E.S. Raye

One year ago tomorrow, September 16th, 2025, my debut novel Gas Giant Gambit was released.

It’s been an exciting year, and I thought a look back at some of the highlights might be fun.

• July 1, 2025 – Pre-release, Gas Giant Gambit receives the coveted star from Kirkus Reviews.
• September 16, 2025 – Gas Giant Gambit is released.
• September 20, 2025 – I had my very first book signing!
• October 1, 2025 – Received word Gas Giant Gambit would be named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2025. I had to keep it to myself for months!
• October 2, 2025 – Gas Giant Gambit named to the 2025 Laramie Award for Americana Fiction Long List.
• October 4, 2025 – Attended my very first pop culture convention as a writer and vendor.
• November 24, 2025 – Gas Giant Gambit named a Finalist for the American Writing Awards for Fiction: Sci-Fi.
• December 16, 2025 – Gas Giant Gambit officially announced as one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2025.
• December 18, 2025 – Gas Giant Gambit named to the 2025 Laramie Award for Americana Fiction Short List.
• January 8, 2026 – Gas Giant Gambit named a 2025 Laramie Award for Americana Fiction Semi-Finalist.
• January 13, 2026 – My very first podcast appearance, with Glen Weatherhead, the Creative Writing Wizard.
• January 15, 2026 – Gas Giant Gambit named a 2025 Laramie Award for Americana Fiction Finalist.
• April 28, 2026 – Gas Giant Gambit named winner of the 2025 Laramie Award for Americana Fiction in the category of “Adventure/Caper.”
• September 2, 2026 – Got a tattoo to commemorate Gas Giant Gambit, and sold a copy to my artist on my way out the door!

There have been a few other things in there as well, including a couple additional convention appearances, and perhaps a thing or two I’m forgetting. And yes, things dropped off a little there in the spring, but that’s to be expected. That’s where my 5 year plan comes in.

But for now, I am appreciative of everything that has happened for me and for Gas Giant Gambit this last year, and I am looking forward to future plans!

For example, I will be at The Word on the Street Toronto Book & Magazine Festival on September 26th and 27th! Check my Events Page for more details and my exact booth location.

I am also scheduled to record a podcast with the Side Quest Book Club Podcast on October 24th, with the release of said episode TBD.

And, of course, I continue to plug away at my next two novels, with a completed first draft of my World War I set sci-fi, Shallow Trenches/Open Skies, and the as yet unfinished outline for my untitled 1950s set cosmic horror.

I’ve been sidelined on the latter as I finalize the October issue of my quarterly speculative fiction magazine Perseid Prophecies, but hope to finish it up before the end of the month. At which time, I will go back to ST/OS for heavy edits.

Stay tuned for more updates, and whether you’ve been with me all year–or longer–or are new, thanks for being here!