C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 81

City Spotting. Details have always intrigued me, and so have words. I’m that former cereal-box reading child who still scans the fine print on everything from coins to candy bars. So I shouldn’t be so surprised about a recent trend in my life. I keep spotting Byways stuff! No small wonder, since in the research phase for any of the brothers’ books, I skim through the names of every city, town, borough, and county, along with likely rivers, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, parks, and landmarks....

While Ganix watched, purple fire bloomed in the magician’s bare hands, and he sent it whirling over his head. The flames turned into a dragon that twisted through the air. Shoppers stopped to stare. Some clapped. A few tossed coins into a basket at the edge of the stage, and Hurlock thanked them with a smile.

—excerpted from Byways, Book #7: Across the Line

A Ganix Johns Adventure. I’ll be working through final flourishes on the seventh of the Byways books over the next couple weeks. Hardly...

Today is the first anniversary of the publication of Harrow. In other words, the second book in the Galleries of Stone trilogy is celebrating its “book birthday.” To mark the milestone, I’m giving readers the opportunity to win fabulous prizes—in the form of some very pretty, limited edition postcards. The prize drawing will take place on Monday, April 20, giving you plenty of time to take part. How? I’m glad you asked! There are several ways to drop your name in the proverbial hat:

Although both children waited for Vanora to attack, no other stone guardians approached their hiding place. Ulrica tugged Aurelius and pressed his head to her shoulder. “Sleep,” she demanded. “Or you’ll be worse than useless tomorrow.”

“Aye.” After a lengthy pause, he said, “A few hours will be enough. I’ll take the dawn watch.”

Ulrica grunted noncommittally, then pinched Aurelius when he tried to get comfortable. “Squirm all night, and I’ll pin your limbs to this limb with eve...

With Rimbles close on his heels, Tupper chose a roundabout way into the galleries, springing lightly down one set of stairs after another as he followed them into the heart of the mountain. He couldn’t have explained why he knew his master was in the deeper galleries. He just did.

Acting upon this certainty, Tupper jogged along a columned passage, lantern held high, key thumping against his chest in time with his heartbeat.

—excerpted from Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow

Tupper Meadowswee...

Every Byways book is a story, but it’s also a game. There’s an educational element to this series of kids chapter books. Details in each story are borrowed from its assigned state. (As in the United States of America.) Byways will work through all fifty in order of ratification, so Book #3 covers our third state—New Jersey. Sharp-eyed readers will spot cities and towns, icons and emblems, famous firsts and claims to fame. Hide and seek. Search and find. Fun and learning.

Let’s give a quick...

When Aurelius pulled Ulrica’s hand away from his mouth, she whispered, “Stay quiet.”

“But I know her.” Tilting his head to one side, Aurelius muttered, “I found her earlier, buried under a mass of creepers. She’s a statue.”

Ulrica was ready with a snide retort, but when he turned, fear glazed his golden eyes.

“That thing is made of stone,” he managed weakly. “As in rock.”

“Aye, lackwit. I can see that.” She calmly asked, “You pulled away the vines that hid her from the sky?”

Au...

Hey You. This past week, I received what one of my readers called a “quick little rough fanart thing.” I call it charming! Fanart is always a welcome surprise, and I’m tickled that the artist gave me permission to show hers off in a Show & Tell blog post. Thank you, Skylee!

Have you ever created some form of fanart for a story?

“Girls, this is important,” Ewan said, talking fast. “The quickest way to reach Mister Nathan is if I carry both of you.”

“Two is too heavy,” Tamaqua said.

“Not if I Change.”

—excerpted from Byways Book #5: Inside the Tree

A Ewan Johns Adventure. I’ve been busy behind the scenes getting the next batch of Byways books ready for their May release. The fun part is definitely working with Hannah Christenson on cover illustrations. Today, I’ll share a sneak peek of an early sketch for the cover o...

Library Day. When I’m looking for books to read, I usually aim straight for the “middlegrade” section of my local library. I love (reading and writing) family-friendly adventures, so I reach for #kidlit. Here are the titles I chose this week. They’re in the To Read pile on my desk, and I’ve added them to my GoodReads account. Eventually, I’ll post my reviews here on the blog. : )