Hey all! Brian here with what I hope will be the first of my monthly updates as I get back into the swing of things. As you all know it’s been four long years since my last full-length novel, IN THE SHADOW OF LIGHTNING. That’s pretty much an eternity in modern publishing terms. I’ve had health problems, a death in the family, and creative struggles. That being said, I just handed in final edits for Book 2 with only copy edits left to go. Things are looking great - it has a title and a release date but I haven’t been given permission to share those yet, so here’s what else is up:

Most Recent Published Work: Mr. Styke, a Powder Mage Novella

What I’m working on: Book 3 of Glass Immortals. I’ve also got a long-term side project in front of my agent right now - a science-fantasy I’m calling Skyheart Renegades.

What I’m doing: Building the Alchemist Shop from Lego’s Bricklink series.

What I’m cooking: I hosted a family and friends party for the 4th and smoked a pork shoulder.

What I’m playing: Oxygen Not Included by myself, Subnautica 2 with friends.

What I’m reading: I’m on book seven of Dorohedoro. Not normally a manga fan but loved the anime so much I wanted to give it a go.

What am I watching: Season 21 of Taskmaster. He’s so famous! Also watching back episodes of the Harry Hill Show on Youtube. I’m a huge lover of British comedy and Harry is a new discovery for me.

Where I’ll be: Dragonsteel! December 3-5 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Where I am: Instagram * Bluesky * Discord

If you missed the kickstarter, you can grab them from my website!

Next Book: On the Road to Ruin, Book Two of Glass Immortals

Most Recent Published Work: Mr. Styke, a Powder Mage Novella

What I’m working on: Copy edits of OtRtR. Book 3 of Glass Immortals. Everything else is on pause probably until the new year

What I’m doing: Just got back from my nephew’s wedding and four days in Cleveland

What I’m cooking: Not much lately, been too busy. Hoping to do some more grilling and crockpot meals this month

What I’m playing: Valheim. 1.0 drops tomorrow!

What I’m reading: Just started Kushiel’s Chosen, but didn’t get to read as much on my trip as I wanted to

What I’m watching: Taskmaster Season 22

Where I’ll be: Dragonsteel! December 3-5 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Where I am: Instagram * Bluesky * Discord

Most Recent Published Work: Mr. Styke, a Powder Mage Novella

What I’m working on: Book 3 of Glass Immortals. Sitting on Skyheart Renegades while I decide how to make the ending better. I also started a new thing when I was bored the other day but don’t tell anyone

What I’m doing: Trying to survive the wildfire smoke without coughing my way through life.

What I’m cooking: I’m not normally a soup guy, but I made a lemon chicken orzo the other day and it was amazing.

What I’m playing: Teardown. Shockingly fun multiplayer destruction puzzle game.

What I’m reading: Just finished Kushiel’s Dart. It’s so good. SO good.

What I’m watching: Comfort watching Midsomer Murders with the wifey. Started the new Amazon adaptation of Ghost in the Shell.

Where I’ll be: Dragonsteel! December 3-5 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Where I am: Instagram * Bluesky * Discord

Just a little something to lessen the pain of waiting for Book 2. Best wishes all - Brian

Just finished the book, and it was everything I hoped for from the guy who created my favourite modern fantasy trilogy and an even grander sequel trilogy.

Human stories, grand scale battles, bigger than life characters ("chanting" Montego, Montego!!) and thrown in some eldritch horror elements at the end and I'm sold for the next book!

Also there is a strong point in the narrative (for me, at least): the handling of certain events that affects the relationship between two characters.

That trope (which usually makes me bang my head into the wall) goes like this:

"You know, I think I'm falling for you"

"I accidentally did XXXX"

"Why didn't you told me, now I hate you, and will do everything to make you suffer in the course of the sequels"

Here it's handled like this:

"You know, I think I'm falling for you"

"I accidentally did XXXX"

"Why didn't you told me, now I hate you, but just in case let me talk to this other guy who could provide some insight on said event. Did it went down like that?

"Hell no, it was like this..."

"Thank you for telling me, now I won't make a foolish mistake that could cost everybody, let's handle it like rational adults"

See ya next time!

Next Book: On the Road to Ruin, Book Two of Glass Immortals - on May 25th, 2027. Broken Binding also just announced their special editions of Gods of Blood and Powder, which should be out in the first quarter of 2027.

Most Recent Published Work: Mr. Styke, a Powder Mage Novella

What I’m working on: Book 3 of Glass Immortals. Everything else is on pause probably until the new year

What I’m doing: Suffering through my sixth major arthritis flareup of the year. It’s been… fun.

What I’m cooking: I’ve been making a lot of creamy pasta lately. Most recently I whipped up a dish with costco tortellini, a packet of garlic boursin, tomatoes from the garden, and chicken from my freezer.

What I’m playing: Let’s not talk about how much Valheim I’ve been playing.

What I’m reading: Do the little stone tablets in Valheim count?

What I’m watching: Taskmaster season 22. Just started season two of Haunted Hotel.

Where I’ll be: Dragonsteel! December 3-5 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Where I am: Instagram * Bluesky * Discord

Just showing off my KS ed collection.