October is one of my favorite months. The cooler weather, the changing colors, and the shift in diet to soups and stews all remind me of growing up in rural Maine. While I don’t have to dig up the potatoes any more, and my gardening is limited to clipping back the odd shrub, it’s still a month I look forward to.

This year, I’m looking forward to finishing To Fire Called and getting it out. I’m about 27k words into it and – while the story isn’t what I expected (they never are) – I’m still pleased with what’s happening.

Podium releases Captain’s Share on Audible this month. It’s available for pre-order now and will drop on October 11. Owner’s Share is on schedule for release in November and In Ashes Born in mid-December. That’s another little spur to get To Fire Called done. They’ve reserved a slot in December for Jeffrey to record it for release in January. But I have to write it first.

Milk Run has had some mixed reviews. At least a few people expected more in the way of smuggling and we might see that. My goal was to introduce Natalya and Zoya, Toe-Hold space, and give readers a chance to see how it is so they can compare it to what Pip has told Ishmael about it. I achieved my goals and I’m pleased with the way the book has been received in general.

Last month I was at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers annual Colorado Gold conference and later this month I’ll be at MileHighCon – the annual SF fan convention in Denver. I’m still planning on going to COSine in January.

Some of you may have noticed that the websites were all offline last week. We did a little cleanup and de-lousing with the help of Bluehost’s support team. Apparently we’d become infested with some unsavory hitchhikers. In theory we’re cleaned up and spiffy now.

Thanks to everybody for your continued support. Safe voyage.

The newest book is out!

The first book in the new Smuggler’s Tales dropped and I’m pleased with the results so far. Milk Run features Natalya Regyri and her wingman, Zoya Usoko, in an adventure in Toe-Hold space. It took me long enough to get the book going but I’m pleased with the way it has worked out.

Some of you will recognize the first three chapters as the short story “Exile” which appeared earlier this year in the Starbound anthology. Starbound was only available for three months and has now been taken down from Amazon but when I got the story back, I knew it was the perfect opening for Milk Run.

You can find more information about Toe-Hold space on the Solar Clipper Diary’s side-bar under A Traveler’s Guide To Toe-Hold Space.

Next in my word processor: To Fire Called – book two in the Seeker’s Tales – where we find out what’s happened to Ishmael, Pip, and the Chernyakova. I’m hoping for a release before year’s end.

Audiophiles have already found the new Audible editions of the Trader’s Tales. Podium has released the first three already and Double Share is available for pre-order from Audible now.

Later this month I’ll be in Denver at the Colorado Gold Conference of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. There’s a public book signing at the Denver Renaissance Hotel from 8-10pm. If you’re in the area and always wanted to get a signed edition, that’s a great chance. It will be my first time attending and I’m looking forward to a weekend of hanging with other local writers.

That’s it for now.

Safe voyage!

Sorry, the new month slipped in on me while I was writing.

I just completed the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers NovelRama event where we had to write 25,000 words in four days. That’s a nice start to a new book.

Where are we now (summary):

1. I’ve finished Milk Run and got some excellent feedback from the beta readers. I’ll be fixing that up and sending off to the editor in a few days.

2. I’ve got 25,000 words on To Fire Called. I’ll get back to that as soon as I get Milk Run off to the editor. She’ll need a few weeks to work her magic – which I hope will be enough for me to finish Fire. No promises. I’m terrible at the guessing game.

3. Full Share is due out on Audible mid-month.

Appearances this month:

I’m going to be over on the Western Slope on August 13th doing a workshop with Lisa Manifold for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers on “Taking Control Of Your Career.”

I’ll be appearing on a panel at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver on August 18th as part of the Independent Writer of the Year festivities. If you’re around, it’s open to the public and you’re invited. (I was a finalist. The honor went to Lisa Manifold.)

Future appearances:
– The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s conference in September.
– MileHighCon, Denver, October.
– COSine, Colorado Springs, January.

In detail: Here’s what’s going on with the books:

Seeker’s Tales
1. In Ashes Born – published.
2. To Fire Called – WIP
3. By Darkness Forged – not started.

Smuggler’s Tales
1. Milk Run – post-beta, will go to editor soon.
2. Suicide Run – not started
3. Home Run – not started

All of the books featuring Ishmael Wang are under contract to Podium Publishing for production on Audible.

Trader’s Tales
1. Quarter Share – currently available
2. Half Share – currently available
3. Full Share – release date: 8/16/16
4. Double Share – release date: 9/16/16
5. Captain’s Share – release date: 10/16/16
6. Owner’s Share – release date: 11/16/16

Seeker’s Tales
1. In Ashes Born – release date: 12/16/16
2. To Fire Called – not scheduled
3. By Darkness Forged – not scheduled.

Backlist:

Tanyth Fairport Adventures (Available in Kindle, Paper)
1. Ravenwood (Podcast)
2. Zypheria’s Call
3. The Hermit of Lammas Wood

Shaman Tales:
1. South Coast (Kindle, Podcast)
2. Cape Grace (planned, but not available at the moment)

Novella:
A Light In The Dark (ebook only.)