WAXY DRAGON HAS HATCHED!

I have the press release below, with all the information on how you can get your own copy. Kudos and congratulations go to co-author Roger Stegman for creating our little rainbow striped gal, and for his first time having his name on a cover. This is a dream for both of us that was long imagined, and now it's finally coming to life. 

~NANCY 

MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM BECOME FAMILIAR AGAIN!
COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME TWO: FINDING WAXY DEBUTS!

Known as an innovator in Genre Fiction and New Pulp, Pro Se Productions gladly announces the release of the next chapter in its debut line from its YOUNGPULP! imprint. Authors Roger Stegman and Nancy A. Hansen’s Companion Dragons Tales Volume Two: Finding Waxy! 

“This series,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief and Partner in Pro Se Productions, “is just straight up fun. This isn’t just a bunch of tales about cute dragons and the heroics they do or the humans around them. This series is a passion for the authors involved in it, a project that they not only have put years of work into since the early days of the internet, but one that has made them close friends. Finding Waxy is the tale that basically started it all and now readers can see why Roger, Nancy, and Lee Houston, Jr. all fell in love with this world, these tales enough to create even more of them that readers will get to enjoy in coming years. Although Companion Dragons Tales: Finding Waxy definitely is aimed at young readers, do not believe for a second that there aren’t enough thrills to excite adults as well. Find out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.”

Roger 'Rusty' Rustman is a very secretive fellow—and with good reason. He's not only an untrained wizard who uses forms of magic that are frowned upon, and trades in enchanted items that aren't exactly approved of; but he travels to dangerous places that other magical people avoid, and then writes about them anonymously.

From his questionable recreational hobbies he has built a tidy second income along with a stockpile of magical resources. Over the years Rusty has gained a reputation as a shady character who operates on the fringes of the Wizards and Witches Council code of ethics while flaunting Wordsmith Guild regulations; but he's really just a quiet and modest writer mage who enjoys a bit of adventure now and then.

The last thing Rusty needs is a small but very noticeable companion tagging along. Unfortunately, while on his latest trip out to the magical otherworlds, he finds a very large abandoned egg that decides to hatch unexpectedly in his vacation cabin. That begins an entirely bizarre and mystifying set of events that only the cooperation of a spunky and intelligent little rainbow colored dragon can get him out of safely.

Pro Se Productions proudly presents Companion Dragons Tales Volume Two: Finding Waxy by Roger Stegman and Nancy A. Hansen, a series in Pro Se’s YoungPulp! imprint. This imaginative adventure expands the world of dragon familiars and their humans introduced in the first volume and brings a new voice into the storytelling. Hansen and Stegman weave words like the best wordsmiths they have created, making Companion Dragons Tales Volume Two: Finding Waxy a pure joy for all ages.

Featuring a wonderfully whimsical cover by Kathryn Frizzell and cover design and print formatting by Sean Ali, Companion Dragons Tales Volume Two: Finding Waxy is available via Amazon and in Pro Se’s own store at http://tinyurl.com/m8scuv7 for $9.00. EBook versions of this entertaining action packed tale will be available very soon as well.

For more information on this title, interviews with the author, or digital copies for review, contact Morgan McKay, Pro Se’s Director of Corporate Operations, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

For more information on Pro Se Productions, go towww.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Almost time!

Found the following announcement by my publisher on Facebook this afternoon:

Looking for something for the child in your life to read? Want a taste of adventure and pulpy fun that makes you feel like a kid again? Then, hang on…Something's coming… Coming Soon from Pro Se Productions...

Whooo hooo!!!!!!!

FINDNG WAXY IS ALMOST HERE!

Yes I know, I've been saying that for a while, but as I've mentioned before, we poor writers are at the mercy of the publishing world, which has its own schedules and deadlines to meet. It's not all about us after all; we work as a team with our publishers to get books out, and like a busy airport, you sometimes have to sit on the runway, awaiting your turn.

I just wanted to let you know that as concept and production editor for the COMPANION DRAGONS TALES series (yeah, that's a fancy title for the person with most access to the the whips and chains)  I have just finished my final pass on a galley draft version of FINDING WAXY, and sent that back in with just a few minor corrections requested. I did send a copy of the galley to Roger, and he sent me his thoughts, which were all very positive. We're eagerly awaiting the announcement of the book hitting print; which could be any day now, I am told. Very excited about this one, since it will be Roger's debut in print. Waxy has been with us a long time—so long in fact that I keep expecting her to peek around the corner with her mouth full of my carefully hoarded dark chocolate. You're going to love this book!

I also can tell you that next year's CDT release, COPPER'S CHOICE is now in editing. I spent some time earlier this year lengthening and broadening the original short story into a full novella size. Progress is being made in editing, I'd say at least 1/3 completed at this point. Copper and Nigel were the second CDT team that I created, this time with publication firmly in mind. I'd say it gets easier as you go, but that's not strictly true, because there's a lot of series continuity issues that have to be hashed out, and we tend to have crossover characters and shared spaces within the magical backdrop. I love working on these fun little stories though, so I really don't mind too much. An incredible amount of work goes into getting a book out for just one author, but when you have two other potential co-writers, it gets interesting (read that as occasionally hair-pulling maddening).

So, now that I've whetted your appetite once more for all things draconic, I hope you will keep an eye and ear out for the FINDING WAXY release date. You'll see it here, as well as on my wall on FACEBOOK and G+. Oh and you still have over 24 hours to get COMPANION DRAGONS TALES #1: A Familiar Name on Kindle (from Amazon you know) for the whopping price of 99¢! That's a bargain! Go get one if you don't have it yet, what have you got to lose? Even the coffee shop's smallest size Java Jolt doesn't sell that low or stick with you as long, and this is a little book you can read aloud to the kids or grandkids, and everyone can have a laugh or find a thrill together. The special offer goes away at midnight tomorrow, so don't delay. 

Operators are standing by...

I always wanted to say that. 

Seriously, do take advantage of the offer if you can, and yeah, I know it's short notice. My day job as grandmother, chief cook & bottle washer, and purveyor of garden produce into preserved food keeps me plenty busy. Buy more books, and I can write full time and afford to hire people to do things for me. Just saying...

~NANCY

Dragons and Stuff...

Yeah it's been a while since I did an update. Might have to shake off a few cobwebs here and there...

Seriously though, life has become complex for me, and so I don't get to update this site as often as I would love to. Besides being a writer, I am a gardener, and a grandmother to two and 2-2/3 grandchildren. Yep, the math is right, I have two grandsons—one 10 years old and the other almost 11 months, and a little granddaughter due in late November. I babysit the youngest boy regularly, which has cut down on my internet time, since he needs my complete attention. We are also in the midst of the gardening season, and the veggies are coming in hand over fist. I am up to my elbows in produce right now, when I'm not weeding or watering. I'm also in the middle of writing a novel, a short story, and doing various editing jobs. Can you spell BUSY? LOL

WHEW!!!!!!!

So those are my obligatory excuses. Now let's talk dragons—specifically Companion Dragons.

I have yet to hear a definite release date for FINDING WAXY, but I've heard sometime late summer or fall kicked around. Roger has turned in his author bio and a picture, and it's been in editing. Believe me, I will let you know when it's available, because this one has been a long time coming!

Thought you might enjoy seeing the completed cover art, in color! Roger very enthusiastically approved the cover. Me too!

COPPER'S CHOICE remains in the hands of the first editor, who is currently busy with other projects. That one would be a release sometime next year at the earliest. The original tale was a short story that has now been expanded into a novella. I think you're really going to enjoy that one too. A brand new dragon and human companion in this one, but there will be a cameo appearance by one well know witch from earlier in the series.

Roger has sent me several preliminary story ideas for the further adventures of Waxy Dragon. I am collecting them with thoughts of how they will work in an anthology novella. Now let me ask you all a question: What would you prefer to see, a book that is comprised of stories featuring only one Companion Dragon, or a mixed bag of stories about two or more little scaly wonders? I'd really love feedback on that, either via our email addy here (magicdragonverse@gmail.com), on Facebook or Google+, where I am known as Nancy A. Hansen. Yeah, that's my actual name. Look for an array of my books behind my avatar pic.

Lee has turned in a proposal for a Kiri Dragon origin story. That one would likely be a 2016 release. Very excited with what I've seen so far on this, and anxiously awaiting the actual tale. Lee is the originator of the Kiri part of the CDT series, and I can tell you that after the initial story, which tells us something about her past, she will be getting a brand new Human companion and they will be going on to further adventures in a more familiar setting.

As I've said before, we three have a lot of plans for these adventurous and engaging little dragons and their well-intentioned but often unprepared human companions. 

Until next we meet...
~Nancy

And there's news about FINDING WAXY!

Just thought you'd all love to have a peek at the artist's pencil sketch that is going to become the cover of the book...

Isn't that awesome? You can already see what a great scene that's going to be. The feedback on this one has been very positive. And if you think that our main human character pays more than a passing resemblance to co-author and Waxy Dragon creator Roger Stegman, you're absolutely right! 

What started out as an online prank involving Roger and his smack talking baby dragon alter-ego has now turned into a series of children's books. You just never know...

So stay tuned folks, we'll update you as soon as we know we're in production.

~Nancy

Something Dragonish This Way Comes!

Oh yeah, we have news...

Today I was asked to please provide a written scene description for cover art , as well as a back cover blurb, for the second Companion Dragons Tale, FINDING WAXY. Now this is a very special request, because Waxy dragon is the original Companion Dragon, a character created by writing partner and cherished pal, Mr. Roger Stegman. Waxy was originally scheduled to be the first release, but with Roger's serious auto accident back in 2012 and the massive amount of recuperation time involved, we got behind, and I had to bump Lazlo's story, A FAMILIAR NAME, up to the #1 release spot. So I'm really excited to see this story finally making its way toward publication.

              

I emailed Roger this morning for his input, and since he was heading to work, he said, go ahead and write it all up. You gotta love when people trust you that much with their stuff. I've been involved in helping to create Waxy's world and flesh out her stories since about the fifth one that got posted online, so our writing partnership goes back quite a way on this series. 

The original concept that became FINDING WAXY was no more than a few paragraphs of outline back in 2003. Here we are over 10 years later, and it's going to be a children's book that even adults will enjoy. It just goes to show you how persistence and believing in what you do can help open doors for dreams to come true. 

When I came on board with the Waxy Dragon stories, which now are just one part of the entire realm of COMPANION DRAGONS TALES, I knew we had something very special going on. People just seemed to love these little characters. Online, Waxy and Lazlo had not only a following, but folks would answer their posts and have entire conversations with them. Along the way we convinced fellow writer, Mr. Lee Houston Jr. to get involved, if for no other reason than he was missing out on all the fun. But always in the back of my head was a longing to bring Waxy and her little friends to a far wider audience. Now we're going to see that dream come true.

I will let you all know as soon as I get the go ahead that it's headed to the printer. But rest assured, Waxy is on her way. Knowing her like I do, she wouldn't have it any other way—except with some Bulgosian Dark Chocolate I suppose!

Stay tuned...

~Nancy

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

There's nothing I love better than having something brand new to tell you about...















Last fall I was asked by my publisher at Pro Se Press to submit a script for a cartoon short based on something in A FAMILIAR NAME, featuring Lazlo Dragon. What I decided to do, after researching how cartoons are written, was write a brand new little adventure for Lazlo. It was submitted as soon as I'd finished it, and I went on to other things. That's what writers do. This was so top secret at the time, I didn't even tell my co-writers, Lee Houston Jr. and Roger Stegman, about it.

Some weeks later, I saw a couple preliminary sketches and while that was exciting, I didn't put a whole lot of faith in the project ever seeing the light of day. There's plenty of ambitious projects in small press publishing that don't, because of budget issues or other things that just don't work out. While I kept it in the back of my mind, I continued with my other work, which included editing some Waxy Dragon short stories for a future anthology, and rewriting and expanding Copper's Choice into a full scale novella. Both of those should be submitted sometime later this year, with Copper getting the next CDT slot.

So you can imagine my excitement the other day when I received the below press release...

In the past year, Pro Se has reached out to other professionals, trying to take our characters into new directions, different media. Although a lot of those attempts don't proceed much beyond the discussion stage, some actually make progress. One in particular is a cartoon short that animator Eric Striler is putting together for us based on one of our Pro Se concepts. We are actually at the stage now that Eric has storyboarded the entire cartoon featuring Lazlo and Nancy Bittergreen from Nancy A. Hansen's, Roger Stegman's, and Lee Houston, Jr.'s COMPANION DRAGONS TALES and now we are seeking voices and putting the music together to move ahead. Enjoy a few of Eric's storyboards below and if You know someone who might want to participate in this project, email MorganMinorProSe@yahoo.com. This is an experience only project, no money attached to any of the participants at this point.

http://prose-press.com/

Wowza! That made my day! Exciting stuff, having a cartoon made of one your own creations. Based on the sketches below, I can't wait to see the final product.

So keep your eyes on this blog folks, and I'll let you know as soon as I have more news of this.

BTW, I hear FINDING WAXY may be out sometime in May. Good news for all of us, as Roger's little dragon and her faithful companion Rusty... er Roger... um, Bubblehead were the catalyst that started it all. 

Stay tuned!
~Nancy

News From The Keyboard!

Yep, that's where I currently am. Happy 2014 by the way, I'm hoping I'll be even more productive this year than I was in 2013. 

It's been a while since I've updated this blog, and not because I haven't wanted to. Between the holidays and writing, I've been busy with a capital B. You'll out more  about my other writing projects on my author blog, but for now, let's talk about stories involving Companion Dragons. Oh yeah, there's going to be more of those!

First of all, the feedback on A FAMILIAR NAME has been trickling in to me. I've heard a lot of good things about it being a great family read. Thank you so much, all those who read it and took the time to tell me how much you liked it, as well as what else you'd like to see in the series. Your voices have been heard and your preferences noted. 



   








For those wondering, FINDING WAXY, introducing a small, rainbow striped dragon created by writing partner and all-around interesting guy Roger Stegman is the next book in the series. The story is co-written by Your's Truly, and it's a bold adventure in one of the otherworlds that will explain all about how Waxy Dragon and her somewhat bumbling and rather mysterious human companion Roger 'Rusty' Rustman—AKA 'Bubblehead'—came to meet. The backdrop is very unusual, as are many of the characters and creatures that populate it. Yes Dorothy, this story sure doesn't look like it took place in Kansas!

I have not heard yet when FINDING WAXY will be released, and I haven't seen any artwork for it, but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I can. Roger and I are both waiting with bated breath. Actually, Roger's breath is rather baited, but I'm not sure if it's because he likes sardines or there's something fishy about his toothpaste...

I'm currently working on the third tale, lengthening and broadening it from a short story into a novella. COPPER'S CHOICE introduces Copper Dragon, who has a bit of a checkered past; and the suave and sophisticated  and quite successful writer/wizard, Nigel Gillette. The circumstances around their clandestine team up involve some danger and intrigue, and take us from the sunny and mountainous coffee growing world of Insomnia, to the lost continent (because they like it that way) of Atlantis. Oh yeah, plenty going on in this story too—there's a small time, big mouth con man you'll love to hate. There might even be a rumor of another future human companion in this tale, and it looks like Lazlo's sidekick, the wordsmith witch Nancy Bittergreen, will be making a brief cameo appearance.

Lots of short pieces on the horizon as well, which will be collected in anthologies the size of the novellas. Roger and I have both been working on some, and Lee has his own itinerary as well. I have one Waxy collection in editing that is almost completed, to be sent to Roger for his approval. I'll be starting on a Lazlo collection after I get COPPER'S CHOICE submitted. Copper's book manuscript should definitely be turned in before spring, but it's up to our publisher—currently Pro Se Press—as to when they are released. I'm not the only keyboard jockey they have who is awaiting a slot. 

One of the most incredibly fun things about writing these stories is fleshing out that big backdrop of mystical worlds filled with interesting people and creatures. The bad puns are always a blast to work into the tales. I don't know about my co-writers, but I sit here cackling like an idiot over my latest double-entendre. Humor is a really important part of these stories, and it's quirky at its best. 

There's just some of the current projects underway. Keep your eye on this page, because I update as often as time allows and I have something interesting to talk about. 

~Nancy