First Fan-generated Art!
Posted on September 2nd, 2011
Yesterday, I received the first fan-generated art for my novel from Joan Sween. I think it’s a pretty cool concept, and would love to hear from other fans who want to submit pictures. I’m flattered that someone would take time to create art for my novel and share it with me.
Fan Art by Joan Sween
Press Release for The Caldarian Conflict
Posted on September 1st, 2011
Wanted to share my latest press release with all of you: My novel is now available!
For Immediate Release:
Just in time for International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19), author Mike Kalmbach has released his debut fantasy novel, “The Caldarian Conflict” (ISBN:978-1466246812).
This isn’t your typical pirate novel. Of course, there’s plenty of swashbuckling adventure as a corrupt military deals death to enraged pirates using questionable methods. However, this story follows Brother Mendell,a monk caught in the crossfire as he seeks justice for an unfairly executed prisoner.
No one is safe as Admiral Cain and his ruthless assistant Krell struggle to maintain complete secrecy over their plan. Their goal isn’t merely to rid Caldaria of pirates; they have much loftier ambitions. Anyone with too much knowledge must die.
Mendell struggles to unravel the mystery before he, too, becomes a casualty of”The Caldarian Conflict”.
“I wrote a book I’d enjoy reading,” says Kalmbach. “Full of plot twists, complex characters, and a protagonist who sees the world differently from most people.”
Reviewer Danielle Allen agrees. “Telling the story from the perspective of a monk gives the reader a unique viewpoint of the moral dilemmas that Mendell faces and a fresh angle on pirate novels in general…Characters’ motivations and plot twists are slowly revealed throughout the novel, always keeping the reader engaged. The novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the sequel!”
“The Caldarian Conflict” is available at Amazon.com, BN.com, CreateSpace.com, and other channels.
About the author:
Mike Kalmbach lives in southeast Minnesota and has a Master of Science degree in software engineering from the University of Minnesota. Moonlighting as a freelance editor, he has edited numerous full-length manuscripts as well as countless shorter works. He also leads the Rochester MN Writing Group and is a founding member of the Rochester Writers Collaborative.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mike Kalmbach
Email: mikekalmbach@gmail.com
Book cover and author images available by request.
REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE
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First feature article!
Posted on August 30th, 2011
I was featured in the Minnesota Writers Alliance newsletter this month. Thanks to Joan Sween for an awesome article. So excited to get the word out!
Check it out!
Longer Preview Now Available
Posted on August 28th, 2011
I wasn’t satisfied with releasing just four pages for the preview. Now I’ve released the first 14 pages. Enjoy!
Now accepting preorders
Posted on August 8th, 2011
As mentioned on the Facebook group page, today is the first day I’m officially accepting preorders on The Caldarian Conflict (check out the right-hand sidebar). Please note that there are three options:
- Autographed physical copy + eBook
- Autographed physical copy only
- eBook only (scroll down a little more)
For a limited time (until 9/19), the Autographed physical copy + eBook combo will be the same price as buying just the Autographed physical copy.  After 9/19, the combo price will be $1 more than the autographed book alone.
A free sample of the novel’s prelude is available: The Caldarian Conflict – Mike Kalmbach – Prelude. Enjoy!
Back jacket copy:
“Pirates are a disease,†Admiral Cain often growls. He’ll stop at nothing to eliminate piracy from Caldaria. Luckily, Cain and his assistant Krell have finally landed on a seemingly perfect solution.
There’s a catch: if the Caldarian citizens discover what they’re doing, the peasants will revolt. If the king finds out, Admiral Cain will lose his head.
Brother Mendell, a monk dedicated to Lord Justice, is sucked into the battle when he consoles a pirate prisoner sentenced for execution. In his quest for justice, Mendell inadvertently finds himself at the forefront of a war between pirates and the Caldarian navy.
In order to bring the scales back into balance, Mendell must navigate deadly seas, survive traitorous pirates, and outsmart the devious admiral and his ruthless assistant. If he fails, the freedom of an entire nation lies at stake.
Book Launch Party!
Posted on August 5th, 2011
The Caldarian Conflict will be officially released on 9/19/2011. To celebrate this achievement, my family and I will be hosting a book launch party. Details are below!
So we can plan for food, please respond either in the comments below or on the Facebook invite. Hope to see you there!
For those of you not in Rochester, a preorder button will soon be available on the right-hand side so you can get a copy of the book.
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Monday, September 19 · 4:00pm – 9:00pm
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The Plummer House
1091 Plummer Lane SW
Rochester, MN
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September 19 is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so my family (including baby Alexander) will be in pirate garb. Costumes are optional, but encouraged. Those who come in costume will receive $1 off the book.
All attendees will receive an honorary eye patch. Arr! |
Book Cover for The Caldarian Conflict
Posted on July 3rd, 2011
After a lot of consideration, I’ve mostly settled on self-publishing my debut novel. For the past few weeks, I’ve been working with a cover artist, and here’s what we’ve come up with.
Thoughts (compliments and criticisms) are welcome and appreciated. There is still some time to make adjustments, but we’re pretty sure this is getting close to a final draft (click the image for a larger version).
What do you think? Please note anything you assume will be fixed in the final version–sometimes I might be blind to certain “artsy” things that should be adjusted.
Also, since I know not everyone is familiar with my book, here’s an initial draft of the back jacket copy. Note: This has been adjusted in response to Curt’s and John’s comments below.
“Pirates are a disease,” Admiral Cain often growls. He’ll stop at nothing to eliminate piracy from Caldaria. Luckily, Cain and his ruthless assistant Krell have finally landed on a seemingly perfect solution.
There’s a catch: if the Caldarian citizens discover what they’re doing, the peasants will revolt. If the king finds out, Admiral Cain will lose his head.
Brother Mendell, a monk dedicated to Lord Justice, is sucked into the battle when he consoles a pirate prisoner sentenced for execution. In his quest for justice, Mendell inadvertently finds himself at the forefront of a war between pirates and the Caldarian navy.
In order to bring the scales back into balance, Mendell must navigate deadly seas, survive traitorous pirates, and outsmart the devious admiral and his ruthless assistant. If he fails, the freedom of an entire nation lies at stake.
Comments on this summary are also welcome. Looking forward to your suggestions!
How Did I Miss This?
Posted on April 16th, 2011
A couple of weeks ago, on March 30, I finished the first draft of my novel–working title: The Caldarian Conflict. It’s currently sitting at around 98,000 words, and I have lots of planned revisions to make it even better.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me get this far (I’m going to need a long acknowledgments section!). The draft is currently out with several beta readers, and I’m getting lots of great (mostly positive) feedback. Looking forward to finishing revisions and getting this out for the world to see!
Eureka!
Posted on January 21st, 2011
This morning, as I was taking a shower, it came to me:Â the perfect ending for The Caldarian Conflict.
I’ve been struggling with how to end the story. I knew where each character would end up, of course, but I was struggling on which note to leave the reader on.
That’s when I realized that I could add one last twist. A sudden revelation that (hopefully) will cause the reader to reconsider everything that came before. A final flourish, if you will, before the reader is left standing dazed and in wonder. With any luck, also desperately in need of the next book.
Assuming I could pull it off, of course.
I shouted “Eureka!” and considered following in the steps of Archimedes. Since it’s currently -20 F here in Minnesota, I decided that I’d settle for getting dressed and dashing past my cats on my way downstairs. Ever curious, they followed me down to watch me eagerly type away at my computer over the course of an hour.
Unfortunately, they didn’t share my continued excitement. They’re now both asleep.
I won’t post the ending here, of course, but wanted to share this special moment with my writing friends. I’m sure you understand.
