jlodom

Andor and The Power of Patience

I could make a list as long as my arm of all the things the show Andor does right. Gosh, it does so, so many things right. It simply oozes with thought and care and precision. But as I settled contentedly (or, often as not, with tension) into each next episode, one word kept comingContinue reading “Andor and The Power of Patience”

SPFBOX Update (A tie! And more)

So once upon a time–which is to say, roughly a year ago–I entered By Blood, By Salt into a book competition. So did 595 other people. Only 300 were allowed to compete so they had to randomly select 300 entrants out of the 595. I passed that first hurdle by sheer luck! Then the 300Continue reading “SPFBOX Update (A tie! And more)”

Birria Tacos and Chapter 25

THE TACOS I had never had Birria Tacos. Not at a food truck. Not in a restaurant. Not at someone’s house. But they were all over the internet and they looked like heaven to me. Call me “influenced.” I wanted to try them so bad. But we don’t go to restaurants very often–doing so withContinue reading “Birria Tacos and Chapter 25”

Audiobook! And other stuff.

I forgot to post about this! Two weeks ago the audiobook for By Blood By Salt released on audible. You can get it here And for those wondering (since I did have people ask, though I know replies sometimes go into spam! I promise I always answer all questions from my contact form, so ifContinue reading “Audiobook! And other stuff.”

Publication Day!

Today, A Haunt for Jackals is released out into the world! I loved this book dearly, and I hope you will too. After capturing a jinn-devil and fleeing to the desert, Azetla has exchanged the threat of execution for the weight of high treason. Thousands of men are now under his command—for the Emperor’s brotherContinue reading “Publication Day!”

Quite the Year: a summary in 4 parts

2024: The Books I wrote and related topics I published the first book in my Land of Exile trilogy, By Blood, By Salt on May 14 2024. I had been working on and off on this trilogy for nearly 2 decades. I had gone the traditional publishing route and would have held to it, exceptContinue reading “Quite the Year: a summary in 4 parts”

It’s only because they KNEW better

If I open a book with low expectations, and the author precisely hits that mark, I probably won’t be angry. I will conjure a shrug or a “meh” and give it two or three lethargic stars on goodreads and say something like “it just didn’t make much of an impact.” This was the Divergent seriesContinue reading “It’s only because they KNEW better”

A Haunt for Jackals

Coming Feb 25 2025, Book 2 in the Land of Exile trilogy! And here is the cover by the artist Jeremy Adams: After capturing a jinn-devil and fleeing to the desert, Azetla has exchanged the threat of execution for the weight of high treason. Thousands of men are now under his command—for the Emperor’s brotherContinue reading “A Haunt for Jackals”

The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read

First of all: Perseverance is Rewarded Once upon a time, in high school, I was assigned to read a book: The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis. For those who have read it, you’ll understand why the average Oklahoman teenager (such as myself) might not have totally grasped every last inch of that slim butContinue reading “The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read”

In the SPFBOX

I mentioned being in an indie fantasy book competition a while back, in this post. I set my expectations at: get a few eyeballs on the book, and maybe get a decent review from a judge. I did not (except in rare moments of what I would have called utter delusion) set my sights on:Continue reading “In the SPFBOX”