(11/21/22)
Just this past Friday I approved the digital proofs of both the internal text and cover. You heard me correctly—that “second project” of mine is now all the way a go. The next time you hear from me you’ll be seeing it yourself!
The physical proof should be in my hot little hands before the end of this month.
Let me share some hard facts now, because next time I’m sure I’ll be too busy squeeing about the cover.
My second book, a cozy hybrid light novel entitled A Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure Story, will be released early next year almost certainly still amid winter. I’m going to try to get it out in January, but that will depend on distribution. Like my first book, it should be available wherever fine books are sold worldwide, only this time the format will be softcover trade.
By contrast, the eBook, at least at the outset, will be exclusive to Amazon KDP. For those out there who participate in the program it’ll be a great opportunity to check out my story. Don’t worry, I’m not locked-in beyond the first three months to this exclusive deal; if I don’t see results clearly better than with my first book I’ll broaden things out like before. Again, this Amazonian exclusivity is only in regard to the story’s electronic format.
It’s a big book (31 chapters; 115,000 words), so the softcover trade was an easy decision to keep the price under $20.
If you’re still trying to figure the kind of story that this is, I’m still working on how best to sell it. I’ll show you the back cover teaser text as well along with the front in my next post, but what more might I add here…?
Well, this week, I started watching another anime series from a few years ago that I’d missed; I’m only on episode nine or so, but have been enjoying it so far. Apparently based on a Japanese light novel by Ryo Mizuno, I feel a real sympathy with his work. In any event, as a fellow grognard also in his fifties, he and I are definitely working with some similar energy.
What I’m trying to say here is that if you enjoy Mizuno’s work, and that of the aforementioned Hajime Kanzaka, you may also favor mine. I think of this new book like a brand new series all in one place, a collection where you may reel-out a fresh episode with every little chapter.
Another way to characterize the work is as if a Japanese light novel author had immigrated to Dixie and then, steeped in southern culture, decided to write a tale of adventure incorporating elements from early America and the Holy Roman Empire with the usual elves and goblins.
Anyway… At the end of the day, somebody is going to have to just pick the thing up—read it until they stop; and whether they make it to the end will be ultimately determinative.
I do have one other bit of news that may perhaps be of interest. A month or two ago I began blocking-out another project slowly but surely. I’m very excited about getting it underway, but haven’t yet really had the time. If I pull this one off, this third book could become my masterpiece. And, while it could never mean more to me than my first, I’m sure critics will consider it my most ‘put together.’
The only hint I can give on it now is that it will be historical—a return to third, limited POV, but this time without all the “literary.” I’m talking here about a real pure genre piece. Lesly loves the idea, but she’s biased. She also has good taste… I’ll be getting on it in earnest the moment this second book is out the door!
P.S. One last note on this adventure book, if you like it, please spread the word. I’ve got money for production and distribution but very little for advertising. The money I spent on the latter last time went right down the rat hole. As my only book planned or completed now that could be considered commercial, A Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure Story is also the only of my books with any sequel potential. Don’t get me wrong, it’s completely self-contained, but I do have ideas of how the adventure might continue. What I’m saying here is that y’all have until the release of my third book to crow enough at me that my fourth book should follow the second.