C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 74

Everything isn’t quite ready for the release of the next three Byways books, so I’m giving myself (and my illustrator and my editors) a small extension. The trio of titles will come out next month instead. I’ll keep you posted! ~CJ

First Look. This week, my print proof of Meadowsweet came in the mail. It’s so exciting to finally hold this story in my own hands. Give it a couple weeks and the print editions will start showing up everywhere books are sold.

Harrow and Rakefang won’t be far behind. : )

Progress Report. I wanted to give you a quick progress report on the Galleries of Stone print editions. Slow and steady has brought us through long weeks of preparation. We’re about a fortnight away from releasing this fantasy trilogy as “real” books. Here’s a sneak peek at the full cover for Galleries of Stone, Book Two: Harrow.

I showed off the back cover of Meadowsweet in this earlier post

Gently turning the knob, Ewan opened the door to a gush of steam. He squinted into a walled room that was open to the stars. A burble-slurp brought his attention to its pool. The black water rippled as if something had ducked under.

—excerpted from Byways #8, Down the Stairs: A Ewan Johns Adventure

Local Legend. Ewan Johns takes a wrong turn, and a spring storm strands him on a mountain that’s wrapped in steam and strange stories. Byways #8, Down the Stairs releases later this month, and you...

Three New Stories! We’re zooming closer to the release of another trio of Byways Books. Ewan takes a wrong turn. Zane follows his nose. And Ganix comes out of hiding. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving you sneak peeks of what’s to come—sketches, story snippets, state facts, and cover reveals.

Book #8 • Down the Stairs • A Ewan Johns Adventure
Ewan Johns takes a wrong turn and ends up on the wrong mountain. A late spring storm strands him and the girls i...

I love hearing from readers! A few days ago, Virginia sent me a few pictures from Seattle under the header “Meadowsweet Sighting.” She gave me permission to share them with you. One of the planters at the Pacific Science Center was full of real-life meadowsweet:

Virginia was also daring enough to give Pred training a try. She said, “I think my bells are more sensitive than the ones she uses. Either that, or I don’t make a very good Pred, which is, of course, entirely possible.” Has anyone e...

Zing! When a second pebble hit his cheek, Aurelius’s pride stung. So he retaliated, but not in kind.

Lunging at the tree from which he’d been ambushed, he vaulted into the limbs. In less time than it took to say revenge in Terse, Aurelius was nose-to-nose with Ulrica.

Her dark eyes flew wide, and her lips parted with a gasp.

If she’d been one of his interminable cousins, Aurelius would have given her a taste his indignation. Of course, if she’d been one of his cousins, he w...

Coming Soon. For those of you who’ve expressed a deep and abiding fondness for print books, I have good news. The Galleries of Stone trilogy is making steady progress in that direction. For the last month or so, I’ve focused on learning a new skill set—typesetting. Very hands-on. Very useful. Also very cost effective, given the number of titles on my publishing docket. I’m embracing the indie experience in all sorts of DIY ways.

The typesetting process has gone through several phases. Befor...

Aurelius spent a rowdy night with his father, uncles, brothers, and older cousins. They acknowledged his accomplishment by drinking a cask dry, then embarking on a spine-tingling game of death dare. But he woke the next morning to an aching head, a wagon-load of barrels to shift, and six shipboard stalls to clear.

Aye, he’d had his shining moment, but he was still the sixth son of a lesser brother in a family of middle-class merchants. And that meant work. Even during fest...

Best for Last. (Well, that’d be Ganix’s opinion.) Today’s the final day to catch a free e-book in my September Sale. You’re invited to add Byways Book #4, Up the Mountain: A Ganix Johns Adventure to your virtual bookshelves. Mountains and mischief, grits and griffins! GET IT NOW

September 1 – Book #1 was free. Now back to its regularly scheduled 99 cents.
September 2 – Book #2 was free. Now back to regular price, $4.99.
September 3 – Book #3was free. Now back to regular price, $4.99.
Septem...