VIKINGCON PLUNDER

No lawless berserkers rampaged through VikingCon at Western Washington Universtiy campus on Saturday, but there were plenty of Otherworld folk from the fantasy, sci-fi, comic, and movie world.
Photographer, Heidi Pettit, took some snaps with her trusty cell-phone.

Rachel Ashby, aka Fionna of Adventure Time. Knight, Austin Voecks, behind.

Sipping a tankard of water (alas not Viking Ale) I joined the panel, "The Good, the Bad, and the Elvish: Character Archetypes in Fantasy Fiction," sharing the stage with R.E. Dalrymple, Wizard's of the Coast's global brand lead for Kaijudo, and fellow fantasy writer, Danika Dinsmore.

We three talked all things archetype, compared novel-writing and game creation, and a good time was had by all.

Then it was back to the exhibition hall to sign books.

Lana Swanson, aka Equis Zahhak of Homestuck, considers Dragonswood.

Some fine viking rigged it so my signing table faced the Costume Contest stage.

A whole lot of dancing was going on, so I jumped up.

Katie Myette, aka Mickey from The Sorcerer's Apprentice, danging to the DJ's music.

Twas a friendly VikingCon. No pillaging. But there was plenty of plunder, and fun in high commodity!

Until next time, fellow Dreamwalkers, walk well.

ROCK THE DROP 2013

 
Rock the Drop 2013

Readergirlz are happy to announce Operation Teen Book Drop 2013! On April 18th, readergirlz will be teaming with Figment,  I HeartDaily, SohoTeen, and 826NYC to celebrate YA lit in honor of Support Teen Lit Day on Thursday, April 18th. We can't wait!

This year, in addition to rocking out and dropping our favorite YA titles in public spaces for lucky readers to discover, we're also directing supporters of teen fiction everywhere to consider a book donation to 826NYC to help grow their library.

Here's how you can get involved:

* Follow @readergirlz on Twitter and tweet #rockthedrop
* Print a copy of the bookplate (found on readergirlz blog) and insert it into a book (or 10!) On April 18th, drop a book in a public spot (park bench, bus seat, restaurant counter?) Lucky finders will see that the book is part of ROCK THE DROP!
* Also feel free to post the bookplate (designed by the super-talented Lindsay Frantz) and add it to your blog and social networks. Proclaim that you will ROCK THE DROP!
* Snap a photo of your drop and post it at the readergirlz Facebook page. Then tweet the drop at #rockthedrop with all the other lovers of YA books.

If you'd like to donate books to 826NYC, here's the address:

826NYC
Attn: Joan Kim
c/o: readergirlz Rock the Drop
372 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Visit our blog , Facebook page, and Twitter more news and pictures before, during, and after the event! 

DREAMWALKERS:
a note from Janet: This is such a fun, generous event. This year I'm Rocking the Drop = sending books to 826NYC and dropping off a book in a fun location on the 18th.

I hope you'll join me and Rock the Drop.

Until next time walk well.

 

 

WHY I WROTE THE BOOK

I have never seen visions in the fire, though the writing craft is sometimes like that.

 

I have never been accused of witchcraft, though I might have been if I’d been unlucky enough to be born in medieval times when anyone deemed “different” was suspect. I’ve never been forced to dress as a leper to run from a witch hunter

 

 

or stumbled into a mystical forest like Dragonswood where fey folk and dragons dwell the way Tess does in my novel.

But all stories are in some way about survival, about who we are, where we come from, where we truly belong. And, like Tess, I’ve hungered to find my place, longed for true family, lost more than I’d ever hoped to, and made heart-rending sacrifices to help those I love.

 

Like Tess I’ve tried to find happiness, to craft a good life from what clay I’ve been given. Tess is braver than I am. Journeying with her, I can only hope some of her bravery has rubbed off.

 

Until next time Dreamwalkers, walk well.