E. R. Mason

Biography

This is the place where many people write their profile in the third person so it sounds like someone else is writing about them. I'm just not comfortable with that. Instead, let's assume that you are the literary authority, (which you are) and I your applicant. Here are my qualifications;

As far back as childhood, my passion for space travel, and flight was so strong it was nearly painful. In contrast, I grew up on a horse ranch in Connecticut. It was a rough and ready place. We participated in horse shows and rodeos. My friend Bill Larson rode with us. Somewhere around sixth grade, Bill discovered rock and roll, and dragged me into it, thereby ruining my life forever. We began developing bands around grade six, an addiction that remains strong to this day. Bill is presently lead guitarist for the rock band Road Work, based in Connecticut. http://theroadworkband.com/fr_intro.cfm

Bill also introduced me to an even wider range of adventures such as swinging out over a cliff on a knotted rope, climbing Mt. Washington in the freezing rain, and sailing a small boat in the tail end of a hurricane. Two of those did not end well. We attended The Norwich Free Academy High School which is larger than many college campuses, and still reminds me of Hogwarts. There I became completely enamored with a gifted English teacher named Janice MacIntyre. She will always be a part of my inspiration. Somewhere along the way, I found the works of John D. MacDonald. He has remained my favorite author ever since. There I also began writing screen plays and fiction. I began my study of the martial arts at NFA and that continued for many, many years until I finally became a black belt student instructor at a Merritt Island, Florida Taekwondo Center under Masters Walter Simpson, Michael Raney, and half a dozen other gifted instructors.

When I was nineteen, I finally got a chance to fly a Piper Cherokee, and have been flying ever since. Because SCUBA diving is much like an EVA, I also became a certified diver and have done quite a bit of salt water, fresh water, and cave diving.

The currents of life, which we only think we control, eventually carried me to the Kennedy Space Center. I worked there as a Coordinator for twenty-five years, mostly on the Eastern Range side. I have innumerable rocket stories. I struggled to find the time to write The Empty Door and The Virtual Dead in that period. There I also met bassist-extraordinaire, Stormi Harper . He and I assembled the band FreeFall America, and co-produced the CD 'Long Way Home', which is a symbolic concept album of the story of the prodigal son. When I finally retired from the space center, it finally gave me the chance to dedicate real time to writing.

I do not mention any of these experiences out of vanity. At my age you have either realized humility, or you're a crazy old fool. I reference these passions only because of the large part they play in the books. Most of the action sequences have actually happened in one context or another. For example, I was screwing around once in an airplane and lost the handle. I spun down almost two thousand feet before regaining control. All the way back to the airport, every part of me was puckered up as tight as it would go. These lapses in judgment and sometimes questionable personal undertakings are part of the qualifications I offer you.

I'm sure you'll agree life is pretty tough these days. My motivation is to try as best I can to give you some tiny break from it. So, if you're reading this, you are the sole reason for the work. Thanks profusely for the good reviews. I do not read the bad ones. They are evaluated for me and any constructive comments are passed on. The good reviews are important. They keep me going and help me face the keyboard. So hang in there. I'll keep going, if you will. -E.R. Mason

Books

Tirumalai Jain
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 80,510. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
During a private archeological expedition a legendary spacecraft has been discovered in the caves beneath the Tirumalai Jain temple in India. The people investigating it have mysteriously disappeared. Join Adrian Tarn and R.J. Smith on a dangerous excursion beyond time and space.
How to Write Your Book
Price: Free! Words: 4,630. Language: English. Published: December 3, 2021 . Categories: Essay » Literature
This free publication is intended to be an informal aid to writers who have been planning, but have not yet engaged their project.
Starship Dawn
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 82,680. Language: English. Published: September 20, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Romance » Sci-fi
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
If you were offered a spot in the first colony going to Mars, would you take it? And, what would that be like? Months aboard a starship with dozens of other people, so far from Earth that there would be nothing but stars in the sky. What would it be like setting up domes to live in on a planet with a toxic atmosphere? Your trips outside would be in a spacesuit.
Cold Logic
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 94,680. Language: English. Published: April 22, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
If you could buy a world-class beautiful man or woman android companion, would you? What if you could have an extremely attractive, fully functional servant, someone loyal, never argumentative, always concerned only with pleasing you? Would that be an answer to a prayer? Join Adrian Tarn and R.J. Smith as they find themselves immersed in a society dependent on dangerous artificial people.
Six Seconds
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 84,710. Language: English. Published: February 21, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 1 review)
Within the rings of Saturn, an object thought to be a small moon may actually be an ancient spacecraft. Adrian Tarn and R.J. Smith are persuaded to escort two scientists to a landing there to investigate. What they find has unexpected consequences for Earth and every person on it. Join Adrian Tarn, and R.J. Smith, as they fight to close Pandora's box before Earth becomes a new asteroid belt.
The Threatening Sky
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 94,390. Language: English. Published: October 2, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 1 review)
Is Artificial Intelligence really an apocalyptic threat to society? Could A.I. actually take control of humanity? As agents Cassiopia Cassell and Scott Markman close in on a modern day Jack the Ripper, the world around them suddenly begins to change. Machines are behaving oddly.Traffic lights seem almost malicious. Super computers are refusing to accept input.
Mu Arae
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 82,250. Language: English. Published: July 18, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
It would take a dangerous rendezvous in warped time and space just to confirm the legend of a lost world, and trying to set foot on it promised even greater peril. Join Adrian Tarn and R.J. Smith as they dare to tempt fate on a mission filled with mysteries from the future and dangers from the present. (standalone, Adrian Tarn series #5)
Dark Vengeance
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 92,300. Language: English. Published: October 5, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 5 reviews)
It was to be a luxury cruise to the planet Enuro for the purpose of bringing the newly refit Starship Electra back to Earth. For Adrian Tarn, and R.J. Smith the trip was a long overdue vacation until someone or something began murdering the guests.
Demon's Well
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 96,490. Language: English. Published: March 14, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 1 review)
Through the years Demon House earned it's name through rumor and superstition. But, were people really disappearing there? Why was an attractive, mysterious woman suddenly so determined to uncover its secret? And, just how much risk was Jax Eaton willing to take
Shock Diamonds
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 115,540. Language: English. Published: June 19, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
How far would you travel to save a friend? Adrian Tarn would go 700 trillion miles to the Mu Arae system, a place where no real laws exist and even the laws of physics can't be trusted. Join the crew of the starship Griffin on a journey through unexplored space to solve the mystery of the skull, and the fate of lost friends. (Sequel to Deep Crossing)
The Aurora City
Price: Free! Words: 111,640. Language: English. Published: May 8, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.71 from 7 reviews)
Alien creatures are set to invade and overrun Earth. The secret to stopping them may be hidden within a mysterious computer that can only be accessed through the use of a strange, sometimes deadly sensesuit. Join Cassiopia Cassell and Scott Markman as they are drawn into a dangerous world filled with mystery, intrigue, and well-kept secrets that could save Earth from a bizarre annihilation.
Deep Crossing
Price: Free! Words: 118,230. Language: English. Published: May 27, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.80 from 25 reviews)
No one on Earth could ever convince Adrian Tarn to take an untested prototype spacecraft deeper into unexplored space than anyone had ever been, to retrieve a mysterious artifact never before seen by humans. No one on Earth could ever convince him, but someone did…
The Glass Hummingbird
Price: Free! Words: 64,710. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
Cassiopia Cassell's IQ had tested at the genius level on more than one occasion. When tragedy strikes, her genius is suddenly driven by love, making her seem almost like a super hero. But in the strange and dangerous dimension called Dreamland, even super powers may not be enough.
Fatal Boarding
Price: Free! Words: 68,390. Language: English. Published: April 12, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.60 from 20 reviews)
“I have never believed in going strictly by the book. It’s the main reason I’ve never been offered a higher position on a big-draft. But, when things really go to hell, I’m always the first one to get the call. They trust me with their lives, but not their jobs.” --Adrian Tarn, Chief Security Officer, Starship Electra
The Virtual Dead
Price: Free! Words: 75,190. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.33 from 3 reviews)
(Sequel to ‘The Empty Door’) People have found a new way inside the computer. Some never return. Because of their special abilities, Cassiopia Cassell, the TEL 100D robot, and Scott Markman are drawn into the shadowy and dangerous world of the Dragon Masters, a mysterious order that will do anything to preserve its secrecy, and achieve its unearthly goals.
The Empty Door
Price: Free! Words: 68,390. Language: English. Published: November 15, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(4.20 from 10 reviews)
Cassiopia Cassell’s high IQ had always been too much for the men she’d dated. But now her beloved father was missing, and the only way to rescue him required she retain the services of a man with special abilities, a man she did not care for, and one she would have to convince to accompany her through an unexplained portal that led to dangers beyond imagination.