Poetry for the Soul by J L Muvlihill

OF DRAGONS AND WIZARDS

 The wizard held his staff up high,

as lightening cracked and sparks fell from the sky.

 

His dark robes billowing in the wind,

his hair wild and white as the beard on his chin.

 

His face weathered and marked by time,

and uttering from his lips he spoke only one line.

 

An ancient verse very few have heard,

but he yelled it with such passion accentuating 

each word.

 

High above a dragon raged and flew with icy speed,

with silvery skin,

enormous wings,

and blazing eyes of green.

 

The wizard cast a spell and sent it flying toward the sky,

the spell hit the dragon in the heart as the monster 

glided by.

 

The dragon screamed and bleated his defiance at this,

as fire spilled from his mouth but the wizard it did miss.

 

Still the lightening cracked and it began to rain,

the dragon filled with rage screamed out in pain.

 

The wizard’s spell cast upon the beast,

had bound it at last and its body fell to the trees.

 

In sorrow the wizard watched as the dragon drew

last breath,

and faded slowly into the slumber and at last into death.

 

His task now completed the last dragon gone but at 

what cost,

no more dragons,

no more wizards,

soon the magic too would be lost.

 

For each one feeds upon the other,

the wizard without the dragon so like love without 

the lover.

 

War no more will the dragon wage,

peace no more will the wizard gauge.

 

A dying breed they both have been,

both to lose no one to win.

 

He turned and walked away head bent to hide
            his sorrow,

no one to see his tears his greatness gone on
            the morrow.

 

No more as a wizard would he stand,

all anyone will see now is a broken old man.

 

So ends the magic of dragons and wizards for only 

legends they be,

memories of them kept alive through songs,

stories,

and reflective poetry.

Jackie Gamber's Reclamation Cover Reveal, eBook Now Available!

Just in time for Christmas! Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the new cover art by Matthew Perry from Jackie Gamber's Reclamation, the exciting conclusion to the Leland Dragon Series! In addition to revealing the cover art and illustrations, we are also pleased to announce that the eBook version of this fantastic YA Fantasy title is now available!

Here's a look at the interior illustrations, also created by Matthew Perry

Now Available on Kindle and Nook for just $3.99! 

Synopsis: The exciting conclusion to the Leland Dragon Series!

Leland Province remains in danger. The sinister Fordon Blackclaw has returned from the shadows to strike at the heart of neighboring Esra, killing its Venur and making clear his intentions to retake what was once his: Mount Gore, seat of the Leland Dragon Council.

All around, the land grows weaker and weaker. Leland, once thought saved by Kallon Redheart, is without purpose, and within its borders, Murk Forest, a place of mystery and danger, has driven its inhabitants to seek aid. Esra is in flames, and the Rage Desert grows. Dragon and human alike struggle to find their way, and the wizard Orman can sense that there may be more at stake than the affairs of dragons.

Hope remains, yet it is not without obstacles. In Esra, Sela, the daughter of Kallon and Riza, found the well, a source of life, and made herself whole again. But her homecoming is not what she had imagined.

Old wounds buried deep must reopen if life is to continue. Dragons, humans, wizards, and shape shifters are all at risk as the peace between dragon and human has finally been broken.

War is here.

The stakes?

Perhaps the whole world.

About Jackie: Jackie grew up in Michigan, communing with trees when she wasn’t writing angsty teen poetry. These days, she still enjoys nature,but does most of her communing from the backseat of an adventure motorcycle in between writing projects.

Jackie still resides in Tennessee with her husband. Her two children are now grown and forging their own paths while Jackie is actively  pursuing crossing items off her bucket list. She has written and directed screen plays, been a professional baker, and beaten a complete RPG video game without the help of her kids.

Visit Jackie and her mosaic mind online
at www.jackiegamber.com

Creating a Literary Franchise-A Visit With Dianne Lynn Gardner

Today we bring you a special holiday weekend visit from Dianne Lynn Gardner, whose Deception Peak, her debut novel, introduced YA Fantasy readers to the Ian's Realm Series. Dianne is also releasing short stories set in the same world as the Ian's Realm series, so we thought it would be fun to explore Dianne's approach to the development of a literary franchise. We hope you enjoy this special author interview!
-Stephen

For those who have not read Deception Peak, give us a little background on the book and the worlds it is set in. 

The series is titled ‘The Ian's Realm Saga’. The first book, ‘Deception Peak’ is a young adult adventure fantasy about a teenager, Ian Wilson, who follows his father through a portal that magically appears on their computer screen. They travel into a deceptively beautiful Realm, where horses run free, the wind sings prophetic melodies, and their computer avatars come to life.

But when father and son are separated, Ian is abducted by a tribe of dragon worshipers and is forced to find his courage. As he struggles for his freedom and embarks on a perilous search to find his father, Ian meets the true peacekeepers of the Realm. It's then that he learns he has a greater purpose for being there.”

The Realm itself is pristine countryside. Colorful forests, vast prairies, a turquoise blue ocean and a foreboding mountain range that reaches far to the east, hinting at lands beyond. We only see a section of the Realm in the Trilogy (Deception Peak, The Dragon Shield, and Rubies and Robbers) but there is more of the world to explore in the series such as the Island of Taikus where wizards and sorceresses battle for power, Alisubbo, the technologically advanced kingdom of man, and the legends of a people that live north of the fjords.

Ian and his father Alex Wilson stumble into the Realm through their computer. But they aren't the first from our world who have arrived.

Did you originally envision writing a series, or was that something that evolved as you conceived of the story?

It evolved. The first book I wrote wasn't Deception Peak. It was actually The Dragon Shield. But being a new author, I had many professionals look at my story and one editor had so many questions about the world and what Ian was doing there, that I knew I had to write the prequel first, and that's how Deception Peak came to be. When I designed that book, I outlined a three book story arc hence creating the Trilogy.

How many books are planned in the Ian’s Realm Series?

I'm not sure. I have two other novels drafted after the Trilogy (which by the way are already written). It seems like I could go on forever because there are new characters showing themselves constantly, and their stories beg to be told. I keep thinking I need to write the grand finale after Cassandra's Castle, but it might not happen that way. The more book six unravels in my mind, the more I'm seeing another series arc developing.

When did the idea of short stories associated with the worlds of your series happen?

After I wrote Cassandra's Castle and began editing Deception Peak, I realized so much of the magic of the Realm had yet to be explained.--neither had the culture and the religion been illustrated. Those elements are very important influences in the characters and events in the Realm. The Tale of the Four Wizards are four short stories that package the 'why' questions that readers will, and should have. And since I've finished writing those shorts already, I've been able to add some additional gems in The Dragon Shield and Rubies and Robbers that weaves the stories even tighter together.

Are the various short stories stand-alones or are they connected?

You can read them as stand alones. They make nice little 'legends' as they have a folk-lore feel to them. But the stories are about four wizards who leave their homeland together in a little skiff. Fate separates them. So it seems natural that as we follow Silvio, we would question what happens to the others. Each story tells the tale of one of the wizards and the part that he plays in the history of the Realm. I think you'll lose some of the meaning if you don't read the whole series.

Tell us a little about the first short stories and a few ways in which they relate to the novel series?

The Tale of the Four Wizards is subtitled Patriarchs of the Realm. Here is the initial event:

On the island of Taikus the Sorceress Queen Hacatine overthrows the reign of the wizards. She robs its inhabitants of their power, harvesting magic from every source. Her goal? To defeat the Winds of the North and conquer the land of men. With only four more young wizards from which to draw power, Hacatine nears her goal of supremacy.

Silvio, Meneka, Kaempie and Reuben flee in the dark of night to escape the witch queen. When fate leaves the youngest of the wizards, Silvio, alone, and as a decoy, he has to either outrun the queen, or out-smart her.

Without giving you too many spoilers, Silvio ends up gaining much wisdom, though he pays a painful price. He is a crucial character in both The Diary of a Conjurer (book 4), and Cassandra's Castle (book 5). Some of my beta readers tell me he is their favorite character.


What lies ahead on the release schedule for both the series and the short stories?

The Four Wizard short stories will come out one by one as eBooks once a month until February. The Dragon Shield is scheduled to be released mid-February. We're talking about releasing Rubies and Robbers in possibly April. Sometime between the two novels we'll be releasing an anthology of the Tale of the Four Wizards for print. The Diary of a Conjurer and Cassandra's Castle are still waiting release dates.


What are the primary differences or challenges that you find in writing a novel versus a short story?

Actually I didn't think, after having written five novels that I'd be able to write a short story. But now that I have, I found it's really fun! Novels are of course harder and more time consuming. Outlining and character arcing are crucial but they also remind me of putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. Only you not only get to piece them together, but you get to build the pieces.

Short stories are a step past the outline. Voice is really important in a short story. You character has to have character from the very beginning.

Is there anything you’ve discovered as a result of doing short stories associated with the novels? Have they lead to a broader development of your worlds?

Most definitely. They've helped me to understand the Realm better, and to realize how people's habits and cultures form simply through their beliefs systems. Knowing the origin of their cultures, I can better understand the conflicts and tensions that are rumbling under the surface.


You have created short stories based in your worlds, so what are your thoughts of basing other full series of novels in your worlds?

I know I'll be writing more novels and more short stories about the Realm. A short story can tell a lot about individuals as well as cultures and there are some individuals that have emerged that need their stories told. I think taking these kind of details and elaborating on them really enriches the series. I'm discovering things I didn't know! As far as novels go, we haven't seen the last. There are lands unexplored, and people needing to grow up. And even after five novels, there is still a conflict that has yet to be resolved.


Give us some links where readers can find your work and connect with you.

I want to first introduce everyone to my blog. I do progress reports of both my writing and illustrating. I do research reports with photos I've done a page on the filming of the trailer, how to build a yurt, I've introduced the models I use for the illustrations, and any other colorful thing I can think to put on there. Plus I keep my followers up to date on launch dates, book signings, tours and interviews. So if you want to know what's going on in the Realm, that's the grand central station!

Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon Author Page

Goodreads

Deception Peak Paperback

Deception Peak Kindle

Sylvio Kindle

Blogger Spotlight: Reading Away the Days

Today we are heading overseas, at least for me, to visit our latest guest star for the SSP Blogger Spotlight!  Reading Away the Days is the creation of Megan McDade, a dedicated and wonderful blogger from Northern Ireland in the UK.  Megan is pretty familiar with the SSP world, having featured several of the authors on her site, but hopefully this spotlight will get you more familiar with her and Reading Away the Days!
-Stephen

Blogger Spotlight #9:


Tell us a little about yourself, and your background.

A little about me.. My name is Megan, 23 years old (24 next week!) J , redhead, food alcoholic and all around geek! *high 5 for geeks* I love learning so went to college for four years and studied Childcare, Health & Social Care and Sociology. I am the girl who loved getting an assignment in school to complete and headed to the library straight away to start it! I live in Northern Ireland, a part of the UK. Would love to travel- top destinations- USA, Canada, Australia and Africa. I am a massive TV and movie addict- top programmes- Glee, The Walking Dead and Doctor Who! Oh, I almost forgot, a total book addict! :)


What kinds of books do you like to read for pleasure? Any favourites?

I read so many YA books and I love them but I have a soft spot for reading adult fiction books set during the World Wars from authors such as Annie Groves. But my favourite books are mostly paranormal series’ such as the Sookie Stackhouse series, Angel Trilogy by LA. Weatherly and The Childe Series by CA Kunz and not forgetting The Twilight Saga!


When did you start your blog, and what motivated you to do it?

I started my blog, Reading Away The Days, on the 2nd March 2011. I remember this dare because I started the blog on my best friends birthday J So I have been in the blog world for just over a year and half and have just hit my 1000th follower, which I am so happy about! What motivated me to start blogging was seeing the great book blogs out there. I discovered blogging in 2010 and just followed blogs that interested me, mostly book blogs and then decided to take the plunge myself and I haven’t looked back!

How did you come up with the name for your site? Is there a story behind it?

I have to admit I didn’t come up with the name of my blog, my sister did, a fellow blogger @ http://readinglittlebitofeverything.blogspot.co.uk/ . I just couldn’t think of a name and was coming up with such random ones and when my sister said how about Reading Away The Days and I thought it was just PERFECT!


What kinds of genres do you cover on your site?

On Reading Away The Days I cover mostly YA in all genres. I really love YA, there is just something about it that grabs me and keeps me hooked. I would say my favourite genre is YA paranormal romance and I like reading adult paranormal romance as well. I also really like books that I call “end of the world” fiction books. Books that where society is in trouble and humanity has been near wiped out due to catastrophic events. I tend to feature these book as well as the paranormal ones.

What kinds of regular features do you have on your site?

I have a regular feature on my blog every Friday where I introduce a new/upcoming YA Author. In this feature I tend to feature a lot of Indie authors which I love doing. To be part of the feature you just have to be an YA author with a book recently debuted or have a debut book upcoming. I love doing book cover reveals and really want to start making this a regular feature along with a few new ideas I am working on in the new year!

What is the hardest thing about being a blogger?

The hardest thing about blogging… blogging is hard work, it takes time and dedication. BUT I wouldn’t change it for the world. If I could do it as a full time job I would be in my element. It make me happy to promote fantastic authors and to share their work. But one thing I hate having to do is to turn authors away but I have learned that if you say yes to everyone you won’t be able to fulfil what you said you would and I feel bad if I can’t review a certain book. I have learned to say no and try and recommend someone who might be able to help them.

What are your favourite things about being a blogger?

I love everything about being a blogger. Not just a blogger but a book blogger! I love chatting to other bloggers, authors and publishers. I just love being in the whole book world!


If you could give a piece of advice or two to authors looking to work with a blog site, what would you say?

My advice for authors when working with a blog site is RESPECT! This sounds like a simple thing that you shouldn’t need to ask for. It goes for the both the blogger and the author to respect each other and sadly sometimes this doesn’t happen. I have come across some authors who are very pushy and try to direct your review toward what they want you to say about it which I think is wrong. But I have to emphasize this is rare. I think you just need to remember that the book is like the authors baby and they have put so much work in to it and they may get a little overprotected about the book and want everyone to like it but what I say is, every book written is great, it just isn’t for everyone! So respecting and trusting the blogger to give a review that is respectful is something that is needed.

Any last thoughts or things you might want to say to readers who are finding out about your blog for the first time?

I just want to thank Seventh Star Press, especially Stephen Zimmer and C.C. James, you are all great and I thank you for always asking me to take part in Seventh Star Press book happenings. If your visiting my site for the first time I just want to say thank you and I hope you like what you see!

Connect with Megan and Reading Away the Days at the following:

http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Teamwolf1988

Timely Note! Be sure to visit Reading Away the Days on Tuesday the 29th October to celebrate Megan turning 24 on the 30th!  A big birthday giveaway is happenign!  There will be 24 prize packs to 24 winners and it is International. Megan is also taking bookings for blog tour’s for YA authors that I organize for FREE for 2013 slots!

Small Business Saturday-New Books Available!

Today is Small Business Saturday in the United States, a day in which shoppers are encouraged to support the independent, more localized business. A small press definitely falls under the category of a small business, so we hope you will give our titles a look today, whether you pick up an eBook on Kindle or Nook, order a softcover on Amazon.com, or pick up something from our own online store.

We have two brand new releases available now in Kindle, Nook, and softcover. The pricing on our eBooks, as always, is just $2.99.

If you like urban fantasy, we have Angelkiller, Book One of the Angelkiller Triad, from H. David Blalock.

Kindle Link for Angelkiller

If you like fantasy, we have The Fall of Dorkhun, from D.A. Adams, the latest in his Brotherhood of Dwarves series.

Kindle Link for The Fall of Dorkhun

Both books feature some outstanding interior artwork, Angelkiller's was done by Matthew Perry and The Fall of Dorkhun's was done by Bonnie Wasson.


Give one of our titles a look today as one of your gift purchases.

Like YA Fantasy? Try Jackie Gamber's Redheart
Like Sword and Sorcery? Try Steven Shrewsbury's Thrall
Like epic fantasy? Try Stephen Zimmer's Fires in Eden Series (Crown of Vengeance, Dream of Legends)
Like horror? Try Michael West's Cinema of Shadows
Want to try epic-scale urban fantasy? Try Stephen Zimmer's Rising Dawn Saga (The Exodus Gate, The Storm Guardians, and The Seventh Throne)


Every one of them can be found in softcover, Kindle, Nook, on the iBookstore, and at other eReader vendors. A few still have some limited edition hardcovers left at the Seventh Star Press online store

We hope you will participate in Small Business Saturday, and pick up a nice gift from Seventh Star Press!