope all is well.
John
Mike! Like the Talmas I am craving new material to consume... I hope all is well.
John
Mike - Hello!
I have been reading SF for the last 50 yrs and your Contact series is among the BEST I have ever read!! Your writing is second to none!! I trust you will keep writing and using your God given talent.
I am waiting anxiously for No. 6 - you can't finish it fast enough for me and when you do, I will re-read Nos. 1-5 again. Thanks and keep them coming!!!
Regards
Hi Everyone!
Ben - MASH MASH MASH - I laughed at your comment, fantastic.
To everyone, it's a tremendous lift just to read down this page, thanks for the kind words and wonderful support.
I've replied to as many people as I could find I have outstanding today, including some that had slipped by me a while ago (apologies if this was you). Before you read on, if I've written to you today, I'm saying nothing new here (it's worse, actually, I'm cribbing what I've sent you). I'll probably spin this into a blog post/ update at some point - and answer some of the more common, and perhaps a couple of the less common (ahem, more unique), questions I've been asked - but while I'm here...
Though still on the rehab road, my health is much better and improving all the time, thank you for asking. In the past year, and with the help of some marvelous friends, I've moved house 3 times, renovated a house (floors, roof, windows, wiring, plumbing, finishing), undergone a bit more surgery, and worked my ass off.
As you'd expect, several years of injury, surgery and rehab piled on a penurious writer has had predictably negative effects, and as things stand - absent a rich benefactor, lottery win or some other fortuitous intervention - I need paid work before I can afford to write again. I'm regrettably obliged to point out that my track record in luck, kismet, windfalls, godsends and indeed any form of cosmic benevolence whatsoever has been inexusably poor, at least to date. Cue blues song about working for the Man, and a stoic tear.
To reaffirm, writing remains my goal, and I'm sorry I don't have better news yet. The whole saga has been frustrating beyond words, so if you've found your way here, thank you for staying with me. The Contact series in particular, due to its scale and complexity, requires nothing less than full time commitment (I've tried it part-time, believe me). For those that posted reviews on Amazon/ Goodreads, I'm incredibly grateful - the hope that the series breaks out remains alive in your endeavors.
As I've said elsewhere, I think I am still somewhat ahead of GRRM in terms of delay, whilst being a tad behind on sales. I hope to accelerate the trend in one regard, and reverse it on the other.
Thanks again for taking the time to post your reviews, comments and encouragement - including on this page alone, Mike H, Luke, Velcrohead85, John D, Jason F, Aidan M, Ben F, PoreMan1, and, of course, Anonymous - every one of your posts is a tremendous lift that pushes me to keep working toward writing. I couldn't ask for more.
Onward to better news in 2017, I hope.
Yours Aye!
Mike
Really glad you managed to get back to us Mike.
I expected a "dfvddvhhddsegnjkll" but you did so much more! (Pointy nose?... or incredibly angular forehead?)
Although, from what you wrote, you've been through a lot of change and it sounds like you might be getting more established now? Hopefully things will start going your way!
Ultimately, the people who find your blog do so because they are pursuing your work. Your contact series is superb and it must be reassuring to see that people, years later, are still encouraging you to continue.
Perhaps some day, later down the line, when you do experience more positives than negatives, you will get the opportunity to continue your passion.
Good Luck Mike
Ben
Mike!
Just another shout out of support!
I've read your series twice now and loved to pick up new stuff from it. Or reread the excellently written action sequences. Love the detail and reality of it all.
I still keenly look forward to continue reading the story.
Cheers! And keep it up!
When it finaly goes on sale, you can expect me to pick it up.
Hey there Mike!
Love your writing style and can't wait to read the next installment in the Contact series. I hope 2017 has been going better for you. I've read all your books on my phone and think it would be a great addition to Kindle Unlimited. At least the first one to get people hooked. I know that's what got me hooked. First hit's free haha
Keep it going!
Hi Mike, I check in about once a quarter to see if you've made any progress and will keep doing that until this page disappears. I think this series is one of the best scifi epics ever written. I've switched to audio books exclusively but your books are the only ones I will "read". Hope everything is common together for you and I really hope you haven't lost interest in writing because i'm dying to know how this story pans out.
Mike, I read a lot of sci fi and have just read your contact books five in a row over the last month. I was so pleased to find an absolute kick ass sci fi series, truly a cut above the normal and up there with some of my favourite authors, Asher, Hamilton, Dandridge, Lalonde... So disappointed to find out that book 6 is still in your brain and not out to read. Reading this blog I understand why though. Please, please, please finish the story! Surely you should be out there as one of the big time authors, your books are good enough. Write some smaller stories for the kindle to get some money in or something. Anything, just don't let your talent go to waste in the real world. You should be writing. Take care Mike and I hope to read more from you soon. Pierre
Hi Mike, hope things are moving on. Just read book 5 for the second time and the series is just as good as I remember. You're really talented and I hope you can eventually finish this masterly tale.
Here's a possibility mike u mention lacking a rich benefactor how's about all of us fans help we each chip in what we can so for example each person chips in a quid £1 times 1000 people u get the idea just a thought is all I can't speak for anyone else just for myself hope you are well and wish you a very merry Christmas from me n mine
Hi Mike,
Just checking in.
Hope you get chance to drop a message sometime soon for an update.
Would be great to hear things are getting better for you.
Ben
Hi Mike,
Haven't heard anything from you in a while. Are you okay? Whatever is going on with you at the moment, you've got a load of people who think you're an amazing author and want the best for you. I really hope you get back to doing what you love at some point.
Hope we hear from you soon, but if not, all the best.
Hey mike
How are you been a while
Hope you are well I'm still re reading all of the contact series as they are extremely entertaining best scifi I've ever read and I've read alot in my time
Anyway stay well the road is long but we are all still here right behind you
Hey Mike. Second time reading the series. In depth, brilliant, so much I could say. Suffering long term health problems myself I understand how it changes your life. I hope you can find your way back to writing. Anyone that has read the series this far will happily pay a decent amount for the next installment.
Have you thought about crowd funding it. Those signing up would be effectively paying for the book before release. It would also give you a good base of test readers, that are already fans so can really critique things. If you had a cost of £5 - £10 to join. With things like online test reads. Q&A sessions etc I know I'd sign up. Maybe a £100 level to name a minor character (even if they only lived for one scene) .
Anyway. Greetings and goodwill from a UK fan.
Hang in there bud, fight for your dream
Gary Watt
Hi Mike,
Hope you're still out there and reading these posts. In support of the previous post I would definitely pledge if you did crowd fund.
httpss://unbound.com/authors/work-with-us
G'day Mike,
Hope you got though Covid ok and things are looking better for you. Ok niceties out of the road and I am going full selfish here.. where is the last book! :) Damn I have read the first 5 a few times now and we (my four sons and I) would really like to know what happens.
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