Category: On Writing

Another Sample: Tyche’s Lost

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I’m pushing 45,000 words on Tyche’s Lost. It’s shaping up! To see how we’re getting along, I thought I’d introduce you to Forrest Blake. He’s a … survivor on Viukde Gamma, raised in a cultish society. It should come as no surprise the Ezeroc are behind it, which makes it a rough ride for our heroes, Chad and Saveria. Usual caveats. First draft. No grammar checking. Confusion reigns! I hope you dig it anyway. Inside the Altar, Forrest found undergrowth making its home. The space was blessedly free of vermin, but that was expected of a holy site. Gods wouldn’t allow their temple to be desecrated. He didn’t know which way to go. The air felt cool, the night following on his heels. Ahead, Gravedigger awaited. She was planning to kill his gods. He wound through the starship, finding a Read More …

Where I Talk About the Reader Survey: 2018 Edition

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Like I did last year, I did a reader survey for 2018, and because I lack originality, I’m sharing the responses again. It’s worth rehashing the same warning label: Self-reported results are troublesome, my sample size is small, and my unconscious bias flavors my results more than most people spice a good curry. Despite all that, let’s see what the people want, shall we? Feeding the Beast First on deck is what people want me to write next. Heavily implied within this is what people might pay for, and daddy needs to make rent. Lo! The responses are below, with a surprising twist: It’s not surprising people want more Ezeroc Wars. This is my most popular series by far, despite Night’s Champion getting more reviews (I dunno, are supernatural suspense fans more likely to leave a review?). The surprises come Read More …

I’d Buy That For A Dollar: Chromed: Upgrade and Chromed: Rogue

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I interrupt your regularly scheduled programme to let you know Chromed: Upgrade and Chromed: Rogue are enjoying a Kindle Countdown Deal. US/UK citizens can enjoy the supremacy their nations’ commercial power provides: Chromed: Upgrade’s free, and the sequel Chromed: Rogue is a mere Earth dollar (or adjusted currency). Why am I doing this? Because the finale, Chromed: Restore, is out today. [Treat yourself to the series], or grab ’em a la carte below: [FREE] [0.99] New release! [4.99] EDIT: Holy shitballs. Thank you so very much for your support!

Chromed: Restore Is Out!

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This is the one so many of you’ve been waiting for. It’s the conclusion to Mason, Sadie, and Carter’s story. I hope you love it! It’s 21050AD. Uplinks turn us into slaves. Mason Floyd is lost on a dying world, bionics failing as he wages war against the ruling elite. He’s left off-grid rockstar Sadie Freeman on Earth with a hopeless quest: resurrect the dead. New megacorp HumanE forces outright war. They have the means to control humans through the link, creating a limitless army of warriors. To free humanity, Mason discards the corporate protection he’s always known, leaving him vulnerable. Sadie embraces corporate chains, going against all she stands for. As the streets of Seattle erupt into conflict, Mason and Sadie face their greatest challenge. They must save us from ourselves. Megacorps. Cyborgs. AI. Gene-spliced monsters. Syndicate enforcers. Off-grid Read More …

A Young Nate & Grace

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I’m editing The Empire’s Rogues at the moment; I don’t think I’ve shared Rebekah’s sketches for Nate (sixteen) and Grace (fifteen). These will go at the front of the books, but they’re not out until February, so… please to enjoy. While we’re here, I enjoyed some of Tiffany’s editing commentary … lemme share a few choice snippets.

Getting the Most Out of Your Available Time: 2019 Edition

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I’m back on deck, editing Tyche Forever. I’m enjoying my own story, which always feels weird, but I guess it’s also a sign I should have written a Kohl+Algernon road trip story ages back. This year’s likely to see changes in my available writing time, which means adjusting priority assigned to things. This is always a fun exercise, as most plans never survive contact with the enemy, but after making a list I’ve got the bit between my teeth. Last year I tried many things to reach fans alongside writing. I’ve measured the impact and ‘success’ of these ventures, which leads me to a wonderful list of most-important things for 2019. I figured sharing those might be of interest – if you’re strapped for time yourself this could provide inspiration. The short version: this year’s all about me. Let’s see Read More …

2018: A Retrospective

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Of the emails I send, I get the most responses from readers on “the author biz.” I initially figured few people would like to hear about the inner clockwork mechanism of indie publishing, but in hindsight it’s not crazy so many readers want to hear about it. I mean, you’re readers, and have a special relationship with writers. 2018 hasn’t been kind to indie authors. I know quite a few friends and colleagues who’ve noped out of the profession, and also a number who’ve made it rain C-notes from the sky. With this kind of duality going on, shit’s confusing. The reasons are, in business parlance, “nuanced.” Let’s dig in, shall we? Hugging it Out Some author friends (…who are actually just friends who also write) and I Skype’d in December. We talked about a lot of things, but the Read More …

Tyche Forever First Draft is Code Complete

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I the-ended Tyche Forever this afternoon: I thought I might do this when we did last week’s recap video. Turns out it happened that way after all, although it’s a little longer than I figured it might be (7.5k words today! And I’m still at the keyboard). October Kohl gives a speech at the end of this. It’s a growth moment for him. What’s in the rest of this week? Editing this sucker. Also editing The Empire’s Rogues, which received some positive feedback post beta reading and subsequent editing. You’ve not heard of the Empire’s Rogues? More soon, I promise. Responding to my withering storm of email, because I’ve been hiding under a rock while finishing Tyche Forever. Wish me luck.