Rob's Update: Make It One For Washington
Week 27 of 2023
Greetings all
First, I want to apologize to all the mailing list subscribers. I did everything to get your email out on time except press the "Send" button. It was in the Outbox going, "Well? You gonna hit send?"
In any case, happy 4th of July! Let me tell you, Anthony goes all out for the 4th. The fireworks started in June and the display a few blocks away last night was spectacular.
The title to this week's update, by the way, comes from The Blacksmith of Brandywine, a fantastic song about a guy in Pennsylvania during the Revolution who helped Washington elude a trap only to lose his family. He then took revenge on the redcoats before dying. Here's a good link on the story: hoofcare.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-blacksmith-of-brandywine-story-of.html and here's a link to the best version of the song I can find on the web: youtube.com/watch?v=PpCbxwVjaX0. This isn't a great version, though. Sabaton really needs to do a proper version because it's as metal a story as you'll ever find.
A Hope In Hell
On to the big news. A Hope in Hell, the thrilling conclusion to Christopher G. Nuttall's Heirs of Cataclysm trilogy, comes out on Tuesday. The advance reviewers have been unanimous that it's great and a fitting end to this post-apocalyptic swords and sorcery.
It was a very productive week otherwise, too. A Lake Most Deep is in the can and will go out to the advance readers this weekend. The Eyes of a Doll is at the proofer, so it's ahead of schedule. Where Now the Rider went out to the editor today.
And I promised you a cover reveal, so here you go! Jake did an amazing job here, and while it's similar to the first cover since it's the same scene, it's so much stronger. He's really amazing.
Also, note the cool thing right over the "E" in Lake. Glen Cook, yes that Glen Cook, wrote me out of the blue that since I'd edited him a few times, he thought he'd take a look at the Edward novels. He started his review with, "That's a damn fine read."
Yes, my head is still blown.
Glen's been one of my favorites for a long time, and to have the creator of the Garrett, P.I. series, one of the foundations of the fantasy/mystery subgenre, say that about A Lake Most Deep was astounding.
Let's see, what else? I finished a sooper-sekrit project and sent it off. We'll see what fruit that bears. I also mostly finished a new short story which I'll send out this weekend.
Also this week, H.P. Holo invited me to join her on her podcast on July 22nd. We'll be talking about A Lake Most Deep and whatever else comes to mind. If you haven't seen her stuff before, you should check her out. She's a rock star, as is Jacob, her husband.
H.P. Holo Q&A
And look at the graphic she made for this episode! And here's the link if you want get updates on Facebook: facebook.com/events/234711226078834.
Whew, so much going on and next weekend might be even more awesome.
What I'm Listening To
Writing this with Law & Order in the background. S. Epatha Merkerson is so good as Anita van Buren. She's one of my favorite TV characters ever.
Quote of the Week
Here are the original words to Blacksmith of Brandywine from its writer, Pat Garvey.
Original Words by Pat Garvey
Sep 26 - '63
Chorus Make it one for Washington and all his gallant men And one for the girl that once was mine. Make it one for the darlin' boy I'll never see again And don't forget the Blacksmith of Brandywine.
As we rode down to Brandywine There was a sight to see A giant man with a hammer in his hand Lying dead 'neath a cherry tree And all around him on the ground In fatal disarray A score of men who would never fight again Nor travel on the King's Highway.
Then quietly we dug a grave And gave him burial there And passed the day a ridin' on our way Till we met with a musketeer. From him we learned the story of A brave and angry man Who undertook the British enemy With a hammer in his hand.
Chorus
There lived a man in Chester town Away from the cannon's roar Of manner mild, he'd a woman and child And he loved them twenty times o'er Till a Tory spoke of a plot one day To waylay Washington He left his home and family alone And to the General he did run.
When he returned the next morning A horror struck his eyes His family slain by Tory gun And his house it burned the skies The Blacksmith reached for his heavy sledge And gave a practice swing. Next day at the line on the field of Brandywine You could hear his hammer ring:
Chorus - Pat Garvey, Blacksmith of Brandywine
Rob’s Riddles
I have a Patreon where I write Old English style riddles and provide snippets of my work. You can find it here: patreon.com/rhodri2112, along with a sample riddle.
First Line of Next Riddle:
I cover the world, Though not how I once did
Latest Snippet: Chapter 2 of Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy
New Mythology Works in Progress
I’m pleased to announce the 2024 FantaSci Short Story Contest. Get the details here: chriskennedypublishing.com/2023/03/28/2024-fantasci-short-story-contest/.
Current Schedule of New Mythology Press Of note, this now includes our recent releases, so if you’re not sure what we’ve put out lately, you can go here and check.
Rob’s Works in Progress
Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
OG (2,379)
Hyarkeen (2,991)
Farewell, My Ugly (73,704)
Rick Blaine (8,845)
The Feasting of Vengeance (3,405)
Upcoming Events
Pennsic War, July 28 – August 13, Slippery Rock, PA, pennsicwar.org
New Releases
Book 6 of the Prince of Britannia series by Fred Hughes, Prince Liberator, is out! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0C1TQ8639.
Shadow, Ash, and Prophecy came out a couple weeks ago. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/1648557732. This is book 2 in Trisha J. Wooldridge’s amazing Asian-themed epic fantasy, and focuses on the fey of her world in a battle against an evil prince.
And don't forget, A Hope in Hell by Christopher G. Nuttall comes out on Tuesday!
Tracked Items
Today's Weight: 351.6
Updated Word Count: 204,881 (I went back and caught up with some stuff I should have added a while ago)
Firehall Sagas Archives: 737 entries
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/-/e/B00X95LBB0
Website: robhowell.org
Blog: robhowell.org/blog
The Firehall Sagas: firehallsagas.com/
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: twitter.com/Rhodri2112