Book Signing in Phoenix Arizona.

We spent a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon at the Dog Eared Pages Bookstore this past weekend. Melanie Tighe and Thom Butcher, co-owners of the store, were not only gracious and generous enough to help promote the event they provided the space for free.

A small, but enthusiastic, crowd filtered through the store and bought books from each of us. Alan Black provided chocolate and white cakes decorated with a tasty image of his newly released book, "The King's Rock." He is a high energy guy willing to swap stories on most any subject. His list of books are evidence of that fact.

Other authors at the event were J. D. Scott who writes SciFi/Fantasy and Steve Price who writes about mediation. All the other authors had at least 3 books written and available for sale compared to my humble singleton. Nevertheless, sales went well and "The Singing Stones of Rendor" benefited from a Fantasy friendly attendance.

A visitor of note who I acknowledge in my book was Jeremy Beard. He stopped by and we chatted for quite a while. He even wanted a signed copy of my book. This was the first time I had a chance to meet him in person. I have to thank him once again for his honest and very informative critiques of my first drafts. Also, for taking the time out of his Saturday to drop in.

Book Two Update

Well, it seems that book two is longer than I expected. Rather than create a monster I will be using some of its material in book three. For a while I thought I might just go ahead and finish the story with book two, but that idea is now out the window.

The working title, "The Loom of Kanarrah" is no longer functional so I'll be brainstorming for a new one.

So, the progression bar on the right will remain at about 50% for a while longer. Especially since I'm not sure just how long the book will be. Progress is being made, however.

My hopes for publication this year are now officially dashed. 2016 for sure.

The Color of Music.

Do you see colors when you listen to music? If so you get to suffer from 'synesthesia,' a rare condition in which some people actually see the weft and waft of colors from the tunes they listen to. Here is a great article, with an interactive test, about the condition. See if you too can see the same colors as these lucky people. Click "What Color Is This Song?

Another demonstration of sound and it's hidden impact on our lives. Vibrations

Spring Into Books Event

This month I'll be involved with my first book event, "Spring Into Books," sponsored by the Oquirrh Chapter of the League of Utah Writers. Authors aplenty will be at the Viridian Events Center in West Jordan, Utah, many of whom will be doing readings and classes for those who are interested in writing their own stories and poems.

Of course there will be games and prizes throughout the evening. If you are in the area and enjoy books, and the reading of them, you'll find new stories hot off the minds of new and established authors. It will be fun to rub elbows with successful as well as up and coming authors.

Join us on May 23, 2015, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Viridian West Jordan Library and Events Center.

"The Loom of Kanarrah" UPDATE: Progress has been slow. A few of the characters are having trouble getting over some hurdles, but I'm confident they can do it. Summer events and the family "farm" (i.e. gardens) will be demanding attention, too. I swear, I don't know how more prolific writers make time for all of it.

Review of Alan Black's YA Sci/Fi novel, "Titanium Texicans"

No techno babble in this YA Sci/Fi. Titanium Texicans is a story driven by its characters and the society in which they live. Although there are high tech machines in which our hero Tasso gets involved with the emphasis is on what those machines can do and how they advance the social structure in which he has been thrust against his will.

True to any hero Tasso adjusts, but not without some conflict, some of which is self imposed. Teenage angst and Tasso's strong character development by his grandparents provide the example any parent would wish for their children.

Although the plot is rather predictable and there are some issues of pace with the story it is a very good read.

My initial reluctance to read a YA story was quickly overcome by Alan Black's ability to display Tasso's backwater simplicity and country wisdom.

A recommended read for Young Adults.

Reviews of "The Singing Stones of Rendor"

To have friends and family read a book you've labored over for several years and then give glowing reviews is a wonderful experience. Of course, there's always the element they're just being kind. If you knew these people you'd know they mean it.

Then comes the day when someone completely outside your world validates your work. There were two days over the past two years when that happened. In my previous postings you saw the awards for first place in the "First Chapter Category" and second place for "Novel Category" which gave me quite a high.

Now I have the honor of receiving a 5 star review not only from someone outside my world, but a best selling YA and Sci/Fi author by the name of Alan Black. My first contact with Alan was on LinkedIn when he did a random search for authors. We exchanged emails a few times and I learned of his books. My favorite genre is Military Sci/Fi, which he writes. I'm currently reading his YA Sci/Fi novel, "Titanium Texicans."

I would be sorely remiss if I didn't mention the 5 star review by one of my favorite people in the world, C.W. Johnson. He is a writer who has had a huge influence on my writing, though he may not know it. He taught himself to write creative fiction and has sold thousands of books and has a wide audience around the world. His example and experiences have taught me that revisions are endless and that at some point you just have to let your child go. He read a draft of "The Singing Stones of Rendor" and called me late that night. He was so excited about it I had to delay publishing and enter another contest. That's why I received that second place award.

My thanks to all those who buy and read the book. An extra "Thank You" to all those who post a review.

The Tenebrous Witch

The Tenebrous Witch is a prequel to the series. At this point, despite the urging of my muse, I do not plan on publishing it until the series is done. However, she can be tenacious.

The story revolves around the main character in the first chapter of "The Singing Stones." Haegatess is a unique kind of witch with a dark, hard to understand type of magic not common in the world she lives in. She can suck the magic and life right out of normal people.

How she got to where she is in "The Singing Stones of Rendor" is detailed in "The Tenebrous Witch." She is bullied by her own sister and in the end they become enemies.

So far, the book is planned to be a novelette. However, some beta readers are saying it needs to expand to a full novel. We'll see. That's a long way from the intended short story I envisioned. Also, I wanted to flesh her out more so I could develop her unique abilities. To that end it has done its job.

I am setting the project aside for now and focusing on book 2, "The Loom of Kanarrah." The book is behind schedule. There's a new "brat" in my life who insists on diverting my attention. Blasted grandkids will do that to yeh.