There is something really satisfying about seeing those blocks of 2k words pile up. I’m now about half-way through my rough draft of book 2 in the Knack series and…it's a hot mess. Ten years ago that would have terrified me. Before publishing Dragons Don't Eat Meat, I actually abandoned four complete drafts of it.
But, 20+ books later, I'm now an old hand at the rough draft rodeo. And I've learned to trust the process. I went through this same first draft hot mess stage with A Knack for Metal and Bone and now that book is my highest rated book of all time. Seriously, go read the reviews. It's averaging 4.8 stars with over 600 reviews.
So I will trust the process for book two. All the bones are there. All the links have been made, all the synapses are firing. I have no doubt that after many weeks of editing, the new Knack book is going to be just as good as the first.
And good news: it’s on schedule for a November release as planned! And I have even settled on a title: Mech and Magic.
I also added a Publication Schedule to the homepage of my website. This shows my plans for upcoming publications. It’s not set in stone because life happens, but I will keep it updated as work progresses on the new series.
These updates are driven by the many, many reviewers of A Knack for Metal and Bone (and thank you for taking the time to review!) who expressed a desire for book 2 to be available asap. I love that eagerness! And it spurs me on to get it done.
I also get a lot of questions like, is book 2 going to feature Conall and Rowan? Will they be together? How many books will be in the series? I’m gathering these questions for a FAQ page on my site, so feel free to ask away!
There are ask-me-anything threads on both the Inbetween Groups (Facebook and Discord), but if you’re not on socials, feel free to reply right in the comments with any questions about the Knack series (or any of my other series). I love chatting with readers.
Spoiler Alert & Snippet
Skip this section if you haven’t read A Knack for Metal and Bone as it contains minor spoilers.
First, let me introduce you to a new mech in Conall and Rowan’s world. Isn’t he funky? I can’t tell you his name yet, but he’s a mix of antique and modern mech and a pivotal character in the new book. And he’s got crazy eyes. What do you think about this new mech? Is he friend or foe?
Book 1 ended with Conall leaving New Torwood City in order to hunt down the Ebos and learn more about his brother’s death. Below is an unedited snippet of his travels from chapter 1. And here's the answer the most-asked question--will Conall and Rowan get together again? I can confirm that while part of their journey in book 2 is along separate roads, they will be united long before the end.
Here’s the snippet.
On the eighth day of his travels, Conall woke from another fitful sleep and was suddenly alert.
Someone comes. Garou had woken him. The sun hung low over the mountains. At this time of year, it wouldn’t set for another few hours but its light was weak and it threw long menacing shadows.
Voices filtered through meadows—a snatch of conversation, a cut off laugh.
Conall sat up slowly. He’d been using his pack as a pillow and now he carefully lifted it without making a sound and tucked his arms through the straps.
He’d bedded down next to an old shrine to Jocasta, the miracle healer who came to fame after the Resurgence. The shrine was built over the only spring for miles around. He’d camped here many times in his travels and never run into rangers.
Of course, they might not be rangers. There were homesteaders out this way too, and hunters that tracked big game across the Meadows. But Garou hadn’t scented any herds in the area.
One thing was certain, they weren’t Ebos. Even Garou wouldn’t hear the stealthy elves before he saw them.
Conall gauged his options. He could hide in place and hope the strangers didn’t know about the shrine or the spring. Or he crouch in the Meadows and hope they didn’t spot him silhouetted against the setting sun. Neither option appealed to Garou.
We should run as the wolf, brother. Two feet can never catch four.
The voices sounded louder. They were coming closer.
He wished he could let Garou out, but he’d be vulnerable while he shifted. No, he needed to put some space between him and the strangers first.
He stepped into the Meadows. His boots were leather-soled and made only the faintest crunching sound on the dry grass. He glanced back at the shrine. With no time to sweep the ground, it would be obvious to anyone with even an ounce of tracking ability that someone had slept there recently.
The voices had gone silent. That wasn’t a good sign. It meant they were on alert. The Meadows were a vast desert of grass and rock with almost no shelter. This close to the end of the summer, the grasses were stunted and dry—too short to hide in. The land was mostly flat, but it rose and fell in gentle swells. Conall’s only chance to evade the strangers was to get over one of those dunes before they spotted him.
Too late.
The voices rose again, this time in alarm.
Conall ran.
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Book Fairs & Events
This week's book fairs highlight Urban Fantasy, found family tropes and shifters. Whether you're looking for bargains or new series, there's something for everyone.
Book Fairs
Spotlight Books
Keys of Time
Soul Dominion Book 1
Georgiana Kent
Soul Dominion is an epic urban fantasy with Time travel, mystery, found family and love. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters Chronicles and Annette Marie's The Guild Codex!
This series is for you if you love:
- mysteries galore with twists and turns...
- an array of supernaturals from vampires to kitsune, Chinese painted skin demons to angels, shifters and more!
- Time travel shenanigans
- snarky Faeries, sassy best friends, and found family fun
- British humour and sarcasm
- love triangles with slow-burn romantic tension
- global destinations with East Asian influences
- diverse characters with LGBTQ+ representation
