Reached the Mountaintop

After Realm Makers 2019, (if you want a recap and pictures, come on now, give me a like here)  I got all enthused and had burned off some of that courage to see if I could get placed in a bookstore.  Today, it happened!

I went in to Lighthouse Books in Green Bay, WI and there I sat on the shelves, nestled menacingly in between all the Amish Romances, like a Gargoyle on a Victorian mansion glowering over the innocent besotted lovers

According to the store staff, they’d already sold a couple this week, so I’m a very happy boy!

What’s that hiding among them Amish Romances???

I mean I keep hearing Lord Percy Percy in my head demanding to know if I’m a gloater.  Darn right I am!  This is the biggest ego stroke for me as an author so far.  Yes, this is small potatoes and not that big a deal to most, but still.  Blow yer own horn lest it n’er be blown at all.  AmIright?

Could it be????

 

Oh yeah, that’s the stuff right there.

 

 

And on a related note, I am opening up my own Discord channel.  You want to know more of what’s going on in my life, a place to chat and ask questions?  Even talk live?  This is the place to go!

Resonant Point Discord Server Join here!

It’s app is available for PC and phone.  Does excellent VOIP too.  I will be hanging out there when gaming, and available to chat about this that and the other thing.

I really hope to see you there.  It will also have more consistent content (basically me talking at/with/around/over and under and through) what’s going on. And there will be some more fun stuff will be coming in this as I grow my social media platform.  I so hate that term, BTW, it sounds so…. disingenuous.  But it is what it is, it be what it be to quote a friend of mine.  I just have to learn how to set things up and find a few more pieces to connect up.  Then we’ll be cookin with gas!

Till then, ciao for niao!

PS: to any of you out there that bet me they could make it into bookstores first back in high school, and you know who you are… pay up.

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Book 3 is Approaching so Fast!

Just a quick note on the state of Book Three of the Akiniwazisaga.

“Into The High Places” is in the final stages of editing and formatting.  Barring any interference, the desire is to release by Labor Day.

As a little thank you for your patience from not getting it out in July, here’s an excerpt from what’s to come:

1. Beyond the Bounds of Law

 

Brother Finn looked back through the branches of the forest and down the path they had climbed to leave the Eitrfjord. Far in the distance, the last sliver of Lake Wanashiabinoogi shimmered, begging him to turn back. Finn stared at the bright flickers on the deep blue of water, palms sweating and his heart began to pound for a brand new reason.

“Just one more step, Bergie,” Finn muttered.

“All it would take is one more step, the lake would disappear from sight and my skoggang breaks,” he said to his ever faithful companion who only panted in reply. “I would become fredlause, you know? Unprotected by the law, any man who desired to take my life could do so without fear. Just like a wild animal… no reprisals… no feud… no trial. Only justice served.”

Glancing further down the trail at the small ad hoc company with whom he had thrown in his lot, Finn was still astonished with his reasoning. He gave Bergamot, his mastiff , a bittersweet smile. She waited patiently under her heavy packs.

“Such is my life,” Brother Finn said with a small snort. “Why should I even care about breaking my obedience to the Kyrkja so much? They were the unjust ones, but yet I remain chained to their ideas and authority regardless of its perversion,” he complained to her.

Misty sunlight sliced up the shade of the thick forest into glittering magical shafts. A still voice whispered in his mind, “The needs of the Forsamling are far greater than claims of the Orthodoxy. The purposes of God are grander than the vision of a few petty men in comfortable palaces.”

Brother Finn nodded a few times with the wise words that came from somewhere deep within, drew a cleansing breath through his nose and resolved to serve both his Lord and his Tign. Turning his back to the lake, Finn began descending the deer trail. The act completed his disobedience to the laws of man. His fate rested in the hands of God and Visekonge.

Far down the slope the group headed toward the sound of a babbling brook. No one had noticed Finn’s personal struggle or failure to keep up. Their long climb out of the Eitrfjord made them grateful to have a downward slope that quickened their steps. Finn could no longer see the rest of the party through the foliage but heard their voices echoing through the trees. They were much too loud for Finn’s comfort. Who knew what else could be listening among the curtains of green? He and Bergamot rushed to catch up. As the slope grew steeper, gaps in the canopy showed they were rapidly descending into a series of interconnected valleys. The white and gray peaks and palisades of the Ondeandkorgfjell fanned out before them, ominous and beautiful.

A branch cracked above and to his left. Finn had just enough time to see Friar Amr flying at him from out of a dense cluster of spruce with a bloodcurdling grin on his face. Brother Finn could not bring his harpoon to bear on Amr’s attack in time and was bowled over with a loud whoof.

Thyrnir charged out of some dense brush, barrelling down the grade. Bergamot wheeled on Thyrnir and growled, intercepting the other dog’s attack, knocking him down with her superior size, using her packs like armor. The two dogs tore at each other in a frenzy, while both their masters slashed and blocked each other in a blind tangle. Friar Amr’s strikes missed by a hair’s breadth with the barb of his harpoon but struck soundly with the blunt end. Brother Finn fought to gain distance from this savage attack.

Then just as quickly as it began, Friar Amr and Thyrnir vanished!

Photo by Bruce Getty on Pexels.com

 

 

 

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

Home is both a welcome and sad thing today.

Today, I come back to reality for I have survived Realm Makers Conference 2019.  Half melted from the heat wave, exhausted and generally feeling like a pile o puppy poo from the long drive it was an outstanding experience. I sold some books, gave away a LOT of swag, took some classes that REALLY challenged me, had some very helpful mentor appointments, pitched a new idea for a second project and loved every minute of it.

I have evidence I was there with a few pictures, but don’t take many and do not like being in them generally speaking. If I get enough people who want to see some, I’ll share a little bit about the experience… but y’all better show you want to see these through likes.  Otherwise they’re mine, all mine.

Yes… that is half a pot.  No photographic trickery.  I’m too tired.

But now to recover, and brace for re-entry into the real world.  I am not ready.  Time for coffee.

 

SURPRISE COVER REVEAL! “Into The High Places”

I told you there was more news coming.

Fresh off the digital presses we have another incredible illustration by Paganus.  He’s the guy who’s given two outstanding covers, and I hope to lure him back for one more at least for book 4 when that comes out.  But till then, here’s what you can look forward coming very soon to Amazon. The book is as exciting as the cover.  I hope this holds you over for a while, because I’m off to Realm Makers Conference to meet, greet, sell and lots of learning, networking and fun!  Prayers are appreciated as well as your support.

When all seems lost, is faith alone enough?

Leif, heir to the crown of the Akiniwazi Union, is more than a thousand miles away from his coronation. Cut off by a blockade of rebel Jarls and their confederated armies, he enlists the aid of his Berserker champion and a willing company of three monks to trek north and outmaneuver those who would steal his crown. For this plan to succeed, they must traverse a mountain range full of treacherous glaciers, Skaerslinger warbands and a mystery that defies explanation.

As the power vacuum in the capital tears at the fabric of the city, Leif’s mother fights to protect his inheritance against the rebel Jarls nefarious plots to deny him his crown. Navigating through this shadow war where politics and faith collide, the Inquisitor Urban and Herre Aske continue their dogged pursuit of the truth surrounding the strange gold ring which now brings death to those who get too close to its occult secrets!

Now In Print!… and More!

That’s right, I made sure before I put this up for you all, but both books are now available in paperback and hardcover!  So scoop up your copy today!

But for those of you still wanting an ebook, in celebration of the Realm Makers Conference happening this week, keep your eyes peeled for a FREE… yes you heard me… FREE copy of “A Light Rises in a Dark World”!  It’s only for a very limited time and available only on Kindle Unlimited, but there’s your chance!

Just… when you’re done leave a review so I know what you thought about it all, okay?  Thanks!

 

 

More news coming soon!

Welcome Back to Akiniwazi!

That is correct Ladies and Gentlemen!  The sequel to Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World” is now available on Amazon.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

We’re going for an exclusive release there this time to see how well it works out.  But now’s the time to start reading or buy your copy now!  Hardcover and paperbacks coming soon.

In Akiniwazi, the veil between Heaven, Earth and Hell is torn. Here angels, miracles and gifts of the Spirit do battle against demons, curses and their sorcery. This is a wild land of ice and steam, where two cultures are trapped in a war to the death and the fate of every soul hangs in the balance.

What does it profit a man to gain the world, but lose his immortal soul?

For centuries, the Akiniwazi Union, has been ruled by the Sveinnaettir dynasty. Now crumbling under the weight of debt, politics and an ancient family curse, Gregor the Visekonge entrusts his son with a dangerous quest in an attempt to restore the power of his crown. The Visekonge’s plan emboldens an ambitious vassal to steal the crown for his own son and rewrite the lines of succession.

But God has a plan of his own.

To put the Battle of Athrvorthfestning behind him, Inquisitor Urban heads for home and much needed rest. Along the way he encounters Aske Rekkerson, a Skaerslinger timberjack who shows him a ring of silver and a ring of gold and tells the grisly tale of their discovery. Urban connects these rings to the vicious politics of the Visekonge’s court as well as the sectarian intrigue behind Brother Finn’s exile. Brother Finn finds himself plucked from his peaceful exile and unknowingly dropped into the middle of a corrupt and powerful conspiracy that threatens the Union, the Kyrkja and his life.

 

Good Golly! Book Release Announcement

It’s been a long time in coming.  Two books, one day, and what day?  Good Friday!

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Akiniwazisaga will continue, available for purchase on….

April 19th, 2019.

 

Book 1, “Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World” will be available wide on Amazon, Rakuten/Kobo and Smashwords.  You will also be able to purchase it through Walmart, Barnes & Noble and other locations.

Book 2: “Akiniwazisaga: The Inheritance Thieves” will be available exclusively through Amazon to start.  That means it will be available through Kindle Unlimited too.

So why the strange release?  I’m experimenting.  Although I’d prefer to go wide, I am going to see how the distribution is through Kindle Unlimited.  We’ll see how it goes, and if it does well, I’ll do the same with ALRDW.  If it doesn’t, vice versa.

Will there be a pre-order?  Nope.  Thanks to Amazon’s new ways to handle algorithms, I won’t do pre-orders.  It’s too bad really, so get your pennies together, and open them piggybanks and be ready to buy it on the opening weekend.  Let your friends and families know it will be available then.  The more people who buy on that day, the higher the rankings will climb and we can get this off the ground as a right out of the gate.

So remember…

April 19th, 2019:  Good Friday!

What a perfect day for a Christian Epic Fantasy!

 

Now On To Formatting! (and other news)

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Editing (with the exception of a couple technical whoopsies caught by proof reading ) is done!  I am so relieved.  Both Books 1 and 2 are now set to be formatted, sent to the printer and released.  I am hoping, barring restrictions that this will be complete in April.  A goodish month for me all things considered.

So what comes next?

BOOK 3!  The editing begins!  My goal is mid July, and although I set the deadline, it has some real world outside of myself backup to get it done. That means Beta Readers will be needed again by Early June at the latest, and a cover I hope by the same time.

And once all that is done, I can turn my attention to Book 4… which isn’t written yet, but it’s been building in my head.  I have certain scenes envisioned and now a few new characters, plot twists, questions to answer… not to mention ask!

When will that finish?  I’m not going to predict other than to say 2020.  I know that’s the year I want to start looking at audiobooks, and that will be the goal, but those will probably be pushed back till late 2020, after I finish Book 4 so it can all be done at once.  We’ll see.  This is long range blue skying it right now.

As for other things, Realm Makers 2019 in Saint Louis is fast approaching and I am both full of joyful squee and screams of terror.  Why?  Give away merchandise for attendees and a few choices on merchandising.  I’ve no idea what kind of good memorable give-away I can provide, but I want to do something nice.

What’s that?  You didn’t realize I wanted to do some merch for my books?  Oh yes… yes indeed I do!

What kind of merch?

I hope to do something with teeshirts and my covers and maybe hats with my logo on it.  We’re gonna have to see what I can come up with.  Honestly though I really need help with this stuff.  I’ve been researching companies to do it through, but I can’t afford to play with inventory, online stores, order fulfillment and all that jazz.  Heck, you see how good I am with this blog current!

That said, once I get some shirts designed for me to wear, I do hope to set it up for all of y’all to be able to buy them if you want.  That’s the hope on the clothing.

But nuff said.  There’s also one other dream item I’d love to do, but that would require some real help with someone who has know-how and the ability to help me set up a “Manufacture On Demand” setup.

What is this dream item?  Wellllll….. okay, I’ll tell you, just realize this is in the dreaming with no idea how to pull it off still:  Stuffed Bergamots.  Yes, Actually, I want to do stuffed doggies, same with Hawthorne (you’ll meet him later)  It’d be really fun to do stuffed versions of Brother Finn, Reimar and other characters…. or… something else!  HAH!  But that’s even more blue sky thinking so I’ll keep that in the cooler till it’s ready to start prepping.

So that’s the news right now.  Hope to give a hard date on the release soon.

TTYL

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Triskaidecaphobia… The Editing Edition

I was told by a friend that Ernest Hemingway once edited the last page of one of his novels over 150 times till he had it right.

Well.  Chapter 13 of the Book 1 reissue has just exacted such torture on me.

Photo by Samir Belhamra @Grafixart_photo on Pexels.com

For the love of little green pickles I just could NOT get that chapter to work right.  Every trick and redesign of “Dangerous Hours” refused to play along.  Nay, it revolted against me!   It is an important and I needed to get it right.  It had to sound right as well as look right.  One change lead to a half dozen corrections, then it didn’t sound right so I had to go over it again and again and again.

Oh! for the tranquility of writing the first draft again!  Editing is not my favorite task as a writer, but it is essential.  You, the readers, have entrusted your imaginations to me, and I need to be a good caretaker of that trust.  Unfortunately I now know how writers become alcoholics, I think. I really began to wonder how I let this book out into public like this.

Then I had to remember, this was as good as I could do at the time.  I now have the benefit of over 1200 more pages written to the saga now.  Yes, you heard correction.  That’s 4 more novels worth of stuff.  Not that all of it’s going to release any time soon, but it’s there and growing.

But, after no less than 125 passes through that thirteenth chapter… it’s ready.  Redundancies gone and bad phraseology banished to the tune of 500 words!  Furthermore, when I realized that I could not envision the scene from my own writing, I backtracked and found better ways to explain the images I saw in my own head.  Talk about a gauntlet for my creative soul!

But forward we go.  I’m locking down chapters after my editor, who should be nominated for sainthood for many reasons beyond just tearing my work apart, has done a final pass through.  That means very soon, I will be moving forward and fixing even more stuff.  The struggle will have been worth it in the end.  I am proud of the work again after having severe doubts about my own efforts.

And just so you know, gentle readers, all authors struggle with impostor syndrome.  Even ones like Stephen King who doubt their skill if they did not have their name to get readers.  Don’t believe me?  See Richard Bachmann.  Game, set, match.  It’s a universal for anyone who wants to be good at their craft regardless of what it is.

I also was given some very good advice by fellow author Kerry Nietz who reminded me that I should be careful on the re-edit and to watch that I don’t lose my voice.  A sentiment I do agree with and am now redoubling efforts to preserve the original tone and not let familiarity dry out the work like an overcooked turkey.

So, patience please, and if you can find it in yourself to extend a little grace as I muddle through, I promise to make the wait worth your while.

 

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Progress Update: January & Beyond

Life keeps chucking curveballs at me, but I’m getting a few solid dingers from time to time.

Photo by Manuel Keusch on Pexels.com

So why isn’t Book 2 out?

Honestly?

Book 1 is still getting edited for reissue.  I am 95% done with Book 2 (basically formatting) but Book 1 has been an absolute beast.  Combined with my issues surrounding my new day job, I’ve had a dickens of a time getting focused on the work.  On a positive note, it will be worth it, and you’ll get a “twofer” when the release happens.  The schedule for book 3 is uninhibited yet.  I only worry about book 4 at this point.

So Books 1 and 2 will release as soon as I can manage, and then we move on to editing Book 3 and writing of Book 4 in between.

Now, something else that is sapping my creative strength has been a new series that is demanding my attention.  I’ve been taking notes, thinking about characters and worldbuilding for that too.  So some of that energy has been diverted.  The intent is to not work on that till book 4 is in editing, and then bang out the whole trilogy.  Yes this new project is designed to be a one off trilogy, written in serial format.

So what is it?  Once again, I don’t write clean genres.  It’s going to have elements of Film Noir, Pulp Adventure, Dieselpunk, Cyberpunk and Space Opera.  It’s an awesome concept with a twist I think will really be fun for those of you who like mangling tropes.  So when it comes time to start working on that, I’ll have y’all put your axes up, strap on your ray guns, and put on your aviator shades, cuz we’re gonna go save humanity!

 

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