Category Archives: Weekly Update

Rob’s Weekly Updates.

Uncategorized, Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy New Year

Leave a comment

Week 53 of 2022

Greetings all

It’s been an eventful 2022, I think, for all of us. I hope things went as well as possible for all of you and that 2023 is your best year yet.

Pandora's Box
Pandora’s Box

Speaking of best yet, I think the release of Christopher G. Nuttall’s Pandora’s Box was the best release of any book I’ve published so far. It’s been an honor to work with him, and I’m so pleased to be a part of the Heirs of Cataclysm.

Get Pandora’s Box here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

With me moving on from both the Eldros Legacy (which you should still read) and the Dudes in Hyperspace (which will hopefully have a show here and there), I find myself with some extra time.

I’m going to fill that time by writing Old English-style riddles. Here’s an example:

I reared my mother                       after madness sent her to me
Then I moved mountains           and made monsters fear me
Time I have carried                       taming it to my purpose
Against the glacier’s wrath       I guard mighty empires
Yet the least hold me captive   kept in loneliest thrall
I do not delay                                   when dooms are decided
Health and life I shield                holding against harm
Great, gallant, and                        gracious have I grown
My back is broken                         but I bear the dreams of all
I carry a magical world               so say what I am called

Every couple of weeks, I’ll write another one, as well as provide the answer to the previous one.

How can you get these riddles? Great question! I’ve created a Patreon. Every subscriber will get a riddle on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, starting on January 9th. Plus, I’ll add snippets and other tidbits of works in progress or whatever seems interesting.

At higher tiers, subscribers will get free books. At the highest tier, they’ll also get an illuminated manuscript of a personalized riddle suitable for framing.

What’s the answer to this riddle? Well, you can find out in two ways. One, you can subscribe. Two, since you subscribe here, I’ll pass on the explanation next week. I appreciate all who’ve been along for this ride too.

Anyway, we’ll see who can guess this one. Oh, yeah, I have some fun things planned for those who guess it before I send out the answer.

Join the Patreon here: patreon.com/rhodri2112.

Firehall Sagas
Firehall Sagas

I also spent a bunch of this week getting the new website for the Firehall Sagas ready to go! Check it out here: firehallsagas.com. Thanks to Kevin Fritz Fotovich for creating cool new artwork and logos. Also, I should have thanked Kate Gill many years ago for her photos, but she also took a fantastic one of me performing part of Beowulf in Old English at Pennsic.

I was in a firehall performing a saga. It had to be on the website.

I did a bunch of editing the week. All in all, it was one of my most productive weeks in a long time, even though I took Christmas off to spend time with the folks.

Tonight, I’m watching the rest of Dallas against the Titans, then back at it tomorrow.

What I’m Listening To

The Cowboys are playing on a Thursday. Is there any doubt I’m watching it?

Quote of the Week

“If I pass away one day, I am happy because I tried to do my best. My sport allowed me to do so much because it’s the biggest sport in the world.”
– Pele

As you may know, Pele passed away today. Godspeed, O Rei. Your best was truly amazing.

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

We give our swan song in a truly dude-tastic show. We’re taking a break, though don’t be surprised we have episodes coming occasionally down the road. Also, I’ve developed a taste for podcasting, so who knows what will happen.

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

Of note, I’m running behind on edits with all the other things going on. These winners will be back before next week.

Bloodheart, by Justin Doyle
Stars and Shadows, by B.A. Ironwood
The Unwanted Legion, by Casey Moops
The Coward’s Shadow by Fiona Grey

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have the 18th book in The Fallen World, The Guilted Cage. Post-apocalyptic mayhem by Casey Moores. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BQRQYL86.

I’m still celebrating the release of Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.2

Updated Word Count: 428,364

Firehall Sagas Archives: 737 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

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy Holidays

Leave a comment

Week 52 of 2022

Greetings all

Happy holidays! May you and your family have an awesome season.

Pandora's Box
Pandora’s Box

Our gift this week has been the release of Pandora’s Box. It’s gone very well so far, and I’m so honored to be a part of it. Get it here: mazon.com/gp/product/B0BNPQ61DX.

Haven’t read it or The Chimera Coup, book 1 of the Heirs of Cataclysm yet? They’re post-magical apocalypse swords and sorcery with lots of action, intrigue, and great characters.

Get the series here: amazon.com/dp/B0BFLWPL5N.

I’ve spent this week editing. I’ll be done with A Lake Most Deep next week. I’m mostly done with the initial pass, but I need to do a bediting pass. It’s much, much leaner and stronger.

I also did some editing on the stories for Bonds of Valor. I’m a bit behind this year because of events, but I’ll get half of them done next week.

I also spent a bunch of time cleaning up a  number of housekeeping things and doing foundational work. I’m essentially re-booting my entire career in 2023, and I’m fixing as many small issues here and there. I’m excited about all.

One thing I’m going to start pushing is Twitter. I’m @Rhodri2112 there, and over the next couple of years I’m going to transition away from Facebook.

Speaking of excited, I will have a number of exciting items in next week’s update. I’ll have the website ready for the Firehall Sagas and an extra special sooper-sekret thing I’ve been working on.

This last bit is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, and it dovetails nicely with a lesson I learned at 20Books.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to seeing the parents for Christmas this weekend. I hope you all have a great time with your family and friends. Be well, everyone.

What I’m Listening To

The Jets vs. the Jaguars. It’s nights like this, cold and rainy in New York, that I’m glad I didn’t actually play football.

That being said, today had some interesting news. NFL Sunday Ticket will finally move from DirectTV, which was an awful provider, to YouTube TV, which isn’t my preference, but certainly a major step up. I’m curious what that will cost.

Quote of the Week

Today is the anniversary (or at least one possible one, there are questions) of the death of Emperor Vitellius. He was not a terribly notable emperor, ruling only about 8 months.

However, an antiquarian named Robert Bruce Cotton during Elizabethan times collected every ancient manuscript he could. He organized them on bookcases that each had a bust of a Roman Emperor. On the Vitellius bookcase, he put the Nowell Codex on the first shelf (A) and set it as the 15th (xv) manuscript on the shelf.

Hence, the Nowell Codex became known also by its catalog number as Cotton MS Vitellius A XV. It also happens to be one of four major extant collections of Old English poetry.

It includes the only copy of Beowulf to survive, and that was a close-run thing. In 1731, the repository for his library was Ashburnham House, and it had a fire that destroyed a number of manuscripts. The Nowell Codex was damaged, and there’s a burn mark of a poker that makes portions of the last few sections of Beowulf unreadable.

I don’t need much of a reason to celebrate the poem, so here’s my favorite line. And that’s why I’ll never forget Emperor Vitellius.

Deað bið sella
eorla gehwylcum
þonne edwitlif

Death is borne better
By every soul
Than a life of shame

– Beowulf, line 2890b-2891.

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

We give our swan song in a truly dude-tastic show. We’re taking a break, though don’t be surprised we have episodes coming occasionally down the road. Also, I’ve developed a taste for podcasting, so who knows what will happen.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

Bloodheart, by Justin Doyle
Stars and Shadows, by B.A. Ironwood
The Unwanted Legion, by Casey Moops
The Coward’s Shadow by Fiona Grey

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

To Have and to Hold, by Zane Voss, came out this week. Get more Four Horsemen Universe action here: amazon.com/dp/B0BQ232HPN.

As I mentioned, we have Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

Your pre-release this week is the 18th book in The Fallen World, The Guilted Cage. Post-apocalyptic mayhem by Casey Moores. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BQRQYL86.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 335.2

Updated Word Count: 427,484

Firehall Archives: 742 entries (I cleaned out a number of Eldros Legacy items, part of the housekeeping I mentioned up above).

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

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Firehall Sagas

Leave a comment

Week 51 of 2022

Greetings all

2023 is going to be a great year for me, not least because I keep improving what I do and the way I do it.

Firehall Sagas
Firehall Sagas

The biggest change, of course, is the Firehall Sagas. Here’s the new logo, created by Kevin Fritz Fotovich, an immensely talented artist and author.

A horizontal version of this will appear on all the books, and elements will appear on all the websites, once I get it all updated, of course.

This email will change a bit. Obviously, the Eldros Legacy section will go away. However, I hope all of you go to eldroslegacy.com/ as they are going to do great things there.

As you heard, the Dudes in Hyperspace is taking a hiatus. I have a fun plan to fill that time. I’ll announce it next week when I have all the details. In any case, I’ll remove the section but keep a link at the bottom.

I may have some other changes as well. I’m hoping to provide you guys with an update that’s more than simply “buy my books,” thought of course I hope you do that too.

Speaking of books, we’re less than a week away from the release of Pandora’s Box by Christopher G. Nuttall! You can get it on pre-order here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX, with the actual release on the 20th.

This is the sequel to The Chimera Coup in the Heirs of Cataclysm series. Expect book 3, A Hope in Hell,  soon.

This week was aimed at two things, doing well at Kris Kinder, which I did, and making my choices for Bonds of Valor. I got, as usual, way more than 4 excellent stories, but I had to pare it down. The list of winners is down below.

I also spent a goodly amount of time editing A Lake Most Deep. It’s not out of the question to have it completed next week, though we’ll see. I’m cutting a ton of wasted words and strengthening the book so much, it’s really hard to describe.

I didn’t get much writing done. I wrote on another project, and there was some scribbles, but nothing to speak of.

Maybe I should get doing that now .

What I’m Listening To

San Francisco in Seattle to play the Seahawks. I don’t expect this to be a great game. The 49ers are just too powerful.

Quote of the Week

I was having a heck of a time finding a quote for today, then I asked the boss. My sweetie said I should use this one, and it’s never a bad time to quote Oscar Wilde.

“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”
– Oscar Wilde

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

We give our swan song in a truly dude-tastic show. We’re taking a break, though don’t be surprised we have episodes coming occasionally down the road. Also, I’ve developed a taste for podcasting, so who knows what will happen.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

Bloodheart, by Justin Doyle
Stars and Shadows, by B.A. Ironwood
The Unwanted Legion, by Casey Moops
The Coward’s Shadow by Fiona Grey

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week, we have Vortex Stingray, book 2 in the Covenant series by Kevin Ikenberry and Chris Kennedy. This particular book is Pacific Rim-style mechs by Kevin on his own. Breaking news: Kevin does everything well. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BPCT7MQS.

Your pre-release this week is To Have and to Hold, by Zane Voss. Get more Four Horsemen Universe action here: amazon.com/dp/B0BQ232HPN.

And then, of course, we have Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.0

Updated Word Count: 426,523

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

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: On to Kris Kinder

Leave a comment

Week 50 of 2022

Greetings all

December always brings so much fun stuff. Family, holidays, good eating. It also brings one of my favorite events in the SCA, Kris Kinder Market. It’s a time to sell, chat, and hang out with friends. I’ll be there this weekend, and as usual, be hosting the postrevel afterward.

I’ve spent the week cleaning and recovering, as well as catching up. Midwest GameFest was amazing. I sold far more than I expected, which is nice. I also met a number of local folk, and for the first time, am looking forward to gaming here in town. I even joined the Role-Playing Guild of KC.

Well worth the time, though it was grueling. Closing time was a little flexible, any time after 8pm. Opening was 10am on Thursday, and 8am on the other days. Add on a 40-minute drive each way and those were long days.

I had a couple volunteers to help some (thanks guys!), but really, they can’t sell my books like I can.

Knowing the long hours, being unsure of traffic flow, and having electricity meant I brought my laptop and set up like I would at Pennsic. I did get some writing done, more editing, and a number of emails, but the traffic was so constant I got far less of that sort of work done than anticipated.

That’s a good thing.

But I’ve needed to rest some this week. It’s been a productive week, but it has been slower than normal. It’s been the kind of week where I do a bit here, a bit there, mostly to keep myself going. For example, I got 1300 words written yesterday, but it was 100 here, 200 there between other projects.

Speaking of other projects. Pandora’s Box has done extremely well on pre-order. Thanks to all who have already gotten it, and for those who haven’t started the Heirs of Cataclysm series by Christopher G. Nuttall, you’re in for a treat when you do.

One of the other things I’ve been focused on this week is reading submissions for Bonds of Valor. Because GameFest ran started on the 1st and because I’ve gotten a lot of good submissions, I’m still a bit behind. I’m working my way through things and hope to have everything sorted and the winners announced next Thursday at the latest.

It’s going to be a hard choice. Thanks to all who submitted for their patience.

With that, I better get back to work. These stories aren’t going to read themselves.

What I’m Listening To

Rush’s 2112. There’s something here that’s strong as life. I know that it will reach you.

Quote of the Week

There are a ton of interesting people born on the 8th, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Sam Kinison, Kim Basinger and more. I chose one who’s older than most, Horace. Here’s a quote you know, at least, you know the first part.

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.

(Sieze the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.)

– Quintus Horatius Flaccus

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes. Tonight, we record an important episode.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest has ended. Judging is still in progress and the winners will be announced next week.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

  • Kris Kinder Market, 9 December, Independence, MO
  • MarsCon, 13-15 January, Virginia Beach, VA, marscon.net/wp/
  • Planet Comicon, 17-19 March, Kansas City, MO, planetcomicon.com/

New Releases

William S. Frisbee, Jr’s Revolution Calling is out this week. This is book 4 in his Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0BNMGNQ46.

Again, we have 2 pre-releases this week.

First is Vortex Stingray, book 2 in the Covenant series by Kevin Ikenberry and Chris Kennedy. This particular book is Pacific Rim-style mechs by Kevin on his own. Breaking news: Kevin does everything well. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BPCT7MQS.

And then, of course, we have Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.2

Updated Word Count: 425,697

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

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Opening Pandora’s Box

Leave a comment

Week 49 of 2022

Greetings all

Pandora's Box
Pandora’s Box

We have a new release announcement this week! Pandora’s Box, book 2 of Christopher G. Nuttall’s Heirs of Cataclysm series, will come out on December 20th!

Here’s the amazing cover, again done by Laercio Messias.

It’s not just a box, it’s an ancient weapon capable of destroying entire cities.

Deep within the badlands, warped and twisted by tainted magic and weirdlings, the box was discovered by archaeologists secret wisdom lost in the Cataclysm. Those who found it are selling it to the highest bidder. If it falls into the wrong hands, their fragile civilization’s uneasy peace will be shattered once and for all.

John, along with his fellow adventurers, are hired to steal this ancient artifact so it can be safely destroyed. But stealing it is one thing, surviving it is another.

Everyone is after them and they’re on the run, a bounty on their head so large every mercenary, rogue, and even old friends are willing to risk death to claim it. 

And nothing is quite what it seems.

And in order to make it easier for you to buy it as a present for yourself or someone dear to you, we’re going to do something we rarely do. It’s up for pre-order here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

You can get it just in time for Christmas Day.

This is what I spent Thanksgiving working on to the exclusion of most everything else. We really wanted to make sure you guys could have it for the holidays. Thanks to Chris, Laercio, Tiffany, and Zach for jumping up to make it all happen so quickly.

On to my plans for the weekend. I’m spending it at Midwest Gahttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DXmeFest, my first time there. I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, there’ll be a ton of sales, some gaming, and a great chance to meet people.

If you’re in the KC area, come on out.

Also this week, I laid the groundwork for a whole bunch of stuff related to the Firehall Sagas. Because of the reveal of Pandora’s Box, I’m going to save my reveal of the new logo and banner until next week, but suffice to say it’s awesome. Thanks to Fritz Fotovich for working with me on that.

I did take time to watch the US beat Iran in the World Cup. On to the elimination round of 16, lads! Side note: On November 30th, 1872, England and Scotland played the first ever international soccer match. Happy 150th, international soccer!

With that, I probably better get all my packing done for the event this weekend. Have a great weekend, wherever you end up.

What I’m Listening To

The next door neighbor’s dog barking. Oddly, this afternoon I worked without music or watching anything. That’s very strange for me. I usually have to have something playing.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Rex Stout. Here’s a quote that really suits me, as I am not an “early to rise” kind of guy.

“The trouble with an alarm clock is that what seems sensible when you set it seems absurd when it goes off.”

– Rex Stout

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest deadline has passed! Thanks to all the entrants for submitting. I’ll have the winners ready to announce in no more than 2 weeks.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Giveaways

None this week, but a bunch next week.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (57,230)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Out this week is An Act of Aggression, by Alex Rath. It’s the 3rd novel in his Terran Space Project. Get it here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0BN5B7GRF.

We have two pre-releases this week. First is William S. Frisbee, Jr’s Revolution Calling. This is book 4 in his Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0BNMGNQ46.

And then, of course, we have Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.0

Updated Word Count: 424,875

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

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy Thanksgiving

Leave a comment

Week 48 of 2022

Greetings all

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving today. My wife and I celebrated just the two of us because I’ve had a bit of con crud after 20Books and didn’t want to spread to family.

Wynnifred
Wynnifred

Aside from that, it was excellent. We had steak, ham steaks, mashed potatoes, french onion soup, 2 kinds of cranberry sauce, veggies, a cheese plate, pumpkin pie, and oatmeal raisin cookies. We ate well, as did our portable black hole, Wynnifred.

As you can see, she’s still hungry.

Anyway, lots to get to this week. First, I had a great time at 20Books Vegas. Rather than going into detail here, here’s my AAR: robhowell.org/blog/?p=2950.

Side note: Welcome to all my new readers from 20Books. Thanks for signing up!

That leaves time to talk about Responsibility of the Throne, which comes out on Tuesday the 29th. This is the 2nd in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series. And check out this cover from the amazing J Caleb Studios.

Azriyqam is home, and discovering that princesses have to live up to their titles.

Responsibility of the Throne
Responsibility of the Throne

Living up to the example of her parents involves more than she ever imagined, like inheriting the title of Holder of the Two Keys, who judges between dragons and humans, and keeping watch for Consortium agents ready to destroy her homeland.

While she’s being trained in the law she’s supposed to uphold, the people she’s supposed to judge are a far greater mystery. And though she’s received harsh lessons in the treachery of humans, she has not yet begun to fathom the motives and designs of the kingdom’s dragons. And these are the key to a challenge that could fracture the entire kingdom.

Can she stand up to the fire and destruction facing her, or will bitter enemies and cruel traitors send her sinking to the bottom of the Endless Ocean?

I got a decent number of words written before the con started, but between travel, recovery, the con, the holiday, and other work, I haven’t had a chance to touch anything since a week ago Sunday. I’ll get back on the horse tomorrow.

Finally, there’s less than a week left until the deadline for the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call. It’s due on the 30th. We’ve had a bunch of great submissions, but yours might just be better, so send it in.

And now, off to do more editing. Have a great rest of your weekend.

What I’m Listening To

It’s Thanksgiving. I’m a huge football fan. Soooo…, after watching the Cowboys beat the Giants (Go Cowboys), I’ve got the Patriots in Minnesota on right now.

Quote of the Week

I get frustrated at the blind stupidity of the NFL, but sometimes they get one right. They are honoring John Madden at all Thanksgiving games going forward.

He was such a fixture on this day for me, and he was always one of my favorites. Go he go too far overboard? Sure. But you never doubted his passion for the game.

“Since 1981, I’ve spent every Thanksgiving Day broadcasting a game, and it is one of my favorite days. You can say, ‘Woe is me, I never get to be part of the tradition,’ or you can say, ‘Heck, we’ve got our own tradition, and it’s pretty good.'”
– John Madden

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (54,807)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have the second book in D.T. Read’s The Seventh Shaman series, entitled Mountains of the Gods. How good is this? Chris reads more than a few books each year and he says it’s the best thing he’s read all year. Find out yourself here: amazon.com/dp/B0BMM99PPQ.

Your pre-release this week is An Act of Aggression by Alex Rath. This is the 3rd in his Terran Space Project series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BN5B7GRF.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.6

Updated Word Count: 400,530

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: Viva Las Vegas

Leave a comment

Week 46 of 2022

Greetings all

I start my sojourn to Las Vegas soon for the 20Booksto50K conference. I’d intended to go last year, and for that matter, the year before, but circumstances prevented it.

Still, there is sometimes an advantage to waiting, and I think I’m better prepared to go than I was last year. This year, I’m less of an apprentice publisher and more of a journeyman. I have a much better idea of weaknesses, so I can tailor my panels that much more precisely. I also have a more definite set of goals, much more than just “follow on Chris’s coattails.”

I’m sure I’ll follow on some coattails for a while as I get the lay of the land, but not near so much as last year.

Anyway, I’m excited. There’s stuff to learn.

Programming Note: Since I’ll be doing so much at 20Books, I’m not even going to try and do an update next week. I’ll be back on the 24th with a double issue, however.

Responsibility of the Throne
Responsibility of the Throne

We have a cover reveal this week! Here’s the cover for Responsibility of the Throne, book 2 in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series.

Halfdragons fighting dragons, ship to ship combat, palace intrigue, treachery, and even a broken heart or two. It’s all in there.

Made very good progress on Farewell, My Ugly this week, crossing the 50k mark with an aim at 80k. My goal is a full draft early December with a final draft before the end of the year. Totally doable at the rate I’m going.

I also made great strides in the refresh to A Lake Most Deep. There was so many wasted words. I know I’ve gotten better and faster with my prose, but it’s humbling to see how much I’ve grown since that time.

I actually started the process by adding about 1500 words in a new opening chapter and have still cut almost 3000 total in the first four chapters. These are the chapters that needed the most trimming, of course, but it’s exciting to see what this story is looking like now.

I also did a bunch of behind the scenes things for the transition from Eldros Legacy. Major news on that front in two weeks.

We’re starting to get close to the deadline for Bonds of Valor. See below for all the details but remember it all has to be in by November 30th. There are a bunch of good entries right now, but there’s always room for better.

Looks like it’s time for me to pack. Have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult. Man, this was a huge song for me back in the day, and for that matter, the Cult is such an underrated band. American Gothic? Love Removal Machine? Ashes and Ghosts? And let’s not forget the entire Sonic Temple album.

Great stuff.

Quote of the Week

Teufel Hunden
Teufel Hunden

Happy birthday to all the Teufel Hunden out there!

So let’s have a quote from perhaps the greatest of them all.

“So they’ve got us surrounded, good! Now we can fire in any direction, those bastards won’t get away this time!”

– Chesty Puller

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (50,452)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

The 4HU is back, and it’s by founder Mark Wandrey. There’s Blood in the Water as uplifted cetaceans fight for survival. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BL6RW1Y7.

Smuggler’s Run, a rollicking romp in the Salvage Title universe by Christopher Woods and William Joseph Roberts is now on audio. This novel is so good, it inspire me to write my own Salvage Title story, which is in In Takes All Kinds. Get Smuggler’s Run here: amazon.com/x/dp/B0BL258N3B.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 335.0

Updated Word Count: 399,595

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 Bullseye of Success

Leave a comment

Week 45 of 2022

Greetings all

First, thanks to everyone who responded about my new world name either with direct emails or Facebook, Discord, and Twitter. I really appreciate all that feedback.

And I have made a decision!

But I’m going to hold off telling you all what that decision is until I have the domain, logo, and website ready to go. I anticipate that right after I get back from Vegas.

Not my most productive week. I had some distractions, some were good and fun distractions, but still distractions. Mostly, though, with all the changes, I’ve been thinking through a bunch of things and I haven’t slept well. That’s probably my worst production limiter.

I did get a bunch of foundational work done, so there’s that. I also did a bunch of detail work on Farewell, My Ugly. While the word count isn’t as big as I wanted for this week (only 3k for the week), I made important and significant progress clearing out a bunch of notes.

My goal is to basically have a draft done by the end of the month. It’ll be tight, but I thought of an important transition today that’ll speed up the next part of the process.

Sometimes, when writing a mystery, the challenge isn’t coming up with a plot, but a plausible way to find a particular clue. That’s been a big one here. I’ve had a fun idea from the beginning, but it’s not something that would necessarily jump off the page to someone from the Byzantine Empire.

So, while it wasn’t a great week for production, it wasn’t awful. I kept plugging along, and usually just plugging along gets me to where I want to go.

Now, I’m going to get back to work.

What I’m Listening To

The World Series. What else this week?

Quote of the Week

I’ve always been fascinated by Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, especially Annie Oakley. She died on this day in 1926, but she left us this wonderful gem of a quote.

Aim for the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll hit the bullseye of success.
– Annie Oakley

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a great conversation with Sarah Burris and what libraries can offer.

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+.

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (41,571)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Two new releases this week! First, we have a new This Fine Crew book by Mike Jack Stoumbos. This is book 4 in the series and is entitled The Impossible Moon. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BKLL4F82.

Next we have something I’ve been waiting on. I met Fred Hughes at FenCon and I’m excited to read his Prince of Britannia series, which begins with The Prince Awakens. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BK232YT2.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.2

Updated Word Count: 398,717

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: Ch-Ch-Changes

Leave a comment

Week 43 of 2022

Greetings all

There’s a whole lot of changing going on around these parts. I can’t really get into everything yet, but there’s a lot of cool stuff happening.

In other words, stay tuned!

Arranging things this past week slowed me down a bit. I only wrote about 3000 in Farewell My Ugly.

I did, however, get a bunch done on other projects. First, I started the freshening up process on A Lake Most Deep.

I love the story in A Lake Most Deep. I made great characters, a neat setting, and fun mystery. I also made a ton of rookie mistakes. It’s been my worst book, not surprising because it’s my first book, and it’s time for me to make it as good technically as I think it is artistically.

I talked about this some in our recording of Dudes In Hyperspace this week. The thing that struck me as I read through the manuscript for the first time in a while is that I love this story and the characters.

And also, I’m so much better than I used to be. It doesn’t hurt that in the last couple of years I’ve edited almost 2 million words. I may not be the most experienced editor, but I’m certainly settling on a style.

My own writing will benefit greatly from that style.

Also, this week, we made great progress on Responsibility of the Throne, book 2 in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series. Expect a cover reveal soon.

Also, we’re getting going on Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy, the sequel to Heart, Wings, and Fire.

Oh, and I did a bunch of reading on the stories sent to me for Bonds of Valor. There’s some good stuff in there, and I can’t wait to see more. See below for the submission guidelines.

So a variety of things. And I’m so excited to see where these changes lead me.

What I’m Listening To

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin. I got the remastered version recently and decided to wallow in it. It’s probably my favorite Zep album, though on occasion it’s Houses of the Holy.

My thoughts on Houses of the Holy are this: it’s like the Don Sutton of album. Sutton was rarely, if ever, the best pitcher in baseball on any given year, but year after year he was very good to great for 23 years.

Houses of the Holy is like that. Every song is very good. It’s overall consistency is amazing, and I can listen to it every day. It doesn’t have that transcendent song, but it’s all very good to great.

Physical Graffiti has a weak link here and there for me, but it also has a couple of transcendent songs in Kashmir and Ten Years Gone.

Anyway, I’m enjoying it.

Quote of the Week

It’s a great time of year for baseball fans and the playoffs have been fun so far. So, besides the Don Sutton reference, I’m going to wish Mickey Mantle’s memory a happy birthday.

When I’m hitting, I’d play for nothing. When I’m not, any kind of money I receive makes me feel as if I’m stealing.
– Mickey Mantle

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a great conversation with Sarah Burris and what libraries can offer.

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+.

A Murder of Wolves by Jamie Ibson came out on the the 11th.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Giveaways

Rejected
Rejected

This week we have a book exchange! You should check out Rejected by R.M. Demeester.

Echo Paisley has been on her own since her fiancé, Nash, died three years ago. She soon discovered that she didn’t know the man she was going to marry. He had cheated on her with the one person she thought had her back. But that wasn’t the only secret.

Echo is about to leave her past behind when she discovers one last secret Nash left behind, which threatens to turn her life upside down. Echo is forced to seek help from her estranged mother with no one else to turn to.

Get this thriller here: amazon.com/dp/B0B1VXL6V5.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (33,581)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Gates of Hell, the 3rd book in William S. Frisbee Jr.’s The Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHY4V5NM/.

Your pre-release this week is The Last Stand. This is a new series from Chris Kennedy and Kevin Ikenberry.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.6

Updated Word Count: 397,024

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: Release the Hounds!

Leave a comment

Week 42 of 2022

Greetings all

This week, we released A Murder of Wolves by Jamie Ibson, the 9th book in the Eldros Legacy. It’s a howling (get it?) good adventure and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHRKNYD5.

I’ve been working on edits for Responsibility of the Throne this week, sequel to Responsibility of the Crown by G. Scott Huggins. He’s such a strong writer and the characters are great.

I’ve also spent this week working on Farewell, My Ugly. I made huge progress, topping 30k this week. I’m aiming at 80k, so it’s over a 3rd done. I’m definitely better at hard-boiled and noir imagery than I was when I stumbled around writing A Lake Most Deep.

I also spent much of this week working on some foundational work that I’m looking forward to talking about down the road. I’m excited about more new projects. Expect to have a big update next week about the new plans.

You guys have a great week. I’m off to date night with the sweetie.

What I’m Listening To

Palästinalied Congregatio by Corvus Corax. These guys are another one of those bands who play medieval music on medieval instruments but do it with a metal crunch.

This particular song is around 800 years old. Here’s the Wikipedia link to more details: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pal%C3%A4stinalied

Quote of the Week

Sadly, this week we lost Angela Lansbury, so here’s a quote every author had said at one time or another to their computer:

“All right, we come to an understanding, or one of us doesn’t leave here alive.”
– Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher.

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes a fun interview with Nick Steverson.

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+.

A Murder of Wolves by Jamie Ibson came out on the 11th.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (30,590)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have D.T Read’s Running from the Gods. Get it here: amazon.com//dp/B0BHCMKH2L.

And of course, A Murder of Wolves by Jamie Ibson, the 9th book in the Eldros Legacy. It’s a howling (get it?) good adventure and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHRKNYD5.

Your pre-release this week is Gates of Hell, the 3rd book in William S. Frisbee Jr.’s The Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHY4V5NM/.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.4

Updated Word Count: 395,925 (For some reason, I stopped entering in all the stuff I’d edited, which I count as a 1/4 a page. This now matches last year’s process. If you’re interested, I’m currently at 944,000 and I’ll go over a million edited this year. Last year, it was about 783,000.)

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