Who's Ready for a New Book Series?

In a city where heists are a sanctioned spectacle, one thief's ambition will ignite a revolution—and risk everything to steal the future.

September 25, 2024

Well, you’re here.

Please, don’t take that as any lack of excitement on my part. I simply didn’t expect myself to be here. And if I’m not here, why would you be?

But I digress.

By here, of course, I mean that you’re reading a newsletter about an upcoming novel, whimsically titled By Hook & Crook. And hells, I never expected I’d every actually finish a novel. And yet here I am, working on three. THREE.

If I could sum that feeling up in a word, that word would be: awesome.

Listen… I appreciate you coming along for this ride. And here’s what I can promise you:

  • I’m never gonna give you up spam you

  • There will be some great updates on my upcoming book(s) including opportunities for coupons, advanced reader copies, etc.

  • I’ll share some of the things I’m learning when dealing with book publishing and the world of Amazon + print book sales.

  • I won’t use AI to generate these emails, or any other writing.

  • You can unsubscribe at any time, but I hope you don’t.

So on that note: Thank you SO MUCH for following me, and for your support in my book launch. I’m super excited to get By Hook & Crook released on Amazon Kindle Unlimited and in print. And I can’t believe you’re with me for the ride. So without further ado, let me introduce what’s going on in By Hook & Crook.

Welcome to Azoria, a city driven by dynamo energy and bold ambitions—where innovation sparks opportunity for those daring enough to take it. In this first volume of the Kings of Copper Trilogy, you'll follow Lars Harrow, a master thief whose heists are as much a spectacle as they are a dangerous game of power, betrayal, and high stakes. In this gaslamp fantasy world, where technology is magic and the lines between criminal and hero blur, the thrill is in the chase—and the consequences are electrifying.

This is just the beginning. The threads woven in Volume 1 set the stage for a much larger game, one where every move carries the potential to change Azoria, and the world. As you journey through this trilogy, expect grand heists, intricate rivalries, and a relentless quest for power that will challenge not only the characters but the very fabric of their world.

I hope this story keeps you on the edge of your seat, heart racing with every twist and score. Lars’s world is full of risks, but the biggest gamble is yet to come. I can’t wait for you to uncover the secrets and stakes that will push him—and this city—to the brink.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. Volume 2 promises even more intrigue, deeper conspiracies, and stakes that will challenge everything you thought you knew. Until then, enjoy the ride. And watch your back. In Azoria, nothing is as it seems.

Interested in knowing more? I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but here’s some questions you might have after reading this.

FAQ

  1. Where is Azoria?

    Azoria is the capital city of the nation of Ithris, one of the five known great nations of the world of Elar. Geographically it’s a lot like Northern California but with more rainfall.

  2. Wait, what time period is this set in?

    It’s not set in any one time. You can think of it as Victorian-era Europe; however, there are some technological enhancements that you wouldn’t find on Earth back then. Or now.

  3. Doesn’t that make this Steampunk? What is Gaslamp?

    Great question. Steampunk is traditionally a sub-genre of Science Fiction, even though it takes on a retro-Earth ecosystem. By Hook & Crook, the characters, and the challenges don’t feel like science fiction. It’s a fantasy world… the magic, if you will, is just science. This genre is sometimes known as gaslamp fantasy.

  4. You mentioned dynamo. What’s that?

    It’s electricity, and harnessing it was discovered 30 years before the events of By Hook & Crook.

  5. Hey S. G., we know your name is Steve. Why didn’t you just say Steve?

    It fit better on the cover and I don’t use my lonely middle initial enough. I like it.

I think that’ll do for now. Wouldn’t want to give too much away, would we?

It bears repeating: thanks so much for following my newsletter and for your interest in By Hook & Crook. Please share this page with your friends on socials. There’s more to come, and I can’t wait to have you all along for the ride!

S. G. Karam

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