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New Release – The Veiled Diplomat

Even a master assassin can be foiled.

Divination—the magic of seeing the future—provides peace in the realms, because no one can launch a war or assassination without being discovered. But when a strange building appears in the city of sorcery, everyone believes it’s benign—everyone except Zayn and his teammates. To save the Hundred Halls, they must use all their talents to deceive and uncover its purpose before it’s too late.

The Veiled Diplomat, the third book in The Reluctant Assassin series, can be found on Amazon for $4.99

 

 

 

New Release – The Sorcerous Spy

Zayn’s story continues for his second year at the Academy of the Subtle Arts.  I’m pleased at how this one turned out.  Zayn has a special story and I hope you stay with me through this series.  It’s going to be great!

When a rogue assassin starts taking heads in the Hundred Halls, no one is safe, not even the teachers. 

Zayn leads his team as they investigate the gruesome deaths. The search draws them to dangerous places: the infamous Black Council and the opulent casino of pain run by the Diamond Court. As leads dry up, and heads roll, leaving them no closer to the truth, Zayn must make a terrible choice involving the people who he cares about most.

The Sorcerous Spy can be found at Amazon for $3.99 or through Kindle Unlimited.

Archon Schedule (Oct 12-14th)

If you’re going to be in the St. Louis area, I’ll be at Archon in a couple of weeks.  Archon is the Midwest’s Premier Science Fiction and Fantasy Event.  Last year was my first year, but I had such a great time that I immediately signed up to come back.  I’ll be on a number panels, mostly around the business of writing, but if you’d like to talk about the Hundred Halls, or would like an autograph, please feel free to look me up after a panel or in the hallways.

Fueling Motivation in an Industry Thriving on Rejection

Format: Panel
12 Oct 2018, Friday 15:00 – 16:00, Marquette A (Gateway Center)

You’re going to get rejected. A lot. Learn what you can do to cope and still keep your head up, and from throwing your computer into the trashcan.

Self-Publishing 101

Format: Panel
12 Oct 2018, Friday 16:00 – 17:00, Marquette A (Gateway Center)

Come learn the basics of self-publishing from those who’ve been through it and survived.

Turning Pro: Stories and Advice for Writers

Format: Panel
13 Oct 2018, Saturday 10:00 – 11:00, Marquette A (Gateway Center)

The path to becoming a pro writer is as individual as the writers themselves. Come hear their stories and maybe we’ll uncover some commonalities. We’ll also discuss writing organizations and resources, and answer all your burning questions.

The Business Side of Writing

Format: Panel
13 Oct 2018, Saturday 11:00 – 12:00, Marquette A (Gateway Center)

Okay, so you’ve written your novel. Now what? Our pros guide you through what your next steps need to be, and what your options as a writer are.

 

New Release – The Reluctant Assassin

Technically, this book has been in the works for three years, though it changed a few times along the way.  Originally, the assassin’s story was going to be my first venture into the Hundred Halls, but as stories have a way of morphing into other things along the development path, so too did this one change.

But I’m glad it took the long path that it did, because it allowed me to tell Aurie and Pi’s story first, and make sure I had the Hundred Halls figured out before I ventured outside of the city to Varna.

It’s a much stronger book now, one that both readers new to the Halls, and experienced readers will enjoy.  And check out this fantastic cover by Ravven!

The best assassins learn their magic at the Academy of the Subtle Arts. Everyone joins for their own reasons: to give death her proper due, to acquire outrageous fortunes, or to know that history bends to their blade.

Zayn Carter joined the Academy to save his family.

In the sleepy town of Varna, an ancient evil lurks, preying on the townsfolk and keeping them enslaved by her poison. This arrangement has lasted for centuries because to kill the Lady is to guarantee the death of every man, woman, and child in the town. Faced with this impossible conundrum, Zayn vows to take down the Lady, and all that support her. He’ll save his family from this horrible fate—or die trying.

Purchase The Reluctant Assassin now at Amazon for only $0.99.

Coming Soon – The Reluctant Assassin

I know fans have been waiting a long time for the next Hundred Halls series, but the wait will be over soon because the next book will be out in 38 more days on September 18th.  The first book in the next series is called The Reluctant Assassin.  It follows Zayn Carter, who some of you will know from the first series and specifically the book Web of Lies, as he survives his first year as a student at the Academy of the Subtle Arts.  Here’s the back cover blurb:

The best assassins learn their magic at the Academy of the Subtle Arts.  Everyone joins for their own reasons: to give death her proper due, to acquire outrageous fortunes, or to know that history bends to their blade.

Zayn Carter joined the Academy to save his family.

In the sleepy town of Varna, an ancient evil lurks, preying on the townsfolk and keeping them enslaved by her poison.  This arrangement has lasted for centuries because to kill the Lady is to guarantee the death of every man, woman, and child in the town.  Faced with this impossible conundrum, Zayn vows to take down the Lady, and all that support her.   He’ll save his family from this horrible fate—or die trying.

The first book will be released at a promotional price of $0.99, but that won’t last for long, so be ready to get your copy on September 18th.  And stay tuned to this space for other announcements like the cover reveal and giveaways.  Or you can guarantee that you’ll won’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter (and getting a free copy of Trials of Magic).

The Hundred Halls Website

Welcome to the Hundred Halls, the only magical university in the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so excited to share the Hundred Halls website with the world.  This will be a repository of information about the Halls for fans and newcomers alike.  There will be quizzes, free stories, and other goodies each month, so check back often.

The Worth of Felines – Published in AHMM

While story acceptance day is every author’s favorite (we like to get paid after all), story publication day is just as important.  One of my Magistrate Ovid stories, The Worth of Felines, is now appearing in the May/June issue of  Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re not familiar with these stories, Magistrate Ovid lives in ancient Alexandria around the time of 40AD, when the Great Library was at its apex.  He must deal with the particular challenges of this time like vestal virgins, feuding temples, and the political implications of the Lighthouse of Pharos.  He’s a minor character from the Alexandrian Saga, which can be found at all major online retailers, but gets his own chance to shine in these stories.

Other stories about him have been published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.   There will be a new story, The Lightness of Man, appearing in the July/August 2018 issue.

New Release — City of Sorcery (The Hundred Halls #5)

The end of schooling can be both a blessing and a curse.  Of course, you want to finish, but when you do, you’re left feeling like you’re losing something important.  I know when I finished college had to move into the real world that I didn’t want to go.

The last book in The Hundred Halls, City of Sorcery, is a lot like that.  It’s the last book in Aurie and Pi’s adventures, which mean they’ll have to go out into the real world after this year.  But unlike the real world, we the readers are not leaving our schooling days.  This is the last book in their adventures, but not for the Hundred Halls.  And assuming they survive, we might see the Silverthorne sisters in future books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the Hundred Halls heads towards civil war, the fate of the city—and possibly the world—depends on Aurie and Pi finding the truth about Invictus’ disappearance. Following a trail of dangerous clues, the sisters delve deeper into the head patron’s past, finding their family’s history entwined with the university. As they get closer to the final answer, they must decide if saving the world is worth shattering the ideas of who they think they really are.

City of Sorcery is available at all major retailers for $5.99: Amazon, B&N, KOBO, Google Play, and iTunes.

If you’re new to the series, and would like to get caught up, the Hundred Halls bundle is also available.

The bundle includes the first three books: Trials of Magic, Web of Lies, and Alchemy of Souls.  It can be found on Amazon in ebook for $8.99

Looking Back (2017) / Looking Forward (2018)

Whew.  We made it.  I know it’s been a bit of a trash fire year, but there have been good moments.  I hope Aurie and Pi have been a part of that.  Here’s a list of some of the things that have happened, both publishing and other, and what will happen in the next year.

2017:

  • Released books three and four of The Hundred Halls.  Both Alchemy of Souls and Gathering of Shadows have been received well by readers and reviewers.  I’m very proud of the 4.7 star Amazon rating and 4.6 star Goodreads rating.
  • Had three new short stories published: The Entropy of a Small Town, The Minotaur’s Wife, and Bankrupt Memories for Auction.
  • Sold a couple of other stories: “The Stylized Unicorn Escapes Its Poster in a Seattle Teenager’s Bedroom” to Galaxy’s Edge, and “The Worth of Felines” to Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
  • I attended Archcon in St. Louis for the first time.  Would recommend.  Will be back next year.
  • My wife and I got to see the last three shows of the 13-night run of Phish at MSG in New York.  We’ve seen over forty shows, and these were up there with my favorites.
  • Rachel finished a 108-mile hike from Denver to Breckenridge in July.  Yes, I realize this wasn’t me, but I’m so proud of her!
  • We celebrated our 20th anniversary in Jamaica at Couples Swept Away.

 

2018:

  • I plan on releasing the final book in The Hundred Halls series – City of Sorcery in February.  For fans of Aurie and Pi, don’t worry, there will be more stories about them at a later date.
  • Which leads me to: plans for The Hundred Halls.  I never intended for this to be one series only.  I’ll be staying in this universe for quite some time.  Next, I’ll be writing about other characters that have attended the Halls.  Each character will get their own series, and when I’m done, there might be something for all of them to do together (hint, hint).
  • So now that I’ve mentioned the next series, here’s a little bit about it.  Originally, when I conceived of The Hundred Halls, I wrote a different book first, but I wasn’t happy with it, so I scrapped it and started over with Trials of Magic.  That original book was called The Reluctant Assassin and features Zayn Carter who we met in Web of Lies.  Part of the problem with the first version of it, was that I wasn’t telling the story I wanted to tell.  Switching to Aurie and Pi’s story allowed me to learn about the Halls so I could tell this one.   I’m currently editing it, and I’m a 1000% happier with this version.
  • When will The Reluctant Assassin be out?  I’m going to do a little something different this time.  I plan on releasing the first three (or more) books of the series in the fall of 2018.  That way you can binge your way through the stories without having to wait for me to finish the next one.  If everything works out this way, I may continue to release series like this, but I’ll see what everyone thinks after it’s all said and done.
  • But what will I do in the 6-8 months between City of Sorcery and The Reluctant Assassin?  Good question.  I would recommend joining my newsletter where I frequently send out more information about the Halls that you can’t learn anywhere else.  During that time, I’ll be releasing one or two short stories about other characters in the Halls, but again, only to the newsletter.
  • My convention schedule for next year will be light.  I’ll be attending Worldcon in San Jose (Aug 16-20) and Archcon in St. Louis (Oct 12-14).  If you’re going to attend either one, I’d love to meet you.
  • SUPER SEKRIT PROJECT.  It’s really hard for me not to spill the beans about this one, but we want to make sure it’s perfect before we release it.  My only hints are that it’s something for The Hundred Halls and several people are working behind the scenes to make it a reality.  Hopefully this spring I’ll be able to tell you more.  I can’t wait!

 

That wraps up the review of 2017 and a sneak peek at 2018.  Let’s hope this next year is better than the last!

New Release — Gathering of Shadows (The Hundred Halls #4)

After a long wait, book four of the Hundred Halls, Gathering of Shadows, is now available!

Every fall the city of Invictus bustles with new students, and the classrooms reek of spent faez.  This year it’s true of every hall except one—Arcanium. 

While Semyon Grey, the Patron of Arcanium, slowly heals from his soul being torn, no one in the Hall can practice their craft, leaving them defenseless against the Cabal and faez madness.  The Silverthorne sisters must find a way to speed up the healing, or the Hundred Halls won’t survive the year.  But everything they try only makes things worse, until they’re left with an impossible decision that may cost the sisters their lives.

Gathering of Shadows is available on Amazon as an ebook for $4.99 and paperback at $12.99.

If you’re new to the series, and would like to get caught up, the Hundred Halls bundle is also available.

The bundle includes the first three books: Trials of Magic, Web of Lies, and Alchemy of Souls.  It can be found on Amazon in ebook for $8.99