Keith's January Newsletter

Hi Folks

My apologies for this newsletter being a couple of days late. I was on nights last week and got asked to do more because of an unexpected absence, which threw my plans all out of whack. I’m wearing clothes I normally only wear to go hiking because my washing routine is messed up, and I’m late on everything, hence the tardy newsletter.

I also had some other things that needed to take priority which I’ll go into now…

“Almost There…”

After four months I’ve almost completed the purchase of a flat. Can’t believe it’s taken this long, although apparently that’s not unusual these days. I’m still waiting on the exchange of contracts and completion, but I’ve been told it will happen by the end of February so I’ve given notice on my rented accommodation. Barring any unusual events, by the time you get my next newsletter I’ll have moved and will be actively seeking a cat. Let’s hope so anyway.

It’s my birthday in February. I’ll be turning fifty two, which seems like a lot. When did that happen? I don’t have any plans unfortunately. Everything costs too much time and money, and what with everthing else going on (see above) I can’t afford much of either. I’ll probably just go to the cinema to watch the rerelease extended edition of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. That’ll give me something to do at least.

News From The Steam Factory

All kinds of things are going on over here writing wise at the moment.

In March I’ll be part of a ‘magical noir’ book bundle that’s been put together. Dexter & Sinister will appear along with thirteen other books by some excellent writers. It’ll be a great opportunity to reach more readers (although as I found when I gave 1900 copies away free, people having the book does not automatically translate into sales of the next one) but more importantly I might actually make some money out of it for once (see previous comment).

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens. It’s out on the 4th of March so I’ll have more detailed information as well as links for you in February’s newsletter.

I’ve finished rewrites on In The Valley Of The Wind. Just need to type them up then I’m good to go for the edit in April. There was only one section that needed a major overhaul (pictured above). For the most part it held up well. I’m looking forward to sharing it with the world, although when that will be has yet to be decided.

I’ve kind of started work on my next novel which, naturally, probably won’t be one of the many I have on my To Do list. Noodles & Ghosts on the Ichihari Trail (or just Noodles & Ghosts, I haven’t decided yet) is another Ghibli-esque cosy low-stakes fantasy, much like In the Valley Of The Wind but without the sci fi elements. It’s a story of redemption and of finding your way in life, and I’m very much looking forward to getting it down on paper. I just need to learn more about making traditional Japanese noodles first.

I also need to finish writing Attack Mars, which is getting nearer to completion but still has a bit of a ways to go. Right now it’s sitting at 85,000 words with about 3-4 pages of notes left. I can see it needing another 30,000 words at least, which could take a while, but I want to get it done and out there before I start on other things. I’ve stalled this one far too long. I’d like to get it done before the Asylum festival in August so I can do some kind of launch but that might be optimistic. Guess I’m just going to have to crack on and see how I do.

When I’m Not Writing

Spent my Christmas money on a trio of sci fi novels which I’m slowly working my way through.

I finished reading the galaxy, and the ground within last night, which was unsurpringly excellent (although not my favourite of the Wayfarer series), and I have yet to decide which one I’m going to read next. I’ll probably roll a dice, although I do also have the third Mistborn book which I’m keen to read. Maybe I’ll throw that into the mix as well. As you can see, I’m very much spoilt for choice.

Aside from reading. I’ve very much enjoyed the latest Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds. Without a doubt the best Star Trek series yet (don’t @ me, I’m not interested) it has a great mix of characters, rocks along at a good pace, has the right amount of fun and peril, and is just basically an all round fun series to watch.

The first series is available for free on ITVX (which is where I watched it), with two more available elsewhere (for cash), and a fourth coming out some time this year.

As well as all of the above I’m also trying to get my head around producing my steampunk card game, Airship Armada. I have the cost of doing the illustrations down, now I need to figure out the cost of production and the cost of delivery, then I can work out how much a Kickstarter would be and if one is even viable. These are all things I need a bit of headspace for, and as you can see I have very little of that at the moment. I’ll get there, but it might take a while.

Life can be a lot sometimes, especially when you’re working two jobs (‘work’ work and writing work) and you have basic survival to take care of as well, but in the midst of all that you’ve got to make space for a bit of whimsy too. That’s what put me on a bus to go buy this:

Available in Iceland, it does exactly what it says on the bottle: It’s mayo that tastes like pickled onion flavour Monster Munch. Friends, I like it, although it does have a bit of an after taste. Even hours later, when most flavours die down, you’re still aware of having had some. I can’t say I’ll be using it on a regular basis, but on the odd sandwich now and then I think it’s a winner.

And that’s it from me for now. I hope you’ve had a good year so far, although I’m aware many haven’t. There's a lot of bad stuff going on at the moment, things we thought we’d seen the back of in 1945. It can be a lot to deal with, even at a distance. Do what you can to support each other, protect yourself as much as possible, and please don’t let the incessant nature of these things get you down. It can be hard, and it can feel overwhelming, but it is in the nature of things to change. Good things become bad, but bad things also become good. Know that you are not alone, that it cannot go on forever, and that we will prevail.

Because all we have to do to win is to be ourselves, to not bend to their violence and oppression, especially within our own hearts, to stay strong, stay true, to be there for our friends and neighbours, and our victory is all but guaranteed. If we stand together, if we stand firm, they cannot help but fail, because at the end of the day there are far more of us than there are of them, and our will for a better world is far greater and more enticing than their will for one that is worse. All empires fall, and theirs is already on the brink of collapse. Stay stong my friends, because a better world is already on its way.

I’ll leave you with this one final thought:

Toodle-pip for now.

Keith