Shared universes in literature and movies are an awesome idea, and when all creators involved are passionate about their individual projects as well as the larger universe itself, amazing things can be accomplished. Just look at what Marvel and Disney have done with their cinematic universe.

Silver Empire – a small independent publisher from husband and wife team Russell Newquist and Morgon Newquist – has set out to create such a world. Russell and Morgon have launched a Kickstarter for “Heroes Unleashed” Phase 1, the first set of novels taking place in a shared superhero world. The campaign has almost doubled its goal, now sitting at close to $2K. But there’s still 11 days to support Silver Empire’s endeavor!

I was able to have a chat with some of the creators and minds behind “Heroes Unleashed,” which you can check out below!

Garrison Girl: An Attack on Titan Novel
Paperback | Kindle
By Rachel Aaron
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: August 7, 2018

This may sound like sacrilege to the diehard Attack on Titan fan, but I’ve only seen the first season of the anime. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the series; in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But for whatever reasons they might be, I haven’t been able to catch up; nor have I read the manga that the anime is based on, or read any of the other adaptations. Yet, when I read the description for Garrison Girl by Rachel Aaron, there was something that intrigued me. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it is a standalone story with a new set of characters, allowing for a seamless transition to a different medium without having had to catch up on all of the other forms of Attack on Titan media; or maybe it was the concept of a girl of nobility, laying aside her pre-planned “responsibilities” to try to make a difference in a world gone mad. Either way, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read Aaron’s novel – my first from the author – because it is awesome!

I had the pleasure to chat with In Shadows We Fall author Devin Madson about her writing process and the world she’s created for the August edition of the Indie Author Spotlight.

Check out the interview below!

The Point
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By John Dixon
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: August 7, 2018

Authors of superhero novels have a unique opportunity to showcase their characters in a way that many comic books and movies could never pull off. Due to the sheer length of prose fiction, authors are not only able to tell the story of a hero who “saves the day” from the next big threat, but they’re given the freedom to create and explore dynamic characters with layered emotions, whose lives are not simply defined by the costume they wear or the power they possess, but by how their actions – at all times – affect their dual existence. The Point by John Dixon is a story that, based on its premise, has so much potential; however, the length of time without a “real threat,” the general pacing of the novel, and low-stakes deaths all contribute to The Point truly missing “the point.”

Some of you might remember the Hugo Award-winning science fiction and fantasy blog SF Signal, run by John DeNardo, and its dedication to all things genre-related. In its nearly 13 year run, SF Signal was a leader in creating quality content geared towards fans and creators alike. In its final two years, I was blessed to be able to run a monthly column on the site in which I interviewed talented self-published authors including Rob J. Hayes (winner of Mark Lawrence’s 2017 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off), Matthew Mather, David Simpson, Luke Smitherd, and more. The Indie Author Spotlight was designed to bring attention to independent authors, as well as introduce under-the-radar authors/genre fiction to readers.

It’s been over two years since SF Signal closed its doors, but thanks to Empress Eve and Dave3, the Indie Author Spotlight has found a new home at Geeks of Doom! I couldn’t be more thrilled to begin this journey anew at GoD, a geekdom site that I’ve had the pleasure of calling home for over five years.

For the first Spotlight, I’ve had the honor of interviewing the brilliant Robert J. Duperre. Continue below for more on the author and to read the interview.