Some time in the near future I’ll be shooting my very first podcast. Not quite sure what it’s going to entail, but it’s being set up by my publisher. I’m thinking of going with an accent, either New Jersey mob or Nova Scotia fisherman.

The final cover, copy and blurbs (quotes from other authors) are now up on Amazon for A Darkness Forged in Fire. It made me realize just how close the book is. Final revisions are done, everything has been signed off and the files have, or are in the process of being, transmitted to the printer. The laydown is June 2 or 3. In less than a month my first book will be in my hands.

I signed up for a speed training course to improve my running. The idea being you run faster for a shorter distance to build up your muscles…I think. All I know is it was fun to get out of my comfort zone and run faster. It also helps that the instructor is amazing. She could motivate me through a brick wall…so I’m hoping she doesn’t read this.

In my recent (and first and only so far) interview I was asked what am I reading right now. The question threw me at first. As an editor I’m in a constant state of reading. Then there’s the reading (research) I do for my writing. The number of books that fall in that category are dozens at any one time. But what about reading for pleasure? In many ways the submissions and research are very pleasurable, albeit with a purpose. The more I thought about the question the more I realized I don’t do a lot of reading just for pure enjoyment. Much of that has been supplanted by my writing. I think it’s a fair trade, and I do still find a way to fit in my favorite authors. I’ve been debating about trying Kindle or some other form of e-reader, but thus far I’ve resisted the urge. I don’t think this is a technological issue. For that matter, I’m not sure it’s an issue at all, but the question did get me thinking.

Still achy and a bit wobbly, but seeing my first interview online definitely got today off to a great start. If you’d care to look inside the mind of a fevered, dizzy author check out fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com

Ok, there aren’t any, but I did lose three pounds in twenty-four hours. And I did find myself saying ‘this is great research’ as my body convulsed and I vomited for the fifth time. It’s not often my body is in that much agony and I was fascinated by every facet of the experience. Naturally – as I wished for someone to shoot me – I made all kinds of vows, everything from eating healthier to being a nicer person. I feel better this morning, albeit weak, achy, a bit disoriented, and in constant fear that the next burp will be more than a burp. Still, I’m hoping the worst has passed.

After a long and very winding road my parents are back home in Canada. I’ve thanked them personally for all their love and support, but I’d like to do it publicly as well. They truly went above and beyond by visiting over 40 book stores on their way home, talking with sales staff, community relations managers and store managers, and all to hand out an ARC of a book written by their son. The final leg of the journey saw them visit two Barnes & Nobles in Lansing and E. Lansing (thanks Sara,) Michigan, and three Borders stores in Ann Arbor (thanks to General Manager Susan at Borders Express, and at the two Borders stores Audie and Kevin, the Ops Manager.) After a short rest while they unload the trailer and get things squared away they’re going to pop into some stores in Canada as well. Wherever they went they were received with genuine interest and appreciation which suggests that book stores are open and willing to work with authors and publishers at the grass roots level. So I’d also like to send a global thanks to all the people that accepted an ARC of A Darkness Forged in Fire from my parents on my behalf. And for all those stores my parents weren’t able to visit I’m happy to say that Pocket Books has mailed out a very robust number of additional ARCs across the country. By the way, a big thanks to the publicity and marketing staff at Pocket, especially Kerrie Loyd, Melissa Gramstad and Jean Anne Rose (and no doubt others I have yet to meet,) they have been on the ball from the start and met or exceeded any expectation I’ve had, and I dream big 🙂 And while I’m at it, a special thanks too, to Subrights Director Lisa Keim who continues to surprise with new sales, publicist Nicole Meistch in Canada and my editor in the UK, Sally Partington. It’s a thrill to be part of such an exceptional team.

While touring the stores my father also made a point of checking out the history section to see how many of my titles from Stackpole Books were there. Many stores had thirty or more from my Stackpole Military History Series which was very gratifying to learn. Some stores had even gone so far as to group the titles together which I’m told looks very impressive on the shelves (and, to be honest, was how the series was designed.) My hope is that we’ll get more stores to shelve them this way.

Oh, and I don’t want to forget to thank my web page designer Tessa Sweigert. I wanted something straightforward, easy to use yet still visually interesting and Tessa has come through brilliantly with her design. More features are going to be added so stay tuned.