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Been having a few problems with my site the last while, but that’s no excuse for not posting…except of course when the site was down 🙂 Anyway, I thought I’d take a moment to update everyone on what’s been going on.

The premium mass market edition of Ashes of a Black Frost (that’s the extra tall paperback) will be hitting stores in September this year in North America. Around about that exact same time, I’ll be handing in my manuscript for my next book which is due out in 2013. Not sure when yet, but I think summer or early fall. I can’t recall if I’ve said much about it, but it’s something new and not connected with the Iron Elves. It’s going to be a fantasy (shock!) with a strong military component (double shock!) but set in new world with a new cast of characters. And no, I’m not going medieval although there will be crossbows, catapults, ballistas and more.

I enjoy exploring the tropes of fantasy and with this new book I am going to go deeper (and darker) into the racial and cultural tensions between the races. What better time period to borrow inspiration from then than the Vietnam War. I’m not aware of much fantasy using Vietnam as a launching pad which surprises me because there is so much in that conflict to work with. I’ve gotten to know a lot of Vietnam vets over a decade now as their editor. The stories and wounds from that war still reverberate today and I’m already deep into the alchemy of mixing fantasy and Vietnam into something that will be both classical and very new (and yes, as paradoxical as that sounds, I believe it is true).

Several of you have emailed asking about future Iron Elves adventures and while it’s true I am now writing something new, that doesn’t mean Konowa and the lads won’t suit up at a future date and march off to battle again. And as a way of saying thanks to all those who figuratively took the oath and joined the regiment, I’ll be holding a contest later this year where I’ll be giving away something very special. I think you’ll like it.

And while I am gutted that The Walking Dead is now over until the fall, it’s probably just as well because now I can get more writing done on Sunday night instead of hiding behind my chair while watching all the walkers and wondering who’s going to get eaten next!

Cheers,

Chris

I do vow to get better at it, but at the moment I’ve been up to my ear holes in work and writing and by the time I remember I have a blog I’m already asleep, or something like that. I’m on my way to turning in my next book to my editor this fall so there will be something new before too much longer. In the meantime, I have a little surprise in store for everyone who’s enjoyed the adventures of the Iron Elves. I’ll announce it shortly.

You may have noticed my site wasn’t visible for a week. Turns out it had a virus. My web designer was hit with one, too, so it took a while to get everything back up and running. Nevertheless, here I am. Big thanks to Jeannie for figuring all this out and putting the pieces back together!

Cheers,

Chris

Have you made any yet? I’ve been jotting down a list, but I realized that this year I want to focus more on the process instead of the goal. For example, I want to be healthier, but instead of resolving to lose X number of pounds, I am instead resolving to choose healthier foods to eat. I’m breaking it down so that a big resolution is made up of small, manageable goals. I can buy fruits and vegetables, and I can also learn how to cook. The first part is easy, the second part scary with a chance of fire, but I’m going to take the risk.

I have a lot more, but they all breakdown the same way. Start with small, doable goals over a short span of time which will eventually lead to achieving the big resolution.

Here’s to 2012 being the best year yet!

Cheers,

Chris

A high school classmate of mine flew into New York this weekend and we met up for breakfast and a tour of the city. The weather was perfect and we walked for hours, just enjoying the sights and reminiscing. You can’t go back again, but it is fun to take a little peek, so I thought I’d share a photo from my high school graduation party. I really haven’t changed at all…yeah. All in all, I’m happy with the older me, but I wouldn’t mind having the younger me’s abs, and hairline.

Bright-eyed and ready for the future