Howdy, y’all. I’m stepping away from the drafting cave to share some incredible news…
Vengeance Road is getting a companion—Retribution Rails!
In case that image doesn’t display properly, it says:
Erin Bowman’s RETRIBUTION RAILS, a companion novel to VENGEANCE ROAD, set in 1887 Arizona and about a boy in possession of a mysterious gold coin who is forcibly recruited by a train-robbing gang interested in the piece, and about the aspiring female journalist who will either be his ticket to freedom—or a noose, again to Kate O’Sullivan at HMH, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger.
Yeehaw! I’m super excited to be working with Kate and the HMH gang again and I’m beyond thrilled to be writing another western. That said, I’m sure you have some questions…
You say ‘companion.’ Does that mean RR is a sequel?
Nope! This is a completely separate story, with a new plot and new characters. It’s still set in Arizona (roughly ten years after the events that unfold in VR), but you can read RR without reading VR, and it will absolutely make sense. (Although you should read them both because 1) I’m biased and think you’ll like them and 2) there will be some easter eggs in RR that only readers of VR will pick up on.)
But will there be a Kate cameo?
Maybe.
Will there be a Jesse cameo?
Maybe.
Will characters I love die?
Maybe.
Are you just saying ‘maybe’ to everything at this point?
Yes. But only because I don’t want to spoil things for you.
So when’s it coming out?
Right now, we’re thinking fall of 2017, which means I really need to get back to finishing this draft!
Will the cover match VR?
No clue! It’s still very early in the game, and I haven’t had any conversations with my editor yet regarding cover direction. But after my experience with VR, I know I’m in good hands and that it will be a collaborative process. You’ll know more when I know more.
The pitch mentions a boy and a girl. Does this mean two main characters?
YES! Reese Murphy is your “train-robber in possession of a mysterious coin” and Charlotte Vaughn is your “aspiring journalist.” They’re both teens navigating unexpected obstacles in 1887 Arizona, one of which is each other. I am not kind to these kids, but then again, I was never very kind to anyone in VR, either. 😈
Ooh, tell me more. What else can I expect?
Train heists, mystery, betrayal, desert winter, nooses, vicious outlaws, unexpected allies, and of course, lots of railroad tracks. This is vague, I know, but it’s all I feel comfortable saying right now. In the meantime, I need to get back to drafting, but I promise to share more news if/when I have it. Feel free to stalk the RR pinterest board until then!
Wait, don’t go! You haven’t answer my question.
Leave it in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer it.
I’ll also continue to answer questions/share news via my monthly newsletter, so be sure to subscribe if that sounds like your thing!
Thanks for all the support and love and tweets and instas and reviews and blog posts and general word-of-mouth that so many of you have given Vengeance Road so far. Sales and reader enthusiasm always factor into deals like this, so thank you, thank you. Truly.
Boss Lady, out!
*tips hat, gallops off to drafting cave* 🌵
