Here are nine facts about the latest novel I’m currently writing.
1.) I expect to publish the book later this year, hopefully by this fall.
I wish it could be sooner. I’m thrilled to share the story with you because I believe it’s really, really good. But it takes time for me to craft a tale, especially a good one. I had decided long ago that the books I produce will be the best I can make them.
2.) The title of the next book will be Elthea’s Paradox.
At least that’s the title I’m working with now. Without revealing too much, the book contains a dilemma about how to use the powers of Elthea. The main character, Philip Matherson, must overcome this paradox to survive.
3.) This next book will be part of the series.
Elthea’s Paradox will be Book 3 in the Story of Elthea’s Realm series. However, each book has a unique arc, and each stands on its own. Readers have told me that they’ve started with Book 2 and have enjoyed it. But to experience the full flavor of the series, you should begin with Elthea’s Realm, book 1.
4.) You will be introduced to several major new characters.
Many of the characters from the first and second books will continue to make an appearance in this book, but you will also be introduced to several new races of beings. One is the Nizaem. The are reasonably human-like in how they look, but a world different from us. Their leader, Teivel, is also called The Protector of Souls. Both he and Silese, his assistant, will play a significant role in Phil Matherson’s life. So will a race called the Oakenrill, who are nothing like humans.
5.) The length of the book should come in around 90 to 100,000 words.
Elthea’s Realm was about 90,000 and Elthea’s Gambit was somewhat under 90,000 words. I feel that’s a nice length—not so dense as to take forever to read, but good enough to develop a robust story.
6.) Troubles are ahead for the human residents of Haven.
Haven is the only known outpost of humans on Elthea. The Bots have left them alone, until now.
7.) The characters Cassie, Matt, and Diane are in danger.
You will learn early in this book that they’ve been taken captive by the Bots. With little information to work on, Phil must find a way to save them, while also keeping the Bots from doing more harm.
8.) We discover that the past wasn’t always what it seemed.
The power of Farseeing by one of the characters allows Phil to look back to his college days. He learns that events didn’t happen the way he had thought.
9.) I have a plan for what to write after Elthea’s Paradox.
Although this a subject for another post, I wanted to let you know that I have a good idea about the plot for Book 4.
As always, thanks for reading. For those of you in the U.S., have a great 4th of July.
John