60 ratings | 30 reviews | avg rating:4.18

Michael’s Year In Books

Michael’s 2023 Year in Books

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Michael Shotter

Goodreads Author

Website

http://michaelshotter.com

Twitter

mdshotter

Genre

Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror

Member Since

September 2017

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Michael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship.

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Each of your books I would consider to be different sub genre of Fantasy & Sci-Fi even though they are connected to the same universe. What sub genre is next!?

Michael Shotter Without getting too specific, I think it's fair to say that several of the stories in the short-fiction anthology I'll be releasing next year have som…moreWithout getting too specific, I think it's fair to say that several of the stories in the short-fiction anthology I'll be releasing next year have some fairly strong dark-fiction and horror overtones. Some of that is definitely on display in my recently-released novelette, "Academic Displacement," which will also be included in that aforementioned collection.

That said, I'm always reluctant to label my works with a particular genre because one of the main things I strive for as an author is to defy typical genre norms and boundaries.

When reading, one of my greatest joys comes from being genuinely and pleasantly surprised by where a story goes. As much as genres can be useful for organizing stories into categories, I think they often do a disservice to those stories and their readers by setting expectations, rather than allowing the narrative to be experienced without bias or preconception. As a writer, I'm always hoping to surprise and delight the reader with something unexpected, regardless of whatever genre the core of the story may evoke.

Thanks for the question!(less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Michael Shotter I'm very fortunate in that I rarely suffer from this condition as I generally have a solid idea what I want to write, and how I want to write it befor…moreI'm very fortunate in that I rarely suffer from this condition as I generally have a solid idea what I want to write, and how I want to write it before I sit down to work; however, I think a good technique for dealing with any sort of productivity-related issue is to embrace the notion of stepping away from a task to reset one's mind. In my experience, it's far better to take a few minutes to read an unrelated article, or play a short game, or engage in some other task that stimulates the mind in a different manner. I've consistently found myself to be more focused and productive when returning to a task after a brief, structured diversion than I'd ever be from simply sitting and staring at a blank screen or sheet of paper.(less)

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Combine Editions
Michael Shotter’s books

Average rating: 3.94 · 159 ratings · 71 reviews · 14 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Nemesis Effect 3.93 avg rating — 29 ratings — published 2021 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	309 4.19 avg rating — 26 ratings — published 2018 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Shards 4.15 avg rating — 26 ratings — published 2020 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Big Men 3.75 avg rating — 28 ratings — published 2017 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	500 4.13 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2023 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Big Man Down 3.54 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 2022 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Paper or Plastic? 3.22 avg rating — 9 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Spiral and The Threads: A Short-Fiction Anthology from The Nod/Wells Timelines 4.14 avg rating — 7 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Academic Displacement 3.80 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2019	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mr. Perkins Goes to Hell it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2021 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Michael’s Recent Updates

Michael Shotter rated a book really liked it Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
An enjoyable follow-up, and what I'd almost label a "part two" for "Rogue Protocol," the third book in the Murderbot series. Overall, I'd call "Exit Strategy" a fun, quick read that ties up and entertainingly refers back to a lot of elements from the ...more
17 hours, 31 min ago · like · see review
Michael Shotter and 18 other people liked Kathleen's review of Paper or Plastic?: "I found this short story quite creepy and enjoyable! I really like how the author painted the picture of Mr. Chamberland with interesting details that showed us quickly what kind of character we were dealing with. Thank you to the author and Goodread" Read more of this review »
Jun 11, 2024 03:31PM · see review
Michael Shotter and 4 other people liked Brian Bowyer's review of Watchers:
Jun 11, 2024 03:29PM · see review
Michael Shotter and 7 other people liked Coy Hall's review of Maximum Firepower: An ’80s Action Anthology: "This is a rack of VHS action at your old video store in book form. What more could you ask for? Fast as a bullet, wicked as a blade, and all wrapped in battle-blasted chrome. "
Jun 11, 2024 03:28PM · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book it was amazing Embers of War by Gareth L. Powell (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A fine bit of space opera. "Embers of War" is a book that works on a few different levels. Fans of "classic" science fiction will find a lot of familiar and comforting concepts on display throughout its pages, yet it still manages to provide a few sur ...more
Mar 06, 2024 04:00PM · like · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book it was amazing Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Another fun romp with Murderbot. Much like "Artificial Condition," if you enjoyed "All Systems Red," you'll likely have a good time with this quick, snappy adventure in the universe those first two books established. I was a little concerned going int ...more
Mar 03, 2024 07:24PM · like · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book really liked it Grad Night by Carver Pike (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Horror novels are tricky to pull off. In much the same way that many horror films struggle to justify their length beyond 90 minutes, horror novels have a tall order to live up to, providing enough thrills and chills to be engaging and satisfying wit ...more
Feb 07, 2024 02:55PM · 1 like · like · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book really liked it Snow Shark 2: Terror in Space by Brian G. Berry (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I have a bit of a soft spot for over-the-top, cheesy, sci-fi horror akin to the sorts of campy, fun B-movies that were common in the 1980's. Things like "Critters," or "C.H.U.D.," or "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" for example. There's a very partic ...more
Jan 21, 2024 10:12PM · 1 like · like · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book really liked it Road Harvest by Brian Bowyer (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A quick, intense, and off-the-rails horror read, "Road Harvest" is sure to please fans of slashers and splatterpunk who enjoy their tales doused in blood and ruthlessness. There is an interesting little hook and twist to the story that contextualizes ...more
Jan 14, 2024 08:26PM · 4 likes · like · see review
Michael Shotter rated a book it was amazing A Séance for Wicked King Death by Coy Hall (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I don't want to say too much about the nuts and bolts of this book, not because it's unworthy of such analysis but because I think it's a thing better experienced than described. I found its premise (of a reformed charlatan being pulled back into his ...more
Jan 14, 2024 02:59PM · 5 likes · like · see review