Monthly Archives: July 2015
More thoughts on CMON Expo 2015
It’s been over a month since I was in Atlanta for the CMON Expo 2015. I had a fantastic time indulging in my miniature gaming hobby and being a freelance writer. The event also came at a good time for me in regards to my day job, although I wish it hadn’t been going on during Father’s Day on that Sunday.
Here’s a link (CMON Expo pix) to some of the pictures from the event. I’m in a few of them, although sadly, I didn’t recognize myself at first. I’m in a bright blue/turquoise polo and my hair looks far more gray than I imagine it. I’m also a bit larger than I’d like, but I’m working on it. Eat well, exercise and take care of your health.
On to fun things… Read the rest of this entry
Writing update
So, my personal Camp Nanowrimo curse has struck again. With less than a week to go, I’m at about a thousand words. I think summer just has too much going on. However, I have been writing. I scripted several puppet shows for my church’s vacation bible school. I did some submissions for freelancing and a lot of editing. So, here’s what’s happening on the writing fronts.
- A Fairy-tale Ending which collects Once Upon a Rhyme and Happily Never After will have an ePub release on August 25 with the print version to follow in about a month. The only differences are some edits and a map of Royaume, so if you bought the other two, thank you and we’ll show the map on Jack Heckel’s site.
- Pitchfork of Destiny is lined up for a December 8th release from Harper Voyager. Sorry about the delays, but I promise it is worth it. The Great Dragon of the North is coming!
- For those who follow the blog, Rigel and Freedom Squad are waiting to find out if they will join the Harper books or go the small press route. The world needs strong female heroes and my daughter really wants it published.
- The Crimson Hawks are also waiting for word from Harper. Regardless, they have a second book waiting and are also looking for publication and a permanent home.
- Krueger is staying with Blue Oranda. Plans for book 3 are done, but Souls of the Everwood and Balefire and Brimstone will get new editions in the next year with an expanded story and a fresh rewrite.
- Son of Helios needs some edits and cover art, but is in a good place.
- The Lantern is also with Harper for consideration. I hope to hear soon on what will happen there. I’m planning to dedicate a week’s vacation to completing it. There are several people waiting (especially my friend, Dorothy).
- I’m looking at more game fiction but nothing’s signed yet.
So that’s what my world looks like. I’m also reviewing a friend’s book for edits and need to work on Heronet Files 2. It’s a good place but lots of work. 🙂
Thanks for visiting the site. All my best!
Camp Nanowrimo for July
So, I took the plunge and I’m trying to write 31, 000 words during the month of July. Unlike Nanowrimo in November, I’m not starting a new novel, but rather trying to finish up an old one.
The Lantern, as I call it, was originally started way back around 1995. The original version read a bit like Harry Potter, but then Harry Potter came out, so it was rewritten. I worked on it quite a bit around 2009-2010, but I’ve done only a small amount every year since.
It’s an epic fantasy story about a young man named Polaris, a prince and the son of a hero, whose father disappeared when he was nine years old. His father placed a magical lantern next to Polaris’ bed, a light that wouldn’t go out, to keep away monsters. At the beginning of the story, Polaris is eighteen and has to present himself to the high king to be invested as ruler of his land, which also means that his father’s death will be officially recognized.
But Polaris isn’t ready to give up on his father and wizards are having visions of the end of the world.
I need to work on a better summation, but I’ve enjoyed writing the book over the years. It’s currently over 100,000 words and I hope to give it a solid jump start this July.
One of the more interesting things about Camp Nanowrimo is the cabin. I’m grouped with 11 other writers all working on their own books. Many of them are young according to their profiles. Some of them are from the other side of the world, but I’m hoping that I can help all of them be successful.
All the best,
Harry
Harry Heckel 