Oh, good Lord...

[lexkx]

Well, it's official. In two weeks (or four, depending on where I look...), my first book will be released.

Yippy-skippy, joy and dancing! Yes, I'm doing a little of that. (Some intense anxiety, too, of course.)

The story is not speculative, except in the sense of "how would I put a fairy tale in the modern world without magic?" That aside, it is a contemporary YA titled The Silent Swan. There is an ARC available on smashwords right now (I have a free coupon code, if anyone wants), and a blog tour being organized--though I freely confess my low place on that learning curve. (I swear, every time I turn around, technology morphs all marketing into a horse of a different color.)

[Kessie]

I read it, and it's AMAAAAAAAAZING. As soon as you have a spot on Amazon, I'll write up a review.

It did bring up a problem I've often struggled with--large families are awesome, but in a book, it means there's a kajillion minor characters to keep track of. :-p

Also, I'm going to do that thing with the brownies in the cabinet someday.

[lexkx]

Thank you SOOOO much, Kessie.

I agree, big casts in a book are hard to keep track of. If I didn't have other fairy tales the boys all wanted to star in as they come of age, I'd have snipped some of them out...

[Kessie]

The fairy tale with the seven swans has always been one of my favorites. It'll be fun to see where you take these characters with more fairytale adapts!

[metalikhan]

How cool!!!

(coupon, coupon she chants want it want coupon coupon...)

I love fairy tales and their various retellings. I even loved the old Fractured Fairy Tales from the Rocky & Bulwinkle cartoons.

So are you taking requests for the next ones? Kessie mentioned the Seven Swan Brothers -- yeah, my vote for that, too. How about Green Snake or The White Deer? The Bremen Town Musicians might be a challenge but they could rock!

[lexkx]

Hmmm...I have some flexibility about the stories. The next one on the list is a fairy tale I read as a child but can't find. (And I have contacted and been forwarded to folklore scholars on three continents...) Let's see...The Devil's Three Golden Hairs is definitely on the list, as are Silver Hands, The White Snake, The Boy Who Could Not Shiver and Shake, and The Singing, Soaring Lark. I have to find good ones for Mike and Vanya, though.

(I brought up the Bremen Town Musicians, but I had to quell a revolution when the boys found out there were no damsels. Apparently, they are only tolerating this fairy tale business if they get a princess to rescue and cool transportation. They are a loud, messy crew of kids who never turn their &$@# X-box off.....)

And, like you, I did love those Fractured Fairy Tales. I had a priceless moment with my niece and nephew recently. She was watching her Disney princess song list when the wishing well song from Snow White came on. Her brother, having never seen the film, asked who that boy was and what was he doing. I thought about it, and the fact that their father is a cop, and said, "He's breaking and entering to tell that girl she's pretty and he wants to take her away and keep her for himself." My nephew scratched his head at the girl, then laughed up at me and said, "And she said NO!" Out of the mouths of babes...

[Kessie]

Metal: The Silent Swann book IS the retelling of the Seven Swan Brothers. It's great fun to see it translated into modern day. :-)

[Bethany J.]

I'd love to read it! I have a soft spot in my heart for fairy tale retellings. I would love to have the coupon code too...

[Kristen]

Congratulations, lexkx! If you'd like to promote your book release with a guest blog on New Authors Fellowship, just e-mail me: [e-mail].

[beckyminor]

Congratulations...hang on tight! I can imagine the next few weeks are going to be topsy turvey. Wishing you abundant success with your release.

[lexkx]

Thanks, Becky. And yes, Kristin, I will come over and email.

[Teskas]

Many congratulations, Lexkx! May all your reviews be glowing, and your sales stratospheric!

[Bethany J.]

I tried to log onto the website and download the book but I never got their verification email after more than one try, so I am unable to create an account! Boo. Maybe I'll have to wait until it's on Amazon.

[j2starshine]

Congrats!

I too have read it. It is goooood. :-) super excited for ya!