Week 38 of 2023
Greetings all
Another productive week! Almost ready to send Farewell, My Ugly to the editor. Soooo close.
First, I’m really excited about Where Now the Rider. It comes out on October 3rd, and is the 3rd of the Edward novels. In this one, Edward fulfills a promise made in A Lake Most Deep. Unfortunately, that promise involves asking questions most everyone thinks are better left forgotten. Edward ends up facing a foe who’s been plotting against Edward for far too long.
The ARC went out to the advance team this week, so if you’re on the team, check your inboxes. If you’re not on the advance team, but want to read new stuff before anyone else, drop me a line.
This is one of those “negative” writing weeks, in that I ended up with less words. However, somewhere around 85% of the story is polished so I’m getting there. Today, for example, I did my “that” search. I eliminate as many “thats” as I can, which ends up getting rid of a whole bunch of wasted verbiage. I did that for a couple other phrases/words that often just clog up the reading.
This is also the part where I’m starting to really love the story. I start with a cool idea, then I get to about 70k, and things get slow and boggy. Frustration sets in a bit as it’s tough. Then I get over the hump, and the story pops of the page again.
I’m at that point, which is always a great feeling.
Also close is the layout of the bookstore. By this time next week, I should have all the shelves constructed and start sorting books by category. Hopefully, next week, we’ll have a bunch of the layout of the quilt shop done. Also, might have our POS computers up.
What we did finish is the big multi-purpose room floor. It looks good. I’ll have pictures next week after we have the lighting redone. It has a dropped ceiling and we’re putting in 2x2ft LED panels that are really nice. We also put these in the AirBNB.
We aim to have the AirBNB ready at some point in October. We’ll be painting it next week, and might even have part of the floor done there too.
Progress, progress, progress.
What I’m Listening To
49ers v. Giants. Right now, the step-spawn is yelling at the TV.
Happenings in Anthony
I’m starting a new category this week, and that’s a local report from Anthony, KS.
We’ve started going to the Idle Hour’s Wednesday night trivia and half-price wings. Our name last week was, “We Don’t Have One.” This week it’s “We Still Don’t Know.” We’re doing okay, though it’s just the two of us and we have no clue about popular music. If you know popular stuff, come join us!
Speaking of trivia night, the city is hosting a trivia night on November 4th as a fundraiser. More details next week.
Quote of the Week
Today is Bill Murray’s birthday, and that’s a fact, Jack!
Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.
– Bill Murray
Rob’s Riddles
I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.
First Line of Next Riddle:
I gave birth to an age in elementary fashion
Latest Snippet: Chapter 1 of The Eyes of a Doll.
New Mythology Works in Progress
I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.
Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.
Rob’s Works in Progress
- Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
- Ruriksaga (48,341)
- Farewell, My Ugly (92,450)
- Rick Blaine (8,845)
- The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
Upcoming Events
- Anthony Fall Fest, October 14, Anthony, KS
- 20Books to 50K, November 6-10, Las Vegas, NV
20booksvegas.com - Planet Comicon, March 8-10, Kansas City, KS
planetcomicon.com/
New Releases
Book 4 of Kevin Ikenberry’s Guardian Covenant series is out. It’s entitled Volunteer Fury and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CHZ14TWK.
The Eyes of a Doll is live! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CGMV3B91.
Your pre-release this week is D.T. Read’s Ganwold’s Child. This is not the next book in her excellent Seventh Shaman series, but is actually book one in the Sergey Chronicles. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CJDLJ4H2.
Tracked Items
Today’s Weight: 351.6
Updated Word Count: 212,924
Firehall Sagas Archives: 743 entries
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe
- Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/-/e/B00X95LBB0
- Website: robhowell.org
- Blog: robhowell.org/blog
- The Firehall Sagas: firehallsagas.com/
- Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/robho
well.org/ - Twitter: twitter.com/Rhodri2112