Category: Steam Empire Chronicles

Steel Praetorian Finished

Steel Praetorian is finished! Make sure you’ve read Iron Tribune in the meantime!


Hi all, Just wanted to send out a blast that Steel Praetorian is now finished! Clocking in at over 82,000 words, it’s about the same size as Iron Tribune. It’s going to the editor on Friday! Yippie! So this is your warning that if you haven’t already gotten and read your copy of Iron Tribune, you better do so asap!

As always you can find my latest novel on Amazon, for Nook, and on Smashwords for all other sites!

Iron-Tribune-800 Cover reveal and Promotional
IronTributeRoughSketches

If you’ve already read Iron Tribune, and you enjoyed it, please give me a review on any of the sites above, I could really use it! The more reviews, the better the book does, and the more books I can write!

50 Ways to Kill a Character Part II

50 Ways to Kill a Character Part II – With even more awesome ways for your characters (or NPCs, for that matter) to bite the dust.


Salve!

So in case you missed it, my first 50 Ways to Kill a Character was the most successful blog post I’ve ever written (and to be honest, I wrote it half as a joke for my own sanity.) Now that I have 5 books and counting under my belt, I decided it was time to make a part II. Read on, brave writers, and make sure you subscribe to my blog for more writer tips and support like this list! Continue reading “50 Ways to Kill a Character Part II”

Character Decision Making – Tough Choices

Two Characters in Steel Praetorian face an incredibly tough choice, and I discuss my thoughts on tension, challenges, and character interaction.


(Also Called – How to help your character face a plot-altering or personality altering choice!)

Hi all,

Worry not, the difficult choice is for Octavia and Regillus to solve. Here’s the simplest question. When is an atrocity committed in the name of saving lives allowable? Read more inside!

Continue reading “Character Decision Making – Tough Choices”

Dalmatia, Pannonia, Center of the Action

Snippets and Some Insight into book #4 with Regillus and Tzmisces.


Hi all! Today’s update focuses on the center of the action here in book #4, Steel Praetorian.

If you don’t want to read spoilers, don’t read ahead! Just enjoy looking at this lovely little map so you know where the action will be taking place!

Dalmatia

Continue reading “Dalmatia, Pannonia, Center of the Action”

Communication in the Steam Empire Chronicles

Learn all about the Communication Styles in my world of Romanpunk!


Good Morning!

I thought that I’d put together this handy quick-reference guide to communication in the world of the Steam Empire Chronicles. So click read on to learn more about how Romans (and others) talk with each other! (Besides Latin, Yes, I know they already speak that language.

Continue reading “Communication in the Steam Empire Chronicles”

Steel Praetorian Update and News

An update to Steel Praetorian! Excitement awaits inside!


Hi all,

Here’s today’s update on Steel Praetorian – This chapter has really been moving fast, and it leads perfectly into the next one! Can’t wait to see what you all think of this book this upcoming fall – Oh did I mention it will be out this fall? Yes! Steel Praetorian will be published this fall. I’m really looking forward to sharing the book with you. Also, remember that Antioch Burns is on sale this month on Smashwords. Ever wanted to get your friends into my novels? Tell your friends and family! Smashwords lets you purchase any format of the books, so it works on all devices!

Continue reading “Steel Praetorian Update and News”

Antioch Burns on Sale this Month Only!

Grab Antioch Burns on Sale this month only! 25% off on Smashwords!


Hot off the Presses!

Read book 3 of the Steam Empire Chronicles? Want to know who all these new characters are in Iron Tribune? Then you HAVE to read Antioch Burns. It’s on sale this month for 25% off on Smashwords! You can read Smashwords books on any devices too! So follow this link and grab your (Super cheap in the first place, now even cheaper!) copy!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/428295

Cover

Building Ctesiphon


Happy Friday everyone!

I’m happy to announce that we’ve crossed the 44k words border and are headed east! (or north, upwards, anyways.)

SPOILER NOTICE: If you haven’t read book 3, don’t read on. Go back and read book 3. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Today’s writing takes us to the far off lands of the Mongolian Empire, Stretching from the Sea of Japan and the Korean Peninsula to the fragile Mesopotamian border with the Roman Empire. Today’s writing finds Alexandros alive in the city of Ctesiphon, once grand capital of the Sassanid/Parthian Persian Empire, now provincial metropolis and western capital of the Mongol Empire.

Continue reading “Building Ctesiphon”

Steel Praetorian is now Part of Camp NaNoWriMo!

I’ve joined Camp NaNoWriMo and you should follow me! (Also read another sneak peek from Steel Praetorian)


Hi All!

Many of you remember how successful I was at working on Steel Praetorian back during NaNoWriMo 2015 last November. In fact, I essentially wrote half the novel. Then it languished for several months.

Well now I encourage you to follow me on your own!

http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/blockade23/novels/steel-praetorian/stats

Now you, too, can follow me and watch the bar go up, up, up!. (and make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to do).

Continue reading “Steel Praetorian is now Part of Camp NaNoWriMo!”

Update: Steel Praetorian

Read the latest from Steel Praetorian, plus today’s updated word count!


Hi all! Since the book is due at the end of July (EEK!), I’m hard at work. I’ve always worked better with deadlines, so here it goes! My goal for this month is simply to post an updated word count every day.

Also, keep checking this space for possible Kickstarter #4 news (More illustrations? You betcha!)

Updated Word Count: 39,132 words (only 40,868 to go!)

Snippet from today/yesterday’s writing! As always, this is unedited and unrevised, so enjoy! Remember to subscribe on the left hand side for the latest in news about the Steam Empire Chronicles.

“Decanus! Decanus!” Julius shouted, hoping one of the junior officers would hear and attend to him. An easterner screamed as he attacked from behind, Gwendyrn shooting him cold with one of his hand repeaters. The bolt spun the man around, dropping him to the floor.

“We’ve got to secure the train tunnel and the gate house as well. I’ll take the cannon, you take that gate house.” Gwendyrn nodded. A wounded decanus with a motley collection of legionnaires behind him arrived, forming a ring of steel around the officers. “Good luck, centurion.” The Gaul gave a salute and strode off towards the gate. Julius headed for the cannon. He wove his way forward, cutting down mongols here and there, dragging an injured legionnaire against the train here. He had lost his shield somewhere, so he grabbed at his wrist and slowly opened his back up, air legion, shield. The articulated components slowly slid into place, forming a neat circle of steel protection.

The cannon boomed again, cutting down another swath of his men.

Anger turned his vision red, and Julius charged forward, using his shield to batter and push back the few easterners who tried to stop him. Several of his legionnaires joined him, forming a wedge that angled right at the Mongolian position. Desperate to hold onto their cannon, the Mongol crew reloaded desperately. Julius could see them inserting the ammunition and slamming it inside, ramming it home with their specialized gear.

“Be ready to drop” He called to his men, his voice hoarse. A mongolian ax bit deeply into his shield, slamming him backwards and ricocheting off his steel articulated shield. Thank goodness for roman craftmanship He thought as he stabbed his attacker in the gut and kicked him away. Motion ahead of him drew his attention.

“DROP!” He screamed, falling to the ground painfully atop his shield.