Jay Cantrell: Blog

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my online friend, editor and longtime collaborator, BlackIrish.

I have sat here for quite awhile trying to come up with the words to express just how much he helped me to grow as a writer … and I can't begin to explain.

Suffice it to say that if you enjoy any of my stories, then you have BlackIrish to thank for your entertainment.

He was a quintessential editor. He offered honest critiques and ideas. He kept the story pointed in the right direction and kept the characters consistent and true to themselves. He kept me from getting bogged down in minutia and from getting an inflated opinion of my value as a writer.

I hope everyone in the SOL family will join me, G. Younger and the countless others BlackIrish worked with over the years in offering our condolences to his family and praying for BlackIrish's deliverance into the great beyond.

You were one of a kind, Buddy, and you will be missed.

WJH a/k/a BlackIrish (1958-2016)
Rest in Peace

Hello all,

Over the past few years, starting with "A Flawed Diamond," I think, I've gotten offers at the start of each story either to purchase an "advanced" copy of the completed story or to compensate me for my time and work. The concept grew with "Unforgettable Weeks" and has grown farther with "Runaway Train."

I'm not certain why the concept of selling the stories makes me uncomfortable. I am a capitalist at heart.

I am flattered beyond words that people find my efforts worthy of compensation. It makes me glad to know that readers like the story so much they are willing to shell out their hard-earned money to read it all at once.

The generosity of the SOL family never ceases to amaze me.

Yet I still find the concept unsettling.

Perhaps it is because I've never had a job I truly enjoyed and I don't want a hobby I like to turn into a job. Perhaps it is because I know the value of my labor better than anyone and I don't think it worth compensation.

I suppose I should sit down and reflect on it some but I know me well enough to know I won't - or if I do it will be far in the future.

Suffice it say that, for now, advanced copies of completed unpublished work are not available for purchase. Any money that a reader wishes to donate to me would be better spent by Lazeez to keep the site up and running.

I truly appreciate the kindness that comes along with each offer of compensation but I am not comfortable with the concept at this point.

Best wishes to all,
Jay C.

Hi all,

I surpassed 3 million total downloads this week with the beginning of my 20th story on the site and picked up a couple of more awards for my (fictitious) trophy case.

I would like to thank the readers that have offered kind words and criticism over the years.

I would also like to praise Lazeez for the work done on the site. It isn't easy to keep something like this operating, particularly with the shifting international legal interpretations.

I truly appreciate the readers and our site administrator for all they give.

Best wishes,
Jay C.

Hi all,

Today marks the start of my next offering, Runaway Train.

It is 146 chapters and run to about Christmas. As usual, I will post two chapters on Monday or Tuesday and two more on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Best wishes,
Jay C.

Hello all,

I've gotten many comments about my previous blog posting regarding the process I use for getting a story ready for this site.

I want to offer my thanks to the readers that sent me a message to let me know they'd still be around when the story is ready to post.

I also wanted to assure everyone that I am not taking a three-year respite from the site. I have almost 400 chapters finished on three stories that will fill the time until the final part of Regan and Andy's story is posted.

My next story, "Runaway Train," is already with the editor and should start in the next couple of months. It will run through the end of the year.

The one after that is already written and edited. It will go to the proofers while I post "Runaway Train." I plan to start it in early 2017. It should wrap up by the fall.

The next story is also 90 percent finished. It will carry me up to the start of "Unimaginable Lives" in 2018.

So I'm not going to disappear. I knew that the research and writing for "Lives" would be time-consuming so I tried to work ahead far enough to make sure I'd have at least one novel-length story per year until I got it finished.

I hope that helps to answer some of the questions I've gotten recently.

Best wishes,
Jay C.