Jack Arbor, Thriller Author

High Caliber Thrillers

Updates

May 14, 2022

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I’m writing at you from sultry Nashville, Tennessee where I was speaking at a conference. The topic was cyber security, and it was (obviously) related to my day job. If you’re wondering what my Tech Bro conference outfit is, here’s a picture. I did tuck my shirt in for the presentation. While it was fun to spend a few days with friends, and the discussion on cyber security went well, I’m excited to get back to the Endgame manuscript on the plane ride back to Colorado.

If you’re reading this and have recently sent me an email, I apologize for not having returned your note. The volume of email has reached the point where it is difficult for me to get back to everyone. I do appreciate everyone’s kind words.

Most of the emails are politely wondering when Endgame, book 6 in the Russian Assassin series, will be released. I’m currently on draft three of the revision process and will get it to my tireless editor in the coming weeks. If all goes as planned, Endgame should be released by this fall. Thanks for your patience.

Peace, love, and books,

-Jack

 

 

February 27, 2022

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Here in Beautiful Colorado, as my father likes to call it, it has been a great winter, so far. December was marked by record snowfalls, and while January was drought-like, business was good at the ski area. February snow has been, well, adequate, but March is usually when we see the most precipitation. My boss calls it white gold, but snow is important for more reasons than just the ski business. The water tables also benefit, which helps keep things damp and reduces the threat of forest fire in the summer. All things we think about up here in the mountains.

To answer your question, yes, I’ve been working hard on Endgame. After a break in Q3 and Q4 last year, I’m back at it. When I revisited the manuscript in early January, I realized that the second half needed almost a complete re-write. Now I understand why writers of series like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones struggle to wrap up everything in a nice bow. How will Max ensure his family is safe? Will Kate Shaw reclaim her position with the CIA? What will become of Arina and Alex? Will Max reconcile with Julia Meier? Will Spencer rebuild his cabin? Will Max live to fight another day, or will he make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure his family’s safety? How will things end for Baxter, Cindy, C, Badū, Gabrieli, and Kaamil? Tune in later this year to find out.

If you ask me, the writers of GOT really screwed up the last season. George is doing alright, though. No one is feeling sorry for him.

And before you ask your second question, yes, Goshawk plays a major role in Endgame.

Maybe I’ll get started on the cover soon.

While you wait, here’s a picture from a recent skinning excursion up Tiehack Mountain, which is part of the Buttermilk ski resort. To my left, on the right side of the picture, are the Maroon Bells, some of the most photographed mountains in Colorado.

Happy New Year 2022

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It’s been a year, that’s for sure.

Despite world turmoil, the continued devaluation of fiat currency, and the ongoing pandemic, it’s been a good year. Jill and I traveled to Costa Rica for two weeks, sold our house, went on a three-month “road” trip to California, Michigan, and North Carolina, and moved into our new house. I learned about the blockchain, bought some crypto at the all-time highs, twisted my ankle on a trail run in April, nursed it back to health, then twisted it again in November on the same trail. I saw my dad, met his new dog Cloey, saw my mom, and was sad when she had to put her dog Zoey down. The circle of life. Mom picks up her new puppy tomorrow. The puppy’s name is Gabby.

2021 Writing Recap

In the writing department, I spent time recovering from lockdown-induced writing burnout. The first draft of Endgame, Max Austin #6, is mostly done. I also re-published The Russian Assassin, Max Austin #1, to include cleaner prose and fewer cuss words. While the prose are completely re-written, the story hasn’t changed. Otherwise, I took a much-needed break to travel, see family, settle into our new abode, and keep from getting fired from my day job.

While I love writing, sometimes rest and living is necessary.

I took this in Asheville:

Grafitti, Asheville NC
Grafitti, Asheville NC
Which Brings Me to 2022

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to the eventual easing of the pandemic. I will rehabilitate my ankle and get back on the slopes. Jill and I will travel, maybe to Europe, more likely to Mexico. My crypto investments will go to the moon, so I can quit my day job and write full time. 😉

But most importantly, we’ll get Endgame published and wrap up the six-story saga of Max Austin’s fight against the consortium. Will Max survive the final onslaught of the nefarious forces against him? Will Arina come out of her coma and reunite with Alex? What will become of Kate’s career with the CIA? Will Max and Kate elope to a tropical island? Tune in later in 2022 to find out.

Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to You and Yours

In my household, the New Year is the main event. It’s a time for renewal, exfoliation, a celebration of the past year, and goal setting for the next year. On the ‘eve’, we’ll hunker down in front of the fireplace with some bourbon and nail down our 2022 goals. Then we’ll tune into Anderson Cooper and toast with champagne at 10:00 MT, midnight ET, and after that, we’ll turn it into a dance party.

Wherever you are in the world, I wish you and your family vibrant health, happy tidings, and good cheer.

Happy New Year!

-Jack and Jill

 

August 14, 2021

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Jill and Jack Arbor Aug 2021The problem with putting dates on website updates is that it becomes immediately clear when one is not keeping up with said updates. Ha ha. It’s almost a year later – gah! Here is the catch-up list – most of the relevant writing happenings over the past year:

  • Published The Abyss on November 8th, 2020. Yay!
  • Re-edited, proofed, and re-published The Russian Assassin, The Attack, and The Hunt to better reflect my updated writing style and yes, remove some of the offending curse words.
  • Wrote most of the first draft of a novel with a spin-off character (yet to be announced).
  • Wrote most of the first draft of Endgame, book 6, of The Russian Assassin series.
  • Got burned out and took a few months off writing.
  • Sold our house, packed, put our stuff in storage, moved out.
  • Now, traveling to California, Park City, Michigan, and North Carolina on a walk-about while our new house is being built.

During that time, I also:

  • Was tested for COVID six times
  • Tested negative for COVID six times
  • Received two jabs of the Pfizer vaccine
  • Spent two weeks in Costa Rica
  • Had my first colonoscopy (everything is fine)
  • Test drove a Mustang GT and decided I didn’t want to buy one
  • Stopped to pet every dog I ran across

So what’s next, you ask? And more specifically, when will Endgame be published?

  • Realistically, Endgame will come out Q1 or Q2, 2022. While the first draft is mostly done, it needs a lot of work. It’s my primary project this fall.
  • We move into our new house in mid-September, which will include a dedicated writing studio complete with a couch for naps
  • My goal is to make a couple of YouTube videos showing the new writing studio – stay tuned for that.

Meanwhile, thanks for being a reader!

Peace, love, and books,

Jack

 

October 31, 2020

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The AbyssUp where I live, at 6,600 feet above sea level, the golden leaves are falling. We had 14 inches of snow on Monday the 26th, and despite warm temps and sunny skies, it’s still hanging around. Break out the sweaters and the puffy jackets, fall is here. The ski area opens on Thanksgiving Day, and we’re ready. Winter is coming.

The Abyss, Max Austin’s fifth adventure, is also coming.

The official launch date for The Abyss is November 10th, 2020.

 

As always, it will be available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback form.

If you’d like to be notified, click hereNew Release Notifications and join my email list.

 

 

 

October 10, 2020

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Ever wonder what’s involved with independently publishing a book? Independent publishing is basically a long to-do list of fun non-writing activities. This is what happens after two rounds of editing. And why my publish date for a book is usually six weeks after editing is complete. On Aspen Mountain

  • Proofread the manuscript
  • Commission and finalize cover design
  • Write the marketing copy and cover blurb
  • Write the front and back matter and have it edited
  • Dump manuscript into formatting tool (I use Vellum)
  • Proofread the manuscript after formatting
  • Upload manuscript to Advance Reader distribution platform (I use Book Funnel)
  • Update Jack Arbor website with cover, blurb, and the first chapter
  • Update author bio on Amazon.com and Jack Arbor website
  • Prepare marketing images for Facebook and Instagram
  • Change banner on Facebook
  • Apply to Bookbub for a deal and get rejected
  • Update Bookbub author page and Good Reads author page
  • Write Facebook, Instagram, and Website announcements
  • Write website blog post announcement that appears on Amazon
  • Upload to Amazon, categorize, and price
  • Hit “Publish”!
  • Buy a new fountain pen

I’m sure I’m forgetting something. This is what I’m doing when I’m not writing or touring the color on Aspen Mountain.