June 2013 Update

Nuns of Europa:  Sister Katherine – First draft is done.  I now have two more edits to go, then it’s off to the editor, and last comes the final round of edits.   This means it will be out no sooner than mid-July.
Clans of Kalquor 1:  Alien Embrace (re-edited) – Same song as the last update.  Re-release is dependent on when I get the notice of rights returned from the publisher.  The contract runs out June 30.  My fingers are crossed you’ll see the updated version in July or August.
To Protect and Service:  Ravenous Virtue – At long last, the end is in sight!  The first draft should be finished this coming week...yay!  Do I dare hope to get this out in August?
Shalia’s Diary:  Book 1 which covers the August – September entries is now available for your e-readers at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.  Coming during this month’s posts, the threat to the Academy grows, putting someone close to Shalia in grave danger.

New Year’s Challenges
Start a new book each month:
(January)  Clans of Kalquor 8:  Alien Caged– I’m getting into the swing of writing this one’s first draft.  October should see this one in your paws.
(February)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – I should be done outlining this in a couple of weeks.  Rajhir, Flencik, and Breft have tossed me more than a few surprises.  Seeing them all so young and somewhat immature has been quite the revelation given how confident they were in Alien Embrace.
(March)  First Mataras:  Michaela – I’m about 3/4 of the way through the outline.  All I can say is that where bitchiness is concerned, Narpok had nothing on Matara Feyom.  Look out, Michaela.
(April)  Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions– Clan Diltan has their hands full with our heroine Cissy and with major problems confronting the Empire.  The rebellion is about to get a monumental push forward.  I’m a third of the way through this outline
(May)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan and Crown– I’ve just finished plotting this one out.  The first story with Clajak and Egilka looks like it will be full of fun.  The second story, in which Bevau comes into the pair’s life, will be another matter.  It’s going to be hard to write about the accident that killed Clajak’s mother.
(June)  Untitled – This will be part of yet another series (!) related to the Clans of Kalquor.  This group of books will revolve around the rescues of Earthers by Kalquorians immediately following Armageddon.  The first story will be about a young man many wanted to hear more about:  Dramok Sojan, who rescued Rachel Hicks in ‘A Prelude to Redemption’ in Alien Interludes.  I will begin character profiles this month.

The Couch to 5K Running Program:
I’m still waiting on the knee to heal.  Meanwhile, I’ve kept up on walking and the stationary cycling.  I’m up to 29 pounds lost.  A big boon to my little fitness kick has been an online tool called ‘Fitbit’.  I use the Zip pedometer they sell that links to their website to help me keep track of what I’m eating versus the calories I burn.  You can check it out at http://www.fitbit.com/home.  It’s a great motivator.  Master St. John has dropped over 50 pounds using this resource. 
That’s it for now, folks.  Take care, all!