Character Interview: Kate Endria

Today, we interview the feisty Kate Endria. She is the daughter of the Lord Mayor of Calendria, and an important part of the Deliverers team.

Let’s see what she had to say about her experience in the first book.

 

Greg: Welcome to the Deliverers Publishing Headquarters, Kate. Thanks for stopping by.

Kate:  You’re very welcome. This is so exciting! I never thought I’d get to visit this place. Stig told me all about it, but I would never have believed how extravagant your headquarters was if I hadn’t seen it for myself.

Greg: Well, I don’t think it’s as impressive as you’re making it out to be. But anyway, what was your family life like growing up?

Kate:  Some might say that I still have some growing up to do, especially the members of our Council. I remember some happy times when I was younger. Of course, Sharky and the pirates were always around. If they weren’t terrorizing Calendria on Tariff Day, there was always the thought that Sharky was watching.

I remember times with Papa and Mother—before she died. We were happy, going to the Green for picnics, pot luck suppers at the meeting house. But then Mother got sick, and things weren’t so good. I was seven when she passed.

 But Papa has always been wonderful, and he does his best to make up for my not having a mother. And of course Gretchen, our maid, has always been a dear, and Madame Bottleneck, too. I’ve been blessed to live in a village where everyone cares about one another, and I’m proud of Papa, who’s the Lord Mayor.

 Greg: Tell us a little bit about Calendria and its history.

Kate:  Well, Calendria has a long and rich history. It was established over 300 years ago by my ancestor, Calvin Endria. Cal Endria had been Sharky’s first mate, but he and about 40 others in Sharky’s band decided it was time to settle down and retire. So, Cal went to the captain and stated his intentions, expecting that Shaky would either laugh in his face or run him through.

I think that he was pretty surprised when Sharky didn’t do either. Instead, he agreed to let Cal and his mates retire, provided that they paid a tariff of half of everything the settlement produced twice a year for a hundred years.

So that’s how Calendria started. Calvin Endria was the first Lord Mayor, and the village was named in his honor. The position of Lord Mayor has been handed down to the eldest son in the Endria family for generation after generation.

 Greg: You were the one who discovered the Deliverers. How did you come to be searching for them?

Kate:  Well, in Calendria there’s this legend called the Deliverers about a hero and a talking eagle that appear to defeat Sharky and his pirate band. My mother was a big believer in the legend, and she passed that belief on to me.

I took it as my duty as daughter of the Lord Mayor to search for the Deliverers whenever I had some spare time. So, one day, I came across Eric and Stig. As soon as Stig started talking, I knew that I had found the Deliverers.

Greg: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Kate:  You mean besides searching for the Deliverers? Well, I try to help Papa with anything he needs. I’m also studying. I hope one day to succeed my papa as the first Lady Mayor. That keeps me pretty busy.

Greg: So, what do you think of Eric? There are rumors floating around that the two of you might be getting close…

Kate:  Eric and I are good friends. I’m eternally grateful for what he and Stig did for Calendria. As for anything else, I think he and I are too young to be concerned with that at this point. There’s too much we’re still working through personally. Of course, I look forward to working with him, Stig and Hallo on future Assignments if the Gatekeeper needs us.

Greg: I guess that kind of answers my last question. Would you like to take part in future Assignments?

Kate:  Oh, yes. I’m hoping to. I mean, it’s important work, helping others. It’s also dangerous work, but no one in my family has ever backed down from a challenge. I always want to make Papa, and Mother, proud.

Greg:  I think they are very proud of you, Kate. Thank you again for taking a few minutes to sit and chat with us.

Kate:  Any time. It was really a lot of fun. Is this a new map?

Greg: Yes, we’ve adjusted it since Stig visited. You should be able to find your way out of here now.

 Kate:  Why, how sweet. Thank you so much.

Character Interviews: Stigidae Ghostwing

Over the next couple of months, I will be posting a series of character interviews. These are all important folks from the Deliverers series. I ran them on my original blog years ago, as well as during my recently completed blog tour. Hopefully, you will find them amousing.

Today we interview one of the stars of the Deliverers Series, Stigidae Ghostwing (Stig for short). He’s an owl who recruits young Eric Scott to come with him on an Assignment–a mission to help save another world.

Greg:  Welcome to the Deliverers Publishing Headquarters, Stig. Thanks for taking the time to, um, perch with us.

Stig: It’s my pleasure entirely, I assure you. I say, your headquarters is really quite impressive.

Greg:  Oh, how so?

Stig:  Well, the sheer size of the place for one thing, and the fine art and furnishings, to say nothing of all the awards and autographed political and celebrity photographs. I mean, who knew this was such an accomplished organization!

Greg:  Stop, I’m blushing. But this isn’t about us. We want to hear about you. What was your childhood like?  Were you an only owl?

Stig:  I was an only child. It was rather difficult. You see, my childhood lasted for about 150 years. Most of that time was spent in school. Owls are nothing if not educated. When I wasn’t in school I was with my parents hunting for mice, moles, and the occasional rabbit.

Mother was kindly and very understanding of my youthful foibles. My father was a most respectable business owl, and did not go in for any “carrying on” whatsoever. This led to some friction between us when I entered my adolescent years. I must confide that, just between you and I, I was quite the hellion back in those days. Eventually, I settled down and became somewhat respectable myself, but the entire process was rather painful.

Greg: What is your world like?

Stig: Oh, much like any other, I suppose. Owls are the predominant species. We’ve developed a very learned society, known for our universities. A nice place altogether, but not really my cup of tea. I don’t spend much time there these days, what with my Assignments and all.

Greg: How did you first get sent on an Assignment?

Stig:  I first stumbled upon the Hallway of Worlds when I chanced upon a doorway while exploring a cave on my world. This was, let me see, over 100 years ago when I was around 320 or so. I can’t begin to describe my amazement when I found myself in the Hallway.

Then, the Gatekeeper appeared. He seemed to have been expecting me. Naturally, I was skeptical when he told me he needed my help, but I could not deny that I was not in the cave that I had entered, so I agreed to help him as best I could.

That was the first of many Assignments in my service to the Gatekeeper. It took a long time until I was chosen to lead an Assignment.

Greg: Let me guess, that was this last mission with Eric, right?

Stig:  Mmmm…Yes. Apparently, the Gatekeeper had his eye on Eric for some time. He asked me to approach him with an Assignment. Mind you, I wasn’t sure Eric would accept. He was going through an extremely rough patch, and had quite a large chip on his shoulder. Thankfully, I was able to convince him, which worked out to everyone’s benefit.

Greg: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Stig:  Well, I don’t have much of it, I can tell you. I teach a class at university on my home world every other semester. I enjoy it—it’s a real hoot.

Greg: Did you know Hedwig, Harry Potter’s owl?

Stig:  Oh, not that well. We flew in different circles. The few times I did meet her, she didn’t have much to say. Bad show what happened to her, but she died bravely. For me, it underscored just how unpredictable life can be.

Greg: How has the release of the book impacted your life?

Stig: I’ve worked in virtual anonymity for over 100 years, so it was a trifle disconcerting to have the bright light of the media turned upon my work. All in all, though, I must say that it has been surprisingly satisfying. For one thing, it was an excellent Assignment. For another, it gave me a chance to work as part of a team, which was a most singular experience.

Eric, Kate, and Hallo were fun to work with, although a trifle exasperating at times. Each brings their own expertise to an Assignment, and I think we play well off each other. I’m looking forward to working with them again in future.

Greg:  So, do you think you will all take part in future Assignments?

Stig: From what the Gatekeeper says, I would think it stands to reason. There are thousands of worlds out there, and more than a few are encountering difficulties, so I would think you could count on it.

Greg: Well, thank you for your time Stig. I look forward to reading about The Deliverers’ future Assignments.

Stig: You’re quite welcome. The pleasure has been all mine. Now, do you think you could help me find my way out of the building? All the passages are quite confusing, and I can’t make head or tail out of the map you gave me.

Tales of the Dragon Islands: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

S

he led them through the large weather-beaten main red doors of the orphanage. The interior was drab and dreary. Ben shivered involuntarily as he passed inside. He always hated coming back to this place. While Madame Fru and the other women who ran the orphanage were never cruel, kindness was not their strength, either. The ladies of the Dragon Children’s Home performed their task of guiding the children in their charge through the task of growing to useful adulthood, when they could be released into society to take their place as productive, if not somewhat scarred, members.

            They walked along the main corridor toward a staircase at the far end, their footsteps muffled on a red, slightly threadbare rug. Halfway down the hall, Madame Fru halted. Ben and Mailynn almost bumped into her, so suddenly did she stop.

            The old woman turned to a door on her left. Turning the levered handle, it opened with a creak. She ushered them inside and closed the door. Sitting behind a lacquered mahogany desk, she indicated two small, carved chairs. The children sat, heads bowed.

            “Well, we certainly have had a night,” she said. “What caused you to break curfew this time…hmmm?”

            “Nothing,” Ben said without looking up.

            Madame Fru frowned. “Nothing? Well, that ‘nothing’ has caused a great deal of trouble for me. What you call nothing could have dire consequences for this orphanage and the children who call it home.

            “It was chartered more than 100 years ago as a refuge for children orphaned by the northmen’s raids. The Dragon herself established it. Countless numbers of children have grown up under our tutelage and left to take their place in society. Some have even gone on to careers of distinction and importance.”

            Ben shrugged. “Yeah, so? What’s that got to do with me?”

            Mailynn sitting next to him nudged him with her elbow. He looked over and glowered at her. She shook her head, frowning.

            He knew that look. It said, “Shut up, you’re only making it worse.”

            “It has everything to do with you,” Madame Fru hissed—so sharply that Ben snapped his head around and looked up at her. “Why do you think I put up with your constant disobedience? You might not realize it, but you have tremendous potential—both of you—yet you insist on pursuing these night forays. You are not Denchi, and stubbornly clinging to that aim will rob you—and Dragon Home—of what you could one day be.”

            “I am sorry, Madame Fru,” Mailynn said, bowing her head. “You are right, of course. We must apply ourselves more. It is unrealistic to strive for what cannot be attained. Isn’t that right, Ben?”

            Ben sighed and his shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I guess so. Sorry, Madame Fru. We’ll work harder, I promise.”

            The old woman rose, her wrinkled face breaking into a small smile. “I am glad that you are beginning to see the sense in what I say. Now, it is late. We shall speak no more of this, and I trust we shall have no need to do so in future.”

            Both children stood and shuffled out of the office, closing the door behind them. They walked down the corridor and up the stairs to the second floor.

In the hallway before parting and going to their rooms, Ben said, “I won’t give up. I will be a Denchi one day.”

“Why do you want to be a Denchi so badly?” Mailynn asked. “Since we were small, you have trained, always striving to make yourselves worthy to be an assassin.”

“Because the Denchi Assassins are the only group who are capable of fighting the northmen. One day, I shall become a Denchi and then I will have the skill and backing necessary to take my revenge upon them for killing my parents.

“And what of you, Mai? You have always been right alongside me. I thought we were both going to be Denchi. After all, didn’t the northmen kill your family in a raid, too?”

Mailynn’s face hardened. “They did. My hatred for the murdering swine is no less than yours. But, in case you hadn’t noticed, the Denchi Assassins do not accept women into their order readily. What chance have I to avenge my family’s death?”

Ben put his hand on Mai’s shoulder. “That’s so, but sometimes they do. It could be so with you. Let us sleep on what we should do. Perhaps the Denchi are not the answer, after all. But mark my words, the northmen and their dragon will pay for what they have done to us and to families up and down the coast of Jongchin. I swear it!”

Mai nodded, but she did not smile. The two children walked down the corridor to their rooms. Mai opened her door and entered, but Ben paused at his door, his hand on the door handle. When he heard Mai’s door close behind her, he straightened, turned, and headed back downstairs.

A Writer's Week #139: Writing & Selling

 Hi everyone. Spring is here and the weather is starting to warm up (just a bit). Just like some animals, I am emerging from what seems like a long period of hibernation. By that I mean I have a string of book and craft shows coming up over the next few weeks, which means I'll have a chance to talk to people about my books, which is something I really enjoy.

That doesn't mean I've spent the winter snoozing away. I attended a couple of shows, and I've been working on one of my works in progress, Tales of the Dragon Islands. I'm currently at 6,700 words and have begun adding details to the plot. I think it's really shaping up nicely, but there's still a long way to go. As I may have mentioned before, it takes place3,000 or so years before Eric and the rest of the Deliverers visit the Dragon Islands in book 3, The Golden Dragon of Ang.

I have also hired Silver Dagger Book Tours to set up a monthlong blog tour. Maia has been really great. It is currently running from March 21 to April 21. There are descriptions and excerpts from each book in the Deliverers Series. I contribute seven guest blog posts in the form of character interviews with Eric, Hallo, Kate, Stig, Sharky, the Gatekeeper, and Cy & Chunk. There are also two giveaways--one to win a $20 Amazon gift card and another to win a signed copy of Sharky and the Jewel. Check out the initial stop at Silver Dagger here. It contains links to all the stops on the tour. Follow along and comment on the posts and enter the giveaways!

As for personal appearances, I've got three lined up over the next three Saturdays:

               

Saturday, April 12, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Book & Art Fair @ The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main Street, Durham, CT 06422

I hope to see some of you at one or more. Can't make it? Don't worry, I have a few dates scheduled for May as well. See you soon.

Peace

Emily Hurst Pritchett Interview

 For a long time now, I've been planning to interview illustrator Emily Hurst Pritchett. However, being the procrastinator I am, I haven't quite got around to it. Now, I suppose the point is kind of moot as Annie's Book Stop of Worcester conducted a great video interview with her.

It's up on YouTube, but I've posted it below. The interview is really great. In it, Emily gives great insight into her creative process, her own personal taste in books and pastimes, as well as what it's like illustrating for independent authors, publishers, and what she's up to with her personal art. As you watch, you might even see a couple familiar books being flashed. 

This interview was conducted last spring. At the time she was working on the illustrations and cover for As the Owl Flies, a collection of short stories and poems that I released last summer. Here is a sample of some of the wonderful work that she has done for me:

 

 

 

 

Tales of the Dragon Islands: Chapter 1

 Here's the first chapter of my WIP, Tales of the Dragon Islands. Let me know what you think. 

Chapter 1

    Moonlight glinted off the slate tiles of the rooftops of the city. A lone figure, shrouded in black crouched low on one of them, surveying the array of buildings that stretched downhill toward the water. A slight breeze wafted up from the harbor, carrying with it the scent
of the sea.

     The figure sniffed the air and gestured slightly. From out of the shadow of a chimney, another shrouded figure joined the first on the ridgeline of the roof. It also sniffed the air, then pulled the mask down from its face.

    Giving a slight smile, it whispered, “Something’s afoot down by the harbor. What is it, Ben?”

    The other figure shook its head and held a finger to its masked face.

     “Oh come on, who’s going to hear us up here? There’s no one here but us.”

     “You there!” a voice cried out. “What are you doing up here?”

      Four figures in polished leather jerkins and gleaming spiked helmets clambered over the rooftops toward them.

    “The Night Watch,” the one called Ben hissed. “Move!”

    Together the two black figures glided away. Smaller and more agile than their pursuers, they moved with cat-like quickness, leaping from roof to roof. In seconds, they had left them far behind.  Moving to the edge of a roof, they slid down the drainpipe to an alley off a little used side street.

      Before they could congratulate themselves on their escape, strong hands grabbed them and locked them in a strong embrace.

      A bearded guard looked them over with a smirk. “Gotcha. What was ya doin’ up on the rooftops. Don’t seem like a fit place fer kids t’ be in the middle of the night.” With a swift tug, he removed one mask, then the other, revealing the faces of a girl and boy.

      “Aha, thought so. What might two orphans be doin’ leapin’ about on the rooftops?”

     “Why don’t you get stuffed, Sharfo?” the boy replied. “Don’t you have more important things to do than go chasing after a couple of kids?”

     The big man laughed. “I might, Benchu. However, Madame Fru sent me to find you. You are not supposed to be out so late. She is afraid for you and Mailynn. She says there is something in the air.”

    Benchu waived his hand dismissively. “Aw, what does she know? She’s always getting ‘feelings’. It’s nothing.”

    Sharfo pursed his lips. “Hmmm. That may be, but I have learned to pay more credence to those feelings than you. Youth is ever quick to scoff at the old, but in the end, they learn. Experience is a stern teacher.”

    He and two members of the Watch escorted the two children through the darkened streets. All the while, Benchu chafed, wanting to head the way they had come, back toward the harbor. Instead, they were marched uphill, deeper into the heart of Dragon Home.

    Turning down a side street they arrived in front of a large building. Its façade was somewhat worn and rundown, but not as much as the buildings closer to the harbor. The biting ocean breezes did not reach so far inland. A wide stone staircase led up to a covered portico that spanned the entire front of the building. It must have been grand once, but now it looked shabby and worn down.

   Standing at the top of the stairs was a stern looking old woman. Her black hair was streaked with gray and drawn back in a bun. She wore a scarlet silk robe, embroidered with gold thread. Piercing black eyes bored into Ben and Mailynn as they walked up the stairs. She stood straight and stiff, displaying no need for the polished bamboo cane she held in her left hand. As the children approached, heads bowed, her wrinkled face showed no emotion.

       “Thank you, for bringing my little birds home, Captain Sharfu,” her voice creaked, “Again.”

    The captain bowed low. “It is my honor, Madame, although I must admit that it is becoming a bit tedious.”

   “I understand, Captain, and I am sorry. When birds fly, sometimes their wings must be clipped.” The old woman sighed and turned to the children. “But I have been hesitating to do so with these two. I had hoped they would learn some restraint.”

                Captain Sharfu snorted. “Perhaps, you should move them to a stronger cage.”

                Madame Fru sighed and shook her head. “Ah well, children are not birds after all. They will follow their own path. These two will ever strive to fly, even though logic says they cannot.

“I have taken you and your men away from your duties enough for one night. Thank you again, Captain.”

Captain Sharfo bowed again. “Safeguarding children is part of our duty, Madame Fru. Once the sun sets, all citizens of Dragon Home are the responsibility of the Night Watch--even two young fledglings such as these. I am only thankful that the rest of your orphans are not as determined to fly the coop.”

He and his men bowed once more and headed back down the street. Ben watched as they were swallowed by the darkness.

                He turned. Madame Fru studied them with an icy stare. “Come, youngsters. We must talk.”

A Writer's Week #138: Making My Way in the Marketplace

 A lot happened in the past month. When the year started, my chief objective was to focus on marketing my books, primarily my Deliverers Series of middle grade fantasy adventures. This month, I partnered with Wendy Gay of One Digital Solutions, LLC. She designed a fantastic website that gives readers of the series some great information about the books and the characters. The best thing was that I was able to repurpose my custom domain, www.deliverers.net. Check it out and I think you'll agree that it looks really great.

So, website built, my next step is to expand my social media reach and connect with parents, teachers, and librarians. Yes. Indeed. Er, um, how am I supposed to do that, exactly? The search goes on for a person or group who can help me in this area. I have some feelers out and I hope to have an answer soon.

In the meantime, I have been securing dates for public appearances, at both author events and craft shows. Happily, dates are starting to be filled. I'm still looking for venues in late April, late June, mid July, late August, September and October. 

On the writing front...things have been pretty slow. Being busy with work and marketing has meant that work on Tales of the Dragon Islands has slowed. However, I plan to get back in the writing saddle this month and write...at least a little. I'm still hoping to have the first draft finished before the end of the year with a release date in spring of 2026. We shall see.

In any event, I'll be sure to share any progress right here. Stay tuned, and check out the website if you haven't already.

Peace

Tales of the Dragon Islands: Prologue v.2

 Hi all. Happy Super Sunday! Yes, the Super Bowl is today. It doesn't mean too much to me as my Dolphins are once again nowhere near being in the game. Still, it's fun to get together with friends, or family, or both, and have some food, watch the game and the commercials, and do other things during the halftime show.

This weekend, I have been doing some refurbishment of Tales of the Dragon Islands. I had rewritten a large bit of chapter 4 and deleted a chapter and a half of material once I realized I was headed in the wrong direction. That caused me to turn a critical eye to another part of the book that I was a little dissatisfied with--the prologue. So, I've rewritten it. I had posted the original here. You can check that out if you like before reading the updated version below. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Prologue

Autumn, 785 Year of the Dragon (YOD)
Jongchin, northern coast
 
    Eleven year old Benchu and his father, Jenchu left their small sod farmhouse early in the morning. They were going out to seed their freeholding. His father had tilled their two fields yesterday, and today Benchu had been asked to help with the planting. His father had never asked him to help with such an important task. He looked out on the bleak windswept landscape. An early spring breeze sent a chill through him.
    This would be the first year his father would trust him to distribute the precious seeds. He felt the weight of them in the leather bag at his side. The strap holding it dug slightly into his shoulder.
Something to the north caught his attention. A black plume was rising from the direction of the nearby coast.
    “Smoke!” he yelled, pointing.
    “Raiders!” his father exclaimed. “Benchu, find your mother and get her to the caves!”
    “What about you?” Benchu asked.
    “I must join with our neighbors to fend them off.”
    Jenchu went into the house and came out with his hunting bow. “Find your mother. She was down by the creek washing clothes with the other women. Get them all to the caves!”

    As he spoke, men from the village and neighboring farms appeared, heading toward the coast. They carried a ragtag collection of weapons and tools--bows, scythes, some swords. When they saw Jenchu, they all converged on the farm. He was a village councilor. It was up to him to plan a defense.
    “The coast is under attack,” he said. “It’s a good bet it’s raiders from the Northland. We have to go and meet them before they push further inland. Are you with me?”
    The gathered crowd nodded. A few cheered.
    “All right, then let’s go. Benchu, you go and alert the women like I told you.”
    Benchu nodded, and headed up the ridge toward the valley and the creek. He had almost reached the crest when he heard shouts.
    Turning back, he saw a horde of men coming up from the coast. They were dressed in leather and fur. They wore steel banded helmets with a large metal spike at the top. All carried two-handed axes.
He stood there watching, unable to tear himself away. As the villagers charged to meet the raiders, he saw his father shooting arrows, felling several northmen. He felt a momentary flush of pride.
    Then, a shadow rose from the smoke on the horizon. It moved swiftly toward them. The rising sun glinted on silver.
    Benchu gasped. “The Silver Dragon,” he whispered.
    It was the Silver Dragon of the North. Flying swiftly from the coast, it circled the battle once. Even from this distance Benchu was awestruck by the size of the great beast. The sun glinted off its silver scales. Great silver wings cast a shadow on the ground. Its sapphire eyes held a terrible hatred. The mouth was huge. It held large, curved yellow fangs and a ruby red forked tongue.