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Writing

Meet the Osprey

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Early Sketch of the Osprey

I’ve been working on the first book in a new series. If you love Wil and the crew of the Ghost, you’ll love Jax and the Osprey!

While Wil has the crew of lean on, Jax has his mechanical friends.

The Osprey is a Valerian Coop scout ship. She’s meant for speed, and running away from fights, but don’t let Jax, or the ship’s AI, Skip hear you say that.

I’m working with the same artist who envisioned the Ghost to bring the Osprey to life. I can’t wait to see more of her!

It’s fun to collaboratively design a starship.

WIP Thursday 6/4 – Machete!

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For those that have been reading the Space Rogues series, you know meals/food are important. The crew of the Ghost does a lot during meals. When they have guests/clients, the meals get even more interesting.

The meal is delicious and the conversation light. As Wil and Cynthia clear the dishes he calls to everyone, “Ok, I think it’s time we introduce our guest to the wonders that are Star Wars. We’ll watch them in the appropriate order of course.” He makes a slashing motion, “Machete!” He accents the word, for no one’s benefit but his own.
Jarek Ruus, sitting on the sofa next to Zephyr and Maxim opens his mouth to ask something and Zephyr rests a hand on the older man’s knee, “Don’t ask. The last time this came up it was two days before we actually got to watch them as Wil explained the various preferred watching orders and their merits.”
The older man closes his mouth then says, “I see, very well.”
Bennie at his usual perch on the arm of the large overstuffed chair says, “The end result is that no one cares except him.”
“The order you watch Star Wars is important!” Wil shouts from the sink. “It informs your view of the entire thing.”
Maxim snaps his fingers, “Whatever, hurry up and start whichever one you’re going to start.”
“And bring popcorn!” Bennie adds.

It should also be no surprise that Wil is a pop culture (for him historical) junkie. Much like me.

Space Rogues 7: A guy Walks Into a Bar comes out on October 6th. You can pre-order it now from all of the retailers as well as direct from me.

Welcome Expedition Inc. to the Family

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Expedition Inc Logo

I’ve alluded to it in my newsletter, and I’ve started setting up the back end stuff (Like the Newsletter link to opt into Expedition Inc. Specific news)

I’ve just received book 1 back from the editor and am prepping it for ARC readers (want to be one? Sign up).

This is a bit of a departure while staying in my zone. I don’t want to give away too much, but if you like the dynamic of the crew of the Ghost, you’ll love the Expedition Inc. Team.

Expedition inc. is set on Earth just a little bit in the future. I’m aiming for more action adventure than scifi.

I’m aiming to launch Expedition Inc. #1 – Island of Secrets sometime in the fall.

Coming to a 3D Printer Near You

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Tiny Wil

I’ve never been a table top gamer, ever. No particular reason. I did have miniatures. I’d often buy pre-painted ones from the local hobby store when I was a kid in Torrence.

So, yeah, I like miniatures. So when I stumbled upon Hero Forge, I knew I’d have to design the crew. Fair warning, Hero Forge can be a time suck, even if you’re not into miniatures! It’s so addictive!

Tiny Zephyr

Anyhow, I’ve created the crew in miniature (within the constraints of the system) and I’ve released Wil and Zephyr to start. Right now you have to print them yourself. Your purchase is license to print (but not modify) the characters as much as you like.

My goal is to offer pre-printed miniatures (You still gotta pain ’em), but that’s gonna be a bit, so for now, if you have a printer, go nuts :)

Ever Wonder what Fury Looked Like?

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Space Rogues 7 Cover Concept

I’m working with the awesome Greg Bahlman on the cover for Space Rogues 7: A Guy Walks Into a Bar and he sent over a quick sketch to show the blocking he’s thinking about.

I toyed with a landed Ghost for the cover of Space Rogues 5: So This is Earth? but it was a bit cartoony (Because I did myself with stock assets) and when I polled readers, they weren’t feelin’ it.

But for Book 7 it made sense for the cover to show the Ghost in one of her most frequent haunts, a spaceport on the planet Fury; dingy dirtball that it is. Book 7 actually gives us a glimpse of life on Fury beyond the spaceport, market and the space Friday’s the crew hangs out in.

I’m pretty stoked, to watch this cover come alive.

If you haven’t yet, you can pre-order book 7 now, it releases October 6th.

Meet Jace Caruso (WIP Friday…)

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I’ve hit the point in my writing where I’m comfortable in branching out. Not too far out as you’ll see, but outside the Space Rogues universe.

I’ve only written two scenes so far, but I have most of this story in my head, and the rest, like all my work, I’ll discover as I go.

Jace is our hero. He’s in a universe where humanity has expanded to the stars, settling planets, causing wars, doing all the stuff we’re good at here on Earth but on a cosmic scale.

I’m exploring his background as I go, but know already that he’s a loner. He’s long since gotten over having people in his life.

Excerpt from Chapter 1

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Jace nodded, “Yeah, I had to lay low after that ass-kicking I gave to the Delphino brothers.”
Lucas grunted, “Uh, they kicked your ass. Your eye is still a little purple.” The bartender looked around, “They shipped out huh?”
Jace touched his left eye and frowned, “Yeah, Rudy told me their ship departed last night.” Lucas sighed and walked over to a woman who had sat down at the far end of the bar.
“Are you Jace Caruso?” A voice asked from behind him.
Jace didn’t look up, “No.”
He looked over his shoulder at a middle-aged man in what looked like an expensive suit. It took the man a few seconds before the man said, “Uh, your business manager said I’d find you here, and described you, in detail.”
Jace shrugged, “He’s a liar.”
“So, you are Jace Caruso?” The man pressed.
Jace exhaled and spun on his barstool, “What do you want? I have a lovely night of getting drunk and making questionable decisions ahead of me.”
The businessman cleared his throat, “Um yes, well I need your help. I’m Sylvester Kline, I represent ReliefCorp. We’d like to hire you.”
Jace looked around. He leaned over to look behind the businessman for the candid vidcast crew that surely was lurking nearby, “Uh what? Why would you want to me to be a relief worker? Nothing in my life would make anyone think that was a thing I’d excel at.”
From the other end of the bar, Lucas said, “Yeah he’s pretty selfish.” Jace looked down the length of the bar and flipped him off. Lucas added, “And lazy.” The bartender smirked.
The man cleared his throat, “I, no.” He shook his head, “We don’t want you as a relief worker. We need you to rescue them, actually.”
Jace turned back to the businessman, “I’m sorry, what? Rescue them? The aid workers?”
The man pushed Jace aside to set a data tablet on the bar. The screen came to life showing a data file for a planet, Mariposa.
“Mariposa?” Jace asked, “The bloody civil war in progress Mariposa?”
Kline looked from the tablet to Jace, “Well yes, currently. ReliefCorp has had an aid station set up in the lower highlands outside the capital for almost five years. The Imperial supported government has been making strides in solidifying their control over the planet. Our camp was helping those affected by the fighting.”

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So that’s part of the opening of Jace Caruso: Space Loner (Very much not the title, but what I have now)

I’m still planning to keep (more or less) to my Space Rogues release schedule, and just mix in my new series and see how it goes.

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