Tag: young adult

Another review of Song of the Sword…

…this one coming from Vilate at the Young Adult Literature Review blog, who was  not particularly disposed to liking it, since she’s “not particularly fond of Arthurian tales, as a rule. Arthur is done too often and there aren’t that many new ways to look at him,” as she puts it. And she found it …

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McNally Robinson likes Song of the Sword

A great review of Song of the Sword has appeared on McNally Robinson Booksellers’ website. Chadwick Ginther begins: If you think you know Arthur, Merlin and the Lady of the Lake guess again. Ariane is a troubled teen, starting a new life with her aunt in Regina. A new school would be hard enough, but …

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Once more into the breach

A while back I discussed a variety of ideas for new projects with my agent, Ethan Ellenberg. There was one in particular he liked, which is tentatively titled Masks. It’s a YA fantasy, and since he’s anxious to see some sample chapters, I’ve plunged into it. Here’s how it begins: A week before her thirteenth …

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Blue Fire or bust

Those who have followed my occasional series “The First Sentence I Wrote Today,” a.k.a. on Twitter as TFSIWT, will know that I have been working, interminably, on a young adult fantasy novel called Blue Fire. I’ve written it. I’ve re-written it. I’ve re-re-written it. It first came in at a ridiculous length, so I chopped …

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School Library Journal praises Song of the Sword

A nice new review of Song of the Sword in the important School Library Journal. After a very nice synopsis, reviewer Michele Shaw says: “This is a fantasy of epic proportions, with the perfect blend of suspense; well-developed, likable characters; and a touch of sarcastic humor. Ariane and Wally find four shards and the hilt …

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I’ve been a bad blogger…

…by not posting regularly this week as I did last, but although I was a bad little blogger, I was a good little writer. See, Twist of the Blade, the sequel to Song of the Sword, and the second book in my brand-new YA fantasy series Shards of Excalibur, is in the revision stage. And …

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Twist of the Blade synopsis

I don’t think I’ve posted this; maybe I have, but in that case, well…here it is again. It’s the description of Twist of the Blade, Book 2 of the Shards of Excalibur, as included in Song of the Sword. No time for more this morning since I’m desperately trying to finish revisions to, yes, Twist …

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Ebook versions of my Andy Nebula books now available!

With the explosion in dedicated ebook readers, and the growing popularity of ebooks in general, I’ve finally decided to take some concrete steps to make sure my books are available in that format…so, I’ve added Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star and the never-published sequel (because publisher Roussan went out of business), Andy Nebula: Double Trouble …

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Song of the Sword recommended in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

Song of the Sword got a nice mention in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix today. In a feature called “Read aloud for holiday wonders,” Beverley Brenna writes: Favourite books for the holidays can be divided into two categories: older titles that withstand the test of time, and contemporary reads that more closely reflect today’s reading audience. Literacy …

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WORD for Teens reviews Song of the Sword…

…and generally likes it. Nicole, the young proprietor of WORD for Teens, calls it “very well executed” and “a fun read” and also writes, in part: I thought, for the concept that was being used, it was very well done indeed. I’m never going to be a fan of evil Merlin. I love Merlin far …

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Song of the Sword first signing event: Chapters Regina

Here I am signing Song of the Sword at Chapters in Regina on Saturday. This was not only the first time I sat and sold copies of the book and autographed them, it was the first time I’d even seen copies of the actual book. It’s shinier than the ARC! Plus it has a nice …

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SciFiGuy features me in an interview

There’s a nice big interview with me up at SciFiGuy.ca, mostly focused on the upcoming release of Song of the Sword, Book 1 in The Shards of Excalibur. Alas, it’s still the upcoming release because printer problems delayed it past the hoped for October 15, but they promise me it’ll be ready at month’s end–which …

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