We have some news!

 I've been incredibly busy, or I would have been here by now. But yes, we have some Companion Dragons news!

Earlier this month, I was contacted via email by Pro Se head honcho Tommy Hancock, and attached to that message was a galley draft for the next Lazlo book! That means it is nearing the time to publish it. So I got right down to work on that and knocked it out in a day. I've been dying for one of those to come out again.

This one is titled: LAZLO AT HOME. Yeah, that was the best descriptor I could come up with and it's the title of one of the stories within. This one is a four story anthology, all written by Your's Truly. The stories in order are: LAZLO AT HOME, AMBASSADOR LAZLO, FINDERS KEEPERS, & THUNDER BOOMERS AND GULLY WASHERS. In each tale, our intrepid little blue dragon familiar is learning how to live and manage his position as a helper in a magical household while making friends and having some fun along the way. Yet Lazlo is still rather naive, and like most youngsters of any kind, he's sometimes forgetful and often tempted to do things that can get him in a boatload of trouble. Plus he hasn't quite managed human language in its entirety, which can lead to some interesting misunderstandings. Yet Lazlo is plucky and determined, and he has a good heart, so he manages to bumble his way through whatever has to be accomplished.

These have been fun stories to write, and I actually enjoyed rereading them for the first time in about 4-1/2 years. I found myself chuckling here and there, and there are some somber and scary moments throughout as well. These are suitable for all ages, any child old enough to be read to really—and plenty of adults seem to enjoy them as well. This was my hope when we first started talking about putting the dragon stories into books, because I wanted them to be something that most of the family could enjoy. I read to my boys when they were young, and we shared books I loved as a child as well as things they chose for themselves. They now read to my younger grandchildren, and the oldest grandson is a reader too. We all loved the Harry Potter books and movies, where the magical world came to life and there was so much richness of detail involved. We also enjoyed J.R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, C. S. Lewis' Narnia series, and Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows stories. I wanted Companion Dragons Tales to be memorable like those, where you want to go back and revisit that mystical place over and over again, and can't wait to share it with the next generation. I'm hoping that's how readers feel about these stories too.

I have no idea when LAZLO AT HOME will be out, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be in time for holiday shopping. You know, 2020 has been a real stinker of a year for most of us, with little in the way of good news and all sorts of cataclysmic stuff going on. There's nothing that makes the ugliness out there go away for a while like a book that can transport you to a place and time where when things go wrong, they somehow get fixed and leave you feeling better at the end. I think we all could use a little of that right now. Hunkering down with a good read and shutting out the screaming headlines, in-your-face social network opinions, and continual news bulletins is far healthier than a lot of things we could be doing. Our kids feel that stress too. These are books that can be passed around the family, or safely read aloud. Educators will tell you, kids need to read more and the best way to set an example for that is to be a reader yourself. We used to do family reading time in the evenings after snacks were eaten, teeth were brushed, and jammies were on, and my kids really enjoyed that. It helped them settle before bed. We had a lot less stress back then than we're all facing now. It's something to think about, no matter what it is you enjoy reading.

I will let you know right here when the book does come out, as well as on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. So stay tuned CDT fans, there's more to come.

~Nancy

I Wish I Had More To Tell...

 

Of my three blogs, this one gets neglected the most. That's because it's pretty hard to post something positive about a book series that hasn't had a release since 2016. I keep hearing the three other Companion Dragon Tales books that have been turned in are coming out soon. I've seen cover art in various stages for at least two of them. But we still haven't had a release in over four years. I have no idea why not, and frankly, I'm discouraged.

This is a series that is near and dear to my heart. It has appealed to people of all ages, so these are good family share books. What better time is there for that now, when so many folks have been hunkered down at home? I understand that I'm not a special snowflake when it comes to having my work released, the publisher has numerous other authors who are just as anxiously awaiting their own books. But I can't let this incredible little series languish much longer. It's been popular and one that I've gotten plenty of feedback on, at least privately if not in many actual reviews. 

In my publisher's defense, this year has been a tough one with conventions cancelled, which means selling opportunities have dwindled. There could be other circumstances involved that I've not been apprised of. We all have lives outside of the business of writing and publishing, and things can go wrong that mess up what has been planned. Yet something's got to give here.

I'm toying with the idea of taking the series self-published to help resolve this logjam. I have plenty of other writing with this publisher, and several other books that are either awaiting print or haven't been turned in because of the backlog. We'll be having a discussion about this shortly because if money was already put into cover art, that is a significant investent on the publisher's part. I'm not looking to financially harm anyone. I just want my work to get out in some sort of timely manner so that readers can keep up with a series they clearly enjoy.

We'll see what comes of this, and I will update here when I have some sort of answer or solution.

~NANCY

So, where are all those dragons?

That's actually a pretty good question. 😉 It's been over a year since I posted here and so we're overdue for an update on what's going on in the Companion Dragon Tales series.

Unfortunately, we haven't had a release since COPPER'S CHOICE back in 2016, but since that decision is made by the publisher, I can't say why or why not. They have their struggles too. I can reassure you that on this end, the writing goes on.

The LAZLO AT HOME anthology was scheduled for earlier this year, and there is some hope we might still see it in the not too distant future, though its release may be pushed back until sometime early next year (2019). This collection of 4 short pieces features the little blue dragon with the big feet and impaired speech as he fumbles his way through learning his duties as a familiar of the witch Nancy Bittergreen in her magical household. Lazlo is still young and inexperienced, and when unsupervised, he doesn't always make wise choices. Meeting the neighbors and not making enemies of them can sometimes be fraught with dangers that come along unexpectedly when you're a small, fire-breathing dragon roaming in a rural area filled with little beings of various fairy tales. Not everyone is friendly! Let's hope poor Lazlo can find a way to win them over.

After that comes MYSTICAL, MAGICAL WAXY, another anthology of short pieces, which I will assume is slated for a 2020 release. This one has 3 stories featuring everyone's favorite rainbow dragon Waxy, and her adventures with her erstwhile mage companion, Roger 'Rusty' Rustman—AKA 'Bubblehead'. Waxy is irrepressibly curious and bold, as well as rather contrary and stubborn. She refuses to be left out of any adventures and manages to get herself into a boatload of trouble, whether sneaking off in the other magical realms or safely at home. Fortunately, she's often able to get herself out of some very tough situations. Fun to write, even more fun to read, this book is a collaboration with co-author and Waxy Dragon creator, Roger Stegman.

Back in early August of this year (2018), co-author Lee Houston Jr. and I submitted the manuscript for KIRI'S QUEST, which introduces yet another little dragon to our pantheon of familiar companions. Ruby-scaled Kiri has an entire book-length adventure of her own. She is a well established dragon familiar who is sent on a covert mission by her current companion, to retrieve a powerful magical artifact that was stolen by an evil (and very egotistical) wizard who calls himself Grewsum The Great. That he lives on a remote and foreboding island in a fortress guarded by all sorts of monsters as well as spells of detection doesn't make Kiri's quest any easier. How can one small but brave little red dragon manage to get through all those perils and then break into the fortress without being discovered? Well with some luck you should hopefully find out with a potential 2021 release.

None of these release dates are definite because things in the small publishing world can change rather rapidly. I am far from the only author with books waiting to be released and so I have learned to be patient. It's a privilege to be published at all because there are so many writers out there clamoring for a chance to reach an audience. But I will let you know as soon as I have any further announcements on the above books, and any other news involving the Companion Dragon Tales series. One way or another, the writing goes on.

We appreciate your patience and loyalty!
~Nancy 

Some Updates...

Just popping in here for a few minutes to let you all know what's going on with the Companion Dragons Tales series. In spite of my rather sparse blog updates, work still goes on with this very beloved series of books for kids of all ages—even the ones that never grew up.

Today I finished working on the final story of the rough draft for next year's Waxy Dragon anthology. The book has three stories that were original concepts by co-writer Roger Stegman and I just took those ideas and flew with them. Roger has already seen the first two: Waxy In Atlantis and Waxy And The Bad Cookies, and approved them; and co-writer/editor Lee Houston Junior has been over them for me. Once I get Waxy And The Closet Monster in at least a semi-polished state I will pass it on to the guys and get their feedback on that as well. Then we can put the book together. For an anthology title I am leaning toward Mystical Magical Waxy. You're going to love reading about what misadventures everyone's favorite little rainbow striped dragon gets herself in and out of in this collection.

UPDATE: The Waxy anthology is finished and has been sent off to the publisher.

I have not heard yet anything about this year's proposed CDT anthology, Lazlo At Home being near to release, but I have had one other Pro Se Press anthology come out recently (see my other blog, WRITING FROM HOME for details on that) so I am hopeful still that we might see it before the end of the year. That CDT anthology contains four brand new stories of what happens when a witch who lives in a magical old house brings home a small blue dragon companion who just doesn't quite understand what he is supposed to do. Lazlo certainly gets into his share of mischief, but he has a talent for getting out of it too.

UPDATE: The Lazlo anthology has been moved up to early next year.

And remember, the first three Companion Dragons Tales books are still available, so if you haven't read any of them, please do because they are so much fun! These are books that the entire family can enjoy, easy enough for all but the youngest children to understand (and still plenty of fun anyway) and yet sophisticated enough to keep any adult entertained. You can find them on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com in paperback and E-reader, and Smashwords in many electronic formats.

School is about to begin in most places, and your children, nieces & nephews, or grandchildren will be encouraged to read more, which is becoming a lost practice in this age of gaming on every electronic device or site. Why not give the kids in your life something they can enjoy and maybe even learn something from? Nothing fosters imagination quite like a good book—especially if you can use that electronic savvy to enjoy it. These little dragons will take them to places they never dreamed of, and at the same time they'll get to watch them learn about how to live in their world the same way human children do. I guarantee you won't regret it.

~NANCY
PS: I am now on Twitter, so if you'd like to follow me I'm @Nancy_H_Author
On Facebook I am simply Nancy Hansen but you should recognize the background as covers of some of my books. On Google+ I am also Nancy Hansen. Come on, lets be friendly! 

How About A Little Catchup?

 Ok, bad joke and silly pun, but that's what we're known for here in the CDT, so let's get caught up already!

First off, I hope you all have been enjoying COPPER'S CHOICE. The feedback I've gotten on the story has been very positive. Please if you've read it, A FAMILIAR NAME, or FINDING WAXY, take a moment and tell us what you think. We have room for comments here on the blog, and all three authors (Your's Truly Nancy Hansen, Roger Stegman, and Lee Houston Jr.) have FACEBOOK pages. Or you can always give a short review via the booksellers (like Amazon) or maybe on a reader's site like GOODREADS. Not only does that tell us what you liked and didn't like about the series, but it at least lets us know we're being read. Down here at the author level we don't get a lot of feedback that doesn't come directly from the readers. A few words is all it takes. The more you tell us, the more we know what you like and dislike and the easier other folks will be able to find our books. You are our readers, you're the reason we do what we do. Thank you for buying our books, but please, make your voices heard so that our publishers also know they've invested wisely in choosing our work for their catalog.

Now as far as what comes next...

I'm hoping to see LAZLO AT HOME, an anthology of Lazlo Dragon stories, come out some point this year. I haven't recently spoken with the publisher but that is what is next in the CDT queue. That little blue dragon with the big heart sure can get himself into some interesting situations! The manuscript and all other pertinent information that goes along with this one was turned over to Pro Se a year ago in early January, but I have yet to see a galley draft so I have no idea when it will be out. Trust me, I'll post as soon as I know something.

I've been talking lately with CDT series coauthor Lee Houston Jr. about where he is in the KIRI DRAGON origination tale. Lee's a bit swamped with other deadline projects right now, so Kiri had to take a bit of a back seat. It likely won't get finished let alone edited and turned into Pro Se this year, which it would have to be for a potential 2018 publishing slot. Don't worry, we will get Kiri into the series as soon as can be managed. In the meantime, we have plenty of other material to work with, so I told Lee to go ahead and do what he has to do to clear his writing calendar. We'll find an interesting substitute that will fill his slot. What I've seen of his story for Kiri looks amazing though, so I know that when the time comes, we're going to have something you'll all enjoy.

So I've been thinking about how best to fill that open slot, and since I already have a Lazlo Anthology in the wings, (Yeah that was a pretty good pun!) Waxy is due for one next. Fortunately there is a ton of written material to work with, since Waxy was the first of the Companion Dragons and her creator Roger Stegman wrote a whole bunch of story ideas involving her adventures. Pro Se headman Tommy Hancock has been hinting around for a while that he really wants to see one called 'WAXY AND THE BAD COOKIES' and so that will definitely become a central part of the anthology. I'm going to select a few more stories from Roger's stock of them and we'll work together getting them updated and ready for print. Waxy is such a fun character in that she has that universal sassy little girl attitude, but she really only sees herself as being misunderstood. She has adventures that most of us only dream about. I'm sure we'll come up with a stellar collection.

I hope that you'll all be patient with us here at CDT Headquarters while we keep doing what we love most—creating comical yet thoughtful action/adventure tales for kids of all ages. The best part of these stories is that they can be safely handed around the family. You're never too old for a daring enterprise in some strange location, amazing feats of magic, some goofiness, a little really scary stuff, and all the bad puns you can shake a stick at. Hang in there folks, there's more of that on the way!

 ~NANCY

COPPER'S CHOICE has been released!

So excited to see this out at last! Don't you just love that gorgeous cover? Wait until you read what's inside! This is a fun book, and it has a message, but plenty of action and adventure too. As with all the COMPANION DRAGONS TALES, it's absolutely appropriate for kids, but something adults will find entertaining as well. 

You can find out all about it, including where to get the copy that best suits your reading style, by clicking right HERE.

And please don't be shy, leave a review. Sometimes that's the only way us authors know we have reached an audience.

More dragon goodness is on tap for next year, with everybody's favorite little blue dragon Lazlo (from A FAMILIAR NAME), featured in an anthology of 4 short stories. You should see the things he gets himself into and out of while learning how to survive in a magical household nestled within a hidden neighborhood populated by the creatures and beings of myths and fairytales. Somehow Lazlo always manages to bumble through.

I've been chatting about the series with co-authors Roger Stegman and Lee Houston Jr., and believe me, there are many more interesting tales ahead. So hang in there folks, we're getting them to you as fast as we can turn them out and the publisher can get them into print.

They're well worth waiting for.
~NANCY

Just a quick little post...

I haven't had a whole lot to share lately because we are still awaiting the release of COPPER'S CHOICE, and I've heard no further news on it. I still hope to see it in print sometime this year. 

However I did want to let you all know that I have turned in to Pro Se Press a Lazlo Dragon anthology titled LAZLO AT HOME. That is a collection of four short stories featuring everyone's favorite pepperoni-scarfing little blue dragon Lazlo and his adventures in the big green house near the woods in a place protected by magic. It was fun to put together too. Two of the stories were previously written but never published, the third one was based on a cartoon script I created for Lazlo—though unfortunately that project didn't come to pass. The fourth is brand-spanking new. All of them deal with Lazlo having to adjust to his new home surroundings while he learns the duties of a witch's familiar. He has to deal with many troubling and sometimes dangerous situations on his own. Fortunately, he always manages to muddle through somehow.

I have targeted the Lazlo anthology for a 2017 release, but beyond turning the finished manuscript in with all the necessary material (back cover copy and cover art directions) I have no control what the publisher can or will do with it. It still has to go through an editing process, with my my approval on the galley, and cover art has to be done. So my projected release year is strictly my wish; nothing has been promised to me. I will keep you updated on that as well as the release of COPPER'S CHOICE as soon as I get word of it becoming available in print.

Regardless of the publishing end of the situation, those of us who write COMPANION DRAGONS TALES are still very much hard at work planning out future volumes. One way or another, we'll make sure you get your fill of little dragons with big ideas and even bigger adventures. 
~Nancy