Josh Kent's Blog, page 4

FREE! The Raggedy Man Part 2 – The King of the Black Pond

It’s here! Download it for FREE!

The Raggedy Man Part 2 The King of the Black Pond copyright 2015 Josh Kent

Part 2 – The King of the Black Pond

Following a mysterious map, Falk and his strange new acquaintance head south-wise with their newly acquired horses and wagon. The journey takes them deep into the swamps, but Yav Shah soon realizes they are being watched. When a spell begins to drain their stamina and tire the horses, they make camp in the dark. What lurks in the shadows and gnarled branches waiting for the weary companions?

If you haven’t had a chance to read Part 1 – here it is!

The Raggedy Man A Jim Falk Adventure Part 1 Sundown in Jasper by Josh Kent Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

Part 1 – Sundown in Jasper

A dark force seeks to advance its reach into the “unconnected parts” far south of Hopestill. Clive Miter, a cruel slave trader, is plying his trade toward this purpose in the abandoned town of Jasper. Miter’s transaction goes awry and a legendary map is stolen.

This content is 100% free and will be available only on this blog. Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

NEW!! Falk Art by Hanson

More to come from artist and storyteller Scott Hanson – check out his first rendering here!

Falk Art by Hanson

I’m excited that a very talented artist friend of mine has agreed to collaborate with me and create a series of illustrations for The Raggedy Man online mini-series. We will release his drawings along with a special version of the mini-series sometime in the fall.

Scott Hanson facebook.com/scotthansonart is an extraordinary creative mind and a good friend. When he accepted the offer to work on this series together, I was thrilled and flattered. I asked him some questions about his art, inspiration and processes. Read the interview below! And check out his incredible rendering of Jim Falk in combat!

Who are your biggest inspirations as an artist? Drew Struzan, who did so many of the posters for the films I grew up with including “Star Wars,” “Back to the Future” and “Indiana Jones.” Reynold Brown, who did all of those great old B movie posters such as “Attack of the 50-Foot Woman.” Jim Henson is another big influence going all the way back to my childhood. Also writer such as Neil Gaiman, Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett who have influenced not the way I draw but how I imagine things.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be an artist? The earliest thing I can clearly remember was watching a television special about the making of the Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal.” I was maybe in third grade at the time. It was probably the first time I had seen how a movie got made. It showed the artists drawing the characters, the sculptors building the puppets and the puppeteers performing on the set. It dawned on me that that was what those people did for a living. They made up monsters. That was actually a job that someone could grow up to have.

Tell us something about your current project, you’re working on a graphic novel? My story has witches too. A nice one named Saffron McGuffin and a really nasty one named Forsythia . Forsythia comes back from years in exile to exact revenge on her sister, Queen Camillia, who banished her for learning magic when they were kids. There is a dragon named Azragoth who protects the Camillia and her loyal subjects. Forsythia turns Azragoth into a chicken. Saffron, the witch-in-training, is tasked with traveling the land in search of a spell that can turn Azragoth back and oust Forsythia and her hoard of goblins from the kingdom.

What’s the hardest part for you when developing a character? The hardest part for me, and I think for anyone, is the concept of originality. Originality is somewhat of a myth these days. Human beings have been telling fantastic stories since the dawn of time and they are all pretty much the same. There is a villain and there is a savior. The villain is evil personified and the savior is always somehow more that human. The Holy Bible, ancient mythology, comic books, it’s all in there. The goal when creating a character for me is simply to avoid any obvious comparisons to another already-established character. However, a good character should be an amalgamation of many characters who have traits that I admire.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Work hard and be patient. No one is an overnight success. No one who lasts anyway. It takes a little bit of living before you can really come up with something that other people can relate to.

Tell us something about the writer’s group you’re collaborating with in Ohio. The Ohio Valley Writers is a small group of writers who meet and critique each other’s work and discuss ways to get published. I joined in order to meet writers who are in need of illustrations for their books. I’m working with one writer on a short story currently and may be working with another on a series of books in the near future.

Any final thoughts you’d like to leave us with? Josh and I go way back to our glory days at Ohio University. Josh has always been a wildly creative and energetic soul and it’s no surprise to me that he has created this fantastic work. I’m honored and flattered that he has invited me along for the ride. I think we bring out the best in each other and I am so looking forward to seeing what we can imagine together.

facebook.com/scotthansonart

Copyright 2015 Scott Hanson

Jim Falk mini-sode The Raggedy Man Part 2 – The King of the Black Pond – coming soon!

The three part miniseries The Raggedy Man takes place a decade or so prior to the events of my full length novel The Witch at Sparrow Creek (Kindle version now available!) 

Part 2 – The King of the Black Pond …Coming this month!

Following a mysterious map, Falk and his strange new acquaintance head south-wise with their newly acquired horses and wagon. The journey takes them deep into the swamps, but Yav Shah soon realizes they are being watched. When a spell begins to drain their stamina and tire the horses, they make camp in the dark. What lurks in the shadows and gnarled branches waiting for the weary companions?

The Kindle Version Giveaway!

Yes! There will be another giveaway! Due to the popularity of my prior giveaways, there will be a Kindle version giveaway of The Witch at Sparrow Creek when Part 2 is released later this month! Keep checking my blog for updates or follow me on Twitter @joshuatkent

New Artwork On the Way!

The world of The Witch at Sparrow Creek is full of strange characters, creatures, and adventure. I’ve recently touched base with a new artist who will be collaborating with me to bring this weird world to life! Stay tuned for an announcement and interview with the new talent!

Free! Jim Falk “mini-sode” – Available now!

Download it for free today!

The three part miniseries The Raggedy Man��takes place a decade or so prior to the events of my full length novel��The Witch at Sparrow Creek��(Kindle version now available!)��

Part��1 –��Sundown in Jasper
A dark force seeks to advance its reach into the “unconnected parts” far south of Hopestill. Clive Miter, a cruel slave trader, is��plying his trade toward this purpose in the abandoned town of Jasper. Miter’s��transaction goes awry and a legendary map is stolen.

This content is 100%��free and will be available only on this blog. Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

The Raggedy Man A Jim Falk Adventure Part 1 Sundown in Jasper by Josh Kent Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

Click the title above to download��the PDF!

The Raggedy Man – Part I “Sun Down in Jasper” Available now!

Download it for free today!

The three part miniseries The Raggedy Man��takes place a decade or so prior to the events of my full length novel��The Witch at Sparrow Creek��(Kindle version now available!)��

Part��1 –��Sundown in Jasper
A dark force seeks to advance its reach into the “unconnected parts” far south of Hopestill. Clive Miter, a cruel slave trader, is��plying his trade toward this purpose in the abandoned town of Jasper. Miter’s��transaction goes awry and a legendary map is stolen.

This content is 100%��free and will be available only on this blog. Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

The Raggedy Man A Jim Falk Adventure Part 1 Sundown in Jasper by Josh Kent Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

Click the title above to download��the PDF!

Jim Falk “mini-sode” – The Raggedy Man – coming next week!

Visit my blog next week for the ongoing adventure…

The Raggedy Man: A Jim Falk Adventure

Part��1 –��Sundown in Jasper
A dark force seeks to advance its reach into the “unconnected parts” far south of Hopestill. Clive Miter, a cruel slave trader, is��plying his trade toward this purpose in the abandoned town of Jasper. Miter’s��transaction goes awry and a legendary map is stolen.

The next three part miniseries – The Raggedy Man – ��takes place a decade or so prior to the events in��The Witch at Sparrow Creek

This content is 100%��free and will be available only on this blog. Copyright 2015 Josh Kent

Follow the Witch! Twitter #giveaway goes live at 9p tonight!

Last time I did this, it was over in 10 minutes. If you want to follow me on Twitter and try to win a copy of my novel The Witch at Sparrow Creek, follow me on Twitter beginning around 9pm. Every 10th follower I get will get a free copy of the novel. There are three chances to win.

Follow the Witch! and good luck everyone!

ps – if you don’t already know, the #giveaway always has stuff going on.

Follow the Witch! Twitter giveaway tonight 4/1/2015

The Witch at Sparrow Creek is my first published novel. So far readers and reviewers are liking the book, which is fantastic!��Tonight I will announce a giveaway via Twitter – “Follow the Witch!” – every tenth follower will receive a free paperback copy of my novel shipped right to your door from Amazon.com. Also, if you haven’t followed my blog yet and you want to keep up with things witchy, please do.

Right now, I am working on the sequel and in the coming weeks I will be posting several Jim Falk Adventure��mini-sodes –��and I am beginning talks with some Fantasy cartographers to help me create the world map!

My��publisher is super-cool. Hippocampus Press has some of the weirdest weird-fiction I know of and is backed by both HP Lovecraft enthusiasts, scholars, and horror-genre-supernerds. You really gotta check out their stuff.

Thanks again to all you out there and good look during the giveaway!

Book of Words: terms for reading The Witch at Sparrow Creek

Some of the early readers of my debut novel The Witch at Sparrow Creek have suggested that it might be helpful if there were a dictionary of sorts with terminology that is specific to the novel. I recall when my dad and uncle came back from seeing��the David Lynch 1984 Dune film, they had received a card at the movie that had some details about the characters, planets, families, and other important ideas of the film. It was kind of a cheat sheet for people who wanted to get into Frank Herbert’s world through the film but who hadn’t had a chance to go deep��in his novels or needed a refresher.

I think the��dictionary��a terrific idea and had already begun one a few years ago. The next novel will reveal many new details about the world in which��Jim and his companions live.

In the meantime (and cautious of spoilers) here is a teaser dictionary to illuminate��this novel and to intrigue those who haven’t yet picked it up. Some of these ideas will not be fully revealed��until the sequel!

Thanks everyone for your support – hope you’re all enjoying the book!

Book of Words for The Witch at Sparrow Creek

Craft(s)

The ability to manipulate reality; the words ���power��� or ���magic�����will sometimes refer to the same. Specifically mentioned in The Witch at Sparrow Creek are Witchcraft and Waycraft – there are more crafts.

Dracon

A legendary gunsmith. Weapons crafted by Dracon are so rare that they are said by many not to exist.



Hunters (also Ridder, also Ghost Killer)

Humans who have received gift(s) of power from the Great One. These Hunter’s gift(s) of power��cannot be��achieved through mastery of the Waycraft or self-discipline but only granted as a gift; however, a��gift of power makes mastery of the Waycraft easier. Ithacus Falk and Jim Falk both are considered Hunters.

Jitters

1. Equivalent to getting ���the creeps���. 2. As a Hunter, when Jim Falk refers to the Jitters, he is feeling a mental trail and gains a kind of link to the movements and whereabouts of his prey. His Jitters are greatly enhanced by consuming certain leaves.

Katakayish

These are the indigenous peoples who inhabit the wilderness about Sparrow. Their name means ���the last people of the river���.

Killers

These mysterious beings are rumored to have emerged from the evil that somehow survived the Flood of Waters.



Old Bendy���s Men

Mostly, this nomenclature refers to the Killers; however, a second class of beings that differ from the Killers is also often described by the same. Old Bendy���s Men are rumored to be evil men from the Wydder. They are also sometimes called demons or spooks.

Power(s)

Abilities to manipulate reality ��� can be derived from the Evil One, given by the Great One, or learned as a skill.

Simples

There are any number of powders and��elixirs derived from herbs and substances that are used in enhancing the practical aspects of weapons and medicines or��tools. If you add a simple to your coffee, you will get sharper. If you pour a simple on your whet stone, you will get an extra sharp blade. Specifically mentioned in this novel are Rootfire, Apoplexy, and Inhere.

Specials

1. A ��trans-formative concoction sometimes��used toward��an offensive or violent purpose ��� for example to turn a pinecone into an explosive. Some specials are said to be so powerful that they can change water to wine. 2. Can refer to any small weapon that has a crafted property.

Spinway(s)/wise

The primary line of reality in which Jim Falk and the characters in ���The Witch at Sparrow Creek��� exist.

Splitway(s)/wise

1. Any line of reality that flows from past events, used to describe paths of events that can share origins (see Crossways). In different directions. 2. Broken. Having different outcomes. 3. An understanding of reality that accepts a multiplicity of outcomes. ���She thinks in splitways���

Spook

A generic term for mysterious entities that reportedly eat babies, horse���s heads, and other things���

Straightway

A theoretical ideal line of reality out of which no Splitway comes. Also known as The Way, The One Way, One���s Way, The One Path, The Way or Path of the Ancient One(s), The Way of the Great One.. It is thought that all splitways will one day converge with the straightway, this event is called the Great Crossway alternatively known as the meeting of Earth and Heaven.

Way(s)

Indicates energies and actions that are aligned with the ideal line of reality.

Wydder (Wyddr or W���ddr)

This word designates the reality into which Jim���s father, Ithacus Falk, was dragged by Old Bendy���s Men (AKA the Killers). The word is derived from the Katakayish language ��� Wy��= sky + d���ddr = the sound of thunder after lightning. The word literally translated means something like ���Sky Cracking���

Witch

A human (man or woman) who derives reality manipulating powers from the Evil One. The witch has no powers of his or her own. They can only be achieved��by making a pact or becoming ���in league��� with the Evil One.

Witchword

Spell, incantation, prayer, or symbol used by a witch to manipulate reality. Also The Witchword. The words appear as nonsensical scribbles to those who cannot rightly read them.

The reviews are in… well, not all of them – but these ones are great!

Critical Mass – Don D’Amassa



The Witch at Sparrow Creek by Josh Kent, Hippocampus, 2015, $20, ISBN 978-1-61498-123-7

This debut novel appears to be the first in a planned series about Jim Falk, who battles evil, mostly of the supernatural variety. The setting is an imaginary world that bears considerable resemblance to colonial America. Falk’s father was taken from him by agents of Old Bendy when he was just a boy because he had been trying to rid the land of various evils, and now Jim is filling in for him. Those evils include some very nasty gentlemen, a powerful witch, and mysterious forest creatures. He has few allies (and not all of them are human) with which to wage his private war. The plot is pretty good and reminded me at times of some of the later work of Manly Wade Wellman. The violence is somewhat subdued and there is a good element of mystery.�� The prose is only rarely a bit awkward and a few scenes are a bit too long for their content, but overall this was nicely done. 3/26/15

���The Witch at Sparrow Creek��is a scintillating novel���filled with lovingly drawn characters, a profound sense of place, and an abundance of supernatural terrors that will leave every reader enthralled. It is one of the finest first novels that the field of weird fiction has seen in many years.��������S. T. Joshi

���The Witch at Sparrow Creek is is a resurrection of the genre, pulling those of us who care about such things back to a better time when these novels meant something ��� and, it helps to usher in a new generation of fans who will soon find themselves enthralled with this small, almost fictional town and its too real people. In Kent���s debut novel, we are introduced to not only resonating��horror�� but to a long and promising career for the author.�������� Joel L. Watts, author