Category Archives: Weekly Update

Rob’s Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Becoming a Superstar

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Week 6 of 2021

Greetings all

Monday I head to Colorado Springs to go to my first Superstars Writing Seminar. Going to be a chance for me to level up, I think. The teachers include such names as Jim Butcher, Kevin J. Anderson, Jonathan Maberry, Jody Lynn Nye, and the one, the only, Chris Kennedy.

For those paying attention to the Eldros Legacy, I’m the only one of the Founders, including Mia Kleve, our primary editor, who hasn’t been part of the program there, and I rectify that this year. We’ve got a talented group.

Speaking of talent, we’re getting close to setting a firm release date for Deadly Fortune, the next Eldros Legacy novel, this one by Aaron Rosenberg. This is set in Shijuren and it’s go pirates, treachery, swordfights, and murder. What more could a reader want?

If you haven’t read Aaron, you’re in for a treat. He’s a prolific writer with a ton of shared universe credits to his name, including Stargate, Star Trek, and Warhammer 40K. Yeah, he’s a rock star and we’re ecstatic to have him.

Tonight we record our next Dudes in Hyperspace podcast. This one will focus on our writing process.

By the way, we have some very exciting news about Dudes in Hyperspace. Details on this next podcast, which should be available in the next few days. Thanks to all who listen to us, because without you we don’t get to do this big reveal.

I’ve gotten back into the groove a bit with The Door Into Winter. Getting sick and needing to get both Deadly Fortune and Keen Edge of Valor out the door took me away from writing, but I had a good day yesterday. Since it had been a bit, I went in an edited chunks to remember exactly what I was doing.

I also started a new short story this week for Marisa Wolf. This one is set in Bill Webb’s Hit World series, which is yet another fun shared world from CKP.

And I think it’s time to get back to writing. I have a character to kill…

What I’m Listening To

This week it’s Signals by… you guessed it, Rush! Yeah, I’m still on my Rush kick.

Quote of the Week

Today is the 63rd anniversary of the day the music died, so here’s a lyric from American Pie.

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the devil’s only friend
– Don McLean, American Pie

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Craig Martelle of 20Booksto50K and IASFA.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Deadly Fortune by Aaron Rosenberg is coming soon!

Currently available:

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one announced at FantaSci.

I’m currently working on Keen Edge of Valor and it’s mostly done. You’re going to love it!

Get it here: storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/bbdf4462-1880-11ec-8eb9-a34519556732

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (74,129)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • VAL (571)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

New Hit World anthology: You Pay: We Slay! This is the genre gumbo series from Bill Webb. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09R8VLM58

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 317.0

Updated Word Count: 4,426

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Excalispork

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Week 4 of 2021

Greetings all

Sorry about not posting last week. I’ve been under the weather since ChattaCon. My turn in the Covid box, which I’ve long expected. To be frank, it wasn’t bad for me, just draining. I’m certainly on the mend now.

I did manage to get the base manuscript for Keen Edge of Valor complete and sent off to the editor. That will be released at FantaSci, and to ensure we have print copies there, we needed it done early. Which it is.

I’ve been working on Deadly Fortune, by Aaron Rosenberg. Due to some need to shift things around, this will be the next Eldros Legacy novel. It’s set in Shijuren (my continent), and it involves piracy, murder, treachery, intrigue, and all sorts of great things like that. To coin a phrase: “Killed by pirates is good.”

Side note: we watched Princess Bride over the holidays again. It’s been a month and I’m still basking in the great quotes, as you can see.

I haven’t really had a chance to do much writing and it’s been gnawing at me. The good news is that once I get my portion of Deadly Fortune and Keen Edge of Valor done, I have February basically open for writing. I do owe a short story by the end of the month, but I will get bunches done in the The Door Into Winter too.

I had planned to do a full ChattaCon AAR, but there isn’t much to discuss. The con organizers did all they could and worked their tails off, but attendance was down. No panel was particularly well attended that I saw. Again, not the fault of the organizers.

I had one panel go really well, and that’s the Iron Writing Panel, which was basically a Whose Line style story creation thing where I kept adding/changing characters and settings and events. Quite fun. Long live the Excalispork!

That will be among the cards in the next version of this game.

Also, part of why I don’t have much to say is that I left early to get ahead of the weather. I’m really glad I did as I had smooth sailing, which wouldn’t have happened had I stayed throughout.

I’m glad I went, especially since I got to hang out more with William Joseph Roberts. He’s a smart man who’s doing real cool things.

Anyway, I think it’s time for me to edit.

What I’m Listening To

Not surprising, but since I was sick and not able to focus on work, I’ve been watching Rush concerts and documentaries, so it’s the current thing on the playlist. I’m mostly listening to it in whole album chunks and I’m currently on Power Windows. Like always, I hear one of Rush’s albums and two things happen. One, I remember just how good that album was especially since I always hear some intricacy I hadn’t heard before. Two, I remember that particular time in my life in sharper focus. Every new Rush album marked my life like signposts.

Quote of the Week

Fifty-five years since the mission that never flew, Apollo 1.

“If we die, we want people to accept it. We’re in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us, it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”
– Gus Grissom

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Craig Martelle of 20Books and IASFA.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

We’re doing some consolidation of the process right now, meaning there will be some special things happening in February. I’ll talk more about that soon.

Khyven the Unkillable is here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC

Seeds of Dominion is here: amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY/

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on Keen Edge of Valor for release at FantaSci.

Giveaways

Lots this week because I missed last week.

Sci-Fi Generation
Sci-Fi Generation

Sci-Fi Generation

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/bd544624-6341-11ec-bae8-9fe13dd3b276

Warriors for Good
Warriors for Good

Warriors for Good

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/1b13bb6a-1418-11ec-9a16-9f45996aea4e

Start the year with an adventure
Start the year with an adventure

Start the year with an adventure

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/4f277d00-693c-11ec-81b9-7fb7fa4bcdef

January Sci-Fi Giveaway
January Sci-Fi Giveaway

January Sci-Fi Giveaway

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/e9d06e20-63fb-11ec-a3ca-8bb708dff2d2

Unlimited Reading
Unlimited Reading

Unlimited Reading

books.bookfunnel.com/unlimitedreading/cp9vd3wqhr

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (74,029)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Two new releases this week, mostly because I didn’t do one last week. The first is A Rupture In Time by Mike Jack Stoumbos, the second of the This Fine Crew series. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09QPJJ7XC.

Next is The Magnetar by Jo Boone. This is the first in the Combined Service series. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09QC78PLJ.

By the way, these are two recent additions to the CKP stable. Chris is always keeping an eye out for you guys. You want good stories and he wants to give them to you, and here is proof.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 318.2 (Not a typo. I was already trending down a bit and then I got sick and haven’t eaten much. Not ideal to lose that much that fast, and I expect it will creep up some in the next weeks, but it’s still exciting to be under 320)

Updated Word Count: 3,696

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Passing of the Runelord

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Week 2 of 2021

Greetings all

Today brings sad news. David Farland was a legend in the realms of fantasy, with his Runelord series one I loved. He passed away today and all of us at New Mythology Press send our condolences to his family. He was one of the giants upon whose shoulders we stood.

Sigh. I’m of the age where friends and acquaintances pass with awful regularity. It’s the way of life, of course, but I was especially hoping that soon I’d be able to learn from David. I have a number of friends who he mentored and hoped to add myself to that list.

This week I’m in Chattanooga at Chattacon. I have a fairly busy schedule, which I’ll post in a separate blog post tomorrow to make it easy for me to find when I forget where I’m supposed to be.

I made progress in The Door Into Winter this week. Only about 5000 words, but much of that is because I edited a bunch of my notes out. Often, anymore, I’ll make a note that I need to do something and continue onward. This character needs a name, make sure I put the revolver in act 3 in act 1, that sort of thing. By doing this, I get the main thoughts out without always getting bogged down in details, but every so often I have to clear up all those details.

I did take time off this past Monday to watch the CFP Playoff Game. This is just a guess, but I have a sneaking suspicion Kevin Steverson will want to discuss that game on the next Dudes in Hyperspace podcast, which we’ll record next week. We’ll also have Craig Martelle of 20Booksto50K and IASFA fame joining us.

Well, I’m in Chattanooga now. I guess it’s time to go schmooze. I suspect more than a few beverages will be raised in David’s honor.

What I’m Listening To

My normal work mp3 list, which is currently Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers. I’m in Tennessee, so maybe I should just have a Southern Fried Rock weekend.

Quote of the Week

Today’s quote is from David Farland, who encapsulates my philosophy about writing and publishing here.

“I’d like to emphasize that when a reader finishes a great novel, he will immediately begin looking for another. If someone loves your book, it increases the chance that he or she will look at mine. So there is no competition between writers. Another writer’s success helps build a larger readership for all of us.”

– David Farland

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Bob Sturm of the Athletic and 1310 the Ticket in Dallas/Fort Worth. We talk about the NFL playoffs, which start this weekend.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Seeds of Dominion is still the new hotness. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY.

Currently, the plan for February is to shore up the foundation and make sure we’ve got all our processes worked out. Hence, we’ll have a number of interesting announcements along the way.

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on The Keen Edge of Valor, which will come out at FantaSci in March.

Giveaways

One thing I like about these giveaways are the cool images they create for banners and I think this might be my favorite one yet. But then, I’ve always liked blue.

New Year New Books
New Year New Books

New Year New Books

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/83bfa224-5490-11ec-9670-d7d28aa2a33a

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (75,912)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week is another 4HU novel, Tempest Rage by Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy. It’s not just any 4HU novel, though, but rather the conclusion of the epic Guild Wars series after 17 books. See what’s all the rage at: amazon.com/dp/B09PV4B3TX.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.2

Updated Word Count: 2716

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Seeds are Sown

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Week 1 of 2022

Greetings all

Seeds of Dominion is out! This is the second Eldros Legacy novel and it’s by Quincy J. Allen. It covers events in Daemanon, the continent that Quincy created, and it stars Rellen of Corsia, who has already appeared in a couple of anthologies, When Valor Must Hold and Songs of Valor.

In my opinion, this is the best thing Quincy’s ever written, and if you’ve read his other stuff, you know that’s saying something.

You may have noticed that Seeds of Dominion is Book One of the Legacy of Deceit while Khyven the Unkillable Book One of the Legacy of Shadows. There are five continents on Eldros, and each of the five continents have their stories to tell at the start. If you would like an analogy, think of Marvel with separate stories involving Ironman, Hulk, Thor, and all the others.

We did this, by the way, not simply because the stories demand it, but also because when we really get going, we want to make sure readers know in what order to read all the books.

Major progress this week in The Keen Edge of Valor. I’ll be announcing the list of authors at Chattacon next week in the Chris Kennedy Publishing Year Ahead panel, which happens on Saturday at noon. I’ll post that list the week after.

I will say that I’m blessed to get to work with some of the best in the business.

I made some progress in The Door Into Winter, though I’ll freely admit I didn’t do as much over the holiday weekend as I should have. We got a new reclining loveseat this past weekend. There were bowl games, including the CFP semifinals, plus the NFL. I may have gotten distracted.

I also did my 2021 AAR, which you can find here: robhowell.org/blog/?p=2523.

Next week will be a little off-kilter, in terms of posting online because, as I mentioned, I’m going to Chattacon. I have a great schedule lined up, which I’ll post next Thursday.

What I’m Listening To

Xanadu by Rush. Because of course I am.

Quote of the Week

Like us all, I’m mourning the passing of Betty White. This is, I think, a fitting quote on the topic.

“People have told me, ‘Betty, Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with old friends.’ At my age, if I wanted to keep in touch with old friends, I’d need a Ouija board.”
– Betty White

Now where’s my Ouija board. “Hey, Betty, I need some help…”

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show is our holiday episode and includes an interview with a member of the USO.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy
Seeds of Dominion
Seeds of Dominion

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Seeds of Dominion is out! You can get it here:amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY.

Don’t forget to leave reviews and like the reviews that you found helpful.

If you haven’t already, please do the same for Todd Fahnestock’s Khyven the Unkillable, which is here: amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N288DCC.

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on The Keen Edge of Valor, which will come out at FantaSci. I’ll make the full announcement of the author list at Chattacon.

Giveaways
Adventure-Action-Intrigue

Adventure-Action-Intrigue

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/4b5c160a-59c8-11ec-935c-77d1c581f5d8

Free Fantasy and Science Fiction
Free Fantasy and Science Fiction

Free Fantasy and Science Fiction

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/d3f41fc2-538c-11ec-949a-23f5e84cb858

The Neighbor You Don't Know
The Neighbor You Don’t Know

And we’re trying something new here. This is a preview of The Neighbor You Don’t Know, by Shane Shepard. You can find it here: storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/da9e03f0-1bbb-11ec-92e4-7fd845c8a81b

If you get a chance, please go take a look. He’s doing me the kindness of advertising one of my own stories.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (70,243)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Seeds of Dominion is out! You can get it here:amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY. The second novel in the Eldros Legacy.

Also out is the next Lunar Free State book, The Next Crusade, by John Siers. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09PD8SCCH

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 329.6 (Not a typo, been under 330 all week. W0000tttt)

Updated Word Count: 1,954

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Auld Lang Syne

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Week 52 of 2021

Greetings all

Welcome to the final week of 2021. I hope you had a great year and I wish you an even better year in 2022. For me, it was a huge year, and I will do a separate blog post next week about it, followed by one discussing my goals for 2022.

This was not my most productive week, but it was a healthy one. I spent time with the family, enjoyed Christmas, got a some cool things, gave out cool things, and ate a lot. Somehow, I managed not to eat too much that I gained a bunch of weight.

Seeds of Dominion
Seeds of Dominion

I owe all of you on my mailing list a bit of an apology. I do have Fleece Navidad ready to send out to you, but I’m trying to arrange a better way of getting it to and that has been a bit of a learning curve. Again, this was something I’d intended to do over the past weekend, but got distracted. I’ll have it sent out to you next week.

I’ll also send out the links for Silent Knight or Under a Midnight Clear, the previous two Nick Patara, PI stories. Again, these are free for those on my mailing list.

Seeds of Dominion releases on Tuesday and we’re really excited. It’s by Quincy J. Allen and over the years I’ve seen a goodly amount of what he’s written. I think this novel is the best thing of his I’ve read, and the advance reviewers agree.

I made a little progress on The Door Into Winter. I’m not entirely happy with what I wrote though. For the first time since I started writing it, i think I’ll need to do a big rewrite of a chunk. It’s normal for this to happen, and I’ve sort of been waiting for it, but I’m really pleased I got this far into the book before running into a messy chunk.

Next week, I’m looking forward to my 7th New Year’s with my sweetie. I’m also looking forward to a goodly amount of football this weekend, which we’ll surely discuss on next week’s Dudes in Hyperspace.

For now, I’m going to some more words written. Have a great New Year’s everyone.

What I’m Listening To

Michigan State v. Pitt. I hope this game is as exciting as the Tennessee – Purdue game that just finished. It ended up at 48-45 in overtime! The last half of the 4th quarter was bonkers, with huge play after huge play.

Quote of the Week

This week’s quote comes from traditional New Year’s song. It is, again, my hope that all of you have a wonderful 2022.

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
– Robert Burns

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Todd Fahnestock, one of the Founders of the Eldros Legacy.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Seeds of Dominion out Tuesday!

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on The Keen Edge of Valor, the next Libri Valoris anthology.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (67,243)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week’s release is Assault, by Mike Massa, the next in Chuck Gannon’s Caine Riordan universe. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09NZSH7X9.

And remember, Seeds of Dominion is out on Tuesday!

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 330.2

Updated Word Count: 383,210

Eldros Legacy Archives: 806 entries (there will be more coming next week from Seeds of Dominion)

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: And Yet Notwithstanding

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Week 44 of 2021

Greetings all

Another new release this week! Talons & Talismans II is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW/.

I’m so pleased with the Talons & Talismans project. We put out 30 great stories encompassing over 260,000 words. It included some of the biggest names in the industry like Kevin J. Anderson and Rick Partlow along with a number of authors who published their first story like Rich Hailey and Elowyn Fahnestock.

It also jumpstarted the Eldros Legacy, New Mythology Press’s shared fantasy setting.

In short, these anthologies did everything I wanted and I’m so thankful to all who were a part of it, from authors, editors, artists, and especially, the readers of New Mythology Press. Special thanks to DJ Butler for giving me a two-part story, one for each anthology.

By the way, Talons & Talismans I is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B09HQZDR4W.

But writing never stops, or at least it shouldn’t. I made good  progress with The Door Into Winter, though the number of words added won’t seem like much. I realized I needed to tighten up a number of plot holes, which took some time. I’m much happier with where I’m at right now and I expect I’ll crank out quite a bit next week.

I’m also about to start a couple of short stories. One, of course, will be my next Nick Patara, PI story for all of you on my mailing list. Then I have a chance, if I can meet the deadline, for a really cool project. Not to mention immediately after The Door Into Winter I have promised two more short stories and I finally will bring you all a new Edward mystery.

I love that I have so much I get to write. And with that, I better throw some words at the page.

What I’m Listening To

Rush in Rio. Great album to write to.

Quote of the Week

Happy Veterans Day to all who served. Thank you very much.

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.”
– Thucydides

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Talons & Talismans II is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW/. Eight Eldros Legacy stories

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on the next Eldros Legacy novel, Seeds of Dominion, by Quincy J. Allen.

Giveaways

Three cool giveaways this week.

Autumn Free Book Collection
Autumn Free Book Collection

Autumn Free Book Collection

https://books.bookfunnel.com/readfreefantasyscifibooks/oo8gx0bssu

Your Next Favorite Fantasy
Your Next Favorite Fantasy
The Visit
The Visit

The Visit

https://books.bookfunnel.com/be-a-good-host/tccf56rwww

Lots of free stuff out there and I’m excited to bring it to you.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (30,837)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Talons & Talismans II is alive, including eight Eldros Legacy stories. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW/.

Also out this week is a new Salvage Title novel, this one by Matt Novotny. It’s entitled A Nest of Stars and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KX8CY54.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.8

Updated Word Count: 323,145

Eldros Legacy Archives: 787 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Riding the Whirlwind

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Week 43 of 2021

Greetings all

It is an absolute whirlwind for me right now, in a great way.

Talons and Talisman II
Talons and Talisman II

The House Between Worlds came out on the 26th. The reviews are great (4.7 out of 5), as I expected, because it’s a great book. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K4RRMP6.

Talons & Talismans II comes out next Tuesday, the 9th. Already heard back from some reviewers and they’re excited, not just about the window into the Eldros Legacy. Here’s the great cover done by J. Caleb Designs. A Manticore, a Goblin, and a Unicorn, oh my!

Speaking of the Eldros Legacy, our first monthly newsletter went out last week. That’ll be the fourth Thursday each month and you’d like to join, go here: https://www.eldroslegacy.com/contact/newsletter/.

Khyven the Unkillable, by Todd Fahnestock, the first Eldros Legacy novel, goes out to advance readers late next week. They’re gonna love it.

Showed the Eldros Legacy Founders J. Caleb Design’s art for the 2nd EL novel, Seeds of Dominion, this week. Ooohs and ahhhs from all, especially Quincy J. Allen, the author.

Oh, and there are FOUR giveaways this week, not counting Here There Be Giants.

Didn’t write as much this week as I wanted to, mostly because I was recovering and re-adjusting to home after the trip. This is not surprising. In fact, it’s something I’ve come to expect and plan for. I normally work two or three half-shifts a day to let my mind refresh. I allowed myself a couple days of only one this week to recover.

But I’m completely back now and excited to go. So I better toss words on the page.

What I’m Listening To

Stuff overhead at Brewbaker’s. Speaking of which, I’m going to have something fun to announce about this place coming soon.

Quote of the Week

Happy 142nd to Will Rogers! He has so many quotes. Here’s one, and, well, I know which category I fall into.

“There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”

– Will Rogers

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy
Khyven the Unkillable
Khyven the Unkillable

Talons & Talismans II has eight Eldros Legacy stories, and the advance readers have already shown their enthusiasm to me.

if that’s not enough, you can get five free Eldros Legacy stories here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Oh, and if you haven’t seen it already, here’s the cover for Khyven the Unkillable, coming out on 7 December.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on Seeds of Dominion, book 2 of the Eldros Legacy. It’s getting there. After that, I’ll be turning toward Embers & Ash by Marie Whittaker, book 3.

I’m also starting work on something that will, I hope, occupy a large chunk of our production schedule of 2022. Let’s just say I finished the first novel in one night because I couldn’t put it down. How’s that for vaguebooking?

Giveaways
Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)
Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)

Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)

https://books.bookfunnel.com/egyptianmythology/w2c325jld3

Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway
Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway

Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/BGHNnLI

YA & NA Books
YA & NA Books

YA & NA Books

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/AXjbPHj

X-MYSTERY FILES
X-MYSTERY FILES

X-MYSTERY FILES

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/gKKvsB8

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (25,797)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

It’s a double week at CKP, with new stuff in our two biggest franchises.

First, there’s It Takes More Kinds, an anthology in Kevin Steverson’s Salvage Title universe. This is the follow-up to It Takes All Kinds, which included my story “Careful With That Axe, E.U. Gene.” Like the first anthology, It Takes More Kinds is an anthology of new alien races in this universe. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KPF57JN.

Second is Harbinger from Kevin Ikenberry. This is the 10th book in the Rise of the Peacemakers thread within the Four Horsemen universe. This thread starts with Redacted Affairs, which is a must read for all 4HU fans. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KGFDFLN.

Whew! What a week!

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.8

Updated Word Count: 322,472

Eldros Legacy Archives: 797 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Day After

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Week 42 of 2021

Greetings all

I’m home! Yesterday I drove back from Coinjock, NC to Kansas City. Was a heck of a drive, made all the more enjoyable to have fellow Eldros Legacy contributors, Mark Stallings and Jamie Ibson as co-pilot and bombardier.

The House Between Worlds
The House Between Worlds

The House Between Worlds came out on Tuesday! This is the fourth in Jon R. Osborne’s excellent Milesian Accords series. Some books are challenging to edit, but this was not one of them. It was a joy to be a part of it because it’s so good.

I didn’t expect anything else, because I’ve long enjoyed Jon R. Osborne’s writing. He has a calm demeanor that comes through in his writing and sometimes you don’t realize until the end of a major action sequence just how much you’re on edge until you reach the end. And then you’re breathless as you try and catch up with the power of his prose that’s was driving you, even if you didn’t realize it.

For myself, I worked a goodly amount at FactoryCon. A bunch of it was publisher work, but I managed to write about 6000 words, including sharpening up the first four chapters into what I’d guess are basically final form. So far, no lockups wondering what I need to write next, which is what I was hoping for, though my primary lockup section is the third quarter of the book. We’ll see, but it’s promising.

And now, I’m signing off. Lots to do, including another nap after getting home. Long drives take it out of me more than they used to and that was a hike, but I’m really glad to be home with sweetie, dog, and kitties.

What I’m Listening To

Senjutsu, the new Iron Maiden album. I’m odd because I thought Book of Souls, their last album, was perhaps their best, top to bottom. I’m still just learning this album, so I’m not ready to make any grand pronouncements yet.

But I will say this, one of the things I loved about Book of Souls was that these musicians have had a lifetime to get better and they have. It shows here too.

Quote of the Week

A crew of us closed out FactoryCon by watching Dune in Elizabeth City. I really enjoyed it. It’s hard to make a definitive judgement, much like I couldn’t really make a definitive judgement of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers until after Return of the King had come out.
But I can say this. So, so good. So really good. At the very least, it has the big sweeping scale that Dune should have and it’s well worth seeing in the theater for that very reason.
This is a quote that has resonated with me for quite a while, and one that I think of quite often when making my choices.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

– Frank Herbert

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Talons & Talismans II went out to the advance readers this past week! That means we’re getting close to its release on 9 November.

Why do I include this here instead of immediately below? Because there are Eight Eldros Legacy stories in here, including one from each founder plus Elowyn Fahnestock, Jamie Ibson, and Sam Witt. Also, two future contributors, Aaron Rosenberg and Courtney Farrell provided other stories.

Basically, this is a chance for you to dip your toes in the oceans of the Eldros Legacy. Come on in, the water’s nice.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on Quincy J. Allen’s Seeds of Dominion, the second novel in the Eldros Legacy. That will come out in January.

Of course, on December 7th, we kick of the novels with Todd’s Fahnestock’s Khyven the Unkillable.

Giveaways

Tales of the Future
Tales of the Future

This week’s giveaway is Tales of the Future, including my Nick Patara, PI urban fantasy story, Under a Midnight Clear. You can find it, and a bunch of other free stories here: https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/109e9f7a-1d6d-11ec-b404-7f39f05b7c47?bundleLinkId=JNEXltj.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Door Into Winter (23,972)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

The House Between Worlds by Jon R. Osborne. It’s truly an amazing book and it’s an honor to be a part of it. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K4RRMP6.

Then we have another anthology from Jamie Ibson, And Then It Got Weird. Fifteen tales of writers dreaming up oddnesses. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JVHX4K1.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: No clue. Scale needs a new battery.

Updated Word Count: 287,091

Eldros Legacy Archives: 797 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Looking at the Sound

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Week 41 of 2021

Greetings all

I’m currently at FactoryCon looking out over Currituck Sound at the Outer Banks on a lovely evening.

Not a bad place to work. I didn’t get much done on the drive out here, but I’ve been making up the time with some great days so far. Talons & Talismans II is ready to go, plus a number of other projects with more to come.

Speaking of Talons & Talismans II, we decided to push it back a week to balance the releases a bit better. The scheduling conflict that pushed The House Between Worlds to release next Tuesday, the 26th meant we’d be cramming in all that promo stuff into one week. This felt tight to me, so we’re giving that one two weeks and then three weeks before Khyven the Unkillable. I’m still sorting out the pacing with New Mythology, which surprises me not at all.

The House Between Worlds
The House Between Worlds

Oh, by the way, T-minus 5 days to The House Between Worlds by Jon R. Osborne. This is the fourth in his Milesian Accords setting. I always know a book is great when I finish my editing in about half the time I usually take. This is one of those.

I’ve been plugging away at The Door Into Winter when I can, but it’s been a challenging week to write because of the drive. After clearing the decks, starting Monday, I suspect I’ll get some major jumps in word counts as I’ve got what I want to do in my head. Will probably do another sprint tonight, in fact.

Tomorrow, FactoryCon proper starts with the goings on. Tonight, there’ll be hanging out, though. There’s already been a bunch of that, but to be honest, driving three straight days takes it out of me and the last couple of days have been work followed by enjoying playoff baseball, a rare treat for me these days.

I also get to announce today that I’m adding a new feature to my mailing list, giveaways. I’ve got my two Santa Claus, PI stories set up on a couple of promo sites to help broaden my reader list. What that means for you is that if you haven’t already downloaded these, you have another chance. I’ll be adding my next one in December, working title of Fleece Navidad.

With that, I better get to writing.

What I’m Listening To

Decided this was a week for productivity, so that means Rush. Currently listening to Clockwork Angels. I’m different in many ways, but I’m the rare Rush fan that’s been around for the long haul who thinks this is their best album ever. It’s truly majestic.

Quote of the Week

Today is Ursula K. Le Guin’s birthday. The Wizard of Earthsea was one of my foundational stories. I still read it periodically.

One of the things I fight against in my writing is trying to explain too much. A book is really a collaboration between writer and reader. My goal is to create a foundation for the reader to something awesome. Here’s a good reminder for me when I overexplain.

 As you read a book word by word and page by page, you participate in its creation, just as a cellist playing a Bach suite participates, note by note, in the creation, the coming-to-be, the existence, of the music. And, as you read and re-read, the book of course participates in the creation of you, your thoughts and feelings, the size and temper of your soul.
– Ursula K. Le Guin

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Talons & Talismans II has eight new Eldros Legacy stories. There’s one from each of the founders plus three more from Elowyn Fahnestock, Sam Witt, and Jamie Ibson.

We’re less than two months from Khyven the Unkillable by Todd Fahnestock and I am so excited for what’s coming.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on Seeds of Dominion, the next Eldros Legacy novel by Quincy J. Allen. He’s a really creative guy and you’ll get to see all of his talent in this.

Giveaways

Friends are Everything Promo
Friends are Everything Promo

This week’s giveaway is the Friends are Everything Promo. You can find it here: https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/1883c340-e768-11eb-8372-fb3b36c7c525?bundleLinkId=mdi15cP

As I mentioned, I have a couple of stories there, but go check it out for a bunch of free stuff from a host of cool authors.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Door Into Winter (19,109)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week’s new release is a new story in Chuck Gannon’s Murphy’s Lawless series by Griffin Barber. I’ve been a fan of his since he and Kacey Ezell did a great noir style story called Second Chance Angel and of course there’s his stuff in the 1632 series. This book is Infiltration and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JLGBXW7.

Two releases this week! The second is another P.A. Piatt’s Abner Fortis, ISMC series. It’s called Fresh Fruit and Ammo and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FS7QR4M.

Not yet released, but on the way, is Jon R. Osborne’s excellent The House Between Worlds. Look for links to that on Tuesday.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.8

Updated Word Count: 285,556

Shijuren Wiki: 797 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Hill-Top at Hastings

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Week 40 of 2021

Greetings all

Been a great week here. Of course, we’ve been pleased with the response for Talons & Talismans I. It includes stories from a passel of great authors like Kevin J. Anderson, Rick Partlow, and D.J. Butler, of course, but I’m especially pleased with the stories from our open call. The story by J.T. Evans might be my favorite of the 15 stories, but the story by Scott Huggins about a medusa is right up there.

The House Between Worlds
The House Between Worlds

But that’s not all. I got to reveal the amazing cover of The House Between Worlds on Monday. This is the fourth in the Milesian Accords series by Jon R. Osborne, and it comes out on the 26th.

This cover, by the way, was done by Alexandre Rito. Absolutely gorgeous.

I’ve made a bunch of progress this week on The Door Into Winter, my next Shijuren novel. This will release in April.

Why that far away? Because Shijuren, as I’ve mentioned a time or two, is now part of the Eldros Legacy shared universe. The first novel in this world will be Todd Fahnestock’s Khyven the Unkillable and it’s fantastic. That comes out on the 7th of December.

But if you want more content in that world sooner, you can get a bunch of Eldros Legacy stories in Talons & Talismans II, which includes stories from Aaron Rosenberg, Quincy J. Allen, Todd Fahnestock, and a special story from D.J. Butler that follows his story in Talons & Talismans I. That anthology comes out on the 2nd of November.

As you can see, it’s an exciting time for me with all sorts of things happening.

What I’m Listening To

Peyton’s Places, Peyton Manning’s show about football. It is an amazing show, even, I suspect, for people who aren’t football fans. It’s so much about the people, not the game.

Quote of the Week

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. This is a special day in Calontir, the SCA kingdom that includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and a part of Arkansas. This is, of course, my home kingdom, so I can’t post an update today without quoting the song Calontir is most famous for singing, though ironically it was written by Malkin Gray (Debra Doyle) and Peregrynne Windrider (Melissa Williamson), who are not from Calontir.

Still, these words are special to us.

Draw up the spears on the hill-top at Hastings,
Fight till the sun drops and evening grows cold,
And die with the last of your Saxons around you,
Holding the land you were given to hold!
– Malkin Gray (Debra Doyle) and Peregrynne Windrider (Melissa Williamson)

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on Quincy J. Allen’s new Eldros Legacy story, Seeds of Dominion. This is a full-length novel starring Rellen of Corsia, who many of you saw in both When Valor Must Hold and Songs of Valor. I know a bunch of you read those stories, because there were a number of people asking for more with Rellen. Well, on 4th of January, you’ll get it.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Door Into Winter (16,981)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Lots to get to this week. First, Aaron Rosenberg has released the fourth and final book in his Time of the Phoenix series entitled Cross the Road. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HX2WJCV.

If you haven’t read the earlier books in that series, by the way, Aaron has also released an omnibus version which includes all four stories in one efficient package entitled Time of the Phoenix. You can find this here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HZNP6MP.

Next we have book 3 in the the Luna Free State series by John E. Siers. This one is entitled Valkyrie’s Daughter, and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FR8ZXF9.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.0

Updated Word Count: 284,475

Shijuren Wiki: 797 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series