A Brief Update on the Kickstarter rewards and an invitation to check out my Facebook Page!
Hi everyone!
Roma Central – Old School Style
So for today’s posting, I’m sharing what is happening here at Roma Central within the Kickstarter department. So far, we’ve got several things happening…
The thank you post cards have been stamped (some still need special stamps to go to special places!)
I think I have enough books on hand to deal with those people who wanted paper backs, but I need to do one final count.
As for the posters, I have enough of them to send to people as well! I just have to make sure they can all fit into the same box!
Work on Antioch Burns – featuring characters designed by your fellow readers – is progressing slowly but surely.
So as you can see, I haven’t left my kickstarter friends in the dark! Their rewards should definitely be done pretty soon, and thus will be sent out way ahead of the August due date.
By the way, did you know I have a facebook page? Please go there and ‘Like’ me to get more updates, cool pictures and illustrations, and more! Also, I plan on running a mini-competition to get some more ‘likes’ very soon – with a cool, as yet unreleased, prize!
Oh, and there may be a new kickstarter in the far future for Iron Tribune. Copper Centurion is doing much better than I’ve expected, getting pretty low in the rankings chart (i.e. 7th place, 12th place, etc) But Brass Legionnaire has been 2nd place in the Greek and Roman books page for the last few weeks! Yippee!
A sneak peek at Antioch Burns, my second novella coming out late 2013.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Its a tad bit too cold to go to the pool or even sunbathe where I am currently, but hopefully that will change by next weekend.
Unfortunately, for the people of Antioch in my next novel, this is not a good time to be in town. You see, the Mongolians have invaded….
Enjoy the tantalizing sneak peek at Antioch Burns, my 2nd novella that is still in the pipeline. I hope you like the tidbit.
Don’t forget that you can get both Brass Legionnaire AND Copper Centurion now! Both are available on Nook, Kindle, and all other devices
The ramparts of Antioch at the Mount Silpius during the 12th century. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
. Copper Centurion should be out on iTunes this weekend as well. If you like the novels, please rate and review them so that others can join the world of Romanpunk.
*and remember to wear sunscreen!*
Ciao!
The countryside flew by at a prodigious rate, the horses of the auxilia scouting unit eating up the leagues of rolling hills and farmland. The double score of men rode two abreast, sunlight shinning off their glittering scale armor. The detachment of horsemen sent up a thin cloud of dust from the dirt road as they crested a low rise, their leader reining in his steed. Decanus Orestus Flavian reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a map. He traced their route with his gloved finger.
“According to the merchant’s report, he saw the burning homes down this way. He also said there was a lot of easterner cavalry. Pah!” He laughed. “Probably one of those damnable tribal disputes lighting up again. Stupid civilian probably hasn’t ever seen a real eastern horseman in his life.” He quipped to his auxilia. Several of his men laughed. They had been together for some time. Flavian liked to say that he had been born in the saddle. Out here on the eastern border of the Imperial Roman Empire, the massed cavalry forces of the eastern Mongolian Khannates were the main threat, and the Romans had been forced to develop their forces in kind. Flavian was one of the original founders, boys picked from the riding stables of various major cities, given weapons and armor and sent to fight on horses not designed for the job. The fact that he survived the two years of brutal, no-holds-barred warfare spoke to his skill and tenacity. That he rose in rank to lead an auxilia detachment, the ground based eyes and ears of the Roman Army, spoke to his intelligence.
Using this intelligence now, Flavian guided his men off the dirt roadway, to better mask their dust cloud as they approached the supposed scene of the attack. They rode through the field, trampling the high crops with impunity. Finally, the horsemen crested a short rise, and the officer reined his men in.
“In the name of Jupiter…” Flavian’s jaw dropped, gaping at the sight laid out before him.
Where the Steam Empire Chronicles is going from here! Plus a sneak peek at Roma Aeronautica.
Hi all, Happy Sunday!
I figured I’d briefly share my overall plan for where I’m taking the series next. You see, as a writer, I’m a tad bit obsessive when it comes to planning (but not as a teacher, I’m horrible at planning there!). So what are my plans and goals for the S.E.C. after the release of Copper Centurion
Tactical Layout of the H.M.A.S. Scioparto
First, I’m going to have two short stories put out this year. Roma Aeronautica, will be released August 1st most likely, and Antioch Burns, the second one, will be out in December most likely (still a flexible time period). Why two novellas you ask? Honestly, I was tired and I wanted to feel the success of finishing things without having to pound away at another novel for a bit. Don’t worry fans, you’ll still get your Iron Tribune. I’m not giving up! Spring is just an incredibly hectic time for teachers, and it can really show in my writing and sanity. So I’ve discovered that writing during this time is the hardest for me. Strangely enough, writing during the summer is not that difficult for me!
My personal goal with writing and self-publishing is to eventually be able to do this exclusively. Obviously I’d need to see where I am personally and professionally, as a full time job is really nice income wise, and I’d have to be able to make up what I’m losing by giving up the full time job, but it’s nice to have a goal. Secondary to that, I’d like to at least be able to not work summers, which I get off as a teacher, because of the income from the novels. I feel as though that would be a great start and allow me more time with my friends and family.
Oh, and I’d love to visit the places I talk about in my novels. Perhaps I can even figure out how to set up a tour or something similar so I can go with fans! (Just a thought! – would anyone actually be interested?)
As an extra fun bit, enjoy this tidbit from Roma Aeronautica below!
“I know that my ancestry can be a mark against my family’s honor. But I implore you to give me a chance to prove myself. I will pass whatever tests you require, just for that chance.” He bowed low, then thanked them.
“All right, all right, let’s vote already,” Astoragas said impatiently. “I vote no. Can’t have little Cassi brats infiltrating the airfleet. First one, then more!”
“No,” Garus Miletosinos said, hardly looking up from his paperwork.
“Yes,” Quintus Heratus said forcefully, smiling warmly at the boy.
The room was silent for a moment as the small group of bureaucrats waited for the last two votes. By tradition, the chief judge voiced his opinion last, so it could be said he was not influencing any of the others.
“Vorentius?” Amelius turned to his right and prodded the sleeping judge with his foot.
“Who? What? Vote? Yes… of… of course!” Vorentius Ilsotus said with a flourish before closing his eyes and beginning to snore again. Sighing, Amelius realized it was once again up to him to be the deciding vote.
A review of Copper Centurion – 4 1/2 Stars! Plus a look at the final cover art for Roma Aeronautica!
Hi all,
I just wanted to share the news that Copper Centurion received a 4 1/2 star review (or 4 & 1/2 airships out of five review) over at GNostalgia, a fellow wordpress blog that focuses primarily on steampunk novels. I am so very thankful to him for taking the time to review the novel. You can check out the review here.
I also wanted to remind everyone that I don’t pay for reviews, but I will send out my books for reviews if I think I may have a chance of getting one. In my opinion, buying a review is not worth it. But I won’t beat a dead mechaniphant to death over the matter.
In other news, I just approved the final cover and formatting for Roma Aeronautica. I’m looking to release the novella late summer most likely, so be on the lookout. Here’s a look at the final cover art!
It’s Copper Centurion publishing time! woo woo! Tomorrow the ebook is available! Learn more, plus a bonus viewing from Roma Areonautica!
Hi everyone!
I know, I know. “Posting again, Daniel?” YES! I am very excited because I just spent the last hour or so plugging in various forms and cover arts and uploading epub documents. But you see, I have other fun things for you, besides reminding you that Copper Centurion will be available tomorrow, May 1, 2013. It’s a big day for me, personally, as I have successfully continued down the road to being a self-published author, but also a personal milestone, as I have made the (exhausting) journey once again.
So here’s the bonus material! I’ve got two covers for Roma Aeronautica below, and I’d love some criticism and comments on the covers. I won’t share which one I prefer, because that might skew the results!
So here they are! Help me pick! The differences are in the background, but I’d love to hear what you think!
So I hope you liked those, and I can’t wait to share Copper Centurion with all of you! Here’s the links to the current sites! For Amazon and Barnes & Noble or Smashwords. I’ll be trying something new and publishing direct to iTunes this go-around, but I don’t have that ready yet. 🙂 Ciao!
Four Key moments in The Steam Empire Chronicles background history…
Oh, and did I mention it’s just four days until Copper Centurion’s ebook is released?!
Four days until Copper Centurion is released into the wilds of the ebook world! May better be prepared! By the way, I’ll be reblogging a post from Alternate History Weekly Update here soon as I have an article about how to include steampunk accurately and correctly into your alternate history novel.
Within the world of Brass Legionnaire and Copper Centurion, there are many critically important events that have led to the events in these stories. Here is but four of them for your temptation (and enjoyment!)
The failed assassination attempt on Julius Caesar – Filled with a sense of duty to his friend, rather than to the Republic, Brutus identifies the conspirators, who are jailed and later executed by Julius Caesar for crimes against the Empire. The conspirators’ families are blacklisted and prevented from ever applying or holding military or civilian power in the empire again.
The battle of Teutoburg forest – Legatus Commanding Officer Gaius Sentius Saturninus maintains command of the Germania invasion force after General Varus falls from his horse in a freak accident, shattering his thighbone and preventing him from leading the invasion. The legatus, familiar with German tricks, ambushes and destroys the combined forces of the germania tribes in a four day running battle, using mechaniphants and skimmers to identify and crush pockets of resistance. General Arminius is killed when a mechaniphant tramples his command element.
Subjugation of Hibernia – after the successful elimination of the northern hill tribes in Britannia, Rome looks westward towards the last free territory in western Europe. After a quick invasion, which quickly routes the locale levies of the tribal lords, Rome forcibly moves thousands of displaced central and southern Europeans to the new, relatively empty territory. Several bloody uprisings erupt, forcing Rome to deploy multiple legions to quell the territory.
Emperor Diocletian’s acceptance of Christianity as a separate, but not state-funded, religion. Rather than submitting to Christianity, Diocletian chose to sidetrack them, allow the worship of their solitary god but placing an additional (and heavy) tax burden upon them. The creation of a standard pantheonic ‘bible’ in response to the christian bible, allowed the followers of the old gods to combat the rapid expansion of this new religion. But with religious rights protected (and taxed), the Empire has managed to avoid any out-and-out religious wars… so far.
Check out my article on Alternate History Weekly Update!
Check out this link! I’m front page on AH Weekly Update, which is a great honor. Matt over there is a stellar person (and I wish I was a better communicator!) Enjoy!
Six Days and Six reasons to read or revisit Brass Legionnaire!
Six reasons to read or revisit Brass Legionnaire BEFORE getting Copper Centurion next week!
You won’t know why all these Romans have airships
You’ll be confused as to why Julius Caesar is only 18 years old in the 1850s
You’ll be concerned that the Romans are invading Scandinavia. What did all those blonde haired – blue eyed people do to them?
You won’t know what a Mechaniphant looks like.
You will miss out on all the world building – like how Romans deal with trash.
Did I mention it’s a five-star rated, award winning novel with a unique premise that’s barely been touched by mainstream authors? Oh, and there are no vampires, I promise!
Get it today and join the legions! You still have enough time to explore it and get ready for Copper Centurion! See you tomorrow for the five days posting!
One Week until Copper Centurion’s Ebook Copy is released.
One Week until the high-flying, mechaniphant riding, assassin chasing, barbarian fighting, political intrigue, and seat-of-your-pants adventure ebook novel is yours to purchase!
With just seven days left, here’s seven new locations introduced in Copper Centurion.
Copendrium – (Copenhagen, in our time)
Volcano Island – (Gotland Island)
Sundsvall – (Sundsvall, Sweden)
Nortland – (A feudal nation occupying all of the Scandinavian peninsula, as well as Finland and parts of Northwest Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland)
Midgard – An invented capital city and fortress built from the living rock of a huge mountain in central Nortland.
Viken Rivers – The Indalsalven rivers and tributaries
Copendrium Cafeteria – don’t know what the Officers eat? Want to hear some juicy gossip? The Cafeteria is the place for you. (Just don’t try the greens, they’ve been there all week)
Modern Papyrus 