Just received the Russian edition of A Darkness Forged in Fire. Their take on Konowa is similar but still different from either the Japanese or UK versions. Not sure which one I like the best, but as this Konowa is the newest I think it might be him although you can’t really tell he’s an elf. Then again, it’s hard to tell Konowa’s an elf at times.

Konowa in the jungle with musket and quite a mop of hair!

Or perhaps just your run of the mill hurricane, tornado, solar flare wiping out all electronics, civil unrest, or alien invasion? In other words, are you a prepper? I’m not, but I am building up my supplies in a go-bag. For those unfamiliar with this, a go-bag or bug-out bag contains emergency supplies that are all in one place that you can grab and run. Beats scrambling around the house trying to find things as the zombies (or tsunami) are coming up the drive.

As I live in New York City and don’t have a car, my go-bag is light and focused on getting me out of Manhattan and into the wild, which I guess would be New Jersey. So in addition to some bottled water, money, Swiss Army knife, matches, some cool sandwiches that will remain stable for at least three years, first aid kit, and few other odds and ends (most of it in ziploc bags to keep it water tight) I am looking to get a small, portable emergency radio. Not really sure what else I should include.

You know, it occurs to me that as zombies appear to be attracted by smell, someone should develop a zombie repellant spray. That would be handy to have. Of course, it might make dating a bit of a challenge in a post-apocalyptic world, but better single than eaten!

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