Coming in 2021: The Battle for Majadan

What happens when heroes fail? 

What happens when victory turns to ash? 

What happens to those left to pick up the pieces?

The city of Majadan was the crossroad of nations, a haven for travelers, and the birthplace of heroes. For two thousand years we stood as a bastion against the hordes of the Madlands and their masters, the dreaded Wight Lords. After centuries of strife between the defenders of civilization and the Madlands’ undead kings, General Aidan Arkwright – the hero of the age – vowed to bring an end their reign.

When Aidan returned victorious, we citizens of Majadan threw a party fit for the gods – a celebration that few would survive. I was there when Aidan’s triumph drowned in blood and fire, and the fight to reclaim our city began. This is the tale of the end of the world, and the struggle of those who survived.

*

Here’s the plan with which I’m tempting fate: I’ve been working on this story on-and-off for a very long time. Next summer, it will see the light of day. After much gnashing of teeth, rending of garments, and enough revisions to make your eyes bleed, I hereby announce:

THE BATTLE FOR MAJADAN

The Blood Prayer (June 1, 2021)

The Bone Collar (July 15, 2021)

The Ghost Cauldron (September 1, 2021)

I’ll drop more details as those release dates approach, such as covers, excerpts, and when the books go up for presale. There will certainly be print copies for sale, but my intent is to make the ebook edition of The Blood Prayer available for free.

Stay tuned! And be warned: These books will be bloodier than a GWAR concert. Bring popcorn.

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

P.S. I have a new article on my travel blog as well: Read it!

And Now... A Review!

"If you're a fan of classic Hollywood film noir, Flash Gordon, The Shadow, and Back to the Future, I have a feeling you'll enjoy The Whisper. The Whisper by Jared Millet is an addicting new noir mystery thriller with the right dash of sci-fi elements to make things extra interesting."

Many thanks to Lauren Stoolfire for her four star review of The Whisper on her book blog! You can also read her review on Reedsy Discovery and upvote my book in their weekly poll (hint hint, grin grin, wink wink, nudge nudge).

Online This Weekend: SciFi/Fantasy Fest!

Who says we can't have conventions this summer? 

Not the Hoover Public Library! 

The library's annual SciFi/Fantasy Fest running from July 20-25 at HPLSciFi.com. Now that it's virtual, you can attend from anywhere in the world. I highly encourage you to do so; the Hoover Library puts on a great production every year, and it's a damn sight better for all of our mental health than doomscrolling on Facebook.

This year's SciFi/Fantasy fest is going ahead full steam in CyberSpace, where we SF fans knew these things were heading after we read Neuromancer in the 80s. There are tracks on Gaming, Comics, Writing, TV/Media, and a few panels that defy categorization. I'll be appearing in quite a few live panels, and the one we pre-recorded on The Meaning of Monty Python is already available for your viewing pleasure:

The rest of my panel schedule is as follows:

I've Written Something, Now What? Exploring Your Path to Publication

Bobby Nash, Patricia Correll, Jared Millet, Ingrid Seymour

July 24, 2020 - 9:30 PM EDT (8:30 PM CDT)

Are you a writer looking to become a published author? Unsure of what path to take? Traditional? Indie? Self-publishing? Join our group of authors as they weigh the pros and cons of each and share their experiences. 

Internet Resources for Writers

Teresa Howard, Jared Millet, Matt Wyers, Bobby Nash, Patricia Correll

July 25, 2020 - 11:00 AM EDT (10:00 AM CDT)

Writers use the internet for many things from collaboration to marketing to self-publishing. Our panelists will discuss their favorite internet resources and what they would not recommend.

Show, Don't Tell: What Does That Even Mean?

Jared Millet

July 25, 2020 - 12:30 PM EDT (11:30 AM CDT)

“Show, Don’t Tell” is the most common advice given to new writers, but what does that statement mean in the context of creating fiction? Author Jared Millet will “show” how to create a more immersive reading experience through your prose.

Why So Serious? Pulp vs. Literature in Genre Fiction

Jared Millet, Sean Taylor, Denise Lhamon, Van Allen Plexico, Bobby Nash

July 25, 2020 - 3:30 PM EDT (2:30 PM CDT)

Science fiction as a genre was born in pulp magazines, but came of age when authors infused their work with literary prose. As SciFi becomes mainstream, can it retain its maturity and still crackle with the energy of its early days?

Writers Groups

Teresa Howard, Jared Millet, Matt Wyers, Bobby Nash, Patricia Correll

July 25, 2020 - 5:00 PM EDT (4:00 PM CDT)

Join this panel of authors as they discuss their experiences with writer’s groups both online and in person. They'll talk about writing events and groups such as National Novel Writing Month and the online Critters Writers Workshop, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks for new writers.

I hope to see you at the convention!

P.S. Enjoy some pulp fiction:

The Whisper - On Sale Now!

In 1958, a phantom vigilante stalks the District of Columbia on the heels of a shadowy cabal from the future. In the middle - Allan "Smithee" Jones, an intrepid reporter chasing the scoop of his life. A tip from a dead man puts Jones on the trail of an assassination plot, and into the cross-hairs of organized crime and the government itself. Even with the help of his ghostly protector, will Jones survive long enough to unravel a conspiracy, prevent a murder, and answer the question -

Who is The Whisper?

The pulp thrills of yesteryear meet the sci-fi adventure of today in this exciting, fast-paced novel from the author of The Unwinding House. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon, and in ebook from Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, and Scribd.

Dive into the world of The Whisper today!

The Whisper Is Coming - Preorder Now!

Here we go, readers! I'm unleashing The Whisper on Monday, June 1. If you've been starving for some fast-paced science fiction noir - and who hasn't? - then pre-order the ebook from any of these fine vendors:

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords - Kobo

"Wait, wait, wait! What's this book about?" It goes a little something like this:

CORRUPTION, TREASON, AND MURDER

Washington, 1958: Intrepid newshound Allan Jones is chasing the scoop of his life – a political assassination plot by a sinister cabal known as JANUS. Unable to trust the authorities, Jones and his colleagues at The Washington Street have mere days to unravel JANUS’s secrets.

A GHOSTLY PROTECTOR

Enter The Whisper, a mysterious vigilante who saves Jones’s life before throwing him further into danger. Using futuristic devices to walk through walls and turn invisible, the Whisper can go anywhere and inform on anyone. Nevertheless, Jones never knows when he can count on the Whisper’s assistance, or whose side the Whisper is on.

A DEADLY RACE AGAINST TIME

As the clock runs out, Jones finds himself homeless, penniless, and on the run from the police, the NSA, and the FBI. While JANUS and the Whisper do battle using impossible weapons of tomorrow, Jones must somehow uncover a conspiracy, prevent a murder, and survive long enough to let the truth be known.

The paperback will be available on June 1 as well.

Sign up for your e-copy today!

"The Orbit of Mercury" is back - and Free!

Greetings from lockdown, somewhere in the middle of Atlanta!

With publication looming on my novel The Whisper (stay tuned for details), and with everyone out there stuck indoors, I've reissued my two-story ebook The Orbit of Mercury on Smashwords for the low, low price of no money whatsoever.

From the description:

“The Orbit of Mercury” – The common cat is almost extinct and their survival may hinge on one sickly member of the species living long enough to breed. But how do you get an ornery, uncooperative feline to take his medicine – in zero g?

“The Transit of Venus” – Growing up on the moon, a young girl named Venera has lived her whole life in the shadow of the loss of her family. She copes by starting a punk band, but on the eve of her proudest accomplishment, will she suffer a tragedy even she can't endure?

These two stories also appear in my collection The Unwinding House, but if you haven't dipped your toes in that one yet, then help yourself to this free sampler!

Just click right here to download and enjoy.

The Unwinding House on sale for $1.50!

Hey guys! Some quick announcements:


For this week only (March 1 - 7), The Unwinding House is available for $1.50 over at Smashwords! Smashwords's annual "Read an Ebook Week" sale is happening now, so click here to browse through deep-discounted books by thousands of indie authors. Just - ahem - make sure to buy mine first.

Next, I'm glad to let everyone know that The Unwinding House is now available at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Scibd, and Kobo, for you to enjoy on any ereader of your choice.

Just for fun, I did an interview with Smashwords's author interview bot. Here it is if you care to read.

My next book, The Whisper, is peeking its head over the horizon! I'm aiming for a June 1 release date, and I'll toss more details your way as the big reveal approaches.