THE SCORPION

THE SCORPION has a special place in my heart.  Not only was it the first published book with my name on it, but it was also my first nomination for an Origins Award, and it was a job I won through an open submission process -- in other words, I "beat out" a number of other authors for the job.  (Sorry you guys and gals that didn't get it!)

So this was a big first for me.   And, in some ways, it remains my favorite non-ghostwritten book that I've done to date.

Everything seemed to come together on this one.  The milieux was one I liked, and I identified with the main characters (especially Shoju).  Also, this part of the "existing" L5R storyline was less set in stone than the other "chapters" in the saga.

Which meant I had more freedom to "play" with the "history" of the game.  And less trouble making the game stuff work into the requirements of a good story.

In some ways, THE SCORPION also got the strongest reaction from fans.  I still have people telling me how much the conclusion of the story moved them.  I've had several folks tell me they cried.

That kind of depth of feeling makes an author's heart glad.  Hopefully, I'll get those kind of reactions again on some book in the future.

This was only the book with my name on it that was published before my father's death.  Since I had also dedicated the story to him, that gives it even more meaning for me.

You can buy THE SCORPION by clicking on the title at left.