Monthly Archives: December 2025

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy New Year

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Week 52 of 2025

Greetings all!

Happy New Year everyone! May it be a wonderful one for you.

I’ve had a good past couple of weeks. Of course there was Christmas, which is of course all the more fun with a granddaughter. I made some delicious briskets for Christmas dinner, though I’m sadly to the point of only one more serving of leftovers.

Oh, and I sent off a new novel to the publisher! I’ll be talking about that one when we have details, but it’s title is Shattered Spear. That should give you some hints…

That’s a nice capstone on kind of a wonky year. It was probably my least productive year since 2016. I only finished one novel, though of course The Feasting of Vengeance came out early in the year. I also added only 1 short story, but I did finish more.

I also did a bunch of editing, mostly in Okkorim. That is still going strong, and in fact is my primary focus right now.

Still, I didn’t do as much as previous years. The big thing, I think was the conclusion of two different and important parts of my writing career in January. One, of course, was stepping away from New Mythology Press. I’m proud of the quality of stuff we put out, but obviously I spent a lot of time working on it all and it was suddenly… gone.

The same was true of The Feasting of Vengeance, which finished the Foresters trilogy. I’m even more proud of what I did in the 4HU and not thinking/working on a 4HU novel or short story was a shock. First time that’s true in 6-7 years.

It took time for me to figure out exactly what would fit into those gaps. The big step there was P-Con, and I’m still ramping up with what’s came out of that. One thing, by the way, was Shattered Spear.

What was the change? Well, it came from asking Raconteur Press for more opportunities, which they have given me. Lots of things are happening in the background and I’m looking forward to build on that.

Those, I think, are both reason and excuse. It’s a fair reason to say that those changes should affect my production. It’s a fair excuse to say I should have pivoted quicker.

It’s both reason and excuse when I add how much I put into the store. We made great progress in making the store profitable this year, and I know I helped. I also know I probably did that instead of writing, especially in the spring.

So my grade for myself this year is a C+. More good than bad, but not great.

I’m excited about what 2026 will bring, though. Very excited. I’ll talk more about that next week. I have some changes in mind here plus in other parts of my writing/editing life. Expect me to add a regular podcast type show soon, for one thing.

But for now, it’s time to enjoy a bunch more college football over then next few days. Have a Happy New Year!

What I’m Listening To

TCU v. USC in the Alamo Bowl. Bowl season is still a bunch of fun, despite the Playoffs and NIL and what not. Speaking of fun, the Pop Tart Bowl was amazing! That is now a must see for 2026.

Quote of the Week

Today is Rudyard Kipling’s birthday. As he’s probably my favorite poet, or right up there if not, I’m not about to miss the chance to quote him. This one is from Young British Soldier, which is full of good advice, even for those of us who thankfully haven’t seen the elephant. It’s always ruin to run from a fight, though we often need support, even today.

If your officer’s dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it’s ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier…
– Rudyard Kipling, Young British Soldier

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 330.4lbs

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: Being a Grandpa Rocks

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Week 50 of 2025

Greetings all!

It’s been a great couple of weeks here. We had so much for Thanksgiving. Plus, I got to babysit the grandbaby a few extra things.

This whole grandpa thing rocks, I have to say.

I was also really productive these past couple of weeks despite all the family stuff. Major progress on my current Okkorim project and something like 12,000 words on my current WIP novel. All told, I put together about 40,000 words of stuff on the page, though the Okkorim stuff is correlating existing stuff to a great extent instead of new writing.

Still, lots of great work.

This upcoming week promises to be awesome too. Saturday, we get to go to the grandbaby’s first dance recital. This may be old hat to all you parents out there, but for me it’s new and awesome.

We’re also prepping for Christmas cookie baking on Sunday.

If you want cookies, you have to come help us clean up, just saying.

We’re also getting ready for our second birthday party for the shop the week afterward, on the 20th. If you’re in the area, I hope you can come by. We’ll have some cool specials, pizza from Kristy’s Kafe, and some whimsy.

It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this two years. The time has flashed by and it’s awesome to see how it’s grown. Thanks to all of you’ve who’ve been with us on the ride.

My plan this week is to finish the first draft of the novel WIP. I’m about to enter the final chase and battle scene, and that tends to go fast.

LIfe sure gets exciting around this time of year these days. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season. For now, I’m going to relax for an evening.

Have a great week, everyone!

What I’m Listening To

Midsomer, the episode with horse racing and RPG gaming. One of my favorites!

Quote of the Week

What a great day for birthdays! Gustavus Adolphus. John Milton. Grace Hopper, Douglas Fairbanks, Kirk Douglass, Redd Foxx, Judi Dench, Deacon Jones, Dick Butkus, John Malkovich, and more!

Wow! Happy birthday to them all, or at least their memory in some cases.

I’ll go with Grace Hopper, someone who I think my parents admired. At the very least, she helped them have careers.

“The most damaging phrase in the language is: ‘It’s always been done that way.'”
– Grace Hopper

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 333.2lbs

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