Human Empire release update
August 27, 2015A map is discovered of the planet of Tranquility
September 22, 2015Update: the sign up period has now closed, and initial Recon Team candidates are being contacted. Stay sharp, though, in case we need to call up the reserves 🙂
Human Empire is the fourth book in the Human Legion series. If real life behaved itself, the book would be available to buy now. But no plan survives contact with reality, as you know. Ours certainly hasn’t, but we’ve never stopped re-knotting our plan in a way that would make the Duke of Wellington proud.
And it’s worked! We pulled some time back, and we’re just days away from finishing.
We’ve had some wonderful messages of support from fans, but I’m sure for some that it’s been such a long time since the last book came out (June 6th) that the Human Legion has eroded into a half-forgotten memory.
So, let me tempt you with some things you will find in the new book:
- Battles between rival space fleets.
- New alien races.
- Sparkly vampires with six packs and no shirts.
- Holy war.
- Bloody leadership contests.
- Dark deeds inspired by love.
- Xin and Springer going head to head, fully armed.
OK, I admit, I did make up one of those items. I like to say that you have to read the novel to find out which one, but I suspect you’ve already guessed.
More to the point, we’re ready to start recruiting a Force Recon Team for the new novel. For those on the squad last time, once again I thank you for your input, and we will assume you would like to be involved with the Human Empire team unless you tell us otherwise. For those who weren’t, the Recon Team scanned the draft version of Renegade Legion for booby-traps: inconsistencies, clumsy or confusing wording, heathen Britishness, contrived characters, and any sign of dullness. (see this post from last time for more details).
Given that we’re so late with this release, we are going to do things a little differently.
- We will have a much shorter time for feedback. We’re aiming for a 10-day period between releasing the Recon Edition and publishing the final version on Amazon. That doesn’t give you much time. Of course, the final release date does depend on what people tell us. If you’re telling us something is seriously wrong, then publication will have to wait until we have addressed that.
- This means we’re probably only going to provide the Recon Edition in eBook format (unless you tell us you can read and comment on a paperback in 2-3 days. It takes time to print and post).
- There will be no Amazon pre–orders this time, but there will be a special launch price. And the new book will be available through Kindle Unlimited which is free for you (beyond your monthly subscription fee), and actually pays us more than if you bought the book.
- We will have a smaller team this time around, and we already have more volunteers than before. I have a randomizer to select names, but it looks like not everyone will get on the team. Sorry.
- There is quite a bit of work involved in answering queries, sending out the books, and collating feedback, and so on. My friend and partner, Ian Whates, will be leading the Force Recon Team this time around, though we will both be looking at your reports.
So, the takeaway…
-
Human Empire is coming soon. We don’t have a firm date for when the Recon Edition will be ready, but it will be in the next few days.
- If you have not volunteered for the Recon Team before, and would like to do so now, please tell us through a comment on this post.
- If you have volunteered before, but would not be available for the Human Empire team, then it would be very helpful to tell us in a comment on this post.
- If you have volunteered before, and would like to do so again for Human Empire, then you don’t need to do anything. We already have you in the list of candidates 🙂
Finally, thank you for all your messages of support during which had been a difficult time for us. It has really helped.
Tim & Ian
22 Comments
SGT MIKE reporting for duty, again!!
HOOAH!!!!! FREEDOM CAN BE WON!!!!
Good to have you on board, Sgt Mike. Hooah!
Good to be onboard, now can we do something about this lack of gravity? Those Navy Freaks need to get back to work and stop all that dilly dallying!!!
Corporal Gordon, you can’t go AWOL and not end up on the crap burning list!! You better report in soon, or I might have to go straight to the top and report you to CINC-HOME!!! 🙂 8)
Mike is nothing if not ruthless!
Nobody sleeps on my watch!!!
Just a temporary reassignment to the bedroom. No sleep until release.
I returned my call up papers promptly like a good Cpl. I have even tuned myself up by watching a programme on UK TV called Special Forces Ultimate Hell Week. Contestants are pushed to their limit by Special forces Trainers, starting with SBS. It brings back memories and reminds me of how fit and tough I used to be 60 yrs ago. I am ready Sgt Mike to be at your side, Freedom can be won!!
I don’t know whether to thank you, or reprimand you for breaking the First Law 🙂 Good to have you with us, Corporal.
Out-fricking-standing!! I knew you had it in you!!!
Tim, he did that when he let them make him a corporal!!!!
Put me on the list,please
Sent from my iPad
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You got it. Much appreciated, Paul.
I would like to be on your recon team.
Brilliant. Thanks, Andy. I’ve added you to the list of volunteers.
Can’t wait the teaser really looks good. Thank you
Thanks. And it gets even better, naturally.
The one lesson taught by all services, ‘never volunteer’…
One more soul reporting.
You are dead right Aaron, I volunteered to run for my regiment and was suddenly ordered to do a 10 mile run every day before breakfast. The only consolation was extra rations. Maybe it was the reason I am still fit at 82yrs but it taught me never to volunteer for anything again.
Thanks for breaking that rule, Aaron.
Hi Tim Put me down for recon – appreciate it’s a random affair 🙂 All the best mate and keep um comin Cheers Simon Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:32:22 +0000 To: simon.beale@hotmail.co.uk
You got it. Thanks, Simon