Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Lancer; Hero of the West AND YOU!

Did you ever want to write a book? Most people have the desire but never get around to doing it.
Did you ever think to yourself when you read a book "Gee, I think this should have taken another turn?" Of course you have.

Well, how would you like to do that? I begin writing the fifth installment of the Lancer; Hero of the West series of western novels, in January. "The New Orleans Affair" is next on the list of Lancer adventures. I would like your help in writing the story. Seriously.

Here is how it will work.

1. Take your ideas for the next Lancer book and email them to me at brillpro@gmail.com.
2. Make sure you make it short (a paragraph or two) and tell me if you have read any of the Lancer; Hero of the West books and which ones. 
3. Put your full name, email city and state in the email.
4. If you like you can write "Bob Brill has my permission to use these ideas in his Lancer books without compensation." (Actually you don't need to do that because by responding to the offer you are already giving me such permission)

Please understand you will NOT be paid or compensated in any way for the use of your idea. You WILL receive written "contributors credit" in the book. The name you give me in the email will be the name I use and I will also put your state and hometown, unless you request I not put that in.

You should know, and you do if you have read the Lancer books, there are certain characteristics about the character which are constant, and will not be changed. Lancer is who he is, and he will remain so. However, there are always changes and growth which take place in a book series. You can contribute to this growth if you like.

If you haven't read any of the Lancer; Hero of the West novels we suggest you read at least one. You can find them on Amazon, order from you local bookstore, or you can purchase a paperback copy from my website; www.bobbrillbooks.com. 

We hope you like the offer and want to contribute. We have contributions so far and are taking stock of those over the next few months as we plan out the next novel. We look forward to hearing from you.

Monday, May 7, 2018

YOU Write the Next Lancer; Hero of the West Book

Wow! Okay! Check this out. I have decided to let readers/listeners have input into the next Lancer; Hero of the West saga.

I begin writing the next Lancer book, "The New Orleans Affair" in January. This will be the fifth installment in the western series, "Lancer; Hero of the West." Between now and then, I'm offering listeners and readers the opportunity to help me write the next adventure. You heard Correctly!

I am seeking your input on story lines, characters Lancer will meet along the way, the basic plot lines, twists and turns, what to reveal about Lancer's past or anything else you want to see in the next book. I'll take that input and see if it works and if it does it will be incorporated into the story. It may not work, but it may be good enough or interesting enough to change the story line overall and get entered into the saga.
  (The books;The Prescott Affair, The Los Angeles Affair, The Santa Fe Affair, El Paso Affair.) 

You should know the story itself takes place in New Orleans (or the surrounding area) and Lancer will begin the story in his home base of Tombstone, Arizona. Lancer usually mixes with legendary characters of the day and there are certain things which happen along the way which pretty much take their course in every Lancer book. Don't let that dismay you however, feel free to open your mind about Lancer. If it's too far off the beaten path I still may like it enough to use it.

At the bottom of this blog I'll give you an email to send your comments or suggestions. You can also make suggestions on the Lancer FaceBook page but I will tell you up front, taking the time to send me an email with your comments will carry more weight than the FB page.

I think you should be aware of one thing however and that is the fact Lancer; Hero of the West is the tale of a good guy gunslinger for hire. As such, he has certain qualities. And the best way to learn about those qualities is by reading the first four Lancer; Hero of the West novels. Now before you see this as a shameless plug to get you to buy more books you should know, YES, it is a shameless plug to get you to buy more books. Now, if you've already read the books, you are ahead of the game.

However, the book series is successful and to continue to make it a success there are certain characteristics which fall into place. So you should read some if not all of the books to get that feeling of who Lancer really is.

I'm going to offer you this special deal if you want to purchase all the books. The books sell for $13.99 plus $4 shipping. That would translate to roughly $72 if you bought them individually. If you want all four books just send me that request in an email and I will work it out so you can buy all four for $60 shipping included. Books are heavy and packaging and shipping four will cost just about $10. You can also buy the books or download them on Amazon. If you only need to pick up one or two books from my website, let me know and I will make them available for the special price.
                                                      (Bob and cover illustrator, Julia C.)

So get on board and help me write the next Lancer; Hero of the West -- the New Orleans Affair, right away. If I use your suggestions I will give you credit in the back of the book. You won't get paid for that but you can tell your friends your name is in a new book!

Thank you to all of our readers and our new listeners who can join us on a writers internet radio show which I've been asked to co-host. The Writers Block appears on LA Talk Radio and I'll be co-hosting with Jim Christina who has had the show for years and who also hosts the Buckaroo Book Store at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

The email to submit your book suggestions is brillpro@gmail.com. Please put "Lancer" in the description line so I don't delete it or it doesn't go to my spam. I am looking forward to hearing from you!!!

Thursday, March 15, 2018

LANCER; Hero of the West - The El Paso Affair is "LIVE"

Yes! We are rolling out the fourth adventure for Lancer; Hero of the West. This one is the El Paso Affair.

Of particular interest in this novel is it takes place the day before the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral. As you know if you follow the series, Lancer is very good friends with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, both of whom make early appearances in the El Paso Affair. They are prepping for the famous fight as Lancer is getting ready to leave.

Since my fictitious character wasn't there, it was convenient to have him heading out to his next assignment or he WOULD have been helping his friends at the Corral. It seemed only right.

Our hero is on his way to the border city to help an old friend, a real life character named Dallas Stoudenmire. And if you don't think it was a chore writing the name "Stoudenmire" what seemed like a billion times over nearly 200 pages of text, you haven't written a novel before. Here I place a big "LOL" in the story.

Stoudenmire was a famous lawman who had his time in El Paso and the story itself is inspired by true events with some pretty strong literary license. I hope you will enjoy the story and my daughter Julia's new artwork.

You will notice for the first time we actually have people on the cover. I've always resisted this but times change and so do theories and it was time to put some bodies on the cover. She did a great job. Of course, the holster minus the pistol is still there. My motto regarding the Lancer; Hero of the West character is still; brains first, brawn second and the gun only when it's necessary. This hero remains true to form.


Although you will see some subtle changes in the man as you read due to his growth as a character, you will also see the same distinguished gentleman gunfighter who respects all around him and does what he has to do. I reveal a little more about his past in this book so I hope you enjoy Lancer; Hero of the West - the El Paso Affair, either on Amazon, or from booksellers or on our website.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

New Lancer Book and Cowboy Festival Coming Soon

I have finished the latest adventure in the "Lancer; Hero of the West" Series of western novels with the El Paso Affair. This adventure takes our hero to the West Texas City of El Paso about the time of the Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone.

With a dedication to western balladeer, Marty Robbins, the new Lancer book goes back to a time when Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire patrolled the streets of El Paso. While we actually draw leather and insights with real life legendary characters, as in the past, the story is purely fictional.

Lancer meets some usual and unusual people along the way and there is plenty of gun play for those who love the western shootout, despite the fact Lancer is a non-violent man. If you know Lancer, you know it's "wits first, brawn second and guns only as a last and deadly resort."

It should be released sometime in March just in time for the April 21-22 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in Southern California. The festival is held each year in Newhall on the grounds of the William S. Hart Park and Museum. If you've never been you can visit the museum for free all year round and it's a fabulous little tour.

The festival will feature lots of western food, gear for sale, folks roaming around in costume, exhibitions and of course music and books. Films and lectures are also a part of the event and there is free parking off site with a shuttle every 15 minutes which is also free.

Check out the festival on-line now and get your tickets. My good friends Al Bringas and Eric Heisner will also be at the booth selling their books and other western items. Al illustrates and Eric writes western books, and they act as well. I will also have DVD copies of my modern day western short for sale; The Girl From Sweden, for $5. It's an enjoyable dramatic film with great music and lots of action with horses to boot. Currently it's entered into festivals. We are currently working on a feature length script for the film project.

Hope to see you there and look for "Lancer; Hero of the West - The El Paso Affair" shortly. The previous Lancer; Hero of the West books are "the Prescott Affair," "the Los Angeles Affair," and the "Santa Fe Affair."