I finish my first draft and let the manuscript sit for a week or two. Then I do a read through and catch what I can. Let it sit again for a few days. Then I have a text to speech program read it to me while I read it myself. After this second time through, I send it to my editor (daughter) and she sends it back dripping in red ink. Then I burn it.

 

Kidding. I make the corrections she sent back, and then do the text to speech thing one more time and then send it to KDP.

Jeff and Ethan, if you want a new release spotlight at the Speculative Fiction Showcase or the Indie Crime Scene respectively, let me know.

Meanwhile, I released a new story in my Silencer pulp series:

A Valentine for the Silencer
Release date: February 12, 2019
Genre: Pulp thriller



Valentine's Day 1938: All Richard Blakemore a.k.a. the masked crimefighter known only as the Silencer wants is to have a romantic dinner with his beautiful fiancée Constance Allen.

But on his way to his date, Richard happens upon a mugging in progress. Can he save the victim and make sure that young Thomas Walden has the chance to propose to his girlfriend? And will he make it to dinner with Constance on time?

This is a short Valentine's Day story of 7200 words or approx. 24 print pages in the Silencer series, but may be read as a standalone.

Wide: Books2Read link

And because Richard Blakemore, the protagonist of the Silencer series, is a pulp writer in the 1930s, I always thought it would be fun to see his fiction. And when I wrote a series of sword and sorcery stories last summer, the crazy idea was born to pass them off as the work of Richard Blakemore, forgotten pulp fiction writer of the 1930s, and write an introduction as the "editor" who rediscovered these stories.

I just published the first two stories in Thurvok series under Richard Blakemore's and my name, so here they are:

The Valley of the Man Vultures
Release date: February 4, 2019
Genre: Sword and sorcery



On his way to Krysh, a city of fabled riches, the sellsword Thurvok must first pass through the Valley of the Accursed Blood.

Traditionally, those travelling to Krysh make offerings at the temple at the entrance of the valley in exchange for protection on their journey. But Thurvok scoffs at such superstition and decides to continue his journey without any divine protection. His refusal to make an offering infuriates the temple priest Alberon who promptly curses Thurvok.

Thurvok is not much bothered by this – he does not believe in curses. However, the valley holds dangers that don't particularly care whether Thurvok believes in them or not.

This is a short story of 4400 words or 15 print pages in the Thurvok sword and sorcery series, but may be read as a standalone. Includes an introduction and afterword.

Wide: Books2Read link

The Tomb of the Undead Slaves
Release date: February 4, 2019
Genre: Sword and sorcery



The sellsword Thurvok and his friend and companion Meldom, thief, cutpurse and occasional assassin, venture into the Rusted Desert to seek the tomb of the ancient king Chagurdai and the legendary treasure supposedly hidden there.

But once Thurvok and Meldom venture into the tomb, they find that a treasure is not all that's buried there.

This is a short story of 4100 words or 13 print pages in the Tales of Thurvok sword and sorcery series, but may be read as a standalone. Includes an introduction and afterword.

Wide: Books2Read link

You go, Dan, Maggie, and munboy!

I've kept up some words every day, even if it's just 150 or so. It didn't help that I realized that my selkie story has grown what will likely be a 15k novelette, which will be too long to anchor my collection. So now I'm starting over with two short stories, which is something I haven't tried before. Maybe the best story will win.

One has a taxi driver who's given a lucky coin by a woman he saves. The woman is actually a Fae, although I'm not going to be that explicit. The taxi driver just knows she's something extraordinary, and the coin's luck is going to be specific to settling debts.

The other has a selkie in witness protection, and she's going to have to break cover to end some sort of Faerie incursion into the mortal world, although I haven't figured out what kind yet. Major sea monster stuff? I dunno. It seems like a selkie should be particularly suited to the task at hand or having one as a character is simply an indulgence.

Still wandering around in world-building land which is not an area of strength for me. I'm far better at things like characterization and three-act pacing. Still, I'm keeping some words going. Sometimes I can figure things out as I write them, but other times they'll bring me to a screaming halt until I figure out the answer.

Who knows? With two stories, maybe I can finish one. :)

And then I can finish my selkie novelette. I'll figure out something to do with it. It was originally supposed to be a prequel for a novel trilogy, so maybe I'll go back to that plan.

The holiday book round-ups at the Speculative Fiction Showcase and the Indie Crime Scene are very popular features. Today, I posted a round-up of Valentine's day themed books at the Speculative Fiction Showcase and the Indie Crime Scene respectively.

I'd like to run more round-ups of holiday themed books and therefore I need your help.

Do you have a book that's set on or around:

• Mardi Gras
• St. Patrick's Day
• Easter

Then let me know, either in the comments or via PM. I'm mainly looking for mysteries, thrillers and crime fiction for the Indie Crime Scene, because holiday themed science fiction, fantasy and horror books are less common. But if you have one, by all means let me know and if I get enough books together I'll also do a holiday round-up at the Speculative Fiction Showcase.

Today at the Indie Crime Scene, we have a round-up of Valentine's Day themed mysteries, crime fiction and thrillers by indie and small press authors. Lots of great holiday reads, so check it out.

Do you want your mystery, crime novel or thriller featured at the Indie Crime Scene or would you like to be interviewed or submit a guest post? We are looking forward to your submissions.