Author Michael R. Hicks
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authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Author Michael R. Hicks
@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1K following 6.9K posts
Indie author of sci-fi/fantasy, thriller, & romance novels. Posts about books (mine and from other authors), movies, cats, travel, food, COVID/pandemic safety, and whatever else comes to mind.

Come visit AuthorMichaelHicks.com!
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authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Was never really happy with the original cover for ARIA, so I made this one...
The cover of ARIA, with the silhouette of a woman holding a pistol outlined against a black gackground.
November 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
...reading through Bitter Harvest and am starting on Reaping The Harvest tonight as background work for the fourth Harvest book (working title still TBD).

Link to my author site: authormichaelhicks.com
The cover of Bitter Harvest, with a red biohazard symbol with grain in the background. The cover of Reaping The Harvest, with a red biohazard symbol with burning fields in the background.
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
It's hard to get much done right now, as my wife and I have a lot of irons in the fire, so it's even more needed.

Anyway, today I got the cover for the hardcover version of Legend Of The Sword formatted; I'll upload that and order the proof copy tomorrow. I also finished...
The cover of Legend Of The Sword, showing a futuristic ground battle with spacecraft overhead.
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
I made a little correction (red arrow) to this list of "to-do's" from Doctor on Demand in an email they sent out, but it was at least gratifying to see them adding masking as a preventative measure...
Top tips to help you through the season Avoid touching your face. And wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when needed. Disinfect surfaces. Wipe down common surfaces and keep hand sanitizer with you when you’re out and about. Wear a mask. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask if you’re worried about the spread of COVID. Get vaccinated. Flu vaccines can lower your risk of getting sick or reduce complications if you do.
October 24, 2025 at 3:50 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
It's a crappy pic, but I made coq au vin and parsley potatoes for dinner. OMNOMNOM!
A pile of coq au vin with a pile of parsley potatoes beside it...
October 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Finally picked up the Amazon KDP hardcover proof (book on the right) from the post office. I already knew the margins for the text on the cover were off, but I didn't expect the text margins to be so narrow on the back. 1/2
#SciFi #WritingCommunity
The first proof copy of the paperback edition of First Contact on the left and the hardcover on the right. The margins at the top and bottom of the hardcover are too narrow for the text. A side by side of the new paperback edition of First Contact on the left and the old one on the right. Side by side comparison of the new paperback and hardcover proofs, left and right. The margins around the text of the hardcover are way too narrow.
October 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Look what came in the mail today! Proof copy of the new print version of FIRST CONTACT. So, a question for you: on the interior pages of print books, do you prefer white or cream colored paper??
The front cover of FIRST CONTACT showing a starship against the backdrop of a gigantic black hole. The back cover of FIRST CONTACT, showing a pic of me with a brief bio and the book blurb. You can get the full text of both from my web site at https://authormichaelhicks.com. Our cat, Nina, examining the print proof copy of FIRST CONTACT to ensure it meets all quality standards (sniff, sniff)...
September 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Just a random pic of the Basilique Notre-Dame du Roncier here in Josselin when we were out for a walk yesterday through the bois (a wooded area that's like a park adjacent to the town)...
The spire of the Basilique de Notre-Dame du Roncier rising up above the trees that are just starting to turn for fall.
September 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Seen on a post along the Nantes-Brest Canal here in Josselin. Generally not a fan of slapping stickers on stuff in public places, but this is a worthy exception...
A sticker on a metal post that has what looks like the silhouette of a mountain range and a sunset as background and "antifascista" in white letters.
September 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Aaaaand the Amazon KDP paperback proof of FIRST CONTACT is on its way and should be in my hands on 1 October! Next up: the non-Amazon version...
The cover of FIRST CONTACT, showing a starship against the backdrop of a giant black hole...
September 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Humans finally make first contact with a sentient alien species, but soon wish they hadn’t...

Ifyou're in the mood for some space opera/military scifi, grab "First Contact," the opening novel of the "In Her Name" series, from your fave online retailer: authormichaelhicks.com/my-books/#fi...
The cover of First Contact, showing a starship against the backdrop of a massive black hole...
September 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
VERY pleased at how QUEST FOR THE ONE is doing - a huge thank you to readers, and I hope everyone enjoys it!
#BookSky #scifi #newreleases #InHerName
Screenshot of Amazon best sellrs in the Galactic Empire Science Fiction category, with Quest For The One at number 7.
September 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
After much head-banging and teeth-grinding (okay, not THAT much, lol), QUEST FOR THE ONE (novel #17!) is now at the heady stage of "in processing" for release on the various digital platforms...
The cover of QUEST FOR THE ONE, showing a giant starship against the backdrop of a shining star.
September 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
A few pics of a cool brocante (antique store) we went to today in Auray. Lots of interesting stuff...
A facing shot of the Brocante du Manoir de Moncan. The brocante has a lot of outdoors stuff, including a lot of asian statues (including a huge one covered in gold, lying on its side), antique cars, and lots of other stuff. An interior shot of one of the tents, packed with lots of antique/old furniture and lots of other stuff. A big double door, standing free beside one of the tents, with verdigris-colored paint that's disintegrating and a semicircular glass header. Amazing color and texture.
September 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Okay, time to start loading up the updated book files to the retail sites, starting with FIRST CONTACT...
#BookSky #WritingCommunity #Books #SciFi
The book cover for First Contact (In Her Name, Book 1), showing a starship against the backdrop of a massive black hole...
September 14, 2025 at 4:44 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Awake at 0430. Today it WAS the cat's fault. Do NOT let her innocent expression fool you! Well, may as well get back to work on the launch for Quest For The One...
#WritingCommunity #Books
Nina the cat in one of her cardboard boxes, trying to appear innocent... The cover of Quest For The One, showing a huge starship with a star burning bright in the background.
September 13, 2025 at 3:02 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Four days to release! D'oh!
#WritingCommunity #Reading #SciFi
The book cover for Quest For The One, showing a massive starship in the foreground with a star shining bright in the background...
September 12, 2025 at 2:43 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
For some relief from all the madness, here's a morning view of the Château de Josselin and the pastries at one of our local boulangeries...
A view of the Château de Josselin's north wall, flanked by two buildings dating back to the 1600s, with two of the towers that are part of the château visible over the top of the wall and a big red gate leading inside. A bunch of delicious pastries at one of our local boulangeries...
September 11, 2025 at 6:10 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Here are a few pics of the Château de Josselin here in our new home town the other night, just after the lunar eclipse. Sadly, the eclipse was over before the moon rose above the château, but it's still an amazing sight at night!
The Château de Josselin, lit with purple lights, reflecting in the Nantes-Brest Canal, with the moon rising over the far end of the château. The Château de Josselin, lit with white lights, reflecting in the Nantes-Brest Canal, with the moon rising over the far end of the château. The Château de Josselin, lit with dark blue lights, reflecting in the Nantes-Brest Canal, with the moon rising over the far end of the château.
September 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Having lunch at Le Guethenoc…
A panorama of Josselin’s town square and the Basilique de Notre-Dame-du-Roncier… Fish and chips!
September 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Pélican Rouge - I may have found a new favorite beer…
A 33cl glass of Pélican Rouge beer..
September 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
I go into the laundry room to find the sink stopped up with a massive hairball...
#CatSKy
Our Siberian cat, Nina, curled up in the sink.
September 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Legend Of The Sword is now updated on Amazon. Will update it (and the rest of my titles) on the other platforms after I'm done with Amazon...
Check it out here: amzn.to/45Nafjt
#Authors #WritingCommunity #SciFi #SpaceOpera #books #reading
The Amazon product page for Legend Of The Sword, the second book of the In Her Name saga.
September 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Finally getting out the updates to my previously published books, starting with the Kindle version on Amazon, then the other retailers. Then I'll be releasing updated paperback and maybe even hardbacks, with - at long last! - audiobooks.
#SciFi #SpaceOpera #FreeEbook
The Amazon listing for First Contact, showing the book cover on the right (a starship against a background of a giant black hole) and the text on the right: Humans finally make first contact with a sentient alien species, but soon wish they hadn’t. When the survey ship TNS Aurora jumps into a previously unexplored system to discover not just one, but two worlds that could support human colonies, her captain and crew are ecstatic. But their joy is short-lived, for they have unwittingly stumbled into the ancient Kreelan galactic empire. With their ship immobilized, the crew of the Aurora is captured by sword-wielding female warriors and taken aboard the titanic alien flagship. There, the aliens force the Aurora’s survivors to participate in a fight to the death under the gaze of Tesh-Dar, high warrior priestess and the Empire’s greatest living warrior. Only young Midshipman Ichiro Sato survives the bloodbath, and Tesh-Dar returns him to Earth as a sacred Messenger, bearing unwelcome tidings from the Empire: there will be war. If you enjoy epic space opera stories of first contact, alien invasion, and military science fiction, with plenty of action, adventure and even a dash of fantasy and romance, then you’ll love First Contact, the first book of the In Her Name saga.
September 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Tonight's frittata, which is a bit of a monster in a 12 (or 13?) inch cast iron pan, lol!
A big-ass frittata in a cast iron pan!
September 1, 2025 at 5:27 PM