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

Writing Update – September 25, 2023

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I swear the Time Trapper is messing with me this year. There is no way another month has slipped by on the calendar. Once I make it through the Time Curtain, we’re having words, Trapper! Anyway you spin it, welcome to this month’s writing update–what there is of it, at any rate!

Writing Update

DSA Season Two LAUNCHED! Yes, the Wellspring is out in the world. Thank you to everyone who grabbed a copy and helped spread the word on the series. Much appreciated.

The launch has been fantastic. Conventions have really helped push the DSA back out into the world, so I hope to keep that momentum going.

This month, I’m closing out my final, final, FINAL? readthroughs of Books 5 and 6 of Season Two. I do this to figure out an accurate page count for the paperback so MiblArt can determine the necessary spine width for printing. It’s pretty much a straight readthrough, but I always manage to find a tweak or three for the narrative.

I’m also proofing Foundations for any last-minute issues with the book. There is one detail I think will enhance the season as a whole, so I’m glad I have the time to make it work.

Greystone 7

After a revisit to DSA, I’m diving into Greystone Book 7. October will be all drafting. I’ve read through the script a number of times, so the story is pretty much locked in my brain at this point. It should make things flow smoother as I navigate what might be my favorite Greystone adventure since The Gifts of Kali.

Okay, I love them all, but throw in some Arthurian legends? Knights of the Round Table? Prophecies of doom? Yeah, I’m all in. It’s going to be great.

Reading List

The Unwanted Prophet – I cannot say enough good things about this book. I loved every second of it. The narrative is enthralling, the characters are well-defined, and the dialogue is pitch perfect. Work fell to the wayside for this one. A fantastic read. Be sure to check it out.

Chaos and Consequences – I’m trying to branch out into the sci-fi/space war/empire genre, so reading is essential to figuring out the tone and pace readers enjoy. Nathan Doverspike’s inaugural novel was a great introduction into the world of Kai Stormbringer and the growing Aetherial War. The grittiness really helped generate the stakes for what is happening. Strong worldbuilding and dynamic characters. Check it out.

Writing Update – July 31, 2023

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The writing update is back! I can’t believe I used to do these monthly. How the heck did that work? This house is way too crazy right now.

Writing Update

DSA

Getting back to the publishing side of the business was always going to be a challenge. There are so many different tasks to fulfill. None are extremely challenging but, holy hell, are they time-consuming. To start, I’ve been reading through all of Season Two for any last-minute tweaks needed. Cover design came next as the readthrough provided some thoughts on what should be part of the design.

From there, comes the formatting–both ebook and paperback formats. Uploading files, applying for the LCCN numbers from the Library of Congress, determining where the book is needed for beta readers. Getting the proof, reading the proof, making changes where necessary.

It’s been a bit of a time-suck on the work schedule.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the job and I want to provide the best reading experience possible.

I’m finished with the first half of Season Two with all that fun. (Wait until you see the covers from MiblArt!)

Greystone

The script-level draft for Greystone Book Seven is finished! After hanging out at Nickel City last month, and talking with so many readers about the series, I was dying to jump into a new installment. There wasn’t even the usual learning curve when it came to diving back into Portents.

Book Seven opens with a really cool flashback to the War for Portents when the Heads of Cerberus are taking over the city and then jumps a year after those events. Lots of Arthurian legends and myths in this one. Lots of Myers snark and Loren screw-ups.

But what about Soriya? Will the series be the same without her?

Well, you’ll just have to read and find out.

Reading List

It’s been all comics for a bit. Reading the dialogue helps me with my own, or so I tell myself.

Lots of Spider-Man from the early 90s.

Batman: Eternal was a treat to read after so many years. The New 52 really did have some gems in the DC catalog. I hope I can say the same post-Dawn of DC.

I have a brief vacation in August. Hoping to binge a couple novels at that time. Fingers crossed on that one.

Writing Update – May, 29, 2023

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Happy Memorial Day!! Welcome back to the never-ending adventure that is my writing update. Let’s get to it before those hot dogs and hamburgers are done on the grill.

Writing Update

I’m hip deep in the edits for Alpha and Omega. The last two weeks I’ve been picking the book apart and putting it back together to test out a few different versions of scenes. Needless to say, the edit is going much slower than I would like. I’ve been asking a lot more questions than usual with this one. It will be worth it in the end, and a much stronger narrative because of it, but yeah, I’m my own worst enemy with this edit.

My plan is to put this book to bed next month and bounce back to DSA Season Two for final, final, final, FINAL edits plus a fair share of formatting. (Fun stuff.)

I’m toying with the idea of scripting Greystone Book Seven at the same time. Not sure if my brain is capable of such a feat, but I’m willing to give it a try just to feel like I’m hitting my goals for the year.

DSA Season Two

Speaking of DSA, the wife finished her readthrough of the season last night. She was woefully unprepared for the twist at the end, and very excited for Season Three. (Phew. I was sweating that one for quite some time.)

If you want to join the DSA launch team, shoot me an email at lou@loupaduano.com. I’m happy to catch up new readers so you’re all set for The Wellspring this fall.

Reading Update

I’m not going to lie, it’s been all comics over here for the last month. I binged on a number of Image and Dark Horse titles.

Baltimore

For all my love of the Hellboy universe, I’ve rarely ventured away from the main title and BPRD. I wanted to change that, and started Baltimore Omnibus Volume 1. (because vampires…) I freaking loved it. Ben Stenbeck’s art throughout the book really brought the stories to life.

Paper Girls

I’m a big Brian K Vaughan fan. Y the Last Man was outstanding and so was Ex Machina. Hell, even the man’s Ultimate X-Men run is my favorite of the series. So jumping into Paper Girls was a no brainer. It started with a real Stranger Things vibe and immediately went above and beyond on the sci-fi level. All thirty issues are now in one massive volume. It’s a beautiful book too, with gorgeous Cliff Chiang art throughout.

Locke & Key

This has been on my list for years. Now, with the Netflix show finished, I thought I should dive in. Welcome to Lovecraft was a great introduction. The characters are so completely broken and everyone has a secret. Joe Hill does an incredible job bringing every player to life and seeding some major consequences for down the road. I’m very interested to see where this one goes.

I’ll

Sci-Fi Valley Con

I will be in Altoona, PA from June 9th through the 11th for Sci-Fi Valley Con. They have a ton of guests lined up including a huge Avatar: The Last Airbender reunion. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop on by and say hello!

Take care, happy reading, and enjoy the holiday!

Writing Update – March 27, 2023

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This writing train just keeps on chugging along. Check out this month’s writing update below:

Writing Update

Alpha and Omega

It hasn’t been easy to return to Greystone. I knew the transition wouldn’t be simple after so long away, but what it really came down to was my own pressure about coming back to Portents.

Greystone deserved the best, and I worried I wasn’t up to par. There were scenes I pulled apart for hours trying to figure out a way in from Loren’s perspective, from Soriya’s, from Mentor’s… all these little voices needed to find their way back into play.

Portents also played a big part in the series, and I wanted to keep that up. For a while I wasn’t sure how, but while piecing together the history of one of the major set pieces I remembered what makes the city work (or not work as is the case). Finding that thread, figuring out the secrets of the city, was one of the keys to really making this script come to life for me.

It took some time, but everything managed to slide back into rhythm. It was like a happy homecoming with old friends.

So yes, the script is DONE!

187 pages of Soriya and Loren and all the chaos that comes with a Portents novel. Some of the visuals are haunting (I hope I do them justice in the draft). The banter between Loren and Ruiz is still one of my favorite parts of the series, and there is a joke in the script that I really hope makes it to the final book. It has me in stitches every time I think about it. (It’s probably only funny to me.)

Next month, I’m diving into the draft. This is my first foray into a 300-page behemoth in quite some time so it might be slow-going, to say the least. Fingers crossed I still remember how to do this!

Reading List

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir’s latest is so flipping incredible. I didn’t want to put it down. Every chapter had me begging for more. The science was, of course, well over my head but I always love the narrator’s voice and how down to earth Weir’s characters can be. A truly fantastic novel you should definitely check out.

Hulk: The Dogs of War

Paul Jenkins wrote the majority of this book and it dates back to 2000 – 2001. I remember loving this. Jenkins hit all the right notes with me. Banner on the run. Hunted by the government. Split personalities, different Hulk personas.

This time around didn’t carry the same feeling. I still think the book is visually outstanding. From Ron Garney to Kyle Hotz to John Romita Jr., the book is gorgeous to look at page after page. Story-wise, it never really gets past that initial plot point of Bruce dying of ALS and the threat of this Devil Hulk thing that never really pans out. It reads like Jenkins had way more story to tell and didn’t get the chance, and that is unfortunate because I feel like he had a great handle on the character at this stage in Bruce’s life after the loss of his wife.

The back matter is where this book shines. Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben put together a four-part tale called Banner and it is phenomenal. Every panel is a treat for the eyes. I could read that story over and over again. Top notch stuff.

It’s all author commentary next month, but the writing update will return for May!

Thanks for reading.

Writing Update – February 27, 2023

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The first writing update blog in quite some time. Welcome! Below you’ll get a glimpse into what’s been going on behind the scenes and see what madness I’m attempting to accomplish while surrounded by three kids, two cats, and one lovely wife (all talking at the same time… all the time… literally, all the time…).

Writing Update

DSA Season Two

All six books are DONE! They have been for a bit. Last month though, I sent them out to some trusted alpha readers and they seem to be digging the new installments. (Phew.) I’m hoping to be able to show off some covers in the coming months, once I wrap my head around the design elements.

DSA Season Three

Say what? Take a nap, Lou! (Ha. Yeah, right…)

Season Three is now outlined! If you’ve been following the blog this month, which you should be since you’re reading these words right now, you’ll know some of this latest batch were a struggle. I’m sure 99% of the issue was the cloud that tends to hang over my head during the winter months.

But I stuck with it. Each time I hit a wall, I stepped back to figure out exactly where I veered off course to get on track again. It was quite the learning experience, and I think the season is stronger because of it. There are some genuine shocking moments in Season Three. Twists and additions to my original plans that really surprised me at how well they fit into the larger narrative.

It’s going to be a blast to write… in 2025…

Reading List

The Hanging Garden by Ian Rankin

I loved this installment of the Rebus series. Everything about it was spot on, from the humor to the plot connections that always come together seamlessly somehow. It was also quite enjoyable to follow a completely sober Rebus through a case. If only it lasted…

Dead Souls by Ian Rankin

Can you tell I’m working my way through the Rebus series? Well, I was at any rate. This one threw me right off track. There isn’t anything wrong with the book itself. It’s the same quality Rankin writing and everything works together flawlessly, but it wasn’t for me. Probably the subject matter and nothing more. Hoping the next one wins me back over.

Amazing Spider-Man by Len Wein

This was my third time through Mr. Wein’s run on Amazing Spider-Man which ran from issues 151 through 180. My first visit went poorly. I was a huge Gerry Conway fan and I didn’t think Wein continued the stellar work Conway brought to the title. The second time went a little better. I was reading with my oldest at the time and her enthusiasm for the title (especially when Spidey messed with J. Jonah Jameson) brought a better appreciation to the run.

This time was the most fun yet. I don’t know why that was the case. I adored all the subplots throughout the run. Wein’s takes on the various villains during the run was also stronger than I remember them being. All-in-all, this was a blast to revisit and if you haven’t had the pleasure you should give this run a read.

That’s it for me this month!

Next month: GREYSTONE!

Writing Update – June 29th, 2021

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Phew. What a month. It’s hotter than blazes where I’m sitting right now, and according to the map it probably is where you’re reading this too. So let’s get this writing update show on the road!

Writing Update

The kids went back to school full time at the end of April. While they were deeply missed, the opportunity to write for the last seven weeks has been a godsend.

DSA Season Two is DRAFTED.

I went from only having the first book of the season drafted to all six in a space of three months. I cannot understate how wild it was putting these books together. Each one is stronger than the previous one, and the finale is a doozy to say the least.

They need editing. Some DESPERATELY need editing. That’s where I’m heading for a bit. I know where the weaknesses are, and now really is the best time to build a stronger narrative while planting plenty of seeds for a third season.

Here’s where we are with Season Two:

Book One: The Wellspring – This one closes out the cliffhanger finale from the first season, and gets the ball rolling on the next big epic.

Book Two: Foundations – This sets up the new dynamic, and has some fun time travel elements. Plus: secrets about the Witness come to light!

Book Three: The Missing – Picking up on the Emily Wright abduction subplot, Ben and Morgan follow a lead and wind up in the middle of a new disappearance case.

Book Four: Cracked Chrysalis – All those wondering what the heck happened to those trees in The Clearing? This is where you will find your answers.

Book Five: Secret Histories – The fallout of Susan Metcalf’s past comes to light here.

Book Six: ???????? – Sorry, gang. This one is top secret. All I will say is that things go boom, not everyone makes it out alive, and the team will never be the same again. No hype required, only the truth.

When can I read them?!

A valid question. I wish I had a decent answer. The fact of the matter is I don’t want another delay like this between seasons. I hate it. It bothers the hell out of me not to have a book ready for you to enjoy.

So I’m holding this season back until I’m absolutely sure the narrative can keep rolling along. Will that mean next year? Will that mean 2023? I honestly don’t know. I’m expecting a baby this August, so all schedules are dependent on her needs over my own.

Which brings us to more bad news…

I’m putting the blog on hold for the summer. (I know! Stop shouting at me!)

I need the time to work through some of these drafts, to wrap my head around that bundle of joy at the end of the summer.

When the blog comes back in September, I’ll be sharing commentary on DSA Season One. I have a lot to share about the process behind the series. It was not the easiest thing in the world to build. I hope you enjoy the look behind the curtain on the books, and the fun tidbits that were hidden beneath the surface.

Thank you for supporting my work. I will be back soon!

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