Whenever I start a new story, the first thing I ask myself is “what if?”
That “what if” can be anything. Anything at all. That’s what’s great about science fiction. It lets you ask crazy, off-the-wall questions and then build a whole world to find the answer. At least, that’s how I see it.
And the “what if” for my current series was… what if general artificial intelligence, real artificial life, is nothing we’ve expected it to be?
It’s been an interesting time to ask that question. With the explosion of generative AI over the past year, everything’s gotten a little crazy around the subject. But I’ve found it fascinating; the more we use it, the more possibilities and pitfalls seem to appear.
That’s not to say that the Abiota Series is some dry analysis of real world AI. It’s not. Not at all. We have AIs who project themselves as dragons, AI who host their own art shows, AI struggling to manage their emotions and AI who don’t bother talking to us at all. But it has been fun to weave in some real world details, pulling the threads of what is into what could be.
Blurb and excerpt link
Daelia Hall has a mission.
Self-imposed. Of course. She might work for the Air Guard, but just as a contractor. She doesn’t wear a uniform. And good thing too right now. They can’t order her to back off.
Because she’s seen the truth behind the aliens, behind their Envoy, behind the entire concept of Unity. The grand promise to lift humanity up is hollow. But it’s only left her with more questions.
Why lie about this? And more importantly, how?
Now, she’ll risk everything to uncover the truth. But her involvement isn’t a mere product of chance, and what she uncovers threatens to shake not just the world, but her own sense of who, and what, she is.
You’re seeing me add a few Kickstarter campaigns lately and you might be wondering what this is all about? Why crowdfunding for books?
Not that Kickstarter and Backerkit have pretty much opened the door for Indie and self published authors, but that we have found open arms with the reading, and collecting public!
Unlike retailers who simply put our book covers, a blurb, and review up for our books on their sites, and then add a host of paid-for ads on the pages they allot us, Kickstarter gives us an entire unlimited open book page for us to talk about our stories, our process, our collaborators, and anything we can think of – why we wrote the book, our thoughts, our trials, our fears, and our tribulations.
I love that they give us that much space to introduce our books, and us as authors to the world.
And they leave that page up. Forever. Along with a link after the campaign is done to send the curious to our websites.
Add to that, people looking for something new, something creative, something to put on their shelves, readily comb through the campaigns and add their pledges. Superbackers we’re called (yes I humbly admit I’ve been given that title too).
So you’ll be seeing more campaigns by friends here. More musings about why we write what we write, more introductions to authors who want to go wide and who want to take a step out of the box and show off their hard work.
And yes, writing a book and publishing it IS hard work. Thank you for following!
Signed & illustrated hardcover collector’s edition of the first book in the bestselling fantasy series, celebrating the 5th anniversary
Check out this pretty fantastic best selling fantasy book. The base book features acid-free paper, smyth-sewn binding and gold gilded page edges. Additionally, it has an embossed and foiled satin silk-bound case with art from Ambi Sun and a reversible, double-sided dust jacket featuring custom art from Daxiong and typography by Sarah Anderson Designs.
There are only 14 days left to get this very special limited edition of Sword of Cho Nisi Rise of the Tobian Princess in its Kickstarter campaign. This is the only time it will be available with the gold foil textured dust cover wrapped around the real leather hardbound book. I’m doing the entire series in leather, but only during each book’s campaign will the dust cover be available.
Sand textured full color dust jacket with gold foil
6″ X 9″
368 pages
Customized chapter headings
Hand drawn maps by John Renehan
Signed
Numbered according to the order in which you pledge.
Printed in the USA
Note : this book is not illustrated, but there will be color illustrations and word art available as extra rewards during this campaign and these will be slip-in pages.
Following an ambush at the Upton Rail Station in 1921 Ireland, British troops burn Ailis’ home to the ground and arrest her fiancé, Liam, for murder. She and her younger brother Paddy flee to an enchanted glen. Lured by a haunting song, Paddy is abducted by forest folk. Perilous obstacles, and a questionable stranger, hinder Ailis’ attempts to find her brother or free her fiancé until her only hope for survival rests on the magic of the Fae.
CURATOR’S NOTE
D.L. Gardener is both a talented author and a fine artist – a sensibility she brings to all her books. The chiaroscuro of light and dark, faerie and mortal, combine with the richness of history to delight and entice her readers into her worlds, which often feature portal fantasies and mystical doorways between realms. – Anthea Sharp
REVIEWS
“Thread of a Spider is an absorbing story that smoothly combines key elements from both history and fantasy. Author D. L. Gardner (also a fellow contributor at Amazing Stories) has created a magical little world filled with courage and charm set in an unlikely stage of war and terror.” – Review from Amazing Stories Magazine
“D.L. Gardner’s Thread of a Spider was a pleasure to read – most of all because the author celebrates love of country, family, friendship, courage, sacrifice, and honor. Traditional values – in other words. And those are rare treasures, today.” – Amazon review
“Wow, I just went to Ireland. The sights, the sounds, the smells were all around me and I felt like I could actually reach out and touch the things described in each scene. DL Gardner’s writing is so vivid you are there with the characters, running, hiding, fighting and weeping. Thread of a Spider is such an amazing story, I had book depression when it ended. I wanted to go back to Ireland and spend more time with these wonderful characters and roam in this amazing country.” – Amazon review
When Miss Lilybeth Rose Hathaway and her family arrive in Ardmond for the season, Lily can’t help but be charmed by wealthy, popular Theo Overton’s lovely manners and genuine affection. The Hathaways are soon elevated far beyond what they might have imagined, and like everyone else, they are captivated by rumors of the national hero known as the Wraith, who is saving human children from the terrors of the Fair Court.
The arrival of the Special Envoy of the Fair Court tasked with capturing the Wraith frightens everyone. But the Wraith is far too clever to be captured… until the stakes become personal.
The Wraith and the Rose is a delightful reimagining of The Scarlet Pimpernel in a Regency-inspired setting with dangerous Fair Folk and a love worth dying for.
The Fantastic Fae Bundle – Curated by Anthea Sharp: Top fantasy authors bring you a dozen books, each one filled with otherwordly magic. Which portal will you open first? They all lead to adventure, but beware the bargains of the fae…
The bestselling authors in this StoryBundle are known for their deft use of traditional faerie lore. Don’t expect twinkles and sweetness here! Instead, you’ll encounter the treacherous and lovely denizens of the Realm of Faerie, in all their guises. Whether it’s a mortal stolen into the Faerie courts, or a half-blood changeling struggling to live in the human world, fae magic imbues each of these books with perilous magic.
To find out more about the twelve books in this bundle, click here, and make sure to click on each cover for a synopsis, reviews and preview of each book!
Top fantasy authors bring you a dozen books, each one filled with otherwordly magic. Which portal will you open first? They all lead to adventure, but beware the bargains of the fae…
The bestselling authors in this StoryBundle are known for their deft use of traditional faerie lore. Don’t expect twinkles and sweetness here! Instead, you’ll encounter the treacherous and lovely denizens of the Realm of Faerie, in all their guises. Whether it’s a mortal stolen into the Faerie courts, or a half-blood changeling struggling to live in the human world, fae magic imbues each of these books with perilous magic.
Prepare for:
• Dark Unseelie Enchantments • Portals to Magical Lands • Historical Fantasy • Stolen Away by the Fae • Celtic Myths and Legends • Urban Fantasy • Traditional Faerie Folklore • Twisted Retellings • Necromancy • Treacherous Seelie Bargains • Half-human/Half-faerie Protagonists • An Abundance of MAGIC
Track down fearsome darkling fae in an enchanted forest. Walk the streets of New Orleans searching for magic, or step through a portal of standing stones and be transported to the enchanted land of your dreams (or nightmares).
You’ll encounter all kinds of fae within the pages of these books – but one thing is certain. They are all fantastical!
A note on the charity donation aspect of StoryBundle:
When you support this bundle, you’re also supporting Girls Write Now! Stories are important, and this great organization mentors young women writers to become the next generation of storytellers. Help keep the world full of the magic of words with your pledge! – Anthea Sharp
* * *
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of four books in .epub format—WORLDWIDE.
Faerie Hearts by Anthea Sharp
The Wraith and the Rose by C. J. Brightley
Irresistible Magic by Deanna Chase
Thread of a Spider by D.L. Gardner
If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all four of the regular books, plus 8 more books, for a total of 12!
Blood So Red (Includes Book 1!) by C. Gockel
Court of Bitter Thorn by Kay L. Moody
Heart of Briar by Laura Anne Gilman
The Fanged & the Fae by Melissa Marr
A Place of Magic by Merrie Destefano
From Storm and Shadow by Rachel Morgan
Fae Away by Rose Garcia
The Silver Stag by Yasmine Galenorn
This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get a DRM-free .epub for all books!
It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.
Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.
Get quality reads: We’ve chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.
Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that’s fine! You’ll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.
Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there’s nothing wrong with ditching DRM.
Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to Girls Write Now!
Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you’ll get the bonus books!
StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, tweet us at @storybundle and like us on Facebook. For press inquiries, please email press@storybundle.com.
Ok. So the title of this mini discourse might be a little misleading. I’m not going to give you a bullet list of all the reasons you should write. If you have any interest at all in the literary world, or jotting your thoughts on paper, or journalizing your life in a diary, or story telling, you’ll know that it’s not as simple as a bullet list.
There is some unexplainable prompting from within that causes you to pick up a pen…or pullout your lap top, to externalize your thoughts.
Be it to help you remember later in life, to tell others, or just to put your thoughts into words so you can understand what makes you tick better.
For me, at 75, I have a lifetime of experiences to sort through, to recollect, and to fictionalize. It’s odd, that last. Why would I want to fictionalize a true story? And then you have to ask “what’s true”? Because what happened in my life was through my point of view. Someone else might have a different idea as to what happened. And there is the rub!
When I take my experiences, give them to someone else i.e. fictionalized characters, put them in a world unfamiliar to me, and then build a host of friends and enemies around them, I create a vivid understanding of the Why. Why did they act the way they did? And what is the outcome? The best part is, I can resolve their issues any which way I like, and what I like is to end the story with the sun rising to another day. The Noble Bright ending.
That is the story of Rise of the Tobian Princess.
I’m thrilled to say that today I’m launching a project for a leather cover edition for the series. Each book will have their own campaign but they’ll all be bound in leather with gold stamping and foil dust jackets.
I’m excited about getting this series to more readers. I personally think it’s one of my best. And yes, some of my experiences are woven into it. Please come share the adventure with me. Today!
All these great fantasy writers are putting their books on sale for you so that you can grab them an enjoy them this spring, summer and into the fall. Male protagonists and female protagonists, epic, dragons, war, kingdoms and fairy worlds. You will find it all.
Take a peek at this BookFunnel Promo and fill your TBR list again for this year. We’ve set it up for you, our readers and some of these books don’t go on sale all that often. Enjoy.
I tried serializing my series and gave up. That’s because I decided trying to do a subscription service of my novels isn’t working. It’s a lot of work and little interest. There are some authors who do quite well with serializing their stories but that’s not my readership.
Don’t worry, I don’t read serialized stories either. To me, it’s like a soap opera. When I read a book I want to sit down and read as much as I can until I’m finished. With my memory I would forget what was going on, who was who, or how they were entangled in the story.
That being said, instead I’m spending my time writing book 3. It’s called Wind in the Wilds. Not only is Port Summerhill plagued with smugglers, opium, Chinese immigrants, and Pacific coast weather, it is also the home to native Americans. You might remember in book 1, Grai’s grandfather reminded Grai to let the village tribe of S’Klallam live peacefully on the acreage they own. 900 acres of old growth forest.
Grai fought hard to preserve his land from the railroad. But now the lumber mill is seeking a place to set up. What happens when all these dynamics collide? Remember,too, there’s an Indian war going on east of them and WA is still a territory.
In this tense atmosphere where personalities clash and conflicts arise, a chilling murder takes place, intensifying the already high stakes and heightening the fear of an impending war with the neighboring tribe.
You can read the first 2 books now if you’d like. I expect Wind in the Wilds to be published sometime this summer. They are all stand alone novels.
OR a new author? Look no further. Some great fantasies on sale now!
Sometimes it’s hard to decide what to read next and we just have to take a chance! I encourage you to browse through some of these titles and read some samples. I have all of my first chapters up on my website. Maybe some of these other authors do too. Take a look!
I love to read. I’ve got my own TBR list and I’m sure I’ll be building on it daily. Enjoy!
2024 is moving along quickly as we’re entering the month of love (Valentine’s Day). I look back on this event through the years and think what does it mean to me? I couldn’t wait for it as a child. Back then, mothers would buy their children those packages of Valentine cards to hand out at school. There always seemed to be one or two too few for the class so she’d have to buy 2 packages (great marketing on the company’s part). Remember them? Oh maybe you don’t. This was a long time ago and a friend my age and I decided we were antique.
The best cards were the ones with the little heart candies. And I hated giving them to boys. We went to school with a paper bag filled with these, and in return we got one each from the other kids in class. Then the room mothers would bring cupcakes. It was great. There was pretty much no studying on that day.
Later in life, aside from doing this for my children until the schools said ‘no more’, Valentines Day meant little to me. I can’t remember every having a gift from my spouse, or a special date. I do remember my divorce was final on Valentines Day, for what that was worth. But those are by gone years. Today as grandma I get to watch the world and see how they celebrate.
Or read romantic fantasies of people in love. Which brings me to our book promo that some sweet romance authors and I are offering.
My contribution to this promo is Hoarfrost to Roses. I’ve tried serializing the story because I’m currently writing book 2. But the link in the promo will take you to the digital copy. If you’re interested in seeing my work process on these two books (and more because I really want to make it a series) then here is the link.
Have a happy Valentine’s Day and tell someone you love them in your own sweet way!
1/27/2024 there are right now 71 hours left until the close of this campaign for this special edition exclusive collectors edition of Tales of Wonder. It’s going to be a beautiful book. 304 pages of short stories and illustrations, off set printing, dust jacket with gold foil, hardcover.
I started making videos long before I started doing Kickstarters. They are really quite fun. I used to have premier Pro but the software has huge files and if you aren’t set up for it, your computer will keep freezing on you. It’s like messing with sewing machine needles that keep breaking when you’re trying to make something. Better to get software that is simpler and that will let you do your job with fewer interruptions.
I use Moavai (the paid version). It lets you work with audio as well as video and has a lot of nice features so you can make a professional looking video without scratching your head trying to learn software. (I’m not saying it’s better than Premier Pro. You won’t want to do a feature film with it, but it works for book trailers.)
There are lots of places online you can get video clips for your campaign. Some of them are expensive and charge by the clip, some of them charge a monthly fee, and like Pixabay where I get my music, they have some free video clips to use. Lately I’ve just been using illustrations that I create with Midjourney because I’m a little hard up for cash right now with the swinging door policy we have with our family. But with the right transitions, illustrations work really nicely.
Of course I’m saying all this because I want to show you the video I created for Tales of Wonder last night. And I have a really fun one planned for the Sword of Cho Nisi Kickstarter I have coming up this spring.
What a small and beautiful world this is! And what an opportunity to make new friends.
We have a Facebook Kickstarter swap page where we trade putting each other banners on our updates, newsletters and blog posts and this morning before my eyes were barely open, a gentleman asked if I wanted to swap with him.
Looking at his campaign the first thing I noticed was how much his campaign was not getting the attention it deserves and I thought I should help.
The fact that it has a high cultural theme and the books are printed on washi paper from Japan…and that it has an art theme to it, well yes. I pledged and I’m encouraging you to take a look before it ends. Which is soon.
Are you enchanted by Japan’s ancient traditions?
Do you get excited by Japanese folklore?
Do you crave stories with a blend of fantasy, thrills and romance?
If yes, then Yokai Shadows is for you.
Please do give it a look. He explains the making of the paper, links to videos of his travels, and more.
And I’m pretty excited about this campaign. Just putting it up has inspired me not only to gather all my short stories from years past, but to finish a few new ones. The one I am resolved to finish for the hard cover is The Story of Susan, which is going to be my take on what happened to Susan Penvensie from C.S. Lewis’ Narnia.
Here is a peek at the inside of the saddle stitch and the hardcover. The Guardian is a brand new story inspired by the forest that my husband and I walk in almost every day. It’s a fun little tale.
Ferris Wheel has been a favorite of mine and I think a lot of people have already read it, but with the illustrations and a little edit here and there, this book makes it come to life.
D.L. Fowler does an incredible amount of research when he writes. His novel Lincoln Raw won numerous awards and he followed it up with another historical account of Lincoln.
His next historical fiction novel is again researched and will be launching on Kickstarter for the January Make 100 event. Might I encourage you to follow and pick up this fine novel.
“A novel of triumph over tragedy. A woman of extraordinary resilience overcomes thirty years of debilitating grief to change the course of history. Spread the story of an unsung hero of the American Civil War: Army Nurse Rebecca Pomroy.”
The giveaway links are gone now. I hope you were able to download some books and that you enjoy them. I always love reviews and you can leave them on my eBook website if you choose to.
Have a good next year. May it bring blessings and good fortune to you. Remember. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! Take care.
“Mankind’s science has unraveled obscurities in our world, traveling through outer space as easily as he explores molecules. Yet the ocean is still vague, a pounding mass whose greatness has been unexplored in comparison.””
About the sea. I grew up in southern CA, so I know that fragrance, that cool salty breeze, the bright blue sky with clouds floating over my head. The book I’m reading brings it close to home because in Fathomby Merrie Destefano, Kira, the main character, is 16 and she lives by the ocean.
I was 16 when I lived by the ocean. I miss it, but the memories are strong.
My magic came from the ocean. I didn’t even have to be there to get empowerment. All I had to do was close my eyes and imagine the foamy surf splashing over the oyster beds, and visualize the water gliding gracefully down the beach, leaving imprints of its ripples in the sand.
Many of you gave up last night so you get an extra hint tonight.
We’re back to eBook giveaways, not short stories so that should be an incentive. Find this quote in one of my first chapter and the eBook is yours!
Here is my website. I have all the books on the home page now so that should be easier for you too.
“Layla rolled her eyes. How many times had they tried to corner the wizard named Whomticker? She hated traipsing through bramble bushes, looking for the rascal.“
The extra hint? The name of the book is in the quote.
I guess each one of my stories was, at some point, a treasure box inside of me. The words hadn’t yet been formed, and if they had, they hadn’t been unjumbled into cohesive sentences that eventually would tell a tale. Well, I have another one that wants to be opened, but it’s not time right now simply because of the season, family, life, and reality around me. But I’m looking forward to writing this sequel. I even started.
But as an encouragement to those of you who write…sometimes it takes a long time to begin. Sometimes there are long pauses in between. But it’s there churning in your heart, and this novel might not let you sleep at night until you give it shape. And if it isn’t time…well, you can imagine a gilded box with rubies, topaz, and serpentine sparkling along its seams, the lock which pulsates eagerly for your touch to release it. The longer it stays there, the more robust it becomes.
“Above all, don’t forget about the roses. We worked so hard, you and I, to tend them. Their roots survived the fire. They will bloom again, and you’ll have your own park, this haven will be an oasis for your soul, as it was mine.”
We’re getting quite the collection now so I thought I’d sprinkle in some material that is not available elsewhere. Like last night’s giveaway, this one was offered during one particular Kickstarter last year, and no where else.
This clue isn’t in a first chapter so you might want to look at a category. I want you to see the videos, and that’s why. So please stop to watch. Also, the link is for an eBook that isn’t published but was a reward for one of the first Kickstarters I did. Something special.
For the 16-17th of December, weather where I live is pretty mild this year compared to years in the past. But this is not the deepest part of winter. That happens in January/February. Rain has been dampening the forests here, and though it’s chilly it hasn’t frozen enough for black ice to form on the roads.
Now that you have the weather report for the greater Seattle Area…
…here’s the next sentence you can go look for in my first chapters on my website and enjoy the eBook you’ll get when you click the link.
“It was a wonder that the little community hadn’t become a ghost town.”
Remember, if you find the link, download the book, come back here and leave a comment so I can put you in the drawing for a free paperback to be given away on Christmas day.
Phrase for today:
“As abruptly as the glare had appeared, the light dissolved. Darkness penetrated the woods again, leaving spots in Paddy’s eyes and a hole in his heart. His friend was gone.”
Gosh, only one person found that link for the first giveaway. I’m going to make tonight’s game easy for you. I’ll post the sentences here and you can go to my website and find the link. Once you do, click it and a BookFunnel link will pop up. Click the “get my book” and voila you have a choice of which device you want to send your free eBook to, or if you just want to read the book in your browser. I’ll even give you a picture hint. Good luck. Remember this is only available until tomorrow night.
There are some really pretty publishing campaigns coming up on Kickstarter next year. Follow along to get word when they launch.
Empire of Ruin: Illustrated Special Edition Hardback: Romeo & Juliet meet Norse mythology in this YA fantasy where the world is invaded by mythical beasts, hunting for their lost queen. Currently in Prelaunch. Launch in March 2024.
Whimsical Creatures: an Art Book of fantastic animals with pictures accompanied by a pithy message or poem. In pre-launch for January or possibly later launch. Do you love pictures of dragons, unicorns, and fairies?
And Sword of Cho Nisi’s Special Edition coming in April 2024. With one fleeting mistake her dreams were lost, now she must fight to win them back! A thrilling, adventurous, high-fantasy series with island magic, battles, an enemy to lover romance and a dragon. In pre launch now.
Tomorrow starts the fun and the free eBook giveaway…the one you have to work for. (smiles)
Every day in the morning PST, I’ll be posting a sentence from one of my first chapters on my website. It’s up to you to find which book that first chapter is from. The sentence will be highlighted as a link. Click the link and the downloadable eBook will be yours.
Each link will only be available one day, but you’ll get a chance at another eBook the next day. This goes on for 12 days until Christmas.
I’m looking forward to it. And you can message me here if you need another clue. I encourage that!
Beginning December 13 I’m going to have a little calendar game, counting the days toward Christmas. It’s also a giveaway but you have to work for it.
On my blog here I’ll be giving you a clue on how to find the free eBook. There will be 12 eBooks to give away and you’ll only have 1 day to find the sentence that leads to the BookFunnel link with your book.
I am uploading the first chapter of all my books on my website. Each day one sentence from one of those chapters will be the link to the eBook but you have to figure out where that sentence is. Is it from the first chapter of Dylan, or Ian’s Realm? From Pouraka? Or Cho Nisi?
Anyone who is familiar with the books will have an advantage. And I’m not going to tell which book is the giveaway for that day.
Sound like fun? Don’t worry I will be sending an email blast to all my subscribers lists when the game starts. So if you want to play, join my list!
You can start now by getting to know my first chapters. They aren’t all up yet but they will be by Dec 13. Simply click the link “SHOP ALL” on the menu to see all my books.
Have fun!
Hint, Dylan, The Far Side of Heaven, Thread of a Spider, The Keeper, Pouraka and Hoarfrost to Roses are up. There may be more by the time you see this.
Are you traveling soon? Do you have some work days off for the holidays? You might want to settle in and cozy up with a good book. Here are some that are offered directly by authors so if you’d like to give us a little boost and buy from our websites, please do. I can’t tell you how much it thrills us to get a sale from our own store! Plus it helps us pay the bills
I’m not sure why it always happens like this, but every November my family reminds me of life in the busy forests where squirrels are hurriedly getting their acorns tucked away, where chatter seems to keep the creatures warm from the constantly dropping temperatures, and food gets eaten at a rapid pace. I’m sure it’s the weather, the falling leaves, the cold winds, and the universe telling us to prepare, there’s a long winter ahead.
Funny thing is, the winter is never like this, only the autumn. But we’ll talk about winter when it comes.
Right now my own life is emulating the outside world. I’ve been fulfilling Kickstarter campaigns and running another one, formatting calendars, re editing books, designing new book covers for my series, designing new websites and newsletters, and writing a new story. It’s very difficult juggling all this while babysitting a four year old and helping my children settle in. But some of us run on adrenaline. I guess that’s me. *smile.
The biggest package that I’m hoping to fulfill is the new book, the sequel to Hoarfrost to Roses. It’s a murder mystery and at the moment I have no idea who dunnit. So we’ll all have to read the story to find out.
I did put a subscription tier on one of my new websites in case anyone wants to read it while I work on it. But if I get no readers I will probably take it down and just release the series on Kickstarter. I’m not big on subscriptions if I don’t have an audience. I’ve tried it with Patreon and Ream. I’m finding that paperbacks are what my fans enjoy.
I have a host of in person events here in WA. If you’re in the area, let me know. You’re welcome to comment on my blog posts. I would LOVE it.
Time to cozy up with some lovely and sweet books. You’ll find them on a new promo I’ve joined with some friends. Oh and if you click on The Far Side of Heaven, you’ll find a competitively priced art calendar with image of some of my oil paintings. Everyone needs a 2024 calendar and these are shrink wrapped for gift giving!
I’m not a young person. I’m not the most educated in the world, either. But I do have a strong compassion for the arts. My mother taught me piano and I could read music just like I could read my ABCs. I grew up reading Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe. I treasured classics like the Count of Monte Cristo and The Last of The Mohicans. I spent summers acting in plays.
I painted in oils when I was young and I had sculpture lessons when I was not yet a teen. My first award in art was for a bust I did of a friend when I was only twelve.
I’ve worked with film makers creating short films for book trailers and concept films that screened all over the world.
What I’m saying is, I’ve been a part of every type of art there is and when I step back and look at it as a whole I see how interchangeable they are.
The most beloved written works are musical. The most treasured musical pieces are dramatic.
William Shakespeare used the rhythm of words to pull his viewers in and touch them emotionally. That is what makes his work so legendary. Writers would do well to follow his lead. Why? Because that is what draws us to the words we read. Those are the stories that we remember because we feel them.
It is why actors who have Shakespearean training are so good at what they do.
Why was Peter Jackson’s film Lord of the Rings so successful? Because he had a writer who knew rhythm. And he chose Shakespearean actors who knew how to deliver those lines the way they were written.
Can you hear the rhythm in every line? In every step? It’s music.
If I could give writers a little tip that would improve their stories, it would be to learn how to put rhythm in the words that you write.
“O body swayed to music, O brightening glance,
How can we know the dancer from the dance?”
W. B. Yeats, “Among School Children” from The Poems of W. B. Yeats:
I know a lot of artists. And I’ve seen their studios. No one who paints is without a pile of artwork lying around collecting dust! I know that. We are guilty of hoarding. Not on purpose, mind you, there just isn’t enough walls in the family to hang everything. That’s one reason I stopped working on huge canvases. I love painting large. My dragon is 4 ft by 9 ft. Needless to say he spends most of his life in a cave (just like in the story) face to the wall, in my studio.
I have three long tables my son-in-law built for me out of particle board. Big tables 6 ft long. Under them are, you guessed it, paintings. Portraits, plein air, experiments, what not. Along my other wall are more paintings. These are framed. Some of my favorites. They are lined up against each other with cardboard between them. My studio is an attic so the roof is slanted which makes it difficult to hang things, but I do have some of my favorite framed pieces hanging.
I have seven children. All of them have houses whose walls are lined with paintings. l have literally painted myself in a hole. I pity my poor kids when I’m gone. They’re going to have quite a dilemma trying to figure out what to do with all this stuff.
We won’t mention the cubicle filled with costumes. Not just ratty costumes. Expensive ones that we used for Ian’s Realm and Cassandra’s Castle filming. I can’t figure out what to do with it all. I am sure my heirs won’t either. I paid too much money for them to give them away. But it seems I’m the only dummy who would spend a fortune on period clothing that would sit on a rack for years.
What I’m getting at is, since a lot of my best paintings are no longer with me (they sold, yay), I’ve decided to make a calendar to remember them by and thus distribute my artwork among the poorer crowds (i.e. everyone I know who can’t afford an original…which seems to be everyone I know). We shall let the paintings take their place as furniture under my table and against my walls, and instead plaster their images onto paper whereby we all can count the days passing away before us.
Meet my new Kickstarter material, my calendar. I’ve tossed in my two coloring books and a favorite little Christmas novella The Far Side of Heaven. More about that book another day, another post.
Kaiber, from what I understand, have their own artists that they work with, so this is an ethically acceptable AI program for all the naysayers. But it does really cool things with your images. I’ve been using my own artwork as prompts. Take a look.
This is Erika from Sword of Cho Nisi. The young princess who accidentally kills a king from an island whose magic they need to win the war.
Arell, the son of the slain king who never chose to rule the island, and who must avenge his people for the death of their king.
Barin, Erika’s brother who has his own conflicts at home. His father, the king, lies on his death bed, and evil invades their kingdom with a power so great, his army is no match for it without the help of the islanders.
Kairos, the clumsy wizard who has more responsibility than what he’s capable of and would rather just hide away in his tower with the king’s older daughter.
And Barte, the arrogant young emperor who, desperate to save his pet falcon, is swayed by the evil wizard to claim Barin’s army and work the side of evil.
Just in time for Halloween! All five books in A San Juan Islands Series…and a NEW cookbook with recipes from the story coming to you from Lavender Lass Books.
Lorri Moulton’s books are just as elegant as the lady is herself. And so it’s no surprise that this book series has all the charm and suspense as any mystery of its caliber. Coming from the wonderful San Juan Islands she’s gathered some recipes both magical and delicious.
When the “First Three” women meet, one from Scotland, one from Rhode Island, and one native to this beautiful land, they find they have much more in common than they ever imagined.
In the early 1900s, three women combine their knowledge and heritage to create a new kind of magic in their San Juan Islands home. As they grow to love and depend on one another through marriages, births, loss and hope…so do their abilities to help each other and the people around them.
Their daughters continue the tradition, as do their granddaughters…until one tragic mistake destroys that bond. Will the current generation be able to restore it along with the mansion they’ve inherited?
As these modern-day women discover the truth about their history, they have more questions than answers…but if they work together, nothing will stop them.
Not even the past.
“We chose this project after interacting with our readers on Facebook. They love the story and wanted to experience “this world” in their own homes. While there is a little magic spread throughout the story, the true magic is in the friendships and family re-connections between the characters.
When Gabbi and Moira meet again, they have a lot of history to deal with…and a pitcher of strawberry daiquiris definitely helps them get past their differences. This is our most popular recipe, and we think you’ll enjoy it. “
Check out the funtastic Kickstarters I and a few friends have put together. You’d be amazed at all the beautiful artwork and rewards they have to offer. So much more fun than just buying from Amazon, Kickstarter campaigns put you in touch with the author. They get you your book from the hands of the creators. You can even talk to us on the platform, request things, ask questions, get to know those who wrote the books. If you haven’t started using Kickstarter for your buying experience, give it a whirl. It’s safe, secure and a lot of fun.
When I first started writing Ivar I had just watched episode 4 of Star Wars and I was heart broken for what the Jedi did to that poor little boy. So I had to fashion my anti hero as an Anikan in my story and perhaps shape his future differently. Rather than making him a ruthless stereo-type villain, Ivar has human qualities that melt our hearts.
He had a hard childhood, orphaned at a young age. Raised by scoundrels and pirates, he struggled just to stay alive. Used as a pawn in many circumstances, Ivar was stopped by a golden arrow that changed him in his youth, but only for a time.
In his adolescence, Ivar insisted on pursuing the traditional coming of age quest of the Kaemperns. As he did, he discovered the wickedness of his childhood, and blinded by a magical dagger he once used, fell into its influence and the spell of the wicked queen.
But the crucial turning point of his life came when he stole the magic that belonged to the wizard Silvio and used it to crown himself king of the island of sorceresses. From inside-out this stolen magic acted as poison. Though his innocence still struggled to rise within him, the uncontrollable power of magic overwhelmed him. It did not help that the only woman he loved and depended on rejected him.
Ivar as king of Taikus.
Follow Ivar’s story in the Ian’s Realm Saga throughout all the books. Also known as Daryl when he was a little boy.
Currently on my website, but also the entire series is available on Kickstarter with lots of perks just for pledging!
And it is the launch of a brand new book for me. You who write know that awesome feeling…making your books available to the public. I’ve talked to writers who are afraid, or too shy to release their books and I feel sad for them. Sure there will be some people who don’t like what you wrote. But unless it needs a lot of work, you’ll find a niche, maybe even gather a huge following of fans.
One review can make your day! I got one today from a lady I never met before until she started pledging on my campaigns for Ian’s Realm. She’s stuck with me up until this last book. Maybe it’s boasting but I wanted to share what she wrote. Not because of pride, but to tell you who are too shy to expose your work to the world how thrilling it is to have praise from people who read your books. It’s just tear jerking to me. It’s like I feel I’ve actually touched someone’s soul in a good way. And that’s what I want to do. I want to share the feelings I get when I create characters and give them wondrous experiences that they grow from. It’s hard to explain. Some of you who are writers might know what I’m talking about.
This is what she wrote:
Dianne, I want to thank you for this amazing 7 book journey of Ian’s Realm. Your KickStarter campaigns have been awesome – the books and swag unique and priceless. These books are treasures to me and occupy a “top shelf” front row place in my living room bookshelves. The hard work and dedication to excellence are above and beyond the norm. You are so conscientious in all the designs, artwork, novels and swag you so passionately create. You also take extreme care with every package you mail out. AND, you are so willing to work with your readers to make special custom pledge packages and additions to help us out. This is something not seen enough of. You really care about your readers and you reward us generously. So Dianne I wanted to be sure at least one person recognized you and all the behind the scene activities you do on top of writing amazing books. THANK YOU DIANNE!!! You are a real gem! Have an awesome day. May this Kickstarter be a record setting event that blows all other Kickstarter’s out there in the dust behind it. You’re the best! Thanks for letting me share these Kickstarter events of Ian’s Realm series with you. It’s been a blast!
Check out some other authors who sell from their websites.
Making Believe 