Category Archives: Book

Book, News

Bright Eyes Complete!

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I’ve written nearly sixty-eight thousand words of Bright Eyes, the sequel to Risuko.

The most satisfying word of all to write?

That’s the kanji character for “The End.”

🙂

After all this time, I have a complete draft of the second Seasons of the Sword book — and I’m really excited about being able to finally share more than snippets with you!

I’m working hard at editing — and if you’ve signed up for Risuko’s Beta Army, you’ll be hearing from me soon. And we’ve set a release date: May 5, 2022. (That’s Japanese Children’s Day, for what it’s worth.)

Pre-order ebook, audiobook, and print on Stillpoint Digital Press — or Books2Read.com/Bright-Eyes

Keep an eye out for news, exciting offers, and more — and sign up for our newsletter, if you haven’t already! You’ll get free access not only to updates, but downloads of the prequel Kunoichi Companion Tales as well.

(Oh, and in case you’re wondering what I happened to the character who refused to die… I killed them off. Gleefully. And I’d do it again!)

Interview, News

The Hero’s Journey ® as a writing tool

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Last summer, I had a really interesting conversation with Scott Calhoun of the Inner Typewriter about Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey® and how authors can use it to enrich and focus their writing:


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Among other things, I look at Risuko, and how my work on it reflects the Hero Journey.

The Hero’s Journey is a registered trademark of Joseph Campbell Foundation (JCF.org)

Article

Character Mutiny: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Bright Eyes

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ETA: BRIGHT EYES LIVES!

So, hi.

I owe you an apology.

I had promised — and confidently expected — to finish and release Bright Eyes, book #2 in the Seasons of the Sword series, in 2018.

What happened? Continue reading Character Mutiny: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Bright Eyes →

Article

What’s with Kee Sun’s accent?

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Kee Sun is one of my favorite characters, and I’m not alone. I get asked about the Korean cook a lot — especially about his accent. I recently was asked a question over on Goodreads:

Hi David – enjoyed Risuko and will be adding my review soon. Curious about the Korean cook and the odd way he speaks. Is that on purpose to indicate he might have some type of accent? Also, is there any particular reason for him not being Japanese? Perhaps I missed something 🙂 — Steve

Great question! Continue reading What’s with Kee Sun’s accent? →

Preview

Bright Eyes Preview: The Torii Arch

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Waiting for next Seasons of the Sword book? Author David Kudler just shared this sneak preview from the next exciting installment in Risuko’s adventures:

Bright Eyes Preview: The Torii Arch

Continue reading Bright Eyes Preview: The Torii Arch →

Book, News

Risuko Audiobook Now Available

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I’m ecstatic to tell you that the Risuko audiobook is now available on Audible, iTunes, Amazon, and Stillpoint Digital Press!


I’m so excited, in fact, that I’d love to make you an offer. If you send me a purchase receipt for the Risuko audiobook, I’ll send two download codes good for any audiobook on Audible.com!*

In any case, hope the end of summer is treating you well (or the end of winter, if you’re in the southern hemisphere).

Back to work on Bright Eyes for me! (By the way, thanks for the help choosing a cover — I’ll be announcing the winner in the next few weeks.)

David Kudler

[email protected]

P.S. If you’ve read Risuko but haven’t had a chance to share your thoughts, I’d love it if you’d post a review on Goodreads or Amazon or your favorite ebook store. Or you can even respond to this email and let me know what you thought directly!

*If you’re in Britain, let me know and I’ll send you codes good on Audible.co.uk.

Article

Twelfth Night: Training Kunoichi, Pt. 2

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I’ve always been a writer. But for most of my life, I have also been an actor. As a matter of fact for many years, I was a classically trained professional stage and screen performer.

That meant I had to learn how to use a sword.

I took classes in stage combat, but I also joined my college fencing club, picking up the saber (which was the closest thing to the kind of sword fighting I had already learned as an actor).* Continue reading Twelfth Night: Training Kunoichi, Pt. 2 →

Review

Book Review: The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

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The Aeronaut's WindlassAnyone who’s read Jim Butcher’s books knows he loves his mashups. His Dresden Files combines a classic gumshoe-detective tone with elements and tropes from every type of fantasy fiction and mythology you can think of. His Codex Alera novels were inspired when he was challenged to write a mind-bending combination of prompts: the Roman Empire and Pokemon.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass, the fun first novel in Butcher’s new Cinder Spires series, is yet another mashup: a rollicking nautical(ish) tale in the tradition of C.S Forester’s Horatio Hornblower set in a Steampunk world where steel rots and electricity doesn’t seem to exist but the ability to use a quasi-magical substance/force called aether allows for interesting takes on familiar technology, and in which the planet’s surface is barely habitable, leaving humanity confined to spires — enormous, nation-sized towers built in the distant past. Continue reading Book Review: The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher →

Article, News

On Training Kunoichi

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Twelfth Night and Kunoichi

I spent last night training a kunoichi.

My wife Maura is directing a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at her school. As often happens, I’m helping out, working with the actors on the language and teaching them combat. It’s fun to break out the scansion and fencing I learned as a young actor.

The students enjoy it too — though I’ll admit they prefer the sword fighting to the verse. Continue reading On Training Kunoichi →

Book, News, Preview

Bright Eyes sneak peek: The Cave

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Waiting for next Seasons of the Sword book? Author David Kudler just shared this sneak preview from the next exciting installment in Risuko’s adventures:

Bright Eyes Sneak Peek: The Cave

I love to climb.

I suppose that’s a silly thing for me to say, at this point. Of course I love to climb. Still—it’s true. It’s always been true. That earliest memory—of my mother weeping with my sister in her arms: I see it from above. Even though we had just moved into the tiny house, even though I was just four years old, I had already found my way up into the rickety rafters. I had always felt more at home up in the air than on the ground. Safer.

There was a reason that my mother came to call me Squirrel.

Yet as I stared at that sheer rock face from within the confines of the Full Moon, I must admit that I was nervous. Afraid.

Toumi snorted as she and Emi shouldered past me, bows and quivers over their shoulders. “Scared, Mouse-chan?”

I shook my head. But we both knew it wasn’t true.

Emi smiled as they walked out the gate. I think she meant it as reassurance. It felt as if she were consoling me: It’s been nice knowing you, Murasaki.

Continue reading Bright Eyes sneak peek: The Cave →