It’s not often somebody combines a decent game app, a very clever marketing campaign, and a brilliant little film– though people try often enough. This is one great little video, but what really makes it is Fiona Apple’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of Pure Imagination– one of my all time favorite songs. Check it out.
The life of a superhero is tough. All American Girl fights supervillains, alien invaders, and terrorists as she tries to get product endorsements and a magazine deal. That’s nothing compared to her private life though. She’s only just broken up with her super boyfriend Perihelion when he’s scooped up by Omega Woman, and now rival Skygirl has moved into her territory.
Women of Power is a superhero adventure and you can pick your copy up at Smashwords free all during the month of September if you use the coupon codeCG55A at checkout. Follow this link to Smashwords.
Transported to the artificial world of Ecos, Earth man Alexander Ashton struggles to understand the society of his new friends the Amatharians. As he does so, he finds himself falling in love with their princess and being thrust into a millennium-long war with their mortal foes the reptilian Zoasians. Princess of Amathar is a sword-swinging novel of high adventure.
Find Princess of Amathar wherever fine ebooks are sold, or follow this link to Kobo Ebooks.
Rabbits Under the Fence: A novel by Ebrahim Detsky, Rabbits Under the Fence tells the story of Arba, an orphan who is sold as slave labor on a massive rabbit farm in Mirsanna.
Red Heart: A novel by Isaak Wissinger.
Ragone, Raphael: A modern Mirsannan writer.
Rall, Giridhara: A modern Mirsannan writer.
Ravendeep: A notorious prison in the Old City of Brech, Ravendeep is built on twenty levels below ground.
Red Dragon Hunter: The book by wizard Phirun Lovell, recounting the death of the dragon Abberixiz.
Redgepool: A large port city in Regencia, Redgepool is home to Brechalon’s largest fishing fleet.
Red Sashes: A terrorist organization based in Enclep, they are violently opposed to outside influence and frequently allie themselves with local cults, such as that of the ape god Guma.
Regencia: One of 66 regional divisions in Greater Brechalon, the Duchy of Regencia is located in the northwest corner of the island of Brechalon. Regencia is the home of the University Ponte-a-Verne.
Reine Zauberei: Die Wahre Kunst von Zauberei is a cabal of Freedonian wizards who gained control over much of Freedonian society. They believe in the domination of wizardry over sorcery and Freedonians over all other races and ethnicities. They practiced racial puification and ethnic cleansing, up to and inclucing genocide.
Resnick, Geert: A popular Brech writer of books for children, Geert Resnick is best known for his book The Magic Whale.
Restuary: Resturary is the first month of the year under the modern reformed calendar. Like all the other months except Hamonth, it has 30 days. Traditionally, Restuary is a time of rest.
Result Mechanism: A steam-powered, clock-work computer designed and built by Professor Merced Calliere and programmed by Egeria Lusk, the Result Mechanism was used to design the layout of Port Dechantagne. It was later used by both Wizard Suvir Kesi and Calliere to craft magic spells.
Revenge: A novel by Kasia Garstone, Revenge is the story of an apprentice Wizard and illuminates the control of magic by the Brech War Ministry.
Rex and Stern: Brech manufacturers of firearms, Rex and Stern are most famous for their line of .44 caliber pistols produced in the mid-1800s. Later models have included .45 caliber and .38 caliber revolvers.
Rickshaw: A is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons. Rickshaws are commonly made with bamboo. Rickshaws were in wide use in Enclep, and were imported to Birmisia for use by the aboriginal lizardmen.
Rivenholz: A town in central Freedonia, Rivenholz is about 40 miles from Magdafeld.
Riverton: Riverton is a small settlement east of Port Dechantagne in Birmisia Colony. Fewer than fifty individuals live in Riverton which sits on the banks of the Manzanian River.
Roger’s Pie: Roger’s Pies are a variety of simple but tasty meat pies available throughout Greater Brechalon. The main ingredients of Roger’s Pies are beef and turnips, but pork with carrots and peas are popular as well.
Royal Geographic Society: The Royal Geographic Society is a distinguished Brech learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences. Today, it is a world center for geography: supporting research, education, expeditions and fieldwork, and promoting public engagement and informed understanding of the world’s races, places and environments.
Royal Geographic Society Journal: A publication of the Royal Geographic Society, the Journal is published monthly.
Rueter, Liana: A popular Freedonian religious writer.
Rugby: Rugby is a football came common in Greater Brechalon. In Brechalon, rugby is widely regarded as an “establishment” sport, played mostly by members of the upper and middle classes. For example, many students at public schools and grammar schools play rugby.
Rundak: The Rundak were tribesmen who migrated north from central Sumir. The destroyed the civilizations of Mershona and Latyum. Those lands remained essentially a barbarian wasteland until conquered by Magnus the Great.
Rundaria: The land of the Rundak became Rundaria after the death of Magnus the Great. Rundaria encompassed all of modern Freedonia, Greater Brechalon, and half of modern Mirsanna. Rundaria converted to Kafirism in year 88.
Rivven: About -2050, in the heart of central Sumir, a new culture took shape, copying the ancient monuments of Akkas. Creating a theocracy worshipping the gods of nature, Rivven became a land of unique and beautiful cities. About -1800, the priests were overthrown by a warrior class and eventually the cities were abandoned.
Palace Eidenia: The Palace Eidenia is a beautiful royal residence just north of Saint Admeta Park in Brech City. It is the traditional home of the Princess Royal. It was the home of Princess Aarya (the younger sister of King Tybalt III) from 1881 to her death1886. Since that time, it has remained empty.
Pale Sun: A book by Geert Resnick, Pale Sun is far less popular than his other book—The Magic Whale. Though a children’s book, it was banned in Freedonia for allegedly anti-Freedonian political ideas.
Paralatitan: One of the largest creatures in Birmisia, the paralatitan weighs up to 60 tons. It is a long-necked long-tailed creature that feeds of the immense redwoods. It can be found both near the coast and deeper inland.
Parksosaurus: A small bipedal herbivorous dinosaur found in Birmisia, the parksosaurus stands about two and a half feet tall and is about ten feet long. Though not believed to be related, they strongly resemble the much larger iguanodons.
Parnorsham’s Pfennig Store: For some time, Parnorsham’s Pfennig Store was the only retail outlet in Birmisia. Like similar pfennig stores throughout the empire of Greater Brechalon, Parnorshams carries notions, stationary, toys, small hardware, small sports equipment, and some canned and packaged foods. Originally founded by Herbert Parnorsham, the business was passed to his nephew Oswald Delks upon his retirement.
Patrylla, Augustus: A modern Brech author.
Parvis, Cathal: A contemporary Brech author, Cathal Parvis is best known for light-hearted stories with simple morals.
Pavir: Pavir was a successor state to Magnus’s Empire of the Zur. Originally covering most of central Sumir, about 500, Pavir split into Upper and Lower Pavir. By 1081, Upper Pavir had become the Kingdoms of Sapira and Esseria. In 1864, Lower Pavir (now known simply as Pavir) joined with neighbor Oster to become Pavir-Oster. Porcelain from the early period of Pavir (500-700) is highly sought-after and expensive.
Pentuary: Pentuary is the fifth month of the modern reformed calendar. Like all the months except Hamonth, it has 30 days.
Perfico: Established in 1460, as the capital of the Kingdom of Rivven, Perfico is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Under the rule of Akkas-Miza since the early 1800s, Perfico continues to be a center of trade and culture.
Petitt Elvert: An island in the channel between Brechalon and Mirsanna, Petitt Elvert has long been claimed by both countries, and emigrants from both countries have settled there. Brechalon has controlled the island and the waters around it for more than 200 years, and Mirsanna has never really had the island in its possession.
Pfennig, Brech: The Pfennig is a unit of Brech money equal to 1/100 mark. In modern Brechalon, coins are minted in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 pfennigs, as well as a mark coin and a gold decimark. The modern 1 pfennig coin features an image of King Tybalt on the obverse.
Pilgrimage into Danger: An alegorical novel by Delia Hume in which animal characters representing various parts of the human soul must navigate the dangers which metaphorically represent growth and maturity.
Pith Helmet: The pith helmet (also known as the safari helmet or sun helmet) is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of cork or pith. Designed to shade the wearer’s head and face from the sun, pith helmets were often worn by Brechs and Freedonians in the tropics, but have also been used in other contexts.
Plagues in Brick Towers: A novel by Samson Whitney
Polacanthus: The Polacanthus is a dinosaur common to the much of Birmisia. They grow grow to between 12 to 15 feet in length. The polacanthus is quadrupedal, and about four feet high at the shoulder. They are heavily-built with pointy spines poking out at forty five degree angles right and left from the top of their neck to their mid-back for protection, and an armored rear hip.
Ponte-a-Verne: A small town in the Duchy of Regencia and home to the University of the same name.
Ponte-a-Verne, University of: The University of Ponte-a-Verne, located in the Duchy of Regencia, is one of Greater Brechalon’s most prestigious universities. It is well known for its research department. Professor Merced Calliere was a tenured teacher at Ponte-a-Verne prior to his move to Birmisia.
Portrait of Kafira Kristos: A book about the life of Kafira Kristos by medieval writer Kenitra Madoff.
Potatoes Kasselburg: Named for the city in western Freedonia, Potatoes Kasselburg is a spicy dish of potatoes baked in a cream sauce with onions and pepper.
Potter’s Field: The location just outside of Brech City proper where the poor and unknown are buried.
Prayerful Readings: A book of religious poems and essays by medieveal writer Kenitra Madoff.
Prescott Agency, The: The Prescott Agency is located on Avenue Boar in Brech City. They supply servants of aristocratic Brech families including the Dechantagnes.
Priest: The primary clerical position in the Church of Kafira, priests often have potent magic that is used to heal or defend their flocks.
Prime Minister, Brech: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Greater Brechalon is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in the Brech parliamentary system. The Prime Minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government, subject only to the approval of the King. The prime minister is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet. It is the duty of the Prime Minister to execute the directives of the King, who is the head of state.
Prince Clitus Avenue: A secondary street in Brech City, Prince Clitus Avenue is south of Hexagon Park, perpendicular to Prince Tybalt Boulevard. It is home to small shops and three and four story apartment buildings. Zurfina makes a home on Prince Clitus Avenue prior to leaving Brech City for Birmisia, by taking over an abandoned storefront.
Prince Tybalt Boulevard: A Major Street in Brech City, Prince Tybalt Boulevard runs north and south along the western edge of Hexagon park, perpendicular to Avenue Phoenix. Zurfina had lodgings on Prince Tybalt Boulevard prior to her imprisonment at Schwarztogrube.
Prince Tybalt Chair: A stylish wooden chair with a cushioned seat and back, the Prince Tybalt Chair was originally designed durning the reign of King Tybalt I, and was named for his son, who would go on to be King Tybalt II.
Prince Tybalt’s Scepter: A book by Orion Weevoc.
Princess Aarya Boulevard Station: The main train station in Brech City, Princess Aarya Boulevard City Station sees trains from all over Brechalon arriving daily. Four blocks north of the Great Plaza, Marcourt Station is sometimes simply referred to a “the great station.” It appears from its front façade to be a large two story building, but stretches out hundreds of yards from the street.
Privilege and Sacrifice: A long novel by Kasia Garstone, Privilege and Sacrifice tells the story of several generations of an aristocratic Brech family and the servents who live among them.
Profanity: Profanity is a subset of language that includes references that are crude or blasphemous. Much of the profanity of Greater Brechalon focuses on Kafira Kristos. It includes “Kafira” or “Kafira Kristos” used as an expletive, “Kafira damn it,” “Kafira’s tit,” and perhaps the wost epithet “Kafira’s bloody twat.”
Prudence Plus: Prudence Plus is the largest manufacturer of ladies’ undergarments in the United Kingdom of Greater Brechalon. One of their top selling items is the Fairy Bust Form Corset.
Pursuit of Perfection, The: The most popular novel by Dillan Westmacott.
Quaduary: Quaduary is the fourth month of the modern reformed calendar. Like all the months except Hamonth, it has 30 days. Quaduary 1st is Senta Bly’s birthday.
Quality of Damiano, The: A novel by Abban Keiman, The Quality of Damiano is one of the most quoted books in the Brech language.
Quasit: A quasit is a small demonic creature used by wizards and sorcerors to spy on others or run errands. They are usually kept stored in a state of torpor inside glass jars when not in use.
Queen of Expy, S.S.: A brech freighter, one of the larger ships on the seas.
The Queen of Expy is named for the isle of Expy just north of Brechalon, which contrary to what one might expect, has no queen.
Quinn, Dorrit: A popular Brech writer who chronicles modern life in Brechalon.
Well, it’s that time of year. As you read this, I am at “Back to School Day,” welcoming parents and students to Junior High School. I still have a few days off left, but it’s right here– the end of the summer.
This is my 20th year teaching and it will be an interesting, no doubt trying year. I can honestly say that at the end of every summer, I’ve both dreaded and looked-forward to going back to work. Until this year. Not really looking forward to it. Still, it’s a job with really high highs and really low lows, so at least there is that anticipate.
I didn’t get as much written as I wanted to this summer, but I got enough written that I don’t hate myself. I’m going to try and keep to my writing schedule as much as possible (and my new exercise schedule too, which is going really well) for the rest of the year. I should have Love and the Darkness finished any time now, and then it’s back to work on 82 Eridani.
The Young Sorceress is now 25% off at the Smashwords Summer/Winter Promotion. Use Coupon Code SSW25 at the checkout.
Everyone in Port Dechantagne seems to have an agenda of their own, from mysterious sorceress Zurfina, to agents from the enemy nation of Freedonia, to the kings and witchdoctors of the mysterious lizardmen. On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, sorceress’s apprentice Senta finds herself being pulled first one way and then the other. Will she actually have to split herself into four in order to deal with all her responsibilities?
In this, book 4 in the Senta and the Steel Dragon series, the young sorceress finds herself at a turning point, as she has to step up and fill in for her mistress, the mysterious Zurfina. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Zaeri writer Isaak Wissinger must escape the coming genocide in Freedonia, and ship-wrecked sailor Kieran Baxter must survive alone on a deserted island. What connection do they have the the Drache Girl and her country of Birmisia?
It’s always fun to imagine your book as a movie. Who might play the characters in Blood Trade? Here are my choices:
Gina Carano as Xochitl McKenna
Few actresses can pull off MMA fighter and stripper, so there you go.
Keanu Reeves as Dominic Zielinski
Channing Tatum as Lance Rizzello
If you’ve seen the fight scene between Channing Tatum and Gina Carano at the beginning of Haywire, you can see the kind of action scenes possible with those two.
Saoirse Ronan as Novelyne Cavendish
She’s pretty, slight, Irish– perfect.
Steve Buscemi as Lawrence Rothwell
I wasn’t thinking about any of these people when I wrote the book. Sometimes I do picture a person as I write, but not in this case. I think though, that of all my stories, this one is easiest to cast. These actors could really do a great job with this story– given a great director. Joss Whedon, right?
Just another reminder that Smashwords is having their yearly promotion, featuring literally thousands of books at great savings. From now until 7-31-13, you can find all kinds of gems. Plus you can pick up some great deals on my books.
You can pick up Astrid Maxxim and her Amazing Hoverbike at 100% off– Free. Use Coupon Code: SW100.
Blood Trade and Princess of Amathar are 50% off– just $1.50. Use Coupon Code: SSW50.
The Voyage of the Minotaur, The Dark and Forbidding Land, and The Drache Girl are all 50% off– just $1.50 each. Use Coupon Code: SSW50.
The Young Sorceress, The Two Dragons, and the Many Adventures of Eaglethorpe Buxton are on sale 25% off– just $2.24 each. Use Coupon Code: SSW25.
Follow this link to Smashwords, or follow the individual links on the book page.
Copyrights are important. I really believe that. But it sort of bit me in the butt today. I ordered poster prints of some of my book covers to be printed at Walmart. I went to pick them up and was told I couldn’t because I needed copyright paperwork for them.
Now, I don’t mind that Walmart is playing copyright cop. Like I said copyrights are important. All the art I use in my book covers is purchased legally (or I hired out the work to someone I know followed all legal requirements). It took me only a couple of minutes to get the paperwork together once I was back home. Then I had to take it down there to be photocopied, and return home with my pictures. The problem is that I had to make an extra trip in what is today 117 degree (F) heat. I don’t know what that is Celsius, but it’s pretty damn hot.
They had my phone number with my order. How about a heads up that I needed to bring paperwork with me so that I didn’t freaking melt in my car! After all, they didn’t ask me for any paperwork the last three times I was in to do the same thing. Well, after all, I do have to say that Walmart did a good job with my prints, so all’s well that ends well. But I’ve been home over an hour now, and I’m still sweating up a storm!
City of Amathar 