Karavansara

East of Constantinople, West of Shanghai


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Writing Prompt – Tomb king

This one was supposed to go online yesterday, but then more urgent matters required a post. So here it is now…

the_tomb_king_by_jarrodowen-da9632j

The painting is called The Tomb King, and was created by Jarrod Owen. My friend Marina saw it, and pointed it out to me.

And this is an anomalous prompt, because it is actually a perfect reference for a story I am writing. The story is called The Revenge of Ankhefenkhos, and it is part of my series about the adventures of Aculeo & Amunet. It will probably be the longest thing I wrote about these characters, and it will take time.

 


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The Indian Mutiny of 1857

cover93235-mediumI know, I know.
I’ve already bored you to death – repeatedly – with my old thing about doing research and having a hell of a good time doing it.
But that’s it – I normally have an inordinate amount of fun doing research for my projects.

For Hope & Glory (you know that’s the hot topic here, right now), I had the pleasure of taking a university-level course in the history of Colonial Britain, and I read and re-read a lot of great books.
And expanded in new directions – like finally getting into the history of the Mughal.

But then there’s the serendipity thing – like, NetGalley, where I often find interesting books to read and review, offering me a review copy of The Indian Mutiny of 1857, by Colonel G.B. Malleson. Continue reading


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The Summer of Twenty-Sixteen

The next six weeks are know to bloggers all over the northern hemisphere as that yearly desert you have to gear up to cross without damage.
Summer is here, and a lot of people have better to do than sit around and read blogs.
Usually, the pace of Karavansara slows down to a crawl in these weeks, but this year I’m not sure I’ll shift to a part-time schedule.
There’s books I hope I’ll be able to read, hopefully there will be books of mine coming out – I’ll try and keep posting regularly.
Maybe do a little cleaning-up and redesign.
Maybe I’ll try and talk about other subjects – while trying to remain on topic – and explore some new ideas. Also, there’s a few experiments I’d like to try – to expand Karavansara in new directions.

Lawrence 4 Crossing

And what better time to experiment than summer, when there’s little traffic and few people around, and nobody would get hurt should something explode or crash or what else?

So, watch this space.
We are open for the summer – and we’ll try and have a good time.
Cheers!


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Hope & Glory

And so the long wait is finally over.
Or something.
I am proud to announce that Hope & Glory my original steampulp setting for the Savage Worlds roleplaying game is out of development, and a few titles will soon be in production and available for purchase.

semper eadem

Illustration by Alberto Bontempi

In the meantime, you can check here for news, behind the scenes and product announcements. Social media, Facebook pages and all the usual bells and whistles will come in due time.


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Top shelf job offer

As you know, I’m looking for a job – and I’d like to get a job out of this country I live in – I’ve spent over six years here in Astigianistan now, and this place has drained me of everything but the will to go as far as possible as fast as possible.

Among the services I’ve subscribed to in my search for a post there is Escape the City, a British outfit that specializes in top shelf jobs with a twist : 21ts century jobs that require skills, courage, a bit of an adventurous streak. Jobs in which you improve the world in which you live.
I really love these guys and I’ve already checked out a pair of their offers, and sent CVs. We’ll see what happens.
But last night I got an offer through Escape the City that… oh, boy! Continue reading