Update

It's been a few months since I've updated this blog. I'll try to be better. I've got several more character sketches that I want to post. Maybe I can get to them in the coming weeks.

But I do have some news to report. It's not necessarily good news for folks ready for the first book to come out, but it is news.

Short version: I still have to wait an indefinite amount of time before my cover artist can get started on my commission.

But I'm okay with that. I had told him in December that I wanted to have books in my hand ready to sell by the end of May. He responded that he could meet that but that he would have to change his planned approach.

I thought about it, but I told him not to do that. I wanted him to take the time and do it right, to do it in a way that he could be proud of. His original plan was (is) to do a large oil painting, a piece that could be a featured item in his gallery and generate sales of prints strictly on its own strengths.

I decided I'd rather wait a few more months and have that remain the approach he took. And he was very happy to hear me say that.

One reason he remains very busy in his schedule is that he is involved in the production of a major Hollywood movie (starring Nicholas Cage). He is providing artwork that will actually be seen in the movie, this isn't just developmental stuff. In addition to this, his schedule with Marvel Comics remains busy.

The best thing about all this delay is that it will cut down tremendously on the amount of time that will pass between the publication of the first and second books. I have found it a lot more difficult to get into a good writing groove with the second book than I ever did with the first one. I trust I can work through it and eventually start cranking out pages at a good rate.

And, speaking of writing the second book, I just spent a week on the road doing some work in Florida. I managed to knock out about 4,000 words on the second book, including a very important scene that will basically drive the rest of the series.

So good news: progress is being made on the second book and when my cover is done for the first one it is going to be awesome.

My Short Stories

There is not a lot of news to report in regards to the novel. The cover artist has been forced to delay getting started for reasons that are not only understandable but kind of exciting in their own way. I'll explain further once the artist has been announced.

In the meantime, I have been going back over the edited manuscript and figuring out the story beats for all the subplots in Book 2. I hit the road for a business trip on March 7th and I plan to have my stack of index cards ready by then so I can start working on the second volume during that trip.

But how would you like to read a couple of my stories right now? A pair of my short stories have just been published in the super-hero anthology The Sentinels: Alternate Visions.

I wrote the first one two years ago and I knocked out the second one last September. Both make references to Van Plexico's Sentinels series, but neither require having to read his books first. I'm pleased with both stories, I hope you enjoy them as well.

You can buy a copy directly from White Rocket Books or download the e-book for only $4.95 at the Lulu.com site.

It's exciting to see your work published and I have to thank Van for giving me this exposure. The Sentinels has been a successful enough series for a larger press to come in and buy the rights to it, so here's hoping the anthology can find the same audience.

Exciting Progress

Two major developments to report: the first round of copy editing is completed. I will now be going back over the manuscript, taking my own pass at catching errors and contradictions. Joe Crowe was extremely helpful and generous, so everybody give him a big hand.

The good news is Joe says he liked it! (yay!) He's the first person to read it and I either did not totally waste my time writing this thing or else he's just extremely kind. (Maybe both.) I could ask him for a review quote for use on the back cover of the book, but I'm afraid it might say something like "Great use of semi-colons! Complete command of apostrophes!" so maybe I won't do that.

The second major development is in regards to the cover art. I have agreed to terms with an artist that will be doing a painting for my cover. And, trust me, that particular understatement is a case of extreme restraint. I cannot express how excited and thrilled I am to have this particular artist working for me. His name might not be known to the general public at large, but to a certain percentage of the population his name is legendary.

He's had at least a 40-year career and I've personally been a fan of his work for over 20 years. Never in my life did I ever fathom that I could have him do something like this for me. Thank the wonders of the internet for allowing me to even track him down and correspond with him.

I won't announce the name just yet. But it's a done deal and it will happen. And regardless of whatever may be on the inside, at least my book is going to look fantastic!

So with a fully painted cover coming from one of my favorite artists, my excitement and enthusiasm for this project is not only renewed but off the charts. However, this does mean waiting a little bit longer before the book is available. I had been considering doing an advance edition with a simpler cover, but not now. I don't want to reduce the impact of the book coming out with the real cover right from the start.

In upcoming posts, I'll go into a little bit of how this book will be published and made available. I also have plenty of other character sketches on standby, waiting to be scanned in and shared.

Where Things Stand Now

Since I posted last week, the main development has been I've entered discussions with a particular artist from whom I hope to commission a cover painting. I'd rather not name the artist at this time because there's no deal in place yet, but suffice it to say he's a long-time professional and I'm a huge fan of his work.

To have the cover of my novel consist of a painting by this artist will be an unexpected thrill for me. I have spent time in the last week playing with design and composition ideas that I might want for the cover. No final decision has been made yet, but I can promise that it will not look anything like the mock-up I posted here a couple of weeks ago.

If this comes together like I want it to, this book is going to look fantastic!

In the meantime, the manuscript is still in Joe's hands for copy editing. Knowing my typing, it might take him a while. As I've skimmed through my copy, I've already noticed a couple of small details that need revising, but I'll hold off until I get the corrected copy from Joe. 

I have also created the interior illustration of the map. I rendered the whole thing in grayscale because it will be reproduced in black & white inside the book. I think it looks good, but I don't know how it will print. When I get my proof copy, I might discover the need to tweak the illustration.

I have also typed up some of the extra things that will go in the book. I've written the dedication, the acknowledgments, the "about the author" blurb and I've taken a shot at the descriptive text that will go on the back cover.

And to top it all off, I have spent a little bit of time the last couple of nights going over my outline and the notes on set action pieces that I have for Book 2.