Anthropologist Franz Boas sparked a century-long debate when he wrote about how many words for snow the Eskimos use. Here on the Oregon Coast, we could have as many words for rain.

There’s the light, misty kind you almost don’t notice. There’s the driving rain that falls so hard, fast and sideways that no rain gear will keep you dry. And there’s everything in between.

We average about 70 inches of rain a year in Lincoln City. Although I’ve seen the annual total top 100 inches in my time here.

That’s a whole lotta rain.

I won’t say the rain never gets to us locals, but we do adapt to it pretty quickly. We know the difference between water resistant (i.e. you’ll still get soaked) and waterproof (some parts of you will stay dry). We laugh at people who use umbrellas. And our standard footwear involves some sort of rubber base.

So, why am I talking so much about rain? Well, for one, it’s raining out. Again. But more importantly, I need to tell you about the third new release for Dean Wesley Smith in March: Star Rain.

Here’s the synopsis:

The fight with the genetically engineered aliens seems impossible. Benny and Gina, both Seeders, stand on the bridge of their massive mother ship knowing they needed miracles to win.

They both know that if they work long enough and hard enough, miracles might happen. Centuries worth of work.

A massive-scale Seeders Universe story that started in the novel Star Mist.

Star Mist released last month. You can read my blog about that here. Expand your reading horizons with this expansive science fiction series.

A rainy day might be the perfect time to start.

Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer.