Archive for the ‘New Releases’ Category
Where I’ll be in September
Posted by: Lyon
September 2nd, 2010 >> Books, New Releases, Tour/Appearance
It’s almost time for me to be back on the road. This month’s appearances are:
Tulsa, Oklahoma: OPHA Pagan Pride Days — Sep 11, 2010 – Sep 12, 2010
http://www.oklapha.org/paganpride.htm
Columbia, Missouri
Mid Missouri Pagan Pride Day — Sep 19, 2010
http://www.midmopaganpride.org/
Southern Ozarks, Missouri
Soule Fest — Sep 30, 2010 5:00pm – Oct 3, 2010 5:00pm
http://www.wolvenwold.drak.net/sf2010.html
If you are in any of these areas, I’d love to see you. Please come by. In Tulsa I will also be doing a reading of my newest book “Smoky and the Feast of Mabon” written by Catherynne M. Valente.
Speaking of “The Feast of Mabon,” it’s been getting rave reviews since its official release on August 21.
There are two 5-star reviews over at amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Smoky-Feast-Mabon-Catherynne-Valente/dp/0979683467
MidWest Book Review says “…”Smoky and the Feast of Mabon” is a lovely book that teaches children to appreciate the gifts of each season, but particularly fall, and not to mourn the passing of beautiful flowers or plants because they give many good gifts in their endings, and in their endings is another beginning. “Smoky and the Feast of Mabon” is enhanced by spectacular illustrations which bring the magical child story new dimensions. “Smoky and the Feast of Mabon” is written particularly for children ages 5-9.”
The book is available now for purchase at your favorite retailers. If they don’t have it, ask them to stock it for you. Please buy your copy now so you have it in time for Mabon on Sept 21. You can also purchase directly from the publisher at http://magicalchildbooks.com/smoky.html
If you head over to the publisher, you can also get a free teaching guide for “The Feast of Mabon.” It’s perfect for classroom, home school or Spiral Scout activities. http://magicalchildbooks.com/smokyguide.html
Hopefully, you have had a chance to download your ABC Goddess coloring page which was sent out earlier this week. This leave us 3 more letters before the series is complete.
Until next time, may the Lord and Lady keep you safe and bless your harvests, whatever your crop may be.
Blessings,
Lyon
A brand new picture book trailer for Smoky and the Feast of Mabon was uploaded by the publisher yesterday.
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr2sIihLVWc
Share the link with your friends and relations. The book’s on sale date is Saturday but it’s already available on amazon. (Last time I looked they only had one left in stock.)
I am working on a new coloring page. Stay tuned, it should be arriving in your in box shortly.
You can buy the book directly from the publisher (Magical Child Books), at amazon, or your favorite retailer. If the store doesn’t carry the book ask them to order a copy!
‘U’ coloring page for ABCs of Lessor Know Goddesses
Posted by: Lyon
May 10th, 2010 >> Books, Illustration, New Releases, Tour/Appearance
I cannot believe it’s been months since I was able to sit down and work on a coloring page Goddess. Between getting the art for my newest book done and touring around the country and dealing with family stuff, I have been running full tilt since January.
I have a full page of things to do on my to-do list, but I am happy to say I have marked off the ‘U’ installment coloring page for the ABCs of Lesser Known Goddesses. This Goddess is from India and is called Ushas. She’s a dawn Goddess which seems perfect for the beginning of May and spring in full bloom around us. To download your free pdf, sign up to the mailing list and check the files section for this page and archived previous pages.
The newest book “Smoky and the Feast of Mabon” by Catherynne M. Valente is done and even though the ink is barely dry, you can grab your very own copy directly from the publisher (http://magicalchildbooks.com) before it is available anywhere else. So far it’s been getting rave reviews. My friend Ginger Doss said the art fills her heart to overflowing with peace and contentment. I can think of no higher praise. Please head over to the web site and get your copy now. (And if you are into soul sister music Ginger’s new CD “Hand and Hammer” is coming out this month!)
The final appearance for for me in May is at the Heartland Pagan Festival in Kansas, May 27-31. I will be signing books and giving workshops for the kids! Please stop by and see me if you are there.
Bright Blessings,
Lyon
“T” Goddess coloring page and new book news
Posted by: Lyon
December 24th, 2009 >> Books, Finished, Illustration, New Releases, Thoughts
It’s been a while since the last update. I have been really busy with a NEW BOOK. It’s called ‘Smoky and the Feast of Mabon’ written by award winning fantasy author Catherynne Valente. As you probably surmised from the title, it’s a book about Mabon. We are both really excited about the project and can’t wait till we can tell (and show) you more about it. Because it’s a Mabon book, it will be officially released a month before the holiday in August 2010, but people who place pre-orders through the publisher (Magical Child Books) web site may be able to get it sooner. AT least that’s what the rumor is. It’s up in their shop for pre-order now. Catherynne has finished her part in it and I am diligently working my fingers to the bone to make the art deadline with all the pictures. I think this book’s art is going to be my best yet and I am really pushing myself to stretch the envelope.
I have had a few people ask about coloring pages with Gods and the answer is yes, I will be doing the ABCs of Lessor known Gods after the Goddesses are finished. That will be very soon as I only have U,V, W, X, Y and Z left. And I am not sure there are any x goddesses! If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, please do. All the other pages are archived for the members. I hope you all have a very blessed end of the year and stay tuned to this blog for updates on the new book. I’ll share art as soon as I can!
New coloring page is ready!
Posted by: Lyon
November 9th, 2009 >> Books, Illustration, New Releases, Thoughts
Merry hi dear Friends!
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you, I have been busy with a number of interesting projects which I am sure you will be excited to learn about.
The first one is a new picture book! Due out next year, it is authored by none other than acclaimed and award winning fantasy writer Catherynne M. Valente. Her wonderful story, called ‘Smoky and the Feast of Mabon,’ is as magical and entertaining as her adult and young adult fiction novels. And, as you probably guessed from the title, it is a Mabon story. The publisher will be taking pre-orders on their web site (http://magicalchild books.com) soon. Meanwhile, the book is in production and moving along nicely.
Speaking of books, all 4 other titles are still available at the web site as well. There are bundled purchase choices too which are money saving deals! And the publisher now accepts Discover Cards! Remember that a book is the best buy dollar for dollar of any form of entertainment. Please add one of the books to your lists when considering what gifts to get the young children in your life.
The other project I am working on is with author, Ashleen O’Gaea. Our Pagan parenting book has been picked up by an agent for representation. While the book is still in a holding pattern, both of us are hopeful it will find a home soon. I’ll keep you informed when there is more news.
I spent a rather cold and soggy October touring around the Midwest. It was wonderful to see some of you at the events I traveled to. I am always grateful and humbled by the kindness and joy with which I am greeted. Your support is what makes this all worthwhile. I am currently scheduling my 2010 events, and this year I am adding something new. I will be doing school visits! Programs for elementary through college level classes include things like how to make a picture book, story telling and what the life of an illustrator is like. If your kid’s school has visiting authors or illustrators, please let me know who hires the visiting creatives and maybe I can arrange a visit to your child’s school.
And last but not least, the newest coloring page for the ABCs of Lesser Known Goddesses is ready for download. Go to the publisher’s web site to sign up to the Yahoo newsgroup to get access to this one and all previous coloring pages. This page’s letter is “S.” The Goddess, Srahman is North African from the Kaffir peoples. She is a dryad spirit who teaches travelers the way of the woods.
As always, I love to hear from you. Please let me know what you think of the coloring pages, my books or if you have any questions about them or suggestions for upcoming new stories.
I am now on Twitter. My username is lyonmartin. Please friend me if you have a Twitter account.
Until next time!
Bright Blessings,
Lyon
“Rabbit’s Song is an imaginative children’s book written in the style of a folktale…Vivid color illustrations (of a bright green rabbit, a red coyote, and their brown and deep blue avian friends) help draw young readers into this adventurous, magical fable.” – Midwest Book Review
I am beyond excited!!!
November update comes screeching under the wire
Posted by: Lyon
November 30th, 2008 >> Books, New Releases, Thoughts
Merry Hi Friends!
I don’t know about all of you, but my November has been quite full. In fact, it’s been so chock full it got away from me when I stopped to regroup. When I came up for air it was already the 24th!
The month started with my leap into trying to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. November is National Novel Writing Month. http://nanowrimo.org Thousands of aspiring (and published) authors from around the world drop everything to attempt writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. I didn’t make it this year, but my word count is double what I managed last year, so I am pretty pleased.
Next up, I was invited to be a guest speaker at the Annual Fall Conference of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Missouri chapter. I spoke about the process of creating art for picture books from start to finish. See below if you’d like to have me speak at your school, club, group or event. I hold workshops on the publishing process, as well as teaching Pagan centered crafts or workshops.
Right about the same time, I was given my first case as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. http://www.nationalcasa.org/ It’s a volunteer position, but a lot of work. I speak for a child in the foster care system to make sure his/her needs are met and that he/she is placed in a loving, safe and permanent home as soon as possible after being brought into care.
With the recent Thanksgiving holiday just past this week, it only seems fitting to thank each and everyone of you for supporting me in my dreams and career. Without your emails, comments and yes, book purchases, I could not continue to live my dream of writing and illustrating fun and entertaining books for children.
Yule is just around the corner, and many of us are tightening our belts until it hurts. Still, we do want to give gifts to our loved ones. Please consider adding one of my books to the list. Dollar for dollar books are a better investment than most other forms of entertainment. Do your part to help support your local
businesses and buy locally and through independent retailers and booksellers whenever you can. Magical Child Books has made locating your local independent book seller easy. At the bottom of each book’s web page (along side the link to amazon) is an buy Indy link. You click on the link and type in your zip code and the 5 closest book stores to you will be listed with all their contact information.
Below are all my books currently available on the publisher’s web site: http://magicalchildbooks.com, amazon and other online book stores or your favorite book seller.
AN ORDINARY GIRL, A MAGICAL CHILD
Written and illustrated by W. Lyon Martin
Magical Child Books — Trade Picture Book – Available NOW!!!
An Ordinary Girl follows Rabbit, a young Pagan child through the wheel of the Year. Readers follow along with her as she celebrates Wiccan holidays, rituals and spells.
AIDAN’S FIRST FULL MOON CIRCLE
Written and illustrated by W. Lyon Martin
Magical Child Books — Trade Picture Book – Available NOW!!!
An interactive picture book. With hidden pictures in the main story, children get to help a friendly squirrel gather acorns for the coming winter, all the while learning the basics of a Wiccan Full Moon gathering.
WATCHERS
Written and illustrated by W. Lyon Martin
Magical Child Books — Trade Picture Book – Available NOW!!!
Based on a poem by Kelley Magee, this book is a bedtime story filled with subtle Pagan symbols in the illustrations. The hero, Thomas, is worried about the eyes watching him in the dark. He hatches a plan to capture them only to find out what he fears is really there to protect him.
Due for release to booksellers in FEBRUARY 2009
RABBIT’S SONG
Written by S. J. Tucker and Trudy Herring; illustrated by W. Lyon Martin
Magical Child Books — Trade Picture Book
Is currently only available for purchase through the publisher’s web site. A limited number of autographed copies (S.J., Trudy and my signatures are all there for you!) are still available. Buy before December 13th to assure delivery in time for Yule gift giving. Plus, as a special bonus for people placing
pre-orders for Rabbit’s Song, you will receive a MP3 file of Trudy and SJ reading a special story available no where else.. This is a limited time offer and is only available for those placing pre-orders for the book. The MP3 file will be removed from the servers on February 14th, the official release date of the book.
At Magical Child Books you can see inside pages of the books, read reviews and even find teaching guides. You can even leave your own reviews in the publisher’s shopping cart if you want to share your own views on the books.
Freebies:
This month’s coloring page is “L” of the ABC’s of Lesser Know Goddesses. Leucothea is a sea Goddess known for fostering the baby Dionysus. Go to the group’s web site to download this and previous coloring pages. If your budding artist sends me their masterpiece after coloring it in, I’ll post it on my blog. (Please keep files under 1 MG please.) Remember the monthly coloring pages are archived at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/magicalchildnews/. Let me know if you have a favorite Goddess who you think will be a good addition to the pages. We are only half way through the alphabet, so any letters we haven’t covered (M-Z) are still open for suggestions.
Visits:
To invite me to speak at your school or event, learn more at
http://magicalchild.handcraftedpagan.com/workshops/ or email me at lyon@handcraftedpagan.com.
To view my current schedule of events, go to http://magicalchild.handcraftedpagan.com/bio/appearances/. NOTE: Due to my current involvement as a CASA, I am limiting appearances in 2009 and 2010.
Note:
Again, I appreciate your continued interest in the milestones in this amazing career of mine and hope you’ll invite your friends and family to learn more about my books and enjoy my free downloads by sending them to the links above. Of course, I don’t want to bug you, so if you’d rather not hear about these things, you can always unsubscribe. But I sure hope you’ll stick around to share
this exciting trip!
Bright Blessings,
Lyon
Children’s Book Writer & Illustrator
http://www.handcraftedpagan.com
A perfect gift for the little ones on your list
Posted by: Lyon
November 29th, 2008 >> Books, New Releases
Mama Dragon aka Trudy Herring, the coauthor of our upcoming picture book “Rabbit’s Song” has graciously invited Trickster to use her livejournal page http://uglygrandmother.livejournal.com/ to record his diary of his search for animal representatives.
Read the story behind the story while you wait for your copy of the book to arrive.
My new book, Rabbit’s Song has a book trailer. That awesome voice on the sound track you hear is one of the authors –S.J. Tucker.
I am truly excited about this project. It was so wonderful to be able to work with such talented and extraordinary ladies.
