DISPATCH FROM THE QUERY TRENCHES Novel: Opportunia, by Phil Bailey Week 3 --------- Queries Sent: 15 Replies: 3 Rejections: 3 To Date -------- Queries Sent: 46 Replies: 5 Rejections: 5 #querytrenches

Just a reminder that you can get 13 sci-fi ebooks, written by 13 talented indie authors, for as little as $25 (US)! As a bonus, my own Kelvoo's Testimonial novel is included! 😁 Please keep in mind that the offer ends on February 12th. Purchase/Download at: www.storybundle.com/aliens

I'm honored to have my book (Kelvoo's Testimonial) included in this amazing bundle!

DISPATCH FROM THE QUERY TRENCHES Novel: Opportunia, by Phil Bailey Week 2 --------- Queries Sent: 18 Replies: 2 Rejections: 2 To Date -------- Queries Sent: 31 Replies: 2 Rejections: 2 #querytrenches

Interested in 13 quality sci-fi ebooks from 13 amazing indie authors? Offered through StoryBundle, you can get the three featured books for $5 or all 13 for $25 (US prices). I'm delighted to have my novel, Kelvoo's Testimonial, among the 10 bonus books. PURCHASE LINK: storybundle.com/alien…

DISPATCH FROM THE QUERY TRENCHES Novel: Opportunia, by Phil Bailey Week 1 --------- Queries Sent: 13 Replies: 0 Rejections: 0 Remarks: Zero rejections! Woo-hoo (I guess). Stay tuned for weekly updates. #querytrenches

New year, new novel! My previous sci-fi novels were self-published. This time, I'm going to try to get my newest one, Opportunia, traditionally published. I have a list of 105 agents and I've just sent queries to the first two. Wish me luck! 🤞

One day at work, I jokingly said, "sometimes, I think my job is to take the blame for anything that goes wrong." "Yeah, said a co-worker. I blame Phil for my parents getting divorced." "That may be true," I replied, "but your mom was REALLY GOOD!"

To think that, until recently, this was an investigative reporting program that held the politically powerful to account. www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...

FOLLOW ME 💙📚 All readers and writers and literary types; creators from far and close by. I beg thee to follow me, for I must lift my follower count to the sky . . .

Can anyone (maybe @scifiscavenger.bsky.social) think of a recent sci-fi novel about a person who eagerly moves to a planet or place with little or no government, where corporations rule everything, only to find oppression and a miserable existence? continued . . .

Another day, another book marketing scammer message. This time, I actually bothered to reply. BTW, what do you think of his email address? Seems to me like a legit handle for a book club curator! 😆

Here's one of my favourite lines from my WIP, "Opportunia": "There's only a few who can write good an' talk proper."

Rewrites are hard. A couple of months ago my beta readers reacted to my WIP, "Opportunia". While my main character is supposed to be unlikeable, most readers thought he is far TOO UNLIKEABLE for many people to read beyond part 1. Continued. . . 📚💙

Let us in. Hold ICE accountable. Tear down the fence. This is what we are demanding from the Broadview ICE facility, and nothing less. Our leaders can decide whether they stand with the people or with ICE. There is no middle ground.

I've just posted my three favourite reads of 2025 to shepherd.com, consisting of work by @pcawdron.bsky.social, @tktoppin.bsky.social, and Bonnie Garmus (who doesn't seem to be on BlueSky). Check out my reasons at the link below: shepherd.com/bboy/2025/f/...

Congratulations to @pcawdron.bsky.social for another excellent first contact #sciencefiction novel. I enjoyed it immensely and heartily recommend it. You'll find the relevant details in this screen shot.

A moment of zen in a crazy world. Sunrise over Sidney, BC

When I'm not working on my latest novel, I enjoy flying my drone to record scenic videos. I shot some wonderful sights on a recent road trip to the Yukon. I hope you enjoy this selection of some of the best clips, and I hope it brings you a little calm in this crazy world. youtu.be/rVlee0vE-Ik

Apparently, Amazon's rules have changed, allowing those of us in Kindle Unlimited to make our e-books available to libraries! Here's a video from Draft2Digital with instructions on doing this through their platform. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv__...

ROAD TRIP!

This video needs to be shared. It shows Native American youth reacting to South Park's Kristi Noem episode. While they found parts of the episode amusing, their thoughtful commentary and perspective were very moving. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjo...

The latest sci-fi first contact book I've read is Gold Rush by @pcawdron.bsky.social. It's another excellent story from Peter, which I'm happy to recommend. Here are the details from my Goodreads review:

The manuscript for my next (4th) novel, "Opportunia", is in the hands of my beta readers! I'm looking forward to their feedback with a combination of happy anticipation and nervous trepidation. 😀😬

I just went to see a live performance of The Book of Mormon. Best show I've ever seen in my entire life! Not only was it hilarious, it was also unexpectedly poignant. I loved every minute of it.

Presenting the most American man in the world! 😆😆😆 youtu.be/RhBV5YenbQM?...

A wonderful review from an accomplished #ScienceFiction author! Thank you, T.K.!

I don't care if they're offering 30% off, 100% off, or even offering to pay me to go. This Canadian says NO EFFING WAY!

The following ad was shown to me on the Yahoo Finance home page. It's been a few years since I've flown anywhere, but seriously??? 😆😆😆

I'm looking for feedback on the following text for the back cover of my next novel (I posted an earlier version yesterday). I welcome your suggestions and corrections. Also, does the text make the book seem like something you'd like to read? Thank you. #Booksky #SciFi

My WIP (novel): OPPORTUNIA I'd love some feedback on the synopsis for my work-in-progress (see screen shot). I welcome any corrections or suggested improvements. Also, does Opportunia look like the kind of story you would be interested in reading? Thank you. #booksky

I'm delighted to announce that my debut novel, Kelvoo's Testimonial, is available now in AUDIOBOOK format (narrated by me)! My book tells a story of human first contact, written from the *extraterrestrial's perspective*. Please click here for a list of links: www.kelvoo.com/authors-blog...

Please share this moving, poignant song, which captures so many of my fellow Canadians' feelings toward our southern neighborurs. youtu.be/k7LwCt79XVQ?...

This link provides the clearest explanation of how the Trump regime calculated its "reciprocal" tariffs on other countries. It's less than 10 minutes long and it's one of the best explainer videos I've ever seen! www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWhv...

I LOLed at this marketing message sent to me via LinkedIn. It's obviously from a template that starts, "As a {insert contact's profession}, you're no stranger to..." Yes, as "a author", I can barely keep up with all the invoices I'm sending out and the massive volume of payments I'm receiving! 😆😆😆

I'm delighted to share this happy song about the future end of the Trump regime! Truly something to look forward to! 😃 youtu.be/Dgd5DbZQdfs?...

Timeline cleanse: The fawn lilies have just joined the daffodils in blooming. Sidney, BC, Canada

Please reassure me that "virtual voice" means something other than A.I. generated!

The latest first contact #sciencefiction novel by Peter Cawdron (@pcawdron.bsky.social) is another winner! I enjoyed Minotaur immensely and I've left a five-star review on Amazon (see below). If you're looking for a gripping #scifi adventure, you'll want to check this one out.

A purple sky at sunset, over VanIsle Marina here in Sidney on Vancouver Island.

This might be the brightest 🌈 I've ever seen! From Sidney on Vancouver Island.

Plenty of excitement here in Sidney, British Columbia!

If you like a great alien xenofiction story (a story from an alien's perspective) as much as I do, you'll love "Raq" by T.K. Toppin (@tktoppin.bsky.social). I finished reading it yesterday and I recommend it. Please see my review with the details, below.

I just captured this lovely sight from Sidney on Vancouver Island. 🌈

Love this - especially the comments people have left. 😆

#BookSky Have you tried Amazon ads and wondered why they don't work (or why your ad costs are far higher than the value of books sold)? Brandon Sanderson explains it brilliantly in this video (I've cued it up to the relevant part at 30:50). youtu.be/f_o71juJkPs?...

Want to see a politician who is intelligent, articulate, and straightforward? Please check out Canada's foreign minister Melanie Joly, interviewed by Christiane Amanpour. youtu.be/z3rIlAITjXk?...

Another great Canadian song. They're being cranked out fast and furiously lately. youtu.be/gyX86aOfX2Q?...