Publication Update

Hi Folks,

   Quite a bit of news to share with you, as there are many pokers in the fire here in Painted Post.

Books in The Works

In a Place Called Painted Post

As previously announced, In a Place Called Painted Post: A Ryland Creek Story, has truly begun in earnest. I’m co-authoring this book with Shanne Bowie, who inspired the concept, and the very talented local artist, Lee O’Connell, who will be illustrating this work. We have a deadline of August 2025, when this book heads to world’s greatest copy editor, Joyce Mochrie, for editing.

Set as a middle grade book, this story will be seen from the raccoon’s perspective. It takes place in the time of An Exceptional Hound: Book II of the Ryland Creek Saga (mid-1980s) and involves some of the characters from this storyline, too.

Estimated publication date: Fall 2025.

Return to Ryland Creek

Heretofore unannounced, Return to Ryland Creek: Book V of the Ryland Creek Saga is well underway. After a prequel novel (The Forest Ghost) and a companion novel (The Time of the Backroads), the Ryland Creek saga, well, returns to the Ernst family, as we pick up their story in modern times (2023). The draft of novel already stands at 50K+ words, and there’s so much more to tell. (Think ‘halfway point.’)

My beta readers have already completed seven chapters of this story, and I owe them another one soon!

Estimated publication date: Spring 2026.

On Audiobooks.

An Exceptional Hound, the audiobook narrated by the incredible voice talent of Wayne Thompson, has been  submitted to the New York State Outdoor Writers 2024 Excellence in Craft awards in the TV, Radio, Video and Audio category. Winners will be announced in Spring 2025.

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The Forest Ghost: The Audiobook. This project is in the early planning stages and likely won't kick off until late 2025 or early 2026. In recent correspondence with Wayne Thompson, he agreed it would be wonderful to have a lady voice actor fill in the roles for all female parts in this telling of “Uncle” Arthur McCutcheon’s formative teenage years under the tutelage of the venerable Seneca chief, Gray Eyes, his wife, Shell, and their daughter, Mist. More details to follow in the coming months, but this project really excites me.

Book I, The Last Coon Hunter, and An Exceptional Hound are available in audiobook format at Ryland Creek Novels on Audible.

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w0Ryland Creek 2025 Calendar

Back by popular demand, I put together a calendar with pictures all taken (by me) in the Painted Post and surrounding region. While I won’t carry any physical inventory for sale through my website, these calendars will be available for purchase on Lulu soon.

The 2025 Ryland Creek Calendar is $14.50 (plus tax and shipping) and exclusively available at the Lulu Book Store.

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Annual Holiday Sale.

My holiday sale has begun a little early since Thanksgiving is falling so late this year and to thus allow some additional mailing time. The original cover in soft cover and casebound format are on sale at deeply discounted prices. This sale ends midnight (ET) November 27, 2024.

Buy the Ryland Creek Books in Print

On or about November 29, 2024 all covers will go on sale, but not as deeply discounted. I’ll likely explore first class mailing costs (vs media rate) to allow the best chances for delivery prior to Christmas. More details to follow.