Tag Archives: Will Rogers

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: The Files of Kaj Ludek

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Week 45 of 2025

Greetings all!

This past week saw me sending out another anthology submission. This is the second in the Files of Kaj Ludek. The first was in Vice Noir, and it debuted him as a PI in 1980s Kansas City.

It wasn’t intended to be a debut, but I liked the character and the writing business involves creating characters that then want to see the light of day over and over.

Anyway, Kaj is the grandson of a Czech man who fled to England before the war and fought at D-Day and across France to Germany. That gives me the cool Czech name and a neat family background.

It also allowed me to give him a gun with a neat backstory in its own right. He carries a Browning Hi-Power, or rather, an FN Hi-Power made and used by the Germans during the war. His grandfather killed an SS officer and took the gun, and now it’s a family heirloom.

Kaj himself served in Vietnam. Nothing extraordinary, no Green Beret thing, just an infantry grunt who saw more than he wanted.

The best part of writing these stories is setting them in KC. The worst part of writing these stories is setting them in 1980s KC. I’ve done a bunch of research about what was there at that time, and so far, I’m confident I got it right.

The one in Vice Noir involved the Civellas, the local mob. There’s some interesting stories there in their own right, some of which continue to this day.

This one involves the Steamboat Arabia, which was dug up in 1988. I submitted it to Raconteur Press’s anthology High Class Muscle, and here’s hoping it gets accepted.

I also spent this week working on other projects. I’d gotten to the part of my current novel where I needed to really do the basic Save the Cat Beatsheet so I’m writing in the basic general direction. I’m excited about this one, but I’m just going to tease it for now.

We also did a bunch more work around this building. Certain parts of it are finally taking shape.

So, all in all, a great week! Here’s hoping you have a great one yourself.

What I’m Listening To

Back to Inspector Morse.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Will Rogers. I like today’s quote, and wish I could live up to its message.

Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
– Will Rogers

Upcoming Events

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 344.2lbs

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: Riding the Whirlwind

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Week 43 of 2021

Greetings all

It is an absolute whirlwind for me right now, in a great way.

Talons and Talisman II
Talons and Talisman II

The House Between Worlds came out on the 26th. The reviews are great (4.7 out of 5), as I expected, because it’s a great book. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K4RRMP6.

Talons & Talismans II comes out next Tuesday, the 9th. Already heard back from some reviewers and they’re excited, not just about the window into the Eldros Legacy. Here’s the great cover done by J. Caleb Designs. A Manticore, a Goblin, and a Unicorn, oh my!

Speaking of the Eldros Legacy, our first monthly newsletter went out last week. That’ll be the fourth Thursday each month and you’d like to join, go here: https://www.eldroslegacy.com/contact/newsletter/.

Khyven the Unkillable, by Todd Fahnestock, the first Eldros Legacy novel, goes out to advance readers late next week. They’re gonna love it.

Showed the Eldros Legacy Founders J. Caleb Design’s art for the 2nd EL novel, Seeds of Dominion, this week. Ooohs and ahhhs from all, especially Quincy J. Allen, the author.

Oh, and there are FOUR giveaways this week, not counting Here There Be Giants.

Didn’t write as much this week as I wanted to, mostly because I was recovering and re-adjusting to home after the trip. This is not surprising. In fact, it’s something I’ve come to expect and plan for. I normally work two or three half-shifts a day to let my mind refresh. I allowed myself a couple days of only one this week to recover.

But I’m completely back now and excited to go. So I better toss words on the page.

What I’m Listening To

Stuff overhead at Brewbaker’s. Speaking of which, I’m going to have something fun to announce about this place coming soon.

Quote of the Week

Happy 142nd to Will Rogers! He has so many quotes. Here’s one, and, well, I know which category I fall into.

“There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”

– Will Rogers

Cool Stuff In Eldros Legacy
Khyven the Unkillable
Khyven the Unkillable

Talons & Talismans II has eight Eldros Legacy stories, and the advance readers have already shown their enthusiasm to me.

if that’s not enough, you can get five free Eldros Legacy stories here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qabsr57lq3+.

Oh, and if you haven’t seen it already, here’s the cover for Khyven the Unkillable, coming out on 7 December.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Current open anthology calls:

I’m currently working on Seeds of Dominion, book 2 of the Eldros Legacy. It’s getting there. After that, I’ll be turning toward Embers & Ash by Marie Whittaker, book 3.

I’m also starting work on something that will, I hope, occupy a large chunk of our production schedule of 2022. Let’s just say I finished the first novel in one night because I couldn’t put it down. How’s that for vaguebooking?

Giveaways
Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)
Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)

Free Mythology Stories (Fantasy & Paranormal)

https://books.bookfunnel.com/egyptianmythology/w2c325jld3

Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway
Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway

Free Fantasy Reads + Paperback Giveaway

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/BGHNnLI

YA & NA Books
YA & NA Books

YA & NA Books

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/AXjbPHj

X-MYSTERY FILES
X-MYSTERY FILES

X-MYSTERY FILES

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/gKKvsB8

Rob’s Works in Progress
  • The Door Into Winter (25,797)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
New Releases

It’s a double week at CKP, with new stuff in our two biggest franchises.

First, there’s It Takes More Kinds, an anthology in Kevin Steverson’s Salvage Title universe. This is the follow-up to It Takes All Kinds, which included my story “Careful With That Axe, E.U. Gene.” Like the first anthology, It Takes More Kinds is an anthology of new alien races in this universe. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KPF57JN.

Second is Harbinger from Kevin Ikenberry. This is the 10th book in the Rise of the Peacemakers thread within the Four Horsemen universe. This thread starts with Redacted Affairs, which is a must read for all 4HU fans. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KGFDFLN.

Whew! What a week!

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 332.8

Updated Word Count: 322,472

Eldros Legacy Archives: 797 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Founder in the Eldros Legacy series