The character of Lemuel Firewalker, Wakhangli Mani, is a man who spans two worlds. Although he lives a mostly European life, he remains Lakota. One of the ways I tried to help illustrate this was to put a few words of his birth language into his mouth.
While I was doing my research, I found a wonderful YouTube video by Floyd Looks for Buffalo Hand, a Lakota Medicine Man. If you’re as curious as I was to hear Lakota spoken, give it a click!
I was taking a break from my writing with an afternoon cup of tea (not my usual, but I have some nice cookies I needed an excuse opportunity to enjoy), when my calendar chimed to remind me that I plan to put up a rising of bread tonight. Other than the computer part, this combination of events was 19th century enough to call my attention to how remiss I’ve been in posting here.
My apologies to all of you. At best, I’m an irregular blogger (that’s fairly obvious, isn’t it?). As you’ve probably gathered from the length of The Upsilon Knot, long form is more my thing; but I will promise to do a little better going forward—even if it’s only “a little.” As that’s my only resolution for the new year, and it’s pretty modest, I should be able to keep it.
There’s not a shred of doubt that the high point of my 2013 was launching Claude et al into the wide world. The warmth of your reception made this as fulfilling as it was exciting.
For those who’ve asked, or who’ve wondered without asking, a sequel is already in progress. Picking up a few months after the end of The Upsilon Knot, Claude’s continued adventures will include many familiar faces. You can also expect to meet new ones (some of whom have been hinted at before) and do a bit of traveling. I’m not one of the world’s faster writers, so it will be some time before you’re able to read this second volume. At this point, I can’t even project a release date; but it certainly won’t be in the year 2014. I can only thank you in advance for your patience.
I often say that a writer is nothing without readers. Thank you for making my world come to life! I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy 2014.
Happy New Year and, always, Happy Reading!
Please excuse an author for squealing with excitement. But I’ve heard from a couple of readers now who say they’re hoping that The Upsilon Knot doesn’t end with this one book.
You don’t build a world like this without some thought of visiting it more than once. “Some thought?” Who am I kidding? I’ve got virtual stacks of little notes. But it’s one thing for me to indulge in such imaginings, and quite another for other people to ask me to do it. As George Takei would say, “Oh, myyyyyyy!!!”
“…she put her hand on the throttle and pulled. Her mood instantly changed to one of elation. It was thrilling to feel the frame tremble as the Prometheum boiler kicked in. To control such power; then to rise over the trees in that fragile openwork cab! It was truly like a dream of flying.”
The Upsilon Knot, Chapter 6: Moving Pieces
That’s a little what it felt like to send the final approval for this book and feel the world that I’ve been nurturing in my mind suddenly lift off and soar out the reading public. (recall that touch of queasiness from my last post? Must have been aer-sickness)
The final tasks moved quickly, so I can share the news a few days ahead of the anticipated September date: as of today, Dear Reader, you can obtain your own copy of The Upsilon Knot!
For a suitably 19th Century experience (regardless of timeline!), choose the classic bound-paper edition. A Kindle edition is already available for those who prefer their reading more portable, with a Nook (epub) edition soon to follow. As information becomes available, I’ll be adding to the list of outlets on the website homepage.
It’s with enormous delight that I announce that the cover design has been approved and final proofreading edits are underway. Yes, The Upsilon Knot is heading to press!
Releasing a story out to the readers always gives me that “back to school” feeling (appropriate, considering when this book will be launching). Excited as I am, I’d be lying if I didn’t confess to a touch of queasiness in imagining you entering my world and meeting my characters.
Well, I won’t have to imagine it much longer. In a few more weeks, it will be reality! The book will be out and you’ll have several ways to let me know what you think. As of today, you can start following me on both Facebook and Twitter (@MerleDarling).
See you in September!