May’s novella, Captain Rock Dove and the Nazi War Hawks in the Skies of Tunisia, detailing the heroic adventures of Rock Dove, Messenger Pigeon, and his World War 2 exploits. The first chapter is below; You can read the full four chapters on my Patreon, here https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5359808
Chapter 1: The Silent Company
As is pretty much expected for someone who writes, I’ve fallen behind on things; Life, obligations, and so forth. Catching up now! Here’s the April Novella, Secrets- looking at the lives of those who walk in the backgrounds of Hell’s Kitchen Sink.
Entire thing is available here, for just a dollar! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5359808
The first of four chapters follows.
Chapter 1: Bella
This month’s Patreon Novella is Still Life. A young man awakens after the end of the world to find a town full of silent, unmoving mannequins. If you’re interested in reading the entire thing, patreon.com/user?u=5359808 all of the novellas are available here for only a dollar a month- And we’re up to 12 novellas, one full year!
The first of four chapters follows.
This month’s Novella is Damage Control, exploring the aftermath of Skin Hunger, the first Atlantean officer of the Esoteric Forces of the United States, and Sergeant Fetu Miller’s continuing career! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5359808 As always, it’s just a dollar a month to be a part of the patreon, which I’m updating even between the novels while working on Actus Deus, the next Atina LeRoux story.
The first of four chapters follows below the cut. Action, buddy cop comedy, spy thriller stuff.
This month’s Novella is Godmother’s Eye, a story of fairies, family, and forgiveness.
As always, if you’re interested in seeing the whole thing, it’s only a dollar a month on my patreon for the complete works- Which now consist of Black and White, Letting Go, Earning Your Keep, That Thing, I Know What I Like, Border Guard, Lambs, When We Do Wrong, and Godmother’s Eye!
Chapter 1: Iarthar
Once upon a time, there was a boy.
Carol of the Bells
All I Want for Christmas is You
Well, not too many questions asked, but interesting results to the polls- First and foremost, Jormungandr won a frankly stunning number of votes, and came in first! Also it made me realize I didn’t have her in the fucking Stranger in Paradise poll! Whoopsie. Our recurring characters had the good scores one would expect, and the new characters- by and large- seemed to get some actual decent responses, particularly Ku and the ever-mysterious Grandmother Spider!
As for how people like Li best, 6 votes for as a girl, 3 for as a guy, 3 for as- well, something else. Highly egalitarian, everyone!
What next? There will be updates, with any luck, up to Tuesday the 16th- First a two-part thing I wrote for Christmas for the next two days, then the January first chapter, and finally, a two-parter showing some of the adventures of Oliver and Randall Creed, back in their monster-hunting days.
After that? Gonna depend a lot on what my work schedule looks like. I’m currently working 55 hours a week, so my writing output is variable. The next novel is Actus Deus, an Atina LeRoux story, revolving around the fairy courts, a murder charge (what other kind is there), and swords. I’ll keep you guys updated on my progress as I work my ass through it.
“Alfred. What, exactly, makes Excalibur special?”
Another novel finished! Good times as always. As always, there will be a brief period before the next story starts- This one, for me to write the next story. I know I’ve fallen behind; Work has been a bear, and relationships more so. Nonetheless, there will still be regular content, and if you can’t stand the lack of my writing- Well, there’s always my patreon! Shilling aside, I’d love to hear any questions or comments people have; I always enjoy talking about my work, and hearing people ask questions shows me that people care enough to think about it, so please, contact me, either in the comments, or via mgexaminer@gmail.com
A few notable things about this story…
The twist- with Ku-Thule being Howard- was something I only really came up with relatively late in the story, but I adjusted it a bit after coming up with it to foreshadow it more- same for Walter having his heart on the wrong side of his body, and a few other things. This is part of why I don’t post the chapters as soon as I finish them- There’s nothing like proper foreshadowing, for me!
One of the things I hate in a lot of modern fantasy stuff is how the magical stuff is somehow magically always kept out of the eye of the public. Like, if any of those things are acknowledged, the rest will all naturally have to come out, and it will become an entirely different kind of genre. I wanted to avoid that- which is why the Atlanteans emerged. I want them to have a real impact on the setting- But in a way that remains nonetheless realistic to how our world might change if weird fish people who are biologically human and who have a culture and technology oriented around divine power were to appear. We’re good at making the amazing seem mundane. But we’re also good at realizing how amazing the mundane can be. I’m looking forward to that, a lot.
While writing this, I had a lot of thoughts leading up to chapter 12 about how, exactly, Horace was going to respond to Betty. For quite a while, I strongly considered having her weakened by him having a lack of faith in her. That he would be wounded by everything that happened, and let her down. I’m very glad I said to hell with that notion, because in a very real way, sometimes, it’s just Horace and Betty against a cold and uncaring cosmos.
Also, you’ll notice, I’ve been foreshadowing the whole ‘Longfish’ thing for quite a long time. I like foreshadowing. Wonder what minor references I’ll be turning into a full story next!
Our usual character polls follow. Remember, this is particularly important because it may very well influence what kind of novellas I suggest for the patreon! You can vote for up to five characters you enjoyed! http://www.strawpoll.me/14687626
And the usual super-serious poll question. http://www.strawpoll.me/14687645
Once again; ask questions all you like!
One last thing: For those who’d like to know exactly when I update, I’ve set up a twitter feed, so any new posts can be found instantly on my twitter, here. https://twitter.com/Helskichinsink
hellskitchensink 