a few of the blog posts, well they've got me quite cross

Heads up! Today is the last day to enter Willow's Facebook contest to win a copy of her BD/graphic novel, The Journey Of Earth, and other goodies! Click here and follow the instructions to enter, and good luck! More after the cut.

That's Amore!: A new Monkey Queen short story

It's almost Valentine's Day! To mark the day, after the cut is the premiere of a new Monkey Queen short story, "That's Amore!" Be warned: There are spoilers, especially for the endings of A Tiding Of Magpies and Redblade.

a reminder from the Tenth Doctor

Ten wants to remind you that you only have until Sunday the 31st to enter Willow's giveaway on Facebook! You can win a copy of her graphic novel The Journey Of Earth, or a package of goodies! Click here to enter, and don't wait...time is running out!

Willow Wednesdays: Goals

Welcome to Willow Wednesdays! Featuring art by Willow, the cover artist for the Monkey Queen series, with her kind permission! Read on after the cut for more, including a Facebook contest!

Willow Wednesdays Extra: Goodies!

If you didn't back the crowdfunder for Willow's first BD/graphic novel, The Journey Of Earth, good news! Willow just announced that she's now selling some of the goodies she originally offered to her crowdfunder backers, including art cards, bookmarks, and keychain charms! You can see samples (from my goodie bag) below. Head to Facebook to view better photos and see all the keychain charms. To order, message Willow through Facebook or email her at willow (dash) san (at) outlook (dot) com. You can also contact me and I'll forward your message to Willow. But be warned: I'm keeping my goodies. Mine!

I have seen the blogger, he has been here too

Sunday means catchup, and here's some happy news: Although I can't set a publication date yet for the sixth Monkey Queen book, The Crown Of Kylthena, I can confirm that Willow will be back to do the cover! (We're getting it done early to avoid some scheduling conflicts she'll have later this year.) I've already seen her first sketches, and I promise that this cover will knock your socks off! (We recommend putting on socks when it's time to reveal the cover.) More after the cut.

Willow Wednesdays Extra: Heeeere's Abby!

I hope you'll forgive my posting again so soon, but I realized as I was getting the "Behind The Scenes: Redblade" post polished and ready that I'd forgotten to share this with you, and I didn't want to bury this at the bottom of that long post. So, here's Willow's first take on Abby! (Well, second take, since I did ask Willow to change the coloring on Abby's coat. But it's still a gorgeous sketch!) (© 2016 Willow, all rights reserved, used by permission.)

Behind The Scenes: Redblade

Here’s the latest in the series of Behind The Scenes posts, focusing on the fifth Monkey Queen book, Redblade! This one is long, and there are spoilers a-plenty, so read on after the cut!

Willow Wednesdays: Dreams

Welcome to Willow Wednesdays! Featuring art by Willow, the cover artist for the Monkey Queen series, with her kind permission! Read on after the cut!


So, you ask, tell us more about Willow. What does she dream about? I suspect it might be something like this:

Credit where credit is due: This drawing was a collaboration with Pikila, Willow's comrade-in-art in Collectif Pin Up! Follow Pikila on DeviantArt!


Art © 2016 by Willow. All rights reserved; used by permission. You can view Willow's extensive gallery on DeviantArt, see her works in progress by liking her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, and buy prints and much more at her Society6 webstore, including exclusive Monkey Queen items!

he's not old and I'm told, and I'm told he's a blogger

Let's start this Sunday catchup with a reminder: Michiko and Beth could use your help! If you like the Monkey Queen books, spread the word. Like our Facebook page, tweet about the books, mention us on Pinterest or Instagram or Google+. Leave a review on your blog or Goodreads or Amazon. I'm hoping for big things for the Monkey Queen in 2016, but they can be even bigger if you pitch in!

More, including a peek at some upcoming blog posts, after the cut!

Willow Wednesdays: Conflict

Welcome to Willow Wednesdays! Featuring art by Willow, the cover artist for the Monkey Queen series, with her kind permission! Read on after the cut!

Bowie

It almost feels like saying goodbye to a legion of people... the Thin White Duke, the Goblin King, the Man Who Fell To Earth, the Earthling, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane (1947-2016-????) and more. He was an actor, a fashion star and an icon and hero for so many people...but for me, it was his music that mattered the most. Find out why after the cut.

for I've never blogged in a cage

We'll start this Sunday catchup with something you may have missed, since it was posted originally on New Year's Day: The first information on the sixth Monkey Queen book, The Crown Of Kylthena!

The Crown of Kylthena is a relic from the Lost Lands that is supposed to bring great power to its wearer. Michiko Koyama, the hero known as the Monkey Queen, is sent along with her girlfriend and partner in adventure Beth McGill and their new companion Abby Main-Drake to retrieve the crown, only to find that it's been stolen. They'll have to hop from world to world and team up with the enigmatic wizard and thief Alasdair Sterling to get it back...but can he be trusted?

And even if Michiko succeeds, betrayal is in the cards back on Earth, as a new hero is brought in to take the Monkey Queen's place. The stakes are higher than Michiko knows, and if she loses the struggle...she'll lose everything.

Even Beth.

More after the cut!

Willow Wednesdays: ID

Welcome to Willow Wednesdays! Featuring art by Willow, the cover artist for the Monkey Queen series, with her kind permission! Read on after the cut!

Some of you may be wondering, "Who is this Willow?" Well, here's a drawing from 2014 that may help you out...or leave you more confused than ever.

Art © 2016 by Willow. All rights reserved; used by permission. You can view Willow's extensive gallery on DeviantArt, see her works in progress by liking her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, and buy prints and much more at her Society6 webstore, including exclusive Monkey Queen items!

Monday catchup

Yeah, Monday. Weirder things have happened. On this blog. Anyway, first off don't forget you have until this Wednesday to enter the Goodreads giveaway to win one of three signed paperback proof copies of Redblade, the new Monkey Queen novel! Hurry! Hurry, I say!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Samantha Pak of the Northwest Asian Weekly for her review of the first Monkey Queen book, Of Introductions And Abductions, in the December 5 issue! (And for inadvertently reminding me that I need to read Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles someday!)

And speaking of finding new things to read, Tuesday marks a special promo - more than 60 science fiction and fantasy books are free to download! Click here and stock up!

towards the blog you left so very far behind

Happy first Sunday catchup of 2016, everyone! Don't forget that you only have until Wednesday to enter the Goodreads giveaway to win one of three signed paperback proof copies of Redblade, the new Monkey Queen novel! Good luck to all who've entered, and I'll see you after the cut.

Redblade: Goodreads Giveaway!

As I do with every new Monkey Queen book, I'm holding a giveaway on Goodreads. This time, however, I'm doing things a bit differently...

Five proof copies of the paperback edition of Redblade were printed. One stays with the author (me). One is headed on a journey to the center of the galaxy. And since Redblade is new-reader friendly, the remaining three copies will be given away to Goodreads members, and autographed by author Robert Dahlen (me)! Click here to enter!

Open to readers and Monkey Queen fans worldwide! You need to join Goodreads to enter the giveaway if you're not already a member, but it's quick, and there are many cool things readers can do there.

The contest ends this coming Wednesday, January 6, so don't wait! Enter now!

New Year's Announcement

I've mentioned that the next three Monkey Queen books will form a trilogy. It's still in the works, but I'm going to do my best to release all three of the books in 2016. Here's your first taste of what lies ahead:

The Crown of Kylthena is a relic from the Lost Lands that is supposed to bring great power to its wearer. Michiko Koyama, the hero known as the Monkey Queen, is sent along with her girlfriend and partner in adventure Beth McGill and their new companion Abby Main-Drake to retrieve the crown, only to find that it's been stolen. They'll have to hop from world to world and team up with the enigmatic wizard and thief Alasdair Sterling to get it back...but can he be trusted?

And even if Michiko succeeds, betrayal is in the cards back on Earth, as a new hero is brought in to take the Monkey Queen's place. The stakes are higher than Michiko knows, and if she loses the struggle...she'll lose everything. Even Beth.

Monkey Queen Book Six. The Crown Of Kylthena. Coming in 2016.