Jake Bonner shorts

I put out a few short stories featuring Jake Bonner, one of the heroes of Expert Assistance, earlier this year. Those stories are (latest to earliest):

Above Average Jake: Jake Bonner is approached by a senior executive at Interstellar Minerals. The planet of Monument is mineral-rich and lawless. The lack of authority is endangering IM crews picking up ore, and seems to have allowed some sort of smuggling operation to take root. Jake is asked to go to Monument and clean up the town. Will his wits and his cool ship be enough to keep him alive as the planet’s only lawman?

Seeking Trouble: Jake Bonner heads to Breton system to look for work to keep busy. He’s intercepted by the local law and meets a woman named Nina. She claims to be a telepath, helping the local authorities find criminals. She tells Jake she wants to get away from her boss. Jake also meets a girl named Ella who tells him that the authorities are paying more attention to travelers than their own people. Can Jake sort out who’s telling the truth? Will he ever get a moment’s peace?

Criminal Masterminds: Jake Bonner is hired by a professor to help him survey a solar system. The professor isn’t worried that he doesn’t know who hired him to conduct the survey. Jake’s ship is fired on, the professor turns up missing, and Jake tangles with criminals and corporate drones. Another job, another series of annoyances to be resolved.

All of these short stories sell for 99¢. You can find them where ebooks are sold. Another novella featuring Jake should be out this summer!

Two Book Signings

On Saturday, April 27, I had a book signing for Kansas County Seat Conflicts at The Book Grinder in El Dorado, Kansas. It was quiet as signings go. I sold a few books, and did some editing on an upcoming Blue Pistol novel. As it happened, I didn't sell any copies of the book I was there to promote, but I did sell copies of two of my railroad history titles.

Then on Saturday, May 4, I went down to Slate Creek Books in Wellington to do another signing for Kansas County Seat Conflicts. It was also quiet. This time around I did sell a copy of the book I was there to promote, along with two of my railroad books. I also did some editing, and chatted with the owners about this and that.

The next event on my schedule is ConQuest. Between now and then I'm going to put up a post about some new short story ebooks I've published. Take care!

ConStellation 4

Over the weekend of April 19-21 I returned to Lincoln, Nebraska to attend ConStellation 4.

I did great. I sold almost three dozen books! Last year I sold 17 books, so I doubled my business. I sold books to people I'd met last year, and to new people. I also handed out all 25 copies of the book brochure I brought with me. I hope everyone who bought a book enjoys it.

Sadly, that was all I did at the con. I missed opening ceremonies so I could have dinner. There were a few panels that I might have attended, but they were held during peak attendance times at the con. I'm reluctant to leave my table at such times, unless I'm actually on a panel. I was able to get to closing ceremonies, so I did do something other than sell books.

Still, I had fun. I was able to see and chat with people I hadn't seen in months, or in a year. That's one of the interesting things about going to cons. You're hanging with people you share interests in. Even if you don't see those people very often, you have a connection with them. You stay connected, even if a long time has passed since you saw them last.

The trip to and from Lincoln was good as well. On the way up I visited a library with the new nonfiction book, and on the way back did the same at a bookstore. It's possible one or both of those visits will lead to book talks.

As far as my schedule goes, I have two book signings coming up the next two weekends. I'm off for a few weeks, then on to ConQuest 44. The next post here will probably be after those two signings. Till then, take care & happy reading!