It’s the bundle of your (and my) dreams! I was hoping to have it available for ordering in August, but sometimes the finest things in life are the ones we wait for. This limited run bundle includes a signed hardcover of Handsome Devil as well as a 12 x 20” poster of the full cover art signed by Nyco Rudolph! There are only 10 available so be sure to order while you can! Ordering opens on Sept 15 at gaelromer.com (here!).
In other news, I’m about halfway through the first draft of Rotten Devil and with a spot of luck (and a bit of depression abatement), it should be finished by the end of October! Then it’s onto the fun part—ripping it to pieces and taping it all back together again.
The other day when leaving my apartment, I saw a rock. Not just any old rock. A nicerock—like smooth. Right now some of you are nodding along and others are suspecting neurodivergence. However, I resisted the urge to pick it up. After all, I can’t pick up a big, dirty alley rock that’s probably covered in engine grease and worse. So I left it, feeling very proud of myself for my excellent impulse control.
So much so that several days later, I was feeling like I deserved a little treat. Leaving the apartment again, I was privy to the horrifying experience of getting an old cigarette butt in my sandal. Now I really deserved a little treat.
Anyways, that’s the story of why I’m definitely neurotypical and also how I got this really good rock.
P.S. Don’t worry, I scrubbed the unholy shit out of it. I know you were wondering.
Those of you who have read the acknowledgements section of Handsome Devil will be aware that my partner and I became parents relatively recently—our toddler just turned 1 this past June. There are certain aspects of parenthood that you know intellectually going in, but don’t really understand emotionally until you’re thrown into the experience. One of those things is how much of your pre-parenthood self has to be set aside.
This was especially concrete for me. Before becoming a nursery, our second bedroom was my office/library/sanctuary. I’m a very introverted person and after coming home from a day of working with the public, it was my safety space. Bringing a new person into the world was already overwhelming and on top of it, I had to dismantle the one room that was always my port in a storm.
But we did. My six bookcases were whittled to just the two that I could fit in our bedroom. The big green desk that I adored had to be replaced with a compact one that is overwhelmed with my tendency towards clutter. And the Star Wars figures that were displayed had to go into storage.
It’s weird to assign that sort of emotional weight to little lumps of plastic. But they are objects that were brought into my life for no greater purpose than enjoyment. Specifically, the enjoyment of the person I was pre-parenthood. We’ve made it through our first year. I’ve published my first book. And I finally felt the motivation to put up the first shelves to display these little guys again.
It isn’t much. They aren’t particularly well posed or grouped, and I haven’t quite found the motivation to match them all with their accessories. But it still feels good to reclaim this small part of myself. It’s a start.
Until next time, travelers,
Gael
P.S. Do not at me about how I have a shelf devoted to shirtless zabraks. You don’t need to tell me about my problems.
It’s officially been 1 week since the release of Handsome Devil and it’s still hard to believe that we got there in time. I think it’ll finally sink in once I actually get the physical proofs of the book—hopefully there are no glaring whoopsies in the copies that have already shipped. We like to live life dangerously. But seeing people around the world ordering has been the most gratifying feeling of all. I see you, single copy sold to someone in Germany.
Being able to jump back into writing again feels like coming home after spending the last couple months focusing on the logistics of a book launch. I had already been working on the next book in Quantrin Nights, Rotten Devil, which will follow Rakir Delnul navigating the aftermath of . . . well, no spoilers. Apologies to my beta readers who were all aboard the Proll train, it just isn’t his time . . . yet.
Also looking to start a separate serial set on Quantrin, but outside the main Quantrin Nights storyline. Is it too stupid to structure a romance around hiring a P.I. to get your pet lizard back from your M.I.A. ex? If yes, do you think that would stop me?
If you missed Nyco Rudolph at his recent markets, you can still get an 8×10 version of his limited edition poster created by him and collaborating artist, Alex Plante. Be sure to check out Nyco’s and Alex’s websites for their latest work.
Finally! Hardcover and paperback books are available in the Amazon store for pre-order. You can see them at https://t.ly/u7KoZ and for our Canadian friends at https://t.ly/YNYxO .
And for all the Quantrin High Rollers, we’ve got a special packageonly available to order HERE: Your hardcover book signed by Gael Romer and a limited edition poster signed by the cover artist, Nyco Rudolph. Stayed tuned to the socials – it’ll be ready soon but not for long!
Remember: on Quantrin, if you get slapped you’ll take it and like it!
If you’ve seen the cover art for Handsome Devil (see the sidebar link to Books by Gael Romer), then you know what Nyco Rudolph can do. What a superb illustrator and amazing collaborator! Hyperbole? I’d agreed except that our (Gael Romer & Rocket Dame) experience says that it’s just the facts, ma’am.
