Greetings, Champions! It has been a long time–I feel like I’m dusting everything off!
First item of greatest importance: Endings. The final King Arthur book is doing wonderful, and it’s nearing completion of the planned word count. Unfortunately, the characters insisted on adding a few extra side adventures, so the book is going to be longer than the initial word count I estimated. As such, no, I have no idea when I’m going to release it. It’s taking longer to write, so I doubt a February release is still possible, so I would recommend you prep yourself for a March release. (But hey, I was planning for it to be the length of two King Arthur books smashed together, and now its going to be even longer than that, so that’s something!)
Additionally, I’m not going to respond to emails/comments about Endings. I’m doing my best to splatter this information across my social media accounts so everyone sees it, but I’m getting 1-5 comments/questions a day about Endings, and answering them isn’t a good use of my time when I’m already behind due to my mischievous characters. (I’m blaming Lancelot. It’s his fault, he went off on a loop!)
I do have some fun news to share, though! The K. M. Shea Newsletter crew voted, and selected Red Rope of Fate as our Valentine’s Freebie for February 14 2017! Please mark your calendars and snag a free copy for yourself or a friend!
Finally, we have our annual Hero Poll! Vote for up to three of your favorite K. M. Shea heroes, but you can only cast your vote once, so choose carefully! Due to some comments last year, this year I designed the poll so each hero gets their own vote, instead of attempting to double up similar personalities. The poll closes February 20. I can’t wait to see who wins this year! (For historic reference, usually Friedrich, Asher & Aaron, Severin, and Arion rule the top.)
Because the hero list is sooo big, you’ll need to click here to go directly to the poll, Champions, as it otherwise breaks this post!
But wait, there’s more! Once the winning hero is picked, I’ll be holding the second half of my annual poll, in which you vote for the kind of hero you would most like to see in future books. Alexsei of Swan Lake was modeled after last year’s winner–the overlooked sweet/good guy, so I do take your votes seriously. In preparation for that poll, please shout out what kind of hero you would like to see in the comments below! (Keep your descriptions limited to a few words, like “alpha male” or “batman-esque” or “cute nerd,” etc.)
Thanks for reading, Champions! Have a lovely week!
Hmm how about a dark Knight type hero similar to Rothbart being on the edge of good and evil.
For some reason even though Rothbart was the villain I really really liked him. Especially how in the extras it shows his love for his daughter.
Hero type: secretly gay.
Gawain is my favorite character ever
A charming rogue! Swashbuckling, handsome, debonair, and chivalrous (not to mention a lil mischievous)? Yes please! 😍
Captain jack sparrow?
I think most everyone has some great ideas. I love the idea of a Flynn Rider type, but also what about a Kristof from Frozen. He was so cute and protective and sometimes awkward, and he took all of Anna’s quirks in stride.
I like the idea of someone who’s a right jerk on the outside as they don’t really know how to react with how the feel towards others. (A bit like previous ideas, i.e. Sherlock and others)
Or
Someone really intriguing, you don’t know what they’re really thinking or what they’re really like because they ether don’t speak about themselves or constantly play a fake character. Quite brooding and secretive.
A super smart but clueless type like Sherlock would be fun!
How about a d’Artagnan type of character from The Three Musketeers or a Ingio Montoya type.
Very Sarcastic and pessimistic but secretly is hopeful. Pretty much a jerk from outward appearances but when you get to know them they are very entertaining and fun and you can’t help but love them because of thier sarcasm and pessimism.
I would like to see an over-eager nerd, like any of the Flashes from DC comics.
I would love to see a character who is so full of himself and thinks everyone is below him because he is a royal, and unlike Yakov from Swan Lake he is really disliked behind his back. Kind of like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice but even more arrogant.
How about a Hamilton-esque character aka:
“You think woman don’t deserve rights? Well here’s a ten page essay I just wrote, you ******”
And
“Sorry I’m busy that day throwing the truth into the idiot of a king’s face in court.”
Bonus points if they’re constantly being dragged away from fights they can’t win by their friends and are fueled entirely by caffeine and vengeance.
(I’m also 100% down for some gays.)
Ah yes yes yes a Hamilton would be amazing! (But a slightly more emotionally/socially adept one – one that won’t cheat on the heroine!)
Yes yes yes… I would totally want that too. Or maybe it’s a female with the personality/ characteristics Hamilton.
“Sir,I don’t know what you heard, but whatever it was, Jeferson started it!” -Hamilton
That would be a great theme for a Hamilton-esque character! 😜
Id love to see a cute nerd/ total klutz/ completely uncomfortable around girls guy. Or one that’s really jumpy and gets scared by the littlest sound would be fun or a sherlock/ Artimis Fowl or just someone who is a genius in their field. Also cant wait to read endings(no pressure ;).
I love your Sherlock/Artemis Fowl idea!
Yes, me too!
This idea has summed up all my thoughts that I could not express into words! It’s amazing!
Me three!
Practical joker
Flynn Rider- esque
Same!
March release eh? I knew I disliked Lancelot for a reason. Bigger book more content, though. Guess this gives me time to reread the other books.