July 31, 2026

Eugene As Editor

I recently published Merman in Hiding: a Rhys & Lider Detective Novel. I wanted to credit Eugene for his editing advice. 

I turned to Eugene many times for help with plots and characters. When I began my sci-fi series, Myths Endure on Mars, I asked him and my father for help with stuff like artificial gravity, space stations, space travel, and, most importantly, how all this stuff gets paid for (my answer is cheap energy!).

My father was a retired physicist. He was also a lover of shaggy dog stories. His general advice was, "It's the future! You can do whatever you want!" 

My preferred sci-fi tends to be Star Trek, where certain technologies are accepted--the rest is story. In sum, although the main focus in my series is story, I wanted each story to have a patina of "science." For instance, trips from Earth to Mars take about 9 months, the current time-frame (more or less--depends on the departure date).

Eugene clearly and concisely explained WHY certain sci-fi solutions won't work, are unlikely to work, and/or are really, really expensive. He brought home to me the amount of energy required to simply lift equipment and people off a planet into outer space. And he suggested practical solutions. 

Myths Endure on Mars

The primary characters/detectives are Monseigneur Rhys and his invisible-to-visible lover/husband, Lider. The relationship progresses over the books during several cases. Together, Rhys and Lider investigate a crime between brothers (Anubis on Mars), a crime during the canonization of a potential saint (Saint of Mars), the motive behind an assassination attempt (The Wolf Boy Returns from Space) and in the most recent publication, the disappearance of a young Siphon or Merman shortly after his broken engagement (Merman in Hiding). 

For any decent practical science in these novellas, credit Eugene. 

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posted by Katherine Woodbury [8:00 AM]   0 comments