I started this blog on August 21, 2012, with the release of my first book, Titan Encounter. Since that time, I’ve updated the website several times and I’m gradually updating the blog format and bringing it into this new journal. Back then, the sole purpose of the blog was to promote my books, but it gradually expanded to new topics. Sometimes I’ve mused about other things that are important to me, such as my family, my farm, rural life, and occasionally about politics and the country. However, I do try to limit politics.
A Great Start for Braving the Storms.
With the holidays I’ve been slow to write anything, except Christmas cards, but this deserves mention. The release of Braving the Storms, the third book in the Strengthen What Remains series, was released on December 18th. By the next day the book surged onto the Amazon war fiction best seller list and reached number 77 later in the day.
Read MoreToday Braving the Storms was released worldwide!
I was barely out of bed this morning when my wife Lorraine said, “Check your sales—how many books have you sold?” Braving the Storms, the third book in my Strengthen What Remains series, was released worldwide this morning as an ebook.
Read MoreThe latest paperback copy of Braving the Storms is ready for release!
I received the proof copy of my latest novel today. The copy is identical to what readers get when they order the book and is my last chance to make changes before the release.
Read MoreThis month’s cover picture is a special one, for a special time of year.
Usually these blogposts are about the pictures, but not this one. As we gather together to celebrate the birth of Christ, I like to reflect upon the blessings of family and faith.
Read MoreNext Friday is the big day!
I’ve been working on Braving the Storms for over a year, writing, rewriting, and editing all of the nearly 78,000 words. My wife has read each of the forty chapters at least twice. Micah Hansen worked with me to create the covers, while others have worked as critique partners and beta-readers. So, I’m really excited to say that the manuscript is done!
Read MoreThe release date is only 30 days away!
I’m meeting later today to review a chapter of Braving the Storms, the third book of the Strengthen What Remains series. After that, I’ll be doing the final editing. The release date for the ebook and paperback editions is December 18th.
Read MoreI had the chance to go back to school this week.
Ten years ago, I taught at Centralia High School, near where I live now in Lewis County, Washington state. However, life and other opportunities drew me away, and I haven’t been back since.
Read MoreThe release date for braving the storms is only 56 days away!
As part of the celebration leading up to the release of Braving the Storms on December 18th, the bestselling first book in the series, Through Many Fires, has been marked down to just 99 cents.
Read MoreThe release date is only 61 days away!
However, you can pre-order the ebook version of Braving the Storms now and have it load right to your device the moment it’s released.
Read MoreThere are serious reasons to be an indie writer and not-so-serious ones.
This is a look at a few of both.
1. No Alarm Clocks. I live on a small farm so I still get up early, but almost never to the blare of an alarm clock.
Read MoreAuthor friends and now Carol Award winners.
The Carol Awards are the American Christian Fiction Writers’ recognition for the best Christian fiction. This year the ACFW conference was held from September 17th through the 20th in Dallas, Texas. While I didn’t attend several people I know did, and received awards.
Read MoreThat was my goal 100,000 words!
I like to set goals. Each week I list chapters and blogposts that I’ll write, marketing plans to investigate or execute, people to contact, and more. One long-term goal I have is to write 100,000 words this year.
Read MoreThe 2015 Southwest Washington Writers Conference is over.
Seattle has conferences for writers, and so does Portland, but until last year this area lacked that level of education and networking. The first year of the conference, I both presented and helped with the organization and operation. This year I just helped.
Read MoreThe first book I read was Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein.
After that, I read every other book this master of science fiction wrote. I first toyed with the idea of writing as I read one of Heinlein’s novels. More than ten years passed before I completed my first short story and then another ten years slipped away before I attempted a novel.
Read MoreI received a surprising email recently.
Since I started, I’ve felt that the best way to promote and sell my books was online. While I’m thrilled when it occurs, I put little effort into getting them into stores and libraries. Still, over time, they have appeared in several brick and mortar establishments like the Strand in New York City, Powell’s in Portland, and my local store, Book N Brush.
Read MoreThe honey harvest this year was very good.
We have only two hives on our small farm, but even so, the harvest takes nearly all day. After breakfast, we set up the equipment, including our honey extractor (basically an antique hand-crank centrifuge), stainless steel buckets, a couple of food-grade plastic pails, strainers, and assorted tools.
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