Monthly Archives: March 2012

The newest “PEOPLE” book is tentatively titled, PEOPLE OF THE MORNING STAR, and will be a political thriller set in Cahokia in the late 1100s. Since we wrote PEOPLE OF THE RIVER twenty-three years ago, a whole world of research has been done on Cahokia. The books resemble reality. PEOPLE OF THE RIVER is like what the archaeologists call “Old Cahokia” the large and prosperous village that was completely covered over to create ‘New Cahokia” the urban center that would be the nucleus for a city at, in the 1100s was even larger than London or Paris. When we wrote RIVER we went way out on a limb and refered to Cahokia as a “state.” The Cahokia we’re writing about in MORNING STAR is imperial, reflecting a city-state that not only drew in tens of thousands of immigrants, but established far-flung colonies, imposed its will, and dominated its enemies. The peasant class was not only compelled to labor for the state, but tendered all of their excess crop production for the state. In so many ways the parallels with Rome are remarkable. Both started as unremarkable villages that grew into empires that changed their continents. Now we’re at the that exciting point, doing the research, compiling lists of characters, setting the stage. Today, dear friends, we will write that first page! Each time we sit at the computer and look down on the screen, there’s a sense of incredible anticipation. And then you type that first word with a sense of inevitableness. With that one word, you’ve just begun a journey leading you…you know not where…

Dear All: We’ve just been informed that Amazon Kindle has corrected the conversion mistakes in the SPIDER trilogy, FORBIDDEN BORDERS trilogy, STARSTRIKE, and THE ARTIFACT. Corrections are pending for Kathleen’s LIGHT trilogy written under Kathleen M. O’Neal. Amazon assured us that if you bought the uncorrected edition with the conversion mistakes, that you can download the corrected versions for no charge. Meanwhile, we’re working on new Kindle material, including two thrillers, COMES A GREEN SKY and FRACTURE EVENT. Both should be available in the next couple of months for download at a price of $5.99.

Nanette Savard just contacted us to let us know that she’s placed Part 1 of PEOPLE OF THE SEA in post production. If you haven’t enjoyed the Graphic Audio experience, parts 1 through 3 of PEOPLE OF THE RIVER is out along with the two-part epics of PEOPLE OF THE WOLF, PEOPLE OF THE FIRE, and PEOPLE OF THE EARTH. You’ll hear our novels as you’ve never imagined them. Google graphicaudio.net for the details. Meanwhile, we’re at the Northwest Bison Association meetings to give their keynote address tomrrow at their spring meetings here in Bend, Oregon. We’ll be talking about genetics, confirmation, and generally how we prepped our show animals.

Dear All: We’re delighted to announce that A SEARING WIND the third book in the CONTACT: BATTLE FOR AMERICA series has been released! If you enjoyed COMING OF THE STORM and FIRE THE SKY, you’ll love the continuing adventures of Black Shell and Pearl Hand. Only this time they have to worry if Hernando de Soto, or Black Shell’s mother will kill him first. Talk about “family dysfunction.” Collectors note: Due to the down-turn in publishing, there will be limited numbers of hardbacks printed. Simon & Schuster may not go back to press. We urge you to snatch yours up quickly. If you can’t find a copy in your local bookstore, please use the links on the Gear-Gear.com homepage.