We thought the aliens wouldn’t find us. We thought we could trust the Maintainers. We were wrong.
We thought the aliens wouldn’t find us. We thought we could trust the Maintainers. We were wrong.
Sons of Taldra features gay characters in major roles, so I don’t want anyone who would object to drawing a same-gender couple. On the other hand, the book contains no sex scenes, and the pictures should be strictly SFW (Safe For Work).
I’d like to commission at least one work, but might order more, from a few different artists. The characters should look human, but the realism might vary. They should not look like puppets, talking cats, etc., but it’s fine if they look cartoonish.
The artist(s) will, of course, receive acknowledgment wherever I post the picture(s).
The main setting for Sons of Taldra is Valchondria, which is simply Earth in an alternate reality. Technology had advanced more quickly there, but stagnated when the Valchondrians abandoned space travel and banned contact with anyone outside their atmosphere. A cyberpunk look, or something similar, would be ideal if we see it, but we’re focusing on the people. (This book is a stand-alone spinoff from my earlier book Degranon.)
>>Possible images (mostly close-up or waist-up):
1. Argen or Telius alone. Or both of them, back-to-back, waist up, Telius in a black T-shirt and Argen in a bright green one. They’re identical twins, 19, with black hair, but Argen has a buzz cut, while Telius has shoulder-length hair. Native American. Flat nose bridges and high cheekbones.
2. Central to the book. Telius and his fiancΓ© Jase-Dawn. (Remember that Telius is Argen’s long-haired twin.) Jase-Dawn is black, twenty, with dark brown eyes. He’s slender but well-toned. They could be cuddling, holding hands, leaning against each other, embracing, or just looking at each other, as long as the viewer is likely to see them as a couple. This excerpt at Queeromance (near the bottom of that page) can provide inspiration.
3. General Sydra, one of the Maintainers, the group that serves as the military, police, and judges of Valchondria. Gray military uniform with black arms. No headband, earrings, or hat. African American, late thirties, just over six feet tall. A look of confidence and strength in her dark brown eyes. Short hair.
4. Taldra, the mother of the twins. Native American. A year ago, she became Leader of Valchondria’s one-world government, after working two decades as one of Valchondria’s leading (but most controversial) scientists. She’s short, a little over five feet. Long black hair, usually pulled to the left side and discretely fastened behind her head. She likes colorful dresses or other outfits—maybe a 1970s look. Light brown eyes. Hoop earrings in right ear. Stunningly beautiful.
Please tag suggested artists to create commissioned #ArtWork for posts about Sons of Taldra: A #ScienceFiction Adventure π³️π. Character gifs or jpgs of some of the characters, mostly Native American. More at my blog: https://t.co/zSqAusO1AS pic.twitter.com/Sbat3bsmbN
— AcornTexas π³️π (@DuaneSimolke) January 8, 2020
Please also visit Reactions to Homophobia, here at this blog.
#QueerSciFi #LGBTQbooks #WeWantDiverseBooks #SciFiTrailer
I found the entire site both easy to navigate and a good resource for authors and readers. The webmasters generously included my diversity-themed scifi novels Degranon and Sons of Taldra on the page Science Fiction/Fantasy/Paranormal Fiction, putting my work in the good company of many talented writers.
Readers can sign up at Queer In Color for an email newsletter to read about new releases, free books, and more. The Twitter account Queer In Color also includes updates.
Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure. In an alternate reality, an Iroquois scientist and her twin gay sons battle shapeshifting aliens. * Both Taldra Novels in One EBook * Chapter 1 at Wattpad * Book Teaser, Spoiler Alert * Writing a Novel * Glossary
The Acorn Stories. “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews. * Excerpts from The Acorn Stories * The Individual Stories * Reading Group Questions * Historical Acorn, Texas * Texas Tales Book Trailer * Comedy & Drama Book Trailer
The Acorn Gathering: Writers Uniting Against Cancer. Join the fight against cancer by purchasing this fundraising fiction collection, with stories by Jan Chandler, Shawna R. Van Arum, Huda Orfali, Timothy Morris Taylor, and Bill Wetzel. * Book Reviews * News and Authors * HD Book Trailer * Excerpts from The Acorn Gathering * Free Story: Fat Diary: Humor
Holding Me Together counters homophobia, promotes equality, and celebrates life! * Reactions to Homophobia * Home (Gay Romance) * The Bible and Gays * Selected Poems eBook
The Return of Innocence: A Fantasy Adventure blends humor and romance with exciting fantasy action. * Characters * HD Book Trailer
Stein, Gender, Isolation and Industrialism: New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio examines the best-known work of the influential American writer, Sherwood Anderson.
* Book Index: Genres, Themes, and Keywords
Resources:
Ray Ferch’s BookHylla book search
Rebecca Crunden’s List of Resources for Indie Authors
Author/Blogger Michael Ampersant
Author/Blogger Leonard Tillerman