# My kid’s (SF/Fantasy) novel has a publication date!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** books-writing-myths
**Created:** [November 16, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902 "2025-11-16T15:33:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/1 "2025-11-16T15:33:56Z")
Since he was a little kid, my son was fascinated by airplanes and rockets - as well as military history and science fiction/fantasy. When it came around to planning for college, he expressed a desire to study either Aerospace Engineering or Creative Writing. Being the practical parents, we STRONGLY urged him to study engineering, advising that he could more readily make a decent living as an engineer while writing as a hobby, than the opposite.
As he’s developed a fine career supporting a comfortable life, he has kept up his interest in writing, RP games, cons, etc.
Long story short, he has had a book accepted for publication by a pretty major publisher (a 2 book deal, in fact), and it is set to be published next July. **Affairs of State** under the name **Calvin James**. (_Yeah, there is another book with the same title by an author with a similar name. Don’t ask me - I wasn’t asked!_ ;))
We are so proud of him and I basically wanted to brag about him and share something wonderful going on with my family. But I also know several of you are interested in SciFi and fantasy, and thought you might want to check out his book.
I’ve often wondered why some books become popular and others don’t. Just yesterday I decided not to finish a thriller by a NYT bestselling author, as IMO the writing was crap. My son’s sort of SF/fantasy isn’t my cup of tea, but I strongly believe his writing and story-telling is better than a lot of the crap I get off the shelves of my library. I tend to be pessimistic about the chances of commercial success in the arts, but muse over how cool it would be if his writing found a market.
The publisher seems to be making a decent effort to publicize the book. My Googling the title and his pen name turned up FB and Instagram mentions, mentions on other SciFi and book sites, and even an excerpt from the first chapter. Reading their descriptions of my son and his book, my main thought is I wish _ **I** _ had a publicist working to make me look good! 😃
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### Author:  [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/2 "2025-11-16T15:40:50Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> **Affairs of State** under the name **Calvin James**.
Interesting. I was able to find a listing for it on the Canadian Amazon, but it’s not available until July 2026. Sounds like it might be worth a try, it’s always nice to have a book to read on a summer’s evening.
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/3 "2025-11-16T15:55:35Z")
Congrats, that’s fantastic!
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### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/4 "2025-11-16T16:07:00Z")
Yes, next July.
I’m jumping the gun, here, but believe me, it has been a LONG process to get here. As I understand it, this is their formal announcement of the book, in time for libraries and sellers to pre-order. Show off the cover, possibly generate and assess early interest….
I think I posted now because it was just so cool to see it with a cover and descriptions. After reading so much of his writing over the past couple of decades, getting to this point almost exceeds my comprehension.
Thank you for sharing my joy. I’ve been making a point fo relishing the truly good things that are happening, rather than focussing on the bad…
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/5 "2025-11-16T16:14:31Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> I’ve been making a point fo relishing the truly good things that are happening
So wise.
And congrats, Dad. That’s got to be a great feeling of pride when your kid does something extraordinary. Yes, this is just one more starting gate on the long and winding road to fame and fortune. But it’s one of the bigger hurdles along the way. So so many talented part time writers never get nearly that far.
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### Author:  [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/6 "2025-11-16T17:06:18Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> **Affairs of State** under the name **Calvin James**
That’s great news! Thank you for letting us share in your joy.
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### Author:  [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/7 "2025-11-16T17:16:12Z")
I misunderstood the thread title as a SF book _you_ wrote for kids LOL. I am not a SF reader but what the heck- this is really cool! Congrats!!
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### Author:  [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/8 "2025-11-16T18:13:04Z")
Congratulations! I hope it sells like gangbusters and makes all the money, and wins a Hugo Award.
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### Author:  [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/9 "2025-11-16T22:22:38Z")
Amazing news! Science fiction is my favorite genre hands-down. And the title makes it sound political/military - even better.
> I’ve often wondered why some books become popular and others don’t. Just yesterday I decided not to finish a thriller by a NYT bestselling author, as IMO the writing was crap.
There’s a lot of shit out there and I have suffered many years wondering why literary success at times seems to bear an inverse relationship to competence.
But at the end of the day you just have to quit worrying about other people, do your best, and put yourself out there.
I’ll keep an eye on this one!
ETA: Oh, it’s a romance! Why didn’t you say so??? I’m 1000% in. Pre-ordered.
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### Author:  [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/10 "2025-11-16T22:59:41Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> I’ve often wondered why some books become popular and others don’t. Just yesterday I decided not to finish a thriller by a NYT bestselling author, as IMO the writing was crap.
Alas, many people are dung beetles. And they like crap. And particular _flavors_ of crap. And while you or your son may not want to write crap, you don’t get on the bestseller lists unless you write crappy crap.
Anyhow, congrats to you and your son!
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/11 "2025-11-17T02:23:19Z")
That’s awesome, considering how difficult it is to get a work of fiction published! You certainly should be proud of your son!
ETA: I see that the publisher is Penguin Random House. Impressive!
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### Author:  [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/12 "2025-11-17T03:08:58Z")
Wow. That’s a HUGE accomplishment, given the odds against getting published these days. Congratulations to him and you!
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/13 "2025-11-17T11:56:56Z")
Congratulations! No small feat.
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### Author:  [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/14 "2025-11-17T12:04:35Z")
That is an awesome accomplishment!
Congratulations.
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### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/15 "2025-11-17T14:29:40Z")
Thanks all. You are great!
I’m finding this fascinating, getting a view into the publishing world. What it takes to get a book onto the shelves of libraries, bookstores, and homes. In my mind, each step - finishing a novel, getting an agent, selling the book - has been an accomplishment I can barely comprehend. But as he accomplishes each step, the idea of it selling well, being followed by other books, being picked up for TV/film… becomes less crazy to imagine.
Fortunately - he is keeping his wits about him, and is not planning on quitting his day job anytime soon.
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> ETA: I see that the publisher is Penguin Random House. Impressive!
Yeah - I’m not sure about the ins and outs of the publishing world, and who is related to who. But my kid has consistently said the publisher is Titan Books.
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> ETA: Oh, it’s a romance! Why didn’t you say so??? I’m 1000% in. Pre-ordered.
You sound like you are smack dab in the center of his target demographic. He has several books planned/written that take place in a remote sector of the universe, far in the future. He has an entire back story as to the history/cultures/etc - but the books do not read like text books. He has written at least 2-3 books in this “‘verse”, with plans for a few more. So, if this book has any success, he is well positioned to follow up on it. Which I can imagine would be appealing to business and customers alike.
He is an engineer and a military historian. So all of the tech and fighting have at least some plausible explanations. But the tech is not heavy-handed and does not get in the way of the story. Much of the setting and dynamics in this book are inspired by the Congress of Vienna at the end of WWI.
But there are different species, various flying ships and futuristic armaments, and a torrid interspecies love affair. Like I said - not my personal favorite reading/viewing material. But I see a lot of such material offered to and consumed by the reading/viewing public. I don’t see why his shouldn’t be successful in that mix. The fact that a major publisher thinks it worth their attention and resources is definitely a good sign.
I do read my share of thrillers and popular fiction. I think he does quite a good job of moving things along - ending chapters in a way that you want to turn the next page, read the next chapter. As well as creating characters that are believable and that you care about. He has a certain voice that may or may not appeal to each reader, but he certainly can turn a phrase.
(I’ve read and commented on the damned thing SO MANY TIMES already, that I’m not sure how objectively I can even discuss it! :D)
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### Author:  [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/16 "2025-11-17T15:50:11Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> Yeah - I’m not sure about the ins and outs of the publishing world, and who is related to who. But my kid has consistently said the publisher is Titan Books
First, congratulations! That’s pretty awesome.
Apparently, Titan Books is a separate company that has a distribution deal with Penguin Random House. I thought it might be an imprint (the big 5 publishers have tons of imprints for different genres) but it doesn’t appear to be the case.
Still, that’s a huge accomplishment and I hope he sees great success!
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/17 "2025-11-17T16:19:23Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> > [@wolfpup](#):
> >
> > ETA: I see that the publisher is Penguin Random House. Impressive!
>
> Yeah - I’m not sure about the ins and outs of the publishing world, and who is related to who. But my kid has consistently said the publisher is Titan Books.
Below is what I found in a Google search; it mentions only Penguin Random House. I was going to guess maybe there is some distinction between publisher and distributor, but I see that @Infovore beat me to it!
> **[Affairs of State by Calvin James: 9781835416211 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/817976/affairs-of-state-by-calvin-james/)**
>
> A lavish vortex of politics and romance among the stars. Levar Boylan is hurled into a world of diplomatic galas and impossibly high stakes to rekindle things with his lover, the demon empress Astrid....
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### Author:  [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/18 "2025-11-17T17:03:45Z")
That’s awesome and I will read it when it comes out. But dang if I’m not going to read it as **Levar Burton** every time I see **Levar Boylan** in the book(s). 🤣
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### Author:  [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/19 "2025-11-17T17:30:55Z")
I found the excerpt from the first chapter you talked about in the OP online! It really does make me want to find out what happens next. (And it is very much my cup of tea, lol. Military/political SF that focuses on characterization/human relations is exactly my jam.) Preordering!
> **[Affairs Of State: Cover reveal and sneak peek at Calvin James’ epic fantasy...](https://www.scifinow.co.uk/books/affairs-of-state-cover-reveal-and-sneak-peek-at-calvin-james-epic-fantasy-romance/)**
>
> Affairs Of State is a sweeping story of high-stakes romance and cut-throat politics amongst the stars. Check out the cover and read an exclusive excerpt from Chapter One...
It seems very hard to me to get published (I have a close family member who has unsuccessfully looked into trad-pub (she ended up self-pubbing)) – so exciting!
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### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902/20 "2025-11-17T19:28:45Z")
Talking to my kid, a bit of it seems to be - maybe not really “luck”, but the serendipity of meeting up with the right person at the right time. Kinda like dating. He pursued agent after agent, with no success, and then somehow hooked up with someone who saw promise in his writing. Then they sent it off to publishers with no real success, until it crossed the desk of an editor who apparently is a military historian and perceived the Congress of Vienna connection.
But it kinda makes me think, if s much depends on serendipity, why shouldn’t the “good luck” continue? 😃
Of course, as my dad used to say, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kid-s-sf-fantasy-novel-has-a-publication-date/1024902.md?page=2)