4/14/2023 - New 4HU Novel, Incoming Murderbirds, and Other Projects

Happy April everyone,

It’s time for an alien uprising, because today is the launch day for DEFENDERS RISE, my first novel set in the Four Horsemen Universe.

Available as an ebook and on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Defenders-Rise-Four-Horsemen-Sagas-ebook/dp/B0C2B118N7/

Or in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Defenders-Rise-Mike-Jack-Stoumbos/dp/1648557058/

Note: This is a stand-alone tale, so you do not need any specific prior knowledge of the Four Horsemen Universe to enjoy it.

Take a trip to a distant planet—once prosperous but now a battleship graveyard and labor camp for those unfortunate enough to get stuck there. Rev, a tiny reptilian engineer, has set his sight on escape until he discovers a buried military supply crate that changes everything, as long as he can figure out how to drive walking tanks made for species several times his size.

If you enjoy ragtag revolutions and motley crews composed of assorted aliens, check out DEFENDERS RISE.

Coming Soon…

There are several items on the horizon, a few of which are happening in the month of April. You can see most of them in a preview video I made…

Mike Jack Stoumbos Con Prep, Cover Reveal, and April Upcoming Announcements 033123

…as well as reading about them below.

MURDERBIRDS, an anthology I edited and illustrated, releases as an ebook on April 21st, and the preorder link is available now: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1MW3KDH/

The in-person Murderbirds launch event will be at RavenCon in Richmond, VA on April 22nd.

HIDDEN VILLAINS ARISE, an anthology from Inkd Publishing is currently available in paperback, and it goes live in ebook on Monday, April 17th.

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Villains-Jody-Lynn-Nye/dp/B0BX4HZ36R

This is the second of the Hidden Villains anthologies. The first came out last year around the same time, and I have stories in both.

Inkd Publishing has another upcoming anthology, Noncorporeal, whose presale Kickstarter begins April 20th. I do not have a story in this anthology, but I’m excited to report that my wife, Morrigen Stoumbos, is in the table of contents with a story about a curious grim reaper.

THIS FINE CREW continues to explore new locations. Okay, we haven’t gone interstellar yet, but we’re going more international.

Starting at the end of this month, and for the next four months, the novels of the THIS FINE CREW series are going to be appearing in French—I mean CETTE EXCELLENTE EQUIPE.

For those who have read and enjoyed the series so far (in English, German, or soon-to-be French) and are possibly anxiously awaiting book 5, I must admit that I’ve had to pause the progress on The Forever Song in order to focus on the book launches and events this spring. I had planned to wrap up the first draft by the end of April, but most likely I’m going to be tackling the majority of it in May and turning in the second draft to the editor by the end of June.

There are other projects in the works, including an anthology of dragon stories and another We Dare collection, but I’ll pause here for now. Stay tuned for some giveaway drawings at the end of the month, and Tuckerization opportunities in May.

As always, happy reading!

Mike Jack Stoumbos