Showing posts with label Young Knights of the Round Table. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young Knights of the Round Table. Show all posts

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Young Knights of the Round Table Gold Award Winner


Received word tonight that Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom is the 2014 Gold Award Winner in Juvenile Fiction for Global eBooks!

Sincere thanks to all at Muse It Up Publishing include publisher Lea Schizas, editors Anita Nolan, Greta Gunselman, and cover artist Kaytalin Platt.
 

Three Friends   Three Quests   Three Mysterious Predications


In Medieval Wales, 11-year-old Prince Gavin, 13-year-old orphan Philip, and 15-year-old blacksmith apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by their mentor the Wild Man. When an advisor to Gavin’s dad King Wallace is murdered and the valuable jewell known as The King’s Ransom is stolen, the Wild Man is captured and proclaimed to be the culprit.

Gavin, Philip, and Bryan bravely vow to clear their friend by taking the Knight’s Oath and embarking on individual quests to save The Wild Man. In the end, each one faces their fears and even death in their determination not to fail, and one will disclose the biggest secret of all.





Also available in paperback with it's new cover.













iBooks


Currently on tour with Mother Daughter Book Reviews and Orangeberry Book Tours.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom 2013 MD Book Review Tour

Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Schedule (2013)

September 9
September 10
September 11
September 12
September 13
September 14
September 15
September 16
September 17
September 18
September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 24
September 25
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30

Monday, May 13, 2013

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop featuring Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom



To celebrate the Release of the paperback copy of 

Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom
I've invited the boys back to conduct the Virtual Tour of the Welsh settings found in the book. 
Also one lucky visitor will win their preferred eBook format of the award-winning book!
 

Enjoy a tour of the Welsh settings in The King's Ransom by The Young Knights themselves: Gavin, Bryan, and Philip. 

Sit back, munch on English scones with jam and clotted cream, and sip some English tea as you start your journey.  

English Scone w/jam and clotted cream
English Tea
         
First stop is the historic Pembroke Castle in southern Wales

 
Pembroke Castle



 Hi! Gavin here.  Wanted to show you my home. Well, not really my home. When I grew up, castles were made mostly of wood. Oh we had some stone inside the castle keep, but not much. Over the centuries, the wood rotted, and eventually my home was abandoned by my descendents.

Around 1093, the castle pictured above was built. In 1457, Harri Tudur, also known as Henry VII, was born there.

Today, Pembroke Castle, along with its surrounding grounds, is maintained by a Private Charitable Trust and is open for public tours year round. For more information, visit Pembroke Castle.

Next stop is Manorbier Castle which is also located in southern Wales. 


Manorbier Castle


In The King's Ransom, this is where my family's enemy lives. For years, Manorbier's King Edward has attempted to annex our family lands. The alliance between my father King Wallace and King Arthur put an end to Edward's schemes.

Today, Manorbier Castle enjoys a happier connection: It appears in the movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!

I have heard that now people can actually stay in the castle and in the village. If you would like to learn more, visit Manorbier Castle.


Lunch Stop! Are you hungry? thirsty? Ready for a little diversion?

I am. Hi there. Bryan speaking. Fishguard on the coast has the greatest pubs. We're stopping today at the Royal Oak Pub

Royal Oak Pub
for a special treat: Cornish Pasty with Welsh ale or beer.  For our younger members of the tour,  Ginger beer is on tap!





 Our author, Cheryl Carpinello, makes these also. What a great meal!
Cornish Pasty
Ginger Beer

Full? No time for a nap. We've arranged for a mock sword fight by none other than Medieval Knights!



Wow! That was exciting! But Philip keeps pulling on my sleeve. He waiting to take you to the final locations. Hope you are enjoying yourself.

I'm Philip. We're on our way to the final two locations before nightfall.

From Fishguard, we'll head back south along the coast to Cardigan Bay. This location plays at important part in our story. We all come to Bryan's rescue here, but don't tell anyone! You can read all about it in The King's Ransom.


Cardigan Bay
The bay looks calm here, but in a storm, the sea ravishes both sand and humans. Unlike when we were there, Cardigan Bay now offers visitors sandy beaches and dolphins in the sea. To learn more about this seaside village, visit Cardigan Bay.


Final stop on our tour is St. David's Head.
St. David's Head
This shows all the beauty of St. David's, but wait until you try climbing up to the top in the dark and in driving rain! Oops, don't think I was supposed to tell you that.

Philip! I said not to give anything away.

I'm sorry, Cheryl. I'll just tell them how to find out more about St. David's Head.

Well, hurry up. Their tour bus is ready to leave.

To find out more, visit St. David's Head

Thanks for visiting us and our locations in Wales. We hope you buy and read our story Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom.

Gavin, do you think Cheryl will write us another story?

We'll have to see, Philip. I know she's been thinking of it. Any idea where Bryan went?

There he is!

Where, Philip? I don't see him.

He's in the tour bus! And it's leaving!

Hey, wait for us! Wait! Bryan, tell the driver to wait!

Gavin, slow down. I can't run that fast.

If you don't, Philip, you'll be walking all the way back to Pembroke Castle!

Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoyed the tour of Wales, and we all hope you enjoy Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom!





 














a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Win "Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom" in paperback

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Young Knights of the Round Table by Cheryl Carpinello

Young Knights of the Round Table

by Cheryl Carpinello

Giveaway ends April 22, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Friday, February 22, 2013

February Author Hunt

Welcome to the 23rd day of A Book Lover's Library February Author Hunt. To participate you have to go to A Book Lover's Library and sign up on Rafflecopter.

Today Feb. 23 is the only day for a chance to win copies of my books: Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend and Young Knights of the Round  Table: The King's Ransom.


I am going to make this easy for you because I hope that you will stay long enough to take a look at my blog and the fabulous children/s/MG/YA authors that I've interviewed. Hopefully you will pop over to my web site Beyond Today Educator to learn more about me and the books I write.


I love the color Blue. The cast currently on my left hand is blue (and makes typing difficult), and strange enough the first novel I wrote alluded to blue. Castles in the Sky was written years ago and probably will never see the light of day or the blue sky.

I always wanted to be a teacher. For 12 of the 24 years I taught, I also worked part-time for a major US airline. Shortly after I started, I was given the nickname "Teach" by my co-workers, many of whom have become my good friends. Must have been from all those nights that I graded papers waiting for our planes to return.

My first name Cheryl represents my entire life. Family and friends are 'dear ones', and I absolutely 'love' teaching and working with those high school students. That 'love' extends to my writing and showing younger kids that reading and writing can be fun.

I have many favorites: The Hobbit was my favorite movie of 2013; Jello cheesecake with strawberries on top is to die for; and my favorite author as a kid has to be Rutherford Montgomery who wrote The Golden Stallion series.

My love of animals continued into my adult life. The last two pets I adored were our cat Tigger of 18 years and my horse Pretty Lady of 33 years. Sadly, I currently have no pets as those two passed away a few years back.

My latest book released is Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom, an Arthurian tale for young readers ages 8-14. It has already garnered two awards even though it is only 77 pages long.

You can find me home every New Year's Eve watching celebrations worldwide on TV. I prefer to do crazy things at other times of the year like when I flew eight friends/family to Las Vegas to see Sting in concert. Have to love those airline benefits!

I'm not afraid of much, certainly not aliens or ghosts. Have to believe in aliens until it can be proven that they don't exist. And while I've never seen a ghost, I have seen people who strongly reminded me of someone who has died. The one thing that scares me has its roots in my childhood and is the main reason that I will never scuba dive. During play as a child, I was hit so hard in the stomach that the breath was literally knocked out of me. Never experienced anything so scary as not being able to breathe.

On a lighter side, I'll never try to imitate Popeye or any other superheroes if spinach is required. I hate that slimy green vegetable.

My current work-in-progress is a quest of a different sort for my readers. Sons of the Sphinx takes readers back to Ancient Egypt on a dangerous quest to right a wrong committed 3500 years ago. In the spirit of this, the first book I read in 2013 was Nick Drake's Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead. Showing support for my new adventure, a dear family member presented me with The Egyptian Book of the Dead for Christmas.

One last tidbit about me. I never had an imaginary friend growing up. Instead, I transported myself to imaginary places, and this led me to be the type of writer that I am today.

Hope you enjoyed. Good luck!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

2013 WOI January Tour



Heads Up! My World of Ink January 2013 Virtual Tour Started Today. See my month-long schedule at the link below! Join me for new interviews and insights into my writing life.

January 6th
Writers and Authors - Guest Post

January 7th
Children's Writer's World - Guest Post

January 8th
Books Are Cool - Spotlight

January 9th
The Crypto-Capers Review

Blog Talk Radio Show - Stories from Unknown Authors

January 10th
4 the LOVE of BOOKS - Spotlight

January 11th
Stories for Children Magazine FG Interview

January 13th
Utah Children's Writer Blog - Guest Post

January 14th
BTR's World of Ink Network
Stories for Children Show 2pm EST

January 15th
Books Are Cool - King's Ransom Review

January 16th
Families Matter - Interview

January 17th
Mama's Book Corner - Spotlight

January 18th
Books Are Cool - Guinevere Review

January 20th
Home School Blogger - Guinevere Book Review

January 21st
Kit-Lit Reviews - Spotlight

January 22nd
Roth's Inspiring Books & Products - Interview

January 23rd
Mother & Daughter Reviews - The King's Ransom

January 24th
Home School Blogger - The King's Ransom Book Review

January 25th
Kit-Lit Reviews - The King's Ransom

January 28th
Writing Blind - The King's Ransom Review

January 29th
Roth's Inspiring Books & Products - Guest Post

January 30th
Andi's Realm - Spotlight & Giveaway

January 31st
A Book Lover's Library - Guest Post

February 1st
Families Matter - The King's Ransom Review

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanks to The Young Knights



This week I want to share with readers my thanks for the exceptional job my Three Young Knights are doing.


October 2012 


2012 Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards:



The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) earns the Silver Award for YA Fiction.



November 2012


2012 USA Best Book Awards:






The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) honored as a Finalist in the “E-book: Children’s Fiction.






of 
The King's Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table)

Reviewed by Lela Buchanan for Readers Favorite

In a literary world rife with paranormal characters and situations, "The King's Ransom" offers a refreshing and realistic approach to pre-teen medieval reading material. The three young protagonists come from different levels of society: a prince, a blacksmith's apprentice, and an orphan. When their friend, "the Wild Man", is accused of murder and theft, they so strongly believe in his innocence that they join forces to clear him. Each one faces his own fears with determination in the quest to solve the mystery, a journey filled with danger and suspense, and, ultimately, a highly satisfying conclusion. The Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur and his famous sword, Excalibur, and even Sir Lancelot make brief but powerful appearances in this tale of coming of age.

Cheryl Carpinello has written a clean, tight read without using any of the props so prevalent in the young reader's genre. Although there is a "witch" and a "ghost" in the story, they are secondary and realistic characters playing supportive roles. The three young heroes: Gavin, the youngest prince who longs to be a knight; Bryan, the blacksmith's apprentice who also longs to become a knight; and the orphan Philip who has secret longings, all set aside the boundaries of class to work together. Carpinello writes, "On his quest to save the wild man, he [Gavin] had learned a man was only as good as his beliefs." I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book and was genuinely surprised by some unsuspected revelations.


Five Bookworm Review by This Kid Reviews Books

Excerpt:

This was a great book! I liked all of the action and excitement in it. Ms. Carpinello wrote this book really well and it was very appropriate for kids even though it deals with fighting and a wrongfully accused person. Ms. Carpinello described the time period really well, I felt like I was a knight in medieval times! I really love that the story features a bit of King Arthur legends in it! The ending had a couple of great twists that had me totally surprised! The only thing I’d change about the story is I would have liked to know how the boys became friends. It did not tell you that and I think it would have been nice. I like the things that the boys did to try to save the Wild Man. Those were pretty good parts to read about. I like all of the three boys. They were all great characters, each special in his own ways. I think kids ages 9+ will really enjoy this book.


Thank you, Young Knights!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Meet Children's Author Kathy Sattem Rygg



Author Kathy Sattem Rygg joins us today. Learn a bit about her and her children's book Animal Andy.

Kathy, why did you pick to write books for Middle Grade readers?
 

Middle grade and especially younger middle grade seems to just come naturally to me. Maybe it’s because my own kids fall into this age group so I’m around it all the time, but the dialogue is easy for me to write. I’ve tried writing YA and adult and found both very frustrating, so I just stick to what I know. And my books always have a little bit of magic to them because were my favorite types of books to read growing up.


What types of books do you like to read?
 
I read a lot of middle grade as a way to study my genre, but my favorite is historical fiction. Tracy Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring) is my favorite author. She writes the most amazing historical fiction novels.


When you are not writing, what do you like to do?


When my kids have a day off school, I love taking them on outings—to the zoo, the museum, the pottery place, etc. We go to lunch afterward and make a whole day out of it. I also love date nights with my husband where we get a babysitter for the kids and go out for some great sushi (we love food!) or to see a movie. I’m very close to my mother, and we try to have a lunch and shopping day together once a month which is also lots of fun.


Tell us about ANIMAL ANDY and how the story came to be.
 
As I mentioned before, my kids and I love going to the zoo, and we have one of the best zoos in the nation here in Omaha. My son is fascinated by tigers, and one day we had a conversation about what it would be like to be a tiger. That inspired me to explore writing a book about a boy who turned into different animals. Our zoo also has a beautiful menagerie carousel my kids like to ride. During another zoo visit, I decided a carousel would be a great magical device to turn my main character into animals. 

Animal Andy is a great book for kids ages 7-10, both boys and girls. There are some great animal characters, so anyone who likes animal stories, adventure, and a little magic thrown in will enjoy this book! 




Here is a teaser from Animal Andy. 


Ten-year-old Andy Ohman is spending his summer working at the Aksarben City Zoo where his dad is curator. There are rumors the city might close the zoo due to budget cuts. An anonymous donor has given the zoo an antique animal carousel, and Andy’s dad is hopeful it will help boost attendance. Andy’s doubtful that an old kiddie ride will make a difference. He doesn’t see what’s so special about it. But when he takes it for a spin, he unlocks the magic that will help save the zoo. 




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.
 
I have a children’s chapter book available called Tall Tales With Mr. K. It is about a magical third grade teacher who takes his students on adventures in the teacher’s lounge. They are kidnapped by pirates, learn the flying trapeze at a circus, and solve a jewelry heist. It’s a fun, humorous book for kids in first through third grades. I’ve had so many requests from readers for a sequel that book two will be out early next year.
 
What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

I’m currently working on a middle grade adventure series that involves the sport of geocaching. I have the manuscript for book one complete and am writing book two.


What advice do you have for other authors?
 
There are so many publishing options these days, don’t think you have to be traditionally published to find success. Smaller independent publishers such as Muse It Up are wonderful, and self-publishing is a great option for books that don’t quite fit into traditional molds. Just make sure you still use professional editors and cover designers to ensure the highest quality. With so many books on the market today, focus on finding your own little niche to start. I’m having tons of fun visiting my local schools and public libraries. I’d much rather be a big fish (or at least medium-sized fish) in a little pond!


Where can readers find you and your books?
 

Animal Andy is published by Muse It Up Publishing. The ebook is available online at the Muse Bookstore. The print version is available on Amazon.

Tall Tales With Mr. K is available in print on Amazon and as an ebook on Smashwords.

Kathy Rygg’s blog site is http://ksrwriter.blogspot.com
Follow her on Facebook under KSR Writer
Follow her on Twitter @kathyrygg

About Kathy:
Kathy Sattem Rygg is an author, freelance writer, and editor. She earned a degree in magazine journalism from Iowa State University and has worked in corporate marketing for several Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, she worked at the McGraw-Hill Companies’ Business Publications Division in New York City and was the Editor in Chief of Women’s Edition magazine in Denver, CO. She is currently the Editor in Chief of the children’s online magazine knowonder! and lives in Omaha, NE., with her husband and two children.


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Young Knights of the Round Table Release Announced!



Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom will be released in eBook format on May 25, 2012. Copies will be available in Kindle, Nook, Sony, Html, and PDF format for $3.50 at MuseItUp Publishing's Book Store


Please join me for the on-line Launch Party May 25 and 26 at MuseItUp Publishing and here on my blog. Lots of food and drink and all of it calorie-free!


The paperback version will be released later in the summer or early fall. 


I look forward to sharing my newest adventure with you!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Pre-Launch for Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom

Welcome! 


I hope you will enjoy a chilled glass of mead or ale and chocolate-covered strawberries as you view the Young Knights’ cover.


Eat! Look! Drink! Read! and be Merry!

For all visitors today, please leave a comment to enter to win a free ebook of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom after the official launch. If you are unable to leave a comment, please send me a message via FB or DM @ccarpinello.

Kaytalin Platt, my Muse cover artist, designed this.



Back Cover

In medieval Wales, eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and fifteen-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed and a jewelled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is accused of the theft and murder. Filled with disbelief at the arrest of the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. Join Gavin, Philip, and Bryan on their quest and share the adventures that await them in the land of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  

Testimonial:

The adventures these future Young Knights of the Round Table experience in their quest to save their friend are filled with the fantasy and adventure story elements that children love to read. There’s a villain, secret passages in castles, swordplay, and even a witch. And with King Arthur’s appearance, astonishing secret identities being revealed, and a happy ending, what more could anyone want in a good read? —Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D. and author of “King Arthur’s Children: A Study in Fiction and Tradition”

I’ve also included a short excerpt from the book for you to read. Grab another drink and some more strawberries and enjoy!  


Excerpt 

Chapter One:   Gavin

Gavin bounded down the keep steps, eager to discover the cause of the cacophony echoing through the tower. The snorting and whinnying of horses competed with the voices of knights calling to each other across the courtyard. He stuffed his green tunic into his black breeches as he ran. In too much of a hurry to comb his hair, Gavin tried to smooth the brown cowlick with his fingers.

As the youngest prince of Pembroke Castle, Gavin dutifully attended his daily lessons. As a page, he was learning to handle a sword in battle and take care of the weapons, equipment, and horses of the knights. Soon to be a squire, he worried about how he would act in battle. Well, not exactly in battle. Squires tended the knights’ horses and guarded the supplies while they fought. The unspoken rule of warfare stated that squires couldn’t be put in danger. However, others in the castle had talked about the times the enemy had sent warriors behind the fighting to attack the supply line. Squires who hadn’t run away had been injured or killed.

Gavin worried about disgracing his family and the crown, worried that he would be scared enough to run or worse, get injured or killed.

The simple truth was, he was afraid.

Burying those thoughts, Gavin burst into the bailey courtyard amassed with horses and knights milling about. Dust swirled, choking the air, causing him to cough and sneeze. He recognized his older brother Robert across the chaotic courtyard and raised his hand in salute.

Robert led his black gelding over and handed Gavin the reins.

“Hi, Gav.” Robert tousled Gavin’s hair.

“What’s happening? Where are you going?”

“Someone broke into the throne room last night and stole the King’s Ransom...”

Gavin gasped. The medallion was made of gold and embedded with emeralds so dark the jewels looked black except in the sunlight. Then the deep green had sparkled lighter and reminded him of the first blades of grass pushing up through the dark earth in the spring. The tremendous weight of the medallion required him to use both hands when holding it.

Stories passed down said that a traitor over the channel had used it to force a king to ransom his kingdom. To be in possession of it meant to be in possession of power. Many men wanted that power. Gavin’s grandfather’s grandfather had found it as a young man during the siege of a French castle. Though only seventeen, that prince had recognized its importance and had risked his life to bring it home. To protect his find, he’d spent the night in a storeroom listening to the screams of the defeated forces and the drunken laughter of the victors. He’d presented it to his father, and it had been in the possession of the King of Pembroke Castle ever since.

 “...and killed one of our men,” Robert finished, breaking into his thoughts.


Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to leave a comment via FB or DM @ccarpinello!

My Muse author page: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php
My Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/cherylcarpinello
My IAN author page: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/cheryl-carpinello.html

Monday, April 30, 2012

Young Knights' Cover!

Here it is! The cover of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom. My Muse artist was Kaytalin Platt. Thanks, Kaytalin, for the fabulous cover.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Meet The Young Knights

Back in January 2012, The Young Knights made their first public appearance, albeit an early one, on the Muse's blog. As their real debut gets closer (May 2012), I wanted to give you another opportunity to make their acquaintance. I'm sure that they will stop by closer to publication for another interview!

Interview with the Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom


“Hello?”
“Do you see anyone?”
“Shh!”
“Well, do ya?”
A head poked out from the open door. “No. There’s no one here.”
“Gavin, how could that be?” A red-headed boy followed the first out of the doorway.
“Do you think we’re late?” Another voice spoke from the doorway.
The boy called Gavin turned and spoke to the others. “Don’t think so. If anything, I figured we would be early.”
All three cautiously entered the room.
“Look here,” the red-headed boy pointed to the table and chairs. Sandwiches and a pitcher of water set on the table.
“Food and drink. We must be in the right place,” the third boy spoke.
“Our author just must be late,” the red-headed boy replied.
“I think you’re right, Bryan,” Gavin said. He slapped Bryan on the back. “Let’s sit down. I’m kinda hungry.”
Gavin and Bryan sat down.
“Come on, Philip.” Gavin motioned to the other boy still standing. “Join us. None of us has eaten since dawn. You must be hungry, too.”
Philip smiled and sat down.
For several moments no one spoke while they ate.
“Well,” Philip started. “What do you think they are going to ask us?”
“I thought that Cheryl said it would be about The King’s Ransom,” Gavin answered.
“She did. Remember she told us not to reveal any of the book’s secrets,” Bryan added.
“Should we go over what to say,” Philip asked. “I don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
“We could practice, I guess.” Gavin looked over at the door. “Doesn’t appear to be anyone close by.”
“When we introduce ourselves, should be use our titles?” Bryan asked.
“No bloody way!” Philip shook his head. “Only Prince Gavin. Ours would give away the ending of the story.”
“Okay. Then maybe Prince Gavin could tell about the setting of the story,” Bryan offered.
“Right. I’ll tell how the book is set in Wales around the 5th century.”
“You can also tell them that St. David’s Head is a real place on the western coast,” Philip added.
“Yeah, and be sure to tell them about Cardigan Bay. I may die there.” Bryan said.
“You’re not supposed to tell that!” Philip punched Bryan in the arm.
Gavin glared at each of them. “I’ll tell about those places, but first I have to let our readers know that my home Pembroke Castle and Manorbier Castle are also real and still standing today.”
Philip and Bryan nodded.
“Don’t tell them about the ghost at Manorbier Castle,” Philip reminded him.
“I won’t.”
“We have to tell about The Wild Man,” Bryan said.
“Just so we don’t tell too much about him,” Gavin said. “It’s okay to say that The Wild Man is our friend and accused of murder.”
“Yeah, and we can tell how the three of us swear on the Knight’s Oath to help him,” Philip butted in.
“Right,” Gavin said.
“Can we tell about the witch?” Bryan asked.
Gavin and Philip both shook their heads.
“What about saying something about our author?” Bryan tried again.
“We could do that,” Gavin agreed.
“She must like King Arthur.” Philip explained. “We’re the second book she’s written that takes place during his time.”
“That’s right. She also wrote about Queen Guinevere when she was around our age.” Bryan added.
“It’s called Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend,” Gavin chimed in.
Philip walked over the to window. “Shouldn’t someone be here by now? I mean, after all, it’s supposed to be an interview.”
Gavin shrugged his shoulders. “I wonder if we got the day or the time wrong?”
“I don’t know, but it is getting dark outside. We need to think about getting home.” Philip pointed out the window.
“It’s not even supper time, the sun can’t be going down already, not in the spring!” Bryan joined Philip at the window.
“Unless it’s not spring.” Gavin came over also. “Look how low the sun is on the horizon. It’s not spring! It’s the middle of winter!”
“Well, no wonder no one’s here to interview us,” Philip stated. “We not supposed to be out until the spring. We are early.”
All three looked around uneasily.
“Do you think they’ll notice that some of the food and water is gone?” Bryan whispered.
“What do you think? Let’s get out of here while we still can,” Gavin led the way to the door they came in.
“What do we tell Cheryl?” Philip asked as they slipped through the doorway.
“Nothing!” Gavin and Bryan replied.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Meet the "Young Knights"

I would love to have all of you stop by my publisher's blog on Sunday (Jan. 15) morning to meet the characters in my new book Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom. This is their first time in the public eye, and they are a little nervous, as well they should be. Their book is scheduled for release this coming May, and the public's introduction to them was set for April. Just goes to show that you can't predict what kids will do.

The link is http://museituppublishing.blogspot.com

I am the main blog on Sunday morning until noon. After that I will be the second one as another Muse author posts. Hope you are able to visit.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Young Knights Contract!

I am thrilled to announce a publishing contract for Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom. MUSEitUp Publishingout of Canada picked up the digital and print rights. Tentative date for its debut is May 2012. Young Knightswill first appear digitally.

I will keep you posted on its progress.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

10 Facts about My First NaNoWriMO

It's December 1st, and November and my first NaNoWriMo are behind me. Definitely an enlightening experience and more.

Having been asked not too long ago what my passion in life was, I would now have to say that Learning is my passion. The facts listed below illustrate a large part of my learning over the last 6 years and the last 30 days!

Facts:

1.  I finished with 21,599 words.

2.  I was short 28,401 words.

3.  My initial outline for Tutankhamen was 4,000 words.

4.  Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend ended up being around 28,000 words.

5.  Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom is currently at 23,400 words and at the editor.

6.  Guinevere took 5 years to write, edit, and publish.

7.  Young Knights has taken 2 years to write, rewrite, and now edit.

8.  Tutankhamen-An Autobiography took 8 months to research and outline, and 30 days to write the first draft!

9.  My fundraising goal for Young Writers was $250; I raised $255.

10. I didn't make the 50,000 words, but I still came out a winner and richer for the experience.

Thank you all for your support.

And to my writing buddy, Alice. Let me know how you finished NaNoWriMo.