Howdy All
This is the long promised update on Book Four–Moccasin Track–AND Books Five and Six, Footsteps and Blood At Glorieta Pass!
I understand there are all sorts of dates on various online outlets ranging from last year to August 14, this year. They are all incorrect! This site, our Twitter Feed and our Facebook page have the scoop. Period. (www.facebook.com/threadswest–go on and throw us a like!)
I am extremely flattered by the thousands of emails, phone calls, social media posts and messages I have received–and thousands of eyeball to eyeball discussions at book signings and events I have had— from and with so many of you great Threads West fans. Yes, Book Four is waaaaaaaaaaaay late. Yes, Book Five is late.
Though we have tried to keep you updated without hype via best estimated dates for releases, as life seems to do to all of us, everything takes longer, folks you rely on just don’t quite measure fully to such reliance, and the unexpected occurs. Many of you I have communicated with seem surprised at how intricate the process is to bring a book from the author’s mind to print, or to eBook format, ready for any reader, any brick and mortar store, online outlet, or digital platform.
There is the writing, the endless editing, the art, the book cover, the back cover, interior front and interior back flaps, the update to the nitty gritty as we call it (all that stuff at the front of any book) the excerpts for the next book, the copy editing, the proof reading, the review of the printers PDF, the printing (or eBook loading on many platforms, each of which has its own distinct requirements and codes) the Publisher shipping to the Distributor, with subsequent the re-distribution to the stores, outlets and other locations, the coordination of the release, and etc. And that is the short list–there are details within the details in each one of those major steps. And–laughing through gritted teeth–that is assuming all is sanguine relative to the author’s schedule and the schedule of each of the folks that perform all the other tasks. One of the keys to the author schedule is an environment to write without distraction.
Each author has their highly individual, very distinctive formula for writing. Some use huge, wall long story boards, others write just a set amount of words per day. Still others set aside two, three, or whatever hours to write each day some days are a thousand words–some days are none. Then those are those writers like myself—bingers of the pen 🙂 I need a block of time, full focus, no distraction, and then I can write like the wind–three, four, sometimes five thousand words a day (the average Threads West Book is about one hundred thousand words.) Remember, that is the first draft of, give or take, about thirty, taking into account my own and all other edits from a myriad of editors until a chapter is done and ready for print.
Is all this an excuse? Nope. Just the facts. I am the author and it all begins with me.
Part of writing is having life reasonably settled around you. Beginning February in the middle of nowhere New Mexico at 1:30 am, 2015 the year became highly unsettled. The wrecked one ton replaced (the fun stuff that started off 2015), I finally got home at 11:50 pm March 1 to find the ranch house interior under water, or should I say under collapsed ceilings over the water. The 1868 log ranch house was finally put back together after a nine month tear out and reconstruct ordeal which began March 2 last year. Yippy Ki Yeah! I have shared with some of you, but you all might get a chuckle (maybe J) out of some photos of the “lost year of ’15”. https://threadswestseries.com/?p=3681
There were also some “interesting” shenanigans by the previous, now terminated Distributor. However that is yet another tale. Regardless, tough to write (or do much of anything) with floors torn down to dirt, and no water/no heat for a spell (looooong spell!). Big sigh, and a not so humorous chuckle. I graduated, literally, from a four foot round table in the corner of the kitchen surrounded by rubble, to a mostly functioning house the last week of November, days before my annual thirty day Holiday book signing tour, which unfortunately had been booked 6-9 months before. So I have been back in the saddle a grand total of just the last sixty days since February 4, 2015!! Ouch!
Enough Boo Hoo! Now the good news! Books 4, 5 and likely 6 (if the Book Gods smile) coming your way in 2016, with luck in roughly April/May-June/July-Sept/Oct. And (the cowboy grins mischievously) lots of surprises coming your way in the next novels–guaranteeeeeeeed! Some change in book format, too! A new look to the covers keeping all the brand goodies you love. Check out Book 5 cover (just getting finalized) below. Beginning with Book 4, Moccasin Tracks, you will enjoy twenty five or so pages up front which will bring you right up to speed on the arc of the tale thus far, as well as a really terrific two page period map that tracks the characters and their travels.
Be assured that the only person on the planet that wants those books in your hands more than you, is me! If you are not signed up for updates on the site ( www.threadswestseries.com) you might want to. The Pubs will be posting periodic addendums to this blog, the new covers, excerpts, etc beginning shortly. Also, they are planning some special deals including buying the Threads West Map (beautiful art piece!) and the brand new (great!) audio books, (they are GREAT!!! Click Here.) You will be far more in the know than the general public.
Huge thanks to all of you for being Threads West series fans! Thrilled you like Reid’s reads :-). And again, apologies for the delay. I just might have to incorporate the whole tale of 2015 in a book sometime! J
Hi! thanks for the up-date, life throws everyone a curve ball, been thrown one myself and life what it is, school and work and testifying in a -over due court date which is finally over in Chicago weather isn’t my friend sorry I’m a wuss, anyways, being in the mob and all isn’t all fun either but that’s half my family and they killed a person who was dear to me and back-stabbed me too-doesn’t matter anymore if half my family talks to me or I’m ju,st trying to get back into tutoring my kids and crossing my fingers in tea aching at the school down south fla. this coming August, a new chapter in my life…my dad is proud that I’m going to be using my education which has taken me awhile, anyways my kids are going to be so happy to be reading book 4 and 5 soon and myself! I love the cover of book 5-she reminds me of the this teenage girl who I tutor, she is an native American Indian and her family has told me a lot of their history and other things, herbal uses and so much more. Thanks for the update!
Soooo excited. Still patient. Thanks for the updates.
Mr. Rosenthal, thanks for the info. Ya life seems to be tricky and fun.I live about 35 miles east of Colorado Springs in a little town called Calhan. The last 2 storms were real rough. The called for about 18″ of snow , but with the winds we got 5 and 6 foot drifts.I was in town when both storms hit first one took me 8 hours to get home, the second 4 hours.Well i had book 3 with me and it helped pass the time. Can’t wait for 4,and 6. I just love the read.You keep writen and i”ll keep readin. Thanks Cowboy Jim
Waiting, waiting. I’m going to have to start all over to remember they story line. Which was great,,,hurry as can. I’ve signed up for book releases,hope that helps
Its almost July any new news on book 4 & 5?
Howdy Burt! A little 2017 update for you… get yourself ready for the next three books (finally)…remind me to tell you about getting sucked into an irrigation siphon this summer past–interesting experience, though not recommended!
Reid
Hey sweetie,
Glad to hear that you and your house are all in one piece (so to speak) I have been patiently waiting,well
maybe not so patiently for Book 4 and then 5 to come out. 😉 Sounds like you really got screwed by that distributor
and happy to hear that things are gradually getting back on track. Just thought I would drop you a note to let
you know that you haven’t been forgotten(as if that could ever happen) and that I am still singing your praises
(about you being an author, not the rest of our history) to all who will listen and try to light a little bit of a fire
under your butt even though I’m sure you’re getting tired of people doing that.
Anyway say hey to the family and keep in touch when and if you ever have any time,
You had me extremely excited for the coming of book 4 after screaming through the first 3 books of the Treads West series. I realize the challenges of the publishing business as I have been in it for 40 years now. I keep checking your site on occasion for the hopes of being able to continue the journey….. I am certain that I am not the only one hanging on the edge after book 3……….. Best to you….
Looking forward to your Books 4, 5 & 6 with great anticipation!
“Threads” is an incredible series. Reid is obviously able to multitask with the pros – ranching, rebuilding, writing, and overseeing production/publication…not unlike characters in the “Threads” series. As an aside, recently visited my local Barnes and Noble (Lone Tree, CO, near the Park Meadows Mall) to purchase “Moccasin Tracks” and eventually, through Reid’s web site, discovered that there was a problem. Hopefully that has been fully resolved? Is a new date or timeframe for availability of “Moccasin Tracks” now known? Also, that store mentioned that you were coming in December (2016) for a book signing. True? If so, day or dates. Reid penned a wonderful note for me in Book One when I met him at the Barnes and Noble store ( in 2015 or very early 2016?) in Southlands, Aurora, CO. Looking forward to following “Threads” and other Rosenthal creations to the very end.
Cheers, Ron…Centennial, CO
I have books 1,2 and 3 and praying for books 5,6 &7 asap
Corrrection awaiting books 4, 5 & 6
Sorry, I am a bit confused. You say 4, 5, and 6 should be released in 2016 but today is Dec 15 and either I am missing something or they haven’t been released yet?? Can you give us updated version of the update??
I am hoping to receive books 4 and 5 in hard copy since I don’t do the other stuff! Thanks, Mary
Is book four finished
It seems past time for another update on book 4 and beyond. Are they really going to materialize? Would appreciate knowing if we will see them, or if we’re waiting in vain.
Yep, Gary–you will be seeing them soon…and the pub dates will be up next week on all the outlets…give or take a week, May 25 and June 30 respectively for 4 and 5…and with luck, and depending on how the summer goes 6 Blood At Gorietta Pass (the Civil war book) late fall. Book 4 has been one FRUSTRATING critter–more for me than for you, and you can believe that. Thanks for the patience and being a Threads West fan!
Reid
Well it’s now 2017 and still no book 4,5,or 6 what’s up with that ?
Love your books. I was born and raised in Colorado and really enjoy the story close to our history. I am a retired horse trainer and have ridden many of the places you use in your books. Keep up the the good writing, anxious for all future books.
Big smile at that comment, Debbie–and thanks for turning the pages. Yep–LOTS more coming at you and all our other hundreds of thousands of great readers! And anxious to get them in your hands is an understatement from this end :-)…Thanks for the patience, and keep your ears to the track!!!
Reid