Working on Book III of the Alban Saga: THE VORTEX

"Vortex bw" by ahisgett is licensed under CC by 2.0

Time to get back to work on Book III of the Alban Saga. For now, its working title is The Vortex.

I'm still promoting my new book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, but it was time to revisit the third and final book of the Alban Saga. I began writing it while I was recently in Scotland. It's taken a lot of thought to put the plot together, but I think I have it now and want to move forward. The day before yesterday, I completed the second chapter, and once I do a bit more editing, I'll include a short excerpt for you to read in a blog entry.

I'm really looking forward to completing this fantasy trilogy. The first two books were Beatrice and Black Grotto, and many of the same characters, as well as some new ones, will be included in The Vortex . The final book of the saga will sadly bring a story that I've loved writing to a close, but it will also give me a chance to work with some of my favorite characters again and weave an ending to the trilogy that should be exciting to read!

Stay tuned!

Finished Sending Out Agent Queries!

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By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

Now Available In Kindle eBook & Paperback On All Amazon Sites Around The World!

I've completed sending out queries to 50 agents for my new book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening.

It was a lot of work. Every agent seemed to have slightly different requirements, but I was able to do it all digitally, which helped.

It will be awhile before I hear from them. Most of them said it could be 4-6 weeks.

Once that was done, I went back through the new book one more time and updated it on all the Amazon sites around the globe.

Also, because of the coronavirus, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening was only available in Kindle eBook format and paperback on Amazon.com until recently. Now you can get it in either format on any Amazon site! 

A Special "KINDLE EBOOK COUNTDOWN DEAL" On Amazon.com

May 12th - May 18th

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By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

You can get my new book at lower price for your Kindle for a limited time on Amazon.com!

The special Kindle eBook Countdown Deal for my new book begins Tuesday, May 12th at 8:00 PM, Pacific Daylight Time, and ends Monday, May 18th at 8:00 PM, PDT.

For the first 48 hours of the Countdown Deal, the price will be $0.99 per download of the book. The second 48 hours, it will be $1.99 per download, and the next 48 hours it will be $2.99. The final 24 hours it will go back to its original price of $3.99 per download.

I apologize that this offer is only good on Amazon.com.

Below, I've included the blurb from the back cover of the book!

BLURB

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur's skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.

Checking Out Some Agents

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By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

I promised when I started my blog that I would share what I'm doing to promote and publish my books. Of course, I'm already self-published on Amazon, but I've also worked on trying to find an agent who would help me get a publisher for my books. I've started working through that same process with Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening.

This last week I used a website that I've gone to in the past to find a good agent in the US. The site is agentquery.com. It's been extremely helpful. On the site, I use the Full Search link. Then I select the genre and select YES in the drop down menu for agents who accept email queries, are a member of AAR, and are actively seeking new clients. From the search, I found three pages of agents, of which I sent out 22 queries. Next week I'll be searching for agents in Europe through some other sites.

Every agent seems to want something a little different, but it's a good idea to have at least a couple items ready before beginning. Those are a query letter specific to the book and a 1-2 page synopsis. You'll also need to copy and paste a portion of your full manuscript. Most agents require anywhere from 5 pages, to 50 pages. None of them want the full manuscript to begin with.

In the past, I've received many different types of responses, ranging from stock answers saying that my work didn't fit their particular requirements at the moment to very personalized responses, providing feedback that was valuable. I obviously haven't been able to find an agent yet, but I'm always hopeful and am not going to give up. I've worked very hard to improve as a writer and storyteller. Plus, from the reviews I've received, I know that people that have read my work have enjoyed it.

Wish me luck, and I hope the information that I've included is helpful to other writers.

MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING - Two New Reviews!

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By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

Here are two new reviews for Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening from Goodreads and Amazon! Take a look!

5 Star Rating

I’ve been waiting for an author to bring Merlin and Arthur into the modern world. This book delivered and kept me engaged from beginning to end! It is a timely story that effortlessly ties the awakening of Merlin and Arthur to a violent event brought on in modern times by a corrupt Russian government. The interweaving of human struggle, tragedy, and triumph thoughout this epic brought a quality of credibility and immediacy. I would recommend the book highly!

5 Star Rating

The premise of Merlin and Arthur reawakening at a time when their wisdom is critical to humanity is fun, interesting and well worth taking the time to explore. Bob Stegner has developed a story that moves through time but is relevant today. The book is easy to read and captures the imagination. Can't wait for his next one!

UPDATE: OVERSEAS PUBLISHING OF NEW BOOK

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By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

Everyone who wishes to order my book though Amazon.com can order either the paperback or Kindle eBook as version by simply typing my name "Bob Stegner" in the search box.

But because of the Covid:19 virus, Amazon has put a hold on sending out my new paperback book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, in all of their international publishing outlets, including the ones in the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and others. So, all those readers who normally order on Amazon sites throughout the world cannot get my book in paperback at this time.

However, those Amazon site are selling Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening in Kindle eBook format. It's just a little more difficult to find it. When you do the search, first click the ALL button and then go down and select Kindle Store. Then type in my name "Bob Stegner", and you will see all of my books including the new one. And if you are at a non-English site, be sure to put quotes around my name.

Sorry for the inconvenience. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the covid:19 virus, and I know we''re all hoping that this situation ends soon for everyone.

Finally! MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING Has Been Published On All Amazon Websites Around The World!

Cover Image

By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

My new fantasy/sci-fi/international intrigue novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, has been published in both Paperback and Kindle eBook format on all Amazon websites around the world!

I had originally intended to stay in Europe to complete this project, but because of the coronavirus I was not able to do that. I had to leave early and finish it in the U. S. I'm fine and incredibly happy that, after almost four years of work, the book is done and ready for you to read!

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is the culmination of not only a lot of work, sleepless nights, and long hours of research, but it's also the fulfillment of a dream that I've had for a long time. Like many of you, I've been enamored with the legend of Merlin & Arthur since I was young, and to bring them into the future and finally write a book about their latest adventures has been incredibly rewarding...and a lot of fun!

Enjoy reading and let me know what you think of my new creation by either doing a review on Amazon or Goodreads, commenting on my blog, or just sending me an email. I'll be excited to hear from you as always!

Below, I've included the blurb that will be on the back cover of the of the book!

BLURB

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur's skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.