writing update

I'm pleased to announce that the first draft of the fifth Monkey Queen book is done! Now all I need to do is finish a final edit on A Tiding Of Magpies (the fourth book) before Willow finishes her cover (which is going to be so gorgeous!). And write a blurb. And get a list of revisions for the fifth book down before I edit the holy heck out of it. And start putting the pieces together for the sixth book. And maybe find time to look long and hard at this idea for a new series that keeps jumping up and down in the back of my head.

No, it never ends.

And I couldn't be happier.

Monty

This is Monty. He is a penguin.

Recently, one of our favorite bands, The Doubleclicks, asked their fans to send in photos for a video they were putting together. I sent in a (different) photo of Monty.

His photo didn't make the video. But lots of fun photos did, and here's the video for the song that resulted from all those photos, called "Tiny Paper Elephant".

But Monty's still happy, and so am I, because we both have a new Doubleclicks song to listen to.

Fine man crazy man he can't see, blog of the sunset, blog of the sea

And we're back with a Sunday catchup post! I suppose I should let you know how A Tiding Of Magpies, the fourth Monkey Queen book, is coming along. I've approved Willow's cover sketch, and I can tell you that it's going to be gorgeous! We're hoping to have it finished soon, and when that happens, there'll be the Big Announcement with the cover reveal and the publication date! Stay tuned!

And the first draft of the fifth book is nearly done, and that's still on track for Fall 2015. Hopefully, this draft will be done by May 1!

More goodies after the cut.

Nepal

My heart goes out to the victims and survivors of the earthquake in Nepal. If you can, please donate to the Red Cross or another worthy charity to help the people of Nepal through the rough times to come. Thanks.

Big Wow! report

First, I should mention that this is apparently the last Big Wow convention. It's been acquired by a group that includes comic writer Stan Lee and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and is being renamed the Silicon Vally Comic Con. Here's hoping they don't screw things up too much. More after the cut.

Stan Sakai

There's a Big Wow convention review on the way, with photos and more, but I wanted to write this first, because it's about more than the con. You'll see why after the cut.

Big Wow Sunday!

A notification (or a warning, if you prefer): I will be wandering the floor of the Big Wow comic convention in San Jose, California Sunday! That's tomorrow! I'll be getting comics signed, taking photos and hoping to get in a game of King Of Tokyo. If you see me there, please come up and say hi!

The timey-wimey truth...revealed at last!

As you may remember, last October yours truly got stuck in the middle of a disturbance in time and space, when a meeting that no one expected took place. At the time, all the evidence I could find was this:

Somehow, I thought that this was an actual self-portrait of Willow, even as she sat across from me sketching it. But apparently, this was not the case. For time has suddenly hiccuped (possibly with the help of two genetically-engineered lab mice, an eccentric English inventor, and a quiet and long-suffering dog), and I discovered (so to speak) this photo on my cellphone.

Ladies, gentlemen and other blog visitors: Willow, holding a sterling example of her awesome cover art.

If this is my last post on this blog, assume I'm being held by Dementors. If that happens, please send dark chocolate.

A Cautionary Tale

This bunny made a mistake. He was still on the store shelf when Easter had come and gone. He thought he had eluded the ravenous hordes, the ones who hungered for the tasty, tasty dark chocolate. He thought he would somehow survive.

He failed to take into account the 70% off Easter candy clearance sale.

NOBUNNY IS SAFE.

(And FYI - the box helpfully informs us that the serving size is 1/5 of a bunny. The ears came to just that much delicious dark chocolate goodness.)

Come with me, leave yesterday behind, and blog a giant step outside your mind

We're leading off with advance notice on this Sunday catch-up post: Sometime this spring, this blog will be moving. We won't be going away, but we will be finding a new home on the web. We'll let you know when it happens, and we hope you'll follow us wherever we go.

In case you missed it, it was announced that the last Tiffany Aching novel (and the last Discworld novel), The Shepherd's Crown, is coming this September. I'm sad that it's the last one, but I'm glad we're getting one more.

If you've read any Monkey Queen books - in fact, if you've read the first paragraph of the first book - you know that we're fans of Phil and Kaja Foglio's work, including their webcomic Girl Genius. They're launching a Kickstarter to get the latest paperback collection released, and this one is being billed as a good starting point for new readers. Find out more here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/girlgenius/girl-genius-graphic-novel-a-new-journey-begins

And finally, this blog needs more penguin videos. Because penguins.

forgetful Fridays!

In my list last week of fun Friday blogstops, I overlooked one! Indie author R.M. Webb features an interview with other authors and creative types every Friday! (And a name you may be familiar with is scheduled for late May...) Drop by and take a look. http://www.rmwebbfiction.com/posts/

Stan Freberg

First, a quick congratulations to David Basile, winner of the signed Monkey Queen goodies in the YA Spring Fling! Your prize is on its way, David! Thanks to everyone who entered, and if you didn't win an e-book...well, spring can also mean surprises...

Meanwhile, remember: "Most people call them green onions, but they're really scallions."

"How did you know that?"

"It was a shot in the dark."

Thanks, Stan.

Mary Mary, where you blogging to?

First off, I wanted to let you know that after a day of reflection, I realized that in my rush to get "A Game Of Scones" published, I had made a few basic errors that really needed to be corrected. I've edited the story and reposted it; there aren't any new jokes, but it should be a little less confusing. Go re-read it if you'd like, or read it if you haven't already.

And a small request: If you liked "A Game Of Scones", or any other story you've read on this blog, spread the word! Mention us on your blog, post about us on G+ or Facebook or Tumblr, retweet, say something on Goodreads or Library Thing!

More after the cut!

Friday free for all!

Here at Monkey Queen Books, we know that Fridays can be awesome. We wanted to share three web sites that make the day even more awesome!

Fridays is when our pals at the Speculative Fiction Showcase blog run their weekly list of links! There's always something there worth the click.  http://indiespecfic.blogspot.com/

We've mentioned First Fight Fridays before, but it's worth a return visit. Lori Connelly posts the first fight scene from a novel every Friday, and every genre is welcome. http://loriconnelly.blogspot.com/

And the team at Ruby Slippered Sisterhood features Fangirl Fridays, where writers and fans drop by to discuss sale books and new releases! http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/

an explanation

I suppose that, if anyone's interested, I should explain what's going on...but first, some reminders! Thursday is the last full day (time zones being what they are) to enter the YA Spring Fling! You could win e-books galore, including one of ten copies of the first Monkey Queen book Of Introductions And Abductions, and all sorts of swag, including a signed set of all three Monkey Queen paperbacks and a signed and personalized Michiko and Beth notecard! http://www.sarahdaltonbooks.com/#%21the-books/cait

And Polymanga starts on Friday! Meet Monkey Queen cover artist Willow, and many more guests! Just head to Bordeaux, Switzerland... http://www.polymanga.com/?lang=en

The explanation is after the cut.

A Game Of Scones: A Monkey Queen short story!

If you guessed this was the short story that would be premiering today, you were right! Read Michiko and Beth's latest adventure, "A Game Of Scones", after the cut!

Three Women In A Stew (To Say Nothing Of The Guinea Pig): A Monkey Queen short story!

If you guessed this was the short story that would be premiering today, you were right! Read Michiko and Beth's latest adventure, "Three Women In A Stew (To Say Nothing Of The Guinea Pig)", after the cut!