Well, I can FINALLY say I've done it .. as of January 21st, book 3 in my Denicalis Dragon Chronicles Series, "Dragon's Tear", is D-O-N-E!!! I'm EXTREMELY happy with the way the book turned out, and am anxious to start on book 4, "Dragon's Breath", but I'm gonna give myself a few weeks to work on painting (Ok Ok and I also need a mental chill pill to recover from the hustle-bustle of the holidays!!) I've been itching to paint a few pictures and figure I'd better do it now before I get started on the next book and then don't have time to paint .. or draw, for that matter.
So, here's the scoop. The book has been submitted to the publisher. The next step is for them to call me (in 1-2 weeks) and set up a design meeting. Once we set up the meeting (which will be from 2-4 weeks from THAT point), then I wait for that date to talk to them about what I want for the cover and galley. Once they play with what they think are my ideas and I approve them, the book should be live within a few weeks. I'm figuring by mid-April at the latest. Maybe earlier, but I don't want to jinx it, so shhhhhhhhh ... you didn't hear me say that!
Keep watching for updates on the progress (go to www.mjallaire.com or www.myspace.com/mjallaire). If things go well, book 4 will be available around Thanksgiving this year!
Until the next update, happy reading! And for those of us in New England, STAY WARM!
Hugs, MJ
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Happy New Year!! Ready to Read??
Well, I've got good news! I've finally finished with the first draft of Dragon’s Tear and now am in the process of reading through it a final time in an attempt to make it error free!!! I'm hoping to submit it to my publisher this coming Monday. Hopefully, things will move smoothly with the production process and it will be live by the end of March!
I love how Dragon’s Tear has turned out … I definitely think my writing is improving the further I get into the series!
This book is set up a lot like book two, The Prisoner, where there are chapters within sections. I’m planning on starting book four soon, probably by the end of January, in hopes of having it out for Thanksgiving this year!
The series is heating up as the children move farther east… will they succeed in finding the final amulet? They’ve found two but there’s still one missing. And if they find it, will they return it to the dragons? Before they get to that point, however, they must first face one of the two evils that lurk in the world of Euqinom!
On that note, enjoy your week and make sure you take the time to tell those close to you how much you love them… and of course, read read read!!
Happy reading and Happy New Year!
MJ
I love how Dragon’s Tear has turned out … I definitely think my writing is improving the further I get into the series!
This book is set up a lot like book two, The Prisoner, where there are chapters within sections. I’m planning on starting book four soon, probably by the end of January, in hopes of having it out for Thanksgiving this year!
The series is heating up as the children move farther east… will they succeed in finding the final amulet? They’ve found two but there’s still one missing. And if they find it, will they return it to the dragons? Before they get to that point, however, they must first face one of the two evils that lurk in the world of Euqinom!
On that note, enjoy your week and make sure you take the time to tell those close to you how much you love them… and of course, read read read!!
Happy reading and Happy New Year!
MJ
Another Happy Reader's Thoughts...
I received this from a reader named George, who lives in Meriden CT and found my books after an article was published in The Record Journal over the summer (2007)...
Hi,
I have completed book one and am starting book two, The Prisoner. I am quite interested in the release date of book 3. When I finish each book I send it to a granddaughter in California.
Very entertaining and fun to read. Well done. I actually felt myself straining when the girls lost the ring and was quite relieved when they recovered it. I am definitely "in the story."
I hope your success with this series is beyond your dreams.
Sincerely,
George B [Meriden, CT]
(I emailed George back and let him know that book 3 in the Denicalis Dragon Chronicles series ("Dragon's Tear")is expected to be released in the Spring (March/April) of 2008. Updates on this will be posted here and on my personal website, www.mjallaire.com!)
Thank you, George, for your input on the series! I appreciate any and all feedback that I get, whether it's good or bad.
Keep on reading, because reading IS the doorway to the future!!
Regards, MJ
Hi,
I have completed book one and am starting book two, The Prisoner. I am quite interested in the release date of book 3. When I finish each book I send it to a granddaughter in California.
Very entertaining and fun to read. Well done. I actually felt myself straining when the girls lost the ring and was quite relieved when they recovered it. I am definitely "in the story."
I hope your success with this series is beyond your dreams.
Sincerely,
George B [Meriden, CT]
(I emailed George back and let him know that book 3 in the Denicalis Dragon Chronicles series ("Dragon's Tear")is expected to be released in the Spring (March/April) of 2008. Updates on this will be posted here and on my personal website, www.mjallaire.com!)
Thank you, George, for your input on the series! I appreciate any and all feedback that I get, whether it's good or bad.
Keep on reading, because reading IS the doorway to the future!!
Regards, MJ
Comments from a Happy Young Reader!
I have this posted on my website ..
My name is Natalie B. and I am 10 years old. A week or two ago my neighbor Don L. told me that his friend published 2 books. He also said that I might like them. He had bought the first one already and let me borrow it. I loved it. Soon I got my own copies of both the books. I just finished The Prisoner this morning. (By the way I loved what you wrote at the beginning of the books!) Is Little Draco the dragon that Zacharus talked about in his story? Is the human prisoner Tonia, Micah, and Nicho's Dad? What about the beargon that "destroyed" Uncava? Is Muscala going to hurt the children?!?! I just hope that a few more of the questions are answered. I can't wait for the next book!
My response to Natalie:
Natalie, you are one of the reasons why I love writing .. I love making a difference to young people, especially in today's tough and fast paced world...
I'll get Book 3 in the Denicalis Dragon Chronicle series out there as soon as I can, but until then, make sure you keep on reading!!!
MJ
My name is Natalie B. and I am 10 years old. A week or two ago my neighbor Don L. told me that his friend published 2 books. He also said that I might like them. He had bought the first one already and let me borrow it. I loved it. Soon I got my own copies of both the books. I just finished The Prisoner this morning. (By the way I loved what you wrote at the beginning of the books!) Is Little Draco the dragon that Zacharus talked about in his story? Is the human prisoner Tonia, Micah, and Nicho's Dad? What about the beargon that "destroyed" Uncava? Is Muscala going to hurt the children?!?! I just hope that a few more of the questions are answered. I can't wait for the next book!
My response to Natalie:
Natalie, you are one of the reasons why I love writing .. I love making a difference to young people, especially in today's tough and fast paced world...
I'll get Book 3 in the Denicalis Dragon Chronicle series out there as soon as I can, but until then, make sure you keep on reading!!!
MJ
Greetings!!
Greetings, fellow readers, writers and fans of literature! My name is MJ Allaire and I am a young adult fantasy author. I currently live in Southeastern Connecticut with two of my three children (my oldest son, Nick, has recently left the nest!), Mic & Toni. For the record, we also have 2 cats (Ragu and Fluffy [who we lovingly refer to as "the fluffinator" because she's just a sweet, rolly polly Maine Coon Cat]) and one dog (Rascal, but you don't want to know what we lovingly refer to him as, besides "Knucklehead"!)
I've lived in Connecticut now for 10+ years and love it! I'm originally from West Palm Beach, Florida and joined the Navy in 1985. I was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where I met and married a submariner. We ended up staying on the island of Oahu for 10 1/2 years before we finally got stationed in Washington, DC for 5 months, then we transferred to Groton, CT. I'm now happily divorced and trying to raise my children as best as I can, striving to provide them with a safe environment and the important tools they will need when they (finally) fly from the nest.
I've always loved books and reading but never really considered myself a writer. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Stephen King, and one little book called "Frosty - A Racoon to Remember", which was my absolute favorite as a young girl.
I decided to write my first book, "Dragon's Blood: Denicalis Dragon Chronicles - Book One" for my oldest son, Nick. I'll admit that when I first began writing, I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into, but as I look back now, I can see that I've come a long way and learned a heck of alot! Being a writer is definitely a challenge, and there have been many, many days that I considered quitting, but I've never really considered myself a quitter. I also firmly believe in raising my children by example and I'm bound and determined to keep plugging away, no matter how discouraging it may seem!
I wrote and published "Dragon's Blood" and its sequel, "The Prisoner" in 10 months (each), but I've found that between raising three teenagers, marketing two books via book signings or appearances, playing volleyball when I can, working a full-time job (graveshift, no less, for almost a year, but thankfully I've been on days and back with the living for the past four months) and trying my best to maintain some form of sanity in our household, I don't have much time (or energy) to write. I've just finished working on Book 3 in the series, which is titled "Dragon's Tear: Denicalis Dragon Chronicles - Book Three", and I'm expecting it to be live and available around the end of March, early April 2008!
If you want to find out more about me or my books, please visit my website at www.mjallaire.com or my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/mjallaire. If you're a middle school teacher or someone who knows of a group of young adults who might enjoy having me come talk to them in New England, please contact me! I have found it's very fulfilling to talk to young adults and watch their faces light up as they tell me about the books they've wanted to write, are trying to write, or have read! Reading is so very important to everyone, but especially to our future generations.
Happy New Year to all, and read, read, READ!!!
Regards, MJ Allaire
www.mjallaire.com
mjallaire@sbcglobal.net
I've lived in Connecticut now for 10+ years and love it! I'm originally from West Palm Beach, Florida and joined the Navy in 1985. I was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where I met and married a submariner. We ended up staying on the island of Oahu for 10 1/2 years before we finally got stationed in Washington, DC for 5 months, then we transferred to Groton, CT. I'm now happily divorced and trying to raise my children as best as I can, striving to provide them with a safe environment and the important tools they will need when they (finally) fly from the nest.
I've always loved books and reading but never really considered myself a writer. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Stephen King, and one little book called "Frosty - A Racoon to Remember", which was my absolute favorite as a young girl.
I decided to write my first book, "Dragon's Blood: Denicalis Dragon Chronicles - Book One" for my oldest son, Nick. I'll admit that when I first began writing, I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into, but as I look back now, I can see that I've come a long way and learned a heck of alot! Being a writer is definitely a challenge, and there have been many, many days that I considered quitting, but I've never really considered myself a quitter. I also firmly believe in raising my children by example and I'm bound and determined to keep plugging away, no matter how discouraging it may seem!
I wrote and published "Dragon's Blood" and its sequel, "The Prisoner" in 10 months (each), but I've found that between raising three teenagers, marketing two books via book signings or appearances, playing volleyball when I can, working a full-time job (graveshift, no less, for almost a year, but thankfully I've been on days and back with the living for the past four months) and trying my best to maintain some form of sanity in our household, I don't have much time (or energy) to write. I've just finished working on Book 3 in the series, which is titled "Dragon's Tear: Denicalis Dragon Chronicles - Book Three", and I'm expecting it to be live and available around the end of March, early April 2008!
If you want to find out more about me or my books, please visit my website at www.mjallaire.com or my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/mjallaire. If you're a middle school teacher or someone who knows of a group of young adults who might enjoy having me come talk to them in New England, please contact me! I have found it's very fulfilling to talk to young adults and watch their faces light up as they tell me about the books they've wanted to write, are trying to write, or have read! Reading is so very important to everyone, but especially to our future generations.
Happy New Year to all, and read, read, READ!!!
Regards, MJ Allaire
www.mjallaire.com
mjallaire@sbcglobal.net
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