A Writer's Week #145: That About Covers It

Howdy everyone. This past weekend was really fantastic. It started Friday night on the green in Milford, CT where myself and a few other Connecticut Book Festival authors got together to sell our wares. With temperatures in the upper 20's it was frosty, but we still managed to have fun a nd sell books while passing around a space heater to keep defrosted.

Saturday was a doubleheader. I had a great time meeting people at the St. Rose School Christmas Craft Fair in Newtown, CT. At the same time, my wife was selling a few copies of  As the Owl Flies at another church craft fair. Good times.

This week, I am on vacation. The timing is perfect because artist Emily Hurst Pritchett sent me the completed art files for Fire & Ice yesterday. So, I've been busy finishing the interior layout and putting together the cover. I should have an author's proof to review on Thursday and if everything looks okay I plan to release the book on New Year's Day.

In anticipation of that, here is the new cover:

Emily came up big once again. This is the first novella in what I'm calling Dragon Island Legends. Here's the blurb for the back cover:

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold,

Although Some Like it Hot

For generations, raiders from the North and their Silver Dragon have been plundering the Dragon Islands and stealing children. But the Islands are not defenseless, for they have a dragon of their own, the great Golden Dragon of Ang. 

Now after countless raids and battles, there is peace. However, old wounds are slow to heal. That is particularly true for Benchu and Mai-Lin, two orphans with revenge in their hearts. With the outbreak of peace, Ben and Mai have only one hope at vengence-they must seek out and join the Denchi Assassins.

But things don’t always go according to plan. Ben and Mai will come to learn that it will take more than a thirst for revenge and a lethal assassin’s guild to make things right.

In my next post, I'll share the front and back of the cover as well as the maps. I'll also update you on the plotting of the next book in the series. Stay tuned.

Peace.