A Year of Adventure, Magic, Betrayal, and War



Friend and fellow author Byron Dunn, the first person to
purchase a copy of Eolyn at the pre-launch party in April 2011

Eolyn's birthday month has at last begun. 

I've been looking forward to this for a very long time; it is an event that inspires so many wonderful memories:  the first time I held the ARC in my hands, bringing the cover art to the finish line in multiple conversations with artist Jesse Smolover and editor Eric T. Reynolds, my first professional review from Publishers Weekly, the enthusiasm of my students and friends during Eolyn's Pre-Launch Party at Avila University, and last but certainly not least, Eolyn's official Launch Party at the Writers Place in Kansas City, Missouri. 




An early concept for a wrap-around cover for Eolyn.
Note Ghemena's cottage in the background, on the left.

Bringing Eolyn to press was a shared journey, involving the enthusiastic support and hard work of many colleagues and friends.  We had people come from as far away as Chicago, Washington DC, the United Kingdom, and Germany to attend the launch itself, along with many many supporters from my home town of Kansas City. 

Some of these folks were involved in various stages of drafting the manuscript, and are mentioned in the acknowledgements section of the novel. But it would be nearly impossible to list everyone who turned out to welcome Eolyn as she stepped into the larger world, so I want to take a moment to say "Thank you!" to all of these people.  You know who you are.  I hope you have enjoyed your year of adventure and magic in the world of Moisehén.  And I'm looking forward to you joining us for the next big party, when we release the companion novel High Maga. 

Traute Koehler and I at the launch party on May 7, 2011

If you, like me, are up for indulging in more than a little nostalgia, please visit the photo albums on my facebook page for Eolyn to see pictures from the pre-launch and launch parties in 2011.

I've been promising a list of activities and special events for Eolyn's birthday bash, so here is the full menu:

Between now and May 7, you can register to win a free signed copy of Eolyn through Goodreads.  You must be a member of Goodreads to register, but if you aren't yet a member, it's easy and free to sign up.

Also on Goodreads, from May 15 to May 31, I'll be hosting a Q&A discussion board.  This is your chance to ask all the questions you like about the novel Eolyn and its companion novel, High Maga.  Please join our group on Goodreads; I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

For a limited time in May, the Kindle edition and the Nook edition of Eolyn will be on sale for just $0.99!  If you haven't already read Eolyn, take advantage of  this great price, and dive into the adventure of the maga's journey today. 



An Eolyn tote bag -- just in time for summer
at the beach! Available from CafePress.

As an extra special treat for Eolyn fans, you can now visit Eolyn on CafePress and order t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs and more featuring the original cover art by Jesse Smolover.

On May 24, Eolyn will be featured at the meet-the-author event High Adventure With Hadley Rille Books.  Ten authors of fantasy and science fiction from around the world will gather at Prospero's Books in Kansas City for an evening of great story telling and lively discussions.  Books will be available for purchase and signing.  Please stop by if you're in the area.

The last weekend of May will be devoted to ConQuest, Kansas City's own science fiction and fantasy convention.  As a little bit of Eolyn trivia, Hadley Rille Books and I signed the contract for Eolyn at ConQuest in 2010.  That was also the con where I had my brush with greatness, having met the iconic fantasy author George RR Martin.  This year at ConQuest, I will participate in panels, signings, book launches with other great Hadley Rille authors.  I'll be posting information about the details as the date approaches. 

Coming up this weekend, I'll be celebrating Eolyn in a very special way, by attending a week-long woman's writing retreat at Virginia Beach.  I'm hoping to make significant progress on High Maga -- perhaps even finishing the manuscript, which I don't think is all that unreasonable a goal, as I am very close to the end.  We will see.  But no matter how far I get on the new novel, it is going to be an amazing experience.  I hope you will visit this blog next week to read all about it. 

In the mean time, enjoy the party and please help yourself to the virtual cake at the back of the room!