I’m delighted to announce that my found-family space opera novel ANNIHILATION ARIA is back in ebook and paperback form. The book has been unavailable in those formats since 2021 when the book’s original publisher, Parvus Press, shut down operations and reverted the rights to me. The book did really well in the short time it was available, despite my only being able to do one in-person event (an outdoor multi-author event at The Ivy Bookshop) during the pandemic. Given how much travel and conventions used to be part of my promotional schedule, this was a big change for me, and very challenging.
Once we got the rights for the book back (specifically the ebook and physical rights, since the audiobook right went to a different publisher), my agent tried to get traditional publishers to pick it up and get it back out to bookstores, but despite literal *years* of work, we did not get any takers (which I found kind of shocking, to be honest. “Hey this book got good reviews and sold well despite very little distribution and promotional support from a small publisher. Would you like a ready-to-republish book you can just put out and profit from right away?” seems like a pretty good value proposition to me. *shrug*
Part of the closeout of Parvus Press involved me getting the rights to the book’s graphic design and AMAZING cover by Tom Edwards, so you’re getting a book that’s the same in every way that counts, but now direct from me!
While I’m thinking about the book’s first rodeo, I want to take a moment to remember the amazing work done by the late Rekka Jay for this book. Rekka was a fellow Parvus author and took a contract position doing logistical and promotional support for Annihilation Aria leading up to and through the book’s publication. Much of the book’s initial success can be attributed to their hard work and support. Rekka was an excellent writer, colleague, and friend, and they are sorely missed.
The best way to buy the book in digital form is from itch.io (see the cool widget below).
The best place to buy in paperback is your local indie bookstore, or bookshop.org.
Additionally, you can still get the book in audio form on any platform from Dreamscape Media (Audible, Apple).
Itch.io is great because they take a much lower cut of sales than other retailers (10% instead of 30%) and are a small company that supports a lot of marginalized creators.
iframe frameborder="0" src="https://itch.io/embed/3244999" width="552" height="167"><a href="https://michaelrunderwood.itch.io/aria">Annihilation Aria by Michael R. Underwood</a></iframe>If you’re not already familiar with the book, here’s more about Annihilation Aria:
“This is a rollicking good time.” — Publishers Weekly
“Underwood’s prose is brisk and funny without ever sacrificing his skilled sf world building. Highly recommended for fans of action-packed space opera and anyone else looking for a fun and fast-paced read.” — Booklist (Starred Review)
Max is a cheery xeno-archeologist from Earth, stranded and trying to find a way home.
Lahra is a stern warrior of a nearly extinct race searching for her people’s heir.
Wheel is the couple’s cybernetic pilot running from her past and toward an unknown future.
On Wheel’s ship, the Kettle, the trio traverses the galaxy, dodging Imperial patrols and searching ancient ruins for anything they can sell. The crew of the Kettle are deeply in debt to their home base’s most powerful gangster, and she wants her money back.
So when a dangerous but promising job comes their way, Max, Lahra, and Wheel have little choice but to take it. However, the crew of the Kettle gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact, one that puts them in the crosshairs of the Vsenk, the galaxy’s ruthless and oppressive imperial overlords.
Max, Lahra, and Wheel are pulled into a web of galactic subterfuge, ancient alien weaponry, a secret resistance force, lost civilizations, and giant space turtles. The Vsenk will stop at nothing to recover the artifact and Max’s brains, Lahra’s muscle, and Wheel’s skills may be all that stands between entire planets and annihilation.
Can they evade space fascists, kick-start a rebellion, and save the galaxy all while they each try to find their own way home?
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More praise for Annihilation Aria
“This is pure space opera, wild and wacky and silly and strange, high-stakes and deeply personal all at once. I could not be happier to have read this book. Recommended for fans of AXIOM by Tim Pratt, TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE (the RPG) published by R. Talsorian Games, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (Marvel Studios), and KILLJOYS (SYFY Channel)”
– Seanan McGuire, author of the October Daye and InCryptid series
“Fast, fun, inventive! ANNIHILATION ARIA is a wild, delightful ride for fans of explosive space fantasy like Thor: Ragnarok.”
– Valerie Valdes, author of CHILLING EFFECT and PRIME DECEPTIONS
“ANNIHILATION ARIA is the found family space opera you’ve been waiting for.”
– Adam Rakunas, Philip K. Dick Award-finalist author of WINDSWEPT and LIKE A BOSS
“… Underwood takes us for an intense ride through a cacophony of alien civilizations in conflict. This is an exuberant space opera that dares us to lose ourselves in battle songs and nonstop action. I can’t sing its praises enough!”
– TJ Berry, author of SPACE UNICORN BLUES and FIVE UNICORN FLUSH.
“… If the characters of The Mummy had been transported onto the Millennium Falcon, ARIA would be the result-a rollicking space opera, both literary and musical, with a diverse cast and strong relationships. …”
– Gregory A. Wilson, author of THE THIRD SIGN, ICARUS, and GRAYSHADE
