Monthly Archives: July 2024

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Into The Future

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Week 30 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s been a good week here, and one that marks the passage of time. First, thanks to all who reached out to wish me a happy birthday. I do appreciate you all.

I got quite a bit done this week, though it was one of those weeks where no plan survives contact with the enemy.

For example, I had someone weed-eating and they kicked up a rock through one of my car windows. It’s fixed now with nothing out of pocket, so no big deal, just one of those things. Of course, that happened Friday afternoon as the wife and I were about to get on the road to an SCA event. With help, we frantically switched cars and, really, it all ended up fine.

Still, it took time. In fact, there was a lot going on this weekend. Appointments most days this week of one sort or another. Stuff that had to get done, and it all went really smoothly, for which I’m grateful. Anthony’s a cool place, and if you need tires, Joe at Pronto Tires bends over backwards to help us.

I got a lot of writing and work done, probably the most in quite a while despite all that, but none of it is finished and at least one project needs to be. In fact, I’ll be finishing it after I send this out.

Speaking of finishing, have you gotten your copy of Bureau 42 yet? It’s the new Four Horsemen anthology and it came out Friday. I’m really pleased with what Dan and I did with our story in there, and it’s feeding straight into The Feasting of Vengeance.

I Smell a Rat
I Smell a Rat

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

I actually made significant progress on that, though the numbers won’t show it. One reason is that I miscounted about 1000 words, having accidentally duplicated them. Another is some editing and smoothing of earlier chapters to fit with later stuff. Still, I think I’ll hit 40k next week and still aiming for the end of August.

I finished Ted Lasso this week. What an amazing show, and honestly it’s better as a whole than even the individual clips I’d seen. It ties together so well across all three seasons, which I find impressive. Can’t recommend it enough.

I also did a bunch of work around the building to get ready for Pennsic. I leave Wednesday morning, which means I have lots to do before getting on the road. As usual, I’m looking forward to it. It’s a cool thing where I get to work all day and enjoy myself in the evenings. I enjoy the second more when I know I’ve earned it.

But that’s enough for this week’s update. I’m a year farther into the future and I’ve got stuff to do!

What I’m Listening To

Over the Hills and Far Away. Not the song by Led Zeppelin, though I love that too, but rather, it’s this one: sharpe.fandom.com/wiki/Over_the_Hills_and_Far_Away.

Raise your hands if you’re surprised I love the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell and the BBC TV show with Sean Bean. Anyone? Bueller?

Quote of the Week

I’ve always been a wanderer, but not like this. Happy birthday to John Glenn, and thanks for being so curious.

“I suppose the one quality in an astronaut more powerful than any other is curiosity. They have to get some place nobody’s ever been.”
– John Glenn

Rob’s Riddles

Like challenges? Think you’re smarter than me? Then see if you can answer my riddles!

You can find them by signing up for my Patreon here: patreon.com/rhodri2112. Not sure what I mean? Then check the sample riddle and see if you get the answer!

First Line of Current Riddle:

Great treasures I hold, Trading past for present

But wait, there’s more! You get new riddles on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, but on the other Tuesdays, you get snippets of works in progress.

This week’s snippet is Chapter Two of The Feasting of Vengeance.

Dragon’s Tidings

Check our website next week. We have a cool special thing about to happen!

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (34,799)
  • The Chivalric Orders (6,597)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Bureau 42, the new anthology in the Four Horsemen Universe. Lots of great action as the Peacemakers deal with a host of cold cases.

In my case, Dan Bridgwater and I wrote a story with Rick Blaine on the trail of Kukuluki. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t go smoothly!

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

Your pre-release this week is more from Fred Hughes in his Prince of Britannia series. This book, number 9, is the conclusion of the first storyline! Get Prince Imperator here: amazon.com/dp/B0CYZ8Q92N.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 369.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 157,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 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: Bureau 42

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Week 29 of 2024

Greetings all

The exciting news this week is Bureau 42, the new anthology in the Four Horsemen Universe. Lots of great action as the Peacemakers deal with a host of cold cases.

In my case, Dan Bridgwater and I wrote a story with Rick Blaine on the trail of Kukuluki. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t go smoothly!

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

More news: I’m finished with the first pass of Responsibility of the Fleet, coming out on September 12th. Oh my goodness, the action in the second half of the story simply doesn’t let up. Great stuff!

I wrote a goodly amount this week, but to be honest, I got distracted by a story that has been pushing out of me for a while. Get the words on the page even if they’re not the ones you planned on.

Plus, I wrote I bunch of stuff for Okkorim this week, some of the most fun stuff I’ve ever created for a gaming world. I’m really excited about what it’ll turn out to be. Looks like I’m leveling up there as well.

We also made huge progress on my woodshop. I need to do work in it next week and you know what, I’ll be able to do so. Been a while since I could.

For now, have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

Ted Lasso. The wife and a friend are spending a lot of the week at a big weaving conference in Wichita, so I decided to get the trial period of Apple TV to watch a show I’ve been looking forward to seeing for a while: Ted Lasso.

I’m 7 episodes in and it’s as brilliant as I’ve heard. It’s got that balance of comedy and heartwrenching moments of the best M*A*S*H episodes. It’s that good.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to E.B. White, born on this day in 1899. I’m sure glad he was because Charlotte’s Web was one of my favorite books growing up.

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.
– E. B. White

Rob’s Riddles

Like challenges? Think you’re smarter than me? Then see if you can answer my riddles!

You can find them by signing up for my Patreon here: patreon.com/rhodri2112. Not sure what I mean? Then check the sample riddle and see if you get the answer!

First Line of Current Riddle:

Over and under Upside and downside

But wait, there’s more! You get new riddles on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, but on the other Tuesdays, you get snippets of works in progress.

This week’s snippet is Chapter Two of The Feasting of Vengeance.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (34,791)
  • The Rattler Strikes (4,112)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week’s pre-release is Bureau 42, the new anthology in the Four Horsemen Universe. Lots of great action as the Peacemakers deal with a host of cold cases.

In my case, Dan Bridgwater and I wrote a story with Rick Blaine on the trail of Kukuluki. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t go smoothly!

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

This week we get more from John E. Siers in his excellent Lunar Free State series. I actually played a bit of hooky from reading fantasy to go through this series. In this one, Three Player Game, a new group of nations has joined the space race, and it’s going to upset the apple cart!. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D76SLN6B.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 368.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 155,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 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: When In The Course Of Human Events

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Week 28 of 2024

Greetings all

Happy 4th of July to everyone! May you all have an excellent and safe holiday.

Anthony is fireworks mad, and they’ve been shooting them off for a week now. We get a nightly show out our windows, which is actually kinda neat. I like fireworks, and the SWMBO enjoys the lights, but the booms get to her. This means she gets to see them without all the sound.

I spent much of today setting up my woodshop (finally). It’s still a loooong way to go but progress is progress. In true American fashion, I have to run to the hardware store for specific parts.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I also made progress on Responsibility of the Fleet, by G. Scott Huggins. I’m chugging away and on the downward curve. I anticipate it’ll be back to Scott by the end of next week and then off to the editor after that.

The planned release date, by the way, is September 12th, and here’s the amazing cover by J. Caleb Designs.

This time, Responsibility faces demons at the end of the world. How can you not want to read that?

I made go progress on The Feasting of Vengeance too. Man, I love these characters. They, of course, hate me, given all the crap I put them through. Right now, Rhan’Kiial’Tala wouldn’t mind stomping me with his CASPer. I did the worst thing ever to him: he got a promotion.

I’m going through the open call submissions, though it’ll take time. I’ll keep everyone updated as I make decisions.

Speaking of open calls, CKP is having it’s own open calls for SF/space opera/mil SF novels and trilogies. Here are the details: chriskennedypublishing.com/ckp-open-submission-period/.

I also spent part of today writing out my plans for ChattaCon. In case you didn’t know, I’m the Toastmaster and man, am I excited about this honor. I hope everyone can come to ChattaCon in January. It’s the 50th one, after all.

Oh, and I’m cooking up something special for opening ceremonies. If you’re there, make a point of attending that for sure.

And with that, time to go enjoy the holiday! Have a great week, everyone.

What I’m Listening To

If Eternity Should Fail, one of the many great songs by Iron Maiden off their album Book of Souls. Some Maiden fans will consider this heresy, but I think it’s one of the best things they’ve ever done.

Quote of the Week

Can I quote anything but the Declaration of Independence today? Here’s a passage I think is really important but which often gets glossed over.

“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”
– Declaration of Independence

Rob’s Riddles

Like challenges? Think you’re smarter than me? Then see if you can answer my riddles!

You can find them by signing up for my Patreon here: patreon.com/rhodri2112. Not sure what I mean? Then check the sample riddle and see if you get the answer!

First Line of Current Riddle:

Great treasures I hold, Trading past for present

But wait, there’s more! You get new riddles on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, but on the other Tuesdays, you get snippets of works in progress.

This week’s snippet is Chapter Two of The Feasting of Vengeance.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Responsibility of the Fleet is the next release, but starting in October, you’re going to see the world of the Milesian Accords explode like the series of fireworks at the finale of the biggest fireworks display around. We’re very excited.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (33,245)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have more from the amazing Bill Fawcett and Casey Moores. It’s No Further, book 3 in their Blood and Armor series. This series is rapidly becoming a favorite, and you’re not going to want to miss it! There’s a new player in the arena that wants to wipe out the Kurdish Republic, but the peshmerga aren’t going down without a fight! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0D842YY8L.

Your pre-release this week is more from John E. Siers in his excellent Lunar Free State series. I actually played a bit of hooky from reading fantasy to go through this series. In this one, Three Player Game, a new group of nations has joined the space race, and it’s going to upset the apple cart!. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D76SLN6B.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 369.6 lbs

Updated Word Count: 116,631

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 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