31 Monday Oct 2016
Posted in Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2017, Self-Publishing, Steel Praetorian
Hi all,
As usual, I’ve completely disappeared for the first quarter of school here in the USA. However, here are some brief, and exciting, updates! Happy Halloween!
Read more about what’s going on below the break!
12 Friday Aug 2016
Posted in NaNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing
So I’ve recently written about NaNoWriMo and what it is, so now let me get to what I like about it. There’s a variety of things, but it really boils down to two parts. Accountability and community. Read more past the break!
23 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Advertising, Self-Publishing, SteamLit
Hi all,
Another blogger is on the lookout for good steampunk websites, blogs, writers, etc, as she is looking to compile a big list about them! Hop on over and check out her site For Whom the Gear Turns – I also recently backed her kickstarter to send her to several steampunk conventions (since I don’t have the time to go and it’s always fun to get another writer’s point of view on a convention before I commit the time or money to go to one!
(Full Disclosure – Iron Tribune has an ad up on her site (Part of the reward for the kickstarter pledge) – But then again you already own Iron Tribune, don’t you?)
Here’s a preview below. Enjoy!
21 Thursday Jul 2016
(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!
20 Wednesday Jul 2016
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!
18 Monday Jul 2016
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.
12 Tuesday Jul 2016
Posted in Antioch Burns, Fundraising, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing, Steel Praetorian
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!
08 Friday Jul 2016
Tags
alternate history, Mongolian Empire, mongols, Persia, Rufius Tiveri Alexandros, Sassanids, steampunk
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.
03 Sunday Jul 2016
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).
29 Wednesday Jun 2016
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.
