Monthly Archives: August 2024

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Short but Sweet

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Week 36 of 2024

Greetings all

Obviously, this week wasn’t any shorter than any other, but it felt that way as I lost three whole days to health stuff. It’s nothing serious, and most of that reason is a standard checkup procedure to make sure I’ve got no unseen issues, it just takes time out of a week.

That being said, I was pretty productive this week. In The Feasting of Vengeance I pulled out some threads from the main document. This allows me to focus directly on those threads and take them basically to the end of Act II and into the final big battle. I haven’t calculated the total words over all three docs, but it’s thousands more on the total with a bunch of cleanup of dead brush. So major progress, IMHO.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

Don’t forget, Responsibility of the Fleet by G. Scott Huggins, third in his Endless Ocean series, comes out in two weeks!

I’ve been working on a larger scale project in Okkorim, however, and I needed to get that finished. I uploaded it for the mechanic to make sure I got the game stuff right yesterday.

This particular chunk had been difficult as I hadn’t had a good way to create game rules without making some things out of balance. The mechanic (his name’s Zach by the way), gave me a thought and what had been a slog at the end of last week was a torrent this week. I wrote 5k just on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Of course, this is DragonCon weekend!

There are a bunch of CKP authors there. I’m sure I’m going to miss some, but I know Kacey Ezell, David Shadoin, Marisa Wolf, H.Y. Gregor, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Melissa Olthoff, and Jon R. Osborne all come to mind.

Also there are a bunch of CKP-adjacent authors such as Joelle Presby, Shami Stovall, and Lydia Sherrer.

In other words, if you want to talk to a bunch of cool authors, there’s little better chance than at DragonCon.

I can’ t go this, year, but I did have a consolation prize. Fred Hughes did an interview with me. I’m not sure when it’ll be released, though of course I’ll let you know. We recorded it yesterday and I think it went really well!

In any case, I think that’s all for now. I’m still fatigued from all the stuff earlier this week, so I’ll sign off. Have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

Steeleye Span’s version of King Henry. Steeleye Span is really cool English band playing medieval and traditional music. Their Saucy Sailor is one of my top 20 songs of all time. While this isn’t to that level, it’s still one I listen to quite often.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to John Locke, born on this day in 1632. I’ve read, and admired, much of his writing, and I encourage people to take a look if they’re philosophically inclined, as I am.

“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
― John Locke

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:

I am a thing of whimsy wildly careening

New Mythology Works in Progress

So much happening!

Responsibility of the Fleet by G. Scott Huggins comes out September 13th.

Then a trilogy by H.Y. Gregor starting with Reka’s Grasp on October 18th with another November 22nd and the third on December 27th. This is set in Jon R. Osborne’s awesome Milesian Accords series.

And there’s more on the way. The open call from June is bearing fruit and I look forward to tell you of some awesome stuff from that.

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Your pre-release this week is War Criminal, the 11th book in P.A. Piatt’s Abner Fortis, ISMC, series. For those who’ve been following the series (and if you haven’t, why not?), you can pretty much guess that good ol’ Abner will be up to his armpits in trouble as he and Jocko Bender go into the Free Sector to track down two of the war criminals behind the peace rally attack. Remember the world-killer bomb that disappeared? It’s back, too, and fully in play. Will Abner be able to recover it before it goes “boom?” You probably just answered that question wrong… but you’ll have to grab it to find out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DFFPZCFX.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 357.4lbs

Updated Word Count: 205,201

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: In the Grasp of Reka

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Week 35 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s been a productive week here, though it went a little different than expected.

One thing that was expected is cleaning and organizing from Pennsic. I’ve made huge progress on all that, and by the end of next week, I hope it’ll all be put back into the trailer ready for the next event.

I had anticipated a sort of normal week where I work on a variety of projects, but one of those was Reka’s Grasp, a new series set in the Milesian Accords universe by H.Y. Gregor. The book was so good I couldn’t stop editing and I finished it in, if not record time, close to it.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I spent the evening cleaning up a bunch of stuff in The Feasting of Vengeance. It’s amazing what changing how you view a document changes how you edit it. In this case, I was what I call bediting, or reading it on my phone and making notes while in bed.

It may sound dumb, but it’s proven really effective for me. The small screen forces me to focus on the words more, and I see a ton I miss in any other setting.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sending out the ARC for Responsibility of the Fleet. If you’re on the NMP ARC team, keep an eye on your mailboxes.

If I’m announcing the ARC, that means we’re getting close to release! It comes out on September 13th. It’s the 3rd in G. Scott Huggins’ amazing Endless Ocean series.

I also edited a a new adventure in Okkorim coming from Kacey Ezell for Patreon subscribers called the Book of the Drowned. It’s a quick one, but fun and challenging. You can join the GaxxWorx Patreon here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx for all sorts of stuff in Okkorim that I’m helping to create!

So, while I spent more time with Reka’s Grasp than I expected, I ended up doing pretty good with other stuff too!

But I better get back to work.

What I’m Listening To

If 6 Was 9. This isn’t Jimi Hendrix’s most popular song, but it’s one of my favs. Basically, it’s a small structure allowing him to riff, and I’m totally in favor of that.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Dorothy Parker, born August 22, 1893. She’s one of the great quote machines of all time. Picking just one is tough, but I think you’ll like the one I chose.

If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second-greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first-greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.
– Dorothy Parker

Side note: I have extra copies of The Elements of Style available. Hit me up if you want one.

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:

I am a thing of whimsy wildly careening

Dragon’s Tidings

The circus is coming to town and we have tickets! The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus comes to Anthony on September 19th to Anthony. We have advance tickets at the store for $13 (adult) and $8 (child and senior).

New Mythology Works in Progress

Lots coming soon!

Responsibility of the Throne comes out on September 13th.

Reka’s Grasp from H.Y. Gregor in the Milesian Accords universe in the middle of October.

And a bunch more after that! The schedule’s about to explode.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (44,326)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Salvage Race by David Alan Jones. Get more awesome action in the Salvage Title universe here: amazon.com/dp/B0DD4BFV6R.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 363.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 193,070

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: At the Vale of Roncevaux

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Week 34 of 2024

Greetings all

I’m sadly not actually at the Vale of Roncevaux but it is the anniversary of the battle. I’d love to go visit the site of the battle someday, but for now, I’m home from Pennsic! Everything is dry! Despite the rain, I still had a great time and sold a bunch of books.

This has been a mostly non-productive week, as expected, at least in terms of writing. I’ve touched base on everything to keep going, and I’ll be doing a bunch of bediting this week.

I did start editing Reka’s Grasp this week. This will be the first of a new trilogy in Jon R. Osborne’s excellent Milesian Accords series. It’s by H.Y. Gregor and she’s bringing Russian myth and tradition into the world.

It’s a great addition to the universe and you’re going to love it.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

Speaking of cool new stuff, Responsibility of the Fleet is coming September 12th! This is book 3 in G. Scott Huggins’ innovative and fast-paced Endless Ocean series.

 

What I’m Listening To

Bohemian Rhapsody. Enough said.

Quote of the Week

It’s Battle of Roncevaux day! Hence, we have to have a passage from the Chanson de Roland. My preferred translation, by the way, remains Dorothy L. Sayers despite the fact that it’s getting somewhat dated. She kept both meaning and poetry in her translation, something few can do.

Anyway, here’s Laisse 8.

The Emperor Charles is glad and full of cheer.
Cordova’s taken, the outer walls are pierced,
His catapults have cast the towers down sheer;
Rich booty’s gone to all his chevaliers,
Silver and gold and goodly battle-gear.
In all the city no paynim now appears [101-29]
Who is not slain or turned to Christian fear.
The Emperor sits in a great orchard near,
Having about him Roland and Olivere,
Samson the duke, and Anseis the fierce,
Geoffrey d’Anjou the King’s gonfalonier,
And Gerin too, and with him too Gerier;
And where these were was many another fere—
Full fifteen thousand of France the fair and dear.
Upon white carpets they sit, those noble peers,
For draughts and chess the chequer-boards are reared;
To entertain the elder lords revered;
Young bachelors disport with sword and spear.
Beneath a pine beside an eglantier
A faldstool stands all of the red gold clear;
Of fairest France there sits the king austere.
White are his locks, and silver is his beard,
His body noble, his countenance severe:
If any seek him, no need to say, “Lo, here!”
From off their steeds lit down the messengers,
Well did they greet him with shows of love sincere.
– Chanson de Roland, Laisse 8 (translation by Dorothy L. Sayers)

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:

I am first in the light Leading the memory

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (43,017)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Quaestor by Peter J. Aldin. This is the second book in his Outer Reaches series. It’s sort of a mil SF Judge Dredd story, and you can’t go wrong with that. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DCF1Q235.

Your pre-release this week is Salvage Race by David Alan Jones. Get more awesome action in the Salvage Title universe here: amazon.com/dp/B0DD4BFV6R.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 361.8lbs (Pennsic was good for me!)

Updated Word Count: 165,488

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: After the Pennsic Floods

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Week 33 of 2024

Greetings all

Pennsic 51
Pennsic 51

I’m still at Pennsic, though I’ll hopefully be on the road back on Saturday. Hence, it’ll be a streamlined update once again.

Overall, it’s been a productive, but challenging war thanks to three of the hardest downpours I’ve seen here. Rain is a given at Pennsic, but it’s usually in steady amounts. We had three bursts that flooded the tent which simply overwhelmed my normal rain defenses.

This isn’t the horrible thing it might sound. It’s not my first rodeo and all my stuff was protected from the rain so I didn’t lose any stock. I’ll lose old rugs, but I actually anticipated this to be a rainy Pennsic so I brought the rugs I was contemplating getting rid of anyway. That’s the extent of my loss.

I will say it does make it harder. I had to spend time getting rid of water, and though I have a store shopvac and electricity, we took out a bunch of gallons of water. And of course the floor never really got completely dry.

But again, it wasn’t a huge thing. All my stuff is elevated, including my bed, so I slept great, especially during the steady rains normal to Pennsic. Such rains on canvas is incredibly soothing.

As I said, it was really productive too. I sold quite a bit and may exceed last year despite losing three prime sales days to rain. My partner, the potter, will likely do the same. We did see a major drop off in fiber arts stuffs (looms, thread, yarn), because those work better if I can display them outside on sunny days.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I will, as usual, make a profit after fees, insurance, inventory cost, helper fees, and travel costs. The amount of profit is yet to be known as I still have a day and a half of potential sales.

During the slow times, I wrote about 10k on The Ravening of Wolves, finally breaking the 40k mark and clearing a bunch of chaff too.

Also, Responsibility of the Fleet from G. Scott Huggins is now at the proofreader for the final editing pass. It’ll be out on September 12th.

I also started editing Reka’s Grasp, the next Milesian Accords novel, this one by H.Y. Gregor, which comes out in October. This will be the first of a separate trilogy in Jon R. Osborne’s best-selling universe, which is about to really explode even more than it already has.

Exciting stuff.

I also caught up on a bunch of editing in Okkorim, making progress in four projects over the last week.

Truly, Pennsic is one of my best times of the year for progressing. But for now, I must take care of the next customer.

What I’m Listening To

The conversations of the marketplace.

Quote of the Week

Happy what would have been his 105th birthday to Dino di Laurentiis, producer of one of my favorite films and the author of a quote that inspires my writing.

 The audience wants to be attracted not by the critics, but by a great story. You must deliver to the audience emotion – and when I say emotion, I mean suspense, drama, love.
– Dino De Laurentiis

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:

I am the killer of worlds and     Keeper of trust

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 XX of WORKINPROGRESS.

Dragon’s Tidings

BalloonFest on the 18th.

Also, check our website (www.reddragonquilts.com) for our May 30% off special!

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce New Mythology’s open call for novels and series. Here are the details: chriskennedypublishing.com/2024/04/25/new-mythology-open-call/.

Paladins of Valor is out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

The Ruriksaga is out! Get this one here: amazon.com/dp/B0D35XF4RJ.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (42,888)

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370lbs

Updated Word Count: 160,000

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: At Pennsic We Have Only Perfect Weather

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Week 32 of 2024

Greetings all

I arrived in the area of Pennsic last week on Thursday evening and meant to give you an update. Then I passed out from fatigue. Then it was setup on Friday and things got away from me. My apologies for no update, but next year I’m just going to plan to skip it.

Now, however, I’ve been set up for a while, sales are happening, and the war is moving along. Here’s a picture of the booth.

Pennsic 51
Pennsic 51

Once again, I’m blessed to share my space with Mistress Gwen of Lobster Rose pottery. You should check her stuff out at: facebook.com/LobsterRosePottery. She’s really talented and inventive.

It’s been a productive week otherwise, but to be honest, I have too many customers coming into the booth to get into detail.

Soooo… have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

Conversations in the merchant area around my booth. It’s such a normal, pleasant sound.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to David Gemmell, born on this day in 1948.

“Nothing of real worth can ever be bought. Love, friendship, honour, valour, respect. All these things have to be earned.”
– David Gemmell

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:

Query of today is      Quite revolutionary

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 (36,901)

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370lbs

Updated Word Count: 160,000

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