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[Plotting About] June 2023 Newsletter

Published by R. K. Bentley on June 2, 2023

June 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to June!

This is a blog post copy of my newsletter, if you like these posts and wish to get the newsletter delivered to your email instead, click here to join my newsletter. No emails will be sold and I only send out the newsletter once a month.

Local News: Another Pints and Pages event at Narragansett Brewery in Rhode Island on 6/15/23 from 6pm-9pm. This event features 3 Association of Rhode Island Authors. The authors at this event will be: Michael Fine, MD. Jed Griswold and Richard Rezendes.

Television News:

Lockwood and Co has been canceled and before Netflix disappears it due to the Writer’s Strike, I highly recommend going and watching it. If you liked Buffy then you’ll like the television series and the book series.

Silo on Apple TV is perfect. Everyone is raving about it. Go read the series and then watch the show.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 on Paramount Plus drops the middle of June. It’s the second Trek show to get a good first season, the first being DS9. Also, you can now stream all of season 1 for free, legally on Youtube. Go watch the series, it’s fun!

Marvel’s Secret Invasion on Disney + arrives mid-June. This looks fun and probably sets up Marvels in November (just in time for RI Comic Con)

Movie News:

June is a busy month with so much geek movies coming out 1 a week if anyone complains about the box office numbers then someone needs their head examined:

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – I’m happy to see the Bumblebee sequel, I’m happy to see G1 Transformers. I’m less than thrilled that the Maximals voice actors in ROTB and Netflix series weren’t the original actors from Beast Wars. I know, I know, I should be happy to see the Maximals on the screen but when you can’t tell one voice actor from another in the Netflix series and while I’m happy the celebs voice over actors are there, I’m purist. I’m waiting for Peter Cullen to voice the directions on Waze cuz c’mon.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – First movie was great. Trailers for the second one look awesome.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – It’s been 15 years since the misfire that was Crystal Skull. I holding out hope it won’t nuke the fridge, again. A phrase that shouldn’t even exist.

The Flash – I want to enjoy this. I want to embrace it. Keaton’s Batman returns and a surprise cameo they let out the bag that I won’t reveal here. But the private life of star Ezra Miller hasn’t been so private.

Asteroid City by Wes Anderson looks fun with enough A-List stars to shake a stick at.

Local Convention News: The Warwick Public Library is having. Vendor and Craft Fair on 6/17/23 from 10am-2pm. I’ll be manning the ARIA table.

RKB Writes Author Interview with Katrina Thornley

RKB Picks

 

Class of ’09 o FX and Hulu: If you’re a Person of Interest Fan then Class of ’09 on FX (Hulu) is right up your alley. The series skips back and forth between 2009, 2023 and 2032 and keeps the plot rolling along quite well. I highly recommend it.

Air on Amazon Prime: Someone mentioned the musical rights for Air must’ve set them back a lot. The movie directed by Ben Affleck includes many A-List stars about the making of Air Jordans in 1980s. It is not Money Ball. It’s an enjoyable and uplifting movie.

eBook Promos

Novels Spotlight!

[Plotting About] May 2023 News

[Plotting About] May 2023 News

Published by R. K. Bentley on May 1, 2023

May 2023 News

Just a heads up, the is a copy of my newsletter that goes out once a month. If you’re interested in joining it, check the sidebar.

Local News: Another Pints and Pages event at Narragansett Brewery in Rhode Island on 5/4/23 from 6pm-9pm. This event features 3 Association of Rhode Island Authors. The authors at this event will be: Heather Rigney, Barbara Ann Whitman and Laurie Heyden.

 

And talking about Association of Rhode Island Authors (in full disclosure I’m on the board), ARIA’s Writing Academy had our first class and it went well. So well, we’re doing 2 in May! The first class instructed by ARIA’s VP, Tabitha Lord. The class is on May 11th at 7pm via Zoom.

The second class is by J. Michael Squatrito, Jr., he’s ARIA’s President and the class will be in-person on May 25th at 7pm.

Television News:

Well, The Mandalorian finished it third season, Bad Batch finished up their second and third season of Picard nailed the landing even if I have nitpicks about who survived the finale. It’s funny they tried to stay away from the fan service for two seasons and look what happened. They turn into the fan servicing skid and they nailed it. I think this is why Discovery took so long to find itself as a show not for the fan servicing but finding people who liked Star Trek.

The Diplomat on Netflix is worth watching if you’re missing on West Wing-type of show that doesn’t slow down so the audience can catch up.

Silo on Apple TV on May 5th is based on book series written by Hugh Howey. If you’re into sci-fi/post apocalyptic and if you haven’t read the Silo series, I’d suggest tracking it down. The trailers look great and a lot of A-List stars.

Reading News:

I finished up Lockwood and Co. and enjoyed the series. I’m guessing from the lack of news of season 2 on Netflix means no season 2 but you never know, one can hope. It’s unfortunate that with all the attempts to create a Buffy-esque show on Netflix, Lockwood nailed it in the first episode, having a thought out universe helped.

Free Comic Book Day is upon us on May 6th just in time for the next Guardians of the Galaxy movie. May sure to support your local comic book store!

RKB Writes Author Interview with J. L. Doucette

eBook Giveaways

 

 

 

 

 

Novels Spotlight

[Plotting About] April 2023 News

Published by R. K. Bentley on April 1, 2023

April 2023 News

What a difference a month makes, Picard Season 3 is firing on all thrusters, The Bad Batch finishes up Season 2 with a big episode and for those who read Hugh Howie’s Silo, Apple TV dropped a teaser trailer for the series and it looks really good.

Season 2 of Shadow and Bone dropped on Netflix and while I’d gobbled up season 1, I need to read the books to see how much they changed since there’re been some grumblings about them rushing through season 2 (and the books?) with a possible Six of Crows series in the wings.

Paramount+ has announced Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks and Prodigy renewals and Starfleet Academy while season 5 of Discovery will be the last season of the show.

I’m happy to see Trek embracing its episodic roots with expanded storytelling model aka television instead of attempting another condensed attempt at a movie since we don’t need another Nemesis. Trek, in my mind has always been episodic while the movies only get it right when it’s a movie and not an expanded two hour episode. I’m impatiently waiting for them to give up on Nu-Trek movies even if the actors are perfect, the stories just aren’t there.

The Star Wars franchise is thankfully using Disney+ properly for it’s expanded storytelling even if some of the shows don’t land well i.e. Book of Boba Fett since the condensed format of Episodes 7, 8, and 9 didn’t fair well. I think if they hadn’t gone with the LOTR schedule of a movie per year it’d be different story all together.

All of this feels like geek/superhero overload but for the most part the quality of the television shows have been good. It’s the movies that’re coming in dead on arrival, I haven’t seen a Marvel movie in the theaters since No Way Home and I’ve been a fan since Blade 1.

Movie News:

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: It’s not trying to be Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. It’s a fun, family movie with little swearing, little violence and enjoyable A-List actors knowing full well what movie they’re in. It’s worth seeing and sit through all the credits.

 

 

 

 

Reading News:

I’ve finished Lockwood Books 1,2+3 and moving onto Book 4. I’m hoping for a season 2 pick up from Netflix. I recommend checking your local library if you’re interested in the series.

I’m coming back to The Atlas Six later, it didn’t click with me.

April 2023 Events

Another Pints and Pages event at Narragansett Brewery in Rhode Island. This event features 3 Association of Rhode Island Authors. The authors at this event will be: Peter A. O’Donnell, Alexander Smith and Mary Catherine Volk.

ARIA Writing Academy Event

And talking about Association of Rhode Island Authors (in full disclosure I’m on the board), ARIA is starting a Writing Academy and our first class will be Pathways to Publishing instructed by ARIA’s VP, Tabitha Lord. The class is on April 5th at 7pm via Zoom.

Book Series Update

Last Crosleigh Standing (LCS) is still being plotted out. I’m trying to figure out if I want to do a novella or a full sized novel. It’s a prequel to Where Weavers Daire and takes place sometime before. You won’t need to read Weaver to figure out what’s going on.

April eBook Promos

Sci-Fi & Fantasy eBooks for everyone!
Looking for a new sci-fi book? Check out these fun ebooks!
A plethora of books looking for reviews!

Ebook Spotlight

[Plotting About] June 2022 News

[Plotting About] June 2022 News

Published by R. K. Bentley on June 11, 2022

June 2022 News!

Movie News:

Doctor Strange 2 Electric Boogaloo – Gets an A for getting Raimi back in the directing chair. A for the cameos that have already leaked. A for the horror-vibes that I think my audience wasn’t prepared for. It gets a D for not sticking the landing. The stingers are coming up with characters I need to look up on Wikipedia, Elementals did the same thing.

Top Gun: Maverick – Go see this on the biggest screen you can find. Loved it.

Lightyear: – I want to see this but the fact it’s PG and school is out. I may wait even though the designs look awesome. The art book is already out, btw.

Jurassic World 2: Bringing back the original cast and the new cast. The reviews have not been favorable.

Television News:

Night Sky: Amazon Prime – looks fun haven’t watch it yet.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Paramount+ – Awesome.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Disney +

Ms Marvel: Drops Friday on Disney+.

Umbrella Academy: Season 3 on Netflix in late June.

The Boys: Season 3 on Amazon Prime.

Stranger Things Part 2: On Netflix in July.

She-Hulk: Drops in August on Disney+

Andor: Drops in August on Disney+ 12 episode for season 1 and 12 for season 2 that ends just in time for Rogue One to begin. I have hopes this will introduce characters from Rebels.

Whew. This reminds me of September in the before times when the new network shows would drop and my DVR would be full by the end of the week.

Book 2 Update

I think I found the problem with book 2 and that means dumping 27k words. We’ll see what happens..

Author Interview

Muthor Interview with Debra Zannelli.

RKB Picks

Stranger Things –

I told myself if I watched an episode a week there wouldn’t be a lull between Parts 1 and 2 of season 4. Alas, I was week and watched it all. It was perfect.

 

 

 

 

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Episodes 1-3 have been great due to a character that wasn’t in the trailers just steals the show. Then we get to episode 4 and there’s just some bad directing in the last 5 minutes which I hope was just a goof.

 

 

 

Art by Paul "Wexal" Way
Art by Paul “Wexal” Way

Book 2 Preview Scenes

The prologue, chapters 1-4 for book #2 has been posted to Wattpad. I’ve been posting scene previews to my monthly newsletter first then once the chapters are done I post them to Wattpad.

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

eBook Giveaways!

Help out an author, read their book and post a review of it!
Help out an author, read their book and post a review of it!
An awesome collection of YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy eBooks are available in the month of June!
An awesome collection of YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy eBooks are available in the month of June!
A great selection of ebooks for the month of June!
A great selection of ebooks for the month of June!

eBook Spotlight!

If there are any authors on the mailing list 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 July 1st!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve read Where Weavers Daire make sure to leave a review on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Bookbub | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords.

Every little bit helps!

[Plotting About] May News

[Plotting About] May News

Published by R. K. Bentley on May 7, 2022

May News 2022

Movie News:


The Batman: (HBO/MAX) I’m happy to report that Matt Reaves got it right. Great soundtrack. Great movie. There’s no stinger scene at the end of the credits.

Doctor Strange 2: Electric Boogaloo dropped this week with Thor 4 arriving in the July slot. After the last tv trailer, the spoilers started to drop so I’d suggest staying off social media until you see it. I enjoyed it and I’m happy to see Sam Raimi directing again.

Television News:

Outer Range: Amazon Prime – They’re dropping 2 episodes per Friday of this show. It’s Yellowstone meets Lost. I liked the first episode of this more than Epic’s From. Altho, the season finale was stuffed to the gills and should’ve slowed down.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds – Paramount Plus – They’ve posted the opening credits for SNW and it’s next to perfect except for the fact they called Enterprisean it and not a she. I think after 4 years of Discovery finally finding itself, SNW knocked it out of the park for a season premier. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds arrived on May 5th.

Stranger Things – Netflix – Season 4 trailer. Season 4 is split in 2. May 27th for part 1 and July 1st for part 2. Oddly enough. Part 1 drops on the same date as show about some old hermit…

Obi-Wan – Disney+ – Trailer. 2 episodes drop May 27th since they moved the premier.

Book News:

Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi – I’m not a big Kaiju fan. I enjoyed Pacific Rim, hated the sequel, enjoyed Godzilla, the sequel didn’t really work, I enjoyed King Kong but the G vs. KK was a bit much. So, I’m happy to report that KPS by John Scalzi is a fun read that I finished in a day. Go out and find it. I recommend anything Scalzi has written, he’s a great author.

Braking Day by Adam Oyebanji – I read the preview and thankfully it dropped into Libby Library app. If you like generational ship shenanigans then this should fit in your wheelhouse.

RKB’s Picks

Moon Knight is..um, something about Egyptian avatars and gods and um, I haven’t a clue and I’m loving it just for the fact you have F. Murray Abraham as a voice. If you’re looking for a Marvel series that has no connections at all to Marvel then this is your show.

 

 

 

 

Farscape. It’s a name synonymous with Sci-Fi Fridays before Sci-Fi Channel became Syfy. It wasn’t Star Trek or Star Wars, more like Buck Rogers meets Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (and for good reason since Henson was involved). It’s on Amazon Prime, go watch it all and enjoy the breath of fresh air.

 

 

 

 

Book 2 Updates

The When Riders Crosleigh word count bar:

57829 / 120000 words. 48% done!

I took April off to try and work on Last Crosleigh Standing during Camp NaNoWrimo. I think I fixed some problems.

The prologue, chapters 1-4 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.

eBook Giveaways!

An awesome collection of sci-fi eBooks are available in the month of May! 
A collection of sci-fi ebook box sets available in the month of May!
New release! Project Charon 1. 99c!

eBook Spotlight!

If there are any authors on the mailing list 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 June 1st!

If you’ve read Where Weavers Daire make sure to leave a review on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Bookbub | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords.

Every little bit helps!

[NEWS] April News

Published by R. K. Bentley on April 1, 2021

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.

[Plotting About] March 2020 News

[Plotting About] March 2020 News

Published by R. K. Bentley on March 5, 2020

Welcome to March.

With Daylight Savings Times only a few days away we’re 1/4 through 2020 where does the time go?

Emerald City Comic Con my home away from con appears to still be going on even though a great multitude of dealers have canceled due to Corona Virus. They’ve started issuing refunds which is a first for ECCC but I remember when 9/11 happened and a con credited everyone to 2002. I honestly think they’re waiting for Washington State health official to officially tell them to cancel. Me thinks this is due to insurance? Act of god-type of insurance clauses?

Check the hashtag #eccc2020 for ongoing news.

Speaking of cons, Boskone 2020 went well. The dealers room was busier on Friday then I’ve seen in the past.

Appearances

I’ll be at the Warwick Public Library Author Meet & Greet on March 28 with 40 other authors of the Association of Rhode Island Authors.

RI Author Meet and Greet at Warwick Public Library

Some other appearances by local authors coming up:

3-14-20 – J. Michael Squatrito, Jr and Errick Nunnally at Barrington Books Retold – Facebook Event Page

3-28-20 – Christopher Paniccia at Barnes and Noble in Smithfield, RI. – Facebook Event Page

Book 2 Update

Work on book 2 continues. The book is going to be a prequel to book 1 and the plan for now is to offer it a free ebook while the paperback will obviously be full price. It’s going to be slightly different in scale while still featuring action, mystery and adventure themes.

The When Riders Crosleigh K BAR count:

RKB Picks

A collection of books, television shows, movies and comics I’d recommend to everyone.

In the books category we start off with . . .

If you’re looking for a new space opera series in the theme of Firefly and The Expanse then I recommend reading Becky Chambers‘ Wayfarer Series it is right up your alley. It won the Hugo for best new series and rightfully so.

I’ve just started reading Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and finding it very enjoyable. The next book in the series, Harrow The Ninth will be due out this June.Translunar Travelers Lounge Issue 2 is now available on Amazon.

 

In television . . .

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan is a great sci-fi book series that has been turned into television series on Netflix. Season 2 just became available last week now staring Anthony Mackie as the lead.

Check out Locke and Key comic written by Joe Hill and art by Gabriel Rodríguez. It is now been turned into a television series on Netflix. (Comixology link). The comic delves deeper into the backstory so I’d recommend reading the trade paperbacks first then watch the series.

Lastly, I am so not okay with this. Started off as a comic book and is now on Netflix. It’s Jean Grey the early years and it’s perfect with its short episodes cuz it gets the point across without plot filler.

Free Book Giveaways

Book Spotlight

A few books to spotlight this month!

Reviews

If you’ve read Where Weavers Daire to please leave a review on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Bookbub | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords.

Every little bit helps!

[Plotting About] January News

[Plotting About] January News

Published by R. K. Bentley on January 27, 2020

Welcome to 2020

Long time no post.

People like Bennett North have posted about their New Year’s Resolutions.

My resolution is simple. Get book #2 finished.

Book #2 was supposed to be out last year but I found out something about myself: I’m not a book a year writer.

Book #2 is going to prequel. It is not going to be a Hunger Games prequel focusing on Coriolanus Snow, I can assure you, it’s not going to chronicle orphan Annie’s rise to power, either.

Instead, it will be focusing on the bloodthirsty evil I mentioned in book #1, Where Weavers Daire.

You remember him, right? That scene in Melinda’s lighthouse? Yep, him.

The word count bar returns!

The When Riders Crosleigh K BAR count:

If you haven’t read Weaver then Book #2 is going to be an easy read since it’s not a direct sequel to Where Weavers Daire.

Remember to leave a review!

Speaking of Book #1, I should mention that if you have read Where Weavers Daire then feel free to drop a review at any of these fine websites below:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Bookbub | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Reviews help me as an author out a lot and look very pretty on the back of the newly updated back cover.

Appearances 2020

My appearances page has been updated:

Boskone 2020. 2/14/2020 – 2/16/2020I will be at the Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA) table in the Boskone Dealers Room.

Cumberland Library Local Author Expo – 2/15/2020. I won’t be there but members of ARIA will be.

Warwick Public Library Author Meet and Greet – 3/28/2020

Barnes and Noble – Smithfield, RI – 4/5/2020.

Now, back to work.

[Plotting About] When Riders Crosleigh News

Published by R. K. Bentley on August 3, 2019

Summer News

Hello all, long time no post.
Welcome to August. Where’d the other seven months go?

Upcoming events!

1. East Providence Arts Festival: The Looff on 8/10/19
2. Necronomicon on 8/23/19 – 8/25/19.
3. Rhode Island Comic Con on 11/1/19 – 11/3/19
4. 7th Annual Rhode Island Author Expo on 12/7/19

Book 2 News


If everything had gone according to plan, book 2 should’ve been being edited by now and done but instead I found out something: I’m not a 1 book a year writer.
For those who manage to write and published 3 of these per year I salute you. There’s a metric crap ton of planning involved in just 1 book but getting 3 pushed out in a year is a lot effort involved. People often say: I didn’t know there was that much work involved.
Real life happens and here I am still working on getting chapters together so book 2 due date is 2020 and we’ll see what happens.
Book 2 won’t be a direct sequel. It will be a stand alone so you don’t need to read book 1.

I am very happy to report that people are buying the physical copies at Stillwater Books in Pawtucket, RI so much so they went through their original four of five copies (yes, the same ones in the picture above) and I’ve since dropped off more.
This is a good sign since it takes a lot just to sell 1 book per year in book stores.

Where to find Where Weavers Daire in the New England Area

Stillwater Books, Pawtucket, RI
Wakefield Books, Wakefield, RI
Inkfish Books,Warren, RI
Books on the Square, Providence, RI
Pegasus Book Exchange in West Seattle even has a copy on their shelves.

Where to find Where Weavers Daire everywhere else

Books2Go

Join my Mailing List!

I’ve updated my mailing list through Mailchimp. There’s currently a direct link in the sidebar.
The plan is to offer free novellas or short stories since Alex White has been doing it.
I didn’t budget myself any money for advertising last year I’ll be jumping on the Book Funnel band wagon soon so I hope to grow my mailing list a bit.

Consignment Requests

If you’re a book store looking to add a sci-fi book, please let me know. I’m open to consignment requests.
Where Weavers Daire is available through Ingram Spark as well: ISBN 978-1-7325680-1-3