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[News] 20 years ago

20 Years ago it was a Tuesday.

And Tuesday started at 6 AM.
I lived with my parents and since I was going to work at 8 AM I was designated to drop my dad off at the Airport.
My dad was a pilot of United Airlines and has been flying since he was teenager. He’s gone from Peidmont to Ransom Express to Ransom to Pan Am Express to Pan Am to Kuwait Airways and finally to United.
He has said on more than once occasion it’s the best job a kid could have. My brother and I never really got bitten by the flying bug that much, I take purty pictures of them mostly. 🙂
So at 7 AM I drop him off at the Airport and drive onto work.
I worked at the local Cable Company Call Center with lots of Televisions on the walls and whoever gets into work early and has a remote control switches the channels and normally The Today Show would have been on.
At 9 AM CNN.com stopped loading and so did MSNBC. With it being a slow day I gophered up to see if anyone else was having problems. One of the Televisions was showing a tower and smoke coming out of it. One or two people were watching it. I walked over and turned up the volume.
One of the News Anchors was reporting a small plane had hit one of the World Trade Center Towers. O.k., so it was a news story just like when the Russian sub collided with another sub during war games.
I don’t remember if I actually saw the second plane hit the second tower. I rounded the corner at work and FOX News was reporting the Pentagon had just been attacked and was on fire.
A few customers called in about problems with the local news Station out of New York, an email or two had said the antenna’s on the WTC Towers were causing the problem.
Then news began to filter out about a passenger plane.
And, I decided to call my dad’s cell phone.
Digressing for a moment…
Having a pilot in the family means a great many things: First, don’t expect them to be home for Holidays, second expect calls from foreign countries, thirdly finding loose change all over the house that looks like an Arcade Token, taking them to the airport at o’dark thirty in the morning and lastly, listening to the news when the words: AIRLINE DISASTER dominate the screen.
Pan Am 103 was the last major disaster that struck our family indirectly.
First, 103 crippled Pan Am chances of survival only for Delta to buy them out.
Second, Delta went on everyones shit list for promising the world and pulling out once they got the juicy routes which they in turn fucked up on because their name recognition meant diddly that side of the equator.
Back to reality, I called his cell and he answered. Whew. The conversation went like this.
Dad: Hello.
Me: Hi. How’s it going?
Dad: Fine-
Me: Where are you?
Dad: They’re pulling us back to the gate. We know. Flights have been canceled. Rumor is it was one of ours.
The rest of the day is a blur. I watched both towers come down.
My dad and fellow pilots being grounded went to victum’s families to pay their respects.
My brother, who, a few days before had flown down to Texas to train with Southwest to be a bag smasher (baggage handler) was in training when all of this happened.
Later that night, I sent out emails to everyone in the extended family and told them Dad was supposed to fly but was luckily not in the air when it happened.
Days later, Wall Street would re-open and United Stock plummeted. Their woes had begun earlier that year when an unplanned, unknown, announcement about United merging with US Airways sent the stock tumbling and employee’s blood pressure through the roof.
My dad along with several other pilots were flown out to different airports to ferry airplanes home so things could get back to normal.
United went into Chapter 11 along with a few other airlines. Rumors of other airlines getting the word from the higher ups to bury United would later backfire when their work would push themselves into Chapter 11.
20 years later, it’s a Saturday.
I sit at home while a virus that has been politicized to the point of absurdity rages through out the world. I’ve published one book and working a second.
I’m working as a delivery driver for Amazon, a job far removed from my customer service rep jobs of the past.
My dad died six years ago, on his birthday, on a plane headed to Seattle.
My mother has since retired from ICU and works as a hospice volunteer.
My brother has moved onto better things, got married, moved to Seattle, his wife had created the Works Seattle before the pandemic and continues to thrive under her leadership and quick thinking. They have a lovely two lovely twins, a dog named Clover and while they were completely vaccinated they’ve survived a brush with the virus.
And, life continues…

[Plotting About] August News

Welcome to August!

Photo taken by Mary Robinette Kowal of myself and Lauren Harris.

Ebook Box Set News

On August 10, there is a ebook box set coming out that includes myself and five other ARIA authors.

Three of these authors should look vaguely familiar since I’ve been interviewing them for my newsletter.

A boxed set of firsts!

The Association of Rhode Island Authors proudly presents their first ebook box set! Each author has contributed the first book of an ongoing series. From the sandy wastelands of far-off world filled with magic, machines, and men to war torn edge of space to aliens invading Earth. There’s a little something for everyone. We hope you enjoy sit back and enjoy the ride.

This boxed set includes:

R. K. Bentley – Where Weavers Daire

A. Keith Carreiro – The Penitent, Part One

Tabitha Lord – Horizon

Paul Magnan – Kyu, The Coming of Dis

Christopher Paniccia – Heaven’s Gate

Debra Zannelli – Sisterworld

The ebook box set is available everywhere on 8/10/22.

RKB’s Picks


Jungle Cruise is available on Disney+ as well as the your movie theater. From the trailers you may have gotten a Mummy or Pirates vibe and that’s not wrong. The movie does harken back to the sword and sandal antics of the Mummy. The copy and paste CGI legion of mummies isn’t used, thankfully. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt star in this lovely swashbuckling tale.

If you can make it out to the theater then I would recommend seeing it there instead of paying the $29.99 on Disney+. Or invite friends over and make it a family movie night.


Fear Street Trilogy on Netflix, I was late to watching this and came away very impressed. I’m not really a horror buff but occasionally like a good scary movie and found this one to be rather enjoyable. The trilogy of movies is not family friendly and is Rated R for good reason.

Book 2

Book 2 continues to move along and it was my hope it was going to be out next week but alas that isn’t the case.

It has become painfully clear, pandemic or not, I’m not an author that can push out a book a year and back in December 2020 when I gave myself until August 2021 to publish book 2 it was wishful thinking until work went to 5 days a week instead of the 4 days we’d been having. The credit card bills are happy along with my credit score. My creativity isn’t even if I am making progress it’s not just the fast progress I expected.

For those not signed up for my mailing list you can read the first three chapters of When Riders Crosleigh over here on Wattpad.

I’m posting scenes in chronological order once a month via the mailing list and will upload each new chapter to Wattpad once it’s completed.

I will recommend getting the ebook box set above, the other five books are well worth your time.

eBook Giveaways!

An awesome collection of sci-fi eBooks are available in the month of August!

Novel Spotlight

If there are any authors that wish to have their novel in the spotlight or are part of free book giveaway, it’s best to go through StoryOrigin and I’ll get it into the next email that goes out September 1.

[NEWS] April News

April News

Convention News:

I’ve never been one for April Fool’s Jokes so no big surprise awaits for you.

It looks like between the last newsletter and now, Necronomicon 2021 and RI Summer Comic Con in Rhode Island has been canceled. I think it’s all for the best. Even with the vaccines rolling out it’s going to be a while before the convention scene is back on its feet and most of the conventions are still going the virtual route.

I’m going to assume WorldCon DC isn’t going to happen even if they’re still looking at hotels since the one they were supposed to have it in has filed for bankruptcy.

Now, as for why San Diego Comic Con decided to say: Let’s throw a con on Thanksgiving weekend, I haven’t the faintest idea why.

When Riders Crosleigh Update

The When Riders Crosleigh K BAR count: 36008, goal is 120000.

While book 2 is plugging along and the price of the ebook version book 1 is $0.99 on every electronic platform.

I was playing around with a boxed set template for eBooks 1,2+3. I realize I haven’t even finished book 2 but it’s fun to play around in Photoshop.

Music News:

If you haven’t seen Dark on Netflix and are looking for a Stranger Things fix, then go watch Dark. If you liked Dark and enjoyed the music by Ben Frost, seasons 1+2 are up on iTunes and make for great ambience music if you’re looking for something spooky.RKB’s Picks

RKB’s Picks

 

The Irregulars on Netflix bears a striking resemblance to The Nevers that will be appearing on HBO/Max shortly. Both series take place in London and involve supernatural events going on. The Irregulars has two things going for it: 1. It takes place in the Sherlock Holmes-universe and 2. Joss Whedon isn’t involved with it. I’m two episodes into it and enjoying it, sure some of the plot lines are clunkers, the wide-eyed Prince being the primary culprit but no show is ever perfect right out of the gate.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are two episodes into their six episode run and the banter we got during Civil War between the two actors is back. Yay! The great thing about this series is that it’s not trying to copy what WandaVision did. While WandaVision covered what happened after the death of Vision in Infinity War, this series covers what happens after Captain America needs to be replaced since the events of End Game. It also takes a couple of deep cuts into the super soldier serum when Captain America was on ice. And as always: the animated credits that started in Captain America The First Avenger and continued through Winter Soldier and Civil War are worth watching.

eBook Giveaways!

An awesome collection of sci-fi eBooks are available in the month of April!
A collection of discounted sci-fi eBooks are available in the month of April!

Novel Spotlight!

If there are any authors wish to have their novel in the spotlight or are part of free book giveaway, it’s best to go through StoryOrigin and I’ll get it into the next email that goes out May 1st.

[NEWS] February 2021 Updates

February 2021 News

One of my resolutions is to post more here. The advent of Twitter, Facebook and the rest has made posting easier and easier.

Convention News:

Since Boskone 2021 is going to virtual this year, I’ll be in the virtual dealers room selling copies of Weaver along with my eBay auctions.

They’re going to have three days worth of panels and with no airline or hotel fees to worry about I’d recommend checking out the schedule.

I hope things start to look up towards the end of the year.

Rhode Island Comic Con is still scheduled for November and Emerald City Comic Con scheduled for December.

Association of RI Authors will an isle at RICC like we usually do. So long as I can get the time off from work, I’ll be at RICC. Any updates on RICC will be appear here, on my twitter feed, blog and FB page.

I would love to go to ECCC as a vendor but I think I’ll wait off until I have three books.

I’m trying to be optimistic about 2021 and in person events…

Book 2 News

The prologue and chapter 1 for book #2 has been posted to Wattpad.

I should note, these previews I’ve been posting haven’t been edited so there are most assuredly spelling and grammar errors.

I will be having the book edited prior to release.

eBook Giveaways!

Novel Spotlight!

[News] July Update


Welcome to summer 2020.

Are we having fun yet?

I haven’t posted in a bit because, well, there has’t been much to talk about that isn’t depressing as all get out. From the covid cases, the BLM movement to the assault on women going through the author community and the gestapo pulling people off the streets of Portland.

My apocalypse bingo card doesn’t need more squares.

The states are re-opening and the covid cases are going up. Masks aren’t political. They’ll save your lives. Period. Darwin is rolling in his grave right now.

The conventions are canceling and 2020 has become the shelter in place year. If anyone was writing a post-apocalyptic or virus novel than you’ve got some great story fodder to play with.

Any of the conventions I may have appeared at have either canceled or gone virtual this includes the Rhode Island Author Expo for which I’m on the committee.

But there’s hope! Expo like the rest will be going virtual so when I know more so will you.

To that end, since I’m not going to conventions this year that doesn’t mean you can’t get Where Weavers Daire my awesome sci-fi novel.

It is still available through every ebook dealer and the paperback is available through local stores, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

If you are local fan and haven’t gotten the book then please support local shops first then Amazon/B&N. Check out this post to find the books locally.

If you’re looking to get free ebooks check out these giveaways:

[NEWS] October updates

October News


Welcome to October, where did summer go?
NaNoWrimo is 30 days away. They’ve updated the website. The new interface looks great, the only problem was the books got transferred over but not your friends list. Make sure to check-in and update your bio before November 1st.
And speaking of NaNoWrimo check out my post on New England Speculative Fiction Authors website about going to write-ins.
Bennett North‘s and Aimee Ogden‘s spec fiction magazine Translunar Travelers Lounge is now taking submissions for their new issue. Submission guidelines can be found here. (Remember to read the guidelines.)
On October 30, I’ll be speaking along with A Keith Carreiro at Greenwich Hotel and Lounge for an open mic night with the Association of Rhode Island Authors. Costumes welcomed!

October/November Appearances


North Scituate Art Festival, North Scituate, RI. October 12+13 2019
[Website] – [Facebook Event Page]
Boston Book Festival – ARIA Tent – October 19, 2019
[Website] – [Facebook Event Page]
ARIA Lively Literati Open Mic Event, East Greenwich, RI, October 30, 2019
[Website] – [Facebook Event Page]  [Directions]
Rhode Island Comic Con, Providence, RI. 11/1/19 -11/3/19
[Website] – [Facebook Event Page]

Book Giveaways

Several free ebook giveaways are going on through out the month of October! Check’em out if you daire!

Novel Spotlight


Two novels to spotlight this month.
The first is The Cymage by Dave Walsh
With each cough death looms closer.
Only an experimental technology can save him.
New meaning enters his life when a foreign leader asks the humble monk Am’ranth to help solidify his legacy during a time of peace. That legacy?
A weapon unlike any other.
Their friendship is the stuff of legends; their rivalry reshaped humanity’s future.
A novelette set in Dave Walsh’s Andlios universe, the Cymage provides a glimpse into the rich history of the planet Andlios before the events of Terminus Cycle.

The second book is Reverb by David Fuentes
It’s ‘The Inbetweeners’ meets ‘Groundhog Day.’
‘Reverb: Live, Die, Rave, Repeat’ tells the epic story of six young and adventurous students who get to relive the first day of their, no holds barred, holiday to the hedonistic party haven of Magaluf over and over and over again.

[Support] Support your local author and leave a review!


With one week left in September (where does the time go), the last three months of 2019 are on the rise.
Several big events I’ll be selling at like North Scituate Art Festival, October’s Lively Literati (link coming soon), Rhode Island Comic Con, 7th Annual Rhode Island Author Expo are coming soon.
And let’s not forget NaNoWrimo, my username is rkbentley if you want to add me.
I’m happy to report the book is selling well at the festivals I’ve been going to like Necronomicon, Richmond Fall Festival and in bookstores like Stillwater Books in Pawtucket, RI.
And the mailing list has gotten bigger due to the Book Funnel and Story Origin’s giveaways.
The next step in all this is leaving a review with Goodreads.
If you’re reading this post and if you’ve managed to finish Where Weavers Daire it would be great if you could leave a review. It doesn’t have to be big.
I’d love to put some blurbs from the readers on the back cover of the next book or add them the next time I print copies of Weaver.
Every little bit helps myself as an author.
Thank you for your support.

February Updates

Welcome to February

Work continues on Where Riders Crosleigh.
I’ve updated my appearance page to include Boskone which is this coming weekend where myself, J. Michael Squatrito and Christopher Paniccia will exhibiting in the dealers room at the Association of Rhode Island Authors table.
Boskone Panel
Boskone is great convention to go to if you’re in the area. It’s more geared towards authors instead of comics and has three days worth of panels to attend.
Boskone Panel
If you can’t make it to WorldCon then Boskone is a great alternative.
R K Bentley and Nat Segaloff