Kerry M Tolan

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome to my author's website.

My name is Kerry Tolan, and I write science fiction. Why SF? Well, with the exception of Fantasy writing, I can't think of any other format where I can really give my imagination a thorough workout. SF offers a bit more structure for me - things must be grounded in something real. That said, I deal with soft science fiction - it doesn't rely so much on proven or established theories. Gives me a bit more license.

What is really important to me is the story telling. I like stories that immerse you in other cultures and beliefs. World building is a big thing with me. It is more than the stage, it is a source of discovery. So is presenting characters you can relate to. Regardless of the roles they play, they should be people first. Heroes don't have to be right. Antagonists don't have to be evil. Motivations are not always pure.

So who am I? I'm a software engineer working here in Austin, Texas. I was born and raised near Port Huron Michigan, and entered the US Air Force first as a soldier (Security Police) where I saw combat first hand in Vietnam. After that, I moved on to airborne electronics and finally out into the private world again where a string of events saw me with a lovely wife, two kids, and a career in programming that I continue to enjoy. So what made me a writer? As a kid, I consumed libraries of any SF or Fantasy I could find. This continued on with paperbacks, and I finally decided that I could channel a rampant case of day dreaming into something constructive. I learned the basics (it's not all art, you know) and began the long journey toward publication.

You can toss me a message through the Champagne Books forum (go to Champagne Authors).

My Novels

Click on book for details


BLADE DANCER - Available now from Champagne Books

Emerging from an ancient civil war with only a patchwork of once-powerful technologies, the Qurls are threatened by new weapons in the hands of old enemies. Driven by the guilt of a comrade’s death, Mikial reaches out through her own divided heritage to discover the humans behind the guns. The one enemy she didn’t expect to face was her own people. The one ally she didn’t plan on being saved by was human.


WAITING WEAPON - Available now from Champagne Books

Beware when you dig up your own alien past - it might do far worse than haunt you. Archeologist Richard Pinn returns to the ruins where he was discovered by humans, intent on finding out why he was left behind three hundred years ago when his race vanished.


ROGUE DANCER - The exciting sequal to BLADE DANCER coming from Champagne Books.

The last time Mikial's civilization turned on a savior, they were destroyed. Now Mikial is faced with repeating a disastrous history or defying it. Her people thought the humans had left for good. She believed otherwise. They were both wrong. Currently in its editing phase, Mikial's story continues. Look for it December, 2009!

 

News

Blade Dancer will soon be out as an audio book.


Work has begun on the third in the planned four-book "Dancer" series - Defiant Dancer (working title).


Conventions I am attending:

  • Con-Jour (Clear Lake, TX) Jan 29-31, 2010
  • Aggie Con (College Station, TX) Feb 05-07, 2010
  • ConDFW (Dallas, TX) Feb 12-14, 2010

  • My Publisher

    I am pleased to have Champagne Books, run by J Ellen Smith, as my publisher. Give them a click. They are a genuine independent press. Champagne Books started out with romance titles and have moved out into other genres. I'm helping lead their charge into the realm of science fiction.


     
     
     
     

    Bloggin It

    Alien Space - See my blog on MySpace.

    The Writer's Vineyard - Much ado about writing from me and my fellow Champagne Books authors.

    The Sci-Fi Genre Review - A place to review and discuss the world of the Scifi genre.

    eBook Guru - The digital magazine devoted to ebooks.

    Links

    Champagne Books Author's Ring  Meet other authors from my publisher.

    Diana Driver - author of Nineth Lord Of The Night   Wonderful person to meet and has a lock on realistic fantasy.

    Michael Davis (Big Mike)   Fellow author whose adventures continue to thrill out at Champagne Books.

    Candice Morehouse  Champagne Books Romance Author

    10 Greatest Myths About E-books   Even I didn't know this stuff! Excellent article.

      The voice of electronic publishing for authors.