New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel & 2nd Edition of "Black Grotto"

In my new fantasy/science fiction book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, I completed chapter 23 and am working on chapter 24. I hope to finish the novel sometime during 2019.

As I've been working on it, even I've been amazed at where the story is going. It originates in the time of Merlin and Arthur, during the late part of 6th century AD, and moves into the modern day, a bit into the future. Yes, Merlin and Arthur awaken, but at the start, they have no idea who they are. In fact, Arthur is homeless. The reason they awaken... Well, you'll discover that in the book.

The blending of the old and the new is obviously a challenge, but with all the research I've done, it's coming together. When I planned the book, I generally knew where I'd be going, but as always, when I write I see what's happening in my mind - like watching a movie. Sometimes things occur that I don't expect. That's what makes it fun!

The novel takes place in Wales, England, Siberia, other parts of Russia, the Bering Strait, and in Alaska. There's also an episode of international intrigue that complicates the plot and carries Merlin and Arthur around the globe as they interface with many characters and attempt to solve an unsolvable dilemma.

And as you know, if you've been following my blog, I've begun writing a second edition of all of my previous novels. I finished "Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga". Now I'm working on the second book of that series - "Black Grotto". I should be done with that sometime during January.

Keep checking my blog for updates. 2019 will be a busy year!

Second edition released of BEATRICE: BOOK I OF THE ALBAN SAGA

2nd Edition Released!

I just released a 2nd edition of my young adult fantasy novel Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga. It's a new version of the original novel that has been revised and edited. The second book of the series is Black Grotto, and I will be issuing a new edition of that book as well in a month or so.

The series name is new for the two books as well, and I plan on eventually adding others. The history behind the series' name is that the books all take place in modern day Scotland, but there are aspects of each that are derived from Scottish history. The word, Alba, is an ancient name for the Scottish isles, and I used Saga instead of series because it means long story, and that is exactly what this group of books will be - thus, the name, Alban Saga.

The new edition can be purchased in either paperback or Kindle eBook on any Amazon site around the world. Just search for "Bob Stegner," and you will see the new cover design.

Progress on New Book and Rewriting Older Novels

In my new fantasy/science fiction book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, I'm almost done with chapter 23. I'm well into the series of events leading up to the climax. I was hoping to get the book finished in 2018, but I might not make that deadline. We'll see.

It's been an incredibly exciting and challenging story to write, and I'm looking forward to everyone being able to read it. You'll be the first to know when I'm done.

Also, I'm working on revising all of my prior novels. I reread them recently and found some things that I wanted to change. I'll let you know when those are done, too.

It's been a busy year of writing, and I've learned a great deal.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Final Title of New Book!

As promised, I am excited to finally share with you the actual title of my new book. It was previously titled "M", but the real title will be "Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening".

I began doing research for this book in June of 2016 and started writing it in October, 2016. It's by far the most complex book I've ever written and takes place in Wales, England, and inside Russia. It's been a slow write, but well worth the time and effort.

I'm hoping to complete it and get it published sometime in 2018, but we'll see how that goes.

In my next blog entry, I will include a new summary that will explain in a more concrete way what the book will be about, but for now, I'll just say that it is a fantasy/science fiction book that also includes international intrigue.

It's been a dream of mine for a long time to write a book about Merlin and Arthur, and that dream is finally coming true!

M: Beginning of Chapter 19 & Working in Scotland

I've left the Seattle area for a while and have been in Scotland since the middle of June. I love traveling and writing in the Highlands and will be revisiting several locations that I included in my two fantasy books, Beatrice and Black Grotto. I'll be here for several weeks, and it's not only been great to be here, but it's been a boon to the writing of my new book. I've finished chapter's 17 and 18 and am now at the beginning of chapter 19. I mentioned earlier that the two plot lines of "M" were coming together, and they've definitely melded into one now.

I also mentioned recently that "M" is not going to be the real title of my new scifi book. I will reveal the actual title soon as well as explain more about what the book is about. I'm looking forward to doing that. Up until now I've been keeping it a secret, but it's time to let it out.

M: Beginning of Chapter 16

Below is the first paragraph of Chapter 16 of my latest science fiction/fantasy novel entitled "M". It's going to be an extremely important chapter in the book.

The nervous tapping of the pencil, to anyone other than the man sitting at the massive wooden desk, would have been insignificant and virtually unnoticeable compared to the voluminous size of the opulent room, the wooden inlaid floor of intricate and beautiful design, the elegant Persian rug, the dark glass-fronted cabinets full of legalities and policies of government, the white and gold embellished and vaulted ceiling, and the extravagant crystalline chandelier that hung just above his head. But to him, the sound and sense of the instrument in his hand as it struck the polished surface over and over and over again, gave voice to his fears, doubts, and uncertainties; and he was a man not used to such. He was the leader of a great and powerful nation and had achieved that role through strength, confidence, and an undying belief in his abilities; but here he sat, immovable and completely at odds with himself. He could find no direction, no choice that would satisfy both his needs and the needs of his country. It was an impossible quandary that required a decision that only he could make.

M: Updated Synopsis Of My Latest Novel

Below is the updated synopsis of my latest novel, "M". I also wanted to let you know that the current title will change when the book is actually published. I just completed the fourteenth chapter and am hoping to finish and have it available sometime during 2018.

Synopsis

The year is 2022, and two seemingly unrelated events will set in motion the narrative of this science fiction/fantasy novel. One is an earthquake whose epicentre is located in the Bristol Channel between Wales and England. The other is a huge explosion at what is thought to be an observatory in the Koryak Mountains in eastern Siberia. Because of these events, two of the most legendary, medieval heroes in Britain's history come back to life, and an international incident begins to hit the newsrooms around the globe.

The story incorporates two plot lines. The first contains the awakening of the two legendary Brits who enter this new and strange world confused and unsure. As they struggle with their identity, they come in contact with people who give them aid. There is Nim who has two young boys and runs the family sheep farm near Carmarthen, her husband, Duncan, a history professor and MP in Parliament, a vicar and his wife in Glastonbury, and a woman named Gwawr who works with the homeless. The second includes two MI6 agents that have secretly entered Russian territory on a hazardous mission, twenty-four black ops from four western countries, Abram Zima, the President of Russia, the heads of four of his agencies, and, most importantly, the people who live in the towns and cities across Russia that are caught up in tragic events inside their own country.

What started in Siberia could not only threaten the lives of the Russian people but all life on earth. And with no solution in sight and virtually all hope lost, the world's future could come down to the revival of the old and ancient magic, some dangerous and delicate diplomacy, and an almost impossible quest that has little to no chance of succeeding.