Tag Archives: Fred Hughes

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Philosophers & Plowmen

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Week 2 of 2025

Greetings all

This week I’ll go over some of my goals and plans for the new year. Before I do that, I’ll digress a moment.

It’s been 5 years since Neil Peart of Rush died. His writing, whether in his lyrics or his books, still resonates with me and I haven’t yet gotten over his passing. You can expect the What I’m Listening To section to be only Rush over the next month, as is true every January since 2020.

Anyway, let’s talk about the future! My first goal of 2025 is to clean up and republish the Irina series that began with I Am A Wondrous Thing. I have 4 books finished, but they’ve been unavailable for a bit because of some false starts along the way.

So, I’ll be re-editing those first 4, plus writing Book 5, the conclusion, throughout the year. My goal is to rapid release those starting somewhere like September and October, finishing the series in early 2026.

Now that I’m done with the Foresters series, I’m probably going to write some new science fiction short stories. I have a number of ideas that might turn into series, and I haven’t written as many short stories in the last couple of years. I’m going to try and put out 4 of them in 2025.

One of those may be another Nick Patara, PI stories. I’ve written 3 of them and they need re-editing, plus I might put them out along with a 4th one as a set. Maybe set it up as a serial in a different type of publishing. I’d like to see other options.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue with the Okkorim stuff as long as Luke and Matt will let me. I love what we’re doing there and can’t wait until we have stuff start rolling off regularly, which will happen this year. Ideally, I can also get another client or two in the gaming world.

Overall, my aim is to get more words out than I ever have before, which means something like 450k. I count edited words in this, but only at 1/4 word, by the way.

I have been working with the Anthony Chamber of Commerce for a few months now. My big goal here is to set up regular processes that don’t rely on a single person. This will help me make the events Anthony has work better. Obviously, I’m investing a lot of my future in this town, and I want to keep contributing here.

On the personal side, now that things are actually settling into a routine, I want to add consistent workouts and losing weight. Obviously, that’s been a goal for a while, but things have been wonky.

My wife and I have never taken a vacation. Yes, we’ve traveled 1000s of miles together and done a bunch of awesome things, but that’s all been part of the SCA, or a thing for either one of us. I’d like us to go somewhere like Venice, Florence, and Rome. Something like that. Maybe that happens in 2025, maybe 2026, but it needs to happen.

I expect I won’t get all of that done in 2025, but these are reasonable things to shoot for. Whatever i get done, I’m excited about how much I get to do!

What I’m Listening To

Closer to the Heart, Rush. I’m no plowman, but I’m trying to be a philosopher who knows my part.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to another musical hero, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

This particular quote resonates with me as I sit here on a snowy day in Anthony. We took a chance coming here. It was the right decision both based on what we knew and where we are now, but it was a chance. I’m glad we’re here.

“So many people are frightened to take a chance in life and there’s so many chances you have to take.”
– Jimmy Page

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Hero’s Shadow, the second book in Fred Hughes’ Heroes of Britannia series. Admiral Julie Adams has been tasked with ending the Teddy Bear problem, but it won’t be as simple as she—or anyone else—might like! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DRZ6WBB3.

This week’s pre-release is Blood of Her Father by Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf, the fifth book in the Ashes of Entecea series. If you’ve read anything by either of these authors (which I have to imagine everyone on this list has), then you know it’s going to be great. When last seen (in The Conqueror’s Promise), Isonei was a spoiled brat who showed promise. Will she live up to that promise? Surrounded by people with their own motives, though, perhaps a better question is, “Will she survive to her majority?”

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 363.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 2,087

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy New Year

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Week 1 of 2025

Greetings all

First of all, I really dropped the ball in terms of updates in December. I missed two then had one that I didn’t send out, despite having it ready to go.

The big part is that I missed the release of Chernobog’s Wrath, the 3rd in H.Y. Gregor’s excellent Vechnoye Saga series. Get that here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0DRDYS78R.

Some of that is because I had perhaps the most family-filled holiday season I can recall, especially if I include friends and customers in that. We had our store’s birthday party on the 21st (It’ll be December 20th in 2025, so mark your calendars). Then we had an extended time with the moms, the guys, and the grandbaby, which was fun. Baking Christmas cookies with the grandbaby was a delight. Then we popped down to Fayetteville for a couple of days with good friends to celebrate the New Year.

Now, that’s no excuse for not doing my work, but during that time, I was also cranking out a bunch of words to hit a deadline, which I did. In effect, I put the family and the project ahead of updates, which shows good priorities, but not good efficiency on my part. I’ll try to do better in 2025.

In fact, next week, I will lay out some of my goals for 2025, but for today, it’s time to look back on 2024.

From a personal perspective, there was a lot of settling in to a new life here in Anthony as store owners. We spent a bunch of time, especially at the beginning of the year, figuring out our basic processes, which we’ve generally done.

We started the year with my office in the front where I could more easily help with customers, but we decided a couple of months ago, the efficiency gained with the store didn’t outweigh the efficiency gained with my own office in the back. We made that transition during December and it’s already proving valuable. I won’t be completely settled in until I build the extra shelving I have in mind for this room (basically I want to cover it in shelves), but I’m well on the way to making this space station fully operational.

2024 was not my greatest writing year, but it was a close second. I aim to beat that number handily this year.

Nevertheless, I chunked out nearly 425k this past year, counting the editing in the way I do. I didn’t actually edit as much this year, but I did put out more words than I have since I started tabulating in 2018 (227k). I had better years in 2016-2017, I believe, since I had two novels each of those years, but between 136k in The Feasting of Vengeance and 90k in paid words in gaming worlds, I’m pretty pleased.

The Feasting of Vengeance is the crown jewel, of course. It’s nearly a third of all my production during the year, it completes the Foresters trilogy subseries in the 4HU, and I’m really pleased how it turned out. It’s scheduled to be out on the 14th of February.

I edited and published an anthology (Paladins of Valor) and three novels (Responsibility of the Fleet, Reka’s Grasp, and Tugarin’s Revenge). I made up for less novels by chunking out 19 modules and magazines for GaxxWorx, a number that will go up in 2025 as we’re ramping up there.

I tried some things, notably the Riddle Patreon. I’m pleased with the riddles, but there didn’t seem to be much interest. I want to have a small revenue generation setup using either Patreon or Substack on the side to sort of fill in the cracks, and I’ll talk about my ideas for 2025 there to make that work.

I didn’t go to as many conventions as I have done in the past, mostly because I needed to focus on things here in Anthony. The store, of course, but also simply recovering from such a travel-filled 2023 where I put 45k miles on my car in part because of all the trips up and down during the move. I’ll do more events in 2025, which I’ll expand on next week.

For now, though, remember I’m the Toastmaster of ChattaCon 50. You want to be there. And you especially want to be there for opening ceremonies. Trust me.

Finally, the other big thing I did in 2024 was get involved in the Chamber of Commerce. I’m not the executive director of the Chamber, which means I’ll be running a number of events in 2025, including BalloonFest, which will happen May 10th. I’ll lay out the current plans next week as well.

Over the entirety of my time as a writer there’s always been something major changing my life. I moved 3 times, dealt with the pandemic, started businesses, had my workspace change often, and so on. By the end of 2024, I’m in a place where I think I’ll have a relatively stable foundation for a while.

I put out something like 75k of those words in 2024 in the last two months, and that’s a reflection of finally settling in, at least to a part. If I were to do 75k every 2 months, I’d end up with nearly a million words in a year. I doubt that’ll happen, but we’ll see 🙂

In any case, 2024 was a busy, productive, and eventful year. I’m glad you all were here on the ride with me. Let’s all have a great 2025.

What I’m Listening To

Where’s My Thing? Part IV of the Gangster of Boats Trilogy. It’s another of the great Rush instrumentals like YYZ, Malignant Narcissism, and Main Monkey Business. Basically, they’re opportunities for Rush to play around and do cool things.

Quote of the Week

Instead of a normal quote, I’ll just put this here which I saw on X.

2025 is clearly the year where it’s hip to be square.

2025
2025

 

 

Dragon’s Tidings

We’ll talk about our 2025 plans soon, so in the meantime, check our website (www.reddragonquilts.com)!

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Chernobog’s Wrath, the 3rd in H.Y. Gregor’s excellent Vechnoye Saga series. Get that here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0DRDYS78R.

Your pre-release this week is from Fred Hughes, as this week’s pre-release is Hero’s Shadow, the second book in his Heroes of Britannia series. Admiral Julie Adams has been tasked with ending the Teddy Bear problem, but it won’t be as simple as she—or anyone else—might like! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DRZ6WBB3.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 368.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 1,183

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: Lots of Feasting

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Week 49 of 2024

Greetings all

First, sorry about no update last week. I simply didn’t have time. I was too busy feasting!

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. We did, by going up to Wichita to visit the parents, feasting, and then napping.

After napping, I continued working on The Feasting of Vengeance. On the 14th of November, I reported here that I sat at 96,101 words. Over the next three weeks, I wrote 40k, ending up at about 136k.

Nearly all of that 40k was the final battle of Feasting, and I am beyond happy to report that I sent off the manuscript to Chris yesterday. This battle is tough, intense, exciting, and explosive. I loved re-reading it during the editing process.

We even have a planned release date of February 14th. Better yet, that happens to be the first day of FenCon, in Dallas!

So we’re having a 4HU party there, and if you’re coming to the con, make sure to join myself, Kevin Ikenberry, Fred Hughes, and hopefully other 4HU authors there.

This past weekend was also Anthony’s Market Fair, which I ended up running. It went reasonably well, but was exhausting.

Over this week, besides a bit of recovery, I’m turning my attention to Okkorim and maybe churning out a whimsical short story for Christmas.

Also going on, of course, is the upcoming release of Chernobog’s Wrath, which is the 3rd book of the Vechnoye Saga trilogy. That comes out on December 27th.

But  you can’t enjoy book 3 without feasting on the first 2! Get the Vechnoye Saga here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4F2K5N.

Have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

We’re binging Hercule Poirot with David Suchon this week.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Walt Disney! Here’s a great quote from him, one of quite a few.

“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.”
– Walt Disney

Dragon’s Tidings

We have our 1st birthday party coming up on December 21st!

Watch this spot for an extra special web deal for all you who’ve been along with the ride here.

Also, check our website (www.reddragonquilts.com)!

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)

Upcoming Events

  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • Red Dragon Anniversary Party, December 21, Anthony, KS
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!
  • FenCon, February 14-16, Dallas, TX
    fencon.org/
  • Gulf Wars, March 8-16, Lumberton, MS
    gulfwars.org/
  • GaryCon, March 20-23, Lake Geneva, WI
    garycon.com/
  • LibertyCon, June 20-22, Chattanooga, TN
    libertycon.org/
  • Pennsic War, July 25 – August 10, Slippery Rock, PA
    pennsicwar.org/

New Releases

This week’s release is the anthology Express Elevator to Hell, edited by Chris Kennedy and April Kelley Jones, with stories by 15 different (and amazing) authors. This is the first book in a new series called Universes at War, and I’m pretty proud of the stories we collected for you. There are eleven standalone stories (set usually in the authors’ own universes), as well as a 4-story braided novella. Inside you get a Buzzer War story from Kevin Ikenberry, a Prince of Britannia story from Fred Hughes, a Lost Marine story from William S. Frisbee, and much, much more! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DMCQS1TL.

This week’s pre-release is The Darkness, the second book in William S. Frisbee, Jr.’s series, The Conglomerate Trilogy. Did you like the Last Marines? Then you’re going to love this series! Bad things lurk in the darkness, and they aren’t going to be content to stay there much longer. Luke is going to need a lot of help if he’s to keep the darkness at bay… so what is he going to do when Topa Suresh suddenly disappears? Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DPL2BDNR.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 363.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 391,000

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: The Vechnoye Saga Approaches!

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Week 41 of 2024

Greetings all

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

Reka’s Grasp, book one of the The Vechnoye Saga by H.Y. Gregor, comes out on the 18th! So about two weeks away.

Check out this awesome cover by Alexandre Rito! Isn’t that beautiful?

This series is set in Jon R. Osborne’s Milesian Accords universe, and involves Russian mythology, which is seriously underused in my opinion. I can neither confirm nor deny, Senator, that houses with chicken legs make appearances in this series.

This story was a joy to edit, except for the part where I had to go back because I got caught up in the story and stopped editing. You all are going to love it.

In terms of The Feasting of Vengeance, I had a slower week than anticipated because some things cropped up. I did make good progress, but not as much as I’d hoped. The things that cropped up are all good, but did take time out of the week.

The preparations for Fall Fest happening in Anthony on the 12th caused part of the delay. We’re going to be doing some neat specials for our customers in the store including a chili cookoff sponsored by the Anthony Chamber of Commerce.

Of note, you should also put down the 30th of November, which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Anthony is holding its Market Faire that weekend and it will be a neat Christmas-y weekend celebrating, in part, Small Business Saturday. Just mentioning so you can put it on your calendar.

And with that, I’ve got things to do! Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

Shiroyama by Sabaton. This is like watching the climactic battle of The Last Samurai, but with a Swedish symphonic metal soundtrack. It’s actually a fabulous song.

Quote of the Week

Francis of Assisi died on October 3rd, 1226, so this seems to be a great time to toss out this quote of his that I love.

” Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
– Francis of Assisi

Dragon’s Tidings

BalloonFest on the 18th.

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

Reka’s Grasp comes out on the 18th! Followed soon by the rest of the The Vechnoye Saga by H.Y. Gregor.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (74,841)

Upcoming Events

  • Market Faire, November 30, Anthony, KS
  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!

New Releases

This week we have the return of Fred Hughes’ Britannia series with Hero’s Legacy. Hazard may no longer be around, but his enemies still are, and they’re going to need to be dealt with! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DHBQW4PR.

This week’s pre-release is Salvage Purgatory by Kevin Steverson, Nick Steverson, and Jason Cordova, the first book in the new Salvage Title universe series The Invasion. If you were wondering what “The Coalition” series was preparing for… it’s here! The first three books will be coming out monthly (look for Salvage Harbinger on November 8), so you won’t have long to wait—jump into the next great Salvage Title series here: amazon.com/dp/B0DJD6YG7J.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 362.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 234,000

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: Vengeance on the Horizon

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Week 40 of 2024

Greetings all

Another great week here, with the main topic being two things out the door and significant progress in a third thing as well.

Let’s start with the big one. I finished H.Y. Gregor’s Tugarin’s Revenge and it’s charging along it’s editorial path! This is the sequel to Reka’s Grasp (Coming out October 18th), which means three things:

  1. It’s in Jon R. Osborne’s amazing Milesian Accords series.
  2. It’s steeped in Russian mythology.
  3. Niki and Ryan get to fight some awesome bad guys! (Spoiler alert: Tugarin is one of them)

It’s been an honor to be a part of this series, and you will want to get Reka’s Grasp as soon as you can. It’s that good, and Tugarin’s Revenge is even better.

The second thing I finished this week is a fairly large chunk for Okkorim. As usual, I can’t get into specifics, but I can tell you it’s the kind of thing I love to play and DM in D&D. It definitely fits the rule of cool I want for games.

Then I made a bunch of progress in The Feasting of Vengeance. It won’t look like much (only counted up 3,300 or so, but that’s actually a bit deceiving. I cut some section out that may or may not re-appear, but all of it needed to go for now.

If you are a user of the Save the Cat Beat Sheet method, I can say we’re rolling past beat 10 next week, and I’ve already got Beat 11 planned in my head. I even think I’ll get through Beat 12, which will put us in place for the big battle.

I can see the end.

So Tugarin’s Revenge and The Feasting of Vengeance both coming.

What I’m Listening To

Cowboys v. Giants. Been a bad year so far for Dallas, but hopefully they’ll look better tonight.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to T.S. Eliot! He’s quite the quote monster, so I could’ve chosen a number of great quotes. I think, however, this one suits me today, especially since I’m in quite the journey right now.

– Those who arrive at the end of the journey are not those who began.
T. S. Eliot

Dragon’s Tidings

I update the website today as we have October’s On Line Shop Hop ready to go!

Didn’t know we participate in an On Line Shop Hop? Well, we do, and there’s a special cool thing if you can find it. The clue is on the front page. Enjoy!

New Mythology Works in Progress

Responsibility of the Fleet is out! This is the 3rd of G. Scott Huggins’ amazing Endless Ocean series detailing the deeds of Responsibility, a half-dragon who came from a tough past to claim her birthright, including her real name: Azriyqam.

And did I mention the upcoming series by H.Y. Gregor yet?

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (72,365)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Far Horizons by A.J. Gordon, the third book in The Outer Reaches series shared with Peter J. Aldin. The series is now complete, so if you were waiting for the trilogy to be released prior to jumping in, now’s the time! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DHBCRDKB.

Your pre-release this week features the return of Fred Hughes’ Britannia series with Hero’s Legacy. Hazard may no longer be around, but his enemies still are, and they’re going to need to be dealt with! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DHBQW4PR.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 359.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 232,000

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: Into The Future

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Week 30 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s been a good week here, and one that marks the passage of time. First, thanks to all who reached out to wish me a happy birthday. I do appreciate you all.

I got quite a bit done this week, though it was one of those weeks where no plan survives contact with the enemy.

For example, I had someone weed-eating and they kicked up a rock through one of my car windows. It’s fixed now with nothing out of pocket, so no big deal, just one of those things. Of course, that happened Friday afternoon as the wife and I were about to get on the road to an SCA event. With help, we frantically switched cars and, really, it all ended up fine.

Still, it took time. In fact, there was a lot going on this weekend. Appointments most days this week of one sort or another. Stuff that had to get done, and it all went really smoothly, for which I’m grateful. Anthony’s a cool place, and if you need tires, Joe at Pronto Tires bends over backwards to help us.

I got a lot of writing and work done, probably the most in quite a while despite all that, but none of it is finished and at least one project needs to be. In fact, I’ll be finishing it after I send this out.

Speaking of finishing, have you gotten your copy of Bureau 42 yet? It’s the new Four Horsemen anthology and it came out Friday. I’m really pleased with what Dan and I did with our story in there, and it’s feeding straight into The Feasting of Vengeance.

I Smell a Rat
I Smell a Rat

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

I actually made significant progress on that, though the numbers won’t show it. One reason is that I miscounted about 1000 words, having accidentally duplicated them. Another is some editing and smoothing of earlier chapters to fit with later stuff. Still, I think I’ll hit 40k next week and still aiming for the end of August.

I finished Ted Lasso this week. What an amazing show, and honestly it’s better as a whole than even the individual clips I’d seen. It ties together so well across all three seasons, which I find impressive. Can’t recommend it enough.

I also did a bunch of work around the building to get ready for Pennsic. I leave Wednesday morning, which means I have lots to do before getting on the road. As usual, I’m looking forward to it. It’s a cool thing where I get to work all day and enjoy myself in the evenings. I enjoy the second more when I know I’ve earned it.

But that’s enough for this week’s update. I’m a year farther into the future and I’ve got stuff to do!

What I’m Listening To

Over the Hills and Far Away. Not the song by Led Zeppelin, though I love that too, but rather, it’s this one: sharpe.fandom.com/wiki/Over_the_Hills_and_Far_Away.

Raise your hands if you’re surprised I love the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell and the BBC TV show with Sean Bean. Anyone? Bueller?

Quote of the Week

I’ve always been a wanderer, but not like this. Happy birthday to John Glenn, and thanks for being so curious.

“I suppose the one quality in an astronaut more powerful than any other is curiosity. They have to get some place nobody’s ever been.”
– John Glenn

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:

Great treasures I hold, Trading past for present

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 Two of The Feasting of Vengeance.

Dragon’s Tidings

Check our website next week. We have a cool special thing about to happen!

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (34,799)
  • The Chivalric Orders (6,597)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Bureau 42, the new anthology in the Four Horsemen Universe. Lots of great action as the Peacemakers deal with a host of cold cases.

In my case, Dan Bridgwater and I wrote a story with Rick Blaine on the trail of Kukuluki. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t go smoothly!

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D96DN6BY.

Your pre-release this week is more from Fred Hughes in his Prince of Britannia series. This book, number 9, is the conclusion of the first storyline! Get Prince Imperator here: amazon.com/dp/B0CYZ8Q92N.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 369.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 157,000

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: Laying On Hands

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Week 17 of 2024

Greetings all

I’m at FantaSci!!!

Paladins Table of Contents
Paladins Table of Contents

It’s been a long time since I’ve been with this tribe. Not since LibertyCon, so nigh unto 10 months. I’ve really missed these folk and been looking forward to getting here.

Of course, you can lay your hands on (see what I did there) Paladins of Valor tomorrow! Check out the awesome art and the amazing list of authors in the Table of Contents. It’s really awesome.

Pre-order it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

One of the people I’m most looking forward to seeing is Chris Kennedy. He’s made all this happen and it’s too long since I bought him a beverage.

Most of this week has been about logistics, both getting to the event (which is a decent drive) or things for the store, but I did get a really cool thing written for Okkorim over the weekend. As usual, I can’t talk details, but I can say it’ll be one of the ways innovative DMs will make Okkorim their own.

I’m sure I have more to say, but I’m at a con and I’m getting distracted. Shocking, I now. Catch you all next week!

What I’m Listening To

The sound of friends chatting in the hotel lobby. Pretty darn awesome.

Quote of the Week

On this day in 1943, the plane holding Isoruku Yamamoto was shot down. You’ve probably heard the famous quote by him, but here’s another along the same vein.

“A military man can scarcely pride himself on having smitten a sleeping enemy; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten.”
– Isoroku Yamamoto

New Mythology Works in Progress

Paladins Table of Contents
Paladins Table of Contents

It’s live tomorrow here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/!!!

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week’s release is Prince Dominator, the eighth book in Fred Hughes’ Prince of Britannia series. Hazard has taken the Sol System… but will he be able to hold onto it while getting the information back to Britannia? Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D19WN6HN.

Your pre-release this week is Never Again is the first book in Bill Fawcett’s new Blood and Armor series. Bill Fawcett? THE Bill Fawcett who’s list of accomplishments in SF is a mile long? That one?

Yep, that’s the one. Get Never Again  here: amazon.com/dp/B0CW18N86G.

And then, of course, there’s Paladins of Valor out tomorrow!

They defend the weak, no matter the time, place, or foe.

They stand up for others in the cold dark of space, the dusty Wild West, and lands of mystical empires.

They fight with any weapon that can help them save those behind them, whether it’s battlemechs, magic, swords, or even Sharps rifles. Along the way, they discover they can be more than they ever thought.

So come join us as we visit, in fourteen great stories, the worlds of Hanuvar, the Black Company, Kish, the Milesian Accords, and more great universes because there are always those who stand up for those who can’t.

We call them paladins.

Pre-order it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 369.6 lbs

Updated Word Count: 94,188

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

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Rob’s Update: New Beginnings

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Week 16 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s April 11th, which is sort of a personal holiday for me. In 2011, we closed on the Olathe house on April 11th. In 2023, we closed on this old mortuary in Anthony.

Happy Closing Day to me!

Of course, it’s not just a day of new beginnings where we live, we’re only 8 days from the full release of Paladins of Valor at FantaSci. I hope to see a bunch of you there.

Paladins of Valor
Paladins of Valor

As promised here’s the full list of stories and authors in Paladins of Valor, which is on pre-sale now here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

  • Preface by Rob Howell
  • Family Heirloom by Howard Andrew Jones (A Chronicles of Hanuvar Story)
  • Paladins of the Unbroken Light by D.J. Butler (A Tales of Indrajit and Fix Story)
  • High Water Mark by Chris Hepler
  • The Passing of the Mantle by David R. Birdsall (A Fractured Brotherhood Story)
  • The Purloined Heart by Christopher G. Nuttall (A Schooled in Magic Story)
  • Apprentice in Trouble by Chad Boyer (A Chronicles of the Dimensional Mage Story)
  • SEALed With a Kiss by C.V. Walter
  • Romancing Some Rock by Edie Skye (A Titan Mage Story)
  • Space Mage Secrets by Daniel M. Hoyt
  • The Oaths That Bind by H.Y. Gregor and David Shadoin (A Milesian Accords Story)
  • Valor’s Wirth by Jon R. Osborne (A Milesian Accords Story)
  • Welcome to Detroit by Nathan Balyeat (A Powers of the Night Story)
  • Those Who Went Before by Glen Cook (The Black Company on the Long Run)
  • The Muses Darling by Sarah A. Hoyt (A Tale of The Muses Darling)

What an amazing list! The Black Company. indrajit and Fix. Hanuvar. Titan Mage. Schooled in Magic. These are some of the best-selling universes in fantasy right now. Plus several worlds you’ll love and stories that stand on their own.

And did I mention not just one, but two Milesian Accords stories? Spoiler alert: Big doings in that universe over the next year!

This is surely the deepest list of authors ever for the Libri Valoris, and we’ve had a bunch of great authors take part.

It was a productive week reorganizing the shop. It’s a much different layout now, but with lots more books and shelf space. Plus I did a bunch of prepwork for a variety of things including heading out to North Carolina.

And with that, I’m going to go play with the grandbaby.

What I’m Listening To

Watching Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I really enjoy both it and Elementary, which will always be connected in time and space to me.

Quote of the Week

Kurt Vonnegut died seventeen years on April 11th. Such a creative mind.

 Laughing is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside.
– Kurt Vonnegut

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Revelation, the third and final book in the Sol Saga series by James Fox. The revolution on Mars is gaining steam… at least until President Trent decides to break out the Rods from God! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CW6C4Y7D.

This week’s pre-release is Prince Dominator, the eighth book in Fred Hughes’ Prince of Britannia series. Hazard has taken the Sol System… but will he be able to hold onto it while getting the information back to Britannia? Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D19WN6HN.

And then, of course, there’s Paladins of Valor!

They defend the weak, no matter the time, place, or foe.

They stand up for others in the cold dark of space, the dusty Wild West, and lands of mystical empires.

They fight with any weapon that can help them save those behind them, whether it’s battlemechs, magic, swords, or even Sharps rifles. Along the way, they discover they can be more than they ever thought.

So come join us as we visit, in fourteen great stories, the worlds of Hanuvar, the Black Company, Kish, the Milesian Accords, and more great universes because there are always those who stand up for those who can’t.

We call them paladins.

Pre-order it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CY9T4DHG/.

Your pre-release this week is PRERELEASE.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 367.2 lbs

Updated Word Count: 93,586

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Winter Weather

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Week 2 of 2024

Greetings all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New and Cool

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

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

Quote of the Week

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

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

Dragon’s Tidings

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

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

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (42,101)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

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

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

 

 

 

New Year BookTopia

New Year Booktopia
New Year Booktopia

books.bookfunnel.com/newyearbooktopia/bwq06b6j5q

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

Free Science Fiction Books

New Releases

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

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 366.8 lbs

Updated Word Count: 1,412

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

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Rob’s Update: New Year, New Update

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Week 1 of 2024

Greetings all

Here’s hoping you all had a great new year! We had a tame New Year’s Eve, having chucked our plans and lounged on the couch. 2023 was a great, but exhausting year.

As we move to 2024, I’m making some renovations to the update list. First of all, I’m replacing the What I’m Listening To to New and Cool. Often, this will be books, music, and shows that are new to me, but can be all sorts of things I think are cool. That might be some happening in Anthony, too, as I got rid of that separate category.

Judging by the feedback, you guys like the Quote of the Week section, so that’s staying, as is Rob’s Riddles, which I plan to start doing that regularly again soon.

The New Mythology Works in Progress section is going away as a separate section. Why? Well, we have some really cool announcements to make on that front down the road. Also, I’ll be talking about it more in this portion.

In its place will come Dragon’s Tidings, which will have something of interest from Red Dragon Quilts and Dragon’s Den Books. I’m also bringing back the Freebie Section. This is where you can download some free stuff, including something from me.

Now back to the what I did this week. A short story went to the editor on Tuesday and I wrote about 5k in Okkorim. I’ll have a fun update on that soon.

I’ve started sending out edited stories for Paladins of Valor. Still a long way to go to climb that hill but it’s a beautiful vista ahead of us.

And with that, time to get back to work.

New and Cool

Sabaton is 25 years old this year, and if  you haven’t listened to them before, they’re the best Swedish symphonic metal specializing in military historical themes I know of.

25 years? That’s pretty darn cool.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Jacob Grimm, born on this day in 1785. You might remember him for his fairy tales, but I’ve grown fascinated by his linguistic laws. Here’s a link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimm’s_law.

He also seems to have been a man after my own heart.

“A good friend doesn’t let you do stupid things …. alone.”
― Grimm

Dragon’s Tidings

We have our first classes at Red Dragon Quilts! These include Beginning Knitting on the 13th, English Paper Piercing on the 16th, and 2 8-week long courses on Beginning Quilting.

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

Free Science Fiction Books

Free Science Fiction Books
Free Science Fiction Books

mybookcave.com/g/free-science-fiction-books/?bcsrc=m96pfh

New Year Sci-Fi Fantasy Freebies

New Year Sci-Fi Fantasy Freebies
New Year Sci-Fi Fantasy Freebies

books.bookfunnel.com/newyearscififantasyfreebies/ukebd39of3

New Releases

This week we have book 8 in the Last Marines series by William S. Frisbee, Jr. It’s entitled Wolf Emperor and you can get it here amazon.com/dp/B0CR1TXG61.

Your pre-release this week is Prince Conqueror by Fred Hughes. This is book 7 in his Prince of Britannia series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CRD7CL1V.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 364.4 lbs

Updated Word Count: 678

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: Make It One For Washington

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Week 27 of 2023

Greetings all

First, I want to apologize to all the mailing list subscribers. I did everything to get your email out on time except press the “Send” button. It was in the Outbox going, “Well? You gonna hit send?”

In any case, happy 4th of July! Let me tell you, Anthony goes all out for the 4th. The fireworks started in June and the display a few blocks away last night was spectacular.

The title to this week’s update, by the way, comes from The Blacksmith of Brandywine, a fantastic song about a guy in Pennsylvania during the Revolution who helped Washington elude a trap only to lose his family. He then took revenge on the redcoats before dying. Here’s a good link on the story: hoofcare.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-blacksmith-of-brandywine-story-of.html and here’s a link to the best version of the song I can find on the web: youtube.com/watch?v=PpCbxwVjaX0. This isn’t a great version, though. Sabaton really needs to do a proper version because it’s as metal a story as you’ll ever find.

A Hope In Hell
A Hope In Hell

On to the big news.   A Hope in Hell, the thrilling conclusion to Christopher G. Nuttall’s Heirs of Cataclysm trilogy, comes out on Tuesday. The advance reviewers  have been unanimous that it’s great and a fitting end to this post-apocalyptic swords and sorcery.

It was a very productive week otherwise, too. A Lake Most Deep is in the can and will go out to the advance readers this weekend. The Eyes of a Doll is at the proofer, so it’s ahead of schedule. Where Now the Rider went out to the editor today.

And I promised you a cover reveal, so here you go! Jake did an amazing job here, and while it’s similar to the first cover since it’s the same scene, it’s so much stronger. He’s really amazing.

Also, note the cool thing right over the “E” in Lake. Glen Cook, yes that Glen Cook, wrote me out of the blue that since I’d edited him a few times, he thought he’d take a look at the Edward novels. He started his review with, “That’s a damn fine read.”

Yes, my head is still blown.

Glen’s been one of my favorites for a long time, and to have the creator of the Garrett, P.I. series, one of the foundations of the fantasy/mystery subgenre, say that about A Lake Most Deep was astounding.

Let’s see, what else? I finished a sooper-sekrit project and sent it off. We’ll see what fruit that bears. I also mostly finished a new short story which I’ll send out this weekend.

Also this week, H.P. Holo invited me to join her on her podcast on July 22nd. We’ll be talking about A Lake Most Deep and whatever else comes to mind. If you haven’t seen her stuff before, you should check her out. She’s a rock star, as is Jacob, her husband.

H.P. Holo Q&A
H.P. Holo Q&A

And look at the graphic she made for this episode! And here’s the link if you want get updates on Facebook: facebook.com/events/234711226078834.

Whew, so much going on and next weekend might be even more awesome.

What I’m Listening To

Writing this with Law & Order in the background. S. Epatha Merkerson is so good as Anita van Buren. She’s one of my favorite TV characters ever.

Quote of the Week

Here are the original words to Blacksmith of Brandywine from its writer, Pat Garvey.

Original Words by Pat Garvey

Sep 26 – ’63

Chorus
Make it one for Washington and all his gallant men
And one for the girl that once was mine.
Make it one for the darlin’ boy I’ll never see again
And don’t forget the Blacksmith of Brandywine.

As we rode down to Brandywine
There was a sight to see
A giant man with a hammer in his hand
Lying dead ‘neath a cherry tree
And all around him on the ground
In fatal disarray
A score of men who would never fight again
Nor travel on the King’s Highway.

Then quietly we dug a grave
And gave him burial there
And passed the day a ridin’ on our way
Till we met with a musketeer.
From him we learned the story of
A brave and angry man
Who undertook the British enemy
With a hammer in his hand.

Chorus

There lived a man in Chester town
Away from the cannon’s roar
Of manner mild, he’d a woman and child
And he loved them twenty times o’er
Till a Tory spoke of a plot one day
To waylay Washington
He left his home and family alone
And to the General he did run.

When he returned the next morning
A horror struck his eyes
His family slain by Tory gun
And his house it burned the skies
The Blacksmith reached for his heavy sledge
And gave a practice swing.
Next day at the line on the field of Brandywine
You could hear his hammer ring:

Chorus
– Pat Garvey, Blacksmith of Brandywine

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 cover the world,      Though not how I once did

Latest Snippet: Chapter 2 of Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press
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)
  • OG (2,379)
  • Hyarkeen (2,991)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (73,704)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

  • Pennsic War, July 28 – August 13, Slippery Rock, PA, pennsicwar.org

New Releases

Book 6 of the Prince of Britannia series by Fred Hughes, Prince Liberator, is out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0C1TQ8639.

Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy came out a couple weeks ago. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/1648557732. This is book 2 in Trisha J. Wooldridge’s amazing Asian-themed epic fantasy, and focuses on the fey of her world in a battle against an evil prince.

And don’t forget, A Hope in Hell by Christopher G. Nuttall comes out on Tuesday!

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 351.6

Updated Word Count: 204,881 (I went back and caught up with some stuff I should have added a while ago)

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: Splashdown

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Week 13 of 2023

Greetings all

What a great week it’s been. Of course, I was at FantaSci, and being among my tribe is always a great thing. This week, has been a little slow, as is often so when splashing down after a long trip, especially on the heels of Planet Comicon.

Bonds of Valor Orange Tag
Bonds of Valor Orange Tag

At FantaSci, we released Bonds of Valor into the wild. It’s been a great release. I even have pics to prove it. Look at that lovely orange tag we got earlier in the week.

Also at FantaSci, I had the privilege of announcing the winner of this year’s short story contest. Congrats to Fiona Grey, for her story The Coward’s Shadow. See you next year at FantaSci, Fiona!

I also announced next year’s theme, which is paladins, chivalry, and the oaths that bind them. This does not mean each hero must wear armor, only that they fit the larger class of paladins and chivalry. For example, I contend Malcolm Reynolds is a paladin seeking to regain his faith. Yoda was a paladin. Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and Spenser are all knights errant.

For all the details, go here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.

Also, we have a great special to announce. The Chimera Coup, book 1 of Christopher Nuttall’s excellent Heirs of Cataclysm series, is half-off starting on Saturday the 1st throughout all of April. If you haven’t gotten it yet, here’s your chance: amazon.com/dp/B0BFLV4TH8.

And while it’s not a special, let’s not forget Hunting the Hart, book 5 of Jon R. Osborne’s Milesian Accords series. We had a bunch of conversations and panels that touched on this series, which is one of the best modern fantasies I’ve read. Get Hunting the Hart here: amazon.com/gp/product/1648556477.

With that, I’m off to do some editing.

What I’m Listening To

I was listening to The Diamond Throne, book 1 of David Eddings’ Elenium on the trip back from North Carolina. I don’t usually like listening to audiobooks when I’m writing, but I’m now listening to The Ruby Knight and will surely follow up with the The Sapphire Rose.

Side note: I sure hope these come out on e-book someday.

Quote of the Week

You should all know I’m weird. If not, here’s further proof. In grad school, I was assigned all sorts of medieval philosophy. I actually enjoyed it, even though I’m not smart enough to understand it all.

Among all that, Maimonides was one of my favorites.

Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.
– Maimonides

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:

Oft have we moved        East and west, north to south

Latest Snippet: Chapter 4 of Farewell, My Ugly

New Mythology Works in Progress

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (72,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Then there’s Prince Renegade by Fred Hughes. This is book 5 in his excellent Prince of Britannia series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ79PPBN.

And, of course, Bonds of Valor, which you can get here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ7BFXN9.

Your pre-release this week is more Salvage Title awesomeness with Knightfall Under Keros, by Melissa Olthoff. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZTYDHQM.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 352.4

Updated Word Count: 108,511

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: FantaSci

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Week 12 of 2023

Greetings all

Bonds of Valor
Bonds of Valor

I’m at FantaSci! Which is why I’m a day lat one getting this out.

Bonds of Valor is live. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ7BFXN9. 14 great stories of valor with bonds of faith, hope, love, and more.

Todd McCaffrey, Jody Lynn Nye, Glen Cook, D.J. Butler, and Sarah Hoyt lead Team And More into the breach.

Stay tuned next week for next year’s anthology theme. Or if you can’t wait, I talk about it in the CKP YouTube release party we did on Tuesday.

That link is here: youtube.com/watch?v=r4M0qkZWU4s. I had a great time talking with nearly all of the authors.

I had a great time at Planet Comicon. I sold well, and was especially pleased to see how well Postcards from Mars sold. The art in it is really fun and even people who don’t read much thought it was cool.

Because I’ve either been at a con or on the road to a con nearly every day this week, not to mention a variety of mundane tasks to deal with, I had very little chance to write in Farewell, My Ugly. I had one decent writing session, so about 1500 words and I pushed through yet another rough spot, so it wasn’t completely unproductive.

One thing I should mention. I listened to Newsletter Ninja on the way out. This means there’ll be a few changes to the newsletter in the next couple of months. Part of that will mean you’ll get a few extra emails, stuff I should have built into my mailing list from the beginning. The good news is these will have some free stories and extra content.

I mention it now so you’re not surprised. I really appreciate all of you who read this, and want to make sure I’m giving you fair value for both your email address and your time.

But for now, I need to turn my time to FantaSci. Have a great week, everyone.

What I’m Listening To

Rush, Clockwork Angels. I always wear Rush shirts at cons, and this gets me in the mood to be a rock star.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Steve McQueen. Here’s a quote from him that is a real challenge for many writers, but it’s something we have to power through.

“The world is as good as you are. You’ve got to learn to like yourself first.”
– Steve McQueen

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 swirl and I swoop          Swiftly striking my prey

Latest Snippet: Chapter 4 of Farewell, My Ugly

New Mythology Works in Progress

Bonds of Valor is out! Here’s the blurb:

A private eye saves his dead friend.

The Black Company deals with something fishy.

Deathmages, space mages, and forgotten magic.

It’s all here in fourteen stories of valor, heroism, and bonds that tie folk together, for good or ill. There are bonds of love, oaths to gods, and life-long friends.

Will the old, crusty worn-out veteran find his new partner just might be something? Will the knight learn humility from those who serve him? Will Indrajit and Fix restore the path of true love?

Or will the bonds between characters break under the pressure of evil wizards, ancient enemies, or massive dragons?

Come find out.

Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ7BFXN9

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (71,525)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Lots this week! Let’s start with The Last Argonaut, by Ian J. Malone. I’ve been waiting for this warball novel in the Salvage Title universe for months! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BYHP4RX2/.

Then there’s Prince Renegade by Fred Hughes. This is book 5 in his excellent Prince of Britannia series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ79PPBN.

And, of course, Bonds of Valor, which you can get here: amazon.com/dp/B0BZ7BFXN9.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 350.2

Updated Word Count: 107,716

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

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Groundhog’s Day

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Week 5 of 2023

Greetings all

What a week! It was so busy, I’m going to have to a list.

  • Approved the cover for Hunting the Hart by Jon R. Osborne (Out February 21st).
  • Approved the cover for Bonds of Valor (Out March 24th).
  • Finished the manuscript for Bonds of Valor and sent to the copyeditor.
  • Did about a third of the new edits for The Eyes of a Doll.
  • Hosted a postrevel.
  • Wrote 2 riddles (and had my first correct guess, way to go David).
  • Read and responded an old slush submission.
  • Wrote about 3000 in a new Firehall Sagas short story.

Not too shabby.

I also taught my wife Call of Cthulhu, so she can play a lawyer as a hero.

Next week, Saturday, I’ll get the ARCs out to the Hunting the Hart ARC team. By the end of next week, I’ll be turning my eyes to Where Now the Rider.

I’ve been building new processes after the lessons of 2022, and man, have they been working.

Speaking of which, I’m going to go edit some more. Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

The sound of a mechanical keyboard. I’m getting to this update a little late after a long day of work and family stuff.

Quote of the Week

In 1141, Empress Matilda defeated King Stephen I at Lincoln. This is a good reason to quote from the Cadfael series, and I really don’t even need a reason, as it’s a great series of books. The BBC versions with Derek Jacobi are excellent too.

“Whatever the rights or wrongs of their affection, in the teeth of danger and despair love is entitled to speak its mind, and all others should be blind and deaf.”
― Ellis Peters, The Hermit of Eyton Forest

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 1 of Hunting the Hart, by Jon R. Osborne.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Hunting the Hart is the next new release. 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

We have new 4HU goodness with On a Cloudy Day from Jason Cordova and Kevin Ikenberry. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BT11JHWK.

Your pre-release this week is Prince: Peacemaker, book 4 in the Prince of Britannia Series by Fred Hughes. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BTL4NFLC.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 340.8

Updated Word Count: 59,622

Firehall Sagas Archives: 742 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: The Bullseye of Success

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Week 45 of 2022

Greetings all

First, thanks to everyone who responded about my new world name either with direct emails or Facebook, Discord, and Twitter. I really appreciate all that feedback.

And I have made a decision!

But I’m going to hold off telling you all what that decision is until I have the domain, logo, and website ready to go. I anticipate that right after I get back from Vegas.

Not my most productive week. I had some distractions, some were good and fun distractions, but still distractions. Mostly, though, with all the changes, I’ve been thinking through a bunch of things and I haven’t slept well. That’s probably my worst production limiter.

I did get a bunch of foundational work done, so there’s that. I also did a bunch of detail work on Farewell, My Ugly. While the word count isn’t as big as I wanted for this week (only 3k for the week), I made important and significant progress clearing out a bunch of notes.

My goal is to basically have a draft done by the end of the month. It’ll be tight, but I thought of an important transition today that’ll speed up the next part of the process.

Sometimes, when writing a mystery, the challenge isn’t coming up with a plot, but a plausible way to find a particular clue. That’s been a big one here. I’ve had a fun idea from the beginning, but it’s not something that would necessarily jump off the page to someone from the Byzantine Empire.

So, while it wasn’t a great week for production, it wasn’t awful. I kept plugging along, and usually just plugging along gets me to where I want to go.

Now, I’m going to get back to work.

What I’m Listening To

The World Series. What else this week?

Quote of the Week

I’ve always been fascinated by Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, especially Annie Oakley. She died on this day in 1926, but she left us this wonderful gem of a quote.

Aim for the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll hit the bullseye of success.
– Annie Oakley

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a great conversation with Sarah Burris and what libraries can offer.

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+.

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.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (41,571)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Two new releases this week! First, we have a new This Fine Crew book by Mike Jack Stoumbos. This is book 4 in the series and is entitled The Impossible Moon. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BKLL4F82.

Next we have something I’ve been waiting on. I met Fred Hughes at FenCon and I’m excited to read his Prince of Britannia series, which begins with The Prince Awakens. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BK232YT2.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.2

Updated Word Count: 398,717

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: FenCon Rocked

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Week 39 of 2022

Greetings all

First, welcome to all the new readers. I was able this week to finally get all my updates from Pennsic and FenCon uploaded. Thanks to all of you who joined up. If you have any questions about what all I’ve got going on here, just send me an email at rob@robhowell.org.

And wow, what an amazing week it’s been. Let’s start with the first new release, The Chimera Coup by Christopher G. Nuttall.

This came out on Tuesday and is a post-apocalyptic swords and sorcery world with technology added. It’s fast-paced, as you’d expect from Chris, and you’re going to love it. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BFLV4TH8.

Yes, I said first new release, as there was also on the 16th The Valkyries Initiative.

I contributed a story in here about a Valkyrie working her job on the mean streets of St. Louis. After 1500 years working for Odin and Freya, she thought she’d seen everything. She was wrong. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BF8NMWXK/.

But wait, there’s more! The Pain Bearer by Kendra Merritt came out on the 13th. This is the 8th of the Eldros Legacy and is probably my favorite novel so far in this series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BDTWRP9W/.

Whew. What a sequence. And that all follows No Game for Knights, which came out on the 6th. It’s available here: baen.com/no-game-for-knights.html.

If you’re keeping track at home, and I am, this stretch of 4 books I contributed to in 14 days is a personal record.

I was also on 3 different podcasts: Cursed Dragon Ship and Inside CKP both had all the Eldros Legacy authors on. Then we did a Dudes in Hyperspace episode. Click on the show names to watch or listen to all these episodes and so much more.

And what did I do to celebrate? I went to FenCon and had a great time with Larry Correia, Chuck Gannon, and Rob Hampson (all Guests of Honor there) along with fellow CKP authors Mark Wandrey, Bill Webb, Kayla Krantz, Sandra Medlock, and Fred Hughes, plus a bunch of other awesome people.

Frankly, it felt like LibertyCon Lite and I need it, having missed LibertyCon itself.

So much has gone on that I even did my September AAR already, and you can get it here: robhowell.org/blog/?p=2856.

This week I’ve been editing Responsibility of the Throne by G. Scott Huggins. This is the sequel to Responsibility of the Crown and is excellent. Dragons, halfdragons, intrigue, and boarding actions.

I also finally got around to doing something I’ve needed to do for some time and that’s create a New Mythology Press Release Schedule. It’s located here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2022/09/22/new-mythology-schedule/. Bookmark that site as I’ll be updating that page.

Heart, Wings, and Fire
Heart, Wings, and Fire

I’ve been nibbling at some story ideas too, though I’ve had little time to write them. September has routinely been my worst month as I’ve come out of Pennsic and all the summer cons, and this year is no different. That has meant October is one of my best, though, and I anticipate it will be.

One last thing, it’s time for a cover reveal from one of my favorite covers so far. Heart, Wings, and Fire by Trisha J. Wooldridge comes out on the October 4th and here’s the cover. This starts her amazing 27 Kingdoms Universe, which you’re gonna love.

Princesses, dragons, and fey, oh, my!

Now I need to let you all go so I can get ready to record the first Dudes In Hyperspace Podmail show. There are so many questions, we’ve had to move that to its own regular episode.

What I’m Listening To

I came back recharged in many ways, and popped right back into setting my playlist to all Rush songs.

Right now it’s Distant Early Warning  off of Grace Under Pressure. I remember distinctly getting this album at about the time I was most interested in the Cold War and the Soviet military, so even if it hadn’t have been Rush, I’d have loved it.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Joan Jett who, let’s just say, I especially admired when I was a teenage boy.

“I saw him dancing there by the record machine
I knew he must have been about seventeen”
– I Love Rock’n Roll, as performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a preview of the NFL season with David Hayes.

We’re literally recording our Podmail episode in half an hour, so keep an eye out for that tomorrow.

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+.

A Murder of Wolves by Jamie Ibson comes out on the 11th of October.

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.

Current Schedule of New Mythology Press

Giveaways
Deep Space and Beyond
Deep Space and Beyond

Deep Space and Beyond

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/2ec044a2-320e-11ed-9abc-a39ef24ffb51

Fantasy Kindle Unlimited
Fantasy Kindle Unlimited

Fantasy Kindle Unlimited

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/26e7532c-1235-11ed-a543-d75d019e521b

Escape to a Fantasy World
Escape to a Fantasy World

Escape to a Fantasy World

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/339e025c-2061-11ed-a9c3-879b19996679

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

This week we have The Chimera Coup by Christopher G. Nuttall. This is a post-apocalyptic swords and sorcery world with technology added. It’s fast-paced, as you’d expect from Chris, and you’re going to love it. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BFLV4TH8.

The Valkyries Initiative, a new set of stories set in the Hit World universe edited by Marisa Wolf, came out on Friday. I contributed a story in here about a Valkyrie working her job on the mean streets of St. Louis. After 1500 years working for Odin and Freya, she thought she’d seen everything. She was wrong. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BF8NMWXK/.

Your pre-release has the Four Horsemen returning this week with World Enders by Chris Kennedy & Marisa Wolf. This is book 2 of The Phoenix Initiative, and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BG19B753.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.8 (I’ve been traveling and not eating well. Since coming back, I’ve re-focused on eating better. Time to get back on the downward path.)

Updated Word Count: 157,349

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

Rob's Ramblings

Rob’s Ramblings: September AAR

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Yes, there are still ten days left in September, but so much has gone on that I really need to do an AAR. Plus, October looks like it’ll be just as busy so I don’t know when I’ll get this done, and as I look back a monthly AAR sounds like a pretty good regular post.

No Game for Knights
No Game for Knights

This month started off with a huge bang when No Game For Knights came out on the 6th. This is the noir-themed science fiction and fantasy anthology edited by Larry Correia and Kacey Ezell and follows up Noir Fatale, which was also really fun.

My story in here was entitled The Incomparable Treasure, and it continues the adventures of Edward Aethelredson. If you’ve read The Eyes of a Doll, you want to read this as it follows up some of that story there.

The Pain Bearer
The Pain Bearer

Then, on the 13th, New Mythology released The Pain Bearer, by Kendra Merritt. This is my favorite of the Eldros Legacy novels so far, including my own The Door Into Winter.

On the 16th, The Valkyries Initiative came out. This is an anthology in the Hit World universe edited by Marisa Wolf.

The Hit World is what I call genre gumbo. It has everything: aliens, magic, gods, myths, James Bond-style espionage and assassinations, intrigue, and if it doesn’t have it now, it will someday.

Really fun.

The Valkyries Initiative
The Valkyries Initiative

My story in here is actually in many ways like my story in No Game for Knights. It’s hardboiled and has more than a bit of noir influence. It’s about a valkyrie who’s been doing the bidding of Freya and Odin for some 1500 years now. She’s currently working a job in St. Louis and, spoiler alert, everything goes sideways.

I like putting characters into difficult positions where no choice is good, and this was one of my favorite bad situations so far.

The Chimera Coup
The Chimera Coup

Today, we released The Chimera Coup, which starts a new series called The Heirs of Cataclysm. This is post-apocalyptic, swords and sorcery and tech and is full of action as one would expect from Christopher G. Nuttall.

If you haven’t read Chris’s stuff before, you should. He’s got a bunch out there, including some other fantasy series, plus  a bunch of great mil SF and space opera. We’re honored to have the opportunity to publish this.

Books 2 and 3 in this trilogy will come out soon, and you’re going to love how he wraps this all up.

I’ve also been a part of a number of podcasts. The Eldros Legacy crew did an interview on the 7th on Inside CKP. We did another interview with Cursed Dragon Ships on the 13th. Between those, the Dudes in Hyperspace had their NFL preview show on the 8th.

Click on the show links to check out all three of those.

Whew, that’s 4 books released and 3 podcasts recorded in 2 weeks!

But wait, there’s more! I also just got back from FenCon in the DFW Metroplex.

Larry Correia was the guest of honor, Robert E. Hampson was the science GOH, and Chuck Gannon was the toastmaster. Man, that’s a heck of a list and it drew out a ton of people. I heard, though I haven’t confirmed it, that FenCon drew almost as many people this year as it had done in the previous two pre-pandemic years combined.

Again, I’ve got no confirmation on that, but it sure seemed hopping to me. I was only on two panels, one on Indie Publishing and the CKP Look Ahead, but both were very well attended. Thanks to all who come out.

I also had constant traffic in front of my dealer’s table. I sold more than I expected, which is always nice, but I also got to really talk to a bunch of great people.

The author next to me, Tim Gilliland, was brand new. This was his first con ever, whether to sell or not. He’s in his 60s and finally getting to do what he’s always wanted to do. I predict he’ll do well, given how enthusiastic he was.

This was actually a theme, as I was aware of more people who said this was their first ever convention than I can recall at any other con. Great to see all the new blood.

But truly, it was the old blood that made this con for me. Because of the guests, there was a huge percentage of attendees who I usually see at LibertyCon. Since I missed it this year, I was ecstatic to have sort of a LibertyCon Lite.  Yeah, yeah, I do realize it was probably the wise choice to be at my own wedding instead of the con, but I still missed my friends.

I had a great conversations with old and new friends, which is really the best part of cons. Selling books is great, and I love panels, but it’s the people that matter.

Among friends I had good conversations with were Larry, Rob, Chuck, Sarah Hoyt, Cedar Sanderson, Jonna Hayden, C.V. Walter, Dan Hoyt, Karl Gallagher, Sean CW Korsgaard, Mark Wandrey, Lloyd Behm, Joy Wandrey, William Alan Webb, Sandra Medlock, and Toni Weisskopf. I also met Fred Hughes and Kayla Krantz, two newish authors in the stable, plus a bunch of people like Tim Gilliland, David Birdsall, and Greg Gagnon who I expect to get to talk about when they get their own writing careers going.

What a fun crew.

I came back with a number of new ideas and looking forward to going to the next FenCon.

What’s left in September? Well, to be honest, prepping for October, plus we’ve got our Dudes in Hyperspace podmail episode coming out this week.

On October 4th, we have the release of Trisha J. Wooldridge’s Heart, Wings, and Fire. This is another new series set in her 27 Kingdoms world.

This story is really something new for New Mythology Press, something I’ve been wanting to see. It’s full of action, but less in the way of swords and more in the way of standing up to challenges. It’s also set in an Asian-inspired setting. I love all sorts of myths and legends from across the world and I want to see more of it.

Then on October 11th, we have the 9th Eldros Legacy novel, A Murder of Wolves, from Jamie Ibson. This is set on Daemanon and is a neat take on druids.

There’ll be more from the Dudes in Hyperspace, of course, and maybe more still yet to talk about.

September 2022 rocked, and I can’t wait for October.