Once Upon and Through the Mountain

When my oldest was a toddler, I started the habit of reading to her at night. As more kids showed up and life has happened, this habit has come and gone many times. We’ve cruised through like 12 of the Oz books, The Prydain Chronicles, countless fairy tales from Grimm to Andersen to Lang, Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books (which are great, the modern spin-offs… not so much,) George Macdonald’s “The Princess and…” books, Lewis Carrol’s Alice books, and a bunch more. I enjoy reading to my kids probably more than they like it. I love the subtle humor, the insight into personalities, and the wildly imaginative plots. All this and I’m able to grow the bond I have with my kids.

Now, those who know me know that I love writing. Several years ago, I think 2011 or 2012, I took a crack at National Novel Writing Month to see if I could produce a children’s novel worth reading to my kids. I got about 60% or so with the story and then life got in the way. Over the next couple of years, I worked on it in between my regular pulpy action stuff until I had an complete story.

Fast forward a couple of years. In that time, I became more serious about my writing. I studied storytelling, began attending conferences, and actively sought to improve my writing. I took another look at my book, fixed up a bunch of things and hired an editor. (hi Liz!) I still wasn’t sure what to actually do with the book, though.

You can self publish and market a book to adults easy enough. They have computers and credit cards. But what do you do with kids’ books?

I met Jason King at LTUE 2017 during the Immortal Works shindig. Immortal Works was new and looking for books appropriate for all ages, but that adults would still enjoy. This was the type of publisher I was looking for. I spoke with him and some of the other Immortal Works crew during Fyrecon a couple of months later. I drafted the very best query letter ever of all time, and long story short…

Today is the day that book is born into the world!

So friends, family, and casual internet acquaintances, let me introduce you to “Once Upon and Through the Mountain.”

Once Upon and Through the Mountain is the story of Mia, a young girl who lives in the fairyland of Leece Ow. She is active, inquisitive, and whip-smart. You’d think living in a fairyland would be perfect for her, but no. Magical mysteries abound, but adults refuse to explain any of them. Soon, she’ll complete her rite of passage, a literal journey through a mountain, get her jewel, and be considered an adult. Maybe then she’ll get the answers she’s been looking for.

Things get crazy when she discovers an older passage and asks around about it. She has no idea what trouble that question will cause. Suddenly, she’s the center of the town’s attention, and not in a good way. But for Mia, that just fuels the fire of curiosity. Will she ever find her answers? Can the town afford for her not to find them? Why is everybody suddenly so mean to Mia?

I guess to find out you’ll have to read the book and find out.

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. It is by far the best, most meaningful, thing I have ever written. And it is perfect to read to your daughters at night.

Go check it out on Amazon and let me know what you think.