www.thomaswebbbooks.com

I’m finally able to share some really great news with y’all. . .a few weeks ago, I sold my first book Stalemate: A Clockwerk Thriller to Cobble Publishing!  And that’s not all-the good folk at Cobble also purchased two as-yet untitled sequels to Stalemate!

As you might recall from a couple of months ago, I’d been working on getting Stalemate out there by myself, working with a local publisher and investing in the book with my own money. But then, almost on a whim, I responded to an open call on Facebook and submitted the manuscript to Cobble Publishing (they’re still accepting submissions, btw. Got a manuscript? Just go to https://cobblepublishing.com/submissions/ and you could be Cobble’s next author).

Now I’m a real even-keeled type of guy; I very rarely lose my cool, and most folks who know me would say I don’t exactly ‘gush’ with emotion. . . but a three-book publishing deal? That right there is exciting, folks. Damned exciting.

So a little about the book: I’ll start off with the book deal announcement. The below is from Publisher’s Lunch Weekly, which is the official newsletter for book publishers.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Thomas Webb’s STALEMATE: a Clockwerk Thriller, a steampunk alternate history set in the time of the American Civil War, to Andrew Cobble at Cobble Publishing, in a nice deal, in a three-book deal, for publication in Spring 2018 (World).

Pretty cool so far, right? Here’s a little more about the book:

An elite Union army airship commander, sent on a top-secret mission

One of the Union’s most beautiful (and most deadly) clandestine agents

A politician with aspirations of winning the highest office in the land- no matter the cost

A confederate general with an appetite for power, and a talent for inflicting pain

 

Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, has been assassinated. With his death, the uneasy truce between North and South threatens to collapse. To find the truth and prevent a return to civil war, President Grant is left with no choice but to send in his best: Colonel Julius Montclair, elite soldier and commanding officer of the Union army airship Vindication.

Montclair quickly discovers the assassination plot did not originate within the Union, and soon uncovers who was really behind Davis’ killing-a shadowy organization with vast resources and a secret agenda. Most frightening of all, Montclair learns the Confederate president’s death was only the tip of the iceberg–a bolder, deadlier plan exists. And it is already in play.

Montclair’s objective is clear-find those conspiring against the Union and stop them. With the help of his oldest friend, two of the Union’s best clandestine agents, and the most powerful and technologically advanced airship in the North’s arsenal, Montclair aims to bring the responsible parties to justice.  But will the help of his allies and his airship be enough? As Montclair and the men and women of his crew race against time to foil the enemy’s plans, his mission culminates with a deadly encounter–one in which Montclair will face off against the greatest adversary he has ever known.

And here’s a little more more about Stalemate (last one-I promise). I like to describe this book as:

Vince Flynn

meets Jules Verne

with just a dash of Assassin’s Creed

Sound like something you might like to read? If so, you’re going to be in luck here pretty shortly (like, within the next month or so). Check back here (and at my author Facebook page) for details.

I’ll be sure to keep you posted, so stay tuned!

Thanks,

-Thomas

So the Christmas ‘rush’ is now over. As I write this, I’m wrapping up another great holiday spent with my family. I’ve always loved this time of year-the cheer, the spirit of giving, the food (!), the intangible, indescribable, spirit-of-Christmas-infused atmosphere. People just seem to be better, somehow, at Christmas.

But I realize that not everyone feels this way. This time of year can be tough for some. If you’re one of these people, and you find yourself overwhelmed (or even hurting) this time of year, please reach out to someone. A friend, a loved one, hell-even me, via email, at this website. I’m happy to lend an ear to listen, or even refer you to some great resources if needed; the amazing Crisis Text Line (where I’ve volunteered) being one I can personally vouch for.

My day job is in banking, and around this time of year folks in that industry usually take some time off.  So I’ve had a few days away from the office, during which I’ve been able to think about lots of things. Those who may be in need of help around this time of year have been forefront in my mind (hence the last paragraph), but I’ve also had time to lift and to run, and to read (the awesome Jay Kristoff’s Stormdancer: The Lotus War Book One right now). I’ve been able to clear my head, and yes-(of course) to write. A shit-ton of writing, actually. I‘ve really been working hard to turn out some serious literary product (I have some very exciting news to share on that front-stay tuned for more to come in a later post!)

This time off has been wonderful. In that spirit, I hope you, too, have been able to find some time to spend with yourselves and your families (blood, chosen, or otherwise) this holiday season. And That goes for whether you celebrate any particular holiday or not.

So to everyone: Merry/Happy Chrstma-Hannu-Kwanza-kuh, y’all. For this holiday season, I’m wishing you peace, blessings, good fortune, and the very best of everything.

Thomas

So we’re a about a week past Thanksgiving now. . . ours was great, and I hope yours was, too. Man-it’s hard to believe we’re already sliding into the holidays. Seems like they sneak up quicker and quicker every year, and honesty I’m just not sure where that time goes.

Speaking of time, I haven’t spent much of it writing lately. As a matter of fact, it’s been a solid week now since I’ve written a single word. To put that into perspective, that’s longer than I’ve gone without writing in at least two years. Why is that, you may ask? Welp, I’ll just say that the day job is kicking my ass right about now. I’m  really hoping that pretty soon I can start kicking back!

But even before that, I know I need to do better as far as writing discipline. I’m guessing that some of you who read (or one day will read?) this are also writers; if so, how are y’all holding up? Anyone out there getting their ‘x’ number of words in each day? If you are I’d love to hear about it. And if not? Well I’d love to hear about that, too.

 

 

Hey y’all –

Just got my short story published over at drunkenpenwriting.com. Very exciting stuff!

Now if this is the first piece of work of mine you’re reading, then I should warn you about a couple of things. #1 is that this story is PG-13 (maybe leaning toward ‘R’). Most of my work is, but you’ve gotta know that going in. #2 is that this story (entitled “Sounds Familiar”) is a bit of a departure from the type of stuff I usually write. Normally I like to craft a nice thriller (think Clive Cussler or Brad Thor) with a strong sci-fi or paranormal slant. But for this one I got an idea that didn’t fit into my normal comfort zone and just went with it. Plus I was feeling kind of Halloween-y.

And anyways, like I say in the interview immediately following the short story (which you should, after you check out my short story, totally stick around Drunken Pen Writing.com to read), when you’re gifted with a story idea you simply must follow it the entire way down the rabbit hole. . . no matter how far it ends up going.

So follow the link below. Get over to drunkenpenwriting.com, enjoy my story (and the interview after), and put something in the comments section telling my buddy Caleb that Thomas Webb sent you.

Thanks everyone.

Best,

Thomas

 

https://drunkenpenwriting.com/2017/10/27/sounds-familiar/

Hello friends! And welcome to my website/blog.

 

As you may or may not know, Stalemate: A Clockwerk Thriller is set to go to print here pretty soon. This is my latest (read: very first!) published novel, and I’m pretty damned excited to say the least. Stalemate is the culmination of  several years of work and a lifelong dream; a dream that existed even before I realized what it was. I started this website as a way to tell people about the book (and, subsequently, about myself), but it won’t just be about me and my writing. I plan on sharing and discussing lots of great stuff: from authors I’m reading, to the best graphic novels, to movies and TV, to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, to firearms, to cooking, and maybe even some middle school softball (my kid usually plays third base). Pretty manic, I know. But that’s just the normal, everyday life of a 21st century parent/prior service Marine/writer.

 

Ok-so lots of stuff just got mentioned above. But in the interest of saving the best for last, I neglected to speak on one very important thing. And that thing is you. The greatest story ever written is nothing without someone to read it. So I’ll be depending on you for feedback (both good and bad), questions, and comments. To put it simply. . .I need y’all’s help. Just as that proverbial greatest story ever written is nothing without someone to read it, an author is nothing without his or her readers.

 

We’re about to go on a journey, my friends. One I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I know I will. So grab your gear,  get comfortable, and strap in. Oh- and don’t forget to pack yourselves a lunch. We’ll be gone a while, you see. We’ve got entire worlds to explore.

 

Wishing you all the very best of everything,

Thomas