Author: J. Drew Brumbaugh

Everyone searches for bargains on Black Friday.  

For #booklovers nothing beats #books #onsale.  

Here are two #booksworthreading 

One scifi, one fantasy.  

Euphrates Vanished

Waking up on a starship is fine, if only he could remember who he is. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D153KZX6 Amazon link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211066374-euphrates-vanished

Tirumfall Trilogy, The Complete Set

Gant and friends battle demons who thirst for blood.  All three books of this trilogy plus three short stories and an expanded epilog.

Page-turning epic fantasy with additional short stories.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJYHZ3DS

In “Child of Prophecy” Gant, Pris and Dalphnia face a terrible dilemma.  The mysterious woman in white appears to tell them that a child will be born to unite the warring demons west of the Monolith Mountains and will bring them victory over all humankind.  What can be done without violating everything that Gant, Pris and Dalphnia stand for?  As part of their plan, Amelia, who can change into a bird, flies to the city controlled by demons to locate the birthing site.  Instead, she is captured and locked in a dungeon.  Now the main characters have to not only figure out how to prevent the demons from rearing a child of evil, but also how to rescue their friend.  The task seems impossible, yet somehow, they have to find a way to succeed. 

In “Fall of the Western Kings” you meet Gant, a blacksmith’s son who is fated to become a great swordsman though he struggles to achieve those skills.  Barely escaping alive from a battle with a lesser demon, Gant is rescued by Dalphnia, a woodland nymph, who enchants him to be her next husband.  However, he does the unthinkable and escapes her magic, despite actually being in love with her.  They meet Pris, the boy emperor who is trying desperately to get out from under the control of the council of elders who don’t believe a boy can rule.  Add to that, Uric, who appears to be a simple teacher but in reality, is not human.  This unlikely group must kill Varg, the demon lord that threatens to overrun the world, and close the portal that Varg is using to bring monsters through from another world.

Now that all three books are combined in a single e-book, what exactly is the Tirumfall Trilogy about?  It is a unique set of three separate epic fantasy adventures tied together by many of the same characters and a theme that runs through the entire set.  There are dragons, magic swords, wizards both good and bad, and an amazing group of powerful women.  This unlikely collection of adventurers is forced to overcome new dangers in each book as they fight to keep demons from destroying their world.  More on each book is coming in separate posts over the next few days. 

It seems that everyone who has a series is making boxed sets of those books.  Lumping books together like that might be a way to reach more readers which is the holy grail for indie authors.  It seemed like a good idea so I have published a single volume e-book for the Tirumfall Trilogy.  In the process I wanted to give readers something extra so I added three short stories (more about them in a later post), one for each book plus a slightly expanded epilog.  This 3-book set is only available at Amazon and means you can read it through KindleUnlimited for free.  Right now it is on sale saving you over $7.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJYHZ3DS

Shepherds is now #onsale.  

A world where genetically engineered people herd tuna using dolphins and a Finnish fisherman who can speak to dolphins.  The fates bring Olga and Toivo together only to find that someone wants to kill them.  Surviving won’t be easy.  If you’re curious about this #sciencefiction #scifi #scifibooks #scifiromance #thriller here’s a sample reading by the author  https://youtu.be/3baCi_g6LuY?si=MS1RjGnqrhki7_lZ

Buy now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NGO2TO

Whew, I finally finished getting an ebook published that includes all three books in the Tirumfall Trilogy along with three bonus short stories, one for each book.  Plus, I added a little additional material to the epilog because a reviewer said they wanted more.  I thought this would be easy, but you know there are always stumbling blocks and this was no different.  But it’s done and available.  Kindle Only and KindleUnlimited.  Sorry to Apple, Nook and other readers, but that’s going to be the only place to get it for the foreseeable future.

As an indie author, do you set goals?  

Since there’s no publisher or agent pushing you, no one else is going to do it for you.  I do set goals.  But on an annual basis only because the one time I set a specific release date for a new book I nearly had a heart attack trying to live up to it.  Things tend to get in the way.  Now, I keep it general and give myself a year to accomplish them.  Since 2024 is coming to a close, I’m taking time to review what I set out to do this year.  The list wasn’t too long: publish a book, finish a draft of another book, finish a draft screen play and write a short story.  With 2 months plus left, the only thing undone is the short story, and I have that started.  

What about you?  Do you set goals, short term or longer term?  If so, how are you doing on your list?

When it comes to books (or a lot of things) Amazon is the whale.  What about the minnows all around us?  Yes, the local, independent bookstores.

One special bookstore in NE Ohio, is Loganberry Books, a booklovers paradise.  Drop into 13015 Larchmere Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120 and browse.  While you’re there, check out the books from the authors who participated in Author’s Alley.  Support local authors and your local bookstore at the same time.

Something for everyone.

Being an indie author has pluses and minuses.  Having watched my latest project, fantasy novel, stall, I decided at the end of July that I had to get busy and finish the first draft.  Looking at the project, I thought I needed to write 10,000 words a week for the next five weeks to be able to complete it.  And so, I set out with that goal.  And then things began to happen, trees falling during a storm, dental issues that required a visit to the dentist, car troubles, and on and on.  Needless to say, I did not make my goal.  I could have been depressing.  I am not going to let it get me down.  Instead, I am just plodding along, resigned to the fact that when I finish the manuscript, I finish the manuscript.  And that’s life.  Now back to writing.