On Mars, battery dying, and it’s getting dark… Alone, without any chance of rescue, one man struggles to survive. As night settles over Mars, he reaches out for the one opportunity that might just save him from a frozen death… Get your FREE copy of this short story tribute to the lost Mars rover, Opportunity!



Hundred Day Challenge: Day 9
I’ve been remiss in keeping up on the record keeping, but I did a video today! Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/kevins.studio/videos/10156327596945975/
read moreChallenge Day 3
Lots of dictation today! It was gorgeous out. Bright sun, no rain, and not too much wind. I got in a bunch of good walks, and 5104 new words, which is another step forward. Made 16,920 steps, which is great. I'm way ahead there. I need to wrap this book up within...
read moreChallenge Day 2
Today was a bit more challenging. I ran smack into the great foe of outdoor dictation: rain. Well, first it was wind, and lot of it. The breeze grew strong enough that it disrupted Dragon Anywhere's ability to translate my words effectively. Then the rain started up....
read moreOne Hundred Days, Ten Books, And One Million Steps!
Day One I should preface this writing by placing the blame (or credit, depending on how you look at it) squarely where it belongs: on the shoulders of Dean Wesley Smith. After all, it was he who first gave me the idea of using a challenge as a tool to drive myself...
read moreThe Pursuit of Happiness
A writer recently asked an interesting question. I’m paraphrasing, but the general idea was this: "Do you believe that the prerequisite for success as an author is to write X words every year, where X is a very large number?”My answer was: No, I'd disagree strongly...
read moreWe’re About To See Another Indie Author Shakeout
We’re about to see another major shakeout in the indie writer world. The first one happened around 2012 through 2013. Two factors contributed. The most obvious was KDP Select, which created a massive surge for writers who participated, at great cost to those who...
read moreWill the real “Write to Market” PLEASE stand up? Or – why you’re probably doing it wrong.
EDIT: I've been informed that the debate this post responds to did not start out as civil as it appears now and that John's blog article was edited before I read it. I do not in any way condone personal attacks on another author. Aside from being bad form in general,...
read moreHow to Break in as a New Author Today?
I had someone ask that question in a Facebook group I'm in, earlier today. Here was the advice I gave. It's not new advice. It's old, but still sound and solid. Check it out:The steps haven't really changed. They're still the same as they were when Michael Anderle...
read moreThe Writing Advice Not Taken
Also known as "The writing advice I wish I'd had in 2011." I ran into someone on a Facebook group today, asking for help. This person had a bunch of books out, and none of them were selling. I went and analyzed the writer's work, and recognized a familiar set of...
read moreAccord of Valor is out! Final Accord series book hits the store!
Whew! Not a lot to add about this one. Folks have been waiting on this for about a year now, and the book is finally available. This story finishes the tale of Nicholas Stein and his son Thomas as they fight for independence of Mars from the hegemony of the United...
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Kevin McLaughlin is a USA Today bestselling novelist of science fiction and fantasy. An infantry veteran and nurse, swordsman and scientist, father and traveler, he brings all his experiences to bear on creating astounding stories for his readers.