V. S. Holmes | News

Creative Process and the Power of Young Adults with Jackiem Joyner

7/31/2020

And the podcast is back! I had a wonderful opportunity to talk creative process, sci-fi technology, and why young adults ARE more likely to save the world with author and musician Jackiem Joyner--plus a glimpse as his debut science fiction novel, ZARYA!

Nothing short of Prophetic!

7/28/2020

The Line Between by Tosca Lee is a meticulously crafted and incredibly timely science thriller. It follows the journey of Wynter Roth, a young woman raised in an apocalyptic extremist Christian cult. Upon her expulsion from the New Earth community and compound, she must navigate the overwhelming world of the modern United States. As the days wear on, however, North America is gripped with a strange illness that presents as rapid, early-onset dementia. To Wynter, the epidemic and increasing natural disasters look eerily similar to the events New Earth’s prophet foretold as signs of the impending Doomsday--a Doomsday from which she no longer has salvation.

Lee handles this terrifying story with deadly accuracy, from the creeping dread that sets in with the first scene’s thawing permafrost to Wynter’s heart-pounding flight as the country crumbles around her. My background is in biology and pre-med and I was impressed with the scientific plausibility that many science thrillers lack. Having survived a pandemic and family succumbing to the same illness that inspired Lee’s fictional disease, I can say her worldbuilding in The Line Between is nothing short of prophetic. Both the overarching plot of the epidemic and Wynter’s own tale were gripping from the very first line.

Highly recommended, 5 out of 5 stars!

The Bestselling Fantasy is Now in Audio!

7/16/2020

Exciting news at fortress V: The audiobook of SMOKE AND RAIN is finally live! It was incredible to listen to my words come to life with Jake Ruddle. He even worked to create a beautiful narrative description of the map and calendar in the beginning of the book!

If you're a long-time fan or just discovering the series for the first time, immerse yourself in this lyrical slow-burn epic-fantasy where heroes are as broken as the world they must Reforge.

Alive After Reading

7/14/2020

I joined Tim Niederriter of Alive After Reading to discuss writing process and so much more!

Listen Now

phobias and writing with Quill and ink!

7/12/2020

Authors on the Air Global Radio Network · Quill & Ink - EP18 - V.S. Holmes

I had the honor of joining Miranda Oh and Jenna Greene on Quill and Ink! We spoke about our work, archaeology, our phobias, and more!
You can also check out the video of my very sunburnt self!

Return to Sirens to Discuss Writing in 2020

7/11/2020

Had a great time on Siren's Radio of Southside Broadcasting out of the UK again, discussing how recent events impacting my fiction! Thanks for another great chat!

Serial Killers and Trafficking with Angela Breen

7/9/2020

I chatted with romantic suspense author Angela Breen about her new series, researching serial killers, and all the nuances of portraying abuse, law enforcement, and trafficking.

Alternative History of "The Oppenheimer Alternative"

7/7/2020

The Oppenheimer Alternative by Hugo and Nebula winner, Robert J. Sawyer, is a science fiction take on classic wry political thrillers. Like its titular character, Alternative is melancholy and driven in turns. It follows the historic scientific events of what we know as the Manhatten Project, but like World War II, they serve as a backdrop for exploring Oppie’s faceted and often discontent character. The modern reader in me would have loved to see more of the minds and lives left in Oppenheimer’s wake--Kitty and most notably Jean. I was struck by the care Sawyer took to be as accurate as possible, without relinquishing any of the moments’ excitement. The transition from the historic events to his speculation on alternative history was seamless.

Sawyer’s prose dissects each new character with an honest curiosity devoid, for the most part, of judgment. His exploration of both these personalities and the events they influenced--or in the case of the latter, speculative half of the book, could have precipitated--was almost tender. Sawyer’s dedication to accuracy and craft make The Oppenheimer Alternative a wonderful book, not only for fans of classic speculative fiction, but also any historic fiction reader.

Thoroughly recommended, 4 out of 5 stars!

Read now!

Moral Disability: How Villainy Looks When You’re the Monster

7/5/2020

I had the honor to write this essay for the Sirens Conference on how the conflation of villainy and disability impacts the disabled communities in our real world.

"Our depiction of disfigurement and disability in villains—those in speculative works, particularly—taints our perception of disabled people in our own world with a dangerous morality. All of us know the ache of being unable to find yourself in a book and the annoyance when a character is just the lovechild of stereotypes and bigotry. So much of Sirens focuses on the importance and beauty in seeing ourselves—our strengths, our flaws, our lives—in speculative fiction. But when I search for a character like me, I find Captain Hook’s missing hand. I find Viren’s magical staff. I find villains..." read more

Premiere of the Blood And Mercy Virtual Tour!

7/4/2020

Signed Paperback

In honor of Blood and Mercy's release, I joined Toadstool Books to bring you this incredible virtual signing, which premiers on YouTube on July 11th at 4pm! I'll answer several questions, including what's next for Blood of Titans and where to find good resources on disability. Don't forget to drop your comments or questions in the video's comment section--I'll be watching the premier with all of you and will answer all of those not covered in the video then. Plus, what a great excuse to nerd-out with all of you!

You can order an exclusive Toadstool Signed Copy from me through this event as well as grab digital copies and box sets!