New Books, New Roads, and a Wild Year Ahead

It’s been a busy few weeks, and I’m sure not just for me. Spring is almost here… Daylight Savings Time kicked in, so it’s staying light longer. Love that!

So, last weekend Kevin Steverson and I turned in Book 1 of the new military sci-fi series we’re doing for Chris Kennedy Publishing. Chris and his team have the manuscript, so it’s formatting time in preparation for a release date in June. Cover art’s being worked on as we speak, and I’m excited.

I’ve contracted with an outstanding editor in sci-fi whose track record is amazing. She’s worked with many best-selling authors in the genre, and I’m humbled that she’s working with me on all of the Gangrel War series and book 1 in a brand-new series that I’ve written.

Good Lord willing, I could have up to ten books out in my name and with Kevin by the end of the year. It’s been crazy, like I said, and I’m having a ball. Kevin is truly a joy to collaborate with, and he’s taught me a lot. I may have to start calling him ‘Obi-Wan’…or at least sensei.

Just for grins, my wife and I are heading to Utah in ten days to visit her best friend from her hometown. Her friend and husband live in Kanab, and we’re looking forward to a lot of laughter and fun. I’ve been to Kanab, and it’s a cool little town right at the southern border of Utah to the east of the Wasatch Mountain.

Then April rolls in and we’re off to the Carolinas. We’re going to see my sister who lives just south of Wilmington in a town named Supply, and then we’re taking her down to Charleston for a couple of days at an antebellum hotel in old Charleston for her birthday. Great food, drink, sightseeing and company. We can’t wait!

The end of June sees us back in Tennessee for LibertyCon 38 in Chattanooga. Kevin’s and my first book is being released the Friday of the con, so it should be interesting. We’re both on a panel for Chris Kennedy Publishing that weekend as well. Scary. I have to almost look like I know what I’m doing… and you and I know better!

On a completely different note, one of the things I get asked by my friends and new acquaintances is generally about where I get my inspiration for stories. And my response is ‘Everywhere’. From daily anecdotal experiences to history to movies to books to general observation of the world’s situations… all of it. If you’re a writer or an aspiring one, then you know what I mean.

When you’re out for a meal somewhere, do you ever look around at the people you see and write stories about them in your mind? It’s a great exercise in character development. Who is that guy when he’s not here? Is he a businessman? A cop? A bad guy? Why’s he here tonight with his date or his buddies?

It’s a fun thing to do, and I’d encourage you on this. It fires the imagination, and just like anything else, muscular or whatever… use it or lose it. I think you’ll find it easier as you do it more often.

Stay tuned for new developments. There’s a lot coming this year for all of us, and I wish you happiness and joy in your respective journeys!

Craig