"I Am Become Death" - Sci-Fi / Adventure Short Story (Free)

ChupaLibro · 12-03-2010, 07:54 AM

I have published my second eBook short story up to Smashwords, "I Am Become Death". The blurb is as follows:

Quote:

Heroes. Every day we take for granted the good that they do for society. They keep the peace, stop evil and destroy monsters. But what happens to the collateral damage? When everyday people are caught in the crossfire and must suffer from a hero's failure? For one man caught on the front lines, he must deal with the fallout of an adventurer's ordeal, and live with the horrifying consequences.

Download "I Am Become Death" for free in multiple formats at Smashwords.com

speedtouch · 12-03-2010, 09:33 AM

Thank you, sir! I'll give it a whirl. Good choice on distributing it through Smashwords. All those different file formats are sure to cover everyone and their ereaders.

ChupaLibro · 12-03-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedtouch

Thank you, sir! I'll give it a whirl. Good choice on distributing it through Smashwords. All those different file formats are sure to cover everyone and their ereaders.

Thanks, I appreciate that. The diversity of formats Smashwords was a big factor in going with them for my little venture. Plus, I've seen a lot of Mobileread readers use them, which helped push me in that direction.

I'd love to know what you think of the story. I hope hope you enjoy it.

thrawn_aj · 12-03-2010, 01:35 PM

Sounds intriguing. Since it's a short story, I believe I'll give it a whirl right away. Thanks very much.

ChupaLibro · 12-03-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawn_aj

Sounds intriguing. Since it's a short story, I believe I'll give it a whirl right away. Thanks very much.

Great to hear. If at all possible, please give me some feedback (here or PM). I can take the good and bad, just whatever will help me grow and get better.

thrawn_aj · 12-04-2010, 05:03 PM

Excellent read! I heartily recommend it to everyone

. (Detailed feedback contains spoilers so I sent it by PM

).

ChupaLibro · 12-04-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawn_aj

Excellent read! I heartily recommend it to everyone

. (Detailed feedback contains spoilers so I sent it by PM

).

Received and much appreciated! Thanks so much!

RW2112 · 12-06-2010, 12:26 AM

I not only got this one, but dl'ed "The Scream" as well. Can't wait to read them!

ChupaLibro · 12-06-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW2112

I not only got this one, but dl'ed "The Scream" as well. Can't wait to read them!

I hope they live up to your expectations.

Always dying to know what people think of them, so definitely let me know.

Wrapping up a 3rd story, just need to to make a few final tweaks and get a cover put together. Hopefully in the next week or so it'll be out.

speedtouch · 12-14-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChupaLibro

Thanks, I appreciate that. The diversity of formats Smashwords was a big factor in going with them for my little venture. Plus, I've seen a lot of Mobileread readers use them, which helped push me in that direction.

I'd love to know what you think of the story. I hope hope you enjoy it.

I finally got around to checking our your story. Sorry it has taken me so long. I read it last night before going to bed and thoroughly enjoyed it. The way the robot formed was very imaginative. I hope you'll consider expanding this story into more detail, especially the robot and what it's "thinking" and of the main character and his quest he launches into at the end of the story. Good job, ChupaLibro. I look forward to more.

ChupaLibro · 12-15-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedtouch

I finally got around to checking our your story. Sorry it has taken me so long. I read it last night before going to bed and thoroughly enjoyed it. The way the robot formed was very imaginative. I hope you'll consider expanding this story into more detail, especially the robot and what it's "thinking" and of the main character and his quest he launches into at the end of the story. Good job, ChupaLibro. I look forward to more.

No worries! Thanks for taking the time to read it, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I agree, there is definitely more expansion that could be done on the story. That's one of challenges of the short story format, striking a balance between the details and moving the plot forward. You never know, I may return to this "universe" in the future.

Shameless plug time: you can check out my latest story, "Unnatural Time", here.

And again...

caleb72 · 12-27-2010, 06:49 PM

Liked this one.

The letter concept I've seen before, but you've used an interesting context.

Regards
Caleb

thrawn_aj · 12-27-2010, 10:41 PM

I enjoyed the "Unnatural time" story immensely! Exquisitely written (not just the plot - the personalities were quite superb

).

If I had to choose, I'd really wish for you to turn this into a series of stories (with the same two lead characters). Reminds me a lot of the Donovan and Powell stories by Asimov (except with a supernatural slant). The nuances of the reaper character are nice enough to remind me of Pratchett's Death character. The cherub however, stands without parallel (in my reading at least). A very unique character and I would absolutely love to see more of him

.

The wise-cracking partner thing has been done a lot but in my (albeit inexpert) opinion, this duo was quite the pair

. Please do post an update if you add any more stories.

I reiterate though - this was one very special short story.
I didn't see the end coming at all

.

ChupaLibro · 12-27-2010, 11:51 PM

Caleb and thrawn_aj, thanks very much for taking the time to read and post your thoughts on the stories.

Thrawn_aj, to answer your question, I definitely plan on doing more stories featuring Palequus and Peter, individual cases with ongoing character arcs (and one or two shorter-term story arc elements). Some of the seeds were planted in "Unnatural Time" and I plan to expand upon them over time. Their second story is already outlined and I'm hoping to have it out in February sometime, once I finish the latest project. I'll definitely keep you posted.

Again, thanks so much!

NightGeometry · 12-28-2010, 04:13 AM

I just saw this thread. Went and grabbed al three stories, and looking forward to reading them on my 2 1/2 hour journey today. Thanks.

12-27-2010, 06:49 PM	#12
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	Liked this one. The letter concept I've seen before, but you've used an interesting context. Regards Caleb Last edited by caleb72; 12-27-2010 at 06:54 PM.

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12-03-2010, 09:33 AM	#2
speedtouch eBook Newbie Posts: 373 Karma: 1724 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Thank you, sir! I'll give it a whirl. Good choice on distributing it through Smashwords. All those different file formats are sure to cover everyone and their ereaders.

12-03-2010, 01:35 PM	#4
thrawn_aj quantum mechanic Posts: 705 Karma: 483827 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NorCal Device: Nook1, Samsung Transform, Nook2	Sounds intriguing. Since it's a short story, I believe I'll give it a whirl right away. Thanks very much.

12-04-2010, 05:03 PM	#6
thrawn_aj quantum mechanic Posts: 705 Karma: 483827 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NorCal Device: Nook1, Samsung Transform, Nook2	Excellent read! I heartily recommend it to everyone . (Detailed feedback contains spoilers so I sent it by PM ).

12-06-2010, 12:26 AM	#8
RW2112 Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 32172 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Device: iPad 2	I not only got this one, but dl'ed "The Scream" as well. Can't wait to read them!

12-27-2010, 10:41 PM	#13
thrawn_aj quantum mechanic Posts: 705 Karma: 483827 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NorCal Device: Nook1, Samsung Transform, Nook2	I enjoyed the "Unnatural time" story immensely! Exquisitely written (not just the plot - the personalities were quite superb ). If I had to choose, I'd really wish for you to turn this into a series of stories (with the same two lead characters). Reminds me a lot of the Donovan and Powell stories by Asimov (except with a supernatural slant). The nuances of the reaper character are nice enough to remind me of Pratchett's Death character. The cherub however, stands without parallel (in my reading at least). A very unique character and I would absolutely love to see more of him . The wise-cracking partner thing has been done a lot but in my (albeit inexpert) opinion, this duo was quite the pair . Please do post an update if you add any more stories. I reiterate though - this was one very special short story. I didn't see the end coming at all .

12-27-2010, 11:51 PM	#14
ChupaLibro Julio Angel Ortiz Posts: 74 Karma: 506490 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle Fire	Caleb and thrawn_aj, thanks very much for taking the time to read and post your thoughts on the stories. Thrawn_aj, to answer your question, I definitely plan on doing more stories featuring Palequus and Peter, individual cases with ongoing character arcs (and one or two shorter-term story arc elements). Some of the seeds were planted in "Unnatural Time" and I plan to expand upon them over time. Their second story is already outlined and I'm hoping to have it out in February sometime, once I finish the latest project. I'll definitely keep you posted. Again, thanks so much!

12-28-2010, 04:13 AM	#15
NightGeometry Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 1057240 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brighton, England Device: Sony PRS-T1, Kindle 3G, Kindle DX	I just saw this thread. Went and grabbed al three stories, and looking forward to reading them on my 2 1/2 hour journey today. Thanks.