Author: j.k.ullrich

Author, adventurer, athlete (and alliteration addict). I write science fiction stories about climate change that I hope won't come true, and archive Earth's wonders through nature photography in case they do.

“Blue Karma” A Finalist in Shelf Unbound Indie Book Competition

December 11, 2015

Blue Karma made finalist in the Shelf Unbound indie book competition. Thousands of authors submitted their novels (so I’m told) so top six is a terrific accomplishment. Sarah (@sarahplusbook), the dystopian editor for Shelf Unbound, reviewed Blue Karma this summer and encouraged me to submit it. Thanks, Sarah: here’s further proof that authors need to listen to their readers! Seeing my book … More “Blue Karma” A Finalist in Shelf Unbound Indie Book Competition

“Blue Karma” Wins LibraryJournal Ebook Award

November 12, 2015

Library Journal just announced the winners of the inaugural Self-Published Ebook Awards. The competition “recognizes authors who submit the best ebooks in their respective genres” (fantasy, science fiction, romance, and mystery). I received a Tweet about it while making dinner and idly clicked the link; if I kept “tasting” the chili, there wouldn’t be any left for the … More “Blue Karma” Wins LibraryJournal Ebook Award

Review: The Islands at the End of the World

November 7, 2015

After allowing this book to languish for several months atop my seemingly interminable to-read list, I finally scored a copy at the local library. I began reading with excitement: the premise intrigued me, and initial reviews sounded promising. Perhaps these high expectations affected my judgement. During our evening co-reading session, my Laddie asked how the … More Review: The Islands at the End of the World

Science News: NASA Confirms Liquid Water on Mars

October 2, 2015

The Martian hits theaters today! I’m suspending my usual policy of avoiding opening-day movie crowds and going this afternoon: Andy Weir + Ridley Scott x Matt Damon = too good to wait. But there’s also some exciting non-fiction news from the Red Planet this week. On Monday, NASA confirmed that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) … More Science News: NASA Confirms Liquid Water on Mars

Melting Mars (Supervillain Style)

September 10, 2015

Only twenty days until the adaptation of The Martian hits theaters! The sci-fi survival tale will undoubtedly fuel interest in the feasibility of real-life trips to the Red Planet. NASA head Charles Bolden anticipates such a mission could occur in the 2030s, although Martian author Andy Weir thinks 2050 is a more reasonable timeline. In either case, … More Melting Mars (Supervillain Style)