Plans to continue the Island of Fog series

At the end of Castle of Spells (Island of Fog, Book 9), I wrote an author's note and said this:

So that's it. Hal's story is finished for now. This nine-book series has chronicled his transition from an ordinary twelve-year-old boy living on a foggy island to an experienced thirteen-year-old shapeshifter in a bright new magical world.

His adventures took place over five months between October and March. That's a lot of story for a short period of time! He's pretty exhausted now, and I think it's best we leave him alone for a bit while he recuperates and plans his ongoing mission for the future -- to feed the monstrous underground brain. I feel fairly confident we'll get to check in on him sometime later.

Well, I now have firm plans for the next book in the story. You might be tempted to think of it as Island of Fog Book 10, but you should probably call it by its rightful title:

New Earth Shapeshifters (Island of Fog Legacies, Book 1)

Hal is still involved in his mission to feed the underground brain. It's become a lifelong project for him. But his son's story is only just beginning...

It's nearly thirty years later, a whole new generation. Hal and Abigail are married with a boy and girl of their own, and their transforming abilities are not hereditary; there are no dragon-faerie mixes! So as the boy reaches his twelfth birthday, Hal allows him to choose what kind of shapeshifter he wants to be. Those who have read Castle of Spells will know that becoming a shapeshifter is now a fairly simple matter, though the process itself is kept a secret. But of course Hal has friends in high places, and so starts a new set of shapeshifting adventures! Hal and Abigail have small roles as parents; all the focus is on the kids. I have a feeling the younger sister is going to cause a lot of mischief.

More on this when I've hammered out some more details. I expect to start writing this in 2016.

Meanwhile, this year will be busy with lots of free short stories and a few novellas. If you haven't read Eye of the Manticore yet, find it on Amazon and other stores. And if you want free short stories, there are two available in the archives and a new one coming up on March 15th, just a few days away. Stay tuned!