The new issue of Worldbuilding Magazine is now available, featuring an article by myself called “Reaching for the Stars: Designing Spacecraft for Hard Science Fiction.”
Join me in exploring concepts behind power generation, propulsion, FTL travel, artificial gravity, and more in this extensively researched nine-page article!
Worldbuilding Magazine is free, and you can download the full-color PDF HERE!
As always, there’s a lot of exciting things going on in the B.K. Laboratory. I wanted to share a little of what is planned for the rest of the year and beyond, and some news about a change in direction for me as an author.
Before we get into what’s coming next, I think it would be best to take a quick look at what has come before. Last year I was plugging away at what should be a fairly long science fiction novel. I decided one weekend to take a break to avoid burnout, and wrote a dark fantasy novella.
Then I wrote another, and another, and an anthology, and a cyberpunk novella, and a heroic fantasy novella…. In the meantime, I had also started up a company and began a career as a publisher, not to mention launching my own literary magazine with the help of my business partners.
So, that weekend off turned into a year of crazy levels of productivity, but alas my novel was still simmering on the back-burner. I think this was the best thing for it, since I’ve learned lot about writing and editing over the course of the last year.
Which bring us to now. After receiving reviews of my various novellas, there’s been one common trend:
My biggest critique? I wanted more.
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for part 2.
I wish the next book was out already.
I look forward to Book 2 of the trilogy!
My only complaint is born merely of anticipation. I want more!
As much as I love being able to tell all these different stories, it is important to me that my readers be happy too! In the interest of that, I’ve rearranged my commitment to the publishing company to free up more writing time, and will be shifting my focus away from novellas and to full-length novels.
This first brings us back to the science fiction novel on the back burner: What Once Was Home. I’ll be committing most of April to finishing this manuscript and hope to have the revised draft to my editor by mid-May.
Find out more about What Once was Home here!
The other big change coming from this is that the project I was currently focused on – Parting the Veil – is going to be delayed. It was coming out this summer, but it will now have a release in the fall. This is not only because of the time being spent on What Once Was Home, but also because I’ll be making Parting the Veil a novel instead of a novella! The outline for the story already has a lot going on, and as a novella it was going to have to be a very streamlined plot that didn’t delve too deeply into certain things. The potential for a novel-length story is definitely there, so I’m going to make that happen.
Find out more about Parting the Veil here!
Now, there were quotes up there from readers anticipating the next book in a series or trilogy. Not to worry! Between these other projects, and contiguous with them, I’ll still be working on my novellas. The focus will be on delivering highly anticipated sequels, and I will not be starting any new series until these are out there. Among these projects are Companions of the Stone Road, the sequel to Warriors of Understone; and Night Life, the sequel to Night Shift.
All of these projects and more should be completed before the end of this year, and I’m looking forward to many more exciting things in 2020!
Warriors of Understone has received another review!
M.E. II has rated it 5 stars on Goodreads.
Warriors of Understone is an excellent new novella crafted by the skilled hand of B.K. Bass. I was immediately immersed into the detailed society and caught up within the caste structure and setting completely. Each character spoke with their own unique voice and pursued a grounded agenda. Their interactions wove seamlessly into a rich tapestry of visceral reality.
Everything had a real and immediate feel to it. The story carried me along at a breathless pace, building up to a satisfying finale that I wouldn’t dare spoil for you. I devoured the entire work in one sitting, unable to put it down until I was finished. That, more than anything will tell you how deeply I was caught up in the tale. I was impressed by the detail of character and the depth of setting that Mr. Bass put into so few pages. It’s rare for me to encounter a novella that has such a solidly epic feel. I had the same, deep satisfaction at the end as if it had been written as a multi-book series.
B.K. Bass is a master world crafter and this work shows his skills at their best.
Find out more about Warriors of Understone HERE.
I sat down with Hanson Oak of Deadwood Interviews recently for his inaugural podcast episode. We discussed publishing, writing, and why social media is a dumpster fire. Don’t miss this!
Deadwood Interviews: Episode 1 – B.K. Bass (Kyanite Publishing)
Be good to each other; and when you’re not sure if you should say something, just ask yourself, “If this person was holding an axe, would I still say that?”
When an average office drone’s Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder leads to an odd malady, he undergoes a physical and psychological metamorphosis.
Molting Season is an original new psychological horror short story that can be found on the Kyanite Press Online.
Warning: This story is not for the squeamish!
My latest interview with J.D. Kellner of The Wet Ink Project is online!
Find out more about the creative process and inspiration behind The Ravencrest Chronicles, Warriors of Understone, and some deep philosophical questions such as “Who would win in a fight between Legolas and Gimli?”
Today is a landmark moment for myself, as the very first works I published as an independent author are being re-released. Each of The Ravencrest Chronicles books are being presented by Kyanite Publishing in an all-new revised edition in eBook format and collected in an omnibus available as eBook, paperback, or premium hardcover special edition.
This is truly a revised edition, as the books underwent more than a simple proofreader’s edit before being re-released. I reworked significant portions of the prose – especially in Seahaven – to apply advances in my own writing skills with the purpose of bringing the city of Seahaven even more to life. The books also went through an intensive copy-editing process by the editors at Kyanite Publishing. The end result is a version of these books that is more polished and that more clearly represents the original vision of The Ravencrest Chronicles.
Without further ado, I proudly present The Ravencrest Chronicles, Wave One!
In the city of Seahaven, dark threats loom around every corner. In such a desperate place, it falls upon the shoulders of thieves, pirates, scoundrels, and even orphans to fight to protect the people from things lurking in the shadows.
The Ravencrest Chronicles Omnibus One includes the first four books of the series: Seahaven, The Hunter’s Apprentice, The Giant and the Fishes, and Tales From the Lusty Mermaid.
Within these three novellas and a collection of short stories, flash fiction, and poetry, the world of The Ravencrest Chronicles comes to life with a level of gritty realism seldom seen in print.
Premium Hardcover edition available with alternate cover art, character profiles, world-building notes, an expanded introduction by the author, and a piece of original and exclusive short fiction!
Gareth Vann is an accomplished thief in the city of Seahaven. He is mostly concerned with coin and drink, but does have an altruistic streak. He never intended to be a hero, though, until an encounter with vampires, dreaded undead creatures of the night. Now, he finds himself trapped in the middle of a conspiracy that reaches all the way to the highest levels of nobility and must reluctantly hunt the creatures of the night the only way he knows how: from the shadows.
Miles is a young orphan growing up in Seahaven. The coastal city has always been his home, and the streets have always been where he laid his head. Now, he is learning the shadow craft from his mentor, Gareth. Life seems to be looking up for Miles until he hears news of grave danger in the city. Together, Miles and Gareth must uncover the secrets behind a most sinister plot. Miles discovers that there are deadlier things awaiting in the shadows than he could have imagined, and with Gareth’s help he must learn to hunt them down.
Fergus always dreamed of setting sail out on the sea, free of the confines of the city of Seahaven. He never thought he would actually get the chance until tragedy befalls his family. Suddenly, he is thrust into a world of violence, adventure, and coin! Fergus lives the life he always wanted as a pirate, but he is haunted by his past. As the shadows behind him grow ever darker, the challenges ahead muster like a furious storm on the sea. Will he be consumed by his own mind, or will he finally find the atonement for which he strives?
Pull up a seat and grab a full flagon of ale, because tonight is bound to be a night full of action, adventure, and romance! At The Lusty Mermaid, tall tales of all sorts are told every night. You’re in luck, because tonight is no exception. From a castle gala to a giant octopus, the city of Seahaven has all sorts of strange tales to tell.
Featuring an exclusive novelette: The Sparrow’s War.
Master thief Gareth Vann has trained an army of orphan children to act as his spies in Seahaven. When they learn of a foul plot targeting their own, they take up arms and fight the darkness from the shadows!
I have added to bkbass.com a page with a list of all the awards and contest wins I have won so far an an author. You can find this page in the main menu under the ‘About’ drop-down menu or follow the link HERE.
The wonderful folks over at World Anvil hosted a new competition in the month of January titled “A Family Affair.” The goal of this challenge was to write an article focusing on an important family for our worldbuilding projects.
World Anvil is a worldbuilding tool for Authors,
worldanvil.com
Storytellers and worldbuilding lovers.
My entry into the contest was “The House of Leopold“, detailing the ruling family of the Kingdom of Brisland. This is part of the world of Istaria, which I am developing for a future epic fantasy series tentatively called The Eternity War. I’m proud to announce that this article was chosen as the winner of the Premier League of the competition!
(All past competition winners during the year compete in a separate league so that more writers have an opportunity to win.)
There were a lot of wonderful entries, and in reviewing the other competitors during the month I honestly did not think I was going to win this one. I’d like to give everybody who entered the contest a hearty congratulations for all of the fine work that was done. I read about many amazing families throughout the month and was amazed at the quality of the articles produced.
So as to not hog the spotlight, I’d also like to help spread the word about all of the other awards and accolades announced for A Family Affair.
Most Likes: “The Gershorio Family“
Best Layout: “The Aslann Family”
Technical Achievement: “House Pentiwichen”
Regular League Winner: “The Gershorio Family”
Premier League Winner: “The House of Leopold”
Regular League Runner-up: “The Aslann Family“
Premier League Runner-up: “Jo’oo Clan”
Again, congratulations to everyone who won one of the above awards, made the short-lists for consideration, and to the writers of every entry for putting the work into creating something new and amazing to share with the world. As far as I’m concerned, you are all winners too because you’ve made progress on your projects.
