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.

Thank you, Harvey.

I began writing the Monkey Queen books after I realized that you could self-publish e-books through Amazon. As I wrote, I started looking for information and advice - not on the actual writing, but the formatting, the cover design, the publishing process, all that. And I got lucky - thanks to a blog post by the amazing Kate Danley, I found a forum that had all that and more, KBoards.

I lurked for months before finally taking the plunge. Quickly, through KBoards, I found people who could handle the formatting for me, and who could design a cover over art I provided, when I realized I had no skill at doing either. I got tips on how and where to market the book, and advice on writing, and encouragement at times when I needed the support. Giveaways, interviews, reviewers, promo sites, KBoards helped me find them all, and some you may have discovered my books because of that.

More importantly...suggestions made by two other members led me to DeviantArt, where I found Willow. And when a blue-haired new member took a liking to me, I became awesome pals with Shei Darksbane. Two of my favorite people in the world...and I might never have met them if it weren't for KBoards.

The founder of KBoards, Harvey Chute, passed away today after a lengthy battle with cancer. I joined too late to really interact with him, but by every indication, he was a gentleman and a loving husband and father. I'm sorry I didn't get to know him better.

And I will always, always be grateful for what KBoards has brought me, and to Harvey for starting it.

Thank you, Harvey.

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.

Terry Pratchett

Somewhere, either in the unknown depths of alternate dimensions or in imaginations everywhere, a world sits on the back of four elephants riding a giant turtle. Somewhere, a wizard with a misspelling on his hat runs away from peril, probably into more peril. Somewhere, a cranky old witch with a well-hidden heart of gold and a young witch with many small blue bodyguards learn from each other. Somewhere, someone eats one of Dibbler's sausages and wishes he hadn't.

Somewhere, Death has made the stop he never wanted to make.

Somewhere, Beth McGill is crying.

Here and now, I'm about to do the same.

Goodbye, Sir Terry. And many thanks.

for the hoopiest of froods

Beth nodded and tried to swallow away her nervousness. Then, her face lit up. "Forgot something!" she yelled as she ran back into her bedroom.

She came out a moment later. "A...towel?" Michiko said, eyebrow raised.

"You never know." Beth grinned as she folded the small towel up and stuffed it into a pocket.

Happy birthday, Douglas Adams.

The blog that I knew somewhere

First off, a reminder that the 99 cents US sale on the first Monkey Queen e-book, Of Introductions And Abductions, ends today at 9:00 PM Pacific time! If you've been waiting, grab it now!

We've mentioned Willow's art contest before, and today is the last day for entries. You can take a look at them here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.624547984344766.1073741826.155266807939555&type=1 There's some real nice work there! And check out Willow's Facebook page while you're there!

More after the cut, including a few highly illogical words...

Lesley Gore

I was sorry to hear that sixties singer/songwriter Lesley Gore passed away. So, I suspect, would be Michiko. However, there are two certain ogres who may not be...

New Year's thanks

It's New Year's Eve, and while others are thinking of fireworks, parties and drinking more than they should, I wanted to take a few minutes to thank some people. 2014 was the year I finally achieved a great goal in my life, and it wouldn't have been possible without these fine folks.


First, thanks to Marina and Jason Anderson at Polgarus Studio, who handle the formatting for my books and do a great job of it (even if it's 2015 already where they are). Thanks to Keri Knutson at Alchemy Book Covers, who does such fine work designing the covers; the font still sends me over the hills and far away.


Thanks to the crew at KBoards, and especially at the Writers' Cafe sub-forum, to Harvey, Ann, Betsy and all the contributors. And all the people I've met through there who have helped out in many ways: Heidi, Cora and Jessica at the Speculative Fiction Showcase. K.J. Bryen at Take The Plunge. Patty Jansen and the Mad New Year's Sale. Julie Ann Dawson, for reasons to be revealed on Sunday. The amazing Kate Danley. The folks at BookSignals.com, and at SciFi Fantasy Freak. Everyone who's taken part in the Character Blog Hop.


Of course, I need to thank Willow! Her cover art is wonderful, but I'm still amazed that she finds time to help promote the books as well. I was expecting great art when I started working with her, but I never expected to find a friend and supporter as well. Many thanks, Willow! (And wait until you see her cover for the third Monkey Queen book! Even if you don't wear socks, I guarantee it'll knock them off!)


But my biggest thanks go out you, the fans and readers. I still get a thrill every time I sell a book or find out that someone's read something I've written. Telling stories is my favorite thing, and I'm grateful to share them with you. I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you'll stick around for 2015 – it'll be a big year for Michiko and Beth, with lots of laughs, thrills and adventure ahead! Thanks for reading.

I don't want to go until I've blogged it all out

It's a quiet Sunday here, and there's not much to report Monkey Queen-wise, but I did want to mark the passing of Jack Bruce. I was a fan of Cream's studio stuff, but it wasn't until I started hearing their concert versions on internet radio last year that I realized how awesome they were live. And Jack Bruce made it go, anchoring the bottom, providing the underrated vocals and writing most of the non-cover songs. Thanks, Jack. Here's a sample, and while I'll understand if it's not to your taste, I hope you start downloading or YouTube surfing if it is.