Another week, another behind the scenes peek at a Byways cover illustration! This one’s a milestone of sorts since it’s the first time one of the brothers appears in his animal form. Ewan (the eldest) can Change into an elk. Fun Fact: All the Johns family members who can Change will shift into the form of an animal that’s Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
I’m back with another peek behind the scenes on the Byways book covers. One of the unchanging features on the header is the circle of stars that surrounds the volume number. If you take a quick tally, you’ll find there are thirteen stars. Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
Let’s take a look behind another header on the Byways Books! Say, have you noticed the change that occurs from book to book depending on which brother’s adventure is featured? My illustrator and I worked out that little detail (among others) even before the first book in the series released. Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
Good Backup. Cover illustrations are all-important when it comes to digital books (and Hannah Christenson does an amazing job with the Byways series). But print editions need that little extra: back covers. Take a look at the details we included on the flip side of every Byways Book. Continue reading BYWAYS: Back Covers
I’m continuing a series of posts that offer a peek behind the Byways header. On a related note, do you recognize the four creatures it features? From top left, circling clockwise, they are Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
I love the Byways header, which features some of the magical, mythical creatures inhabiting Libery’s wild places. It adapts its hues to suit the setting. It shifts like a Changer to show which brother’s story you’re holding. (You noticed that, right?) AND, it blocks a good portion of Hannah Christenson’s cover illustrations. So I thought you might enjoy a peek at unseen things. Over the next several weeks, I’ll show you what’s going on behind the scenes. Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
I did an authorial reread of Meadowsweet and Harrow, partly for Continue reading Galleries of Stone Reread
“That man’s branch is severed from our tree. His star is fallen from our sky. His name is cast into the sea. May the depths take him.” Silence hung heavy in the house as the clan leader cursed his own son. “May his blood spill, may his bones break, may flames consume him. He is an enemy of this house. Should he trespass upon this clan’s holdings, my own dagger will spill his entrails, my own hands will wring the breath from his lungs. That man will meet his end.”
—Galleries of Stone, Book 1: Meadowsweet, Prologue
Reader Art. I’ve been away, and it’s lovely to be home again. One of my favorite parts of returning was finding new art in my inbox. I’ve featured Skylee’s art before. When she secured her print edition of Meadowsweet, she kicked off her re-read with art. And I have permission to share!
Continue reading ART: Prologue [Galleries of Stone]
I love hearing from readers! A few days ago, Virginia sent me a few pictures from Seattle under the header “Meadowsweet Sighting.” She gave me permission to share them with you. Continue reading SHOW-AND-TELL: Galleries of Stone
Magic isn’t the only legacy Mr. Ian Johns wants for his bickering sons. The Postmaster hoped the boys would bond during a family trip, but they twist his vacation plans into a race. Ewan, Zane, and Ganix soon find themselves far from home, facing choices that are far from easy. Three routes stretch from coast to coast. The rules: each brother—and his two companions—must check in at post offices along their route. At these waypoints, they stamp in with their personal seal and report their progress by postcard. —excerpted from the series summary that’s printed in the front of new Byways books
This blog’s Waypoint Log is inspired by the Byways Books, in which Ewan, Zane, and Ganix have to stop at post offices and stamp in. Their postcards home keep them in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Johns. Our log is more like a guest book, and it’s simple to stamp in. Continue reading WAYPOINT LOG: Stamp In
C. J. Milbrandt 