Quick update about First Colony Book 20.
First the book is still at 70% completion. My intention was to finish the book and release it in the latter half of March. This date is going to be pushed by into April. Earlier this month on the 14th my father died. He was 83. My wife and I, my sisters and their husbands, two of my nieces, and my mother were in the hospital and were fortunate to be able to say goodbye. I won’t go into a lot of details. I’ve been blessed to have had a really good father and we were close. This whole experience has been both beautiful and terrible at the same time. It also has strengthened my faith in God. I have zero doubts that I will be reunited with my father one day, and I look forward to that day.
Over the next couple of weeks I will finish First Colony Book 20, and anticipate that it will be released in April. No sooner than mid-April.
My father was a huge First Colony fan. He loved Connor and the other characters. I am sorry that he won’t enjoy the eventual end of the series. Book 20 is definitely not the end of the series, nor will book 21 be the end either.
I usually post my book release schedule for the year and the beginning of the year. I’m late with this. I plan to write another First Colony book this year, after book 20 is complete. I also plan to release a new series this year. I like to rotate between two series. I have two candidates or ideas for the new series I plan to write this year. I’m leaning heavily toward one of those ideas, and I’m almost completely committed to it. However, I like a little wiggle room in case something changes my mind.
Thanks for reading. Happy February….
What’s the new series?
I wouldn’t leave you guys hanging about that. Confession time. I have an intense dislike for short fiction, even though I’ve written some short stories and a novella. It’s the novella that really gets me, because it has always felt like an unfinished novel and in this case series. In 2020 I wrote a novella called Acheron Rising, it was a story set before the events in the Federation Chronicles. I’ve always entertained the idea of going back and completing the story, and make it into a series. It’s been on my mind a lot lately. So that is my plan. I don’t have a series name for the “new” series, but that’ll come with time. I’m actually very excited to write that story. There is something about two friends who have a profound effect in history that shape the world to come. I just feel that this is a story that needs to be told. I sincerely hope you’ll join me for this journey.
Side Note: Why not write more in the Ascension series. That’s going to be a solid maybe in 2027. At this point I will not close the door on anything.
Tag: Books
2024 – What a year it’s been.
Status Update: What’s going on?
Pathfinder Audiobook should be out in the next week or so. Scott Aiello has never missed a deadline for me and I have no reason to believe that this will be any different.
I’m currently working on Book 18 of the First Colony series, and I’m planning for it to be released by the end of March 2025. I plan to write and release two more books in 2025, and I’m leaning toward beginning a new science fiction series. I’m not ready to talk much about that, other than to say it’s been an idea I’ve been kicking around for a while.
Does this mean the First Colony series is over with Book 18? NO! I plan to write more stories in that series, explore new characters, and revisit some older ones. Writing a long series like First Colony has been rewarding and challenging, and I’m grateful for all your support for it. I’ve been writing in this series for seven years.
What’s next? I’ve been kicking around an idea for a new science fiction series that I’m going to pursue after I finish First Colony – Book 18. The new series is a fun concept I’ve been playing with and fits nicely into the kinds of stories that I like to write. At the heart of the series I write, I strive to write interesting characters, a clearly defined villain, and exploration that manifests in new technology, locations, or a combination of both. Intertwined in these types of books are the interpersonal relationships that the characters have.
That’s my plan for 2025. Another First Colony book, and two more books in a new series. My schedule for the next six months is as locked in as I can make it. Beyond that is the possibility for change. I never know when a story idea will show up and won’t go away, be it for an existing series or for something new.
2024 has been a wonderful year, both for me personally and in writing books. I’m so thankful and blessed to be able to write stories for a living. Thank you for reading my work, and for reaching out to me with words of encouragement. I appreciate it.
Happy New Year!
Ken Lozito
So where is the next book anyway?
It’s update time. I’m currently working on First Colony Book 16 and am halfway finished. I expect to finish the book by the end of the month. Then it will be about 3 to 4 weeks to go through editing and revisions before the book is released.
Why is this book so late?
I had back surgery at the end of the December and misjudged the amount of time it was going to take for recovery. That’s the long and short of it. I’m doing great now and continue to improve. Recovery took longer than I’d anticipated, and getting back in the chair to write was extremely uncomfortable. Not so much now, with time and a lot of Physical Therapy. I actually love PT. Before surgery, I had such a decrease in mobility that it was affecting everyday life. Now, I’m able to workout like I haven’t done for years. Between working out and actually being able to walk without pain, my health should continue to improve.
The surgery I had was spinal fusion, lumbar laminectomy, and discectomy. I had severe compression in an old injury area in my lower back, which was causing intense sciatic pain. I’m paying the price for the dumb things I did in my 20s.
So that has been what’s going on with me. The plan for 2024 is still the same. I plan to write three books in First Colony this year, and beyond that I’m not sure.
The audiobook version of Fallen Earth will be out in the next week or so. I’ve just heard from Scott Aiello that recording is completed and is going through the review process to get it ready for release.
Thank you so much for reading my books. I hope you’re having a great year.
Ken
New Book Release and End of Year Thoughts
This has been a wonderful year, both for me personally and in writing books. Fallen Earth – First Colony Book 15 is the fourth book I’ve released this year.
A new mission…
Years after the first interstellar colony ship departed from Earth, a contagion known as the Vemus spread across all mammalian life on the planet, giving rise to monstrosities that nearly wiped out all humanity.
Hundreds of years later, the interstellar colonists sent an expeditionary force back to Earth to help the survivors. Among the refugees were a cadre of human survivors who had adapted to resist the Vemus by becoming a hybrid of both.
Old war machines quarantined the Earth, preventing refugees from returning. Lieutenant Ethan Gates nearly died to save the colonial fleet sent to destroy the blockade. He survived by becoming a hybrid, and now they aren’t sure he could be trusted.
After months of being sidelined, Ethan finally returns to active duty, and makes an unexpected discovery…evidence hinting at the origins of the Vemus.
When detractors hinder unification efforts, causing treacherous divides among Earth’s refugees, a much larger threat looms in the shadows.
Fallen Earth is the 15th book in the bestselling military science fiction series First Colony. Don’t miss out on the next thrilling adventure for those who long to explore other worlds and glimpse a future with hope and hardships that challenge the characters to be more than what they were before.
What happened this year?
My plan for 2023 was to write a 3 book series and then go back to First Colony. I released Space Raiders this year, which was a fun sci-fi that tilts more toward humorous adventure than some of my other work. Nathan Briggs was a fun character to write in a witty and leap first sort of way. It’s a lighthearted series meant for easy consumption. The reaction to Space Raiders overall has been very positive, but if you’re looking for something more serious then I doubt this story is for you.
Last year (2022) when I’d released Expedition Earth (Book 14), the response had been so strong that it motivated me to keep writing stories in First Colony. It’s humbling to know that there is such devotion to a series that was first released toward the end of 2017. If you’ve read the author’s note at the end of Vigilance then you know the unique circumstances surrounding that.
What’s in store for 2024?
My plan for 2024 is to keep writing in the First Colony series. I’ve begun work on Book 16 and anticipate that it will be available by April. If I can finish the book sooner, I will. I had to give myself a little bit of breathing room because I’m having back surgery at the end of this month. Prayers for a speedy recovery are always welcome.
Audiobook for Fallen Earth – First Colony Book 15 – Status: Scott Aiello is onboard to narrate this next book and the release date for that will probably be in April as well. It’s just how it worked out with Scott’s busy schedule. I’m so glad that he’s going to narrate the next book and hasn’t become tired of it 🙂
I plan to write and release at least three books in 2024. The first slot is dedicated to First Colony Book 16, and I suspect the remaining two slots will be dedicated to books 17 & 18 in the First Colony series. Plans can always change and sometimes life intervenes, but that’s where I’m at today. If you’ve never read the First Colony series, it’s broken up into separate story arcs. The current story arc began with Expedition Earth (Book 14) and continued with Fallen Earth (Book 15). I plan to continue the series along this vein as it expands beyond the settings of the previous stories in the series.
Beyond 2024? I’m not lacking ideas for stories, so I have plenty to keep myself busy. I will say that whatever books I write in the future will not be a rehash of the work I’ve done in the previous series. That would be boring for me and not fair to you. I do play with science fiction concepts that appear in more than one series, but I like to tweak them a bit so it challenges the characters and me. This is why I only write an average of 3 books a year. Sometimes I can get that 4th one in, like this year, which is great.
Thank you to everyone who has read or listened to my work. I truly appreciate it and am humbled by your continued support.
Merry Christmas and I hope you have a blessed New Year.
~Ken
March Madness 2023
Update time!
Continuing with my adventure stories just for the fun of it theme, I’m two weeks from finishing Space Raiders 2 – Forgotten Empire. Writing the first draft is among my favorite parts about this whole writing gig. Then I’ll roll up my sleeves and do some revisions and polish. After that, the book goes to my editor and eventually my proofreader, and so the merry-go-round goes on.
Space Raiders 2 – Forgotten Empire will be released on May 4th.
Here is a taste of what’s in store.
Nathan Briggs left his old life behind, but his thirst for adventure remains the same…
And this galaxy has many secrets.
A chance encounter with a strange creature puts Nathan on the trail of a lost civilization that predates everything else in the galaxy.
For thousands of years, many have abandoned the deadly search, but there are powerful forces that will do anything to possess the promised technological marvels that will change everything.
Determined to uncover the truth, Nathan joins the hunt, but when the race for the ultimate prize turns deadly, it will test the loyalty of his crew. To the victor goes the spoils, while the others become yet another tragic end, lost while pursuing the forgotten empire.
I’m only scratching the surface of the story with that description, but I like getting right to the point.
Space Raiders 2 is available for pre-order!
Audiobook update for this series.
Books 1 & 2 will be recorded in early summer. I’m excited to announce that Space Raiders will be narrated by MacLeod Andrews, who is extremely talented and has a large body of work. I can’t wait to listen to how he brings the characters of this series to life.
I’ve been asked why I don’t use the same narrator for all my series? It’s because each of my series is different. They have a different tone, center on a unique set of circumstances, and the characters are a mix up of individuals that I’ve created to be in my stories.
Connor Gates is a veteran soldier who must not only defend a colony, but also teach it how to survive against overwhelming odds.
Zack Quick is a hacker who works in the shadows seeking justice, only to be pulled into the forefront of a first contact story.
Quinton Aldren is a naval commander who trained to fight a war that he missed. His consciousness was secretly preserved on a 3rd tier colony world for a hundred years, until it’s mysteriously reactived.
Aaron Jace is the heir of a fallen kingdom, only he doesn’t know it.
These main characters in my stories have a uniqueness to them that I believe lends itself to be better preserved in audio using different narrators for each series. This avoids hearing the character voices from one series, in another series of mine. It’s a risk doing this because people get attached to their favorite narrators. I know I do, but I also think that eventually it’s nice to hear someone new.
Whew! This was a long explanation to say that different narrators for different series is great!
Until next time.
Ken