by C. K. Rieke
After the death of Roren, I’ve enjoyed having Gogenanth around again, he was one of my favorite characters in the Path of Zaan, and he’s obviously the bridge character that connects the stories, but even with all of his strength, he’s troubled inside, even if he tries his best to hide it. I don’t remember exactly, but I think that was the only time we’ve seen him cry, was that scene with the king. Ezmerelda too, a badass with a sword and quick wit, she seems happy to help Gogenanth battle his old demons back in the Arr.
What happens in the next book? Well—I’m about to start writing that right after I’m done typing these words.
As for me, during the writing of this book, I changed jobs, tried my best to get fit and healthy, losing like ten pounds and dropping my blood pressure a bit... I moved to a job that’s 8-4 Monday through Friday (which I always thought I would hate), but the regularity has been quite nice for writing. This month (November 2018), is always one of my most productive writing months. If I could write like this every month, I’d probably publish 5-6 full novels a year. That’s the goal eventually! I have a few different ideas for new series after this. One idea is to create a similar series on the southern continent of the Worforgon. Another idea is to write a thriller series that’s completely different. Maybe under a pen name? I don’t know... What do you think?
This book took four months to write, and it's going into edits in early January, so I’ll probably put up a pre-order for early February, and possibly... maybe... get book V published in March? But if there is one thing I have trouble with, it's meeting my own deadlines. I’m terrible at it, unless there’s some incentive to finish. Book V, I’m guessing, will be 100K words, or 400 pages, because, you know how endings go... got to have everything wrapped up and it’s gotta be epic in fantasy!
I’d like to give thanks to my new copy editor, Tiffany Shand, who’s a fantasy author herself. She’s knowledgeable and gives great feedback. I think my editor who passed away would be pleased with the books now. Also, my new proofreader, Tandy Boese, who seems to catch almost everything, which is a welcome relief.
I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book possibly as much as you. I have it plotted out and ready to draft, but you never really know where the story’s going to take you when you’re writing. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of a chapter some new idea or character comes storming in like a freight train; deafening and ground-breaking, and you’re like ‘Oh my god, why didn’t I think of this before!’ and the answer is always the same—‘because the characters just now told you, because they are living in this world.’
Other things coming up—I’ll be putting together a box set of the first three books in the series to try to get some hype for this book, and if I get the cover done for book V soon, I’ll get a pre-order up for that as well. If you’re a member of the Reader’s Group or follow my C.K. Rieke Facebook page, I’ll be giving you any new information first, and some illustrations of the gods I’ve been working on.
Hey, thanks again for making it this far. I appreciate you and have a great day!
C.K.
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About the Author
C.K. Rieke’s love of fantasy and storytelling began early, with his deep adoration of The Lord of the Rings and The Dark Elf Trilogy. Over the past decade and a half, he's published fiction novels, co-published and illustrated comic books, and managed to work the old full-time job.
Born in Kansas in 1982, Chris Rieke (Pronounced ‘Ricky’) now lives in Lawrence with his wife Rachel, and their 2-5 dogs, depending on the year, this year it’s 3. When he's not writing and revising upcoming work, he can be found: reading, creating digital art, making websites, running, watching BMX videos, drinking coffee or wine, spending way too much time on his phone, and going to the dog park.
C.K. is currently working on The Dragon Sands series which chronicles the life of Lilaci of the Arr. He also wrote The Path of Zaan trilogy which follows Zaan Talabard on his journey in the land of Essill.
To get a free copy of the novella, By Sword and Sea, go to CKRieke.com and sign-up to join the Reader's Group.
www.CKRieke.com
