Thanks Everyone!

Just wanted to give a word of thanks to everyone who voted for "Redemption" in the P&E Readers' Poll earlier in January. Just received word that the results are now official, and my story picked up a top-ten finish. It's all thanks to you fans out there!!!

Now in Print

For those who've been waiting patiently, Friends in Deed is now available in print from the fine folks over at Champagne Books. Enjoy!

And if you haven't heard of Friends in Deed, get on over and check it out!

Weekly Goals - January 26, 2009

Did much better this week, although again I'm not getting anywhere on my third Aston novel. Planning to finish my short story this week, so will be getting back into it again.

Results for this week:

1. Plotted
2. Nearly 1800 words completed on "Unholy Trinity"

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Complete the first draft of "Unholy Trinity"
2. Generate 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (need to re-submit)
"Collateral" (need to re-submit)
"Conventional Wisdom" (since January 10)
"Deadly Decisions" (need to re-submit)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 19, 2009

Did fairly well, even if I didn't technically reach my goals on the novel output (again). Received a request to write a feature, so will be putting the novel on hold this week while I plot something out (and possibly get it started).

Results for this week:

1. Just over 1800 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Not started

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Plot one additional short story
2. Generate 1000 words on new story

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (need to re-submit)
"Collateral" (need to re-submit)
"Conventional Wisdom" (since January 10)
"Deadly Decisions" (need to re-submit)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 12, 2010

Overall, a fairly decent week...still need to get more written on the novel.

Results for this week:

1. Just under 1700 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submitted two stories
3. Developed plots for two additional stories

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Plot one additional short story

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (need to re-submit)
"Collateral" (need to re-submit)
"Conventional Wisdom" (submitted January 10)
"Entrapment" (submitted January 12)
"Deadly Decisions" (need to re-submit)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

The Final Days!

If you haven't already seen my comments on this via my other haunts, my short story "Redemption" has been nominated for Best SF Story of 2009, and I'd very much appreciate your votes here. Just as a word of caution, after voting, you'll need to click the verification link in the e-mail they send for the vote to count.

Thanks in advance!

Weekly Goals - January 5, 2010

Well, the last several weeks have been mostly a bust on the writing front with the holidays, and then the release of Friends in Deed (complete with a pre-release giveaway contest). Even still, since the first of the year things have been fairly decent, so we'll just pretend like my December 15 goals were made to be met by today.

Results for this week:

1. Just under 1500 words on Death Brings the Victory

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submit two short stories

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (need to re-submit)
"Collateral" (need to re-submit)
"Conventional Wisdom" (need to re-submit)
"Deadly Decisions" (need to re-submit)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

The Time Has Come!

The long wait is over, and my much-anticipated second novel in the Aston West series, Friends in Deed, is now available from the fine folks at Champagne Books. Enjoy! I know I am... :)


And for those who haven't heard about Friends in Deed (what rock have you been hiding under? :D )...


Aston West was condemned to life on the prison planet Lycus IV for spitting in a man's face. Being forced to reside with the likes of murderers and thieves, he owes his freedom to Lars and Elijah Cassus, who orchestrated an escape. Now the twin brothers call in the favor and force him to return with their team to Lycus IV to rescue crewmate Leah Jordan.

Aston discovers Leah's desire to leave the twins forever, but Lars and Elijah use fear and intimidation to control their group and no one leaves alive. It's a case of kill or be killed and Aston will need to become more like the brothers than he ever wanted.

And if you want to find out more, check out this excerpt.