Monday, March 11, 2013

M Pax: You Can't Take the Sky From Me


I was one of the few original watchers of Firefly when it aired on Fox ten years ago. The first episode they aired was Train Robbery. It caught my attention with a vengeance, and I was devastated when the series was cancelled. Unshiny. Very unshiny, Fox.

Like Star Trek [the original], the mix of trying to survive on a new frontier with the awesomeness of exploring space, is a match most space opera fans can’t resist. At least, I can’t. I aimed to capture that same spirit when creating my universe. So, The Backworlds was born.

Like Firefly, my characters are at the edge of the galactic frontier. There are thugs, thieves, mercenaries, and scam artists. The Firefly characters often swayed between what was morally right, what they needed to survive, and their own goals. My characters often battle similar dilemmas. They’re far from perfect, but they are redeemable. Just like the beloved crew of Serenity.

Life isn’t shiny and perfect in Firefly. It’s raw survival and gritty, ripe with an atmosphere I did intend to capture. Maybe I didn’t, but I know the Backworlds aren’t shiny and perfect.

I couldn’t copy Firefly exactly, because it’s just not my style. I like to be somewhat original and need to do my own thing. [That belief may be a delusion] So my humans have been genetically engineered to deal with less ideal environments on flawed worlds.

I figure it’d be easier to change ourselves to suit less ideal planets than to change entire worlds to fit our needs. And sooner or later, if we intend to survive, we must figure out how to leave Earth and establish humanities on new homes.


~~~

You can try the first in the series, The Backworlds, for free. It’s available for all ereaders. LINKS. It’s also available in paperback for not free from Amazon.

Boomtown Craze is the latest release and the 3rd book in the series.

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to survive in a harsh universe.

To secure his future, Craze must propel his world into a more prosperous era. Only days away from the grand opening of his new and improved tavern, he is confronted by a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up his plans. Gaunt and trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to the underworld that shakes loose the dark past of one of Craze’s closest friends. It all threatens to end Craze’s prosperity before it begins.

Meanwhile off world, Captain Talos works desperately to outwit the mercenary Jixes and lure them away from his and Craze’s budding prospects. The mind-control weapon Talos uses against them is wearing thin, and his next move may be his last.

Will Craze and Talos’s efforts bring about a grand new age of boom or damn them to forever struggle in the dust?


Available in ebook at:





MPAX

M. Pax is a Browncoat and SG fan, she’s also slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. In the summers she docents as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory where the other astronomers now believe she has the most extensive collection of moon photos in existence. No fear, there will be more next summer. She lives in stunning Central Oregon with the Husband Unit and two lovely, spoiled cats.


24 comments:

  1. A book that mirrors the awesomeness that was Firefly? That has to be checked out!

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  2. I loved Firefly and was so confused when it was canceled. Wonderful post and I really like the title of your book!

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  3. I swooned when I got here and saw the Firefly crew!

    You captured the atmosphere very well with The Backworlds series. I've read the first two books and love them! Can't wait to read Boomtown Craze. It's nudged many out of the way in the TBR lineup, climbing to the top of the pile. ;)

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  4. Firefly rocked! Did you ever see that fan movie made for charity? I was going to order one but it was sold out. Ah, well.

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  5. I think I'm one of the only people in the world who hasn't seen Firefly. Dumb on my part because I was a HUGE fan of Buffy & Angel so I already knew I loved Joss Whedon. I don't know why I didn't watch Firefly when it aired. I will definitely have to rectify that error and watch it soon. Especially knowing that it inspired your great Backworlds stories!

    Always great to read your posts, Mary. :)

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  6. Perfect characters are no fun anyway.

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  7. Tweeted!

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  8. I agree---anything that mirrors Firefly is bound to be awesome. I agree with Alex, you captured it well!

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  9. I loved loved loved Firefly, so I'll be checking this one out.

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  10. Thank you for hosting me today, Misha! One of these days I will be hosting you and your Doorways tour.

    Thank you, Alex.

    I hope you like it, Lan

    Me, too, SA. I still want more.

    That makes me swoon, too, Laura, and the song. I loved the song.

    I need to try and get one, Sean

    I just gasped, Julie. Loud. It's the most awesome TV show ever made.

    They're boring, Diane

    Thank you, Shelly

    Thanks, Randi

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  11. Count me in the "can't resist" category too. :) Love the idea of space westerns.

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  12. *sigh* Firefly... good memories. I will have to check out The Backworlds!

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  13. P.S. Misha, thanks so much for visiting my blog several weeks ago. :) Didn't get a chance to reply to those comments, so I wanted to thank you here.

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  14. Hope you like, Patti

    Thank you, Beth

    There's something about them, Nicole

    I still miss it, Shelley

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  15. You had me at 'Firefly'... And yes, its cancellation was very, very unshiny.

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  16. I'm wracking my brains to try and remember something about Firefly, but I'm blank!
    However, I thoroughly enjoyed the first story in the series The Backworlds.

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  17. Maybe, I can get a glimpse of Fire fly with Your book series. Flawed characters often make for interesting stories. A saint gets boring after a point. Congrats once again.

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  18. I never watched Firefly, but I know the feeling when a show you love is canceled. Not fun. I'll have to learn about Firefly from your books :)

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  19. Hi Misha,
    Always nice to stop by. Always nice to hear of good reads from our blogmates! Go M. Pax!
    ~Just Jill

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  20. Ten years ago? Really? It never felt like the network was giving the show a chance - such a shame! Congratulations on the release of the latest Backworlds :-)

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  21. Extremely unshiny, MJ

    I'm glad you did, Michelle

    Saints get annoying real quick, Rekha

    Hope you enjoy, Carol

    Thank you, Rachna and Jill

    I can't believe it's been that long either, Annalisa

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