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

The Year of the Greystone starts early!

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Greystone is coming back in a big way for 2025. Multiple releases are heading your way. I’m beyond excited to head back to Portents and close out Soriya and Loren’s journey, one that has been living in my head in one form or another since 2007.

While we’re a couple months away from a fresh year, I just couldn’t wait. I’ve spent the last few months working on the details, tweaking the previous novels, and paving the way for some really cool stuff.

Greystone: The Complete First Cycle

To celebrate the return of Greystone, I’m putting the first half of the series on sale this week. The box set containing all five books in the main series is now only $4.99! That’s over 1,500 pages of myths, legends, and monsters to sink your teeth into. This is the time to binge the series.

 

Army in the Obelisk

The penultimate part of the serial wraps up today over on the Patreon. That leaves only 8 chapters left to share over the next four weeks. Army in the Obelisk was an incredible challenge to put together. There were so many little pieces to track, to seed, and then grow to fruition, while also keeping the story as a whole more or less self-contained.

I did try to keep from connecting too overtly to the rest of the series, but some connections still exist. That’s half the fun for me, to find these small threads that tie to larger events or make sense of backstory you didn’t even know you wanted to learn about.

Army is something I will also be proud of. The project was all-consuming (even this week as I’m reading through the printed proof) but I wouldn’t have traded this journey for anything. It was a treat to bring this story to life. The research alone made the entire endeavor worthwhile. Studying Egyptian lore and history brought a richer tapestry to the serial, one I hoped you enjoyed as well.

I mentioned the printed proof before. The original plan was to keep this a digital exclusive to the Patreon page. Limiting the project to that venue, however, would have been a shame to everyone else who wanted to enjoy the book. So, I’ve gone ahead and ordered a batch of paperbacks to share at local events or through my website for those wanting to read Army in the Obelisk.

I didn’t stop at paperbacks, though. Hardcovers are coming for the book as well! My first hardcover. I’m over the moon about the idea and can’t wait to see how they turn out.

Army in the Obelisk ends December 4th on the Patreon. Supporters can enjoy the entire serial.

Paperback and hardcovers will be available at the same time. I’ll be sure to send a link here and everywhere.

Thank you to everyone who joined the Patreon for this project. I hope you’ve enjoyed every second of it. I know I have.

More Greystone news is coming!

When? How’s next week sound? Talk to you then!

Writing Update – October 30, 2024

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This writing update is brought to you the letter W, for What the hell happened to this year? Well, here we go again, I guess.

Writing Update

Greystone

I’ve been in the middle of a massive overhaul of the Greystone series. What does this mean exactly? Well, for starters, I took a deep dive into Signs of Portents. Some people–friends and family–think I’m insane for doing so. They love the book as it stands.

But it isn’t universally praised. Those critical of the book aren’t wrong. I would never write Signs the same way if I were to tackle it from scratch. I’ve changed over the years and my sensibilities have shifted. I wouldn’t say for the better, but I would like to think I’ve grown into the role of novelist respectably.

Anyway, I retooled the whole book. The narrative is the same. The mystery at the heart of the book remains intact. There are slight additions for pacing purposes. The most jarring changes are with POV. I switched POVs mid-chapter A LOT in Signs. I found ways around doing that for the revision, building up images in some cases and switching events around in others.

The book is vastly improved. VASTLY.

writing update
Look, Ma, the book number!

New covers!

The overhaul also entails new covers for the series. I tried–really, I did–to get on-brand, genre covers for the series. I hated every design sent my way. The characters models looked weird and the edge was lost on the monster angle. None of them felt right to me.

The original covers always made the series for me. So, I went back to the well and found someone able to update the original covers to include… THE BOOK NUMBER ON THE SPINE! (WOOHOO!)

Not only that, but hardcover editions are coming your way next year!

The Signs edit has been my life for the last two months. Now, it is time to turn my attention to Tales and the rest of the Greystone series to get the books prepped for a huge push in 2025.

Terminal Point

I’m doing my final lap on the DSA Season Two finale. I love this book, personally, which is not something I so readily say when it comes to my work. There are some great Ben-Morgan moments in the book as well as a cliffhanger that will have you screaming at me for quite some time.

Be sure to pre-order your copy now for only $0.99!

Coventry

Next month, I’m back to work on Coventry to get the two short stories already written into shape for release in December. I don’t usually like to play it this close, but this year has been a mess all around for me. Don’t worry about the tales, they’re a blast and you’ll enjoy them. I just wish I had more time to play around in the world before the launch.

Is that it? Come on, Lou.

I know, right? Pretty lackluster performance from me this year on the writing side. Next year, the game changes, hopefully. A little less worrying about what’s already out and more focus on building new narratives.

Read Army in the Obelisk Part Nine today

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The final third of the epic serial starts today! Army in the Obelisk Part Nine brings the Loren-Standish conflict to a head.

Read Army in the Obelisk now.

I’ve always been a big fan of structure. When putting together a twelve-part serial, figuring out the proper pacing for not only the big reveals but all the major subplots being juggled throughout turned out to be quite the challenge.

Somehow–I refuse to take credit for how it happened–the Loren-Standish subplot worked out perfectly in the narrative. It opens with Part Three, escalates in Part Six, and closes out here in Part Nine. It still amazes me to think about that. Kudos, to those writing gods watching over me.

Bringing Standish back.

I love a good villain. Standish was never meant to be more than a foil for Loren in Tales from Portents. He certainly grew to be quite a bit more than some minor player in the first half of Greystone. Being able to explore how their relationship evolved from their first interaction in Gremlins was a real bonus when crafting Army in the Obelisk.

There were questions I felt should be answered somewhere in the series. Army served as the perfect vehicle for that exploration.

Part Nine is another tale that doesn’t rely on any of the fantasy elements that typically infuse Portents. This is a straight-up murder investigation that goes off the rails… quickly. I won’t give anything away here, but if you know Standish and his skill set, I think you’ll completely understand the actions taken in the story.

For those waiting for the big confrontation with Djuhuty, you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer. It’s coming and it is massive, but this part is dedicated to long-time readers of the series.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far. This book was an absolute dream to put together and I’m very proud of how it stands up after all the scrutiny I’ve put it under over the years.

Head over to Patreon now to start reading.

Greystone Sale Ends Today

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The Greystone sale ENDS TODAY! Be sure to grab your copies of every book in the series to date before the sale ends tonight. The sale includes heavily discounted individual titles and box set deals you won’t find at any other time this year.

Greystone Sale

Every book in the First Cycle of Greystone (Books 1 – 5) is on sale for $0.99 each! Click on the banners below to grab your copies now!

Greystone: The Complete First Cycle

With every book in the series on sale, it only makes sense to discount Greystone: The Complete First Cycle box set as well. The set is only $3.99! Over 1,500 pages of dangerous myths and legends. Click on the banner below for your copy.

Greystone-in-Training Trilogy

You can get all three books for $0.99 each. Start reading Soriya’s earliest adventures with the banners below:

Thank you for your support!

A big thank you to everyone who has supported Greystone over the years. If you’re just joining the party with the Greystone sale, I can’t wait for you to see where things are heading.

Next year is a big year for the series. Army in the Obelisk arrives in paperback. So will The Last King. And the beginning of the end for the series will be launching Summer 2025 with Alpha and Omega.

And then?

  • Greystone Book 6 – Alpha and Omega
  • Greystone Book 7 – Errant Knight
  • Greystone Book 8 – Legends and Legacies
  • Greystone Book 9 – Secret of the Stone
  • Greystone Book 10 – Heart of Forever

I shouldn’t be sharing that. There are some things I should be holding back, locking away to surprise you later, right? Nay. Get excited. I know I am. It’s going to be a wild ride in Portents.

Get ready.

Army in the Obelisk Part Eight Starts Today

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Army in the Obelisk continues this week with the launch of Part Eight! The Final Piece is a critical chapter of the serial, with returning foes and some great action scenes. The romantics out there get the chance to see Greg Loren in a new light as he enjoys a night out with Patricia Fleming. What more can you ask for?

Head over to Patreon and start reading today.

There are certain segments of the serial I struggled with. The Final Piece was one of them, not because of anything inherent in the plot. Everything was pretty nailed down before I started in. No, any conflicts I had were on the writing side. The opening action scene needed a lot of planning done ahead of time. There was the layout of the apartment to consider, the security measures in place, figuring out how Soriya inserted herself inside the scene, as well as the POV issue it caused. There were a lot of little obstacles that needed answering before drafting, and plenty more to iron out in the editing phase.

Not every scene is straightforward, and one of the things I’ve tried to do over my author career was embrace those difficult scenes. I want the challenge. I want to figure out solutions rather than run away in terror. It can be hard, it can cause some sleepless nights, but the final product always ends up stronger for the challenge.

Army in the Obelisk Part Eight

The first two chapters of The Final Piece are now available on Patreon. Follow the page and start reading now.

Patreon Schedule for July and August 2024

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It’s a wild summer over on the Patreon. Secret Histories just launched on Monday. You can read all about it here. For more information on the Patreon release schedule for this summer, keep reading.

Patreon Release Schedule

  • July 3rd – Army in the Obelisk Part Seven Chapters 3 – 4
  • July 8th – Secret Histories Chapters 5 – 8
  • July 10th – Army in the Obelisk Part Seven Chapters 5 – 6
  • July 15th – Secret Histories Chapters 9 – 12
  • July 17th – Army in the Obelisk Part Seven Chapters 7 – 8
  • July 22nd – Secret Histories Chapters 13 – 16
  • July 24th – Army in the Obelisk Part Eight Chapters 1 – 2
  • July 29th – Secret Histories Chapters 17 – 20
  • July 31st – Army in the Obelisk Part Eight Chapters 3 – 4
  • August 5th – Secret Histories Chapters 21 – 24
  • August 7th – Army in the Obelisk Part Eight Chapters 5 – 6
  • August 12th – Secret Histories Chapters 25 – 27
  • August 14th – Army in the Obelisk Part Eight Chapters 7 – 8
  • August 19th – Secret Histories Chapters 28 – 31
  • August 21st – Army in the Obelisk Part Nine Chapters 1 – 2
  • August 26th – Secret Histories Chapters 32 – 35
  • August 28th – Army in the Obelisk Part Nine Chapters 3 – 4

Head over to the Patreon and start reading now!

That schedule doesn’t include the Friday Fun Facts that will continue every week. These are nice snippets of details behind the writing process of Army in the Obelisk. Sometimes it is a glimpse of my thought process behind a specific aspect of the segment. Sometimes it is about a character or an arc. I always enjoy learning more about the work, so I hope it is enjoyable for you.

August will also see the arrival of the first Archived Book – Tales from Portents. These six short stories turned out to be absolutely crucial to the story behind the series to date. It’s a personal favorite and one I’m proud to share on the Patreon.

The next archived book will drop in October or November.

A look at what’s to come for the Patreon:

September brings some inside glimpses of Secret Histories. The reveals there connect to events from the very first DSA book, but did I know how they would evolve right from the start?

Army in the Obelisk will continue through November. The cataclysmic conclusion might seem far off, but the pieces are building to a spectacular finish.

Terminal Point, the season finale of DSA, launches on September 30th and runs through October and November.

December will bring not one, but two Coventry short stories, unless everything goes to hell with my writing schedule this summer. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen.

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