Today's Writing Quotation

"There is no pleasure in the world like writing well and going fast."

--Tennessee Williams

Today's Release: Dragon Night

Dragon Night, a story about a young man, Ford Forks, with a strange and mysterious heritage, is being released today. Ford was kind enough to give an interview to Dragon Night author Stephanie Campbell. Ford's a complex and sympathetic character, so I'm sure you'll love getting to know him. To learn more about Ford or to order his story for only $4.99, go to the Euterpe Web Page.

The Character Interview
Introducing Ford Forks from Dragon Night

This interview takes place after the adventure in Dragon Night. No plot spoilers are included, so come in and have a cup of tea with Ford.

Hello, Ford. Thank you so much for answering my questions today. First off, I want you to explain about draconics. Most people don't know what they are. Can you tell us a little about them?

I didn't know myself up until recently, when I, you know, found out that I was one. Draconics are half-human, half-dragon creatures that can change forms at will. We're really colorful—like I am gold—and have different abilities according to their personalities. I'm a fire draconic, so that means that I can breathe fire. My best friend, Will, is a water draconic, so he can breathe water.

So dragons and draconics aren't the same thing?

Nope. I was surprised at first too. Dragons actually come from dinosaurs and are very ancient. They developed the ability to turn human through revolution and ended up having children with humans. Dragons are always red and have a tendency to be very mean. Also, their women are a bit...mutated.

Speaking of women, how's your love life?

Chuckles nervously. I don't know...I don't really feel too comfortable around girls. My friend Marcia has come to visit me a few times where I live, though. I haven't told her
about draconics yet. I think that the idea would scare her.

So your father was the god of all of the dragons. That makes you super powerful. Do people give you special attention?

Well, they did at first, but then they realized that I'm a bit of a dork. Trust me, there is nothing special about me. I'm just your average, everyday teenager that can turn into a dragon.

Well, I don't think that there is something average and everyday about you. What do you do with your free time?

I like to fly and fight bears in the woods. As a human, you never realize how much bears love to wrestle. I mean, it makes me really guilty about the one that I turned into a bear-kabob.

Tell me about the rest of your friends?

Well, I already mentioned Will. He's head of this colony—all draconics live in colonies. He's strong and fast and pigheaded, especially if I out-fly him.

There's also Jade. She's married to this white draconic that lives here. Jade keeps Will under her thumb, and man, does she have a temper. Like last night I took one of her candy bars—man, was she pissed. It's not like it's that far of a flight to go get another one, either. Will was totally on my side.

I don't have to see Marcia as much anymore, but she's pretty awesome. She was my best friend back when I worked for my mom and dad in their restaurant—well, my real mom and my non-biological father. Now she works for the local paper and writes the obituaries. She really loves it...though I'm not one hundred percent sure why.

Tell us about the adventure that you had awhile back.

Well, I don't want to give it away. Stephanie Campbell harassed me until I gave her my biography. I really didn't think my story was that interesting, but since she insisted...Nah, just kidding, Steph. You know I love you. Come visit me more often.

In short, my adventure began when I realize that my father, Wicker, isn't really my father. It was a stranger in a bar. I wanted to figure out who he was so badly that I followed his trail—and began to experience frightening changes along the way. I didn't realize at the time that I was changing into a draconic. I then get taken in by Will and the others in the draconic colony and continue my quest.

Saying anything more would give too much away, and I want Steph's book to do well—till next time, everybody. I hope that I didn't make you too bored.

Thanks, Ford! I really appreciate the interview!

Today's Release: The Girl Who Remembered Horses

Linda Benson is the author of two previous novels for children – FINDING CHANCE and THE HORSE JAR, which has been translated into Spanish. An animal lover and avid horsewoman, she often writes about the bond between animals and humans.

Her third novel, THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES is now available as the second release from Musa Publishing’s brand new YA imprint, Euterpe. Several generations into the future, Sahara travels with her clan in a barren environment where recyclables are bartered for sustenance, and few remember horses or their connection to humans. But Sahara has recurring visions of riding astride on magnificent animals that run like the wind. In a world that has forgotten the ancient bond between horses and humans, can this one girl’s dreams make people remember?

Here’s what she has to say about it:

I am thrilled that THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES will be released first as an eBook, because this format and marketing will make it accessible to so many different kinds of readers. Doesn’t the title alone make you want to read it? If this boundary-jumping novel were to come out as a hardback only, it would doubtless be marketed in only one genre, and be shelved in only one spot in a bookstore, where it would probably be overlooked by many readers.

Would it go in the YA section next to numerous fantasy books? (I think fantasy readers will love it, but the horses in this book are as real as I could possibly portray them.) Would it go in the speculative fiction section, where readers of apocalyptic stories might find it? (Possibly, but not many younger readers search here.) Would it be shelved with middle grade books, where horse lovers age 9-12 might read and adore it? (Maybe, but that would limit the audience to 12 and under, for which it’s perfectly appropriate, too.) Or should it be shelved with adult fiction for animal lovers, since besides horses it also features dogs and even goats? (Yes, goats.)

Well, guess what? Musa Publishing is marketing this novel under their YA imprint. I think it’s a perfect fit. Adult readers, who are reading more and more YA, won’t hesitate to buy it, and younger people will easily find it there too. So whether you are 9 or 99, if you read on an iPhone, a Nook, a Kindle, an iPad, a computer, or any other electronic device, you can now buy and enjoy this great story for only $4.99. Here’s the link, where you can read a short summary, as well as an excerpt from the book: http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=78

THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES was partially inspired by a college research project I completed regarding American women and their passion for horses. As a life-long horsewoman, I’ve also been concerned about the changing status of horses today as we become a more urban society. This book is not only an exciting and thought-provoking story, it’s an adventure story, a quest for a girl to find her true identity, and a rollicking-good horse story. I hope it resonates with many different kinds of readers.

While I think it’s very cool that THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES is being released as an ebook, I’m finding myself more and more excited about the future of ebooks in general. I am an avid reader, and I read almost anything about animals, as well as adult literature, middle grade, young adult literature, non-fiction, and whatever else captures my fancy. As much as I love paper books, I’m thrilled to find new formats to read in, and I’m hoping THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES will find lots of readers as an ebook. Be sure and let us know what you think!

For more information:

http://www.lindabenson.net

http://www.lindabenson.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/Girl.Remembered.Horses.LindaBenson