The Dragon Wager

My short story, "The Dragon Wager" is available for download for the Kindle at Amazon.com. This funny fantasy yarn is set in the same realm as Test of a Prince and the upcoming The Vale of Shade. This one was published a couple of years ago by a now defunct publisher, and published in that publisher's best of anthology.

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Wager-Tale-Jotunheim-ebook/dp/B0086VZTGA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1338293304&sr=8-4

The Wardmaster is contracted!

The Wardmaster, a dark fantasy epic, has been contracted for publication with Post-Mortem Press! This dark and thrilling adventure about psychics trying to save a young and very powerful girl from the forces of darkness will be available some time in late summer/early fall of 2012. In the meantime check out a short story that features a major player in that drama: "The Witch-Father", available now for kindle format.

An interesting review...

This is what my friend, Sam Rowlett said about my writing:

"My good friend Travis is a writer living in Northern Vermont. His work is like Stephen King and J. K. Rowling making out in the bathroom of a roadhouse bar somewhere in the Green Mountains, only accessible by snowmachine. Read his books!"

The Witch-Father is now free!

May 20th to May 22nd, "The Witch-Father" is free on kindle!

The Witch-Father is now available!

So, you don't have time for a novel? You are craving some fantasy action and suspense? Love stories of fearsome desperate psychics as they wage an endless war against the corrupt and undead? Look no further. "The Witch-Father" is available for the kindle (or for free kindle apps). This is just the first published story about Crimm, the Pyrelord. Right now, a publisher is considering the epic fantasy novel: The Wardmaster, which details how Crimm awoke from a sleep of a thousand years. Here is the link and the description:

Tammas Graysheldson was a husband, father and grandfather to witches, a carpenter, and as good a soul as any in Vanaheim. When a cult kidnaps his twin grandsons, Tammas takes up sword against an ancient and awful evil. The Logos sees fit to grant him a companion in Crimm, the Pyrelord and the last of the Vraghmin. But will a psychic warrior and a grandfather's love be enough?

This short story is a Chronicle of Crimm, the warrior who awakens from the sleep of a thousand years to find his beloved Vanaheim in the clutches of the monstrous Twisted Ones. Look for The Wardmaster, a epic dark fantasy novel that tells the tale of the Pyrelord's awakening.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0084FM6SW

Some words about the whole Tony G. issue.

Hey, I want people to know that although I had a story published with Tony G. and his Undead Press, that was the extent of the business I had with him (that and a long telephone conversation). Almost immediately afterward, I decided not to send any more stories to places where I would not receive any copies, checks, or royalties. I felt that my work had proven itself in the small press, and frankly I couldn't afford to buy copies for the rate at which (at the time) I was cranking out little weird tales. Not that I am denigrating all the small presses out there that do not always offer payment, but it is nice to know that the publisher is aiming at getting your name out there rather than relying on you being so excited you will get all your well-meaning relatives to purchase copies.

Tony G, on the other hand (and if you don't know what I'm talking about- get on any writer's blog (Gaiman, Keene, etc.) appears to be a real piece of work. I am thankful that my experience was not so negative as some of the other writers who had their work skewered and twisted and received only rudeness and threats in response to their complaints. If you are a writer starting out, be sure to check out what people have said about that press, and the editor. I myself will work on the future to be sure the publisher is genuinely working for the best interest of his or her writers.

To be honest, the best experience I've had so far with small presses and anthologies for short fiction is Eric Beebe and Post-Mortem Press. My work went into the same volume as some pretty famous and noteworthy authors (both old and new), it was promoted and I received copies and checks. I think it is important for young writers to have positive experiences with a legitimate publisher. Please, if you have something in mind, check out PMP. You won't regret it!

http://www.postmortem-press.com/

The journey begins again...

In early March, I finished my novel The Wardmaster, and then I did something pretty silly. I edited it. That was good: I sent it out, and hope to hear from the publisher within the next week or so. Then, I started editing and formatting The Night Library. That was successful, and many people have been enjoying this collection of spooky tales. Well, I got very excited and began editing/re-writing a middle grade fantasy book: The Door to Halloween. Big mistake. Halfway in I lost steam. I think it is a great book, but I just couldn't maintain my enthusiasm after two months of spending whatever free time I could spare while I taught, raised children, and was as good and present as a husband as I could be, editing.

I promised to write a memoir about the Vietnam experience, but wanted to wait for those two blissful months of summer to sit down with my dad-in-law and really get the whole story. In the meantime I felt listless, though. What would I write? I abandoned my editing (for now) and decided to set out on a whole new adventure, with the plans to have this one wrapped up by the time I return to teaching in August. This one is: Ride, Valkyries, Ride! (tentative title). It is a dark fantasy/horror tale about the motorcycle mamas of midgard which were first introduced in the second half of The Wardmaster. This decision was sort of mandated by my lovely wife (who fell in love with the characters).

Yesterday, I did the hardest part of all. I put words on a blank page. A couple of hours later, I had lost time, and groaned when I was pulled away from the world of monster-hunting ladies to go and pick up my teenager from ultimate fighting practice. I'd say that was a real victory, and already I can't wait to see what lies at the end of this particular journey. Actually, I hope it is just the first of many rides I will take with Inge and her girls.

I have been in contact with the editor of The Vale of Shade, and she is nearing completion of the daunting task of combing through that huge conclusion to the Jotunheim saga. I haven't heard from the publisher in a while concerning that one or Hairy Bromance and I'm getting a little antsy about it. I spent a long time on these books and would love to have people read them. Hopefully, I'll know more soon.

Well, wish me luck and may your own journeys end happily!
Trav