Writing Update

The end is here.

Endgame is finally available. Thanks for your patience.

I celebrated with a couple of vegan chocolate chip cookies, which were delicious.

Now back to the writing. Stay tuned for updates on the next book.

 

 

 

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” ~ Mike Tyson

Endgame launches December 6th!

We made it. Two years in the making, 98,000-plus words, and multiple rounds of editing.

Endgame is finally done.

We missed a couple of proposed publish dates, but we got it done before the end of 2022, which was my goal.

Endgame is the sixth and final book in the Russian Assassin series. Assuming Max survives this story, he will go off into retirement and take a rest to heal his wounds, both emotional and physical.

Or maybe the author needs to heal his own emotional wounds. What started as a three-book series that I planned to finish in 18 months turned into six novels written over a period of eight years. There is an author’s note in the book where I get a little nostalgic about the journey, but suffice it to say the series took on a life of its own. There is a lesson in there somewhere, I guess.

So what’s next?

It’s a good question. I have two manuscripts underway in a new series starring a minor character from the Russian Assassin series. The stories take place in the same ‘world’ as the Russian Assassin, so it’s possible Max may make a cameo at some point. The new series takes place in Japan, China, and North Korea where there are plenty of geopolitical tensions to explore.

But for now, Endgame goes live on December 6th

Thank you, dear reader, for your patience as we labored to make Endgame as good as it can possibly be. I hope you enjoy the story.

 

 

Happy fall, everyone. Here in the Rocky Mountains, the leaves are popping and the snow is about to fly. If the forecasters are to be believed, we should get snow above 11,000 feet on Friday. That will make the social media marketers happy.

My father visited last week and we took the jeep up to Silverton for some lite four-wheel driving and leaf peeping. Along the way, we stopped into the Ouray Bookshop.

I was supposed to visit Mom in Florida this weekend, but the trip was delayed by a few days because of Hurricane Ian. Let’s see if I can make the trip work on Saturday. I hope everyone is safe down there as the storm surge hits Fort Meyers. The eye of the storm will likely pass right over my mother’s house, but she’s inland, so she’ll be fine.

Endgame Release Date

Although Endgame is my sixth novel, I’m always surprised by how long the editing and proofing takes. The manuscript went to the editor back in June, and we’re only now getting close to the publish date. If everything goes to plan, we should be ready to publish Endgame on Tuesday, October 11th. If not, we’ll go on October 18th. Watch this space for more information.

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Stay crispy,

Jack

 

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there!

Today, I’m in Ann Arbor, Michigan seeing my own father. It’s where I grew up, and I always enjoy visiting some of my old haunts like Sweetwaters Cafe (the OG location on Washington Street) and Zingerman’s Deli. But mostly I like hanging out on my father’s peaceful screened-in porch and getting some writing done. Both my father and his live-in girlfriend are artists so doing art is supported around here.

This is Cloey, by the way. Former show poodle now living her best life at my father’s place.

Announcement

Endgame, the sixth and final installment in the Russian Assassin series, is with the editor. It’s 94K words and 49 chapters plus a prologue and maybe an epilogue. I did my best to wrap it all up, but as always, you’ll be the judge. Will Max live to fight another day? Will Alex and Arina gain their old lives back? Will Kate Shaw exorcise her demons? Tune in this fall and let’s find out.

When Will Endgame Be Released?

Good question. I expect to receive the manuscript back in two months. It’ll take a couple of weeks to make the changes, then another couple of weeks for a final proof. Realistically, we’re looking at an October release. But watch this space for more updates.

Meanwhile, I’ll start the cover art design process and reveal that to ya’all as soon as it’s ready.

Get out there and enjoy the summer weather!

All the best,

Jack