Chapter One of the sequel in my series

Original Content | 7/11/2025 | By Laz A. Mataz

[Lazamataz]

I love you.

[Wasichu]

Killed poor Martini in the first chapter!

You’ve caught my interest, I await what comes next.

[Lazamataz]

She is rather…bulbous and naughty.

I have things I could say about those tentacles that would surely get me suspended!

[Lazamataz]

Killed poor Martini in the first chapter!

He was a red-shirt. 😊

You’ve caught my interest, I await what comes next.

If you like this, go to the prequel. It's a fully-developed (and rave-reviewed) novel. There are links on this thread. Enjoy!

[Wasichu]

Yes, I’ve been to Amazon and expect to order a paper copy soon.

Is the cost difference prohibitive to make your print versions Large print? Don’t even offer small traditional print, who would complain?

I’m 70 now and appreciate that, always look for it when available.

[Lazamataz]

I think it can be bought with accessible print (larger size). Check the options on the Amazon page.

If not, go ahead and make the purchase (to help get my numbers up) and I'll personally ship you a PDF with decent size print to your email. 😊

[Lazamataz]

And if you want a paperback with larger print, I will see what I can do for you!

[alexander_busek]

The station’s personnel were there to collect Helium-3 extracted from the regolith [...]

This was a new duty station for him and his Dad, there were new people to meet, and he was plagued by the dreaded feeling of whether or not he would fit in.

His father, Commander Bratt, introduced the members of this group one by one.

[...] before realizing it was Nick Bratt, who had smacked into her, sending her airborne.

The grayish-brown moon dust crunched under the tracks of the lunar rover, each movement echoing in the vast emptiness of the lunar cave. [...] the teens heard clanking [...] The teens heard clanking from the rover microphone [...]

As others have already pointed out, sound does not carry in a vacuum.

Questions:

1. Do you intend to establish at some point that the station has artificial Earth gravity?

2. Are the kids wearing one-size-fits-all space suits?

3. Are we to assume that Nick is already well-versed in the proper protocols pertaining to the wearing of space suits? Has he already lived on outposts / stations on other planets and moons?

4. Is this novelette intended to appeal chiefly to "Young Adults?"

Regards,

[Lazamataz]

Confirmed: Kindle is available with a changeable font size.

[oldeguy]

That is a good start Laz! I can’t wait to see it in Barnes and Noble. Now about those “Sprites”. Were they Great White Sprites, Black Tipped Sprites or just run if the mill Hammerhead Sprites? LOL

[freepertoo]

Yes, self publishing is the way to go these days. I was a professional writer back in the day with an agent (scripts). When I picked up the pen again recently I saw how dramatically the publishing industry has changed. Self publishing is the right path. Disadvantage is there is so MUCH bad writing out there now because anyone can self publish.

[alexander_busek]

One neat feature of living on the Moon is that the Earth is always in the same place in the sky.

You have heard of libration, right? The Moon exhibits both latitudinal and longitudinal libration - hence, an observer on about 1% of the surface of the Moon (i.e., at the so-called "limbs" at the apparent edge of the Moon as viewed from Earth) could watch the Earth completely dipping below / rising above the lunar horizon every month.

For observers elsewhere, the libration is still in effect, but the phenomenon wouldn't be as dramatic - the Earth would simply appear to wobble about 8° (due to longitudinal libration) and 7% (due to latitudinal libration), and therefore describe an analemma in the lunar sky.

The Earth has an apparent diameter of about 2° in the lunar sky, so this shift in position is not trivial.

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

You need to put a cover on it like a Harlequin romance with a half-naked chick in the arms of Adonis. It will draw them in like flies to a turd.

Well, this alien is female.

Gosh, I hope that I'm allowed to display this here! It's a pretty famous painting, after all!

Regards,

[crusty old prospector]

Is that like alien porn?

[alexander_busek]

It's entitled "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife," first published in 1814.

Regards,

[snork55]

We went with hybrid publishing. Which covers editing, marketing, and setting up various other services, etc. With the hybrid yes, you pay up front but the publisher does not get a cut until the author is reimbursed first, then they recieve .20 cents per book. Royalties are paid at a better rate to the author, e.g. 70% vs. 20%.

[alexander_busek]

It's a pretty famous painting woodblock print, after all!

Regards,

[freepertoo]

I’m doing Draft 2 Digital.

[jmacusa]

Very good. Looks like you're being well received. Good luck!

[Bullish]

It’s good Laz, I’d read it.