Bear with me as I indulge in a tiny bit of vanity. Some of you have asked why I updated my author photo. For starters, that pic of me in the suit was getting long in the tooth. The photo served its purpose: it's ironic that so serious-looking a guy had penned a funny book (and I found that really amusing). It also lent that Blues Brothers vibe, class, and style I was aiming for -- gruff and no-nonsense on the outside, but always ready to have fun and -- dare I say -- even risk getting a little silly at times.

It's time for a fresh start. Out with the old, in with the new. Still, it was fun while it lasted.

The new pic shows a different side -- still sharp and a bit silly, but above all, approachable -- which is what I'd like you to think of me, because it's what I've always been.

Be well.

This is it, ladies and gentlemen. This is the final. It's down to two -- Barclay and Dria -- to see who between them will be crowned champion of Gullwing Battle Royale 2014.

Quick feet and quicker wits got Dria off to a fast start early in the tournament when she went undefeated through round 4. Barclay may have stopped her win streak, but Dria has licked her wounds and learned from her mistakes. She is ready to take home the championship.

Meanwhile, Barclay has steamrolled the competition -- including Dria when last they met -- and he's shown no signs of slowing down. He isn't this competition's dark horse -- he's the freight train. Clad in armor and strengthened through his unshakable faith, he's got what it takes to power on through to the end.

Who will win?

Click the picture below to get to the action.

Only three fighters are left at the semifinal. Marco, Kuril, and Alexis are out of the running. Today, Dria and Maldronigan face off in a rematch of their round 2 matchup. Tensions are high -- since both of today's combatants have one loss apiece, the loser here will be sent home, while the winner will move on to face Barclay.

Click the picture below to get to the action.

Here at round four a full third of our competitors have been sent home -- Marco and Kuril are out of the running, Marco having lost to Alexis and Kuril to Maldronigan. Now Alexis and Maldronigan, with one loss apiece, face off to see who among them gets sent home.

Meanwhile, Dria hasn't lost a match yet. Will Barclay cut Dria's winning streak short? Let's find out.

Click the pictures below to get to the action.

Round three of the Gullwing Battle Royale marks the first bout for the lower bracket. Still reeling from their recent losses, this next group of fighters wants nothing more than to stay in the running for the championship trophy.

This week, Marco the messenger will face off against Captain Alexis the pirate. Kuril the envoy stands his ground against Maldronigan the master magician.

Who will win? Click the pictures below to get to the action.

Welcome back to the Gullwing Battle Royale 2014. We're gearing up for round two, which will see last week's victors pitted up against Unabashed Basher Barclay and Malevolently Magical Maldronigan.

Click the pictures below to get to the action.

The inaugural Gullwing Battle Royale is underway! Today we have two matchups: Marco vs. Kuril and Dria vs. Alexis. The winners will move on to face Barclay and Maldronigan in the second round.

Click the pictures below to get to the action.

It was bound to happen. Gather together a bunch of screwballs like the sort running amok in The Gullwing Odyssey and they'll either become fast friends or try to kill each other before they're done introducing themselves. That's why I've inaugurated the first-ever Gullwing Battle Royale 2014. The six main characters will compete in a no-holds-barred double-elimination tournament for bragging rights and prize money (but mostly bragging rights). It's a last- man / dragon / knight / wizard / princess / pirate -standing throwdown where anything goes and everything will -- magic, swords, pistols, dirty tricks -- you name it, they'll throw it at each other to be the top fighter for 2014.

Next week we'll have two fights: Marco vs. Kuril and Dria vs. Alexis. Barclay and Maldronigan have taken a bye. Those two are absurdly powerful in their own right, the former being a hulking knight in armor and the latter an accomplished combat wizard. I wouldn't be surprised if they went all the way to the finals, but it's anybody's game at this point.

I'll be announcing the fights here on the blog, but you can find them under the "Features" page I'll be setting up soon.

Pay full price for a seat, but with all the excitement you'll only need the edge! See you next week!

Courtesy of Darkwater Syndicate:

This is it, folks. All good things must come to an end, and our birthday celebration is no exception. Our contest ends today at exactly 11:59 p.m. (eastern standard time). Better hurry if you want to win that collection of autographed paperbacks.

To enter the drawing, purchase any Darkwater Syndicate ebook from Amazon for one chance to win, or purchase all three ebooks for two chances. Then, email us your name and your Amazon proofs of purchase. To be valid, the purchases must be dated no later than May 31, 2014.

The pictures below link directly to the ebooks' listings on Amazon. Click on them to explore unique literary experiences the likes of which you won't find anywhere else.

Enjoy, and good luck!

This proves lightning doesn't strike twice, but thrice.

First, The Gullwing Odyssey won a Reader's Choice Award, then it was ranked as a finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Award Contest. Today, Indie Book of the Day lauded The Gullwing Odyssey with its medal and certificate (see pictures).

Indie Book of the Day (IBD) recognizes the best among independent authors. The organization honors one excellent book every day with its indie book of the day award. IBD brings the most loved books (by popular vote) and features them for other readers to discover. Above all, IBD honors the person behind the written word and recognizes his or her creativity, contribution, hard work, and passion for writing.

Check out Indie Book of the Day
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