Status Updates:

A quiet month while we wait out the clock.

What's Next:

The Wizard's Cat​
My editor has the draft and she's working her magic on it. I'm looking for the cover art around the first of the month. This is going to happen.

Future Ishmael​
Still no change here. I can only focus on one thing at a time.

Tanyth Fairport​
Nothing happening here in the near future. See the note above.

What I'm Reading:

Woo. What have I been reading? In addition to a ton of samples that I won't mention, a lot of "next in a series" books including the 4th Heretical Fishing book by Haylock Jobson, the 6th book in Ed Nelson's Cast in Time, and the 16th volume of Wandering Inn. Oh, and the first three volumes of Jane Hinchley's Ghost Detective series.

My recommendation this month has to be Jaxton Reed's Tom Savage - Star Farmer.

It kept popping up on recommendation lists for Military SF and Space Marines. I couldn't figure out why it kept showing up. In self-defense I grabbed a sample and inadvertently got the whole book because "free weekend sale" or something.

It popped up as I was trolling through a school of samples so I started reading it.

It has a vintage feel to it. Like Tom Swift Jr and H G Wells got tossed in a blender with a pinch of Zane Grey. Probably the influence of a certain cult series that was snatched from the airwaves before its time.

Gimmicks? Check. Spiffy robot? Yes. Hidden secrets? Of course. Potential Obvious Love Interest? True. I'm not sure I'm sold on the sand dragons, but I'm willing to give it a pass because Tom Savage (or whatever his real name is) speaks to me.

And the "ants?" Yeah. No spoilers.

Honestly, this is not high art and I am here for it. It takes me back to the old days of pulpy goodness in the best Space Opera tradition.

It's only the first book. I could be disappointed down the road but I've signed on for the voyage, at least for now. Maybe you should grab a sample and see for yourself.

Looking Ahead:

The new focus on practice paid off and I managed to put together a first draft, get it out to beta readers, and back again in time to send it off to Karen on October 1. Alex Rito (same guy who did The Wizard's Butler) will do the cover. Podium will do the audio book.

The scheduling is out of my hands for the moment while I wait for Karen and Alex to work their magic. I'll be sending the manuscript off to Podium as soon as I have a clean one and they'll schedule the narration. I have no idea when.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the feeling of having this book done. I've struggled with it for years and am not taking suggestions for what to write next. Not even from me.
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Yet.
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Thank you, to the beta readers who took the time to read the very rough draft. I got some good feedback and really appreciate the efforts.

But for now, until next month, safe voyage.

-NL

Remember ​
I update the blog every month on the first so if you're wondering what's happening, you can check there to get an interim report until the next one shows up in your inbox.

Beta Readers:

Every so often, I put out a call for beta readers. These are people who are willing to read the work in progress in a short period of time with only the briefest of notices.

I'm going to be fine tuning this process going forward but if you'd like to be considered for future works, then click this link.
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​It puts a tag on your address in the email list. You don't have to check anything. The ConvertKit people (who store the addresses) will handle it and then take you to a page to tell you that your preferences have been set. By clicking that link you're done.

And thanks.

Fine Tuning:

Would you prefer to get ONLY new release notices?YES, PLEASE​

Note: Newsletter people will get New Release notices, too, but
I've had several people say they preferred to only hear from me when I
release a new book so I'm trying to accommodate them.
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