New Publication August 1, 2020 WRITING WITH MIKE SHEPHERD

I’m really excited to share a project that has been in the works for a while.

Over a year ago, I discovered that people had used my name and were listing my books, charging for a list of what I wrote! It rankled me that they would do such a think but what really bugged me was that it was so inaccurate. That got my assistant and I busy compiling an actual list of works: novels, novellas, short stories, and my early trilogy. Also included is true author commentary for each story! Premiering August 1, will be Writing with Mike Shepherd for $3.99 from all major retailers.

In one volume, I will have all of the books and stories I’ve written, with author commentary and ‘inside’ information about each one. This will only be available in eBook format and will be updated annually, likely at the end of the year, with the works for that year, so be sure to turn on your updates and watch Facebook!

My most recent book, Longknifes Defend the Legations, will be included, but the next Kris book will not be – largely because its still a work in progress.

So, for one very reasonable price, you get an annually updated book, with author commentary about stories you like to read!

It is currently up for pre-order and will be available on August 1, 2020. Until then, here is the cover from our fantastic artist, Lee Moyer. I love the blue and green and how he’s captured the far-away look I imagine Kris to have as she talks with Nelly and looks into space.

Kris Longknife: Emissary at a Special Price!

This month marks my three year anniversary since I’ve gone independent and created my own publishing house, KL & MM Books!

When I started, the first Kris Longknife book to be sold was Emissary. In it, Kris goes to the Iteeche planets and assists them in the defense of their child Emperor. We quickly see why she becomes the fightingest Admiral in the galaxy!

When I first posted Emissary as an eBook, it sold for $6.99. In honor of my 3 year anniversary and the holiday season, I’ve decided to mark it down to $2.99 and make it exclusive to Kindle Unlimited.

https://www.amazon.com/Kris-Longknife-Emissary-Mike-Shepherd-ebook/dp/B01N2B8PC3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KBPUZ06KKPLB&keywords=kris+longknife+emissary&qid=1576864397&sprefix=kris+longknif%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

Happy holidays and thank you for reading!

I always welcome your comments here and on my Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/Mike-Shepherd-1134226486711380/?eid=ARD1ZYYFuCmC6FASRz6gw33MmOKUlJgMCi6hYA0PGVDl6zxlPqE37wBOttu0oU-lLvLZZHnFsrpQ6wIZ

Kris Longknife: Stalwart is LIVE!

On December 5th, we opened Kris Longknife: Stalwart for sale.

Many years ago when I wrote Furious, I really wanted Kris in a Kimono because she was on Musashi meeting the Emperor. ACE said no – they always went with “Girl with a Big Gun.” They put her in fatigues, with a big gun and a pagoda in the background. I was greatly disappointed, and have been wanting to see her on the cover ever since.

This book, we are thrilled to be working with a new cover artist, Lee Moyer. He has made my dream of seeing Kris on the cover in a kimono come true!

As I’ve read your Facebook and blog questions, many of you have asked about the title. This book in the Kris Longknife saga has gone through a couple of working titles. I started with Victorious, then switched to Valiant. My assistant and one of our readers pointed out that the word Valiant was reminiscent of the Finest Generation in World War II, and Kris hadn’t been victorious in quite that way yet – so we chose Stalwart. In this novel, you see her as steadily fighting, steadily protecting, and growing increasingly uncomfortable with the experiences and processes of Iteeche politics. She plods on – in a stalwart manner, hence the title.

In this book, not only do you have the usual space battles, but you have a hostile take-over of Arteccia, which Kris recently liberated, the kid Emperor coming out to play, and an assassination attempt! You also have a really fabulous scene where Kris and two of her staff meet with the Iteeche in kimonos, hence the idea for the cover of the book.

This book is the longest yet, just over 140,000 words of action-packed adventure, space battles, Marine battles, and threats to the lives of those Kris not only loves but has sworn to protect. Because of its length, we had to increase the price by $1, but that covers the cost of paper, ink, and in the case of the ebook, editing. I’d like to thank all of you who have bought the book – we’ve sold 2,200 in the first week alone!

I’ve started on another book….stay tuned here for more details!

Series Order of Kris Longknife Books

Many readers have been inquiring about the order of the Kris Longknife books. I understand that it’s not easy to start a series in the beginning, so here is the list. Over 20 years ago, I started with ACE Science Fiction through Penguin Press. In 2017, I created my own publishing house, KL & MM Books. For those books listed with an astrics (*) those are newer and published by me. They are available through all major retailers – online and in print.

Here is the order of the Kris Longknife books:
Mutineer
Deserter
Defiant
Resolute
Audacious
Intrepid
Undaunted
Redoubtable
Daring
Furious
Defender
Tenacious
Unrelenting
Bold
* Emissary
*Admiral
*Commanding
*Indomitable
*Stalwart (coming out Dec 2019)

Vicky Peterwald Books (Kris’s archenemy, then friend)
Target
Survivor
Rebel
*Dominator
*Implacable

Sandy Santiago – Kris’s Replacement on Greenfeld when she went off to the Iteeche alien world
*Kris Longknife’s Relief
*Kris Longknife’s Replacement
*Kris Longknife’s Successor

Jump Universe (History on where Kris got her grit and desire to be in the Navy – basically the history of her grandparents)
First Casualty
Price of Peace
They Also Serve
To Do or Die
* Enemy Unknown (Rita Longknife)
* Enemy in Sight (Rita Longknife)

Lost Millennium (This was my first trilogy beyond the short stories, that I wrote in the 90s. The prequel was found and published a couple of years ago. I now own the rights, so they are also published under KL & MM.)
*Lost Dawns – prequel
* First Dawn
* Second Fire
* Lost Days

Short Story Collections: (These were the first few short stories that got me published and nominated for a Nebula. The first three have personal narrations about the short stories.)
A Day’s Work on the Moon
The Job Interview
Strange Redemption of Sister MaryAnn
* Kris Longknife’s Maid Goes on Strike and Other Short Stories

Kris Longknife Short Stories
Training Daze
Welcome Home/ Go Away
Bloodhound
Assassin (Part of Vicky’s Story)
* Ruth Longknife’s First Christmas
* Among the Kicking Birds
* Kris Longknife’s Bad Day
* Kris Longknife’s Maid Goes on Strike

For current information, be sure to follow Mike Shepherd on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Mike-Shepherd-1134226486711380/?eid=ARD4vTaY872Usy5AfwmhpjPrSZi6-rKwDb-XF0RIBJ3_WV_rYQV7OcJts0OiqioxlRX5Y67mvf5CMEoJ

Update on Kris Longknife Books

I wanted to put an update here for all my readers and fans who don’t follow me on Facebook.

As many of you know, there was not a new Kris Longknife book for purchase on November 1. This is the first time this has happened in years.

My dear wife of fifty years and I were having some health issues from June through early October. Consequently, I’ve not written anything for months and am slowly getting back into writing.

The next Kris Longknife book, Indomitable, is planned for a first quarter 2019 release. Please follow Mike Shepherd on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Thank you for all your kind words, inquiries and words of encouragement.

I am doing my best to make sure you have quality stories.

Mike Shepherd

Kris Longknife’s Successor: Grand Admiral Santiago on Alwa Station COMING SOON!

Coming out on February 1 is the third book with Grand Admiral Sandy Santiago serving as Kris Longknife’s Relief, then Replacement, and now Successor on Alwa. She has all the challenges a gal could ask for. Granny Rita is on the rampage, and the cats have gone on strike. Leaving the Colonials to deal with Granny Rita, Sandy heads off to work with the cats, only to discover she is not the only one who has a bone to pick with them – alien monsters have a vendetta as well! Sandy has to work to find a way of peace among the Alwans, feisty cats, and a new alien race.

You can pre-order on Amazon!

Kris Longknife – Emissary is out

Kris Longknife: Emissary coverSome 2500 copies of Emissary have already been bought on just the first day it’s for sale! Here begins a new life for Kris as she discovers there’s more to life than blowing stuff up. Or is there? Here is a place to share your thoughts on this new turn in Kris’s life. Spoilers allowed.

Books up for preorder at Amazon and the iStore

I’ve put up the next three months of books and stories for preorder if you read the kindle or iBook. The first book of the Iteeche War, Rita Longknife – Enemy Unknown will go live March 1.

Kris Longknife's Bad Day coverEnemy Unknown cover Kris Longknife: Emissary cover

 

 

Kris Longknife’s Bad Day is a short story about Kris’s desk job and why she comes to hate it. Budgets! It will go live April 2, Kris Longknife – Emissary is set to come out May 1. All are in place and will not have any of the problems Replacement had. I can learn when hit in the head with a hammer.

Now to finish Sandy Santiago’s next story for July.

How to get all 40 chapters of Replacement

It turns out that, if you have the old 4 chapter version, you can’t get the new 40 chapter, 60,000 word version, even if you return and buy it again, like I did 3 times. You have to remover the old version before the new one will load.

To remover the old 4 chapter version, first make sure your device is set to sync and accept updates in settings. Then go to home or library and find the book. PRESS and HOLD the cover you want to remover. It took me 4 times before I got a 5 option menu, including Remover from Device. Press it. The new version loaded immediately for me then.

Good luck, and I hope you can finally enjoy the book.

Amazon says it needs 7 MORE days. That’s it.

The latest word one of you just got from Amazon is that they can’t solve the problem for at least 7 more days. I can solve it in two, maybe less. I can withdraw Replacement from sale. I can then reload a file, call it Replacement II and you should be able to get it in one, maybe two days from Amazon.

This would require you to return the defective file. Get your money back. and buy a new file. I’m willing to lower the price by a buck to thank you for your loyalty.

What do you think?

I’ve Got a Disaster on My Hands

First, I’d like to thank the 1100 of you who downloaded Replacement from Amazon in the last 24 hours. Now I’d like to apologize to you. This is my first go at using Amazon’s pre-order system and I will do it differently next book. I loaded what I thought were the teaser chapters and Amazon didn’t use them. Then, 5 days ago, I loaded the full book. Yep, full 210 page 60,000 word book! After I got word today of this disaster, I reloaded the full book. When I preview it, all 210 pages are there. When I bought a copy, just like you. Nope 40 pages or so. I’ve got a call in to Amazon. I’m waiting for a call back. I’ll let you know as soon as I know that the entire book is up there and how to reload it. For now, fell free to return it.