The Auralia Thread

A collection of 86 posts

The Auralia Thread

Noteworthy moments in the Raven's Ladder blog tours

Blog tours are interesting. You find readers who really "get" what you've written, who provide fascinating interpretations and useful criticism, and you find readers who really don't connect with your work. Sometimes you read criticism that leaves you puzzled. Here are a few moments

The Auralia Thread

The Interview Party, Round One

So, I've been answering a lot of interview questions lately, as bloggers read and review my new novel Raven's Ladder. I'm honored to have my work be the focus of so much scrutiny. And, as you might expect, a lot of the same questions

The Auralia Thread

Your Fantasy-Novel Pet Peeves... and Auralia's Colors.

What are your fantasy novel pet peeves? The fantasy writer at Badgerish.net begins a post with this: Sometimes the Fantasy genre (or any genre, I suppose) gets so caught up in trends that one can almost lose hope. Right now a certain sparse writing style seems to have preempted

The Auralia Thread

Do A Serious Man, Avatar, "The Prodigal Son," and Raven's Ladder Have Anything In Common?

Free for lunch on Thursday? Bring a sack lunch to the Library at Seattle Pacific University at 12:30. I'll be reading from Raven's Ladder and talking about storytelling style from "The Prodigal Son" to A Serious Man to, um, Avatar. Copies of all

The Auralia Thread

Pop Damage reviews Raven's Ladder

Who says Monday mornings are a drag?! I was minding my own business, getting some work done here at the office, when lo... I was blessed by a friend who sent me this link. It's the Pop Damage review of Raven's Ladder, by Jason Panella. Thanks,

The Auralia Thread

Pop Damage reviews Raven's Ladder

Who says Monday mornings are a drag?! I was minding my own business, getting some work done here at the office, when lo... I was blessed by a friend who sent me this link. It's the Pop Damage review of Raven's Ladder, by Jason Panella. Thanks,

The Auralia Thread

The Crazy Interview Begins.

Having completed a long list of online interviews for Raven's Ladder, I've challenged fans and friends at my Facebook Page to ask me questions that I haven't seen on an interview before. (I've answered "What inspired you to write this series?

The Auralia Thread

C.S. Lewis explains.

C.S. LEWIS: What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects — with their Christianity latent. And that's why so many of the most important, insightful, imaginative Christians who write will never be published so long as they

The Auralia Thread

Today's Facebook Question: Opening Notes

It never fails. When I have my iTunes set to shuffle — hopping, skipping, and jumping through the 13,000 tracks I've assembled there —  and the opening notes of a Radiohead song come on, I am immediately in a good mood. What are your favorite opening notes of a

The Auralia Thread

Auralia's Artist: A Conversation with Kristopher K. Orr

Recently, I wrote a whole article about my gratitude for the work of Kristopher Orr, the visionary who crafted the cover art for The Auralia Thread. That gave me an idea: Why not do an interview with Kristopher about his work? So here it is, a conversation with the man

The Auralia Thread

Tonight: The Raven's Ladder Reading/Booksigning Party

You're invited! Tonight at 7 p.m. at Third Place Books (the Lake Forest Park store), I'll be reading from Raven's Ladder. I may even read a few words from the beginning of the last book in the series: The Ale Boy's

The Auralia Thread

Lucky Showest folks see Toy Story 3

Are you looking forward to Toy Story 3? I learned a long time ago not to let the trailer for a Pixar movie influence my expectations: The films almost always surpass high expectations. So I was surprised to read some grumbling about the latest trailer. Haven't other people

The Auralia Thread

Demon Fruit, Cleavage, and Dragons: What I'm Glad You Won't See on The Auralia Thread Book Covers.

Over at the blog called Lurv a la Mode, I've posted a story about the nightmares I used to suffer about what my book covers would someday look like. And then I share how the nightmares went away. Many thanks to Kenda Montgomery, who gave me the opportunity

The Auralia Thread

Readers are Climbing the Ladder...

I cannot put into words how encouraged I am by the responses of readers to Raven's Ladder.  As I work on the fourth book, I am feeling such gratitude for the community of family, friends, and readers who are taking time to explore The Expanse with me. Here&

The Auralia Thread

Library Journal Loves Raven's Ladder!

Well, this is a nice release-day surprise! "...the rich details, well-developed characters, and complex story will make this a new favorite among fantasy readers..." Thank you, Library Journal!

The Auralia Thread

Free Stuff: The Second Raven's Ladder Giveaway: Fun with Photographs.

Raven's Ladderhas arrived! Want to show some support for The Auralia Thread? Call your local bookstore to make sure they're getting copies in stock. To celebrate the arrival, I'm in the mood to give away lots of free stuff. Tired of entering contests and

The Auralia Thread

Winners of the Raven's Ladder Dream-Cast Contest!

Here are the winners of the Raven's Ladder Dream-Cast Contest, based on a vote by a jury of the series' editors. The winners were selected for their creative, inspired ideas in casting movies of Auralia's Colors or Cyndere's Midnight. FIRST PLACE: Krista Bussewitz

The Auralia Thread

Raven Raves at Faith and Geekery

I'll let Aaron at Faith and Geekery speak for himself: Absolutely. Take everything you know (or think you know) about the genre (especially so-called “Christian fantasy”) and throw it out the window. Forget conventions, stereotypes, and Tolkien/Lewis ripoffs. The Auralia Thread is a genuinely original work of

The Auralia Thread

Curator: Jenni Simmons Invites You to a Conversation on Fantasy and Imagination

A few days back, Jenni Simmons and I had a long conversation about imagination and fantasy. Now, it's up online at Curator. Pretend you're somebody sitting at the next table in the coffee shop, and you can eavesdrop here.

The Auralia Thread

Easiest Contest Ever?

Just type your name and email address into the Comments at Fanstasy/SciFi Book Review, and you might win all three of my novels: Auralia's Colors, Cyndere's Midnight, and Raven's Ladder! And hey, even if you already have them... I'm told they

The Auralia Thread

Last Chance: Win all three Auralia Thread books. Cast an Auralia movie.

Just a reminder... Today's the last day for you to enter the Raven's Ladder dream-cast contest. It's easy: Just cast three actors for a movie of either Auralia's Colors or Cyndere's Midnight. I've seen some great entries, but

The Auralia Thread

Tapestries

I'm drawn to stories that have multiple plotlines woven like threads into a tapestry. Magnolia and Code Unknown are two of my favorites. Do you have a favorite "tapestry" movie or story? Guy Gavriel Kay and Patricia McKillip both write enthralling fantasy "tapestries." They&

The Auralia Thread

Seven Days, As the Raven Flies

The books are in the trucks. They're on the way to bookstores all over the U.S. But if you've pre-ordered, they're on their way to your mailbox!

The Auralia Thread

Brandywine Books: A Conversation About Raven's Ladder, Writing, Editing, Sales, and Reviews

Brandywine Books' Philip Wade talked with me about... ... Raven's Ladder and my experiences in writing The Auralia Thread. He also asked me what I thought about book sales and reviews. He's posted our conversation here.

The Auralia Thread

The Contest Continues

Thanks to all of you who have emailed me, or contacted me on Facebook, with your entries in The Auralia Thread contest! I've read some intriguing "dream-casts" of the stories, but there's still time for you to enter and win prizes. Who would you