Plans and Projects

Some exciting news that extends beyond our HIGH MAGA countdown.

As some of you may know, our interdisciplinary studies course, Ecology through the Writer's Lens, did not make enrollment this spring. I suspect the competition was a little two stiff (we had three other equally fantastic travel courses offered at our tiny university) and the price a little too steep. 

So, Dr. Amy Milakovic and I have reimagined the course and will be offering it again for fall semester.  This time, our focal ecosystem will be PRAIRIE. As part of the course, we will visit the Konza Prairie in western Kansas, a long-term ecological research site and a world-class conservation center. I have been reading Prairie: A Natural History by Candace Savage, and I am getting very exciting for this new adventure!  Prairie is a magnificent ecosystem in so many ways, but little understood and invariably under appreciated. 

Here's the new video we've put together about the course:



In recent weeks, I've also, after much deliberation, decided to accept a position as co-coordinator for the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) Program.  I have been involved with this program, in one capacity or another, since 2006, and have talked about it often on the blog. 

I was a little nervous about accepting the co-coordinator position, as it involves a lot more responsibility -- certainly a different level of responsibility -- compared to being a research mentor, which has been my focus of activities for about eight years now. I suspect I will not be doing much writing in Las Cruces this summer, but the rewards of assuming this new role will almost certainly compensate for that.  I met the new coordinator, Barbara Dugelby, at the NAPIRE workshop last January.  She is deeply committed to the program, wonderfully organized, and very clear in her communication. I think she's going to be a joy to work with.

All this to say:  We are going to Costa Rica this summer!!  Stay tuned because as those of you who follow me know, this means weekly posts about fantastic adventures in one of the most beautiful places I know. 

If you are unfamiliar with NAPIRE, check out this information video produced by the Organization for Tropical Studies:




Last but not least, some of you may have noticed that the word count for Daughter of Aithne has frozen up during the last couple of months.  Don't worry!  I am still making progress, though it has been harder with the onset of Eric's illness and the launch of High Maga just around the corner.  But I have been working hard, whenever I can, on a revision and rewrite of the first 70,000 words. This is why the word count has not changed, though the novel is moving forward. I am very pleased with what I've been able to do, and glad I've taken the time to go back and tie up some loose ends before continuing. 

The Goodreads giveaway for Eolyn ended this morning at 12am.  The winners will be contacted shortly to arrange sending out their free signed copies.  Congratulations to all of you!

I have a second giveaway planned for High Maga this month.  As soon as Goodreads approves it, the giveaway will go live.  Four signed copies are up for grabs, so make sure to get your name on the list. Good luck!

On Friday, we continue our countdown to release day with an introduction to two more members of Eolyn's coven: the young magas Ghemena and Mariel. 

Have a great week!

Vagancias

"Vagancias" is the word in Costa Rican Spanish for the little things we do out of sheer self-indulgence.

You know you enjoy your job when the best parts of your work feel like vagancias. Here are two vagancias I indulged in this week:

Cover Design for HIGH MAGA

For me, the biggest act of self-indulgence on the way to publication is cover design. 

Friends and followers of Eolyn, we are sooooo very close to having the cover art finished!  I wish I could share with you every delightful piece that Thomas Vandenberg has sent my way over the past several days, but we're just going to have to wait a little longer. Because no matter how fantastic the images so far, Tom still wants to do more.

On Heroines of Fantasy this week, Terri-Lynne DeFino posted a wonderful reflection about the face of women in fantasy.  Quite coincidentally, just before this post went live, Tom sent me his rendition of Eolyn.  The cover for High Maga will allow us to see her face, and folks she is beautiful. Fierce. Strong. Determined. Most of all, real. Everything you want in a heroine and a maga. (And with no need for any bikini armor.)

I'd love to show you a cover preview with Eolyn's face, but my mother always told me to leave the dessert for last.  So here's another appetizer:

In case you're wondering, that's the clawed forelimb of a Naether Demon, creatures summoned from the Underworld to assist the Syrnte army in their invasion of Moisehén.

I confess, all my attempts at secrecy may soon come to naught, as High Maga might get some special and unanticipated exposure in the coming weeks.  If that happens, you'll be sure to hear about it.  If not, stay tuned for more previews, and several weeks down the road, a full and proper cover reveal. 

Promo Video for Ecology Through the Writer's Lens

My second vagancia was for my day job at Avila University.  As some of you may remember, we are planning a travel course next spring that will integrate literary and scientific modes of understanding the forest.  We have everything set to go; now we just need the students.  Yesterday, I sat down with Windows Movie Maker and put together this simple video as a way of spreading the word about the course.  It gets me excited about going back to Costa Rica; I hope it gets my students excited, too!





Those were my vagancias this week.  What were yours?