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Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith

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Author Archives: Michael D. Smith

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Zarreich: The Unexpected Second Draft

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on August 13, 2024 by Michael D. SmithDecember 10, 2024

This summer’s successful resurrection of The University of Mars got me wondering if I couldn’t do the same for another older novel I’d once declared dead. I’ve just finished a second draft of Zarreich, but this novel isn’t ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in Character Images, Drawing, Dreams, Dystopia, Literary, Novels, Writing, Writing Process, Zarreich | Leave a reply

The University of Mars – Publication

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on June 12, 2024 by Michael D. SmithJune 13, 2024

In a dysfunctional 2065 where religious zealots restrict the world to outdated twentieth-century technology, eighteen-year-old Zeke Venan dedicates himself to the life of the mind and to the further evolution of humanity. He drags his Australian girlfriend to an impoverished … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Covers, Double Dragon Publishing, Dystopia, Novels, Publishing, Science Fiction, The University of Mars, Writing, Writing Process | Leave a reply

A Brief History of The University of Mars

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on June 8, 2024 by Michael D. SmithJune 8, 2024

As I mull over a forthcoming post to celebrate the long-overdue publication of The University of Mars, I’ve reflected a bit on its extended history. I.  Draft 1, 1980-1981 The novel began with a longing to describe an archetypal University … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Covers, Dystopia, Novels, Science Fiction, The University of Mars, Writing, Writing Process, Zarreich | 1 Reply

The Soul Institute: The 2024 Update

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on April 29, 2024 by Michael D. SmithApril 29, 2024

Flagship I’ve just finished republishing The Soul Institute, my flagship novel. Exploring my main themes via numerous archetypal characters, complex at 183,000 words and 552 pages, TSI is nevertheless tight and reads quickly; I find its energies high all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Covers, Character Images, Editing, Literary, Novels, Publishing, Sortmind Press, The Soul Institute, Writing, Writing Process | Leave a reply

Supreme Commander Laurie Publication

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on March 18, 2024 by Michael D. SmithMarch 18, 2024

United System Space Force leader Jack Commer has resigned to probe a dangerous cosmic irregularity, elevating physician/engineer Laurie Lachrer to take his place. But when she finds herself inexplicably transported onto his suicide mission, she must struggle to assert herself … Continue reading →

Posted in Balloon Ship Armageddon, Book Covers, Character Images, Jack Commer, Man Against the Horses, Marketing, Martian Marauders, Novels, Publishing, Science Fiction, Sortmind Press, Supreme Commander Laurie, The Wounded Frontier, Writing, Writing Process | Leave a reply

Just Published – Man Against the Horses!

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on March 2, 2024 by Michael D. SmithMarch 19, 2024

Four Theater of the Absurd Novelettes Bumbling officer Marty Brimfeeler probes the death of a brainwashed terrorist in Houston. Five horses break out of their corral and reduce the city of Dallas to rubble. Hapless insurance executive Bobby Thompson proves … Continue reading →

Posted in Akard Drearstone, Black Comedy, Character Images, Dystopia, Man Against the Horses, Science Fiction, Stories, Writing, Writing Process | Leave a reply

So What Did I See on May 13, 1968?

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on February 5, 2024 by Michael D. SmithFebruary 5, 2024

I don’t think I’ve ever written in any detail the story of May 13, 1968 at the Art Institute in Chicago, the day I realized I was an artist. May 13, 1968 was a Monday, and I rode a bus … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Process, Writing | Leave a reply

A Writing Biography, Part VI: Failures, Successes, Rhythms and Swerves, 1983-1994

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on January 8, 2024 by Michael D. SmithDecember 16, 2024

I’m struck by the veering between successes and failures in this period, losing control and skidding across all four lanes until I’d finally get enough sense to stop the car and take a good look around. Had I never learned … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writing Biography, Akard Drearstone, Asylum and Mirage, Character Images, Jack Commer, Martian Marauders, Novels, Painting, Publishing, Query Letters, Science Fiction, Self-Publishing, Sortmind, Stories, The Damage Patrol Quartet, The First Twenty Steps, The Soul Institute, The University of Mars, Writing, Writing Process, Zarreich | 1 Reply

Final 2023 Greatest Hits Drawings

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on December 29, 2023 by Michael D. SmithDecember 29, 2023

A final batch of the best 2023 drawings. Most are in the 8″ x 8″ journal; this size has helped redefine the art journal for me. The redefinition is basically to think of each page as abstract art, as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Process, Drawing | Leave a reply

Supreme Commander Laurie: Manuscript Status and Spaceships

Sortmind Blog - Michael D. Smith Posted on December 18, 2023 by Michael D. SmithMarch 15, 2024

Sometimes this novel still feels like a rough draft, sometimes a finished work close to publication. But I finally decided that Draft 2 is done and that I’m working on successive edits of a final manuscript of Supreme Commander Laurie. … Continue reading →

Posted in Balloon Ship Armageddon, Drawing, Excerpts, Jack Commer, Novels, Science Fiction, Spaceships, Supreme Commander Laurie, Writing, Writing Process | Leave a reply

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<< 1 2 3 4 5 … 26 27 >>

Recent Posts

  • Introducing The Benign Incursion
  • Jack Commer, Supreme Commander – The Complete Series Omnibus
  • A Blog Post from February 13, 1976
  • A Writing Biography, Part VIII: The Exoskeleton, Archiving, Publishing, The Blog, and the Long Novels, 2011-2023
  • The Major 2024 Book Energies
  • A Writing Biography, Part VII: Organization, Lost Energies, New Novels, Publishing, 1994-2011
  • Zarreich – Publication at Last
  • The Sortmind Draft One Project
  • Dreams Used in Zarreich
  • Zarreich – The Draft Covers

Links

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  • Goodreads author page
  • Jack Commer Series from Sortmind Press
  • Kara D. Wilson
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  • Sortmind the novel from Sortmind Press
  • The Soul Institute from Sortmind Press
  • Where to find my novels

Archives

Categories

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  • Book Covers (23)
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  • The Benign Incursion (2)
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Recent Comments

  • Introducing The Benign Incursion – Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith on The Unknown Ending for The Martian Marauders
  • Jack Commer, Supreme Commander – The Complete Series Omnibus – Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith on Trip to Mars in Paperback
  • Jack Commer, Supreme Commander – The Complete Series Omnibus – Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith on The First Childhood Appearance of Jack Commer, September 19, 1962
  • Jack Commer, Supreme Commander – The Complete Series Omnibus – Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith on The Irregular Origin of The Martian Marauders
  • Jack Commer, Supreme Commander – The Complete Series Omnibus – Sortmind Blog – Michael D. Smith on The UR Jack Commer: A Look at the Childhood Beginnings of the Commer Saga

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Michael's books

Why Meditate: Working with Thoughts and Emotions
4 of 5 stars
Why Meditate: Working with Thoughts and Emotions
by Matthieu Ricard
WordPress Web Design for Dummies
4 of 5 stars
WordPress Web Design for Dummies
by Lisa Sabin-Wilson
Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End...
5 of 5 stars
Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End...
by Philip Plait
Using Joomla!
3 of 5 stars
Using Joomla!
by Ron Severdia
Serpent's Tooth
5 of 5 stars
Serpent's Tooth
by Toni V. Sweeney
On a cruise Melissa bonds with an older man, Travis, who turns out to be a famous celebrity in hiding from a once successful life. But by degrees we become aware that his enormous success came at the price of bonding with demonic forces...

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