Ross A. Martinek

Writer of science, essays, history, ancient & modern military technology, strategy & tactics,
historical fiction, alternative fiction, and fantasy.


Last updated July 17, 2006

Services for Writers, Artists, and Game Designers

Introduction
I offer consulting services for writers, artists, and game designers for areas in which I have expertise, extensive knowledge, training, or experience. The reason is simple: writers may enjoy research, but it doesn't pay the bills—writing does. I have done a lot of research; I have an enormous amount of information stored in my skull, and references for a lot more. Furthermore, if a subject interests me, I enjoy the research so much that I tend to overdo it. Being of a generous nature, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise. So for me, a partial solution to the second sentence in this paragraph is obvious: make some of that research help pay the bills, and save you time, effort, and frustration.

It should be noted that these services are intended for persons not actively studying these fields or pursuing careers in them. If I find out that I'm doing your homework or research for a class assignment, on any level, your instructor will be the first to know, and you will get a prominent place on my "List of Shame." That's where I publish the names and addresses of those who cheat, steal, or lie.

To understand how this works, please read the following Terms and Conditions for Consulting Services:

Terms and Conditions for Consulting Services
    1. If I can provide the help you need in five to ten minutes, it costs you nothing except your contact information, a short list of things you know a lot about, and a return of the favor at a future date, if I ever need it. I will also appreciate it if you put a link to my site on yours, but that is optional.

    2. If it takes longer than ten minutes, you agree to pay me $5.00 US for every quarter hour or portion thereof I spend on research and communication of the results to you. This includes time spent on all communication with you, in whatever form. You also agree to pay all necessary reproduction, preparation, documentation, postage, shipping, and handling expenses, if any.

    3. Activities requiring more than two and one-half hours require an advance equal to half my estimated time of completion. You agree to pay the total time and expense charges at the completion of the project, less the amount of the advance. If the amount of the advance is in excess of the total time and expense charges, the excess will be returned to you upon completion.

    4. If, at any time, I determine at my sole discretion that I cannot provide the material you seek, I will immediately notify you, and cease all activity related to your request. If significant partial results have been obtained, I may provide those results to you, again at my sole discretion. You agree to pay for the time and expense incurred in providing such partial results. Advanced monies in excess of this amount will be returned to you. I may, at my sole discretion, withhold partial results and refund any and all monies you have paid or advanced to me for that specific project.

    5. Projects deemed to be larger, longer term efforts, at my sole discretion, will be negotiated on an individual basis, and are completely separate from these Terms and Conditions.

    6. All factual results are provided "as is," and will be true and complete within the limits of my knowledge and thought, and any other stated or implied limitations, at the time it is provided. Factual material will be identified as such. When possible or appropriate, references may be cited. No other warranty, express or implied, is made regarding such information.Copyrighted material will not be supplied.

    7. Scientific opinion, when provided, will be to the best of my scientific knowledge and thought, and any other stated or implied limitations, at the time it is provided. Scientific opinion will be identified as such. No other warranty, express or implied, is made regarding such opinion.

    8. Scholarly opinion on matters not related, or only indirectly related to science, when provided, will be to the best of my current knowledge and thought, and any other stated or implied limitations, at the time it is provided.

    9. Speculative material will be reasonably consistent with known factual parameters, however, by its very nature as speculative material, it is not subject to any claims for accuracy, verifiability, precision, or factual nature. Speculative material will be identified as such. It is provided "as is," and no warranty, express or implied, is made for it, or any portion thereof.

    10. Payment for services rendered, including advance payments or other fees as may be mutually agreed upon, shall be in the form of check or money orders in United States currency.

    11. By contacting me by any means or method for consulting services only, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, in whole, and agree to be bound by them. You further agree to hold me harmless and indemnify me from any consequences resulting from the use of the supplied material, by you or any other party.

    12. Nothing stated anywhere on this web site, expressly or implied, will contravene all or any portion of these Terms and Conditions. If any part of these Terms and Conditions are found or held to be invalid, at any time or for any reason, this shall not invalidate the whole or any other portion of these Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact me. Such contact does not constitute acceptance.

Subject Areas
  • Geology or Earth Science: I can help you with most fields of geology, although I have never done much with paleontology. Geophysics, environmental geology (matters relating to pollutants and the environmental effects of land and resource use) and subsurface hydrogeology are highly specialized fields in which I have little knowledge and experience.

  • Other Sciences: environmental science, chemistry, biology (general, ecological), meteorology, physical geography, and related fields. Where I am unable to help you, I may be able to refer you to someone who can.

  • Nonferrous materials: My knowledge of the science and technology is extensive for traditional types. For more recently developed materials, I may be able to refer you to someone who can help you.

  • Steam powered railroads and their operations: I'm just old enough to remember the last steam powered passenger and freight trains, and I've never quite lost my love of the iron horse.

  • History: I have studied or am studying the following periods/venues of history.
    •  Ancient western history, especially Rome from Republican to middle Principate (Empire) eras.
      I have probably studied this more intensively than any other period

     The early Middle Ages.

     North America up to the end of the Revolutionary War.

     The Fur Trade Era in North America.

     World War I aviation.

     World War II, especially aviation.

     Ancient China and Japan.

  • Ancient military technology and weapons systems: From rocks to rifles, I've either studied it, used it, or can find out about it. I can also help you design new or variant systems based on the past, or on an entirely different physiology.

  • Modern military technology and weapons systems: Mostly aircraft. For ground combat weapons and special operations weapons, contact {Kevin Dockery} or {Mike Williamson}. Interesting that for all our technology, we are still essentially throwing rocks...

  • Future military technology and weapons systems: Again, mostly aircraft or future equivalent spacecraft. Perhaps we will still be throwing rocks...

  • Strategy: The principles of strategy are timeless. How they are applied is the ultimate determinant of victory or defeat. Strategy involves all aspects of culture, society, technology, and economics, whether the involved parties are pre-Paleolithic tribes or galaxy spanning political entities. I have studied and pondered the principles and history of strategy all my adult life.

  • Tactics: While tactics are strongly influenced by strategy and its aspects, it is primarily a function of the weapons systems in use, including the individuals and units involved. My specialties correspond to my historical interests.
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    Ross A. Martinek
    triarius@tds.net
    P.O. Box 182
    Lake Bluff, IL 60044
    United States of America



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