Category Archives: Aesc & Thorn Publishing

Posts related to Aesc & Thorn Publishing and various aspects of Rob’s professional life.

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Plugging Away

Leave a comment

Week 6 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s another productive week, but it wasn’t how I expected to go. There’s also news.

Most important, we started the process of getting the kid, her guy, and the grandkid down to Anthony. We’ve been hoping this would happen for a while, and now it’s in progress.

Second, more news about GaryCon. I’ll be running a couple of gaming sessions which is great. It’s been a while since I’ve run games at cons, but that was 20-30 years ago and I can’t wait.

That’s in part because game nights have done well twice in a row with me DMing in the Firehall Sagas. It’s a chance for me to build the world and build the local community at the same time.

More and more gets done with Paladins of Valor every week. Mostly, we’re in the stage where authors are doing edits, but I’ve been also assembling it. I had the pleasure of editing Howard Andrew Jones’ Hanuvar story this week, and man is it good.

I didn’t write as many new words in Okkorim as I have in past weeks, but about 4,000. Also, I did a bunch of editing and setup as we transition to the next phase. It’s really an awesome project and I’m honored to be a part of it.

New and Cool

I haven’t eaten cereal in a decade, but I tried the GrainBerry Multi-Bran flakes on a lark recently. I rather like it. I’ve had more cereal in the last week or so than I had since the 80s.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Jules Verne! Might have to re-read 20,000 Leagues again.

Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.
– Jules Verne

Dragon’s Tidings

A fun week here. We keep getting new stuff every week. This week was a bunch of new fabric, along with expanded drink selection for the game nights.

Check out our class schedule:
reddragonquilts.com/calendar.htm

New Mythology Works in Progress

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)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (61,988)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

February Fantasy Freebies

https://books.bookfunnel.com/februaryfantasyfreebies/u3akhw43pd

New Releases

This week we have Wolf Legion by William S. Frisbee, Jr., the ninth book in The Last Marines. Holding Earth continues to get harder, and everyone is against the last Marines, but will they give up? Never! Check out the entire series here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5WRRMPB.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370.2 lbs

Updated Word Count: 21,693

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: Under the Thumb

Leave a comment

Week 4 of 2024

Greetings all

Was a bit of a dreary week this week because we’ve had mostly gray days. One drawback to the new building is its lack of insulation, so not only has it been gray, it’s been chilly inside.

My wife thinks it’s hilarious, though, as when we lived in Kansas City, I never wore sweaters at home. Now, I often do. She likes to knit, but she’d never make me one that I wouldn’t wear. Now she just taunts me with it a bit.

I spent much of this week helping not only write Okkorim stuff but assisting with G20, which is the newsletter that Luke Gygax puts out. If you’re part of his Patreon, you can see some of what I’ve written for his world, plus get other tidbits. His Patreon is here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx.

I did about 5,000 new words in Okkorim, plus started reading through the notes for The Ravening of Wolves.

I also made great strides with getting Paladins of Valor done. I feel odd a bit this year, as I feel like I’m really late. However, FantaSci is a month late, so I’m really exactly where I should be.

I did some reading this week too. I’ve been getting back to my roots, and currently I’m re-reading the Barsoom books from Edgar Rice Burroughs. Also, I spent a lazy afternoon re-reading The Ghost of Dibble Hollow. This was a book I read in 4th grade or so, one of the many things I pestered my parents about during the Scholastic Book days, and it was one of my favorites as a kid.

I hadn’t read it since the early 80s, at least, and I was a bit nervous that it might not have aged well. However, it’s still a great kids book, even if the editing of 1965 used different standards than I do nearly 60 years later. The book has action, mystery, suspense, rivalries, and of course, a ghost. I’m keeping it to read to the grandkid.

And hey, tonight, I’m going through making this newsletter under the thumb of viewers. A couple of writers who are on the New Mythology Discord joined me as I typed it up. I showed them my methods, and hopefully it’ll help them.

Really, it’s been another one of those weeks where I didn’t think I got much done, but in retrospect, we did a goodly amount.

And with that, I’m going to go introduce myself to the wife.

New and Cool

Did I mention G20 from Luke Gygax on Patreon? This month’s issue, edited by me, along with a lot of my content, comes out in a few days. Sign up here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx.

Quote of the Week

It’s been 7 years since Mary Tyler Moore passed, but I still love watching reruns of shows she’s in. Plus she provided all creators with a great quote here.

Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.
– Mary Tyler Moore

Dragon’s Tidings

We had our first game night at the store. Sadly, as it was the first and the weather was wretched (cold, gray, and icy), we only got one person. However, I expect that’ll grow as we go along.

Every Monday night starting 5ish to 9ish.

Tonight, we’ve got the second session of the wife’s Beginning Quilting class. Also, we have some paper piercing classes coming. If you’re interested, check out our class schedule at:
reddragonquilts.com/calendar.htm

New Mythology Works in Progress

I had an incredibly hard time choosing the winners of this year’s open call for Paladins of Valor. So many stories I wanted to publish, but here are the four I finally selected as the best.

  • Chris Hepler with High Water Mark
  • Nathan Balyeat with Welcome to Detroit
  • David Birdsall with The Passing of the Mantle
  • Chad Boyer with Apprentice in Trouble

I’ve edited all of these at this point, and I’m pleased to say they’re even better than I realized.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (52,813)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

Step out of the shadows

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/t0OCEsf

Adventure, Horror, and Wonders in Space

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/JHgHfww

New Releases

More 4HU awesomeness this week in Foiled Ambitions from John M. Olsen. This is the eleventh book in the Four Horsemen’s Phoenix Initiative. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CSKNY8FS/

Your pre-release this week is Stolen Dreams from Dennis M. Myers, the 4th and final book in his Rise of the Automated Empire. Get it here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0CT5V8G8M.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 368.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 15,467

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

Conventions, Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Guess I’m Going To Chattacon 50

Leave a comment

Week 3 of 2024

Greetings all

Chattacon 50
Chattacon 50

Well, wasn’t that a fun announcement from Chattacon? In case you missed it, they’ve invited me to be Toastmaster for Chattacon 50. I’m excited and honored to be part of the list shown here.

I can’t thank the Regina, Lani, Lee and all the other folks I’ve met at Chattacon enough for giving me this opportunity.

Also this week, we’ve added a new mailing list just for New Mythology Press! Kacey Ezell is running it and she has a bunch of cool ideas for it. She’s much better at this sort of thing than I am, so at the very least, you might want to sign up just to see how she’s setting things up. I’m already learning a ton.

Sign up here: chriskennedypublishing.com/fantasy-mailer/

Oh, and there’s a rather nice reader magnet for all who sign up, with short stories by myself, Jon R. Osborne, Kacey Ezell, and David Shadoin. Also, there are some legends from both my Firehall Sagas and Trisha J. Wooldridge’s 27 Kingdoms series. And, of course, snippets, including several from other New Mythology series such as Kevin Steverson’s Balance of Kerr series, Scott Huggins’ Endless Ocean series, and Christopher G. Nuttall’s Heirs of Cataclysm series. There’s no better way to find out what we’re about.

I appreciate all of you who are a part of my mailing list, and one reason I’m so excited about this other mailing list is I think it’ll help me do better by you. Expect some freebies from me coming your way soon, too.

I have yet another announcement! I’ll be at GaryCon in March. I’ll get to talk about Okkorim and, of course, play as much D&D as I can. It is the 50th anniversary of D&D and I suspect I’m going to wallow a bit. However, my big plan will be to hopefully meet a bunch more game producers and designers.

Thanks to Luke Gygax for all these opportunities!

I spent this week working on edits for Paladins of Valor and Okkorim. All told, about 10,000 words written this week, which is really nice.

I had intended to get going on The Feasting of Vengeance, but to be honest, I was going so good with Okkorim I didn’t want to break the momentum.

My writing philosophy is basically, get words on the page. Anything that gets in the way, like feeling I have to do all of the writing projects I’ve got going on, should be avoided.

And with that, I’ve got another idea, so I’m going to go do some more.

New and Cool

Did I mention the New and Cool New Mythology mailing list? Check it out here: chriskennedypublishing.com/fantasy-mailer/

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to A.A. Milne! Or would that be Happy Poohday? Nah, probably not.

But here’s a lovely quote from him.

“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.”
― A.A. Milne

Dragon’s Tidings

We’re starting the long-promised game nights at Dragon’s Den!

Mondays starting 5ish and going to 8ish. First time will be Monday the 22nd. Hopefully some of you can make it over.

For the first one, I anticipate either a Session 0 of an RPG, Munchkin, or something else like that. Or maybe all of it, who knows?

Check out our class schedule:
reddragonquilts.com/calendar.htm

New Mythology Works in Progress

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)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (48870)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

Woo-niverse Giveaways to Keep You Warm & Cozy
Woo-niverse Giveaways to Keep You Warm & Cozy

Woo-niverse Giveaways to Keep You Warm & Cozy

Hybrid Prologue
Hybrid Prologue

Plus here’s another author swap.

Check out L’Anne McMarie’s Hybrid: Protocol here:
storyoriginapp.com/swaps/ef32518c-b618-11ee-be67-1751e8a754e3

 

New Releases

This week we have a new series! It’s from James Fox, and the series is the Sol Saga. Book 1 is Revolution and you can get it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRZ6MZTR.

Your pre-release this week is Foiled Ambitions from John M. Olsen. This is the eleventh book in the Four Horsemen’s Phoenix Initiative. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CSKNY8FS/

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 364.2 lbs

Updated Word Count: 14,509

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: Winter Weather

Leave a comment

Week 2 of 2024

Greetings all

Apparently, I needed a snow day, and I got one. We closed for the snowstorm on Tuesday and I spent the day essentially out of it. I guess I’ve been going pretty solid, so time to breathe.

I did a bunch of work in Okkorim this past week. I’m up to over 42,000 total words written there, and more coming. That’s about 7k this past week despite the day off.

I made progress in editing for Paladins of Valor, though not as much as I intended. I’ll have most of them edited by the time of next week’s update. It’s great stuff, guys. Going to be very hard to choose the best one out of the open submissions, plus of course great stuff from H.P. Holo and Glen Cook.

We also had a major project finished here. The front door to the apartment literally had a 1/8th in gap in the panels. Also, there was a set of old windows that needed replacing because it wasn’t any better at holding in the cold wind.

Those got replaced yesterday and we already see a huge difference.

Also this week has been some cleaning up for the classes we’re holding here. We have students! Another revenue stream! Go us.

Overall, I’d intended to start seriously writing on the Feasting of Vengeance, but too much was going on. Hopefully next week, but we’ll see. Got to finish with Paladins of Valor first.

New and Cool

This isn’t really new to me, but the last time I was at Jungle Jim’s, I found a new salsa I love: Da Bomb Scorpion Garlic.

As you might guess, with scorpion peppers it’s got a huge kick. However, it had so much garlic that was the flavor that dominated. Really tasty.

Quote of the Week

In 1787, William Herschel discovered Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus. This quote from him is sort of like his work, the deeper you look at it, the more you learn.

“Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt.”
– William Herschel

Dragon’s Tidings

We had a very slow week of traffic, but we’ve had a bunch of enthusiasm for the classes. Next week won’t be much better, what with the weather.

Given us time to do projects. Oh, did I mention we have a longarm quilting machine and my wife has too much time on her hands? (Yes, I know I’m going to pay for that)

Check out our class schedule:
reddragonquilts.com/calendar.htm

New Mythology Works in Progress

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)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (42,101)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

First, I’m doing a book swap with Merick N.H. Ulrik. John Price: Lost in Time looks really interesting.

Check it out here: storyoriginapp.com/swaps/eb23b8c0-af64-11ee-b338-679d4d4ff22d

 

 

 

New Year BookTopia

New Year Booktopia
New Year Booktopia

books.bookfunnel.com/newyearbooktopia/bwq06b6j5q

New Years Sci-fi and Fantasy Promo
books.bookfunnel.com/newyears_sci_fi_fantasy/fznou11zrh

Free Science Fiction Books

New Releases

This week we have Prince Conqueror by Fred Hughes. This is book 7 in his Prince of Britannia series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CRD7CL1V.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 366.8 lbs

Updated Word Count: 1,412

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: A Right Turn At Albuquerque

Leave a comment

Week 51 of 2023

Greetings all

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas or a wonderful time at whatever holiday you celebrate. I had a great time, especially since we got grandbaby time. The kids go back today, but I had a great moment of the grandbaby falling asleep on my lap.

We’re winding down on 2023 and I have to say it was a far more eventful year than I ever anticipated. We took this right turn at Albuquerque and I’m so glad we did.

Along the way, I tallied about 387,000 words according to my formula. This was less than what I aimed for in January (500k), but I didn’t expect the opportunity.

To break that down, there was a full length novel (Farewell, My Ugly), three regular short stories (Hyarkeen in Thirteen Stories of Horror, Dust Devil Courtship for my reader magnet, The Ruriksaga, and I Smell a Rat for the upcoming 4HU Bureau 42 anthology), nearly 30k in Okkorim, 5 Postcards stories (2 accepted), 15 riddles, about 40k in blog posts, and nearly 800k edited. Really, given that from April 11 we closed on the new house, closed on the old house, built up the new place to have stores laid out, and had our grand opening, I have to see it was a year of many achievements.

Oh, yeah, we got a grandbaby too!

What’s up for 2024? Well, I’ll talk about that next week. I would specifically like people to chime in at rob@robhowell.org what they like about this mailing list. One of my goals for 2024 is to improve this list, both in the content and the mechanics. Let me know anything you like, don’t like, or want to see. I want to make this list serve you all better.

As for the rest of this week, I have to finish the Bureau 42 story and a chunk of Okkorim stuff, but there’s little to do there. Next week, I’ll be doing a couple more chunks of Okkorim and rolling into consistent work on The Feasting of Vengeance.

2023 wasn’t the great year I expected, it was the great year I needed. Here’s to 2024 being the same.

What I’m Listening To

We’re watching Colombo tonight. Peter Falk is so great.

Quote of the Week

Happy 101st to Stan Lee, a great inspiration to creators of all stripes. As a writer, though, he often sees to the heart of the matter, like here.

“To my way of thinking, whether it’s a superhero movie or a romance or a comedy or whatever, the most important thing is you’ve got to care about the characters. You’ve got to understand the characters and you’ve got to be interested. If the characters are interesting, you’re half-way home.”

– Stan Lee

New Mythology Works in Progress

I had an incredibly hard time choosing the winners of this year’s open call for Paladins of Valor. So many stories I wanted to publish, but here are the four I finally selected as the best.

  • Chris Hepler with High Water Mark
  • Nathan Balyeat with Welcome to Detroit
  • David Birdsall with The Passing of the Mantle
  • Chad Boyer with Apprentice in Trouble

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Broken Trust, third book in the Rise of the Automated Empire series by Dennis M. Myers. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CKVRTSQQ.

Your pre-release this week is book 8 in the Last Marines series by William S. Frisbee, Jr. It’s entitled Wolf Emperor and you can get it here amazon.com/dp/B0CR1TXG61.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 358.8

Updated Word Count: 387,112

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

Uncategorized, Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Opening Was Grand

Leave a comment

Week 50 of 2023

Greetings all

Last Friday was our Grand Opening, and it was great! A bunch of people made it happen, and we thank all of them.

Here’s a couple of pictures thanks to Kari at Harper County EcoDev.

Grand Opening Red Dragon Quilts
Grand Opening Red Dragon Quilts
Grand Opening Dragons Den
Grand Opening Dragons Den

We’re going on an adventure!

To be honest, much of this week was spent on recovery. I did work on a story for the upcoming 4HU Bureau 42 anthology. I also did a bunch of stuff for Okkorim. However, it wasn’t my most productive week overall.

Monday is, of course, Christmas. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season. We get more time with the grandbaby, which is really all the present I need. This will be our first Christmas with the baby and how cool is that?

One last thing. Thanks to all of you for following along on my journey. 2023 did not go as anticipated, but I’m so glad of how it went.

Wow, a fairly brief post from me. I guess that’s my present to you all.

What I’m Listening To

Rams v. Saints. It’s been a fun game to watch.

Quote of the Week

Today is December 21st, or as the Europeans would write it, 21/12.

Sure it’s the solstice, but it’s International Rush Day!

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It’s got wires that vibrate, and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently, like rain.
– Rush, 2112

New Mythology Works in Progress

I had an incredibly hard time choosing the winners of this year’s open call for Paladins of Valor. So many stories I wanted to publish, but here are the four I finally selected as the best.

  • Chris Hepler with High Water Mark
  • Nathan Balyeat with Welcome to Detroit
  • David Birdsall with The Passing of the Mantle
  • Chad Boyer with Apprentice in Trouble

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Ruriksaga (52,626)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week is something new in the Four Horsemen Universe. It’s Thicker Than Water from Michael Morton and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CQ5TC144.

Your pre-release this week is Broken Trust, third book in the Rise of the Automated Empire series by Dennis M. Myers. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CKVRTSQQ.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 365.8

Updated Word Count: 373,065

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: Pictures Galore

Leave a comment

Week 49 of 2023

Greetings all

I’m going to post a number of pictures today of the store. Most of this week has been spent getting ready for the open house, so here’s some of the cool things we got.

Let’s start with the fun part! We have signs, and here’s the picture of the front of our building plus all the Grand Opening details.We Have Signs

We Have SignsThe signs rock, but let’s see what we have inside.

Here’s what we’ve got in the entryway! Some swag (our cups came out so well), and some other cool stuff.

Front Display
Front Display

We have an amazing Christmas Tree thanks to Mockingbird Flowers here in Anthony.

Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree

Check out this awesome Saint Nick Quilt!

Saint Nick Quilt
Saint Nick Quilt

Now let’s look at our book displays starting with the Chris Kennedy Publishing Display. Such an honor to be a part of this crew.

CKP Display
CKP Display

Here’s a display of my books!

Rob Howell Display
Rob Howell Display

Here’s a display of some great New Mythology Press stuff that I’ve had the honor to work with. At the bottom, so amazing alien romances from C.V. Walter!

New Mythology Press Display
New Mythology Press Display

But where would we be without our friends! Here’s a display showing off a bunch of the cool stuff from Raconteur Press!

Raconteur Press Display
Raconteur Press Display

And finally, thanks to Baen Books for sending swag to give out! They’re great folks, and here’s a small display showing some of the used Baen Books we have!

Baen Books Display
Baen Books Display

Well, I hope that was fun for you guys! We’re ecstatic and hope you can come visit someday, even if it’s not during our open house tomorrow.

New Mythology Works in Progress

I had an incredibly hard time choosing the winners of this year’s open call for Paladins of Valor. So many stories I wanted to publish, but here are the four I finally selected as the best.

  • Chris Hepler with High Water Mark
  • Nathan Balyeat with Welcome to Detroit
  • David Birdsall with The Passing of the Mantle
  • Chad Boyer with Apprentice in Trouble

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Ruriksaga (52,626)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Tentacles of the Dominion, the third book in D.T. Read’s The Sergey Chronicles. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CP89BH2B/.

Your pre-release this week is something new in the Four Horsemen Universe. It’s Thicker Than Water from Michael Morton and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CQ5TC144.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 360.2

Updated Word Count: 372,565

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: Hither and Yon

Leave a comment

Week 48 of 2023

Greetings all

We’re basically only a week away from the Grand Opening!

If you want to come join us, the ribbon-cutting from the Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for 1pm. Also, there’ll be cookies at about that time. Or if you prefer pizza and no ceremony, come later in the day.

I spent much of this week going hither and yon spreading flyers around the local area.  For as exhausting a task as it is to go into every place I could find, I did find some interesting places. There’s place with tea, spices, and interesting stuff in Kiowa, a cool antique place with some fascinating sports memorabilia in Medicine Lodge, and a fun bakery/craft food store in Harper.

Also, we got our signs today. Install next week, and I can’t wait to show them off.

On the writing side, I made progress on a short story that’s due at the end of the month. I’m at about 6500 words on it, so it’s close.

However, my big project this week is reading through all the short stories we got for the Paladins of Valor open call. I have to say, this is probably going to be my toughest choice. There are so many good stories this time. It’s a good problem to have, but it’ll be a challenge.

With that, I better get to reading, or in this case, re-reading so I can weigh my choices.

What I’m Listening To

Jonathan Creek, another BBC mystery show. It’s more quirky than several.

Quote of the Week

“Across the channel was Ford Island and Battleship Row, containing the Arizona, Oklahoma, Maryland, Tennessee, all flaming, sinking wrecks. Ahead of us was the Oglala, sunk. Astern of us the cruiser Anchorage was not quite as bad off, but the Helena, the Honolulu, Raleigh and many supply and auxiliary vessels were afire and severely damaged.”
– Adrian Marks, aboard the USS Sacramento, in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941

New Mythology Works in Progress

Submissions are in for the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Announcements coming soon!

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

  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Tentacles of the Dominion, the third book in D.T. Read’s The Sergey Chronicles. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CP89BH2B/.

Your pre-release this week is Aphrodite of Luna by John Siers, a Lunar Free State novel. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CPL9YVRN.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 362.8

Updated Word Count: 372,064

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: New Websites!

2 Comments

Week 47 of 2023

Greetings all

Another productive week in Rob world. The big success was getting the quilt store’s website live. It’s here: reddragonquilts.com/.

Then I did a bunch for our Grand Opening. Expect to see a number of posts on Facebook about the opening, but here’s the ad that’ll be in the Anthony Republican. Grand Opening

We hope you can join us!

Also, if you’re on Facebook, check out our Facebook page: facebook.com/reddragonquilting.

Oh, hey, there’s another new website! Chris Kennedy Publishing has its own shop. It’s got some things, but lots more to come. Check it out here: chriskennedypublishing.com/shop/.

On the writing front, I’ve been focusing on a short story due for a new Four Horsemen anthology. I’m getting close to having it done. I aim to have it finished by the end of next week.

Once I’m done with that, I’m turning my focus to The Feasting of Vengeance. I’m about a year behind on that project, like much of the other things in my life. However, I hope to turn it over in the spring.

I also finished a project in the world of Okkorim and sent that off. I’ve started the next phase on that, though only dabbling so far.

I mentioned a couple of weeks that I’m working on learning Facebook ads. I’m making progress, but it’s slow, in part because you have to try an ad or two, see the results, then adjust. Definitely a learning experience.

I’ve got another advertising thing coming, and it includes a Christmas present to all of you. More on that in a week or two.

Just know that I’m honored you guys read my updates and I’ll try and keep them informative and entertaining.

With that, I’m going to get more writing done.

What I’m Listening To

Seahawks against the Cowboys. Was there any doubt?

Happenings in Anthony

Walking back from trivia yesterday, we got a chance to see the downtown all lit up with Christmas lights. It’s not a huge display, but it’s cool. You should come visit.

Quote of the Week

Today is one of the hardest days of the year to find a quote. I mean, seriously, there are 365 days in the year. Why do 2 of the top 5 quote machines ever (Winston Churchill and Mark Twain) have to be born on this day?

So you get two quotes. Sorry, not sorry.

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”
– Mark Twain

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
– Winston Churchill

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/.

Today is the day! Get me your story before I wake up tomorrow.

If you submit, I aim to have all the submissions read and the decision made by Friday the 8th.

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)
  • A Broken Sword (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have book 7 in William S. Frisbee’s Last Marines series, Son of the Wolf. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CMPFGZZC/.

Your pre-release this week is Tentacles of the Dominion, the third book in D.T. Read’s The Sergey Chronicles. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CP89BH2B/.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 359.6

Updated Word Count: 371,533

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: Happy Thanksgiving

Leave a comment

Week 46 of 2023

Greetings all

Happy Black Friday! Sorry I didn’t get this done yesterday. After eating a great meal, watching the Cowboys, and snuggling with the grandbaby, I fell asleep before doing actual work.

We’ve been open for a week now, and it’s gone well. Some traffic, but most importantly, we’re already getting business using the longarm quilter. Apparently, the area has been without for a few years and we’d hoped we have a market. That seems to be the case.

We’re having our actual Grand Opening on Friday December15th. We’ll  be open from 9am to 8pm with a variety of specials. We’ll have food catered by Kristy’s Kafe, the excellent pizza (and more) place a half block away.

As to writing, I’ve been focusing on publicity stuff all week, plus writing more for Luke Gygax’s Okkorim. Overall, I didn’t write a ton (about 4000 new words), but I caught up on store stuff and publicity.

And of course Thanksgiving. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks to you all, I get to work the career I should always have done, and I thank you all immensely.

Enjoy your leftovers. Also, feel free to come over and help us eat ours!

Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

Gray Cell Green by Ned’s Atomic Dustpin. One of my favorite songs from that alternative era of the 90s. This song got played a bit on the radio, but not much and it’s too bad.

Happenings in Anthony

We lost at trivia! Thank goodness. If we’d have won a 4th time in a row, there might’ve been a riot. Ironically, we got all 8 of the Music questions, which is the category that bedevils us.

Tonight they’re lighting the lights and having a parade. Then the kids get to do Santa Claus at the hall. Maybe we take the grandbaby there, if she’s (or to be honest, we’re) up to it.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Billy Connolly. What an interesting life he’s had, and he’s given me and so many others a lot of joy over over the years. So thanks to him, too.

Also born on this day are a host of interesting people like Oscar Robertson, Baruch Spinoza, Dwight Schultz, Spider Robinson, Scott Joplin, Forrest Ackerman, John Kovalic, Brad Sherwood, and a bunch more.

 Life is supposed to be fun. It’s not a job or occupation. We’re here only once and we should have a bit of a laugh.
– Billy Connolly

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • Okkorim (23,121)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Your release this week is the second book in Dennis M. Myers’ Rise of the Automated Empire series. It’s entitled Rise of the Automated Empire: Final Assembly and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CKVFR1PL.

And for pre-release, we have book 7 in William S. Frisbee’s Last Marines series, Son of the Wolf. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CMPFGZZC/.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 361.2

Updated Word Count: 364,509

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