New Book, New Article, New Interview!

October has been a busy month and it has been a while since I gave an update on my author-hat/writer activity.

Firstly and most importantly, it is with great pleasure that the second book I wrote with my daughter, Rachel, will be released on the 1st November. It’s called Lost in the World of Dragons and is available as either a paperback or hardback book. About the story: After their base is raided by some unknown animals, an army soldier is sent into a mysterious forest to forage for food. Along the way he gets lost and discovers some dragons, but are they friend or foe and how will he find his way back to the base? This story has themes relating to prejudice and Indigenous Australian’s use of the land. We wrote the book during the last lockdown in Victoria in 2021(and you can read about/watch some of that process in this old blog post), but had quite the journey getting it illustrated. It’s themes weren’t meant to be as timely as they are right now (given the recent referendum in Australia), but were just something which we included as Rachel loves including an educational element in our stories. I do too, of course, but in a proud dad moment it was Rachel who wanted to include the bit about prejudice. The book is available from all bookshops and online retailers.

Also on the new book front, the audiobook for Sovereign Assassin is looking like it will be completed in time for Christmas. I’m enjoying listening to each chapter as they are recorded and I’m surprised at how invested I am in the story and how much I want to listen to more given I wrote it and know exactly what is going to happen! I guess this is the skill of the voice-artist who is recording it on behalf of my publisher Shooting Star Press. I’ve been impressed with how she is making it sound.

Early in October, I had a 5 page article/profile published in Millesimal Magazine. It was an interesting process to reflect upon my writing journey and how some of my books have come to fruition. It reinforced that I write to share ideas as well as entertain.

I also had an Editorial review of Sovereign Assassin by Midwest Review of Books. I’m pleased they enjoyed the book. “Original, interesting, entertaining, and exceptionally well written, “Sovereign Assassin” by talented novelist Robert New is a simply riveting read and will have a very special appeal to readers…”Sovereign Assassin” is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick”. You can buy a copy of the novel here 😉

This month, I was also a guest on Screaming Chuy’s vod/podcast. It was a lot of fun being interviewed and we discuss all sorts of things from a mutual love for Breaking Bad, martial arts, my novels and much more! You can listen to it here. The video of the interview will be released to youtube in a few weeks.

I have another vodcast interview which will be out shortly. It’s a different interview – we pretty much spend a half hour discussing mental health, but along the way I do reveal the secret to the meaning of life. So, stay tuned for that release!