Tag Archives: G. Scott Huggins

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Short but Sweet

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Week 36 of 2024

Greetings all

Obviously, this week wasn’t any shorter than any other, but it felt that way as I lost three whole days to health stuff. It’s nothing serious, and most of that reason is a standard checkup procedure to make sure I’ve got no unseen issues, it just takes time out of a week.

That being said, I was pretty productive this week. In The Feasting of Vengeance I pulled out some threads from the main document. This allows me to focus directly on those threads and take them basically to the end of Act II and into the final big battle. I haven’t calculated the total words over all three docs, but it’s thousands more on the total with a bunch of cleanup of dead brush. So major progress, IMHO.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

Don’t forget, Responsibility of the Fleet by G. Scott Huggins, third in his Endless Ocean series, comes out in two weeks!

I’ve been working on a larger scale project in Okkorim, however, and I needed to get that finished. I uploaded it for the mechanic to make sure I got the game stuff right yesterday.

This particular chunk had been difficult as I hadn’t had a good way to create game rules without making some things out of balance. The mechanic (his name’s Zach by the way), gave me a thought and what had been a slog at the end of last week was a torrent this week. I wrote 5k just on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Of course, this is DragonCon weekend!

There are a bunch of CKP authors there. I’m sure I’m going to miss some, but I know Kacey Ezell, David Shadoin, Marisa Wolf, H.Y. Gregor, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Melissa Olthoff, and Jon R. Osborne all come to mind.

Also there are a bunch of CKP-adjacent authors such as Joelle Presby, Shami Stovall, and Lydia Sherrer.

In other words, if you want to talk to a bunch of cool authors, there’s little better chance than at DragonCon.

I can’ t go this, year, but I did have a consolation prize. Fred Hughes did an interview with me. I’m not sure when it’ll be released, though of course I’ll let you know. We recorded it yesterday and I think it went really well!

In any case, I think that’s all for now. I’m still fatigued from all the stuff earlier this week, so I’ll sign off. Have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

Steeleye Span’s version of King Henry. Steeleye Span is really cool English band playing medieval and traditional music. Their Saucy Sailor is one of my top 20 songs of all time. While this isn’t to that level, it’s still one I listen to quite often.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to John Locke, born on this day in 1632. I’ve read, and admired, much of his writing, and I encourage people to take a look if they’re philosophically inclined, as I am.

“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
― John Locke

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 a thing of whimsy wildly careening

New Mythology Works in Progress

So much happening!

Responsibility of the Fleet by G. Scott Huggins comes out September 13th.

Then a trilogy by H.Y. Gregor starting with Reka’s Grasp on October 18th with another November 22nd and the third on December 27th. This is set in Jon R. Osborne’s awesome Milesian Accords series.

And there’s more on the way. The open call from June is bearing fruit and I look forward to tell you of some awesome stuff from that.

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Your pre-release this week is War Criminal, the 11th book in P.A. Piatt’s Abner Fortis, ISMC, series. For those who’ve been following the series (and if you haven’t, why not?), you can pretty much guess that good ol’ Abner will be up to his armpits in trouble as he and Jocko Bender go into the Free Sector to track down two of the war criminals behind the peace rally attack. Remember the world-killer bomb that disappeared? It’s back, too, and fully in play. Will Abner be able to recover it before it goes “boom?” You probably just answered that question wrong… but you’ll have to grab it to find out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DFFPZCFX.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 357.4lbs

Updated Word Count: 205,201

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: In the Grasp of Reka

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Week 35 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s been a productive week here, though it went a little different than expected.

One thing that was expected is cleaning and organizing from Pennsic. I’ve made huge progress on all that, and by the end of next week, I hope it’ll all be put back into the trailer ready for the next event.

I had anticipated a sort of normal week where I work on a variety of projects, but one of those was Reka’s Grasp, a new series set in the Milesian Accords universe by H.Y. Gregor. The book was so good I couldn’t stop editing and I finished it in, if not record time, close to it.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I spent the evening cleaning up a bunch of stuff in The Feasting of Vengeance. It’s amazing what changing how you view a document changes how you edit it. In this case, I was what I call bediting, or reading it on my phone and making notes while in bed.

It may sound dumb, but it’s proven really effective for me. The small screen forces me to focus on the words more, and I see a ton I miss in any other setting.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sending out the ARC for Responsibility of the Fleet. If you’re on the NMP ARC team, keep an eye on your mailboxes.

If I’m announcing the ARC, that means we’re getting close to release! It comes out on September 13th. It’s the 3rd in G. Scott Huggins’ amazing Endless Ocean series.

I also edited a a new adventure in Okkorim coming from Kacey Ezell for Patreon subscribers called the Book of the Drowned. It’s a quick one, but fun and challenging. You can join the GaxxWorx Patreon here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx for all sorts of stuff in Okkorim that I’m helping to create!

So, while I spent more time with Reka’s Grasp than I expected, I ended up doing pretty good with other stuff too!

But I better get back to work.

What I’m Listening To

If 6 Was 9. This isn’t Jimi Hendrix’s most popular song, but it’s one of my favs. Basically, it’s a small structure allowing him to riff, and I’m totally in favor of that.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Dorothy Parker, born August 22, 1893. She’s one of the great quote machines of all time. Picking just one is tough, but I think you’ll like the one I chose.

If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second-greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first-greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.
– Dorothy Parker

Side note: I have extra copies of The Elements of Style available. Hit me up if you want one.

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 a thing of whimsy wildly careening

Dragon’s Tidings

The circus is coming to town and we have tickets! The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus comes to Anthony on September 19th to Anthony. We have advance tickets at the store for $13 (adult) and $8 (child and senior).

New Mythology Works in Progress

Lots coming soon!

Responsibility of the Throne comes out on September 13th.

Reka’s Grasp from H.Y. Gregor in the Milesian Accords universe in the middle of October.

And a bunch more after that! The schedule’s about to explode.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (44,326)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Salvage Race by David Alan Jones. Get more awesome action in the Salvage Title universe here: amazon.com/dp/B0DD4BFV6R.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 363.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 193,070

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: At the Vale of Roncevaux

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Week 34 of 2024

Greetings all

I’m sadly not actually at the Vale of Roncevaux but it is the anniversary of the battle. I’d love to go visit the site of the battle someday, but for now, I’m home from Pennsic! Everything is dry! Despite the rain, I still had a great time and sold a bunch of books.

This has been a mostly non-productive week, as expected, at least in terms of writing. I’ve touched base on everything to keep going, and I’ll be doing a bunch of bediting this week.

I did start editing Reka’s Grasp this week. This will be the first of a new trilogy in Jon R. Osborne’s excellent Milesian Accords series. It’s by H.Y. Gregor and she’s bringing Russian myth and tradition into the world.

It’s a great addition to the universe and you’re going to love it.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

Speaking of cool new stuff, Responsibility of the Fleet is coming September 12th! This is book 3 in G. Scott Huggins’ innovative and fast-paced Endless Ocean series.

 

What I’m Listening To

Bohemian Rhapsody. Enough said.

Quote of the Week

It’s Battle of Roncevaux day! Hence, we have to have a passage from the Chanson de Roland. My preferred translation, by the way, remains Dorothy L. Sayers despite the fact that it’s getting somewhat dated. She kept both meaning and poetry in her translation, something few can do.

Anyway, here’s Laisse 8.

The Emperor Charles is glad and full of cheer.
Cordova’s taken, the outer walls are pierced,
His catapults have cast the towers down sheer;
Rich booty’s gone to all his chevaliers,
Silver and gold and goodly battle-gear.
In all the city no paynim now appears [101-29]
Who is not slain or turned to Christian fear.
The Emperor sits in a great orchard near,
Having about him Roland and Olivere,
Samson the duke, and Anseis the fierce,
Geoffrey d’Anjou the King’s gonfalonier,
And Gerin too, and with him too Gerier;
And where these were was many another fere—
Full fifteen thousand of France the fair and dear.
Upon white carpets they sit, those noble peers,
For draughts and chess the chequer-boards are reared;
To entertain the elder lords revered;
Young bachelors disport with sword and spear.
Beneath a pine beside an eglantier
A faldstool stands all of the red gold clear;
Of fairest France there sits the king austere.
White are his locks, and silver is his beard,
His body noble, his countenance severe:
If any seek him, no need to say, “Lo, here!”
From off their steeds lit down the messengers,
Well did they greet him with shows of love sincere.
– Chanson de Roland, Laisse 8 (translation by Dorothy L. Sayers)

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 first in the light Leading the memory

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (43,017)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Quaestor by Peter J. Aldin. This is the second book in his Outer Reaches series. It’s sort of a mil SF Judge Dredd story, and you can’t go wrong with that. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DCF1Q235.

Your pre-release this week is Salvage Race by David Alan Jones. Get more awesome action in the Salvage Title universe here: amazon.com/dp/B0DD4BFV6R.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 361.8lbs (Pennsic was good for me!)

Updated Word Count: 165,488

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: After the Pennsic Floods

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Week 33 of 2024

Greetings all

Pennsic 51
Pennsic 51

I’m still at Pennsic, though I’ll hopefully be on the road back on Saturday. Hence, it’ll be a streamlined update once again.

Overall, it’s been a productive, but challenging war thanks to three of the hardest downpours I’ve seen here. Rain is a given at Pennsic, but it’s usually in steady amounts. We had three bursts that flooded the tent which simply overwhelmed my normal rain defenses.

This isn’t the horrible thing it might sound. It’s not my first rodeo and all my stuff was protected from the rain so I didn’t lose any stock. I’ll lose old rugs, but I actually anticipated this to be a rainy Pennsic so I brought the rugs I was contemplating getting rid of anyway. That’s the extent of my loss.

I will say it does make it harder. I had to spend time getting rid of water, and though I have a store shopvac and electricity, we took out a bunch of gallons of water. And of course the floor never really got completely dry.

But again, it wasn’t a huge thing. All my stuff is elevated, including my bed, so I slept great, especially during the steady rains normal to Pennsic. Such rains on canvas is incredibly soothing.

As I said, it was really productive too. I sold quite a bit and may exceed last year despite losing three prime sales days to rain. My partner, the potter, will likely do the same. We did see a major drop off in fiber arts stuffs (looms, thread, yarn), because those work better if I can display them outside on sunny days.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I will, as usual, make a profit after fees, insurance, inventory cost, helper fees, and travel costs. The amount of profit is yet to be known as I still have a day and a half of potential sales.

During the slow times, I wrote about 10k on The Ravening of Wolves, finally breaking the 40k mark and clearing a bunch of chaff too.

Also, Responsibility of the Fleet from G. Scott Huggins is now at the proofreader for the final editing pass. It’ll be out on September 12th.

I also started editing Reka’s Grasp, the next Milesian Accords novel, this one by H.Y. Gregor, which comes out in October. This will be the first of a separate trilogy in Jon R. Osborne’s best-selling universe, which is about to really explode even more than it already has.

Exciting stuff.

I also caught up on a bunch of editing in Okkorim, making progress in four projects over the last week.

Truly, Pennsic is one of my best times of the year for progressing. But for now, I must take care of the next customer.

What I’m Listening To

The conversations of the marketplace.

Quote of the Week

Happy what would have been his 105th birthday to Dino di Laurentiis, producer of one of my favorite films and the author of a quote that inspires my writing.

 The audience wants to be attracted not by the critics, but by a great story. You must deliver to the audience emotion – and when I say emotion, I mean suspense, drama, love.
– Dino De Laurentiis

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

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 XX of WORKINPROGRESS.

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

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 (42,888)

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370lbs

Updated Word Count: 160,000

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: When In The Course Of Human Events

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Week 28 of 2024

Greetings all

Happy 4th of July to everyone! May you all have an excellent and safe holiday.

Anthony is fireworks mad, and they’ve been shooting them off for a week now. We get a nightly show out our windows, which is actually kinda neat. I like fireworks, and the SWMBO enjoys the lights, but the booms get to her. This means she gets to see them without all the sound.

I spent much of today setting up my woodshop (finally). It’s still a loooong way to go but progress is progress. In true American fashion, I have to run to the hardware store for specific parts.

Responsibility of the Fleet
Responsibility of the Fleet

I also made progress on Responsibility of the Fleet, by G. Scott Huggins. I’m chugging away and on the downward curve. I anticipate it’ll be back to Scott by the end of next week and then off to the editor after that.

The planned release date, by the way, is September 12th, and here’s the amazing cover by J. Caleb Designs.

This time, Responsibility faces demons at the end of the world. How can you not want to read that?

I made go progress on The Feasting of Vengeance too. Man, I love these characters. They, of course, hate me, given all the crap I put them through. Right now, Rhan’Kiial’Tala wouldn’t mind stomping me with his CASPer. I did the worst thing ever to him: he got a promotion.

I’m going through the open call submissions, though it’ll take time. I’ll keep everyone updated as I make decisions.

Speaking of open calls, CKP is having it’s own open calls for SF/space opera/mil SF novels and trilogies. Here are the details: chriskennedypublishing.com/ckp-open-submission-period/.

I also spent part of today writing out my plans for ChattaCon. In case you didn’t know, I’m the Toastmaster and man, am I excited about this honor. I hope everyone can come to ChattaCon in January. It’s the 50th one, after all.

Oh, and I’m cooking up something special for opening ceremonies. If you’re there, make a point of attending that for sure.

And with that, time to go enjoy the holiday! Have a great week, everyone.

What I’m Listening To

If Eternity Should Fail, one of the many great songs by Iron Maiden off their album Book of Souls. Some Maiden fans will consider this heresy, but I think it’s one of the best things they’ve ever done.

Quote of the Week

Can I quote anything but the Declaration of Independence today? Here’s a passage I think is really important but which often gets glossed over.

“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”
– Declaration of Independence

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.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Responsibility of the Fleet is the next release, but starting in October, you’re going to see the world of the Milesian Accords explode like the series of fireworks at the finale of the biggest fireworks display around. We’re very excited.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (33,245)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have more from the amazing Bill Fawcett and Casey Moores. It’s No Further, book 3 in their Blood and Armor series. This series is rapidly becoming a favorite, and you’re not going to want to miss it! There’s a new player in the arena that wants to wipe out the Kurdish Republic, but the peshmerga aren’t going down without a fight! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/product/B0D842YY8L.

Your pre-release this week is more from John E. Siers in his excellent Lunar Free State series. I actually played a bit of hooky from reading fantasy to go through this series. In this one, Three Player Game, a new group of nations has joined the space race, and it’s going to upset the apple cart!. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0D76SLN6B.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 369.6 lbs

Updated Word Count: 116,631

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Happy Thanksgiving

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Week 48 of 2022

Greetings all

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving today. My wife and I celebrated just the two of us because I’ve had a bit of con crud after 20Books and didn’t want to spread to family.

Wynnifred
Wynnifred

Aside from that, it was excellent. We had steak, ham steaks, mashed potatoes, french onion soup, 2 kinds of cranberry sauce, veggies, a cheese plate, pumpkin pie, and oatmeal raisin cookies. We ate well, as did our portable black hole, Wynnifred.

As you can see, she’s still hungry.

Anyway, lots to get to this week. First, I had a great time at 20Books Vegas. Rather than going into detail here, here’s my AAR: robhowell.org/blog/?p=2950.

Side note: Welcome to all my new readers from 20Books. Thanks for signing up!

That leaves time to talk about Responsibility of the Throne, which comes out on Tuesday the 29th. This is the 2nd in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series. And check out this cover from the amazing J Caleb Studios.

Azriyqam is home, and discovering that princesses have to live up to their titles.

Responsibility of the Throne
Responsibility of the Throne

Living up to the example of her parents involves more than she ever imagined, like inheriting the title of Holder of the Two Keys, who judges between dragons and humans, and keeping watch for Consortium agents ready to destroy her homeland.

While she’s being trained in the law she’s supposed to uphold, the people she’s supposed to judge are a far greater mystery. And though she’s received harsh lessons in the treachery of humans, she has not yet begun to fathom the motives and designs of the kingdom’s dragons. And these are the key to a challenge that could fracture the entire kingdom.

Can she stand up to the fire and destruction facing her, or will bitter enemies and cruel traitors send her sinking to the bottom of the Endless Ocean?

I got a decent number of words written before the con started, but between travel, recovery, the con, the holiday, and other work, I haven’t had a chance to touch anything since a week ago Sunday. I’ll get back on the horse tomorrow.

Finally, there’s less than a week left until the deadline for the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call. It’s due on the 30th. We’ve had a bunch of great submissions, but yours might just be better, so send it in.

And now, off to do more editing. Have a great rest of your weekend.

What I’m Listening To

It’s Thanksgiving. I’m a huge football fan. Soooo…, after watching the Cowboys beat the Giants (Go Cowboys), I’ve got the Patriots in Minnesota on right now.

Quote of the Week

I get frustrated at the blind stupidity of the NFL, but sometimes they get one right. They are honoring John Madden at all Thanksgiving games going forward.

He was such a fixture on this day for me, and he was always one of my favorites. Go he go too far overboard? Sure. But you never doubted his passion for the game.

“Since 1981, I’ve spent every Thanksgiving Day broadcasting a game, and it is one of my favorite days. You can say, ‘Woe is me, I never get to be part of the tradition,’ or you can say, ‘Heck, we’ve got our own tradition, and it’s pretty good.'”
– John Madden

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (54,807)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have the second book in D.T. Read’s The Seventh Shaman series, entitled Mountains of the Gods. How good is this? Chris reads more than a few books each year and he says it’s the best thing he’s read all year. Find out yourself here: amazon.com/dp/B0BMM99PPQ.

Your pre-release this week is An Act of Aggression by Alex Rath. This is the 3rd in his Terran Space Project series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BN5B7GRF.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.6

Updated Word Count: 400,530

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: Viva Las Vegas

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Week 46 of 2022

Greetings all

I start my sojourn to Las Vegas soon for the 20Booksto50K conference. I’d intended to go last year, and for that matter, the year before, but circumstances prevented it.

Still, there is sometimes an advantage to waiting, and I think I’m better prepared to go than I was last year. This year, I’m less of an apprentice publisher and more of a journeyman. I have a much better idea of weaknesses, so I can tailor my panels that much more precisely. I also have a more definite set of goals, much more than just “follow on Chris’s coattails.”

I’m sure I’ll follow on some coattails for a while as I get the lay of the land, but not near so much as last year.

Anyway, I’m excited. There’s stuff to learn.

Programming Note: Since I’ll be doing so much at 20Books, I’m not even going to try and do an update next week. I’ll be back on the 24th with a double issue, however.

Responsibility of the Throne
Responsibility of the Throne

We have a cover reveal this week! Here’s the cover for Responsibility of the Throne, book 2 in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series.

Halfdragons fighting dragons, ship to ship combat, palace intrigue, treachery, and even a broken heart or two. It’s all in there.

Made very good progress on Farewell, My Ugly this week, crossing the 50k mark with an aim at 80k. My goal is a full draft early December with a final draft before the end of the year. Totally doable at the rate I’m going.

I also made great strides in the refresh to A Lake Most Deep. There was so many wasted words. I know I’ve gotten better and faster with my prose, but it’s humbling to see how much I’ve grown since that time.

I actually started the process by adding about 1500 words in a new opening chapter and have still cut almost 3000 total in the first four chapters. These are the chapters that needed the most trimming, of course, but it’s exciting to see what this story is looking like now.

I also did a bunch of behind the scenes things for the transition from Eldros Legacy. Major news on that front in two weeks.

We’re starting to get close to the deadline for Bonds of Valor. See below for all the details but remember it all has to be in by November 30th. There are a bunch of good entries right now, but there’s always room for better.

Looks like it’s time for me to pack. Have a great week everyone!

What I’m Listening To

She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult. Man, this was a huge song for me back in the day, and for that matter, the Cult is such an underrated band. American Gothic? Love Removal Machine? Ashes and Ghosts? And let’s not forget the entire Sonic Temple album.

Great stuff.

Quote of the Week

Teufel Hunden
Teufel Hunden

Happy birthday to all the Teufel Hunden out there!

So let’s have a quote from perhaps the greatest of them all.

“So they’ve got us surrounded, good! Now we can fire in any direction, those bastards won’t get away this time!”

– Chesty Puller

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a thankful ramble through the minds of three strange dudes.

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (50,452)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

The 4HU is back, and it’s by founder Mark Wandrey. There’s Blood in the Water as uplifted cetaceans fight for survival. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BL6RW1Y7.

Smuggler’s Run, a rollicking romp in the Salvage Title universe by Christopher Woods and William Joseph Roberts is now on audio. This novel is so good, it inspire me to write my own Salvage Title story, which is in In Takes All Kinds. Get Smuggler’s Run here: amazon.com/x/dp/B0BL258N3B.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 335.0

Updated Word Count: 399,595

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: Ch-Ch-Changes

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Week 43 of 2022

Greetings all

There’s a whole lot of changing going on around these parts. I can’t really get into everything yet, but there’s a lot of cool stuff happening.

In other words, stay tuned!

Arranging things this past week slowed me down a bit. I only wrote about 3000 in Farewell My Ugly.

I did, however, get a bunch done on other projects. First, I started the freshening up process on A Lake Most Deep.

I love the story in A Lake Most Deep. I made great characters, a neat setting, and fun mystery. I also made a ton of rookie mistakes. It’s been my worst book, not surprising because it’s my first book, and it’s time for me to make it as good technically as I think it is artistically.

I talked about this some in our recording of Dudes In Hyperspace this week. The thing that struck me as I read through the manuscript for the first time in a while is that I love this story and the characters.

And also, I’m so much better than I used to be. It doesn’t hurt that in the last couple of years I’ve edited almost 2 million words. I may not be the most experienced editor, but I’m certainly settling on a style.

My own writing will benefit greatly from that style.

Also, this week, we made great progress on Responsibility of the Throne, book 2 in G. Scott Huggins’ excellent Endless Ocean series. Expect a cover reveal soon.

Also, we’re getting going on Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy, the sequel to Heart, Wings, and Fire.

Oh, and I did a bunch of reading on the stories sent to me for Bonds of Valor. There’s some good stuff in there, and I can’t wait to see more. See below for the submission guidelines.

So a variety of things. And I’m so excited to see where these changes lead me.

What I’m Listening To

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin. I got the remastered version recently and decided to wallow in it. It’s probably my favorite Zep album, though on occasion it’s Houses of the Holy.

My thoughts on Houses of the Holy are this: it’s like the Don Sutton of album. Sutton was rarely, if ever, the best pitcher in baseball on any given year, but year after year he was very good to great for 23 years.

Houses of the Holy is like that. Every song is very good. It’s overall consistency is amazing, and I can listen to it every day. It doesn’t have that transcendent song, but it’s all very good to great.

Physical Graffiti has a weak link here and there for me, but it also has a couple of transcendent songs in Kashmir and Ten Years Gone.

Anyway, I’m enjoying it.

Quote of the Week

It’s a great time of year for baseball fans and the playoffs have been fun so far. So, besides the Don Sutton reference, I’m going to wish Mickey Mantle’s memory a happy birthday.

When I’m hitting, I’d play for nothing. When I’m not, any kind of money I receive makes me feel as if I’m stealing.
– Mickey Mantle

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+.

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

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

Rejected
Rejected

This week we have a book exchange! You should check out Rejected by R.M. Demeester.

Echo Paisley has been on her own since her fiancé, Nash, died three years ago. She soon discovered that she didn’t know the man she was going to marry. He had cheated on her with the one person she thought had her back. But that wasn’t the only secret.

Echo is about to leave her past behind when she discovers one last secret Nash left behind, which threatens to turn her life upside down. Echo is forced to seek help from her estranged mother with no one else to turn to.

Get this thriller here: amazon.com/dp/B0B1VXL6V5.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (33,581)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Gates of Hell, the 3rd book in William S. Frisbee Jr.’s The Last Marines series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BHY4V5NM/.

Your pre-release this week is The Last Stand. This is a new series from Chris Kennedy and Kevin Ikenberry.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 331.6

Updated Word Count: 397,024

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: Cover Art Duel

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Week 40 of 2022

Greetings all

Over the next two weeks we have books coming out that have some of the best cover art I’ve yet seen. They can’t both be my favorite, so I’m struggling which to pick.

You tell me. Which one do you all like better?

Heart, Wings, and Fire
Heart, Wings, and Fire
A Murder of Wolves
A Murder of Wolves

Heart, Wings, and Fire starts a new series, the 27 Kingdoms, and starts it off with a bang. The story includes a princess fighting her way to freedom and find her true past.

The cover art for this was done by J Caleb Designs, who’s done a bunch for us in the past.

A Murder of Wolves is the 9th title in the Eldros Legacy and is by Jamie Ibson. CKP readers know Jamie well, especially from the fun We Dare anthologies he edited. This cover was done by Laercio Messias.

You might recognize his style from the cover of The Chimera Coup, by Christopher G. Nuttall, which came out last week. Because I like vaguebooking, not only has this release gone extremely well, there’s more fun stuff in the works in this universe.

Responsibility of the Crown
Responsibility of the Crown

This week, I finished my edits on Responsibility of the Throne, which is the sequel to Responsibility to the Crown. G. Scott Huggins is one of the most talented writers out there, and you’re going to love this book.

This weekend is going to be a football weekend for me. My sweetie is off to see her mother and some relatives for a quilting retreat and the house is mine, all mine! I’m watching every football game I can.

Time to go make food that’s far too spicy for my sweetie to like it.

What I’m Listening To

I’m on another of my every so often listen to all the Rush. Currently, it’s Subdivisions, which was one of the most important songs I heard growing up.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. May you all have some windmills worth tilting at.

“Look there, Sancho Panza, my friend, and see those thirty or so wild giants, with whom I intend to do battle and kill each and all of them, so with their stolen booty we can begin to enrich ourselves.”
– Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

We answer a bunch of user questions in the latest show.

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.

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

Amazing Autumn SFF
Amazing Autumn SFF

Amazing Autumn SFF

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/6e4f66d4-1d14-11ed-aa07-6f5d0f6cb458

Stellar Sci-Fi
Stellar Sci-Fi

Stellar Sci-Fi

storyoriginapp.com/bundles/e482570c-1ffe-11ed-b1e8-dfa7bbc83a30

Beyond Imagination
Beyond Imagination

Beyond Imagination

bookfunnel.com/beyondimagination/2225733265

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

As mentioned, The Chimera Coup by Christopher G. Nuttall came out a week ago Tuesday. It’s a mix of post-apocalyptic and swords and sorcery. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BFLV4TH8.

The Four Horsemen Universe returns 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.

Your pre-release this week is Vendetta Protocol by Kevin Ikenberry. This is actually a re-release of Kevin’s first series and it’s fantastic. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BGN41SY7.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 330.0

Updated Word Count: 158,132

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: Sharpening the Saw

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Week 34 of 2022

Greetings all

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

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

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

Embers & Ash
Embers & Ash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grill/Griddle
Grill/Griddle

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

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

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

Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

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

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

Quote of the Week

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

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

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

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

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

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

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy

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

Currently available:

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

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

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

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

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

Lots going on this week!

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

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

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

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

Tracked Items

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

Updated Word Count: 150,156

Eldros Legacy Archives: 813 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series