Welcome!

To those of you dropping by for the first time: Hi! I'm Robert Dahlen, the author of the Monkey Queen novel series, in which Michiko (teenage hero with a wisecracking streak) and Beth (fangirl college student) team up to "save the world" (they're starting small). It's fantasy adventure with heroines, humor and heart, and a friendship that may be leading to something more. The first book, Of Introductions And Abductions, is on sale for just 99 cents US/CA/AU, £0.99, and €0,99 now through May 31! You can find all the sale links, and learn more about Michiko and Beth, after the cut!

Willow Wednesdays: I'm a sucker for those helmets

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!

Happy World Penguin Day!

Celebrate that most amazing of days...after the cut!

It's World Penguin Day, and there are reasons to mark it. It's not just that penguins are remarkable and funny and cute, as you can see here.

It's also that penguins are in trouble. Climate change is real, and it will affect animals and plants worldwide, including penguins. Many of the world's species of penguins (12 of 17, by one count) are experiencing population decline, due partially to habitat loss caused by climate change.

Want to help? Learn more about penguins and how climate change affects them. Support organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and Defenders of Wildlife that work to raise awareness, and work to protect penguin habitats. One group that I've mentioned earlier is Penguin Watch, where you can help researchers and look at cute penguin photos. Win-win!

Also, if you're on Twitter, follow BioTweeps. This week, their Twitter account is being curated by Dr. Michelle LaRue, who brings awesome science when it comes to penguins! Cute stories, photos, penguin facts and ways to help!

And have a happy World Penguin Day!

Daniel is blogging tonight on a plane

A request/reminder for Monkey Queen fans to start this Sunday catchup: If you've enjoyed Michiko and Beth's adventures, please take the time to leave a review! People do pay attention to what other readers have to say about books they're interested in. They'll do the most good on Amazon, especially for any book after the first, but any review anywhere you want to post it will help. Don't be shy! I appreciate all the support I've received so far from reviewers, and the readers you could be bringing in will appreciate it too. More, including another way you can help, after the cut.

Willow Wednesdays: Gone Fishin'

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!

Worthy Cause: Help the Grall family

Regular visitors to this blog know that I love webcomics. One of my favorites is Max Overacts, about an aspiring child actor with an overactive imagination, written and drawn by ace cartoonist Canaan Grall. It's been on hiatus recently due to his health issues. He's been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and will undergo surgery next month.

He won't be able to work for several months after the surgery, and his family's finances will be taking a major hit. A relative has started a GoFundMe page to help cover their expenses. I know money is tight all around, but if you can spare anything, please drop by the page and donate. I've never met or contacted the Gralls, but Canaan seems like a good guy, and his family could use a hand or two right now. Thanks.

rich man can ride, and the blogger, he can drown

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Let's start with another reminder: If you have a Kobo e-reader, or Kobo software on your smartphone or tablet, you're all set to follow Michiko and Beth's adventures! US readers can get all five Monkey Queen books through the Kobo site, Canadians can hit Indigo, and you can always search your favorite e-book store for "Monkey Queen" or "Robert Dahlen!" More after the cut.

Willow Wednesdays: RANDOM GUY!

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!

and I'm gonna blog high as a kite by then

Sunday catchup time! Just make sure you've got your hand sanitizer ready; whatever flu-like bug I've picked up this week is tough and contagious. I apologize in advance if this infects the internet. More after the cut.

Rejected Peanuts Specials All-Stars

See what didn't make the cut...after the cut!

Willow Wednesdays: Sea Cruise

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!

the ups and downs of fifty people

"When we look back, we'll never see how lines got crossed..."

I like blogging and I like wine, and I've always liked it that way

(Well, maybe not the wine part so much...) Hello! It's Sunday catchup time! Let's start with a reminder: All five Monkey Queen books are now available through iTunes! Read Michiko and Beth's adventures on the iBooks app for your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch! More after the iCut! Er, after the cut.

nirvana achieved

(I do have to admit that I did not bake these; they came from a local grocery store. But I will learn how to bake them someday!)