Hail once again rune-barbarians. I’m overdue for my newsletter.
Once again there are struggles throwing me off, not least of which is my own fault. But let’s not tarry now…
Princess of the Shrouded Mountain
Book 3 of Skarde’s adventures came in just under the wire for 2025 - December 17, 2025 to be exact. Many a late November night was spent scrubbing away the chaff and polishing the prose, and that effort continued into December. Honestly, between the late night, work and family I burnt myself out. But I feel the lack, and I need to start writing. March will be a time for me to re-focus.
Princess of the Shrouded Mountain is a story that sees Skarde once again overplay himself. He and his companions find themselves trapped in a lost land filled with strange beasts, primitive tribes, and four mysterious cities built into the prison-like mountains themselves. Since I’ve posted the cover several times already, here’s a look at the maps I drew of the lost land of the Shrouded Mountains.
And how has it been going? Great! No, I’m no where near retiring to become a full time author here, but sales and feedback from readers have been encouraging. In fact, I’ve been reconsidering my plan to focus on short stories this year and plot out another novel. The problem is the approximate $1000 USD budget. Things are a bit tight, and I would like to see my current titles pay themselves off. Book one is there, book two is close, and so of course I’m still in the hole for book three.
But.
If the current sales trend continues, and my convention plans work out (read on) I may be able to plan out book four sooner than I originally imagined.
Princess of the Shrouded Mountain
Sign of the Black Lotus
Vol. 3 of the Sword & Seventies saga sees our born-in-the-wrong-era hero Samuel and his girl Teresa looking forward to a concert. And not just any concert, but the heaviest band in the world, Black Lotus.
Things go wrong right off the bat, and Fr. Sanguinetti of the Ancient Order of Chandlers convinces Samuel to help them. They need muscle, and fast, to counter a bizarre end-of-the-world doom cult and their sorcerous leader.
And nothing will get between Samuel and his metal.
This novelette is a fast, fun read. I could have published it earlier, but I couldn’t find appropriate art, and doing it myself is a grindingly slow process. I’m not completely sold on the current cover, so if you know of some decently priced stock art I could employ, let me know
(Currently on pre-order till March 7 2026. Paperback will be up very soon)
Conventions
If I haven’t been writing much over the past two months, I have been prepping for conventions. Plans were drawn up, books were ordered, buttons and bookmarks were made, and banners and signs were designed and printed.
It culminated in my first con at a PopCultureCanada event in Bowmanville on February 1st. I’ve made two videos on the subject if you would like some visuals. If not, read on.
So what’s the verdict? It was terrible. Maybe I’m being dramatic. I had good experience with the other vendors, the people running the show were helpful, and a bud came to hang out with me. But the crowd was non existent. I managed to speak to about ten con goers, and I wasn’t shy about it. Overall, I made five sales. It felt like a kick in the gut. Five sales is not sustainable, and I lost money on the venture.
However, the general opinion was that this was the worst turn out in memory. I was just lucky! After Christmas is a little slow overall, and the day was the kind of frigid that makes your teeth hurt.
I’ll try again, of course. In fact I’ve signed up for the PopCultureCanada event in Orillia.
I’m just hoping for a crowd. If it’s busy and I can’t move at least twenty or so books I’ll know it’s something I’m doing, which is something I can fix in time.
Other Projects
Short stories are on the horizon. This coming week I’ll be refocusing on writing every day. Also getting outside. I work my day job from a basement office, and the dungeon in the winter can be a bit dreary.
One of the stories will be for the follow up to Weird Frequencies. WF was a fun book to work on. Every story was solid and everyone involved with the project is someone I want to work with in the future. What a treat.
BATTLEBORN is getting closer to a printing date, which is very exciting. I won’t be subbing there again for a while as Sean has every slot filled up to the third issue. When subs for issue four open I’ll be there, whenever that is.
I may also get the opportunity to do some voice work - on nothing less than what some consider the original sword and sorcery tale, The Odyssey. I’m already doing my homework and reading the Fagles translation.
That’s plenty for now wanderers. Let’s all of us kick off the hoarfrost and set our threshing oars toward Western shores.
Cheers,
Erik
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