Moving and shaking!

In case you haven't heard, yet, the LA area had a pretty good shake, rattle and roll today. Hubby and I have several family members who live there and I'm glad to report that everyone is just fine. I must admit, I kinda miss the earthquakes. Well, the little ones. My last significant one was the Northridge quake back in the early 90s. Tossed us right out of bed. If you've ever tried to make it down a flight of stairs while your home is moving, it's quite an adventure. Sure, they're scary when they're happening, and I certainly wouldn't want to be on the epicenter of a huge one, but the smaller ones are quite the heart booster. Better than a whole pot of coffee. I even guessed the magnitude range on the Northridge one when it happened!

And speaking of moving and shaking, I'm getting more and more excited about Desert Magick: Superstitions moving into book form. I'm working with my publisher now and we're pushing for an October release. So, be sure and check out my blog for updates. Meanwhile, get on over to my website at www.danadaviswriting.com and check out my latest teen audio book. It's not just for teens!

Happy Reading!

Monsoon hits Valley of the Sun!

Well, the monsoon season is in full gear here in the Valley of the Sun. Guess we should now call it the Valley of the Rain and Humidity for the next two months. To quote one of our weather guys last night was "a real gully washer!"

The weather isn't the only thing running around here. I just saw my first glimpse of the cover for Desert Magick: Superstitions and I'm thrilled. The artist still has some work to do but she's doing a fine job. I'm excited to share this new series with readers and can't wait for the finished copies to be available. And since it takes place here in the valley, those who live here might recognize a few things.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay dry out there!

Happy reading!

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers! Have a safe holiday weekend. And for those of you in the Valley of the Sun, it's going to be another scorcher so stay cool, drink lots of water, and keep that sunscreen on.

Desert Magick Getting Artwork!

Well, my adult series Desert Magick is finally in the works. The first book is getting the cover artwork done as I write this. I can't wait to see the final product. The book will go into production after that and I'm hoping to have it available before the holidays. Please check back for progress.

Also, Quest for Freedom, my 2nd teen podiobook, now has 8 chapters live. Be sure and get to podiobooks.com/title/quest-for-freedom to download them to your MP3 player or computer.

I'm not sure I'll be blogging next week so to all my U.S. readers, have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Happy Reading!

Dana Davis is now on Mars!

I'm on Mars! Yep, you read that right. My name, along with hubby's, was burned onto the Messages from Earth Phoenix DVD that launched with NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission. Complements of The Planetary Society. The rover landed on the Mars surface May 25, 2008.

For news and updates on the Phoenix Mars Mission please visit http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/

For more on The Planetary Society please visit http://planetary.org/special/messages

And for those of you waiting for the Quest for Freedom podiobook, it's coming soon. I'm hoping to have the first chapters submitted by next week. Finally, I know! Thanks tfor your patience while my family dealt with the death a fine 17 year old young man.

The Mask of Tamirella wins 3rd award!

Well, readers, The Mask of Tamirella has just one the Indie Excellence Finalist Book Award. This makes 3 awards! I'm absolutely thrilled by the news. For more information on this book please visit my website at www.danadaviswriting.com

Happy Reading!

Back in desert action!

Thanks so much to everyone who sent their sympathies regarding my nephew's tragic death.

That said, I will be back at my desk tomorrow and getting on with recording the Quest for Freedom podiobook. Thanks for your patience during this trying time.

Happy reading!

My nephew dies from car accident.

I won't be posting for a while, as my nephew died yesterday morning from injuries he sustained in a car accident. Please send your good thoughts to my brother and his family.

Another Award in the desert!

Well, The Mask of Tamirella won the 2008 Eric Hoffer Finalist Award! I'm so thrilled about this. Sure makes these hot desert days more tolerable. Also, I'm still finishing up Quest for Freedom the podiobook and should be ready to publish the first chapters in May. Check back for more news.

Happy reading!

Things are heating up in the desert!

Well, the heat is on and I'm working like mad to get my next podiobook finished. Many of you have asked when it will be available for download and I'm thrilled you're interested. But please be patient. I do all the recording, editing and uploading myself and that takes a lot of time. I'm hoping to have the first chapters up by the end of April so keep checking back for my progress.

My flash story "Let Your Hair Down" is coming out in Strange Worlds of Lunacy next month so be sure to check it out. You can order from my publisher directly from my website at http://danadaviswriting.com/my%20writing.htm

Also, I've finished the second draft of Desert Magick: Desert Dreams, the 2nd book in the Desert Magick series, and am now editing. I'm in the process of getting the first one published now. And if that wasn't enough work for me, I'm also writing a sci-fi futuristic novel.

So you can see that things are heating up here in the desert, and I'm not only talking about the temperature.

Happy reading!

Green in the Valley of the Sun!

Happy St. Paddy's Day! While I have a lot of Irish ancestors from good ole Erin, today, everyone is a wee bit Irish. And boy is it green in the Valley of the Sun right now. Wildflowers are blooming everywhere. I posted new pics on my website photo page at www.danadaviswriting.com, so pop over there and check them out.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Fountain Hills for the book festival. It was great meeting you and signing your books.

About halfway done recording Quest for Freedom podiobook and plan to start editing soon. Check back for release dates--probably somewhere around April-May. New starts for the new spring.

Happy reading!

Silly and sunny in the Desert!

Well, I just got news that one of my flash fiction stories was accepted and will be published in Strange Worlds of Lunacy April 1. Lots of good, clean silliness for teens and adults. Check back for more info on how to order your copy. A great end to a sunny desert day!

Happy reading!

Cloudy and rain in the Valley of the Sun but not in podiobook land!

Okay, so I'm a bit remiss about blogging so far this year. I'm blaming it on the numerous projects I've gotten myself into. Great projects, mind you. Or maybe it's just the cloudy and rainy weather that has those of us in the Valley of the Sun shaking our heads and saying, "Where did all this wet stuff come from?" Is this still the desert? I like the clouds since they're so few and the rain will bring wildflowers.

But no clouds or rain can stop my latest teen podiobook, Quest for Freedom. I'm recording like mad and am 1/3 of the way through. Have uploaded the music tags and almost completed the video for youtube. Editing to come next. Check back on progress. Also, those of you in the Phoenix area be sure to check out the Second Annual Fountain Hills Book Festival on March 8. I'll be there signing The Mask of Tamirella with Gridleys of Fountain Hills. More info here http://www.fhla.net/bookfair.htm Hope to see you there!

Happy reading!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm thrilled at The Mask of Tamirella success over the past year and would like to thank readers and listeners who have sent me wonderful emails concerning the book. I'm hoping to have another published this year so keep your fingers crossed. Might even get another podcast novel out there, too.

Whew, we made it through 2007 here in the desert. After complaining of one long hot 2007 summer, we're now moaning about the freeze warnings we've had lately. Boy, just can't please us desert dwellers! I, for one, love having the fireplace on for an hour or so in the chilled mornings. It's even supposed to rain again this weekend. 2008 is starting off with a bang. Have a wonderful week.

Happy reading!

Cooling off in the Valley of the Sun!

Well, it's finally cooling off here in the Valley of the Sun. We're down to our normal temps in the high 70s and low 80s. Just in time for that Thanksgiving hike to work off all the food we will scarf down next week.

The Mask of Tamirella podiobook is going great and getting lots of listeners. I'm recording and posting as fast as I can within the realm of podcasting. Editing takes longer than the initial recording. And I'm having a great time. Hmm, might even offer some of my other books as podio versions. Check back and see what happens.

Happy reading!

Happy Samhain! Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday! I spent the majority of my childhood Halloweens at the local carnivals and haunted houses then worked them as a teen. What fun! It's been warm here in the Valley of the Sun but we're cooling down into the 80s (our normal) now so tonight will be great weather for all the spooks and goblins that will be out and about. I find it hard to concentrate on work with all the energy around me today and just want to be out celebrating.

If you haven't already, be sure and check out The Mask of Tamirella podiobook at www.podiobooks.com/title/mask. I'm thrilled at the 4 and 5 star ratings! Thanks to all my readers and listeners.

Happy Samhain to my pagan and wiccan readers. Have a wonderful day.

Happy writing and happy haunting!

Wildfires.

My sympathies to all who have been displaced by the California wildfires. I lived and worked in Southern California for many years before moving to the desert and consider it my home. I lived there during several major earthquakes, including the Northridge tremor, and this fire devastation seems just as bad, if not worse. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your families.

Another hot week!

Well, The Mask of Tamirella podiobook is well on it's way. I've submitted the first required chapters and am just waiting for word that they've been published. Meanwhile, I'm continuing with my recordings. Not too much longer now. Keep checking back.

A shout out to Sandra in PA for getting her library to stock The Mask of Tamirella. Woohoo! Thanks! Way to go!

After nice teasing temps in the 80s over the weekend, we're now heating up to almost 100 for a few days. Gotta love the desert. Just hope we won't sweat too much for Halloween! Of course, by February, we'll be complaining about the cold. Yeah, desert dwellers are wimps. Me included.

Have a great weekend and happy reading!

Robert Jordan dies.

Well, I just found out that one of my favorite authors died on September 16th. He was the author of the Wheel of Time fantasy series, as well as many other works. My husband and I would like to extend our condolences to his family. He and his work will be missed.

Desert heat inside and out!

The audio version of Tamirella is getting closer and closer. Please be patient. I'll let everyone know when the first chapters are available for download. My other novels are coming along nicely again. I took a break from writing to get a good start on the audio stuff and am now settled into a new schedule that allows me to do both without yanking my hair out and cursing at my microphone. I've also been losing sleep and having to get up in the middle of the night to make writing notes. Um, that's a good thing, in case you're wondering.

Meanwhile, I hope those of you here in the desert are surviving the summer. Looks like more triple digits this week. Oh, joy. Also, a shout out to yet another cousin who is coming out with a book soon. Maybe this writing thing does run in the family. Hmm. For all you writers out there, may your brain fodder be creative and keep you up at night. Happy reading!