Coin-Operated Press FurZine issue is out!

Coin-Operated Press FurZine issue is out!

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/

FurZine is 20+ pages of Furry art, photos, poetry & prose! 

My short story, “Fall Season” & 2 of my illustrations from my ongoing cat sword & sorcery series!

[Print] 

FurZine - £6.00 - £7.00

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/furzine-1 

[Digital] 

PDF - FurZine - £3.00  

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/pdf-furzine

I Finished INKTOBER 2019

The last day for Inktober was yesterday, Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, or Samhain... And I feel--incredibly sad. 

I'm not sure why, but since I started to participate with Inktober 2016, this was my first year following the prompts. One year, I just drew what I wanted. 

Another year, I practiced urban and interior settings by doing progressions: one day for pencils, the next day, inks, and the third day of the piece would be coloring. 

But now, with the final being a totally cartoonish piece and the last day, I think I grow more as an artist every Inktober. 

This year is particularly poignant because I'm working on outlines and clear goals for where I want to take my writings and my art. From sibling's suggestions, to parent's encouragement, as well as a random stranger on Twitter, I beginning to get a sense of what I want to present to the world as well as how to market it. 

I have had better luck with my writings and how that may go but I have often struggled with my artwork, which has actually been longer with me than the writing. 

Perhaps I'm so close to it that I felt I couldn't release it. And perhaps that's the reason I'm feeling bittersweet... It's time. I finally know what I must do. 

NOTE: As with everything, I will update on website, blogs, and other social media platforms I'm on. And, as always, take care Dear Readers.

Writers that are artists/Artists that are writers...

When I posted on my Women of MFA Facebook page, it was a few sentences of four well-known writers that are/were also accomplished artists. In my readings, I have learned that many authors weren't just doodlers (as many are!), but actually talented illustrators, often illustrating their own work before it took off!

I may one day compile this list and showcase it in a proper setting, but for now, on this blog it shall be!

Shall we begin?

I have learned that such folks are rare.
When I asked if I could submit a cover for an e-zine, I could tell the editor was a bit skeptical. But afterwards, when my online story was going into the hard copy anthology, the same editor insisted that I also illustrate for my own story. He even bragged about me when he published his review on a well-known online newsletter!

Here's the link to the advertisement: Flayrah : Furry food for thought

Because "The Hobbit" is out in theatres (the next part, right?), I will mention Professor John Ronald Ruel Tolkien. He tops my list.
What? Wait! You didn't know what the J.R.R. stood for?

Tolkien's magnum opus "The Lord of the Rings" started life as bedtime stories for his children.
When it was first published, before the trilogy and the prequel went through their numerous reincarnations, Tolkien had illustrated both "Hobbit" and the covers to the other books. And I don't mean doodles, folks. Tolkien's covers, interiors and cartography (that's map-making) are so luscious, detailed and colorful, you wonder why the publishers (Ballantine and Del Rey at the time) didn't just go along with this.
Alas, many of us know that our author ideas for our books are hardly to never taken into account, so, if you can find these rare editions of Tolkien's artistic visions, KEEP THEM! Or, do a search engine of the images. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

On to my next post...

A Happy Discovery....by accident!

Ser*en*dip*i*ty - n. faculty of making happy discoveries by accident. ser*en*dip'i*tous adj. ser*en*dip'tous*ly adv.
(The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus - Second Edition-Berkley second edition/July 2001)
~~~~~~

There was a mall in the Skylake area, just several blocks and a 20-minute drive from my house during the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s.

As a little girl, my parents would frequent this mall for various reasons, as it wasn't our closest mall, (the 163rd Mall gets that distinction) and particularly the go-to store where my mom bought her sewing tools, kits, thread and needles. I think it also sold yarn.

Whether it was next door, or a section of the sewing shop, my eight year-old self flipped through a table rack of books, and it is here I discovered a gem.

by Stephen Cosgrove/Illus. by Robin James - Goodreads(c)

Serendipity(c)

A thin paperback with a unicorn foal and a tantalizing title. When it came time for us to leave, I asked mom if she would buy it for me, and she did.

The book was read by the time she drove us home. The story was short, had the most luscious illustrations ever, new words to learn, and a bittersweet ending. 

I remembered getting teary-eyed. I re-read it numerous times after until the staples became loose and the spine a little beaten.

Hungry for what I thought was a one-time deal, I placed the book in a respected spot so I could always access it. Imagine my delight and surprise that the two-legged, magenta dragon that was the adorable logo meant it was a series?

Serendipity(c)

Hungry for more, and disappointed that I could not find others, except for "Poppyseed" - circumstances and not returning to the store, nor able to remember the name, - I learned what 'Serendipity' meant, but couldn't remember that this was the actual series' name... Eventually, I forgot about the delightful books, until I rediscovered them in 5th grade. 

Cosgrove/James(c) 

Even in the Catholic school I attended for a short period, we had a library in the class and there were a variety of books: from Black Beauty to Oliver Twist, some French children's books, and a handful of Serendipity's books! I read "Trapper", "Leo the Lop", title book "Serendipity", and others that memory fails to recall. 

I made it a point to collect the series (I'm in my late 30s, and haven't scratched the surface), but life and other books got in the way... And then I re-rediscovered the series again online.

Cosgrove/James(c)

Serendipity(r) is just like its name: wonderful tales with strong moral messages, reminding me of a longer-length Aesopic fable.

And the art! Ah, the illustrations done mostly by the incredible Robin James are so lush, and so fixated! You fall in love with the large, doe-like eyes of the characters: both real and mythical.

The reader can probably count every blade of grass in the fields, count every flowers' petal, see the tendons in the horses, the equine characters are drawn quite lovingly realistic, and at the same time, whimsical - many of the animals in the Serendipity(r) series are drawn more anatomically correct than many other children's books to the point I believe these books inspired me to draw animals better. 

I've recently re-re-rediscovered these books! 

Serendipity(r) helped to formulate the childhood for many of us during the 80s. I'm honored that I was one of those original fans and am excited to read the newer titles, especially now that early readers came together and begged for more stories.

Serendipity(r) has now come under a new imprint/publisher and online shopping/reviewing has made the books easier to locate and purchase!

A happy discovery indeed....

~~~~~~~

P.S. Goodreads.com and many other online retailers such as BarnesandNoble.com, Abebooks.com, Alibris, Half.com, etc. sell the Serendipity(r) Books - both early and new editions - Give them a try, and do us older fans a favor.. Introduce these wonderful tales and characters to a new generation.

Upcoming Publications... American Athenaeum : Front Porch

Another bit of good news: Remember my essay on 1Bookshelf some months ago?

Well, 1Bookshelf is only one of many titles under the Sword and Saga Imprint.

Next month, my essay "Where did childhood and Childcraft go?" will appear in American Athenaeum's Front Porch issue!

Click the image to go straight to Sword & Saga Press' American Athenaeum page and purchase the print edition!

Photo by Christopher Woods (c)

Upcoming Publications... Allasso Volume 3

Couldn't have this blog and only showcase what is work-in-progress now, could we?

My publishing extends about 13 years ago, but it did not stop.
I am still being published and trying to keep my fiction and art in the public eye (or as much of the public as I can receive!:)))

I will embed the following links so you don't have to go traipsing around the 'Net looking for these journals once they come out.

Pink Fox Publications Allasso Volume 3 will be re-publishing my 2001 short story "The Merchant's Daughter" *Squee!*I am SO excited!*
This is amazing for me because I have actually been around long enough that I have works out-of-print!
 ~~~
(Anecdote incoming...) About 1-3 years ago, I queried an editor if he could reprint another earlier, published story, and he explained that, as long as I gave information about when and where it first appeared, he could reprint it. I keep obsessive track of all I have in print: hardcopies, URLs, titles to journals, and which piece appeared when and where.
(You can also check the Bibliography/Work cited webpage of my website for complete listing)
Once I submitted the information, the editor proceeded to tell me that he appreciates the classic journals and the chance to republish works of that time. He further said the younger readers now don't know the older stuff, so it's good for them to read it! (End Anecdote)
~~~
Can you BELIEVE THIS? That's CRAZY! I used to think you had to be dead to have things out-of-print, to be considered a classic, but I digress...

Also, why I am MORE excited:
The Author's List!
I know some of these writers, or, at least, am familiar with or read their works!
I had to be professional during the interaction with the editor, but later, totally geeked out when I saw the lineup I'm included in! (Is this what rookies feel like when they end up on their idol athlete's team?!)

Research does not have to be painful!

Research, especially for my creations, has often been a source of pleasure. I know that sounds odd, but experience has taught that when I research, look into information, it actually enriches the story, enhances the art.

Anthropological art, biological artists, those illustrations in science journals and encyclopedias have always fascinated me.

Some years ago, I realized I watched too many documentaries. I was a documentary-junkie. I decided to cut back.

Yet, taking notes from internet research, from numerous resources, checking out books, buying books, viewing documentaries with an eagle-eye, I was driving myself crazy.

It was a simple case of information overload.

Finally, I told myself that perhaps I worked harder, not smarter.

One day, I sat down, and decided to do something different: I would watch the documentary as a casual viewer, not taking notes.

I would tape the appropriate documentaries, disregard those that did not capture what I needed at the moment, and simply write down the experts' names, or a synopsis of the documentary series.

I still buy references -used- and I no longer visit my local library - I have most of what I need from my home libraries as well as what I now glean and receive from social media, and now, thanks to DVR, I can peruse and choose documentaries at my discretion.
Jotting down URLs, learning to categorize Bookmarks, these are the tools and tips for not making research agonizing, but productive, and, dare I say it? Even fun!
 
Yes, life doing research is good again.

Don't worry...Art series will continue

I know I promised my dog historical fiction illustrations. Have no fear - I have some folders saved and dated. I just need to do some digital touch-ups before I post. This is what happens when a person both writes and draws. Procrastination becomes almost chronic.