May 2023 Newsletter
Posted on May 14, 2023
Dear Readers,
Welcome to my May newsletter. There’s a lot going on, so I thought it might be nice to send these out more regularly. The goal is once a month, but I’ll also slide in a second one each month as needed.
Current Projects
I’m going through the beta reader comments on Last of the Litter and making tweaks. This epic tale of a boy and his special dog will debut this summer and is filled with heartfelt character examination and snazzy world building. I’ve always wanted to do a post-apocalyptic story, and this one’s my baby! It’s my first true science fiction novel, not YA, not Middle Grade. I’m eager to hear what readers think of this one.
Here’s the back cover summary:
Nearly a hundred years have passed since the coming of the Rot Storms brought death and destruction to the world. Only Scouts bonded with charm hounds and those under their watch can survive against the Rot in all its deadly forms thanks to their canines’ protective auras.
Accompanied by Seekers with expertise in what life was like before the fall, Scouts and their dogs comb the ruins to unearth precious knowledge, secrets, and tools from the Dim Times.
Young Pilk wants to honor his late parents and earn the title of Scout alongside his scholarly friend Rove who’s obsessed with becoming a Seeker.
Pilk has one last chance to bond with a pup. Will his dream come true even if he’s saddled with the runt of the litter? Will the boys’ recklessness endanger or save those close to them? And will they awaken something far deadlier than the Rot amid the Waste?
Find out in this Broken Earth saga that’s a heartfelt exploration of the boy and his dog genre.
Any Chance to Talk About My Goldens
Our two dogs were the inspiration for this story. While neither of them can generate a protective energy aura like the charm hounds, I still think they’re pretty special. Timber and Ranger just turned two this Spring and have enriched our lives in so many ways. Their companionship lifts us up after a long day, and they are such steadfast and loving pups.
There’s a Void In My Life
I’m also working on Nell and Void. Here’s the summary description:
After enduring a crippling loss, bestselling author Nell Carmichael retreats from the world. She stops writing. She stops leaving the house. She stops caring. The gaping void in her life can’t be filled . . .
Until a self-aware black hole barges into her living room and insists she school him in the ways of being human
With her emotional reserves at an all-time low, can Nell teach a literal void empathy and rescue herself from despair?
I’m a third of the way into it and plan on finishing it by June. The total word count should wind up around 40,000. It’s a science fiction drama that really tries to explore what it means to be human or at least just trying to be when the world around you seems to decry being human as unfit and somehow lacking. It’s some sly navel-gazing.
Let Me Put On My Marketing Hat
I want to do more promotion of my novels. To that end, I’ve joined Book Funnel. It’s a wonderful website where like-minded authors share links to their free books and can build their mailing lists. You can use the link below to visit the site and grab some great free reads by other writers. You can also snag free copies of the first books of Irving Wishbutton and Emery Fogg. Both series are very fun and complete.
Just clicking the link helps as it records how many of my readers zip over to the site and builds my status at Book Funnel. I have a feeling you’ll find some great reads.
Book Funnel Link
You Matter
Thanks for being on my mailing list. I appreciate every post you digest, every book you read, and every review you write. Being an indy writer is a tough road, but so worthwhile. I absolutely love the people I’ve met along the way, and the freedom it gives me in what I create and own.
Next, I’ll talk about the several projects after the black hole book and give you some details of my life as a cartoonist. I did a lot of comic book work before I shifted to being a novelist. Google me and behold just how prolific I was.