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Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Sharpening the Saw

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Week 34 of 2022

Greetings all

We talked on our recording of Dudes in Hyperspace tonight of a concept Larry and Steve on The Writer’s Dojo call “sharpening the saw.” (Side note: that’s a great podcast for writers wanting to learn the craft). Sharpening the saw is taking a break so that your mind, body, and soul can recharge. I’ve phrased this as a reason, not an excuse.

Anyway, that’s what this week is for me. I learned some time ago that Pennsic, especially the last few days, tear down, and drive home, are hard on me. I have, in the past, thought I could just come home and start right back up on work like normal, but that’s simply not possible.

So this week I’ve done little except recover, recharge, and reorganize. I kept up with the stuff that has to be done on a timely basis, but I’ve written almost nothing since last Thursday.

Embers & Ash
Embers & Ash

That’s perfectly fine since I’m using that time to get myself ready to go next week. Losing a week to recharge is much more preferable to digging yourself into a depression cycle fed by fatigue, imposter syndrome, and all the other things writers do themselves. I’ve lost about a month that way, and I bitterly regret it because I should have known.

Still, there was the release of Embers & Ash, by Marie Whittaker, the 7th novel in the Eldros Legacy. It’s a great coming of age story of princess fighting to keep her birthright against the Never-Aging Man.

This is especially fun for me as it opens up the last of the 5 continents. Now you can see all the fun differences in each.

  • Daemanon: The theme centers around demons, abominations, and other creatures.
  • Drakanon: The theme centers around dragons.
  • Noksonon: The theme centers around light, dark, and shadow.
  • Pyranon: The theme centers around fire and volcanoes.
  • Shijuren: The theme centers around legends and myths.
No Game for Knights
No Game for Knights

Also, there’s been major progress on the details of The Chimera Coup by Christopher G. Nuttall. It’s a great honor to have him join New Mythology, and you’re going to love his new series, The Heirs of Cataclysm.

I came home to an awesome surprise, my author copies of No Game for Knights, my first Baen Books credit. It’s an anthology edited by Kacey Ezell and Larry Correia of speculative fiction combined with noir, and I contributed a new Edward story.

This anthology comes out on September 16th, and we recorded an episode of the Baen Free Radio Hour on Monday with most of the authors. It’s a heck of a lineup as you can see from the cover, and I’m blown away to get to on Team And More here along with Chris Kennedy and Scott Huggins. Keep an eye on the Baen site for when that episode airs, it was a lot of fun with some amazing people.

Speaking of Scott, I’ve been editing Responsibility of the Throne, the sequel to his Responsibility of the Crown. I loved the first, but this one’s even better.

Also, we recorded not one, but two episodes of the Dudes In Hyperspace. We had the awesome pleasure to have Kevin J. Anderson in for an interview, and that’s already live. I’m literally typing out this week’s email after recording another show, this one with Joe Deleone talking about the upcoming college football season.

Grill/Griddle
Grill/Griddle

Finally, I was able to finally get my birthday present from my mom, a grill/griddle combo. I got the floor model (at a nice discount), so that’s why there’s some rust on the griddle itself. However, that’s an easy fix, far easier than assembling it.

I can now make eggs the way I learned at Jimmie’s Diner way back when without fighting a damn small pan. Breakfast is going to be awesome this weekend.

And with that, I’m going to spend some time with the sweetie. We’ve had some time together, of course, but there’s been lots of catching up to do after being apart for three weeks.

Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

I put Rush on random again. We had KJA on for the Dudes as I mentioned, and obviously I had great fun listening about his friendship with Neil.

Right now, it’s Peaceable Kingdom from Vapor Trails.

Quote of the Week

In 1227, Genghis Khan died. You all know the quote from Conan which includes “lamentations of their women.” That’s simply one translation of a Genghis Khan saying.

He had a number of other sayings, some of which are actually good words of wisdom. This is one of my favorites.

“An action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.”
― Genghis Khan

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

We have two shows this week! First, an interview with Kevin J. Anderson which is already available. This was brilliant, by the way.

Second, we recorded another show today. This will go live in a couple of days. It’s a great preview of college football season.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Chimera Coup by Christopher G. Nuttall, which comes out in September. This starts a new series, The Heirs of Cataclysm, and it’s full of action and energy.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (23,151)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Lots going on this week!

First, Embers & Ash from Marie Whittaker. This is book 7 in the Eldros Legacy and is a coming of age story where a princes fights for her birthright against the Never-Aging Man. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B9HZNMZ8.

Next is a much-anticipated Four Horsemen Universe novel, The Lyon’s Pride by Chris Kennedy and Marisa Wolf. Get the real story behind the Lyon and Lyoness here: amazon.com/dp/B0B96JZB1B.

By the way, this novel starts a new 4HU subseries, The Phoenix Initiative. Phoenix is important here, as this novel is designed to be a new starting point in the 4HU. The 4HU is certainly a big hunk to bite into, and this gives a way to get into it from the middle, so to speak.

Also, I’m going to start announcing the upcoming CKP Friday release as a special to readers of this email. Kevin Ikenberry’s Sleeper Protocol release date is actually tomorrow, but you can get it early here: amazon.com/dp/B0B9WGHFV2/.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 328.6 (I’m steadily falling though, as I often gain weight on the drive home)

Updated Word Count: 150,156

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy Bastille Day

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Week 29 of 2022

Greetings all

The Forgotten King
The Forgotten King

Book release weeks are always great, and this week we have Mark Stallings’ The Forgotten King. It’s got dragons, Delvers, and dungeon crawls and is great swords and sorcery fun. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B67ML6H2.

Marie Whittaker and I spent much of last week editing Embers & Ash, which comes out on the 16th of August. It’s a great coming-of-age story.

I spent time working over Farewell, My Ugly. Not a great week for word count, but clearing some things up. Standard for this part in the process.

Next week, I’ll be finally turning my focus back to Sowing Spring’s Wrath, the sequel to The Door Into Winter. I’ve had some challenges getting it laid out in my head, but I think those are going away. It’s been percolating in the back of my mind exactly where I want to end and what kind of challenges I want to have, and sometimes that takes working on something else to let it grow on its own.

I’m also ramping up for the trip to Pennsic. This will be my first year having my own booth at a Pennsic. I had one for Armistice last year, of course, and that went great. I’m curious how it’ll go with five times the number of people.

With that, I need to go clean up a number of small tasks that have been waiting on my attention. Have a great week everyone.

What I’m Listening To

The Flowers of Bermuda, which was originally done by Stan Rogers, but in this case performed by Heather Dale. The song is great, one of Stan’s best, in my opinion, and Heather has a fantastic voice. If you haven’t checked either of these folk out, you should absolutely look into them.

Of course, knowing what I know of my subscriber list, I daresay that most of you have at least some of their music on your playlists.

Quote of the Week

I mean, seriously, what else could today’s quote be?

And we’re marching to Bastille Day
La guillotine will claim her bloody prize
Sing, o choirs of cacophony
The king has kneeled, to let his kingdom rise.
– Rush, Bastille Day

Dudes In Hyperspace
DIHP 20220707
DIHP 20220707

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show has us in video. Scary I know, but we had a great conversation about writing short stories and one-shot novels as opposed to series.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Mark Stallings’ The Forgotten King is live! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B67ML6H2.

This makes six! Eldros Legacy novels.

Book seven, Embers & Ash by Marie Whittaker comes out on the 16th of August. We’re releasing it on the 3rd Tuesday, not the 2nd, because I’ll be at Pennsic for the first half of August.

By the way, Marie’s novel will unveil the last of the five continents. We are so excited to get all of them up and going.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on a variety of projects for NMP, not just Eldros Legacy but new stuff. Exciting times.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (xx)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (14,979)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
  • Pennsic, 29 July – 14 August, Cooper’s Lake Campground, PA, pennsicwar.org/
  • FenCon, 16-18 September, Irving, TX, fencon.org/
New Releases

We have a new space marine series at CKP, this one by William S. Frisbee, Jr. It’s entitled Gods of War, and it is book one of The Last Marines. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5WJB2MY.

Also this week is The Forgotten King by Mark Stallings. It’s done really well so far. Find out why here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B67ML6H2.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 324.2

Updated Word Count: 145,251

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Valorous Deeds

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Week 22 of 2022

Greetings all

Nope, this week’s title doesn’t refer to any of the Libri Valoris, though of course I hope you all note the open call for the next anthology, Bonds of Valor, down below.

Instead, I’ll be going to my first SCA event in over two years, the Tournament of Valor in Wichita, KS. I get to see my parents, sell my books, and hit my friends with sticks. What could be better?

Lorelle of the Dark
Lorelle of the Dark

This is an exciting week for other reasons too. We have the cover reveal for Lorelle of the Dark, the next Eldros Legacy novel. This one is by Todd Fahnestock and is a direct sequel to Khyven the Unkillable.

And man, it has an amazing cover as you can see. Lorelle of the Dark comes out on the 14th of June.

By the way, if you haven’t read Khyven the Unkillable yet, you should know it’s a finalist for the Colorado book awards. Then get into the whole of the Eldros Legacy.

But wait, there’s more! No Game for Knights, which includes a new Edward story, is now available on e-ARC from Baen. An e-ARC, for those who’ve not heard the term before, is an electronic advance reader copy. This means you can read the stories ahead of its real release in September, but it may have some errors or oddnesses that will get fixed for the final release.

If you can’t wait to read Edward’s next thrilling adventure, go here: baen.com/no-game-for-knights-earc.html.

It’s an incredible honor to be a part of this anthology. Just look at th author list: Laurell K. Hamilton, Larry Correia, Christopher Ruocchio, Michael Haspil, D.J. Butler, Kacey Ezell, Griffin Barber, Robert Buettner, Sharon Shinn, Craig Martelle, Chris Kennedy, S.A. Bailey, G. Scott Huggins, Nicole Givens Kurtz, and Rob Howell.

I may be last, heck, I may be least, but I’m there and I’m very excited. Ask me in person sometime about my reaction when I heard the news. That involves a bunch of Muppet flailing you just have to see.

I actually started playing around with the next Edward novel, which is long overdue. I am still working my way around a plotting issue in Sowing Spring’s Wrath, and rather than just beat my head against the wall, I started writing something else. 7500 words already, which is about 10% as I’m going to make these shorter, so it’s a good start.

My working title is a bit whimsical, but I might just keep it. I’m going with Farewell, My Ugly for now and we’ll see.

With that, I’d better go pack my armor.

What I’m Listening To

Moving Pictures by Rush. Right now, it’s on The Camera Eye, which is such an underrated song in my opinion. It’s probably the worst song on the album, but that’s because the other six songs are 11+ on a scale of 10 and this is only a 10.

Quote of the Week

Sad to hear that Ray Liotta passed away. My favorite of his roles was, not surprisingly, Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams. Here’s my favorite quote of his from the movie.

“Man, I did love this game. I’d have played for food money. It was the game… The sounds, the smells. Did you ever hold a ball or a glove to your face?”
– Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes stuff on the Indianapolis 500 with an expert batting for me because I know almost nothing about racing. Still, the Indy 500 is one of those big sporting events I want to go to once, like the Kentucky Derby and a British Open at St. Andrews a number of others. Not something I’m huge into, but I want to experience the thing.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

The Door Into Winter is out!

Lorelle of the Dark is next, coming out on June 14th.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Door Into Winter, my next novel.

Giveaways
Wicked Villains
Wicked Villains

 

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (xx)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (7,503)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

The Abner Fortis, ISMC is now up to 6! books with Tango Two Two by P.A. Piatt. What a start to this series. You can it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B1LPY9JV.

Also, get the e-ARC for No Game for Knights here: baen.com/no-game-for-knights-earc.html

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 320.6

Updated Word Count: 140,648

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: It’s Been A While

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Week 21 of 2022

Greetings all

Yesterday, I got to do something I haven’t done in ages. I put on armor and hit my friends with sticks. At one point, I did SCA fighting once or twice a week, then I got busy with grad school and stopped going as much. Last night, I thought I was mediocre, but not a baby seal, which was all I could have hoped for.

As loyal followers have seen, I dropped about 80 pounds from a couple years ago. This meant two things. One, I moved better than I expected to do so, and also fought more. Two, my armor doesn’t fit any more. I am using borrowed armor for the moment.

Part of the reason is so that I can fight at a couple of events coming up. I’ll be selling my books as well, but unlike many other events, my sweetie can come and watch the booth while I get bruised and beaten. Trust me, she’s fine with allowing that to happen.

The new event to note is the Valor Tournament in Wichita, KS starting a week from tomorrow. If you’re going, come buy some books.

But fighting is one of those things you have to get in a rhythm and do consistently. In other words, it’s much like writing. And, to be honest, also like writing, if I’m doing both consistently, I tend to feel much better. I’m certainly feeling better than I have any right to be today.

I’ve been throwing some ideas at the page for Sowing Spring’s Wrath, and I’m facing a challenge, so it’s been slow going. The good news is that this is a foundational challenge, so once it’s resolved, I’ll be in great shape.

This is all part of the Save the Cat Beat Sheet. I used this with The Door Into Winter and it served me well. It allowed me to keep track of the forest while in the midst of the trees. I still pantsed the actual prose, but when I got to a point where I wasn’t sure to go, I had a vague waypoint to aim at. This is huge at the 55-75000 word area where I’ve always lost track a bit.

Just another tool to help me be more efficient, once I get past this hurdle.

Like the Sowing Spring’s Wrath Beat Sheet, this was a week of more foundational stuff. More stuff I can’t yet talk about but is exciting.

With that, I better get to figuring out just what weaknesses I want my characters to have. And you know, just in typing this little bit about my life and processes, I think I might have come up with another one. I guess I better go write that down, shouldn’t I?

What I’m Listening To

La Villa Strangiato by Rush. Hard for me not to be creative listening to this song.

Quote of the Week

Today is the birthday of Peter Mayhew, who of course played Chewbacca. So, that means we have to have a quote from that iconic character.

“Raarrwewraraerrrrrrrrr!”
– Chewbacca, Star Wars, Episode IV, A New Hope

For more great quotes from Chewie, go here: starwars.tours/the-8-best-chewbacca-quotes-from-star-wars/

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes us just chatting about this and that. And Ian ranting. You don’t want to miss Ian ranting.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

The next book, schedule for June 14th, is Lorelle of the Dark, by Todd Fahnestock. This follows up immediately after the events in Khyven the Unkillable.

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on a number of projects, including a bunch of new to New Mythology authors. There’s some cool stuff coming.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

This week’s release is a new series from William Alan Webb and Kayla Krantz. Runners, book one of the The Core, is now available at: amazon.com/dp/B0B11GF3N2.

And of course, it’s only been 9 days since The Door Into Winter came out. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09ZK1GR3S/.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 321.6

Updated Word Count: 139,674

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy Cinco de Mayo!

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Week 19 of 2022

Greetings all

The Door Into Winter
The Door Into Winter

The big news is the release of The Door Into Winter, coming next Tuesday! This is the first novel of mine published under the Eldros Legacy umbrella and the fourth novel in the series.

In this, some characters you may know (Irina, Ausartxango, Geirr, and Valentin) head to Svellheim to chase a Giant. Lots of action and adventure, and an ending that came together in a way that I didn’t expect.

To get all the Eldros Legacy books, go here: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

Now that I’m a week away from Planet Comicon and can breathe a bit again, I want to chat about one of the best parts of going to cons in general, and those multimedia ones in particular. That is, of course, getting to see what so many others are doing, even if all you can really focus on are the people who are across the aisle from you or down the row.

This year, I was across from an artist named Nathan Lueth. He’s got a new release, The Canon of Vangel, which I’ll be pushing in the New Releases section below. Here’s a sample of his art, which I thought was tremendous:

Canon of Vangel
Canon of Vangel

He’s just one of many I chatted with during the weekend. If you’re starting in this business, I heartily encourage attending cons. They may or not make money from sales, but they’re invaluable networking and publicity outlets if you can afford them.

Anyway, I spent this week cleaning out stuff and taking things slow after hammering a bunch of stuff out the previous two months.

Part of that, of course, was wallowing in the NFL Draft. This was an especially interesting draft because for once, the QBs didn’t drive the process.

Sunday, my sweetie and I took a bit of a road trip and also got to see my parents for dinner. Such an enjoyable day.

With that, though, I better get back to work. For some reason, these stories don’t just edit themselves.

What I’m Listening To

The Main Monkey Business by Rush. One of two amazing instrumentals on Snakes and Arrows.

Quote of the Week

On this day in 1260, Kublai Khan becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire. So, that of course means…

“It flung up momently the sacred river.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion
Through wood and dale the sacred river ran,
Then reached the caverns measureless to man,
And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean;
And ’mid this tumult Kubla heard from far
Ancestral voices prophesying war!”

Imagine how much more awesome the poem could have been if Coleridge hadn’t been interrupted?

– Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes discussions on character building.

We skipped a week, by the way, because Ian and his wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary. We’ll be back next week!

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

The Door Into Winter comes out on Tuesday.

In the Halls of Winter, a wounded Giant awaits.

Irina, Ausartxango, Valentin, and Geirr chase him to Svellheim, a land of ice and secrets as old as the mountains themselves.

The wounded Giant, filled with wrath, is aided by his old and faithful servants, corrupt nobles, and those ruled by greed, hate, and rage. He awaits his pursuers, setting a trap to claim his vengeance.

His pursuers are mighty, but they are merely human. Will their prowess prove enough against the greatest enemy Shijuren has ever known? Or will the Giant bring back an evil thought destroyed two thousand years ago?

Currently available:

Get all the Eldros Legacy novels at: amazon.com/dp/B09Z9WVKYV

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

It must also be a fantasy story. Any type is welcome, urban, epic, high, western, gothic, whatever, it just have to have magic. Finally, it cannot have been published anywhere else before.

I’m currently working on The Door Into Winter, my next novel.

Giveaways
Searching for your next favorite story?
Searching for your next favorite story?

Searching for your next favorite story?

books.bookfunnel.com/wolfstonekickstarter/jotcoxpd4j

Mid-April Military Fantasy/Sci-Fi Giveaway!
Mid-April Military Fantasy/Sci-Fi Giveaway!
Upcoming Events
New Releases

What a great week for new stuff!

Of course, there’s the Canon of Vangel from Nathan Rueth I mention above. You can get it here: canonofvangel.com/

Dave Butler came out with a new novel this week, Abbott in Darkness. It’s not a CKP or NMP book, but it is Dave Butler, so it goes on the list. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09X61NNNW

This week there’s also a new Four Horsemen novel, The Executioners by Jason Cordova and Matt Novotny.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 319.2

Updated Word Count: 137,931

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: When the Dragons Grow Too Mighty

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Week 17 of 2022

Greetings all

This was one of those weeks where I did a bunch of work, but it’s not something that turns into specific product yet. Lots of editing, some small projects, and so on.

However, that all changes this weekend with Planet Comicon. I’ll be in booth 1746 all weekend, and I look forward to chatting with so many people.

These kind of big comicons are exhausting, and I’ll be dragging on Sunday, but they’re also inspiring and give me a great creative push, at least once I can get my head back above water.

I’ve a bunch of friends there too. Todd Fahnestock, James Young, Jennifer Stolzer, and a host of others. That’s part of the fun, and it’s been way too long since I’ve seen a bunch of these.

The Door Into Winter comes out on the 10th of May, and of course, that’s also exciting. Release dates are kind of like Christmas, in that you have to wait to open the presents, or in this case, the response.

I’m going to cut it short for now, because I set up today and we also recorded another Dudes in Hyperspace podcast, and I’m beat.

What I’m Listening To

The clacking of my mechanical keyboard. I’m so tired I didn’t put on my headphones to listen to anything.

Quote of the Week

Yesterday I got to see Primus for the first time. They’ve been on my list, and this was especially the concert for me as they played all of Rush’s A Farewell to Kings. They did really well, and it’s been a while since I had a Rush quote. This one’s from Madrigal, which is not one of Rush’s more well-known songs, but I love these lyrics.

And I’m so lucky to have finally found the “you” mentioned in the last line.

When the dragons grow too mighty
To slay with pen or sword
I grow weary of the battle
And the storm I walk toward
When all around is madness
And there’s no safe port in view
I long to turn my path homeward
To stop awhile with you
– Rush, Madrigal

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
bleav.com/shows/the-dudes-in-hyperspace-podcast/

The latest show includes stuff on the Masters, which didn’t turn out nearly as dramatic as they often do.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

The Door Into Winter by me is coming soon!

Currently available:

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

The theme is Bonds of Valor, and you story must include deeds of valor centered around bonds between characters. This could be a romantic relationship, a buddy adventure, oaths to kings, or whatever you can come up with.

Deadline: November 30th, 2022
Word Count: 7-10,000 words
Specifics: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 line spaced.

I’m currently working on The Door Into Winter, my next novel.

Giveaways

None this week so you can take a break. As one subscriber said, I’m running out of time with all this awesome free stuff! More to come next week, so better catch up quick.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • VAL (571)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

New stuff in the Fallen World! Among the Embers is a new anthology with Kevin Steverson, Marisa Wolf, Jon R. Osborne, and, of course, the universe founder, Christopher Woods, plus a bunch of other great authors. You can get it here:

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 322.6

Updated Word Count: 136,524

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Becoming a Superstar

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Week 6 of 2021

Greetings all

Monday I head to Colorado Springs to go to my first Superstars Writing Seminar. Going to be a chance for me to level up, I think. The teachers include such names as Jim Butcher, Kevin J. Anderson, Jonathan Maberry, Jody Lynn Nye, and the one, the only, Chris Kennedy.

For those paying attention to the Eldros Legacy, I’m the only one of the Founders, including Mia Kleve, our primary editor, who hasn’t been part of the program there, and I rectify that this year. We’ve got a talented group.

Speaking of talent, we’re getting close to setting a firm release date for Deadly Fortune, the next Eldros Legacy novel, this one by Aaron Rosenberg. This is set in Shijuren and it’s go pirates, treachery, swordfights, and murder. What more could a reader want?

If you haven’t read Aaron, you’re in for a treat. He’s a prolific writer with a ton of shared universe credits to his name, including Stargate, Star Trek, and Warhammer 40K. Yeah, he’s a rock star and we’re ecstatic to have him.

Tonight we record our next Dudes in Hyperspace podcast. This one will focus on our writing process.

By the way, we have some very exciting news about Dudes in Hyperspace. Details on this next podcast, which should be available in the next few days. Thanks to all who listen to us, because without you we don’t get to do this big reveal.

I’ve gotten back into the groove a bit with The Door Into Winter. Getting sick and needing to get both Deadly Fortune and Keen Edge of Valor out the door took me away from writing, but I had a good day yesterday. Since it had been a bit, I went in an edited chunks to remember exactly what I was doing.

I also started a new short story this week for Marisa Wolf. This one is set in Bill Webb’s Hit World series, which is yet another fun shared world from CKP.

And I think it’s time to get back to writing. I have a character to kill…

What I’m Listening To

This week it’s Signals by… you guessed it, Rush! Yeah, I’m still on my Rush kick.

Quote of the Week

Today is the 63rd anniversary of the day the music died, so here’s a lyric from American Pie.

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the devil’s only friend
– Don McLean, American Pie

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Craig Martelle of 20Booksto50K and IASFA.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Deadly Fortune by Aaron Rosenberg is coming soon!

Currently available:

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one announced at FantaSci.

I’m currently working on Keen Edge of Valor and it’s mostly done. You’re going to love it!

Get it here: storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/bbdf4462-1880-11ec-8eb9-a34519556732

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (74,129)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • VAL (571)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

New Hit World anthology: You Pay: We Slay! This is the genre gumbo series from Bill Webb. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09R8VLM58

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 317.0

Updated Word Count: 4,426

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Excalispork

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Week 4 of 2021

Greetings all

Sorry about not posting last week. I’ve been under the weather since ChattaCon. My turn in the Covid box, which I’ve long expected. To be frank, it wasn’t bad for me, just draining. I’m certainly on the mend now.

I did manage to get the base manuscript for Keen Edge of Valor complete and sent off to the editor. That will be released at FantaSci, and to ensure we have print copies there, we needed it done early. Which it is.

I’ve been working on Deadly Fortune, by Aaron Rosenberg. Due to some need to shift things around, this will be the next Eldros Legacy novel. It’s set in Shijuren (my continent), and it involves piracy, murder, treachery, intrigue, and all sorts of great things like that. To coin a phrase: “Killed by pirates is good.”

Side note: we watched Princess Bride over the holidays again. It’s been a month and I’m still basking in the great quotes, as you can see.

I haven’t really had a chance to do much writing and it’s been gnawing at me. The good news is that once I get my portion of Deadly Fortune and Keen Edge of Valor done, I have February basically open for writing. I do owe a short story by the end of the month, but I will get bunches done in the The Door Into Winter too.

I had planned to do a full ChattaCon AAR, but there isn’t much to discuss. The con organizers did all they could and worked their tails off, but attendance was down. No panel was particularly well attended that I saw. Again, not the fault of the organizers.

I had one panel go really well, and that’s the Iron Writing Panel, which was basically a Whose Line style story creation thing where I kept adding/changing characters and settings and events. Quite fun. Long live the Excalispork!

That will be among the cards in the next version of this game.

Also, part of why I don’t have much to say is that I left early to get ahead of the weather. I’m really glad I did as I had smooth sailing, which wouldn’t have happened had I stayed throughout.

I’m glad I went, especially since I got to hang out more with William Joseph Roberts. He’s a smart man who’s doing real cool things.

Anyway, I think it’s time for me to edit.

What I’m Listening To

Not surprising, but since I was sick and not able to focus on work, I’ve been watching Rush concerts and documentaries, so it’s the current thing on the playlist. I’m mostly listening to it in whole album chunks and I’m currently on Power Windows. Like always, I hear one of Rush’s albums and two things happen. One, I remember just how good that album was especially since I always hear some intricacy I hadn’t heard before. Two, I remember that particular time in my life in sharper focus. Every new Rush album marked my life like signposts.

Quote of the Week

Fifty-five years since the mission that never flew, Apollo 1.

“If we die, we want people to accept it. We’re in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us, it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”
– Gus Grissom

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Craig Martelle of 20Books and IASFA.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

We’re doing some consolidation of the process right now, meaning there will be some special things happening in February. I’ll talk more about that soon.

Khyven the Unkillable is here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC

Seeds of Dominion is here: amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY/

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on Keen Edge of Valor for release at FantaSci.

Giveaways

Lots this week because I missed last week.

Sci-Fi Generation
Sci-Fi Generation

Sci-Fi Generation

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/bd544624-6341-11ec-bae8-9fe13dd3b276

Warriors for Good
Warriors for Good

Warriors for Good

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/1b13bb6a-1418-11ec-9a16-9f45996aea4e

Start the year with an adventure
Start the year with an adventure

Start the year with an adventure

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/4f277d00-693c-11ec-81b9-7fb7fa4bcdef

January Sci-Fi Giveaway
January Sci-Fi Giveaway

January Sci-Fi Giveaway

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/e9d06e20-63fb-11ec-a3ca-8bb708dff2d2

Unlimited Reading
Unlimited Reading

Unlimited Reading

books.bookfunnel.com/unlimitedreading/cp9vd3wqhr

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (74,029)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Two new releases this week, mostly because I didn’t do one last week. The first is A Rupture In Time by Mike Jack Stoumbos, the second of the This Fine Crew series. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09QPJJ7XC.

Next is The Magnetar by Jo Boone. This is the first in the Combined Service series. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09QC78PLJ.

By the way, these are two recent additions to the CKP stable. Chris is always keeping an eye out for you guys. You want good stories and he wants to give them to you, and here is proof.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 318.2 (Not a typo. I was already trending down a bit and then I got sick and haven’t eaten much. Not ideal to lose that much that fast, and I expect it will creep up some in the next weeks, but it’s still exciting to be under 320)

Updated Word Count: 3,696

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Seeds are Sown

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Week 1 of 2022

Greetings all

Seeds of Dominion is out! This is the second Eldros Legacy novel and it’s by Quincy J. Allen. It covers events in Daemanon, the continent that Quincy created, and it stars Rellen of Corsia, who has already appeared in a couple of anthologies, When Valor Must Hold and Songs of Valor.

In my opinion, this is the best thing Quincy’s ever written, and if you’ve read his other stuff, you know that’s saying something.

You may have noticed that Seeds of Dominion is Book One of the Legacy of Deceit while Khyven the Unkillable Book One of the Legacy of Shadows. There are five continents on Eldros, and each of the five continents have their stories to tell at the start. If you would like an analogy, think of Marvel with separate stories involving Ironman, Hulk, Thor, and all the others.

We did this, by the way, not simply because the stories demand it, but also because when we really get going, we want to make sure readers know in what order to read all the books.

Major progress this week in The Keen Edge of Valor. I’ll be announcing the list of authors at Chattacon next week in the Chris Kennedy Publishing Year Ahead panel, which happens on Saturday at noon. I’ll post that list the week after.

I will say that I’m blessed to get to work with some of the best in the business.

I made some progress in The Door Into Winter, though I’ll freely admit I didn’t do as much over the holiday weekend as I should have. We got a new reclining loveseat this past weekend. There were bowl games, including the CFP semifinals, plus the NFL. I may have gotten distracted.

I also did my 2021 AAR, which you can find here: robhowell.org/blog/?p=2523.

Next week will be a little off-kilter, in terms of posting online because, as I mentioned, I’m going to Chattacon. I have a great schedule lined up, which I’ll post next Thursday.

What I’m Listening To

Xanadu by Rush. Because of course I am.

Quote of the Week

Like us all, I’m mourning the passing of Betty White. This is, I think, a fitting quote on the topic.

“People have told me, ‘Betty, Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with old friends.’ At my age, if I wanted to keep in touch with old friends, I’d need a Ouija board.”
– Betty White

Now where’s my Ouija board. “Hey, Betty, I need some help…”

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show is our holiday episode and includes an interview with a member of the USO.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy
Seeds of Dominion
Seeds of Dominion

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Seeds of Dominion is out! You can get it here:amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY.

Don’t forget to leave reviews and like the reviews that you found helpful.

If you haven’t already, please do the same for Todd Fahnestock’s Khyven the Unkillable, which is here: amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N288DCC.

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on The Keen Edge of Valor, which will come out at FantaSci. I’ll make the full announcement of the author list at Chattacon.

Giveaways
Adventure-Action-Intrigue

Adventure-Action-Intrigue

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/4b5c160a-59c8-11ec-935c-77d1c581f5d8

Free Fantasy and Science Fiction
Free Fantasy and Science Fiction

Free Fantasy and Science Fiction

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/d3f41fc2-538c-11ec-949a-23f5e84cb858

The Neighbor You Don't Know
The Neighbor You Don’t Know

And we’re trying something new here. This is a preview of The Neighbor You Don’t Know, by Shane Shepard. You can find it here: storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/da9e03f0-1bbb-11ec-92e4-7fd845c8a81b

If you get a chance, please go take a look. He’s doing me the kindness of advertising one of my own stories.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (70,243)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Seeds of Dominion is out! You can get it here:amazon.com/dp/B09PK1QYDY. The second novel in the Eldros Legacy.

Also out is the next Lunar Free State book, The Next Crusade, by John Siers. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09PD8SCCH

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 329.6 (Not a typo, been under 330 all week. W0000tttt)

Updated Word Count: 1,954

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series

Uncategorized

Rob’s Update: Khyven the Unkillable

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Week 48 of 2021

Greetings all

Khyven the Unkillable
Khyven the Unkillable

Now, I’m not saying the Khyven the Unkillable by Todd Fahnestock is so good that it broke Amazon, but it is the case that Amazon’s back end went down on the day of Khyven‘s release and it is that good. You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC.

It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy, and Seeds of Dominion, coming out on the 4th of January is a great follow-up. That will go out to advance readers in the next few days.

For me, this was a fantastic week. I updated my website, robhowell.org. I had to add the Eldros Legacy, after all.

I also committed to ChattaCon in January. I can’t wait, wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go. In February, I’ll be at Superstars and then in March, I’ll have Gulf Wars and FantaSci. It’s starting to feel like a schedule again.

I got 4k written in The Door Into Winter. Things are shaping up nicely. I’m at about 59k and I see no sigh of slowage, so maybe this Save the Cat thing is helping.

In fact, I would have done more, but I also got 6k written in the new freebie story for my newsletter recipients. I have just the final battle scene to write and then it’s in the editing stage It’s another of my Nick Patara, PI hardboiled Santa Claus stories entitled Fleece Navidad.

That’s my favorite title yet, by the way.

I also cleaned a bunch of the house, as we’re having guests for the weekend. This is the time of a major local SCA event, and while I can’t go to the event, I do get to have a bunch of people over. I can’t wait to see them.

What I’m Listening To

The Main Monkey Business by Rush. It’s off of Snakes and Arrows, their penultimate studio album. I’ve been on a kick of listening to Rush albums lately, not simply putting all my Rush on shuffle. We sometimes forget in this day of digital music how much some artists put into making an album work as an album and not simply a collection of songs.

Quote of the Week

One of my all-time favorite quotes this week. Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday to Neil Innes.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ive suffered for my music … now its your turn.
– Neil Innes

Dudes In Hyperspace

Follow the Dudes In Hyperspace here:
https://www.sharkflight.com/dudes/

The latest show includes an interview with Todd Fahnestock, one of the Founders of the Eldros Legacy.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

Get five free stories and signed up with the Eldros Legacy mailing list! Here There Be Giants is at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Khyven the Unkillable came out on Tuesday! You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC. It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy.

Next week, I’ll have the cover reveal for Seeds of Dominion.

New Mythology Works in Progress

We have no current open anthology calls but will have a new one in January.

I’m currently working on Embers & Ash, the next book in the Eldros Legacy.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (58,990)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • Fleece Navidad (5,945)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

Khyven the Unkillable came out on Tuesday! You can find it here: amazon.com/dp/B09N288DCC. It’s a great start to the Eldros Legacy.

Also this week, the book 4 of P.A. Piatt’s Abner Fortis, ISMC series, entitled Gnamma, came out. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MT3HB8T.

Speaking of releases, The Ravening of Wolves, my second Four Horsemen novel, came out on audio last week. Thanks to the awesome Daniel Wisniewski and Chris Kenneday for all their work making this happen. You can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B09MSWF9K1.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 333.8

Updated Word Count: 354,545

Eldros Legacy Archives: 802 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

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series