The weird western I co-authored with David B. Silva is finally available from Thunderstorm Books, in two different formats (and featuring the brillant cover art of Vincent Chong). Before I tell you about that, though, here's what the book is about:
Things are bad for Clay Miller and George Hitchens.
For starters, they’re on the run from a posse out for blood. Then, as they ride through the Utah desert, the two come across the crumpled body of a young boy on the brink of death. The boy can’t speak, but it’s clear he’s frightened of something in the area. When asked what’s got him so scared, the terrified boy writes three letters in the dirt ...
DED
By nightfall, Clay and George are tied up in jail. They can’t move. They can’t speak. They can do nothing but listen to the boy, outside, screaming for his life.
Yes, things are bad for Clay and George.
And they’re only going to get worse.
Thunderstorm is presenting Walk the Sky in two formats: Hard Rain and Douglas Western. What's the difference between the two? From the publisher:
The Hard Rain edition is limited to 75 signed, unnumbered copies. The book is produced with the cover art printed on the boards (no dustjackets), and the trim size is 6″x9″.
The Douglas Western deluxe edition is limited to 75 signed, individually numbered copies. The book is produced with upgraded boards (no dustjackets), and specialty endsheets; the signature page is full color; decorative stamping on the spine; and a ribbon page marker. Also included are two additional bonus stories, 2 rewritten chapters, and a conversation between Robert and David highlighting the thought process of the project.
One of the bonus stories in the deluxe limited edition is my story "The Cactus," which I wrote back in high school, had accepted by a magazine that eventually folded before it could publish the story, and which has always stayed with me, so much so that it was the inspiration for Walk the Sky. "The Cactus," just like everything else in the Douglas Western format, will never be published elsewhere.
Note that if you purchase either formats of Walk the Sky, you are entitled to the ebook. Just forward your receipt to robert (at) robertswartwood (dot) com and you'll be sent the ebook a week before it's officially released later this year.
On a personal note, this is my very first limited edition hardcover. I'd like it sell out as soon as possible. So, you know, please buy a copy!
