Forget looking at the clock. Look at the CALENDAR!!

Don't tell me that time flies!  Don't I know it?!  It is already May of 2017.  The US Civil War has been over for more than 140 years.

Or has it?

Dear reader,  you are aware that I write Historical Fiction Novels that are based largely upon historical fact.  In order to do so, extensive research into past events is an ongoing part of the daily routine here.  Quite often while researching a particular fact or facet of the history, an unexpected and interesting event or person or item gets uncovered and contributes to the overall effort.  Even more rare than that is the uncovering of an event/person/item of interest that changes the entire direction or even the setting for a story that I've been working with.

Such is the case right now.  My writing plan(s) for 2017 were cast with the idea of completing at least one historical fiction novel (set during the Fur Trading Era of this continent, roughly covering some of the years from about 1760 through about 1845) and one Science Fiction title.  Well! Just forget about that!  The focus now is upon the period at the end of and following the Civil War years.

Some items demand attention more than others.  Temporarily leaving behind the research for the Northern Plains Indians (the Blackfeet Tribes in particular) has been a tough decision for me, but one I hope you'll agree with and even enjoy?  Why is that a tough decision?  Because I get very caught-up in the lives of the people groups that I research. 

So what is drawing me a different time and place?  Learning of the many overlooked (suppressed?) details leading to the creation of THE INDIAN TERRITORY before it became the State of Oklahoma.

To those readers who have urged me to continue with the Longshot Series: Thank you!  While the current work-in-process will not have Longshot in the title, Rob Finn and other characters from that series make reprisal appearances in the upcoming novel.  The new book is planned be part of the FINN Family Chronicles.  While I'm working to complete this one, any of you who've not yet downloaded the prequel, Bridget's Story, in the last series will find it available in this promotion among a wonderful selection of FREE historical fiction books. These are available to you May 1 - 5.

Take advantage of this FREE promotion—fill up your reading device with bunches of brand new books.

Enjoy your summer.  It is finally greening up here in the mountains of NW Montana.  Good weather encourages on site visits, which is good because there's more of it to be done.

As always, thanks for reading.  For those who write letters of encouragement or comments: Thank you and keep those cards and letters (emails) coming.  I read them all and respond to every one.

Sincerely,

Keith

Special Announcement to Readers: When It Rains

Hello again.  It's me and I suspect I'm more surprised to be writing this today than you are at receiving it.  But that's just speculation on my part.  You go right ahead and be as surprised as you like.  You're receiving it as an email.  Be careful what you hope for in your email inbox.  Surprises there may just take your breath away–at least momentarily.

So my incoming email today had a couple surprises.  The first of these was smallish, but important nonetheless.  It turns out I've been ignoring your emails sent to my website.  Some were from old friends; others were from readers.  I wasn't meaning to ignore anyone.  Just a matter of my not realizing what email address was linked to which service, etc.  Thankfully, that seems to now be sorted out.  Thanks to Monica, whom you may remember from the last newsletter. Now if you write to me via the Contact button on the website, there is a good chance I'll see your message and respond.

The bigger surprise email came from none other than KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).  You know, that arm of Amazon that sells all the books online?  They've informed us that they've chosen one (or more) of our titles to be featured in their October 2016 month-long event called: Celebrating Great Writing.

I don't know about you, but that one fairly knocked my socks off.  Among other suggestions they offered, was that we immediately crank out a newsletter (some call it a blog, but I really hate that term and don't do this sort of thing often enough to legitimately refer to it as a 'blog).  So this announcement was born no more than a few hours after receiving the Amazon email from KDP.  I don't even know which title(s) nor what day said feature will occur.  But let me put it like this: When KDP talks, authors listen.

Also among the suggestions from the mother ship of KDP was that those authors selected should write up a few words and blurbs for sharing on social media and the like, covering aspects of why we "love" being "indie" authors.  I've provided the quotes to reflect that those terms were the choice of the KDP Team, not yours truly.  But here goes:

I was labelled a 'Messy' during my years in Grade School, (where I was once awarded a poster titled, "Melissa Messydesk"), and frequently since, I must tell you that it has never bothered me to place a sign in my office that reads, "A neat, uncluttered desk is the sign of a sick mind", thereby putting all visitors on notice.  I try hard not to be overbearing with them as they snivel and whine in the presence of my obviously superior mental health.  Some have even attempted to elevate their own comparative healthy state by straightening what appears before their astonished eyes. (I find a quick rap to the knuckles accompanied by growling and an occasional bark to be effective in curtailing such rude and errant behavior.)  

Anyhow, back to answering the question at hand: 
What are some of the things you love about being an independently published author?  Not having to deal with the insecurities of others regarding such things as order in the universe.  I have enough important issues of my own to attend to without such distractions as those.  This recent picture of my writing desk should suffice to underscore the importance of this matter. 

Those of you who follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter may be delighted to learn that we will be sharing more insights of the joyous life of indie publishing throughout the month of October.  Then again, you may not.  Either way, there is every likelihood that you'll see more mentions of this program in the upcoming weeks.  Maybe some pictures, a video short or two.  Who knows?  Pay attention to find out.  You'll see this hashtag with most of them: 
#PoweredByIndie and will be able to see the featured books and authors during this month at this special page on Amazon: www.amazon.com/poweredbyindie

I consider it an honor to be selected for this program and cannot thank you loyal readers enough.
Keith

PS: Be careful the names (or posters) you sling at youngsters.  Not only may they remember, they may grow up to be authors and sling a few back.