Jason Halstead's Blog, page 9
January 6, 2016
Terminus: An Introduction
I apologize for the less than infrequent blogs. 2015 was a rough year, what with moving and some pretty significant shifts for the worse in the book market. I tried to write my tail off, but around the holidays even that suffered. The good news is, 2015 is behind me, I have moved, and I just sent of Shades of Dark, the 5th Vitalis book, to my editor.
But that’s hardly worthy of blogging about. What is exciting and worth reading up on is what’s coming early in 2016. It’s a project we’ve labeled Terminus, and by “we” I mean myself and John M. Davis, the author of the Gunship series and a highly ranked freebie called Colony, among other things. Check them out, they’re both free on Amazon!
So what is Terminus? Well, it’s something entirely new. We decided to pool our collective thoughts and come up with a shared universe. The thing is, we want to share it with more than just the two of us. And by sharing, we don’t just mean we write and you read. We want to make it as interactive as possible at this point. I’m working on putting together a website for it that will explain more, but for now let me toss out the ideas we’ve got.
By now you’re surely heard of crowd-funding, right? Well don’t worry, we’re not doing that. We do, however, want to do some crowd-sourcing. The idea is (once the website is up) for us to make it available for readers to submit things they’d like to see. New aliens, new weapons, new characters (good or bad), plot ideas, technologies, names, etc.. There’s no limit!
Now that doesn’t mean we’ll accept everything submitted. There’s bound to be some crazy stuff in there, after all. People screwing around or just having fun. I encourage that, in fact – it’ll be entertaining at worst and at best, it might spawn some other ideas. We can get inspiration from just about anywhere, after all.
On the flip side, things that are included will merit special mentions on the website and in the books. As a reader I think that would be pretty damn cool to have something of mine included, with credit given. There’s no compensation to be had here, unfortunately (we’re not THAT successful), but we will have some legalise releasing all IP and rights to submitted material. And who knows, maybe somebody’s going to have ideas so kickass that we want them to take up the battle with us and become a third other in the setting.
Speaking of that, here’s how these books are going to work. John and I are not co-authoring the books. What we are doing is writing our own stories and sharing them back and forth with each other to keep everything cohesive. Our characters will run across each other, from time to time, and there may be dialogue between them or snide comments tossed behind their backs. It’ll be great fun!
As much as I’d love to talk more about it, we’re very much in the beginning stages. I’m whipping up an introductory story to introduce the setting and John’s hard at work on his first book. Hopefully we’ll something to share soon! Either way, I’ll be posting more blogs soon that give away some details. Characters, background details, planets, technologies and ships, and who knows what else. I can’t give too much away – we want you to discover them in the books as they unfold, after all.
Stay tuned for a great new adventure into the stars – it’s going to be one hell of a ride!
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
December 8, 2015
The Rules of War Are Changing. It’s Time for a New Kind of Soldier.
I haven’t written a book in my Vitalis setting in a while – at least not compared to the other books I’ve been pumping out. If you’re wondering what the Vitalis setting is, it’s science fiction done right. Futuristic stuff that pits a struggling humanity at odds with the limited resources they’re finding as they expand across the solar system. Limited until they find the planet Vitalis. Unfortunately, Vitalis isn’t willing to give up those resources… at least not without a price.
If you are familiar with Vitalis, then let me offer this new release, Vitalis: Commandos, as an apology for taking so long. But it’s far more than an apology, it’s a story filled with excitement, action, and a new kind of soldier. Whether these commandos have to go commando or not… well, you’ll have to read the book! Now here’s the skinny on Vitalis: Commandos:
Humanity fears change. Earth has been lost to the spreading alien infection from Vitalis – an infection that mutates and enhances everything it touches all the way down to the genetic level. The infection is contained, but at the cost of quarantining the entire planet of Earth and millions of faultless people that are desperate for a cure.
But it’s a cure the best scientists are nowhere near to finding. That leaves one option. Containment and control, and that’s why Lance Corporal Carmin Mendez is being given her last chance to avoid throwing her life away. The Terran Coalition of Systems is putting together a top secret unit of unique special operators intended to learn about the contagion and find a way to deal with it.
For a group of people with no future, the only way is forward. If they can survive the training and learn to get along with each other. And when they think they’re finally ready, the real test will begin. Vitalis is waiting.
Vitalis
Vitalis: Resurrection
Vitalis: Provenance
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Vitalis: Genesis
Vitalis: Invasion
Vitalis: Chrysalis
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Vitalis: Communion
Vitalis: Commandos
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble (coming soon)
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
What’s next? Well, that’s where I have to hang my head. I just moved and it ate up two weeks of my life. No writing in that time, but while we’re still unpacking and I’m fixing up the house to allow for all of our stuff, I managed to both find a title and write another chapter on my next book. Shades of Dark, which is the fifth book in the Dark Universe setting. I’m hoping Shades of Dark helps wrap up the Dark Universe story for a bit so I can focus on some other things. Voidhawk needs another story, for example. And I can’t leave Vitalis out of the mix – Commandos opens up a whole new story line to pursue!
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
November 15, 2015
There’s Only So Many Rocks To Hide Behind When the Entire Galaxy Is Hunting You.
I haven’t blogged in a while. Not for lack of things to say, mostly for lack of time to do it. I’ve been focusing on writing and, in spite of a hiccup with some scheduling, I’ve gotten a lot done! That meant a missed month of publication, but on the plus side, I should have a couple of books coming out pretty quick here. Case in point, I’m here to announce a new book.
Dark Star has been released! This is book 4 in the Dark Universe series. If you remember the end of Chasing the Dark than you were anxiously wondering what happened to the scattered and injured characters. Dark Star answers that question and many more. Aden learns things about his past that leave him troubled, to say the least. Seph spends a lot of time arguing with herself and discovers there’s a lot more to life than what she allows herself – and then has to come to terms with the fact that maybe she waited too late for her personal revelation.
Niko and Neesha are there, as well as some other old friends. The fate of the Ampytheans is discovered and the far-reaching tyranny of the Kesari explored. Errant asteroids, Bounty hunters, determined Criknid soldiers, some new alien critters, and the ever-persistent mechanical problems in deep space abound in this action packed thrill ride. Through it all Twyf does her best to keep Aden distracted and restore his flagging spirits. I tried to pack as much excitement into a book as I could – but the end had to come sometime. And that’s why I’m working on book 5 in the series now.
Into the Dark (book 1)
Out of the Dark (book 2)
Chasing the Dark (book 3)
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Oyster
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Oyster
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Oyster
Dark Star (book 4)
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Scribd
Page Foundry / Inktera
Oyster
Still waiting on Page Foundry / Inktera to publish Dark Star, but it should be soon. It’s available everywhere else – and it was out there yesterday but I was recovering from an all-nighter restoring the production server at my day job. Sorry for the late notice!
Coming very soon, early next month, will be Vitalis: Commandos. That marks my 8th Vitalis book! Don’t worry, the book is finished I’m just waiting on editing and cover art. Dark Universe #5 is my current project and I’m hoping I can have that out mid – late December, just in time to treat yourself to a Christmas present when you want to get away from all the crazy that goes on at the end of the year.
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
November 1, 2015
A Very Alpha Christmas
Reblogging my wife’s new project! There’s lots to love here, if you’re into the thought of werewolves, demons, witches, dragons, and more.
Originally posted on Dawn Michelle Books:
Just because I’ve been so busy I haven’t been able to work or post much doesn’t mean I went away. I’ve still been dreaming and writing when I can, and to that end, I’ve got a new secret project that has just been released. Just like last year, this is an anthology of amazing authors coming together to deliver some holiday fun in the best way possible!
A Very Alpha Christmas, loaded full of 25 stories that will sizzle, delight, and maybe even raise the fur – I mean hair – on your arms. Or maybe it’s the fur on the Alpha’s arms? Whichever, you get the idea.
As for my part in it, It’s a full story that starts up a new series for me called Romancing the Dragon. The story itself is Claimed by the Dragon King. For long time readers, you might remember me asking about dragons…
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October 5, 2015
15 Novels a Year
A couple of months ago a man by the name of Filip Wiltgreen reached out to me and asked if he could interview me for his blog. It’s been a while since I’ve had that opportunity – I thought my 15 minutes were over. So of course I said yes, but I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. Filip hit me with a string of questions that kept me busy and stumbling for quite a while. By the time it was over I was relieved and exhausted, but I was also impressed. He had done a very thorough job of gathering data.
And now, today, the interview is live on his blog. I just finished reading the finished copy and I’m quite pleased with it. A little bit of advice for writers, a little bit of background on me, and some shout outs to the people that have helped me along the way. Good job, Filip!
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
August 27, 2015
When a God Falls
I was looking at my whiteboard the other day where I planned out the books I wanted to write this year. I was happily surprised to realize I’ve completed a large chunk already and even, in one case, going over my expectations. Where that’s relevant to this blog is that I had planned on writing at least one Voidhawk book. Well… I did.
Voidhawk – Fallen Goddess, is available now. It’s not only available, but it’s a book that really dug deep into me and touched me deeper than a book has in quite a while. It’s ridiculous to think that the writer could be surprised or shocked by his characters, but yet that happens to a lot of us. Or, at least, it happened to me with this one.
I’ll give a mini spoiler and announce right off the bat, Volera is back. But she’s not what you remember. Not only is she different, but she has no idea what she’s doing or why she’s doing it. Gone is the evil intent to harvest souls and power (well, mostly), and in its place is her driving need to understand just what it is that she needs. Confusing? Good, imagine how she feels!
The problem is this isn’t just another avatar of Volera created for a purpose, this is much bigger than that. I hinted in the end of the last book at her true power and origin, but this book covers it in more detail. And, most amazing, is her willingness to risk it all in her search for understanding.
What she failed to consider was the potential impact her actions could cause. Consequences that the crew of the Voidhawk discover at the worst time. They’re busy trying to deal with being betrayed on a job and handling internal problems. Jenna’s getting worse, not better, and Rosh spends time in a suicidal rage that only grows because he can’t find anything powerful enough to kill him and end his pain.
This book is amazing, and I’m not afraid to say it. The characters came to life stronger than ever. I can’t go on to explain more reasons why I think this is the best Voidhawk book yet without giving away important spoilers, but know that I really do feel that way. It also begs a follow up novel, which will be on my must-write list in the very near future.
But first, here’s the cover and where you can get it. I encourage you to hurry, and I also welcome the possible flood of emails that will follow as the books is read.
Barnes and Noble (coming soon)
Scribd (coming soon)
Oyster (coming soon)
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
August 17, 2015
A Dark Star is Born
Voidhawk – Fallen Goddess went to my editor on Friday. That, by itself, is a great thing. What happened in that book is even greater. I won’t go into details, but I will say that I’m still feeling it after taking an entire weekend off from writing and I want to jump straight into the next Voidhawk book because of it. But… I can’t.
In a couple of weeks I have a special project coming up with someone, so I have to plan accordingly. I’ve decided to work on Dark Star in the interim, the next book in the Dark Universe setting. A quick turn-around for that series, I know, but I’ve got a couple of driving factors: 1) Dark Universe is selling great and nothing else is for me – the family’s gotta eat. 2) I’m just as amped up about that series and the characters as I am about Voidhawk, so it’s an easy thing to do and it gives me the space I need to come into the next Voidhawk book objectively.
Two weeks isn’t enough to finish it though, not while I’m doing the day job too. So I finished putting my thoughts together today and now I can start working on the story properly. It’s not an outline, per se, but a general flow of what’s going to happen. The ‘how’ part of it remains to unfold as I write it. I’m expecting another kick ass story in that series though!
As for Voidhawk and the next book, that will come soon. It’s going to tie into my World of Kroth books again (Blades of Leander, Order of the Dragon, The Serpent’s War). In fact, the third book in the Serpent’s War trilogy will have a lot to do with it – but I promise they’ll also be entirely separate from each other. Some crossover, maybe, but you won’t need to read one to read the other. You will, however, get exposure to some kick-ass fantasy that fills in a lot of extra details and backstory for anyone that wants to try them both out.
And the side project? Well, I’ll talk more about that when and if it works out. It’s got a lot of potential, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself in case anything comes up to cause problems.
In the meantime, stay tuned for Voidhawk – Fallen Goddess in the next week or two! And after that another Dark Universe book is on the horizon.
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
August 6, 2015
Chasing the Dark
I teased about it yesterday. Today I have bigger and better new – it’s ready to go a day ahead of my revised schedule! Chasing the Dark is available for your reading pleasure! Below is a chart with links – and more will become available as time passes (you can check my website to find them, also linked below). In the meantime, let me explain why so many people have asked me when this is going to be out.
For those not in the know, Chasing the Dark is the third novel in my bestselling Science Fiction series, Dark Universe series. It was intended to be a single book originally, but the characters immediately informed me they had a lot more story to be told. All right, so a trilogy then…except this is book three and they are nowhere near close to being finished. In fact, a couple of new characters have entered the fray and they have their own stories to tell. Will 4 books be the end? I doubt it very much, although there are plenty of ideas rattling around already for what’s going to be book 4. I think I even have a title for it: Dark Star.
Be warned, this series is a mix of space opera, space fantasy, hard science fiction, and even a little bit of spicy romance with an occasional steamy scene you don’t want your mother knowing you read (or wrote…oops, Hi, mom!). Ahem, enough about that. First off here’s the blurb and then the links. Eat it up and enjoy, there will be more to come, I promise!
Aden and Twyf, human and Tassarian lovers, are running for their lives. An entire alien race, the Kesari, are chasing them across the universe with the intent of retrieving the artifacts they stole and insuring the secrets they’ve learned are never shared.
While they stay one step ahead of the Tassarians, the universe continues to change around them. They’ve unleashed a long forgotten energy that is disrupting everything, from genetics to the laws of physics. The secrets to the mysterious energy lie in the artifacts they have, and the key to unlocking them may very well be in the Terran Naval station Aden grew up in.
The Kesari won’t be denied so easily, however. Aden and his friends have to race against a race with technology so superior it might as well be magic. Magic the Kesari intend to use to one inevitable end: destroy Aden, Twyf, and everyone else that has come in contact with them.
Into the Dark (book 1)
Out of the Dark (book 2)
Chasing the Dark (book 3)
Amazon
Barnes and Noble (coming soon)
iTunes (coming soon)
Scribd (coming soon)
Oyster (coming soon)
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
August 5, 2015
A Quick Shot in the Dark
Ooh, I might have to use this blog title as a book title in the future… for my Dark Universe series. If mentioning that gets you excited, hold on, it’s going to get a little better!
Yes, I have the edits finished for Chasing the Dark, book 3 in the Dark Universe series. I’ve approved cover art too, just waiting for the files to be delivered (tomorrow, probably). All that is great, but when is it going to be available?
Thanks for asking! Barring a catastrophic problem, I expect to launch the book Friday, if not sooner. That’s 1.5 days away. Rejoice, you’ve got something to do this weekend now!
In the meantime, I need to get back to writing Voidhawk – Fallen Goddess. I’m tearing through this one too, but it’s going to be a biggun, I think. It won’t get written if I don’t get back to writing it though!
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
July 13, 2015
Physics Is For People Who Don’t Believe
This is not a post about my books. Not directly, anyhow. This is me being damn proud of myself. You see, four and a half years ago I tried to tear my arm off. I failed, but managed to rip the pectoral muscle off my arm and leave it flapping like a broken chicken wing. I was training for a powerlifting meet a month out. Bye bye competition.
I ended up having surgery to reattach the muscle, and I was told in no uncertain terms that I would never lift that much again. I moved a week or two after the surgery across country and lost my health insurance for a while. It was a kick in the nuts, to say the least, because I identified with being a big and strong mofo. Fortunately, I’d been studying my body and weightlifting for many years now and was able to self-rehab myself back to being within 85% of my prior maximum effort. Over time I accepted that. My books started taking off and I dreamed of a life where the pen was mightier than the bicep.
But I kept lifting. I wasn’t going to be a little guy or a skinny fat guy ever again. I would never compete again, but as long as I stayed in shape I could cope. So I did. Through a few more states and a few more moves I stayed strong and kept at it. And I got older. I peaked at 36, whether I wanted to or not. Now I’m 40 and I’m here to say recovery and a lot of other things aren’t what they used to be.
But I also managed to rekindle my love of picking up heavy things this year. It never left, but it definitely had a few lulls along the way. I’ve designed a new routine that works a lot better for me these days and allows sufficient recovery and, believe it or not, growth. I began to see gains that I didn’t think were possible anymore…but the iron never lies.
Last night I bench pressed a bar with only 15 pounds fewer than my competition best. AND I had enough left in the tank I wish I would have done 5 more pounds. I’ve given myself 6 weeks to meet and / or beat that prior maximum effort and I am positive it will happen. If you’re curious about what that means, I benched 390lbs tonight and I plan to meet or beat my 405lb lift that was a state record back in 2009.
That’s not the point though, what matters is that I’ve done a lot of crazy shit in my life. Some of it good, some of it not so good. Some of it… well, never mind (hi, Mom!). None of that stuff taught me the lessons that powerlifting has taught me. Lessons like how a determined human being has no limits. Physics and gravity be damned, if you put your mind to it you can do anything. Weight lifting, writing 12+ books a year, or doing anything you really want to. Hard work is the key. Hard work and determination. Heck, with enough hard work we might even be able to fix our government (remember, I write a lot of fiction).
Tonight’s lesson is this: F*** the rules, make your own.
To learn more about Jason Halstead visit his website to read about him, sign up for his newsletter , or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com .
