Welcome, new folks!
Hi, there. I've had a number of people join the mailing list recently. I want to make sure everybody gets their free Frosthelm book, Traitors Unseen. If you haven't gotten it, you can get it free here (the site will ask you to sign up for this newsletter, which you're already getting) or here from Smashwords. It's also on Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Please, enjoy with my compliments.
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Progress on multiple fronts
A lot is happening in my writing world at the moment. Here's a quick status update on several projects:
DAROS: The audiobook is progressing nicely. I've heard some excerpts as Jennifer works with me to try out voices and scenes, and I'm really excited about her ability to bring the scenes to life.
AS-YET-UNNAMED THRILLER: My November project has now been out to four early readers, and I've gotten tons of useful feedback from them. Several of them pointed to tightening up the ending a bit and working on the concluding scene, so I'm working on those things along with other parts. I've also gotten some great feedback on some science aspects from some excellent consultanting friends, all teaching colleagues, college classmates, or their very smart spouses. The book is not very sciency - there are just a couple of scenes that mention aspects of biology and physics that I wanted to ring true. I also got some great advice on firearms (both technical aspects and mindset and attitude) from a childhood friend. We had a great phone call - I hadn't heard his voice since probably 1986, although we've corresponded electronically.
THE WOELING LASS: Reader #1 (my wife Christina) has given The Woeling Lass the official editing treatment, and I have a whole bunch of little things to change along with some pacing and character parts to work on. See my host of sticky tabs below:
I've also got cover art for The Woeling Lass in the works with a very talented Italian artist. I hope to have something to show for that soon.
A preview of the Lass
Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite for more Inquisitors' Guild books. It's from the opening scene of The Woeling Lass. Gueran Declais, one of the two narrator characters of this book, is meeting a friend. No lasses, woeling or not, around at this point. Gueran is a minor noble and also an Inspector with the Guild. He has appeared in two of the other Inquisitors' Guild books as a side character, but he gets his own story here.
“Look, Declais, we can’t all be Inquisitors.” Renard laughed. “Some of us have to govern.” His tone was harsh, but of course he meant it to be. Calibrated to belittle, to differentiate, a dagger slid in the space between his status and mine. Well, less of a dagger. That would imply subtlety or finesse, or that the damage was serious. This was more like a sharp twig, or a stone in one’s shoe. Tiresome, really.
“If Menea has it right, you’re spending far more time trying to renegotiate your debts than you are making laws.” I put down my chicken leg and beckoned at the serving maid. This conversation was going to require another mead. Maybe two. She nodded acknowledgement, but she was going to have to deliver the six bowls of stew on her tray first. My salvation would be deferred.
A breeze blew through the tent. The fresh air was nice, pushing away the stench of the bodies pressed tight together around the rows of long trestle tables. The spring Festival of the Three Daughters brought the whole city out to celebrate, with feasting and bright bunting, musicians and jugglers, boxing and dancing. Great fun if you could endure the limited confines of the culture of the masses. If only the Bloodmother’s teachings included a stronger admonishment to bathe. Perhaps I could speak to somebody at the temple.
Renard had taken offense at my insinuation, but as usual, it was taking him a moment to decide how much offense was warranted, and even longer to decide how to express it in a way he thought clever. I remembered a time not so long ago when I’d looked up to Renard, hung on his words, sought every morsel of praise. Renard was popular, always surrounded by a crowd, his house ascendant. It was embarrassing, really, to have put so much stock in the boy, who had grown into a dull and boorish man. But he was still a noble heir of significant rank, despite his utter blandness, and his house was powerful.
At last, Renard’s mind crept up on a response. He raised his eyebrows, which he believed made him look more erudite, a task that was beyond the capability of mere eyebrows. He pointed a finger at the sky. “Debts are a sure sign of an active business, and of a wealthy man. Nobody lends money to a beggar.” He smiled at his wit. I smiled too. I went for a calculated intermediary expression, where he’d not know if I were supporting his joke or mocking him. He looked at me for a bit, then chose the former interpretation. He followed his jest up with a laugh, a big braying thing.
Hint: Gueran's day is about to get a whole lot more interesting (and terrifying).
A really nice review
I got a very nice review from a reader who discovered Flames Over Frosthelm.
Rest assured, Sarah, the book is hugging you back! If you know of somebody doing something creative, and you enjoy what they've made, please let them know. It will make them happy beyond reason and will inspire them to make more stuff, and I bet it will make you feel good too.
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Some stories to try
I'm part of several author collectives, and we share each other's work to try to help all of us reach more readers. In many cases, the books we share are are free or discounted. Sometimes, they ask that you sign up for a newsletter like this one.
First, I'd like to share a book by a fellow indie author, Christopher Russell. This is the first book in his new series about a cadre of young military cadets facing an unexpected menace. He's got the book on sale for all of December. Christopher's description of the story is below.
$1.99 E-Book ALL December
Divinity's Twilight: Rebirth
By OZMA Award Winning Author Christopher Russell
"What if the heroes of legend didn't save the world, but only delayed the inevitable?"
Seven centuries ago, Darmatus Aurelian won the Illyriite War, felling his own brother and sacrificing himself to close the Oblivion Well—a ravenous vortex that threatened to consume all life on Lozaria.
Yet his legacy has been forgotten. Though technology has revolutionized the spread of trade and information across the continent, mortal still fights mortal, oblivious to the creeping doom that stalks them from the shadows. Against a backdrop of soaring airships, marching armies, and scheming rulers, Vallen Metellus—a lowly military cadet with a dubious past—must take up Darmatus' mantle and finish what the legendary hero could not. The war isn't over, the past isn't buried, and a vengeful ancient power is about to be unleashed in the name of justice.
Victory is never absolute.
Steampunk meets sword and sorcery meets military thriller in an epic fantasy with layered characters, deep world-building, and a lurking cosmic conflict that will upend everything the people of Lozaria know and cherish.
Here's another new book of a different genre, the LitRPG category, where the story is presented from the perspective of a computer or video game character making their way through a fantasy setting, complete with experience points and skill upgrades. I've looked at a few of these which showed up in the SPFBO and SPSFC competitions. It's a very popular up-and-coming genre within fantasy and sci fi. Here's Heroes of Darkness, a complex tale of a powerful being laid low and trying to restore his lost strength.
Next, I've got Christmas in Escondida by Lottie Morgan. This is part of a series called Spies of Escondida which has an extensive set of books centering around the intelligence agency (and royal family) of a small republic. I haven't read it yet, but I encourage you to have a look.
Next, I have a set of FREE books. All of these are fantasy or paranormal, and all are free.
Finally, I have a big promotion from many different indie authors. All of these fantasy stories are available for free if you're a Kindle Unlimited member. Please, stop by and see if there's something you'd enjoy.
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Thanks
Thanks so much for being part of my writing community. I'm really looking forward to sharing my two new books once I get them punched up and worked into shape. I hope you and your families stay safe and healthy for the holidays.
May the Bloodmother watch over you -
Dave
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