Tag Archives: The Feasting of Vengeance

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Under the Thumb

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Week 4 of 2024

Greetings all

Was a bit of a dreary week this week because we’ve had mostly gray days. One drawback to the new building is its lack of insulation, so not only has it been gray, it’s been chilly inside.

My wife thinks it’s hilarious, though, as when we lived in Kansas City, I never wore sweaters at home. Now, I often do. She likes to knit, but she’d never make me one that I wouldn’t wear. Now she just taunts me with it a bit.

I spent much of this week helping not only write Okkorim stuff but assisting with G20, which is the newsletter that Luke Gygax puts out. If you’re part of his Patreon, you can see some of what I’ve written for his world, plus get other tidbits. His Patreon is here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx.

I did about 5,000 new words in Okkorim, plus started reading through the notes for The Ravening of Wolves.

I also made great strides with getting Paladins of Valor done. I feel odd a bit this year, as I feel like I’m really late. However, FantaSci is a month late, so I’m really exactly where I should be.

I did some reading this week too. I’ve been getting back to my roots, and currently I’m re-reading the Barsoom books from Edgar Rice Burroughs. Also, I spent a lazy afternoon re-reading The Ghost of Dibble Hollow. This was a book I read in 4th grade or so, one of the many things I pestered my parents about during the Scholastic Book days, and it was one of my favorites as a kid.

I hadn’t read it since the early 80s, at least, and I was a bit nervous that it might not have aged well. However, it’s still a great kids book, even if the editing of 1965 used different standards than I do nearly 60 years later. The book has action, mystery, suspense, rivalries, and of course, a ghost. I’m keeping it to read to the grandkid.

And hey, tonight, I’m going through making this newsletter under the thumb of viewers. A couple of writers who are on the New Mythology Discord joined me as I typed it up. I showed them my methods, and hopefully it’ll help them.

Really, it’s been another one of those weeks where I didn’t think I got much done, but in retrospect, we did a goodly amount.

And with that, I’m going to go introduce myself to the wife.

New and Cool

Did I mention G20 from Luke Gygax on Patreon? This month’s issue, edited by me, along with a lot of my content, comes out in a few days. Sign up here: patreon.com/GaxxWorx.

Quote of the Week

It’s been 7 years since Mary Tyler Moore passed, but I still love watching reruns of shows she’s in. Plus she provided all creators with a great quote here.

Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.
– Mary Tyler Moore

Dragon’s Tidings

We had our first game night at the store. Sadly, as it was the first and the weather was wretched (cold, gray, and icy), we only got one person. However, I expect that’ll grow as we go along.

Every Monday night starting 5ish to 9ish.

Tonight, we’ve got the second session of the wife’s Beginning Quilting class. Also, we have some paper piercing classes coming. If you’re interested, check out our class schedule at:
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

I’ve edited all of these at this point, and I’m pleased to say they’re even better than I realized.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
  • Okkorim (52,813)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

Step out of the shadows

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/t0OCEsf

Adventure, Horror, and Wonders in Space

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/JHgHfww

New Releases

More 4HU awesomeness this week in Foiled Ambitions from John M. Olsen. This is the eleventh book in the Four Horsemen’s Phoenix Initiative. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CSKNY8FS/

Your pre-release this week is Stolen Dreams from Dennis M. Myers, the 4th and final book in his Rise of the Automated Empire. Get it here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0CT5V8G8M.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 368.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 15,467

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

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: New Websites!

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Week 47 of 2023

Greetings all

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

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

We hope you can join us!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I’m Listening To

Seahawks against the Cowboys. Was there any doubt?

Happenings in Anthony

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

Quote of the Week

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

So you get two quotes. Sorry, not sorry.

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

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

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

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

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

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

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

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 359.6

Updated Word Count: 371,533

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Home at Cooper’s Lake

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Week 32 of 2022

Greetings all

Pennsic 2022
Pennsic 2022

I’m home! Well, my two week summer home, at least. Here’s a picture of my shop with my friend Mar for scale (not for sale, unless you make a really good offer).

I’m so happy to be here. I get to see friends I haven’t seen in 3 years or more. I’ve sung songs, laughed, cried, and sold books. Exactly what I’d hoped. In fact, better than I hoped, at least in terms of sales to this point in the event.

I can even enjoy it when it rains, as it doing right now. I’m snug in my tent enjoying the sound of raindrops on canvas, which is very soothing.

I’ve also gotten some writing done, as you’ll see some progress in a number of things. My setup is designed for me to get words on the page when there are no customers to sell to. However, since there are customers, I can’t always write in large chunks. I have 3 novels I need to make progress on so I’ve got them all open to get a sentence here, a paragraph there. Whatever comes to mind.

And, of course, deal with all the publisher stuff. Embers & Ash went out to the ARC readers today. That comes out on August 16th, right after I get home from Pennsic. It’s a great story with coming-of-age parts, gothic horror hints, and a giant, flying riding bats!

The novels I’m working on are two you’d expect, Farewell, My Ugly and Sowing Spring’s Wrath, but next summer I need to finish my Foresters trilogy so I’m throwing a few words at The Feasting of Vengeance as well.

What I’m Listening To

The pitter-patter of rain on canvas.

Quote of the Week

As I’m writing Sowing Spring’s Wrath on the heels of The Door Into Winter, this Shelley verse seems apt, especially since it’s his birthday.

“And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.”

– Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Sensitive Plant

Dudes In Hyperspace

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

The latest show includes a delicious conversation about BBQ with Jim Nettles.

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+.

Embers & Ash by Marie Whittaker is coming soon!

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 Pain Bearer, September’s Eldros Legacy release by Kendra Merritt.

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (2,113) (Tempted to delete a word here)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (20,720)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (2,838)
Upcoming Events
  • Pennsic, 29 July – 14 August, Cooper’s Lake Campground, PA, pennsicwar.org/
  • FenCon, 16-18 September, Irving, TX, fencon.org/
New Releases

Focus on the Wind, the 3rd in Mike Wyant’s Anisian Convergence series is out this week. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0B7S6F8VH

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 323.0

Updated Word Count: 147,818

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