Say Hello To My Little…Forge Over four years ago, I wrote about the possibility of us buying our next-door neighbor’s home and the little shed that came with it. It was a long-time dream of ours to turn that shed into a little office for me. A writer’s hut. That dream is coming true. The little building was once a well-house, but has been used as a garden shed for decades. (I wish I could locate … [Read more...] about This Smith Has a Forge: My Writing Hut Is Ready
Books and Stories
Black Star On The Radio: Fireballs, Fables, and Allies in Imagination
World Magazine's Emily Whitten (also of Redeemed Reader fame) interviewed Zach Franzen, Andrew Peterson, Randall Goodgame (Slugs & Bugs), and myself for a spot on World Radio's "The World and Everything In It." It features an intro to The Black Star of Kingston, a bit about Inkwell, and way too much credit to me as a leader. Also, I sound like I had been smoking, but I had just been (shocker) … [Read more...] about Black Star On The Radio: Fireballs, Fables, and Allies in Imagination
A Cathedral of Words: A Small Reflection on the Circe Conference
I went to a conference and felt small. I felt poor. And I was both glad and grateful. In fact, it was one of the best conferences I’ve ever been to on a number of levels. I left feeling profoundly encouraged. It was the Circe National Conference in Charleston, SC. I was there sharing my books, and listening to sessions led by brilliant men and women. The conference was loaded with people involved … [Read more...] about A Cathedral of Words: A Small Reflection on the Circe Conference
It’s Black Star Release Day and I Need Your Help! (And You Might Win a T-Shirt & More)
Note: This post is from 2015. Not a current giveaway. Sorry! -- The day is finally here! My second novel, a short prequel to The Green Ember, is out today. The Black Star of Kingston is available to ship right now! I have three quick favors to ask. Can you help me out? 1. Get it. If you haven't ordered a copy yet, please give this story a shot! 2. Review it. Please, give a rating and leave a … [Read more...] about It’s Black Star Release Day and I Need Your Help! (And You Might Win a T-Shirt & More)
UPDATE: FREE DAYS ARE DONE The Green Ember is FREE! Can You Help Us Spread The Word?
The Green Ember is FREE. Get it now. Share it now. --- This little adventure has been fun. Writing is necessarily a lonely vocation, and the “self-promotion” part of the job is fraught with real and imagined perils. But one thing I’ve been so grateful for has been the constant, enthusiastic support we’ve had from our friends. That’s you. You have shared your enthusiasm for the book(s) with … [Read more...] about UPDATE: FREE DAYS ARE DONE The Green Ember is FREE! Can You Help Us Spread The Word?
A Character Story
Some readers of The Green Ember, my first fantasy adventure novel for kids, found the ending to be a cliff-hanger. Some kids even shouted at their parents in frustration, “That is a horrible ending!” and “There has to be another book!” Hey, I’ll take any kind of enthusiastic, emotional response. It means they cared. So, I’ve gotten a few emails along those lines. It hasn’t been the majority. Most … [Read more...] about A Character Story
Building A Family Culture Around Books
We are NOT that perfect family that sits together by the fireside every night after gourmet meals reading Shakespeare to the babies. But we are on a journey. We are sharing time together reading aloud, experiencing a shared story, and creating a common history. Nothing can quite replace the experience of a family on a journey together. What's even sweeter is finding your family isn't alone, that … [Read more...] about Building A Family Culture Around Books
The Green Ember is Currently Free! (Please Spread the Word.)
That's right: FREE. As in, gratis. For the next three days, a person may virtually waltz into the virtual Kindle Store and, without offending virtue, walk out (with thegoods) without paying. It's legal shoplifting, and I'm asking if you'll do it. You've probably seen these things. There's a way in which they don't help: people getting the thing you nearly killed yourself to produce for free, … [Read more...] about The Green Ember is Currently Free! (Please Spread the Word.)