Hello!
We're in 2025 now. How crazy is that? 2024 was a great year for me. I didn't write as many books as I'd hoped to, but despite that, it was my best year in terms of books sold and gross sales. I attended over 30 in person events, met TONS of new readers, and published 2 books in a brand new series. It was a good year, and 2025 is looking to be even better!
I hope the holidays were good for you and your loved ones. We enjoyed Christmas with most of our grandkids, and last weekend we rented a big dumpster to clean out our garage. Spring cleaning came a little early, ha!
In case you don't follow my Facebook page, I announced on December 27th that I finished writing Sworn, the final book in my Bound by Blood series. When I first started writing book 1, I hadn't completely decided on how the story would end. I had 2 different options in mind, and I told myself I would wait until I got to book 3 to see how things needed to unfold. It became clear to me which ending was needed due to the events of book 3, and I think you'll enjoy it. You'll even get a few chapters from Akuhara's point of view (the villain).
Sworn is up for preorder now and launches January 14. I'll include a link below.
Sometimes I get story ideas that come at a time when I'm already working on a project. I usually make a note of the idea, then continue on. Some of these ideas aren't anything of substance and therefore never get written. Others do, and oftentimes they get written years after the idea initially came to me.
When I was doing a chat on my YouTube channel with Andrew McDermott, the narrator for my Dragon Riders of Osnen series, he mentioned that a story he wanted to see was the story of Eldwin's dad.
That was in 2021. The idea of telling that story has stuck with me ever since. With the last book of my Bound by Blood series finished, I've been working on the book about Matthias Baines.
If you've not read my Osnen series, this isn't a spoiler, but Eldwin's dad is a war hero who died in a great battle 10 years before the main series. This book is about that war and how he died.
For a reason I can't explain, this is much more of an emotional story than I thought it would be, but in a good way. I'm excited for this book. And I think you're going to love it when it comes out.
I'm aiming to publish it in February sometime, but I'll keep you updated on it.
I'll be doing more in person events this year, but I'm not sure yet how many. I currently have 13 booked, and I know at least 1 more will be added for sure. I typically look over how an event did for me the year before and determine whether to do it again or switch it out for a different one. I've added a few new ones already this year. Currently I've got:
- Dice & Diversions in Atlanta, GA [Jan 17-19]
- ConNooga in Chattanooga, TN [Feb 21-23]
- Marietta the Gathering in Marietta, GA [March 1]
- Lexington Comic Con in Lexington, KY [Mar 6-9]
- Tupelon Con in Tupelo, MS [Mar 15-16]
- Georgia Indie Book Faire in Marietta, GA [Mar 22]
- Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo in Huntsville, AL [Apr 25-27]
- Stardust and Shadows Soiree in Championsgate, FL [May 2-3]
- Tremendicon in Springfield, MO [May 30-Jun 1]
- Metrotham Con in Dalton, GA [Jun 20-22]
- Fanboy Expo in Knoxville, TN [Jul 11-13]
- Dragon Con in Atlanta, GA [Aug 28-Sep 1]
- Smoky Mountain Fan Fest in Kingsport, TN [Sep 5-7]
Gen Con in Indianapolis will be added to that list soon, and I keep a current list on my website here.
We got some cold weather yesterday, and despite leaving a faucet dripping just in case, we had a pipe burst. Thankfully it was a pipe to an outside faucet, so it could have been worse, but it's still a pain. The joys of owning a home!
Below you'll find the preorder link to Sworn. I'll have some new ebook promos in the coming weeks!
What I’m reading: I've been doing a lot of writing lately, so I haven't made any progress on Hunter by Nicole Conway. I'll be picking it back up soon.
What I’m watching: We watched several Christmas movies, as we do every year. Noelle, The Santa Clause, Elf, and the old claymation classics. I'm looking forward to the How to Train Your Dragon live action movie in June!
What are you reading/watching?
As always, a huge thank you for the support!
Richard
Sisters will clash, and only one will prevail.
Akuhara has unleashed the Drakka upon the imperial city, determined to crush the empire and carve out a kingdom of her own from the ashes.
Armed with elemental powers, the Heart of Flame, and a dragon skin cloak capable of crossing realms, Kai must rally her allies and stand against the onslaught.
As the final battle looms, will Kai’s strength be enough to save the empire, or has its end already been written in fire and blood?
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