Which is now FOUR DAYS EARLIER!
I’m a bit (read a fucking massive bit) of a procrastinator - so, I hate them.
THEN, the other side of suckage comes out. The book will be ready FOUR DAYS EARLY and I can’t release the sumbitch.
At least, I don’t think I can. (If this book comes out before Christmas Day, then I must have figured something out.)
“So Mike, you did a preorder anyway, why did you do it?”
The truth is that fans kept asking me ‘when is Ahead Full coming out’, so I thought a little preemptive strike with a pre-order would answer the question. Then the fans know the date, and I have been a good author and supplied what they want to know.
In advance! (What a stellar idea, right?)
While it did answer the date question (mostly, some failed to read the notes in book 19) I feel like a big “P” was put on my forehead. Or was it I’m wearing a shirt with a massive “P” for procrastinator on the front?
I believe I’m getting my stories and song lyrics mixed.
Either way, I did the pre-order when it looked like I was finally getting my words down, and the book was going to make it in time.
That’s when disaster reared it’s ugly head…
We had a “oops” in the editing lineup and now we had a couple of extra books in front of this one. DAMN! Our main editor is now going to have to work into the late nights because I failed to explain the pre-order situation to her.
CRAP.
So, we are going to get this puppy done, I promise.
Because if we don’t? The ‘Zon will bitch slap me back into the 90’s.
I really hate pre-orders…
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2018
So, we had a LOT of movement and advances to everything in 2017. It is pretty damned hard to realize just how advanced publishing has moved in the last four years. For us in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe we have been blessed to bring out over sixty Kurtherian books this year.
And they will be joined by more in 2018.
Our Age of Expansion (Sci-Fi) is just getting started. Our Age of Madness in the TKG Universe (Zombie Genre) is releasing in late January and we have additional stories working their way into the mix. I will be slowly starting my next Bethany Anne series mid-year and then we will have plans to get all the authors together end of 2018 (I hope) for a discussion about a massive event in the Universe we will start writing in 2019.
On the Oriceran Side (LMBPN’s other Universe) I will be writing my 12 books as three sets of 4 books in a series focusing each on 1 of 3 characters, but will do something really cool with how it weaves together.
No, honestly, you have to believe me! ;-)
We have 22 books in the Oriceran Universe right now, and more coming in 2018. Two new new authors are starting, plus whatever our existing authors will do and myself. I expect the universe to have about fifty books done by the end of 2018, if not more.
I will be writing five shorter books (about 40,000 each) in the Shaman States of America Universe (The CKH Group (Chrishaun Keller-Hanna) - a separate Publisher) at the end of 2018. The SSoA Universe will have about 30 books in it by the time mine publish in November / December 2018.
Further, I’m involved with two other new starts with MT Spiva (Michelle Spiva in Non-fict and Mykal Daniels for other stuff) and Laurie Starkey starting in the next few months. These are going to be MUCH more ‘romance enhanced’, just so you know.
I have a prelude to the first book with Laurie at the end of these author notes, check it out! I think we have hit a ‘fun’ level of characters, and more on the romance side (since Laurie’s pen name(s) are WELL KNOWN Romance writers.)
I don’t know if she wants to share that (because she wants this to focus on Urban Fantasy) so I won’t at this time. (She does, it’s in her notes at the end of the short story, complete with link.)
EVENTS
As an author, I will be attending the 20booksto50k London event in early February. Smarter Artists (Austin, TX) in late February. The SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) event in May and also the Boston Fantasy Event late May and then the Audies and New York Book Convention end of May, first part of July (New York City for both). I’ll be doing NINC and Frankfurt in October again and 20Booksto50k Las Vegas in November.
I think there might be another one or two other events in the middle of that somewhere, beats me because I’m going to be typing like a …
KURTHERIAN GAMBIT WIKI
It is because of a badass set of fans and support that we are able to say that the Kurtherian Gambit WIKI is going to go live.
We have had some gallant efforts to bring a WIKI (a place to check out the stories, events, characters, books etc.) throughout 2016 and 2017. Hell, I’ve tried starting one (twice) and gave up both times. We had a stellar fan also try, but she got sick and the software that was being used is damned difficult.
The fuckers are a challenge!
I met fan John Raisor in Las Vegas in November, and he showed me a usable WIKI (meaning, the software was simple and usable.) He already had example data in the system for me to play around with when I met him and his wife at TGI Friday’s that morning. Now, I know she is going to think, ‘Seriously, you don’t remember my name?’ when I fail to mention it here.
Yes, I suck at faces and names…
(HA! Slack and always available Internet connectivity to the rescue. I asked John in Slack and he replied “Wendy.”)
The meeting with John was fortuitous because Karla Kay was working behind the scenes to pull together the information and we needed a web accessible location to plug the information into to support our fans.
Together, the two of them and others (Lynne Stiegler for one) have been working to make this happen. The official unveiling will be January 1st, but if you want to ‘Beta’ the WIKI, you can request access. The URL is:
https://sites.google.com/site/kurtheriangambit/
You must have a google account to access this WIKI. Once you request access, please be patient…Lynne and John will try to get your request approved within a day. We hope to have it truly live, without needing to sign up on New Years Day.
Keep your fingers crossed ;-)
GILES
If you have been reading into the Age of Expansion (Started with AWAKENED in The Ascension Myth with Ell Leigh Clarke) you are eventually introduced to Giles Kurns. Like his father (and mother) he has a bit of a need for information.
Now, with this story and book 04 of The Second Dark Ages (Michael’s book 04 where he comes back to Earth after having been in the Etheric for 150 years and learning that the world isn’t the same one that he left) Giles will be starting down his Space Archeologist path.
Check out the beginning of the series where you will eventually get more Giles here: books2read.com/awakened-aoe
OTHER STUFF?
Believe it or not, there is MORE that I can share, but if I don’t shut down at some point, you won’t get to read my stuff with Laurie. Further, what I don’t tell you now, I can WOW you with later!!!!!! (That’s for you, Candy.)
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael
Life Goes ON
The Kurtherian Gambit Book 21
1
The massive Leviathan-class superdreadnought hung in space, slowly moving through the black depths above the planet. Silent, but not immobile.
Well over seven thousand times a second, the AI updated the attack plans should her Empress need to call on the abilities of the warships to rain fire on the planet below.
It was intended to be a peaceful visit, ArchAngel knew, but she developed contingencies as she eavesdropped on the communications.
She was always prepared.
Ixtali News Agency Duonto
“This information has been confirmed,” the news reporter said into his microphone as he looked at the drone camera. “The two massive Etheric Empire warships above our planet are here on a planned visit, bringing Empress Bethany Anne to speak with
our political leaders.”
He turned to his right, his four mandibles signaling that he was just a touch uncomfortable.
He had heard the rumors of the Empress’ incandescent rage over the new Federation efforts, especially the many requirements they were trying to place on her people.
And for what it was worth, he sympathized.
However, he could also sympathize with the other governments, as well as the Ixtali. The Empire itself was too powerful to create even a semblance of equality among the proposed Federation’s members, so the negotiations were rather rough with those in the Empire itself—including the most divisive issue, which he was sure would set the Empress off.
They wanted her to step down.
QBS ArchAngel II, Above the Ixtali Planet
Bethany Anne put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “Just shoot me now, and let me leave this fucking job already!” she murmured. Opening her eyes, she looked at herself, or rather, the visage of the AI ArchAngel on the screen in front of her, and asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she responded. “Two different groups are working to break up the meeting, either while or after you speak with the Ixtali council.”
Bethany Anne made a face and glanced at John, who merely shrugged his shoulders and smiled back at her.
Same shit, different planet.
“We have a call from a private line,” ArchAngel informed Bethany Anne, who raised her right eyebrow. “From Legate Addix,” ArchAngel qualified.
“Well, that tears it.” Bethany Anne turned and started toward her weapons closet. “This will be an armored visit.”
The AI opened the door before she got to the room. As she stepped inside she said, “This is Bethany Anne.”
The Ixtali’s voice came from the speakers. “Empress, I apologize for going outside normal protocols, but there are a few issues here you might want to be aware of before you come down.”
“Speak to me, Addix,” Bethany Anne replied as she opened drawers. She turned and pointed to John and then to a new set of drawers she’d had installed.
She turned back to her search, so she didn’t notice the unasked question on John’s face as he started opening the drawers.
“Oh,” he murmured as he pulled out a couple of knives. “Someone has been shopping at the blades and cutlery store and not sharing the spoils,” he whispered as he selected two for himself.
When he turned around Bethany Anne was naked, about to pull up her under-armor suit. He quickly turned back, raising his eyes to the ceiling as he shook his head.
Damn that woman! “What happens on the mission stays on the mission,” he subvocalized, listening to her dress behind him. She had been tweaking him since way back in Florida.
He’d complained to his wife Jean about it a few decades ago, but she just patted him on the cheek with a knowing smile on her face.
He’d had no clue what Jean had meant by that, and that had made the response scarier than it should have been.
When he heard the expected zipper closing, he turned around. She was putting on a skin-tight suit that did little to hide much, but changed her skin color from white to a Lycra-looking black.
He rolled his eyes. At least he wasn’t staring at Baba Yaga.
Does this make me look fat? she sent straight into his mind as she carried on the conversation with the Senior Legate. He glanced around the room to confirm nothing seemed amiss, and then headed out of her arms locker.
Well, it was much more than an arms locker, really.
You might have gained a pound, he sent back, chuckling under his breath as he imagined her eyes trying to burn a hole through the back of his head. He smirked. She would be trying to figure out where that pound was for a week.
Priceless!
“ArchAngel?” John called over his own link to the AI.
“Yes, John?” He could hear her through the bone conduction speakers in his head.
“Please close the arms locker door,” he commanded, and the door behind him immediately started closing as he took up a protective position outside.
“Closed,” she confirmed. “Why?”
He smirked. “I don’t want to hear her bitch about weight gain after the call with the Senior Legate.”
Bethany Anne stared at the broad back of her friend as he stepped out.
If only she had laser eyes!
“Bastard!” Bethany Anne murmured. John took up a protective position with his back to her as the door to her room closed.
“I’m sorry?” the Senior Legate replied over the speakers in her suite. “I don’t think I know that word.”
Bethany Anne rolled her eyes as her focus snapped back to her call. “I have to apologize.” She turned and opened the drawers where her latest armor setup was stored. “It was a personal comment,” she admitted as she pulled out the core chest and back protection. “Who will need their ass kicked, and why?”
QBS Ranger Prime, On-station near the QBS ArchAngel II over the Ixtali Planet
The Empress’ Rangers had fought many battles, either by themselves, with their support staff, or with their ships inside and occasionally outside the Etheric Empire. For many of the last decades, major law enforcement problems inside the Etheric Empire had been significantly reduced, and that could be traced to one ship.
The QBS Ranger Prime.
Ranger Prime was the largest law enforcement ship any political group in any system near the Etheric Empire had in their possession, and the ship made a statement.
The statement was, “Don’t try to play pirate in the Etheric Empire. They don’t fuck around.”
The Skaines had learned a few valuable lessons, not the least of which was to never believe it was safe to try and rip-off a quick score. When an Etheric Empire superdreadnought whose raison d’être was to focus on piracy and other law enforcement operations might arrive at any time, there wasn’t shit they could do if it showed up but hope they could make a run for it.
Only huge system-level governments could foot the costs of building and manning warships. The Skaines as a group used them.
However, the Etheric Empire was already at war, and their damned Rangers had requisitioned one of their elite and largest capital ships for themselves.
And the Empress had gone along with it.
During the Battle of Yerrluck, the Skaines had tried to box Ranger Prime and destroy her. For this engagement, fifteen percent of the Skaines’ total military force had been concentrated in one location.
Fifteen minutes after the battle had started and the Skaine trap had been sprung, the QBS ArchAngel II and the QBS Reynolds arrived.
One third of the Skaine ships had been decimated before the surrender message could be verified.
Barnabas often used the ship as a silent reminder to criminal organizations who were fighting amongst themselves to refrain from killing civilians in the process.
Ranger Prime would arrive without a word, and slide through the atmosphere to park a few thousand feet in the sky over a city.
Most of the criminal organizations had heard that after the arrival they had six hours to fix the problem—or else. If they hadn’t notified the ship by then that they were working on a deal, a message went out to explain the warring factions had three hours to make peace.
Barnabas didn’t believe in allowing his Rangers or their support teams to take risks, so his people went on-planet wearing EE-LEA, “Etheric Empire-Law Enforcement Armor.”
One of the most poorly-kept secrets was that the Rangers’ LEA was military grade armor with a fresh coat of paint.
Something criminals could rarely afford, and what they could buy was never as good as what the Rangers wore.
At last count, over one hundred and twelve peace agreements had been signed on Ranger Prime.
Barnabas walked onto the bridge, which was as he liked it.
Calm, quiet, and civil.
Even during the heat of battle, rarely did the personnel on the bridge feel any an
xiety from their leader.
He was over a thousand years old, and had worked for centuries perfecting his ability to remain composed. Barnabas was the quintessential example of “cool under fire.”
He allowed very little to bother him.
Unfortunately, just a short time back he had gone on an operation with Tabitha and Peter where he had tasted a little freedom from the normal restraints he engaged to keep his emotions in check.
And it had felt good. Really good.
QBS Leviathan Super-Dreadnought, shadowing the ArchAngel II above Ixtali
Barnabas’ face was a mask of calm as he sat down in the leader’s chair on his bridge and contemplated future steps for his Rangers.
It had been decided that the QBS Ranger Prime would go with Bethany Anne to Earth, and be listed in the records as having left.
Barnabas pursed his lips, thinking about…other options.
“Ranger One?” The EI’s face was a copy of Barnabas’ own. It didn’t use much creativity in communication.
“Yes, Prime?” Barnabas cocked his head to the right.
“The Empress has requested your presence for an operations effort. No Rangers on this mission, volunteers only.”
Barnabas pushed on his seat’s armrests and stood up. “How many volunteers does she need?”
“Right now, she says the more the merrier, but at least five.”
Barnabas thought about who was aboard and smiled. “I’ll have seven.”
“She asks that you suit up, but it might be a few hours before the operation starts. She says to let you know the Shinigami will arrive to convey the volunteers.”
Barnabas spoke over his shoulder as he left the bridge. “Understood.”
Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Set Three: Books 15-21, Never Submit, Never Surrender, Forever Defend, Might Makes Right, Ahead Full, Capture Death, Life Goes On (Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Sets Book 3) Page 140