# My Awesome New Time Travel Novel **URL:** \ **Category:** Marketplace\ **Created:** [August 11, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524 "2019-08-11T23:26:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/1 "2019-08-11T23:26:18Z")
_The Traveler_ is coming out as an e-book from Rogue Phoenix Press next month, but the links are already up for ordering it on several sites. It’s the story of a Time Traveler whose Time Machine has broken down – one of his circuit boards has literally fried – in Imperial Rome. His only way to get home is to rebuild it using whatever he can find or construct in ancient Rome. The story is told from the point of view of the Roman street kid who is helping him out. The book is nominally YA, but can be read and enjoyed by anyone. Here’s where you can find it: **Amazon** – [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W5K68ZY](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W5K68ZY) **Barnes & Noble** – [The Traveler by Stephen R. Wilk | eBook | Barnes & Noble®](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-traveler-stephen-r-wilk/1132848301?ean=2940161188439) **Apple** – [‎The Traveler on Apple Books](https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-traveler/id1475779916?mt=11&app=itunes) **Kobo** – [https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-traveler-57](https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-traveler-57) **Google Play** – [https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stephen\_R\_Wilk\_The\_Traveler?id=6EqoDwAAQBAJ](https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stephen_R_Wilk_The_Traveler?id=6EqoDwAAQBAJ) I’ll let you know when it’s officially released. In addition to this, I’ve just sent back the galleys to my science fiction short story **Yamadori** , which will be appearing in **Analog** shortly. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/2 "2019-08-12T10:59:49Z")
I know writing is hard work, but describing your book as ‘awesome’ is a real turn-off. “You’re a writer when someone else says you’re a writer.” “Your book is awesome when someone else says it.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/3 "2019-08-12T13:41:15Z")
Eh, from **Cal** , I’m willing to take his word on it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/4 "2019-08-12T15:43:25Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I know writing is hard work, but describing your book as ‘awesome’ is a real turn-off. > > “You’re a writer when someone else says you’re a writer.” > “Your book is awesome when someone else says it.” If I were going to be snarky, I’d say you should tell that to **Exapno**. But I’m not, so I won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/5 "2019-08-12T21:48:51Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I know writing is hard work, but describing your book as ‘awesome’ is a real turn-off. > > “You’re a writer when someone else says you’re a writer.” > “Your book is awesome when someone else says it.” Someone sounds jealous. I will look forward to hearing about the release of the book. I love time travel stories. Do you happen to have a major in world history, or studies that followed Roman history in particular? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/6 "2019-08-13T01:55:18Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Someone sounds jealous. > > I will look forward to hearing about the release of the book. I love time travel stories. Do you happen to have a major in world history, or studies that followed Roman history in particular? No I studied Latin in High School and visited the Roman sites in Southern France, Rome, and near Vesuvius about the same time. I read a lot of classics in college, both in and out of class, and have kept it up ever since. I’ve written two books on mythology (although only one has been published), and have written other stories set in Imperial Rome. I was strongly influenced by L. Sprague de Camp’s _Lest Darkness Fall_, a time travel novel in which the hero finds himself I just the right time and place to prevent the Fall of Rome, and I was impressed by his struggle to survive and thrive in Rome. It just occurred to me that I’d never seen anyone treat what seems to me a very obvious fear and problem of time travel – what if your time machine b4reaks down? And you know that no one will be coming to your rescue? Could you repair it on your own, without modern technology? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/7 "2019-08-13T02:30:33Z")
Cool! > [@CalMeacham](#): > > If I were going to be snarky, I’d say you should tell that to **Exapno**. But I’m not, so I won’t. ([In case anyone misses the reference…](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=879287)) > [@CalMeacham](#): > > I was strongly influenced by L. Sprague de Camp’s _Lest Darkness Fall_ Yeah, I couldn’t help being reminded of that book when I read the description of yours > [@](#): > > It just occurred to me that I’d never seen anyone treat what seems to me a very obvious fear and problem of time travel – what if your time machine b4reaks down? And you know that no one will be coming to your rescue? Could you repair it on your own, without modern technology? I seem to recall one or more of the _Family Guy_ episodes featuring Stewie’s time machine involving him having to repair it to avoid being stranded in the past. And of course Marty McFly has to get his time-traveling DeLorean to work using 1950’s technology in _Back To The Future_. But those aren’t really the same kind of story that you seem to be talking about here. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/8 "2019-08-13T02:37:32Z")
I think that Gary Larson, at least, addressed that point. Though of course he didn’t address it in very much depth. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/9 "2019-08-13T12:27:39Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It just occurred to me that I’d never seen anyone treat what seems to me a very obvious fear and problem of time travel – what if your time machine b4reaks down? And you know that no one will be coming to your rescue? Could you repair it on your own, without modern technology? Meh, you don’t even need to carry any spare time-travel parts on the trip. If your time machine breaks down, all you need is to remember to do like Bill & Ted and bring yourself everything you need via-- time machine. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/10 "2019-08-13T15:27:58Z")
All you talented writers are making me jealous! I’ll be downloading your book tonight! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/11 "2019-08-13T20:45:27Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > All you talented writers are making me jealous! I’ll be downloading your book tonight! In my case, I don’t think you can just yet. You can pre-order, I think, but the publication date is sometime next month. ---
**Author:** ![FastDan1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fastdan1/32/427_2.png) [@FastDan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FastDan1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/12 "2019-08-13T21:15:46Z")
Just pre-ordered. Download happens on September 8. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/13 "2019-08-14T14:24:44Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > In my case, I don’t think you can just yet. You can pre-order, I think, but the publication date is sometime next month. Saw that. I’ll be putting in my pre-order, then. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/14 "2019-08-24T02:28:55Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Saw that. I’ll be putting in my pre-order, then. :smack: There’s a time travel joke in there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/19 "2019-08-31T23:50:44Z")
In addition to this, I’ve edited the galleys of my upcoming _Analog_ story, _Yamadori_, which should be out in a couple of months. I just heard from a publisher interested in my Frankenstein novella, _A Light so Brilliant and Wondrous_. And _Optics and Photonics News_ is running my article on the pop culture trope of using Ultraviolet Light to kill vampires in its October issue. Lotsa stuff coming out shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/20 "2019-09-05T07:34:49Z")
It’s out now. I just ordered it and it’s in my Nook App. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/21 "2019-09-05T15:36:33Z")
> [@Fugazi](#): > > It’s out now. I just ordered it and it’s in my Nook App. Wow! News to me. Thanks for telling me. You’d think my publisher would let me know. \*John Gielgud] I’ll alert the media. [/John Gielgud] ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/22 "2019-09-06T03:32:10Z")
Congrats on the many sales! Rogue Phoenix Press is a prestige venue. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > If I were going to be snarky, I’d say you should tell that to **Exapno**. But I’m not, so I won’t. Heh. I was quoting somebody, so I’m legit. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Wow! > > News to me. Thanks for telling me. You’d think my publisher would let me know. I knew before my publisher that my book as being sold on some platforms. Mainly because I bothered to look and they didn’t. Publishers. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/23 "2019-09-08T16:02:17Z")
If it’s being sold electronically anyway, shouldn’t there at least be an automated e-mail saying “Congratulations! You’ve made your first sale. Here are some tips to generate word-of-mouth and keep the sales coming:” ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524/24 "2019-09-08T17:00:55Z")
I preordered it when this thread first appeared, and started reading it yesterday. I’m loving it so far. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-new-time-travel-novel/838524.md?page=2)