Ephie Risho's Blog, page 3
February 6, 2021
An Ancient Dragon Among Us
After years of effort, book 2 of The Elementalists is within our grasp.
Literally!
The proof copy arrived today. And it looks great!!! What does this mean for all of you? Well, it means we’re almost ready to launch our next Kickstarter, and get book 2 published and into your hands. We’ll keep you posted. Hoping to launch sometime this month.
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February 4, 2021
More Illustrations!
We’ve received so much feedback from our readers that you love the inside illustrations, that we’ve decided to add even more for book 2!
We now have nineteen beautiful color illustrations, and just looking at them all together is inspirational. We’re so excited to share them with all of you. Our last post showed a collage with some of our favorites. Here’s another one.
In other news, we were in the news! Our local Bozeman bookstore Isle of Books has dozens of copies in stock, and ABC news put us in a little news spot across the state of Montana. Fun! Next goal, to get some national coverage. 
Bozeman father and daughter published a fantasy novel
https://www.montanarightnow.com/bozeman/bozeman-father-and-daughter-published-a-fancy-novel/article_62c8cda0-53ad-11eb-a951-5f5b2f0cc014.htmlThe post More Illustrations! appeared first on The Elementalists.
January 11, 2021
Television Spot
In other news, we were in the news! Our local Bozeman bookstore Isle of Books has dozens of copies in stock, and ABC/FOX news put us in a little news spot across the state of Montana. Fun! Next goal, to get some national coverage.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/bozeman/bozeman-father-and-daughter-published-a-fancy-novel/article_62c8cda0-53ad-11eb-a951-5f5b2f0cc014.htmlThe post Television Spot appeared first on The Elementalists.
January 5, 2021
How a Dragon Could Help…
Amber and her friends are facing a challenge beyond their imagination. An enormous goblin army driven by powerful wizards is making its way into the Kingdom of Arendon, bent on destruction. With their wizard friend Sage missing, and no other ideas, they decide to look for a giant red dragon in hopes that it could be convinced to help.
But what will convince a dragon? And will that even be enough against such a large force? Amber and her friends’ new adventure takes them deeper into the far reaches of the kingdom, and into the knowledge of an ancient prophecy that shines light on their circumstances. But with ancient forces seeking to stop them and so many unknowns, their mission appears like it might fail before it even begins…
Book 2 of The Elementalists is in its final stages of editing! The inside illustrations are complete, and cover art is almost done. Our working title is Crodor the Ancient, but we are still considering other ideas. If you have one, send it our way! We love ideas from our readers. We plan to release the book this Spring, and are still unsure whether we’ll go through Kickstarter (self-publishing) or a traditional publisher. Stay tuned.
In other news, we made it into the local Bozeman newspaper! The full article can be read here.
Keep exploring…
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December 26, 2020
Bozeman Father-Daughter Duo Writes, Publishes Fantasy Novel
We made it into the local Bozeman newspaper! The full article can be read here.
[image error]https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/coronavirus/bozeman-father-daughter-duo-writes-publishes-fantasy-novel/article_d67af73d-e118-5bd1-92a6-eec6fb546398.html?fbclid=IwAR3Gy9IgqKWnQ580Quj84KW8uA7xfYNDxXBsBx_8ydqwjTf56oqGtPota6AThe post Bozeman Father-Daughter Duo Writes, Publishes Fantasy Novel appeared first on The Elementalists.
July 4, 2020
Book Launch, Sale, & Housekeeping
Celia Risho, reading an excerpt from Phoenix Rising at the launch party, June 2020A handful of friends and supporters joined us on our nearly finished patio for a book launch gathering at the end of June. Folks were greeted with stacks of books, a full print of the map and cover, some details of the back-story, and a reading from Celia.
It feels like the climax of the story of our personal journey as new authors. An idea that I’ve nurtured over thirty years, and Celia dreamed into being has now come to life and is sitting in many of your hands right now!
All the paperback copies have been mailed at this point, except the schools and libraries. If for some reason yours doesn’t show up in the mail in the next week or two, let us know! This is not our normal profession and we may have made a mistake.
The hardcover versions are taking a LONG time, and although I wish I could promise something quicker, the publishing house that is delivering them is overburdened right now, and way behind on their schedule. We’re sorry, and we also know you won’t regret it. We got a proof copy and they’re going to be amazing!
As a thank-you to everyone we’re offering a limited time sale of the Kindle version on Amazon for $0.99. If you do feel it in you to give us a review on Amazon, buying a verified copy from them helps quite a bit. We’ve been told that new books need 15+ reviews in order to start showing up on things, so if you feel inspired, please follow that instinct! 
June 19, 2020
The Day the Books Arrived
There’s nothing quite like finally having half a dozen heavy boxes show up at your doorstep, filled with books you’ve written.
It was almost 8pm and the dog started barking. Celia, who’d been waiting all day, dashed to the front door and started jumping up and down. The barking continued as I cleaned the kitchen. At first I forgot what was going on, but Celia’s excited cries quickly reminded me.
“They’re here!” She ran up the stairs to grab my sleeve. “They’re here, Dad!”
“Ok. Let me finish the dishes. Bring ‘em in.”
She and Joshua struggled with the heaviest of the boxes, hauling them up to the dining room table. It wasn’t all the books we ordered, but well over a hundred of them.
We practiced our signatures. She was so unhappy with hers, she put her face in her hands.
“It’s ok,” I said. “You’re eleven.” I did a quick search for images on the internet of fifth grade signatures. They were mostly like hers, but there were also some good ones.
“See?” she complained.
I quickly put the phone away. “You know . . .” I patted her back and gave her a kiss. “People are excited to read the book, and we can’t ship them till you’ve signed them. Besides, they’ll get past that page quickly and get into the story.”
She smiled. “How about I get to use a ballpoint pen instead of that fancy one.”
“Ok.” I shrugged. We put on a Vetiver album and got to signing.
Every book we signed we thought of the next person who’s going to appreciate this book. And we said a blessing over all of our first readers. I couldn’t help but reflect on what a great connection this project has been, in the midst of isolation.
Finally, the rest of the world can join this adventure. An exciting journey both inside the book and out.
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May 15, 2020
We did it!
Thanks to all our backers. This project was a huge success. We are humbled and blessed by the response. Celia and I were talking about it before bedtime last night and she said, “Just wait! They haven’t even read it yet!”
May 12, 2020
Kickstarter almost over. NEW hardcover with color interior available
Woohoo! The Kickstarter has been highly successful, and will be wrapping up tomorrow. Thanks to all who supported us this early.
We have discovered a NEW option, for hardcover copies with color inside illustrations and map. SO great, and we’ve added it to the Kickstarter.
When this is over, we’ll be ready to sell digital and paperback copies VERY soon. I’m also thinking of continuing to sell the map, because we put more work into it and it’s so cool.
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April 13, 2020
Support our project through Kickstarter
I am pleased to announce that our Kickstarter is live April 14th! There are so many ways to support us, and all are appreciated.
Woohoo! We’re finally there!
