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Basedcon 2025
This past weekend, I attended a convention comprised primarily of independent creators. It was a blast being with authors, both established and hobbyists, and fans. We talked about our works and the genres. In fact, I met a person at lunch who was reading Fallen- meeting a reader in the wild is a dream come true for every author. Below the panels I was on, as well as flash interviews with some friendly independent creatives.
“Catholics in Space” and Military Science Fiction Panels
The Catholics in Space panel’s questions were derived from reader’s suggestions, so thank you to everyone who participated. Panel members were Ann Margaret Lewis, who has been involved in everything from DC Comics to teaming up Sherlock Holmes and the Vatican, S. Kirk Pierzchala, who writes fantasy and techno-thrillers, and Rachel Fulton Brown, a poet and University of Chicago professor of medieval and church history. Questions tackled included what’s a major “sci-fi” issue the Church will confront soon, why do Catholics and vampires go together, should futuristic tales tackle futuristic dogmatic issues, best portrayals of religion in fiction, and what are pragmatic steps non-romance/non-End Times Christian fiction authors can take to make headway in the writing world.
At the last minute, I was added to the military science fiction panel. Instead of being a ringer, I was a little off my A game, but I contributed to questions that dealt with do you create the world-then-conflict-then militaries or conflict-militaries-world, how much in the weeds do you go when describing sci-fi military technology, and how the lack of NCOs in military science fiction is annoying. It turned out I was in the minority as a world builder first as others started off with things like wanting to do the Battle of Rorke’s Drift with murder elves. Panel members included the great, well-respected military historian and New York Times bestselling science fiction author Blaine Pardoe, Bill Willingham, creator of the Fables comic series, and game designer and author Alexander Macris.
Quick Interviews with Independent Creators
I wanted to get a quick sense for readers the types of authors present at the convention. So here are quick, three minute interviews with a small selection of who attended.
S. Kirk Pierzchala of - Science Fiction & Fantasy
Herman Hunter - Fantasy
Eric M. Hamilton - Alternative History
Frederick Heimbach - Alternative History & Science Fiction Novels and Music
Michael A. Kirby - Young Adult
Other Independent Book Promotions
Breath: A Creation Myth Short Story by Jodi L. Milner - Free Short Story
Above the cliffs where the sea meets the sky, Fauna weaves life into existence. As the Guardian of Souls, her every creation connects to her in an intricate, unseen web. Her duty is eternal, her work unmatched, and her solitude unyielding.
But one evening, a quiet moment observing her cherished albatross sparks something unexpected within her—an ache she cannot name and a longing she does not understand. For centuries, Fauna has found contentment in the rhythm of creation and communion. Now, she feels a void too vast to ignore.
With the winds at her back and her siblings whispering on the edges of existence, Fauna embarks on a journey of self-discovery. What she uncovers will challenge everything she knows about the world, her role within it, and the fragile threads that bind creation itself.
"Breath" is a lyrical and moving tale of identity, longing, and transformation. Perfect for fans of myth-inspired fantasy and deeply emotional storytelling, this short story delves into the universal need for connection and the sacrifices we make to find where we belong.
Discover a world of ethereal beauty, intricate relationships, and a Guardian whose choices may reshape the very fabric of existence.
Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey - Book for Sale for $4.99 and On Kindle Unlimited
A steadfast private detective. A case that would cover all his debts. When the first body drops, can he catch a killer before he’s cashed out?
In a litigious future America, detective Marcus Carver sticks to civil cases. When a space tech CEO wants him to investigate a business rival for illegal hydrocarbon combustion, Carver reluctantly agrees. But the case takes an explosive turn when the police find the target’s head of security murdered.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Carver finds himself sucked into a morass of cyberpunk gangsters, cultish environmentalists and crooked cops. And when another body turns up, it’s clear this ruthless killer doesn’t intend to stop.
Can Carver crack the case before it blows up in his face?
Murder in Retrograde is a thrilling science fiction crime novel. If you like stories about dystopian systems and hard-boiled detectives battling corrupt institutions, then you’ll love Greg Hickey’s propulsive futuristic whodunit.
Read Murder in Retrograde today to enjoy a page-turning near-future mystery.
The Fifth Glass by Greg Wolford - Free Book
*A crack in the goblet lets the light in...*
In a kingdom where magic flows like wine through silver goblets, servant Corin knows his place: pour, bow, disappear. For generations, enchanted drinks have bound nobles to power and servants to silence, maintaining a perfect order where memories can be erased with a toast.
But when Corin accidentally drinks from the mysterious Fifth Glass—a vessel meant only for those born to rule—he absorbs forbidden memories and magic that no servant should possess. Now hunted by the Royal Enchanter Velleren, Corin finds an unlikely ally in Lady Thena Caelith, an exiled noblewoman with dangerous knowledge of her own.
As Corin's stolen memories begin to unravel the kingdom's darkest secrets, he discovers the true cost of the nobility's power: countless servants erased from history, their identities sacrificed to maintain the magical hierarchy. With palace Mirror Agents closing in, Corin and Thena must use their forbidden connection to spark a rebellion of remembrance before Velleren can rewrite them both out of existence.
In this spellbinding tale of magic and memory, the most dangerous power isn't found in enchanted goblets, but in those brave enough to remember what others were forced to forget.
*Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic series and Samantha Shannon's The Priory of the Orange Tree.*
Until Next Time
Next time, we will take look at Padre Pio’s thoughts about aliens. Coming soon will be the first chapter of the Savannah Paranormal Detective Agency 2!
As always, please leave a comment with any questions, reviews, thoughts, whatever about Fallen, Risen, Dormition, An Odd Pilgrimage, The Savannah Paranormal Detective Agency or whatever else I have discussed. I promise to reply!
