As most of you know, I’ve worked the last two decades in commercial publishing here in New York City. During that time, I’ve edited manuscripts from historians, journalists, Marines, Navy SEALs, Rangers, Delta Force, and many more. It’s been a particular honor to help all these vets get their stories out there. I say all that because the series I’m recommending today is written by a former Spec Ops operator and it is one of the best military sci-fi series I’ve ever read, and I don’t say that lightly.

The second book in The Spearmen series has just released on Amazon. If you like hard science and military tech that’s at once futuristic and entirely believable this is the series for you. The battle scenes (and there are a lot) are second to none.

The Spearmen Chronicles (2 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)

My father recently suffered a significant medical event that has him hospitalized. At first, we weren’t sure he was going to survive. The prognosis has improved somewhat, but there’s still significant danger. To say it threw me for a loop is an understatement. My father is a strong, funny, outgoing man and I blithely expected him to be around forever. I don’t know if it’s needless to say, but I haven’t written in the last two weeks. I certainly will again. The interest is building, tempered by my concern for my dad. I’m not the most adept at compartmentalizing so this will be a challenge for the next while.

Cheers,

Chris

I can’t remember when I first discovered Terry Pratchett, or which book it was, but I was hooked from the start. From the Nac Mac Feegle to the Night Watch, I’ve loved every journey in Discworld. Knowing there will be no more stories is definitely sad, but also makes me appreciate all the books that do exist. I’ve reread most of them. Several years will go by before I come back, so that when I return to the books the stories feel like seeing an old friend. If you forced me to pick a favorite character I’d probably go with Sam Vimes although Mort/DEATH is a close second. The ensemble cast of the Watch is unparalleled which was why I was so excited when they made the TV show. Then I watched the show. Once I accepted how impossible it was to recreate the fantastical world Pratchett had created (Nobby Nobbs as just one example) I watched it on its own terms and enjoyed it.) I’ve never written fan-fiction, but if I ever do, I think I’ll start in Ankh-Morpork.