C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 75
October 7, 2015
SKETCH: Down the Stairs [Byways #8]
Gently turning the knob, Ewan opened the door to a gush of steam. He squinted into a walled room that was open to the stars. A burble-slurp brought his attention to its pool. The black water rippled as if something had ducked under.
—excerpted from Byways #8, Down the Stairs: A Ewan Johns Adventure
Local Legend. Ewan Johns takes a wrong turn, and a spring storm strands him on a mountain that’s wrapped in steam and strange stories. Byways #8, Down the Stairs releases later this month, and you...
October 5, 2015
COMING SOON: Byways 8-10
Three New Stories! We’re zooming closer to the release of another trio of Byways Books. Ewan takes a wrong turn. Zane follows his nose. And Ganix comes out of hiding. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving you sneak peeks of what’s to come—sketches, story snippets, state facts, and cover reveals.
Release Date: Tuesday, October 27Book #8 • Down the Stairs • A Ewan Johns Adventure
Ewan Johns takes a wrong turn and ends up on the wrong mountain. A late spring storm strands him and the girls i...
October 3, 2015
SHOW-AND-TELL: Galleries of Stone
I love hearing from readers! A few days ago, Virginia sent me a few pictures from Seattle under the header “Meadowsweet Sighting.” She gave me permission to share them with you. One of the planters at the Pacific Science Center was full of real-life meadowsweet:
Virginia was also daring enough to give Pred training a try. She said, “I think my bells are more sensitive than the ones she uses. Either that, or I don’t make a very good Pred, which is, of course, entirely possible.” Has anyone e...
October 2, 2015
Deuce, Chapter 22: Honor, Honesty
Honor, Honesty
Zing! When a second pebble hit his cheek, Aurelius’s pride stung. So he retaliated, but not in kind.
Lunging at the tree from which he’d been ambushed, he vaulted into the limbs. In less time than it took to say revenge in Terse, Aurelius was nose-to-nose with Ulrica.
Her dark eyes flew wide, and her lips parted with a gasp.
If she’d been one of his interminable cousins, Aurelius would have given her a taste his indignation. Of course, if she’d been one of his cousins, he w...
September 17, 2015
NEWSWORTHY: Print Editions
Coming Soon. For those of you who’ve expressed a deep and abiding fondness for print books, I have good news. The Galleries of Stone trilogy is making steady progress in that direction. For the last month or so, I’ve focused on learning a new skill set—typesetting. Very hands-on. Very useful. Also very cost effective, given the number of titles on my publishing docket. I’m embracing the indie experience in all sorts of DIY ways.
The typesetting process has gone through several phases. Befor...
September 5, 2015
Deuce, Chapter 21: Mucking, Moping
Mucking, Moping
Aurelius spent a rowdy night with his father, uncles, brothers, and older cousins. They acknowledged his accomplishment by drinking a cask dry, then embarking on a spine-tingling game of death dare. But he woke the next morning to an aching head, a wagon-load of barrels to shift, and six shipboard stalls to clear.
Aye, he’d had his shining moment, but he was still the sixth son of a lesser brother in a family of middle-class merchants. And that meant work. Even during fest...
September 4, 2015
BYWAYS: September Sale [Up the Mountain]
Best for Last. (Well, that’d be Ganix’s opinion.) Today’s the final day to catch a free e-book in my September Sale. You’re invited to add Byways Book #4, Up the Mountain: A Ganix Johns Adventure to your virtual bookshelves. Mountains and mischief, grits and griffins! GET IT NOW
September 1 – Book #1 was free. Now back to its regularly scheduled 99 cents.
September 2 – Book #2 was free. Now back to regular price, $4.99.
September 3 – Book #3was free. Now back to regular price, $4.99.
Septem...
September 3, 2015
BYWAYS: September Sale [Over the Bridge]
Today’s Free Book. Another day, another reminder that I have a sale underway. Today, you can catch the e-book for Byways Book #3, Over the Bridge: A Zane Johns Adventure for free! GET IT NOW
September 1 – Book #1 was free. Now back to its regularly scheduled 99 cents.
September 2 – Book #2 was free. Now back to regular price, $4.99.
September 3 – Book #3 is free on Amazon!
September 4 – Book #4 will be free.
And for those of you who are Amazon Prime Members, I’ve placed the Byways books in...
September 2, 2015
ART: Team Hunt [Deuce]
This is what he’d been looking forward to. Seeing Ulrica in action. And in his current role, the view was sublime. Aye, she was twelve. But she was also relentless, resourceful, and ridiculously eager. — excerpted from Deuce
The Galleries of Stone trilogy is complete, but there are plenty of stories left to tell. As time allows, I’m framing a new trilogy that’s full of Meadowsweets, Harrows, and even a Rakefang or two. And short stories are scheduled to make an appearance at regular interval...
BYWAYS: Aboard the Train [FREE]
Quick Reminder! The September Sale continues. Today’s freebie is the e-book for Byways #2, Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure. GET IT NOW
September 1 – Book #1 was free. Now back to its regularly scheduled 99 cents.
September 2 – Book #2 is free on Amazon!
September 3 – Book #3 will be free.
September 4 – Book #4 will be free.
Nab your copies! And while you’re at it, tell a parent, teacher, librarian, homeschooling family, and/or adventure-loving friend! Because books without readers...
