01 Apr Happy April Fool’s Day
Dear Readers,
I’ve been asked to provide an update, if for no other reason than to let you know I’m still alive. I am. Yeay! I’m also still writing. Double yeay! (No, that’s not an April Fool’s prank.)
While I am now writing full-time, I am currently working on several projects, not just KDT. I know, I know. You’re all screaming, “Just give us the third book!” Here’s some of what’s happening.
A number of years ago, I started working on a Ph.D. in geosciences. I spent countless hours in coursework, research, and laboratories. Summer and winter breaks were not spent lounging on the beach or binge watching Game of Thrones (which I still haven’t had the chance to watch/read, so no spoilers!). No, I was in the field far, far away from civilization, almost completely cut off from society for weeks at a time. Yes, there are still places on this planet without internet or cell phone coverage!😲
I endured the physical and emotional rigors of traveling both domestically and internationally, not only to perform said research, but also to stand beside posters and at podiums presenting to rooms full of scientists with far more experience. These were exciting times but also stressful, and I had to swallow the pain of spending much of it away from my child. All of my degree requirements were completed except for the dissertation. Five years and a combined $100K in student debt later, I ran out of funding and was left without a job. Sorry, no Ph.D. for you!
Did I mention I’m a single parent? Financial woes. Two years worth of job searches yielded only a bit of part-time teaching at college. A masters degree in geosciences means little when the market is saturated with job seekers laid off by a struggling oil industry.
I could not sit idly, though. I began writing to fill the time and perhaps to escape for a while from my unproductive despair. I was nearly finished with the first installment of a story when someone started nagging me for attention. He was relentless. He was fantastic, brutal, brilliant, and utterly clueless. The others were silly and made me laugh. I had to write them down before they disappeared forever. Far from the path of my derailed dreams emerged King’s Dark Tidings.
While I am still working diligently on KDT, thanks to your support and appreciation of this series, I can afford to finish my doctoral program before time runs out and all my hard work (and money!) is wasted. Some of you may be frustrated that I cannot focus on KDT 100% of the time. You’ll have to trust me when I say it’s better this way. I am far more productive when I reach a balance between my analytical/logical mind and my creative one. I am capable of working on multiple projects at once.
I may be providing you with an entertaining story, but your readership is helping me to achieve my dreams.
Sincerely,
Kel
Josh
Posted at 02:44h, 09 MayDon’t recall if it has been mentioned before, but do you envision this as a trilogy or more? How many books total do you expect will be needed to tell Rezkin’s story?
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Posted at 08:10h, 10 MayNot sure the total but Definitely more than three. 🙂
Jim
Posted at 02:26h, 09 MayFrank Herbert
Robert Jordan
Douglas Adams
Melanie Rawn
Gordon R. Dickson
Stieg Larsson
From a purely selfish viewpoint- Please finish the series.
Jim
Posted at 16:51h, 10 MayDoes anyone know what the authors listed above have in common? (Besides being amazing authors)
surran12
Posted at 16:56h, 10 MayI don’t know all of those Authors but I know Larson and Jordan both died before finishing their series. If that’s what they all have in common that list is to the extreme and unwarranted.
Chris Robbins
Posted at 10:15h, 08 MayJust found Free the Darkness. Excellent book, a very enjoyable read. You have an interesting writing style-very straightforward, I like it. Possibly related to your scientific background. I just purchased book 2, and am looking forward to the third book, but first finish up the PhD before time running s out! Book 3 can simmer for a while (ah, the slings and arrows from fans’ outrage!) You certainly have a full plate at the moment, I will watch for the third book at some point in the future. Thank you for the fun reading.
Kel Kade
Posted at 22:26h, 08 MayThank you for your support, and I’m glad you like the series. The science drives the fantasy, and the fantasy drives the science. It’s all about balance. I appreciate your patience!
Peter
Posted at 13:25h, 07 MayYou’re my new favorite author. I think I speak for many when I say that we are rooting for you.
Kel Kade
Posted at 19:03h, 07 MayThank you for the honor! I appreciate your support and encouragement. I hope you continue to enjoy the series as well. Good reading!
Mike
Posted at 22:26h, 05 MayBeing a new convert to fantasy or whatever genre you place KDT, I am shocked how much I’ve enjoyed your work. My wife and I are retired schoolteachers, and have thoroughly been smitten. Attain your phd ,but don’t forget us. We look forward to book 3. ( and 4 and 5, etc…etc…)
Mike
Kel Kade
Posted at 22:27h, 08 MayI appreciate your support. I’m glad to have the teachers’ approval! Welcome to fantasy!
Jeremy
Posted at 09:59h, 05 MayThank you for writing what you have and giving us a fun world to explore. Your a great author and if you choose to give up writing to pursue your dreams I will be sad because this series so far is my favorite. However fulfilling your dreams is something we all wish to accomplish and few ever achieve. Good luck we wish u well and we also secretly hope you dream of writing more novels as well. Thanks Kel.
Kel Kade
Posted at 22:30h, 08 MayDon’t worry. I am absolutely not giving up writing. This is an unplanned but fun and exciting career to explore. I do have some unfinished business, but I’ll keep writing. I have a long list of stories to tell!