After many years of starts and stops, I’m reaching the end of writing a couple of novels that aren’t my usual type of story. Meanwhile, I’m starting another that’s the third in a series.

In this brief post, I’m breaking a standard writer’s rule by sharing what I’ve been working on.

That said, I’ll keep the descriptions broad because these stories are still works in progress and can always change.

Here are the novels in no particular order…

The Know-it-Alls

What it’s about:

Munich, 1990: As the Cold War ends and Germany reunites, a would-be American research scholar with not enough brains and too much heart must uncover the truth behind shocking historical documents possibly faked by the Soviets. The story has humor and satire and mixes coming-of-age and mystery fiction. Everyone's an impostor, and all get exposed despite their best efforts

The Know-It-Alls borrows only slightly from my own adventures as a chronic young backpacker throughout Western and Eastern Europe and a graduate researcher in Munich. And here’s a secret — it’s a complete overhaul of a novel I briefly self-published way back in 2009.

Untitled soccer novel

In the 1970s, a talented young American soccer player hits the big time in the booming North American Soccer League (NASL), but the wild and demanding pro life threatens his enduring love for his longtime sweetheart, a rising star of her own in the emerging women’s game.

This is a pet project, as I’ve been a lifelong fan and player of the beautiful game, and my hometown club Portland Timbers got their start in the NASL. I’m aiming to get this released in time for World Cup 2026 in North America.

Wendell Lett #3

It’s been a long time coming — I’ve started the third Wendell Lett novel after Under False Flags and The Preserve:

In 1950, former WWII war hero and deserter Wendell Lett must go undercover to stop a possible Soviet mole at a secret UFO research site in a remote Pacific Northwest forest. He can trust no one as he tries to uncover the true spy — and restore his own lost honor.

Pretty excited about this one, especially for the research.

Pick your favorite

Of these three novels, which appeals to you most? Feel free to answer this poll or just leave a comment.

Will my current publisher put these books out, or a new publisher? Or maybe I publish them myself. It might take a while, but I will get these books out in the world. And this newsletter will have all the news, so stay tuned.

Find me on Bluesky

I got on the Bluesky bandwagon and am enjoying the ride so far. Find me at steveawriter.

If you like my books, please help

Some of you have asked me what helps my books find more readers. One single thing helps more than anything:

• A review or rating at your favorite online book retailer

Every single positive review or rating on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and other review-based sites helps us authors a ton.

Find all the novels here

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That’s it for now. I hope you’re doing well and surviving this crazy world.

Thanks for reading,

Steve