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Rob’s Update: Compatible Weirdness

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Week 9 of 2021

Greetings all

Been a productive week here. More work done in The Door Into Winter, I sent off a short story, and I made good progress in my editing project, despite a number of other things along the way.

I also brought back a my interviews for the Keen Edge of Valor release. I’ll be posting interviews of most of the authors in the anthology and this week I posted two of them. Here they are:

You’ll see interviews from three more next week. If you don’t want to wait, you can subscribe to my blog and get those direct to your RSS feed.

As I said, I sent off a short story this week. This is the one I’m submitting for the Valkyries anthology edited by Marisa Wolf.

It’s set in the Hit World universe. It’s often fun to play in other people’s sandbox, and this was especially fun since this universe basically has everything. Gods, magic, aliens, SF tech, and everything else you can think of.

The Door Into Winter is proceeding apace. I’m in the backfilling stage, making sure that I have all the guns in Act I that I use in Act 3, or at least most of them. This always happens as I write deeper into the novel, so it’s a sign I’m making great progress.

With that, I better go add to that word count.

What I’m Listening To

Currently, She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult. The Cult are, to my mind, an underappreciated band. American Gothic and Sanctuary are both in my “gotta hear that again” list whenever it pops up. There aren’t that many of those songs out there for me, and bands that have more than one are special.

Quote of the Week

Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, which presents an immense challenge. He had a bunch of fun quotes in his books, of course, but his awesome thoughtful, personal quotes are many too. Which to choose? Quite a dilemma.

In this case, I’ll take the one for me and my sweetie.

People are weird. When we find someone with weirdness that is compatible with ours, we team up and call it love.
– Dr. Seuss

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes an interview with Kacey Ezell about her new book Skies to Conquer and so much more.

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:

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries currently

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, plus Deadly Fortune in the Eldros Legacy is on the way.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (82,464)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

I’m so excited about this release. Melissa Olthoff has burst onto the CKP scene of late, including stories in Songs of Valor and Talons & Talismans I.

Now, she just released her first full novel, Sunrise Over Shippo, and I couldn’t be more pleased to tell you you can find her novel here: amazon.com/gp/product/B09T66FQZZ

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 318.2

Updated Word Count: 22,729

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

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Rob’s Update: Where’s All The Oxygen?

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Week 7 of 2021

Greetings all

I’m at Superstars this week and learning a ton. I mean, when I can breathe at 6000 feet of course. Yeeesh. And you know, a bit of humidity never killed anyone either.

But I am learning a ton, as I said. I took a great class on pacing from Jonathan Maberry and another from James Artimis Owens about cover art.

I spent a goodly amount of today trying out a technique from Maberry to speed up the pace of my writing in The Door Into Winter. I am much happier with my opening chapters as I think they really pop.

The best part of conventions, of course, is getting to hang out and chat with writers you’ve looked up to, new writers who are looking to get started, and every other type of writer in between. The sessions here have been great, but the random chats are always where a bunch of actual work gets done.

No Game For Knights
No Game For Knights

The big news this week is the cover reveal for No Game For Knights. I’m beyond ecstatic to have an Edward story in this anthology, which is a collection of noir SF/F PI stories. As you can see, I’m honored to be included in this anthology with some of the biggest names in the business. Many thanks to Kacey Ezell and Larry Correia for selecting me.

Side note, I can’t wait to finish The Door Into Winter so I can write the next Edward novel.

I made some progress on The Door Into Winter this week, when not prepping for travel. Mostly, it’s been edits to get me back into the flow, but a bunch of new ideas are already cropping up.

I also started a new short story based for the Hit World universe by Bill Webb. I may have mentioned it last week, but I’ve been able to really get some cool stuff going this week with conversations with Marisa Wolf, the anthology editor.

What a great week, and now I’m getting back to writing.

What I’m Listening To

I’m listening to Todd Fahnestock chomping on snacks left over from the Eldros Legacy party last night and pounding away at the sequel to Khyven the Unkillable. There are worse things.

Quote of the Week

The perfect quote for Superstars Seminar, from William Allen White, whose birthday is today.

“Dip your pen into your arteries and write.”
– William Allen White

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a great discussion of our writing process.

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, which will be released at FantaSci.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter 74,841)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • VAL (1,052)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week is another book by the amazing J.P. Chandler, Revenant. It’s another installment is this Fallen World and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09RPC1F5F.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 317.0

Updated Word Count: 5,066

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

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Rob’s Update: Happy Holidays

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Week 50 of 2021

Greetings all

It was a very productive week here. I finished the first pass through Embers & Ash, the third book of the Eldros Legacy. This one is by Marie Whittaker, who’s a fantastic writer.

I also finished Fleece Navidad, which will be going out to my subscribers on Saturday. I really do appreciate all of you who have subscribed to my mailing list, and I hope you enjoy these Nick Patara, PI stories.

I got about 5k in The Door Into Winter. That’s not really reflective of how easy this story is to write. I’m having trouble finding time to write on it during the holiday season with so much going on, but man I’m chunking out words whenever I do. I really like where it’s going.

I also started the real editing for The Keen Edge of Valor, the next of the Libri Valoris anthologies.

My sweetie and I went on a big hunt this past weekend. The game? The right loveseat and couch for the big TV room downstairs. Wednesday night is date night, and more often then not we enjoy watching BBC mysteries together. We’re such party animals. However, we hadn’t really had a way to sit together. But we found a great set, on clearance, and it comes tomorrow. It is exactly the right thing for us, and we both got in our steps on Saturday and Sunday hunting for it.

Plus, of course, all the Christmas prep. We’re not doing a huge thing, in part because it’s just me, my sweetie, my mom, and my stepdad. Still, I’ll grill steaks, we’re cooking a ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and a bunch of other fixins. The sweetie has decided to make not one pie (blackberry, her favorite), not two (bourbon pecan, not quite my favorite, but close), but three pies (she found just the right lemons at CostCo to make her special lemon pie.

So much for my carb count. Ah, well, it’s the season for eating… errr… I mean giving. Anyway, I hope you all have a great holiday season.

What I’m Listening To

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I had a chance to see them with the Marshall Tucker Band in Wichita a little more than two years ago. I’d never seen them live before, and I’m really glad I went, as it was a heckuva show.

Quote of the Week
This is one of my favorite quotes, by one of my favorite people. If you want a fun story about Charles Schulz, by the way, go look up the time that Stephen Pastis, who writes Pearls Before Swine, fanboyed him.

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
― Charles M. Schulz

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes an interview with Emily Bernson of the USO, our memories of 2021, and what we’re looking for in 2022. Side note, Ian definitely hadn’t gotten the memo of my plans for 2022.

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
Seeds of Dominion

I finished my pass on Embers & Ash, the next Eldros Legacy book. This one’s by Marie Whittaker, and it will introduce the continent of Pyranon.

Of course, we’re all looking forward to Seeds of Dominion, by Quincy J. Allen, in less than two weeks.

Next week, we’ll have the Daemanon map reveal, so stayed tuned for that.

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 third in the Libri Valoris anthologies for release at FantaSci.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (63,611)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week’s big new release is Ally, the next 4HU novel, by Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf. The Depik are back! And they brought friends. Get it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B09NN53QLN.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.8

Updated Word Count: 382,460

Eldros Legacy Archives: 804 entries (expect this to jump next week as we get close to 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

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Rob’s Update: Speak Softly

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Week 49 of 2021

Greetings all

I made a mistake last time because I didn’t double-check something. Shame on me. I said Seeds of Dominion is coming out on the 2nd of January, but it is, in fact, coming out on the 4th of January. My apologies for the confusion, but the good news is that it’s the best thing of Quincy’s I’ve ever read, and he’s got a lot of cool stuff out there.

This was also not my most productive work week, largely in part to Christmas-y stuff, along with pet stuff. I basically lost all weekend and all day today. Pets are totally worth the effort, but man, they can be exhausting.

Still, I’m basically done with the first draft of Fleece Navidad, my freebie story which I’ll be sending out to all of you on my mailing list. I also made progress on Embers & Ash, by Marie Whittaker, which is the third Eldros Legacy book. I also did some foundational work, but still, not as much as I’d hoped. Some weeks are like that.

We also recorded a special Dudes in Hyperspace, finishing the episode tonight. We interviewed Emily Berson, who is a USO rep. That’s quite an honor for me, and they do so much cool stuff for our service members.

Of course, we’ve been enjoying the response to Khyven the Unkillable. It’s done very well, despite Amazon having not one, but now two AWS outages. It’s too hot for them to handle, apparently.

Seeds of Dominion, by Quincy J. Allen, is the next Eldros Legacy book, and it’s basically ready to go and comes out on the 4th of January, as I clarified above. See below for the cover reveal.

I think that’s it for now. Everyone have a great week, and I’ll touch base again next Christmas Eve Eve.

What I’m Listening To

Chiefs at Chargers. It’s a heckuva matchup and I’ve been looking forward to it. I’ve liked the Chargers as sort of a second team since the Dan Fouts/Kellen Winslow/Charlie Joiner/Chuck Muncie days. That was such a fun team to watch.

Quote of the Week

The Great White Fleet began it’s circumnavigation of the world on this day in 1907. That means there’s only quote appropriate for the day.

“Speak softly, and carry a big stick.
– Teddy Roosevelt

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes an interview with Emily Bernson, a member of the USO, though it won’t be live until tomorrow, the 17th.

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+.

Khyven the Unkillable is out and getting great response from its readers. You can find it here: amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N288DCC.

Seeds of Dominion
Seeds of Dominion

But the big thing this week is the fantastic cover of Seeds of Dominion. Jake Caleb created the art, and you can see just how awesome he is.

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 getting Embers & Ash and The Keen Edge of Valor.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (58,990)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • Fleece Navidad (7,151)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

OK, OK, I realize it was last week, but I’m still excited about Khyven the Unkillable. You can get it here: amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N288DCC.

Two releases from the boss this week. First, there’s Jurassic Jail from William Alan Webb. He’s such an innovative guy, and he’s in charge of the non-fiction publishing of CKP now because he’s just that sharp. You can find Jurassic Jail here: amazon.com/dp/B09NFN84BP.

And then there’s the first book by Mike Jack Stoumbos with CKP. It’s entitled The Signal Out of Space, and starts the Fine Crew series. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N8VHGFP.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.8

Updated Word Count: 355,326

Eldros Legacy Archives: 802 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

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Rob’s Update: Khyven the Unkillable

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Week 48 of 2021

Greetings all

Khyven the Unkillable
Khyven the Unkillable

Now, I’m not saying the Khyven the Unkillable by Todd Fahnestock is so good that it broke Amazon, but it is the case that Amazon’s back end went down on the day of Khyven‘s release and it is that good. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC.

It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy, and Seeds of Dominion, coming out on the 4th of January is a great follow-up. That will go out to advance readers in the next few days.

For me, this was a fantastic week. I updated my website, robhowell.org. I had to add the Eldros Legacy, after all.

I also committed to ChattaCon in January. I can’t wait, wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go. In February, I’ll be at Superstars and then in March, I’ll have Gulf Wars and FantaSci. It’s starting to feel like a schedule again.

I got 4k written in The Door Into Winter. Things are shaping up nicely. I’m at about 59k and I see no sigh of slowage, so maybe this Save the Cat thing is helping.

In fact, I would have done more, but I also got 6k written in the new freebie story for my newsletter recipients. I have just the final battle scene to write and then it’s in the editing stage It’s another of my Nick Patara, PI hardboiled Santa Claus stories entitled Fleece Navidad.

That’s my favorite title yet, by the way.

I also cleaned a bunch of the house, as we’re having guests for the weekend. This is the time of a major local SCA event, and while I can’t go to the event, I do get to have a bunch of people over. I can’t wait to see them.

What I’m Listening To

The Main Monkey Business by Rush. It’s off of Snakes and Arrows, their penultimate studio album. I’ve been on a kick of listening to Rush albums lately, not simply putting all my Rush on shuffle. We sometimes forget in this day of digital music how much some artists put into making an album work as an album and not simply a collection of songs.

Quote of the Week

One of my all-time favorite quotes this week. Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday to Neil Innes.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ive suffered for my music … now its your turn.
– Neil Innes

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+.

Khyven the Unkillable came out on Tuesday! You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC. It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy.

Next week, I’ll have the cover reveal for Seeds of Dominion.

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 Embers & Ash, the next book in the Eldros Legacy.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (58,990)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • Fleece Navidad (5,945)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Khyven the Unkillable came out on Tuesday! You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC. It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy.

Also this week, the book 4 of P.A. Piatt’s Abner Fortis, ISMC series, entitled Gnamma, came out. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MT3HB8T.

Speaking of releases, The Ravening of Wolves, my second Four Horsemen novel, came out on audio last week. Thanks to the awesome Daniel Wisniewski and Chris Kenneday for all their work making this happen. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MSWF9K1.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 333.8

Updated Word Count: 354,545

Eldros Legacy Archives: 802 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

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Rob’s Update: Muppet Flail

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Week 47 of 2021

Greetings all

What a busy week here. First, we’re getting ready for the release of Khyven the Unkillable by Todd Fahnestock, the first novel in the Eldros Legacy.

I’m like a kid in a candy store. We’ve been setting this up since January so that we can make sure you get something awesome. My words of the week have been “Muppet Flail!” because I’m so excited.

Part of that is the reaction of our advance reviewers. Zach R., in particular, said “Can’t wait for JAN-APR of next year for the rapid release. Also can’t wait to see what kind of magic Khyven has and how Nhevaz plays further into the story. Very enjoyable fantasy overall.”

Oh, and if you’re interested, you’re just in time for the map reveal for the continent of Noksonon, which is the continent created by Todd. There are two maps, one of the whole continent and one for the events in Khyven the Unkillable and they’re here: eldroslegacy.com/archive/tiki-index.php?page=Maps-of-Noksonon.

Speaking of releases, The Ravening of Wolves, my second Four Horsemen novel, came out on audio yesterday. Thanks to the awesome Daniel Wisniewski and Chris Kenneday for all their work making this happen. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MSWF9K1.

By the way, should you want to read or listen to The Feeding of Sorrows, which is the first of the two novels, you can get it on audio here: amazon.com/dp/B08K9DX13G/.

Also this week, we did another Dudes in Hyperspace podcast, this one starring Todd Fahnestock. You can find our podcasts here: sharkflight.com/dudes/.

Speaking of the Dudes in Hyperspace, it’s long past time I stuck a new section into these posts about that show. Ian J. Malone and Kevin Steverson have been great to work with and we’re doing some good stuff there.

I also got another 8000 or so words done with The Door Into Winter. This is shaping up to be the best novel I’ve ever written so far. That’s as it should be, of course, as I should be getting better, but I’m pleased anyway.

The open call for the FantaSci 2022 Short Story contest ended on Tuesday. As usual, we got around thirty entrants, which I’m always pleased to see. I’m running through the stories right now and will have the decision made this weekend for the four who made the cut. Also as usual, it’s going to be a tough choice, I can tell that already. Man, there are a lot of great writers out there.

What I’m Listening To

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska by King’s X. This is one of my all time favorite albums. In my top ten even if you include Rush albums. Yes, I’m saying I like this album more than some Rush ones. That’s how good it is. I distinctly remember the exact moment when I heard the opening bit of Out of the Silent Planet, the first song. I fell in love within four notes.

Quote of the Week

“Here there be Giants!”
– Marie Whittaker

Marie came up with this because she needed a place-holder for something during the process of creating the Eldros Legacy. The rest of us went “That’s cool!” and it’s become one of our taglines.

On Tuesday, then, “Here there be Giants!”

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace at 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+.

Next week, I’ll do the cover reveal for Seeds of Dominion, the second novel.

But if you’d like some more EL stuff now, go get Talons & Talismans II, which has 8 Eldros Legacy stories. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW

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 picking through the entrants who submitted for the next Valor anthology. I’ll announce those this upcoming weekend. There are a bunch of good ones and it’s hard to pick.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (55,612)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • FN (755)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

The Ravening of Wolves, my second Four Horsemen novel, came out on audio yesterday. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MSWF9K1.

Speaking of the 4HU, there’s a new novel there entitled Three Steps to Oblivion by Chris Kennedy and Ian J. Malone.  You can get that here: amazon.com/dp/B09MH57TQ2.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.0

Updated Word Count: 353,806

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

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Rob’s Update: Thank You

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Week 46 of 2021

Greetings all

A simple title for a simple thing, but so important. Thank you, everyone, for helping me grow as a writer and carve out a niche in this field.

(Carve. See what I did there? Ha, I slay myself)

Anyway, we’re having a huge Black Friday sale at CKP to express our thanks. All 13 of these titles are on sale right now for $0.99.

Here’s a single link where you can add all of them at once.

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you all have as much to give thanks for as I do. Most of all, I hope that great things happen for all of you.

Khyven the Unkillable
Khyven the Unkillable

Was a good week for The Door Into Winter. Not a ton of words, but a bunch of cleanup and arranging. I expect there to be a huge week upcoming as I’ve laid out several lines that need to get written.

We’re getting really close to Khyven the Unkillable. This is, of course, the first novel in the Eldros Legacy. We’re so excited to bring this to you, and Todd Fahnestock gets us off to an amazing start.

Seeds of Dominion is getting close to done, and it’ll be coming out on the 2nd of January. If you’re a part of the Eldros Legacy mailing list, you’ll get to see a sneak preview of the art in that, which comes out tomorrow. Want to be a part of that list? Go here: https://www.eldroslegacy.com/contact/newsletter/.

With that, I’m going to watch football, spend time with the sweetie, and make her steak and fixin’s for dinner.

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

What I’m Listening To

It’s Thanksgiving, so I’m watching football. I’m sure you’re all shocked.

Quote of the Week

I’ve used this quote before (way back in 2016, actually), but it’s at least as true today.

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.”
– Erma Bombeck

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+.

Khyven the Unkillable a week from Tuesday!

Seeds of Dominion by Quincy J. Allen in five weeks.

The steamroller is a-coming.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

Last few days to submit! Bring me your stories. I’m looking forward to seeing them.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (47,004)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Something from the big boss this week. Chris Kennedy has a new novel in Chuck Gannon’s Caine Riordan Universe entitled Insertion. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M32WQ3W/

Not a new release, but I certainly hope you take advantage of our Black Friday sale. Here’s a single link where you can add all of them at once. .

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.0

Updated Word Count: 352,963

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

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Rob’s Update: That’s More Like It

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Week 45 of 2021

Greetings all

It’s been a great first week since the release of Talons & Talismans II.

As many of you know, I’m a Cowboys fan. That beatdown of the Falcons was a nice change from the putrid showing against the Broncos. This weekend will be a lot of fun, I think, as the Cowboys are actually in KC, where I live, for what promises to be a heck of a game.

It’s not the only thing that went well. I put out nearly 12000 words in The Door Into Winter, and I’ve got a bunch more poised to go. I’m over 42,000 now.

Oh, and I’ve been ecstatic at the reaction to both Talons & Talismans anthologies. Not to mention the response to The House Between Worlds by Jon R. Osborne. Thanks to all the readers.

This upcoming week is a bunch more work on The Door Into Winter, along with some on my next Nick Patara, PI story and maybe even another short story.

Also, as we get close to Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I want to say thanks to all of my readers. I’m doing that by getting you more freebies than ever. Eight collections of free stories this week, so hopefully you all find something cool to read after finishing Talons & Talismans II.

What I’m Listening To

Thursday Night Football. I hate to tell people, but this New England team is actually really good. I think they have a 50/50 shot to win that division, though it’s clear to me the Bills are the better team and still my prediction for the team to come out of the AFC.

Quote of the Week

Today is Alan Dean Foster’s birthday. He’s one of the guys I grew up with. Today’s quote is just another example of someone speaking the truth.

“The thing all writers do best is find ways to avoid writing.”
– Alan Dean Foster

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 has 8 Eldros Legacy stories.  You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW.

Khyven the Unkillable is out on the 7th of the December, then Seeds of Dominion 4th of January.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on

Giveaways

Eight this week! Have fun all. +

Autumn Free Book Collection
Autumn Free Book Collection

Autumn Free Book Collection

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

Strange Worlds
Strange Worlds

Strange Worlds

https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/7319ddea-1e44-11ec-87f8-2772589d075d?bundleLinkId=S1SIlEd

Epic Magic and Stellar Sorcery
Epic Magic and Stellar Sorcery

Epic Magic and Stellar Sorcery

https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/c4f2b4ee-b1c9-11eb-93e7-5304ae008eb6?bundleLinkId=UzEAnqn

Deadly Mystery, Fantasy, and Science Fiction
Deadly Mystery, Fantasy, and Science Fiction

Deadly Mystery, Fantasy, and Science Fiction

https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/b96f9b76-1e45-11ec-be9a-e75714b75a08

The Ultimate Sci-Fi Giveaway
The Ultimate Sci-Fi Giveaway

The Ultimate Sci-Fi Giveaway

https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/48f0cfe8-38f1-11ec-866e-c72d627fb1bb

Grateful Promotion
Grateful Promotion

Grateful Promotion

https://books.bookfunnel.com/grateful_for_2ndchances_giveaway/ws1j1i4y2s

Multi-Genre Freebies
Multi-Genre Freebies

Multi-Genre Freebies

https://books.bookfunnel.com/grateful_for_2ndchances_giveaway/ws1j1i4y2s

Free Book Bonanza
Free Book Bonanza

Free Book Bonanza

sffbookbonanza.com/free-books-nov-2021

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (42,153)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Talons & Talismans II still counts as a new release, at least in my world.  You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L44T5XW.

The other new release this week from CKP is In the Service of Luna by John E. Siers. This is the 4th book in his Luna Free State series and you can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LH9KYRZ.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.0

Updated Word Count: 323,747

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

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Rob’s Update: One Guy Going Boom!

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Week 35 of 2021

Greetings all

Been a great week here. Talons & Talismans One is edited. I’d send it to get it into the machine today but I tend to try and give me a day to sit on things so I can remember what all I’ve forgotten.

The House Between Worlds will be back to Jon Osborne tomorrow. Really, it’s a great book, entirely fitting given the rest of the Milesian Accords series.

Not a ton of writing here as I’ve been pushing out editing content like mad. It’s been really productive, though, and I’m proud of what we’ve done. You’re going to love it.

Next week, on the 13th, I have another short story coming out. It’s entitled “Careful With That Axe, E.U. Gene,” and it’s set in Kevin Steverson’s great Salvage Title universe.

This is one of my favorite stories that I’ve ever done. I set myself a bit of a challenge. Christopher Woods and William Joseph Roberts packed their novel Smuggler’s Run, also set in the Salvage Title universe, with as many pop culture references they could insert into the prose. They even applied to Guinness World Records as the titleholder in that category.

Guinness said they couldn’t track the category well enough to actually make it a category, but I set myself the challenge of beating their record, at least in terms of references per page.

And then I gave myself an extra difficulty factor (because of course I do). Anyway, I limited myself strictly to classic and metal rock band names and song titles. I managed to stick in over two hundred references. I’ll list exactly how many on release day and I’ll send anyone who gets all of them a free e-book I’ve written of their choice.

Now, of course, today is a pre-holiday for me. It’s the ceremonial start of the NFL season and I get to watch the Cowboys play right off the bat. Don’t worry, Sunday is still a major holiday to me and I plan on watching as many games as I can.

I had my fantasy football league draft on Monday, too. Was there any doubt I’d have a team? I mean, seriously, if anyone was going to play fantasy football it’s a lifelong NFL fan who is the publisher of a fantasy imprint.

Speaking of the NFL, Ian J. Malone, Kevin Steverson, and I had a great time talking the upcoming season with Nic Gurley on the latest Dudes in Hyperspace podcast. Nic knows his stuff and we talked about the upcoming season, some challenges facing teams, players and the league itself, and we made some long-term projections for years to come.

Here’s my prediction about the Cowboys, since they’re my team. They’re going to get beat tonight. A fully healthy Bucs team at home *should* win.

But the Cowboys are relying on a bunch of young players this year. It’s usually the case that teams like that will have some challenges early in the season but round into form late in the year.

So I think they’ll lose tonight, but win the NFC East in the end of it all and I expect them to do some damage in the playoffs.

I’m so ready for some football!

What I’m Listening To

Dog & Butterfly by Heart. I can pinpoint exactly when I first heard this song. Some kid (I don’t remember who) brought it into our 4th grade music class. I was captivated then, and I still think that’s Heart’s best album ever.

Quote of the Week

I miss John Madden as a commentator. It’s true that we have some amazing commentators now like Tony Romo, but it’s hard to remember just how revolutionary he was. His personality combined with his knowledge of the game was something we’d never seen before.

“You got one guy going boom, one guy going whack, and one guy not getting in the endzone.”
― John Madden

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Talons & Talismans Too is almost ready to go to the editor. Why do I mention that here? Well, because all of the first ten (yes, ten) novel authors in the Eldros Legacy contributed to the anthology, including a bunch of Eldros Legacy stories.

Call it a prequel of sorts.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on The House Between Worlds. The two Talons & Talismans are getting close (One is 99.9% done). Then after that I turn to Steven G. Johnson’s two novels that finish his Forge and Sword trilogy.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Door Into Winter (1,043)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • SOTI (7,948) (Formerly MON)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Jamie Ibson gives us a whole new future merc series, Myrmidons, Inc. The first in the series is Myrmidons Inc: Urbicide. “Genie” assassins, mercs, and a lot to remind you of Shadowrun and Blade Runner. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F6QRGBZ/.

And if you’re interested in the Peacemakers from 4HU like I am, you can get the start of that part of the 4HU series for less than a dollar. It’s Peacemaker by the great Kevin Ikenberry who will be guest of honor at FenCon next weekend. Sale lasts only another day or so, so check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752J8M3K.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 334.0

Updated Word Count: 272,426 (It jumped because I went back and looked at all the stories I’d edited and submitted in the past couple of months).

Shijuren Wiki: 789 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 Archive

If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org

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Armistice AAR

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Greetings all

I am home safely from a fantastic trip to Armistice. I’m so glad I went.

For those who aren’t aware, Armistice was a replacement event for the largest SCA event around, Pennsic. It was held at the same site as Pennsic, Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock, PA. There were about 1450 attendees where Pennsic has about 10,000. Pennsic is an official SCA event run in partnership with the campground.

First, the weather was awesome. Best weather I’ve ever seen at events at this time. We had one day with a little rain. The rest were in 70s/low 80s. Cool at night. The final Saturday was a little warm and humid, but still better than many days I’ve enjoyed at Cooper’s Lake.

From a work standpoint, it was an unqualified success.

It has been my experience that the first time a particular group has an event after things got started, I saw less traffic but had a higher hit rate. This was true for Armistice. Now, of course I’d see less traffic with about 1/7th  the attendance, but the hit rate was solid for sales. In fact, I sold more this year than I’ve sold at any Pennsic.

I was lucky in that a couple of my regulars from previous Pennsics were there and they both bought a bunch, but even so I sold more than I have in the past.

I also managed to get a short story out the door, make progress on another short story, and make progress on the final rush of stories for the upcoming Talons & Talismans anthologies.

I was an idiot for scheduling the deadline *during* this event, by the way, but I muddled through. I had less time for writing, however, so I didn’t reach my overall writing goals. As mentioned, though, I was moderately productive in this too.

One big thing is that I now have a traditional shop location at Pennsic. It’s between Calontir Trim and Gaukler Medieval Wares across from Windrose Armory. This is, in many ways, the ideal spot for me. Makes me excited to go back next year.

From a personal standpoint, I had a great time. In fact, this will go down as one of the best medieval events I’ve attended. I attribute this in part to everyone’s desire to have fun.

This may sound odd, but it is the case that some people participate in things in part so they can be doomsayers. This tendency has, not surprisingly, been in full force of late. Nobody at Armistice was unaware of the world’s challenges, but the naysayers didn’t come. I think everyone went there with the intent to be cheerful and spread that cheer.

So many smiles. So much friendship, even amongst people who hadn’t met before. The friends I see once or twice a year are my favorite part of Pennsic, and while I missed a bunch who weren’t there, I had more than a few who were. Plus, I got to know some people I hadn’t really talked to before.

I also discovered just how important Pennsic is to me. It’s been my summer home for over 20 years now. I knew I missed it last year, but not how much. I discovered the truth when I got a hug from a buddy at Gate, and I almost broke down crying then and there.

So good to be home. A refrain repeated by many throughout the week.

I spent a lot of time at the campsite hosted by Elizabeth Silverloc where High Rafters normally camps. This was the biggest concentration of friends at the event, plus there were bardic circles several nights. Exactly my thing.

Another positive thing is that my attempts to eat and drink wisely went pretty well. I basically held my weight during the event. Since it’s become clear that a big challenge for my weight are my trips to events and cons.

I went with the plan to drink primarily low-carb IPAs. There are several good ones out there. My two favorites are Slightly Mighty and the Lagunitas Daytime. The latter is dryer and reminiscent of Schlafly’s APA, one of my favorites. I also had the Sweetwater option, which was solid, but not great like the other two.

Anyway, these allowed me to essentially drink as much as I wanted to without hammering all the carbs and getting blasted. They aren’t my all-time favorite IPAs, but certainly more than tasty enough. Since I drink sparingly anymore unless I’m at events and cons, their low ABV helps me not be stupid. Ideal all around, in my mind.

My only disappointment was that I didn’t really party as much as I’d hoped. I should have opened the shop later and let myself roam a bit more. I wanted to meet people I’d not seen before, and I didn’t do much of that.

Basically, I had a great time. It is the case that I love selling/writing during the day with the opportunity to spend time with friends in a medieval setting. It’s like the ideal work day for me.

I’m ready to go back.