Welcome to the new folks that have followed since the summer–it’s always a nice feeling to get that e-mail! I’ve been heads-down, writing the second Tiny Giants novel and working on my horror stories. In the meantime, the talented Steve Ogden of Steve Ogden Art has been recording this amazing version of the first in the Tiny Giants series, “The Tiny Giant,” for those who prefer to listen to their books. (It’ll be nice to have a new book out with a different name so I’m not repeating “Tiny Giant” so much.) It’s a stellar performance from a talented voice actor–a true joy to listen to.

“The Tiny Giant” is now available from Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and for wholesale orders, Ingram. Amazon has print, e-book, and audiobook options. You can read it for free with Kindle Unlimited as well. I also have a number of signed copies available at http://www.littlevoicespublishing.com for $12.99 + shipping. In short, however you want it, I got it. It’s a fun fantasy read for middle-graders and up, and a bit over four hours for a quick, engaging listen. For more about the book, go here: Published: The Tiny Giant

This was a long process with a steep learning curve. Listening to your own book three or four times will make you wish you could change a few little things, a terrible impulse that must be avoided–it’s done. Don’t tinker. More than once, I went back to my text to make sure I actually wrote it that way, and I sure did. BUT, those were small things. Overall, I’m really proud of this book. And I’m really sick of it. But mostly proud.

The exciting thing right now is being halfway through Book 2! I’m at that magical point when you’re not sure that your outline still works, you have a better idea for Chapter One that impacts the rest of the book, and it’s time to sit down and re-outline that sucker to avoid meandering into an ending that may or may not work. I don’t find this frustrating. It’s an opportunity to make things better before the first revision, a much more painful time to do it. Okay, yes, I’m using “opportunity” when we all know it’s sort of painful now, but let me have my optimism.

I hope you’ll check out “The Tiny Giant.” I’ve had high marks from kids and adults alike, and if you like fantasy set in the real world, I think you’ll like this. Now I need to get back to work…here’s to a productive and magical year for all of you! Cheers!

PS. I am launching a new project this year to get stories in the hands of readers–updates here shortly and first story by about January 15 (yes, I already wrote it.) More on that soon.

PPS. My horror collection (working title “Bitches and Dead People”) is going along as well. It turns out, working through short stories with an editor can be like working on 12 different books. Each one is its own different animal, a terrible, twisty animal that bites you when you try to show off how well-trained it is.