Continuing Education

Posted on November 22, 2022 by ogresan

I’ve talked about my serial obsessions a little bit here. This isn’t quite that, but somewhat related. I just started an online course in programming microcontrollers. Not that I plan to put the cat on an automatic feeding schedule or program a sensor so we know when to water a plant. So why? It’s not like I’m planning a career change at this point.

The short answer is “because I can.” The longer answer is I need to understand microcontrollers before I take the next course planned, on robotics. Why? Because the subject interests me and I want to know more about it and what more reason does anyone need? Same reason I took a previous course in AI. But don’t worry. The Seventh Law of Power is still progressing. In fact, I’m to the point where Marta is beginning to realize that the Seventh Law is very different from the previous six. Just how different is the crux of the entire book. Since I’ve already figured it out I’m sure she’ll catch on soon. She’s kinda sharp that way.

Would You Look at That…

Posted on November 12, 2022 by ogresan

The above image isYamada Monogatari: Troubled Spirits sitting at #15 in the Fantasy Anthologies & Short Stories category on Azon last night, just behind Brandon Sanderson. It was top 100 in a few other categories at the time. It’s since dropped a few points to #28, but still top 100.

Not too shabby. Thanks to everyone who made it happen!

Proof Copy Yamada Monogatari: Troubled Spirits

Posted on October 31, 2022 by ogresan

Today the paperback proof copy of Troubled Spirits arrived, just in time for Halloween. I was fairly certain I’d gotten the book into presentable form as an actual, physical object, and so far I haven’t found any egregious errors. I did have some concerns about the gutter margins, but they look fine.

Frankly, I’m amazed to get it right the first time. Regardless, and unless I stumble upon something awful, the pb should be available within a few hours. I’ll include the link once I have one.

Yesterday First Reader and I went to cast our early votes. It was a Sunday, and according to the poll workers, they had been busy. I’ll take that as a good sign.

And we’re now live! Links below:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Yamada Monogatari: Troubled Spirits. It’s a Book Now.

Posted on October 24, 2022 by ogresan

While The Seventh Law of Power is still moving along, I took a couple of days to finish editing and arranging the stories for the last(?) Yamada book, Troubled Spirits. The Kindle version is processing as we speak, and I’m nearly done laying out the paperback. The epub version of almost any book is a lot easier, so naturally it got finished first.

This will include all the Yamada stories published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies after the collection Demon Hunter, plus two short originals. I’ve divided the book into two parts: those stories that took place in the timeline before the events in The Emperor in Shadow, and those that followed after. The ToC reads like so:

Part1:

“The Tiger’s Turn”

“The Sorrow of Rain”

“Three Little Foxes”

Part 2:

“Uzumaki of the Lake”

“A Minor Exorcism”

“The Ame Onna”

“The Fox’s Daughter”

“Epilogue-One Rainy Day, With Spirits”

I enjoyed visiting the old guy again. I’m not saying there will never be another Yamada story, but that’s all for now. I’ll put up the link as soon as I have one…:Aannd we’re live. Here is the

Amazon US Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKDHFJDY

Amazon UK Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BKDHFJDY

Amazon CA Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BKDHFJDY

Non Sequitur Redux

Posted on October 17, 2022 by ogresan

This is a view across the river and canal back toward town. The trees to the immediate left are on Moss Island, a big rock island created when a land-cut was made around a shallow and rapid section of the Mohawk River. The river flows from the right side of the island, the canal from the lock (out of sight) to the left, as seen from here.

All of which has nothing to do with the following snippet. I’d otherwise refer to this as “Scenes From a Marriage.”

He: “Is powdered sugar the same as confectioners sugar?”

She: “Yes. Are thinking of making frosting?”

He: “Nope. Rocket fuel.”

She: (Long Pause): “Why?”

He: “Because I’m a man, and every now and then we have to do stupid sh!it.”

She: (Longer Pause): “Fine, just do it outside.”

He: “Goes without saying.”

Haven’t done it yet. Probably won’t. Was thinking about it, though. In lieu of disaster, First Reader and I went for a walk along the Canalway Trail. I took some pictures and share a few here.