Tag Archives: William S. Frisbee Jr

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Moving Pictures

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Week 49 of 2024

Greetings all

I spent most of this week moving! Well, moving my office from the front of the store to a room in the apartment on the main floor. It’s ideal for me, big enough for my desk, bookcases, my comfy chair, and a guest bed.

So yes, I was moving pictures. Did you think I wouldn’t make that reference?

I’m already nesting. It is much like the room I had in Olathe, with its own bathroom and a small kitchenette. Only difference is that it’s a bit bigger and is shaped in a more convenient way. It will also serve as the best jumping off point for events that I’ve ever had.

I’m really pleased.

It’s also already my lair, something I hadn’t realized I missed so much. I had a great setup up front, but it was never my lair.

Anyway, moving is never easy, but thanks to one of the guys whose been gaming here on Tuesday, we got the big stuff all moved on Sunday and at this point, I’m effectively fully operational. I still have some organizing to do, but to be honest, some of that organizing is from the original move here.

I have my SF/F magazines behind me and a good place to sit and read. I may very well start nibbling away at my To Be Read pile.

Obviously, I’m still enthused about sending The Feasting of Vengeance to Chris last week. As a reminder, it’s on the schedule for the 14th of February.

But of course, publish or perish, and I spent my time this week working on a fairly major project for Okkorim. I can’t wait to show off what we’re doing, and we’re gonna have it by GaryCon.

As we approach the end of the year, I’m doing my evaluation of what worked and what didn’t. I’m also figuring out some new things to add to my content. I’m a content creator, I need to create more content. Expect some announcements going forward.

I also spent this week getting ready for Kris Kinder. Hope to see some of you there.

But forget all that! We’re coming up on our first birthday party here at Red Dragon Quilts and Dragon’s Den Books! If you’re in the area, come by. We’ll have specials like buy one, get one used books, pizza, and some giveaways.

It’s a week from Saturday on the 21st! Come join us!

Birthday Party
Birthday Party

What I’m Listening To

Niners vs Rams in the new setup. It’s nice.

Quote of the Week

Mako’s birthday is December 10th. That’s close enough for me to use as a quote his opening to Conan the Barbarian. Yes, it’s one of my favorite films, and yes I love Mako in it.

Come to think of it, I can’t remember a single time I’ve seen Mako in a show or movie that he didn’t make it better.

“Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, destined to bear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!”

– Akiro the Wizard in Conan the Barbarian

Dragon’s Tidings

Birthday Party, December 21st, Anthony, KS

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • Okkorim Sourcebook (2,974)

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 we have 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: 364.8 lbs

Updated Word Count: 392,000

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: Who Doesn’t Like Pi?

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Week 12 of 2024

Greetings all

Wow, what a great time at Planet Comicon! I did well, enjoyed myself, and came home exhausted. Much of this week has been recovering from the show.

Paladins of Valor is nigh unto in the can. Fourteen great stories, with paladins in space, the Wild West, Gettysburg, medieval fantasies, and much, much more.

Like last time, my favorite story is Sarah A. Hoyt’s Kit Marlowe, PI, story. Noir, fantasy, Shakespearean, and more rolled into one ball of awesome.

I’m turning my attention to GaryCon which is next week! How did that get here so quickly. I’ll be running 2 sessions of A1: Sinister Sands, a module set in Okkorim. I’ll also be playing as many different game systems as I can to get a feel for some of the new stuff out there. Also, I’ll be schmoozing.

To be honest, I’m unlikely to do a full update next week, if one at all. I’ll be going full tilt from Wednesday onward.

This weekend is St. Patrick’s Day. Did you know the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade on record was in 1601?

Bet you can’t guess where it was. Hint: It’s not Boston (their first one was 1737), New York (1856), or even Dublin.

Answer below in the place where I list my words completed for the year.

What I’m Watching and Listening

Death in Paradise. It’s a fun, light-hearted British mystery. Light-hearted except for the fact that its homicides per 100k has got to be in the Midsomer Range.

Still, it’s quite fun. It’s a neat blend of British, Caribbean, and French themes.

Quote of the Week

What else could it be? Besides, who doesn’t want 100 pieces of pi? Or 100 places at least.

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286208998628034825342117067
– First 100 digits of pi

Dragon’s Tidings

Saturday is Worldwide Quilting Day!

Check out fabshopnet.com/event-toolkit-worldwide-quilting-day/ for a bunch of fun things happening!

Web orders on Saturday are 10% off!

Use code WWQD24 to get your discount from www.reddragonquilts.com.

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

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.

I’ve taken a hiatus with this since the move, but I’m going to start back up in April. I wrote the riddle at Planet Comicon, and it’s fun.

New Mythology Works in Progress

Paladins of Valor is out on April 19th!.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (5,612)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

FREE Fantasy & Sci-fi March – April

https://books.bookfunnel.com/free-sci-fi-fantasy-paranormal-march-april/jqt9z8aypr

Two From the Ashes

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/2985fca0-d64c-11ee-9067-1371410d6d31

New Releases

More from the amazing Melissa Olthoff this week with Companions in Chains from the 4HU! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CW18Q45T.

Your pre-release this week is Mother Earth, the tenth book in The Last Marines series by William S. Frisbee, Jr. This is the last book in this arc and—while it isn’t the end for The Last Marines like it was for Caesar—it is the end until the next arc is written. Get it here: https://amazon.com/dp/B0CW18S2NS.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370.0lbs

Updated Word Count: 82,830

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.
Oh, and the answer? St. Augustine, FL hosted the first ever St. Patrick’s Day parade on record.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: Plugging Away

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Week 6 of 2024

Greetings all

It’s another productive week, but it wasn’t how I expected to go. There’s also news.

Most important, we started the process of getting the kid, her guy, and the grandkid down to Anthony. We’ve been hoping this would happen for a while, and now it’s in progress.

Second, more news about GaryCon. I’ll be running a couple of gaming sessions which is great. It’s been a while since I’ve run games at cons, but that was 20-30 years ago and I can’t wait.

That’s in part because game nights have done well twice in a row with me DMing in the Firehall Sagas. It’s a chance for me to build the world and build the local community at the same time.

More and more gets done with Paladins of Valor every week. Mostly, we’re in the stage where authors are doing edits, but I’ve been also assembling it. I had the pleasure of editing Howard Andrew Jones’ Hanuvar story this week, and man is it good.

I didn’t write as many new words in Okkorim as I have in past weeks, but about 4,000. Also, I did a bunch of editing and setup as we transition to the next phase. It’s really an awesome project and I’m honored to be a part of it.

New and Cool

I haven’t eaten cereal in a decade, but I tried the GrainBerry Multi-Bran flakes on a lark recently. I rather like it. I’ve had more cereal in the last week or so than I had since the 80s.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Jules Verne! Might have to re-read 20,000 Leagues again.

Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.
– Jules Verne

Dragon’s Tidings

A fun week here. We keep getting new stuff every week. This week was a bunch of new fabric, along with expanded drink selection for the game nights.

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 (61,988)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

February Fantasy Freebies

https://books.bookfunnel.com/februaryfantasyfreebies/u3akhw43pd

New Releases

This week we have Wolf Legion by William S. Frisbee, Jr., the ninth book in The Last Marines. Holding Earth continues to get harder, and everyone is against the last Marines, but will they give up? Never! Check out the entire series here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5WRRMPB.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 370.2 lbs

Updated Word Count: 21,693

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

Uncategorized

Rob’s Update: Happy Groundhog’s Day Eve

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Week 5 of 2024

Greetings all

There’s no big news this week. I’m plugging away at tasks for bigger projects like Okkorim and Paladins of Valor. I was very productive, but it’s one of those weeks where I can’t point at a major item of note.

Between editing and writing, I dealt with something like 60,000 words this past week, which is nice. However, as I say, they’re tasks within an overall project.

I spent a goodly amount of time straightening up in the garage and shop areas. Still a long way to go, but my goal of getting the shop going in April or so for some woodworking projects is on track. Plus, I have a special plan for a chunk of the garage.

I think that’s it for this week. It’s a short update, I know, but this was one of those boring yet necessary and productive weeks.

Have a great week, everyone!

New and Cool

It’s not new and cool, but I’ve been rewatching Babylon 5. Such a good show.

Quote of the Week

Happy Coronation day to Edward III on this day in 1327.

And here’s his parenting technique with his son, the Black Prince.

Also say to them, that they suffre hym this day to wynne his spurres, for if god be pleased, I woll this journey be his, and the honoure therof.
– Edward III

Dragon’s Tidings

We had a great game night this past Monday, and I know the word is spreading. This past week we started a 5E campaign in the Firehall Sagas.

Also, the Beginning Quilting class has been a big hit so far. Session 3 tonight.

Oh, and we’re starting to see more longarm quilting jobs. If you’re interested in that service, you might want to reach out. At some point, there’ll be a wait for her to get started.

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 (58,116)

Upcoming Events

Freebies and Cool Stuff

February: Free Fantasy & SciFi

https://books.bookfunnel.com/fantasyscicifebruary/8nf2hq0590

February Sci-Fi Giveaway

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/l1SsMIe

New Releases

This week we have 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.

This week’s pre-release is Wolf Legion by William S. Frisbee, Jr., the ninth book in The Last Marines. Holding Earth continues to get harder, and everyone is against the last Marines, but will they give up? Never! Check out the entire series here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5WRRMPB.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 371.0 lbs

Updated Word Count: 21,114

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: A Right Turn At Albuquerque

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Week 51 of 2023

Greetings all

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas or a wonderful time at whatever holiday you celebrate. I had a great time, especially since we got grandbaby time. The kids go back today, but I had a great moment of the grandbaby falling asleep on my lap.

We’re winding down on 2023 and I have to say it was a far more eventful year than I ever anticipated. We took this right turn at Albuquerque and I’m so glad we did.

Along the way, I tallied about 387,000 words according to my formula. This was less than what I aimed for in January (500k), but I didn’t expect the opportunity.

To break that down, there was a full length novel (Farewell, My Ugly), three regular short stories (Hyarkeen in Thirteen Stories of Horror, Dust Devil Courtship for my reader magnet, The Ruriksaga, and I Smell a Rat for the upcoming 4HU Bureau 42 anthology), nearly 30k in Okkorim, 5 Postcards stories (2 accepted), 15 riddles, about 40k in blog posts, and nearly 800k edited. Really, given that from April 11 we closed on the new house, closed on the old house, built up the new place to have stores laid out, and had our grand opening, I have to see it was a year of many achievements.

Oh, yeah, we got a grandbaby too!

What’s up for 2024? Well, I’ll talk about that next week. I would specifically like people to chime in at rob@robhowell.org what they like about this mailing list. One of my goals for 2024 is to improve this list, both in the content and the mechanics. Let me know anything you like, don’t like, or want to see. I want to make this list serve you all better.

As for the rest of this week, I have to finish the Bureau 42 story and a chunk of Okkorim stuff, but there’s little to do there. Next week, I’ll be doing a couple more chunks of Okkorim and rolling into consistent work on The Feasting of Vengeance.

2023 wasn’t the great year I expected, it was the great year I needed. Here’s to 2024 being the same.

What I’m Listening To

We’re watching Colombo tonight. Peter Falk is so great.

Quote of the Week

Happy 101st to Stan Lee, a great inspiration to creators of all stripes. As a writer, though, he often sees to the heart of the matter, like here.

“To my way of thinking, whether it’s a superhero movie or a romance or a comedy or whatever, the most important thing is you’ve got to care about the characters. You’ve got to understand the characters and you’ve got to be interested. If the characters are interesting, you’re half-way home.”

– Stan Lee

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have Broken Trust, third book in the Rise of the Automated Empire series by Dennis M. Myers. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CKVRTSQQ.

Your pre-release this week is 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.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 358.8

Updated Word Count: 387,112

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: Wish Not One Man More

2 Comments

Week 35 of 2023

Greetings all

The Eyes of a Doll
The Eyes of a Doll

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

Edward returns and all he has to do is find a little girl’s doll. There’s no way that ends up involving Achrida’s crime lords, murderous servants of the emperor, and an ancient evil, right? Right?

It was a pretty good week of writing, almost 5000 words more in Farewell, My Ugly. I hope to do better next week, but I’ve been faced with so much around the house.

I spent this week wishing for one man more. Or woman. And I got it. With lots of help, we got a ton done around the house.

The big news here is that the classroom/temp office/storage/game room is ready to lay floor. This room is about 1000 square feet, and it was sort of a catchall room. But it’s been cleaned out, carpet floor strips removed, floor trim salvaged, and we have the underlayment ready to install.

This is one of the biggest dominoes we’ve needed to fall, because once it’s built, we can set up her fabric storage shelves. Just getting all the fabric totes out of the big room will be a huge step.

I also managed to get my woodshop to the point where I can putter without necessarily having to move something first. Some of its shelves are up and ready to go, and I can use the table saw, which will be needed for the underlayment of the big room.

The previous owner had bought some windows for our apartment area, and we got those installed. This is a major thing in terms of heating and air, as it’s a bank of 4 big west-facing windows.

Also, now we can set up the bar.

We made major progress cleaning out the AirBNB room, too. Some of that is the simple fact the windows were stored in there, but there’s a bunch more that’s gone.

A big help today was the arrival of Autumn from Prairie Rose Mortuary. This is the other mortuary in Harper County, and I asked her to come over and take all the things she might want, like coffin inserts and such.

The place we bought was a mortuary, by the way, if you didn’t know. Prairie Rose is the reason we were able to buy this place, because Anthony is… wait for it… a one-hearse town.

I’m pretty proud of that one.

And if you need an out-of-date style coffin for your Halloween, hit me up.

What I’m Listening To

The Cult, She Sells Sanctuary. This isn’t in my top 10 songs of all time, but it ain’t far off.

Quote of the Week

Happy Deathday to Henry V. Okay, so maybe deathdays aren’t as enjoyable as birthday, but he died August, 31, 1422, and if you think I’m going to pass up a chance to quote part of the Crispin’s Day speech, well, now you know.

God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
– Henry V, Shakespeare

Rob’s Riddles

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

First Line of Next Riddle:

I gave birth to an age     in elementary fashion

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

New Mythology Works in Progress

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)
  • Farewell, My Ugly (82,888)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

More 4HU! This time it’s from a new author in the universe, William S. Frisbee. Get Brass, Inc. here; amazon.com/dp/B0CGCJQXKS.

And more in the high-intensity Abner Fortis, ISMC series from P.A. Piatt. This time it’s Peace Dividend and you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0CGXL8JYX.

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

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 351.6

Updated Word Count: 210,728

Firehall Sagas Archives: 743 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Uncategorized

Rob’s Update: A Distraction for the Ages

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Week 9 of 2023

Greetings all

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

Julieana Joy
Julieana Joy

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I’m Listening To

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

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

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to Dr. Seuss.

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

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

Rob’s Riddles

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

First Line of Next Riddle:

Love have I waged                   War have I wooed

Latest Snippet: Chapter 3 of Hunting the Hart.

New Mythology Works in Progress

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

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

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

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

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

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

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

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

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 344.2

Updated Word Count: 105,360

Firehall Sagas Archives: 737 entries

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

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Conventions, Weekly Update

Rob’s Update: A Dream Within a Dream

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Week 3 of 2023

Greetings all

I’m back from MarsCon! It was as good a time as one could have with insomnia. I mean, if I’m going to stay up to 5 and 6am, I want to have at least been out reveling, but sadly that wasn’t the case.

The con itself was excellent. I got to hang out with too many great people to name. Probably the best part was going over New Mythology plans with Chris Kennedy. We’ve got a goodly amount coming down the pike. I’ll get into that in a moment.

I was on 6 panels, which is a great load from my perspective. I moderated panels on Food and Drink in SF/F and then one on the other jobs authors have had. Let’s just say this one turned fowl thanks to Kelly Grayson and Mark  Wandrey.

I was also on a panel of CKP upcoming stuff. There’s a lot. Just saying.

Then there were panels on Advice for the Late Bloomer, Researching for your Story, Creating Alternate World Histories, and “I Got a Great Idea For a Book.” Good stuff.

Back stuff coming down the pike, let’s talk about Hunting the Hart, the fifth book in Jon R. Osborne’s Milesian Accords. It actually went to the editor today and I’ll have a firm release date next week, but it’ll be out soon.

I did some work on The Eyes of a Doll for the re-edits. By the way, if you want the old versions for nostalgia’s sake, I’m going to pull them down next week, I think.

I got feedback on the new version of A Lake Most Deep and it was very positive. I’ve a couple of things to clear up, but it’s basically ready to go when the time comes.

I’m almost ready to send Bonds of Valor to the editor. That’ll happen next week. Cover reveal will happen in mid to late February. Once again, I’m honored to get to work with such talented authors.

It’s interesting. There are weeks where I think I got almost nothing done but look up and see a bunch of stuff. This was one of those weeks, and I know I didn’t do as much as some because I’m always a bit slow coming back from a trip. Still, I’m quite pleased in retrospect. Now, off to do some more editing.

What I’m Listening To

Tai Shan, by Rush. I know a lot of Rush fans get down on this song and it’s often chosen as one of their worst. That may be true, but I really like it.

Quote of the Week

Today’s a great day for birthdays, but in the end, the choice was easy. Happy birthday to Edgar Allen Poe, and here’s one of my favorite poems of his. It is, by the way, without any ravens.

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow:
You are not wrong who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand–
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep–while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

– Edgar Allen Poe, A Dream within a Dream.

Rob’s Riddles

I have a new 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:

In me souls are seen     And once were stolen

Latest Snippet: Chapter 2 of Farewell, My Ugly

Plus a bonus riddle! I thought of this one while on the drive back from MarsCon. By the way, it’s just one line total, so here is the whole riddle. I think this one is really easy, but your mileage may vary.

Occidentally, I weave innocence

New Mythology Works in Progress

I’m pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 FantaSci Short Story Contest open call.

Bloodheart, by Justin Doyle
Stars and Shadows, by B.A. Ironwood
The Unwanted Legion, by Casey Moops
The Coward’s Shadow by Fiona Grey

Rob’s Works in Progress

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

Upcoming Events

New Releases

This week we have is book 5 in William S. Frisbee, Jr.’s Last Marines series, Genocide of Mankind. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BS443W6S/.

Your pre-release this week is, Point Break,  book 3 in the Guardian Covenant. This is a joint mil SF project with Chris Kennedy and Kevin Ikenberry, so you know how good it has to be. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0BSMLDQ27.

Tracked Items

Today’s Weight: 342.0 (I didn’t quite make it. I’d been aiming to stay under 340 with all of the holidays, travel, and events. I’d have made it, I think, if I’d slept better at MarsCon. Still, it’s not as bad as it could have been).

Updated Word Count: 29,234

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