FREE Short Story Cover Reveal!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Ilana • 2 Comments

Greek myth book cover

I’m so excited I can barely sit still. Which I’d better do quickly, if I expect you to be able to read what I type. Today is the cover reveal of my new FREE short story, “How the Lizard Got Back Her Legs!” It’s a Greek myth, and my first EVER hand-drawn cover. And y’all know by now it wasn’t drawn by me. It’s another genius creation of Streetlight Graphics. I don’t know the exact name of the artist, but isn’t she talented?

I love this cover for so many reasons. The whimsical nature really resembles the cover for my MG fantasy novella, Castles in the Air. At least, I think it does. And I have another novella coming up later this year that I hope will have a similar tone. So if you like “quirky,” there is definitely more of that on the way!

Anyway, I really have to hand it Streetlight. They did an excellent job. I kinda put them through the ringer on this one with insane levels of pickiness. I mean, more insane than I usually am. But I love the result! If you read the free short story (and you WILL *glares*), you’ll know the expression on the lizard’s face suits her perfectly. She really is a clever little gal.

And Ares (the middle deity)–OMG! Not to be inappropriate, but . . . rawr! ;-) Is it possible to have a crush on a digital image?

So what’s this FREE short story about?

Well, since you asked so nicely, here’s the official blurb:

“Once upon a time, in ancient Greece, there was a lizard who lost her legs when she angered the gods. Now a lowly snake, she’d do anything to prove herself worthy of having legs again. When three very important gods need her help, the snake gets her chance. But can she accomplish the nearly impossible tasks they set before her? Especially if one is rescuing the son of the mighty Zeus? The snake has to try, or she’ll be doomed to slither along the ground . . . forever!

Are you a fan of Rick Riordan, The Goddess Girls, or Heroes in Training? Looking for a funny short story? If so, you’re in luck—download this exciting myth today! Approximately 3,000 words, or 12 pages.”

My new FREE short story will be here soon!

I plan to publish “Lizard” in the coming weeks at all the usual venues, so stay tuned to the site to learn the minute it’s up for grabs. In the meantime, check out some of my other work to whet your appetite. :-)

What do you think of the cover for my new free short story? Tell me in the comments!

(“Lizard” cover courtesy of Ilana Waters; cover design by StreetlightGraphics).

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Are Pain and Suffering Necessary?

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Ilana • 4 Comments

You know what really irks me? The myth that pain is necessary for learning. I’m pretty much going to launch into my little rant here that joy can be just as instructive. Hell, sometimes, it’s more instructive. In our quest to assign meaning to suffering, we often fall victim to the logical fallacy that if… Continue Reading

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Get FREE E-books!

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

Psst–you! Yeah, you. You like free e-books? Thought so. C’mon over here. No, come closer! I wanna tell you about two freebies happening this week. And I could be prejudiced, but I must admit, I’m pretty keen on both. 1st FREE e-book (MG fantasy novella) My MG fantasy novella, Castles in the Air, is FREE… Continue Reading

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“The Perfect Combination of Magic, Adventure, and Friendship!”

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

It’s weekend-time, and I know what you’re thinking. It’s been such a long while since we’ve had some middle-grade musings on this blog. That is what y’all were thinking, right? But never fear, because Melissa’s Midnight Musings is here to fill the void. Check out the excerpt below, where she reviews my MG fantasy, The… Continue Reading

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“A Romance That Vampire Fans Won’t Want to Miss!”

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

Hello, everyone! I’m delighted to say that my debut paranormal romance, House of Cards, is really making a splash! Here’s a super-quick blurb to get you up to speed: “Teenage tarot-reader Sherry is excited to explore Paris—until she’s kidnapped by vampires. They take her to the House of Cadamon: their lair beneath the city. Sherry’s… Continue Reading

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National Teacher Day

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

Both my parents were high school teachers (my mom taught biology, my dad taught English. If you must know. ). They worked long, hard hours–including weekends and holidays–at what I consider to be one of the most important jobs in the world. Many times, we say teaching is an important job, and we think teaching… Continue Reading

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Why Fairy Tales Are Important (and a Review)

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

TheIndieMine, a fantastic book review site, was kind enough to do a write up of my FREE short story, “Paying Piper.” But not only that, it turned out to be an interesting commentary on the value of fairy tales in their own right. So without further ado . . . here is the review! “Paying… Continue Reading

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Help Prevent Animal Cruelty

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

  In case you didn’t already know, April is National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. I know I’m getting in on the “tail” (no pun intended) end of the month; a busy blogging schedule didn’t allow time for it sooner. But it’s not too late! You can still celebrate, and help end animal cruelty!… Continue Reading

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It’s National Poetry Month!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

Happy Poetry Month! Yep, the title pretty much says it all. Just adding this post at the tail end of the month, ’cause I couldn’t squeeze it in at the beginning. Among other things there was Drop Everything and Read Day, National Library Week, and Earth Day. Whew! It sure was a busy time. But… Continue Reading

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Happy Earth Day!

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Ilana • 0 Comments

Attention, earthlings: today is the day we celebrate your beautiful, blue planet. That’s right, it’s EARTH DAY! Give a woot round the world. This year’s theme is climate change. Here’s what the official website, earthday.org, had to say about it: “Climate change can seem like a remote problem for our leaders, but the fact is… Continue Reading

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