Gage S.

Author of human-centric speculative fiction.
Writing philosophical sci-fi on sacrifice/choice.
Founder of · short fiction & reflective prose.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

The Alien Game Masters thought they could buy us out.

On Floor 71, the high-echelon audit matrices offered the Null Group a deal: clean chasses, total repair of our structural damage, and ascension into the cosmic fold.

The cost? Sacrificing the 8,000 human survivors standing right behind us to balance their broken betting ledger.

Chapter 47 of ERROR: HUMANITY NOT INCLUDED is officially live. The house is trying to settle, but the vanguard is here to collect the debt.

Thread continued below with the link 👇 ⚙️🥀📊

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@PyresMagicka I think it should be just "M. K. Overton". That sounds fitting.

[Shane Donovan @SDDonovan]

How I feel going back to edit. 😅

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@tonyhenandez790 He is and his name is Vaxen Kestrel. The story is on Royal Road and titled "Humanity Not Included".

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@stephenRB4 Chapter titles most definitely.

[Shane Donovan @SDDonovan]

Being an indie author doesn't mean you failed.

It means you get to write the stories traditional publishing would probably reject.

That's a freedom no one can ever take away from you.

[Ian is Writing and Publishing @PyresMagicka]

As a dad, I get to wait in line so my family can enjoy the ride without having to be bored at the fair. Yeah it’s boring. But I don’t mind at all. I’d rather have the kids have fun than have them be bored too.

[K.T. Carlisle @KT_Carlisle]

Been seeing lots of unicorn stories emerge from authors going on sub and getting book deal announcements in under six months (sometimes sooner), and while I’m genuinely, absolutely thrilled for each and every one of them, it’s hard not to feel like the odd man out.

I think it’s important for us to remember that this is not the norm. On average, it takes between 8 months to a year for there to be any real movement while on submission. From there, it typically takes another two years for your book to make it onto shelves.

Some additional points to consider that I’ve been hearing from professionals across the board:

✨ Editors are running an average of seven months behind on reviewing submissions sent to them by agents
✨ The above is largely due to widespread imprint shutdowns and editor layoffs, so fewer people are now responsible for the same massive workload
✨ With fewer editors available, agents have a smaller pool of people to send work to, making the process even more challenging than it was before

So, if you’re like me, and you’ve been on sub for a while and you’re wondering why your book hasn’t been picked up, take heart. You’re not alone. This is a weird time for publishing right now. Our time to celebrate will come. 💜

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

“If you patch the code, we’ll just use our bare, broken hands to rip the hardware out of your clean walls! We aren't your little assets... we are the Null, and we came to run a logistical foreclosure on your entire fucking empire!”

The strategy game is dead code. The march begins now: https://t.co/xOUkWRKs43 ⚔️🔥

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

The Alien Game Masters thought they could buy us out.

On Floor 71, the high-echelon audit matrices offered the Null Group a deal: clean chasses, total repair of our structural damage, and ascension into the cosmic fold.

The cost? Sacrificing the 8,000 human survivors standing right behind us to balance their broken betting ledger.

Chapter 47 of ERROR: HUMANITY NOT INCLUDED is officially live. The house is trying to settle, but the vanguard is here to collect the debt.

Thread continued below with the link 👇 ⚙️🥀📊

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@SDDonovan Yeah, that is not a good sign or reaction. We all should be more open-minded and embracing.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@MTGraveStudio Harlan Ellison's "I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream and Other Works" are simply amazing.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@ElChandler My villain doesn't as they are a galactic syndicate of aliens.

Maybe they do in a prequel?

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@KT_Carlisle Seems interesting and wouldn't mind branching out with my reading.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@ElChandler You are right and has gone by so darn fast.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@okayestpoet That would be a no go for me as my sister has a unique name and would just be awkward.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@artvenske @hwjohnston7 I just posted about The Story Grid as well. It is a definitive work about creating a great story regardless of genre or style. It will always be relevant despite the era.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@hwjohnston7 The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne.

It has the exact setup that any story from any genre needs to be a full-fledged novel or series that resonates with the masses.

[Gage S. @GageAuthor]

@lhallwriter I prefer silent but usually have much noise with family and coworkers. I can do both now regardless.

[K.T. Carlisle @KT_Carlisle]

Yoda just wants indies and trads and agents and editors and querying folks and all bookish people to get along and stop finding weird reasons to fight with each other. 💚