We’ve reached the end of the first half of 2020.
Progress report:
I’ve managed to get the completes pieces for Troy Harbor into Scrivener so I can claim an completed draft. It’s that stage of the jigsaw puzzle where you’ve got all the pieces face up on the table and you’re looking for the edge pieces. Along the way, I’ve discovered characters who shouldn’t be there, identified at least two characters who should be there but aren’t, and at least one scene that I used in Cape Grace that needs to be completely redone for the new context. I also discovered that the new story is a lot stronger than I thought.
Nothing else has changed. I’m still waiting on cover sketches. Podium is on track for audio in the fall. I still haven’t published the paperback for Butler.
On the positive side, I walked more in June than May, I’m still not sick, and I’m cautiously optimistic that I’ll have this title out by the end of the month.
It was a good half, all indications to the contrary notwithstanding. I published two books, wrote almost 300,000 words, and still have three novels in the pipeline for publication. Second quarter wasn’t that great but it might have been much worse.
So, fingers crossed that I maintain the status quo and move the process forward without falling into the machinery.
Good on ya, Cap’n. Nothing like finding out something you’ve made is actually better than you originally thought. Stay safe and well, and we’ll be waiting for the new book when it’s ready.
I just finished the Butler. I loved it. It’s the first of your stories I’ve read. I’m going to go look at the rest of your work now, but I am hoping to see more of Shackleford House
I too am hoping for the next Butler installment.
Hello Nathan. I’m new to your books, having accidentally stumbled across “The Wizard’s Butler” back on May 4, 2020. After downloading a Kindle sample, I got hooked and bought it. It was so pleasant to find a gentle, well-written, character-centric fantasy story which didn’t involve the threat of imminent destruction of the human race or the entire universe. My wife also loved it.
That was enough for us to sample your other books. We’ve now worked our way through all nine Ishmael books and are about to start on the Natalya trilogy. I’ve been an avid science fiction reader all my life (I’m 72), and I grew up on Heinlein, Asimov, Anderson, and all the other great SF authors. It seems like comparable replacements (like Bujold) have been few and far between, hence I treasure the rare find such as yourself.
Ishmael’s coming-of-age journey in a well-imagined star-spanning future has a similar feel to many of the Heinlein classics like “Citizen of the Galaxy” or “Starman Jones”. The “Golden Age of the Solar Clipper” is so evocative, harking back to a nostalgic past of sea-going clipper ships, while at the same time envisioning a golden future era of human peace and commerce and space exploration. One fears that the golden era won’t last, as all good things must eventually end, but while it does last we can recognize and enjoy it.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you have two new appreciative readers who will keep buying your books for as long as you keep writing them.
Just wanted to pop in and tell you that I loved The Wizard’s Butler. What a fun, cozy read! (I write cozies and UF). Loved the characters, the family drama, the house. Nice little gem.
It doesn’t matter if you feel the inspiration to write another story. So many of us are grateful for your imagination and creativity. I was able to listen the the podcasts of your first books, and hear your voice whenever I continue to read your other stories. I will listen and read them over and over as they are so wonderful. You take us away from the world’s problems and make us believe that things will be better…Thank you so much…
On the topic of the Solar Clipper tales – Ishmael could run into Beverly again after all this time – not yet involved with Natalya ,finding her single and in trouble…or Ms. Malone could find herself in a pickle; or the Wang Gang could work to help Demetri with the establishment of a new toe hold; conflicts with Iron Mountain…or create new trade routes.. the journey has always been at least as interesting as the end goal with the Solar Clipper tales. Thousands of stories could be woven from the threads you’ve already established. Thanks for all the life you’ve given us as a diversion from the everyday disasters….
I have read the solar clipper tales 5 times. My all time favorite series. To me what makes this series so special is the social interactions and dialogue of the characters who live and work between the stars. To me Ishmael and Nats could marry and raise a family while building a fleet of “bricks” and I would read 12 more books about it. I don’t need action scenes or more death as we have too much of that in real life.
Just a thought on the tales too – Ishmael wasn’t “there” already when Forged ended – he was just getting there. Now one thing that jumped out at me – going through the books again (15th time?) was that M. Vagrant was brought up and mentioned multiple times in both Smugglers Tales and Seekers, was involved in High Tortuga while Nat’s was working there and ran up against Ishmael in the shadows several times but we never got any kind of resolution to that – for that matter, we didn’t even learn who was behind the crew of bad guys on the Mega – those are just the shots in the dark on possible conflicts. I’d be more than happy just reading about the crew building a shipping line or a new toe hold or any number of things that could seem “mundane” in any other universe and with any other author…
Your space adventure appears to be sourced from real life experiences!
Please do tell us it’s all true.
And please continue to use Your Voice to Read your audiobook and Podcasts.
Hearing your voice is Far better than listening to a second-Party reader.
Sincerely
Shalom !
Live Long and Perspire
Can’t wait for the paperback of the Wizard’s Butler for my bookshelf. I read it and enjoyed it very much and I hope there is a sequel.
Just read the wizard’s butler- love it so much I may just read it again right away. Will have to check and see if there is an audio book. You totally deserve a vacation. Whenever you come back to Pip and Ishmael I hope it is fun for you to write:) I don’t know if you will pick up where you left off with the last trilogy or fast forward to their kids getting into trouble in a few years… I’m sure it will be amazing whatever you decide to do. Still I hope you take a vacation and relax too!