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Published August 15, 2014

Pitching a novel at a writer’s conference (PNWA14 in Seattle)

Pitching a novel at a writer's conference

Pitching a novel at a writer's conference

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Patrick Cumby is the author of the Legends of the Known Arc stories and books. He’s a part-time nomad who, along with his frighteningly adventurous wife, loves to explore the world map’s little-known corners and meet the extraordinary people who call them home. He’s been a bookseller, a dad, a business school professor, a dungeonmaster, an aerospace executive, and the hushpuppy cook at a sketchy seafood joint. He is considered by all who know him to be a very bad dancer.

Patrick’s debut science fiction novel, a cross-genre mix of hard-SF, space opera and LitRPG called GRONE, was released in April 2023. Seattle Book Review called it “An absolute masterpiece of science fiction.” In January 2024, he released a highly anticipated companion novel called LONGSTAR. Patrick has written for the Star Trek Universe, is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, and supports local writing groups and environmental causes in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

Patrick Cumby is the recipient of the 2023 Chapter One Prize for fiction.

Patrick Cumby is the 2023 recipient of the Chapter One Prize for fiction.

Discover more–including short stories, artwork and travel adventures–at PatrickCumby.com.

Get my books.

Journey into the dark heart of the machine–and the farthest reaches of the galaxy…

GRONE, a novel by Patrick Cumby — GRONE: Legends of the Known Arc Book One
Science Fiction | 672 pages |
audiobook 22 hours
Tap image for ordering information.

“Kinetic and sharply written [with] spirited, impressive worldbuilding [and] a stellar cast of characters.”
-Kirkus

LONGSTAR, a novel by Patrick Cumby — LONGSTAR: a novel of the Known Arc
Science Fiction | 693 pages |
audiobook 23 hours
Tap image for ordering information.

“Epic… great depth and ambition… not your average sci-fi yarn.”
– Manhattan Book Review

“GRONE is an absolute masterpiece of science fiction… Cumby is a master storyteller.”
–Beatrice Toothman, Seattle Book Review

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patrickcumby

Writer husband dad nomad. Author of the Legends of the Known Arc novels and stories. Check him out at PatrickCumby.com.

Unintentional road art.

Unintentional road art.

Me, admiring the state of the toilet facilities ab

Me, admiring the state of the toilet facilities aboard the train.

A dromedary hamburger. Yep, a camelburger. Apparen

A dromedary hamburger. Yep, a camelburger. Apparently it’s a thing. And actually pretty tasty…

The eyes of the world are upon us…

The eyes of the world are upon us…

Instagram post 18053402909001676

Instagram post 18053402909001676

Instagram post 18029853581211409

Instagram post 18029853581211409

Instagram post 17882561160189914

Instagram post 17882561160189914

Op avontuur in Nederland, y'all!

Op avontuur in Nederland, y'all!

There’s a curious red sourwood tree peeking out fr

There’s a curious red sourwood tree peeking out from among the maples on the driveway…

Wow. Looking west toward Walnut mountain.

Wow. Looking west toward Walnut mountain.

The Chestnut Cabin is very, very slowly becoming a

The Chestnut Cabin is very, very slowly becoming a reality, y’all, we’re managing a little progress here and there despite the hurricane impact to the area. The cabin foundation is in, the road is in, and right now we’re excavating the space for the small barn. And the fall colors…!

The power is back on, but it could be weeks before

The power is back on, but it could be weeks before we have water. So, in the meantime, the ol’ camp shower will suffice along with a heated bucket of condo swimming pool water. .

Just as the trees were starting to fall around us

Just as the trees were starting to fall around us during Helene. Taken from the stairwell of our condo.

Well, a tiny bit of good news amidst all the catas

Well, a tiny bit of good news amidst all the catastrophe and chaos: GRONE just passed 2.5 million pages read on Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited platform. Now, if we could just get power and water restored, we’d have a party.

My old office, where I wrote my first novel, is ap

My old office, where I wrote my first novel, is apparently still standing in Marshall, NC. It’s the stone building just to the left of the courthouse. I love this town, and though it may never be the same, I’m hoping it will come back even better than before. Photo: Thomas Oravec.

No way out, no way in. What a mess. Over a hundred

No way out, no way in. What a mess. Over a hundred missing, active rescues still taking place. Last we heard restoration of water and power could take weeks. Just heard one interstate is open, so if we can get to the bottom of mountain, we might make a break for it.

Cell service is slowly coming back. Sirens have be

Cell service is slowly coming back. Sirens have been constantly sounding for 24 hours. This one is going to take a while to recover from. We’re stuck for the time being, hoping the road down the mountain will be cleared soon. Nobody expected this. We knew it might get bad, so we put up some water, but this is just way past anything anyone expected.

Holy cow. Stay safe, y’all 20-30 INCHES of rain fo

Holy cow. Stay safe, y’all 20-30 INCHES of rain forecast in Brevard. 10-15” here in Asheville. There’s saying this will be one for the record books.

Good morning from the forest, y’all!

Good morning from the forest, y’all!

My first love. 1984, in Snellville, GA.

My first love. 1984, in Snellville, GA.

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Latest Blog Posts

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Coffee & Keyboards: Notes from the desk.December 5, 2024
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Join me on Goodreads

Here’s are some of the latest books that I’ve read, as reported by Goodreads. Oddly, they don’t appear to be in the order I read them, but it’s still cool to see the covers of all these great works!

You can tap a book cover to visit that book’s page on Goodreads, or tap the link at the bottom to go to my Goodreads page and send me a Goodreads friend request!

Patrick Cumby’s favorite books »

Why do I write science fiction? Read this: The View from Meatspace.

PatrickCumby.com

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