I've been hunkered down for weeks, scattered between four or five different writing projects. No, at least eight. Wait, that's not right – where am I? What day is it?
No matter. Because I'm surfacing to announce the arrival of a long-promised project as a little holiday treat. I'm about to release a print edition of VARNISHED FACES.
That's not all.
Something new has been added.
Several somethings, in fact.
Once upon a time (2007, to be accurate), I released two short stories via Amazon's old ebook model, before the advent of the Kindle (I know, ancient times). Those stories were San Bonifacio's Curse and Varnished Faces. One was expanded from a cut scene from THE MASTER OF VERONA. The other was entirely original, meant to fit in the gap of events as I leaped forward in time. They were fun, and under that model, I expected to do many more.
Then Kindle hit the scene, and the world altered. In 2012, a few months after the release of FORTUNE'S FOOL, I collected those two stories, added one more, and released them as a Kindle ebook.
It was never my intention to stop there.
Other books and plays have stolen my attention, but now, eight years after those first stories were released, I'm adding to them. Adding a lot. Nearly 20 stories in all.
At the end of the month I'll be releasing VARNISHED FACES in print for the first time, with all-new stories starring the whole Star-Cross'd cast: Mariotto gets a new piece, as do Lia and Katerina. Dante appears, as well as Giotto, Marco Polo, the Pope, and the Holy Roman Emperor. Shylock is there, and Benedick, Kate and Petruchio.
But more than anyone else, there are Pietro and Cesco. Pietro, young and off to see the world. Pietro, older and frantic as he attempts to pursue his foster-son into exile. Cesco, anguished over Dante's death. Cesco, in love. Cesco, fleeing forever.
I'll share one of these new stories here next week, a piece of mirth that suits the season.
In the meantime, click here to pre-order the new edition of VARNISHED FACES.
