scary bloggers and super creeps

It's Sunday, and here's a bit of overdue catchup: The first two Peavley Manor novelettes, "Book Fair Frenzy (Or, Macalley Turns The Page)" and “The Thorn Harbour Road Rally (Or, Macalley Takes The Wheel)” are now available on iTunes, Kobo and Barnes & Noble (for your Nook) as well as Amazon! Search your store of choice for e-books by "Robert Dahlen"! You can still read "Book Fair Frenzy" for free here, and you can get your e-book of "Thorn Harbour Road Rally" for free by subscribing to my mailing list, but you can also show your support for what I do by buying one of my e-books or gifting one to a friend! More after the cut.

I never blogged anything out of the blue

Sunday catchup, and I'll start with this reminder I post from time to time: If you've enjoyed Copper Cove, or any of my other stories, would you be so kind as to leave a review somewhere? Reviews do help people decide if a book is for them, and increase its visibility. They're one easy way to support any author whose work you enjoy, not just me. So, head over to Amazon, Goodreads, or your social media of choice and spread the word. Many thanks! More after the cut.

#WhyIWrite

Two years ago, I wrote this in response to the #WhyIWrite hashtag: "Because I love telling stories, and I love sharing them with everyone. Simple as that."

I've thought it over today, now that the hashtag has reappeared, and I've come to realize it's not that simple.

The world seems to be getting darker and crueler day by day. A lot of fantasy fiction that's coming out nowadays reflects that - gloomy settings, hopeless causes, gray and gray morality. I won't criticize anyone for writing or reading those books, and I'm sure some of them are very good.

That's not what I want to read. Or write.

As silly as it might sound, especially at a time like this, I want books with hope. Characters that want to help others and make the world around them better. Stories that inspire, or at least make you smile and laugh and root for the heroes. Frodo and Sam in Mordor, Cimorene seeking to be free of the role forced on her, Rincewind or Tiffany Aching trying to do the right thing in absurd or tough conditions, Master Li and Number Ten Ox persevering for the sake of children who need help, Harry Potter facing down Voldemort.

The trend I mentioned earlier in fantasy is called "grimdark". There's been some debate about whether the opposite should be "noblebright" or "hopepunk". I'd like to think that those are the stories I tell. Stories where the good guys win (but not always without a cost), where there is a difference between right and wrong, where people of every stripe are represented, where love is love and love beats hate. Where there's hope that things will be better when all is said and done.

My stories may not make a difference in the world, but they're what I want to read and share. And that's why I write.

Willow Wednesdays: She's Baaaack!

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!

closed his eyes and moved his lips - "It's time we should be blogging"

Sunday catchup! I'm back from Gaslight Expo 2017, rested and revved up for further writing and steampunk adventures! (Sorry about missing last week. The tea dueling started at a rather early hour on Sunday.) There'll be a quick wrap up, and other things, after the cut, but this announcement first for those who might have missed it on social media:

Coming later this fall - the new Peavley Manor novelette, "The Missing Mallard (Or Duck, Macalley! Duck!)" The feathers will fly when Alice and Macalley get mixed up in a crazy yet sinister scheme! Stay tuned for more!

and we blogged as though nothing could fall

Sunday catchup time, and there's news to report: Copper Cove is now available at iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more! Find buying links after the cut!