ETA:This anthology was a limited time deal. The deal expired in May. The book is no longer available. My story – “Exile” – came back to me and is now where it really belongs – as the first three chapters of Milk Run. The manuscript is with the editor now and you should look for Milk Run in early September, 2016.
If you’re in the Golden Age Facebook group, you’ve already heard that I’ve got a new short story in an anthology. Starbound released the other day.
When Audrey Faye invited me to participate in this anthology last November, I agreed immediately. While I’m not that great at writing shorts, the opportunity to explore some new characters proved irresistible. The story is “Exile.” It introduces the two main characters for the new Smuggler’s Tales series – Natalya Regyri and Zoya Usoko. It hints at some Toe-Hold space background and sets them off to begin their new adventures.
The first book in this series – Milk Run – has drawn me in and I’m hoping to get it written this month and over to the editor as soon as I can get into her queue. Don’t hold me to that.
For those who are eagerly awaiting To Fire Called, I can’t write that book until I get Milk Run down. I need to know more about that space before I send Ishmael and Pip off to get in trouble there. 🙂
I’m honored to be included in Starbound with ten other excellent authors – some of whom you’ll recognize.
And if you haven’t already heard – Audrey Faye’s next Karmacorp novel is out. You might want to grab a sample of Grower’s Omen while you’re picking up Starbound.
An interesting way to introduce Natalya, for sure. The faster pacing was a big change, coming from you. I’ll keep an eye out for Milk Run and I’ll be very interested to find out when this took place, chronologically.
Thanks for this! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about Natalya and Zoya. I’d tell you to hurry up, but that would be wrong. Rather, take the time you need to produce the wonderful story we yearn for, while taking time and space for yourself as well.
Had to of happened after Ish graduated due to the Newmar’s cup being broken. but it could be 2 years or 15 before
Nathan ,
Just finished your story in starbound, Loved it. It makes me so excited for milk run. Which is amazing in itself as it took my single focus and obsession with waiting for the next Ishmael Wang book. Love the new characters. Will read again the light in the dark. But Nathan I seem to Remember another short story about oden station. Not sure if it was an anthology or I’m remembering a scene from a book. But I thought there was another short story in the solar clipper universe. Just love everything in the solar clipper universe thanks for a great read.
John W…
I think you may be referring to a book called a light in the dark. It seems to be the back story to Oden’s station.
Thanks blinky, have read a light in the dark a couple of times but I thought there was another short story that you only see oden’s station briefly. More a glimpse. Love anything that’s in the solar clipper universe. Just want to reread everything to get ready for milk run. Thanks
John w
The Agamemnon sails past Odin’s Outpost in Captain’s Share. They see it on scan and Billy the Buccaneer incorrectly identifies it as High Tortuga.
If you’re interested in some background, you might find this Traveler’s Guide to Toe-Hold Space to be of interest.
Nate, you are such a tease! Always leaving us hungry for MORE! Please and thank you!
Lovely short story. I look forward to Milk Run.
Sar,
Nice work on Exile, My mind is defiantly watering for more….I hope we find out what happened to start all of this story arc. Should be interesting.
Will we be seeing more of Agent Waters? Perhaps we will find out how Pip got tied into the TIC?
MAN I’m excited.
Really enjoyed the story, and was a fun and interesting introduction to these characters. One question though, when does the story take place? The in-world date wasn’t necessary to enjoy the short story, but as I look forward to getting to know these characters in Milk Run, I am just wondering where along Ishmael’s time line this story (and Milk Run) will line up?
May 20th, 2363. It’s 5 stanyers after Ishmael left.
i’ve been a big fan of your work for years and enjoy reading them over and over. today i went to buy ravenwood again for my kobo ( its gone missing somehow) and was dismayed to find that the series and all the traders tales books were no longer available on the kobo store. are they available at all to people who don’t have kindles?
Unfortunately I had to make a business decision and pulled my books out of Nook, Kobo, and iBooks. I announced it in October.
I don’t think people read on dedicated devices that much any more. Tablets and smartphones are taking up the space usually occupied by dedicated devices because you can read any book from any vendor on the same device simply by using the appropriate app.
You can buy it from Amazon and download it to your Kindle for PC (even on Linux!) or Kindle for Mac. Then convert it to ePub format using Calibre (free, and also available on Linux, Mac or PC.) Because Nathan doesn’t use DRM on his books, the conversion is trivial.
I just read “Exile”. I loved it. So sad to hear there is not another book about them ready yet. But I’ll be looking out for the release of “Milk Run”.
Me too. It was supposed to be ready by now.
Many’s the slip ‘tween the cup and the lip.
Nice read, as always!
So, is this short story a stand alone that happens prior to Milk Run, or is it going to be at the beginning of that book? Just wondering.
Nice teaser! Now I’m eagerly awaiting Milk Run. In case no one has said it lately, you’re a GREAT story teller! Keep up the good work please…
Tried to Find this. It is no longer on Amazon
This seems to have been pulled for some reason. Is there any other way to access ‘Exile?’
I cannot fathom how I failed to pick it up when it came out, but now it appears to be gone. Is there any way to provide said book now?
The Starbound anthology was a limited time deal.
I got the story back and it is now the first three chapters of Milk Run.
Milk Run went to the editor last Friday (Aug 12) and as soon as I get it back, I’ll publish it.