Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Sword of Senack: A Fantastic Fantasy

I admit to not playing fair with you in my Saturday posting. I began with a professor’s adage about how to teach:
First you tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em.
Then you tell ‘em.
Then you tell ‘em what you told ‘em.
Then I proceeded to cheerfully ignore the adage. I didn’t tell you what I was going to tell you today. Instead, I tried to whet your appetite with several possible topics about which I might write. Hidden in that list was the following: “Will I share my reading of books by other bloggers?” And that’s it folks. Today I’m going to share with you how a fellow blogger’s book—The Sword of Senack—came to be written.
            Ten years ago, Elisa Stilson gave birth to her second child. Two months later she and her husband underwent the harrowing experience of having to let go of Zeke. Elisa’s firstborn, “the Scribe,” didn’t understand where her little brother had gone. She wanted to follow.
            To comfort her daughter, Elisa began the bedtime story of a young girl—Aliya—whose brother Jack was spirited away. The intrepid sister followed him and ultimately rescued her brother from the dangers of Ophyrus, a winged orange dragon, and Constance, a vengeful witch who lives within a bone-chilling ice palace on the Isle of Deltre.
            To do this of course, she needed magic. The magic of drawing what came to be, the magic of breathing in the ocean’s depths, and the magic called love that does not tire when faced with the difficulty of finding a beloved brother.
            Magic enabled her to leave the castle of Senack with its living mural that foretold the future and to venture into the ocean on a glass-bottomed boat she’d drawn. Encountering a whirlpool, Aliya’s boat fell down, down, down into the watery deeps. Mystery lurks. Adventure beckons. Suspense tempts her to use the Golden Flame.
            Within the ocean’s depths, Aliya encountered eeriness: gladiators like Calder who laugh at death in the colosseum; Secrenas who hiss their own darkness; ancient giants like Teius who believe in possibility; and barbed Rentans who carry disease like a plague.
            This cast of fantastical characters could have frightened a less spirited sixteen-year-old and sent her scurrying homeward—but not Aliya, not the Scribe who so wanted to find and comfort her brother. Of course, she also wanted companions—both in her home and in the story.
            She got her wish: Elisa and her husband had three more children. Their blog names are “the Hippie,” “Zombie Elf,” and “Doctor Jones.” As each of these children came along and became interested in hearing bedtime stories, Elisa incorporated her or him into her ongoing fantasy of the Sword of Senack.
            Thus the Hippie becomes Sky, who knows the future; Zombie Elf becomes a pirate, who sports a black eye patch and eagerly seeks escapade; Doctor Jones becomes Indy, who awaits deliverance after the witch kidnaps her.
            Ah, you see all the ingredients for a first-rate fantasy: Adventure. Improbable creatures. Suspense. Courageous children. And yes, adults who sometimes don’t have their priorities right.
            “Ah, my friends, and oh my foes,” the Sword of Senack will draw you into an underwater world of peril with two talented heroines and a swashbuckling hero. You will wonder at the creative mind behind this book. A mind that envisioned an underwater world that will enthrall both children and adults.
            For such is the power of Elisa’s astounding imagination: she introduces you to that which cannot now happen on our earth and convinces you that all is possible to those who say, “Why not?”
            For fellow blogger Elisa Stinson, whose fantasy I’ve so enjoyed reading, I have only this song to offer. It’s what I want to say today to Elisa.


            What I didn’t tell you about last Saturday is the contest accompanying the publication of The Sword of Senack. Here’s the information on that. Please do consider entering.
            And please do truly consider purchasing the paperback or the e-book edition of The Sword of Senack. It is the first of four planned books in the Mer-son cycle. You won’t be disappointed. Elisa is an accomplished and creative writer. She’ll take you with her on an exciting underwater adventure.




One of our favorite authors, EC Stilson, has done it again! She has graciously purchased a Kindle Fire to giveaway to one of her readers. The Sword of Senack is an epic fantasy about three children who embark on a journey to find their brother, but in the process may discover the truth about themselves. This tale of an underwater adventure is now available as a physical book and eBook through Amazon. It is also only .99 on Smashwords--for a limited time.
           In addition to this exciting news, Wayman Publishing will be giving away $50, five signed copies of The Sword of Senack AND considering new talent for publication! Please check out http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/p/senack-writing-contest.html for more information about the art and writing contest.
        Now, to enter to win these great prizes, please make sure to follow the Rafflecopter rules below. You must complete the MANDATORY entries to reveal eighty-two more easy, possible ways to earn entry points towards the Prize. Please remember, the more entry points you gain, the better your chances are of winning. So Good Luck!

The hosts for this giveaway are:

1) The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom

2) voiceBoks - The Voice of Parenthood

3) Makobi Scribe

4) WikiMommy - The Information Site for All Things Mommyhood

5) Just Married with Coupons

6) Simply Stacie - Product + Book Reviews, Giveaways, and more!

7) Sassy Mama in L.A.

8) About a Mom Blog

9) Planet Weidknecht

10) Coming Home to Myself

11) It's Rhyme Time

12) Good Steward Savers

13) Sweep Tight

14) Moms with Voices Media







a Rafflecopter giveaway

50 comments:

  1. Dee,

    This means so much to me. Wow! I'm very blessed to know you :)

    -Elisa

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    1. Dear Elisa, . . . just as I'm blessed to know you. Peace.

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  2. Beautifully written my friend as only you can! E's book is amazing and it would be a shame if people didn't know about it! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Dear Melynda . . . like you, I think it would be a shame if readers didn't know about "The Sword of Senack." Peace.

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  3. A beautifully written & well deserved tribute to our Elisa!!

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  4. What a great way to honor Elisa. And to let us know about this book.

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    1. Dear Inger, I was so pleased to get to do this for Elisa. Her new book truly is good. Peace.

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  5. I am looking forward to reading the book- it sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Dear Shelly, I so hope you enjoy it. I'm a real fan of Harry Potter and J. K. Rowling and now I'm a fan of the "Mer-son cycle" by E. C. Stilson!!!! Peace.

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  6. Will be checking this out. Enjoyed the great review.

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    1. Dear Patti, . . . I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I'm going to do a photographic recap on Saturday. Peace.

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  7. Dee, Thanks so much for promoting the work of our beloved Elisa. And what a great song. I happen to think YOU'RE the top.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Dear Janie, . . . thanks for the kind words. I've always loved that song but probably readers below fifty have never even heard of it! Peace.

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  8. Wonderful - and you're the top as well, Dee. Wonderful to hear about the book, which I will look into getting. You would make a great literary agent. Thank you so much for sharing this information.

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    1. Dear Penny, . . . I'm sitting here grinning a the thought of being a "great literary agent." Last week I started sending e-queries to literary agents and thus far no luck. I'd hate to disappoint people so I don't think I'd do the job very well. But thank you, Penny, for the thought. Peace.

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  9. You are such a good friend, Dee. All that truly know you are indeed lucky people.
    Thank you for your kind comment.
    Hugs,
    Pam :)

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    1. Dear Pam, . . . I do try to be a good friend, but I think all my friends try to be the same. A community of women who support one another. Welcome to the club.
      Peace.

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  10. Dee, you are so generous with your reviews and promotions of your friends' books. I do hope this new one has a great success.

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    1. Dear Perpetua, . . . I'm going to do one more posting for Elisa's book--the review part of the adage I used. Then I'll be back to writing about my life after grad school. Then in May, I'll do a posting or so about a new book on cats I have coming out.

      And by the way, you listed "The House of Brede" as your favorite book on Penny's blog. I so like that book too. It draws me back into the life I once knew. And into the person I choose to be.

      Peace.

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  11. OMGoodness! the song was the "topper"!!
    Congrats to Elisa on her second book. You're a great friend, Dee. :):)

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    1. Dear Rita, . . . I think you realized from the Saturday posting what this one was going to be about. Didn't you? I'm glad Cole Porter's song was the "topper"! For me also. Peace.

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    1. Dear Autumn, I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean. Peace.

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    2. Dear Autumn, . . . but I do thank you for stopping by. Peace.

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  13. What a wonderful review! I am already planning to purchase this new book of Elisa's, but it was great to hear more about it.

    I am thoroughly enjoying The Golden Sky and will be immersed in it very soon (as it's my bedtime!)

    Thanks for your sweet comments on Kailyn's birthday post!

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    1. Dear Sandi, . . . I'm sure Elisa will be pleased that you are going to purchase her book. She has four planned for this series and she's started out with a truly fine fantasy. Like you, I always have a book by my bedside for reading in the hour I lie in bed before turning off the lights. I'm glad you are enjoying "The Golden Sky." That will truly please Elisa too. Peace.

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  14. Your enthusiasm is indeed infectious! I am intrigued with the contest as well as Elisa's book. I plan to check out all your wonderful links and see what I can learn. I agree with Penny that you'd be a great literary agent. You do more than the few I've watched publicize friends' books! Loved the Ella Fitzgerald clip! I think as a friend you must be The Top! Thank you, Dee. I'll take a look at all that you've offered here, and seriously consider! Debra

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    1. Dear Debra, . . . Let me know how the contest goes. I myself have never done one of these contests and so I have no idea what one does with that coupon at the bottom! But I wanted to publicize Elisa's book because it's a really good read. I'm glad you liked the Cole Porter song. I so like both him and Ella Fitzgerald. Peace.

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  15. thanks for tipping me off about the book. sounds great. you are a good friend.

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    1. Dear Ed, . . . you are welcome. I think you'd enjoy it because of the creative imagination that went into it. Your writing is so creative and one will speak to the other. Peace.

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  16. Elisa's book sounds exciting. I am waiting for my new kindle to arrive, so when it does, I will buy this book, plus yours.. God bless you both. Hugs.

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    1. Dear Crystal Mary, . . . I, too, am thinking about buying a kindle so as to read e-books. I'm traveling to Minnesota in two weeks and taking a load of books. But with a kindle, all I'd have to bundle up and pack is one slim mechanical machine! Peace.

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  17. I will indeed, investigate all the books you have listed. Shame the Kindle Fire is not available here yet!:-(

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    1. Dear Broad, . . . can you not buy the Kindle Fire there or can you not use it? As I said to Crystal in my response above, I'm thinking of buying an e-reader. But that will have to wait until I find out if I need all my money for moving!!! Peace.

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  18. I will be purchasing Elisa's new book! Didn't realize how soon it was to be out! You are so special to be hosting this new release!

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    1. Dear Susan, . . . I got to read a proof of the book. I'm a thinking you will so enjoy it!
      Peace.

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  19. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a kind comment, Dee.
    I hope you have a delightful weekend.
    Hugs n smiles across the miles,
    Pam i am ~:)

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    1. Dear Pam, . . . it's been rainy here for three days, but the weekend may bring the sun's rays through the rain clouds. Peace.

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  20. It sounds simply wonderful -I will definitely look for this book.

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    1. Dear Melissa, . . . it truly is wonderful! Peace.

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  21. Great review, Dee! Very enjoyable read!

    And, I love "You're the Top"!! It's one of my favourite songs!

    Blessings,

    Patricia
    P.S. Also, thank you for being part of this Giveaway - it was a nice surprise to find on your blog.

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    1. Dear Patricia, . . . I"m glad you liked the review, especially since you write so many interesting and inviting ones yourself. Peace.

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  22. All the best to Elisa with the publication of this new book: may it grow wings and fly :-)

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    1. Dear Kate, . . . yes, flying off to the land of successful publication! Peace.

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  23. I hope your gray skies clear so you can enjoy a sunny weekend. My thanks for your kind comment, Dee.

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    1. Dear Pam, . . . those three birds you introduced me to today through your photographs will stay with me a long time. Thank you. Peace.

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  24. Hi Dee! I was having trouble with my blog the other day and replying to comments, so I must have accidentally deleted our conversation - not intentional! Thank you for the kind words about the book and for telling your friends :D

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    1. Dear Melissa, . . . thanks for stopping by and letting me know what happened. I recommended your book yesterday to a friend who has two daughters who are seven and ten. I'm sure they'd love your boo--"The Christmas Village." Peace.

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  25. Makobi Scribe sent me! Thanks for the giveaway.

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