Time for an Update

I know that I’ve said this many, many times, perhaps every time, but I suck at blogging and keeping everyone updated.  So, here it is, update time.

I first of all want to thank everyone for the great reviews on the last book.  I really appreciate you taking your time to come back and post reviews.  I read each and every one of them and ma humbled by your support.  And I would also like to thank you for all of your kind messages.  They truly make my day.

Okay, so, I said an update.  It’s been a little busy lately so I’ll try to keep this brief.  I am currently working on a companion book to the series.  It’s a set of short stories of others around the time when everything fell apart.  I wanted to do this to give a wider view of what people went through.  I passed through the 51k word count mark last night.  What does that mean?  I really have no idea.  I would like to make this a full novel length but I’m not sure at this point.  Nor do I know when I’ll be finished with it.  I guess that’s not much of an update, eh.  The writing has been slow lately but I’m hoping to pick that up now.  I’m hoping to have this one finished and out sometime by the end of April.  We’ll just see how that plan goes. 🙂

Once I finish with the companion novel, I’ll be starting on book number 10.  There are a lot of ends to tie up following the last one and I’m excited to get to it.  Jack and the gang have taken care of one headache but another, potentially more deadly one, looms on the horizon.  There are a lot of decisions to make and time is not their friend.  And no, I haven’t forgotten the collaboration with Mark Tufo.  We’ve been chatting and will get to it when our writing schedules allow.  Just know that it hasn’t sunk below the waves as yet.

I hope your week has been treating you well and the upcoming weekend is a fun one for you!  Thank you all so much once again!

John

Chaos FB Welcome Page2

Update Time

I suppose it’s time for an update on the next book, number nine.  I’m so good at blogging and keeping the web site up-to-date.  Yes, you can read facetious into that.  The writing on this one has been extremely slow, meaning, the words per day haven’t been all that spectacular.  So, late last night, I was actually rather surprised to see the word count at almost 74k.  I have absolutely no idea what that means in regards to when the book will be ready to publish, but hopefully soon.  Of course, it’s hard to write a story when most of the characters have perished.  You’d think that would make it easier but that’s just not the case.  Okay, I’m kidding, kind of, not really, maybe.

What’s the book title you ask?  Well, that is a very good question.  I had one in mind when I started but the story has, once again, left my control.  Parts that were to be included in this one will probably have to wait until the next book, yes, perhaps that’s a spoiler.  What that means though, is that I have no idea what this one will be called as yet.  I’m sure I’ll come up with something but right now the title is, A New World: F*#k It, I Have No Idea What to Call It.  Okay, either more or less caffeine is required.

So, in between wracking my brain for a title, I’ll be continuing on with jotting the occasional word down and hope some sense comes of it.  Eventually, the book will be finished or I’ll just throw a period down at the end of a random sentence and call it good.

I will admit that I’m a little disappointed with length that this particular episode has taken to write.  I had this killer cliff-hanger but, alas, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to use it for the end of the book.  So disappointing.  Oh well, the story tells it like it wants to.  Of course, I’ll have to come up with something, maybe, and that really doesn’t bode well for the characters.  As a matter of fact, the characters all just turned over their shoulders and gave me a ‘WTF’ look.

Okay, it’s obvious that I’m in need of some medical attention.  So, I will leave you on this wonderful Tuesday evening and get back to the story.  As I mention is most every other post, I want to thank you all for your wonderful support.  You’re messages and reviews are both humbling and uplifting, so truly, thank you.  I hope you have an awesome evening and rest of your week!

John

A New World: Conspiracy Release

Well, after a long wait – not to mention, blood, sweat, and tears – the release of the 8th book is out.  At least on Amazon.  Okay, there wasn’t really any blood or sweat, but there were many tears of frustration.  Oh, and bruises from pounding my head on the desk.  Yes, I have problems.  You will see the book begin showing up in the other locations, iTunes, Sony, B&N, Kobo, other online locations in a couple of weeks.  Oh, and it’s on Smashwords.

The book takes a little different angle but I won’t give out any spoilers here.  Just suffice it to say that things became a little more difficult for our small group of survivors.  Or at least potentially so.  A lot of people asked who was shot and who the shooter was.  Well, I didn’t go into that with this book.  Perhaps the next one.  Haha…just kidding.  You’ll find out.

I want to say thank you to all of the veterans – past and present.  Your service is very much appreciated.  As I mentioned in a post on my Facebook page, I would like to extend that thanks to everyone in law enforcement, the fire services, and all responders.  You also put your lives on the line on a daily basis to protect and save others.  Seriously…Thank You!!!

I have to thank you, the readers and fans!  You have been so supportive – beyond anything I could ever imagine.  It’s you who keeps the story alive and going.  I thoroughly enjoy your messages and posts.  They truly keep me going.

There’s not really a whole lot more to say.  My mind is fried and there’s dinner and a movie to attend to.  I’ll be back at it very soon so hopefully you won’t have too long to wait for the 9th.  Ooops, there’s a spoiler.  No, the series doesn’t end with this one.  The coyotes are howling outside – maybe they are reading the book and voicing their opinion – and so, with that, I bid  you a good night.

Oh, I suppose I should leave a link to the book, and if you would leave a review when you finish, I would very much appreciate it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GKHKXKE

Enjoy your week and I hope happiness and joy encompass  your lives!

John

 

Conspiracy Update

Well, in the wee hours of last Friday, I managed to finish the draft of the eighth book, A New World: Conspiracy. Since then I have been glued to the keyboard going through the first edits and finished those today. I now have this rectangular white spot in my vision. The manuscript has been carefully placed in the editor’s hands to let the magic be worked.  By the way, I suck at editing.  Which is unfortunate as I really enjoy it – read sarcasm.  

The cover has almost been completed and I’ll share a sneak preview of it very soon. When will it be finished and released you ask?  Excellent question.  The answer – I don’t know.  When the rough boulder of a draft I sent comes back gleaming and polished, I’ll have to format it for publication which takes months.  Kidding – it will take a day and then it will take up to 12 hours after I upload it to Amazon before it’s ready for purchase.  For the other online distributors, this could take a couple of weeks before it starts showing up.  I’m sure you all followed that but if you’re not baffled yet, I could throw in some math equations.

So, what does this all really mean? I’m expecting the book to be ready for release in about a week.  Yes, I know, I could have just said that.

As always, I really want to thank you for all of your support and messages. They are one of the highlights of my day.  Waking is another.  Wait, no it’s not.  Yes, I need more caffeine.  However, Battlefield 4 came out today so I must bid you adieu.  I hope your week treats you well and brings your dreams to life – if they’re good ones that is.

John