Mike Hicks

I've seen a LOT of posts on social media over the last several years, with increasing frequency as time goes on, from authors who are so frustrated with the insane publishing market now that they want to just sto https://authormichaelhicks.com/dear-frustrated-authors-keep-writing-for-the-love-of-it/

Time to get some writing done... authormichaelhicks.com/book/ashes-o...

All righty, I have a bunch of my books that I'd like to find homes for. Some of them are newer, some of them, I've been packing around quite a while! authormichaelhicks.com/book-giveaway/

Shot IC 1396 last night with my Dwarf 3. The original image is the second one; a friend introduced me to Astrowizard, which with a little fiddling produced the first image. Happy with the result!

Last night's shot of IC 1396 with my Dwarf 3...

1900 words added to the latest novel. I'll take it... 😎 #AmWriting

Just preordered a #Dwarflab #Draco telescope!

Back to getting in some writing on the latest novel... #AmWriting authormichaelhicks.com/book/ashes-o...

Okay, time to try and get some writing done... authormichaelhicks.com/book/ashes-o...

I've had a growing fascination with the People's Republic of China over the last few years and decided to put down some thoughts on the topic. https://authormichaelhicks.com/is-china-our-enemy/

I'm writing this in the hopes that it may help out other folks moving to France who want to be able to drive beyond the 12 months you're legally allowed using a foreign (in this case U.S.) license! https://authormichaelhicks.com/the-joys-of-earning-a-french-driving-permit/

In case you hadn't heard, I've been working on a fourth book in the Harvest Series (formerly the Harvest Trilogy, ha!). The good news is that the draft is around the 90,000 word mark, with a fair bit left to do. https://authormichaelhicks.com/progress-update-on-ashes-of-the-harvest/

Time to get some writing done... #AshesOfTheHarvest

It looks like my muse has finally returned since my dad died in January. It's good to have her back.

Nina’s current nap takes priority over model-building. Obviously! 😹 #HistScaleModels

Our first portable AC unit came today and I set it up and turned it on. The second one is hopefully coming soon. This is going to be the new reality in most of Europe, sadly; we live in Brittany. The heat waves we're seeing now aren't "anomalies" any longer; the future of climate change is here.

Thanks to whomever suggested I use a hot water bath to relax (slightly and gently) the upper and lower hull sections of the AHHQ M4A3E8, which were both warped a fair bit out of the box. That seems to have done the trick to straighten them out, with a bit of gentle twisting... #HistScaleModels

Decided to fork over some cash from my book royalties (one hobby supporting another, lol) for a Hozo NeoSander and NeoBlade. Getting back into the hobby has been great, but time hasn't been kind to the joints in my hands and filing/sanding, especially, ain't fun! #HistScaleModels

The tracks are finally built for the AHHQ 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman build. Yay! Now doing more work on the hull. Not happy with the mold seams on the bogies; I took a run at cleaning those up earlier, but they definitely need more work (that's what Nina the cat said, anyway). #HistScaleModels

Nina the cat evaluating my work. I suspect I'm heading for remedial model-building training... #HistScaleModels

The Sherman’s tracks are mostly done, except for the 130 or so teeth that I have to add. Going to get back to the rest of the suspension and other bits… #HistScaleModels

47 links each side so far for the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build. Only 32 more per side, plus adding the rest of the teeth, lol #HistScaleModels

AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build update: track links. Track links. And more track links. Did I mention there are a lot of track links?? 😆 #HistScaleModels

Our 19 year-old cat had what I suspect is another mini-stroke. For five minutes or so, she went completely blind, her pupils dilated fully open, with her turning around and around, bumping into everything. As with the previous time this happened, fortunately she regained her sight. Ugh. 😿

The pennant strings are now up for the forthcoming music festival and the biannual medieval festival next month here in Josselin (this is looking out our bedroom window)...

Was at the shop with my wife a few doors down from our house. Saw the La Poste van pull up to deliver my PT-596 kit. I thought I'd just jog down to meet the driver. I think I pulled both hamstrings. It sucks getting old! But at least I've now got the model in hand, lol! #HistScaleModels

Does anyone have recommendations for (or against!) 1/16 U.S. WW2 tank crew figure sets? The AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman I bought only has an infantryman - not very helpful! I see a number of after-market sets, but have no idea which might be decent and which aren't. TIA for any advice! #HistScaleModels

This baby just shipped from the ebay seller: Italeri 1/35 PT-596. I've wanted one of these for a LONG time. I'll probably work on this one after I'm done on the Sherman. #HistScaleModels

A not terribly exciting update on the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build: track links, track links, and more track links. 79 per side. I've assembled one sprue's worth. Only four to go! LOLOL #HistScaleModels