Rob’s Update: The Flip Side

Week 27 of 2022

Greetings all

Wow, what a great couple of weeks it’s been since my last update.

First, it’s official. The marriage license arrived today. The wedding was as fun and exciting as something completely unrehearsed ought to be. We laughed a lot, our friends had a great time, and we sang songs until late at night. And we drank a lot of Tullamore Dew during the ceremony. Exactly what we wanted.

If you want to watch the wedding, it’s up on the CKP YouTube channel at: youtube.com/watch?v=yJLHL9_IKZY.

I had a great time at Lilies in general, not just the wedding. I sold more than expected, which is nice. I got to write the scroll text for a dear friend’s knighting and got to speak at another friend’s Laureling ceremony. Best of all, I got to sit and chat with friends I’ve missed for for far too long.

I want to thank Duncan for officiating, Fernando for being my best man, Hrodir for serving as Giulia’s beast of honor, my mom for giving me away, and Conna for providing the music. And, of course, thanks to all those who joined either at site or online.

The past couple of weeks has included a bunch of editing. We’ve been working hard and heavy on Embers & Ash with Marie Whittaker, which will be the next Eldros Legacy novel.

The next EL novel after The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings, I mean. This is coming out on the 12th of July, and is the first novel set on Drakanon. His continent, as you might guess, centers on dragons. And this story is filled with action and a great dungeon crawl.

Along the way, I’ve been putting together the release schedule for the fall. It’s huge. I’ll list that all out next week, and let me just say, it’s gonna have a bunch of great stuff. It includes a bunch of stuff I’ve been working on that I haven’t been ready to announce… until now.

Exciting times here for sure.

What I’m Listening To

Since I pulled up the link to paste it up above, I’m actually watching our wedding ceremony.

Quote of the Week

Today’s an interesting day for birthdays. Mike Tyson, Phil Anselmo, and Vincent D’Onofrio are all born on June 30th. I chose another who’s celebrating today, one of my favorite guitarists, Yngwie Malmsteen because this is how I’ve approached my writing career.

“The simple truth is that in order to become good, you have to be obsessed. You have to put in an awful lot of time and hard work and couple that with desire and unflagging perseverance.”
– Yngwie Malmsteen
Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes an interview with the mighty Chris Kennedy himself.

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+.

The latest release is Lorelle of the Dark by Todd Fahnestock.

The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings is out on the 12th of July!

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.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on Embers & Ash, the 7th novel in the Eldros Legacy.

Giveaways
Free Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books
Free Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books
Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (xx)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (12,390)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
  • Pennsic, 29 July – 14 August, Cooper’s Lake Campground, PA, pennsicwar.org/
  • FenCon, 16-18 September, Irving, TX, fencon.org/
New Releases

More from John Siers in his terrific Lunar Free State series this week. It’s The Gathering Storm and it’s the 7th in this series already. Great stuff.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 323.8

Updated Word Count: 144,304

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

Rob’s Update: An Extravaganzapolooza!

Weeks 25-26 of 2022

Greetings all

This will be a longer email than normal with a whole bunch of $0.99 books and new releases. In part, it’s because we just have a whole bunch going on. In part, because next week I won’t be able to make a post so I’m slamming everything in this ahead of time.

The key thing is to watch for dates on sales and giveaways, because they’re not all the same time.

Anyway, on to the fun part.

Lorelle of the Dark
Lorelle of the Dark

First, Lorelle of the Dark is live! You can get Todd Fahnestock’s new book here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3V3MXSJ. This is the direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable, and is the 5th book in the Eldros Legacy… so far.

Oh, by the way, if you don’t have Khyven yet, it’s on sale for through Tuesday at $0.99. You can get it here: amazon.com/gp/product/B09Z9W3ZSH.

But wait, there’s more! Chris Kennedy is also having The Reluctant Druid (1st book in the Milesian Accords by Jon R. Osborne), Cherry Drop (1st book in the Abner Fortis, ISMC by P.A. Piatt, and the one that started the whole Four Horsemen Universe, Cartwright’s Cavaliers by Mark Wandrey on sale through Tuesday at $0.99 as well.

In fact, you can get the all four in one swell foop by clicking right here.

We’ll get to even more in a moment, but that’s a heck of a start. Four great books at less than a dollar and a hot new release.

I did a bunch of editing on the new Eldros Legacy novel, The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings. This is a fun, action-packed story that rocks. Expect this on the 12th of July.

But of course, most of this week has been focused on wedding preparations. Did I mention that the wedding will be LiveStreamed at 7:30pm Central Time on Saturday the 18th? You can even bookmark the link here: youtube.com/watch?v=yJLHL9_IKZY.

You get to see me in funny clothes, with funny people, doing funny things. Going to be a hoot, I expect, and I am incredibly excited.

Oh, did I mention up above there’s more? There is!

As a wedding gift to you all, I’ve got both A Lake Most Deep and I Am a Wondrous Thing going on sale for $0.99 starting tomorrow, Friday the 17th, and running through Thursday the 23rd.

You can get A Lake Most Deep here: amazon.com/dp/B00WYIU6OG.

And I Am a Wondrous Thing is here: amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHKZJVA.

Again, they go on sale tomorrow through next Thursday.

And after you get done buying all that, there’s a huge list of stuff that’s

The event my sweetie and I will be getting married at is Calontir’s War of the Lilies. The event runs all week and while I’ll have phone access, I won’t have computer access. This means I won’t send out an email next Thursday. I’m including all that I’d put in next week’s in this week.

So…

While at the War of the Lilies, I’ll be selling books and doing a bunch of editing on Eldros Legacy projects. Hopefully, I’ll come back with a bunch less books and a bunch of stuff edited.

One great thing about these events is that I’m either making money, making progress on new stuff, or spending time with close friends. None of these are bad things.

This week has been busy and exhausting, so this afternoon I treated myself to a movie in the theater for the first time in over a decade. I’m not really a theater guy. Usually, I’d just rather watch the movie in my comfy chair at home, but I was told that the visuals of Top Gun: Maverick were worth seeing on the big screen.

Man, were those people right. The aerobatics alone were amazing, especially since they weren’t created with CGI, but actual pilots flying actual planes. Impressive stuff. The story was very good, nothing terribly surprising, just a good old-fashioned kick-ass film. Lots of fun, and I cried at several moments.

The Val Kilmer scene? Yeeesh. So powerful.

Anyway, I have things to pack, so let’s get to the rest of the stuff.

What I’m Listening To

Currently, I’m listening to Corvus Corax’s version of Cheiron Seikilos. Corvus Corax is one of those bands who play medieval songs on medieval instruments in a metal style. Fantastic stuff.

Quote of the Week

As I said, the Val Kilmer scene was something, especially since he can’t talk anymore and they had to recreate his voice for this. He’ll be my huckleberry this week with a quote every creator needs to hear.

“I saw the horizon. It’s out there. And though I may not ever be able to touch it, it’s worth reaching for.”
– Val Kilmer

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes an interview with the mighty Chris Kennedy himself.

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+.

Lorelle of the Dark is out! You can get Todd Fahnestock’s new book here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3V3MXSJ. This is the direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable, and is the 5th book in the Eldros Legacy… so far.

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.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Forgotten King, the next Eldros Legacy novel.

Giveaways

Three giveaways this week on top of the $0.99 stuff. If this doesn’t kickstart your summer reading, I don’t know what else I can do.

Free Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Free Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Free Sci-Fi & Fantasy

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/296eade2-cbfa-11ec-83e4-bfc9d2cafcdc?bundleLinkId=zV44Fyg

Imagination Unleashed
Imagination Unleashed

Imagination Unleashed

books.bookfunnel.com/yourimagination/m2pkpvazgj

Summertime All-Genre Fantasy
Summertime All-Genre Fantasy

Summertime All-Genre Fantasy

books.bookfunnel.com/springintosummerallgenrefantasy/vejk3wrion

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (xx)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (10,739)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

First, let’s get to Bestiarii, which is a new series from another new writer to CKP, James Tarr. You can get it here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B44YM335.

Then there’s Terran Foundations, by Alex Rath. The second book in his Terran Space Project is here: amazon.com/dp/B0B3GBYDBG.

And then there’s Lorelle of the Dark by Todd Fahnestock. Book 5 in the Eldros Legacy is available here:  amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3V3MXSJ. This is the direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable, and reviews are fantastic on this one.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 324.2

Updated Word Count: 143,498

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

Rob’s Update: T-Minus 9 Days

Week 24 of 2022

Greetings all

No, the title doesn’t refer to the release of Todd Fahnestock’s Lorelle of the Dark. That one’s only 4 days, 4 hours, and 38 minutes away.

If you haven’t heard it’s the direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable. By the way, you may notice that Khyven has a new cover, and it might get yet another at the end of the month. It is currently a finalist for the Colorado Book of the Year, which will get announced at the end of the month.

It’s also a great book to nominate for the Dragon Awards.

Speaking of which, if you have put in your nominations, you should go do so. Here’s the link: dragoncon.org/awards/.

Anyway, this week’s title refers to the running joke of late between me and my sweetie. That’s how much time we have left to “escape.” She even downloaded an app that will give the time down to the seconds.

We have similar, dark senses of humor, which is why we’re suited to each other.

Anyway, this past week has been wedding prep and editing primarily. I did get one day of writing in, but no more. Things will switch down the road, though.

At Lilies, I’ll be doing a bunch of work but not on my computer. Just to let you all know, I will probably do a placeholder update in two weeks, as I’ll still be there.

Tonight, though, there’s more editing.

What I’m Listening To

Jethro Tull’s Thick as a Brick, the full 22:40 minute long song. I love the short version that you hear on the radio, but the full version is so much more

Quote of the Week

Today is Keith Laumer’s birthday. He was one of the greats and sometimes doesn’t get enough recognition. The Retief series is brilliant space opera satire. The list of authors who’ve written in his Bolo Universe is like looking at the 1927 Yankee lineup, a huge list of all-timers.

Anyway, here’s a quote that has always been true.

“Baby, after considerable thought I’ve reached the conclusion that the only conceivable legitimate answer to the Universe as constituted is a peal of hysterical laughter.”

– Keith Laumer

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a great interview with the effervescent Marisa Wolf.

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+.

Lorelle of the Dark by Todd Fahnestock is coming on the 14th!

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.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Forgotten King, the next Eldros Legacy novel.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (xx)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (10,739)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week you can get a new 4HU novel, As My Witnesses! This one is by Sandra L. Medlock and Casey Moores with Robert E. Hampson. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall with those planning sessions.

And remember, Lorelle of the Dark comes out Tuesday the 14th!

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 324.6

Updated Word Count: 142,243

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

Rob’s Update: She’s Gone Platinum

Week 23 of 2022

Greetings all

It was a great time at the Tournament of Valor this past weekend. I sold more than expected, hung out with the parents, saw old friends, and hit some of them with sticks.

It’s good to go home, and the SCA, especially the barony I started in, is a most home-like place.

This week I’ve been pushing through on the next Eldros Legacy book, The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings. If all goes well, you’ll get to see it on the 12th of July.

The Legacy of Shadows
The Legacy of Shadows

Of course, the next Eldros Legacy title is Lorelle of the Dark, by Todd Fahnestock. As you can see from this awesome compilation of the two covers, it’s a direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable. This one comes out on the 14th of June.

Because of the event and a bunch of editing, I only had one day of writing, but it was a productive one at 2500+ words. Farewell, My Ugly is actually moving really fast when I can pay attention to it, so I’m excited about another Edward story.

Also got confirmed that I’ll have a table at FenCon, a convention in Irving, TX, which if you don’t recognize that city, is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. I grew up south of DFW, so in a sense, this is also going home.

This summer is shaping up to be incredibly busy. We’re chunking out Eldros Legacy novels with a bunch more coming. More coming in other fantasy universes as well. That’s all on top of the fact that my sweetie and I are getting married (which is why I won’t be at LibertyCon) and we have decided to move. Oh, yeah, there’s a family reunion and two big events between now and the end of August as well.

I’ll see you all in the fall, apparently. However, despite the mountain of work, I’m excited about what’s happening. So much good stuff.

But I better go pack a box or something.

What I’m Listening To

Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Such a fun song, especially the Two Cellos version.

Quote of the Week

The UK is currently celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Seventy years on the throne. To put this in perspective, over 86% of every human being currently living has never known any existence without Elizabeth as queen.

So let’s get some wisdom from Her Majesty.

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”
– Queen Elizabeth II

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes The latest show includes stuff on the Indianapolis 500 with an expert batting for me because I know almost nothing about racing. Still, the Indy 500 is one of those big sporting events I want to go to once, like the Kentucky Derby and a British Open at St. Andrews a number of others. Not something I’m huge into, but I want to experience the thing.

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+.

The Door Into Winter is out!

Lorelle of the Dark is next, coming out on June 14th.

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.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath 
  • Farewell, My Ugly (10,003)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

CKP has a new author! Please welcome Mike Wyant, Jr. to the madness, with his book Last Bid for a Dying Earth. This starts a new series, the Anisian Convergence. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B277YH7M.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 322.4

Updated Word Count: 141,505

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