Hey Space Cadets! I just wanted to let you know that you won’t be hearing from me this week. My wife is undergoing testing this week – so will be spending my time between the hospital and taking care of my boys. Hope you all have a good week – I will see you on he flip side. Continue reading
Month: July 2017
The Odera Chronicles
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Hey Space Cadets, how is everyone on this fine day? I’m doing well, and wanted to bring you my news! My former editor, Corey D Truax, and I have signed our next series with a small publishing house, Theogony Publishing. This umbrella publishing house is a part of the larger and more dynamic Chris Kennedy Publishing. Corey and I scoped him out together, in a totally non-stalker kind of way, and liked how he operated. He’s professional, and another veteran of America’s Armed Forces. I think Corey liked that he was a sailor too, but I forgive them both for their imperfections
So, what to say about The Odera Chronicles without giving too much away? This story tells the tale of Alexis Monroe, one of the first female infantrymen in the US Army. Alexis was an only child, her dad was a Seabee and veteran of the wars in Mesopotamia. After her mother died, it was just the two of them, so she became the son he wanted. Alexis strove to please him and honed her inner tomboy. Shortly after she graduated college, females were being allowed to join the combat arms of the military. Alexis enlisted into the infantry. Alexis did well at training, very well. When those scores were combined with her college degree, she was quickly advanced to the rank of sergeant. Despite how well she did, her fellow grunts always assumed she was promoted because she was female. When she graduated from training at the NCO Academy, she was given an out of the way assignment. Out of sight, out of mind, or so the Army thought. Her job was simple; guard a warehouse, don’t look inside. Of course, she looked – and a grand adventure ensued. To find out more, you will have to read the book.
As you all know, I will keep you up to date with our plans for the series, but for now, less really is more! I really enjoyed working with Corey as he edited The Sleeping Legion series, so I think this collaboration will be a blast. I really hope that the fun we have translates onto the page. We both really want our readers to enjoy this little tale of galactic woe. So, if you’ve enjoyed the shenanigans over here in the Handley Trenches, then re-enlist on the insanity train!
Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!
JR
–> As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are owned by JR Handley.
SciFy Shenanigans: Nick Cole
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Hey Space Cadets, how’s everyone doing today? I’m doing amazing, taking a bit of time to spend with my family. I’m also working on a couple of short stories, while I wait for my edits to come back. If you haven’t read my previous post, my fourth book is finished and sent to the editor. Hope they aren’t too busy with their red pen! For those who haven’t already read my series, feel free to read The Sleeping Legion Series so you will be ready for the fourth book! Then I will be working on my next super-secret project. I can’t wait to tell you about it. Now on to today’s blog – our SciFy Shenanigans Interview with Nick Cole.
Let’s get right to the point of my latest blog posting, interviewing Nick Cole! Yes, I’ve gotten bit 
by the interview bug! I’ve started the Warrior Weekend Series, the Family Friday Series, and now the ‘SciFy Shenanigans’ series that only serves to talk with other authors of science fiction! Here goes nothing!
For a Few Credits More: 4HU Anthology
GalleryHey Space Cadets, I wanted to share some fun news but my co-writer beat me to it! Hopefully this fun tidbit hypes you up for more goodness from the Handley Trenches.
Respectfully,
JR
My goodfriend J.R. Handley and I strong-armed our way into writing for an anthology. We stole some pets, torched a lawn, pooped in some mailboxes — but hey — that’s all part of the author hustle. Some people write query letters; some people resort to criminal mischief.
Moving along! I’m pleased to say our first jointly-written story is coming in September, and it takes place in the Four Horsemen universe (4HU). The anthology our offering will be showcased in is titled For a Few Credits More.
For the uninitiated: the 4HU is a bodacious military science fiction series that was spawned into existence by Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy. Instead of trying to write a hack description of the 4HU, I’m stealing the the publisher’s blurb (Seventh Seal Press). We can add this theft to our list of offenses.
It’s the Twenty-Second Century. The galaxy has opened…
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Transitioning Projects
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Hey Space Cadets, how’re y’all doing today? I’m doing great, working on a few small projects and prepping to start my next series. While I wait for the editor to take his Red Pen of Doom to my final Sleeping Legion novel, I’ve started outlining several smaller projects and tying up loose ends. I’ve got two short stories for different anthologies to write and then I’ll start on my next series. I really like the premise of the series in question, and think it has a lot of potential but more on that in another blog! Continue reading
Marketing: Amazon
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Hey Space Cadets, today I want to again look at marketing – trying to see through the weeds. This will be the last blog I have on this series for a while. However, I make no promises that I won’t come back to it. This week we are going to look at Amazon. While I am no expert – this is where I am selling my books. So on to today’s adventure. Continue reading
The Sleeping Legion is Awake!!
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Hey Space Cadets! Today I get to make the happy announcement – I finished the fourth and final book of the Sleeping Legion Series! I sent it to Boss Man and my editor on July 12th, and I couldn’t be happier. This book will link the Sleeping Legion back into the main body of the Human Legion, though I can’t say more than that upon pain of death from Boss Man! Surprisingly, I feel a little sad that it’s all over. I’ve been with these characters, and this universe, since I signed the contract with Boss Man in August 2015. If the audience wants it enough, there will be the follow-on series, The Sleeping Fleet, but that one is up in the air at the moment. I guess you could say the Sleeping Legion is now awake? Anyway, I’ll be working on the edits, finalizing the name and cover, before moving on to the next project. More about that to come!
Marketing: Mailing Lists
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Hey Space Cadets, time for another article in my Marketing series. Today I wanted to tackle Mailing Lists, yet another aspect of marketing. Now, quit your groaning – you might learn something. Even better, someone may make a comment that will teach me something! I am always learning new things. Anyway, I digress, on to today’s subject. Remember, I’m no expert so this is just what I’m doing and it seems to be working for the moment. As things change, I’ll adapt which is a major key to success in many of life’s adventures.
Marine Monday: Magnetizer
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Hey Space Cadets, how’s everyone doing on this fine Marine Monday? For my weekly plug – check out my Sleeping Legion Series if you haven’t already read the books. I had 
some trouble meeting up with my source – it was touch and go finding a place that was secure. Fortunately we found one.
So on to our bio from our friendly neighborhood LegionLeak source, this week we have the official bio of Magentizer. Remember, destroy this message after reading it so the anonymous source can live long enough to continually feed us excellent intelligence! Without further ado, here is the leaked document!
Marketing: Social Media
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Hey Space Cadets, yet another blog about marketing. I can hear your collective groans and mutters of not more from here, but hear me out. Let’s jump into the deep end and learn to swim together. Remember, I’m no expert so this is just what I’m doing and it seems to be working for the moment. As things change, I’ll adapt which is a major key to success in many of life’s adventures.
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