A Writer's Week #146: Holiday Cheer & A Great Year Ahead

 Christmas is now behind us and New Year's is coming up fast. I've been reflecting a bit about 2025 and all the blessings and challenges the year has presented. I was able to attend a bunch of show this year--19 in all. Sales were good, and at each event I've met a lot of wonderful kids and parents and others who have all be very complimentary and encouraging. The children have been the most inspiring to me. I love to see them get excited about a book, and it's doubly inspiring when the book is one of mine! Thanks to all who have purchased my books this year. I hope that in some way they inspire you or your children.

I've got something new coming in 2026. On New Year's Day, I will be releasing Fire & Ice, a novella that takes place on the Dragon Islands.  It will be available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle. The Kindle version is available for preorder here. Here are maps of the Dragon Islands and the city of Dragon Home, both created by Emily Hurst Pritchett.

I'm really looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this one. It is the first in what I'm planning to be a series of novellas called Dragon Island Legends. I'm already at work on the plot for the second book. My goal is to have that out by the end of 2026. However, I'm wrestling with a key plot point that could take some time to sort out, so my initial timeline may wind up being delayed. We shall see.

In any event, I'll let you know as we go along. For now, I wish you and yours a very healthy and Happy New Year.

Peace

A Writer's Week #145: That About Covers It

Howdy everyone. This past weekend was really fantastic. It started Friday night on the green in Milford, CT where myself and a few other Connecticut Book Festival authors got together to sell our wares. With temperatures in the upper 20's it was frosty, but we still managed to have fun a nd sell books while passing around a space heater to keep defrosted.

Saturday was a doubleheader. I had a great time meeting people at the St. Rose School Christmas Craft Fair in Newtown, CT. At the same time, my wife was selling a few copies of  As the Owl Flies at another church craft fair. Good times.

This week, I am on vacation. The timing is perfect because artist Emily Hurst Pritchett sent me the completed art files for Fire & Ice yesterday. So, I've been busy finishing the interior layout and putting together the cover. I should have an author's proof to review on Thursday and if everything looks okay I plan to release the book on New Year's Day.

In anticipation of that, here is the new cover:

Emily came up big once again. This is the first novella in what I'm calling Dragon Island Legends. Here's the blurb for the back cover:

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold,

Although Some Like it Hot

For generations, raiders from the North and their Silver Dragon have been plundering the Dragon Islands and stealing children. But the Islands are not defenseless, for they have a dragon of their own, the great Golden Dragon of Ang. 

Now after countless raids and battles, there is peace. However, old wounds are slow to heal. That is particularly true for Benchu and Mai-Lin, two orphans with revenge in their hearts. With the outbreak of peace, Ben and Mai have only one hope at vengence-they must seek out and join the Denchi Assassins.

But things don’t always go according to plan. Ben and Mai will come to learn that it will take more than a thirst for revenge and a lethal assassin’s guild to make things right.

In my next post, I'll share the front and back of the cover as well as the maps. I'll also update you on the plotting of the next book in the series. Stay tuned.

Peace.

A Writer's Week #144: The Next Chapter

 First off, I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. Work has been crazy busy for almost the past two months has made it rough to focus on much of anything else.

That being said, I have managed to attend a lot of book shows and craft fairs on the weekends. I always enjoy these events because I get a chance to,meet and talk with readers, fellow authors, and the general public. I am looking forward to the upcoming four shows I'll be participating in through the end of 2025.

I have also been working on the final edits for my upcoming novella, Fire & Ice. My test readers have given me lots of great feedback, and I've been able to incorporate that. Now, I'm in the process of formatting the final manuscript. It's shaping up to be a great little book.

Artist Emily Hurst Pritchett has given me the preliminary drawings and map. Today, she sent me a preliminary color draft of the cover. Everything is looking great, and I'm really excited to see the final versions!

Here are a rough drawing of the Dragon Home map and,some sketches of potential chapter headers:

Pretty neat, huh? I really think everyone is going to enjoy this story, which takes place on Ang, one of the Dragon Islands from book three of the Deliverers Series. Right now, the book is on track for a January, 2026 release.

 

I have also begun planning the second book in the Dragon Islands Legends series. It's going to take place on the island of Jongchin about 500 years before events in Fire & Ice, and will feature a 16 year old girl by the name of Shadra. She is part of a nomad clan that lives on the steppes in the center of the island. They are competing for grazing land and hunting territory with the warlike Serpent Clan.

Shadra is a tough, independent young woman who has her own ideas on how to deal with her clan's rivals. It will be a challenge, because the serpents are ruthless, they coat the tips of their arrows with a deadly poison. I'm looking forward to,start writing. However, I need to flesh out the rest of the plot. I'll be sure to fill you in on my progress. Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace