On Wednesday, I made a double trip, meaning I went up to Olathe, filled my car, and came back to Anthony in a day. That’s about 8 hours of driving, plus load time.
It’s notable because that was basically the last time I’ll be at that house after a dozen years.
I’m so glad that we have everything down in Anthony, and that nearly everything is done to make the house sellable. Now all we have to do is unpack and arrange everything.
I started arranging my office today and at some point soon I’ll have my full workspace up and operational. I’ll get back in the normal rhythm of writing and editing on Sunday or Monday.
Man, am I ready for that.
And you know, if I’ve gt a ton of procrasticleaning I’ll need to do to help me take breaks.
This was the final push, so I haven’t even tried to do any real work. Part of that is I’m exhausted. One reason for that fatigue is Two Men and a Truck.
A week ago Wednesday, I was to get another truck from them. I wasn’t entirely pleased with the way they packed the first two trucks, but they certainly worked hard.
The last truck, however, had a crew that didn’t want to do anything. They packed the truck half-full, gave half effort, and in fact only gave me 10 of the 20 hours I paid for. I registered a complaint. The local management gave half attention, and frankly gave me an insulting amount of recompense. I’ll take it, but my advice is never use Two Men and a Truck.
This meant that on Saturday, I was up at 5am. We left from Anthony to Olathe, where we rented a UHaul. Then we spent 5 hours packing it, then drove it back down to Anthony, and unloaded it halfway by 9pm.
Thank goodness we had a couple guys we’ve been paying to help us. We wouldn’t have made it if it hadn’t been for them.
However, we spent about twice on Saturday what Two Men offered us to repay their lack of service, not counting our time. The good news is I got to use my Pennsic Packing Tetris skills.
But if Two Men had done their job, I wouldn’t have had to go to overtime. But we’ve got everything here. Now we have time for me to get back to work.
What I’m Listening To
Playoff hockey. Better yet, overtime playoff hockey. It’s the most exciting and dramatic of all sports in overtime. Only thing more exciting is a Game 7 overtime playoff hockey gae.
Quote of the Week
Wayne Gretzky is one of the commentators during the intermissions, so let’s have a quote from him. It’s relevant to us right now, by the way, because the ethos here is behind our move to Anthony.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
– Wayne Gretzky
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.
I apologize for the hiatus on the move. Back to full speed soon, hopefully next Monday. Thanks for everyone’s patience.
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.
As you can see, I’m a day late to sending this week’s update. There have been some delays in the moving process and I just didn’t have time yesterday.
Overall, buying the house has been a smooth process, but the move has been awful, thanks in part because of our amount of stuff. However, we have not been helped by our moving company. They basically screwed up to this point and we *still* have a truckload of stuff.
I’m giving them a chance to make it right, so I won’t name them yet, but I’m incredibly pissed off right now.
But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if I have to rent a UHaul on top of all this, it’ll all fit at this point. At some point, very soon, we’ll have everything in Anthony and be settling in. I anticipate a good week of work, real work, next week.
Also, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, and my mom’s birthday falls around Mother’s Day every year so it’s a double chance to tell mom how awesome she is.
She is awesome, by the way.
As for work, I’m nibbling away, doing maintenance level stuff. I’ve lost basically a month of production, which, to be honest, was to be expected.
So everything is delayed, but as I tell people, there are reasons and excuses. A move is a reason. Boy, is it a reason.
Time to take advantage of Brewbaker’s and do some editing. Have a great week, everyone.
What I’m Listening To
The sounds of Brewbaker’s. I’m going to miss this place. It’s been a really productive writing home. If you’re ever near 95th and Renner in Lenexa, KS, you should try it out. Their truffle fries are really good, as is their southwest chopped salad, especially with extra fresh jalapenos and avocado.
I’m eating that right now, in fact.
Quote of the Week
May 12 is a huge day for birthdays, including not just one great quote machine, but two, Yogi Berra and George Carlin. Also born on the 12th is Katherine Hepburn, Ving Rhames, Burt Bacharach, Florence Nightengale, Emilio Estevez, Tony Hawk, and a host of other fairly big names like Lou Whitaker and Leslie Charteris. Also, who knew Mary Kay had a last name. It’s Ash, by the way.
But I have to give a double-shot since how can I pick between George and Yogi?
“Meow” means “woof” in cat.”
― George Carlin
He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.
― Yogi Berra
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.
I apologize for the hiatus on the move. Back to full speed soon, hopefully next Monday. Thanks for everyone’s patience.
And there’s a ton of things going on with CKP, so many I can’t really get to them all. You should also subscribe to Chris’s email list *and* get a free story. Go here: chriskennedypublishing.com/newsletter and sign up.
Tracked Items
Today’s Weight: 354.0
Updated Word Count: 112,158
Firehall Sagas Archives: 737 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.
I hope your new year has started off well. Mine has, in general, started off really well. I’m excited about all the projects I’ve got going on, especially my new Riddle Patreon.
I really enjoy writing riddles, and have for something like 25 years now. I actually wrote one yesterday, which comes out on the 23rd of January, just sort of sitting around.
The structure on this one was fun. I suspect it’ll be one of the easier riddles I write, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
My current plan is to post something every Monday. The 2nd and 4th Mondays will have new riddles, and those will generate revenue. The other Mondays will be snippets of works in progress. I started with the first chapter of Farewell, My Ugly this week, and will go at least the opening six chapters and probably more until I switch to The Feasting of Vengeance. At least, that’s the plan, until you all suggest a better one.
I made huge progress on Bonds of Valor this week. I’ve been a bit behind on this as I’ve been catching up on a bunch of stuff, but my edits are going out. This will come out at FantaSci on March 24th.
Speaking of which, I think it’s time to announce the list of authors, and it’s one of the best lists we’ve had.
You know the winners of the contest already:
Justin Doyle
B. A. Ironwood
Casey Moores
Fiona Grey
They’ll be joined by:
Philippa Anastos
D.J. Butler
Glen Cook
Sarah Hoyt
Todd McCaffrey
Jody Lynn Nye
Jon R. Osborne
Aaron Rosenberg
Benjamin Tyler Smith
Kevin Steverson
What a list. I’m honored by all these amazing authors. Besides, who doesn’t want more Black Company, Necrolopolis, and Indrajit and Fix stories?
I also spent the week finishing A Lake Most Deep. It goes out tomorrow to a couple of alpha readers. I’ll start on The Eyes of a Doll this weekend.
And with that, it’s off to edit another story. Have a great week.
What I’m Listening To
Saturday is the anniversary of Neil’s death. Rush on repeat for the next few weeks.
Quote of the Week
Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.
Marcus Aurelius
We had a moment on Monday where death might have smiled on national TV. Damar Hamlin, a player for the Buffalo Bills, suffered cardiac arrest on the field. Great news today as Damar asked “Did we win?” He’s not out of the woods, but credit to all involved (except Roger Goodell, but I don’t have time to get into *that* rant).
The Riddles!
I have a new Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work.
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.
So last week, I screwed up and muddled a couple of titles and authors. I should have said, get Casey Moores’ The Guilted Cage, a new Fallen World novel, here: amazon.com/dp/B0BQRQYL86.
Oh, and since I’m tossing out links, here’s Pandora’s Box, 2nd in Christopher G. Nuttall’s Heirs of Cataclysm series. It’s here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.
Tracked Items
Today’s Weight: 334.2
Updated Word Count: 1,213
Firehall Sagas Archives: 740 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.
2023 is going to be a great year for me, not least because I keep improving what I do and the way I do it.
Firehall Sagas
The biggest change, of course, is the Firehall Sagas. Here’s the new logo, created by Kevin Fritz Fotovich, an immensely talented artist and author.
A horizontal version of this will appear on all the books, and elements will appear on all the websites, once I get it all updated, of course.
This email will change a bit. Obviously, the Eldros Legacy section will go away. However, I hope all of you go to eldroslegacy.com/ as they are going to do great things there.
As you heard, the Dudes in Hyperspace is taking a hiatus. I have a fun plan to fill that time. I’ll announce it next week when I have all the details. In any case, I’ll remove the section but keep a link at the bottom.
I may have some other changes as well. I’m hoping to provide you guys with an update that’s more than simply “buy my books,” thought of course I hope you do that too.
Speaking of books, we’re less than a week away from the release of Pandora’s Box by Christopher G. Nuttall! You can get it on pre-order here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX, with the actual release on the 20th.
This is the sequel to The Chimera Coup in the Heirs of Cataclysm series. Expect book 3, A Hope in Hell, soon.
This week was aimed at two things, doing well at Kris Kinder, which I did, and making my choices for Bonds of Valor. I got, as usual, way more than 4 excellent stories, but I had to pare it down. The list of winners is down below.
I also spent a goodly amount of time editing A Lake Most Deep. It’s not out of the question to have it completed next week, though we’ll see. I’m cutting a ton of wasted words and strengthening the book so much, it’s really hard to describe.
I didn’t get much writing done. I wrote on another project, and there was some scribbles, but nothing to speak of.
Maybe I should get doing that now .
What I’m Listening To
San Francisco in Seattle to play the Seahawks. I don’t expect this to be a great game. The 49ers are just too powerful.
Quote of the Week
I was having a heck of a time finding a quote for today, then I asked the boss. My sweetie said I should use this one, and it’s never a bad time to quote Oscar Wilde.
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”
– Oscar Wilde
We give our swan song in a truly dude-tastic show. We’re taking a break, though don’t be surprised we have episodes coming occasionally down the road. Also, I’ve developed a taste for podcasting, so who knows what will happen.
This week, we have Vortex Stingray, book 2 in the Covenant series by Kevin Ikenberry and Chris Kennedy. This particular book is Pacific Rim-style mechs by Kevin on his own. Breaking news: Kevin does everything well. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BPCT7MQS.
And then, of course, we have Pandora’s Box from Christopher G. Nuttall. This is book 2 in his Heirs of Cataclysm series. You can get that one here: amazon.com/dp/B0BNPQ61DX.
Tracked Items
Today’s Weight: 334.0
Updated Word Count: 426,523
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.
In honor of the upcoming release of Keen Edge of Valor, I thought I’d provide some interviews of the authors in the anthology throughout March. Today, we start with Jamie Ibson, who actually is one of the reasons I got started with New Mythology Press.
Jamie asked Chris to do an anthology involving altered humanity. That was We Dare, and I have a fun story in there (And a fun story about that fun story). Anyway, others had asked as well, including James Young and his magnificent Phases of Mars series of alternate military history, of which I have the honor to be in all three.
But these other anthologies prompted me to ask Chris, may I do an anthology of fantasy stories? That became When Valor Must Hold, and from that I have ended up here with New Mythology.
OK, enough about that, on to the interview.
Jamie Ibson
Why are you here? This includes influences, favorite creators, steps along the way, and dreams down the road.
Jamie ibson
Kevin Ikenberry and Michael Z Williamson have taught me more, directly, about the craft of storytelling than anyone I can think of.
More generally I grew up reading D&D fantasy like the Forgotten Realms books, SF off my Dad’s bookshelf like Robert Heinlein, Gordon R Dickson, Spider Robinson, and Joe Haldeman.
These days I often find little aspects of gaming I find intriguing – for example, using crystals to power magical effects in the Westlocke stories (ed. note: You can find the first two in Songs of Valor and Keen Edge of Valor) comes directly from a Fridge Horror moment playing Skyrim where I was slaying wolves left and right, charging up my soul gems, and went “wait… doesn’t this make me the Fantasy equivalent of the machines from the Matrix?”
“Creators” is a great non-specific term and some of my favorite YouTube videos are of self-made musicians like Leo Moracchioli, who is an absolute maniac in Norway pumping out a new heavy metal cover song, with video, every Friday. His music often accompanies me as I write. He plays a bajillion instruments, sings, growls, records, produces, edits video, and generally is only not a one-man show when it comes to bringing in guests or going on tour.
I’m also heavily into mashup songs, where an artist will take, say, the Ghostbusters theme song and overlay the Gangnam Style lyrics to it and it’s genius.
Book-wise, falling in with the CKP crowd has been tremendous. With all the foolishness going on in the world, having a regular Saturday night video call with friends literally all over the globe, with conversations that sometimes last 6, 7, 8 hours has been a boon to my mental health.
I became a creator in the first place at LibertyCon 30, when I learned it wasn’t nearly as impossible as I believed it to be. I chose to create because I found my people. Science fiction and fantasy nerds are best nerds.
Fingers crossed, I would like someday, perhaps someday soon, to narrate one of my own works.
Describe your great Lab of Creation? This includes where you work, what do you listen to (if anything), things you have to have in your work environment, and stuff you’ve tried that haven’t worked.
I work at home. Used to be in the attic, now it’s in a room on the 2nd floor of the house. I’ve got two scratching posts to my right, my bar fridge to my left, my RPG gamebooks over my left shoulder and my RPG figures/miniatures in a cabinet over my right shoulder.
I was originally in the attic, but the floor up there is uneven and I found the ergonomics was putting me in for massage and chiropractic more often than I’d like. The floor literally dropped 4” over 15’. (That’s bad.) The floor in here is much more even.
Gizmo Helping (Jamie needs all the help he can get)
As I mentioned above… Leo Moracchioli, Holocene, and First to Eleven for covers. DJ Schmolli, DJ Cummerbund, William Maranci, Bill McClintock all do mashups. When I’m feeling nostalgic I might listen to Soundgarden, Perturbator, Foo Fighters (especially their live stuff, especially Monkey Wrench featuring Kiss Guy), or electroswing like Caravan Palace.
Cats exist in my working environment – Naomi the ninja, Miss Belle, Floofiest Of Her Name, and Gizmo, the new kitten.
What are your superpowers? This includes things you like your creations, specific techniques you do well, and some favorite successes.
I like lots of different cultures in my writing. I currently plan to put each of the four (five?) Myrmidons books on a different planet with a different… Terran Ancestry, if you will. Urbicide was set on Montoya, in La Republica Del Escobar, which gave everything a distinctive South American Spanish tilt. Disavowed will be in & around the hive city of New Athens, in the Hellenic Cluster, so it’ll be Space Greek. Other destinations will include Space Russia, Space Japan, and probably Space Canada.
I think I do my combat scenes well. I’m 40, and since the age of 17 I’ve only had 1 year where I wasn’t wearing an infantryman’s uniform or a redcoat (ed.note: he’s Canadian, so by redcoat he means the RCMP).
I’ve been in fistfights, I’ve trained for firefights, I’m a good scrapper and good with a firearm. I try to keep my fight scenes tight and chaotic but accurate.
We Dares 1, 2, and 3
I’m very proud of the We Dare anthologies. Number Four is in the closing stages right now, and the feedback from them has been great, both from readers and from my contributors.
We Dare 1 was the first book with my name on the cover, and I had no idea what I was doing. Between them and last year’s And Then It Got Weird, I’ve edited more than 70 short stories, have generally had very good feedback from my contributors, and I think we’ve released a really great series of anthos featuring some really great authors.
What will Lex Luthor use to defeat you? This includes challenges you’ve faced that frustrated you, learning experiences, techniques for overcoming creative challenges, things you’d have done differently, and advice for new writers.
Hah, I am my own Lex Luthor. I struggle with self-doubt, anxiety, impostor syndrome, and have trouble focusing. So I’m not as productive, word-count wise, as I’d like to be.
Speaking of cats…
Sometimes, some very rare times, I can focus like a laser and I can bang off 4000+ words in a night. Others I’m like a cat chasing a disco-ball’s worth of little red laser lights and I’m so scattered as to be useless.
I wouldn’t say failures, so much as sticking points where I’ve gotten jammed up. And in those cases, I have some pretty great friends I can go to with a problem and say “So… how about this?” and they’ll say “Oh, do that” and boom, they can see to the heart of the issue pretty much immediately. I have really smart friends.
I overcome slow points a number of ways. Grind through, sprint, dictate, change the subject… curse Lex Luthor and his inability to focus…
Urbicide
I’d tell new writers, when getting going, find something you want to create for yourself and focus on it like a laser.
To date, I’ve written one 4HU novel co-written with Jason Cordova, another with Casey Moores, one in Christopher Woods’ Fallen World, and Myrmidons Inc: Urbicide. Getting going as a noob is difficult and I likely would have enjoyed greater sales and success if I had, say, written three Myrmidons books first before branching off in some other direction.
Lightning Round
Actor/Actress You’d Like to Play Any Character You’ve Created: Brendan Fraser to voice Bellerophon. He’s brilliant in Doom Patrol and I love him to pieces
Favorite Muppet? Pepe
Belle
Favorite Musical Performer We’ve Never Heard Of? Bill McClintock. (Check out his “Slipshack” mashup of Slipknot and the B-52s, it’s wild)
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Summer, because we live in the Maritimes now and I have a 9’ pile of snow in my back yard.
Favorite Superhero? Wolverine
Best Game Ever? Horizon Zero Dawn
Favorite 1970s TV show? Lol, I dunno man I was born in 81 and the cartoons I grew up on were pretty great…
Do You Have Pets? Naomi, Miss Belle, and Gizmo.Favorite Weird Color? Michelle has a gorgeous Victorian gown made out of a… I think it’s called taffeta, where it shimmers between brown and green. The effect is amazing.
Best Present You’ve Ever Received? Michelle gave me a pen as I embarked on my writing journey that simply says “Believe” on it. (See Lex Luthor weaknesses above for why that’s relevant)
Favorite Sports Team? Team Canada Hockey at the winter olympics
What Cartoon Character Are You? Optimus Prime
Your Wrestler Name? The Frozen Hoser
Your Signature Wrestling Move? The Avalanche
Naomi
What Do You Secretly Plot? [Redacted]
How Will You Conquer the World? [Still Redacted but nice try]
Best Thing From the 80s? Weird Al Yankovic, and/or Saturday Morning Cartoons
Favorite Historical Period? The Renaissance. People had style.
Person In History (Living or Dead) You Want To Hang Out With? Robert Heinlein
Steak Temperature? Medium Rare, I guess? I’m not really a steak guy, I prefer BBQ and burgers and pulled pork carnitas and tacos.
Favorite Chip Dip? Ranch
Beverage(s) of Choice? Homemade Nuka Cola with Baron Samedi spiced rum
What Actor or Actress Should Portray You in Your Biopic? Bruce Willis from like, 30 years ago
What Question Should I Add to the Lightning Round? Rock, Paper, or Scissors? (ed. note: Me like rock!)
What question(s) would you like to ask me?
Of all the stories you’ve published, which one is your personal favorite and why?
Rob’s Answer: So. I gotta pick between my babies? Yeeesh.
My favorite might be either the first or the third of the stories I gave James Young for the Phases of Mars.
More Gizmo, because who doesn’t want more kitten pictures?
The first story is the only time the Muse hit me over the head with a Clue-by-4. I literally can tell you only that it was set in 1908 and nothing else, or it gives the story away. The key to that is the final word, which I used only once in the story, though James quite rightly initially pushed for me to use it throughout as editor.
The third was the only story I’ve written in the time period I’ve actually studied, Anglo-Saxon England. It was a retelling of the Battle of Maldon, with some reconsideration of Byhrtnoth’s “ofermod” and the strategic challenges he faced. Oh, and there’s a plausible way the English could have won.
I could say the story I sent to Jamie for We Dare, but that’s mostly because of the story about the story, which he and I still tell. Just give us a beverage…
There’s the story I gave to Kevin Steverson for his Salvage Title Universe that was totally written to be quirky and fun. Putting in 227 band name and song name references in a short story was a great challenge.
The Ravening of Wolves, frankly the whole Foresters series, proved to me I could do this job.
I’ve skipped over a bunch, and each of them has a particular reason for being precious to me.
I think, though, I have to say A Lake Most Deep. Yes, it’s my first book and it’s flawed for many of the common first book reasons. But I wrote it in a really down place in my life, and I’m not entirely sure where I’d be or even if I’d be if I hadn’t written it.
Next releases include Keen Edge of Valor, and We Dare: Wanted, Dead or Alive
And where can we find you?
Conventions are on hold until we can cross into the USA without needing to invest in covid tests. Generally speaking, I go to LibertyCon, went to FactoryCon last October, and hope to attend FantaScis, Superstars, and maybe LTUEs going forward? We’ll see, that’s a lot of travel from the frigid north.
Do you have a creator biography?
Jamie Ibson is from the frozen wastelands of Canuckistan, where moose, bears, and geese battle for domination among the hockey rinks, igloos, and Tim Hortons. After joining the Canadian army reserves in high school, he spent half of 2001 in Bosnia as a peacekeeper and came home shortly after 9/11 with a deep sense of foreboding. After graduating college, he landed a job in law enforcement and was posted to the left coast from 2007 to 2021. He retired from law enforcement in early 2021 and moved clear across the country to write full time in the Maritimes. He is married to the lovely Michelle, and they have cats.
Final question for you: What should I have asked but did not?
What are you doing now, that much-younger-you never would have guessed you’d love?
(Me, cooking/turning into a foodie)
Rob’s Answer: Oooh, great question. For me, it might actually be writing itself. I started this job at 46, having never really written anything other than academic stuff, having never really done anything creative. I didn’t think I could.
Name two of your most-favorite niche genres, whether that’s within SF or Fantasy or Other…
(Examples: Cyberpunk SF, noir mystery, First Contact SF, military fantasy)
Rob’s Answer: Noir/hard-boiled mystery is probably the genre that fits into everything I write, no matter the other genre.
* * * * *
What a fun interview. Many thanks for Jamie fighting through the helpful assistance of his cats and providing me this to share.
Talons & Talismans I is alive! Maybe, with these two anthologies about beasts coming to life, I should start going by the name Dr. Robenstein? No, probably not.
But I’m really proud of getting to be a part of these anthologies. I get to work with the best in the business while at the same time getting to push along the careers of newer, but very talented authors.
Talons and Talisman I
There are a bunch of fiddly bits that go into making an anthology work, more than in a novel, but it is so worth it when it gets published. There are heroic stories, tragic stories, and stories where we get to see monsters and beasts in a different light. I think you’re going to love it.
Meanwhile, I’ve been making progress in The Door Into Winter. This is my next novel. I’m about 10k in, and things are starting to take shape. Again, I’m trying a new framework idea using the Save the Cat structure. The real success of this framework will come in about a month, when I start running into challenges of too many trees to see the forest. But, so far so good.
I’m also starting to get real excited about FactoryCon. Going to be a great time. Today, I’m sitting at my car place getting the oil changed while getting my weekly update written.
What I’m Listening To
Really bad car videos that are incredibly boring. But, I’m getting work done while getting the car maintained. I can at least console myself that I’m being efficient.
Quote of the Week
Today is Neils Bohr’s birthday. Obviously a brilliant scientist, he had an underlying acceptance of the weirdness of quantum theory that allowed for a great deal of thinking outside (Schroedinger’s) box. Here’s an example.
“We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct. My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough.”
– Neils Bohr
Also this week is a new 4HU novel by Casey Moores and Jamie Ibson entitled Unshackled. Knowing these two, I daresay this will be a really fun book. Also, it will get weird at times. It is their idiom. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HGR1JCM.
Tracked Items
Today’s Weight: 331.8
Updated Word Count: 284,476
Shijuren Wiki: 797 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.
Oh, hey, where did last week go? I looked up and suddenly it’s Thursday. The next Thursday.
Sorry about missing an update, but it’s been a really good time around here.
The big news is the release of It Takes All Kinds, an anthology in the Salvage Title universe created by Kevin Steverson. It includes my story “Careful With That Axe, E.U. Gene.”
My, what an interesting title, and clearly obvious to Pink Floyd fans where it came from. In fact, I put 232 intentional band name and song title references into the story (Not lyrics, that goes against copyright laws). I also put in an occasional historical rock reference.
Here’s the deal. The first person to send me a list of all 232 correct references will receive a free gift copy of all six of my fantasy novels. Yep, that’s right, I’ll send all six to your Amazon account for free (can’t do other accounts because of KU restrictions).
To enter, track the references in my story and send me an email to rob at rob howell dot org. You find all 232 references and you get 6 free novels. If, after 15 October, no one has found all 232, the person who’s send me the most will win, so if you only found 226, send it over. Who knows, you might be the one.
I might have had a little fun writing that one.
Last week, with the help of Chris Kennedy, we got Talons & Talismans I in the can. I’m even starting to get some things back from the advance reviewers and they like it. I’m not surprised.
I finished a story last week, which of course I’ll talk about at the right time.
I’ve been working on The Door Into Winter, which is starting to shape up. That should be done at the end of December. This is my first entry in Eldros Legacy / Shijuren, starting a new series entitled the Legacy of Legends. This will be a four book story arc and, with the help of Mark Stallings, Marie Whittaker, Todd Fahnestock, and Quincy J. Allen, will culminate with big doings in Ertha (the new world name as opposed to the continent of Shijuren).
In the meantime, I’ve been hammering away at New Mythology projects, which I’ll touch on soon.
What I’m Listening To
Perry Mason episodes. The sweetie is working from home and it’s one of her favorites.
Quote of the Week
It’s the anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head. What else could today’s quote be, but:
“I have not yet begun to fight!”
– John Paul Jones, from the deck of the Bon Homme Richard.
Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy
Khyven the Unkillable is about to reach the final editing stage. This is Todd Fahnestock’s first in his Legacy of Shadow series. That comes out in December.
Quincy J. Allen has been hammering away at Seeds of Dominion, the first in his Legacy of Demons series. Expect that one in January.
New Mythology Works in Progress
Talons & Talismans I is in the can. Go Team! Not only that, but check out this amazing cover art!
Talons and Talisman I
Talons & Talismans II is in the final editing stage. I’ll show you that cover in a couple of weeks.
The House Between Worlds, book 4 in the fantastic Milesian Accords series by Jon R. Osborne, is almost done. I’ll be looking for advance readers next week.
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.
Songs of Valor came out on Friday, and boy, do we have a bunch of readers to thank. We hit number one new release in a couple of categories and were top ten overall in some categories as well. A worthy start to a great book.
As part of the lead-in to release date, I did some story sketches, along with some fun nicknames for our authors. I thought it’d be cool to gather those sketches together. Plus, I didn’t do the nicknames for the initial three authors, because it sort of happened in that post and then a number of people enjoyed them.
So here we go:
The first story is by the Grand Admiral, David Weber, and is called The Dragon and the Drunkard. Such an honor to work with David, and this was one of his first stories ever. It’s perfect for a release this week, as this story involves a leprechaun, a dragon, the Rainbow Bridge, and an interesting legal situation. And scotch. Lots of scotch. I like scotch, by the way.
Next is the Beerzerker, Jon Osborne. This story, Smoke and Shadow. is another from his really cool urban fantasy Milesian Accords series. In general, I love stories that mix mythologies and look at them in new ways. This is something Jon does really well. Also, spoiler alert, buy some jellybeans. You’ll find out just how important they can be in this story.
Third is Benjamin Tyler Smith‘s On a Wing and a Train. Side note here, one possible name is the Shirker, because he clearly planned for their baby to be born on the same day as Songs of Valor just so he didn’t have to help promote everything. Clearly. Some people will do anything to get out of promo work.
Anyway, Benjamin’s real nickname is Speaker to Dead Things because I love his fantastic Necrolopolis series, and this is another story in that series. The elevator pitch: The mean streets of the City of the Dead are no place for an honest necromancer, even if he is drinking buddies with the God of Death. Especially when he has a partner who really puts the fatale into femme fatale. By the way, this is the first of five stories in the anthology that are winners of the FantaSci short story contest. Also, he says he’s got a Necrolopolis novel on the way, and I’m really excited to see it.
Next comes from the Big Boss, Chris Kennedy himself. This is a great coming of age story called The One You’d Least Expect. I love stories where someone grows into the challenge. This is one of those, and it’s especially interesting because of the nature of those in question. Also, just saying, this is an *origin* story, so maybe one day I can nag him into a full-length novel. Or series. Because he’s not busy doing other things, of course.
Next, the Bright Newbie, Melissa Moroney Olthoff. I call her the bright one because she’s so cheerful and enthusiastic. Even so, Oathbreakeris a tough, gritty story of love, strength, and courage. It will leave you wanting more, as it did for me. This was the second of the winners of the FantaSci short story contest.
Who else could the Crusty Old Sergeant be but Kevin Steverson? Changesis a story in his Balance of Kerr universe, and I really like it because it gives him a chance to expand that world and add some really cool characters with his normal fast-paced sort of adventure. It will come as no surprise to those who gamed with me in the RPGA back in the 90s that Londar is my favorite character.
Captain Mohawk is, of course, Quincy J Allen and he wrote another Rellen story entitled What the Eye Sees. This is high end swords and sorcery stuff, with a hint of noir. Spoiler alert. I foresee huge things for Rellen in 2022. Huge with a capital huge.
Next is Songbirdby the Mountie, who is obviously Jamie Ibson. Now he wrote this story while he was still living in British Columbia and hadn’t yet leveled up to New Brunswick in Atlantic Canada. Even so, this is a great origin story of a guy finding his magic, and more importantly, his purpose. The third winner in the FantaSci contest.
Following that is Backupby the Renaissance Man. Dave Butler is annoying talented. Reads like 80 languages. Is a musician. Has a law degree. Is now a teacher. And he writes stuff. Great stuff, in fact. This is another Indrajit and Fix story, and I think these are modern versions of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, which are, not surprisingly, some of my favorite characters ever.
Side note: I almost chose the Mustachioed Loomer for Dave, but I figured that was too obvious.
Dama Quixote, Sarah A. Hoyt, gave us One More Flight, a story about old soldiers trying to make their way after their service time should be done. But sometimes, old soldiers have to get back in the saddle, and stand up to mighty foes.
Next is the Evil Eyebrow. On second thought, maybe I should have called Casey Moores the EEEEVIL Eyebrow. If you’ve seen him, you know what I mean. Anyway, his story A Quaint Pastime is also about an old soldier. This one is trying to find his place in the next war. With a twist. Lots of aerial action and dogfighting in this one, and this is the fourth winner of the FantaSci contest.
Next is a story by J.P. Chandler, the Legal Beagle. The third of three in a row about old soldiers, this story is about a warrior who has fought and fought and fought and he’s done. He’s got a last stand left in him, though. And it turns out there are others ready for that stand. This is the fifth of the stories that the FantaSci crew are going to have to pick from.
Chandler’s story hit me in *all* the feels. I cried when I read it the first time, the second time, the third… well, you get the idea.
Next comes the Arrogant Editor. Let’s just say today’s launch success didn’t make me any less arrogant. My story in this, Magnum Opus, let me delve into Katarina, one of my favorite characters in the Edward series. What happens when evil has to be the good guy?
Then is the Ancient Master. Glen Cook‘s not really ancient but he sure he is a master. I’ve loved his stuff for years and was very happy to have a Black Company story here. Cranky Bitch has all the cynicism and War weariness you’ve come to expect from that series.
And finally, the Accountant of DOOOMMMM. Larry Correia‘s The Dregs is fantastic, full of action, and with a cool twist at the end.
What a great lineup that was, and they gave me fun stories. I was honored to get to edit all this.
I’m also proud at being a part of the FantaSci short story contest. They are going to have a heck of a time selecting from the stories from the winners.
Thanks to all involved in what turned out to be an awesome project.
Well, this has been a wonderful and eventful week for me. On Wednesday, Chris Kennedy gave me the opportunity to become lead dog on New Mythology Press, his fantasy imprint. This means I’ll be taking submissions and guiding the accepted books through the process of publication.
This is incredibly exciting and I look forward to bringing you all a bunch of great stuff to read.
I’ll be adjusting some things related to my weekly email as part of this. I’m going to start sending them out Thursday to better flow with Tuesday releases for New Mythology Press. I’ve added a New Mythology Works in Progress section where I’ll discuss what’s going on there. There will be more changes as I adapt to this amazing new opportunity.
Thanks again to Chris.
By the way, if you’re interested in submitting a novel to New Mythology Press here are the basics:
New Mythology Press Novel Submission Guidelines
Novels of 80 to 120k words
In .doc or .docx file format
Times New Roman, 12pt
1.5 spaced
Can be fantasy of any type, epic, urban, high, whatever. Needs to have heroes doing heroic things, just like you’ve come to expect from all the books from CKP.
However, this does not mean I’ll stop writing. Not at all. I actually had a great week of progress on The Ravening of Wolves, getting about 6k done despite not writing at all yesterday because it was my sweetie’s birthday. It’s good to get back into the groove.
With that, I better get working. I’ve already got submissions to read. Exciting stuff!
What I’m Listening To
Rush, all of it. Neil died a year ago Thursday and I’m not over it.
Quote of the Week
I’ve probably used this quote before, but it’s too powerful not to use again. It comes from the last song on the last album by Rush. Neil nurtured one hell of a garden.
“The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect”
– Neil Peart (1952 – 2020), “The Garden” from Clockwork Angels
New Mythology Works in Progress
Songs of Valor is basically complete. It goes to the editor this weekend. I’m really proud of how this turned out and you’ll want to get it when it comes out in March. Here’s the list of fantastic stories and ridiculously good author list, along with a note if they’re part of an existing series:
The Dragon and the Drunkard by David Weber
Smoke and Shadow by Jon Osborne (Milesian Accords series)
On a Wing and a Train by Benjamin Tyler Smith (Necrolopolis series)
The One You’d Least Expect by Chris Kennedy
Oathbreaker by Melissa Olthoff
Changes by Kevin Steverson (Balance of Kerr series)
What the Eye Sees by Quincy J. Allen (Rellen series)
Songbird by Jamie Ibson
One More Flight by Sarah Hoyt
A Quaint Pastime by Casey Moores
Backup by D.J. Butler (Indrajit and Fix series)
The Hill to Die On by J.P. Chandler
Magnum Opus by Rob Howell (Shijuren series)
Cranky Bitch by Glen Cook (Black Company series)
The Dregs by Larry Correia
I’m still amazed by this collection of talent. Truly an honor to be a part of it.
This week’s spotlight is on Christopher Woods and William Joseph Roberts, who put out their own take on the Salvage Title universe with Smuggler’s Run. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S71RJP5.
Today’s Weight: 345.8
Updated Word Count: 2,396
Shijuren Wiki: 725 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.
Alright, time to get back to editing. Have a great week everyone.
What I’m Listening To
Rush’s Xanadu. Such a great song. It was the song that really got me into the depth of Rush because I already loved the poem.
Quote of the Week
Might as well do a quote from Xanadu, by Coleridge. Let’s do one of the deeper portions. I love Coleridge’s sense of rhythm and word choice.
“A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw:
It was an Abyssinian maid,
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount Abora.
Could I revive within me
Her symphony and song,
To such a deep delight ‘twould win me”
– Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Xanadu
This week’s spotlight is on Charles Gannon and a collection of rogues, who released Murphy’s Lawless, an anthology of stories in his Terran Republic universe. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PG4N2FS.
Today’s Weight: 354.0
Updated Word Count: 261,189
Shijuren Wiki: 678 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.
