Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

Writing Update – April 28, 2025

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And just like that, two months slipped away… The calendar thief is getting way too good at his job. Anyway, welcome to the writing update for April 2035, I mean, 2025. Or do I?

Enough screwing around. Let’s go!

Writing Update

Greystone

I’ll open with the good news. Greystone Book 8 is DONE! Woohoo. Hooray. Thank goodness…

It’s called Legends and Legacies and is THE BIGGEST Greystone novel yet. This book is the lynchpin for the entire series really. Probably why it nearly killed me to put it together. Every character changes through the story. Friendships are broken. Relationships are forged. Secrets are revealed. And all set the stage for the final two books in the series.

So, what about the bad news? Hey, the book is done, right? It is. For now. I’m planning on revisiting it again in June for one last pass. Like I said, this book is too important to screw up and I think I’ve nailed things down pretty well, but one more pass never hurt anything, did it? We’ll see.

Suffice it say, my original plan to complete the drafts for Books 9 and 10 have fallen to the wayside. My schedule doesn’t allow for 100,000 word novels at the moment, so I’m pivoting to a few other things until the fall.

Like…

Coventry

I outlined the first of two Christmas adventures that will be available to read for free on Patreon this December. It’s called Endless Winter and is based on one of my favorite Marvel artifacts: The Casket of Ancient Winters. There’s more to it, of course. Warren tries to make amends for all the lore he’s handed to the very worst of humanity. This story plays heavily into the curse he’s afflicted with thanks to Anansi.

It’s been fun getting back to this world. I love how these short stories may feel small, but they really allow for seeds to be planted that will play out in big ways when I finally get to write the main series.

My plan is to work all next month to write and edit these two tales. Should be a nice diversion from everything else going on.

What else?

Too much really. If I had my way, I’d be writing all day, every day, and still have plenty to say by the end of it all. Right now, though, the family needs me more than my desk, so I’ve been walking away a bit more than usual. Exercise would be nice too, so that might start happening. (Should be alive to finish some of these stories, right?)

I’ve been adding Archive Books to Patreon. Be sure to head over there, subscribe, and start enjoying the hell out of all things DSA and Greystone.

Speaking of DSA: Season One is no longer exclusive to Kindle. I’ll be uploading it to all the major retailers this weekend, including my Payhip store. Season Two will be coming at the end of June.

Writing Update – February 24, 2025

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The first writing update of 2025! This year is going to be packed. You know, like every year is… haha. What are we waiting for? Let’s get to it!

Writing Update

Greystone

The draft for Book Eight is DONE. It’s a beast of a book. 98,000 words for the initial draft. I had a ton of help at the house so I could work through this one. I can’t thank them enough.

If you’ve been reading my Friday posts on Patreon or last month’s blog about the Greystone Reading Order, you know the title already. Book Eight is called Legends and Legacies. It is the most important book in the series to date.

Everything changes here. No hyperbole. The cast is fundamentally set on a new path from this moment that will launch us straight toward the series conclusion next year.

I’m working through the edits right now. It’s a long process and I’m giving myself some leeway to make sure every part of this book is the very best it can be. I’m hoping to finish up by the end of March to dive right into Book Nine in April.

Alpha and Omega

The cover reveal came out last month. Check out the back cover blurb below and get ready for June’s release!

The Kindly Killer stalks Portents.

Seven victims have been claimed by the murderous madman. No connections exist between the deceased. No clues remain at the scenes.

Greg Loren knows the killer is behind the death of his wife and he’s willing to do anything to prove it. Crossing lines comes at a cost, though, both personally and professionally. With his career at risk, Loren must discover what is more important: the answers to the past or carving out a future.

Soriya Greystone watches him from a distance, afraid to pull him into her world. But when the twin masked menaces of Comedy and Tragedy strike the city with a chaotic crime wave, the pair are forced together.

How are these two disparate threats connected? And what is the secret behind the Kindly Killer’s mania?

Witness the beginning as Loren and Soriya meet for the first time. But will their partnership survive the trial by fire?

The second half of the Greystone Saga kicks off with a murder and a promise—one that portends dark days ahead…

What else? (Seriously? Are you kidding me?)

Nothing else to report at this time. Greystone is my main focus for most of the year and I’m going to keep grinding to make the conclusion of the series spectacular.

Weighing Expectations

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I suppose there are a few ways to look at this topic. For me, though, expectations boil down to what I believe I should be accomplishing given a certain timeframe. That has been key when determining what my goals should be for 2025. No one ever tells me what I need to do, what book has to be next. Everything comes from what I gather from readers, what I have sitting on my shelf, and the time available thanks to the growing needs of my family. So, weighing expectations becomes very important when balancing everything.

Weighing Expectations

What I want to be doing…

Everything. It’s really as simple as that. Someone will ask me if my books are in audio yet, and I feel an undue pressure to want to drop everything and start finding a new narrator. Another person wants a release date set for DSA Season Three, and I want to forget about Greystone, Coventry, and a dozen other things to draft all six books immediately.

Two people can’t dictate the process, though, can they?

What I say and what I think don’t always align when I ponder the above question. I hate to disappoint anyone. If ever there was a way to do it all, I would do it in a heartbeat.

That’s when those expectations come into play.

Coming up with the schedule

The Christmas/New Year’s break is about more than recharging the old batteries. The two/three-week period of silence from me is all about gearing up for what’s next. Usually, I have things lined up pretty well. There are books constantly being written and edited. Something will always be on the horizon, but is there enough to last a year?

This past year showed what happens when things get overwhelming. My schedule was an utter disaster. Every break from school turned into a break from whatever world I was trying to create, whether it be in outlining, scripting, drafting, or editing. I fell behind… BIG TIME.

I didn’t help matters. Greystone needed a revamp, and I was happy to finally do it. But those months really ate into any kind of lead time I thought I had built up.

2025 is about rebalancing. The release schedule provided last week is the template from which everything else grows. Almost everything on that list is already done (and oh, so good).

So where do I go from here?

Giving myself time.

This is a pretty simple goal yet easily overlooked. I stressed out for months on how to maintain my workload. I pulled back on a number of levels, but it never achieved anything on a personal level. That has to change for 2025. Instead of letting projects fester so that I am constantly on edge, I am going whole hog into work. I know where I have to be, and I know what has to be written.

I just need to make it work within the structure of time I’m allowed to play with.

Yes, the youngest kiddo makes it tough. It’s my last few months with her before school takes over fully. I’m going to enjoy that as much as I can.

Do I need more physical activity? Absolutely. That’s something else that needs to be put into the schedule. It has to. I can’t keep going the way I’ve been.

All these things need to be taken into account. Weighing expectations is about more than goal setting. It is about righting the ship called Lou, both physically, mentally, and creatively. Less stress. Less frustration at not working. Mapping out the days in advance, working through them at a steady but not insane clip, and then walking away in the evening for some much-needed exercise, is what is called for this year. And by God, I am going to do it.

There is more than work on the docket this year. There is time for me. Time to read. Time to play. Weighing my own expectations is my way of justifying the lighter workload. It’s also my way of staying alive to see the end of these incredible stories I’ve been building.

I think every book will be better for it.

2025 Releases

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I’m so excited to announce my 2025 releases. I wasn’t sure what I could bring to the table after a crazy year like 2024, but I think the books coming this year are some of the strongest I’ve ever written. Check out the list below!

2025 Releases

January 29th – The Last King

A dying king, a guardian lion, and a shadowy demon spell disaster for Portents.

The skandola—an ancient talisman with the power to ward off evil—is in danger. When its protection fails, one of the great demons from the underworld escapes to walk the Earth once more.

Ur has returned and with him comes eternal darkness.

Greg Loren, reassigned from the Central Precinct to a cold case warehouse, finds himself pulled into the conflict when a Shishi lion—a guardian to the last king of men—dies in front of him. Unsure how to proceed, Loren turns to the only person he trusts when the city turns bizarre: Soriya Greystone.

Together, with the help of the king’s final guardian, Idris, Loren and Soriya must keep the king safe long enough to banish Ur’s evil from the city of Portents forever.

 

April 9th – Greystone-in-Training Box Set

Finally, the trilogy will be collected. The digital box set is something I’ve had in the works for years but could never find the right time to release it.

I love this series. It was such a blast to explore Soriya’s past, while building up elements that will have a HUGE impact on the end of the main series. Whenever someone asks about books I’m most proud of I point them to this trilogy.

The pre-order should be live for this one pretty soon.

 

 

 

June 4th – Greystone Book Six – Alpha and Omega

The Kindly Killer stalks Portents.

Seven victims have been claimed by the murderous madman. No connections exist between the deceased. No clues remain at the scenes.

Greg Loren knows the killer is behind the death of his wife and he’s willing to do anything to prove it. Crossing lines comes at a cost, though, both personally and professionally. With his career at risk, Loren must discover what is more important: the answers to the past or carving out a future.

Soriya Greystone watches him from a distance, afraid to pull him into her world. But when the twin masked menaces of Comedy and Tragedy strike the city with a chaotic crime wave, the pair are forced together.

How are these two disparate threats connected? And what is the secret behind the Kindly Killer’s mania?

Witness the beginning as Loren and Soriya meet for the first time. But will their partnership survive the trial by fire?

The second half of the Greystone Saga kicks off with a murder and a promise—one that portends dark days ahead…

October 15th – Greystone Book Seven – Errant Knight

A knight’s destiny spells the end for Portents.

In the final days of Camelot, Merlin foresaw a great darkness rising. He dispatched five knights to combat this evil—and safeguard the world from its insidious threat. The knights built a fail-safe device, should all hope fade, and awaited the day it became necessary.

The clock starts ticking when a prominent philanthropist is found murdered. Detective Samantha Myers, with the aid of a centuries-old siren Thel, is pulled into the case. Stymied by the secrets uncovered, Myers turns to the only man capable of solving the mystery: Greg Loren.

In the absence of Soriya Greystone, Loren has taken up the role of protector in Portents. He feels inadequate to handle the burden though, especially when he learns his new partner, Gabe, is spiraling at school and with his foster family.

The case proves the perfect distraction as Loren confronts the deadly guardians of the knights. As each key falls into the hands of the murderous Squire, Merlin’s prophecy is on the verge of becoming a reality.

Can Loren protect the last knight and the key he bears or will Portents fall in the wake of his failure?

The restoration of Portents may be over before it has even begun in this epic installment to the Greystone Saga.

December – Coventry Christmas Adventures # 2 and 3

More details to come on these later.

December – TBD

I mentioned a book in last week’s blog that I’m hoping to get to rework. I really would like to see it released this year, but that might be pushing things. We’ll see what I can do.

Whew. Okay. That was more than I was expecting. I better start writing.

2025 Goals

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I’m back! Recharged (ha) and ready (haha) to take on the new year with some exciting new projects. This break has given me the opportunity to take stock on how things have been going the last year and see what I can do to make things… let’s say, less stressful. Take a peek at my 2025 goals below:

2025 Goals

Writing

Looking back on 2024, I realize I spent the majority of my time reworking books already set. In terms of drafts, there were only three new projects completed, two of which were short stories for Coventry. That’s not going to cut it in 2025.

This year, I’m diving into the end of Greystone. The last three books in the series will be drafted and set before the calendar changes again. I’ve been reading through the script for Book 8. It’s really good. I’m very excited to bring this book to life. It’s the pinnacle of the series, in my opinion. Key stuff that will send us zooming to the finale.

Beyond Greystone, I have a couple more short story ideas for Coventry to flesh out. There’s also a standalone novel I’ve had sitting on my shelf since 2017 called Lost Outpost. I’m hoping to dust it off and give it a fresh coat of paint for a year-end release.

Knowing Limitations

This is a tough one for me. I want to work. All the time. I love what I do. Life, though, has been diligent about reminding me of other priorities. So, figuring out that balance is key for me this year. It’s the most important goal I have for myself in 2025 because I cannot go through another year like this last one. Self-care really fell apart for me, so taking a step away from the desk will be key to my success going forward.

Audiobooks

I’ve been talking to readers about it for months. This year, I want to focus on getting my books out there in audio. I’ve been stymied by the cost of the endeavor, so I’m taking steps to make this more affordable while improving the quality of what I can offer to my readers. Hoping to get the first ones out by the end of the year.

What would you like to see in 2025?

I make no promises, but I’d love to hear what you want to see this year. There’s the Patreon, of course, and some new releases coming your way, but what else would make your list? Shoot me an email or message me.

2024 Wrap Up!

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I have quite a few thoughts about 2024. Most of them are less than pleasant, so rather than dwell on them or their impact on our futures, I’ve determined to stick to what I can control and what I can improve upon in the coming year. Check out my 2024 Wrap Up below:

2024 Wrap Up

This year presented numerous challenges to this poor writer. Iris, my three-year-old whirlwind, broke the mold of the Paduano children and shucked off the nap much sooner than expected. Not the worst thing in the world. We’ve certainly enjoyed ourselves, reading and coloring and playing games, but holy hell has it taken away from my work. That sixty to ninety minutes every day really helped take care of quite a bit. Without it, things have been… tougher, let’s say.

I’ve written under pressure for most of my career. When you have three kids and a wife who want nothing more than to spend time with you, you try to make the most with the minutes you have. This year, though, with four releases, more in-person events than ever, and less time to work than ever, it has not been my best year.

This isn’t meant to be a downer. I don’t care to complain. This is just where life is at the moment, but things will change. This time will never come again, so I am rolling with the punches to do what I can while enjoying my family as it stands in this moment.

But enough with the complaining.

I mentioned the four releases. DSA Season Two is finally out in the world! I remember putting down my first thoughts on The Wellspring in December 2019. That’s how long these six books took to ruminate into existence. The pandemic was a tricky devil to navigate, but out of that time away from publishing came six of my best works and I will always be proud of the journey taken to make them a reality.

The reception to the season has been phenomenal. We’re not burning up the sales charts, but those who have read the tales of our intrepid adventurers have said nothing but wonderful things.

Greystone returns.

If those would have been the only releases this year, I would have considered that a triumph. But then came The Last King. Yes, it isn’t truly out in the world on its own yet. That comes next month. But The Last King was a project that came out of nowhere and one that has quickly become a favorite of mine. Everything about putting the story together was a dream come true. For those who haven’t read it yet, you are in for a treat.

Out of everything that happened this year, the Patreon is what I am most proud of. This was something I wanted to do for years, yet kept putting it off repeatedly out of pure terror. I am what I am and most of the time, that is a self-loathing fool of a man. I am my greatest critic. Always will be. I worried over the commitment required to publish content regularly, sure, but what it boiled down to was a sense of failure if the page didn’t take off.

I really am quite stupid. The Patreon has been a lot of fun to work on this year. Not only has it allowed me another avenue to reach readers, it’s given me the chance to finally publish Army in the Obelisk. This was another long-gestating project that I pushed aside many times to work on other things. The story is great, but the structure appealed to me more than anything else. I love toying with new formats and different ways to tell a tale. Thankfully, Loren and Soriya make it very easy.

In-person events were amazing this year. So many conventions and festivals allowed me so many new opportunities to connect with readers. Every interaction was a treat for me and I hope you feel the same if you happened upon me out in the wild. I’m still pinning down what I want to do next year. We’ll see what I can squeeze in.

That was the year in review. A reflection of the tough days endured and the sadness at not being able to write more than I did. The best thing about doing these wrap ups is that they not only let me see where I’ve been, they allow me to see the road ahead. And to share a bit of it with you.

A look ahead…

Greystone will be the big takeaway for 2025. Hardcover editions of the books are coming starting next month. The prequel trilogy will be getting a box set… FINALLY. The Last King and Army in the Obelisk were just to get the ball rolling. Books Six and Seven of the main series arrive next year. I’ve spent the last two weeks reading through them (again). They are, without a doubt, two of my favorite books. I’m actually scared to write the next one because of how good these turned out. Isn’t that ridiculous?

Realizing the dwindling time available to me and the pressure of the past year, I’ve redoubled my efforts to make next year about some long-deserved self-care. My writing schedule is set. I will be finishing the Greystone series on my end, but rather than push hard into the next big endeavor, I need to take some time to work on myself a bit health-wise.

That might not be what you want to hear. You want the next season of DSA, or the Coventry series, or Spectral Advocate, or Red Epsilon, or, or, or… So do I! More than anyone! This is for their benefit, trust me. I never stop working, and don’t think I can at this point, but by taking a step away more often than I have in the past, I think the books will be better for it.

Thank you for supporting my work. You have no idea what it means to me having you here. Whether it is on the blog or on social media or on the Patreon page. I know you have my back and I can only hope to deliver the best fiction possible for many, many, many years to come.

Wishing you a very magical holiday season and a happy new year.

Thanks for reading.

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