Contracts have been signed, so I can now announce that my debut novel Hieroglyphs of Blood and Bone will be coming from Journalstone in February, 2017. More specifically, it will be the first book released on a new Journalstone imprint, about which details should become available soon.

Hieroglyphs of Blood and Bone is the story of Guy, a suddenly divorced man who ends up renting a room in the houseboat of his much younger co-worker. Guy tries to emulate Karl’s straightforward, confident mode of existence, but feels awkward going out to bars, trying to meet single women, after being married most of his life. Only when Karl takes him out fishing on an isolated stretch of the Salmon River does Guy catch a glimpse of something inexplicable and captivating enough to seize his full attention and distract him from the ruin of his own life.

I’m very pleased to join the same publisher as Laird Barron, Gary Braunbeck, Philip Fracassi, Jonathan Maberry, Christopher Golden, Douglas Wynne and many others.

Though the contract only covers one book, our understanding is that we would like to work together on several books. I’ve been especially impressed with what Journalstone has done with Laird Barron’s recent novellas, X’s for Eyes and Man With No Name, not to mention his latest collection. Because I love the novella form so much, I’d love to find a way to do two or three linked novellas. We’ll see!

Of course I’ll share more specifics, including cover art, when it’s available. For now I’d like to thank Publisher Christopher Payne, and the Imprint Editor whose name must remain secret until Journalstone makes that announcement!