WRITING NEWS

I'm making progress in my new series. Here's what I published on my Facebook page earlier this month in case any missed it:

My next series will be urban fantasy with a male hero, but (as always) I’m doing something different…

Think standard urban fantasy meets the Arabian Nights and Prince of Persia. Instead of Chicago or London, this series will take place in a city inspired by Dubai.

Instead of werewolves or vampires, there will be jinn and creatures inspired by Arabic folklore.

Instead of being a wizard or a hunter, the hero is a “sound mage”—one who creates magic through sound. It’s the most interesting and nuanced magic system I have created yet.

The hero is a prince who witnesses the death of his family by a murderous jinn who ascends to the throne and becomes a fearsome sultana. In a final act of love, his mother changes his appearance and casts the prince into the underbelly of the giant city—this time as a regular, powerless citizen. What happens next is complicated, and not what you expect…

This is not a story of revenge, but instead, redemption. And humility. With lots of kickass characters, monsters and magic that everyone expects from a good urban fantasy, of course.

It’s called the Sound Mage Sonata, and it’s coming soon. Book 1 is called Prince of Nocturnes.

No idea how/if people will respond to this one. It’s a different setting, and a different kind of story (urban fantasy with an epic fantasy-esque story…Epic urban. Is that a thing??) But that’s how I roll—I take a lot of chances with my books. Life is too short to play it safe.

Be sure to join my Fantasy mailing list for updates.

Or click the image below to check out the Pinterest board I have started developing for purposes of research and inspiration. It will give you the feel that I'm going for.

APPEARANCES

I did a podcast interview on the Author Stories Podcast with Hank Garner. Hank is a legend in the book podcast space—he's interviewed greats like Jim Butcher, Hugh Howey, Catherine Coulter, and more. I'm in some good company!

We talk my new book, Be a Writing Machine, and the “story behind the story” for:

• Moderation Online
• Modern Necromancy
• Magic Trackers

I've never talked about some of this stuff before, so this podcast is new territory in many ways. Give it a listen!

OTHER NEWS

My Android X series in the process of getting a makeover. Check out the cover for Android Paradox.

If you'd like to read, Android Paradox is available in ebook, paperback, and audio. The new covers won't go live for another couple of months.

Also, I just signed a deal to get The Last Dragon Lord series into audiobook! Miles Meili will be narrating them. I've resisted putting this series into audio for the last couple years because I wanted the right narrator who could bring Old Dark to life. You guys are really going to like this. I'll have promo codes next month, so if you are interested in getting one first, contact me. 

As if that weren't enough, I'm also participating in a promotion for GiveGrow.Net. They are a company whose sole focus is to help others grow and develop. From March 28-Apr 6, they are focusing on authors.

This promotion is called the “Indie Author Superbundle” and 25% of their gross sales go to Pencils of Promise, which is a very noble cause.

The audiobook version for Be a Writing Machine is in the bundle. There are some AMAZING books, courses and services, so be sure to check it out.

Click here to see what GiveGrow has to offer

NEW PODCAST!!!

I have missed podcasting so much that I decided to start a new one. But this one is different.

I'll be talking about my work and what inspires it. It will be an entertaining format of about 5-8 minutes per episode, with new episodes every Thursday.

In many ways, this is the spiritual successor to my YouTube channel, Author Level Up, except it balances writing with topics that readers will find interesting.

Check out the first few episodes of the podcast here. It will be live on all podcast channels in the next week or so.