Song of the Silk Weaver Published!
As I’ve written about earlier novels, there’s nothing quite like seeing a new book published. Not as exciting as welcoming a new baby, I’ll admit, but still. A novel is so much the product of its author, so reflective of that author’s approach to life, that publication does feel like releasing a part of oneself into the wider world, letting the characters fend for themselves after years of careful nurturing and supervision. Marco and Kiraz have reached that point, and as of this past Tuesday, September 15, they—meaning Song of the Silk Weaver, which crafts their story—have moved onto the international stage.
True, they are still with me, in a sense, because they both play supporting roles in the next Songs of Steppe & Forest novel, and quite likely the two that follow, finishing out the series. But their personalities and growth no longer form the center of those stories, which have their own heroes and heroines slowly emerging from the depths of my subconscious. And of course, the standalone novel I’m currently drafting, which I hope to bring out before Song of the Sleuth for the simple reason that potential readers encountering my work for the first time are more likely to take a chance on one complete novel, especially one with a Tudor connection, than book 8 of a series is also tugging at my fictional skirts, demanding its time in the sun. So Kiraz and Marco will play their parts, but without the same intensity as during the last two years.
Am I sad to see them go, or at least step back? In a word, yes. Compared to some of my other leads, these two were very cooperative (well, except for Marco absolutely refusing his planned role as a heartless cad), and I had a wonderful time writing their story. I could have done without the last-minute revisions of points so minor that most readers would never notice them; they had escaped my attention through multiple revisions, but once I did see them, it made no sense to leave them in place. And now I have to publicize the release, a task for which I have no skill whatsoever. I’d much rather write than hawk books, especially my own. But perhaps I can at least come up with some good book teasers for these two—all that silk and drama should make for some nice combinations.
So stay tuned. And do please check out the book at the Five Directions Press site and at Amazon. It will be on Kindle Unlimited, too, after the release. Although Kiraz did merit a passing mention in Song of the Shaman and Song of the Sinner, this novel, more than some of its predecessors, can be read as a stand-alone. Those who have read my Russian/Tatar novels from the days of The Golden Lynx will, I hope, enjoy the cameo appearances of certain characters, but it’s not necessary to have read those earlier books to enjoy this one.
And look for those book teasers on Facebook and Instagram just as soon as I get my act together and create them!
