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Rob’s Update: Though Poppies Blow

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Week 22 of 2024

Greetings all

Whew! Balloon Fest was something else! We had a great time in the morning, but then the sun went past the building that shaded us and later on it got really hot. It might have only been 91 or so, but in the sun, and the fact nobody’s used to that heat yet, it was too much.

Balloon Fest
Balloon Fest

But it went well. I sold a reasonable number of books, but better yet, I told a bunch of folks about our quilt store. We did very nicely in the store, especially since as far as I could tell, all of them were first-time customers.

We sold a couple of sodas, which wasn’t worth the effort. We have them in the store, but people bought them from Higher Grounds who were next to me. Still, it was nice to be able to spread out for 16feet of table space.

I heard great things about the ESports tournament I set up. About 15 people played, they liked the prizes we got, and it went very well. Not bad for an idea I thought up literally on March 29th. We’ll do it again next year, but with advance planning and publicity. Hopefully, we’ll make it something cool for the region, not just Anthony.

Because of Balloon Fest, I didn’t have as many writing days as I’d hoped for, but I still got about 5k written. I started doing sprints again. I’ve finally figured out the new version of the Discord sprint bot that I installed on the New Mythology Press server, but it’ll take a bit for it to get instinctive again. The old way was much smoother. Ah, well, progress.

Ruriksaga
Ruriksaga

Speaking of progress, we had a great week of folks buying all of the Firehall Sagas, including the Ruriksaga. Thanks very much! Keep up the good work!

On that note, have a great long weekend.

What I’m Listening To

Cygnus X-1 by Rush. Wheeling around the galaxy on my ship the Rocinante. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Quote of the Week

This weekend is Memorial Day. This week’s quote is the entirety of In Flanders Field by John McCrae. Here’s his Wikipedia page, by the way, which talks about him writing the poem: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCrae.

This poem is special to me because my grandfather served in World War One at the age of 14. They knew he lied about his age to go overseas, but they couldn’t prove it, so they had him and all the others who did likewise assigned to the Forestry Corps. Their job was to cut down trees for trenches and do whatever else was needed. This included pulling wagons with dead and wounded.

Can you imagine? At 14? Yeeesh. Anyway, have a great Memorial Day everyone.

  In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead, short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
– John McCrae

Rob’s Riddles

Like challenges? Think you’re smarter than me? Then see if you can answer my riddles!

You can find them by signing up for my Patreon here: patreon.com/rhodri2112. Not sure what I mean? Then check the sample riddle and see if you get the answer!

First Line of Current Riddle:

I am the killer of worlds and     Keeper of trust

Interestingly, I had more guesses than normal from this first line. All the guesses fit the first line, but none of them fit the rest of the riddle.

But wait, there’s more! You get new riddles on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, but on the other Tuesdays, you get snippets of works in progress.

This week’s snippet is Chapter 1 of The Feasting of Vengeance.

Dragon’s Tidings

We are closed on Monday for Memorial Day.

However, check out our Facebook page to see our first two graduates from our quilting class showing off their new quilts!

Also, check our website (www.reddragonquilts.com) for our May 30% off special!

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce New Mythology’s open call for novels and series. Here are the details: chriskennedypublishing.com/2024/04/25/new-mythology-open-call/.

Paladins of Valor is out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

The Ruriksaga is out! Get this one here: amazon.com/dp/B0D35XF4RJ.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (14,152)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have D.T. Read’s fifth book in her Seventh Shaman series, Trial by the Gods. It superbly blends Native American mythos with far future scifi. It’s one of a kind, and well worth giving a look! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D46LXS5G/.

Your pre-release this week is from Bill Fawcett and Casey Moores! It’s the second book in Bill’s Blood and Armor series called No Fail. Get it here:

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 376.0lbs

Updated Word Count: 106,690

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Hither and Yon

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Week 48 of 2023

Greetings all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I’m Listening To

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

Quote of the Week

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

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

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

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 362.8

Updated Word Count: 372,064

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: New Websites!

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Week 47 of 2023

Greetings all

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

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

We hope you can join us!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I’m Listening To

Seahawks against the Cowboys. Was there any doubt?

Happenings in Anthony

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

Quote of the Week

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

So you get two quotes. Sorry, not sorry.

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

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.

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

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

Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • A Broken Sword (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

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

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

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 359.6

Updated Word Count: 371,533

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Go And Take It

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Week 43 of 2023

Greetings all

Most falls, I get a cold. It knocks me back for a bit. This week was the week for that. I got almost no writing done, though I did get a number of side projects done, including some work on my website. I’ve been adding some things in preparation for the release of Farewell, My Ugly, which comes out on November 7th.

Farewell, My Ugly
Farewell, My Ugly

Did I mention Farewell, My Ugly comes out on November 7th? In that case, it’s time for a cover reveal. Check this out, again from J. Caleb Designs. It’s brilliant, as usual.

I spent this week trying to write on a number of projects. I got some words written here and there, but not much. I’m finally on the other side, though, so this will be a great week.

I did manage to get a bunch of books priced and organized. The store is taking shape. Next week, I’ll have more pictures. We’re only about 3 weeks from opening day.

Exciting times!

Also exciting is for the third time ever, the Texas Rangers advanced to the World Series. The first major league sporting event I ever attended was a Rangers game back in 1974 or so. The stadium was wretched, but I loved it and ran around in all sorts of places I shouldn’t have.

I still recall the names of Toby Harrah (who would’ve been a huge player in today’s time with his excellent walk rate), Jeff Burroughs, Fergie Jenkins, Charlie Hough, and even Lenny Randle and Frank Lucchesi. They weren’t good teams, but they’ve been my team since I had a team.

So, to coin a phrase, #GoAndTakeIt.

With that, I’m going to cut this short. I’ve got bunches of stuff to catch up on, and I’ll get a bit more written tonight. Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

No football so far tonight. Spending time with the wife and mom-in-law watching older Midsomer Murders. Man, I wonder what the homicide per 100,000 rate is there. Is it worse or better than Cabot Cove?

Happenings in Anthony

Not much to report, as I was in the house all week.

Quote of the Week

Happy OK Corral Day!!! Which of course makes me think of Tombstone, and that makes this week’s quote obvious.

“I’m your huckleberry.”
– Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday.

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle:

I have been shot, shadowing my memory

Latest Snippet: Chapter 1 of The Eyes of a Doll.

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.

Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Get Where Now the Rider here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0CK6Q8TYV.

This week we have more from the amazing D.T. Read. She’s got book 2 in her Sergey Chronicles series, entitled Echoes of Issel. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0CL8CRY38.

And it’s time for more Salvage Title adventures! This week’s pre-order is Salvage Search, which you can get here: amazon.com/dp/B0CLR91ZWF.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 357.8

Updated Word Count: Accounting mostly done. Well over 300k. Exact count net week.

Firehall Sagas Archives: 749 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Missing FactoryCon

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Week 42 of 2023

Greetings all

Sigh. A good chunk of my writing buddies are in North Carolina today having fun at FactoryCon. With the move and setting up the stores, it wasn’t in the cards this year. Frankly, I haven’t seen them since LibertyCon, and that’s far too long. I’ll get to see a goodly number at 20Books Vegas, and that will be wonderful, but that’s several weeks away.

The EdwardsagaI’ve still been enjoying the release of Where Now the Rider. Reviews are excellent. Frankly reviews of the whole Firehall Sagas series have been great, and I appreciate it. Get all 3 books here: amazon.com/dp/B0CCKWZKYQ.

This has been a week of various projects. We buy half a cow each year from friends in Iowa. That’s now a two-day trip, so all I could do is some bediting for work. Also this week was Anthony Fall Fest. Makes it hard to make a lot of progress.

However, I did get a few words written along with a bunch of editing on the Ruriksaga. This has been rough sledding, in part because of fatigue, but it’s getting there. Also this week, I started editing I Am a Wondrous Thing.

I got feedback on my sooper-sekrit project and it was very positive. I’ll talk about it when I can, but they really liked the first part.

We also made a bunch of progress on the building. We’re setting November 15th as a tentative opening date. There’ll still be a bunch to do to improve things, but we’ll have stock, working POS systems, and our store areas are looking great.

All in all, it’s one of those weeks where I probably got a lot done, but it didn’t feel like it. Combine that with a long period without a break, and missing my friends, I’ve been a bit down.

But next week will be good. We’ll finish the apartment and that’s a huge load off my brain. I’ll start putting in inventory, ,which will make the shop much more real, and we’ll have the Man Cave going.

But for now, you guys have fun at FactoryCon!

What I’m Listening To

A pretty bland game between the Saints and the Jaguars. I should probably be watching Texas play Houston, but I get so stressed, I decided to let it go for a while. Plus, my superstition is big time games go better if I don’t watch them. It’s not true of course, but sometimes it’s what I do.

Happenings in Anthony

We’ve settled on Nobody of Consequence for our trivia team name. We really need people who know movies and music, because those two categories kill us. We do great on the other ones, but it’s tough when you’re dropping 20% of the possible points off the top.

This week is the town clean up. I’ll be dropping off chairs and some other stuff to clear up the place.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthdays to L.E. Modesitt, Jr. and John le Carré. Heck of a lot of great stories come from this day.

Anyway, here’s a quote from le Carré about how writers and spies are alike.

 A spy, like a writer, lives outside the mainstream population. He steals his experience through bribes and reconstructs it.
– John le Carré

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle:

I have been shot, shadowing my memory

Latest Snippet: Chapter 1 of The Eyes of a Doll.

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.

Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Ruriksaga (50,851)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Get Where Now the Rider here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0CK6Q8TYV.

New author alert! Final Assembly by Dennis M. Myers, the first book in his Rise of the Automated Empire series, is set in a post-scarcity society on the moon in the distant future, where no one lacks for anything, and everyone gets along. Right? Not so fast… Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CKVFR1PL.

Your pre-release this week is more from the amazing D.T. Read. She’s got book 2 in her Sergey Chronicles series, entitled Echoes of Issel. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0CL8CRY38.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 357.8

Updated Word Count: Still need to do an accounting

Firehall Sagas Archives: 743 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Over the Hump

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Week 38 of 2023

Greetings all

Another productive week! Almost ready to send Farewell, My Ugly to the editor. Soooo  close.

Where Now the Rider
Where Now the Rider

First, I’m really excited about Where Now the Rider. It comes out on October 3rd, and is the 3rd of the Edward novels. In this one, Edward fulfills a promise made in A Lake Most Deep. Unfortunately, that promise involves asking questions most everyone thinks are better left forgotten. Edward ends up facing a foe who’s been plotting against Edward for far too long.

The ARC went out to the advance team this week, so if you’re on the team, check your inboxes. If you’re not on the advance team, but want to read new stuff before anyone else, drop me a line.

This is one of those “negative” writing weeks, in that I ended up with less words. However, somewhere around 85% of the story is polished so I’m getting there. Today, for example, I did my “that” search. I eliminate as many “thats” as I can, which ends up getting rid of a whole bunch of wasted verbiage. I did that for a couple other phrases/words that often just clog up the reading.

This is also the part where I’m starting to really love the story. I start with a cool idea, then I get to about 70k, and things get slow and boggy. Frustration sets in a bit as it’s tough. Then I get over the hump, and the story pops of the page again.

I’m at that point, which is always a great feeling.

Also close is the layout of the bookstore. By this time next week, I should have all the shelves constructed and start sorting books by category. Hopefully, next week, we’ll have a bunch of the layout of the quilt shop done. Also, might have our POS computers up.

What we did finish is the big multi-purpose room floor. It looks good. I’ll have pictures next week after we have the lighting redone. It has a dropped ceiling and we’re putting in 2x2ft LED panels that are really nice. We also put these in the AirBNB.

We aim to have the AirBNB ready at some point in October. We’ll be painting it next week, and might even have part of the floor done there too.

Progress, progress, progress.

What I’m Listening To

49ers v. Giants. Right now, the step-spawn is yelling at the TV.

Happenings in Anthony

I’m starting a new category this week, and that’s a local report from Anthony, KS.

We’ve started going to the Idle Hour’s Wednesday night trivia and half-price wings. Our name last week was, “We Don’t Have One.” This week it’s “We Still Don’t Know.” We’re doing okay, though it’s just the two of us and we have no clue about popular music. If you know popular stuff, come join us!

Speaking of trivia night, the city is hosting a trivia night on November 4th as a fundraiser. More details next week.

Quote of the Week

Today is Bill Murray’s birthday, and that’s a fact, Jack!

Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.
– Bill Murray

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle:

I gave birth to an age in elementary fashion

Latest Snippet: Chapter 1 of The Eyes of a Doll.

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.

Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Ruriksaga (48,341)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (92,450)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Book 4 of Kevin Ikenberry’s Guardian Covenant series is out. It’s entitled Volunteer Fury and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CHZ14TWK.

The Eyes of a Doll is live! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CGMV3B91.

Your pre-release this week is D.T. Read’s Ganwold’s Child. This is not the next book in her excellent Seventh Shaman series, but is actually book one in the Sergey Chronicles. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CJDLJ4H2.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 351.6

Updated Word Count: 212,924

Firehall Sagas Archives: 743 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Carthago Delenda Est

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Week X of 2023

Greetings all

No, that’s not a typo. It really is Week X of 2023, not just my template. Yes, I’m the guy who puts up a V and says “Five beers please.”

Ha! I slay me. And it matches this week’s quote.

Anyway. It’s been a huge week here, though you won’t see it in all the numbers. Lots of projects around here and the next couple of months are going to be something, let me tell you.

This past weekend was an SCA get together, a heraldic retreat. Yes, I’m into heraldry. I’m sure that’s shocking. We spent the week talk about charges, field divisions, ordinaries, and so much more. We also played Puns of Anarchy, which is perfect for heralds.

If you didn’t think I could get any geekier, well, there you go.

But more on that when the time comes. I did a bunch of work Farewell, My Ugly and I’ve just about pushed through a major snarl that I had to unravel. I’m pretty pleased about that. Only one more transition to go, really, and transitions are what truly slow me down.

Even with all the other stuff and the snarl, I ended up with over 5000 words written and a bunch of issues cleared up on the draft. I tend to mark things on my manuscript that I need to fix later or double check with XX. I found a bunch of those and fixed them. Go me.

I also did some editing on Where Now the Rider. My hope is to have both ready to go by the end of March, and I’m on track.

What I’m Listening To

A Marple mystery from the BBC. I love the fact that they occasionally show her reading Raymond Chandler novels.

Quote of the Week

Carthago delenda est!
– Cicero

It’s the anniversary of Rome’s victory over Carthage in the Battle of the Aegetes, which ended the first Punic War. Cato, famously, ended his speeches in the Senate with today’s quote, which means, “Carthage must be destroyed.”

It’s such a famous phrase, Wikipedia even has an article about it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthago_delenda_est.

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle (Coming March 13th):

Love have I waged                   War have I wooed

Latest Snippet: Chapter 3 of Farewell, My Ugly

New Mythology Works in Progress

Hunting the Hart is out!!! This is book 5 in the Milesian Accords by Jon R. Osborne, and here is it’s blurb:
Magic has returned to the world, but so has an ancient foe.

Erin Donnelly, descendant of Cu Chulainn and Champion of the Folk, searches for Nechtan—her lover cursed to live as a stag for a year and a day. Enlisting the aid of allies, Erin maintains a vigil, turning back hunters and predators who might harm Nechtan in the wilds of the magical otherworld.

But when Stangr Iron-skinned escapes his imprisonment in the River of Time, he has one thing on his mind—revenge on Nechtan. Stangr’s thirst for vengeance takes him from the Seelie courts of the otherworld to the windswept Great Plains.

Can Erin find Nechtan before Stangr tracks him down? Erin beat Giwargix the Dragon-Slayer, but can she defeat a jotunn-blooded Viking impervious to blades and bullets?

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (65,545)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

D.T. Read’s Running from the Gods, book 4 in her Seventh Shaman series, is out this week. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHCMKH2L.

Your pre-release this week is a new 4HU novel from Jason Cordova and Kevin Ikenberry entitled The Misfits. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BXWJGNDG.

And The Chimera Coup, book 1 of Christopher G. Nuttall’s amazing Heirs of Cataclysm series, is now out in audiobook. Get it here: books2read.com/u/bxrG6d.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 348.2

Updated Word Count: 106,104

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.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Uncategorized

Rob’s Update: A Distraction for the Ages

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Week 9 of 2023

Greetings all

I had a productive week going until something came up on Wednesday and I’ve gotten very little done the last couple of days.

Julieana Joy
Julieana Joy

Oh, well, you only get your first grandchild once. Everyone, meet Julieana Joy. Feel free to help me spoil her.

I focused this week in getting back into the groove with Farewell, My Ugly, and I did very well. I’m almost at 60k, which I’ve been sitting at for a while, but I went back and edited a bunch so I could get a better grip on the story.

I aim to have have that done by the end of March and I’m on schedule.

I did a bunch of prep work for Planet Comicon, which is coming up in a couple of weeks. New promo stuff, banners, cards, etc.

I did a bit of editing on Where Now the Rider. I’m making solid progress on it and I’ll have it done by the end of the month as well.

To be honest, I know I did more stuff but I’m still a bit tired from all the travel and cool stuff this week, so I’m going to cut it short this week.

What I’m Listening To

NFL Combine Coverage. Yes, I’m strange, but having it on in the background is really a good way for me to soak in who I’ll pick for pet cats in April.

Now, the big question. Do I go to the draft? At least opening night? It’s in KC this year.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Dr. Seuss.

Also, I’d be a horrible clam, but I’m certainly a ham.

I am lucky to be what I am! Thank goodness I’m not just a clam, or a ham, or a dusty jar of sour gooseberry jam! I am what I am – that’s a great thing to be!
– Dr. Seuss

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle:

Love have I waged                   War have I wooed

Latest Snippet: Chapter 3 of Hunting the Hart.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Hunting the Hart is out!!! This is book 5 in the Milesian Accords by Jon R. Osborne, and here is it’s blurb:
Magic has returned to the world, but so has an ancient foe.

Erin Donnelly, descendant of Cu Chulainn and Champion of the Folk, searches for Nechtan—her lover cursed to live as a stag for a year and a day. Enlisting the aid of allies, Erin maintains a vigil, turning back hunters and predators who might harm Nechtan in the wilds of the magical otherworld.

But when Stangr Iron-skinned escapes his imprisonment in the River of Time, he has one thing on his mind—revenge on Nechtan. Stangr’s thirst for vengeance takes him from the Seelie courts of the otherworld to the windswept Great Plains.

Can Erin find Nechtan before Stangr tracks him down? Erin beat Giwargix the Dragon-Slayer, but can she defeat a jotunn-blooded Viking impervious to blades and bullets?

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (59,940)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Jon R. Osborne’s Hunting the Hart, fifth in his excellent Milesian Accords series. The modern world and the magical world collide, with magic, technology, and mythology all swirling in a fast-paced story of heroes. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/1648556477.

We have book 6 from William S. Frisbee’s The Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BWHFLXC1.

Your pre-release this week is D.T. Read’s Running from the Gods, book 4 in her Seventh Shaman series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHCMKH2L.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 344.2

Updated Word Count: 105,360

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.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Living in the Kingdom

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Week 7 of 2023

Greetings all

Things got loud in my neck of the woods Sunday night. Congratulations to Chiefs Kingdom for winning the Super Bowl, and thank goodness it wasn’t the Eagles.

Hunting the Hart
Hunting the Hart

I have a few small details and Bonds of Valor will be done. All the proofreading, editing, and arranging is done. Just waiting on a couple of things and it’s out the door.

I also finished my edits of The Eyes of a Doll. That went to some alpha readers this week, so it’s getting closer.

I started on Where Now the Rider this week. I’m about ten percent done with it, so good progress already.

The big news this week is the upcoming release of Jon R. Osborne’s Hunting the Hart, book 5 in his excellent modern fantasy series, The Milesian Accords. This comes out on Tuesday, the 21st. The blurb, by the way, is down below in the New Mythology section.

By the way, subscribers to my Patreon have already gotten the first couple of chapters. Weeks I don’t have riddles will have chapters of upcoming works, and I don’t charge for these snippets. They’re a bonus on top of the fun riddles.

I do have some personal news, because it’s really just so me. I went to the doctor this week because I strained a ligament… in my left pinkie. Yeah, that’s exactly how I want to go on the DL. But here’s the kicker. I strained it how you’d expect, if you know me well enough. Yes, I strained it somehow while asleep.

I’m really something impressive, aren’t I? And with that, time to do some bediting. Hopefully, I don’t have to go to the doctor tomorrow.

What I’m Listening To

I’ve been enjoying Time Team of late, and in this episode, they’re looking for English Civil War artifacts. If you like archaeology, which of course I do, I suggest you watch this show.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Edgar Bergen, and of course, Charlie.

Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?
– Edgar Bergen

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle:

I live in the ground                   but my greatest is high above

Latest Snippet: Chapter 2 of Hunting the Hart, by Jon R. Osborne.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Hunting the Hart is the next new release, coming out on February 21st. This is book 5 in the Milesian Accords by Jon R. Osborne, and here is it’s blurb:
Magic has returned to the world, but so has an ancient foe.

Erin Donnelly, descendant of Cu Chulainn and Champion of the Folk, searches for Nechtan—her lover cursed to live as a stag for a year and a day. Enlisting the aid of allies, Erin maintains a vigil, turning back hunters and predators who might harm Nechtan in the wilds of the magical otherworld.

But when Stangr Iron-skinned escapes his imprisonment in the River of Time, he has one thing on his mind—revenge on Nechtan. Stangr’s thirst for vengeance takes him from the Seelie courts of the otherworld to the windswept Great Plains.

Can Erin find Nechtan before Stangr tracks him down? Erin beat Giwargix the Dragon-Slayer, but can she defeat a jotunn-blooded Viking impervious to blades and bullets?

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Apprentice to the Gods, 4th in D.T. Read’s Seventh Shaman series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BV62LJCV.

Your pre-release this week is book 8 in John E. Siers Lunar Free State series, The Never Ever War. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BVZZGMYR.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 342.0

Updated Word Count: 103,679

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.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Painting with Fire

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Week 6 of 2023

Greetings all

Last week was so epic, this week had to pale in comparison. And it did.

Hunting the Hart
Hunting the Hart

Not to say it wasn’t productive, just not as epic. And this week, we have a cover. Here’s the cover for Hunting the Hart, book 5 in Jon R. Osborne’s excellent Milesian Accords series.

This one stars Erin, descendant of Cu Chulainn and Champion of the Folk. She’s trying to save her cursed lover before an ancient foe wreaks his revenge. Great stuff.

This comes out on February 21st.

I got another 3rd of The Eyes of a Doll edited. I should have it done next week and on to Where Now the Rider. Once that’s going, I’ll be rolling back into Farewell, My Ugly. I aim to have that draft finished by the end of March.

I also had a number of personal projects to work on this week that have taken some time.

To be honest, though, I’ve moved pretty slowly this week. Don’t know it was the change in the weather or if there was something else, but I’ve had achy, grumbly week. Nothing bad, just slightly off-kilter.

Ah, well, that means I better get back to it. Have a great week everyone.

What I’m Listening To

I have a cluster of performers who sit as 2nd best to Rush. Right now I’m listening to Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden. Part of that is the depth in their lyrics, the hammering power of three guitars, and Steve Harris. However, a big part is Bruce Dickinson. He and Ronnie James Dio are 1 and 1a of metal voices for me.

Quote of the Week

Frank Frazetta would be 95 today, so happy birthday to the most iconic fantasy artist ever. You may not know the titles Death Dealer or the Egyptian Queen, but chances are you’ve seen them and others here and there.

Here’s what he said he wanted to do. I think he got it.

 “I want to do something that nobody has done before me. And I want to do it in such a way that nobody will forget me for it.”
– Frank Frazetta

Rob’s Riddles

I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.

First Line of Next Riddle (Coming Feb. 13th)

I live in the ground                   but my greatest is high above

Congrats to David for guessing the riddle from January 23rd. Great job.

Latest Snippet: Chapter 2 of Hunting the Hart, by Jon R. Osborne.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Hunting the Hart is the next new release, coming out on February 21st. This is book 5 in the Milesian Accords by Jon R. Osborne, and here is it’s blurb:
Magic has returned to the world, but so has an ancient foe.

Erin Donnelly, descendant of Cu Chulainn and Champion of the Folk, searches for Nechtan—her lover cursed to live as a stag for a year and a day. Enlisting the aid of allies, Erin maintains a vigil, turning back hunters and predators who might harm Nechtan in the wilds of the magical otherworld.

But when Stangr Iron-skinned escapes his imprisonment in the River of Time, he has one thing on his mind—revenge on Nechtan. Stangr’s thirst for vengeance takes him from the Seelie courts of the otherworld to the windswept Great Plains.

Can Erin find Nechtan before Stangr tracks him down? Erin beat Giwargix the Dragon-Slayer, but can she defeat a jotunn-blooded Viking impervious to blades and bullets?

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (58,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • The Wordbringer (3,082)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Prince: Peacemaker, book 4 in the Prince of Britannia Series by Fred Hughes. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BTL4NFLC.

Your pre-release this week is another book 4. This time it’s Apprentice to the Gods, 4th in D.T. Read’s Seventh Shaman series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BV62LJCV.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 341.8

Updated Word Count: 60,381

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.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe