Word Factory

I’m starting to think I need to create a sub-category on this blog dedicated purely to discussions of sexual violence in media, because, here I am again. Let’s get this out of the way: there will be spoilers here.So, a little background: after watching the first three episodes of Season 2 of Andor, I was not surprised that my husband was upset and bothered by a scene of sexual violence that…

Friends. Readers. Fellow nerds with impeccable taste. We are officially in the home stretch. The final 24 hours. The last lap. The dramatic climax of the movie where everything explodes in slow motion and the music swells and someone says something heroic right before punching a fascist in the face. (Okay, that last bit’s just wishful thinking, but after the week we’ve all had, I think we…

I know, I know. I said I’d just step out for a second. Maybe touch some grass. Maybe not scroll for hours through a website that is basically a dopamine slot machine designed specifically for me. But here I am. Again.

So, hi. I’ve been avoiding Tumblr like it’s a cursed artifact because every time I log in, I lose entire days to posts about sad wizards, incredibly niche fandom memes, and, let’s be honest, pictures of adorable cute animals. But I return to you now, at the turning of the tide, because someone at a recent book signing mentioned that I really needed to talk to y'all in some other way than an 'automatic repost from my own site.'

Fair. It was never you. It was always me.

Now, that said, I'm still talking about FULL NEGATIVE, the scifi book that I'm crowding over on Backerkit, because, well, it's still live, and will be until April 11. I am actively trying to convince you all to throw money at it in exchange for an absolutely unhinged space opera full of telepaths, betrayals, sexy spies, and—because I’m me—an aggressively overcomplicated plot full of feelings. If we hit our stretch goals, we get more cool stuff. YOU get a very cool book. (And there is a limited edition, numbered version of the hardcover available that will ONLY be available through this crowdfunding campaign. Once that window is gone, it's gone FOREVER.)

If you like X-Men, Star Wars, Jason Bourne, or just generally enjoy watching characters make terrible decisions in space, this book is for you. And if you don’t like those things… honestly, what are you doing here? Go, live a better life. Read something wholesome. Avoid the pain I am about to unleash.

Hello, dear friends! So, a funny thing happened last night. Some context: every other week, I play in a Fading Suns TTRPG campaign with Bill Bridges. Yes, that Bill Bridges, the one who co-created Fading Suns and worked on little-known titles like Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse. (Fortunately, he’s also an incredibly gracious human being and has never once pulled the dreaded…

It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for another update! By popular demand (and because I have no self-control), we’ve added some of my back catalog as add-ons. If you’ve already pledged but now find yourself thinking, Wait, I need that, don’t worry—you can update your add-ons by heading over to ‘Manage my pledge’ in your account. We’re also teetering on the edge of hitting 200% funded—less…

Well, dear friends, we are now officially launched and funded. It’s just a matter of how high we’ll go. Hopefully high enough to unlock all of the setting guide, but for now, I’ll happily deal with what we have, namely Part I: The Past. For anyone who’s curious as to why I spread out the setting guide over multiple update goals, I can explain it pretty easily: Because I’m doing all the…

A very short post, just to let folks know that the Backerkit crowdfunding launch for FULL NEGATIVE is now live. (There are early bird discounts available, so pledge early!)https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/jenn-lyons/full-negative-a-novel

More details about Full Negative--or at least, another page of me trying to convince you how awesome this book is (although seriously, it is awesome.)

I have a story to tell you. One that’s been waiting for its moment in the spotlight for a long time. It’s called Full Negative, and if you love explosive space opera with a touch of noir, betrayal, and all the high-stakes action you can handle, this is one you don’t want to miss. But first, I need your help. On March 18, I’m launching a crowdfunding campaign to bring Full Negative to life, and…

But wait (you might ask) Jenn Lyons is a fantasy author. What’s all this sci-fi nonsense? The truth is, I was a sci-fi writer first. FULL NEGATIVE is, in fact, the spiritual successor of the first book I ever wrote. (It was on a dare.) During lockdown, I pulled it out of a drawer and rewrote the whole thing, as one does. And then…nothing. Because I’m a ‘fantasy author.’ The thing is, I grew up…

I've made a youtube video. Also, some info on my new Patreon...

Okay, I suppose I shouldn’t be calling myself ‘baby’ at my age, but this IS my very first youtube video. Lookie!So why am I doing this? Well, for one because I have all those opinions and because two, and more importantly, because I need to draw attention to my Patreon.Yes, I am starting a Patreon. I put it off for as long as humanly possibly, mostly out of a misplaced sense of pride. You know,…

My spoiler-filled review of the new Netflix TV series, why it's a subversive departure from the normal Addams Family tropes, and why I think that's a good thing. Did I mention the spoilers?

or, How Netflix’s Wednesday isn’t like the other Addams Family stories. Preface: I ADORE the Addams family. I always have. Even as a child, I loved the Addams family (and spurned the Munsters). And I was still a teenager when I discovered the darkly morbid comics of Charles Addams, the cartoonist who created the characters who would eventually bear his name. (Fun fact: the original cartoon…

Part 2 of my series on writing a book with Agile.

(Or, creating a book using Agile, part 2) So I meant to get this out at the beginning of the sprint… Instead, I’m coming in at the end. That’s fine. Mostly. Wait, do you know what I mean by sprint? Some of you will, but for the others… In Agile, work is typically grouped into what’s called a ‘sprint.’ Now you may be familiar with the term ‘sprint’ as a short Pomodoro-esque writing session,…

Am I asking you for money? Yes. Is it for me? No. In fact, this is the sort of "please donate to charity" that can net you some really cool stuff. Especially if you're a writer.

Earlier this year, I was asked to take part in the Read for Pixels fundraiser, which benefits The Pixel Project. The name “The Pixel Project” might make you inclined to think it’s about video games, but no. The Pixel Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping violence against women. I am rather automatically predisposed toward the cause: mostly because I’ve been the victim of…

Part 1 in my ramblings on Agile, project management, ADHD, and starting a new novel.

(Or: How I start a novel, Agile-style.) So as I am hitting the ‘send’ button on sending two manuscripts off to my agent, I am naturally planning my next book. As one does. And I thought it might be interesting, if not helpful, to go over what I do and why. Because at heart, I will always be a project manager. I have to do this because I have ADHD. However, long before I was diagnosed with…

Here's my Worldcon schedule! (I can't believe we're this close. I better pack.)

Yes, I’ll be in Dublin in just over a week!

So a few quick notes about when and where you can expect to find me:

Introduction to grimdark

Format: Panel

16 Aug 2019, Friday 18:00 – 18:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)

Grimdark is a fantasy subgenre defined, amongst other things, by its cynical outlook and flawed protagonists. The term was originally pejorative, stemming from the Warhammer…

A little more about that whole option deal -- and what to expect.

One of the things I’ve learned about the publishing process is that very often you cannot talk about your triumphs until months or even years later. Contracts might be signed, but announcements happen on a strict schedule. This business moves slowly…right up until it doesn’t.

Or, to put this more bluntly: The Ruin of Kings has been optioned to become a TV series.

But…what does that mean,…