2014 Novella

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Coming March 20th!

Briana (Vedsted) Atkisson's avatarWhen I Became an Author

Prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime! As the world journeys from Winter’s icy grasp to the warm embrace of Spring, begin another adventure alongside Kidd, Dan, and Shey Tate, the three young orphans who are searching for a place to call home. In my new book, The Home Fire, you’ll walk step-by-step beside bold, brave Kidd, kindhearted Dan, and toddling Shey, from their Indian-ravaged birthplace into the vast unknown in search of a new life and a place to once again light their home fire.

Coming March 20th, 2014! Don’t miss this Young Adult novella! Will be available on Amazon as both an eBook and a paperback! Purchasable through other retailers soon after!

the home fire cover

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What Do You Think of Magic Items?

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
Yahoo Image Search

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One of the big things in fantasy books happens to be oddly controversial too. The use of magical items is common, but many people disagree with how they should be used.  Some people don’t want them at all in the stories unless they’re an ancient item of great power that is essential to the plot.  Others think they should be forbidden items and only villains have them even if there is a heroic spellcaster.  On the other end of the spectrum, you have worlds where magic items are commonplace such as Harry Potter.  I could keep going with the list of beliefs on magic items, but I’m sure people will voice some more in the comments.

Personally, I think it depends on the world and characters.  If it is a low magic world then items of power shouldn’t be common.  Of course, the exception would be if the only sources of magic are these items, so they’ve been mass produced.  Now a world with magic everywhere like Windemere makes it believable that such items are easy to find.  There would be stores for magic rings with high prices and not every magic item will have the power to change the world.  For example, there is a class of item called Durable Gear, which means they’re stronger than normal items.  As the Lich says ‘everyone and their dog seems to have one of these items’.  Nobody said a crafting caster couldn’t be in it for the money.

There is also a question of who can wield magic items, which is another world-dependent entity.  I’ve never understood the idea that only spellcasters can use magic items with the exception of scrolls and wands.  A magic sword is something that sounds like it can be used by anyone who can swing it.  If the system states that one needs to study magic to awaken an item’s power then that’s how the world works and I’ll go along with it.  I might question a spellcaster wielding a magical great axe, so I think the items have to be crafted accordingly.  I’ve gone for magic items that everyone can use if they are in the proper situation.  Luke’s new ring requires a catalyst as do a few later items.

So, what do people think of magical items in stories?  Do you want them to be around, limited, or absent?

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Morning After Update

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
Sleeping after his nap

Sleeping after his nap

I didn’t sleep very well for many reasons.  Mostly indigestion from eating a large slice of Rigatoni ala Vodka Pizza, which I declare was worth it.  Anyway, I’m not sure what to continue writing here.  I was going to mention that Family of the Tri-Rune was still on a few Top 100 Lists, but it fell off while I was getting my son dressed.  Still on the Hot New Release lists though.

It looks like either a 4 or 5 star review vanished from Beginning of a Hero, so I can’t say it’s all great news.  Not sure which one.  All I know is one is missing and the 1,2,3 star areas haven’t changed.  It’s certainly an old one, so maybe somebody’s account was deleted.  I think with everything going on in regards to review guidelines, it’s a little worrisome to see a review vanish.

Anyway, I’m off to start my day and hopefully get some work done.  I’d go back to bed, but that always results in me either being groggy for the time I’m awake or sleeping so much that I can’t sleep at night.  I’m stuck as is.

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5,000 Blog Follower Giveaway: LIVE

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Join in a big giveaway!

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Progress for Day 1

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
By Kayla Matt

By Kayla Matt

Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune is doing great on its first day!

It’s on the Hot New Release lists for Kindle eBook Sword & Sorcery and Kindle eBook Epic Fantasy.  As for the ranking, here it is at the time of this posting:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,881 Paid in Kindle Store

The sales have been good even though the other books have stood still.  I guess it’ll take some time for things to churn up.  The real marketing hasn’t even kicked off yet, so I’m hoping this is a good start to a great run.

Edit at 11:30 PM:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,174 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#79 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Fantasy
#87 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Sword & Sorcery

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Print Version Of “Aspie Poet” Now Available.

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Check out the limited time offer on this poetry book.

dantiller's avatarA Poem A Day

My ebook “Aspie Poet” is now available in print form on lulu. There is 20% off for a limited time.

Check it out below.

Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

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Post-Debut Goals!

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Well, Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune is live and I just finished contacting all of my debut month advertising sites.  Any help in spreading the word will be appreciated it.  I do have the blog tour scheduled for the first half of April and the information has been sent.  Now I’m simply not sure what to do for the rest of the day.  I should probably eat and shower.  Tomorrow I go back to the 7th book and life returns to somewhat normal.  I’ll be checking my sales numbers for the new book every hour because I’m that level of crazy.

I admit to being scared of this book debut because of what I saw with the third.  I might make a post in a week or so about this.  Though, I might have already talked about how a series will have staggered sales or something.  People don’t jump in on the 4th book, so that one will start off slower than the first.  It’s really a game of hoping I can get momentum on one book to set off the others.  Like I said, the idea doesn’t really make sense to me yet.  I’ll see how the first week goes.

I think I’ve run out of topics or my brain is melted.  So, I ask again, is there any topic or question that people want me to answer?  I already have next week set up with magical items and their uses/rules.  After that, I’m stumped.

Goals for the week:

  1. Promote Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune.
  2. Write Legends of Windemere: Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue.
  3. Plan out future blog posts.
  4. Eat jellybeans.
  5. Bike, sleep, yawn, and eat when time permits.
  6. Stop leaning back and hitting my head on the alarm clock. This one might need some urgency.
  7. Have toddler run around the yard in afternoons.
  8. Put on socks.
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Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune! On Sale Now!

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune has Arrived!!!

Buy it Here for $2.99!

Book Blurb:

The magical adventure continues after Luke Callindor and his friends recover from their battles in Haven.

Nyx still has nightmares about casting the genocide spell in Hero’s Gate. Every night her heart is gripped by the sensation of hundreds of goblins dying by her magic. By the request of Lord Highrider and Duke Solomon, she is returning to fix the damage she caused. With Luke Callindor and Sari by her side, Nyx is ready to face the vengeful goblins and opportunistic thieves that plague Hero’s Gate. Yet, there is a darker threat that was born from her violated magic: The Krypters.

It is another action-packed, character driven story that will reveal one of our heroes has been lied to for their entire life.

Wondering what you’re in for? Check out the praise earned by the first three installments of this high fantasy series.

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Review Excerpts for Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero:

“I greatly enjoyed the vivid characters, the gripping plot, and the refreshingly unique writing style (present tense). ” – kdillmanjones

“One of the things that won me over was the bouts of humor. Especially in the beginning. “This is not possible! I am a Paladin!” I thought I was going to die with delight.” – C.N. Faust

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Review Excerpts for Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower:

“Nyx is such a strong personality. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and more of the other characters, new and already known, with the rich tapestry of Windemere unfolding in between intense actions scenes and moments of kindness and budding friendships.” – Danielle Taylor

“Almost like the Harry Potter series. The books start out so young and innocent, but by the last book – watch out!” —  Momto4Booklover

Cover by Jason Pedersen

Cover by Jason Pedersen

Review Excerpts for Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies:

“One of the things I love most about this series are all the characters! They are developed so well that I feel like I know them personally. Even the newly introduced characters fit in immediately.” – BarbBookWorm

“Let’s talk about action. The author creates interesting action sequences with believable use of fantasy elements. He is very creative. There are also good sections where the characters stretch out and we get to know them better.” – Donald L. Mitchell “Music Lover”

Charles author photo B&WAuthor Biography:

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.

Contact:

Blog-  www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter-  @cyallowitz
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CharlesYallowitz

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Thank You!

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
Yahoo Image Search

Yahoo Image Search

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who participated in the Twubs Chat.  Ionia, Papi Z, S.K. Nicholls, and Pamela made it a lot of fun.  Now, I’m off to make sure everything is ready for the book release. The plan is simple:

  1. I hit Publish.
  2. I sleep.
  3. I wake up to it being Live.
  4. I post that it’s Live.
  5. I submit to all the marketing sites for Stage 1 of my plan.
  6. I get the Blog Tour info sent out.
  7. (This list is for my own benefit.)
  8. Try to avoid checking sales every hour.
  9. Be busy until passing out.
  10. Monday things go back to semi-normal.

Sounds like a good plan.  I’ll get a ‘regular’ Goals of the Week post after I get a bulk of the debut work done.

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Wolves of Shadows

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz
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Yahoo Image Search

Their padded paws hide their path
Yet they snarl to scare their prey
Hungry though they’ve eaten
An appetite never sated
Born from delicious destruction
Unable to know joy
Without the sorrow of another
Beasts prowling on the horizon
Waiting
Lurking
Howling

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