A Little Update Is In Order...

Okie dokie...
So, it's been a while since I just rambled off and spilled the contents of my brain onto this blog. To be honest, I've been a little scattered and busy with writing projects and trying to make sure I've accomplished stuff on my 'to do' list. And then, as per usual, life interrupts and throws everything out of whack.

Anyhoo. So here's a little update on what's up with TK.
On the writing front, a new Jax Marlin novella was just released over the Easter weekend. Titled The Edge of the Blade, this is #6 in the Marlin short story series. I've just completed #7, The Angel of Mercy, and it's currently with my beta readers. Three more shorts to go in order to complete the 10-series. I'm getting there.

And now, some bigger news. Since signing on with Champagne Books Group in 2009 and releasing the Lancaster Trilogy with them, I've decided it was time to move on. Believe me, the decision was not made lightly, especially after the lengthy ordeal of submissions and queries and the usual heart-wrenching stuff every writer must go through. And, I'm sure most new writers will agree, a publishing deal is a big deal. It's like a sort of validation that your work is good enough to be (even) considered worthy of publishing (this applies to getting an agent as well).

I've been with CBG for five years and in those five years, I've grown and have a better understanding of the literary world. I've learned loads, and it's through my association with them that I was able to do so. For that, I'm forever grateful.

With the rights back since the end of last month, I've been furiously tweaking some aspects of the the first novel (my debut) that I've been wanting to do. As a writer, I've grown, and the way I write now is a little different from how I used to write. While I debated whether or not to change certain aspects of it, in the end, the quality of the work is what mattered most to me, as well as the content. So, without ruining the overall storyline, I've been dealing with issues that were bothering me. Point of view shifts, a lot of passive voice sentences, that sort of thing. The end result, I'm hoping, will be a stronger, tighter, and better structured novel. Once I've done so, I'm going to dig into the other two in the trilogy and tidy them up as well.

In the end, I'd like to rebrand each, release again to the world, and this time, try the self-publishing route. Wish me luck.

And then, onto more writing projects that I've been keeping warm on the backburner. The monster novel (not real monsters) Bengaria's War still needs my attention. Another epicky novel is (I have a title for it now!) The Acquisition of the Levi. There are various other short stories as well, Time Fracture being one of them.

This month, if I'm correct, also marks the release of another short in an anthology collection. I shall keep you posted on that.

And then, on the personal front, lots of interruptions, mostly good and fun. Except right now where I have some serious plumbing issues. Old pipes leaking, then leaking through the walls and dripping ominously through a crack very similar to the crack in Dr. Who...scary. Of course, with old pipes, they tend to be very unpredictable...so in the end, we decided to let the plumber just rip them all out and lay down some new ones. So, two bathrooms are piled high with broken masonry and tiles, dust and grit and whatnots, not to mention the multiple holes (ginormous craters) in the walls. Oh, and the constant flow of strangers tramping through the house, with power drills, hammers, etc...and dust. So much dust. Hopefully by the weekend we'll have our bathroom back (at least) so we can actually have a proper shower. Garden hose shower's while sounds fun the first time, get's a little old the second time around.

And that, in a nutshell, is what's up with me.

5 Years, 4 Books, 3 Novellas, and some Shorts later...

Well, I couldn't let the year progress any further without some mention of where I am right now. Where? It's like the title to this post says and then some: 5 years writing, 2 publishers, 4 books, 3 novellas and some short stories later...and, wait for it...lots more to come since the ideas keep a-coming!

My journey began early 2008, with a promise to myself and a new year's resolution on the beach among friends. One insisted we write down a list of the 200 things we most wanted to do. Well, I couldn't think of 200 things - just the one thing, and that was to write. Write something, anything. That thought stayed with me like a kick in the ass for a few weeks. I waffled a bit, thinking how best to tackle this whole writing thing. So I wrote down notes on plots, ideas, tooled around with characters, and then I just pushed it aside and instead, ruminated with a few scenes that kept reoccurring in my head.

My mid-January, the very shaky beginnings of The Lancaster Rule formed, and by March, I was hacking out the beginning. By April, I was just about done. But I was far from done, and The Master Key, spewed out of me before I could even finish Lancaster. And shortly after, the seeds of The Eternal Knot germinated in my head. Within 2 years, The Lancaster Trilogy was complete and I was a published writer!

Then I discovered, I simply could not stop writing. Like breaking through a blockage and forging a new tributary to empty out into the vast river of creativeness, it seemed I'd found another outlet to 'vent' my thoughts out. It felt right.

Last year, out came my fourth novel, To Catch A Marlin, and I gained a new publisher game enough to take a chance on me. Shortly after, 3 novellas in the Marlin series. Rounding things off, I also completed a couple of short stories, still seeking their way to publication.

I've also got a collection of unfinished stories (well, one is done) that need to see their own 'the ends' in good time.

Then, after The Lancaster Rule was published, it received a Novel of the Year nomination from my publisher, Champagne Book Group. And then, The Eternal Knot was voted Best Book of the Month by Long and Short Reviews. (Check out the link and my interview with them). Soon after, it was up for nomination as Best Book of 2012. How cool was THAT?

So, not too shabby. These past five years have been busy and productive, filled with fantastic plot bubbles and adventures that have taken me 300 years into the futures as well as traipsing about the depths of space. Heh, and I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my home. Isn't writing fun!

Cheers!

SFFSat - Feb 09

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

I'm still celebrating the nomination of The Eternal Knot for Best Book of 2012, so here's another snippet from it. By the way, voting is still ON for it! (Closes February 14th).

So click the button to cast your vote (for The Eternal Knot, of course!) If that doesn't work, click HERE.

The Eternal Knot is the final book in The Lancaster Trilogy, available from Burst Books (Champagne Book Group), or on Amazon.

In this scene, we have another of my favourite characters, Adam, Josie's brother-in-law who just happens to be a prisoner within the Citadel walls, but they like to call it exiled. He's also quite dangerous. Josie likes to visit him since he has a canny way of sorting things out and allowing her to see the bigger picture. Here we have Josie discussing a woman who has returned to the Citadel, who just happens to be an old flame of her husband.

            "More or less," she replied sullenly. "And stupid dinner parties with stupid dinner guests who irk every last bone in your body."

          "Growing weary of being the President's wife already?" Adam grinned with mischief. "Who is it this time?"

          "Elena Greco," Josie muttered with distaste.

          Shocked, Adam leaned forward with interest. "She's allowed back in—what is she doing back?"

"Irking every last bone in my body," Josie glared at him. "Haven't you been listening?"

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Feb 2

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Today, to celebrate the nomination of The Eternal Knot for Best Book of 2012, I thought I'd share a snippet from it. By the way, voting is ON for it!

So click the button to cast your vote (for The Eternal Knot, of course!)

The Eternal Knot is the final book in The Lancaster Trilogy, available from Burst Books (Champagne Book Group), or on Amazon.

In this, we have one of my favourite characters, Loeb, with our girl Josie. They have 'crash-landed' in Brazil, in a small country village not far from Natal city on the very east coast of the country.
Unfortunately, they find themselves in a spot of trouble. 

            So much for waiting...

          The moment I hung up from John, we were ambushed.

          They came out of nowhere and surrounded us looking like the very shrubs and tall grasses that grew around the area. For all I knew, they could've been there the whole time.

On impulse, I lashed out, whirling around to backhand one, kicking out to another for a gut kick. Loeb was right; the jacket tied around my waist hindered my movements like a full-length skirt complete with old-fashioned hoops. The only effective thing I managed to do, was kick up a lot of dust.

Before long, Loeb was in an immovable chokehold. He had the good sense to go limp and placid. Unfortunately, I continued to do the opposite.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

VOTE FOR ME!

The link for voting has gone LIVE! So click on over to Long and Short Reviews, scroll down to THE ETERNAL KNOT, and click the button, then click the VOTE tab.

Thanks in advance for your vote. It is much appreciated!

Cheers!

Nominated for Best Book of 2012

Getting good news on Monday mornings is a great way to start the week! Mine came in the form of a nomination from Long and Short Reviews for my book THE ETERNAL KNOT which is up for Best Book for 2012. Wow! How cool is that?

You might remember that last year, The Eternal Knot was rated as Best Book by Long and Short's reviewers in their Science Fiction & Fantasy catagory, and then voted Book of the Month (May 2012) in the polls. (Click HERE to see). As if all of that wasn't enough, now it's up for Best Book for 2012. Sweet!

Voting begins February 1st until midnight EST February 14. Once the link goes live, don't worry, I'll be sure to remind you again.

In case you didn't know, The Eternal Knot, is the the final book in the Lancaster Trilogy, published by Champagne Book Group under their SF/F arm, Burst Books.