News

Trade Wars is off and running

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Good Day,

It has been quite some time since I have written here. There was always something else that required my attention.

For a couple of months, it was finishing the rough draft of Trade Wars. Since I had a much-improved idea of the whole publishing process, the final version of Trade Wars only needed a few improvements, and the final word count was very similar to the rough draft. Whereas Foreign & Domestic had several superfluous scenes that required editing out 25% of the rough draft.

It was not all a lost cause, though. Several of the scenes will be repurposed in future stories. One, in particular, will be a big scene in Book 3 of the saga – tentatively titled “Union Jack” – which will involve a nighttime raid of a drill ship.

After Foreign was released I was focused on keeping sales going. At the end of last summer, I had an outline but needed to get moving on more writing. I am glad to report that it was different this time around. I started planning and writing Union Jack during stopping points in making Trade Wars. I am already almost 20% done with the rough draft of Book 3 – so hopefully it will be out with a smaller gap than there was between Books 1 & 2.

That is all for now. I would love to hear from you about your projects – whatever it is. Take care of yourselves.

All the Best,
Brandon

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brandon@thesterncastlewriter.com 

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B09817T8KB 

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It’s a Small, Small Community

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As an Army brat my family moved around quite a bit when we were younger. Central California, Germany and then back home to Washington State. After my Dad’s service term ended it was the same situation. I grew up in the Portland Metro area. It got to be where us older kids could not go outside, or wear hockey jerseys because of the gangs. Then it was a town so small it didn’t get its own dot on the map. Eventually we settled in Hoquiam (ho-kwi-um), WA. 

My first class in High School was Metal Shop. It was in that class I had my introduction to drafting; machining, welding, etc. Hoquiam is a city of around 9000 people. The type of city where some kids are friends the entire time from K through 12th grade. You’re also bound to share many classes with just about everyone in your year, and know who their siblings were. My last two years I would get approached randomly, “Hey, you’re (my sister’s) brother.”  

I say all that to say this. Submarines were not my first choice. I started out as a Surface fleet weenie. I went through six months of that training before the year in the submarine tech pipeline. When it came time to pick orders for duty stations, there was mostly billets to stay in “Rotten” Groton, CT. Horror stories of how Norfolk was 30+ years ago had been one factor for me asking the Detailer, “What else ya got for me, Senior?” Those sea stories were nothing compared to what I encountered in Groton. So, the situation was clear – I joined the Navy only to end up back home. In my class of twelve I picked the last non-Groton orders.  

Andy S. was a year ahead of me. I had several classes with his younger brother. I had heard he was in the Navy and in Washington but did not know where. I found him. At the bottom of the ladder the first time I stepped foot onboard. I can’t repeat what he said exactly, but what it amounted to was, “there goes the neighborhood.” That could have easily been the case. As an E5 Machinist Mate he was nearly a deity to junior sailors. There was a time I clogged the garbage disposal. He had a standing order with the rest of “A-Gang” to find him, even if it meant racking him out (waking him up), if I dorked something up. In front of the crew, he was boasting about how he was going to, “Let this dumb NUB have it.” Alone, in the scullery, I asked him to tell me how bad it was going to be, just so I knew what was coming. He just grinned and said, “I got you, bro.” And he did.  

By the best estimations Submariners make up 0.0001 % of the population. Therefore, it was invaluable to have someone I already knew well my first few months onboard. He got a copy of Foreign & Domestic not knowing he was in the acknowledgments section. Below is a photo from him sharing it on social media.  

He continues to serve his community as a volunteer fire fighter and works for the Vietnam Veterans of America. I am extremely fortunate to have him a friend. I am even more proud to call him a Brother of the ‘Phin.      

First Professional Review

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… and it was chock full of accolades for Foreign & Domestic. Especially the parts where she, as others have stated the same, that she couldn’t put it down. To me, that is the highest praise. It was hard to pick out one excerpt, but this is the one I chose:

“Foreign & Domestic is a book that can only be described as a read that should not be missed and so if you are looking to read a book that will grasp your attention from the first page and hold it throughout then already I would implore you lovely readers to read this book because it is utterly brilliant! Foreign & Domestic gets five stars from me!”

You can read the full feature write-up, along with many more reviews on her page. https://redheadedbooklover.com/foreign-domestic-brandon-phillips/

Many thanks to Aimee, and all my other readers who make continuing on this journey possible.

#1 New Release & Bestseller

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The title says everything, but here are some pictures that say 81,000 words.

I can’t thank everyone enough – who has downloaded a copy of Foreign & Domestic these past couple of weeks. It is amazing what we have already accomplished.

First Week of Being Published!

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After a crazy 8 months of focusing on publishing, late Sunday night Foreign & Domestic made its entry into the literary world.

On Monday I made the top ten in one category.

On Wednesday I hit my first #1 ranking.

Then, I hit #1 in two categories, and #2 in a 3rd (up from the 5th place you see here).

Today, Friday, I got my first banner: #1 New Release!

It has been an incredible week. I am sitting at a 4.2 ranking, with reviews continuing to come in. I am looking forward to the next few weeks as Foreign and Domestic gains an audience and supporters.

I wish you all the best, and an extra extraordinary weekend for all the Father’s out there.

Stay the Course,
-Brandon-

Arms Interdiction

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Recently while patrolling the Arabian Sea the mighty USS Monterey intercepted a local flagless ship called a dhow carrying a couple thousand rifles and anti-tank munitions. The haul was enough to cover the entire fantail when all laid out nice and pretty for the cameras.

It causes one to think what could be done with only a fraction of those weapons.

I bring this up for two reasons. The first is it is an impressive feat for the crew of the cruiser to keep these weapons – hopefully – out of the bad guys hands. The second reason is the Monterey is featured in Foreign & Domestic doing similar operations, but that portion was written a couple months ago. So, which is stranger: truth or fiction?

—

In other news I now have my second draft back from the editor. I am working my way through the final revisions. Then the e-book will essentially be ready to publish. More news to follow on that after the 20th.
Once the final edits are done I will have to send the page count and cover information over to the designers so they can mock up the paperback cover.

We are in the home stretch, and it is all coming together nicely.

Until next time, stay the course.

53 Brothers on Eternal Patrol

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“Of all the branches of the forces there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the Submariner.” – Sir Winston Churchill

It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce the loss of Indonesian diesel submarine KRI Nanggala 402. She is presumed to be lost with all 53 crew members onboard.

There is no military family as small and tight-knit as the Submarine Community. Regardless of political ideoliogies or geographic boundaries we all feel the loss of a single brother or sister of the ‘phin. Losing an entire boat is felt in a way I cannot put into words.

That is the reason we train so relentlessly: one mistake, one casualty could easily mean that we do not come home.

God rest the fallen shipmates, and comfort their families.

Wood, wood and more wood

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From here on out I feel this blog is meant to be a inside look into the non-writer sides of me.  A husband; dad, technician, craftsman, home owner, etc.
Much like you – so much more than a name on a page.

That being said:

A couple weeks ago my son participated in his first pinewood derby race. Due to the freezing weather apocalypse we had it had largely slipped our minds. The night before weigh-ins he sanded, shaped and painted a very nice racer in a couple hours thanks to our high-end belt sander. The car was on the light side but we were short on time to add (fishing) weights: at least in the way I thought. For example several of the cars had washers glued to them. One of the Mom’s was kind enough to donate some stick on tire weights.

After all the rush and drama he turned in a very nice racer. In his first heat he won! By a couple car lengths. As a Dad I could not be prouder. The cautious optimist in me was hoping that he would continue to do well after such an auspicious start. The format was that every racer ran once in all five lanes. He never finished later than 3rd in all the races. Including the final race that was very close. He took home the 3rd Place Trophy. A very nice trophy that the Pack Leader designed and my wife hand painted. His aggregate time was 3.081, missing second place by two hundredths of a second. Next year we are aiming for the top prize. And I will surely participate in the “parents and siblings” races for bragging rights.

Last night I made apple wood smoked queso dip. Super simple and delicious. Rotel; sausage, veggies, velvetta and whatever other cheeses you want. In less than an hour everyone’s stomachs will be happy and the house will smell fantastic.

The other day I met the woodworker from the Market. I am very jealous of the size of his shop/garage. His process for finishing was incredibly simple, easy and gets wonderful results. Plus he also casts his own blanks for pens and bowls. It was a short visit but I learned a ton.

I hope y’all are doing well. Take care of one another.

Farmers Market

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Our community has a farmers market twice a month. The wife and I went because the weather was absolutely fantastic, and to stock up on some delicious Indian fare that one of the regulars makes.
Today there was also a wood turner there who had a large assortment of items. Pens in acrylic and wood; bottle stoppers, coasters, and more. His young teenage daughter made the coasters. There have been several I have met at shows that I have even thought about buying remarkable pieces from: it is mind boggling to me how low priced some of these things are knowing what goes in to making one. Anyways, the online community is amazing at sharing info. At a show: not so much. Mostly I understand. You could be too busy just to chat, or whatever, but it seems that once someone finds you are a fellow turner they clam up. That wasn’t the case today. The exact opposite. He even invited me over to show me some of his processes.  
It made my day, so I thought I would share. 

Yesterday was also a gorgeous day so we ventured across town and through traffic to spend the afternoon in Galveston. We stumbled into a nautical themed antique store. If it were not for the tourist prices I would have spent every dime I have on lanterns, flags and propellers. Yes! Real brass propellers. It was not to be this day. Oh well.

Take care & keep it between the navigational beacons.

Launch Point Update 27FEB21

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FOREIGN & DOMESTIC

The initial feedback from the editor has been increasingly positive. One of the parts I nailed was the dialogue being realistic. Which is a struggle not only for new writers, but many seasoned writers as well. I am impatiently awaiting the full report from the editor next week, whilst searching for the final cover art. Finding a stand-out cover is easier said than done. But I am on the right track. Helping me tremendously in these efforts is my incredibly talented artist & designer wife.
As of today I am aiming for a publishing launch around Mid-May.

BOOK #2

In between editing & production of F&D I am continuing on outlining ‘Book #2.’ So far I have a third of my notes transferred from paper to my writing tool, Scrivener. In large part it is the middle third. The inciting incident and the finale have yet to reveal themselves. That sound odd to you? Perhaps it is. This is where it gets tricky. You see, on opposite sides of the writing spectrum there are two types: plotters and pantsers. Plotters, as it sounds, plot the story out before hand. Pantsers, on the other hand, “fly by the seat of their pants.”
I am in the middle because I have a general plan of the shenanigans, er, missions the team is going to embark on. However, like you, I like surprises, and if there is one thing Cam & Co. are good at it is getting into trouble.

So until next time, stay the course.