Monday, November 19, 2018

Captain Hawklin & the Shadow Men Release Date

Hey, I have some great news. The date has been set for the sixth book in my Captain Hawklin Adventure series. “The Shadow Men” will be released on February 6th 2019 (which happens to be my birthday) Here is the back cover blurb and the cover by Damian Aviles.

July 1937
When Captain Steven Hawklin is attacked by a warplane over Southern California he is thrown into the secrecy and intrigue of the Shadow Men, an ultra-classified branch of the British government bent on keeping the Empire safe at all costs. It seems one of their agents has gone rogue and is out to kill Captain Hawklin.

Meanwhile at the behest of Professor Lucas Gray, Oscar “Oz” Lyman arrives in the mountains of Montana, to investigate the mysterious appearance of an Indian God who has invoked a local Blackfoot Tribe into committing acts of violence, preventing the construction of a new ski resort. Suspicious, Oz leads an expedition into the mountains to find the real reason behind the strange phenomenon.

Approached by agents of the Shadow Men, Steven learns the motive of the person out to kill him, understanding the past is never forgotten, he agrees to help track down the wayward agent, in a race against time to prevent the death of his trusted friend, Hardy Miller, who becomes entangled in the villainous plan. Traveling to Germany, Steven is given one chance to rescue his friend in a do-or-die aerial battle that will prove once and for all, the true master of the air.

Captain Hawklin and the Shadow Men, is a throwback of a bygone age of pulp adventure stories. Filled with spies and mythological gods. Nazis, cliffhangers and action in the tradition of Doc Savage and Commander Cody.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

My Thoughts of Stan Lee

Stan Lee left this universe on November 12, 2018 and as I write those words, I can’t wrap my mind around it.

I grew up with many influences, my parents, an older brother and even though they taught me right from wrong, Stan Lee taught me to believe. I found comics when I was about eight years old. I immediately fell in love with them. I was hooked on Spider-Man (what kid wasn’t?) and although it took be a few years to understand who these creators were, Stan Lee was always there. He didn’t talk down to kids, be treated us as equals and that’s what drew me to Marvel more than any other company. Stan Lee was larger than life. His ideas were something I’ve emulated once I decided that writing was something I wanted to do for a living. It was through those early Avenger stories that I learned how to pace a story, how to give the reader just enough to get them hooked. That’s what Marvel did back in the day, and Stan was a master of it. It was his tireless efforts and his unwilling to compromise that drove his stories in the directions they went. Though there have been others writers after Stan stepped away from the story telling, none of them was Mr. Lee. He took a fledgling company and by the mid 1970’s made it a household name.

I can’t imagine a world where there is no Stan Lee. Where there will be no more cameos in a Marvel Movie, where we won’t see him on the red carpet, or where we won’t meet him at a convention. I actually physically bumped into him once at a con as we passed through a door together. I tapped him on his shoulder and said “Excuse me Stan.” His reply was something mumbled because I think it took him off guard. But in my mind I can hear him say, “That’s alright True Believer.” No I can’t imagine a world without Stan Lee, or Jack Kirby or Steve Ditko. Sadly the greats are leaving us. But they left behind tons and tons of stories and art that will live on forever.


Thank you Stan... Excelsior!!

Friday, November 2, 2018

Guest Blogger: Jacob Rundle

It's always a joy to see first time writers publisher their first book. I remember how it felt the first time, it's a lot like every time after. It's a feeling you never grow tired of. Stormgate Press is proud to present Jacob Rundle.

How Self-Publishing Has Shaped Me:


As I sit at my writer’s desk, I ask myself which direction I want to take with this blog post. There are so many topics that I feel that are pertinent, but the one that I continue to replay is the topic, “why am I self-publishing instead of trying to get published traditionally?” There is a pivotal point in my article where I say, “I am in no way, shape or form saying anything negative about people who traditionally publish. We all want different things. Now, I have come to believe that the answer is very personal to me, yet I want to share how the experience can help anyone grow as a person and as a writer. So, I want share with you all what I have learned, and why I stand by my decision that self-publishing is an amazing adventure, and how self-publishing has shaped me into a better writer.  

Augur of Shadows: Book I of the 
Destined Series 
will be published in Feb. 2019 
A few years ago, in a period of time when I thought about writing a story, I learned of self-publishing and as many others believed, and some still do, that self-publishing wasn’t a viable option. My thoughts were that being traditionally published was the only way to “make it big” in the literary world. A few questions ran through my mind, “don’t you want to get a book deal? You do know that you won’t make any money as a self-publisher, don’t you?” The answer also depends on one’s definition of “making it big”. Now, I can proudly say that I was completely wrong with that way of thinking because I have completed a piece that is near and dear to my heart. . How many people can say that they enjoy being wrong?

Throughout my journey of writing Augur of Shadows: Book 1 of the Destined Series, I have been exposed to several aspects of the writing and publishing businesses, i.e. writing, editing, revising, formatting and marketing. Before I completed my story, I had no experience in either area. You as a writer should keep this vital question in mind, “what do you want to take away from the experience?”. I’m sure you all agree that learning something new is scary, but also, it is the most exhilarating feeling in the world. The reason that I say, “keep this question in mind” is because when you are deciding whether or not self-publishing is an option for you, individuals who self-publish have their hands in every aspect of the process. Individuals who traditionally publish may or may not have as much control over such areas as cover art, where to sell, etc. So, ask yourself, “how much influence and work you want to put forward?” and you will be closer to a more informed decision.


Also, I must take a leap of faith, and I must seek out individuals to critique what I have written. I do believe that it is vital to get outside options. These critiques can help your story grow into the rose it is meant to be. I was extremely nervous about letting other individuals read my material, and all of the self-doubting questions popped into my head, “what if they don’t like it?” I had to learn to accept that you will not please everyone, and everyone doesn’t have to like what you write. An amazing writer has good and bad reviews, and I was willing to learn from my beta readers’ ideas, suggestions and critiques. I was extremely elated, and I was proud of even the corrections because how many people muster up enough courage to write a novel and to send it off to others to read? I felt accomplished, and I knew that I made the right decision.


As a self-publisher, the entire process has forced me to find skills that I never knew that I have had. Making every executive decision forces one to focus their skill set and to make connections with their readers. I love the fact that I am the one who decides which road my novel takes. I truly believe that when an artist doesn’t have outside influences, pressuring him or her to do this or that, they will have an easier time to fully express them selves. The amount of information that I have learned from the whole process is outstanding, and the process has helped me become the writer that I want to be. So, please, every single beginner writer out there, follow your creative voice, and you won’t be let down.