Happy Samhain! Because we live in the middle of nowhere, we didn't get any trick or treaters last night, but the air still smells like pumpkin, somehow. The forest is settling down for winter and we're seeing so many migratory birds. I love walking at this time of year. It makes me feel very witchy.
On Tuesday, I officially sent A Knack for Metal and Bone for a final proofreader. Release date is December 5th.
It ended up 121, 000 words. That’s epic fantasy in more than one sense. I can’t wait to share this new world and new characters with you! But for now, I need a bit of time off from writing and editing. This one took a lot out of me, partly because of its size, but also because it’s the first in a new series. That means I wasn’t only creating the story and characters, but I was developing settings, governments, religions, races, monsters, magic systems, weapons, etc. And that doesn’t happen all at once. It’s not like I think, “Hmmm, I would like to create a Temple of the Word, and write a story around that.” Nope. Story comes first and the details happen organically as they are needed. So then I have to go back and make all those new inventions play nicely together. To say it was a lot of editing, is an understatement. But it’s done now and I’m really happy with the outcome. I hope you will be too.
As always, I have it up for pre-order at special pre-release prices. It will go up in price on release day. This is so that you, my loyal readers can get a little break. You will notice that this one is a little more expensive than the last series. That's because of its size. More words means more costs for proofing, and more time for writing and editing. So I hope the pre-release break helps. I haven't laid out the paperback yet, so I don't have a page count, but it will be a fat one. That, of course, will mean higher print costs.
Here’s a little snippet. If you don't want to spoil the fun on release day, you can skip on by.
Have you ever noticed that no one in fantasy books ever showers or brushes their teeth or even pees? That’s because authors are taught to keep the action moving. I think it was Alfred Hitchcock who said something along the lines of: Fiction is life with all the boring bits taken out.
Well, I don’t always play by the rules. So here’s a look at two Rangers who need a potty break after a long road trip.
The Rangers climbed stiffly from the cats and stood in a loose circle in the road.
“Stretch your legs,” Bretta said. “Get something to eat, but no one wanders.”
“I’ve got to pee real bad.” Clem hopped up and down.
Bretta frowned. “Stay within shouting distance. And take someone with you.”
“I’ll go,” Rowan said. “I have to pee too.”
Noah looked startled.
She winked at him. “What? Princesses pee too.”
“Yeah,” Clem said. “Did you think she just glows or something and the pee magically evaporates?”
Noah frowned. Beside him, Augie was turning a ripe shade of red.
“I…I didn’t really think about it at all,” Noah said.
“Well, maybe you should. Come on, Princess.” Clem tugged on Rowan’s arm.
As she passed them, Rowan whispered to Noah, “Sometimes, I even fart.”
On Tuesday, I officially sent A Knack for Metal and Bone for a final proofreader. Release date is December 5th.
It ended up 121, 000 words. That’s epic fantasy in more than one sense. I can’t wait to share this new world and new characters with you! But for now, I need a bit of time off from writing and editing. This one took a lot out of me, partly because of its size, but also because it’s the first in a new series. That means I wasn’t only creating the story and characters, but I was developing settings, governments, religions, races, monsters, magic systems, weapons, etc. And that doesn’t happen all at once. It’s not like I think, “Hmmm, I would like to create a Temple of the Word, and write a story around that.” Nope. Story comes first and the details happen organically as they are needed. So then I have to go back and make all those new inventions play nicely together. To say it was a lot of editing, is an understatement. But it’s done now and I’m really happy with the outcome. I hope you will be too.
As always, I have it up for pre-order at special pre-release prices. It will go up in price on release day. This is so that you, my loyal readers can get a little break. You will notice that this one is a little more expensive than the last series. That's because of its size. More words means more costs for proofing, and more time for writing and editing. So I hope the pre-release break helps. I haven't laid out the paperback yet, so I don't have a page count, but it will be a fat one. That, of course, will mean higher print costs.
Here’s a little snippet. If you don't want to spoil the fun on release day, you can skip on by.
Have you ever noticed that no one in fantasy books ever showers or brushes their teeth or even pees? That’s because authors are taught to keep the action moving. I think it was Alfred Hitchcock who said something along the lines of: Fiction is life with all the boring bits taken out.
Well, I don’t always play by the rules. So here’s a look at two Rangers who need a potty break after a long road trip.
The Rangers climbed stiffly from the cats and stood in a loose circle in the road.
“Stretch your legs,” Bretta said. “Get something to eat, but no one wanders.”
“I’ve got to pee real bad.” Clem hopped up and down.
Bretta frowned. “Stay within shouting distance. And take someone with you.”
“I’ll go,” Rowan said. “I have to pee too.”
Noah looked startled.
She winked at him. “What? Princesses pee too.”
“Yeah,” Clem said. “Did you think she just glows or something and the pee magically evaporates?”
Noah frowned. Beside him, Augie was turning a ripe shade of red.
“I…I didn’t really think about it at all,” Noah said.
“Well, maybe you should. Come on, Princess.” Clem tugged on Rowan’s arm.
As she passed them, Rowan whispered to Noah, “Sometimes, I even fart.”
Pre-order A Knack for Metal and Bone
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