Joel Jenkins's Blog, page 3

Why I Haven't Been Posting

I notice that I haven't posted anything here for weeks. And I've got no excuses other than I've been distracted ... by writing of the non-blog post sort. I've been working on a couple of stories to round out a second volume of Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins. One of these was a second chapter to the Strommand Greattrix chapter, which appeared in the first volume.  At less than 4,000 words, that chapter was really just a snippet or a teaser, and I decided to rewrite and expand some previous work I had done on a follow up tale, figuring I could publish the second chapter (much longer than the first) in the second volume.
The thing about Strommand Greattrix is he's egotistical and selfish, and even the tragedy of losing his family and kingdom hasn't entirely cured him of the idea that the world of Carparath revolves around him.  In some senses he's like the biblical Samson--a man of massive strength and dominant personality, but with a huge blind spot when it comes to women. However, there is something compelling about the character that makes me want to follow his story and see if he's able to overcome his personal weaknesses--not to mention the enemy hordes and bomb-lobbing skyships of his arch-enemy King Damion. It's too early to say whether Greattrix ends his tale in victory or ignominy.
So, at this point I've actually written and expanded chapters 2 and 3 of the saga and have over 30,000 words completed.  For non-writer types, 30,000 words is about a third of standard-sized novel. I've already embarked on chapter 4.
In addition, I've finally picked up my proof copy of Gantlet Brothers: Sold Out and have begun the proofing process.  I've had that sucker cooling on my desk for a couple of months.  Part of that was deliberate and part was procrastination.  It's always good to get a little distance and look at a manuscript with fresh eyes, so one can spot errors and ways to make improvements. However, I put it off a little longer than I should have.
Speaking of putting off, the longer I spend on this post commenting on writing, the less time I'm able to spend actually writing.  Talk at you later, and have a great weekend!

Blood & Ink

Click on over to author Derrick Ferguson's Blood & Ink blog and read an interview with yours truly as we take on subjects like the IRS and unconstitutional overreach of the Federal government--and the upcoming Gantlet Brothers book.

Weird Worlds of the Book Cave

The pugilistic Ric Croxton has interviewed me for a segment on the Book Cave, in which we speak about my latest book, Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins and the thirteen peculiar stories inside!

Strange Trails of the Amazon

Ride the strange trails with Josh Reynolds (Mr. Brass), Tommy Hancock and Morgan Minor, Barry Reese (The Rook), Joel Jenkins (Lone Crow), Edward M. Erdelac (Merkabah Rider) and editor James Palmer (Monster Earth) as they take you on a wild tour of the Weird West.
A mechanical Pinkerton man ... a comely ghost ... a lady knight errant in search of adventure ... a mummy on the loose aboard a speeding train ... these are just a few of the colorful characters you'll meet in Strange Trails.  Come with us on a ride through the West that never was, where dangerous gunslingers encounter steam-powered robots, and Native Americans do battle with Lovecraftian entities--all brought to you by the hottest names in New Pulp.

So what are you waiting for, partner? Put on your spurs, grab your six-shooter, prime your ray gun and get ready to ride off into the sunset with these six incredible tales of the Weird Wild West!

Now on Kindle for just $2.99

Marvelous Pet Heroes

A good friend of mine has a Kickstarter Project going, recreating classic Marvel comic book covers in anthropomorphic fashion.

He's also got a Facebook contest running. All you need to do is 'like' the Pugfrog page on facebook and you are entered for a chance to win.


Marvelous Pet Heroes: Kickstarter

Hitting the Strange Trail

This is the cover of an upcoming anthology, which includes a Lone Crow story in which the infamous Native American gunfighter teams up with the infamous Bass Reeves, and uncovers the serpentine plots of an old foe and the steam devil she has brought forth to do her bidding!

Here's the story line up:

Mr. Brass and the Master of Serpents by Josh Reynolds
Sins and Lilies by Tommy Hancock & Morgan Minor
The Mechanical Heart: a Tale of Julia Holst and the Weird West by Barry Reese
The Akeldama Dig by Edward M Erdelac
Mummy Train by James Palmer
The Eye of Ulutoth by Joel Jenkins

I'll let you know when this hits the stands.

Christmas in July

July 15th through July 19th pick up Kindle copies of The PulpWork Christmas Special 2011 and the PulpWork Christmas Special 2012 at no charge on Amazon.com. These contain stories by myself, Russ Anderson (of How the West was Weird fame) Josh Reynolds (of Black Library fame), and Derrick Ferguson (of Dillon fame). Download 'em for free for the next couple of days!

Free Weird Worlds

From today until the 29th of June Amazon is offering a Kindle download of Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins at no charge. It also looks as though they've knocked a dollar and half off the cover price, for anyone who is interested in purchasing a hard copy.

From an ancient temple in the icy Martian mountains to a forbidden road haunted by the ghost of an Indian brave, this collection of tales will take you on a thrilling journey.  Meet vampire hunters, a rock musician who takes on the heavyweight champion of the world, the reluctant warrior of the mystical land of Saffronyia, giant Nazi robots, and the Mormon gunfighter Porter Rockwell ... as well as a few hungry apes and one very lovely and deadly assassin.

Weird Worlds Arrives

I've been so wrapped up in finishing next year's Coming of Crow manuscript (not to mention some short stories and novellas for Airship 27 and Pro Se Press) that I forgot to mention that another book jam-packed with pulpy action and adventure has already hit Amazon's digital shelves. I speak of, Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins.  This is a wide-ranging collection of stories from my last twenty plus years of scrivening.  I've included the back cover blurb below:

From an ancient temple in the icy Martian mountains to a forbidden road haunted by the ghost of an Indian brave, this collection of tales will take you on a thrilling journey.  Meet vampire hunters, a rock musician who takes on the heavyweight champion of the world, the reluctant warrior of the mystical land of Saffronyia, giant Nazi robots, and the Mormon gunfighter Porter Rockwell ... as well as a few hungry apes and one very lovely assassin.

Weird Worlds is available in both paper and Kindle formats.

Talking With One Foot in My Grave

Mark Bousquet of Gunfighter Gothic and Dreamer's Syndrome fame was kind enough to take some time out of his very busy schedule to interview me about my most recent books, and a few other things.  Check out the Atomic Interview at Bousquet's Atomic Anxiety Blog.