Author: Daniel Ottalini

Author of the Award-Winning Steam Empire Chronicles Series

Day 12 – An Exercise in Nation Building

Alexandros has a new job, plus we’ve reached 18,000 words!


Salve! Happy Weekend!

Julius Brutus Caesar

Alexandros is back with a purpose in his first chapter in Laurel Emperor. I admit, I’ve been struggling a bit with his story line right now. Ever since the events in Steel Praetorian, and their resolution, it’s been tricky to try and shoehorn him into the events that are engulfing the rest of the nation, without making it seem forced. While he is a hero, the idea that he could just come in and replace someone already loyal to Constantine and his loyalist faction is very unlike him. So I’ve had to come up with an alternative idea for him to follow. More beyond the break.

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Day 11 – Maybe Sent a Character to Heaven?

Snippet doesn’t match the Heading, as I don’t want to spoil the surprise.


02-devastation-of-sundsvallOh Um…

Spoiler?

Maybe, Maybe not.

PS – If you’ve already liked me on Facebook, there’s a big announcement about Iron Tribune going on, go check it out!

Here’s today’s writing snippet below the read more tag. Word Count: 17,032

Continue reading “Day 11 – Maybe Sent a Character to Heaven?”

Day 10 – Blog Tour Hosts Wanted!

Looking for some more blog tour hosts for Steel Praetorian’s release day!


Salve! I hope this post improves your day.

In news – I’ve started assembling at least a few blog visits to help promote Steel Praetorian, but I’m still looking for more. If you’ve got a blog, I’ve got five dates open for the next three weeks. I’m willing to trade 1 for 1 or do a feature just for you! Please let me know if you want to join up on my November Novel Showcase!

11/13-11/20 – 1 slots open

11/21-11/26 – 2 slots open

11/27-12/3 – 2 slots open

In Steel Praetorian News – Dedication submitted.

Laurel Emperor Progress: 15,389 (Definitely didn’t do much these last days – school week + US election has been rough on my mental processes. Read the snippet beyond the break.

Continue reading “Day 10 – Blog Tour Hosts Wanted!”

Day 9 – A non-teaser update

A very brief update to continue my month of blogging.


Hi everyone!

Today’s just a quick update to tell you that we’ve reached the 15,000 word mark! Hurray! Also, the illustrations for Steel Praetorian are nearing completion, and I expect the formatting and cover art to be done shortly as well. I’m thinking the release date will be around the 1st of December, giving me a break between the Thanksgiving holidays (When no one is paying attention) and the Christmas holidays (when no one is paying attention).

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s not to try and compete with huge multinationals that can throw bazillions on advertising!

Anyways, enjoy the day!

Ciao!

Day 8 – A party, a palace and more!

Palaces, Parties, and Voting – I mean… Roman-style voting… More inside!


Happy Election Day to my Fellow Americans – If you haven’t voted, go now! Polls are still open for at least another hour in most eastern states and several hours in the midwest and western states – every vote counts!

Now that’s done, we can return to our regularly scheduled blog post! Big time progress today thanks to a train trip, and I can announce we’ve hit the 14,000 word mark! Hurray! Also, I’ve gotten the final drafts back for one of the two illustrations, and the second draft back for the second of the two illustrations. Much excitement for me I assure you!

Anywho, goal for tonight is 15,500, which places us 500 ahead of Day 9’s NaNoWriMo2016’s goal, and thus gives me a comfortable bubble to work with as needed.

Read more beyond the break! Continue reading “Day 8 – A party, a palace and more!”

Day 7 – Airships and More Airships!

Working hard and falling behind – See what’s happening in day 7 of NaNoWriMo2016!


Hi everyone!

IronTributeIllo4_09_02_15
An excellent description of how my word count feels today. Crashing and burning.

Finally got some good solid time to sit here and type, but I’m incredibly distracted today. I’m about 2k behind schedule, and it’s really hard to find the motivation to continue right now. Fortunately, I’ve managed to finish Corbus’ chapter, which means I can start on a new one, which always helps!

Word Count (as of 8:35 pm) 10,622 9,304 words – Goal Tonight: 12,000 (eek)

Read the snippet beyond the break!

Continue reading “Day 7 – Airships and More Airships!”

Day 6 – World Building Again

Limited word count improvements, but another snippet awaites!


Hi all,

As usual, NYC has pushed me behind my word count, but never fear I should catch up tomorrow (he says hopefully).

Word Count 8872 – 1, 200 behind. Read today’s snippet beyond the break.

Continue reading “Day 6 – World Building Again”

Day 5 – Train Trip Typing

Corbus and a Train Trip, what could be more fun!


This one’s  a bit rushed today as the wireless on my Amtrak train keeps going in and out. Goal is 8, 500 if I can get the wireless to stay alive long enough! But here goes, hope you enjoy. 05-escape-of-corbus

Oh, did I mention this is Corbus’s first chapter? I do love writing about him for some reason…

Continue reading “Day 5 – Train Trip Typing”

Day 4 – Courtroom Problems

7 Thousand words hurray! Read more about new illustrations inside, too!


Hi all, Day 4 is hammered down and ready to go.

So some exciting news today! I got the first glimpses of the two illustrations that will be included in Steel Praetorian, and boy do they look exciting. Very action packed and fitting in with the aesthetic of the earlier novels. I’ve included an illustration below so you can see the style of the artwork. Illustrations aren’t generally common for a novel, but I think they add some style and substance that give readers a glance into the author’s mind. Not to eliminate the imagination of the reader, but to guide their thoughts. Anywho, onto today’s numbers after the break.

Continue reading “Day 4 – Courtroom Problems”

Day 3 – A meeting with an Ambassador

Day 3 of NaNoWriMo and we’ve reached 6,000 words! Read more inside!


Hello all!

Another day of NaNoWriMo in the books! Chapter two is mostly finished, as Constantine looks to negotiate with the Mongols. Surely this cannot be good. For anyone!

Current Word Count: 6,068 – trying to build up a head of steam here. Read more beyond the break!

Continue reading “Day 3 – A meeting with an Ambassador”