Escapist Book Co. is entering the fray and signing on to be a judge for this years SPSFC! What’s the SPSFC, you ask? It stands for Self Published Science Fiction Competition and, well, it’s just what it says it is! Born out of the desire to have a science fiction equivalent to Mark Lawrence’s SPFBO (Self Published Fantasy Blog Off) and hosted by Hugh Howey and Duncan Swan, the SPSFC is entering its second year! The basic premise is that there are 300 entrants, from all different subgenres of science fiction, narrowed down to one winner over the course of a year by a panel of ten judge teams. You can find out more specific details and revel in all the minutiae over at the SPSFC’s official site. Last year, I was a part of FanFiAddict’s team, but as they are not returning to judge, I have built my own crack team. I have built them better. Stronger. Faster. Readier… Anway, what follows is our full team of ne’er-do-wells.
Be sure to follow the links under each team member and follow us on our various social media accounts to keep up with our progress in the competition!
Team Escapist
Justin Gross
Team LeadJustin is a lover of all things SFF and has been an avid reader since he was three. He is attempting to build the world’s largest private library (not really, but ask his wife and she might agree). Justin is always excited to gush over his favorite reads, which more often than not are also his latest reads. His likes trend toward sweeping epics, with complex characters and even more complex plots. Until recently he was totally against romance, but certain books have shown him that it can be done well. He currently has a love/hate relationship with grimdark.
Jordan
Team MemberMy name is Jordan but go by Jord in the book community. I have always been an avid reader and most recently, a strong advocate of Indie published books. I am always in search of the next great book.I am getting married at the end of August, have a wonderful family, and hail from the big state of Idaho in the United States. I am a small town guy who loves to read big books.
Ashley Brennan
Team MemberHi, I’m Ashley! I’m excited to join Team Escapist for SPSFC2. I’ve been a big fan of self-pub/indie books for about five years now, with my gateway into it through romance. Joining FanfiAddict a year ago introduced me to SPFBO, which led to discovering an indie community that has blown me away in creativity and storytelling. Sci-fi has always been my first love, yet I found myself having only read maybe three self-pub/indie sci-fi books in the last year so I wanted to change that immediately. I love a multitude of sci-fi subgenres including space opera, weird, first contact, cosmic horror, time travel, dying earth, and romance. I love character driven stories and tend to treasure prose that connects with me on a deeper level. Stories that make me think and show humanity with all of its complexity are my absolute favorite. Some other things that I love are ancient dead civilizations, fallen empires, deep time, and the time abyss. Outside of work, I’m a homebody and love spending time with my husband, two children, and dog. My hobbies include running, cycling, kayaking, and learning new languages. I can’t wait to begin!
Sean Conley
Team MemberSean Conley (not Connery) aka Seanchalant is a proud father of three little nerds, AnaMaurin Victoria, Landyn Lawrence, and Raylan Aviendha Mae. He is a stay at home dad while his hardworking and wonderful fiancée, Gabriella Oropeza brings home the bacon and he always has a book on his person. On the autism spectrum, he has a tendency to become an encyclopedia on things he enjoys. Raised on horror films (The Evil Dead series is #1) and Stephen King, his love of sci-fi/fantasy was born from Army of Darkness, Tad Williams, Star Wars and Douglas Adams; cultivated by Pierce Brown, James SA Corey and Mark Lawrence. He enjoys everything from space opera to irreverent satire.
Naty
Team MemberHi everyone! My name is Natazha but I prefer being called Naty for short. I am currently a stay at home Mom of 2. I am the proud owner of a mischievous cat named Theodore but he is well known as the fierce and powerful, almighty Dragon Kitty. I am often cuddled up on the couch with a good book on hand (or audio book) while my youngest sleeps beside me and my toddler torments the living room space with her toys. I am a huge fan of Lord of The Rings and Star Wars (everything geeky). I often review Fantasy, Sci-fi, but most importantly anything that interests me. I am very happy to be a part of the book community, I have met so many amazing friends. Happy reading!
Neil Williams
(@NeilTheBookGuy)
Team Member*Transmitting Uplink *- – -*Uplink Complete* Hello fellow sci-fi lovers. My name is Captain Neil Williams and I am a space cowboy from Texas. I’ve been reading all my life, both sci-fi and fantasy, and started reviewing them for FanFiAddict last year. I also have a booktok, @NeilTheBookGuy, and would love to follow you! My favorite sci-fi genre is definitely space opera and my favorite trope is definitely save the earth/galaxy from aliens OR humans. That’s me! Signing off. *Transmission Ended*
K. Pimpinella
Team MemberAuthor, former Trooper with the RCAC Queen’s York Rangers, and lifelong fan of science fiction, K. Pimpinella also studied english and space sciences at university. Working as a paramedic for 20yrs, time at NASA’s Adult Space Academy at the Marshall Space flight Center in Hunstville, Alabama, and past volunteer work with Global Medics in Cambodia, has given her invaluable experience to draw from as she writes her action/adventure, soft-military, sci-fi time travel series – The Time Rangers. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two dogs.
Hi everyone! Nice to meet you all.💫
Hello hello and best of luck!