It Was a Busy Summer

My novel, The King of Silk, was released in February as an ebook, and now the trade paperback version is available at your favorite online retailer. It is, as they say, coolness.

On June 7 I spoke to the Writer's Voice group in Amarillo about the process of publishing a book, and the use of point of view, tense, and depth of penetration to enhance a story.

Saturday, June 18, I signed books at an arts fair in Lubbock.

June 24-25 saw us at the Frontiers in Writing Conference in Amarillo put on by the Panhandle Professional Writers, an excellent group of writers professional and otherwise.

Saturday, September 10, I signed books at the local Barnes and Noble.

Saturday, September 24, I took time from my school reunion in Childress, Texas to sign books at The Hampton Inn and Suites.

Every Tuesday, we are at our writer's group, "Write Right Critique Group" at the Maxey Park Community Center. Drop me a note if you're interested in the writing process and I'll get you time and directions.

What's up for Fall? Stick around and find out!

Current Work

The King of Silk
Michael reaches for the light switch and chides himself, again. There’s no electricity in the Fifteenth Century. But there could be.

A midnight attack on a Manhattan street transports rising corporate finance star, Michael Patriate, to the backwoods of Renaissance Italy. Fearing the brand "witch," he conceals his identity and his understanding of 21st century business and technology. But he can’t check his ambition, the drive cost him love in the past—and threatens to do it again.

He goes from laborer to successful provincial merchant, even moves down the coast to military and trade powerhouse Venice. But the knowledge in his head keeps tempting him, and he gives in.

When he takes shortcuts by introducing new concepts into the silk industry, he hits opposition from powerful elements of a culture which ruthlessly guards the status quo. The designing Doge of Venice takes notice. He summons Michael and hands him a blank check to stoke the Republic’s flagging war machine, setting in motion events that may kill Michael or send him back to his own time. And if he survives, he’ll face his toughest opponent yet—himself.

Available from MuseItUp Publishing. Find it at your favorite outlet on the King's page.

Details

News

September 24, 2011 Book signing at Childress, Texas Hampton Inn and Suites.

September 10, 2011 Book signing at Lubbock, Texas Barnes and Noble.

June 24-25, 2011 Frontiers in Writing Conference (And a book signing, of course).

June 18, 2011 Book signing at local arts and crafts fair.

June 10, 2011

The print books are here!

June 7, 2011

Speaking to Writer's Voice writing group in Amarillo, Texas.

May 31, 2011

Presenting class on Point of View to Write Right Critique Group in Lubbock, Texas.

February 1, 2011

Release! It's available at your favorite ebook retailer.

September 7, 2010

Trailer! See the new book video on the King's page.

June 29, 2010

Michael Patriate Facebook PageMichael has his own Facebook page. Stop by and find out what's happening in the 15th century!

April 16, 2010

This is the start of a new leg in the journey. A contract! MuseItUp Publishing picked up The King of Silk for publishing first as an e-book, then in paperback form. There is much work to do. We'll keep you abreast of events on the blog page.

April 7, 2010

The King is in submission! That is, he's under consideration by a publishing house I feel good about. Keeping my fingers crossed!

2008

I'm excited! In April, my short story, Time To Go, won first place in the 2008 West Texas Writers (Midland, Texas) writing contest. In June it also placed first in the Panhandle Professional Writers (Amarillo, Texas) contest, short story category. And although the Historical Fiction/Western Novel category didn't receive the minimum number of entries to award prizes, The King of Silk rated First Honorable Mention. I'm still doing the happy dance!