5th Blogiversary Celebration

Five years. That's right, I'm celebrating five years of my blog. Looking back at this year's posts, I see there aren't too many, but there's good reason for that. I'll get to that in a moment. There are lots of things to cover.

First, I want to say that Robin Williams made my day. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not trying to make light of a tragic situation. I know both depression and addiction are powerful diseases. My point in saying he made my day is that it emphasizes no matter how successful or financially well off you are, you are still not immune. It reminds me that chasing every last dollar and stressing over bills is not the answer. We live in a beautiful world and need to focus on the truly important things.

Now, as soon as I can put my soap box away, let's get on with the party...

A little bit further down this post, you can find details on the blogiversary prizes. Some of you may have noticed that I have been a bit absent from the "writing world" coming close to a year now. At least, I hope you noticed. Well, there's good reason for that. I've actually been living a childhood dream.

I'm currently a Walt Disney World Monorail Pilot! Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to drive one of those things. Last November, an opportunity arose and I took it. Let me tell you, the actual drive training is one of the most challenging things I've done in a long time. Every minute has been worth it! I am having a blast and spend my days with some absolutely amazing cast members.

As for my writing, I have some plans and things are coming together. 

My friends at Helping Hands Press (www.myhelpinghandspress.com) are helping me celebrate this blogiversary for the next 25 days. I have two projects that I am working on for them. Quite a while ago, I started co-authoring a story called Amish Wonder. When finished, it will be a novella about a young Amish boy thrust out into the secular world. For fans of the Defective Amish Detective, I will be re-editing those stories into a complete novel with a nice surprise on the end.

I am also working with Dinosaur George Media on two different series. Ask DG is a question and answer picture book for young readers. Book 2 will feature illustrations from the very talented Victor Donahue. Both Ask DG and Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts book 2 are expected to be available by Christmas. You can find these books and more here: store.dinosaurgeorge.com

And the one that started it all - The Empyrical Tales. Book Four of the Empyrical Tales will continue the story of Zandria and Olena by telling the tale of The First Queen. The whole series will be revamped and re-introduced soon. Until then, I will keep those details under wraps. Please visit my official website for more details and the series and my other books - www.MillerWords.com. 

While you are there, please check out my new online store, where you can get autographed copies of all of my paperbacks at a special price with free shipping.

In five years of writing, blogging and social media, I have met some fantastic writers and been blessed with some great fans. I've received humbling reviews and inspiring emails. I've tried my hand (not always successfully) in many different genres and have something for most every type of reader. To celebrate, I am giving away the gifts. Here are the links to five of my paperbacks available through Goodreads.com:

Daniel's Lot - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105710-daniel-s-lot

One: a Spiritual Anthology - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105708-one-a-spiritual-anthology

Promise of Tomorrow - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105707-promise-of-tomorrow---complete-series

Sons of the King (co-written with Olivia Miller) - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105706-sons-of-the-king

Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts #1 - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105705-raptor-island---dinosaur-george-and-the-paleonauts

In addition to the paperbacks, Helping Hands Press has put together a prize pack of selected eBooks (mine and some of my author-friends). Lazarus Filmworks, for whom I wrote the adaptation of Daniel's Lot, is also including some prizes. Please be sure to visit both of my sponsors. This part of the giveaway will be done through Rafflecopter exclusively on my blog. You can earn an unlimited amount of entries by using social media once a day for the next 25 days.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In closing, I want to express my gratitude. That is one thing of which I have an abundance and can afford. I am full of thanks for all of my experiences over the past five years. I am thankful for the people, both real and virtual, that I have met. I am thankful for the opportunities I've had. In this time, I have also watched my family grow and change and I thank God for that gift. Please feel free to share this post and all of the prize links. And, as always, I appreciate any comments on my blog.

Thank you for the past five years,

and I look forward to the next five!

Mark

These are the creatures of your neighborhood

Like most boys, my youngest son developed a fascination for dinosaurs. He could name many species before he could read. At some point, I knew I would have to have dinosaurs in The Empyrical Tales. Afterall, I couldn't write a story only for my girls. I had to include things for my boys too!

With only a few days left in the giveaway on my blog, I thought I would share some background on the dinosaurs of The Secret Queen.

So (sing a slightly altered tune with me), these are the creatures of your neighborhood...

First off, in the land of Empyrean, the dinos are known as Arcosaurans and come from Arcenland to the far south of Empyrean. Arcenland is separated from the Southern Valley by an enchanted passage called the Unending Desert.

Once in Arcenland, Olena learns that there are both good and bad Arcosaurans. In the Southern Valley, Olena meets women with cat heads, but in Arcenland some of the women have triceratops heads.

Among the Arcosaurans she meets are the Parasauratitan, Emperor Li-Am (leader of the Carcharodans), Baharians and the fearsome Spinolock.

To keep the theme of Egyptian mythology, all of the featured dinos can be found in the fossil record of Egypt and Northern Africa.

The Parasauratitan is inspired by Paralititan Stromeri, one of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the earth.

Li-Am and his Carcharodan warriors were based on the Carcharodotosaurus Saharicus. This ferocious theropod got it's name because it's skull resembled that of a shark. 

The Baharians are smaller Arcosaurans that decided to help Li-Am, instead of becoming his dinner. Their inspiration is the Bahariasaurus Ingens. 

Spinolock comes from the infamous Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus. Assumed to be extinct in Arcenland, Olena's adventures may lead her into the jaws of an unpleasant surprise.

Two of the nastiest dinos in The Secret Queen also have their character names based on my son's name. He couldn't be happier about that!

For all you dinosaur fans, the book also includes a foreword written by paleontologist and television host "Dinosaur George" Blasing. I have to thank him every chance I get for his contribution to my research and The Secret Queen.

I hope you found this interesting and would love to hear your comments! Thanks for reading!

Remember to submit your entries on the Rafflecopter widget at the top right for a free autographed copy of The Secret Queen.

Enter To Win

The Empyrical Tales Book III: The Secret Queen is out now and I am giving away a free autographed copy!

All you have to do is visit my blog (http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/) and enter on the right hand side. Even if you are already a fan of The Empyrical Tales on Facebook, you can still enter daily until June 30th.

Login into the Rafflecopter widget with Facebook or Twitter, then complete the entries for the day. Each day you come back, you can enter again.

The Secret Queen tells the story of young Olena and her adventures in the Southern Valley where she encounters dinosaurs! Even if you haven't read the first two books, this is a great story for kids and adults. If you want to start at the beginning, Book I: The Fourth Queen is still ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon Kindle!