My name is Dennis Taylor. I share that distinction with several other authors and a couple of musicians, unfortunately. Which is why I’m using Dennis E. Taylor. No, not Dennise Taylor, dangit 🙂 .
I am a computer programmer, snowboarder, runner, and author. To my great surprise (and delight), I now find myself retired from my day-job and writing full-time.
I hope my novels will give you a few hours of entertainment and escape. I’m open to suggestions, comments, ideas, or whatever.
Thanks for visiting.
Agent: Ethan Ellenberg http://ethanellenberg.com/
Twitter: @Dennis_E_Taylor
Facebook: @DennisETaylor2
Instagram: dennis_e_taylor
The Bobiverse Trilogy
We are Legion (We are Bob) Amazon Audible
For We are Many Amazon Audible
All These Worlds Amazon Audible
Singles
The Singularity Trap Amazon Audible
Stuff in the works
The Search for Bender (working title): A sequel to the Bobiverse trilogy
Outland: A novel about parallel Earths and angry volcanoes. Currently in edits.
Earthside: A sequel to Outland
522 comments
1 ping
Skip to comment form
Dennis thought I would drop you a line to reminde you my offer to give you insight into military operations and structure is still good. Also if you wanted or needed any tips for 3d modeling and design it’s a hobby I have had for more years than I can count.
Appreciate that, Kevin. No specific questions right now. At the moment, most of my attention is on getting Legion cleaned up enough for my agent and possible publishers.
I just finished reading “For We Are Many” and enjoyed it immensely – thank you for writing the story!
Aircraft Engineer from Australia here, thanks for taking the time to write this story. Fantastic work. I am a big sci-fi book reader and I saw this title in the “you might like” list for a while, and Soo glad I took the hint. One of the best stories I have read in years. I hope these 3 book are not the end of the bobiverse, I will be checking in ever few months for more for a long time to come! Great job.
LOL is it weird when I read your reply – I heard it in my head in “Bob’s” voice? 🙂
No it’s not. I have it too. The audiobook version, that is.
I really wish you had taken Kevin up on his offer. Maybe with some such input taken into account in “For We Are Many” I would have been able to make it all the way thru said book.
Being a rather irate reader such was sadly not the case.
What do you mean? I found “For We Are Many” intensely enjoyable. My favorite medium to with which to “read” is audible, and Ray Porter’s rendition of both books in the series spectacular. I read them again on my kindle, as I got them together, and nothing was lost. I couldn’t put the kindle down or take my headphones off. I only wish OUTLAND had audible narration and/or a sequel.
I think this is uncalled for. OK that you think Taylor should have taken Kevin’s advice – your opinion is just that – but unfair to comment that you didn’t make it through the book without explaining why.
But, your prerogative to vent on the intertubes.
Wait, passive aggressive much?
Grow up.
As an ex-military person, I thought the books had the right ‘touch’ for that aspect. It’s not military SF and the Bobs are reluctant (though capable) operators in that sphere. I am very picky about how military characters, strategy etc. are written (just ask my poor fellow writers who ask me to review such things – but they keep coming back, so either they are masochists, or I’m being helpful, or both) and I never got pulled out of the story thinking ‘that wouldn’t happen’ or ‘that [military background] character wouldn’t act that way’. (Noting that I’m fine with ground-based stuff, but when it comes to air, sea or outer space, I’m not your girl.)
The same goes for the physics – in which I am absolutely no expert – which is an essential part of military strategy in the books. It was explained just enough for me to get the hang of it, without pulling me out of the story. I remember at the time thinking that it was extremely skilful – I can direct you to a few SF books which don’t do it nearly as well :). Oh, and ditto all the software/hardware stuff. And the ecological stuff. And pretty much everything, really. I’d happily give these books to people who think SF is ‘too hard’ or ‘too technical’, since the all the SF elements are so seamlessly woven into the fabric of character and story, and it’s really hard not to fall in love with the Bobs, and the humour is superlative! (I think people at the gym are getting used to me laughing out loud from time to time.)
So if it’s not your thing, Ola, that’s OK, the rest of us will continue to party on in the Bobiverse. 🙂
If you like hard mil sci fi I recommend John g Hemry (aka jack cambell) series stark war and lost fleet.
I have read that sentence a few times, but I do not know what you mean. Even if I clean it up using something called “punctuation marks” all I get is:
If you like hard mil sci-fi, I recommend John g Hemry (a.k.a. jack cambell) series ‘stark war’ and ‘lost fleet’.
What is hard mil?
Hey,
Just finished Legion (on audible). WOW! I rarely write to authors (I think this is my third letter to an author in 25 years of SF fandom), but i just had to tell you, I loved your book. The humor and depth, and the fact that you weren’t afraid to go into a few different storylines (excellent worldbuilding!)
I just wanted to let you know that I am now officially a fan of yours, and I look forward to anything else you put out (whether you stick with Bobiverse or not!)
Bravo, man. Also, good choice on the narrator!
Thanks for the ride,
Naomi
Jerusalem, Israel
Just finished the Audible version of We are Legion. Enjoyed! I gave it a good review on Audible. I am looking forward to the next one in the series. SO HURRY UP! See, success has it’s burdens!
I would definitely suggest using the same narrator. He is good with your “talking to the reader” style. Loved that Bob, well Bill and Harvey and well all the rest, could be introspective and find some humor in there. I have to say, I enjoyed Riker telling that Faith ambassador off A LOT!
In any case I will be picking up your next Bobiverse book as soon as it comes out. Do you send out emails for that?
Author
Join the mailing list. I will send out emails on any releases. I’ll probably send out an email as well when it goes into pre-release, although I tend to ignore those myself when I get them. 🙂
I’m hoping that fourth book about Bobiverse is in the works. I’ve loved everything you’ve written. Please make more!
I’m absolutely signing up for this! I’ve listened to all your books on audible. They help me get lost in order worlds while completing g repetitive, monotonous tasks at work. So much so that coworkers often startle me when they approach.
I also adopted the rule of, “Most paranoid wins” love it.
Really enjoyable writing. Please keep it up! Can’t wait to see what’s next.
I have never written to an author before… but damn… I can’t wait for the next bob book.
Dennis
Do you have a twitter or facebook account we could follow you on for updates on the new books?
Author
Not yet. I’ve never either seriously. Now I have to do some catch-up.
I really enjoyed your Bob book and really look forward to the next. Think I’ll check your Outland next, keep up the great work.
I’m quite enjoying bob/bill/homer/riker and all of the other Bob’s in your world, so far. I love audiobooks, and this is one of my favorites I’ve listened to since “The Martian.” Thanks for bothering. I know it’s a lot of work. I appreciate your creativity and wit.
Basically, my boyfriend has officially declared Legion his favorite new book. His birthday is next month and I will do anything possible to get a hard copy
Author
We are working on getting the paperback set up. Shouldn’t be more than a week or two.
Dennis, just listened, well, am listening, on audible.
I’ve never written an author in my life. After I googled you, I see that your a new writer. In my eyes, you are right up there with Arthur C. Clarke. “We are legion (we are bob)” (granted; I am not done), is an AMAZING book!!!.
Just wanted to make sure you know that there are people out here who LOVE your work thus far.
Thank you Dennis!!!
Loved We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1
Dennis,
Just picked up Bobiverse, book 1, on Audiobooks and love your style. I also think your chosen reader Ray Porter really does your material justice. Seriously love the creativity and flow of this story. I also love your technical and detail oriented style. My niche for sure. I am devout Christian and I love a well written Sci-Fi. I normally do not write authors, although I have often wanted to, to express gratitude for a well written story. Here is my question to you, why would you harpoon Christians in what would otherwise be an extremely enjoyable novel? I have been in the faith my whole life and must tell you that, although some Christians are as backward and stunted as you portray, they are definitely in the minority. Why is that so many secular folks think that people of faith are complete idiots. Truthfully we on this side of the fence have a bias against those of the atheist persuasion, also unfair. I suggest you get to know a few more persons of faith. Maybe your sample of the religious has been skewed or simply to small. I wish I could speak with you in person. You are soo talented.
Author
I’ve had several comments to this effect. I don’t understand why everyone thinks it has to be personal. I needed a totalitarian government, and a religious one would at least distance me from A World Out Of Time. And give a good, plausible motivation for treating replicants as non-living.
In the book(s), there are three (human) bad-guy groups: a theistic government, the Brazilian Empire, and an extremist environmentalist group (more in book 2 than in 1). In book 3, I even have bad Islanders. There’s no shortage of antagonists, nor any reason to believe anyone is particularly being picked on.
How many comments have you had from Brazilians wondering why you hate Brazil? I’m just curious 🙂
Brazilian here, in response to your question.
Honestly, I was glad to have Brazil be there! Having my country be included in such an awesome story is an honour! It reminded me a bit of what Sid Meier’s Civ VI game. There are such few considerations in pop culture of Brazil as a “serious” nation (*cough* Fast 5 *cough*) that seeing us be included here as more than just another little country to be brushed aside brought me joy! I don’t mind at all that we’re the antagonists, since it was done in such an interesting way! Similarly it can be said of what I think of Christians being the antagonists too (yep also Christian, maybe I’d be the evil mastermind in the novel :p), it was done in a very fair, and non-offending manner. The author doesn’t seem to me to be criticizing the foundations of my faith, instead he’s focusing more on the perils of fanatics and organized religion, which, cmon, are REAL. I mean just look at the cursades, any colonialism, and the Spanish Inquisition, it’s happened before! My opinion is that people need to understand this is a novel and maybe the author made these choices for other reasons than hating a particular group.
Wow this was long and kinda ranty, sorry!
Cheers,
A huge fan
I thought your reaction to the book–which I really enjoyed–was well-thought-out and intelligent. I’m glad you’re not a knee-jerk overly defensive reader but rather someone who takes the time to understand the author’s intent.
I’m surprised (well not really surprised) to hear that this is something you’ve gotten complaints about. Big, powerful groups are always ripe for commentary in science fiction. The sense of entitlement that makes these folks feel they should never be lampooned is exactly why they should be lampooned. I personally found it refreshing to read a heroic character who is an outspoken humanist and wish there were more such characters out there.
As a Christian, I totally understand why you’d choose that path to go down. If I was in your shoes, I can’t see doing too much differently on that front, because it’s what I’m familiar with, and honestly the people who practice Christianity have a very long history of being kind of crappy when it comes to ruling others. It’s probably true of most of humanity, but again, Christianity is what I’m familiar with and I didn’t take it personally. Keep up the great work!
Like my Southern Baptist preacher daddy used to say, “When you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps is the one that got hit.” I don’t see any complaints from Brazilians or environmentalists. Wonder why? Which antagonist description hit too close to home, do ya think?
As Louis CK said: Christianity WON. Would it make any sense to use another religion, if you wanted to talk about religion?
I read all the Bobiverse books several months ago and absolutely loved them. I stumbled across your website hoping to find some more works from you and I couldn’t help but notice the religions chiming in. I personally don’t believe in any god or gods, that is just silly to me, but I don’t claim any atheist association (except by default because it makes sense) either. I take the most logical empirical based theories and accept them for what they are = the closest we have to the truth. It’s refreshing to see non-believers/belief in a good SF book. I’ll be glad when additional logic surfaces and this is more of a norm. I look forward to reading your next production.
I’m half way though you book #1. Excellent book. Great Job. Super excited for book 2.
I am in love we are legion is perfect so far. its everything i love about Scifi stories. thank you for writing something innovative and new.
Absolutely loving Book 1, currently about halfway through. Can you talk at all about any discussion to option movie or television rights?
Would love to see this on the big(or small) screen!
Author
I would love to be offered such a thing. If you have any contacts, I’ll give you my agent’s name. 🙂
Just so I said it: while this series has become my favourite series almost immediately on hearing the first book, it is totally not going to work as a movie. No movie that I’m aware of has tried to encompass such various scales. Yes, us, the followers, would love it, but it will be incomprehensible to the world at large.
I think it could be done but it would mean that the SCUT or faster than light communication would have to be introduced earlier in the (tv or movie) series. This way the different bobs would infect all feel as one just with different stories.
Personally I would love to see this series as a TV/Netflix series… more than one episode to showcase the full story.
Loved the books, still waiting for august…so close
Most definitely a series to get the scale of the replicants planets and other things set into a manageable proportion.
Just finished We are Legion. Enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately, since I listened to it, I can’t flip through and trace all the Bob’s. Any chance of getting a family tree?
Author
I have been working on one. Actually, on several things. I’ll be putting them up on the web site soon.
Is this still forthcoming? Or should I finish up and post the one I just started? 🙂
Author
Sorry, I forgot about the family tree. It actually exists at the end of book 2. I’ll post it up this weekend.
Woohoo!!! You’re my favorite. I spent a few hours on one yesterday, but I’m sure I messed it up 😛
Thank you for the amazing story! You hit every note that I crave in my science fiction diet and have now introduced new flavours I never had before! It was the book I have been waiting to read and I finally understand the concept of not being able to put it down. I can’t freaking wait for number two! Any rough ETA on that?
James Sovdi,
graphic designer
Canada.
PS. F*$& “the wrap up” BS. I’m glad the Bobiverse is endless and hope it stays that way.
Author
The bobiverse itself is endless. The initial series, of which Legion is the first, is a trilogy. There will be a nicely packaged wrapup of all major plotlines at the end of book 3, but there’s still a ton of room for more stories in the bobiverse.
I love these books. You should replicate(contract) other writers to split off other Bobs to other story lines just like the bobs replicate. That way I could have a new bobiverse book every month or so.
whoa, I realize I am late to the party but wrapping up the plot in book 3 is false. What about the others? I have not listened to book 3 in a while. But I know for certain you have several other unfinished issues to address.
Author
The Others were obliterated in book 3. Do you have 63 chapters or 76? If the former, see here: Some Updates on, Well, Everything
I think you could do what other authors do, where they have little short stories that take place in the same universe. Just an idea, but I think it’s a decent one.
Dear Dennis E. Taylor. F* You.
Never in my entire life have I read any book more than once in succession. I’ve never finished a book more than twice (and even that was after ten year).
And I read couple books a week.
I now reading it in Kindle after I listened to if TWICE on audible. It’s like convergence of all my geeky fantasies, and I can’t help myself but to read it again.
So f* you for writing such good book, and I can’t wait for the next one… 🙂
HI,
I can only repeat all what was said above (minus the “insight into military operations”). I loved your book! I think I will do as Jonathan suggested and re-listen!
Thank you for sharing your story and talent.
Yo Dennis, introduce a love interest already! If Bob could make himself a cat, at least one of them should have thought to make a woman by now at LEAST. But I think we all want a corpsicle bride.
Make it happen.
Author
I think you’ll appreciate book 2.
😛 Sounds wonderful. Can’t wait.
I just want to echo all of the other accolades for Bob. I too picked it up on Audible and also agree that Ray Porter is perfect. I’m very sad today as I only have about 30 minutes remaining 🙁 Can’t wait for the next. The plot is so wide open, it seems like a fantastic book dynasty in the making. Congrats Dennis. Great work. I’ve been listening to about 15-20 audible books a year since 1999, and your book is already one of my all-time favorites. More please!!
Cheers
John
I’m about three hours into the book one (Audible) and I have enjoyed it immensely. I love that Bob is relate-able and not a unrealistic character . I’m looking forward to many more books.
Dennis,
Easily the best audio book I’ve listened to in 2016. Everyone I know is getting your book for Christmas. I’m going to sit down and write you a glowing review on Audible and Amazon. I haven’t been this excited about a book since Ready Player One. I can’t wait for the next chapter in the Bobiverse!
Your WordPress seems to be running out of memory and throwing errors. Feel free to reach out to me if you’d like some assistance or advice with that.
Kindest Regards,
-Jason
Author
I’ve complained several times to arvixe. No joy as yet. I may be moving hosting companies.
Bob book 1 was hands down one of my favourite novels. Keep up the great work Dennis
Best novel by a new author I’ve read since The Martian. I cannot wait for the sequels. And props from a fellow software developer!
Congratulations on the success of yer Bob book. I listened to the whole thing in one and half truck driving shifts.
Normally, I wouldn’t give advice to an author …but your intro says you won’t mind, so:
Would you consider dialing back the ironic tone? Irony is a savory spice but as a go-to stylistic affect it becomes distracting and even tiresome. The double irony here is that people resort to chronic irony as a cover for insecurity (this is what we despise about “hipsters). Though thoroughly appropriate to your Bob character, maybe it’s understandable in a new author as well.
It is a difficult thing t balance humor with drama. The theme you are developing is epic and has great potential for a series. This could be among the best of hard sci-fi as your plot and theme invite exploration (and introspection) of the heavy the deep and the cosmic implications of identity, purpose and destiny. IMHO the over use of ironic humor is a safety net you don’t really need. Loose the net, aim for the stars; that is the way to get from “a fun read” to “a future classic”.
I eagerly look forward to your next Bob book. I have little time to read text so I hope you’ll get your “Outland” on Audible too.
I agree about the ironic tone. It does become tiresome. There are some popular series out there that I refuse to read past the first book because of the amount of irony and sarcasm being used. It gets very tiresome. A little sprinkled here and there is great but too much and I stop enjoying the book.
That said, I also very much enjoyed this book. I can see so much potential in the stories, and I didn’t get confused as to whom I was reading about which can happen when you have multiple story lines going. Each line is very distinct.
I have been through the disenchanted reader time myself, but found that trying to write your own is a heck of a task. Bravo for putting yourself out there and doing it!
Dennis,
While I’m sure Marty and Susan are speaking from a depth of experience in the book writing business that I simply can’t fathom, personnally I think you should completely ignore their advice…was that irony, sarcasm, or something all together different…I’m really not sure but what I do know is that I thoroughly enjoyed the Bobiverse and I like the Bobs’ sarcastic tone…or tones I guess.
Marty and Susan, sorry to pick on you but it seems we just have different taste in character development. Guess I’m just an insecure hipster at heart.
Keep up the great work Dennis, like everyone else, I can’t wait for the next book but unlike everyone else, I say take your time, right and good are much better than quick! Besides, it’s good for your audience to suffer the pangs of anticipation for a while, makes them hungrier for the next book.
I have to say (IMO) this is a decision you make at the beginning. If Bob is an ironic kind of guy, you just have to write it like this; it’s a narrated story. It totally does not bug me. If you’re writing a narrated story, the narrator has to be a full on character, and he is in this story. When you’re talking about other Bobs with other personalities, the style changes accordingly; this tells me why you haven’t responded to these comments:- you already got it.
I’m wondering if this may be a cultural thing. As an Aussie, I was SO surprised and delighted in listening to the Bob books that they had such a great sense of humour … because I just assumed the author was American (don’t kill me yet Dennis, keep reading) due to the geographical setting at the start of the first book and Bob’s (implied) nationality. Americans pretty much don’t get Aussie humour, which is highly ironic in nature. What we find hilarious they often find offensive or ‘tiresome’. But …
Then I discovered Dennis was Canadian!!!
And Canadians and Australians have a really similar sense of humour. Yee hah, O Canada.
So for me – the books were outstandingly funny and it’s one of the things that will keep me coming back to them again and again. And when this humour is hard up against some of the tragedies and tensions that happen along the way (one of which I still haven’t got over, Dennis!!! Book 2!!! In Sol!!!) it makes for the best kind of emotional rollercoaster.
You don’t have to be ‘serious’ to contemplate the ‘big stuff’ – what ‘being human’ means; duty, loyalty and sacrifice; the responsibility for who lives and who dies. I just found that rather than reflecting on this at the time I was listening, these issues would come back to me in quieter moments, and I’d think, wow, for such an out-and-out enjoyable book, it’s really making me think.
I wouldn’t change a thing. And I think the fact Dennis has managed to retire from his day job on the success of these books means that his agent (happily) will want the Bobs to continue to be their wonderful, sarcastic, emotional, funny selves. Long live the Bobs.
This is the best read since The Martian and Ready Player One, just a great read.
Add my “me too” to all of the previous comments. I read Legion first, and just finished Outland this morning. Both were great, fun reads. Yes, always use Ray Porter for the Audible versions. He sounded like he was having a blast with all the voices. I need more. Write faster.
Another fan from Audible! Now how long until I can listen to book 2?!
Dennis,
Thank you for an excellent escape vector! I have, to date, listened to We Are Legion, We Are Bob three times. It has definitely joined my books-worth-rereading pile, alongside such favorites as The Martian, Fuzzy Nation, Redshirts, Agent to the Stars, Old Man’s War, and most things Jim Butcher. Now imma haz to get Outland. My only regret is that it is not on audible as of yet since I spend a goodly portion of my day behind the wheel.
I’m looking forward to many hours of future eenjoyment reading the fruiits of your labors,
Keep ’em coming.
Marty
Dennis,
What an amazing story. I can truly count myself as a member of the Bob fan club. Also, huge props for engaging Ray Porter as your audible narrator. As a fan of his, I actually picked up your book because he was reading. I am SO happy that I did. You’ve crafted an amazing universe that drew me in so completely. I’ve told everyone I know that they need to pick up a copy.
All the best in your future endeavors.
Regards,
Max Redd
Dear Dennise (dang it)
I am 1:57:43 into We are Legion, and you are now my favorite author. Joshua Dalzelle & HP Lovecraft might find conflict in that…well, actually one is dead and the other was Air Force, so, nevermind you’re safe. I too am a loner and like to keep to myself, so consider this a YUGE compliment that I’ve looked you up to write my appreciation. Will be looking forward to your work with stimulated provocation. (what?)
and as much as this pains me to say…Godspeed
Hey, enjoying the Bobverse!
FYI – I have a 3D Star map built in Blender 3D. It goes out about 20 ly built off of current star catalogs down to M’s and some brown dwarfs. Then big stars K and larger out to 50 ly.
I was going to use it for my own verse, but that’s becoming increasingly unlikely. If you want a copy email me.
MJ
Author
I actually wrote my own, using VC# and XNA. There’s a video capture somewhere back in the older posts, although it’s out of date (it’s from an early draft of Legion). I’ve been meaning to update it; I’m just looking for a better video capture tool.
Dennise,
As a resident of Las Vegas I don’t understand why you felt the need to harpoon my city in what was otherwise an enjoyable novel!
That being said if you need any insight into Las Vegas, convention centers, or the army please feel free to reach out.
I’m looking forward to continuing the journey into the Bob-verse. This was awesome, Ill have to adjust my frame rate so March gets here quicker.
Mike
About 80% through ‘Bob1’, was checking to see if ‘Bob2’ would be ready soon.
DEFINITELY saw the comparison to ‘World Out of Time’, but the differences well justify the new look at the theme. For that matter, it’s also an ass-backwards take on the ‘Berserkers Wars’ books.
The writing style was quite good and hopefully you’ll get ‘The Martian’ treatment. When you do (and you will), and you make the big bucks (you will) and you spring for cryogenics (come on, how could you not?), LOOK BOTH WAYS WHEN CROSSING THE STREET!
–Sean
Outstanding in audiobook form. Ray Porter is one of the best narrators. Can’t wait until Book 2 and 3. One question, do you get to chose the narrator? Ray is the perfect voice for Bob.
Author
Ray was assigned to me for book 1. I’d never heard of him. But I agitated for Ray to do books 2 & 3.
Awesome book Dennis! Loved the narrator for the audiobook, and glad to hear you have him back for the next two. Any timeframe for the next book? Are we talking James A. Corey timeframe (1 per year) or George R.R. Martin timeframe? BTW agree with the above about seeing this on TV. A perfect format for it IMO. Great work and will be telling all my friends about it!
Just finished listening to We Are Legion on audible and I hate you for making me love it so much. Do you know how upset I was when I found out that the next book hadn’t been written yet? Yes I know you just barely finished writing the first one, but hurry up damn it, mama needs her fix. Your writing style reminds me a lot of my favorite writer Terry Pratchett, may he rest in peace (or be brought back as AI). You have the same glorious way of approaching deep subjects with humor, and I love it. I have no doubt that some movie executive is going to offer you more money then you can turn down, and ruin your wonderful work. So finish the rest of them quick before anyone has the chance to corrupt them. I wish you all of the wealth and fame that I know your book will attract. Don’t let it go to your head.
Awesome book. I like scifi but so many Scifi authors are writing military novels, and those get old after awhile.. This is the kind of book I love reading. Exploration, aliens, colonization, inventing new tech, artifacts, etc…. what’s not to like. The pace of the book and the problem solving are great too.
Thanks for writing this book!
I’m looking forward to the next ones.
Mr. Taylor.
I just wanted to drop you a line and say how much I love “We are legion” I finished the book and immediately started it again. I can’t wait for the next one. This is my favorite book in years and that includes “ready player one” which I read for the first time this year.
It is such a refreshing concept for a story and love the interactions of characters you have written. Also your attention to detail is very satisfying to read through. There are no cringe moments or difficult parts to get through. I really appreciate that you have allowed each Bob to develop its own personality and it makes the interactions between them very interesting. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the your future books.
Thank you for writing this.
Best regards.
Ryan Brock
I just finished two months of studying for my medical board certification renewal – You book (Bob) was my reward for finishing the effort. Loved it all. Audio version was one of the best ever. Thank you very much for the effort – very much looking forward to your future works.
First Audbile book I’ve read more than once. I’m on the third time now and I still love every minute of it. It triggers every nerd nerve I have! 🙂
Do you have an estimate, when your next book/audible is comming out?
You sir rock. Cant tell you how much I loved your book. I mean really on an epic level. Also love the narrator Ray. Patiently waiting for third. I love the nice little nerd bytes all over. My favorite thinking on FPS 🙂
Given that you seem to be acquainted with Google Translate, and the use of the likes…. pls allow me to write my comments in spanish:
Un libro muy innovador y original. Muchas veces imagine el nacimiento de los Cylons (Galactica), e inclusive recordé los libros de Area 51 de Robert Doherty donde la colonización e invasión extraterrestre comienza por maquinas.
Recomendare tu libro. Pusiste mi mente a soñar con el futuro.
Agradezco que el contenido técnico del libro sea muy realista..perece que eres ingeniero en fisica o electronica (como yo lo soy). Aquellos libros que hablan de tecnologia pero el escritor no tiene ni la mas pequeña idea de que es un electron me parecen aborrecibles.
Hello Dennis,
I’m only 17% into Bob and enjoying it immensely. I have a question about the story: the first mention of colonization is when Bob asks how (Ministry of) Truth is connected to colonization. Until that point there was no mention of colonization, and I was confused; I couldn’t figure out why Bob asked that or is it a plot point that got past you and your editor?
Thanks again and looking forward to the rest!
Kaufman
Author
Yep. Nice catch. The “reveal” had originally been a little earlier, before the ministry visit. I’ve marked that as a bug. It’ll be fixed in the next release. 🙂
Dennis,
So are you using Git to track your changes? 😉
Cheers on a great book! I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Book 1, and have already order Book 2.
Audible member here, 500 books in my library, most are sci fi… This book frustrated me.. Seriously… I’m getting bored, lots of books are very similar.. Almost to the point where I’m thinking I can do better.. (having listened to so many so fast) I’m averaging 24 books every 6 weeks.. Why am I frustrated? This book suggested 1 of a series BUT there is only one on audible! I don’t know if it’s the story line, or the writing, or the reader but I just love this book, I try and only rate good books i like as a 4 but I’ll have to rate this as a 5…thanks Dennis for writing this book, I hope your others are as good. I was going to get some more alister Reynolds books next but after this book… Searching for more books written by you..
Hi Mr. Taylor,
My husband and I listened to Bobiverse book 1 Audiobook on our long Thanksgiving road trip (13 hours). We LOVED it. Your excellent storytelling kept us awake and entertained. NOW I NEED BOOK 2!
Best wishes, Elizabeth
Hi Mr. Taylor,
Well, you got me twice. I listened to the book on Audible, but the pace was way too slow. So I bought the book! I read–a lot. This book captured me immediately and kept me hooked, right up until the end. I’m frustrated, like many others, because I made the mistake of finding this series in its infancy.
Consumer Reports at one point had two sets of ratings for cars. One set for Toyota, Honda, etc., and then one for everyone else. The thinking was cars manufactured by Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc were vastly superior than lesser cars, but the “lesser” cars still had worth (A Chevy car and a Toyota could both have an A rating, but Toyota’s rating would be considered higher). I believe your book should be rated on a higher scale, for the exact same reason.
Good stuff.
Thanks,
Allen G.
Dennis, I love your book. I’ve been listening to it in my car while I drive and the narrator is great, but the writing and story are superb. I listen to a lot of books while I travel and this is one of the best I’ve heard in a very long time. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Rob
Loved your book! you should look into movie options. Could be difficult cause of all the references to other franchises (Riker, Homer…etc.) but so did Ready Player One and that bad boy is about to be a Spielberg directed movie so there is hope.
Just wanted to say great job and I am also looking forward to Book 2.
Frank
Hi,
When can I expect to be able to listen to your next book on Audible?
I really loved Bob.
Any updates on a new book or the next book in the series would be great.
Additionally, i’m sure you’re going to get a bunch of messages similar to this, it may be a good idea to create a little option on the website with the information.
Something like: http://mahanenko.ru/en/content/books
Thanks again.
Best regards,
Jamie
Just finished the first Bobiverse book on audible and I’m dying for more. Keep up the great work!
Hey D
Just read Bob. Very cool! Love your flow. I’m a fan. Going to have to do an audible. Lots of raves about that.
Chop chop! You got fans waiting and wailing for more…… me too!
Happy holidays. Great stuff
Craig
Dennis! Just finished We Are Bob, listened to it on Audible, excellent narration, really did your book justice. It was a super fun read, full of pop culture throwbacks and the science, while complex enough to be futuristic, was very accessible for believability. Reminded me of The Martian, how I always got to be in one of the Bob’s proverbial head for the entire adventure. Looking forward to book 2!
Dennis – Well, your book “We are Legion” blew my entire Saturday. I hope your happy with yourself. Many Thanks!!
Dear Dennis:
I have recently finished reading “We are Legion” and would like to get in touch with you regarding a translation into Spanish. I have some experience as a translator, and have been looking for a project like this to get started translating fiction. My fee would be quite modest, and you could do with the translation as you like, after talking it over with your editor. I hope you are interested, since I find the idea very exciting.
Yours, Arturo Sierra
Hearing great things about your debut novel – any chance you’ll be publishing the Bob books on iBooks?
Sincerely
Joe, Future Fan?
Author
Not at the moment. Legion is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, which requires that Amazon be exclusive distributer of e-books.
loved the first book. Really looking forward to the next 2 (no pressure). The science is clever but I really liked the laid back comedic style. So much science fiction is serious.
I’m ranking this up there with Peter Hamilton, and I can see the story evolving into a ‘foundation series’.
I can image this as a TV series, although the disembodied characters could send a producer a little bit loco
Thank you Dennis.
Write on
Tony
Hey Dennis,
I found Legion and loved it, literally could not put it down. Thank you for writing it! I’m looking forward to reading more of your stuff.
Best,
Kirk
Hi Dennis,
Being an Israeli I got quite disappointed with what you did with the middle east in your book.That said, I loved your book, the narration is great but I think Jim Dale would have done a better job. Hopefully in the next one you will plug in a mad Al Pacino Bob.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1-2uv1b1yQ
Great work mate, you have a fan club over here,keep up the good work, waiting for your next one.
Dennis,
I’m very excited about your work, it’s up there with The Dresden Files, you’ve got a home run here! I’m forwarding the info to any and all in my little nerd circle :-).
Ethan
Heya, looking to find the origin of a reference you have in the first Bobiverse book. Chapter 14 intro. I’d like to find that or common content to reference for an article.
Author
Sorry, that’s completely made up. Also, no one so far seems to have caught on that Lawrence Vienn is a tuckerization of Larry Niven.
Excellent 😉 and of course I’m a big Niven fan as well. I could go on and on.
Amazing writing and very inspiring. I look forward to more and make sure your reader for Legion gets a huge cookie basket or something. What an amazing voice talent.
1. I really liked the Bob book.
2. Where’s the audiobook for Outland?
3. I’m curious if you are typing your books or using speech recognition. I started using Dragon NaturallySpeaking earlier this year for my work (I am a translator).
Despite the fact that I can type quite fast and with ten fingers, dictating is much faster and much more fun.
When I think of the THOUSANDS of hours I wasted because I didn’t make the switch earlier, it makes me ill.
Typing is obsolete.
First, I would like to congratulate you, I truly enjoyed your book and have no doubt it will be very successful. I had just finished the Solo trilogy by Hugh Howey (great read) and found it refreshing to get out of my confined space and stretch out in your book. I was also excited to learn that it is also a trilogy.
Second, I have a question. I recently read the Bible (amazing read) and noticed a couple things. The biggest being that most people who profess to be Christians it’s more than obvious that they have not read the Bible. Sorry, I digress, to my question. Why did you entitle your book “We are legion”? I recalled the reference from my reading of the Bible. Then when I read that your next book is entitled “We are many” the connection seemed sealed. Is your next book going to be entitled “Send us into the swine” or “Send us into the Deltan”? Sorry, hope this is not a spoiler, lol. But if it is, I’m sorry. I loved the Bob character you created but I hate the thought or association that he might have with being a demon or many demons. I would love a response. Thanks Brian
Author
🙂 No, book 3 is entitled All These Worlds, which is a nod to Arthur C. Clarke. There’s no particular biblical reason to associate the series with the bible, except for the (mis)quote.
Thank you, and thanks for not pointing out my solo silo mistake. I’m sure there were more, I’m not a write just a poor reader, lol. I would love to get a signed book for my library now that I know Bob is not a demon, lol. Again I loved the book.
AWSOME! Love the book, and Ray Porter is one of my favorite narrators! I’ve often wondered if I could put up with myself in a “clone yourself” universe. Still not sure, but the story line is great, and I love the way the Bobs individualized themselves, but still keep their Bobness. So about that next book…
Hello Mr. Taylor,
I found out about your book via Reddit and am intrigued enough to give it a try; however, it seems that being a non-American, I cannot purchase your book via Amazon Kindle (although, I can purchase other titles just fine).
Would you be able to enable selling in international markets? Or are there other means through which I can purchase your book?
Thanks.
Author
It shouldn’t be a problem to buy it. The book is being purchased internationally all the time. Check if you’re using the amazon URL for your country.
Well, unfortunately I am residing in Malaysia, we do not specifically have an Amazon URL for our country.
However, I have noticed that I can purchase certain Kindle books via the US website, despite having Malaysia as my residing country. Which makes it odd that I cannot purchase your book, if only the Amazon URL is a limiting factor…
Much thanks for your reply and Merry Christmas.
Hello,
FANTASTIC BOOK! You are a gem of a writer. Can’t wait for Bobiverse Book 2 I found your website looking to see when it would come out!
Loved the audible version of We are Legion. Awesome. Look forward to the next one! Great work!! I listened to this book in one day. I have never done that before with an audible book.
Dennis,
Really loved listening to legion on audible. The plot of legion wouldblend itself perfectly to htc vive virtual reality. Especially the way you tell the story which includes upgrading the vr reality during the story.
Vr games are the wild west right now and i think this would be a huge huge hit. If you’re interested in developing a game i could probably find some people interested in helping you out.
CryptoSpook,
Crymor Gaming
YouTube.com/crymorgamingtv
I was hoping you could create a facebook page so that i can keep in touch with what you write in the future. While email marketing lists are ok they tend to get lost in the shuffle for me. I really loved legion. It almost ended too soon. thanks for writing it.
as soon as i wrote that i found your facebook page.
Will it be possible in the near future to order a paperback We are Legion issue in the Netherlands? I haven’t found a way yet sadly.
Author
I’m really not sure what’s going on with that. I know someone from Austria who was able to order Outland, so it’s not a “Europe” thing. Perhaps contact Amazon and ask them WTF?
Dennis E.
I’m more than 1/2 way through We Are Legion on Audible. I’ve been listening to it with my 8 year old daughter. She’s hooked as am I. As soon as we get in the car she’s clamoring for Bobiverse. I am so glad to hear the. Eat book will be out in a march. Hope that means the Audiobook will follow shortly thereafter.
Thanks for the hours of enjoyment that I’m able to share with my daughter!
Shannon
Author
We are making a point of trying to release the audio and e-books at the same time in all cases. The paperbacks may be a few days behind.
Loved your book, really looking forward to the next one! Thank you!!
Actually got all my questions answered by reading the previous comments and your answers (Ministry Of Truth glitch, when audiobooks are coming out, with the ebooks is such a perfect answer etc)
So just a quicky to say loved the first book, very much looking forward to the 2nd … and 3rd. Great job and I also love the narrator perfect for the book.
Write quicker and if you need any help on Goodreads (where the book has VERY high ratings just shout, I’m a voluntary librarian on there and can help out if there are any problems adding the new books 🙂
Hi! Dennis, I listened to the audiobook version of We are Legion and absolutely loved it! Best narrative voice since The Martian!
I run a author interview podcast with a couple fellow authors, http://www.keystrokemedium.com and I’d love to get you on the show to talk about your book and your writing!
I looked around the site and couldn’t find an email for you, but I’d love for you to email me so we can talk about the show!
Looking forward to hearing from you!!
Josh
President/Co-host of Keystroke Medium
keystrokemedium@gmail.com
I haven’t read a book for entertainment in years. I started because of a PC game, Elite:Dangerous, which happened to have a fan produced audio drama called Escape Velocity. After running through the series, I searched for something to quench my thirst of the genre of space travel and sci-fi. Over the weekend while traveling to Eastern NC from Dallas, TX, I chose this book to keep us entertained. It was a perfect experience. You’ve gained a new fan!
I team drive a semi with my wife all over the USA and Canada and really enjoyed your first book about Bob. Glad to hear audible will have your next book. Thanks for making the miles disappear.
Thanks for the great story! It is the most original and remarkable story I have come across in a long time.
Great work!
‘We Are Legion (We Are Bob)’ is quite simply one of the best sci-fi audiobooks I’ve listened to. I can’t wait for future installments. Thanks Dennis!
Hey Bob,
Sorry, Dennis (not very catchy if you ask me). Yet. I have just finished your book in Audible and it was awesome. So I then decided to puruse the internet for more of your work and I came across this page. Apparently I’m not the only person that is on a journey to writing. It seem as though you’ve successfully navigated the Tardis, if you will. Meanwhile I still seem to be metaphorically stuck on Gilligan’s Island without a coconut to spare.
Your page has quickly given me a some new found inspiration and I’ll be damned if I don’t end up perusing the hell out of it over the next few weeks. Keep up the good work. It’s very very very enjoyable. Spock meets Spock enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Joshua J.
Good Afternoon Mr. Taylor,
I will make this brief as I hope you are waist deep in writing book two of Boboverse
A couple random questions
If you could be trapped in a store over night. You cant take anything or consume anything, but you can do anything
What store would it be?
What time period of your life would you rather re-live and redo. High school? college? or that weird couple years after college?
Thanks
-Classically Trained Nerds
Author
1. If it was just for one night, toy store. Keep in mind those tend to include adult toys like drones and stuff, these days. If it was ongoing, book store.
2. Depends if you mean “with memories” or “without”. If the latter, fugetaboudit. It was traumatic enough the first time. If the former, then right from childhood. Read “Replay” by Ken Grimwood and you’ll understand.
Hello Dennis Taylor,
My name is Preston Leigh and I run the Indie Book Blog The Leighgendarium and I also host 30-Minute Author Interviews. I would love to talk to you about appearing on my podcast. What is the best way to do that?
Hi Dennis,
I am a long time reader of science fiction going back to the early sixties. I recently finished reading We Are Legion and Outland. Both were excellent, and I really enjoyed the narration on We Are Legion. It was very hard to put both books down. You are an excellent writer and very easy to read. I think that you should change your bio description and list author first followed by everything else. I really look forward to reading more about the Bobiverse.
I just finished your audio book and I now have to explain to my wife why I’ve been late coming home from work for the past seven days. Let’s just say I’ve been taking the loooong way home.
I have an idea to pass by you and your agent. In short, I have very robust, cross platform social site built from scratch. Highly optimized and it’s been around since 2012 for NFL fans in my home market – Pittsburgh.
Think von Neumann probe meets Facebook… for authors.
Can’t wait until your next release.
Buzz me if you have any interest.
I’m a fellow developer, and as I read this book I knew you were legit. Keep it real! And congrats on your success! Got any reddit, Slashdot, or stackoverflow handles?
Author
I’ve been on a couple of stackoverflow forums, but I haven’t maintained my accounts.
You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to begin your book. By the end of the first chapter, I was rapt in delighted anticipation to consume the rest. My heart immediately sank, however, when the plot turned into a cartoonist and just wildly improbable/impossible scenario involving a Christian fundamentalist takeover of the US. Why go to such great lengths to draw on science that is at least theoretically viable only to invent a political world that is simplistic, one-dimensional and cliche? I am a Christian and a fundamentalist. I give half my income to the poor and I I’ve personally rescued more than a dozen children from brothels in India and Cambodia. My best friend is gay and my son’s wife is an atheist. I love them both and welcome them into my home whenever possible. Do you know what being a fundamentalist means? It means you actually believe what you say you believe. It means you are religious because you have faith and not to pay homage to familial or communal expectations. I know hundreds of Christians and I haven’t met a single one who would vote for the fictional President in your novel. Here is my question: you would never write the science in your book as “magical pixie dust” without basis in reality, so why paint Christianity as a cartoon, without the slightest investigation into it. 90% of the homeless shelters in America are funded and/or staffed by Christian believers. These are the mindless, selfish, inbred idiots who would elect your fictional President?
There is a danger in the world presented by fanatical fundamentalists; they are not Christians, but Muslims. I lived for four years in a Muslim country and made many good friends there. Each and every month around the world dozens of attacks are carried out by militant Muslims. These happen so frequently that the news media does not even bother to list them, much less report on them in a systematic fashion. One would be hard pressed to find even one such attack each year carried out by Christians in the name of their God.
All I am saying is, please, if you want to paint a billion people as idiots, then at least inform yourself by getting to know some of them personally. Had you done that, your book would be more balanced and believable.
You are a gifted writer. Please be fair. I would like to read some current sci fi that doesn’t obey the tired political narrative of the Left (which is the only real Minitrue in our country.)
Well, others have commented on this topic in general, and it’s been a while, but I just can’t keep my trap shut after reading your comment.
While giving you the benefit of the doubt regarding your own views and intentions, I think you have a blind spot, there.
“These are the mindless, selfish, inbred idiots who would elect your fictional President?”
No, but these people would be, and they are very real 😉
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Camp
Probably the people you know and really are talking about aren’t.
But being european with a little difference in historical perspective (30 year war for example, which killed off one third of our population), the christians in the US,
the widespread and growing acceptance of Creationism(school books in Texas) as having something to do with “science” and real education, seem flat out creepy and like a possible return to times no one in his right mind should want.
Like a religious totalitarian regime…
Have a look at that one as a starting point, and get a more realistic view of the christian population:
https://www.livescience.com/24310-flat-earth-belief.html
Only one of numerous examples – google “creationism” and pick one 😉
As the above mentioned factions(even over here in Europe, which would have seemed impossible for me ten years ago) seem to have gained ground over the last decades, as a theoretical outcome
a totalitarian religious state in the US or somewhere else seems very possible, even if hopefully not likely to happen.
I just finished “We Are Legion” and I loved it. I happened to start it after listening to about half of the Audible Great Courses lecture “The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know” by Professor Joshua N. Winn. I was tickled that you referenced actual exoplanetary concepts without wasting time explaining them. And the SciFi references have been awesome.
The wait for Book 2 is going to be hard. I like Bob. And I like his clones. I had my doubts about Mario but he might be my favorite after Khan. If an alien analogue of Bob visited me via drone, I’d be down with following his instructions. Seems perfectly reasonable. But I’d insist on calling him Flying Rock from now on.
Thanks for the great book and congratulations on your success! I’m sharing your praises with my friends.
Will I be able to buy “We Are Legion” as an EPUB ebook in the near future? I’d love to read it on my Kobo e-reader, but I can only find the kindle version.
Can’t wait to start reading!
Author
Legion is in KU, which means we can only sell the e-book through Amazon.
Just finished “We are Legion” via Audible. That was original and refreshing, I really enjoyed it! I am now impatiently waiting for the next book to be released. Ray Porter did a great job narrating as well, I hope he will be the one to narrate the next book as well.
Thanks for the entertainment!
Craig
Seems you are creating your own legion of “Bobettes”.
Just want to tell you that I also enjoyed your book on Audible. Not a huge fan of sci-fi but your book came up in Audoible’s recommendations and it looked a bit of a laugh so I gave it a shot. Pleased I did
Even though:
I’m old (64 3 weeks ago)
I’m a practising Christian (just can’t get it right) No hassle from me about your characterisations.
And …….I live in New Zealand (so I don’t NEED a place on the first ship outta here.
Like everybody else, I will wait patiently for the next instalment (if I live long enough)
Warm regards from the edge of known civilization, or Middle Earth, whichever you prefer.
Well. I actually see that I am talking to you from the future.
Your website says that it is 7.50 pm on Thursday 24th, but it is 4.51pm Friday 25th here as I write this.
Hello Dennis – I just read Legion and found it greatly entertaining, so thanks for that! If you ever need any input about physics, particularly nano stuff, feel free to drop me a line. Best, Doug
Wanted to listen to to some science fiction and chanced upon We are Bob Downloaded it without even reading the synopsis – and Loved it! Cannot wait for the next book!
I know Harry knocked you above for envisioning a Christian theocratic take-over, but President Trump just took the first step in tearing down the separation between church and state. Combined with his impending and Orwellian “Religious Freedom” executive order, I’d say we are quickly moving towards some type of theocratic oligarchy.
Can I get my head frozen somewhere? The faster I get off this rock, the better.
Your pardon if I think you’re being ridiculous! The general direction of separation of church and state has been in a distinct separation direction for many decades. You’re probably too young to remember it (and to the young, the present is paramount), but the country used to be far, far more religious than it is now, and prayer in schools for example was common and unexceptionable. And that’s not the only example of how religion and government used to be intertwined. If a little retrenchment regarding the trend towards areligiosity occurs, don’t worry! It didn’t kill us before, and it wouldn’t kill us now. It used to be that an open atheist couldn’t get elected dogcatcher; now it only matters if a district happens to be rather more religiously inclined than normal.
And there’s no way that Trump can change that trend, even assuming he wanted to. Which I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.
What you’d be better off worrying about is Islam. If you think a few Christian practicioners are hard to take, I dare you to try a country where Sharia is the law of the land.
HELL YEA!!!
I just ordered the new book!!
My 15 year old son and I left Texas to find snow the week before Christmas. We headed to Colorado and were listening to a couple of audio books to help the time go by on the 12 hour trip. We found the 1st book about 8 hours into the trip. We were hooked! We drove into the mountains to go sledding and play in the snow. This was his first to see any real snow other than flurries. We listened the rest of the trip as we drove. At times we found ourselves sitting in parking lots trying to find a good stopping point in the book to get out of the car. At the end of the trip after driving 12 hours straight we got home and had 40 minutes left to go to finish the book. Exhausted from the trip at 3AM and finally home in our driveway instead of crashing out we stayed in the car to finish listening to the book.
this trip
From the bottom of my heart thank you! This trip was to be a trip for him to remember and cherish the rest of his life, you know first snow at Christmas. Without a doubt he and I will cherish this memory forever. The book was more memorable than the snow or Christmas. We are trying to figure out where to drive for the next book!!
Ironically we built a VR computer for his Vive VR for Christmas. We keep taking about making Bob environments for his VR. He is learning to make games in Unity.
I don’t know if anyone will ever read this and really don’t care. I just had to tell our story to someone.
Thank you!!
Jeff Skea
Hey great book! loved WaLWaB! Thank you! Quick request, I listened to the audiobook so don’t have the text and there’s a quote I’m looking for. It’s the part when Bob has just woken up and the doctor finally tells him a little history and he starts with the story of how a religious right strongman rises to power and destroys the country. Anyone have those couple of paragraphs? 🙂 Thanks!
Dennis congratulations and thank you for picking up a pen to put down your ideas. I listened to the book on audible and want to echo everyone else who said they were reluctant to get out of the car. Part of this success is undoubtedly due to your narrator. What a great coincidence to have a fantastic book find its way to the best narrator for it. (unless there were massive auditions… ) Best of luck with your future endevours. I hope you get to the point were the only code you have to write is for fun because the books made you independently wealthy 🙂
Hi Dennis,
I really loved your story. I’ve recmmended it to my co workers.
There’s no doubt that your book will be opyioned for a movie, though it’s a difficult film to visualise based on the first person nature of much of what takes place.
I have an idea that I’d love you to consider.
There’s an amazing opportunity to make your film in the domed format often projected in a planetarium.
I believe this would beautifully marry the API pov and subsequent interstellar travels and even tually even provide the foundation to cross platform into future virtual reality headset viewing for people at home.
I don’t write to authors. But I thought this would be an opportunity to do so.ething in film that we’ve not really seen yet. And your story is perfect for this kind of format.
You’d also breath life and energy I to the observatorys or planetariums all over the world.
I work as an editor for a studio that in turn works with all the major film studios. I know were looking g to make our own content at some point.
I’d love to broach this with my CEO and creative directors if you’re interested. Or if not with us I at the very least hope you would consider this if you do make a film series.
I absolutely love the story so far and look forward to the next one.
All the best.
Bob was the best audiobook i’ve listened too yet – so much fun. Keep it up 🙂
Dennis,
Legion is by far the best book I have read in a long time. I agree with the comparisons to Ready Player One and The Martian. I appreciate that while you are clearly writing science fiction, you shade towards the science as much as possible. That is one of the reasons I love The Martian so much, it has a minimum of “handwavium.” I really enjoy books that have a great deal of internal dialogue, and you do it well. I very much look forward to the next installment while I “wear out the electrons” on the copies (Kindle and Audible) that I have. I almost hurt myself laughing when you introduced GUPPI/Ackbar.
May the bawbe be with you as you work on book three.
P.S. Does Bob’s love interest speak Chinese?
I don’t usually contact authors (usually meaning never) but I felt compelled to let you know how much I am loving your book! I don’t usually read a lot of Sci-Fi but for some reason your book caught my attention. Your imagination and humor is right up my alley and just what I look for in a good read. I love how you take some of today’s theories and move them forward to possible fruition. It’s great. And just so you know, I am a Christian of Brazilian descent and was not offended. (Well – I may have made the last part up, I am not Brazilian.) But even being Christian, I think any belief taken to the extreme without being open to other thoughts and progression could potentially end up in a totalitarian state – I didn’t take personal offense. You had to pick on somebody right?
Seriously, thank you for taking the time to share your wit and imagination with us!
Please answer this question:
I really enjoyed the book, I found it exciting, funny, and well written but something started to bother me about half way through. Why is there not one important female character in this book? Not one. I get that all the bobs are bobs so they’re dudes naturally, but none of the other defrosted brains belonged to women? None of the important group leaders on post war earth were women…even the smart bat-pig person had to be a guy? It just doesn’t make sense to me. When I watch Star Trek and they meet a group of people who have figured out warp drive technology but still treat women as less than equal, I don’t buy it. You can’t get that far without women’s brains being in on the work. This honestly kept me up last night so please answer my question.
Author
Bob’s sister was female (so was his mother, but that’s a tautology). One of Bob’s employees (Karen) was female.
Two of the defrosted brains (Neves and Joana) were female. Dr Doucette was female.
Representative Sharma (the delegate from the Maldives) was female. Julia Hendriks was female.
Yeah but none of these were major characters. All the major players are men. Sure he has sisters and and a mom but it’s a disappointment that none of the movers and shakers are female. Sure there’s a few minutes with the doctor, a little bit with his relatives (and these are traditional female roles doing traditionally female things…loving female relatives who remind him of the comforts of home, and of course there’s the cheating ex girlfriend) but how interesting it would have been to have some of the Brazilian military be female, or Archimedes or Moses. It’s obviously all your vision of this world so it’s your prerogative but I’m truly curious as to why women are so scarce in the story. Oddly that’s the only part of this story that seemed unbelievable to me.
Author
This may be simply a perception issue, plus the fact that I know what’s coming and you don’t (for obvious reasons). I see every single character, with the exception of Archimedes, as a walk-on. And that’s a deliberate theme through the series, except for a couple of major characters in book 2 (one of whom is female). And Julia, BTW, becomes more important in book 2 as well. And that’s as close as I’m going to come to spoilers.
Thank you, Kathryn and Dennis, for this commentary. I’m currently in the middle of book 1. I’ve loved the book, but I have been waiting (a little impatiently now) for a strong female presence in the male-dominated narrative/universe. I’ll push through and see what comes in book 2.
Anyone reading this thread, relaaaax, it’s all there in books 2 and 3.
Wow! Just finished. Your book is one of the best I’ve read in years! I joined the mailing list hoping I can buy a hardcover sometime soon!?
Congratulations! I’m recommending it to everyone!
Author
I don’t know if there are plans for a hardcover. the paperback is being done through createspace, and AFAIK the publisher would have to set up a separate file for a hardcover.
I just finished your first book and it’s now among my all-time favorites! Absolutely love it!
I especially appreciate the effort, thought and research you have to put into accurately presenting issues from philosophy, psychology, anthropology, evolution, and Artificial intelligence, among others.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to suggest some books which I think you might enjoy:
– Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
about the origin and evolution of religions
– Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
provides thinking tools to make thinking about the most difficult questions in existence possible and even easy
– Consciousness Explained
evolution and workings of consciousness and AI; Basically I think anything by Daniel Dennett is worth reading.
– Don’t Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle
about linguistics and anthropology
Greetings from Germany!
Hi!
Great Work! i feel the strange urge to say Thanks for the Book! Can’t wait for the next !
greetings from Austria!
Hi,
I’m in my second year of college and taking a Sci-fi/Horror class. We are Legion is my favorite book I’ve read to date, it is absolutely amazing. It is well written, amazingly well thought out and dives into ideas I haven’t seen in a book or movie before. I love your work and am counting the days until book 2 comes out.
In my class we have an assignment to write about your favorite Sci-fi/Horror author, which in my case is you. Part of the assignment is a short summary of the life and background of the author, and I can’t find anything out about you. Would you be able to either respond here or e-mail me an answer? It would mean so much, I absolutely love your work and want to do this project on nobody else.
Keep up the amazing writing,
Joe
Author
Thanks. If you haven’t already, watch the Keystroke Medium interview. I discuss my writing background (or lack thereof) at some length. Other than the writing-related stuff, it’s been boringly white-bread. Mmmmmmm, bread….
Other than that, if you have any specific questions, I’ll try to answer them.
Dennis,
I now believe in intercontinental warp drive as I drove from Pittsburgh to Canada in what seemed liked a minute thanks to your book. Totally rad man!
Hi, Dennis.On my fifth listening (I chair a fiction discussion and we’re doing Legion tomorrow; bought five paper copies as well, and have pre-ordered Book 2). You’ve created a rich novel of ideas and a strong base for a series.
I thought that on the Keystroke Medium interview you had said that the timelines and a space “map” you coded were available or linked on your site. Did I misunderstand? If they are available, it would save a lot of prep for tomorrow’s discussion.
A question: you’ve clearly run with the idea of 3D printing for inanimate objects, but there was no mention of CRISPR-type “DNA splicers” when the Svalbard vaults came up, as in sending code to recreate plant life over subspace communications rather than waiting for the seedware to arrive by relative snail transport. Might we see some of that in the following books?
Hungry for the rest of the series…
Ken Novak
Evanston, IL
Author
The map is actually a video I put up. It’s here. I have some better screen-grabbing software now, so might be able to put up a better quality version eventually. Unfortunately, I’m in the middle of switching from XNA to MonoGame, so nothing’s working at the moment 🙁 .
As for the timeline, I promised I’d put up a screenshot, and will do so forthwith.
Author
Regarding handling biological sampling, the technology does improve over the course of the trilogy. Bill is a busy Bob.
Dennis,
You are a really good writer. Enjoyed the Bob book immensely. If I were you, I’d give up your day job and start writing full time. I don’t know how you find the time. Have you replicated yourself?
Keep ’em coming!
Hey Dennis!
I’m a baby-boomer and a long time classic sci-fi reader. I’ve also been a programmer for the past 35 years and I love the sci-fi tv shows, so I get ALL of your references. I tell ya, for me, your book is right up there with “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” – I just had to blow right through it! Your book is a GREAT listen and I’ve pre-ordered your next book in the series.
I’ve seen a few comments regarding the whole religion thing and people are just making too much out of it. They seem to be missing the fact that the whole world is in chaos and that it has nothing to do with one religion. Any Robert Heinlein fan (and I am one) will tell you he didn’t hide his views on religion in his books. But hey, it’s FICTION!! 🙂
Dennis,
Thank you for providing such a great escape! Who knew the logistics of interstellar travel or colonization could be so engrossing. The Bobs were great travelling companions on my 90 minute round trip between home and work. I’ve pre-ordered “For We Are Many” from audible.com and will give Outland a gander. Thank you again!
Scott
I’m guessing the “E.” is short for ergo?
Dennis,
I love this premise. I have heard a ton of buzz about this and just checked it out. Loved it. Would it be possible to add a contact page for some crafty yet not nefarious folks to send appearance requests to?
Scott
WyvaCon
Author
I think Facebook would be good for that. I’ve already gotten several miscellaneous requests via messaging. My Facebook ID is @DennisETaylor2
Hello! I just hosted our monthly Moms book club where we read We are Legion. I’m known for picking post apocalyptic, self published, sci fi involving space. I think everyone enjoyed it and it generated a lot of discussion. Much more than other books! Just wanted to say thanks for a fun read!
Dennis,
I just finished Outland, awesome story! Looking forward to my next stroll through the Bobiverse, and trying to decide which series I like more. Keep up the great work!
Thanks
Dear Mr. Taylor, I just finished listening to the audio book of We Are Legion and I haven’t been this blown away by a novel since The Martian! I am also the host of an international Science Fiction/Horror/Fantasy podcast and I would love to speak with you on my show if you would be so inclined. In any event I have preordered For We Are Many, and will now be counting the days til its release. Many thanks, and live long and prosper, sir.
Dang it Denis, make a VR Game already. Sell those rights to Warner Brothers! They just started making a VR Game out of “Ready Player One” which is arguably a worse (But more read) book than We are Legion. The Boboverse needs to be a Virtual Reality Realtime Strategy Game.
Author
My agent has had a couple of inquiries. Nothing’s gotten past that point yet.
Well it’s good to know it’s at least on the table haha. As a software dev unity 3d shouldn’t be too hard for you to pick up haha. I’m just kidding. Please don’t stop writing. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Bob 2 on audible.
Also I called you out your book in a vr game review that comes out today @ 1700EST https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hi9zfyqOg0U
have you had any progress in the games department?
Even an old-school game would match up well with the concepts here. It practically designs itself!
Author
No, I don’t think there have been any serious inquiries.
Good Vibes
Just wanted to add to the positive vibe train. I just finished the We Are Legion, We Are Bob book and am eager for the the second one. Looks like I have to wait a couple of weeks for the audible release, which at first was a bummer but that’s fine. I’d rather you take and enjoy the time you put into writing.
I randomly came across the first book, when I was looking for something new to read, the title really caught my attention. I’m glad I decided to pick it up! Well now I’m hooked, so you can count on another follower of the Bobiverse.
Oh yeah, I saw your announcement that Ray Porter is going to narrate the second book too. I’m glad to hear that, I think he did a great job on the first one and hope that he will be able to continue on any future books for the series!
Well have a great one man.
Author
Ray is doing all three bobiverse books. I just hope I can get him for any future work!
Is there any way your books will be released as epubs? I really don’t like having to buy exclusively from Amazon, and I prefer the ePub format for reading, anyway. I love the sound of your books, but would love to have a choice of how to read them.
Author
Not for the foreseeable future. Amazon requires exclusivity in order to enroll in KU, and KU supplies literally 50% of the income from the books. I experimented with going wide with Outland, and it didn’t even come close to replacing the KU income.
Audible recommended your book after I finished Ready Player One. I have a sneaking suspicion that Audible has a chip in my brain or something because it was exactly the kind of story that I needed. I don’t often consume media more than once, but I have listened to We Are Legion 5 times and I am starting it again tomorrow in anticipation of the release of For We Are Many, which I pre-ordered. Lemme tell you pal, I’m super stoked. Just a couple of more days!!
I have listened with my family and friends and every one of them have gotten into it. Your stories are going to be part of the nerd fandoms and references we will be making for the rest of our lives. Just think about it. Nerd-ception. I owe you a beer.
Author
Mmmmmmm…. beer….
For the record, what is your preference? Sadly, Duff is not an option, Homer.
Hi Dennis. For We Are Many came out on Audible today, and you’ve definitely outkicked your coverage – it’s outstanding! So how much longer do we have to wait for Book 3?
Dennis,
I saw the new book came out and I can’t wait to download it (I’m out of credits so I’ll have to log on to my wife’s Audible account and steel a credit to buy it and then gift it to myself…please don’t tell). Anyway, I did have a quick question I was hoping you could answer…I listed to “Legion” with my ten year old daughter and she loved it! She has been asking and asking if the new book is out yet.
Legion had some mature themes: world ending war, homicidal religious zealotry, vicious carnivorous gorilloid aliens, and the complex legal/political quagmire of the State taking possession of human bodies, preserved with the hope of personal resurrection and survival, but now reconstituted as sentient computers to be exploited at the will of a misguided government. But my daughter is pretty savvy and I don’t see the material presented in your book as any more mature than some of the themes in say…the Harry Potter series.
Additionally you presented all of this material with minimal use of foul language which I greatly appreciated after my experience with The Martian…I assume you recall the choice phrases uttered in the first ten words of the book. Not that I’m opposed to the use of foul language, I am a sailor after all, with ten years in the Navy but I think you’ll have to agree, The Martian starts out strong and just doesn’t quit. And it doesn’t go over well when you start the book at the beginning of a long drive with the wife and ten year old in the car. Oh well, it’s funny now!
So here is the question, is there anything in “We are Many” I should not expose my ten year old to…anything blatantly more graphic or indecent than Legion? That’s all I wanted to ask!. Love your writing, you’ve got a loyal reader here…sorry, two loyal readers! Take care and good luck with the new release…not that you will need it.
Author
No, I keep the same tone through all 3 books. Although you might want to stay away rom Outland.
What Rob said! 😀 When’s book 3 due?? Just finished book 2 on Audible. A friend recommended “We are Bob”
about 52 hours ago since I’m an engineer and obsessed with space, VR and digital lifeforms (probably to get me
to shut up about it).Even though I’m heavily biased, these are are just phenomenal books (and the audio
version is aaaahaahahamazing). The narrative geeky style reminds me of Ernest Cline (I love Ready Player One
and keep reading it over and over again). Sorry for putting the pressure on for the 3rd book, it’s just that I
enjoy throwing money at you, apparently 🙂
Chairs! 😉
Daniel
Sweden
Dennis,
Thank you for Bobiverse!
I depend on audibles for zen like relaxation from a life with perhaps too much critical thinking for sanity. Audibles while cleaning or building furniture is my escape and reboot. I love Bobiverse and am looking forward to book 3 in June (fingers crossed).
Cheers!
Chris from Louisiana
Just finished Book 2 after pre-ordering it a couple months back and finally getting a chance at a listen! I loved it. Was a great time. Eagerly looking forward to Book 3 and seeing what the Bobs do about the Others!
Hey why does New Zealand have the be the bad guy???? I live here and I have to say I’m kinda personally offended. GRIN Great book BTW… Keep up the great work, only half way through part II and looking forward to the next one already.
Just started book 1 and I’m really enjoying it. A wonderfully imaginative universe and story plus humour which is great.
Oh and Dennis as a minor addition to your introduction to yourself you also share your name with a Northern Irish professional snooker player and current BBC snooker commentator who was the winner of the 1985 World Championship.
Hi
Just finished the second book on Audible and absolutely loved it, even more than the first. I have recommended this series to many of my friends and have not had a bad response yet. Love the books and if you keep writing them I will keep buying them. Please keep writing them :-).
maestro: bobiverse is awesome. just finnished book two and cannot wait for book three… or four or more 😀 fantastic.
The bobiverse is huge. I love it. I want more.
So come on bring us more Boooooob.
The story lines that swim in my own head are fun. I can only imagine what you are playing with.
PS Audible versions of the books are fantastic. Keep it up. Like 12 more books please.
Dennis, really love the Bob book’s. They are fantastic. I was wondering how authors could embrace the future of AI while also incorporating human drama. No fun if it’s just robots running around in the future 🙂
It seems like you are hinting at this for book 3.
In the Star Trek, Star Wars universe- I’m always curious in an alien war of genocide- why not just launch ships or rocks at relativistic (or FTL) speed at an enemy homeworld- or star for that matter?
Problem solved 🙂 But I guess it takes all the drama out. No space battles.
In any case, thanks again for the fantastic books. Great story arc, pacing, characters, humor…
Dear Dennis, maybe it’s time to quit the computer programming thing and just write full time. In a way, your writing is really serving the greater good. Like rescuing puppies. Because I think that a lot of us would agree, this world would be a better place with more of your great story telling in it. Thanks for your good work.
Just finished book 2 on audio.. I can tell you as the timer was ticking down to the end, I was like NO — there is no way he is going to be able to finish up.. There has to be a book 3, which I find out is out this summer it seems. Fantastic!!
The bad thing about finding a series this early — is you have to wait for the next one..
As stated by others – please keep them coming, and I will keep buying them.. Just fantastic so far!
Just finished the Audible for “We are Many”. I have a fairly long commute and chew through audiobooks like a crazy person. I often find stories I like, rarely stories I love, and only one other time enjoyed so much that I felt obligated to write the author and say “Well done, sir. Well done indeed”. My most heartfelt thank you Mr. Taylor on a well told story that I will listen to over and over.
Hi Dennis,
I stumbled upon your two books recently in Audible and absolutely loved them! I have never contacted an author before or felt the need to but I wanted to commend you on what a fantastic little world you’ve created. I look forward to seeing what else you produce (especially the third bob book) and wish you all the best.
Cheers,
Jason from Australia
Good evening!
My family has really enjoyed getting to know Bobiverse. Thank you for writing such an interesting and discussion-provoking series! I have one small question. Why did the pronunciation for “Epsilon Eridani” change between book one and book two? At first, we thought that you had a different narrator. But both were read by the talented Ray Porter. It was just a little detail that has been pestering our family.
Thanks again for writing these books. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Author
There were several things that were pronounced differently this time. I’ll be checking on that.
Just finished book 2 on Audible & am so thrilled with having stumbled across the bobiverse that I had to write (it may be the first time I’ve written to an author …) & thank you! The narrator is perfect, too!
My two favorite audio books. Cannot wait for the third installment and any others you can create. Great series. Thank you for your hard work!
Hi Dennis,
I have a problem I need to confess, my wife knows about it and so do my friends… I hate bad science and I hate lazy writing. Apparently, I tutted (very English) all the way through Interstellar
So thanks a lot for the two Bobaverse book they are AMAZING, I even forgive you for breaking special relativity to make the storytelling easier and give the Bobs an edge!
And if you are planning what I think you are planning for book 3 🙂
Keep them coming!
Mark
Half way through the new audio book. It is great. I enjoyed the first book and now the second book is rocking my world. It was interesting to read you are programmer! It is very interesting to imagine a future like this. Digital brains. I hope we see it in our lifetime. Thanks for giving us some vision of what it might look like. Great work. Hope to see this in movies and video games too!!!
Hi Dennis
I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how much I am enjoying your Bob Books. I do a lot of driving for my job and they are a godsend. I love the interaction amongst all the characters and the humor 🙂 thank you for creating such a fun and enjoyable world
Ellen
Right just finished the second one and now I am bereft! What am I going to do until August?
Seriously I loved it. It just got better and better. The Bobs remind me a little of a twist on Iain M Bank’s Ship Minds who were also characters I adored.
OK then so has anyone got any suggestions for books for me to listen to over the next 2-3 months? (I’ve done the Space Captain Smith/Toby Frost collection.)
Suggest Richard Phillips ‘Rho agenda’ and James S.A.Corey ‘Expanse’ series.
Thank you Dennis for a very entertaining books 1 and 2. Looking forward to the next volume.
Drew
Hello Mr. Taylor, I finished We Are Legion (We Are Bob) and it was great. I really loved the handling of how each Bob became their own Bob and how unique the conflict for Bob is. This weekend I participated in Ludum Dare 38, a 48 hour game jam where you make a game in 48 hours. I found myself inspired by your story and Von Neumann probes. I spent a total of about 20 hours on it start to finish.
https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/38/r-u-d-i/
Just finished book 2 – now going into stasis until August. Well done a really great read.
MR. DENNIS. I have gone through both books 5 times. I don’t know if I can do it again.. yes I can. And I’m starting tonight. Love the story. Great characters. I’m gonna remain cranky till I find out how Bob’s deal with you know who out in you know where..
I’ll prolly memorize these books before #3 is released.
Thanks for the laughs.. and tears. It really is a great read.. and the audio is really handy for when I’m working..
I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you so very much. Your work is to me brilliant! I have enjoyed the Bobiverse with an incredible amount of enthusiasm and joy. I look forward to your carrier as a writer continuing and expanding. You are an inspiration to the imagination with a delightful structure of realism. Praise the BOOOOB!!!
Sincerely
Zac W.
Thank you Bob err Dennis I mean. It’s been a fun series so far. I have been exercising to Audible of late and finished the first book a just before the second was released.
I know you have tons of suggestions for Plot devices, but what the hell:
It would be great if Bob took the “broken mind” comment to heart and realize that capitalism and self interest could make his journey a little better.
1) Asking the remaining Humans if anyone had information of the Brazilian replicate. Being able to use over ride codes or offer access to family may be an interesting way to bring an enemy on board. As a reward for such information food or travel preferences could be given
2) Also Motivate the rest of humanity to search for FLT travel or advanced weapons systems. Such things have value, aside from increasing the chances of survival.
3) Bob’s done need money in a traditional sense but they do need information, technology and new experiences. These things have value and can help with the allocations of constantly scarce resources like time
My dad introduced to SF with E.E. Smith’s Lensmen series. Many years later when he was in his 80’s he would spin all his theories about where the Star Wars series was heading. When he died in 2000 I felt a great regret that he would never know. Now at 77 i have the same fears for myself about the Bobiverse. Sigh. Anyway thanks for an enthralling, immensely entertaining ride.
Have just finishes Bob1 & Bob2, back to back.
A very good style in your writing, you can give up your day job if you keep this up.
We do forgive you for using our name.
Author
Funny you should say that. June 30th is my last day. 🙂
Dennis I really REALLY enjoy your bobverse books and am looking forward to book 3 this June. While listening to book 2 on audible these are a number of spots where it sounds like additional lines where edited it in.
I can appreciate the speed of which you are releasing books, but man would I love more meat in there.
Can’t wait for book 3
Author
The manuscript doesn’t go to the recording studio until it’s done. I have no idea what happens in there, never having been involved in anything like that. But I’d imagine they have to re-record passages for one reason or another. I’ve heard that same sound glitch on pretty much every audio book I’ve listened to, so I think it’s just a fact of life.
As for the length of the books–traditionally, SF books are in the 70K-90K words range. The key word being ‘traditionally’, of course. Publishers don’t make any more money from a longer book (generally), and the printing cost is higher. That’s changing now, because printed books are no longer the primary mode of sales, and shoving more electrons onto a kindle doesn’t really increase costs. Still, it’s hard to break a lifetime of conditioning.
I would love for my books to be longer, all things being equal. But not at the cost of padding them. I used to wonder why characters in books spent so much time doing things that didn’t really advance the story. The answer, as it turns out, is to get the book up to a certain length. Yes, there’s also ‘characterization’–you want your characters to live and breathe on the page, and a one-dimensional hero (or villain) doesn’t do that. But I think you can achieve this while still staying within the storyline. So I try to make everything that happens directly or indirectly consequential to the plot. Even if it’s not immediately obvious. 🙂
Gotcha the glitch just seemed to happen a half dozen times in book 2. Not a huge deal, but it threw me off the first few times it happened.
As for the length I totally understand where you’re coming from. It’s one of those things for me as a reader I just want more when I find a series I really enjoy.
I’m looking forward to book 3 and have already turns a few of my friends onto the series.
Author
After I posted that response to you, I looked around a little. It would seem that there is a move to longer books in the self-publishing end of things. Traditional publishers still like the 70-90k range because of printing costs, but SP and hybrid authors (who generally use CreateSpace for POD harcopies) don’t care so much. A couple of audio books like “Not Alone” and “A Long Time Until Now” are just HUGE.
Thanks for a great read (x2- Bobiverse books)!! Looking forward to the next installment.
Ian
Loved the Bobiverse books! I loved the narrator, and hope he will sign on for future books. (chose them due to a a recommendation on Audible) I can’t wait for further adventures!
I get a real kick out of the names the Bobs choose as they multiply, and would love to know if Marvin is a nod to Marvin the Martian or Marvin the Android from HHGTTG?
Write fast!
🙂
Author
Marvin the Martian
Hello, I wanted to make sure to thank you. I got a recommendation from Andre at Culver’s in Jupiter. I read you first book tree times so far. I have only read the second one once. So far.. The scene in the first book feels like it could be real today! I hope you include a mPg of Bob travels at some point. It would be fantastic in a VR setting too. Voodoo in your endeavors!
Really loving your books! I won’t lay the praise on too thick, I know how big you programmers let your heads get. 😉
Author
As with code, the increased size is due to comments. 🙂
Mr. Taylor,
Thank You! The originality, voice and intelligence in your work makes it sparkle.
Hey, Dennis. Thanks for writing such great stories. This comment is gonna be kinda rambly.
I especially love the scale of the baddies you’ve introduced, and the logical limits imposed. I was wondering if you’ve ever read anything by Ian Douglas (AKA WIlliam H. Keith Jr.)? A lot of his novels (Warstrider series/universe and Star Carrier series/universe), while getting repetitive after a while, explore some interesting technologies like Matrioskha Brains, time travel, and other super-objects.
The reason I mention that is because I feel like the future potential of the Bobiverse is HUGE, on the kind of scale that mr. Douglas’ books try to render. I’m looking forward to seeing what things the Bobs eventually develop or witness. Since we know its possible to create self-replicating AI in the bobiverse, it’s not that far of a stretch to think that it’s been done somewhere else by both benevolent and malevolent forces.
I was wondering if you have plans for exploring the interest that a civilian population would regarding the Bobs in the future, would they look at them as a benvolent suepr-force like The Culture ships? or would the Bobs access to human and alien culture have a more mild impact on those cultures?
Thanks 🙂
– Brandon
Author
The relationship between the Bobs and humanity gets explored more in book 3. And yes, you’re right, it’s a big universe. This initial trilogy is by no means the end of the Bob books.
Hi Dennis,
Firstly, congratulations on two excellent books! Really really look forward to the third. Also Ray Porter does an awesome job with the audio.
Your computer systems knowledge really comes through, making almost all aspects of the Bobiverse very believable (or if far-fetched, at least logical and consistent). As a PhD qualified biologist, there are a few minor biol ‘cringes’ here and there (e.g. Cupid bug: eggs don’t grow after laying as developing embryo and yolk are a closed system). But these are minor. Your worlds so far are very earth-like in their ‘biology’, which is safe. I was hoping KKP might be an opportunity to describe a world where life was far more ‘Out-there’, but I guess you have to keep focused on the ‘main game’ this far into the trilogy.
I look forward to a Bob visiting a system where life ‘technology’ has gone further down the bio-technology road than the electronic circuit path. Development of artificial nuclei acids that are virtually immune to mutation and therefore almost disease free would lead be an interesting society/culture. It would also be an interesting way to generate poisonous ‘bait’ worlds to deal with predatory carnivorous enemies. This might be developied into some interesting 3D printer tech consequences.
I’m not sure if you know of the real world phenomenon of ‘epigenetics’. It has strong parallels with what you call ‘quantum effects’ in the Bob replication process, which is another avenue that might give you some inspiration for future storylines.
Keep up the great work!
-Bill
Ps if you need a(nother) biologist proof-reader, let me know!
Author
I did visualize the Cupid Bug eggs as being something other than the standard Terran egg. Maybe more like an egg/embryo cross, something that would draw sustenance from the host while differentiating enough to become ambulatory.
As for future stories, the sky’s the limit. Readers have expressed an interest in ongoing bobiverse novels, which I’m happy to supply. Certainly as the Bobs get out there and explore, they’re going to run into more weird stuff. And I’m happy to take suggestions or discuss possible exotic biologies.
Thanks for writing the Bobiverse. I just finished “For We Are Many” last night. I read a lot, but I don’t read a lot of sci-fi. But I am a Bobiverse fan!
Thank you so much.
I rank Bobiverse in the pantheon of my favorites. I preordered your second book (audible) and now that it’s here, I’ve been avoiding it like the plague because I can’t bear the thought of it being over.
In the decades that I’ve been reading, there have only been two series that I dreaded finishing. You’ve given me the third.
Please, keep up the good work!
Dennis,
I’ve read so many books from Stephen King to John Sandford to Orson Scott Card: You have made something unique with the Bobverse. This is original, witty, and amazing!
Do you have any hard copies available?? I want to buy them and put them on my bookcase- even though I actually listened to the audiobooks (EXCELLENT PRODUCTION by the way)!
Also, I can’t wait for the 3rd book.
Great achievement on such a novel plot (pun intended).
Geary Buchanan
Vancouver, WA
Author
Paperbacks are available on Amazon. If you mean hardcover, no. They require a publishing printer. My agent is looking into it, but no bites yet.
Legion is by far the best book I have ever read. Push for a TV series.
Is there any plan to produce a family tree with locations? Might make for a nice companion
Author
Lots of plans like that. Just no time, right now. 🙁
After June 30th, things will pick up.
Hi Dennis, just finished We are Legion on audible and I think you and Rob did a great job on this book. Loved it, loved it so much I drew a portrait of what I envisioned Bob to be like if there was a comicbook adaption. ( illustration is in my instagram, just check #bobiverse)
Just finished we are many. Best stuff since Arthur C Clarke Imo. Have you seen the Netflix show Black Mirror, especially season 2 episode 4 “white Christmas” a lot of parallels to Bob.
Author
It’s on my TODO to watch the series.
Dennis, Just finished the 2 bobiverse books and man you know how to put a story together! Cant wait until the next one!
James
Hi Dennis,
just finished We are legion and had great fun with it! I definitely want to buy book 2, but I wonder if there is any way to buy an ebook without going through Amazon? I am looking for epub format and haven’t been able to find your books anywhere else…
Best regards,
Jacqueline
Author
E-book is exclusive to Amazon, in order to get access to Kindle Unlimited.
Hey Dennis, absolutely enjoy your books. I am a very “get to the point kinda guy”. That is what I love about your books, you don’t fill it with filler. I read a lot of books and sometimes I just wait for them to get to the point. In your books I was actually shocked when you would set up big ideas and I would think “well great I probably have to wait a few more chapters to see how this plays out”. Nope. Bam! Next sentence you answer the idea and flow into it. Great writing. Keep up the good work!!!
Can’t wait to see how they use the asteroid movers to take out “The Others”.
Just finished book 2 of the Bobiverse. Man what an exciting finish!
Question: When the Bobs get advanced enough, have you thought of having them put a few stars into a trojan orbit to rip open a worm hole? Also given the Bob’s tenancy to drop things on those that piss him off… well lets just say I can’t wait to see what happens in the 3rd Bob book.
Loved the last four words of I Am Legion (I Am Bob). Just finished it a few days ago.
Couldn’t help writing about the ending in my blog today. http://www.flywithpigs.com
Thank you for having another book ready and waiting for me to dive in.
A. Katherine Black
Hi Dennis, I’ve been reading si-fi since I was a kid in the seventies and your bob books are two of the best. Thanks for great reads and keep it going. My birthday is a week after release of #3, gonna be a great present to myself.
Oh. My. Bob. I am currently gobbling book 2 and I have to say: THE PERFECT SCI FI. These stories have EVERYTHING I have ever wanted to see in a sci fi novel, plus some. I don’t think I will be able to read anything else after this. You’ve ruined me. 😉
Enjoying the books. You’ve brought me back to science fiction. Thank you.
Saw this in my news feed today.
https://www.fastcodesign.com/90126307/as-the-arctic-melts-the-global-seed-vault-is-thawing?
Just finished reading all of your books. I rated them all at 5 stars. They were so good. Please list all sequels by expected date. Those not started just mark as n/s. In any case get back to work! We are waiting!
I am a huge nerd. In an extremely good looking, master of the universe sort of way. These were the best books i’ve listened to (via audible) in a long long time. Keep up the good work, Dennis, quit reading our stupid comments and finish volume three ASAP!
Dennis, binged on both books in the last 48 hours. Still in a Bobiverse coma and wow what a ride it’s been. Thank you so much for creating these books. I’m a sold fan and looking to participate in the Bobiverse. Keeping track of the Bob family tree and which system each Bob was presiding required some note taking and crude graphics; but, no complaints here.
There are Bobiverse wiki’s in the early stages in what appears to be an organic effort of fans looking for a their own space to moot and participate in the Bobiverse.
Would it be possible for DenniseTaylor.org to post links to the social media spaces and wiki where fans can interact?
Can’t wait for book 3, and again thank you for producing the Bobiverse!
david
Author
Definitely!
Another fan who recently discovered your books. Like others, I listened to each one twice in a row (something I never do!) and am giving them a third read soon. Bob and his many clones are so engaging and funny, and do represent the best of humanity. I just love that you’ve started with a simple premise and just run with it. And while the Bobs still get along well enough (how long will that last…?), you clearly have a solid grasp of human psychology and beaurocracy, too. I can’t wait to see what other worlds the Bob Legion will discover. Will they ever return to try to fix Earth? (Assuming the Others don’t get to it first.)
What I think I love most about this series (apart from all the sci fi references) is that while it has its dark moments, the overall feeling is optimistic, and in some cases (particularly the androids) joyful. That’s been missing from a lot of fiction I’ve read lately. Yeah, you know the colonists are going to screw things up, and OMG those poor meercats!, but I’m not getting the sense that the Bobs themselves will ever go dark (distant and uninvolved, perhaps, but never totalitarian). If our local patch of the universe is going to be overlorded by a group of sentient computers, we’d be in good hands if they were Bobs.
Anyway, very much looking forward to book 3 and all future books! Thank you!
Dennis, Thank you a second time. Appreciate the Fan Page set up. Here is what I’ve found, please take a look to see if they worthy of your endorsement.
1. http://bobiverse.wikia.com/wiki/We_Are_Legion_(We_Are_Bob)_Wiki (this is a reincarnation of this original wiki which hits higher in search engines and has yet to be fully moved over (http://wearebob.wikia.com/wiki/Bobiverse_Wiki).
2, http://www.bobiverse.net/author/bob/ Not sure if this one is getting any activity. It’s recent, but not sure if fans are investing. Do you own this one? If so, I’m willing to invest time if it’s backed by you.
3. Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobiverse?lang=en this is the @bobiverse twitter account which has two posts. If you do not own this handle, contact twitter and they will work with you to acquire it. I’m assuming you have copyrights on “bobiverse”. Also, you might want to have twitter verify your personal twitter account. Also, whomever owns bobiverse.net likely owns this twitter handle.
Dennis, are you supporting/working with any of these websites. If so, I’d be willing to invest in putting up content and interacting in other fans; but, if not, I think these spaces are dead or dying. If you endorse these spaces by linking to them, I’ll take that as a signal you are supporting these areas.
Some unsolicited feedback: create some space for Legion (bobiverse) and different webspace for your other books and allow your author website cross promote….
Thanks Again,
David
Author
I don’t own any of them, and TBH I’m fine with fans running them.
I’d have moved your comment over to “Fan Site”, but WordPress doesn’t seem to have that function.
Dennis,
Huge Congratulations!
Coming in at #4 on Audible.com best-sellers for week ending May 19, 2017!!!!
http://www.startribune.com/the-top-10-audiobooks-on-audible-com/423908913/
Onward Bobs!! Enjoying this intensely – glad I didn’t find it earlier — altho the wait for #3 would be the same from here I guess. I have a few in my Kindle that have done the repeat / once over and these are going to join them. Cannot wait to hear the ‘Others’ get their comeupance! Love the Paz too (sic?) hard to tell spelling in an audio format…lol! … more little worlds out there to colonize…hoping we take a LOT better care of Planets B,C,D than we ever have of Planet A….
Just got your book We are Legion from Audible and loving it. It is lots of fun. I have already purchased the kindle and audiobook book of We Are Many. I haven’t read or listened to that one yet but already looking forward to the third book.
Looking forward to when you get Outland on audible. May wait for the second book to come out so I can get them together.
I read the description of Singularity Trap and two things immediately came to mind District 9 and the Protomolecule from The Expanse. Sounded interesting so I will put that on my future watch list
Hi Dennis, I’m halfway through “For We Are Many” and enjoying it immensely. I’ve gotten to the part where a character raises a glass of Irish Whiskey and says “Cataoireaca”. I’m Irish and I know that’s not an Irish word, but Cathaoireaca is. It’s the plural of cathaoir which means “chair”. Is this a silly hidden joke playing on the fact that “chairs” sounds like “cheers”? Maybe you asked someone what “cheers” was in Irish and they misheard you? Anyway, it’s hilarious either way 🙂 Cheers in Irish is “sláinte”, but don’t dare change it in future editions if it was a mistake!
Author
You’ll know in a couple of pages. 🙂
Gosh, I can’t get enough of these two novels (Bob 1 & 2)! The only other software-developer-centric SF novel I’ve read was the WIZ series by Rick Cook. I’ve listened to both about five times since buying them two weeks ago. I’m hooked, Dennis! I look forward to Bob 3!
However, I must raise an issue. It’s not serious, I don’t think, but the implication in the novels is that there is some kind of limitation on the amount of materials available in a normal star system. Just examining the Sol system’s asteroid belt, and relying upon Dr. Jerry Pournelle’s figures in his book “A Step Further Out”, our asteroid belt has more than 100,000 asteroids “..each capable of supplying the world with more metal per person than the US consumes in a year.” And the US back in 1967 was producing 315 million tons of iron, steel, rolled iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and lead. I think that there should be enough metals to be able to construct a very large colonization fleet, and lots and lots of Bobs.
Author
Humans have been frantically digging up all the metal on Earth for most of a millennium by now, so there’s very little left in the way of easily accessible ores. These days, we’re having to use increasingly technological means to get at what remains. By the time of Bob v2, humanity will have done the same to the asteroid belts. So everything is already part of construction, whether buildings, or ships, or space stations, or whatever. Then there’s a war.
This is covered more in book 3, actually. The problem isn’t that there’s no metal in the solar system. The problem is that it’s all scattered, or vaporized, or turned to rust, or part of rubble piles, or at the bottom of an impact crater.
Well, I await Bob 3, then, to see how you manage to deplete the solar system to the extent you postulate. When the asteroid Psyche alone is considered, this M-type asteroid “is believed to contain 1.7×1019 kg of nickel–iron, which could supply the world production requirement for several million years.” See here: Asteroid mining.
And then there’s the moon.
Lots of very large precious metal deposits have been found at the bottom of the ocean near geothermal vents, like if someone wanted to blest all the water off of Poseidon. Just saying. Also you are food.
Something occurred to me the other day, about the Brazilian replicant Madeiros (sp?).
Bob was given the ability to change his programming (contrary to FAITH directives) by the man who trained him. Madeiros was probably also constrained in his software to prevent him from going off script — but not being a programmer in his earth life, he may not be able to surrender or cooperate with non-Madeiros probes. As an alternative to destroying every Madeiros probe the Bobs encounter, perhaps they can figure out a way to “hack” Madeiros. This would seem to require capturing one and removing it from its matrix. It seems that a captive Madeiros could then be hacked — like was done with Homer — to remove the code that was constraining him. Assuming that such code exists.
Just a suggestion!
Dennis, before you wrote Bob 1 or 2 had you heard of the real-life organization VHEMT? Voluntary Human Extinction Movement? LOL!
Author
Yes, VEHEMENT was based on that, with the addition of the non-voluntary aspect.
Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario is working on self-replicating 3D printers using materials found on Moon.
Self-Replicating 3D Printers Could Build Moon Bases, Fight Global Warming
Source: https://www.space.com/37101-self-replicating-3d-printer-moon-bases.html
Thank you for the Bobiverse! As someone who works for a leading edge software company (think reality modeling, infrastructure, CAD, augmented reality…). I enjoyed the various references to software development and the various issues faced by programmers on a day-to-day basis (although I’m not a programmer). I have listened to both books at least six times each. I have half a mind to map out the 3D world of the bobiverse so it looks like I’ll have to buy the Kindle versions. Thanks again for such a refreshing departure from the sci fi that dominates today’s market. Between you and Adamson’s ExForce series I feel there is still hope for my beloved sci fi genre!
Dennis,
Don’t dare to stop writing the Bobiverse. I have enjoyed “We Are Legion (We Are Bob)” and “For We Are Many (Bobiverse Book 2)” more than any other scifi books in over 2 decades. The storyline and humor are a delight and thought provoking. There is resonance here. I’m glad you’ve given us something different from the pedestrian “ink on paper” typical of fatigued authors (oscitation). Thank you for the subtle references and extensions throughout the story. I grin when you use them! I think I caught nearly all of them! lol I’ll re-read again to see.
I eagerly await book 3, “All These Worlds”. I’ll have it within days of release. Consumed soonest.
Note: Read is incorrect, I listen via Audible. Great narrator. I hope you keep him.
Incidentally: I’m an engineer, BSEE, MSE, with 30 years aerospace/NASA experience (contractor side). I didn’t cringe once. Suspending disbelief for these stories was trivially easy! Made so by your insight and careful story telling. Just what I like for satisfying recreation. Thanks again!
In Page 7 of We Are Many, you have an extraneous comma – the healer says not to blame her if “your leg falls, off”.
Is there a better way to let you know if there are errors? Like an email? I am not a Twitter or Facebook user, but I am a grammar nazi.
Also, I loved We Are Legion and am looking forward to getting into its sequel. Thanks for the great reads!
Author
This is fine. Or you can PM on facebook. I am going to eventually put up a “contact” form on this blog, as soon as I have five consecutive seconds to spare.
Thanks for the pointer. I’ll get it fixed.
Dont be food.
Just for grins I have created a Wikipedia article for For We Are Many. You can find it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_We_Are_Many_(Novel)
As of this writing it is still in somewhat rough shape, but if anyone here is a Wikpedia editor they can go improve it if they wish. Dennis, as the author of the book you should not attempt to modify the article — that’s a no-no on Wikipedia, as you are too personally involved. Neutrality must be preserved! 🙂 Yadda yadda.
The Wikipedia article for We Are Legion is up! It is HERE.
Note that yesterday I also added an an article for Gliese 877 and linked it to the Bobiverse via For We Are Many. A couple of years ago there was an article about that star, but it was deleted due to the notability policy. This time I think I gave it enough detail (and a couple of other users have expanded it a little more) that it may be allowed to remain. I noticed that the Spanish Wikipedia also has an article about Gliese 877, and that is what I based the English-language version on — via Google Translate, as my Spanish is very rudimentary. I’m planning to insinuate the Bobiverse into other star systems as well, by the same means.
I have just read book 1 and think it was fantastic. I am on my way to book 2. Thanks for your work man. Had lots of laughs.
>>My name is Dennis Taylor. I share that distinction with several other authors and a couple of musicians, unfortunately. Which is why I’m using Dennis E. Taylor. No, not Dennise Taylor, dangit.
Change it to D.E. Taylor! How many reviews have complimented your attention to detail? D.E. Taylor. Detaylor. Detailer!
In all seriousness, congrats on your success. It’s been an entertaining ride and fun to watch!
Geoff Jones
Great storyline. I really like it. One thing that caught my attention is that Bobs seem can only focus on one thing at a time. It’s hard to imagine that a near-light-speed spaceship is single-core…
Dennis,
Just read Outland and loved it. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Truly enjoyed your take on a classic science fiction theme. There are so few who write this sort of story these days! May need to read the Bobiverse set now as well! I would like to offer my services as a beta reader, something I do for a select few authors. If you give me a few days, you get back a copy marked up with any typos and points were I got confused. If I have a week or two I can then digest things and send you an email with any technical issues I might notice (as a physicist and engineer I have a tendency to think about the details of how things work).
Anyway, just a thought, and keep up the great writing!
Dennis
I have read both Bobiverse books and Outlands. I really enjoyed them all and look forward to the next books in either series (I assume selfishly that Outlands will make a series). I like your style of story telling, it is very easy to read. The story moves along at a good pace and the characters are engaging. Thanks for the hard work that went into the books, I have a feeling that you are deservedly generating a fan club.
Give up your day job and crack on with the next instalments. There are a growing number of us on the waiting list.
Hi Dennis E. Taylor,
First. Thank you for a series that is both mind-bending and hilarious. We Are Legion is the epitome of what great Sci-Fi can be. It not only made me chortle so hard beer shot up my nose, it also got me dreaming about the universe and what is possible.
Second. I want to help inspire beginning writers craft their own stories and worlds but I need your help. I’m assembling a collection of excerpts from early drafts of published creative writing to inspire the people just starting out (like myself) to keep going through the self-doubt and turmoil of creating. A few pages from an early version of any of your books compared against the final piece could have an incredible effect on someone’s trajectory. I know this is a big ask and I really have nothing to offer in return, but what do you think?Is it possible?
Either way, it is a privilege to read your books. I hope you are well and inspired!
I hope to hear from you soon,
Connor Forrest
iterwrite.com (the site isn’t live yet, we’re still getting authors on board)
Author
That sounds like a good idea. I’ve heard from a lot of writers who have felt like giving up because their first draft wasn’t up to the standard they’d imagined. You have to go through at least one full editing cycle, ending with a completed manuscript, before you really understand that the first draft really is shit, and that’s okay.
However, I’ll have to pass on contributing personally to the project, at least for the moment. Things are ‘hetting up’ for me, and I just don’t have the cycles to spare. Possibly in six months or so, I’ll be able to revisit this.
I was tooling around town today listening on Audible to one of Lois McMaster Bujold’s novels, and suddenly something concerning the Bobiverse hit me. In Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga, which occurs 800 years or so in the future, artificial gravity is commonplace, and is used even in commonplace items such as hovercars, small aircraft, and even camera platforms. But the most dramatic use of it is in spacecraft, where it is used both to provide gravity for passengers, and to counteract the effects of massive acceleration as spacecraft navigate between planets and wormhole jump points. But what about artificial gravity in the Bobiverse?
Artificial gravity is never mentioned in either of the first two books. I note that the drones that Bob uses to observe the Deltans are described as floating around, but how they do it is not addressed. They are not described as having propellers like our modern drones. Do they use artificial gravity of some kind?
And this leads to a question. The Others seem to crew some of their spacecraft with living beings, and humans are aboard colony ships, and both of these travel at high acceleration? The Bobs are not biological, so acceleration for them is not an issue, but both the Others and the human colonists are biological, and even if they are all held in a state of dormancy during interstellar flight (like the human colonists), wouldn’t high acceleration be mechanically damaging or fatal?
Author
The drones use SURGE drives (it’s mentioned once or twice). SURGE drives are essentially a reactionless drive system, so hovering is reasonable.
As mentioned in book 1, when Bob is leaving Earth orbit, the SURGE drive accelerates the entire ship and contents equally, so no acceleration is felt. In fact, even in a gravity field, everything inside a SURGE field is weightless (this becomes more of a thing in book 3).
Doh! I remember that being said about the SURGE drive, but it didn’t make a dent in my consciousness. I’ve “read” both books audibly about five or six times each, but I am still in the slow process of reading book 1 in Kindle format. Perhaps I will make a special note of the technology this time through.
It would be so nice if the SURGE drive were real.
Dennis,
First let me say all of your books are great reading. And you are now one of my favorite Authors. I place you with David Drake and Glen Cook.
I am an Armorer Instructor for Government agencies and I work from a collection of over 10,000 weapons at one of our locations. Your technical research and accuracy have been great. I would like to offer my technical background if you have any questions. I do not want any recognition or credit. Just want to help some one who has given to me.
Keep up the good work and look forward to all your future work
Matt
Nothing intelligent, just wanted to say thank you and that you do a great job! 🙂 Wish you the best in your “retirement”, and keep up the good work!
~m
Dear DET, ( guess we all love a good acronym )
Finished book 2 and so glad I don’t have to wait long for the 3rd. I do realize I’m between a rock and hard place now tho… I love the universe so much I want the series to go for a long haul… but I also want a end now because I’m so impatient. It is a great feeling to love a story so much to want both. Thank you for giving me that.
Ps if you do a long haul please keep up your pace. Thank again.
Wow just finished We Are Legion (We Are Bob). I loved this book and so did my 12-year-old. We listen to the audio book together while traveling long-distance in the car. This is the first (Non-Minecraft/Pokemon/Captain Underpants) real Sci-Fi book that captured his imagination. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. We are starting the 2nd book now and I pre-purchased the third book as soon as I learned it was out for pre-order!
Long Live the BOOOOooob!
Mr. Dennis,
I love your books! Has anyone told you that reading your books has a very similar feel to reading Scott Adams’ books? Very, very similar.
Anyway, I was wondering where and when one would have to go to obtain an autograph? Or 2 so that I can sell one on eBay (jk, if it were for eBay I’d just forge it like everyone else). If you don’t have any plans you can do some publicity events out of my house in Maryland to save me travel. And because of the crabs. You like crabs right?
Jason
Author
Because I live in Canada, book tours and such are a little more problematic. However, I am going to be in New York sometime in Sept or Oct, and I’m going to start watching for upcoming cons to attend. Also, my agent and I are working on a hardcover boxed set which will be autographed. Not sure when that’ll be out, but I’m hoping next 6 months.
Nothing additional to contribute on top of what others have been saying. I just finished the first book. I have zero time to read anymore so audiobooks are my compromise. Nice job. I am writing this post sitting in my car in the parking lot at work. I arrived with 25 mins left in he book and sat in my car to finish it. Very intriguing universe you’ve created. I also love the narrator from the audiobook.
Now that I think of it, my only contribution would be to create some book “swag” like Bobiverse posters, figures or other fun stuff to throw on a desk or put in a man cave next to my other sci-fi crap. Keep it up!
Author
I’ve created some stuff on pixels.com . Mostly for my own use, as the prices are a little eye-popping (I have no control over that). I’ve got framed covers on my wall, t-shirts for each book, and mugs. The quality is actually pretty good (otherwise I would have pulled them).
Merchandising would seemingly be a good revenue source. Especially in the sci-fi community. I see you quit your job. Very nice to make money doing something you enjoy. I’m sure that is an unfulfilled fantasy of 90% of the populous. Good luck!
Tom
PS did you ever fully develop a 3D bobiverse map? I saw a YouTube video referenced in SFF…
Author
I switched to Windows 10, which doesn’t support Microsoft’s XNA library, so I’ve been trying to get Monogame working. It’s an uphill battle.
I have just finished book 2 and eager for book 3 and I had an idea. This would make an amazing video game. The player would be a replicant in a Von Neumann Probe exploring the universe. A bunch of randomly generated worlds, rival nations and “others” would provide motivation. It would be up to the replicant to decide how to use the resources and what to build with new plans coming from the Bobiverse. I don’t know about anyone else but I would play that game for years.
Great work on the books I love them.
I have really enjoyed the Bobiverse books so far and am looking forward to the third book. I was curious what your general methodology/sources you use when you research some of the technical ideas from the book. Do you generally just start out with simple web queries (and browsing Wikipedia, etc.) or are there particular groups of scientific journals that have articles or features on future looking technological ideas? Would love any perspective!
Author
Mostly it’s just web. There are places like physicsforum.com that have actual experts who are willing to answer questions.
Thanks!!
I’m new to this book series, but I’m enjoying it immensely. As a gamer geek (and lifetime game maker), science geek, and all around space nerd… this stuff was right up my alley. However, it was the writing (and audio delivery of the audible book) that had me so engaged that I consumed the first two books in very short order.
Please keep writing, Dennis. Ignore the technical geeks who overfixate on the details. You’ve got talent… and I look forward to being a fan for many moons 🙂
Thanks very much for the first 2 books. I really enjoyed them. I’ve pre-ordered no. 3 from Audible.
Jim Bell (Australia)
Just finished All These Worlds, and I gotta say, amazing work. I have never written to an author before, but at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, Yeehah indeed! I came away from the series awash with the same feelings of satisfaction as I have with finishing those of the best classic authors.
One question I did have, Homo sideria (ebook text 3) or Homo siderea (ebook text 2)? My layman googling leans me toward siderea (vs sidereal), but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something!
Again, thank you so much- the world you created truly inspires!
Author
Siderea. 🙁
I just finished binge reading all three Bobiverse books. Outstanding work, mate. Simply outstanding! I’ve been reading way too much for more than 40 years. That said, there’s only one thing fault I can find with your writing…there needs to be much, much more of it. I haven’t started Outland yet, but I know I’ll be chomping at the bit for sequels of that, too. You’ve a lot to be proud of, Dennis. Keep up the great work.
Thank you very much!
I had been wondering about some of the Bob names in Book 3, where you got them from. Ferb is a complete mystery to me. And then thought of Jacques. Whoa. You didn’t name him after Jeph Jacques of Questionable Content, did you?
Author
Phineas and Ferb is a cartoon about a couple of brothers who are always inventing stuff. Jacques was a little bit based on Black Jack Shelack, but also because I wanted to call him Jock. Like Bob, I’m not very mature.
A few things.
1. I think your “about me” section needs an update.
2. The question everyone is going to be asking over and over (since this is now your full time job ..) maybe put a new section here “upcoming” with rough dates of future releases Outland continuation.. Next bobiverse book etc. While exact dates would be nice something as simple as “I plan on having something to my editor by summer 2018…” would give us inquiring minds some idea and forestall questions of this nature.
3. I love how you heavily use themes from modern day in bobiverse. Just an idea to chew on and this is somewhat based on my other reading is having a bob encounter something from other classic sci-fi lit. Like running into a “RAMA” type craft.
So first I have to say I fell madly in love with the Bobiverse, so much to the point that I would reach out on one of these sites like this as it is not the type of thing I do so THANK YOU for bringing to life such an amazing series and universe. I do have a simple question… Will you be continuing this story at all? Just finished the 3rd book for the second time and loved the ending however I think I hate endings as much as Bob!
Just finished your 3rd bobiverse and was wondering if the story will continue? All 3 books were very entertaining. I’m trying my best to convince my wife to listen on audible. You helped the miles pass by quickly. Thanks again and hope the bobiverse continues.
Author
There will be more stories in the Bobiverse. Howard and Bridget have many adventures in store, they still haven’t found Bender, there could be surprises in the Others cleanup, the colonists still have to settle in at Valhalla, the Pav will doubtless have interesting times, Icarus and Daedalus are heading for the galactic core, Henry Roberts is still trying to sail every sea…
And that doesn’t even take into account the many Bobs yet to be named.
Glad to see you did give up day job, you talent lies elsewhere.
Will be reading Outland, it should be up to my expectations as you have not disappointed yet ( and probably never will ).
The best to you and yours, please keep up the excellent work.
Regards Bobb. B
Thank you for introducing such an amazing character/s. I loved The Bobs. Some day in Bobiverse, I imagine sprawling galactic cities like the one on Coruscant and Bill as the galactic head! Yes. I am a huge fan now.
Thanks again (Vulcan salute)
I am enjoying your Bob universe series.
Ever thought about putting together a map or org chart? It is sometimes diffficult keeping track of where all the Bob’s are, who is where and what their mission is. I listen while driving to work. Lots of fun.
Bill
There is a fan wiki page that does that. Last time I saw it was the day book 3 was released. Hopefully its updated since then.
(If I’m allowed to post links) http://bobiverse.wikia.com/wiki/We_Are_Legion_(We_Are_Bob)_Wiki
That is an excellent idea.
got all three books when will book 4 be out love bob keep writing them
I think he said somewhere that he was thinking of writing two or three other books before getting back to the bobiverse, so probably a year or two (idk how fast he writes, that’s a total guess)
*SPOILER*:
Hi Dennis,
I picked up “We are Legion” after becoming a little bored with “Armada” (after being thrilled with “Ready Player One”). I love the “Bobiverse”.
I just finished “For we are Many”… Homer….:(
On to the third book. Perhaps you could suggest some other reading after I finish “All these Worlds”?
Thx
M
Author
Hmm, you got me. Ready Player One would have been my suggestion. The Fold by Peter Clines is good.
Thanks, Dennis.
I will look into “The Fold” today as I am about to finish the final Bobiverse book. (I hope there will be more)!
Someone also suggested, “Off to be the Wizard” by Scott Myer. If I was a Bob I could read them all – but alas, I am an ephemeral.
M
Hi Dennis, just “read” (i.e. Audible) your We Are Bob…very impressive and original! (Also, as a VR developer, really liked the integration of VR into the story.) Don’t know where you hail from, but if you’re in ATX, let’s have a beer!
The only comment (not criticism, more an observation) I have is that it was a little strange to see each Bob emerge as slightly different than the Bob they were backed up from. If I backup a photo or a document, it doesn’t come back slightly altered, it emerges as it was when I backed it up. I mean, I see exactly why you did it and I loved the contrast of the characters, but seems that their personality differences would have evolved over time due to their circumstances. On the other hand, I think the story would have been much more confusing without that contrast…which, again, is why it’s not really a criticism at all.
Anyway, great story, and I look forward to further exploration of the Bobiverse. 🙂
-John Nagle
Hi Dennis
I have been speeding through the Bobiverse books. I am just starting No. 3 All These Worlds. You have created a wonderful fresh SF Outlook. RAH would be very proud.
Thank you so much for this story and I hope that there’s more to come. I haven’t finished- so I don’t know how 3 ends but I hope that Bob gets everything that he needs including love.
Diana
Dear Dennis:
I want to thank you for the Bobiverse books. They were a pleasure to read, and you have a lightness of touch and (most of the time) adherence to somewhat plausible physics, that I look for. I hope the story continues. A few issues: (1) Given that we have such vast amounts of metals in our own asteroid belt, I found it implausible that almost all the raw materials had been depleted before Ryker and his cohort arrived back there. Where did the metals go, if they were used up? (2) Colonizing floating cities in gas giants is visually attractive, but you make no mention of the crushing gravity. (3) When the Bellerophon and its sister ship popped up I wondered (a) why the Others hadn’t broken those down for their metals, since they would have been much easier to extract than anything on the planet’s surface, and (b) why a hull was needed at all to transport millions of humans in cryo when the mover plates might have sufficed if their cryotanks were just bundled together with some shielding. Not to mention why no Bob created a virtual female companion in his VR. Sheesh. That may be the most implausible thing… though I must admit it avoids complications. Things like this threw me off, though most of the time my technical questions were answered directly with dialogue.
–Charles
Author
Of course with fiction, you have to take some liberties. However, I tried to not leave too many glaring holes. On the other hand, too much explaining can be detrimental to the story as well. Anyway, to your questions:
1) We may have vast amounts right now, but 150 or so years in the future, with 4-5 major powers all racing to build their space presence as quickly as possible, most of it will have been mined out. Ryker mentions this in book 3 — everything was mined, then most of it (in the form of ships and space stations and such) was blown up.
2) I was very careful not to make Big Top too big. Floating cities wouldn’t be viable on Jupiter for instance, but on Saturn the occupants would only experience about 1 G.
3a) Presumably the Others didn’t go looking along the trajectory to see if anything survived of those ships. Since they were still decelerating when the Bobs attacked, the derelicts would have passed Pav before the Others got there and continued on.
3b) It wasn’t just the hull. It was also the availability of raw materials from breaking down one of the carriers, which was used to not only build the plates but also to build the cryo units.
4) There may have been multiple robo-girlfriends, just not ‘published.’ In any case, without the physical, erm, needs, the Bobs would only be looking for companionship, and other Bobs were sufficient for that. Howard was a personality variation that wanted a relationship more than most. Plus of course he had the opportunity to build one. A relationship that is, not the other thing.
Another science hole that you may want to avoid in the future was the description of the terraforming of one of the planet’s (I believe Ragnarok) where Bill describes that land based plants need to evolve and grow to help produce the needed oxygen in the atmosphere to make the air breathable. Before that he already mentioned that there was algae/plankton evolving in the small seas (which he eventually connects into oceans pulling ice from the Oort cloud), which could have easily produced the needed levels of oxygen on the planet given time, considering that over half of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by ocean based plant life.
Admittedly a small hole that could probably be explained fictionally one way or the other, but it was a rare oversight in an otherwise very well researched and thought out series. Please continue to write this way as it makes reading these books immensely enjoyable.
Dennis me and my dad are both programmers and we both immensely enjoyed your books and your bobs (I’m only one book though but he’s read all three)(also programmers rule). This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, you are an amazing author. I saw a lot of comments complaining about the Christian bashing – I’m also Christian and didn’t feel stigmatized at all by your writing, keep up the good work. I’m probably gonna read whatever you put your name on, but if you wanna up the next set of bobiverse books on the to-do list I’m not gonna complain, just don’t get run over before I get more bobs- you might turn into an AI in the future but I don’t think I can wait a hundred years for the next sequel
You are epic
-Cuan
I kept seeing mention of how great the Bobiverse novels are, so I took the plunge…. and stayed under until I had listened to all three. Wonderful storytelling as well as perfect narration. I would be very disappointed if any future Bob books weren’t read by Ray Porter.
As a few others have commented, this is the first time I have ever written to an author–just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the trilogy. I do hope that you will not stop there.
” I am cursed with a day-job” – Still, didn’t a read somewhere that you are now full time writing bobiverse books for us fanatics?
Hey, Dennis E! Just finished up the Bob trilogy…loved it! Ever consider writing a novella or such from the point of view of the “Others”? I’d even like to see you do a book in the vein of Interstellar or The Martian…near future exploration of our solar system. I think a sub sea exploration of Europa has promise. The technology needed to penetrate the ice crust and then explore the ocean for life seems to be well suited for an advanced AI probe seeking first contact with life outside our planet.
Keep up the good work. I look forward to your other adventures!
Mr. Taylor,
I finished up all the books and want to say how pleased I was. Actually, I have my sons reading it too and they also love it. I can honestly say that I’ve re-listened to the series 3 times. Amazingly, its the only audio/book that is interesting even though I’ve already listened to it once.
I’m glad to hear that you’ll be expanding on the Bobs. Being a software manager and architect, I was pleased to hear the references to code, branching, merging, etc. LOL. Totally super cool… (from a fellow coder).
Now off to listen to Outland. Side note: I thought it was a cool story even before I realized you were the author of that book as well.
Good stuff and great work!
Like many, I have never written to an author before, but I had to tell you how much I loved your books.
I understand you don’t want to write any more Bobiverse, and I can understand.
However, I think Bobs could live on in a game franchise of the 4X genre.
If no one has approached you with this idea, please look into it, yourself. A galaxy-building Von Neumann probe game would be novel, and the story of the Bobiverse would give it meaning.
In regard to the mentioned “hand waving”, “you can’t make a perfect clone of Bob because quantum”
I would like to introduce you to:
“The No Cloning Theorem” on YouTube
https://youtu.be/owPC60Ue0BE
Dennis,
I have a few requests:
1. I would love to see some Bobiverse merchandise. Any chance for t-shirts or or office decor?
2. Could you see yourself being friends with Bob? How do you feel Bob would view you? Yes, I know Bob is not real, but let me hold on to the delusion that he is just a little bit real.
3. Do you ever see yourself expanding Bob’s story later in you career? If so, as a full story or just a reference/nod? I only ask because even after book 3 I could not get enough of the Bobiverse.
4. If I could pass an obscure exam over Bobiverse, could we go snowboarding?
Author
1. t-shirts, posters, and coffee mugs are on pixels.com . Prices are kind of high–I don’t have control over that.
2. I’m a lot like Bob. Honestly, he’s a little bit of a Gary Stu. Except I’m not an engineer. The anecdote about Tom Hanks and Castaway for instance, I actually had that conversation with my wife.
3. There will be more bobiverse books. I’ve got lots of story ideas.
4. There’s no entrance exam for snowboarding.
Thank you! Concerning the snowboarding, just let me know when, where, and how many backgrounds checks I need to pass 🙂 I will be the guy in the Bobiverse T -Shirt.
Dennis, great job with the Bobiverse series. I just finished book 3 and I thought they were all fantastic. I gave them all 5 stars on Amazon and am very much looking forward to future books in that series. My favorite things about the bobiverse books were how well researched your theoretical science was and how you described what space exploration might actually be like. Your books reminded me a lot of Arthur C. Clarke’s Rama series, especially with the Others cargo ships, but mostly just the feeling of excitement at exploring space and what could be out there. I could tell you weren’t super comfortable with the military aspects of the story, but I think you did a great job with it and made it very believable. Just enough detail while leaving most of it vague and open to interpretation.
I would recommend doing more research into military books, doctrine and ethos if the Bobiverse continues to focus on inter-galactic conflict. I tried reading the Earth Rise series, but the author did such a horrible job of describing military life that I couldn’t finish it. It was basically a revamp of Starship Troopers and completely based on the movie, not even Heinlein’s book, which is one of my favorites.
The only parts I did not like about the Bobiverse series was the fact that Bob-1 gets so focused on the Deltans and doesn’t even really get involved in the conflict with the Others or even ensuring that Earth’s population gets recolonized else where. The Deltans were interesting for a little while, but I completely lost interest in them even before Book 2. I think my favorite side story was the one concerning Poseidon. That one was great. I thought Book 3 ended well, but I’m really hoping that future books will include the Bobs coming in contact with another friendly spacefaring race. Keep up the good work and thanks for making such a great story.
Hey Dennis, love the books quick question, what programming language is your primary?
Author
Currently c#
Sweet, mine as well. Do you think that Bob uses test driven development or Waterfall when he builds his code… 🙂
Just adding my kudos to the many about the bobiverse series (and the narrator too!!). I hope in further books you also give a not to Stirling’s Emberverse Series and also the Vorkosigan books by Bujold. I want a Bob named MILES!!
loved the books, heared the audible versions (you cant call it reading right)
hope you will join other trilogy writers and get the math wrong, the bobiverse has so much room for more stories
small question, is there a starmap somewhere, i would love to get a view of the logistics of traveling in the bobiverse
keep up the good work
Hi! Just devoured the Bobiverse trilogy, and loved it! Great work!
I do have a couple of quibbles, though:
You mention stockpiling material at the Earth-Moon L4 and L5 points. Were you thinking those are metastable? Because they’re not. One body has to be at least 25 times larger than the other to make those metastable, otherwise objects will drift out of them, just like L1, 2 and 3.
The L4 and L5 points of the Earth-SUN system are metastable, though. So you could use those. Not as convenient, but stuff will stay put there without maneuvering capability.
Then, at Omicron2 Eridani, you have Howard dropping a beacon “into the L4 point between Vulcan and Romulus” — that would be the L1 point, not L4. And because the bodies are of similar size, none of the Lagrange points will be metastable, so he might as well put the beacon at L1, it just has to be able to keep itself there.
But those are minor quibbles, that I’m sure most people wouldn’t notice. I’m a hard sci-fi fan, so this stuff catches my attention. It’s a compliment to your scientific plausibility that those are the ONLY quibbles I have.
Good work, thank you for writing them!
Charl P
Enjoyed the first book immensely, listening to the second one now. As an soccer fan from Argentina, any novel in which the Brazilians are the bad guys is a good one. What made you choose them for that role?
Keep up the good work!
Author
I was trolling google looking for a good candidate, and it turns out there was a Brazilian Empire in the 19th century. So I decided to bring it back.
Interesting. And Florianopolis? Just picked it up at random from a map? It’s a popular vacation spot for Argentinians, along with nearby Camboriu. I spent a couple of summers there as a teenager before moving to the U.S.
Author
Once I settled on Brazil, I needed something off at the edge of the country, so that it could conceivably survive the pummelling from the war.
Makes sense.
Thanks for being so responsive to your readers! I’m still waiting for J.D. Sallinger to write back… 🙂
Just listened to “We Are Legion” on audible and LOVED it! I actually started visualizing this as a video game as well! Doing a lot of MMQB on different situations. Not sure if you have pitched this as a game, but I think it would be fantastic!
Thanks again for a great listen! Working on Book Two now.
Love your style so much I’m wondering if you’ve ever made a reading list of like minded writing/writers? Amazon’s recommender algorithms haven’t figured you out yet. After finishing the Bobiverse trilogy, the two “recommended” books I tried were flat tires.
Author
Authors I especially like: John Scalzi, Robert Sawyer, Steven Gould, Jack McDevitt, Vernor Vinge, Andy Weir, Harry Turtledove. Plus of course Heinlein, Asimov, Campbell, and many other golden-agers.
I loved 1632 by Eric Flint, and several of the sequels, although I thought it started to bog down after a while.
A recent pleasant surprise: Anomaly by Peter Cawdron.
HTH
I think you’d appreciate the humor in the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer.
Huge Neal Stephenson fan here!!!
Dennis, I just discovered your books. WALWAB is wonderful; so much fun. Congrats on your success and thanks so much. Ned.
I discovered your BOBIVERSE series and I’m need deep into book #1. Wonderful read so far.
You hooked me right from the beginning.
Great ‘what if’ and some humor thrown in.
Looking forward to reading your work and talking shop.
Gary
Dennis,
I look at the Bobiverse as an exploration of the potential expansion of the conversations we all have in our own minds. Very entertaining as well, but exploring a pretty complicated issue. Do you think about younger versions of yourself to craft differing personalities or push on part of a personality to create a unique identity for each copy?
I could be totally overthinking it as well, but would be interested in your thoughts. I see this as the primary reason that your writing is compelling, a complex human problem in an extraordinary setting. Any of us would probably interact with ourselves in interesting ways if the opportunity presented itself.
Love the books, hope to see the next one in the near future.
Dennis,
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your writing. The Legion series has provided me with several entertaining and animated discussions with family and friends. I really enjoy being immersed in the Bobiverse.
Just finished the Bobiverse, great reads and very timely story line. I think I just read in the NY Times that printers are the future of space exploration.
Cant wait to start the next book Outland. Good luck writing full time.
Just finished binging all three of your Bobiverse via audible in 3 days. Fantastic! I enjoyed the combination of seriousness and levity. I recently finished Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaidens Tale and Ready Player One , and the Legion story reminds me of elements of both of those books (in a good way!) I’m a big Trek fan, and loved the references to TGN.
I will say though that I’m an English major and not well versed in technicalities in atsrophysics (names of stars or TAU, for example ) so I wish I could understand a little bit more of the science you employed. Or a starmap, so I could follow the action. Would your books include a glossary in the back perhaps? Or a Companion Guide to the Science and Sci-fi References the Bobiverse? Either way, thanks for raising my awareness to cool concepts and possibilities than I had known about before, like the Formi Paradox or a Dyson sphere.
Also, I hope that other humans will be replicated in order to add a bit of variety to POV characters ( wouldn’t it be interesting to see the world through Bridget”s eyes on Odin?) to the Bobiverse, as inevitably all the Bob sounds somewhat similar in personality ( though not in the part of narrator Ray Porter who did an excellent job with the material he was given).
Regardless, I look forward to your next Bobiverse story (or perhaps serialization on Netflix…? 🙂
A friend suggested We Are Legion to me. I was immediately captivated and have listened to all 3 books, back-to-back, over the last 5 days — what a joy! Great writing — dramatic, suspenseful, heartbreaking, clever, insightful, lithe, nuanced, funny — and Ray Porter is the best audio book performer I’ve ever heard. I will be going back to these again and again — can’t imagine ever getting tired of them. Congratulations on them and your shift to full-time writing!
Wow, I came to this site not knowing I would be buried in a list a mile long. Regardless if this is seen or not I just wanted to say/ask 2 things
1) Thank you for the writing of the books in the Bobiverse series. Overall I really enjoy the books but I especially appreciate how you leverage well known names for the characters in your book. For someone that is not adept at focus while reading, it allows me to better track the story and character in my head.
2) I have recommended your series to a few others that have really enjoyed it. Do you or would you consider selling autographed copies? I would only be after 2 copies (could be the whole series thus far or simply the first book) but I think that would really make a great gift to my friends (and maybe myself lol).
Thank you for the work and I do look forward to your next books in the series!
Author
We are working on an autographed hardcover boxed set.
Would love a we are legion tee!
Just say’n 🙂
Author
They’re on pixels.comThe stuff is a little pricey, I know. I don’t have any control over that. Pixels.com sets a minimum price based on their costs, and I think there’s like a $2 markup.
Please write more in the bobiverse series. Please
After listening with great pleasure to the Bobiverse I stumbled across this and it made me think about Bob again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QROEzCEd_Kg
Unix/Linux Systems Engineer here. Loved the first Legion book, ordered the other 2. Can’t wait to finish the story!
Enjoyed reading all 3 of the Bobiverse books. Fantastic premise for a book! Are there anymore on the future?
Thanks,
Paul Ferris
Murphy, Texas
When is Book4? Awesome series! Great narrator!
These are great books Dennis! We currently have three generations enjoying these. I shared “We are Legion” with my father, with great reviews. My 7 and 10 year old sons were just asking me why we can’t listen to the “We are Many” audiobook through dinner. My 10 year old especially loves the detailed descriptions of the life forms discovered on the various planets. He also seems to share your very nerdy sense of humor.
I am about halfway through the 3rd book and I have a question. How are the Bobs any different than ephemerals? From the best I can come up with it is only a question of scale. Although the Bobs are mechanically immortal, as they can shed their systems for newer or backup systems, as necessary; they are not technically immortal. Homer is proof of that. They can end.
So how are they different other than scale. Excluding the shell, they think, feel, and react as a human would, because at the core they are human. Looking at the human existence, we are born, we live our lives and then we die. Nothing to special to that at all. The Bobs are no different. Again, it is just a question of scale. If we assume that a Bob will go on indefinitely, until it meets its end; how is that any different than ephemeral?
For the Bobs, a person’s life span really is not much different than ephemeral taking in a movie, a really detailed movie. Movies end, stories end. It really is not much different. You just go to another movie.
But, that is also a bit cold. In a movie you know that it is just a story, that it is something that is not real;’ while a life is quite real. And to this I say. A person born will, most likely out live most everyone that had been alive when they are born. In their life time they will have to say good bye to their parents, friends, loved ones, and so forth. The only difference is the number of people a person can meet in a human life time and that of the Bob.
First, this is my third post and I have not said, thank you for your books. Please keep them coming; I will be reading until you can’t write anymore. I drive quite a bit, as part of my work, and I have found that Bob has made the time sale by over the past couple of weeks. I love the story and the premise. I love listening to it as though I were having Bob tell me the story of his life. Your style, I must say is just how I think, in diction and humor, so it is very familiar to me. It sounds like a personal narrative. So, Thank You very much. Also, you are now up there with the likes of Neal Stephenson in my eyes and that is quite the compliment! 🙂
Not to the end of the 3rd book yet so if this happens then whoopee. However, have you toyed with the idea of taking Howard and Bridget to try and engineer a combined off spring that will start to diversify the Bobiverse further? Consider the mixture to the cultural anthropology of the Bobiverse. In essences it would no longer be the Bobiverse and could become the next iteration of humanity.
Consider, if you were to take 10 sets of uniquely different personalities, and begin to pair them off you would have 5^2 possible personality combinations. With 12.5^2 second scale combinations, and 78.125^2 , 3,051.76^2,4.6M^2 … and so on. Within 5 generations you would have quite the diverse rainbow of personalities.
Of course, this number is limited by resources (you can only build so many matrix at a time. Theoretically, you could build a planet side fab plant and build cores and infer structure. You really don’t need to move all around the entire universe in actuality. With the ability of FTL level communications, you would only need to set up single points of existence then you could tear ass around the universe with-out the necessary issues of running into an Other type group (or worse) while exploring. With a combination of remote piloting and AMI or Smart AI you wouldn’t actually need to be there if you were a Bob. Nor, do you need your own ship. Theoretically you could have Uber for Bobs, from planet side, or orbit side, (thinking Jovian) of one system or another. For the people who want to explore and live life on the edge, if you were, they could fairy Bob matrixes from one space/planet platform to another. As the number of matrixes grew and they wanted to diversify their position to avoid detection and destruction.
Last one, I think also, it is time to consider what Kardashev scale the Bob is. Level I: planetary, well yes. Level II: solar system (not quite). Level III – Galactic, not yet. Bob will need to build a true Dysensphere around a star to get to that level. Consider that the Bob is roughly the equivalent as the Others, just not to the scale, technologically. There are things both groups do better than the other, I say it is a rough equivalent. That means being able to use any and all pieces of material, to the atomic level, outside the star itself. To get to a Level II they will have to fine away to be able to use the other 98.2% of the available energy that lies within the system, that is its sun.
One idea might be a black hole drive. If you could create a black hole, (theoretically possible) and move it in to the gravitational well of a sun, in orbit, at close proximity, the black hole will eventually eat the star. If you insure that the event horizon is small enough; if you use a small young star; you could then encapsulate the black hole in a shell than can capture every ounce of Hawking rotation. Moreover, you could use all of the steel from the system to do it. Humm, personal note, need to finish book 3, could be guessing to well here. But, if not, feel free to use it.. Also, you could then drop in an FTL com-unit into the black hole and see what is inside the event horizon, in real time.
I’m about half way through Bobverse Book #2 and I am obsessed! I am so excited to keep reading, and just wanted to say thank you for creating such quality sci-fi. Keep on keepin’ on.
Dennis – I can see that I am not the only one who has thoroughly enjoyed your books. Keep up the good work. Also, can we all agree that Ray Porter is a fantastic narrator? Do you guys work together at all to inform the different voices that he uses?
Author
Ray asked me how I visualized each character when I was writing them. Colonel Butterworth, for instance, I’d been visualizing as Fowler in Chicken Run. Ray nailed it.
I agree. Love Ray Porter’s narration. It’s soooo good. Love all his character voices….I forget sometimes that it is just one person with all those voices. I don’t know how he keeps track. Loved Homer!!
I do have an idea of a novel, it’s nothing that has been done but may be something that you can expound on. It’s an idea anyway but I won’t post it here.
Need more books
Bob from Minnesota
Wow. So, I picked up “We Are Legion (We Are Bob)” on a lark because that’s an awesome title. Holy crap. IT’s so good. I mean, it was addictive-ly good. I think I picked that one up two weeks ago on Audible? Maybe 3 at best. Anyway, I finished “All These Worlds” this morning on my way in to work (yay audiobooks) and I’m seriously just such a huge fan now, both as a scifi geek and a nerd in general.
You’ve also inspired me to finally read the Art of War just in case my brain is frozen and I one day become a sentient computer, fighting for my life against another sentient computer, somewhere out in the galaxy. Just in case.
I blew through the series last month…I enjoy reading sci-fi, but the Bobs are so memorable, they can’t help but stick with me. As a web developer, project manager, and active civic participant, I can totally relate to the Bobs’ frustrations and successes. Thanks for building an inspirational series — I’ll be working hard to live up to the ideals of the Bobiverse in the decades ahead.
Looking forward to the TV series someday!
So you out Asimoved Asimov!
Out Herberted Herbert!
Out Tilleyed Tilley!
One captivating book of a first series is always good.
The second captivating book of a first series is exceptional.
The finale of a first series which is at least as page turning as book one surpasses all expectations.
Listened to them back to back, and for me the hallmark of a good story, will come back to the series next year and find something new every time I listen.
Hey! Just discovered “Legion” and I’m loving it! Just breezing through the comments, I noticed some other folks were also disappointed in the presentation of religion, but I also saw how you responded. I think it’s totally valid to use a sort a form of religious institution as the antagonistic force, there is precedent in history for morally questionable things being done in the name of religion after all.
My disappointment in the portrayal of that religious institution is that they seem too much like straw men, especially where the protagonist’s own biases are confirmed so heavily in their exaggerated behavior and viewpoints. Even just from a storytelling perspective, I feel like the antagonists could be a little more well-rounded.
That said, I am enjoying Bob far too much to stop listening (I got the audible version), but the over-the-top 2-dimensionality of the religious characters does throw me out a bit. Looking forward to seeing how things turn out!
Since downloading your books from Audible I’ve started actually slowing down when approaching green traffic lights and searched for ‘long-cuts’ when driving home. My wife thinks I’m working longer hours lately, but in reality I’m driving around the block listening to ‘one last chapter’.
Guess that’s the biggest compliment I’ve ever given anyone.
Big high five to you, mate.
Thanks from downunder.
Self professed geek here, nerd, oh whatever you want to call me. Admitting you have a problem is the first step right? Annnnywaaaaay, having my head stuck in a book or in these times a kindle is my favorite universe. I just have to tell you that finding and reading (listening) to the three BOB books brightened my galaxy. You have made me laugh and cry to the point I had to pull my shuttlecraft over to center myself. It has been a long time since I regretted turning that last page of a book (although again hard to do with a kindle whether listening or reading). I would love to know what future work you have planned. I even imagined a few times your story being a tv series like Red Dwarf. In summary you and the story you created were much appreciated.
On Sunday Jan 21st I had a 9 hour drive in front of me, going from San Francisco to Las Vegas. It would have been my second such drive with a car full of stuff. I had learned on the previous drive that self help books wouldn’t cut it. So, I asked my facebook hivemind for suggestions for books that were more fun. I’ll admit it, I picked “We Are Legion” because it was only 9 hours long on audible and most the other books that were suggested were in the 20 hour range.
As a software engineer who had sold his company in MN to move to SF to work in Silicon Valley, and then had his wife break his heart in a very similar way that Jenny had broken Bobs (leaving me with similar episodes) heading for Vegas for a fresh start I found your intro of the character a little creepy. When I got to the part with the conversation of the younger sibling calling him “little brother” I started to wonder if you had been spying on me for material to write your book.
Today is Wed the 24th and I’me done, not with just the first book but all 3, my increased frame rate (turned up speed on audible) which is my practice, plus my ability to mulittask, has put me through all 3 books in 4 days.
I related to all of it, I believe I got every geek reference, and even this strange place he puts himself over and over where he feels obligated to help people and creates a commitment he never should have created which lands him in some sort of indentured servitude (I’ve done this so many times). I think the only choice Bob made along the way that I wasn’t right there with, is the fact that he never went to what was left of the Brazilians on earth for insights into Mederous.
Anyways, thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone in this universe, that there are others like me, and that eventually, my Jenny episodes will fade as well.
Now, I think I’m going to go hack my amazon echo to answer to GUPI instead of Alexa.
Dennis,
I too am a software engineer by day but reader by night. I’m just recently joining the fan club you have going on here and am about a third of the way through your first Bobverse book. I really love it so far and can see the series as one that I read through more than once. I’m wondering if you or someone here can help me with something though-
I’m currently reading We Are Legend and Bob is totally me in personality and sense of humor! Can anyone put a finger on describing this personality and sense of humor in words?
This would be immensely helpful to regurgitate to random people who don’t understand me or my jokes.
Hi Dennis,
I’m very happy and heartened with the Bobiverse. I asked myself why. I realized that Bob does not just tell the reader that he is a humanist. He and his clones think and behave (their expanded moral sphere) as scientific humanists. They are reasonable as freethinkers are reasonable. It is so refreshing to have reflective and critical thinkers succeed against authoritarian ideologues, to have humor and open systems overcome fear and closed systems. You have made a rare thing. Thank you.
Hey Dennis,
What a joy the Bobiverse is, seriously I haven’t been so engrossed in a series since I first read Arthur C Clarke”s Rama.
There is a part of me as I am sure like many of your fans that would swap places with Bob in an instant, with that in mind I wondered if you’d given any thought to adapting the Bobiverse into a game?
Warm regards,
Dunkan
Hi Dennis,
A suggestion. You hint in several places that the Bobs are curious about their varied personalities, preferences, and interests, and that one or more intend to investigate what might cause their differences. I expect you are reading about embodied, extended, and distributed cognition. I’ve enjoyed reading Anthony Chemero, Andy Clark, and Teed Rockwell.
Perhaps the Bobs will develop an ability to participate in an over-mind (Emerson & Nietzsche) or perhaps they will encounter one that has evolved from a Bobnet equivalent?
Enjoy!
Dude- I just wanted to tell you something unique. Unfortunately I believe you have heard it all form other fans. I will say that from my perspective, you get it. You understand the geek perspective to a tee! Thank you, and more please!
Just devoured the entire Bobiverse series on audible. A most excellent and tasty treat. I started off listening with my kids this week as we headed to school each morning but it got so good I ended up getting the series and listening without them. They are still on book one and I have to cut it off to get them out of the car. Keep up the great work, I’m looking forward to many more great stories from you, oh and by the way, as a hardcore sci-fi reader, I loved your explanations of relativistic speeds and how you kept the sci-fi believable. Even my middle school age kids got th concepts. Great job.
I’ll keep it simple: really enjoyed your books so far, from both a SciFi & computer geek point of view. Looking forward to the edit of Outland and the sequel.
Hello Mister Taylor!
I Just wanted to tell you I loved your Bobiverse series. They were a great escape into the universe. can’t wait for your future work!
Happy greetings From Belgium! 😉
I must mention that the narrator of the Audible books did an amazing job. I enjoyed your books so much that I will buy the paper version as well. Thank you for this gift. I can’t believe I just found out about these books!
And yes, I agree with the comments below: a Bobiverse game would be mind-blowing.
Hi, my kids and I just finished the Bobiverse audiobooks from audible. I must say that you did a fantastic job. Looking forward to new works and other Bobiverse novels. (Please?)
The begining of real life Bob version 1.0. Saving your brain to the cloud
https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?anchorTopic=598809&origin=TOPIC_ENTRYPOINT
Darn, you beat me to it, Jeremy!
A couple of stories came up in my Guardian feed: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/14/brain-preservation-step-closer-stored-memories-artificial and https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/14/nectome-startup-upload-brain-the-cloud-kill-you in case people are interested!
Absolute pleasure if a read and hope there are more to come from you in the future. Just started going through the trilogy for a second time.
I loved all 3 of the Bob books and was sad when they were over. I have listened to all 3 twice now. I recommend them to everyone I talk to that loves sci-fi and humor. Also, you could not have gotten a better narrator than Ray Porter. I would listen to him read anything. I love all the different variations of Bob’s personality and the exploration of what would you do if you could live forever with the technology and ability to make a difference in the universe. So many possibilities. Thanks, Dennis E. I laughed and cried and cheered on the Bobs as they made a difference in their universe. Please continue. Either with the Bobs or a new series that is just as good. I look forward to reading your next book! (Please continue to use Ray Porter. He brought the book and the humor to life.)
Just wanted to say that I’m listening to the Bobiverse books for that third time (read it the old fashioned way too), and they’ve been helping me during my development of severe autoimmune illness and my subsequent divorce. It’s such a joy to have a main character that never makes me want to shake them and say “what are you DOING??” – who has hurts and pains, and takes the time to mourn, but also almost always finds a way to intelligently problem-solve (and at the same time, RIP Homer. Yours was the cruelest cut of all.) It’s also incredibly fun parsing out where all the little references are from with my own nerd database in my head. Thanks for the help and fun, and I’ll be looking forward to your next novels (and the return of Outland).
So, I’m nearing the end of book 3 and getting nervous. Is there a book 4 in the works or does it all end with 3? I’ve binged all 3 books over the last 2 weeks and don’t want it to end…
A few weeks ago I took a 5 day road trip and listened to all three books on Audible. I have never written to an author before and have read hundreds of Sci-Fi/ Fantasy books.
AWESOME!
I know you most certainly hear this a lot but keep the Bobiverse books coming and I guarantee you will have lifelong fans like me who eat them up.
Dennis,
I have just discovered We Are Legion, We Are Bob and I am absolutely blown away.
I’m a programmer, have been for 35 years – and I feel like I’ve been looking for this book all my life. It’s attention to detail and refusal to explain complex plot lines with a hand wave make it a true delight to read.
Actually, I’m listening to Ray Porter on Audible read it to me on my daily commute. He is perfect for the role. He sounds almost exactly like Chris Hadfield describing his astronaut training and he captures the matter-of-factness brilliantly.
So, this is just a bit of fan-girling – you are very good at this writing lark – thank you.
James
(Melbourne, Australia – in case that is of interest)
PS. You also share your name with another great Dennis Taylor, winner of the 1985 World Snooker Championships (the game’s most discussed final, 17 frames all and it was decided on the very last black ball).
Dennis,
THANK YOU for a wonderful read. MASSIVELY enjoyed all three Bobiverse books (wish there were more!). It’s been a while since I read something that I enjoyed that much.
I consider you the modern Robert A. Heinlein. Your Bob is very much a Heinlein-like “one engineer can solve any problem in the universe, given time and a good slide-rule” protagonist. Loved every frigging moment of it.
I listened to the Audible version, and the reader (Ray Porter) was outstanding.
Looking forward to ANYTHING you release in the future.
Many thanks!
Just finished a marathon listen of all three books!! Thank you! Can’t wait for the next installment!
Thank you immensely for the Bobiverse series. I thank Audible for assisting me in discovering your work and then getting the opportunity to read a physical copy has been a joy. Looking forward to The Singularity Trap and keep up the good work. I continue to look forward to your progression and growth as a writer.
As someone that is a hesitant Sci-Fi reader I wanted to comment on how much i have enjoyed your books. The added bonus of them being “clean” I was excited to encourage my teenage children to listen to them as well. My 14 year old son became engrossed in the books. He spoke of how you were able to engage him so deeply that he felt it when there was a lose or a success. He compared you to how he felt that Edgar Allen Poe could draw emotions from the reader. (color me surprised by that comment)
Dennis,
More…
Respectfully,
Sam
Dennis,
The Bobiverse series is everything I could ever want out of a book! I’ve gone from never having heard of it to having listened to all 3 on audible in 4 days!
You should definitely make BOB.NET a real thing!
Hi Dennis,
Just letting you know you are referenced in this Guardian article (you probably already know but just in case!): https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/09/audiobooks-audible-publishing-sales-boost?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Gmail
Your status as an Audible success story is confirmed 🙂
Just finished the We Are Bob series (3 books). It was Isaac Arthur’s book of the month recommendation. Loved it. Laughed, shouted for the good guys, boo’d the baddies and shed a virtual tear here and there, and even signed up to be scanned.
Please let there be more!
I enjoyed your books. Where can I pick up Outland and The Singularity Trap in print?
Author
Singularity Trap is Audible-only until October. Outland is out of print while I re-edit it for release on Audible and re-release on Amazon. That will probably happen towards the end of the year.
Sir,
I came across We are Legion a couple of weeks after it came out, and while I waited on the sequel I listened to it 5 times. Same thing for Bob 1 &2 while awaiting 3. I love the concept of a sentient immortal space probe, and the universe you wrote into being in that series. In the Bob series the main characters were primarily the same person with slight variations. Something I began to notice after repeat reading was that even the non-Bob character seem to speak, process emotion, react, and comment in a similar way. Now that I have begun listening to singularity trap I am seeing a bit of the same. It is not a huge issue but if you want a little more depth of character try mirrioring them a bit more on distinctly different people that you know and imagining how they would act or react for increased variety and depth. I LOVE your work please keep at it I am definitely a huge fan.
I picked up “We Are Legion” on an Audible sale late last year and inhaled them. Just finished Singularity Trap and it was also fantastic! Just found a used copy of Outland and ordered it off Abe Books. Glad to hear it’s being made into an Audible book, as my 1 hour each way to work commute has made that my favorite way to inhale books. I’m also glad you are rewriting Outland for this project, as that way it won’t be identical to the paperback I will soon be reading during lunch breaks.
You’ve quickly become my favorite modern Sc-Fi writer and nearly up there with Jim Butcher as overall favorite author. He does have over a dozen books on you, so hopefully you’ll catch him 🙂 All in all, just wanted to tell you I’m a big fan and love your work. I’d love to write professionally myself one day too, but in the meantime works like yours are great studies in telling exciting stories, with real consequences and losses, but never losing the humor. Thank you for your work, sir!
Listening to Singularity Trap. Enjoying it very much. Seems than Ivan could use strong zero knowledge encryption.
Hey there Dennis! I was tickled to death to see a review in today’s Washington Post (6/27/18, p. C4) of the audiobook of The Singularity Trap — which begins: “Departing from his highly entertaining ‘Bobiverse’ science-fiction series . . .’
Author
Hi Rick, long time no talk.
Yes, I’ve managed to get some visibility with this latest. I’m getting to the point where ‘backlist’ actually means something.
Hi Dennis, I’m a big fan do you have any plans to visit Southern California for a book tour in the future? I’d love to get your autograph! I read about possible boxed sets a few months ago, did I miss out? any updates?
Author
I don’t have any plans for book tours specifically. Those are usually done in cooperation with the publisher (and arranged by the publisher). Because of my relatively unusual status as a hybrid author, I don’t have a big-5 behind me to take care of that kind of thing.
Having said that, I’m going to be at Worldcon this summer in San Jose, although only as an attendee. But if someone comes up to me with one of my books, I’ll be happy to sign it.
I love all your books! After I listened to the first Bob book I had to impatiently wait for the release of the rest before going through them in days. I’m finishing up Singularity Trap now. I like how well written your occasional female characters are, how they are intelligent women and not just a romantic interest. My only wish is that one of your books could pass the Bechdel test.
I look forward to seeing what you’ll write next. Cheers!
Author
Just looked up the Bechdel test. The new release of Outland will pass.
How different will the new release of Outland be to the Original Outland?
Author
The basic story-line will be the same. The main characters will be the same. But the writing is much improved, and I spend a lot more time on motivation and characterization. I think it’s just an all-around better book now.
Dennis-
Wow! You seriously have hit a home run on your Bobiverse series. Am a huge fan and so impressed with what you have done. I am a grad of Singularity University and I can tell you that Ray Kurzweil (our dean) at SU would be completely taken by this series! I just wanted to sign up to make sure that I don’t miss any future works.
Mike Hart
Davis, CA
Soooo I tried to scan announcements and comments but I can’t find any info about bobiverse 4…. ?
I absolutely love your bobiverse series. I know this asking a lot as I’m hoping you maybe already working on another story since I went through all the ones available now., but I’m curious about just a short story or a ‘OVA’ in anime terms to see a slice of what happens with the bob far far into the future after amassing a huge amount of data between them becoming far more like gods than they may actually be willing to admit to as the universe doesn’t hold much left as a mystery for them anymore. What or how would the normal humans perceive them at that point would they even keep that connection after claiming to be their own kind or the deltans would bob go back after a million years just to see what happened or return after receiving radio waves from the planet? Just some questions I know I could image it for myself but the answer would never satisfy me the same way since these are your characters in your world.
Mr. Taylor,
Refreshing sci-fi! I’m an Air Force, Computer ‘expert’, and long appreciator of golden era sci-fi. I truly appreciate your attention to ‘more’ accurate physic and science (compared to most sci-fi).
Some commentary/encouragement”
– Theistic Government. Yeah, ok. People have said enough. Although it ‘did’ come across as a troupe for a religious based government group that seemed extremely similar to a very vocal, yet sub-denomination of christianity (small ‘c’). However, in your favor, there ARE Theistic Governments ruling today…..it would simply be politically incorrect to use them.
– What’s with continuing the naval analogies in space? Granted, early Sci-Fi writers served in the Navy, and this set up a conceptual framework for people to associate with. However, it is inadequate for space. Turns out, Air Force is more prepared for it.
– Overall, from the perspective of one person’s approach, the Bobs made accurate choices and action from their understanding and experience. (i.e. not military)
Hey Dennis,
This might be a long shot, but decided to give it a try nonetheless. But first, a moment of platitude – I’m about to finish Singularity Trap, and so far it’s great. I loved the BOB books as well, it was a fun read.
BUT, the chapter titles. Jesus-on-a-stick. I mean, naming a chapter about an escape, “escape” is not only unimaginative, but also gives readers a spoiler to the events that are about to happen. It’s like watching a movie, and before every scene, the director would stop the film and tell you what this part is going to be about. Also, who said audio books need chapters??
Maybe it’s only me? What do you think?
Thanks,
Shachar
Author
Nah, I have a real problem with chapter titles. I’m seriously thinking about just going to numbers.
Hi Dennis, i feel the same about the chapter titles in singularity. I listen to the audibles and it really puts me in the frame of mind of thinking ahead of the story.
That quip aside, i loved the bobiverse, i hope there will be a sequel with the arts, but in general im looking forward to whatever comes next!
Singularity trap could be a series, is this now in the past as a single novel?
What’s next from Dennis E. Taylor?
Hi Dennis. Beautiful work. My only request is that you write more… I’m about to go through the Bobs and S.T. again! Thank you!
Hi Dennis,
First of all I have only just discovered your work but have gone through all of the Bobs and the Singularity Trap within just 6 months. I drive a lot for my job, and your audiobooks have been great company. Can’t wait for more!
Just a question – in Singularity Trap (I think) there is reference to a theory about the three ways that humankind could end. It was something like 1) technological singularity 2) destroyed by war or 3) environmental event (I think).
I was wondering – was this something you made up? Or did you get that from somewhere? I am very curious to read more about that.
Just want to add- your reference to Horseshoe Bay was fantastic! I grew up nearby and know how beautiful it is and how rarely if gets mentioned in books!
Thanks again for your work!
Nick
Author
That list developed as necessary for the book, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable. Those seem like three filters that humanity is coming up against, and I see no reason to believe that we’re in any way special or unique in that regard. Therefore, it’ll be something that almost all intelligent species will experience.
When I downloaded the Audible application, I randomly picked a book from the list presented to me. That book was: We Are Legion (We Are Bob). I listened to the full book in less than 2 days. You can’t imagine my delight when I figured out that you had two more books associated to the Bob’s story. I am currently in the middle of Singularity Trap and I am enjoying it as well.
I can write many pages describing why I like your books. But I will just say that I love your work and hope you have many more stories in your future. Also, if you ever have any questions about earth science, I have a Ph.D. in Geophysics, so don’t hesitate to ask. It would be a pleasure for me to contribute to your work. Keep the books coming.
Sincerely,
One of your biggest fans
I wonder if you can give us some more details about your background (education and career) very interested to see how you approach this with the right tone
My property law professor and I were just having a discussion about whether a clone owns the property that the original human owns…in the context of creating an artificial human (a machine) being a unique individual with the rights of an actual human. She suggested I read “the Bobiverse books” and I’m going to do just that.
I thought your name was Bob.
I downloaded this book on audible as a time killer for a long drive based on some good reviews. I cannot begin to explain how engaged this book made me. We Are Legion is simply the most connected to a book I’ve felt in years. Can’t wait to continue the journey! Thanks for taking the leap into writing Dennis, you’ve gained one fan for life!
Your book “We Are Legion” is now in available Germany as “Ich Bin Viele”!
I bought it yesterday in the bookshop, because I startet to read a little there and after 2 minutes (my time) the clock showed me 35minutes! Today I’m finished, tired and happy! I found myself (a prof. electric and electronic engineer) in Bob so many times, amazing. Every technician MUST read this, its perfect. I’m awaiting nervous the next book of the bobiverse in german, but maybe I get me your english version first. This is the first time I give a feeback to an author, but you NEED to know that the translator did a perfect job!
Best regards from Wiesbaden-Schierstein in good old Germany
This post contains SPOILERS!
Dennis, I just finished the Bobiverse. You have ruined other sci-fi for me now. I am reluctant to name you my favorite author after only one series, as that’s a big life decision, but perhaps I am living in denial. I can’t remember the last time I read books so good. I laughed out loud so many times. I was moved nearly to tears for Homer and Archimedes (I really wanted the latter to become a replicant). My brain and nerdy side were so completely stimulated and everything seemed so plausible. Pure genius. I was bummed when it was all over. Thank you so much!
I listened to the Bobiverse trilogy driving to work (middle school engineering teacher) and I found myself not minding getting stuck in school zones and behind busses. I love sci-fi and I have recommended this trilogy to many people. LOVED THEM ALL!!! Just one question…..where is Bender? Can’t wait for the follow up! Please don’t George RR Martin us!
Hey Dennis
Listened to the bobyverse and just finished singularity trap. I really enjoyed them all. I had a very good time thanks to those works. Thank you!
Can’t wait for more stories of some sort of engineer being converted into some sort of a machine 😉
Singularity Trap screams for a sequel, right?
If so, I think one thing I would love to see addressed, is the question of how true creation of new beings would happen. Children are created a bit random from the genes of the parents allowing for something “new” in each generation. The shedding of a biological body, would remove this possibility. Either the same set of beings would exist forever, which would mean losing the random creation of something new, or there would need to be some sort of “software solution” for creating new beings… however, how would that be able to match the crazy creativity the biological process is able to do? How would a software solution account for all the character shaping things that happen in the growing of a biological being? For me it seems quite unlikely that any “upload solution” could even come close to that. But I’m looking forward to how you make this reasonable. 🙂
Hi Mr. Taylor,
I am a long time Sci Fi reader; just wanted to drop you a line and say I really enjoyed the reading and listening to the Bobiverse novels. Any plans to write any more books based on the Bobiverse Trilogy?
Thanks, John
Hi, I`m trying (and failing) to get a copy of singularity trap in Australia, I can`t even get an electronic copy(using Kindle and Moon reader+) ?????
any suggestions?
Author
Singularity Trap is exclusive to Audible until Oct 5th.
I don’t normally post on any sites or use Social Media like Face book, however I wanted to ask a question and introduce a project that I will be working on over the next several years. First and foremost, I love your books. I read the Bobiverse Tilogy every month through Audile. And sometimes 2 times a month. That is extremely odd since I don’t re-read books that often. As you may guess I’m in Technology. Everything to do with Technology. I started when I was 7 years old. I have had quite an journey. I have help build and sell 5 technology companies during my career. I’m an expert in every field, from core development, database, network, UI, etc… and a C Level Manager to boot. I simple love coding and building Technology.
I share my background so everyone understands that I do have the ability to take on this project. The reason I listen to the Bobiverse as often as i do is that I believe the interface with Guppi and physically world is a reality and will become main stream in the near future. It so inspires me that I want to create Guppi in reality. An AI that can interface with anyone and with any technology. And I hope to open source the results for everyone to enjoy.
I plan to build a framework that will support scripting, native data collection, and organization in a non standard fashion. Free flowing data, or something like that. Which will enable the ability to script out anything we want to do, but in a more human natural form. With full IOT and beyond support. A View to connect them all. Ya, all grand vision things.
Anyway, just wanted to share and ask if anyone else has started anything like this.
Would love any feedback as well.
Sara LaFleur
Any plans for a Singularity Trap sequel?
Being a programmer, skier, and runner, I am feeling a bit like a distant replicant!
Kidding aside – I listened to the Bobiverse trilogy and the Singularity Trap while running this summer. Boy, did they make my 2018 running season entertaining.
Simply, thanks for your thoughtful science fiction. I look forward to more of your work!
Dennis! Nice to meet you, sir. While I am a hopeless conservative Christian, I am engrossed in the beautiful works of the Bobiverse and Singularity Trap. Done with all, by the way. Humanity is cleanly analyzed in very eloquent prose. I am in the Navy and a submariner. Wanna see weird human responses to deep space? We’ve been doing it for years. God Bless, brother! Please keep up the good work.
LT Eli Heatherly, Weapons Officer
PCU DELAWARE (SSN 791)
Hey awesome to see a fellow submariner enjoying these awesome books. Wish these books were around when I was in as it would make long underways much less painful.
STS1/SS Michael Granito
Plankowner USS Texas SSN-775
Excellent read/listen, your Singularity Trap. Thanks. Gave it a rave review on Audible. Further, read the synopsis of Bob world, first book. Care to comment on the similarity of plot and premises to Larry Niven’s World Out of Time, and other works?
Thanks for the thoroughly enjoyable trilogy. I’m now on the list for The Singularity Trap.
I hope a future work will address my burning curiosity regarding the adventures of Icarus and Daedalus, and, of course, Bender.
Search for bender?! cant wait, when can we expect it?
thank you for doing what you do
Hi Dennis,
Just finished and really enjoyed the Bobiverse trilogy!
Do you have, or have you considered setting up a Patreon or similar so fans can support your work financially?
I like to do that for authors whose work I really enjoy and want to support their ongoing efforts.
Just a thought…
-Scott
Author
Scott, I don’t really need the financial support. I’d rather see your money go to authors who do need the help.
Hi Dennis,
Absolutely love you books, especially the Bobiverse books. Beats Star Wars and Star Trek combined.
I hope you grow the Bobiverse franchise so in 2133, it is widely known. I would love to see some games made from it as well. I think I might try to make something fitting.
Wish you well and thanks for choosing to write!
Wow!!! Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Your work has touched me both as a writer and as a reader. Huge fan of your work. You are definitely up there with the Sci-fi greats.
I loved your bob books so much. They were on the sciencey side of sci-fi and I LOVED IT. Please keep writing. You are doing a great job.
They reminded me of the hitchikers series which is what got me into sci-fi as a kid.
I also listened to the Singularity Trap recently and was obsessed. It was a a very different experience but great just the same. I listen when I run and I ran so many km that month because I had to listen.
Thanks,
Leah
Greetings from germany.
I heard your audibook and it was amazing. Bobiverse 2 will come out next month. I am really excited. On my way to work I hear many Audiobooks, but yours was so good I sometimes came little later, sitting in my car and laughing and listening a few more minutes. Good work. I had the whole time listening think of universal paperclip. 🙂
I enjoy your work
I am the author of Rare Earth and 18 others on the New York Times worst sellers list
I did my PhD in Ontario but live in Seattle
Would you have a moment to talk? I am working up to a new “ rare earth in the age of exoplanets” and my friends (?) in seti and I violently disagree about tidally locker planets
And binary systems
And much else
Peter ward
Just finished the Bobiverse trilogy and Singularity Trap. Best Sci-Fi I’ve ever consumed, and I’ve consumed a lot. Had me completely captivated. I love that you dive into advanced and fringe science and engineering, instead of dumbing it down for the masses.
Ray Porter is a magnificent narrator. Please keep using him!
I came here to find out if you had any other books. Looks like I’ll be waiting though. In the words of Futurama’s Fry, “Shut up and take my money!”
P.S. Check out Isaac Arthur’s YouTube channel for a ton of great material.
Dennis,
Greatly enjoyed Bobiverse! Found to be very refreshing and highly enjoyable!
Quick question; what was your biggest challenge starting out? What would you have told a younger version of yourself?
Thanks!
-Carl (Swedish Doctor, working in London, currently fending of roaches in a bar in Simgapore – long story)
Author
“Start Earlier!”
Dear Dennis, In my attempt to fill the hole in my heart for new Sci Fi you have quickly become one of my favorite writers. You legion series has changed my perception of what good Sci Fi should be. I feel you are quickly gaining an army of Bob heads that will cut a fool if they talked bad about the Bobiverse in any way lol. I just wanted to jump on here and thank you personally for everything you have done for us as readers and lovers of the genre.
Your new fan, Ron.
PS: I cant wait for the search for Bender, The trilogy was perfect the way it is and i cant help but think your writing it for the fans sense we’re dying for more. So thank you!
More bobiverse (nom nom nom)!
Hey Dennis,
An American friend was hoping to buy me at least the first novel, and then the trilogy, but Amazon has some seriously strict purchase policies when it comes to international DRM digital book sales.
I believe I DO have the ability to buy the ebook myself on my own amazon account, but I was wondering if you had considered offering your book DRM free, or on another sales platform such as TOR, or even through Google Books?
I’m incredibly interested in this long line of references of “The Bobbiverse” and I “want in”. I’ve had your books on my goodreads wishlist for quite some time now, but found myself very sad knowing I had no access (yet) to it.
I can’t currently afford anything on a CC that would allow me to buy a copy through the Canadian Amazon store, and wondered if you had any sources or information that could help me get your novel.
Thanks!
Author
I don’t make the decisions about DRM and points of sale and so forth. i just write ’em. However, the revenue stream from KU is considerable and requires exclusivity with Amazon, so I doubt that’s going to go away.
As to DRM issues, I believe the problem is that we have foreign rights deals, so who sells what in what country has to be strictly controlled. Again, I’m not aware of the details, though.
Hello Dennis … or Mr. Taylor … whatever you prefer. I read your book “I am Legion” in German (because… you guessed it… I’m German). I was blown away. I could not wait to read the sequel. The problem is … the sequel has not yet been released in German. I’ve never read a book in English, but I’ve bought both Bobiverse sequals and read them within days. I just finished “The Singularity Trap” now. I’ve never had a favorite author before, but I think I have one now. Maybe it’s because we’re both Star Trek fans (love the references). The way you write just speakes to me. Please keep it up … exactly like that. Your characters are not stupid and they’re not clichés. Please do not make the mistake that so many other science fiction writers have made and think we readers are stupid and take action over story. I can not wait to read your next book.
The more bobiverse you publish, the more I (and many I know) will buy!
Good luck and happy typing!
Dennis,
I just finished listening to All These Worlds and I have to say how much I enjoyed being immersed in the world of the Bob. All three books did exactly what a good book should, make me feel, care, love, and hate in all the right amounts. Thank you for your gift.
I’m off to Audible to pick up The Singularity Trap……..cant wait.
Alan
Bob for president!
Excellent, wonderful books Mr. Taylor. I look very much forward to the sequel – and whatever you write.
Singularity Trap is also very very good. Thanks a bunch.
Ole Andreasen
Denmark.
Just finished The Singularity Trap and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Am now re-listening to the Bobiverse series, for the third time. Great work there.
Cannot wait for the next novel to come out!
Happy Boxing Day.
Loved the Bobiverse! More! More! More! (Freebird!)
Singularity Trap was fun but a bit meh in some directions comparatively. (e.g., The Ivan/Judy/kids familial relationship didn’t feel emotionally real, even if it was logically consistent.)
Couldn’t find Outland legit, so dug up an illegitimate copy. About halfway through. Other than an issue with the common male names being confusing to start, enjoying it quite a bit! (It has the feel of some of the best of ’60’s-’70’s time travel, etc. stories.)
But I just ran into a few major/minor gun-nerd nits and, since you’re rewriting it for audio: 1) An AR-16 is NOT an “assault rifle”. (“Assault rifle” is a legitimate military term but they have select fire. And “assault weapon” really doesn’t work since it’s a made-up term by anti-gun folks.) (That can pass since it’s a quote from Monica and perhaps she is simply ignorant, but; 2) “Clips”????? Seriously? You’ve done great research in other areas but calling a semi-auto “magazine” a “clip” bleeds ignorance. It’s extremely jarring. Look up a Garand (M1) clip vs an AR-15/M4 magazine and compare and contrast; and 3) “safetied” kinda works but it’s awkward.
And now you know where I am in reading Outland. 🙂
Otherwise, keep up the great work! Looking forward to more!
Please add me to your email list. I love your books and want to be aware of future releases. Thanks!
Author
Use the “Get Announcements” widget to the right of this site to join the mailing list.
First, I’m a little late to the game (just got We Are Legion as a gift a few weeks ago). Despite having the time/opportunity to plow through it fairly quickly, I was a little concerned about pushing through the rest of the trilogy as what seemed like a lot of storyline/people-line jumping around was a bit hard to keep track of at times. (Perhaps reminded me too much of my job–software/marketing in my case–how’s that for a “slash” career?)
Anyway, I did pick up and am about halfway through “…Many”–and quite glad I took the plunge. I was happy to find that you spent most of the pages fleshing out the major lines begun in Legion with only a minimal sprawl in clones/cohorts.
Great work! I was a little surprised to learn just now that you are Canadian–mostly because your humor and even specific turns of (comical) phrase matched so closely to my and my fellow engineer/nerd friends’ vernacular over the years. (I guess “nerddom” trumps geography?)
Anyway, I’m really enjoying these stories and I think you’ve earned your transition to author/nothing else. You’re a prime example of a Renaissance man blah, blah and now for the required unsolicited suggested improvement (software guy, remember?). To my point above, I found the inclusion of the character and treeline appendices in …Many quite helpful at times. Even once again in “plow mode” reading of this, I found it necessary to refer back to previous chapters (and forward to appendices) to fully recover some plot point details you returned to in later chapters. (A little surprised at the audiobook popularity for these books–those fans must already be singularities with perfect/instantaneous retrieval?!) Anyway, for the next editions of these books, I would suggest–rather than just a Contents page of short titles–springing for an extra page or two and including the whole “subtitles’ (current narrator Bob and place) in the Contents. That would have helped tremendously in my backward search for a particular chapter as refresher on whatever detail I wanted to remember while starting later chapters in each book.
I realize that suggestion will never do me any good, but it’s all about the Bobiverse, right?
Great fan of your books Mr. Taylor! Actually, the entire office now walks around throwing an ocasional Booooob around. If you’re ever in need of good hosting or something related to sites, ping me on the emal, SCUT update not yet applied 🙁
Dennis,
Great work on the BobVerse books. I absolutely loved them and will listen to Singularity as soon as I get my next credit 🙂
I was sad when I finished the last book in the series but am happy to see you’re going to be adding to the story.
Thanks again!
Mr. Taylor:
I loved Bob and the narrator. I see you have something in the works. Please continue the series.
Loved your The Bobiverse Trilogy. Good stuff, Keep it up. I’m a fan…
Please come to Portland, OR to talk or do a book signing at Powells Books! I would be happy to put you up in our guest room and share with you some of the best beers in the U.S.
Serious offer
Mr. Taylor,
I first discovered the Bobiverse based solo off the title of the first book, which made me chuckle. Then I tore through the series like a raccoon through a dumpster. LOVED them. Your writing style is wonderfully descriptive without being overly verbose, a hard thing to nail down sometimes. It’s incredibly easy to connect with the characters.
Anyway, I just yesterday discovered (and today, finished) The Singularity Trap. Holy cow, that was SO well done. PLEASE tell me you’re at least considering expanding on Ivan Pritchard’s story. I’m hopelessly hooked, and I need more!
Hi Dennis ! I write these words sitting thousands kilometers from you, and you can read it in an instant, I can send a photo too( don’t be afraid – I will not). Is it not science fictional reality for our ancestors? For me it is a little. I am reading SF for almost fifty years. Naturally, with passing time I can found less and less books, witch are capable to fascinate and entertain. Original in intention and not banal in execution. I am after second installment in Bobiverse and – I use this word – enchanted. Discussing about books on my Polish forums I mentioned a bit of your novels. Many are very concerned . To tell the truth – Their name is Legion. Is one problem to one part of this Legion. Not all SF fans in the world are reading in English. My question I want to ask is: Is any Polish editor eager to translate and publish your books in Poland? A little ridiculous, but my copys of this trilogy were printed in Wrocław.
Author
I am not aware of any negotiations with Polish publishers. However, my agent would be happy to talk to one.
I love your Bobiverse trilogy. I am a science fiction nerd and your trilogy just made me crave more. It was very well written and easy to follow. I hope you plan on doing more than just the search for bender. There is way more you could do with the Bob’s that still want to help the ephemerals and the ones that dont. Some problems or some anger or something along those lines. I read the first book with my 8 year old son and now he is reading the second by himself. He loves it as well! Thank you for making such good books and keep it up!
Dennis,
Thank You for the Bobiverse books !
They are so good that Amazon Prime Video (or Netflix) should pick it up and do it as a “big budget” series
Pretty soon, you have 4 seasons for them to produce.
I can see them now advertising that they will kill off the main character at the end of the first show 🙂
Tim
Rats. Everything I wanted to say has been said (the good comments, not any criticism). I want to see this on Netflix!!! Couldn’t help repeating that. I have never read your Bobiverse books. I have listened to them in my car several times over and will do so again. Great stuff! Thanks so much!!!
Have just finished listening to Singularity Trap and all of the bobiverse books. Amazing! They vastly improved my commute!
I was surprised to hear Caerleon mentioned in the Bobiverse Trilogy as that is where I am from!
I doubt you will ever see this, but I have a worry of sorts. So far the replication issue has went over surprisingly well. Quantum changes not withstanding. My worry concerns Howard. What happens if he replicates again? Won’t his progeny also be in love with Bridget? Just worried about how that would go over. Any way, you’re the best. Thank you so much for this escapee.
I read the Kindle preview of We Are Legion, and thought it was great. I want to read the whole book as an e-book. The Amazon Kindle edition for iOS inserts ads for the Audible version, however, which I find annoying. (It’s a little bit harder to get lost in a book when you suddenly notice an ad for a different product–which fwiw is a product I have absolutely no interest in.) So I “sent back” the Kindle book–i.e. I got a refund and it was removed from my devices.
I hope you get a regular publisher or make a deal with Apple so that the book will be available as an Apple Books e-book, or make it available as a Kobo book or something else. I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, but I simply will not read your book if the e-book displays ads.
Do you have any plans to release your books on Kobo? I’d love to read them, and Kobo is my primary bookstore these days…
Author
No. Kindle Unlimited requires exclusively listing with Amazon (for e-books) and the KU revenue is 50% of Amazon royalties. Going wide wouldn’t come even close to making that up. Love Amazon or hate them, they are the 800 lb gorilla.
Thanks for your reply Dennis! I understand what you mean about Amazon and exclusivity. I’m guessing that’s why I can’t find your books at Chapters either. I’ll grab them through the Amazon website – I’m looking forward to reading your books.
Btw, when I signed up for your newsletter the reply mentioned your mailing address. I was surprised to see we live in the same town! Looks like we’re neighbours. 🙂
Just read your 1st in the Bobiverse series and loved it. That is the fastest I have read 300 pages in a long time. Really great work! The concept, plot lines, the thought and energy very well done. Have already recommended to several others. I cant wait to read the next two books! You need to make a a tv series out of this Stargate style.
no BOB book 4? I guess that becuase u now signed a tv deal it is not gonna happen
sad:(
Author
Books 4/5 currently in development
Absolutely love your concept & think it is brilliantly original!
It’s also very inspirational to a young programmer & startup guy.
Thanks sooo much!
You are awesome & Bob is my favorite new superhero!
[…] and utter jealousy. That’s how I feel right now. I just finished reading the Bobiverse trilogy by Dennis E. Taylor. I’m insanely jealous over the fact that I wasn’t the one to write this series of […]