Location: United States
Member Since: April 16, 2022

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Bill Gregg

Biography

I write fiction from some subconscious compulsion rather than a desire for financial gain or adulation. Even though my bookish inclinations led me to a position as the editor of my college literary journal, then to five years work for a small avante-garde publishing house, I didn't pursue my desire to write fiction until later in life. I had poetry published but no stories or novels. Now, after a lifetime filled with amazing experiences, I sit down to write every day. I decided to issue the resulting science fiction and fantasy short stories on Smashwords in case there are readers for my somewhat antiquated and literary style. In addition to shorter fiction, I'm currently publishing a serialized science fiction novel, “Star Song” on Smashwords , with a new 10,000 word installment posted every month.

Much of my science fiction shows the influence of my experience in military intelligence with the US Navy's Naval Security Group (NAVSECGRU, now NETWARCOM). During my tour, I flew on numerous reconnaissance missions with VQ-1 (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One) in the Far East. After that I worked for a few years in publishing, then as a traveling folk musician. Finally, I settled into a career in biotechnology. I retired from scientific work to teach music at a fine arts academy in Upstate New York. All my life I've been an outdoorsman, and my love of nature shows through in all of my fiction. I live in the scenic Finger Lakes area of New York State where I enjoy hiking, gardening, archery, and the company of my beautiful wife and our wonderful dog, Dash.

Smashwords Interview

What's the story behind your latest book?
Starting in September 2022 I began an interesting project. Readers on Smashwords get to see each chapter of "Star Song" as soon as it's finished instead of waiting for the completed book. "Star Song" is an epic science fiction novel (approximately 200,000 words when finished) that I'm currently writing. I have been right on schedule, finishing and publishing an approximately 10,000 word chapter (episode) each month. I decided to do this as a discipline to keep me writing fiction even though my life as a music teacher and performer is very busy. The discipline is paying off! Doing this as a series has made writing such a habitual part of my life that I'm completing 2 or 3 short stories in addition to the "required" chapter of "Star Song" every month. This has been a great learning experience for me, and the comments on the episodes have been very encouraging. I plan on making a print version of "Star Song" available when it is finished. I'm also exploring the idea of turning it into an audiobook. In the meantime, read the first episode, "Treason", and follow the adventures of Commander Alkabah as he discovers the hidden worlds of dark energy and matter. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1162889
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My Dog!!! Every morning, without fail. Other than taking him out for his morning walk, I get up and get to work on whatever I can to contribute to human society. When I worked in biotechnology, I got up to work on new medicines. Now, when I'm teaching music, I see the happiness and sense of accomplishment that learning brings to my students. When I'm performing music, I can see the pleasure that I bring to the audience. But, on a lot of mornings, I get up because I can't wait to start writing, working on the next thrilling or thought provoking part of a story or novel. The thought that I will share those stories that might bring pleasure and/or insight to the readers is what often gets me out of bed before the sun rises.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Bill Gregg online

Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-gregg-52800124a/

Series

Star Song by
The “Star Song” series might just be space opera for people who don't normally read science fiction. Although there is drama and conflict, these tales are not just shoot 'em ups in outer space. Amid the fantastic and scientific elements, the emotions, psychology, and spirituality of human and alien characters are major factors in the story. The series consists of a galactic saga in thirty episodes, a set of 3 complete sci-fi novels being published on Smashwords while the trilogy is in progress. Although inspired by the cliffhanging serials of science fiction's golden age, these tales are aimed at the more sophisticated reader of the 21st century. The series follows Temozar Alkabah, who was born into a Muslim family in one of the last subterranean refuges on the ruined planet Earth. As the story opens he is an intelligence officer and expert in alien languages for the EEC, Earth Extraterrestrial Command. What starts out as military oriented space opera turns out to be a spiritual journey into the deepest mysteries of the cosmos. Alkabah and his fellow human exiles discover the universe is far stranger and more beautiful than they could ever imagine.
Treason - Episode One in the Star Song Series
Price: Free!
Exile - Episode Two in the Star Song Series
Price: $0.99 USD.
Eden - Episode Three in the Star Song Series
Price: $0.99 USD.
The Nature of Song - Episode Four in the Star Song Series
Price: $0.99 USD.
From Heaven to Hell: Episode Five in the Star Song Series
Price: $0.99 USD.
Transformation (Episode Six in the Star Song Series)
Price: $0.99 USD.

Books

Lost Species - Episode Ten in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,120. Language: English. Published: March 17, 2024 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
For the time being, the Planet Eden has been saved from extragalactic invaders. Tragedy mixes with hope in this complex but uplifting tenth and final episode of Book One of the Star Song Trilogy.
Bride of Vanghira by
Price: Free! Words: 5,840. Language: English. Published: July 18, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Fantasy » Dark
This is a fable about power, sex, and violence. It addresses the issues without being graphic or prurient, but beware, it may make some uncomfortable. The story takes place in the mythical kingdom of Gankhenata, where a beautiful young woman, Summita, is chosen by the high priests to be the bride of the protector-god Vanghira. In her role, Summita discovers the moral rot that pervades the kingdom.
Love and War - Episode Nine in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 9,250. Language: English. Published: July 3, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
Life on the planet Eden is no longer idyllic. Temozar and Artemis want to start a family, but the settlers are in the midst of a life and death struggle against Khaozian invaders and their human collaborators. Temozar Alkabah puts his linguistic and military skills to use to combat the Khaozian inroads.
Doorway to Death - Episode Eight in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 9,900. Language: English. Published: April 28, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
In the latest episode of Star Song, the inhabitants of Eden must do battle with the native creatures called “land sharks” as well as invaders from another galaxy. At the same time, there is an influx of new refugees, survivors of the destruction of Earth Three. Eden runs the risk of becoming Hell.
Face to Face - Episode Seven in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,350. Language: English. Published: March 26, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
In the seventh installment of the epic “Star Song”, Temozar Alkabah, along with his lover Artemis, military savant Mingus Twombe, and an intelligent plant creature native to Eden, are summoned to the alien outpost on the outer planet Hestia. The Shirrah have called an urgent war council to prepare for an attack by the terrifying Khaozians, invaders from another galaxy.
Transformation (Episode Six in the Star Song Series) by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 9,870. Language: English. Published: February 19, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Temozar Alkabah and his lover embark on an exploration of the planet Eden. Alkabah tries to explain to Artemis how his mind is being transformed by his symbiosis with intelligence from the invisible dark universe. When they return from their dangerous trip, they are summoned by their alien benefactors to an urgent meeting on the planet Hestia.
From Heaven to Hell: Episode Five in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,440. Language: English. Published: January 16, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(5.00 from 1 review)
Romance, conflict, and the first hints of a world destroying alien threat make for an action packed fifth episode in the “Star Song” series.
The Nature of Song - Episode Four in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,460. Language: English. Published: December 8, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(5.00 from 1 review)
Alkabah muses about how he and the other refugees are adapting to life on the planet Eden. At a community dinner he tries to explain what is happening as his skin turns rainbow colors. He reveals to the others that the change is due to symbiosis with the mysterious “Me le fa sol te” of the dark universe. Three Shirrah aliens visit Eden to reveal the awesome powers that the symbiosis imparts.
Eden - Episode Three in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,710. Language: English. Published: November 11, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(5.00 from 1 review)
Meet ten survivors of the interstellar war between the enigmatic Shirrah aliens and Earth Extraterrestrial Command. In the third episode of the Star Song series, the victorious aliens take their captives to an uninhabited, idyllic planet. In that paradise, Temozar Alkabah begins to recover from the trauma of recent events and finds a friend in the beautiful Doctor Artemis Katsaros.
Exile - Episode Two in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,220. Language: English. Published: October 11, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
An enemy warship rescues Temozar Alkabah from almost certain death. Now exiled from the human race, former commander Alkabah suffers a mental breakdown. The enemy aliens show great respect for him and make a surprising offer. The Shirrah warship picks up another survivor of the recent war on their way to a habitable planet where Alkabah and other rescued humans will live out their lives in exile.
Treason - Episode One in the Star Song Series by
Series: Star Song. Price: Free! Words: 10,340. Language: English. Published: August 27, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Military, Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
In Treason - first episode in the Star Song Series, intelligence officer Temozar Alkabah develops a rapport with an alien warrior captured in battle. The growing bond between the human and the prisoner is put to the test. Will military discipline or compassion and honor prevail? Alkabah's choice will determine the course of the rest of his life.

Bill Gregg's tag cloud

action sci fi    adve    alien battles    alien beings    alien captive    alien culture    alien invasion    alien planet    alien species    alien war    alien warrior    alien world    alternateworld    dark matter    extraterrestrial contact    extraterrestrial intelligence    fantasy world    female protagonist    galactic space    hard sci fi    metaphysics    military scifi    moral dilemma    myth and fable    sci adventure    sci fi adventure    sci fi drama    sci fi epic    sci fi fantasy    sci fi romance    sci fi series    sci fi war    scifi intrigue    serial fiction    serial sci fi    short story    space colony    space drama    space fantasy    space opera    supernatural    war survivors   

Bill Gregg's favorite authors on Smashwords

Jeremy Reimer
Latest book: No Time on Titan - A Short Story.
Published April 3, 2021.
Visit their website