Blog - Page 27 of 31 - Gary David Gillen

The Books of the South by Glen Cook

The Books of the South by Glen Cook, Tales of the Black Company.

Omnibus edition including Book #4 Shadow Games, #5 Dreams of Steel, and #3.5 The Silver Spike of the Tales of the Black Company Series.

Introduction

After the White Rose, book three of the Tales of the Black Company, the Black Company has been reduced to a handful of members. They decide to break into three groups. Darling and Silent head east, Raven and Case stay in the town of Oar in the Barrowlands, and the rest of the Company heads south. Lady has lost her sorcerous powers and joins the Black Company with Croaker as the leader. This collection has two novels and one shorter work.

Each story is narrated by a different person. Shadow Games is narrated by Croaker and tells of the events of the Black Company as it heads south. Lady is the narrator of Dreams of Steel, which follows the events after Shadow Games and sets up the story for the rest of the novels. The Silver Spike is narrated by Case and tells what happens in the Barrowlands after the Black Company heads south.

Summary

The Black Company has been called the last of the free companies of Khatovar, so Croaker heads toward the legendary city of Khatovar and wants to discover the roots of the Black Company. The Annals of the Black Company state that the Black Company came from the south, but the earliest volumes which detail the Black Company’s origins have been lost. Croaker’s group travel south of Beryl and they arrive at Gle-Xle where they meet allies. They head down the river from Gea-Xle and end up in the large city of Taglios. Taglios is at war with the Shadowmasters, who rule the area south of Taglios.

Croaker can only get to Khatovar by going through the Shadowmaster’s lands, so he signs a contract with the rulers of Taglios to gather an army and defeat the Shadowmasters. The Shadowmasters have powers that are like Lady’s former group of sorcerers called The Ones Who Were Taken. This is a formidable task. Meanwhile, Case and Raven have learned of magic brewing in the Barrowlands and decide to catch up to the Black Company and ask for help.

Recommendation

The three books in this collection all have a different feel. Shadow Games follows Croaker and is similar in tone to the first three books. It comes to a reasonable thematic ending. Dreams of Steel is also called the Book of Lady. It is interesting to see her side of the story. The problem with the book is that it doesn’t reach a conclusion. Several story threads are started but are left loose for the next volumes of the series. The Silver Spike feels unnecessary. The events do not impact the main story. It comes to an ending and it seems like that is all there is for that story. I wonder what the point of this story is.

The writing is excellent, especially the parts that the narrators told in the first person. The third person stories were not as successful. The Shadowmasters and the group from Taglios did not interest me. I did not care if they succeeded or failed. I wanted to get back to the chapters with Croaker and Lady. There was enough here for me to recommend this collection and to look forward to reading the next four novels which are grouped as the Books of the Glittering Stone.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Books of the South by Glen Cook.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2365730.The_Books_of_the_South

This is the link to my review of Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook, an omnibus of Books 1, 2, and 3 of The Black Company Series.

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

Witch Post: Which Websites Do I Frequent Weekly?

Introduction

Witch Post: Which Websites Do I Frequent Weekly? There are six websites that I frequent weekly. I detail why I have picked these six and what information I am looking for on each site.

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/

Goodreads is a website where you can review books that you have read and you can also put books on a to-read list. The website will suggest books to read based on the list of the books that you have read, are reading, and want to read. The best part of the website for me is the groups. You can join groups that are based on the type of books that you like. Each group has a discussion page covering many topics, polls used to determine a book of the month, and a book of the month for the group to read and comment upon.

I update my reading progress daily on Goodreads, but there are tasks that I also do once a week or once a month. I check on new topics, vote in polls, and comment on the book of the month. Using Goodreads has changed how and what I read. My goal for this year is to read 24 novels. I have read 12 novels in less than 6 months so far.

Race for The Iron Throne

https://racefortheironthrone.wordpress.com/

Race for the Iron Throne is Steven Attewell’s website devoted to his commentary of George R. R, Martin’s Game of Thrones including all media sources. The main topic and longest-running series of articles are a chapter by chapter analysis of each chapter of the Song of Ice and Fire books. The articles are posted approximately once per week. The current chapter was posted on May 30, 2017, on Jon II of A Storm of Swords (Book Three).

Each article covers the political analysis, what-ifs, historical analysis, and comparisons from book to show. This series inspired me to re-read the series. Reading the articles increased my enjoyment of the novels. At the author’s current pace, his reviews may get to A Dream of Spring (Book Seven) before Martin completes it. Other current articles are a weekly tumbler roundup of his comments on tumbler, Politics of the Seven Kingdoms with a series on each kingdom (The Reach is the current Kingdom), and links to podcasts as a guest on other websites.

Extra Credits Extra History

https://www.patreon.com/ExtraCredits

The makers of Extra History post a weekly video of about ten minutes once a week. The videos are animated and present history in a fun and educational format. The topics cover all types of world history before about 1950. I enjoy watching their series about historical topics that I know little about. Each series are about five videos long, but they also make shorter series about subjects covering less material. I know that I will always be entertained and enlightened.

There have been 157 videos posted so far. The current series completed was about the Articles of Confederation. Other recent topics were on Hunting the Bismark, Ned Kelly, Catherine the Great, and Simon Bolivar. I enjoy Roman history the most and what got me into this series was the first series posted, Rome in the Punic Wars. My favorite series are The Punic Wars, Justinian, The Brothers Gracchi, and the First Crusade.

Helping Writers Become Authors

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/

K. M. Weiland is an author of historical speculative fiction and writing craft. She posts bi-weekly on topics of interest to beginning writers. Her website is informative, interesting, and helpful. I like her positive attitude and her mission to help writers become authors. She writes like she’s your best friend just trying to help you out. Recent posts were titled 5 ways to write a perfect first draft (or nearly), 5 misconceptions about writing that I used to believe, and how to take advantage of your 4 most important characters. I recommend this site for any budding writers out there.

Writing Excuses

http://www.writingexcuses.com/

Writing Excuses is a weekly fifteen-minute podcast. Their tagline is fifteen minutes long because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart. The podcast is in its twelfth season and is hosted by Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Taylor, and Dan Wells. They also have co-hosts and guests as well. Each podcast has a theme about a specific aspect of writing. Recent podcast topics were on Creating Great Outlines; Proposals, Pitches, and Queries; and Retrofitting structure into a First Draft. The podcast is always engaging, informative, and interesting. I began listening to this podcast because Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors and I wanted to hear what he had to say. I am glad that I did and remain a fan of this podcast.

Doux Reviews

http://www.douxreviews.com/

Doux Reviews is a website that reviews mainly sci-fi and horror TV shows. It was created by Billie Doux and features many reviewers. There are thousands of reviews on the site. I started reading this site as I was watching Lost. The reviewer helped me understand that complicated show. I have also read the reviews as I watched the shows for Breaking Bad, Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones, Firefly, Rome, Sherlock, Person of Interest, and Orphan Black. I would also like to use the site when I watch The 100 and Westworld.

Conclusion

Witch Post: Which Websites Do I Frequent Weekly? I frequent these six websites every week looking for information about writing, reading, and watching Science Fiction and Fantasy. I hope to continue to frequent them for years to come.

Links

This is the link to my Goodreads page.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/58365344-gary-gillen

This is a link to my review of The Land That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs, which is a fun quickly-paced science fiction/fantasy adventure story. It has the lost world theme and an interesting method of alternative evolution included in this world. It is just the perfect story for that pre-teen boy to read.

My First SF Book

Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by M. T. Bass

Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by MT Bass

This is my review of Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by MT Bass

Introduction

One day in 1976 after they fail their Intro to Philosophy midterm, The Ohio State University students Albert and Waxy have a supposedly great drunken idea of running off to Alaska and making their fortune working on the trans-Alaskan pipeline. They are a couple of endearing wisecracking knuckleheads who soon get over their heads when they arrive in Anchorage Alaska after a cross country trip in their self-titled Blue Bus. Albert is the good looking rich kid who always succeeds at getting what he wants and Waxy is his farm boy sidekick.

They get jobs at a bar called Fenway Park West which is owned by Beantown Bob, Albert as the bartender and Waxy as the dishwasher. Albert begins an ill-advised affair with Bob’s girlfriend CiCi. They get involved with Jimmi the Pilot’s drug smuggling operation and their problems escalate. He is a former Vietnam War Navy pilot. They hear about a wrecked airplane holding millions of dollars and search for it based on a clue from Moe the Eskimo, the cook at the bar. Albert and Waxy must find a way to keep their boss happy, help Jimmi escape his Mexican drug cartel suppliers, and find a fortune all while trying to purchase illegal Union cards so that they can work on the pipeline.

Summary

The tension of the story is ramped up as it continues onto the climax. Albert gets a job on the pipeline using a stolen work permit. He is one step away from being found out. Jimmi the Pilot takes Waxy on his drug runs to the pipeline. They get on the wrong side of the drug cartel and are in danger of being killed. Beantown Bob sinks all the rest of his money into the search for a downed Army payroll plane. If they don’t find the plane, then he will be financially ruined. They will all be ruined if they don’t find the money; including Waxy’s girlfriend waitress Emma, Albert’s secret girlfriend singer CiCi, and CiCi’s brother and bandmate Dylan. They need to find that plane on Bahammy Mammy Glacier before winter comes to Alaska when no one will be flying.

Recommendation

I liked the set up of this novel. The author creates many interesting characters that all have compelling motivations. The dialogue feels real for these characters. The setting is different and interesting. What keeps this from being a great novel is that Albert and Waxy do not grow emotionally from their adventures and there is a less than satisfactory ending. The first scene of the novel occurs just before the last scene of the novel. The last scene resolves as the reader might expect it to resolve.

There is an epilogue that feels tacked on and raises more questions than it answers. I wish that Albert and Waxy had learned from their adventures so that I would have enjoyed this novel more. I’m glad I met Albert, Waxy, and their companions for this fun page-turning historical adventure.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by MT Bass.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28054403-somethin-for-nothin

This is the link to my review of The Dead Key by DM Pulley, a similar book; combining mystery and thriller.

The Dead Key by D M Pulley

Writing Progress Report June 2017

This is my Writing Progress Report June 2017.

My daughter graduated from High School in May. On to Kent State. Go Flashes.

Writing Progress from May 2017

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for May 2017 linked below.

Writing Progress Report May 2017

Typed Chapter 1 of An Assassin in New Marl City

Edited Chapters 2 and 3 of An Assassin in New Marl City.

Started Chapter 4 of An Assassin in New Marl City.

Re-edited Prisoner of Tarnal and submitted it to a writing workshop.

Wrote Film Noir Rom Com (Needs a new title) to a writing workshop.

The story Space Station Sunyata is still in review at a short fiction magazine.

The stories 4 Humours and Grognard can be sent to other magazines.

Events from May 2017

Attended Marcon on 05-13-17 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio.

http://marcon.org/

Attended the Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Game against Boston on 05-23-17

Writing Goals for June 2017

Continue to work on An Assassin in New Marl City. I want to expand the novel from 20 chapters to 36 chapters (100000 words total). Complete Chapter 4 and write chapter 11 of the novel this month.

Edit Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of An Assassin in New Marl City.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, Time Traveller One, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Submit 4 Humors and Grognard to other short fiction magazines.

Planned Events for June 2017

Purchase an e-book cover for An Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Put the first ten chapters of An Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program Scrivener.

Work on completing a Query letter to use to find an agent for An Assassin in New Marl.

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook, Tales of the Black Company.

This is an omnibus edition including Book #1 The Black Company, #2 Shadows Linger, and #3 The White Rose of the Tales of the Black Company Series.

Introduction

These three novels tell a complete story arc about the adventures of the Black Company. The Black Company is a mercenary group in a medieval-type fantasy world. The narrator is Croaker; he is a chronicler and a physician for the Black Company. Most of the story is portrayed as if the reader is reading the journal of Croaker as he describes how the Black Company becomes involved in the affairs of the Queen of the Northern Empire, who is called the Lady. Their interaction will control the fate of the empire.

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

Summary

These novels describe in detail how a mercenary company in a magical land would function. It is a military procedural detailing a close-knit group of men trying to survive in a deadly war. The characters are great. One-Eye, Goblin, and Silent are the magicians. The Captain and the Lieutenant rule the company. Raven is a mysterious man of the company who keeps his secrets to himself. Raven’s ward, Darling, becomes an important character. But here’s the secret, in my opinion, what these three novels are really about is the love story between Croaker and the Lady.

That surprised me, but that extra level of complication pushed this series to one of the best that I have ever read. The Lady is a powerful sorceress, who has been released from her magical bonds after a long period of time. She has two concerns. She had ruled the land for many years with her husband, the Dominator, who remains magically bonded. The Dominator wishes to be released, but the Lady does not want him to be released since then he would take over her empire. They were both originally magically bonded by a group led by the White Rose. The Lady’s information is that the White Rose has been resurrected and so she is concerned that the White Rose will wish to re-bind her. She hires the Black Company to help her achieve her goals, but the Black Company never plays by any one’s rules for long.

Recommendation

Croaker writes the chronicles of the Black Company and he is at times an unreliable narrator especially where the Lady is concerned. I missed reading this series as it was published. Glen Cook was the writer guest of honor at Cleveland Concoction 2017, so I decided to read this collection and I am glad that I did. It is one of the best series that I have read recently. I cannot recommend it enough and I plan to read the other novels in the series very soon. I am glad that the author plans to write two more novels set in this world. Reading them as they come out would be ideal.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/400924.Chronicles_of_the_Black_Company

My review of The Books of the South by Glen Cook. The Black Company is reduced to a handful of members, so Croaker takes them south to earn back their fortune.

The Books of the South by Glen Cook

Superheat by M. B. Wood

Superheat by MB Wood

This is my review of Superheat by MB Wood

Introduction

Daniel Serrano Robles is a chemical engineer specializing in combustion systems who takes a job at Schirmerling Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio. He warns his new boss, Ben Hodges, that the superheater for boiler #3 is too weakened to continue to use. Daniel also discovers a secret meth lab which, unknown to Daniel, is run by the Captain of Security of STR, Patrick O’Brien. Daniel is fired for his warnings and decides to head to California with his girlfriend Carol. His past follows him when O’Brien frames him for the meth lab and Hodges frames him for negligence when the boiler inevitably explodes. Even Carol deserts him. The only person who could help Daniel with his problems is Nancy Benet, who Daniel recently met in California and she wants to begin a relationship with him.

Summary

The things that I liked the most about this novel were the historical touches added for the 1969/1970 setting (Kent State) and making the protagonist an engineer which made the technical details important. The writing is crisp and the descriptions help the reader understand the setting. There are four aspects of the novel that could have been improved. First, Daniel is not sympathetic enough. He appears to be a contentious and competent engineer, but there is nothing else about him that leads the reader to want him to succeed as the protagonist. He does not act, he reacts to the situations. He is only redeemed by Nancy’s actions.

The second point is that Nancy should have been introduced in one of the first three chapters. She is just too important to the story to introduce her halfway through the novel. Chapters with her alone in California could have built up into her first meeting with Daniel, which would have enhanced the narrative. Thirdly, where was O’Brien? He should have been a constant threat to Daniel throughout the novel. Maybe, two more scenes where he almost catches him would have ratcheted up the suspense enough. Lastly, there were a total of ten viewpoint characters. That’s way too many. Daniel, Nancy, and O’Brien are enough, maybe add detective Grueden for variety.

There wasn’t enough time in the viewpoint of characters’ heads to develop their motivations. Fewer viewpoint characters would have increased the reader’s investment in the character’s plight.

Recommendation

This novel has a few strengths to recommend it. It is clear that the author has the necessary command of the description of the setting and the ability to drive the action to completion. Some structural and motivational choices detracted from the narrative, which makes me more intrigued by reading the author’s next novel.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Superheat by MB Wood.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22456118-superheat

This is the link to my review of Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by M. T. Bass. Cleveland. Albert and Waxy fail their Intro to Philosophy midterm and run off to Alaska to seek their fortune. It is a similar book; combining mystery and thriller.

Somethin’ for Nuthin’ by M. T. Bass

Writing Progress Report May 2017

This is my Writing Progress Report May 2017.

“Ollie, where’s the squirrel?”

“Bark, Bark, Bark.” Ollie says.

Writing Progress from April 2017

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for April 2017 linked below.

Writing Progress Report April 2017

Reread Chapters 2 and 3 of An Assassin in New Marl City.

The story Space Station Sunyata is still in review at a short fiction magazine.

The stories 4 Humours and Grognard can be sent to other magazines.

Events from April 2017

Attended ConCoction Volunteer Meeting on 04-25-17 at Critical Hit Games 13433 Cedar Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Writing Goals for May 2017

Continue to work on An Assassin in New Marl City. I want to expand the novel from 20 chapters to 36 chapters (100000 words total). Write chapters 4 and 11 of the novel this month.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, Time Traveller One, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Submit 4 Humors and Grognard to other short fiction magazines.

Planned Events for May 2017

Attend Marcon from 05-12-17 to 05-14-17 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio.

http://marcon.org/

Purchase an e-book cover for An Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Put the first ten chapters of An Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program Scrivener.

Work on completing a Query letter to use to find an agent for An Assassin in New Marl.

Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

Introduction

Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang is an eight-story short story collection. The story called Story of Your Life was adapted into a movie called Arrival. The title of the newest edition is Arrival and the book cover depicts the movie poster. I read the 2002 edition of this book and include that picture in this review. These stories were all published in anthologies or magazines over a span of twenty-two years. Story of your Life might be the best story in this collection, but the other stories all interesting and well worth reading.

Summary

Notes about the eight stories follow in the order that they were published in the collection.

The Tower of Babylon follows Hillalum on his journey up a fantasy version of the Tower of Babel. What he finds at the top will change his view of the world.

In Understand, Leon Greco gets an experimental treatment using hormone K, which increases his intelligence exponentially. The story is a variation of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Leon tries to comprehend the implications of his expanded mind.

Renee is a mathematics professor who must come to terms with the ramifications of a successful proof of Division by Zero.

In the Story of Your Life, Louise Banks is a linguist who is attempting to decipher an extraterrestrial language. Discovering the heptapod’s language will have a major impact on Louise’s future.

Robert learns the Seventy-Two Letters that will bring a golem to life. What he does with that knowledge will impact the future of the human race.

The Evolution of Human Science is a very short story about the role of humans after super-intelligent metahumans have taken the lead in all new research in science.

Neil Fisk finds out that Hell is the Absence of God after he experiences trials like the biblical Job when angels come to earth and randomly bestow miracles and catastrophes. The story explores the true nature of devotion.

The last story is called Liking What You See: A Documentary. It explores the unexpected problems developed when it becomes possible to have a procedure called calliagnosia, where the patient can no longer judge people by the way that they look.

Recommendation

Clearly the star in this collection is Story of Your Life. I can understand why it was turned into a movie. The visual medium brought an extra layer of depth to the audience by them being able to see the alien language and follow Louise’s dilemma. The other story that stands out to me is the Tower of Babylon. I liked how Chiang mixed the biblical story, a historical story, and a fantasy story together. I am glad that I read this collection, because each story raised an intriguing point to ponder.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28503870-stories-of-your-life-and-others

My review of Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. Red Mars is an SF novel about the struggle early explorers have in colonizing Mars. It is a hard SF novel like Stories of Your Life.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Red Country by Joe Abercrombie

Red Country by Joe Abercrombie, First Law World Series Book #6

Introduction

Shy South has many problems. Her farm was burned by bandits and the bandits took her younger sister and brother away across the Far Country. Their farmhand, Gully, was hung until dead. She must decide if she is up to the task to track down and rescue her siblings. Her only help comes from her cowardly stepfather named Lamb, though he has secrets that could help her in her quest. She must fight tribal members who live in the Far Country who are called Ghosts, a mercenary captain bent on obtaining the rumored treasure of the Ghosts and the remnants of an ancient empire as well if she is to achieve her objectives.

Summary

The author brings his grimdark mentality to a mix of fantasy and western tropes in this novel. The story starts in Shy’s hometown of Squaredeal. Her and Lamb search for Shy’s siblings, Pit and Ro, in the town of Averstock. They join a sort of wagon train, called a Fellowship, that’s headed to the mountains where there are rumors of gold. They try to avoid the Ghosts hunting them and the mercenary force lead by Nicomo Cosca, who is employed by the Union to seek out the rebel named Conthus.

Cosca’s lawyer named Temple joins the wagon train as it heads to the mining town of Crease. They must pass the Old Empire bridge that crosses the Sictus river. Cosca follows them and believes that the Ghosts are hiding a huge treasure. The final showdown is at the Ghost city of Ashranc where Shy gets the chance to achieve all that she wants.

Recommendation

I question whether Shy should be the main viewpoint character in this novel. Lamb is the character who changes the most. He is the one who drives the action. Maybe my opinion is colored by having read the previous book in the First Law World called Best Served Cold. In that book, the main viewpoint character was named Monza. She seeks revenge against the men who left her for dead. Her character was more intriguing to me than Shy and in comparison Shy is a pale shadow of her.

I would have liked to read the book with Lamb as the main viewpoint character, but Red Country is about Shy’s journey to save her siblings. It was an interesting attempt at putting western themes into the First Law World and well worth reading. However, I am more looking forward to reading the second First Law Trilogy, which the author is working on at this time.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Red Country by Joe Abercrombie, First Law World Series Book #6

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13521459-red-country

This is a link to my review of Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan, The Powder Mage Series Book #1.

This book is similar in tone and grittiness to Red Country. The book is a gunpowder fantasy. There are three main characters. The book opens with the story of Adamat. He is a retired detective. His magical gift is a perfect memory. Tamas is the second main character, a wise leader of men. He is a powder mage, a person that can use gunpowder as magical dust to heal oneself or to manipulate bullets. The third main character is Tamas’s son Taniel. Taniel is a powerful powder mage, the action hero of the story. He uses gunpowder as a narcotic. His reaction to snorting gunpowder is a cross between snuff and cocaine. This is a link to my review.

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

Writing Progress Report April 2017

This is my Writing Progress Report April 2017.

“Hey Ollie. Squirrel!!!”

“Bark, Bark, Bark.” Ollie says.

Writing Progress from March 2017

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for March 2017 linked below.

Writing Progress Report March 2017

I completed 12 of the 21 exercises to complete the exercises from Sarah Domet’s book called 90 Days to Your Novel.

Completed a draft for a new Chapter 1 of An Assassin in New Marl.

Submitted the story 4 Humours to a short fiction magazine.

The stories 4 Humours and Space Station Sunyata are still in review at other magazines.

The story Grognard can be sent to another magazine.

Events from March 2017

Attended ConCoction from March 10 to March 12, 2017, at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport 5300 Riverside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44135. I volunteered for 12 hours at the event in the Con Suite.

https://www.clevelandconcoction.org/

I purchased a map for An Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.com created by renflowergrapx.

https://www.fiverr.com/renflowergrapx

The map was beautiful and turned out exactly how I imagined it.

I purchased a new banner for my website from Fiveer from gigblast.

https://www.fiverr.com/gigblast

Downloaded the free trial of Scrivener.

Writing Goals for April 2017

Continue to work on An Assassin in New Marl City. I want to expand the novel from 20 chapters to 36 chapters (100000 words total). Write four more additional chapters of the novel.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, Time Traveller One, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Submit Grognard to another short fiction magazine.

Planned Events for April 2017

Planning on purchasing an e-book cover for An Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Put the first nine chapters of An Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program Scrivener.

Work on completing a Query letter to use to find an agent for An Assassin in New Marl.