Hello from Houston...

I'm in Houston now. Very nice accommodations here at the Hotel Indigo. I feel more like I'm in the Caribbean than in Texas---not a bad thing, mind. My swords and I made the trip in one piece. Had the strangest bout of in-flight-fear on the way. Usually, I have no troubles with flying, enjoy it actually. But for whatever reason, every bump of turbulence gave me the heebie jeebies. I kept having thoughts of there being nothing I could do if something went wrong--no back up plan, no escape. YIPE. I prayed A LOT--not a bad thing, mind.



See what I mean about the hotel? I feel like I'm sleeping in a tropical aquarium. lol. More tomorrow after the signing at Borders. I also plan to do some writings on Dark Sea Annals. I am SO stoked about this series! More on this soon.

Never alone!

Houston...we have no problem.

Well, I'm off to Houston, Tx. tomorrow. Never been to Houston. 2nd Baptist Church School has invited me to come down and present Door Within and Isle of Swords to their students. Really looking forward to it. I also have a signing event at a Houston Borders store. Borders has SO been behind the Door Within books and Isle of Swords, so I hope I can sell a ton of books for them. Who knows? Have sword, will travel. Please pray that my swords make it onto the plane. LOL. Oh, and that I do too.

Reuters National TV Interview: Oct. 18, 2007

A subtitle to this post should be: "And How Not to Get from JFK International Airport to Downtown NYC." You would not believe the hassles I went through to make this interview. lol Note to self: Next time, take the subway.

For those of you unfamiliar with Reuters, they are an international news service that covers news all over the world and then supplies other news agencies who could not cover such stories first hand. They are to TV what the Associated Press is to print news.

My good friend and swordbrother, Christopher Hopper was kind enough to share the spotlight with me in NYC. Sir Christopher had been invited by Reuters Journalist Natasha Israni to do an interview discussing the growth of Christian Fantasy and a myriad of other topics. Afterward, Ms. Israni interviewed me on the same subjects. All I can say is thank you God for such an opportunity. And Ms. Israni was a wonderful interviewer. She had a disarming spirit about her. Christopher and I both felt very comfortable.

The TV feature will be available in about 2 Weeks, and I will post a link as soon as I get it. But in the mean time, Christopher's talented wife (unbeknownst to me) did a little filming and put together a nice video to give you a flavor of the experience. Thanks, Jennifer. And major props to Grandath Films.

Hope you enjoy:

The Joy of Clicking SEND

I just sent the manuscript of Isle of Fire off to my publishers. I cannot tell you what a magnificent feeling of exhilaration that was. The joy, the relief...the cosmic sigh. lol

This was by far the most difficult book to write--not because there were problems with the plot or writers block. But the deadline was the tightest I've ever had. Up til now the fastest I've ever had to write a book was 5 months for Rise of the Wyrm Lord. This one, I had to write in a little more than three months.

There were many times when I just didn't think I would make the deadline. There were times when I wanted to quit. This has been a tough fall for me and my family. Stealing hours and days from my wife and children just as the kid begin the school year and my wife begins a new career was not what anyone needed.

The thing is, God made it happen. God was faithful with the ideas. He supplied the time through those around me and various amazing circumstances. And the book is finished and off for review.

Of course, it'll be back soon. No doubt with many things to fix. {sigh}

Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers: CSFF Blog Tour Day 1

I must admit I initially avoided Bark of the Bog Owl when I saw it sitting on the shelf in Christian Bookstores. I noticed it for sure. How could I not? Very cool, ancient-looking cover, complete with mysterious heraldric symbols and gator-skin.

But as I read the blurb, it came off to me as being for much younger children. So, shamefully, I didn't give it a try. That was until my son Bryce took an interest in reading. Of course, none of my kids want to read my books, but they'll read just about anything else I give them. So I picked up Bog Owl.

One word review: ENCHANTING.

OK, I lied. More words coming up: Seriously though, BotBO was enchanting--the kind of tale that knocks down the walls of your cubicle and whisks you off to some place other. My boys and I couldn't wait to jump back into Corenwald--esp. when we got to read more about the Feechies! Original Fantasy Race Award for Mr. Rogers for his fascinating Feechies.

That's my one complaint, however, not enough Feechie action. But that's minor. My boys and I loved the book. Sir Jonathan is a gifted storyteller, and, by all accounts, a true gentleman.