announcements - - Page 2 ::

Creating Jaysynn’s Merry Men (And Women)

by Timothy Deal
September 25, 2014

I am pleased to announce that the third book of the Jaysynn series, New Wells Rising, is now available! After the many delays this novella has experienced, it’s quite a relief for me as the author and for all of us as a team to finally get it published in ebook format for everyone to enjoy.

Believe it or not, the latest installment in Jaysynn’s story began about a year ago as work on The Rules Change was wrapping up. I still half-jokingly blame Nick for getting me involved with Jaysynn #3. He and I were talking about what the next Jaysynn novella should look like and I mentioned that it would be good for Jaysynn to begin attracting some followers, to build the base for his own small army to one day perhaps challenge series villain General Dracon. Nick agreed and commented that Jaysynn needed a core group of warriors to lead and inspire, much like the Biblical leader David had his band of “mighty men” or Robin Hood had his standout figures among his Merry Men.

That comparison fired my imagination since I’m a big fan of Robin Hood stories, especially the classic novel adaptation by Howard Pyle. There’s a series of chapters in that book where Robin first encounters such memorable characters as Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, and Midge the Miller’s Son (okay, not as many people remember that guy). Several of these encounters have a rocky start given Robin’s penchant of teasing and antagonizing strangers in Sherwood, but each end with the new character becoming a sworn friend and member of the Merry Men. (more…)

September 25, 2014 - Tags: announcements, characters, inspiration, New Wells Rising, Timothy Deal Posted in: Blogs

Back to the Grind

By Nick Hayden
August 14, 2014

Honestly, I almost forgot to write this blog.

The last two weeks of July consisted of leading 18 youth at a youth conference, followed by a family vacation. Both were enjoyable–but one thing I purposely do when away, especially on vacation, is sever myself from my usual concerns and duties. So I read and played with the kids and generally relaxed.

Then I returned to real life. Last week was catch-up week.

But, you know, I enjoyed that, too. I was ready to get back to work. I wanted to get my desk cleaned up, wanted to begin again on all those projects I’d put on pause. Among which was finalizing this little thing:

You can get it on Amazon now. It collects The Select’s Bodyguard, The Doctor’s Assistant, and The Wells’ Orphan in a nice, stylish paperback. I have always preferred print books to ebooks, so I’m excited to have a copy of this sitting near me as I type.

Oh, and there was a bit of a crunch getting some freshly printed copies to Nathan at GenCon, but we’ve figured it out now. I think.

So, anyway, that’s why I almost forgot to write this blog. But now I’m ready to push forward. The next Jaysynn novel, New Wells Rising, is this close to being done. The sequel to The Well’s Orphan is on its way. And I’m ready to start cracking the whip again.

Thank my two weeks off–and go buy a copy of Bron & Calea, Volume 1, while you’re at it.

August 14, 2014 - Tags: announcements, Bron & Calea Volume 1, Nick Hayden, personal, print books Posted in: Blogs

Bron & Calea Volume 1 – Coming Soon!

We’re putting the finishing touches on our first print book, Bron & Calea Volume 1. This nearly 300-page book collects The Select’s Bodyguard, The Doctor’s Assistant, and The Well’s Orphan in one volume.

If you enjoyed the ebooks but wanted something to put on your shelf, now’s your chance! Or if you’ve been meaning to read one of the stories but just don’t want to be bothered by all that electronic download nonsense, here you go!

Nathan Marchand will be selling copies at GenCon, and the volume will be available for purchase from Amazon by mid-August.

July 24, 2014 - Tags: announcements, Bron & Calea Volume 1, print books Posted in: Blogs

Destinies Entwined Now Available!

By Nathan Marchand
May 30, 2014

I read a book in college that advised authors to write minor/secondary characters in such a way that the characters acted as if the story was written about them. This, the book claimed, made them dynamic and interesting, thereby enhancing the story. (I’d say it might make them steal the scene, but I digress.)

Lomara is a bigworld full of stories. We knew from the get-go that the main Children of the Wells novellas wouldn’t be able to tell all of them. There were little nooks and crannies that could be filled but didn’t need to be. Recently on the CotW blog I compared this saga to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which includes blockbuster movies and short films. The main stories are in the blockbusters, but the short films complement the movies by filling in little gaps. This collection you’re about to read does exactly that—fill in the gaps. Consider it a gift to you, faithful readers, as part of our first anniversary celebration. Thanks for your support over the past year! (more…)

May 30, 2014 - Tags: announcements, Destinies Entwined, ebook, Nathan Marchand Posted in: Blogs

Updates: Orphan ebook, More The Wheel Is Broken

By Nick Hayden
April 12, 2014

All right, dear readers, it’s time for an update-filled post.

First, if you haven’t read, we’re undergoing some changes here at Children of the Wells. The biggest change is we’re going to start releasing books only when they’re completed, instead of serializing them. For some explanation of the reasons, check out Natasha’s blog from last week.

Second, we’re busy preparing a collection of short stories as an anniversary gift for you all. We’ve about all the stories in. You should see it sometime near the end of the month, if everything goes as planned.

Third, since The Well’s Orphan is finished, we’ve compiled it as an ebook. Download it as an epub, mobi, or PDF and read it at your convenience–or share it with others.

Fourth, and finally, since we have a bit of dead space as we finish up our short story collection, I thought it would be nice to release the rest of The Wheel Is Broken here on the site. (more…)

April 11, 2014 - Tags: announcements, Nick Hayden, The Well's Orphan, The Wheel Is Broken Posted in: Blogs

We’re One Year Old!

By Natasha Hayden
April 4, 2014

Yum. Cake.
Don via Compfight

One year ago, this week, I wrote a blog welcoming you all to Children of the Wells for the first time. It’s a little hard for me to believe a year has passed since we made this adventure public. Of course, we’d been working on it for at least a year before you first saw it.

Children of the Wells is something very special to us, the writers and crafters. Granted, it’s not perfect, as much as we’d like it to be. When you work with a group like ours, where only a third of us see each other on a regular basis, some of us meet once a month, and a few of us have ever only made it to a meeting once (and perhaps only on Skype), there are bound to be communications that slip through the cracks. But we are excited about the world we’ve created and about the story opportunities still before us. (more…)

April 4, 2014 - Tags: announcements, milestones, Natasha Hayden Posted in: Blogs

The Rules Change Ebook Now Available!

As the headline so concisely states, The Rules Change is now available as a downloadable ebook in epub, mobi, and PDF formats. If you’ve been waiting to read it until you could tackle the novel as a completed unit, now’s your chance.

Also, all our books, once completed, are available in ebook format for your downloading pleasure. And they’re free! You can always find the link on the main page of each book, but for your convenience, here’s the list:

The Select’s Body – Bron & Calea #1

The Doctor’s Assistant – Bron & Calea #2

The Wheel is Broken – special, exclusive flash fiction collection

The Fall of the House of Kyzer – Jaysynn #1

The Rules Change – Jaysynn #2

February 21, 2014 - Tags: announcements, ebook, The Rules Change Posted in: Blogs

The Well’s Orphan, Coming Soon!

The third novella in the Bron & Calea plotline begins in February.

Thyrion is ruined, and so is Calea.

Shattered by the discovery that magic is gone even in Thyrion, Calea is left to pick up the pieces of her life. With nowhere else to go, she enters the city with Bron and Nyasha, broken and searching for some thread of purpose. But is there anything for a crippled woman in a crippled city? Or shall she, too, go the way of magic?

January 27, 2014 - Tags: announcements, cover, The Well's Orphan Posted in: Blogs

The Rules Change Premieres Next Week

The sequel to The Fall of the House of Kyzer debuts next week. The Rules Change, written by John Bahler, presents an intriguing society in Falcon Point, the long-time enemy of Thyrion. Here’s what you’re in for:

After barely escaping his own city alive, Jaysynn, the last heir to the throne of Kyzer, finds himself eking out a living in a refugee camp outside an enemy city. Falcon Point, the city that rebelled against Jaysynn’s ancestors and declared its independence, now carefully guards and controls its resources in a time of devastation and chaos.

Stripped of what little power he had, Jaysynn considers accepting a new life of less responsibility. But a peaceful future of anonymity alongside the peasants, including fellow refugee Kyrie, may not be possible if the leader of Falcon Point, Governor Vac, learns there is a son of Kyzer on his doorstep.

Get in at the ground level next week. It’s a new city, full of intrigue and fascinating characters. I think you’ll enjoy this new chapter in the world of Children of the Wells.

October 25, 2013 - Tags: announcements, The Rules Change Posted in: Blogs

The Doctor’s Assistant Ebook Now Available!

The Doctor’s Assistant, the second book in the Bron & Calea series, is now available as an epub, mobi, and PDF.

Bron and Calea are on the road to the only place Calea firmly believes still has magic: the megalopolis of Thyrion. Along the way, though, they need some patching up. In the small town of Averieom, they find assistance—and more than they bargained for.

Young Nyasha Cormorin has been assisting doctors in Averieom for years. But after the Cataclysm, she no longer feels any ties to the community, and she’s determined to leave. She’s going where she wants to go, and no one can stop her.

Download the book for free, here!

October 23, 2013 - Tags: announcements, ebook, The Doctor's Assistant Posted in: Blogs