W. Lyon Martin's Blog: Children's book writer and illustrator.

This just in from my publisher:

Magical Child Books has turned two, and we are in the mood to celebrate. Last month our first book ‘An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child,’ received the prestigious honor as a 2009 COVR Visionary Awards Finalist. As you can see, we have more than one reason to have a party!

You and all your friends are invited.

Usually when someone has a birthday, the people coming to the party bring the gifts. We’re turning the tables and flipping this custom on its head. We will give the gifts. You heard right. We are giving each of four lucky winners one of our four titles. That’s one ‘An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child,’ one ‘Aidan’s First Full Moon Circle,’ one ‘Watchers,’ and even one of our newest title, ‘Rabbit’s Song.’

You want a FREE book, don't you? Well, yeah! Of course you do.

To celebrate Magical Child Book's second birthday, we are holding a book give-away contest. It is easy to enter.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Y6phdTMIsxQ

All you have to do to enter is post an announcement like this one on your blog. Include the youtube.com book trailer for ‘An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child’ in your post. Once you have posted the news on your blog, send us an email with the URL link and your real name. That’s it. You’re entered!

On August 11, 2009, we will announce the winner for each book. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their free book by emailing with their mailing address. If a book goes unclaimed, we’ll draw another name from all the entries.

Help us spread the word. Post in your blog an announcement like this. Be sure to EMAIL contest (at) magicalchildbooks (dot) com your link and real name so we can put your name in the drawing. You can link to this post so everyone knows how to make sure they are entered for a FREE BOOK!

And because we are in such a good mood, if you hurry and you have your blog post up by next Saturday, July 11, 2009, we’ll put you in for you an extra entry. Just for posting by Saturday.
Spread the word! Win a FREE book!

Please only post announcements in places that allow these kinds of posts, we don’t want anyone spamming in our name. Also, make sure to set the post to public so we can view it!

June has been an extremely busy month. It feels good to finally be able to get back to my normal crazed schedule.

My first event of the year was Memorial Day weekend in Arkansas. I returned to the lovely land of Pyrth Annwn for WytcheHaven Weekend #10. As always, my hosts, the lovely Rio and the wonderful Brennan, went above and beyond to see to my comfort and needs. Since I was still weak from the events in the winter, I was surrounded by my own harem of burden boys. I didn't have to lift, drag or haul anything. I was even reprimanded for raking leaves from in front of my book booth. I do do like being spoiled. :)

Early in June, I received word from the publisher that my first book, 'An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child,' was selected as a finalist for the 2009 COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) Visionary Awards. Three finalists are chosen from all entries for each category. The winner for each category is announced at the INATS (International New Age Trade Show) West held in Denver, CO. This year's Awards Banquet is on June 27th. I will be flying out to Denver to accept the finalist award and hopefully a winning trophy. I am very honored and humbled for my book to be chosen for this prestigious award.

My second event for this year was the St. Louis Pagan Picnic in mid June. (June 13 & 14) Now in its 18th year, it is the largest free Pagan event in the Midwest. St. Louis is in my backyard and personal stomping ground. It is always a pleasure to meet and greet all the local Pagan community members who over the last 5 years have gone from being strangers to fast friends.

Above is a copy of the coloring page installment for June. "O" is for Opet. An Egyptian Goddess, Opet is the subject for "O" in the ABCs of Lesser Known Goddesses. Please visit Magical Child Books' (the publisher) web site to sign up for the mailing list and get the link to download your FREE copy. There are links to previous coloring pages for newsletter members there as well.

In addition to the newsletter, please friend me on LiveJournal, MySpace, GoodReads, LinkedIn or FaceBook. The publisher also has a fan page on FaceBook, become a fan today.

I recently gave myself a daily challenge with a 30 minute daily doodle. Watch my progress on my illustration blog.

As always, my books, 'An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child," "Aidan's First Full Moon Circle," "Watchers," and "Rabbit's Song," are all available from the publisher, on my personal website - magickware.com, at your favorite online or brick and mortar bookseller and possibly even you local public library. I know times are tough all over, but dollar for dollar a book is one of the best deals for your entertainment budget. Consider buying one of the above titles for your family or friends. Or ask your local librarian to add them to the children's section collection.

In closing, I thank each and everyone of you, whether you have purchased a book or not, for joining me on this wonderful and wacky trip of mine. It is because of your unending support that I am living my dream. Your friendship is a true blessing and I am honored to have it.

The daily doodle can be viewed here: http://wendymartinillustration.com/wordp...

Lyon

Keys to Drawing with Imagination Strategies and Exercises for Gaining Confidence and Enhancing Your Creativity