Classified • Marrow Creek • Nolan Keller

Nolan Keller Briefing • Tue, May 5, 2026

Staying in the Fight

Not every week moves fast—but the direction hasn’t changed.

Mission Progress

This was a slower week on the writing side. Not because the story stalled, but because real life pressed in from all sides.

That happens this time of year. The schedule fills up, priorities shift, and the clean blocks of time you want just aren’t there. But the project hasn’t changed. The direction hasn’t changed. I’m still showing up and pushing it forward when I can.

Field Notes

Weeks like this aren’t about big leaps. They’re about maintaining position. Keeping the story in your head. Making small adjustments. Not losing ground. My second son, Zachary, graduates college this week, and we've had a myriad of end-of-year things crop up.

The important part is that I’m still in it. And when things open back up, the work will already be waiting. When I dropped my current manuscript into Atticus it shows at around 150 pages. That's about 180 pages of finished work. So the end is in sight.

Some nuggets of Dorwine have wormed their way in. I don't want to lose focus on Nolan Keller, but Tabir's story in Ember's Wedding just took a quantum leap. I'm not writing there, but I made some character notes that change everything. Good stuff.

Book Radar

Fourth Option by Jack Carr drops between newsletters, and this one looks like a heavy hitter.

New series. New direction. Same level of intensity you’d expect. If you’re into grounded, high-stakes thrillers, this is one worth keeping on your radar. It releases 5/12 and I have my pre-order in.

Link: https://amzn.to/4urpqYO

From My Shelf

If you’re more in a fantasy mood right now, I’ve got signed copies available of The Blood of a Dragon.

This is where Dorwine started. Dragons, blood-bound magic, and the early threads that shape everything that comes after.

Link: https://authorjackadkins.com/product/the-blood-of-a-dragon-paperback/

Thanks for sticking with me while this comes together.

— Jack