Where is Rolly Waters?

Rolly Waters is still around. He’s just gone underground for a while. He hasn’t retired. He hasn’t quit. I’ve got an 89,000 word manuscript featuring Rolly stored on my computer. It’s called Ballast Point Breakdown and I think it’s a darn fine mystery novel. But it probably won’t see publication anytime soon.

This all started when the option for Rolly Waters novel #4 was dropped by my publisher last year. I did some looking around, but found it’s tricky getting a new publisher to pick up a series partway through. And I wasn’t ready to take on self-publishing again.

So I took some time off, at least from the business end of the writing game. I had personal reasons, as well, for taking a little break, transitions both challenging and affirming.

But I’ve kept writing. Woodshedding, I’d call it. Practicing. Learning. In fact, I’ve been pretty darn busy on the creative side. I hope to send out some official announcements in the next few months, but here’s a few things I’ve been working on.

1. A short story entitled The Old Monsters Bar, which will be published in January.

2. The script for a podcast version of Desert City Diva. No dates on this yet, but I am working with an independent producer to make it happen.

3. A collaborative project with San Diego artists and writers which will have a gallery show in early 2019.

4. A historical mystery novel, set in San Diego in 1891, which I’m shopping to agents right now. The working title is The Stingaree Solution. I have high hopes for this one. I had a lot of fun doing the research and writing it.

So I apologize to anyone who’s been hoping to hear from Rolly Waters. He will be back. I’m just not sure when. Thanks to everyone who’s been a fan, and a friend.